Chapter 10: Of Thieves

It was early in the morning, and I decided to stay up with ma and help her around the house for the past couple of hours before ma had to wake up Osha. And thus the morning routine began.

"Good morning, Osha," I said to her as she yawned wearily while stepping outside the bedroom.

She rubbed her eyes and tiredly replied, "Good morning, big brother."

She departed from the bedroom and made way for the kitchen, Ma shuffling behind her. I made my way to the kitchen after watching them patiently and took my seat across from Osha.

I helped Ma all night cleaning the house and getting breakfast ready for Osha, seeing as how I felt it would be only fair to do my part. After all, I'm basically the man of the house.

After eating her breakfast, Osha spoke, "So... Damian is coming to school with me, mama?"

Ma whirled around and replied, "He'll be taking you to school from now on. Which reminds me, Damian can I talk to you in private for a moment?"

"Uhh... Yeah..." I stated before hopping down from the dining chair.

Ma escorted me to the living room, out of ears range for Osha, and before I knew it she handed me what looked like a large black, blanket. I stared at it as rested in my paws.

"I know I said not to fight, but... I want you to do something about those guys for me. Don't hurt them too bad, just send them a message. Wear this when you do it, I don't want everyone knowing it was you."

"...?"

I was bit dumbfounded by the whole thing. It didn't seem like Shema to want me to attack someone for something like this. I simply handed, what I assumed was a cloak, back to her.

"I won't even need this. I'll try to take them without violence and if I have to fight I will."

Ma simply grinned, "Yeah... You're probably right. But... Osha doesn't know about you yet. I think it would be best if she didn't know for now."

I nodded slowly, "You have a point... But ma, I'm gonna do my best to not make a name for myself like I used to."

Ma sighed before replying, "Okay, I won't make you fight them. But be careful..."

I smiled, "Don't worry, ma. I've got this covered."

She kissed me on the forehead and rested her paw on my shoulder, "Once you drop her off, go into town and find someone named Jeb. He'll be in the law enforcement office, ask for him and tell him I sent you. He's a good friend of mine, and I know he'll give you a job if you pass the pretest. I don't know what King Zoroark has in mind for you, yet but I frankly don't care. But if the King needs you, don't expect any payment out of it. After all... You destroyed their family heirloom."

I pursed my lips, "What's the deal with that ball anyways?"

"The deal is that it's been passed down for generations, it's something of a good luck charm. Superstitious stuff that even I don't understand."

"Mama, is it time to go yet?" Osha called out in the other room.

Ma stood upright and replied, "Yes, Osha. Come on out."

My little sister rushed around the corner and stood by my side, grinning at me from ear to ear.

"Osha knows the way to school right?" I asked.

"Yep! I walk there every day by myself. But not today, though," Osha said excitedly.

Ma and I chuckled lightly at her enthusiasm, and with a hug and a kiss from our mother we departed.

I couldn't help but enjoy the scenery as we walked, as it seemed to be a perfect path through the trees. And I was surprised to see fellow Pokemon greet Osha and I along the way, wishing us a good morning.

After what appeared to be almost five minutes of complete silence, Osha blurted out, "Big brother, where have been all this time? I've been worried about you. Mama says you've been gone."

I laughed, "I had some things I had to take care of in life."

"Things like what?"

I took a moment to think about my reply, "Well... I... I had school and... a job and the school I wanted to go to was far away from Ma. I didn't want to leave but I had to. But now I'm back."

"But what about Travis? Mama said he was with you...?"

I bit my lip and sighed, "Osha... Travis... He's in a better place for now."

"Wait but... Travis isn't dead is he?"

I could feel my heart almost being tugged at, "N-no... He just couldn't make it because he... He has his own things in life he needs to take care of."

"Ohh... Okay then, well he better come visit me soon. I haven't seen him yet."

I just sighed.

A bit further down the path, we were stopped by none other than a Sneasel, a Monferno, and a Kekleon. The Sneasel was first to speak while the others blocked us from further movement. I stared them all down.

"Hey there, if it isn't our best friend Osha... You remember the toll right?" the Sneasel stated as he held his hand out.

Osha started to reach into her bag before I rested my paw over hers, stopping her attempts to grab the money.

"Damian, I'm trying to get the money to go through to school okay?"

Staring coldly into the Sneasel's eyes I replied, "No... There is no toll. Isn't that right guys?"

They all tensed up, "And who made that rule? Because it wasn't us," the Kekleon snarled.

"Osha, stand back..."

"But big brother, they're nice pe-"

"You're gonna stop hustling money from my little sister, ya hear?"

All three of them looked prepared to fight, "Who the hell do you think you are, dude? If we don't get that money now, we'll take it," the Sneasel spat.

"No, here's what's going to happen. Your friend Kekleon is going to try to use his cloaking ability an d rush me, in a failed attempt I'll bring him down with one attack. Once that happens, you'll both attempt to charge me only to fail as well. I don't look like much but I'm more than you think I am, so unless you want to leave here with no bones broken I suggest you turn the other way and never bother my little sister again."

"Some pretty big words for such a little crap," growled the Monferno.

Judging from their voices they very well could have been a year older than me, but that was no issue.

After staring at each other for almost a minute I added, "Go ahead... Make the first move, I never strike first. I mean seeing as how there's one of me and three of you, it should be easy right?"

'Shut up!" the Monferno yelled before charging me head on. He went to swing a fire punch at me, in which I easily swayed to the side, swept my leg under his and knocked him off his feet.

His friends appeared shocked as he grunted in annoyance, Once back on his feet, Monferno went to perform a flurry of punches, all of which were no challenge to avoid. After simply letting this guy wear himself out, I pressed my paw into his chest with a force palm ready. The out of breath Monfreno stared into my eyes with shock.

"Last chance, turn around and pretend this never happened..." I stated coldly.

Before I could utter another word I could feel the presence of another attacker behind me, I whirled around and caught the Sneasel's arm with my paw, before slamming the force palm attack into his chest and knocking him back several feet. I then turned to face an invisible Kekleon and punched him in the gut, forcing him to leave his cloak, and with one last move I ducked down to avoid a punch from Monferno, did a full 180 degree turn and kicked him in the ribs. Staring down at him as he kneels over in pain.

Apparently these guys didn't learn their lesson yet seeing as how they were still prepared to fight.

"I know you all have a fire in your eyes right now, but you won't win this fight. If I haven't made that clear already then maybe you're all too dumb to see it. Don't make me hurt you more than I have to."

The three of them huffed and puffed before the Sneasel finally muttered, "Come on, guys... Let's go..."

And with a leer, they ran off into the trees but one problem remained at that moment... The look on Osha's face.