Krom stretched his muscles, yawning as he awoke. He sighed, walking out of the cabin him and Saria shared. The village was bustling, as Krom decided to sleep in on his last day in Pinwheel Village. He and Saria had decided to depart the next morning, heading for Driftveil City. They had grown fond of the village, and Krom agreed with his wife that they should return after Krom's journey. He waved to Glenda as she passed by, arm in arm with Vraccas. He heard loud yelling from the square, and then laughter. Krom was curious, and decided to check it out.
Kooky, one of Granitwarf's Pawniard, named for his insane personality, pranced around the village. He yelled about, wearing the skin of Misty on his face. The Misty facemask made Krom chuckle, as the skin dropped slightly. The Pawniard pulled a specially made remote control from behind his back, controlling a toy Golduck to walk in front of him. He yelled loudly to another of the dwarf's Pawniard, who remote controlled a dwarf action figure. He pressed a button, the hammer smacking the duck in the head.
Kooky mocked Misty, feigning the hurt and despair Misty had for her fallen Golduck, fake sobs ringing out. Krom laughed heartily, the villagers enjoying the spectacle. The Pawniard continued to run about, mocking the fallen leader. Krom looked to the trees, not noticing the spy wielding a camera streaming live to the League.
The League chuckled, though Homika cackled insanely, the mock funnier to the leader who witnessed her demise. Cress exploded, slamming his hands on the table, rising to his feet. 'This is madness! He should be arrested and tried at once! As should she!" He called, pointing to the still laughing Homika. Alder smiled. "Why? Pinwheel Village is exempt from our laws, our taxes. You'd have me destroy a simple village to find to find an innocent child?" He asked.
Oreburgh City Gym Leader, Roark, slammed his hands on the table, standing to his feet. "How dare you speak so kindly of this killer! He has killed put many a holy man to death, and yet the wretch walks." He called, angered. The elderly woman laughed, her normal attire of a hooded cloak with long sleeves moving with her. "Your kind hunted his family for years, now he hunts you, and yet you say it is wrong?" she asked, head tilted. Cress growled.
"He hunts us! He killed Misty's Pokemon in cold blood! And this wretch killed her in cold blood!" He screamed, pointing to Homika. Said leader laughed. "I don't like it when people bring up the past. It just hinders the present." she said, strumming her bass. Cress growled. "That doesn't give you the right to kill someone!" he screamed. Brock, legendary Pokemon doctor and Ash Ketchum's dearest friend, lifted a finger. "Actually, within the walls of Pinwheel Village, what rights she has fall under Chief Bishop's jurisdiction. If he decided to reward her for the act, then that's his decision." He said. Cress gaped. "FINE! Then we should assassinate Bishop, and put a puppet in his place." He said.
Alder laughed. "By Pinwheel standards, if Bishop falls, his wife takes up the mantle. And if she refuses, the village's guardian takes up the mantle." he said. Cress frowned. "Then we kill them both." He said. Alder laughed. "Killing Bishop and his wife would be hard enough, but Simba Lionheart? I might have something to say about that." He said, purple eyes gleaming. Cress growled. "That means shit. If you and that old coot can sit on your old wrinkly asses and praise the trash for killing Misty, and the heathen and his whore killing her Pokemon, then maybe I should take things into my own hands." He said.
The old woman frowned, extending her hand, palm open. Cress began to choke instantly, clutching his throat. The other leaders froze, Homika chuckling. Chili and Cilan panicked, trying to help their brother. He turned red, and the woman smiled. The brothers screamed franticly, urging the woman to stop whatever she was doing. Cress began to turn purple, and Alder sighed. "Please call your friend off. As lovely as a shade of purple as he is turning, we unfortunately need him. Striaton gym wouldn't be the same without him." He said. The old woman sighed, putting her arm down.
A massive, four and a half foot tall Sableye came into view, arms around Cress' throat, lean muscles bulging. The Pokemon's huge teeth glinted, before he released the leader, floating over to the elderly woman. He floated behind her head, giggling madly. "Meet Damien. He was my grandfather's Sableye. Once Pikachu was put out of commission, Damien her became his star Pokemon." she said, smiling. The other leaders were wary of the woman, as she managed to slip two Pokemon into the meeting room. Homika's X-Transceiver rung, and she laughed.
"Hey old woman, mind if I put this on the big screen?" she asked, gesturing to the large screen in the room. The woman nodded, and the girl pressed a button on the device. All the leaders watched the screen, expecting one of her band mates or her father, but none expected the face of Simba Lionheart to flutter into view.
The Luxray laughed, looking at the league. "Kurai-chan. You're looking young as ever." He said, smiling at the elderly woman. She chuckled. "I could say the same." she laughed. Simba turned to Homika. "Hey, I got a question." He said. She nodded. "Shoot." she said, tilting her head. "Is there enough room for me and the pride to live in Virbank gym?" he asked. Homika furrowed her brow. "Of course. Why do you ask? It's not like I'm going anywhere." She said, The Luxray laughed. "Yes you are. I heard Krom and Saria talking. They decided that after Krom becomes Unovan Champion, that they'll pack their bags and take you to Kanto with them." he said.
Homika froze. "They want me to go with them to Kanto?" She asked. Simba nodded. "They decided it after Krom thought about Misty's badge. I mean, only if you want to go." He said. She smiled. "I'm in." she said. Alder laughed. "So it looks like you'll be a gym leader soon." He said. Simba nodded. "Once Krom takes a quick rest after being crowned Champ, he's off to Kanto." He said. The other leaders did not like this. A Halfling Gym Leader? Who assumes Krom is going to be crowned champion?
