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Pokémon Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Guardians of Balance

Chapter XXI - The Cursed Past
    • StolenMadWolf

    StolenMadWolf

    Loony Moony
    Pronouns
    She/They
    Partners
    1. scorbunny
    2. buneary
    POKÉMON MYSTERY DUNGEON​
    GUARDIANS OF BALANCE​

    ALWAYS AUDACITY
    CHAPTER XXI: THE CURSED PAST    ​

    And so, Chapter XXI is now up! Sorry for the delay, as I decided to take a break and focus on other projects. But this was a major chapter in it's own right, so I figured I would get it done!

    As a bonus, in response to some feedback, I have expanded and reworked Chapter I, complete with an all new scene and some neatened up content, so be sure to check that out! Either way, enjoy Chapter XXI and the new Chapter I!

    Sam was stuck bouncing between two sides of a very thin coin. On one side, there was that feeling of comfort and security that flowed over him like a warm wave. An utterly pleasant and welcome feeling after all the troubles and horrors of the day.

    On the other side, was the heavy breathing of the clearly pissed off Rapidash, busy doing the healing.

    "Are you truly that stupid!" Rebecca snorted, her horn glowing as she focused her Heal Pulse on himself and Alice. From Sam's perspective, sprawled out across the couch, he could just make out the Buneary slumped upright against the seat, a pair of narrowed eyes focusing on the horse.

    "Come on!" Jack started, hovering in the background, "That's just uncool, you can't just go off like this on them!"

    "Someone has to say it!" Rebecca growled back.

    "Look." Alice started, sounding so tired that she didn't even seem to have the energy to be angry anymore. "I knew Aidan was up to something for weeks now. I only followed a lead and stumbled into something far bigger."

    "You could have called for help!" barked the fairy-type. "Or reported this to the Guild!"

    "And who would believe me?" Alice quipped back, "The cursed kid? Hell, I tried and it only just worked."

    Sam sighed deeply, "To be honest, if Alice didn't jump in when she did, I would have been toast."

    He caught a flicker of a glance from the Buneary, and a glare from the Rapidash. "You weren't much better! Walking out in the dead of night alone and rather than fleeing from danger, or playing along to report it to us, you try to fix the problem yourself!"

    Unable to muster the will to counter the argument, Sam simply redirected his gaze back towards the wooden ceiling, and the white lamp that hung above. "Yeah… I guess that's what happens when you get betrayed by someone you trust."

    Rebecca seemed ready to snap back, but no answer came.

    But Sam knew the Rapidash had a point. The gravity of what had happened just over an hour ago now beginning to pull him down, even in the shelter of the Guild Tree after Jack and the other Guild members found them.

    The fact that Aidan – someone who he thought was his friend – tried to kill him. All to keep his precious smuggling operation safe. The fact that Aidan tried to have Sam put aside the fact that he had sent goons to hurt that Pikachu and their team only added salt into the wound.

    Maybe once upon a time Aidan really wanted to help people. Maybe he was desperate enough to try smuggling and he really had the best of intents. But to go so far to try and cover his tracks…

    He closed his eyes. Regardless of what had happened now, someone who had once been his partner was now an enemy. And Sam knew that this was far from over. We'll come across each other again… I'm fairly sure of that.

    The familiar wave of warmth faded away as the Heal Pulse ceased. "How are they?" came the quiet, composed voice of Rex.

    Sam pushed himself upright to find Rex stepping down a set of stone steps into the lower level of his office, with Esper and Jack following him down. Rather than being rushed to the clinic, Sam and Alice had been quickly healed up impromptu at the field and swiftly rushed straight back to the Guild Tree once Jack had learnt what happened. Sam supposed they wanted to hear the story straight from him, and that had been proven quite accurate as he did a brief summary of what had happened.

    Rebecca, looking a little bit calmer – if only just – turned her head towards the guild master. "They'll live. They got lucky though, try and keep them from running off to do heroics."

    Rex bowed his head in response, "I'll try. Thank you, Rebecca. I've taken up enough of your time."

    With a quiet snort and a nod of her own, she strode out of the office. Rex settled himself down on the couch opposite from Sam and Alice, his cool blue eyes glancing between the pair. "You two do seem to have a thing for getting into some kind of trouble, do you?" he mused.

    Sam felt one fist clench, "It's not funny."

    "Of course it's not." Rex replied, "And I'm not trying to belittle you both. Just trying to make a little light of things."

    He leaned forward; hands cupped together. "How are you two though? You have been through a lot just today."

    Sam leaned back into the couch, noting how soft it was against his head. "I'm alright… just a bit, err…"

    He frowned, trying to rephrase his sentence. "Just been a long day."

    In the corner of his eye, he could see Alice nod back.

    "I'm so sorry you have had to go through this. Both of you." Rex replied, "If you ever need anything, let me know. Understand?"

    Sam nodded back, and the Blaziken leaned further forward on his couch. "Sam, you got to know Aidan rather well, after all he trusted you a great deal, even just after one day. Was there anything he said that could better link him to this smuggling operation he is running? Or anything more about him that might help investigate him?"

    The Scorbunny shook his head as he leaned forward, still trying to dig deeper into his memory for any snippet that could help. "He did get quite nasty at a few points, and those headaches were pretty regular. But nothing he said mentioned anything related. He did say he wanted to stick it to his family, but that was something he just brushed over. I never thought it would be that, err, deep."

    "He had snuck off a few times in the woods. And seemed to be getting a little bit of extra cash." Alice added, "I noticed he was paying a few Pokémon underhanded, and he was trying to make himself more of a voice within the barracks. That's when I started looking to see what he was up to."

    "Any idea who those Pokémon were?" Esper noted, sitting down next to Rex whilst Jack touched down on the floor besides the two couches.

    "I couldn't get a good view of their faces. And they seemed to be using something to muffle their voices." The Buneary shrugged, "I guess they didn't want to take any chances with rabbit ears."

    The Blaziken and the Meowstic shared a glance, one that seemed to radiate some level of concern between them. Especially from the Blaziken, who's hands seemed to tighten up at the words.

    Sam frowned, eyes narrowing. "You don't believe us."

    For the first time since they met, Rex's face darkened with a little bit of anger. His brow furrowing and his beak clicking, struggling to restrain himself. Sam felt himself shiver a little bit, worried that the fighting bird would start shouting at him. But the fact that the Blaziken kept his gaze away from the Scorbunny seemed to indicate otherwise.

    "I believe you." Rex said, "If I could, I'd have wanted posters for Aidan posted up in every part of Robinhood and apprehend him myself. But it's not me you have to convince."

    "I don't understand."

    "Robinswood isn't an independent town." Esper said, leaning forward herself. "Whilst the Guild does handle the capture of criminals, it is the judicial bodies back in each of the continents that gets to decide wherever we can try them or not. No doubt someone is already writing up a report about what has happened to send back to their superiors."

    Shuddering, Sam snarled in response, "So you're saying Sand could just write Aidan's actions off? That's stupid!"

    "That's politics for you." Rex replied, rubbing his crest with a clearly frustrated look. "We've got a small window to try and find any additional evidence, or preferably Aidan himself."

    "And if we are lucky, Sand might actively want him caught." The Meowstic added, her eyes narrowing. "That is, if Aidan wasn't lying about that description you gave as well Sam."

    "The fact that you didn't sniff him out doesn't do you much good." Alice said bluntly.

    "Alice!" Rex snapped, his eyes darkening, "We've disc-"

    Sam stiffened as he looked over at the Buneary, shaking her head to interrupt the guild master. "Guildmaster, if Aidan could fool everyone here about his true intent and set up a network around Robinswood, then any crook or lunatic could walk in with a false background. We need to check around the town itself and carefully, otherwise they can slip away without any problem to themselves."

    Esper flashed an unblinking gaze towards the Bliziken, but Sam could tell she was nervous. Indeed, the guild master's snap made him half worried that Rex was going to throw Alice out of the room. But instead, the guild master returned an unblinking stare… before slipping out an amused huff, a faint flicker of a smile forming round his beak, "I wouldn't be so blunt next time, but you are right." He turned towards Esper, "Can you double check the details of each of the residents of Robinswood? Discretely?"

    The feline bowed her head towards the guildmaster. "Of course, but it will take time without utilising my psychic power."

    "Let's reserve that as an absolute last resort." Rex stressed, "Just work through things the old-fashioned way."

    "I'll get started now, whilst any evidence is fresh."

    "Go ahead."

    Bowing once more, she turned to look over the two rabbits. She carefully scanned them both, mouth twisting as if in thought, trying to recall something. But then she bowed her head towards them, "I'm sorry for everything that has happened. I've taken precautions to make sure you aren't in any danger. Take care."

    As the Meowstic walked out of the room, Rex leaned forward towards the two rabbits. "In all seriousness, I have to apologise for everything that has happened to you today. Both of you."

    Sam straightened up, "It's no problem, guildmaster." He replied, "I mean, it's no one's fault here. Save for, well…"

    He couldn't bring himself to say Aidan's name.

    "I agree with him." Alice added, with a faint hint of warmth in her voice. That was a small, but helpful amount of reassurance to the Scorbunny's mind.

    "Very well then." Rex confirmed, "Then in that case, I advise you get some rest. You will be safe in your own rooms and in Robinswood, you have my word."

    "Thanks." Sam replied, sliding off the couch. Alice likewise did the same, returning a simple nod to the Blaziken as she started walking out of the office. Sam moved to follow her.

    "By the way Sam." Rex started, prompting the Scorbunny to look back. The bird was still seated, making himself look smaller than if he was bringing his full height to bare. "Tomorrow, it might be a good idea to ask the other recruits if you can join their team. I can hold a place in the guild, but the team requirements are still out of my control."

    Of course. Sam mused, You need a team to work for the guild proper. Safety reason, I suppose.

    "No worries." He replied, "I'll ask around."

    Rex returned a nod, "Then have a good night, Sam."

    Sam strode out of the office feeling more alone then ever. Aidan had been the one constant he had since waking up here. And it had only been a couple of days! And all of a sudden, he was now on the run, no doubt planning his next crime.

    Sure, the other recruits and the guild members - Eck, the entire town – would be on hand. He was certain of that. But right now, Aidan's absence and betrayal had left a hole in his chest.

    He looked up to find the brown form of Alice approaching one of the elevators in the small lobby. In that moment, he realised that he was being an idiot. There had been another constant, if he wasn't being completely blind.

    "A-Alice!" Sam shouted, breaking off into a jog. The Buneary turned towards him, looking tired but not angry as he approached. "I just wanted to say thanks." Sam said. "Properly and not half dead, I mean." He rubbed the back of his head, "If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't still be alive."

    Alice merely shrugged; her eyes closed. "It was nothin'." She replied, "You didn't do half bad yourself."

    Sam nodded gratefully, "If you need anything… well, just let me know alright? I mean, we made a good team there."

    "We got lucky. And it's best if people don't start hearing you say that."

    Sam blinked, "Huh?"

    The Buneary crossed her arms narrowing, "One good thing isn't going to change the fact most people don't like me. Don't get me wrong, you did well there, but if you think I'm going to be all happy about it, I'm not. Aidan still got away, and I'm not looking for friends."

    She started to turn away again. No! Sam growled to himself; I'm not letting you slip away sulking again!

    Against his better judgement, he grabbed hold of her arm. The Buneary immediately spun round, ears coiling to strike. "The hell-"

    "Alice, shut up and listen!" Sam snapped, hard enough for the other rabbit to recoil a touch. "Every single time someone tries to be nice to you, you push them away. Enough that no one seems to be able to work out who you are and they just fall back on this… this damn curse!"

    He narrowed his eyes, "Right now, I'm only person who is even willing to help you out completely. What the hell went so wrong for you to be so hostile? Let me help, please I owe you that!"

    Alice glared back at him, "You don't have any idea what I've had to put up with." She hissed, body shivering as if being restrained.

    Sam tilted his head, "You're right. I don't." he admitted, "But I've just been betrayed by my friend, and I still have no memory of my life since a few days ago. I'm probably the best you're going to get."

    She kept her burning eyes set on him, and yet, she didn't lunge back at him. Even then, he could imagine the gears turning and soon enough, her lips were pressing together and her nose was wrinkling. That conflict bubbling up to the surface.

