Krom sat, continuing to read from the book. "However, if the Hitoawa did find the time for a wedding, it would be done in a forest, and the one marrying them would be a Shaman of sorts. Back in ancient times, the Akumu Clan was the most famous for their shamanistic lifestyles." It read. He stood, enjoying the morning air. Saria played with her Golett, who wore a crown of flowers. Granitwarf had disappeared, taking Castle Face and Twiggy with him. Rocky sat calmly on the ground, absorbing sunlight. Spots growled, his tail paining him when it twitched. Krom smiled, everyone nearly back to full strength. Golurk and Infernape trained, Packer watching closely.
Granitwarf emerged from the forest, carrying a large leg with him. He called Leavanny over, the insect feeling better than before. The two walked through the village, seeking Kyouhei out. Once he found the boy playing with Z, he smiled. He showed the leg to Kyouhei, who tilted his head. He walked over to Z, smiling. He placed the leg on the dragon's stump, using Thunder Punch. The attack charged his fist, and he used his fingertips to weld the leg onto the Pokemon. Z cried out in pain, and Leavanny closed in, using Heal Pulse. Scales slowly started to form on his leg, and he gaped. Once the leg appeared normal, Krom laughed.
The trainer had followed his Pokemon, wondering what they up to. "Not bad. Although, he shouldn't use it very much. It wouldn't be good for the healing process." He said. Kyouhei smiled. Krom turned, his Pokemon heading out with him.
Hyuu growled. Kyouhei was his friend, and yet all Krom did was be kind to him. He kicked a rock, walking through the forest. He punched a tree, holding back tears. He heard a laugh, and spun to see Alder standing before him, smiling.
"Now now, we can't hurt the tree can we?" He asked, rhetorically. Hyuu growled, yelling at the champion. "Who are you to say what I shouldn't do?" Alder laughed. He walked up to the boy, towering over him. He placed a finger at the crook of Hyuu's neck, and applied pressure. Hyuu grunted, falling to the ground. "That should ease some of the pressure." He said, smiling.
Alder walked into town, running into Glenda. He nodded to the Halfling, enjoying the village. He sat down at a café in the village, smiling. "It's been so long since I've been here." He said. He heard a laugh. "I'd say. Nice to see you old friend." A voice said. Alder smiled, watching Simba sit down. "Simba-sama, how have you been?" He asked. Simba laughed. "Sama? I haven't done anything to warrant that." He said. Alder shook his head. "You taught me all I know." He said. The Luxray Halfling laughed. "I taught you what my mother taught me. That's all. So tell me, what are you doing back home?" He asked.
The champion smiled. "I'm looking for Krom Hitoawa. Do you know him?" He asked.
Simba laughed. "The kid? Been training him for weeks. Sable's due any day now. Why do you need to see Krom?" He asked. Alder leaned back. "I have to give him something." He said. Simba chuckled. "I sent a message to Saria. They should be here any minute." He said. Alder smiled. "That's good. How has he been?" He asked. Simba laughed. "Been great. Their armored, stringer and faster, and nastier. Their training has paid off." He said, smiling. Alder laughed. "I take it you like what you've done with them?" He asked. Simba laughed. "It wasn't all me. I had Rex and Vraccas help me." He said. Alder looked at Simba.
"Vraccas is awake? When did that happen?" He asked. Said Halfling grunted. "When my student was attacked." He said, taking a seat. Alder nodded. "I apologize for that. Cheren got out of hand. We took care of him though." He said. Vraccas growled. "Took care of him? He obviously is still alive and well, and with his Pokemon." He said, glaring. Alder tilted his head. "How do you know?" He asked. Vraccas stood, leading them to Glenda's home. Alder saw the Haxorus, who was still unconscious. Alder sighed. "I see. I always knew something was wrong with the dragon." He said, placing his hand on the dragon's head.
Granitwarf walked in, seeing the three surrounding the dragon. He shoved through, opening the dragon's mouth. He placed something in his mouth, using Thunder Punch to weld them in. The dragon grunted, and Granitwarf returned the favor. He reached into his beard, and pulled out two axes, identical to his originals. He placed them into indents the device had, pulling a screw from his beard. He screwed it in, pulling the axes. They were in snug. Vraccas chuckled. "Impressive. He forged him an implant that allows him to implant different axes." He said.
Saria and Krom walked in, seeing he dwarf run his fingers through his beard. They looked to Alder, who smiled. "Krom. Nice to meet you." He said, extending his hand. Krom looked to Simba, who nodded. He shook Alder's hand, watching Alder pull something from his poncho. He handed Krom a badge from the Aspertia City Gym. "This is yours. You earned it. I was impressed by the battle." He said. Krom smiled, thanking the champion. "Not bad Simba-sama. I can feel the training." He said. Simba laughed. Krom blinked. "Sama?" He asked.
Sama was a suffix used to refer to someone you respected highly, and had known for years. Why did Alder use it for Simba? The Halfling sighed. "Yup. Alder's what, sixty?" He asked. Alder laughed. "I'm a lot older than him. In fact, when I first met Alder, I was already a Luxray. He was an infant I found on a walk. Sable always questioned whether I'll be good father or not, and I always told her not to worry." He said. Alder laughed. "Simba-sama raised me. Although, I wonder how he kept his youth." He said. Simba laughed. "Family secret." He said, wagging his finger. Krom chuckled. "Oh, I was
meaning to ask you something." He said.
