“Wake up.”
A small figure slowly opened his eyes, groggily glancing around.
"Where am I?" He thought to himself, seeing that he was in an unfamiliar location. "Shouldn’t I be at home?" He pondered, before an alarming question popped into his head. "Where is my home? Why can't I remember it?" He pushed himself up onto two legs, startled by how little he remembered. However, he quickly lost balance, falling face-first into the pond which he was laying down next to.
“Oww…” He muttered as he began to get back up, freezing as he saw his reflection. “Th-this isn’t right!” He shouted, jumping back from the pond. “I-I should be a human, not a Zorua!”
“Remember who you are.” An almost melancholic voice said. “This world needs you Theo.”
“Wh-who are you?” Theo asked, trying to find the source of the voice. “And how do you know my name?”
Despite his questions, Theo received no answer.
Theo began to pace around the clearing, when he noticed a red caterpillar approaching the clearing through a path to the north.
Before Theo could try to talk to it, the Wurmple shot threads of sticky silk at him, causing Theo to get tangled within them.
“Really? String?” Theo said to the Wurmple, a little underwhelmed.
The Wurmple stopped using String Shot after Theo’s insult. However, it began to approach Theo, its horn glowing purple.
“I don’t want to fight, please stop!” Theo shouted at the Wurmple, running towards the other path out of the clearing in a panic.
The Wurmple turned to face the fleeing Theo, horn still glowing as it approached.
“I’ve got to get out of here…” Theo said to himself as he finally reached the other path, only to find himself face-to-face with a Cottonee. Theo tried to run under it, but quickly noticed that the air felt heavy, and he noticed small shining, green spores.
“This can’t be good.” Theo muttered as the spores paralyzed him. Still panicking, he let out a loud cry for help. “Someone! Save me Please!”
Being stuck in place, Theo was only able to gasp in pain when he felt something sharp stab into his side, no doubt that it was the Wurmple.
Theo began to glow green, as orbs of his energy were drained by the Cottonee. Before the Cottonee could finish absorbing Theo’s energy, however, it was hit by a burst of flames.
The Wurmple turned to the source of the flames in order to attack the mysterious assailant, however it too quickly fell to a blast of fire.
Finally free from the paralyzation, Theo took a step back from the cloud of smoke and cotton from the now unconscious Cottonee, as a figure of similar size to him walked out of it.
“Were you the one calling for help?” The figure asked as it stepped out of the cloud, revealing itself to be a Vulpix.
“I-uh- yes.” Theo stammered. “So, umm, thank you.” Theo said as he took a step, only for the stabbing pain in his side to feel worse and causing him to collapse.
The Vulpix panicked when Theo collapsed. “B-by Arceus, are you alright?”
“The W-Wurmple stung me...” Theo muttered faintly, gasping for breath. “Stung me in the side… side doesn’t feel right…”
The Vulpix rushed over to Theo’s side, and quickly realized what happened. “It must have been a Poison Sting, let me find a Pecha Berry.” She said, putting her bag down and rummaging through it. She quickly pulled out a pink berry, and placed it in front of Theo. “Eat this, it should deal with the poison.”
Theo looked at the berry nervously trying to figure out if it was safe to eat, and hesitatingly took a bite. “This is… surprisingly sweet.” Theo said before taking a few more bites.
His comment caught the Vulpix off guard. “Surprisingly sweet?” She repeated, bemused. “That is how all Pecha Berries taste, have you never had one or something?”
Theo shrugged. “Not that I remember.” He said, quickly trying to decide whether or not he should share his predicament, and how much of it.
“Wow, even my parents weren’t that strict.” The Vulpix said. “I don’t even want to know what yours were like.”
Theo sighed. “I… I don’t remember my parents. Or much of anything for that matter.”
“Oh Arceus I’m sorry!” The Vulpix apologized sincerely. “I was running my mouth, I didn’t mean to be insensitive.”
“It’s alright.” Theo said. “You had no reason to assume that I had some form of amnesia, and I don’t really remember enough about my past to be offended.” He added, trying to comfort the Vulpix, though he couldn’t help but wonder if he meant what he was saying.