    "…idiot!" she hissed quietly, one ear popping back up as she tore her gaze away. She hesitated, and Sam released his grip on her arm.

    That seemed to be enough.

    "Follow me." Alice said, climbing onto the elevator.

    As Sam stepped aboard, Alice swung the switch up, and the elevator rose higher up into the tree. Indeed, she didn't get the elevator to stop until they were quite literally at the top. They emerged onto an open-air balcony amidst the huge branches of the tree. A single building was built into what was the upper most part of the tree trunk. The carvings of what appeared to be two bird Pokémon stretching their wings over the closed entrance seemed to confirm it as the TalonKnight Post Office.

    But instead of going for the entrance, she went round the side of the building. She scanned the wooden wall, tracing her hand across the bark. "I think it was… here."

    Sam noticed her fingers had caught a lip in the bark, and from there, she grabbed hold of it with both hands. Grunting, she pulled a whole section of bark back, revealing an opening inside, big enough to crawl through. "Close it behind you." She said as she made her way inside. Sam followed, making sure to pull back the hatch.

    "What is this?" Sam asked, "Some other way into the Post Office?"

    "It's an old vent." Alice replied, "But it doesn't go into the office, it goes towards the top."

    "And what's there?"

    "You'll see."

    Sam moved behind Alice on his hands and knees, finding himself shrouded in the darkness of the vent. The only indication that he was getting anywhere was the fact he could feel himself move over the bumps in the floor beneath him, and the fact that the vent was sloping upwards.

    Soon enough, light began to shine at the end of the vent, and Sam pulled himself out onto a small wooden balcony, only really a metre and a half in area. A sheer drop greeted him on one side, with only a tiny wooden railing barely a third of his height stopping him from falling to his demise.

    Alice had already sat herself down on the floor, her eyes gazing off into the distance. Sam shivered at the sight of the drop, trying to focus his eyes on the rabbit. "How high up are we?" Sam asked.

    "About as high up as we can get unless you are good at climbing." Alice confirmed.

    "Huh… so… what are we doing up here?"

    The Buneary pointed a finger out into the distance. "That."

    His eyes followed her finger… and he gasped at the sight that opened up before him.

    Standing amongst a vast forest, and standing against the backdrop of distant mountains and the stars above, was the most colossal and breath-taking tree he had ever seen.

    Even at the night, the whole tree was bathed in a soft, warm light. Light that was radiating from its spectacular canopy. Instead of green, the leaves must have been every single shade of the rainbow. Reds, greens, violets, the whole lot. Golden vines hung from that canopy, adding their own light to the tree as a whole. A golden trunk hefted the whole construct into the sky. Altogether, it was massive. So massive that it would make the Guildtree look little more than a sapling. The trunk alone had to be at least five times the width, and the tree three times as tall.

    And that, was a minimum. The whole tree stood proud over its surroundings, like the biggest jewel in a very expensive crown.

    Sam's lungs began to burn, and he quickly realised he wasn't breathing. He gulped in a breath of cold air; eyes fixed on the giant tree. "W-what is that thing?"

    "That's the Tree of Life."

    Frowning, the Scorbunny turned towards Alice. "The Tree of Life?" he asked, "That can't be a thing, right?"

    "Believe it."

    Sam settled himself down next to her, keeping his eyes focused on the colourful tree in the distance. "I've got to admit, it looks pretty." He simply said, not quite finding the right words to explain his awe at the sight of the tree.

    "It is." Alice admitted, "Still going strong even after everything that had happened to it."

    "What's it even supposed to be anyway? Beyond the whole life thing." Sam asked, leaning forward.

    The fellow rabbit shook her head, "I'm not really an expert." She explained, "Apparently that thing is the source of all life on this world."

    "All of it?"

    "Yeah."

    The Scorbunny seemed to lean even further forward, feeling the goosebumps forming on the back of his neck. All life. And this thing had been sat in the Sea for all this time? How the heck did I even miss it? I guess I wasn't high enough each time.

    The awe however turned into confusion. "You said the Tree was still going strong after everything. What do you mean by that?"

    He looked over to find Alice had stiffened, eyes now looking blank as she looked over at the Tree of Life. "Have you heard about something called Dark Matter?"

    Sam frowned, trawling back through his memory. "Only by name." he admitted, "I came across a book with it as a title. What about it?"

    Alice closed her eyes, and Sam leaned back, focusing all of his attention on her.

    "Dark Matter was some kind of entity that ran on negative emotions." She explained, "I don't really care about the details, but it attacked the Tree of Life six years ago."

    "Six years ago-"

    Sam stiffened as the memory resurfaced.

    'The planet nearly got thrown into the sun. Yeah, that was pretty shitty. I mean, friends getting turned to stone?'

    Aidan had told him that. About a horrible crisis six years ago.

    Was that it? Dark Matter was responsible for that?

    "Wait… did it include the planet getting thrown off into space?"

    Alice again seemed to hesitate, before finally nodding. "That's the one."

    "Geez…" Sam whispered, eyeing the tree again. Wondering what kind of power it would take to throw an entire planet into space.

    Only then did Alice's eyes to sharpen, looking over at Sam. "You really have no memory of that?"

    Sensing himself shrink, he looked away towards the balcony floor. He wanted to curse that amnesia of his. He couldn't bring to mind if he had even been around to live through that crisis.

    "Consider yourself lucky then." Alice said softly, leaning back far enough to put her back against the wooden wall behind her. "When Dark Matter attacked, it either corrupted Pokémon to its cause of destroying the world… or it turned them into stone."

    Sam wanted to tell her to shut up. He almost couldn't believe that this Dark Matter was capable of causing so much harm. But as he looked across at her face, and heard how softly she spoke, he knew she wasn't playing him for a fool. Not with how sad she looked.

    "I was only a teenager then." Alice explained. "I can still remember it like it was yesterday."

    "Alice!"

    The Buneary bounced down the stairs like a rocket, going about three steps at a time. Too fast as it turns out, when her foot connected with the corner of the rug. She cried out, struggling to keep her balance as tried to bounce down the last steps. She landed on her feet with a loud thud, the young girl wincing as she stumbled on forward.

    "Alice, I told you to come downstairs! Not to try and break your own neck!"

    Alice looked up to find a Lopunny towering over her. He hands rested on her hips and she looked down with a scrawl on her face, her massive ears swept back behind her.

    Sheepishly, Alice pulled a little grin. "Sorry Mum. Didn't want to keep you waiting." She motioned with a fist pump. "Gotta get out and train."

    The Lopunny held her gaze for a moment longer, seemingly unamused.

    Then the little smile formed. "Well, I did tell you we had to get up early kiddo." She teased.

    "I was getting all warmed up!" Alice protested, pumping her two ears in and out into the air. "All those stretches and jogging in my room, I wanted to make sure I was ready to get started!"

    "So, you got up early." Her mother replied, "Didn't tell me what you were thinking, or rather, got too excited to think about it, then did a warm up in your room. I haven't done a warmup yet." The smile transformed into a cheeky smirk. "Now you'll have to wait for me. And have to do another warm up again."

    It took a moment for her to realise what she had just done. Groaning, Alice stomped the ground. Above her head, she could her mother chuckle warmly. "Oh, don't worry. I'll just warm up on the way to the training ground."

    Alice beamed at the words with painfully obvious delight.

    A little bell rung, "So, how are my two girls doing?"

    The Buneary's grin grew even bigger as she spun towards the entrance of their little cottage. A white furred feline had pushed his way through the door, massive red marks running across his body. He had a massive brown sack slung over his shoulder. The Zangoose flashed a massive grin as he walked through. The Lopunny rolled her eyes, "Happy until you showed up." She purred, clearly in a better mood with the Zangoose's arrival. "We're just about to head over for training now, Sylvain."

    Sylvain's grin got even bigger, "Well, you two better make the most of it. I'll have one heck of a good snack ready when you get back." He plonked the sack down on the floor, the red glint of an apple sticking out of the top. "I managed to pick up some extra apples on the way back from the Trail Office." He explained.

    "Any jobs on the board?"

    "Nope. All clear Tyera."

    She brushed one ear back. "All the more time to train then."

    The little cottage was split between a small kitchen and a lounge by a round wooden table. Reaching over it, Tyera picked up a pair of red fingerless clothes and slipped them on. "Come on kiddo." She said, waving for Alice to follow. "I'll race you there."

    My mum and dad were my whole world. We lived in a small village at the far end of the Air continent, where they worked as explorers.

    They were on an exploration team?

    Yeah. Mum was training me to become an explorer too. I was so excited to go ahead with it. But it was as we were getting ready to go out for another day of training when it happened.

    All of a sudden, the room darkened. The light fading from the windows of the room. Sylvain stiffened, eyes narrowing as he peered through one of the windows. "What the- where did those clouds come from?"

    Alice frowned, feeling her heart beginning to pound. This couldn't be right. It was perfectly sunny just a moment ago. "W-What's going on?"

    Tyera peered outside herself, body already tensioning for a fight. "I'm not sure. A ghost type?"

    "Never seen a ghost type blot out the sky." Sylvain replied.

    "Why would anyone do that?" Alice asked, "C-Could it be a prank?"

    "I don't know kiddo." Tyera said, her expression stern as she scanned the surroundings of the cottage. "Just stay away from the windows."

    CONSIDER THIS A WARNING TO ALL POKÉMON IN THIS WORLD!

    Alice recoiled as the voice boomed, moving to cover her ears. But then she realised, it wasn't a sound. It was coming from inside her head!

    Tyera and Sylvain jerked upright, sharing a worried glance between each other. They could hear it too!

    I AM YVELTAL! I AM THE ONE TRUE DESTROYER! I AM THE END OF ALL POKÉMON!

    "What in the blazes is this!?" Sylvain growled, claws flashing. "This is some kind of trick!"

    "Mum!" Alice asked, voice quivering, "What is going on!"

    Tyera backed away from the door, wrapping one arm around her daughter protectively. "Stay close to me!" she hissed, eyes flicking from window to window. "Syl, I don't think this is."

    ALLOW ME TO DEMOSTRATE. NOW I SHALL SEND ALL POKÉMON OF THIS WORLD… TO THE VOID! I SHALL SNATCH AWAY THE ENERGY OF ALL POKÉMON!

    "M-Mum…"

    Sylvain had backed up to join his family, defensively raising his claws up.

    IT IS ALREADY TOO LATE FOR YOU TO POSSIBLY ESCAPE. NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE IN THE WORLD… NO MATTER HOW FAR YOU RUN… I SHALL HUNT YOU DOWN. YOU WILL BECOME NOTHING! PREPARE YOURSELVES FOR THE COMING OF MY WRATH! TREMBLE BEFORE THE GREAT TERROR I SHALL UNLEASH! FEEL THE UNENDING DESPAIR I SHALL BRING TO THE WORLD!

    Alice felt her mother's grip tighten around her. "Stay close Alice!"

    In that moment, they were plunged into darkness.

    Alice shivered, eyes looking glassy for a flicker of a moment before shaking her head. "It became light again not long afterwards, but down in the village, people were starting to turn into stone. One by one. No one knew who was actually doing it, but there was no trace of those responsible. But we had a good guess."

    Sam went cold at the words, "Yveltal. Who – what was that?"

    The Buneary barely glanced at him. "A Legendary Pokémon. More powerful than even Volcanion." She explained. "I don't really care on what it was, but they say it's the Pokémon of Destruction."

    The hairs on the back of his neck raised up, the air seeming to freeze around him now at the mere thought of such a Pokémon. One powerful enough to turn people to stone. A literal god of destruction, if the legendries were any indication. Volcanion was bad enough. To have a Pokémon with that kind of power…

    "As it turned out, it wasn't Yveltal that went for us in end." Alice said, "It was someone else who causing problems in our village."

    "Someone else had that power?"

    "Not quite, but they had the same power Yveltal had thanks to Dark Matter." Closing her eyes, she puffed out a quiet breath. "He went on through the entire village at the head of a possessed group of Pokémon… before he finally found us…"

    "Get inside! I'll keep them busy!"

    "Sylvain you can't deal with him alone!" Tyera shouted, wincing as she held onto one side.

    "Just get her somewhere safe for now! If you're going to fight with me at least do that!"