Simba tilted his head. "I was reading the book that old woman gave me, and it said something about a clan by the name of Akumu. Do you know them?" He asked. Simba laughed. "You've got the best luck of anyone I've ever seen." He said, pupils narrowing. Krom tilted his head. "Why?" He asked. Vraccas grunted. "Because Alder is one of two Akumu left alive." He said. Alder laughed.
"There's only one reason a Hitoawa would ask about my family." He said. Saria tilted her head. "Why?" She asked. Krom scratched the back of his neck, nervous. Alder laughed. "You haven't spoken to her about it? Poor child." He said, leading the two out of the building.
Granitwarf had taken the Haxorus, off to train him. Vraccas grunted. "My memory isn't what it used to be. Remind me why a Hitoawa would see out an Akumu." He said. Simba laughed. "The Akumu were Pagan Shamans. They actually were famous for throwing weddings for the Hitoawa in war times.
Saria blushed, holding her head down. Alder told her why Krom sought him out. The boy grunted. "I mean, why not? We travel together, I've saved your life, I train your Pokemon, and I like you. So, why not?" He said, shrugging. She blushed. "You like me?" She asked,
smiling. Krom nodded, smiling.
Simba laughed from the shadows. "Oh, this is gold." He said. Vraccas grunted. "Why?" He asked. Simba laughed. "No reason. I just wonder how he's gonna travel with her if she gets pregnant or has kids. Can't have little quarter Ralts children running about unsupervised." He laughed. Vraccas grunted. "He better figure it out. I won't like it if he doesn't." He growled. Simba patted his friend on the back. "Chill out." He said, referring to Landorus' crippling weakness to ice.
Krom and Saria walked back into the village, hand in hand. Simba blinked, and Vraccas grunted. "What?" He asked. Simba laughed. "Nothing. I just never saw two eleven year olds kiss like that." He said. "Like what?" The Halfling asked, his tail twitching. "Like they would have got seriously down and funky if we weren't there." He said. Vraccas chuckled.
Gold and Ruby ran up to Krom, yelling to him. He turned to the boys, tilting his head. "What is it?" He asked. Gold panicked. "A Drapion! He's injured!" He cried. Krom followed them to the village gates, where a Drapion laid bleeding. They ushered him to Glenda, who began work. Cuts covered his body, and he groaned in pain.
Simba growled. "Why do so many injured Pokemon stumble through our gates?" He asked, agitated. Vraccas grunted. "Maybe it's our destiny to be the sanctuary that the injured and abandoned need." He said. Simba sighed. "Guess you right." He said.
Krom paced at the village gates, growling. The Drapion wasn't doing too good. Glenda said his nerves were damaged, and his arms wouldn't work well for a while. Krom leaned up against the gates, sighing. Granitwarf grunted, catching his attention. He had arrived with the Haxorus, who seemed a little better. Krom smiled, looking the dragon up and down. Most of his scars had been healed, but faintly remained visible. Granitwarf had…tattooed the Pokemon? Across the dragon's short arms was intricate knot work, starting at his shoulder with a Triskela, symbol of Celebi the Jumper. The Haxorus roared, and Krom smiled.
"That Haxorus doesn't have it's own tusks. What a disgrace." a voice said. Krom spun to see an older man, with shoulder length gray hair. Although, streaks of purple remained in his hair. Simba growled, catching Krom's attention. "You're still alive? I figured the injections would have worn off by now." He said. The man scoffed. "Looks like I'm still here whelp." He spat, teeth grit. Simba chuckled darkly. "Get this straight. If it wasn't for my father, you'd be long dead." He said. The man laughed. "Maybe. But back to business. Have you seen my pathetic excuse for a Drapion?" He spat. Krom growled. "So you're the cruel fuck who hurt him!" Krom yelled.
He scoffed. "It was just training. He couldn't handle it, so I removed him from my team." he said. Simba growled. "This is what my father wanted to avoid. You're lucky he found you a good enough friend to extend your lifespan." He said. Krom blinked. "I'm not getting it." He said. Simba's pupils thinned.
"Over a hundred years ago, almost two, a man by the name of Ash Ketchum destroyed the Pokemon League. He became the first Grand Champion, and reigned for years. My father was a scientist for Ketchum Genetics, a corporation that worked in genetics. That developed a serum to extend the lifespan of people by years. Hundreds apparently. All the gym leaders and elite four members were given the serum, as were some of his other friends. Including his most fickle rival, Paul." He said, glaring at the graying trainer.
Simba twitched, his jaw muscles flexing. "Ash was so caught up in helping his friends and family, he forgot himself. And one day after a long battle, he passed quietly. It is said that some of his Pokemon disappeared. As when his wife, Iris, made it home, his Infernape, Charizard, and Torterra were all gone. Paul was the one subject my father couldn't stand. He always got rid of a Pokemon that lost. When his Azumarill lost in Sinnoh, he gave it to a little boy in the Poke-Center. He got rid of his Chimchar, which became Ash's Infernape. He caught two Starly and a Stantler, only to release immediately for being too weak. He disgusted me and my father." He said.
Krom gaped at Paul. The Haxorus growled. He stepped forward, roaring loudly. Paul closed his eyes, pulling a Pokeball from his belt. "Looks like the pathetic thing wants to fight. Fine." He said, flinging the ball. A Magmortar stood smiling darkly at the dragon. It was a light red, almost gray. The Pokemon's age was getting to it, and Krom knew that. Simba hissed. "If you lose Krom, I swear by Xerneas' horns I'll kill you." He said. Krom smiled, looking to the Haxorus. "Alright, Let's do it! Haxorus, use Dual Chop!" He said, commanding Cheren's Haxorus.