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Description
Marowak (the Bone Keeper Pokémon) is a relatively rare Ground-type Pokémon (Fire/Ghost-type in the Alola region) found among mountainous terrain, caves and cemeteries within the Kanto, Unova, Kalos, Alola and Galar regions as well as Sevault Canyon of the Sevii Islands and the Sinnoh region on rare occasions. Fiercely dangerous in both close quarters and at a distance and deceivingly durable, Marowak are potent fighters capable of breaking apart the opposition with little trouble using the large bones they carry around for offense. They might not look threatening, but when it comes to using the dead to fuel life, there truly isn't a better example out there among animals than these armored beasts!

It is believed that Marowak were originally fairly weak and timid creatures that had little hope of surviving against predators, as their skin is not particularly durable and their physical strength is somewhat limited. As soon as Cubone began to carry around their mother's bones or the bones of deceased relatives, however, they started to acquire a violent temperament and things changed dramatically for the species. For one thing, the constant emotional strain on the species as a whole has rendered both the mind and spirit virtually unbreakable once they can move past their grief, granting Marowak a brave and tempered will rarely seen outside of Fighting or Psychic-types. Secondly, mastering the use of bones as a weapon at a young age has made Marowak extremely dangerous in battle, as they quickly learn to not only skillfully use their weapons as more than simple bludgeoning tools but even learn how to choose the right bones for combat in terms of both size and density (something that comes in handy when trying to attack Mandibuzz, avenging the potentially untimely death of their mother caused by their mortal enemy in places like the Alola region); particularly dense bones referred to as Thick Clubs and have the capacity to effectively double the normal offensive strength of any Cubone or Marowak that holds them and thus make excellent combat weapons. Thirdly and most importantly, the skull that Marowak once wore as Cubone ends up becoming a permanent reminder of the hardships they have faced because it directly fuses onto the underlying skin and bone structure upon evolution, effectively granting Marowak two separate skulls. This enhances their defense strength tremendously and allows them to take blows in battle that would otherwise kill them without even flinching, making them a fierce force to be reckoned with despite their small size.

In battle, Marowak are deceptively difficult to beat because of their ability to strike from afar with powerful physical attacks like Bonemerang and Bone Rush without losing their offensive weapon in the process. Marowak are fairly intelligent and understand when a single bone is past its prime and ready to break and will gladly go out searching for a new one when such a time comes. As a result, Marowak have developed the ability to smell the decaying matter of an animal corpse from as much as several miles away and are remarkably keen about choosing either arm or leg bones to use as weapons depending on the overall agility and physical attributes of the organism. While this generally make replacing a bone a fairly simple ordeal, some trainers find that they often times do not have the stomach for it if a corpse is in particularly bad shape. Aside from offense, Marowak are also known to use their bones to communicate with other Marowak across great distances, slamming their bones onto boulders near cliffs to send out signals in a coded language, with nearly 50 different rhythmic patterns currently recognized. It is lastly noted that, while they do not share the same emotional issues possessed by Cubone, Marowak appear to possess a deep capacity for compassion and care, as dead Marowak discovered by members of their own species are often carted away and transported to a single nearby burial area filled with literally nothing but Marowak skeletons. It is currently unknown what sort of beliefs the species may have about the afterlife, but it is nonetheless obvious that they treat the dead with a great deal of respect, far more so perhaps than any other creatures aside from humans and Ghost-types.

It is lastly noted that Marowak are one of the few species of Pokémon known to have a unique variant within the confines of the Alola region. In this region, these creatures possess the same base stats but are Fire/Ghost-types; can possess the Cursed Body Ability as a primary Ability instead of Rock Head and the Rock Head Ability as a Hidden Ability instead of Battle Armor; and learn the Flame Wheel, Hex, Will-O-Wisp, Shadow Bone (a signature attack completely unique to them) and Flare Blitz moves instead of Headbutt, Focus Energy, Rage, False Swipe and Double-Edge. In the Alola region, Pokémon like Marowak were once vulnerable to attack as a result of the rich greenery and the many powerful Grass-type Pokémon observed to occupy the region, and they originally had no way of really defending themselves against their natural enemies. As a last resort, these beasts would occasionally scrape the bone that they carry with them across their heads in order to ignite them, using volatile organic compounds contained within the skull they wear on their heads, using them like torches and spinning the bones around in a dazzling display of power in order to repel their enemies. In ancient times, their rarity and fearsome appearance while holding these ignited bones led many to dub them as conjurers, thus leading them to be regarded with great fear by the locals. However, some of the locals took pity on the creatures and bonded with them instead, and over time, the strong bond that formed between the Marowak of the region and these people allowed them to develop a sixth sense of sorts and commune with the spirits of the deceased, transforming them into the Fire/Ghost-type variants that occupy the island today (and in turn tacking on the condition that Cubone in Alola can only evolve into them at night). Using a bone taken from the corpse of their mother as weapon, these creatures are able to use their weapons to deliver striking Fire-type attacks in close quarters, and can even create Will-O-Wisp balls that relentlessly follow their opponents no matter how far away they may run, even if the projectiles might not be that powerful. This kind of haunting power applies to their bones as well, as the cursed flames that adorn them will readily spread to a target once it makes contact, and no amount of water can stop the flames from burning. These beasts can even utilize a special signature attack called the Shadow Bone attack, which is essentially a modified Bone Club attack sheathed in spiritual energy; it is said that they can use this power because the regrets of their mother follow around them and both energize them and protect them from serious harm. Much as with humans, these beasts have also been observed to perform funerary services and hold last rites for fallen friends and family, making mounds of dirt along the sides of roads to mark the spot where fellow Alolan Marowak have fallen to the reaper. While they might be a sudden change from the Cubone that occupy the island, Alolan Marowak are still fierce fighters and can definitely put their unique set of moves to great use in battle, showing that even in death, the spirits of their friends and family are on their side and ready to lend their support whenever possible.

Though they might not be the most imposing of figures, Marowak are nonetheless dangerous beasts to be around without heavy armor of some kind. They may be limited in terms of the variety of attacks they can learn, but when it comes to putting their nose to grindstone, these creatures will gladly and forcefully take on any opponent, on the ground or in the air, without ever backing down. If you're looking for a powerful Ground-type capable of easily holding its ground in even the most unlikely of situations, consider grabbing a Marowak the next time you pass by their territory; just try not to make too many jokes about them being thick-headed, or they'll make sure that your skull won't be wearable by anyone after your death!

Professor Wormwood