    Tyera pulled Alice sharply into their now darkened cottage. Shadows clung to every piece of furniture and every feature inside. "Mum! Let go of me!" Alice barked, trying to shake herself free of her mother's iron grip on her arm. "I can fight too!"

    The Lopunny flashed her teeth into a snarl back at her, "You aren't ready for this kind of fight!" she stressed, pulling her towards the centre of the room and throwing a rug aside to reveal a hatch in the floor. "You'll do more good by staying safe."

    She lifted up the hatch to reveal a small space underneath the floor. "Get in!" she hissed.

    "No!" Alice snapped, stamping on the ground and struggling to hold back tears. "I'm not a kid anymore! Let me help!"

    Tyera looked ready to scream at her daughter's face, eyes burning with not only rage, but fear too. But some force held her back at the last second, and instead, she crouched down and took the Buneary's hands in her own. "Alice." She whispered, "We need you to be able to get away. If we can't stop these… these things here they could cause more harm elsewhere. You need to hide. Wait this out, and if we can't stop them here, you need to run. Run, run and run. Warn any other Pokémon of the danger and find help."

    Alice looked up at her mother, sensing the fur along her cheeks beginning to get wet. "But Mum… please… I can't just leave you and dad alone…"

    "Tyera!" her father barked, "That grass-type asshole is coming! Hurry up!"

    Tyera flinched briefly, glancing over her shoulder at the shout of Sylvain. Alice's body quivered, her heart slowing as it became apparent there was no changing her mother's mind. The Lopunny scanned the room… and found a single blue object lying on the table. She quickly scurried to collect the plate shaped object, complete with small orbs on the edge, and brought it back to Alice's side. "I know an old friend."

    Alice blinked, "A friend?"

    "A very old friend." She explained, "He'll come to help. If all else fails, I'm counting on you to find him, and tell him everything that happened here. Understand?"

    "But Mum-"

    Her mother grasped onto her shoulders, leaning in and quietly whispering to Alice's ear.

    A moment passed, and she pulled away. "That is his name. This is your mission. Find him west of here. Tell him everything. Learn from him. Understand?"

    Alice was struggling to hold back the tears, still mentally begging for her mother to let her stay. But this was it. It was a mission. Something to help people. And even with her youth, she could see its importance. If this was to be…

    Shakingly, Alice nodded. She turned, and climbed down under the floorboards.

    "Alice?"

    She looked up to find her mother reaching back down, her red gloves now off and in her grasp. "Keep these safe, will you?" she pulled a wink. "I'll want them back."

    Even with her cheeks wet, Alice managed to slip out a tiny giggle as she took the gloves. Tyera looked down upon her daughter one more time.

    Alice could see a little tear of her own forming.

    "I love you kiddo."

    And with that, she shut the trapdoor and threw the rug over the top, shrouding Alice into an even darker shadow. The only light she could see was through subtle cracks in the floorboards above her heads.

    For the next few minutes, she sat there in silence. Doing her best not to breath too loudly, holding the gloves close to her chest.

    Then she could hear the thuds. The bangs. The slashes. She could feel each blow resonate through the ground. Each one shaking particles off the floor panels and down into the small hide away.

    Alice jerked back as the screaming started. Pained and feral. Was it her mother? Her father? There was no way to tell.

    With a final piercing scream, the air finally fell silent.

    The Buneary remained still, ears peeled for any sign of a victory cheer. To hear mother return and assure her they were okay.

    Instead, she heard the door creak open. And the footsteps thump against the floorboards. She held her breath.

    "Well, well, well." Came a voice, twisted into a strange accent. One that Alice didn't recognise. "You done hidin' here? I reckon those Pokémon brought you in here just for t'at."

    Shivering, Alice clamped her mouth shut, desperately trying to hold her breath. No… no…

    The new arrival stepped further into the cottage; a little cackle evident in his voice. "Come out child." He said, "It'd all be over soon…"

    A shadow formed in the cracks above her head. It was right on top of her now.

    "Hmm… I wonder if you're right… down-"

    His voice was suddenly cut off, the shadow stiffening. Alice folded herself back deeper into the hole, trying to make herself less visible, holding her breath.

    "T-they're nearly there! At the Ruins! Hmph! I'll be right there!"

    The shadow withdrew, but not before his voice brushed past her ears one more time. "Don't worry little 'un. Your time will come."

    He stepped out of the house, and with that, he was gone.

    Alice stayed there, remaining silent. Waiting. Waiting for any sign of the invader or anything else returning. But nothing came.

    Finally, the tension became too much, and gritting her teeth, Alice kicked herself up, ears jabbing out together. She smashed the hatch up, tossing the rug aside as she scrambled out of the hole. Please, please be okay!

    She sprinted for the door, left slightly ajar and barrelled through it into the night.

    Alice found herself alone, the sky covered in thick black clouds. Her head flicked left and right, trying to search for any sign of her parents. "Mum!" she shouted, "Dad!"

    Her eyes finally settled on a dark lump, a few metres away from the cottage. That… that isn't supposed to be there…

    She slowly approached, the crackle of thunder booming over her head. "Mum?" she whispered, "Dad?"

    Alice was almost on top of it when purple lightning flashed above her. She gasped, stumbling back and falling to the floor.

    She looked upon her parents, her mother cradling her father in her arms. Both with their eyes closed.

    Turned to stone.

    Alice dipped down her head, eyes squeezed shut. "I wouldn't leave for ten minutes. Trying to work out how to get my parents out. But I remembered what my mother told me to do. I left the village, looking to try and find that one person she had mentioned. But I didn't get far before… well, the Tree of Life was killed by Dark Matter and me and everyone else got turned to stone."

    Sam felt ever more chilled to the bone as Alice told her tale. He barely even registered the fact that everyone else got turned to stone. No. They were dead. The lot of them. But as horrible as it sounded, he wouldn't wish what Alice had to go through to anyone.

    "I thought that was it. Dead. No hope for the future. But a team of Pokémon managed to defeat Dark Matter, saved the Tree of Life and seemed to revive us. When I realised what had happened from one of the other villagers, I ran back home. I thought Mum and Dad would be there, waiting for me."

    She visibly stiffened, and it was all too clear to the Scorbunny what the answer actually was. Alice hissed as she drew a fresh, if shaky breath in. "But they were still there. Still stone. I waited for days, thinking that they were just late in getting pulled out. But…" she visibly gulped. "They never did."

    Unable to hold himself back, Sam reached out towards Alice and placed a hand onto her shoulder. He held his nerve as the Buneary instantly flinched, half worried she would throw the arm – or him – off. But as she started to relax, the Scorbunny finally spoke up again. "Alice… I'm so sorry." He managed to say softly, not wanting to imagine what that felt even felt like.

    Slowly nodding, she continued, "Over those few days, the villagers started to believe this rumour going round. A rumour about how I was alive and yet my parents weren't."

    The chill was now finally being challenge, a little flame sparking inside the Scorbunny's chest. "No…" Sam started, already shaking his head as his ears stiffened upright and his eyes narrowed. "They can't have used that. What the hell were they thinking?"

    "They thought 'bout it enough." Alice took in another breath. "They called me cursed. They thought I had something to do with Mum and Dad dying. Maybe even worked with Dark Matter to do it. Some even thought I wanted to bring Dark Matter back. I got stared down at first, then people started throwing rocks at me. Then two weeks after we call came back… they… they…"

    She thudded the balcony with one hand. "They came to the orphanage I was staying at. The whole village. And they bloody burnt it down."

    Sam very nearly did the same, the cold now driven away and replaced with the hot, simmering flames of anger. He almost wished he was there right now, try and shake some sense into those villagers. But he was no master of time, and he struggled to hold his tongue.

    "I had already fled before they arrived though. I knew I couldn't stay there anymore. I remembered what Mum told me again and set off west. Word of advice? Try not crossing Air Continent alone."

    The flames cooled a touch, "Y-You went across a whole continent?"

    "Yeah. It wasn't easy. Air still had fissures and rough terrain left over from the original disasters, so progress was slow. I had to try and run through Mystery Dungeons because the alternative was just… impassable."

    "I don't even want to think about how you managed that."

    Alice looked down towards the floor, "I… just got lucky. I managed to get past Mount Blaze but after that I was exhausted. I had eaten or had water for days before I finally just passed out. I still remember it now. This grassy patch near this cave. I figured it would be a nice place to die."

    And for the first time, Alice's eyes sparkled. "That's when my uncle found me."

    Sam blinked, "Your uncle?"

    A little smile formed on Alice's lips. "He's not really my uncle. He was the old friend Mum had contacted. He had been over on another continent and was heading over to find me. He took me under his wing when I had nowhere else to go. Taught me everything I know."

    His own smile began to emerge, but that was cut short as Alice's own faded away. "Eventually however, one of the Pokémon from my old village came to town and saw me there. The talk about the 'curse' came back, and eventually we had to move again. About a year ago, we came here and with that, the curse."

    She closed her eyes again, "No one was setting fire to anything anymore. But I was now just ostracised wherever I went. I was some kind of witch or troublemaker." She spat the last sentence out, "After spending so many years trying to prove otherwise… I just had enough. If they thought I was a jerk at best, I'd be a jerk right back."

    There was a little twitch in the corner of her mouth. "Started off by punching the lights of one nasty piece of work. Never bothered me again after that."

    Sam tore his eyes away. The image of it all was too much for him to put up with. She's had to deal with losing her parents and being pushed out by everyone who hears of this… bullshit conspiracy! For six years! What kind of assholes would ever do this! He clenched his fist, he almost wished that village which had pushed her out had burnt to the ground itself.

    He mentally winced at that. He knew that was too morbid a thought, but to push her out like that when she needed help? No wonder she was so angry a lot of the time. The fact she managed to hold onto herself for that long was just staggering.

    He certainly wasn't that strong willed.

    "So there." She finished. "You know my entire life story now."

    He looked towards her again, the Buneary's eyes fixed on the tree in the distance. He knew it was his turn to reply. But he wasn't sure what would be best to say. I need to offer support… but… how?

    "Alice." He managed to start, "I can't begin to imagine what that was like for you. I'm so sorry this happened to you… if I could do anything to change that, I would."

    Alice merely shrugged, rubbing Sam's hand loose. "I've had six years to deal with it." she said, "It's fine."

    "Do you… have anything to remember them by?"

    Looking over to her side, she reached one paw out towards a groove in the floor that ran on her side. She hesitated, before reaching her fingers inside and pulling out a pair of red gloves, far too big to fit her hands.

    Sam tilted an ear at the sight of them, "Your mother's gloves?"

    "Yeah." Alice replied, "They were all I could bring with me when I ran away."

    She tightened her grip on the gloves. "That's why I wanted to join the guild." She explained, "I wanted to follow in my parents and my uncle's footsteps." Her eyes narrowed, "And perhaps one day. I'll find the Pokémon that killed mum. And dad too. And I'll make him suffer."

    The Scorbunny shivered at the words. A part of him knew that was just… wrong. Going for revenge in that kind of way? That would probably harm Alice more than help her. But at the same time, he couldn't blame her for that.

    She sighed, putting the gloves down. "I shouldn't be thinking about that, especially since I doubt the Guild wants me."

    "Rex and Esper seemed okay with you."

    "They would be. But not everyone else."

    "I would be fine with you being around."

    Frowning, Alice turned towards him. Sam swallowed, realising what he had just said. Well… after everything that has happened, this is the least I can do for her. And I don't… I don't want her wallowing in pain on her own any longer.

    "Look." Sam said, turning himself round to face her fully. "I know you don't think people trust you. But you just telling me that means you trust me."

    "That's different fro-"

    "Alice." Sam interrupted her. "I trust you as well. And I want to help you in whatever way I can."

    He hesitated for a moment, continuing. "Alice… you want to be in the guild. And at this point the Guild seems like the best option for me. How about we form a team?"

    Now it was Alice's turn to flinch, a flicker of confusion on her face. "You can't be serious."

    "I mean it." Sam stressed, "We made one hell of a team against Aidan and in the dungeons. We could do a lot of good with the Guild, and maybe we can get a bit of what we want to. You get to follow in your parent's footsteps and I might learn about my past. Either way, I'd happen to count on you… partner."

    He reached out one hand towards her, letting a little smile form on his face. "So, what do you say?"

    Alice looked down towards his open palm. He didn't feel like he had to do this. He felt obliged to do so. He genuinely believed they could really form a good team. And if he could be there to help Alice, he would.

