Chapter 5: The Mashindano! Take Charge!

Luna's POV

"Dear Diary,

Today has been another big day, yet it seemed to be a crazy day. While Isamu and I began our first mission with the Lion Guard, both Isamu and Kion got separated from us while chasing after a group of troublemaking hyenas!

That was really shocking for me when I saw the boy that I loved being dragged away by the river. But nevertheless, both he and Kion were safe, but... while they managed to get out of the river, they were on the Outlands...

That meant that they would have to travel through the enemy's territory in order to get back to the Pride Lands. I hoped that the two of them would be safe while the rest of us would go and try to head for Flat Ridge Rock.

Unfortunately, there were lots of bumps and mistakes we had to go through, due to Bunga's lost sense of direction, Beshte's forgetfulness of asking what the directions to Flat Ridge Rock was...

It wasn't easy, but we managed to get there. That was, until the rest of the Guard and I discovered Kion and Isamu getting attacked by Janja's clan, with a hyena that seemed to be on the boys' side.

It just goes to show... that not every hyena is bad, despite of the bad reputation Janja's clan had gained during the past time at the Pride Lands...

Now that the first mission and the wild adventure is over, I can't tell if another enemy is about to show up. I just hope there isn't, because we already have the hyenas to deal with... Bad hyenas, I mean.

End POV

"It's coming from Ukuni Woods!" Ono cried out.

The Lion Guard members with the twins in their lion cub forms and Isamu in his Eevee form was heading to where there seemed to be a panicked screeching. Typhlosion and Umbreon were accompanying the group as Isamu hasn't fully recovered from his small injury.

It was another day at the Pride Lands as Isamu started to get used to becoming an Eevee, thanks to the Eevee tail mark that was imprinted on his hand.

With it, he was able to perform some Pokémon moves, such as Quick Attack and Iron Tail... As for the other moves, those were something he had to know for himself later as time went on.

The Lion Guard was helping Isamu train so he could master his new powers when Ono reported of something going on as there seemed to be in danger.

Asking Luna and the rest of the Pokémon friends to guard the Lair, Isamu accompanied the Lion Guard and the twins to where the danger seemed to be coming from. While he ran, he was getting more used to walking on four paws.

"What do we got, Ono? Hyenas? Jackals?" Kion asked, with Bunga and Beshte adding in the questions.

"Vultures?" Beshte added as Bunga ran along with a big grin on his face.

"Hyenas, jackals, vultures... Whatever it is, the Lion Guard and their bodyguards can take it!" Bunga assured, causing Typhlosion to raise an eyebrow as he ran alongside the energetic honey badger.

"Did you just call me and Isamu your bodyguards...?" Typhlosion asked, only for Bunga to give the Volcano Pokémon a sheepish expression.

"Drop it, Typhlosion... The problem we have right now is more important..." Isamu grunted as the Lion Guard and the elder Ketchum brother and his Fire Type partner continued their way to where the sound was coming from.

But as Ono used his keen sight to see where the problem was, he flew up higher to take a closer look.

"Hold on! Getting it in sight..." Ono spoke as he used his keen sense to see... a hyrax trapped inside a thorn bush...?

"Really...?" Ono groaned as he flew down, with the Lion Guard, Isamu, and Typhlosion catching up to him.

"Something wrong? Why did you- Oh..." Cole started to ask until he took notice of the shivering hyrax trapped inside the thorn bushes.

"Yep... You guessed it, Cole. It's nothing thrilling. Just a hyrax stuck in a thorn bush." Ono explained, causing Erika to peek to see the shivering hyrax holding something with it in its small paws.

"Aw... It looks so cute, though... How did it get trapped in here, though?" Erika asked, causing Isamu to shrug.

"Probably it's because it didn't see where it was going... or did someone trap it here...? I don't know. Your guess is good as mine." Isamu guessed as Fuli sighed, annoyed with the simple job they came up with.

"Seriously?" Fuli grumbled in annoyance while Beshte smiled in relief.

"That's not so bad..." Beshte pointed out softly. But the others seemed annoyed as Bunga pouted for all the running they had to do for a simple job like this.