“Do you know how long you’ve been here?” The Vulpix inquired.
“All I remember is my name.” Theo said, deciding to keep the fact that he was once a human to himself. “I’m Theo.”
“I guess it would be rude of me to not introduce myself too.” The Vulpix said. “My name is Tina, and I live in the village of Buwell, which is nearby the entrance to this Mystery Dungeon.”
“Mystery… Dungeon?” Theo repeated, confused by the unfamiliar term.
“Y-you don’t know what a Mystery Dungeon is?” Tina asked.
“Not a clue.” Theo replied with a chuckle. “Should I?”
“I guess with your amnesia it makes sense that you wouldn’t know what a Mystery Dungeon is, but how did you get four floors down without realizing…” Tina muttered, before struck with a realization. “The winds!” She shouted, sounding almost triumphant. “The winds must have caused your amnesia!” Tina concluded.
“What do you mean winds?” Theo asked, puzzled.
“I will explain on the way, follow me.” Tina replied before walking towards the northern exit to the room.
“A-all right.” Theo said, chasing after her. “Explain away.”
“So,” Tina began as she led Theo through a maze of tunnels, “Mystery Dungeons are believed to be space-time rifts. They have multiple floors that can be traversed through staircases with layouts changing from one day to another, believed to be thanks to the winds.”
“Could you explain the winds then? What is so special about them?” Theo asked.
“Well, the winds blow at the same time every day, and force Pokemon like you and I out of these dungeons, if you’re lucky.” Tina explained.
“And if you aren’t?” Theo inquired as they turned a corner.
“Well, various things could happen. Those pokemon that attacked you weren’t always that violent.” Tina said. “Those stuck in the dungeons during the winds lose their memories, then their minds. The winds change how you think, confines you to these Dungeons, and makes you violent, almost feral. I would be willing to bet that you were probably stuck here while the winds blew, though why you only lost your memory is beyond me.”
“Maybe I’m just lucky.” Theo said as he thought about it. “Is it because I was human, or did I lose my memories for a different reason?” He pondered.
“A different reason.” The soft voice chimed in. “Though these winds are news to me too.”
Theo glanced around, startled. “D-did you hear that?”
Tina paused. “Hear what?” She asked. “Only sounds here are the swaying of the trees.”
“She can’t hear me.” The voice said. “In fact, no one other than you should be able to hear me. Think of me as… a guide of sorts. And maybe don’t speak to me out loud, just think. I can hear those too.”
“I probably imagined it.” Theo said before going to change the subject. “You mentioned a village called Buwell, what is it like?” He asked.
“It’s a small town, though it would probably be easier to show it to you once we get out of here.” Tina said as she stepped into another room. “Speaking of getting out of here, those stairs should bring us to the last floor of this place.”
“How do you know how many floors this dungeon has?” Theo asked.
“Well I come through here every now and then on jobs that the guild doesn’t take.” Tina said. “Usually from people who can’t afford it, though sometimes it is just because I get to the people who need the jobs done first.”
“What guild?” Theo asked.
“Forgot that you don’t know what exploration guilds are. In the town of Buwell, there is an exploration guild called the Floette Guild. Exploration guilds are groups dedicated to exploring the world and solving problems, anything from delivering letters and items to saving people stuck in Mystery Dungeons.” Tina explained. “Members of exploration guilds get much more in terms of compensation for their work than someone like me, and they also are supplied with items to help them in dungeons.”
“Then why aren’t you part of one?” Theo asked.
“Well you need an exploration team to be in a guild.” Tina answered. “And a team takes two or more pokemon to make.”
“But you seem capable. Why wouldn’t someone form a team with you?” Theo pressed.
Tina laughed. “Those were low level pokemon, and I had a type advantage.” She explained as she led Theo down the stairs. “And I haven’t really fit in with the teams I’ve tried to join, so I’ve been going solo.”
“Makes enough sense.” Theo thought to himself. “So why were you in this dungeon specifically today?” Theo asked.