    The Buneary looked back up at him, a smile of her own forming. "I'll be honest. You're not half bad Sam."

    Sam closed his eyes, grin getting even bigger. "Thanks! You're not bad ei-"

    "No thanks on the team."

    The Scorbunny jerked upright so suddenly, he swore he heard his bones crack. "H-Huh?"

    Alice pushed herself back to her feet. "I know what you are trying to do. You are trying to be a bit of a hero and help me out. I appreciate it."

    She crossed her arms, not in a display of anger. Instead, she seemed more relaxed than before. "But hanging around me… tends to cause a lot of trouble down the line."

    "I don't give a damn about that!" Sam cursed, pushing himself back up. "I'll put up with any crap thrown over!"

    "You don't understand." Alice said calmly, "Just being associated with me would put a big target on your back. You've just come flying out of nowhere yourself, so Pokémon are still making their first impressions of you. To team up with me would sour your image. Many won't trust you for it, and might even spread rumours about you too. My uncle nearly got caught up in it just by looking after me"

    She shook her head, "I can't allow that to happen to you too."

    He couldn't believe it. Just when he figured they were getting somewhere, she was pushing him back out of arm's length. "Come on Alice. Let them spread rumours, I'll prove the-"

    Alice was already moving to slip past him. "You'll thank me later." She said, heading for the tunnel leading back to the front. She stopped just short of it, not looking back towards him. But it was clear there wasn't a shred of tension in her body. "You're a good person Sam." She added softly, "You don't need me cluttering your life up."

    Sam couldn't respond as she entered the tunnel, "Enjoy the view." She finished, disappearing into the darkness.

    He stared at the entrance for the better part of a minute, trying to process Alice's last words to him. For someone to be so badly affected by such a troubled past that they would push away any sign of friendship to protect the other in question?

    The fire fading away once more, Sam turned his gaze back onto the colourful shape of the Tree of Life in the distance. How could something kill you? He questioned, You may have come back to life… but it seems like the scars left behind might not be healing anytime soon…
     
    • Chapter XXII - Insurence
    • StolenMadWolf

    StolenMadWolf

    Loony Moony
    Pronouns
    She/They
    Partners
    1. scorbunny
    2. buneary
    Apologies for the extremely long delay in releasing this chapter. But life has been extremely hectic for me. I've been balancing a bunch of different projects for the last few months, namely trying to balance out my different bits of writing and art. On top of that, I've recently been involved in extensive training for a new career, so that has eaten up alot of my time which has made things more difficult. But this chapter essentially sets the stage for the finale of this first episode. There is alot of stuff I want to do with GoB down the line, so any support and discussion about this would be greatly appreciated, along with any feedback you might have to offer!

    Thanks again for the wait, and I hope you enjoy that chapter!

    POKÉMON MYSTERY DUNGEON
    GUARDIANS OF BALANCE

    ALWAYS AUDACITY
    CHAPTER XXII – INSURENCE    ​

    Most of the lights in Robinswood were now out, as the inhabitants of the small town were now turning in for the night. Even the Guildtree itself seemed darker than before as those working within finished their business. The streets and the paths that connected the different buildings together were empty and devoid of any life, save for a handful of Guild members quietly patrolling in pairs. No one was ever on their own.

    One of those pairs stood by the entrance of the Guildtree, both scanning the trees and the square for any sign of potential movement. They were in the middle of a quiet conversation between themselves when something crackled within the town itself.

    Jerking to attention, the pair stepped away from the entrance, trying to pinpoint the source.

    That was when the dark shape bounced in behind them and straight through the entrance with them none the wiser.

    Aidan touched down inside the empty lobby, his eyes flashing left and right for any contacts. But none appeared, not even those damn Meowth were at the desk as they usually were. He reached round to his satchel, tapping on the selection of orbs held within. They weren't the standard run of the mill orbs. They were new, experimental models alongside some older types. He didn't have to use an Invisify Orb for a start. Good thing too. They weren't really made anymore officially. Especially after some of the issues became apparent with the mental problems they could cause. And if there were any of the replacement Stealth Orbs in existence, he hadn't found them.

    Best he didn't use those rare tools until they were needed.

    He moved towards one of the smaller doorways off to one side of the lobby, that was where his objective was waiting for him.

    Most would consider this plan foolish, but this was a contingency that was too useful for him to pass up on. Especially-

    The elevator creaked above his head, and in silence, the Frogadier rolled off to the side, hiding himself behind a large crate stacked at the edge. Damn it, who the hell would still be leaving now!?

    He peered round the corner of the crate, observing the elevator touch down and open up.

    Stepping out into the lobby was a familiar white and red rabbit.

    Aidan stiffened, tightening his grip on the crate. Sam…

    Sam had his hands stuffed in the pockets of his jacket; head bowed as he walked across the lobby. Aidan narrowed his eyes as he watched, Rebecca's done her work, he's looking better already.

    The frog's thoughts darkened. He could take him out. Grab him, pull him into the shadows, break his neck whilst no one was looking. Dispose the body in one of the crates and carry on with his task. It would be so cathartic. Aidan had to admit, trying to bring Sam into the rest of his life was a risky move, especially so soon. But that bond they had… he thought that would be enough. He trusted him! Vengeance would be so…

    He bit down on his tongue, resisting the urge to attack. No. Even if he could kill him now, everyone would immediately realise that Aidan would have done the deed. He didn't need a bigger target on his back right now on top of what he was about to do now. And besides, given that bowed appearance, the Scorbunny seemed to be tumbling emotionally right now anyway. To jump in now…

    Aidan couldn't tell if he was feeling cruel or pitiful.

    Regardless, he watched Sam wander out of the Guildtree and stepped back into the open, heading towards the door he was looking for and made his way through. A corridor curved downwards into the ground, and Aiden silently jogged down it towards the lower levels, wrapped around the roots of the tree itself. He had never been down here before, but he was already familiar with the layout. Getting his hands on the floor plans was certainly worth the effort.

    The corridor itself didn't branch off in any other direction, and at the end he found himself standing before a large metal door, easily large enough to allow for the likes of all but the biggest Pokémon access whilst also being very difficult to break down. At least by some manner of physical strength or the power of specific moves. Wouldn't be a very good door if anyone could just open it.

    Reaching into his satchel, Aidan pulled out an average sized red orb that was cool to the touch. Rubbing it between his hands, he focused his attention on it as the object as it sharply began to heat up in his grasp. He pressed it against the wall, "Three, Two, One…"

    He pulled his hands back, leaving the red orb to remain fixed within the surface of the metal. It brightened as much as a cheri berry. And then the sparks flew off the orb, the object beginning to shrink as the metal started to glow, and then quickly began to melt under the sheer heat.

    Aidan could help but smirk as the molten metal fell away from the centre of the door, pooling into a steaming pool of red goop on the stone floor. He blew out a little Bubble attack at the opening, a faint hiss and crackle tickling at his ears. Barely waiting for it to cool, he hopped on through to find himself where he needed to be.

    To his right was a long corridor, lined with what appeared to be cell doors, also made of the same material as the outer door. On his left, behind a wooden table and slumped over it was the familiar shape of a Sableye. Its crystal eyes were unmoving and 'open', yet given he could hear the faint snoring rising it was all too clear that the Pokémon was asleep.

    Aidan didn't take any chances though. Reaching back into the satchel, he pulled out a small wooden stick and waved it towards the Sableye. With a flash of golden light at the tip, a tiny star blinked towards the guard and touched him on the head. He stiffened, seemingly disturbed before he started snoring again, more deeply than before.

    The slumber wand disintegrated into golden specks in hand, and without barely a second glance at the firmly asleep Pokémon, Aidan made his way deeper into the prison. He strode past each of the cell doors until he found the one he wanted and slid open the viewport.

    Within a small cell, was a large blue Pokémon that leaning against the wall. The massive amphibian stiffened and lifted his head up towards the viewport, a toothless, unwelcome smile forming.

    "Boss." Greg rumbled.

    Aidan tilted his head, lips twitching. "How did you figure it out it was me?"

    The Swampert sighed as he pushed himself up to his feet. "I've seen enough of those headaches to know you were ready to evolve. So, what are you doing here? Can't be just wanting to gloat at some crook like me?"

    "I couldn't be bothered to do even that." Aidan explained, casually leaning against the cell door and gazing at his hand. "Certainly not worth wasting some rare and valuable Orbs just to pay a visit."

    He narrowed his eyes, crossing his arms in disapproval. "Especially after you screwed up so badly."

    Greg stiffened up, eyelid twitching in subtle rage. "Come the hell on." He growled, "That was an accident! Besides that team was asking for it in the en-"

    "I didn't order you to kill them." Aidan coldly and quietly snapped.

    Two giant fists pounded against the metal of the cell door, the bang echoing through the prison like a wave. Aidan felt his body shudder under the impact through the metal, but it didn't faze him at all. It was a pointless and meaningless gesture. Nothing more.

    Aidan rolled his head back, and let out a quiet yawn. "My my. What a foul tempered Swampert."

    Quivering, Greg grumbled as he pulled his fists away from the door. But he said nothing else.

    Satisfied, Aidan reached back into his satchel as he pulled out another one of the red orbs. "What I have here is an experimental orb." He explained, "It's a Scorch Orb. Very rare. Very illegal. Burns through near enough anything. Metal. Wood. Pokémon." He juggled the orb in one hand. "Naturally makes it dangerous. One of the few things the continents, guilds and societies could actually agree on was destroying every single record on making them so no humble craftsmon could try and replicate them. Well, so they say. Good news is, I smuggled a few of these bad boys in as… insurance."

    He turned his gaze back onto the bandit leader. "I've already used one of these to get in. Luckily, I have this spare. I could use it to get you out of here. But then again, my hand could just slip-"

    Aidan pulled his hand away, allowing the still airborne orb space to fall. Greg's eyes widened, going still as the orb dropped out of sight – and into the Frogadier's other hand. Smiling, he lifted the orb back into view.

    Straightening up and recomposing himself, the Swampert narrowed his eyes. "…what do you want?"

    "Like I said." Aidan replied, "Insurance."


    Sam's ears twitched as the rays of sunlight hit his face. Feeling the warmth soak in, he opened his eyes to find that little window above his head twinkling with white light. A new day. The first time he had woken up in the room since…

    He rolled his head over to look over at the empty bed across the room. It was in a messy state, still not laid out since their return to the town. I suppose Aidan didn't have much of a chance to sleep. Sam mused as he clambered out of the bed. I wonder if he left anything behind. Something that could be useful in Esper's investigation.

    He searched through the contents of Aidan's side of the room. But as he opened his drawer, Sam could only sigh at the sight of what only appeared to be a few wraps of cloth and an empty bag. The lockers yielded little too. Just a scarf and a small bag of berries. Nothing that would point towards Aidan's activities.

    The Scorbunny booted both shut, stretched back and rolled his shoulders. Come on Sam. It's a new day. Just forget about last night. Forget about Aidan betraying you and forget about Alice walking off again.

    How could he forget though? He had trusted Aidan. And Alice… she had admitted to all that pain, and was still so wrapped up in it she wouldn't join another team.

    But as he threw his jacket and googles on, he mentally worked to shove the thoughts aside. Now was not the time to get lost in them. He still had to secure a place on a rescue team. And even if he didn't, he couldn't stay couped up all day.

    With the thoughts compartmentalised away, Sam let himself pull a weak smile, if only briefly, and wondered out into the day. He followed the paths back through the trees towards the square and the Guildtree. He watched as the crowds of Pokémon moved between building to building. Or from shop to shop for that matter. The way they happily chatted and bartered with one another. A few hearty laughs here and there. Even a few giggles from what Sam imagined were children. There was signs of an increased guild presence, judging by the extra Pokémon standing on guard around the outskirts and at the base of the tree with their own unique armbands. But beyond that… it was just as normal a day as any. Much like how he first arrived here.

    Given what has happened… I'm surprised this place can just, I don't know. Brush things off maybe?

    Walking past a pair of guards, he wandered on back into the Guildtree and its lobby.

    It was already far busier this time round, there were multiple teams moving across the floor and accessing the stairs and lifts. The three different Meowth were jogging back and forth between the desk and the series of cabinets at the back, no doubt trying to fill the requests that were being thrown their way.