"We rushed all the way across the Pride Lands for this?" Bunga asked, causing Cole to shrug before he made his response.

"Looks like it... Although, that doesn't mean we should just leave the poor guy here, right?" Cole asked, earning a nod from the fiercest member.

"You're right, Cole... And Bunga, the Lion Guard's duty is to defend the Circle of Life. Even if it means... helping a hyrax out of a thorn bush." Kion reminded, causing Bunga to grin before he ran up to the thorn bush.

"Alright, I got this one! Come on, hyraxie! Let's get you outta there!" Bunga called out as he held onto the hyrax, only for it to screech in fear as it scrambled out of Bunga's grip and headed farther in, causing Bunga to frown.

As the honey badger tried to get through the thorn bush, Typhlosion stopped him from going any further, noticing why the hyrax looked terrified still.

"Bunga, stop. If you pull it out like that, then you'll make the hyrax feel more hurt than it could've been before..." Typhlosion reminded, causing the honey badger to frown at the Volcano Pokémon.

"What are you talking about, Ty?" Bunga asked, causing Beshte to explain.

"Little B, I think what Typhlosion means is that the hyrax's trying to avoid being shredded by thorns." Beshte explained, causing the honey badger to understand before he stepped up to the two members that can use the Roar.

"Oh... Kion! Erika! Why don't the two of you use the Roar! You can flatten those thorn bushes if you work together!" Bunga suggested, only for Erika to smile sheepishly and reject the suggestion gently.

"Um, Bunga... If Kion and I use the Roar together, then the force will be more than enough to not just knock the thorn bushes away, it could maybe hurt someone... like this poor hyrax or the other animals." Erika explained sheepishly.

"Oh... Right... Hadn't thought of that." Bunga admitted, before Kion reminded his best friend of a simpler way they can work to free the poor animal.

"Listen. We don't need my Roar or Erika's to clear the thorn bushes. We can just pull 'em aside!" Kion suggested, causing the young honey badger to grin as he started to make his way, until Typhlosion stopped him.

"I'll handle it... You could get hurt if you act recklessly." Typhlosion piped up, causing the honey badger to frown as the Volcano Pokémon carefully pulled the thorn bushes aside, enough to make room for the hyrax to escape.

But the hyrax freaked out, frightened on how big the Volcano Pokémon looked.

"Come on, little guy. You can do it. This is your chance to be finally free!" Typhlosion reminded patiently until the hyrax continued to shiver in fear.

Noticing that this was going nowhere by words, Fuli took the opportunity to use her speed to get the frightened animal out of the thorn bushes.

"I got it." Fuli called out as she used her mouth to get the hyrax out before Typhlosion let the thorn bushes go.

Once the hyrax was free, the cheetah let it down gently as the others came over, all smiling with the work being done quickly.

"Thanks, Fuli! And great work, Typhlosion! Bunga!" Kion praised as the Volcano Pokémon smiled in thanks. It was at that moment when the group all looked to see the hyrax rubbing the snake skin all over itself!

"Is that... some sort of a skin? Wait... that's a snake skin, right?" Cole asked, earning a nod from Fuli.

"Yeah... weird! That hyrax must really like the snake skin." Fuli commented, only for Ono to correct her on what it was really doing.

"No, no, no. It's using the scent from the snake skin to mask its own smell. That way, snakes won't detect him. Pretty clever!" Ono explained, causing Isamu to frown.

"That's what you think, but what if the snake is actually behind the little guy!?" Isamu pointed out with a shout, causing everyone to see a familiar snake slithering up to the hyrax before...!

*GULP*

The Guard watches in disgust as Isamu shakes his head in annoyance.

"Hey! That hyrax is not on the menu! Spit him out!" Isamu snapped as he tackled the cobra with Quick Attack! The sudden blunt from the attack caused the cobra to spit the hyrax out, allowing the little animal to be free once again.

At losing his lunch, Ushari the cobra glared at the Eevee, hissing angrily for the attack he had taken.

"Say! That was my lunch!" Ushari hissed, until Bunga came over and grabbed the cobra's body, causing him to stiffen from the grip!