The two chatted about minor things, and the other leaders grew bored. They all glared at the Luxray, who kept a smirk on his face. Then, they all saw a small patch of fuzzy, orange, something, appear on the screen. They dismissed it as something wrong with the connection, but it grew, slowly. Suddenly, Kooky the Pawniard appeared, wearing the skin of Misty over his face. The leaders paled. He made loud noises, and the two speakers smiled. Then, he disappeared. Not even a minute later, he re appeared wearing a Quagsire face mask, making even more noise. Homika chuckled, but said nothing.
The Pawniard disappeared, and then a Rubber Golduck appeared in front of the Luxray Halfling, who rolled his eyes. He lifted a dwarf action figure, squeezing the legs to make the hammer bonk the rubber duck on the head. Then, a Rubber Togekiss appeared, and Simba repeated his action. Homika laughed loudly, finding the mock funny. Simba and Homika bid each other farewell, and she laughed. "That Pawniard is going to be fun to travel with." she said, strumming her bass.
Krom and Saria sat on a bench, enjoying the sunny summer weather. They had decided to take Homika with them when they headed to Kanto. Krom was ready to leave, having broken the bad news to Spots. The Liepard's hip had not healed right, and his tail was useless, so he decided to leave the feline behind.
It was hard, but the feline agreed, staying behind to train with Hella and Big Bertha. Krom sighed, sad about the Liepard he obtained in battle. He heard his name called, and turned to Vinci. The Smeargle Halfling held his tail in his hand, hand clasped together. "Um, can you come with me Krom-sama?" He asked, nervous. Krom frowned, not liking the formal title. He smiled and nodded, following the Halfling to the town square, where his most recent work was displayed. The Last Supper, the event before Arceus was crucified, was redone with Krom's Pokemon.
In the place of Arceus was Granitwarf, adorned in white robes, hammer on the table, halo surrounding his gruff features. Packer and Infernape were next to him, followed by Spots, Rocky, Castle Face, Emolga and Twiggy on the left, and Clera, Foxy, Nibbles, Golurk and Drapion on the right. The dwarf's Pawniard were scattered about the painting, Kooky hanging upside down from the ceiling. Krom smiled, amazed by the beautifully painted picture. "It's amazing Vinci. Thank you." He said, smiling. The Halfling smiled, his paintings normally receiving no praise.
"Could you perhaps hang this in our cabin? It would be nice to wake up to this every morning when we stay here." He said, the Halfling heading off with the dwarf's Pawniard. The two chuckled, and Simba laughed. Kooky still wore the Misty facemask, finding it comfortable.
Kyouhei fidgeted, watching Krom and Saria from afar. He was nervous about talking to the two, especially if they were enjoying themselves. He did not know if they liked him, or if they would even speak to him. Z rolled his eyes, pushing the trainer forward. Kyouhei grunted, not wanting to. Z shoved the trainer further, grunting. Kyouhei sighed, fidgeting as he walked up to the couple.
Krom noticed Kyouhei walking up to them, and he smiled. The trainer seemed nervous, and Saria wondered why. Krom knew the boy was nervous, and figured the boy lost something. He fidgeted once he made it to them. "H-Hi." he stuttered, waving nervously. Krom smiled, greeting the boy. The boy sputtered, trying to ask something. Saria read his mind, whispering to Krom.
Kyouhei stopped. Saria was whispering to her husband, but about what. When she finished, he smiled. Krom stood, placing his hand on Kyouhei's shoulder. He laughed, speaking to the boy. "Saria told me what you wanted to ask." he said. Kyouhei was nervous. If he did know, what would he say? Krom removed his arm, smiling. He looked at the Charizard. He knew Kyouhei had the Regirock, and he used to have the Lucario.
The boy was lucky when it came to Pokemon, but unlucky everywhere else. If Hyuu found him and took the two powerhouses, Krom wondered which of his Pokemon could take on the two. If he stayed, he'd likely wander about lost, a burden on Simba or Vraccas. Therefore, he had only one choice, and he was happy with it. "Sure, why not? You can travel with us if you want." He said, and Kyouhei beamed. He giggled, hugging Krom. Saria laughed, and Kooky yelled loudly, berating the other Pawniard with his facemask.
The next morning, the three stood at the village gates, ready to depart. Krom and Saria's Pokemon had grown accustomed to having Kyouhei on board, only Castle Face complaining. "More people and Pokemon to carry for me" He mumbled, grunting as they all loaded themselves into the camper. He sighed, roaring to the village once more before heading out. Spots called out to his trainer, saddened by their quick separation. Simba laughed. "You know what Spots? I think you'll be my main Pokemon when I'm Virbank Leader." He said.
The feline smiled. Simba sat back, looking over his land. Jackie and Hella worked with Spots, nursing his hip back to health. Big Bertha and Lizardon, Z's parents, sat together, the Blastoise cannons forged into the wingless dragon's back. He laughed, watching his children crawl around the land. Scar sat alone, drowsy. Sarabi giggled, playing with the tail of the Houndoom. Sanatika giggled herself, throwing small berries at Scar, who dozed where he sat. Sher-Khan sat next to the sleeping Zebstrika, her mate next to her. Simba laughed, filled with fatherly pride.
Shira smiled, watching Mr. Fuji work. The former Team Rocket Scientist helped create Mewtwo, the most powerful Pokemon in existence. She watched him inject all fifteen of her Pokemon, laughing as their power soared. Krom would not be able to handle this. Not this. Her mission would be completed, and she would receive her payment.