    Sat at the front desk was the familiar shape of Bruce, tapping his foot away as waited for one of the Meowth to come running back round to him. Given Bruce was the only one he both recognised and knew in some way, Sam stuffed his hands into his pockets and strolled up to join him. "Hey Bruce."

    The Bulbasaur turned towards him with a massive smile, "Sam! Doing good?"

    "Been better." Sam replied, rubbing the back of his head. "How about you?"

    Bruce nodded back towards him. "Yep! Just waiting to get details on the new team done. What about you? Gonna get set up with Aidan an-"

    He visibly stiffened at the name, mouth twitching open and shut. Sam's ears dipped a bit. "Word travels that fast huh?"

    "Yeah…" Bruce admitted, seeming to shrivel up. "I only heard about it this morning." He shook his head, "Sorry dude, I tried to distract myself by getting everyone signed up but well-"

    The words died on the top of the Pokémon's tongue. Sam could feel the mood dampen even further. Better change the topic quick.

    "Let's forget about that." Sam replied, "Any idea on a team name?"

    "A team name… oh yeah!" Bruce exclaimed, standing up. "We're still working on that."

    Sam tilted his head at that, "Don't you need one before signing up or something?"

    "Not at the start. Shouldn't be much longer though. I mean, we can't use Team Forest anymore. Nia wants to be Team Go-Getters or Poképals."

    It took a couple of seconds for Sam to realise what Bruce had just said. The Scorbunny could already sense his face twisting, cringing at the names. "Go-Getters? Poképals? Really?"

    Bruce himself seemed to shrivel up at the words, "Yeah… not my kind of name. They kinda have a good ring but…" the Bulbasaur pulled the best shrug he could, "Not what you would call epic."

    Sam nearly choked out a chuckle, "Epic huh?"

    "Come on man-"

    "Relax Bruce. I'm pulling your leg." He hesitated, "Or vine."

    "Very funny." Bruce replied with a smirk.

    Sam grinned, a pleasant warmth filling his chest. "In all seriousness, I'm sure you'll come up with something good."

    The Scorbunny stiffened further upright, recalling Rex's words on finding a new team. "Actually." he started, relaxing in front of his fellow initiate. "I was wondering if you coul-"

    He caught a flash of red and yellow in the corner of his vision, and with the sentence fading away, Sam turned to find Rex strolling across the lobby, Esper moving alongside him. Huh? What's Rex doing down here?

    "Hey Sam? What's up – oh, the guildmaster?" Bruce questioned, "You need something off him?"

    "Not really…" Sam replied, focusing his gaze on the two Pokémon as they approached a door on one side of the lobby. It was there, impatiently pacing at the portal was a Sableye. "The jailer…" Sam mused, ears going more erect. He watched as the Ghost-type almost leapt upright as the two higher ranked Pokémon approached him and quietly uttered a few words between them. Sam leaned over, trying to listen in. But the din of the surrounding crowd of Pokémon was just too much even for his ears to pick out their voices. But judging from the rather skittish gestures that the jailer was making…

    Something's wrong.

    Rex nodded at the Sableye and made his way through the door, Esper and the jailer following close behind.

    "Weird." Bruce started, "That Sableye seemed a bit-"

    Sam was able to hear the Bulbasaur choke over his shoulder. "W-Sam! Where are you going!"

    Already jogging for the door, Sam barely glanced back, "I'm taking a look!"

    "W-What!? No! We can't-"

    The Bulbasaur growled, his footsteps clattering behind him as Sam slipped his fingers through the closing door and slipped on through.

    He entered a stone corridor, quite a bit different compared to the likes the interior of the Guildtree. Bruce grunted behind him, the Bulbasaur barely managing to squeeze through the gap before the door closed. "Sam!" he hissed, "We aren't allowed down here!"

    "I need to know what's going on." Sam replied, narrowing his eyes as he started to jog down the corridor. "I think it's to do with Aidan."

    "Aidan? What the hell has he got to do with the-" his voice teetered off. "Shit. Wait, what would Aidan have to do with this place… whatever it is. Jail?"

    "Must be." Sam replied, "Aidan was a smuggler, there might be something down here he is after."

    "On top of trying to… err… you know."

    "Kill me." Sam grunted, "Yeah, I know."

    It didn't take long before voices started rising up further down the corridor… and soon enough, the ruined prison door. Sam struggled to stop the gasp, seeing the puddles of molten metal piled round the entrance.

    "Holy." Bruce whispered, "Any idea what caused this?"

    "Beats me." Sam replied, "Quiet. I'm trying to listen." He said, focusing on the voices.

    "…on't get it! I would have woken up!"

    "The door was likely covered by an orb." Rex stated. "As for you not waking up, it would have to be a Slumber wand. Probably as a pre-"

    "Sorry old man." Esper interrupted, "We've got guests."

    Sam felt a deep chill settle over his body, a faint blue glow flowing around him. We-what?

    That was when his feet lifted off the floor. Out of his control. He barely heard Bruce stutter in confusion before he suddenly found himself thrown through the hole in the door.

    The flight barely lasted more than a second, as he suddenly jerked to a halt at the entrance to a line of prison cells. It was down this corridor where Rex, Esper and the jailer were standing. The Meowstic's eyes glowed a solid blue, her head tilted back as if in mild disinterest. Rex crossed his arms, "Ah, Sam. Bruce."

    Sam blinked as his feet touched the ground again. "H-How did you know we were there?"

    "I'm Psychic." Esper explained as her eyes slowly returned back to normal. "You were loud enough."

    "S-Sorry that we are here guildmaster!" Bruce started, shaking his head, "We didn't mean to-"

    "Relax Bruce." Rex interjected, raising his hands in a calming motion. "You were following Sam, right?"

    Bruce fidgeted on the spot, eyes flicking away, "Yeah."

    The Scorbunny stiffened as Rex turned his gaze on him, "And I'm not surprised you followed us down here."

    Hesitating, Sam nodded. "I figured something was up."

    "That's completely understandable." The Blaziken motioned with one hand, "Come on. You two might as well see this."

    Sharing a glance with Bruce, now looking like he had shaken off his nerves, Sam made his way over to the gathered group. They had been directing their attention to one of the cells – the door had been melted through just as the outer door had. And the cell itself was empty. He glanced at the molten patches, feeling his chest go cold. "Did you say this was due to some kind of orb?" He asked.

    "He did." Esper confirmed, yellow eyes inspecting the markings, "But I've never seen anything like this before."

    "A Scorch Orb."

    Esper's eyes – and by extension Sam's – flicked over to Rex, his arms crossed. "An extremely dangerous Orb type. They were made before the first Rescue Teams were formed."

    Bruce patted a foot on the scorched metal, wincing at the touch. "Sounds like you've seen these before Guildmaster." He visibly swallowed, "Not that I'm suggesting anything."

    "It's a fair observation." Rex reassured him, "And yes. I've seen one once." He closed his eyes. "Let's just say the results weren't pretty. I helped made sure that production of them ceased. But I didn't think any would still exist."

    "If anyone could get them, Aidan could." Sam noted. Granted, he didn't know that for sure. But given what he had just from that one encounter, it would make sense. "But who would Aidan or anyone want to break out?"

    Bruce had wandered into the cell, his eyes widening as he looked at the other side. "Arc-big guy to the looks of it."

    Tilting his head, Sam frowned. "A big guy?"

    His mouth opened to reply, but the Bulbasaur shook his head and bumped it against the door. It squeaked as it swung out, revealing the dozens of dents on the other side. Each one easily bigger than Sam's head.

    The hairs rose up the back of his neck, the Scorbunny immediately stiffening at the sight. He remembered that first day in Robinwood. How that Sableye came running out for help. There was only one Pokémon that could leave that impression."

    "Greg." Sam hissed, sharply enough that he could feel himself coil up.

    "Greg?" Bruce asked, a flicker of confusion evident.

    "A Swampert." Rex stated, "A strong one to boot too." He turned towards Esper, "At the very least, if Aidan did do this, he only elected to release Greg and not his fellow bandits."

    "Perhaps he only needed the leader." Esper noted.

    Sam tapped his foot, his mind whirling to conclusions. "Or maybe he didn't have enough Scorch Orbs."

    "Wouldn't there be keys lying around for that?" Bruce asked.

    The Sableye shuck his head. "Nada. The keys are kept elsewhere in the Tree. Makes it harder to break out!"

    "That still leaves why Aidan would risk coming back here." Esper said.

    "Likely a distraction." Rex suggested, "And at the worst possible time. We still need to send out search teams at once."

    Esper glanced up at the avian. "You said it yourself. We still have a large portion of the Guild monitoring what remains of Broken Wood in case Volcanion remerges."

    Rubbing his wrist, the guildmaster narrowed his eyes. "Greg is still a dangerous threat. I'll dispatch Lance and Reave. They've dealt with Greg's team before."

    "I bet if we find Greg." Sam started; arms crossed as he pulled a determined look their way. "It'll lead to Aidan too."

    Rex pulled a small smile in approval, "You read my mind little one. Esper, cont-"

    "Guildmaster!"

    Sam spun to find the Bibarel, Oscar, stumbling into view at the end of the corridor from the entrance. "By golly! I thought you were down here!"

    "Oscar? What's wrong?" Esper asked, eyes widening.

    Panting, the beaver leaned against one of the walls. "It's the port. There's been an explosion!"

    "What!?" Bruce shouted, leaping out of the cell. "I know a few of the guys there! Is-"

    "I don't know! I just heard from one of the Fletchlings that happened to be close by! Poor fella nearly collapsed, how fast he flew. Much of the place is already on fire, and could spread to the nearby forest!"

    Sam swivelled towards Rex, his heart already beginning to pound. There was only one logical suggestion after all of this. "Aidan." He hissed, fists already tightening enough that a tiny part of his mind was worried they would start bleeding.

    Rex clicked his beak in a clear show of agreement. "Indeed." He breathed out with disgust. "Another part of his distraction." He rubbed his forehead, a soft groan escaping his lips. "No doubt he is taking advantage of the fact that we are spread thin. Between Volcanion, protecting Robinwood, Greg and now this…"

    "Guildmaster?" Oscar gently questioned, "What do you want us to do?"

    Letting out a heavy sigh, Rex focused his attention back onto the beaver. "Assemble the guild members. Pull those back searching for Aidan. We'll divert them back to the port, rescue those stuck there and contain the fire."

    Bruce practically bounced at the words, "I'll come too! I'm not leaving those guys to burn! Doesn't matter how hot those flames are, I can take it!"

    "What about Aidan?" Sam questioned, "I'm all up for saving that place as much as the rest of us, but he could still get away." The Scorbunny could feel his body quiver, and a heaviness settle into his stomach. It felt wrong to focus on Aidan, not with everyone else in danger. But every second spent acting on the defence was another opportunity for the smuggler to escape.

    Or to plot something worse.

    Rex held his gaze on Sam for a solid ten seconds, his blue eyes piercing through his own. He felt his heart slow for a second, as if the fire type had somehow turned into an ice type to cool him down. But it didn't last for long, and the Scorbunny merely straightened up. "I'll come and help at the port. But we should keep at least one team out to look for Aidan."

    "Which is why you will be staying here." Rex stated.

    Sam blinked "H-Huh?"

    Rex crossed his arms, raising a brow, "You have the most experience in working with Aidan and contending with Greg. Or rather, the most recent encounters. You will be the most up-to-date with whatever tricks they might try."

    "I barely know them."

    "My point still stands. Plus, if Aidan sees you in a less well defended town…"

    Sam let his mouth drop open as it dawned on him, "Ahh… he might make a run for me."

    "Exactly. And because of that alone," he turned towards Bruce, "I must ask you Bruce to get the other recruits who returned from Broken Wood. You'll form the protection detail."

    "B-But-" Bruce started, only for Rex to raise a finger to stop him.

    "I know you want to help your friends in the port, but I can't leave the town defended by just Sam alone, and I can't pull back anyone from Broken Wood. They aren't just there to act as a tripwire for Volcanion, but it's for anyone who is dares to try and get in. That, and you all don't have the experience to deal with an emergency like this." He motioned a hand towards the Sableye, who immediately jerked up to attention and scurried for the prison entrance. "As for sending a team to focus on tracking Aidan or Greg, I will send our best."