"Yeah? Looks like it was to go!" Bunga retorted before he rolled the cobra up into a ball before getting ready to throw him away!

"And now... So are you!" Bunga added as he threw the cobra away, causing him to let out a scream before he hit the tree! Beshte jumped out of the way before he landed on some sort of muddy water with flowers all over it.

As the cobra landed on the ground, he glared to where his enemy was before he hissed his name in disgust.

"Ugh... That Bunga... And that brown fox, too..." Ushari hissed in annoyance before he slowly slithered away, disappointed for losing his chance to eat the meal.

For the hyrax, he seemed to have felt grateful before he hugged Isamu, causing the human turned Eevee to smile softly before he hugged the hyrax back. Once they released each other, the hyrax hugged Bunga as well!

But just as he did, the hyrax twitched his face before he scurried off in fear, causing Fuli to smile on what that reason may be.

"Bunga! Your smell must be even scarier than a snake's!" Fuli chuckled, causing Bunga to smirk as he came over to his friends.

"I'll take that as a compliment!" Bunga smirked as Typhlosion raised a brow. Isamu sighed as he gave a sheepish smile while Ono gave a small sniff from his honey badger friend, now understanding what Fuli meant just now.

"I wouldn't..." Ono gagged, causing Bunga to frown at his egret friend.

As for the young hippo, he struggled to get the mud off of him as some of it sticks onto his body, along with some of the flowers that got onto him when he splashed into the muddy water.

"You okay there, Beshte?" Typhlosion asked, causing the hippo to smile sheepishly as Ono flew over and landed on his back.

"Poa... The flowers just got me a little sticky, is all." Beshte explained, causing Ono to widen his eyes and realized on who he was standing on.

"Sticky!? Oh, oh no... I'd say a LOT sticky! Hapana!" Ono gasped as he managed to push himself off of the sticky hippo. But in doing so, he accidentally causes Beshte to be knocked into a tree!

The hippo struggles as he realizes his behind was stuck, before he pulled himself out! As he did so, some of the tree bark was stuck onto his butt, catching the young hippo by surprise as he gave a sheepish smile.

"Oh... I just might need a bath." Beshte stated, before Ono flew down with Cole asking the honey badger a question about his hygiene.

"Hold on... When was the last time you took a bath, Bunga?" Cole asked, causing the honey badger to think before he responded with another question.

"Mm... Does the last time I fell off of a waterfall count?" Bunga asked, causing the human boy turned lion cub to shake his head with a sheepish look on his face before the honey badger thought more.

"In that case, it's been... I don't know how long!" Bunga admitted, causing Fuli and Erika to widen their eyes before the cheetah frowned at her energetic friend.

"No wonder the hyrax ran away from you!" Fuli exclaimed, with Ono agreeing with her.

"Fuli's right, Bunga. I'm afraid you really do stink." Ono agreed, causing Kion to pitch in for his best friend.

"Aw, come on. That's just how Bunga smells. He's always been a bit, uh... fragrant!" Kion explained, causing Isamu to raise an eyebrow. He turned to Typhlosion, who gave him shrug with a frown.

"Is there anyplace where the two of you can take a bath?" Erika asked, allowing the young hippo to come up with an answer.

"I know a place! Little B and I can try taking a dip in the Big Springs! I'm sure the fish there will get us clean." Beshte explained, causing the other members of the Lion Guard, Isamu, and Typhlosion to all turn to him in surprise and confused looks.

"Fish?" They all repeated in confusion.

(Pokémon VS Lion Guard)

(SAO Opening: Innocence (English Subbed))

(I do not own these lyrics)

My hidden feelings are crying out as I hold an absolute vow

(A strong breeze across the plains as Luna watches the sun setting down while she stands on a rock)

(Isamu looks down at his reflection at the waterhole, unfazed with beings staring at him)

(Opening title comes out as the sun shines brightly)

Seeking nothing but a miracle, I wander in the everlasting darkness
If I stay here, I won't ever be able to see the future again

(Isamu watches as Rafiki paints a picture of him, Luna, and two humans with the Lion Guard)

(Luna watches Kiara and Simba speaking in a daughter and father conversation, before she frowns)

