Krom and Saria rested in Pinwheel Village, exhausted from the battle. He downed a bottle of water, hearing Simba laugh as he sat down. "You know, I've never seen a human fight like that. I was impressed." He said, smirk on his lips. Krom chuckled, scratching his head. "Thanks. I was just upset that guy grabbed Saria." He said, looking to the Halfling, who was tending to Jackie's broken arm. He looked at the wrapped herbs, wondering what to do with them. The mayor, Chief Bishop, had given them to him as a thank you gift. He wondered what they really did. Simba stood, smiling. "Well, since you're capable of defending yourself, I think I'll teach Saria-chan how to defend herself." He said, smiling. Krom frowned, standing.
"How are you going to do that? Luxray and Gardevoir are two different Pokemon." He said, referring to their nearly unconnected move pools. He chuckled. "I'm older than I look. Besides, both Luxray and Gardevoir can learn Charge Beam and Thunderbolt. Although, she seems more like a Magical Leaf Gardevoir. That move would seem to fit her more." He said, tilting his head, pupils narrowing.
Krom sat back, watching Simba teach Saria how to use Thunderbolt. He explained it sensibly, you had to imagine it, and if you're lucky, it'll happen. That or you have skills, which was his other line. Krom watched her slowly learn the moves, exhausted by sunset. He complimented her on her progress, and she blushed. This made Krom frown for some reason. Why? It wasn't like Simba was attracted to her, right? Saria walked past, saying she'd meet him back at their cabin, which the mayor had allowed them to borrow. Simba chuckled, catching the red eyed trainer's attention.
"I'm no Medicham, but my Mind Reader says you're jealous." He said, smirking. Krom frowned, fists clenching. Simba looked down to his fists, smiling. "What the matter? Can't handle a little competition?" He asked, taunting the trainer more. Krom swung his fist, and Simba grabbed it. He tilted his head, pupils widening. "You're a Hitoawa. That much I can tell by your vigor and main Pokemon. Let's see how much of a Hitoawa you really are." He said, eyes narrowing. He shot a Thunderbolt through his body, shocking Krom. Krom didn't flinch, immune to the electricity. Simba halted the attack, letting Krom's fist go. "You're pureblood. You've got the rage and abilities. Didn't think I'd meet one of you. And do me a favor, control yourself. I have no interest in Saria." He said, turning away from Krom.
The Gym Leaders showed the Elite Four the footage, including the Pinwheel Village footage they obtained. Shauntal was ecstatic, saying she could write a book on him. Grimsley disregarded it, saying that such havoc was expected from Team Plasma. Caitlin stated that his bond with his Pokemon was impressive, as was his power. Marshal was also impressed, especially by the Druddigon. Cheren said they should come to a vote. All in favor of hunting don and capturing Krom Hitoawa for murder were to raise there hands, and those in favor of letting him be would not. The only hand raised was Cheren's, making him seem like a fool. He berated everyone of them, earning him a sharp stare from Grimsley.
The Dark Elite smiled, his unusually long canine teeth glittering. "Now now, we can't have the only converted Gym Leader going on a Holy Crusade because a boy is feeling his roots." He said, wagging his finger. Cheren growled. "Yes I can! If it was a holy person in this kid's place, you'd be all over it!' He cried, going for the witty comeback. Caitlin shook her head, her immense amount of hair unmoving. "No, because we'd expect it from your kind." She said, her pendant of a halo glittering. The halo was a sign of Mew the Miraculous, goddess of creation, birth and rebirth. Marshal nodded. "I'd expect it as well. Cross bearers are overbearing to say the least." He said, his pendant of three swords surrounding a fourth shinning. It was the symbol of the four Musketeers, Cobalion, Virizion, Terrakion and Keldeo.
Cheren growled, and Marlon chuckled. "Looks like someone has a cross up their ass. Then again, that's if it could fit with how tight those jeans are." He said, referring to Cheren's habit of wearing tight clothing. Cheren turned on the swimmer, swinging his fist at him. Grimsley was in between them in a flash, his Grim Reaper pendant shinning. Shauntal laughed, her pendant of a spirit dangling. Spirits were a symbol of Giratina, Goddess of the afterlife, and of the supernatural. Grimsley sat down, Shauntal on his lap.