    He turned towards the Meowstic. "Esper. Get Team Spirit ready. Now."

    A determined look forming, Esper nodded back. "Spirit will get it done." She confirmed sharply, before turning to make her way out after the Sableye, with Oscar following close behind. Rex himself directed his attention to the remaining two Pokémon – Sam and Bruce.

    "Listen to me carefully." He started, "I'll hash out key areas to guard and rotations if this takes too long. But whatever you do, focus on protecting Robinwood. Don't try and go on a rescue mission. Send someone to report it to me as soon as you can. Understood?"

    "Yes sir!" Bruce declared firmly, one foot stamping the ground as if coming to attention.

    But Sam himself hesitated, a part of him wanting to chase Aidan and Greg, another wanting to help at the port, but if this needed to be done…

    "You can count on us." He said, sharply nodding back at Rex.


    When they emerged from the prison, Rex had immediately rallied the Guild to action. Rapidly assembling the Rescue Teams to set off towards the port at all speed. Some were already prepared to depart, and led the way through the forests towards the south, whilst others hurried back to their rooms and barracks to gather their equipment. Rex took the opportunity to inform Sam and Bruce of the guarding arrangements for Robinwood, in case of Aidan or Greg suddenly made their return to the town. Arrangements that were soon passed over towards Nia, Dan, Edward, Denver and at last, Alice herself, looking no different than from the following night.

    And with that, the plan was set. The seven successful guild recruits would be split into three separate units, centred around their teams (mostly). Some of the townsfolk were also willing to throw in their support in each spot. Edward and Denver would guard one side of the outskirts whilst Bruce, Nia and Dan would cover the other.

    That left Sam and Alice to guard the town centre and the guild tree itself, the location with the largest number of Pokémon on its own.

    With the final guard details arranged, Rex led the remaining teams out of town, following the vanguard towards the port.

    The mysterious Team Spirit didn't appear. Must have already set off after Greg. Sam figured.

    "Seems like we are stuck together again." Alice mused once they were alone, eyes fixed on the sky. "Not like this though."

    Sam followed her gaze. Hanging above the treetops like an angry giant was a dirty black cloud, the smoke bellowing upwards. When he first stepped out of the tree, it had caught him completely off guard, freezing him in place. But he had just quickly snapped out of it. I couldn't afford to shut down there. That being said…

    "Yeah." He admitted, "I didn't think Aidan would do something like this."

    She huffed at that, "Shows how little you actually knew him."

    He turned away from her, eyes flicking towards the ground, "Yeah, you have a point."

    Sam could make out the quiet shuffle as Alice turned away. "I'm going to do some rounds. You better reassure the locals too. They won't listen to me."

    "Huh?"

    "Curse."

    His heart only sank at that, his clenched fist the only indicator of the anger struggling to surface. The pain that Alice had been thrown through all too familiar to him. An event like this would only make people even more unsure of Alice. He let out a heavy sigh, "Alright then. I'll do the same. Be careful."

    Alice grunted in reply, "You do the same."

    The patrols were short and brief, Sam electing to jog through the town at a rapid pace. Whilst there were still Pokémon inside the tower, most weren't fighters like the guild members. Neither were the regular townsfolks for the matter, but losing even part of the Guildtree to any intruders would have been especially bad. Sam took the time to reassure those townsfolk. That the guild teams wouldn't be long, and those still on site were able to look after the place.

    But the hours started to drag on, and with the smoke cloud still towering into the sky, day slowly became night.

    And still no sign of the other Guild members.

    At the entrance to the Guildtree, He took one more look at the sky. Bruce and Edward's teams should be starting their rotations now. That way they could remain fresh.

    It's about time we did the same ourselves.

    He turned towards Alice. "You better get some rest." He started, "I'll stay on watch."

    Alice turned to look at him with a concerned look. "You sure about that?"

    "I'm sure." Sam nodded back. "I've still got some energy on hand. Just try and get down in a few hours for me, alright?"

    She glanced him over once more, before nodding and turning towards the tree entrance. "I'm only a couple of floors up. Holler if you need anything."

    Turning, Alice made her way through the entrance.

    Thirty minutes passed, and Sam was already regretting that he sent Alice first. He was beginning to pace at the entrance, trying to keep his focus on watching over the square and yet, he struggled to reign in the boredom of nothing happening.

    It wasn't just that of course. It was worry too. Aidan or Greg could have been hiding in the darkness. And there was still no word from Rex and the other guild members. Part of him figured that that the flying types would at the very least be sending messages back and forth, but their absence would only seem to indicate how dire the situation actually was at the port. At least in theory.

    He thumped the trunk with an open palm, Dang it! I wish I was out there! It's better than sitting here and doing nothing! He sighed, Then again, this place needs looking after. Rex has a point. But I guess I just prefer getting stuck in with stuff.

    He tilted his head at the thought, Kinda like how much enjoyed the fighting in the dungeon. He mused with a faint chuckle, Is that a Pokémon thing or something else?

    Something rustled over his shoulder.

    The Scorbunny sprung round, foot sliding back to fire off an attack at the new contact and-

    A little white bug crawled round the edge of the Guildtree. Sam felt his entire body crumple at the sight. "Kyle!" he hissed, "What are you doing out here!? You should be at home!"

    The Snom recoiled an inch back, "S-Sorry Mr. Sam! I-I-I-"

    Anger was immediately washed away with regret. Damn, I terrified the poor kid!

    "Hey hey." Sam quickly uttered softly, as he lowered himself down to one knee. "Sorry, I shouldn't have shouted."

    He relaxed as Kyle seemed to creep forward again, the fear quickly fading. Water of the duck's back huh? He calmed down quick. Putting the thought aside, he lowered himself further. "But what are you doing out here? Aren't you going to worry your mum?"

    The kid's little eyes sparkled, "I'm looking for Papa." He declared, trying to sound as determined and brave as he could. "I want to help him."

    Sam let out a quiet sigh, feeling his heart sink a touch. Jack was going to go crazy if Kyle had gone wandering off. "Even if I knew where your dad was, that is a bad idea. He's probably really busy right now helping everyone, and the last thing he needs is to be worrying about you." He frowned, "How did you get past… Bruce, Nia and Dan?"

    "That's a secret!" Kyle giggled, and Sam couldn't help but chuckle at his comment.

    "Of course it is." He managed to reply with a tinge of sarcasm, before flicking his gaze between the Guildtree and the path leading to the barracks. I really need to get him back home. His mum's going to be scared to heck and back. But I can't leave this place unguarded.

    "Alright." He started, "I'll get you back home, I just need to wake up my friend first."

    Kyle slumped a little at the words. "Do I have to?"

    "Think of it this way." Sam countered softly with a friendly smile, patting the little ice-type on the side. "You can help look after your mum and everyone in the barracks whilst I keep an eye on the square. Do you like the sound of that?"

    The little Snom nodded, eyes brightening again. "I-I do!"

    "Good." Came the rumble. "Luckily you ain't got to worry about that."

    Sam stiffened, feeling the voice force its way through his chest and shake at his bones. His ears immediately snapped round to the source – behind him.

    Kyle's eyes widened.

    The Scorbunny leapt forward.

    The paw clamped down round his legs. Sam cried out as he was yanked down and back, his head barely skimming past the ground as some invisible force lifted him up into mid-air. Quite literally. There was nothing standing behind him.

    Then the air shimmered, as if light was being bent around one spot in the air before the imposing form of the Swampert revealed itself. "Surprised to see me kid?"

    Flashing his teeth, Sam squirmed in his grasp, trying to glance over his shoulder. "Kyle! Get out of here!"

    Greg pulled his toothless grin as he glanced over at the ice bug, the kid frozen in place. "Don't worry kiddo. I'll show you how you can protect your daddy."

    "Kyle run!"

    Sam recoiled as Greg's face flooded his vision, "You might as well as shut your mouth!" he snarled, "I've been waiting for this!"

    Oh cra-!

    Sam's shout was cut off as his head slammed into the side of the tree.

    Once. Then twice before the bigger Pokémon let the Scorbunny crumple to the floor. Groaning, Sam rolled his head to one side, his ears barely registering Kyle's cry as the Swampert scooped him up with one hand. "You're coming with me – don't try biting me you little shit, or I'll chew you up for breakfast!"

    "H-Help!" Kyle screamed.

    "K-Kyle…" Sam whispered before he finally slipped under.

    "So let me get this straight." Greg grumbled. "You want me to get the Guild breathing down my ass again by doing a spot of kidnapping, whilst you blow up the fricking port… all so you can get your shit out of town?!"

    Aidan narrowed his eyes, still leaning against the cell door. "You've got to understand, I've set up a big operation. That kind of stuff takes time to move around, I need muscle to cover all that."

    "And you would rather waste me on that than one of your regular grunts."

    "And you've got plenty of muscle."

    Big blue fingers tapped away at the metal door, "Doesn't sound like a fair arrangement. That chicken will just get me locked up again."

    Aidan smirked at that, "I let you out, then you at least get the chance to get off this island if you follow my instructions. That, or I'll find another crook and leave you to rot. All you need to do is to keep the Guild occupied for a night so I can get everything moved, I don't care how, what or who you take as long as you get it done."

    Greg narrowed his eyes, and pulled one of his signature smirks. "You know what happened last time. Are you sure you want me to do this?"

    Aidan barely showed any reaction. He's got a point. He'll leave a bloody mess.

    It didn't take him long to decide.

    He held up the Scorch Orb, holding an inquisitive gaze at the Swampert. "Are you?"

    The crook glanced away one more time, then nodded.

    Within moments, the Scorch Orb had faded away, and the metal of the door was bubbling away onto the floor. Greg stood at the threshold, puffing as he inspected the cooling metal before finally stepping through. Aidan took a few steps, more to give the bigger Pokémon room to move than anything else.

    The Swampert narrowed his eyes as he looked down at him. "And if anyone tries to stop me?"

    Aidan crossed his arms, "That's easy." He stated, tilting his head forward and furrowing his brow. "Kill them."

    "H-Heya! A-Are you alright!"

    His head rapidly throbbing, Sam groaned as he rolled over onto his back. "I'm going to have brain damage at this rate." He grumbled.

    "Brain damage?" The voice whispered, "J-come on, don't be stupid! You're lucid aren't you!"

    "Oh give the poor guy a chance. He'll probably get more knocks like that at some point!"

    "Keep running your beak like that and someone might just blow you from the sky."

    The Scorbunny's eyes flickered open to find three Pokémon looking down on top of him. One of them he recognised immediately as Perry, the Corvisquire that he and Aidan 'rescued' from Broken Wood. The other two took a moment longer, but he recalled seeing their faces back in the square once or twice. One was tall, and covered in what appeared to be a light grey metal. Yellow and green eyes looked down upon him. The other looked a bit like a… Chameleon? They were covered in green and yellow scales, albeit with a strange blue stripe running along their belly. A Duraludon and a Kecleon respectively. Ah… they ran the shop and bank here…

    The Kecleon focused her attention on him, "Are you alright?"

    Wincing, Sam managed to push himself up to a sitting position, "I'll live."

    That was when the memory of Kyle rushed through his mind. Panic gripping him, he sprung to his feet. "K-Kyle! Where is he!? Did-"

    "That Swampert took him." The Duraludon confirmed, his metallic fingers clamping open and shut. "Poor kid was frozen on the spot."

    "I don't blame the little one." Perry mused, "A big guy like that would scare the living daylights out of any little bug. Before they are inevitably rescued of course."

    The Kecleon shot a cold glare at the post bird. "This isn't the time for one of your jokes!" she snapped. "Not that my brothers would be much better with selling things. Come on Dural! You have to agree with me there!"

    "As much as Perry is being an ass." Dural started, "He has a point, Larissa. Most of the town folk are too scared to come out. And us three weren't fast enough to out here, being on the other side of town and not in the stores. Except Perry – so called fastest post-bird around my ass."

    As Dural stomped the ground, Perry flashed a wounded look, "I was further away than the rest of you! I'm fast, but I don't have super hearing."

    "Alright enough!" Sam barked, snapping the three Pokémon back to attention. "Did any of you at least see where Greg went!"