Tonight's moon is inviting again and I still can't say those words, but I kept shouting them in my heart

(Erika prepares herself to begin her duties as a member of the Lion Guard, along with Cole)

(Isamu and Luna faces the twins as they all smile at each other)

My hidden feelings are crying out as I hold an absolute vow

(The four kids run with the Lion Guard, all preparing to face Janja and his clan)

(Umbreon, Arcanine, Ninetales all appear together)

(Simba and Nala watches the Pride Lands on Pride Rock)

(A silhouette of a spirit sneers as fire surrounds him)

If I can be just a little stronger
Then I'll go beyond this sky in front of my eyes

(Isamu and Luna hold hands together as new enemies come to face the two and their new comrades)

(Mufasa smiles down at the Guard and the four humans bonding together)

Then I'll reach out toward the future that lies ahead

(Isamu looks up at the sky before he's splashed by Bunga's dive as he blinks to see others laughing at him)

(Seeing how fun they were having, the elder brother joins his new friends and Luna)

(Opening ends)

At the Big Springs, the group watched to see the young hippo getting cleaned by the fishes.

While they were heading to the Big Springs, they met up with Luna and Umbreon, as the two wanted to take a walk together around the Pride Lands while avoiding any danger.

When explained to why they were all going to the Big Springs, the Kanto girl smiled sheepishly, noticing how messy Beshte looked while Umbreon grimaced at the smell that the honey badger on him.

Isamu had turned back to his human form, making it easier for him to move as he walked with the Lion Guard, his two Pokémon friends and his crush.

It took a while for the group to get there, but as soon as they got there, they met up with other hippos that were related to Beshte as the young hippo was ready to get himself clean.

It wasn't long before Beshte was looking cleaner than ever as the young hippo grinned at the sight of the Big Springs fish eating up the muck and dirt that was all over his body, along with the sticky flower petals.

"The fish in Big Springs love eating the muck and dirt off us hippos! They even go for the food stuck in my teeth! Check it!" Beshte explained as he opened his large mouth to let the fish eat the food parts that was stuck in his big teeth.

"That's rather nice of them to do so..." Erika commented, as Basi came over to the Lion Guard and the others with a smile on his face.

"And when there's too many fish in the lake, the crocodiles come and eat the fish. It's the Circle of Life at its finest." Basi explained, causing Luna to be a little curious on what the old hippo meant.

"I've heard of that term many times before while we were here in the Pride Lands, but... What exactly is the Circle of Life?" Luna explained, causing Kion to grin and explain to the Kanto girl.

"It's like this, Luna... It's like life together exists together in a delicate balance. It's like the nature's way of taking and giving back life to the world." Kion explained, causing Isamu to raise an eyebrow.

"So in a way... it's like when something passes away, a new life can be born as the time goes by, right? When one life is gone, another is born..." Isamu questioned, causing the lion cub to give a small smile.

"It's something like that... Dad said something about that once when he was teaching me and Kiara of what we need to know." Kion explained proudly.

"Anyways... besides the Circle of Life, I'm feeling clean as a whistle!" Beshte spoke proudly, causing an amused whistling to be heard as the young hippo turned to see some female hippo giggling towards him.

"Hello to you, too!" Beshte chuckled with a grin, causing Umbreon to give a little giggle.

"Looks like you're a bit popular in the hippo herd, huh, Beshte?" Umbreon giggled, causing the young hippo to chuckle back before Ono turned to the young honey badger, who also needed a bath.

"Willing to give it a try?" Ono asked, earning a grin from Bunga.

"Why not? I'll try anything once! Zuka Zama!" Bunga declared before he dove into the water. The splashing ended causing Kion, Fuli, and Typhlosion to get a little wet, much to their annoyance as they watched Bunga move across the springs.

"Here fishy, fishy, fish!" Bunga called out.

But while the honey badger moved around, as the fish started to approach him, they quickly swam away, looking like they feared something from the honey badger. Cole smiled sheepishly, knowing what this meant.

"I guess this means the fish didn't like your scent even in underwater too..." Cole stated, earning a nod of agreement from his twin sister.