"We will deal with the boy when the time comes. Until then, we watch." He said, eyes boring into Cheren's. Homika laughed. "Looks like Tight Pants won't be going on a Crusade anytime soon. So sad, if you would have succeeded, we could crown you Pope Cheren, complete asshat." She said, pulling the strings of her bass. Again, the meeting ended up about Cheren's religion and not Krom Hitoawa.
Saria continued to take lessons from Simba, who trained her in the arts of special attacking. She looked at him one day, Krom watching, and asked why he wouldn't teach her martial arts, or something physical. He laughed. "Because, you're the right size. If I were to train you physically, you'd become fit, so to speak, and you'd slowly become muscular." He said, glancing at Krom. "And no offense, but muscular women are nastier than having a pair of Muk fucking on your back." He said, smile on his face. Saria and Krom grimaced at the thought.
Krom's Pokemon were tired, exhausted from a day training with Jackie and Hella, the Houndoom. After Saria spoke with her, she opened up, becoming a great teacher. She taught Castle Face Fire Blast, and Jackie taught Spots Shadow Claw. Nibbles managed to learn Fire Fang. Golett learned Rock Slide. Rufus learned Aerial Ace, and Emolga learned Signal Beam. Twiggy had led Rock Climb and Clerinsect perfected her Heal Pulse. Roggenrola couldn't learn anything, his size and shape hindering him. Underwarf consoled his friend, reminding him that Krom cares for him. Roggenrola perked up, happy that he at least had friends.
Krom listened to Simba sing, the Halfling having noticed they dozed. Krom stretched, the Halfling watching him closely. He looked to Simba, remembering something he said. "What do you know about my family?" He asked. Simba laughed. "A lot. The Hitoawa were great warriors, and even used their religious favor to their advantage. They made Golurk from the souls of their fallen clansmen. The Dwarves helped them, even when the Moyasu clan abandoned them. They felt it was hopeless, that Arceus was unstoppable. Little did they know, if Kyurem the Incomplete would have shown his face, Arceus would have been slaughtered." He said, eyes shinning.
"At your age, which I assume is ten to twelve; the Hitoawa would be skilled farmers and fighters. By their fourteenth birthday, most Hitoawa were married, children by fifteen." He said, looking at the setting sun. "If your proud of your heritage, and would like to bring back the Hitoawa who protected Unova for hundreds of years, you'll have kids within the next six years." He said, nodding. Krom blinked. "Isn't that a little young?" He asked. Simba swung his head. "The average lifespan of felid and canid Pokemon is twenty years. Imagine your mother giving birth to you at two years old, and dying on your eighteenth birthday. Back then, you were considered washed up at thirty. The average lifespan of non warrior Unovans was fifty years back then. You were blessed if you made it past sixty." He said, angered.
Krom wandered the village, heading back to his cabin. He couldn't imagine being Simba. Then again, he had no family. For as long as he could remember, Cedric Juniper acted as a pseudo-father, despite the young boy living alone. If he did have living family, they hid from him, or didn't want him. The prospect upset him, and he headed to the cabin. Once there, he saw his Pokemon, all happy and healthy. Saria smiled, but looked tired. "Clera taught me Heal Pulse." she said, sighing as she sat back on a couch. Krom sighed, sitting down next to her. They smiled at each other, happy at their situation.
Krom slept, Saria lying on his chest. Outside, one Shadow Triad member, by the name of Tate, drew a kunai from his pocket. Cheren paid him a large sum of money to kill Krom, and would pay even more if he dispatched of Saria and his Pokemon. He jumped through the window, landing silently on the ground. Many Pokemon laid scattered on the ground, Tate slithering around them all. A Roggenrola stood stout, and the ninja scoffed. He kicked the little rock Pokemon, who landed on their bags, making contact with some herb. A glow shone out from behind Tate, causing Saria to moan and roll over. He spun, the newly evolved Boldore slamming into his chest. The crash awoke Krom, who sprung into action.
Krom moved his Boldore, stomping Tate's chest. Tate moved out of the way, using sped only a ninja could possess. The kunai was on the floor, and Tate swung his leg at Krom, who grabbed it, flinging him across the cabin. Tate landed feet first on the wall, propelling himself at Krom, who sidestepped. Tate swung his fist at Krom, who slapped it away, elbowing him in the face. Tate stumbled back. He only needed a little more time, and then his brothers would arrive.