    Larrissa nodded sharply back at him, a determined look on her face. "He wasn't stealthy leaving for sure." She jabbed a finger over her shoulder. Leaning to the side, he found that part of the undergrowth to one side of the Guildtree had been crushed, low hanging branches snapped like twigs. "How he got in is a better question."

    "He was invisible." Sam breathed, his chest quivering at the feeling of Greg's voice rumbling through it. "Never knew Swampert can do that."

    "They can't." Dural noted, "He must have used an Invisify Orb."

    He hummed to himself, eyes looking towards the sky. "Not many of those left…"

    Sam flashed his buckteeth, "Aidan…" he growled, before shaking his head. "Alright, that doesn't matter. Greg's took Kyle." He stiffened himself, readying himself for the response even as he barely thought about it, "I'll go after him."

    "Are you serious!" Larissa exclaimed, eyes widening, "He just threw you around like a plushie!"

    "Never mind type and evolution advantage." Dural rumbled.

    "Go for it."

    All eyes locked onto the Corvisquire, "Close the fracking door." Dural growled.

    The heck?

    Perry pulled a shrug with his wings, "Well someone has gotta go after him. Most of the guild is at the port and the other recruits could be in trouble too. There isn't a second to waste."

    In that moment, the post-bird looked deathly serious, turning his gaze on the Scorbunny with a steely look. "The question is who is going to step up?"

    Sam didn't hesitate, "I'm going." He reaffirmed, clapping a fist into his palm, feeling the flame in his chest roar as the throb faded away from his head. "Kyle needs help. And I have a score to settle with Greg."

    Perry nodded, a tiny flicker of a smile emerging, "I'll fly out and get the word out to Team Spirit. They're the closest. Dural and Larissa-" he turned towards his companions, "You better let the other recruits know what happened."

    "Whoa whoa." The Kecleon started, "You can't just-"

    It was too late, the Corvisquire had already shot up into the night sky and was banking away. "And there he goes." Dural mumbled, slowly turning away. "I'll head towards the barracks, that's where I last heard some of the guards were being placed."

    Larissa glanced between the metal dino, Sam and the night sky. "I-I'll check out that other place."

    She look down on him, "If you are going… please be careful. Try and not get yourself killed."

    "I second that." Dural said, "I still think this is a bad idea."

    Sam felt his ears quiver. He knew what he was planning was insane. He barely survived against Greg last time, and that time he was completely fresh then. Here he had just gotten beaten up and barely survived his fight with Aidan and his flight from Volcanion. But he couldn't sit back. The memory of the dead Pikachu and his companions flashed across his vision. No… I can't let Kyle suffer the same fate!

    He nodded back, "I don't plan on dying. Stay safe."

    Sharing a final glance between each other, the two Pokémon went their separate ways, running with surprising speed towards the forest paths and once more, leaving Sam alone at the foot of the tree.

    He didn't wait either. He spun towards the Guildtree, breaking out into a run. Insane plan or not, I can't do this alone. Bruce and the others might not be ready in time either… and there is only one person I can count on to help me.

    It didn't take him long to find her room, thanks to a little bit of guidance from one of the few remaining Pokémon in the tree who had been wondering down from the upper levels. He booted in the door, barely breaking his stride as he got in. "Alice! Wake up! We've got a problem."

    He didn't note much about the room itself, save for a single bed that had been assembled to one side of the room. Alice's shape rolled over; her ears sprayed out across the pillow. "Apples… training…"

    "Alice! Come on!" Sam snapped, scouring the room and scooping up her satchel. "Now is not the time to be sleeping!"

    The Buneary seemed to grumble under the bedsheet, her body stirring, "If… if you want to recruit me onto your team… I'll punch your eyes…"

    Heart racing and temper boiling over, Sam spun round to face her. "Jack's son has been kidnapped!" he roared.

    The shape froze.

    Stiffened.

    The Buneary shot out from under the bedcover in a flash of light that could have only been a Quick Attack. The anger flipping into shock as Sam staggered away, only for Alice to grab hold of his chest fur and yank him back, one ear coiled in and shivering as she roared back into his face.

    "Why the hell didn't you start with that you idiot!"
     
    • Chapter XXIII - Let loose your spirit
    • StolenMadWolf

    StolenMadWolf

    Loony Moony
    Pronouns
    She/They
    Partners
    1. scorbunny
    2. buneary
    POKÉMON MYSTERY DUNGEON
    GUARDIANS OF BALANCE

    ALWAYS AUDACITY
    CHAPTER XXIII – LET LOOSE YOUR SPIRIT    ​


    Outside of Robinswood, the sky had begun to brighten up, revealing a swarm of stars in the night sky. They were no moon, which had been hidden behind the smoke cloud from the port. But the sheer number was enough to provide a little bit of light for the two would-be rescuers to follow the tracks left behind by their quarry.

    Kyle, and the Swampert who had took him hostage.

    As soon as Sam had explained the situation, Alice had already grabbed her satchel and bounced down to the lobby and back outside. There had been no sign of Bruce or any of the other recruits. Nor was there any sign of the mysterious Team Spirit. The two rabbit Pokémon didn't need to say anything in order to come to a unanimous decision to follow.

    Alice took point through the woods, keeping the same kind of pace she had in Broken Wood. This time though, Sam had no issues keeping up with her. Aidan and perhaps Dan could at the very least defend themselves from basic trouble back then. Kyle was just a kid compared to their teenage-early twenties selves. He wouldn't stand a chance if Greg decided to-

    He shook his head, No damn it! Stop thinking of that! You aren't going to let Kyle suffer the same fate as that team!

    Ahead of him, the Buneary paused within a small clearing in the woods, crouching down to inspect the still fresh set of tracks that could have only been left by Greg. "I've gotta ask." Sam started, "Do you know Kyle?"

    Alice glanced back at him, one ear sinking a little bit before focusing her gaze back on the footprints. "Only a little." She admitted, "But he was one of the few people who doesn't actively hate me. That means something."

    Explains why she jumped out of bed so quickly. Sam mused, If someone was that nice to her, of course she is going to jump in. That and he's a kid so… maybe Alice kinda feels for him too?

    It was hard to say beyond that.

    Alice pointed a finger towards the opposite edge of the clearing. "This way." She stated, breaking out into a jog rather than hopping away as she had before.

    She's slowing her pace. Sam realised as he jogged alongside her. Keeping his eyes on the footprints, but also on the Buneary herself. She can definitely go faster. That has to mean she's got something else in mind right?

    His suspicion was proven correct when Alice spoke up again. "What kind of moves do you know?" she asked, eyes fixed on the footprints rather than him. "We're going to have to fight this guy… what's his name?"

    "Greg." Sam stated, "And as for moves, Ember, Quick Attack and Electro Ball."

    Alice narrowed her eyes, "So even Libero won't be much help. Electro Ball will be worthless against a ground type, and Ember won't work so well either."

    "What do you know?"

    "Pound, Rock Smash, Double Kick and Ice Punch. Not going to make much of a dent with those either."

    "So, fighting at a disadvantage then." Sam realised, "Come to think of it, Greg knows Hydro-Pump and Rock Throw."

    "That will screw you up. And that's not counting anything he might know to mess up my night."

    "So, double disadvantage then?"

    Alice brought herself to a halt, a little smirk forming on her lips, teeth biting down to hold back what was clearly a giggle or a chuckle. Sam felt a brief smile form too, more from pride that he had managed to crack her armour. It was dark humour. But it was humour nonetheless.

    It was but only brief though, as the smirk faded away with Alice turning towards him. "Look… we can't win this. We were lucky with Volcanion because we ran away."

    Sam nodded back, tapping his foot on the soft grass. He knew she was right. Both times Sam came across Greg, all it took was one blow to knock him down. Alice might have a better chance just due to typing, but she would still be taking on a beast that was more than ten times her size.

    He narrowed his eyes, "Then our best bet is to free Kyle, then bolt."

    "Agreed." Alice replied, clenching her fists together. "Better than getting ourselves killed."

    Sam tore his gaze away, already feeling his chest tighten. It might allow them to save Kyle and escape with their lives, but it would still essentially mean that Greg could walk away into the night. Free to commit another murder.

    Never mind any information on Aidan going up in smoke either.

    "I know what you are thinking Sam."

    He stiffened, "What?"

    Looking back over, the Buneary's narrowed eyes were gone. Instead, her arms were crossed with her head tilted over to one side. "Don't try and be a hero again. Life would be a bit less bright without you around."

    Frowning, he looked the Buneary over. The way her body was slightly slouched, and her eyes were actually flicking away from him. It had been the same bit of advice she had given him in the Broken Wood Ruins. But this time felt different in a way he couldn't describe.

    "I-I'll try my best." Sam replied. "Same with you."

    She directed her gaze over him once more, arms tightening around her chest. He could tell the scepticism from a mile off. She wasn't going to take an answer like the one he had just given. Straightening himself up, he looked at her in the eye and tried to project a firmer, more affirmative voice. "I won't try and be a hero, alright?"

    With a quiet huff, she finally let her arms sink down to her sides. "Alright then. Let's save Kyle then."

    They continued onward into the woods, utilising a combination of jogging and hopping between them to follow the tracks. Every second they wasted could have been another opportunity for Greg to do something horrific to the poor child.

    And that was something he would not allow to happen.

    Even if he didn't have Alice on hand with what seemed like good tracking skills – at least to the Scorbunny's mind – it wouldn't have been that difficult to follow Greg's route. When the tracks seemed to fade away onto firmer ground, there would be broken branches and trampled vegetation left in the Swampert's wake. Not something one would expect if he wanted to cover his tracks. Either Greg was in a hurry, or he wanted to be followed.

    The latter was far more worrying to the Scorbunny. It would scream of Aidan's handiwork. That, he had no doubt off.

    "-ese! L-Let me go! I-I want to go h-home!"

    Kyle! He snapped his gaze towards Alice, who likewise did the same. With a share nod between the two Pokémon, they slowed their pace, ears locking onto the direction of the voices directly ahead of them. As they moved closer, Greg's footprints began to merge with a near identical, older set that had branched off onto a different route, leaving the merged path thoroughly trampled into dirt.

    "Kid…" Greg growled softly. "If you don't shut up… you won't be going home. You hear?"

    The footprints ended at the edge of a puffy green bush, the former fading away into firmer ground with a thin layer of grass. In silence, the two approached the bush and delicately, Alice moved one of the branches aside with the faintest of rustles.

    It took Sam a moment to realise that their cover was positioned at the edge of small cliff, no more than three metres in height with a handful of boulders scattered around the grassy clearing below. The field itself was fairly sizeable, enough that it had a collection of individual trees scattered in the open or amongst the rocks, isolated from the others that made up the forest.

    And at its centre, at the foot of a larger tree was the bulky shape that could have only been Greg. He stood with his back turned, arms crossed as he inspected a quivering shape that hung from one of the tree's branches, wrapped up in a large amount of rope. Kyle, it had to have been.

    As Sam and Alice watched the scene below with worry, you settled yourself into position further along the cliff. You looked between them and the Swampert, feeling… uneasy at the situation. It had been difficult to act out against Aidan and Greg alike. Was it out of fear of discovery? Or was it out of faith that the former human would pull through?

    …it was difficult to find an answer…

    Should you intervene now?

    No… that shadow wouldn't approve. You had to have faith.

    Kyle was hanging upside down, tears streaming down his face. "P-Papa… M-Mama…"

    Greg groaned, dragging a hand down his face with an air of irritation. "I swear this is why I swore to never have kids…" he muttered, before barking his next words, "Kid! Shut the hell up!" he jabbed a finger that seemed nearly as big as the tiny Snom into where the abdomen would have been, sending the child swinging back and forth. The rope creaked as he swung, the terrified Kyle whimpering as Greg paced around the side. "You won't even have to be here that long; all I need is for some of your daddy's friends to come running this way to save your skin. We'll have a little bit of fun, then I'll bugger off. Seems like a fair little deal, right?"

    It wasn't working. Even from here, Sam could tell Kyle was already beginning to sob. He glanced around the clearing, looking for any signs of other mons hiding amongst the boulders and the trees – the grass was far too short, only really reaching past his ankles – and yet, he could see nothing.

    Sam narrowed his eyes, "Looks like he's alone, I can't anyone else."

    "There might still be someone hiding in the woods." Alice warned him, ear twitching. "It could be a trap."