"Hey, fish! Where ya going?" Bunga asked, as he was surprised by their quick rejection. That caused the other members of the Lion Guard and the newcomers of the Pride Lands to laugh at the situation Bunga has caught himself in.

Just when they were enjoying the time at the Big Springs, a voice called out to the leader of the hippo herd.

"Basi! It's been many weeks! How are the fish today?" A crocodile called out.

Isamu, Luna, Cole, and Erika all turned to see reptiles that seemed to be the crocodile herd crawling over to where the Big Springs were. Narrowing his eyes, the elder Ketchum brother couldn't tell if they were good-hearted or not.

But one thing's for sure, he knew that something bad was going to happen, particularly with the crocodiles for some reason.

But the old hippo didn't seem to think so as he greeted the old crocodile with a gentle smile on his face.

"More than last time, Pua. But not enough for your float of crocs. Swing by next week?" Basi answered, causing the old crocodile to act rather positive about the answer.

"If that's how it must be." The old crocodile, known as Pua agreed before he turned to his float.

"Move on, my friends. We'll eat somewhere else today." Pua declared, as he got ready to move with his float. But there was one crocodile who wasn't approving of this decision as he confronted the leader.

"Wait! Pua, you said we were going to eat fish!" Another crocodile retorted, causing Pua to give a gentle look at his young comrade.

"Makuu, there aren't enough fish yet. You heard Basi." Pua reminded, only to get a small glare from the young crocodile.

"I heard him. But why should we crocodiles listen to a hippo?" Makuu questioned rudely, causing Pua to narrow his eyes before he crawled over to the rude crocodile, reminding him of the Circle of Life.

"I told you before, Makuu... It's the Circle of Life." Pua reminded, earning a scoff from Makuu.

"So you say... But I think you listen to the hippos because you're weak. You're afraid of them! But I'm not afraid of anyone... and that's why I call for a mashindano!" Makuu declared loudly.

"A mashindano?" Cole repeated in confusion as Beshte turned to his father.

"Dad, what's a mashindano?" Beshte asked, allowing the father hippo to explain.

"The mashindano is a physical challenge. It's how the crocodiles determine their leader." Basi explained, much to Kion's disbelief and awe.

"Hevi Kabisa..." Kion breathed out as Isamu narrowed his eyes. He frowned at Makuu, who seemed rather rough and rude, while Pua on the other hand, was rather polite and calm as the leader of the crocodiles.

"Something wrong, bro?" Typhlosion asked, causing the elder Ketchum brother to make his guess.

"I can only hope this is a feeling, but... something tells me we might have another conflict to deal with... A big one, in fact." Isamu explained seriously, catching Luna's attention as she turned to where her crush was looking at.

"A mashindano?" Pua asked, looking rather surprised himself.

"You heard me! Accept, or surrender your leadership...Immediately." Makuu demanded, causing Pua to glare back at his young comrade. Having enough of his rudeness, the old crocodile took the bait.

"I accept your challenge, Makuu. In accordance to tradition, the mashindano will take place near Lake Matope at sunset!" Pua declared as he took his leave, not noticing the dark smirk Makuu had on his face.

Isamu had noticed the smirk as he narrowed his eyes, coming to fear on what he said earlier might've been right.

Later, at Pride Rock...

"I don't like this mashindano thing... Why should a fight determine who the crocodile leader is?" Kion asked with a frown.

After Makuu had challenged Pua to a mashindano, Kion had headed over to Pride's Rock to question his parents about the mashindano and about how the leadership of the crocodiles should be done.

The four humans accompanied the leader of the Lion Guard, as they were rather puzzled by this situation as well.

"Don't forget, Kion. Your father had to fight Scar to regain leadership of the Pride Lands." Nala reminded softly.

Erika stepped up, reminding that this wasn't the battle between the lions.

"But, your Majesty... That was a fight involving lions, and it's all because of the chaos Scar caused, right? This is between the crocodiles, and..." Erika started to say, before Nala gestured Erika to go on.

"Go on...?" Nala called as Cole stepped up to finish his sister's words for her.

"We were thinking... that Makuu may be trying to start the fight. We heard that he called Pua weak, thinking that he was afraid of Mr. Basi and his hippo herd..." Cole explained, causing Kiara to see the twins' point.