“Well, one of the children in the town had one of their items stolen from them, apparently taken into this dungeon. However, the little Horsea can’t afford guild services, and most of the townspeople are unwilling to go into Mystery Dungeons, regardless of reason.” Tina said.
Theo chuckled a little. “Yeah, I can understand why. Though how did the Horsea know that their item was taken here?”
“Well,” Tina explained as she continued walking, “Some people followed the thief, they watched them enter the dungeon but no one has seen them leave yet.”
“Wouldn’t the thief be affected by the wind if they were still in here though?” Theo questioned.
“Normally, yes. Though the deeper into a dungeon you are, the less the winds affect you. Depending on the dungeon, some can hide out in them for months before losing themselves.” Tina elaborated. “That is why outlaws often retreat into dungeons when on the run, since it could take ages for them to be found.” She paused as they entered a large room, seeing a scale lying on the floor near a staircase. “There it is!” She shouted, rushing towards the scale.
Theo froze as he walked into the room. “I think I hear something.”
“So you hear it too. That slithering.” The voice said.
Tina shrugged as she kept walking. “I don’t hear a thing, it might just be a breeze.”
Theo took a few steps into the room, noticing a bush rustling. “Tina, there is something in here.”
Tina reached down to pick up the scale. “Theo, you are overreacting. Probably just hearing things again.”
As Tina grabbed the scale, a Seviper lunged out of a bush, constricting her before she had time to react.
“Maybe you ssshould have lissstened to your friend.” The Seviper hissed, having trapped Tina in the move Wrap.
“L-let g-go!” Tina shouted.
Theo froze, panicking. “W-what do I do?” He thought, worried.
“What do you think? Attack the Seviper!” The voice shouted. “Use scratch!”
“How?” Theo questioned, panicking. “I have no claws, much less paws to begin with, how do I scratch?”
“Th-Theo! Help!” Tina requested, her voice growing faint.
“It’sss no ussse.” The Seviper hissed. “He isss too ssscared to fight back it ssseemsss.”
“Use your illusions!” The voice stated, as if it was the most obvious solution. “The illusions of a zorua are solid.”
“How do I use my illusions?” Theo retorted in his mind. “For a guide, you haven’t explained much.”
The voice sighed. “My apologies. I, well I assumed you would understand your new form.” It paused before it continued. “Take a deep breath, and close your eyes. Imagine you have claws. Think of as many details of them as possible, then open your eyes. The most important part about this, is that you have to believe that your illusions are reality. The moment you doubt them, they vanish. I recall that many Zorua in my time would leap into the air for certain illusions to distract those watching, though that is more for bigger illusions. For something as simple as claws, you should be able to skip that step for now.” It explained.
Theo did as instructed. As he breathed in deep, he shut his eyes, imagining having paws and claws in place of his stubby feet. He took a step forward and exhaled, opening his eyes as claws extended from his illusory paws.
“Perfect, just like that.” The voice said. “Now then, show that Seviper that you mean business.”
Theo ran towards the Seviper, swinging his claws in an attempt to scratch it. “Let. Tina. Go.” He said as each hit connected.
The Seviper hissed. “Sss-stop! Ressssissstance is pointlesss!”
“Get him Theo!” Tina shouted, the Seviper’s grip around her loosening.
Theo kept using scratch, until the Seviper eventually collapsed, allowing Tina to slip away.
“H-hey, jussst give up already! Once my teammate getsss here, you won’t ssstand a chanccce!” The Seviper lunged towards Theo, its tail glowing purple as the Seviper tried to hit Theo with it.
Theo ducked under the Seviper’s tail as Tina shot a small blast of fire into the Seviper’s side. The Seviper turned its head towards Tina and went to lunge at her, only for Theo to leap onto its back and continue to scratch it with his false claws, eventually causing it to faint.
“Did… we beat him?” Theo asked, his illusory claws fading away.
“That was amazing!” Tina exclaimed. “I didn’t know that you could do that with the claws!”
“I uhhh, I didn’t either.” Theo said. “I learned how to thanks to-”
“Remember, as far as anyone is concerned, there is no voice in your head.” The spirit piped up, causing Theo to pause.