Krom swung his leg at the ninja, who ducked under, going for an uppercut. Krom leaned back, grabbing the arm and flinging Tate out the window. He jumped out the window, continuing to protect himself and his friend. He kicked at Tate, who sidestepped. Tate punched Krom in the jaw, causing him to stumble back. He kicked Krom in the chest, flinging him back into the cabin wall. He grunted, slouched down.
Tate walked over, wanting to finish the boy. He looked down at Krom, scoffing at how easy it was. Krom exploded, leaping up and grabbing Tate's neck. He squeezed hard, causing the ninja to fall to his knees. He growled, squeezing even harder. Tate choked, his eyes rolling into the back of his head. Krom wrapped his other hand around his throat, squeezing harder still. Tate's neck snapped under his grip, and blood leaked from Tate's eyes, ears nose and mouth. He dropped the body, looking up at the two Shadow Triad members, both angered at their brother's death.
They overwhelmed Krom, two angry ninja above the level of a simple Pokemon trainer. Krom grunted, blood trailing down his face from his nose, and he laughed. One brother, clad in red, charged. He swept his legs from under him, spinning to knee the brother in green. He blocked the knee, Krom kicked in the back by the red clad ninja. His legs were swept from under him, and he grunted in pain. He heard a familiar laugh, and saw the glowing golden eyes.
"Krom, that's bad. Beat by two ninja in tight outfits." He said, looking up at them. They charged Simba, who smiled. He ducked; kneeing the red clad one in the face, while he grabbed the green one in a clinch. He rained knees down, blood coating the ground. He kneed once more, shoving him back. He was alive, but weakened. The red clad brother came from behind, and Simba dodged. The green one came at him, and Simba chuckled. He swung his hand, claws extending. The claw strike tore the ninja's face open, snapping his neck. The red clad brother shook, and Simba taunted him.
"Come and get me." He said. The red clad brother charged. He swung his leg, and Simba swung his. Their legs collided, and both of them moved back. Krom watched groggily as they rained blows down, the ninja appearing to have the upper hand. He kicked Simba, causing him to flip. Something sharp erupted from the back of Simba's jeans, slicing into the flesh of the ninja, who stumbled in pain. He landed, walking past the ninja. A tail, with a shuriken like tip, wrapped around his neck, and Simba smiled. "People always forget about my tail." He said, wringing his foe. The ninja spun rapidly in air, neck broken.
Cheren awoke, grunting in pain. He was in a hospital, hooked up to IVs. Homika sat there, strumming her bass in a chair. "Oh, look who woke up. Pope Manslaughter." she said, glaring at him with her icy blue eyes. He looked at her. "What happened?" He asked, unable to fell his arm. She laughed. "Brycen beat the fuck outta your queer ass for getting' his boys killed." She said, venom in her tone. He blinked. "What do you mean?" He asked, hearing the machine beat with his heart. She glared at him. 'The Shadow Triad are Brycen's sons, and you got them killed putting a hit on Krom Hitoawa." she said. Cheren was shocked. "They failed?" he asked. She nodded.
"Krom choked Tate to death. That Halfling Simba clawed Blade until his neck broke. And poor Hito was wrung like a towel by Simba's tail. Can you explain to me how a fucking twelve year old overpowers and kills a full grown man, who was trained as a ninja and assassin?" She asked, placing her bass down. Cheren remained silent. "My fucking point exactly. You can't bitch. And now because of you, Brycen has to bury his triplets. All because your faggot ass wanted to kill a little boy." She said venomously. Cheren sat up, grunting in pain. Homika sprung up, slamming her hand down on his chest. She held him down, growling. Cheren smirked.
"What's wrong Homika? Upset you can't have me?" He asked. She leaned down to whisper in his ear. "I'd sooner be charged with Statutory for sleeping with Krom than look at you again." she said, leaving.
Krom stayed for a few more days, learning how to fight more efficiently. He even worked with his newly evolved Boldore, who he nicknamed Rocky. Rocky had learned Flash Cannon and Power Gem, and all of his other Pokemon put in training. When they departed for Skyarrow Bridge, he shook hands with Simba, who said this. "Your journey is fucked up kid. But I'd gladly save your ass anyday. Just yell if you need anything, and remember, disable your enemies unless in war. Then kill." He said, and they left the village, the forest shrinking as they traveled to the largest structure in Unova.