"Can't you do something about it, Dad? You're the King over all the animals in the Pride Lands." Kiara questioned, causing Simba to frown a little.

"I am King. And as King, I know that all the animals in the Pride Lands have their own customs. And they need to be respected." Simba advised, causing Kion to frown, as did the Roberts twins.

"I guess..." Kion sighed, knowing that his father had a point.

Leaving Pride Rock, Kion continued to frown, unsure of whether it was right to leave the mashindano be, especially with how Makuu sounded or looked. The frown was on Isamu's face as well as he sighed in irritation.

"The animals in the Pride Lands have their own customs, which is to be respected... I guess I can understand, but still... that Makuu didn't seem to be the type of crocodile that would lead the crocs the right way." Isamu commented.

"I can get what you mean... He was acting all rude to Pua when he declared the challenge." Luna agreed, as the leader of the Lion Guard turned to his human friends.

"Isamu... Luna... Yeah... You're both right. Even I'm feeling a bit unsure of whether letting this continue is right, but... as Dad says, we have to respect the crocodile way of settling over leadership." Kion reminded sheepishly.

"And if something bad occurs relating to the crocodile float...?" Cole asked, causing Erika to turn to her twin brother.

"Are you drawing conclusions already, Cole? There's a chance that Pua might win. We know that he's a wise and calm one... If anyone could lose, it might be Makuu, due to his arrogance." Erika pointed out.

"He may be arrogant, Erika, but still... power can be something if you use it to overwhelm your opponents. At least, that's what I learned when I was traveling around the Johto region in my world." Isamu explained.

"Johto? That's in your world, right? The world where Pokémon and people live together" Erika repeated in confusion.

"Yeah... Speaking of, you two never mentioned anything about what you guys do in your world. I mean, there are lots of humans like us, right?" Cole asked, causing Luna to smile in understanding.

"Of course there's lots of humans like we are. It's not like the Pokémon are trying to take over the humans in our world. Humans and Pokémon co-exist together, like friends or families..." Luna explained.

"Really...?" Kion asked, sounding interested in the subject they were going to.

"Yeah... Really. Typhlosion, Umbreon, Ninetales, Arcanine, and Espeon aren't the only friends we have back in our world. We have more than just them to talk to and to bond with..." Isamu explained.

A smile was starting to rise up in the elder Ketchum brother's face, as he felt as if he was forgetting the troubles that might occur later in the Pride Lands.

"Our world is big, probably like yours... There are different regions to begin with, with each region having their own traditions in different locations..." Isamu started, before he took notice of the twins and Kion listening.

"You see... Pokémon are similar to animals... I think I said that before, but anyways... they're a lot similar to animals, having their own ways of showing strength to others and to other types of Pokémon..." Isamu started as he started to look rather relaxed.

Thinking about what occurred in the past started to make the elder Ketchum brother think about what occurred during his time while traveling in the Kanto and Johto region with his friends.

Nevertheless, as he continued to talk, he made his three friends interested by talking about Pokémon battles and how they grow by evolving... The more he talked, the more interested Cole and Erika, along with Kion.

"Hevi Kabisa... That's amazing. I never knew that your world was something like that..." Kion admitted, with Erika nodding in agreement.

"Same here... I never thought there was another world to begin with, though... It kinda makes me feel jealous since you guys can make friends with the Pokémon in your world so easily..." Erika admitted.

"Well... Not all Pokémon can be friends that easily... They have their own instincts of whether to trust or not trust. Trust, they can be friendly, but if not trust, well... I'm sure you know what'll happen." Luna explained sheepishly.

"I get it... So it's similar to how us animals are in the Pride Lands..." Kion pointed out, earning a nod from the elder Ketchum brother.

"It's mostly like that..." Isamu stated, causing the leader of the Lion Guard to smile in understanding.

That evening...

With the sun starting to set, it was almost time for the mashindano between Pua and Makuu to begin. The animals started to gather around near Lake Matope to watch on what would happen during the clash.

Most of the animals began to chant the word "mashindano", all except for the Lion Guard, the lions, and the humans, along with their Pokémon friends.