“-it was spur of the moment.” Theo said.
“Well it was great!” Tina said.
“It really wasn’t much, I’m sure any Zorua could do it.” Theo replied sheepishly. “But, what do we do about him?” Theo gestured towards the Seviper.
“Well we drag him down that staircase, then turn him in at the village.” Tina answered, before pulling a round, blue berry out of her bag and taking a few bites of it.
“And if he is still awake, and just acting unconscious?”
“He is out cold, no doubt about it.” Tina answered, before continuing to eat.
Theo went to push the unconscious Seviper. “This guy is kind of heavy, is this really the time to have a snack?”
“It’s an oran berry, it has healing properties.” Tina explained. “So that if we get attacked again, I won’t end up like him after one attack.” Tina glanced at the Seviper, before taking a few more bites of the berry.
“That would have been helpful a while ago…” Theo sighed. “Alright, then help me out once you are done.”
“I will, there is just one more thing I need to do first.” Tina said, walking over to the scale that she had gone to pick up earlier, and had dropped when the Seviper attacked.
“Was that really worth the trouble?” Theo asked, glancing at Tina. “I mean, didn’t you say that the Horsea you are getting it for couldn’t afford to provide a reward for anyone going to get it?”
Tina smiled. “I did it because it is the right thing to do. Sometimes, the best payment is the look of glee on someone else’s face.” Tina replied, dropping the scale into her bag.
“That is… one way of putting it I guess.” Theo began to try and push the Seviper. “But isn’t this what you do as a job?”
“It is, but I am fine on money right now.” She replied, walking over to Theo to help push. “I just do this because it is fun.”
“I don’t really see the appeal in getting attacked for walking around.” Theo replied sheepishly.
“Well it isn’t the battles that excite me.” Tina began. “It’s the adventure, the chance to explore, and the rush of excitement when you finally reach the end of the dungeon! The smiles, the laughs, and the chance to lie down at the end of the day, thinking about what new adventures may come next. Now let’s get going, we have a scale to return.”
“We?” Theo asked, tilting his head.
“Yeah. You and me. You helped me get the scale, so we are completing the job together. And maybe visiting town will help jog your memory, or someone might recognize you.” Tina explained.
Theo shook his head. “Buwell sounds like a nice place and all, but I don’t think going there will help me figure out anything.”
“Well it couldn’t hurt to check.” Tina smiled. “Besides, you’ll need a place to stay, and there isn’t another town for miles.” The vulpix reached out a paw to gesture the distance.
Theo sighed. “Yeah, but I don’t have any money. Or connections. So I don’t thi-”
“You can stay with me.” Tina interrupted.
“But-”
“Of course, I’ll need something in return.” Tina continued.
“I never agreed to-”
“How about you form an exploration team with me? Then we can join the guild and start doing real jobs, and get to explore and help people!” Tina hopped around a little bit.
“I think I might be better off figuring this all out on my own.” Theo replied. “Really nice offer and all, but I’m not really sure.”
“Exploring could help jog your memory though.” Tina suggested. “I mean, you have to be from somewhere, and explorers go everywhere. So even if no one knows you here, eventually we should find someone somewhere that knows who you are.”
“I…” Theo trailed off. “I can’t just say no one will recognize me, can I?”
“She would definitely think you are crazy if you tell her that you were a human.” The voice piped up.
“Then what do I do?” Theo asked in his head.
“Are you alright?” Tina asked. “You seem to be staring off there.”
“Just accept your offer, she isn’t exactly wrong about anything she’s said. Working with her would probably be in your best interest, at least to give you a place to stay. From what she’s said, this ‘Buwell’ place seems safer than here, and she knows more about this place than either of us.” The voice suggested.
“So you don’t explain things and don’t know what’s going on? How did you end up being my guide anyway?” Theo asked.
“Bad luck. Now will you take her deal, or no?”
“Fine, but only because I don’t have another option.” Theo sighed. Yes, I’m fine. I was just… thinking it over. You have a deal.”