Pua and Makuu on the other hand, were both ready to fight for their leadership, as the old crocodile faces his former comrade.

"Your confidence is admirable, Makuu. Your over-sized ego is not." Pua spoke sternly, earning a scoff from the arrogant crocodile.

"HAH! You're old and weak, Pua! Today is the end of your reign!" Makuu scoffed before he lunged at his former ally. The old crocodile moved out of the way, causing Makuu to miss his attempt to make the first strike!

It was Pua who made the first hit, as he slammed his tail onto Makuu's face! The arrogant crocodile was knocked away as the animals continued to chant the word "mashindano" as the battle went on.

"Oh yeah! First point to Pua!" Bunga exclaimed, until Beshte corrected the young honey badger.

"No points in mashindano, Bunga. My dad says they have to keep going till one of 'em surrenders." Beshte spoke grimly, causing Erika to frown at the sight of the mashindano.

"So it's like whoever goes down first...? Or whoever demands mercy first...? This is going to be rough." Erika spoke in concern.

"You're right. It's going to be rough for Pua. He may be the leader of the crocodiles, but with the way he looks, he looks a bit old to continue fighting hard if the battle were to be about endurance..." Isamu spoke out.

The elder Ketchum brother was proven to be right as Makuu quickly began to counter back with a slap of his tail and a hard tackle! That caused some of the animals to wince, along with Beshte and Cole.

But Pua doesn't seem to have used up all of his strength as he countered back, before tackling Makuu hard! The arrogant crocodile was sent tumbling back, causing Luna and Fuli to wince together.

"Ouch... He's gonna feel that in the morning..." Fuli winced as she continued to watch.

"Why are crocodiles always so violent?" Ono asked, causing Umbreon to frown.

"That's what I'd like to know. Maybe it's their nature to be violent when something provokes them... such as when something makes the first hit on them?" Umbreon guessed, as she turned to where the fight was going on.

"Maybe..." Kion agreed before Bunga pointed out on what was going on.

"Shh! Guys, look!" Bunga exclaimed as the Lion Guard and the humans turned to see Pua approaching Makuu, who looked like he was unconscious. That was, until...

"HAH!"

Makuu made a surprise counterattack, pinning his former leader to the ground! That caused the animals to wince as they knew that it must've hurt.

"Makuu's got Pua with the jaw vice!" Bunga exclaimed in shock.

"What are you, the commentator of this match...?" Typhlosion questioned, earning a grin from the young honey badger. Nevertheless, the mashindano went on with Pua countering by pinning Makuu down!

"Ooh! Pua with the escape and mount! Claw bar! Makuu's in trouble!" Bunga commented, as Kion watched with a hopeful look on his face.

"Come on, Pua... Get him..." Kion whispered hopefully.

Isamu watched carefully with narrowed eyes while Luna watched alongside with him. The Roberts twin watched as well, both hoping that the old and wise crocodile would be able to defeat the arrogant croc.

But then... the elder Ketchum brother widened his eyes, before noticing Makuu opening one eye, looking like he was preparing to counter back even harder than he did before...!

"This isn't good... With the way things are, Makuu is going to put Pua in his place if this continues on... Pua may be wise, but when it comes to strength, Makuu is...!" Isamu started to think, before...

WHAM!

Makuu pushes and knocks Pua away, causing the old crocodile to tumble back and pant in exhaustion as he tries to face his former comrade once again.

"Whoa! What an escape!" Makuu exclaimed as Typhlosion sighed, before he glared at the young honey badger, as if to scold him.

"Look... Whose side are you on? Makuu or Pua?" Typhlosion asked, causing the honey badger to shrug with a sheepish grin.

"Neither side, I guess... I'm just so stoked to see how this mashindano goes!" Bunga answered, causing the Volcano Pokémon to sigh and shake his head before he turned back to the mashindano.

Makuu smirks at his former leader, looking like he had more energy in him despite the damage and tackles he had taken from his former leader.

"Run out of tricks, Pua?" Makuu asked, as Pua continues to breathe heavily.

To be continued...

Events that occurred:

- Isamu and Luna meet the crocodile float for the first time