    "Aidan only got Greg out." Sam explained, "That's not a lot of time for Greg to get anyone else signed in and Aidan isn't going to throw just any mooks in. Besides, Greg is dangerous enough on his own." He bit his lip, "Save for Rex."

    "And he is all the way over at the port." Alice growled, her coiled ear twitching that bit more.

    Sam took one final glance at their surroundings – seeing nothing new again – before he shuffled forward, bracing himself to push himself through or around the bush. "Alright… we better make a move."

    Alice's head jerked hard enough round that he nearly sprung away. "Have you seen the size of that field!" she hissed, "He'll see us coming for miles!"

    He looked over the field again with a tightening gut. Alice was right. That field wasn't exactly small, and there wasn't much in the way of cover. Even if they could somehow use the trees to sneak up to the centre, Greg wasn't going to just wonder off out of sight. Stealth wasn't an option.

    Nor could they fight him head on.

    That only means one option… Alice isn't going to like this.

    He patted on her shoulder, "Head round the edge." He advised, "Get round behind that tree. I'll distract Greg."

    Alice didn't hesitate in throwing his paw free, eyes flashing red. "I said no heroics! He could hose you down anytime he likes!"

    "That's why I'm going to do what I do best. Run my fricking mouth."

    The Buneary blinked, eyes widening in bewilderment. Taking his chance, he carried on. "I've got history with that guy. As far as he knows, I'm still a heap at the bottom of the Guildtree. Hell, he probably thinks I'm dead. Whilst I'm chatting away, you get Kyle and bolt. I'll do the same then. We can't fight him, but I bet we can outrun him."

    Alice frowned, eyes flicking between him and their targets down below. Weighing the options. Letting out a heavy sigh, she finally nodded. "Alright. Give me a minute to get round. Then… talk."

    "One minute. Got it." Sam replied, his gut relaxing.

    "But how are you going to keep his attention?" Alice questioned.

    He took a moment to look up at the stars, dig out every little detail of his last encounter with Greg… there was one thing he could use…

    "I've got one card up my sleeve. Just make sure you get Kyle free."

    "Alright, but the moment I grab him, run."

    "That was the plan."

    Huffing, Alice carefully released the bush branch, and with a final look over her shoulder, started hopping down towards the left-hand side of the trees.

    Alone, Sam rubbed his hands together, the gravity of what was happening now much more firmly settling onto his shoulders. He would have to walk out onto open ground and come face to face with the same Swampert who had nearly killed him. Twice.

    And try and keep him distracted without getting put in the ground permanently.

    He let out a shaky sigh. I still have to take this chance… I don't think Kyle has much time.

    "I said shut it you little shit!"

    A loud thud rang out, and with his heart racing, Sam pulled apart some of the foliage. Greg's gigantic fist had slammed into the trunk of the tree, leaving Kyle bouncing up and down, very clearly crying his eyes out.

    It has to have been a minute now… alright. Here goes.

    Steadying himself, Sam pushed through the bush and dropped down off the cliff, landing smoothly on his two feet and breaking out into a job towards the middle. "Hey Greg! You definitely don't want to hurt him!"

    Kyle's crying quickly died down into sniffles as the Swampert stiffened, slowly turning to face the Scorbunny who had quickly closed the distance. Sam slowed to a walk, and finally brought himself to a stop no less than ten metres away from the tree. Far enough away that he could try and evade an attack. Close enough to make it risky enough to entice Greg away.

    His eyes widened for the briefest of moments, but the surprise was quickly pushed aside as Greg broke out into deep laughter. "Damn kid. Either you're a zombie, or your skull's made of steel."

    Sam huffed, restraining his own chuckle. "A lot of folks keep aiming for the head. Never quite seems to work."

    "S-Sam!" Kyle shouted with audible delight, body quivering inside the rope bindings.

    "Hang on there Kyle." Sam declared, "I'll get you down in just a sec, okay?" He refocused his attention on Greg, who had taken a few steps forward to place himself before the bug-type. "I didn't realise you would stoop so low Greg. Killing was horrific enough, now you are kidnapping kids?"

    Clenching his jaw tight, Greg clamped one fist within the other. "Gotta do what I have to so I can survive kid. I told you that already."

    "Even if means working for Aidan?"

    He narrowed his eyes, "Heh, you know about him?"

    "Yeah. I worked with him. Briefly."

    A little smirk formed on Greg's face, "Ah… now I understand. Sam, right?"

    Sam frowned, "You know my name?"

    "Aidan wouldn't shut up about you after he busted me out. Turns out that kid liked you a lot." He let out a curt laugh, "Believe me, I didn't Aidan would get that friendly with someone! He was pretty pissed off with you too."

    "Well, we did fight each other." Sam bluntly stated back. "So what's he upto then? He having you do his bidding without your buddies?"

    Rearing himself up to his hind legs, Greg crossed his own arms. Eyes locked onto him.

    Alice emerged from the trees, silently hopping towards one of the isolated ones behind him.

    Sam fought not to look her way as Greg's voice boomed. "You mean Pidge and Ratts? Bah, those two were idiots. If it weren't for them, we would have walked away without any mess at all. Then again, that Pikachu and his pals didn't give me much of a choice."

    "Still doesn't really answer my question." Sam replied, as Alice got behind her first piece of cover and quickly moved onto the next.

    Greg merely huffed in response, "Seems like you care quite a bit about that guy yourself." He said, slowly beginning to turn back towards Kyle.

    And Alice, still in the open.

    Heart racing and without thinking, Sam took one step forward, "Let me guess. He blackmailed you right?"

    That got the Swampert to stop, eyes flicking back to him. Sam pressed on, "Or perhaps he just offered you getting out of jail in exchange for one more job? I mean, he must have really needed you for something if he would go through all the trouble to sneak back into town himself to break you out? Especially with one of those, err, Scorch Orbs?"

    Greg silently stared at Sam, Alice slipping just back behind a second piece of cover behind him – before finally turning back towards Sam. "Huh. You aren't as thick as I thought."

    "I like to think I've got a big brain." Sam replied with a smirk.

    That earned a toothless grin back – even as Alice started moving to the central tree. "Yeah. Aidan needed some muscle to get a lot of heat of his back."

    "That's why he attacked the port too?"

    "Exactly. All I need to do is make some noise, like with this crybaby here." He threw a big thumb over his shoulder towards Kyle, who had stopped sniffling and whose widened eyes was jumping back and forth between the two older Pokémon.

    Alice had reached the central tree, slipping in behind it and peering round the side towards them.

    Now for the hard bit.

    "And what did Aidan offer you? Can't just be freedom huh?"

    Greg took a step forward, narrowing one eye. "Right again. I get a free ticket off this rock. This dump isn't worth my time anymore."

    Sam narrowed one of his own. "So what? You are looking to retire?"

    That very quickly felt like a mistake.

    The Swampert stiffened, straightening up to his full height as he stomped forward. "Retire? Retire!" he barked, marching towards him with a red glint in his eye. Sam's heartrate accelerated as he took a step back, trying not to gasp. Holy – I wasn't expecting that! Gotta be prepared to-

    Greg was only a couple of metres away now, and Sam was worried the Swampert would just keep going and run him down. But instead, he slid to a half, his gigantic blue arms shivering. "And where do you think I would retire to kid? I can't go back to my home continent, I'd get arrested! Can't go to Air or Water because they'll just deport me back there in no time! And the others? They either won't let me in, or they'll throw me to work on their so-called 'community service' for the rest of my days because I happened to steal to survive on the streets as a little Mudkip. I'll shrivel up faster than a Magikarp in a fucking furnace!"

    With a roar, he stomped the ground with one foot, hard enough Sam could feel a quake run through his legs and into his chest. All it would take is just one little mistake, and Greg could just step in and snap him like a twig.

    But it had done its trick. Alice crept out from behind the tree and approached the still swinging Kyle. Reaching up with both ears, she was already bringing him to a halt. Just need to buy some time.

    "Well?!" Greg snapped; his voice raw with anger. Sam snapped back up to attention, "That… kinda sucks… but you don't want to be doing this all your life right?"

    Greg crossed his arms, pupils turning to slits, "Well, I've ain't got no choice. I have to survive. And I'd rather pillage my way across the Sea then spend the rest of my days in a cell. Bah!" he waved an arm dismissively, "You're not worth my time to try and break again. Go home. I'll be dealing with the Guild soon enough."

    He started to turn once more. Alice had somehow managed to climb up onto the rope and was now trying to get Kyle free. Balls to it! If this doesn't get keep his attention, I don't know what will!

    "Is that offer to join your crew still open?" Sam asked, projecting his voice as loud as he could without shouting.

    The Swampert stiffened.

    Alice froze, head snapping up to glare at him.

    Greg slowly swivelled his head back towards the Scorbunny, an incredulous look stretched across his big face. "Really?" He questioned, "You are asking me about that now? Of all times? I take it back; you do have brain damage."

    Sam laughed in response, "Come on! I definitely don't have brain damage. Especially since my memories have started coming back!"

    Confusion seemed to wash over both Greg and Alice like a wave. "Memories?" Greg muttered, before breaking out into laughter, "Ha! I knew you couldn't have been hungover on juice! That was some kind of bullshit excuse if I had ever heard of it!"

    Even as Alice seemed to silently mouth her continuing confusion behind him, Greg leaned forward, arms crossed as if he was some kind of bemused dad rather than a bandit. "Go on then, what kind of memories did you get back?"

    "Oh yeah, those memories." He waved one arm casually off to the side, "I wasn't doing much beyond that little bit of thievery here and there. I'm pretty quick on my feet you know. Hopping from one house to the next. I wasn't… err… joking on the juice though. I was getting these rare gummis, but well." He tried to pull the most embarrassed smile he could, "Some rabbit happened to wonder in and punched my lights out. Really damn hurt."

    Alice seemed to recoil, confusion mixing in with disgust. But then her eyes widened in realisation and she quickly accelerated her efforts to get Kyle loose. Sam shrugged, "I guess this handsome face happens to be pretty punchable. No idea why."

    Greg snorted, clearing struggling not to laugh. "Yeah, I can attest to folks wanting to smash your face in."

    Sam maintained his smile, unsure if the bandit was being sarcastic or if he genuinely meant it. It wasn't much longer now anyway; he could see the ropes fraying round Kyle. Just another minute and they could make a break for it!

    Greg leaned even further forward, that smirk seeming more vicious by the second. "There is one thing that does make complete sense with that story."

    Sam blinked, feeling his ears flick back. "Err… that I'm a rather charming fellow?" he asked hopefully.

    "Heh. Nope."

    His eyes narrowed, the smirk vanishing away. "It's because that rabbit you mentioned is right behind me."

    Sam couldn't hide the gasp this time, Alice's head swivelling round back towards Greg. The Swampert snapped back upright, "Take her out!"

    The leaves of the central tree rustled as two green spiders dropped down from the foliage, springing to a stop just next to Alice under on the ends of white string. Alice cursed as she leapt off the nearly untied Kyle just as one of the Spinarak swung at her, jabbing their horn into thin air.

    "Alice! Get- "

    Sam sprung back mid-cry as Greg slammed his fists down into the ground where he once stood. Something screamed behind him, and Sam rolled to the side. Air rushed past him, something just brushing past is ear as he managed to evade the blow. He caught a glimpse of the attacker, a small, rounded monkey-like Pokémon. A Mankey.

    Hol-where the hell did Greg get this kind of backup!? Sam settled back onto his feet, backing away from two attackers until he felt something thump into his back.

    "Great call on no one else being here!" Alice snapped, sharply enough that Sam winced.

    "I thought the rest of his gang were locked up!" Sam barked back, lifting his fists up defensively as Greg and the Mankey approached from his side. A Spearow was now hovering above them, and a quick flick of his head to look past Alice's shoulder revealing not only the two Spinarak approaching and a Gloom alongside them from another tree, but what also appeared to be a Marowak with a bone engulfed with blue flames.

    The sight of that sent a cold shiver down his spine.

    All of a sudden, they were outnumbered 3-to-1.

    Surrounded.

    "Yeah." Alice growled, "You think?"

    Greg let out an amused snort, tapping the side of his skull with cruel smirk. "I like to think I've got a big brain too. Do you really think I would be that stupid as to come and face the guild alone? Or just had to the two clowns?" He stroked his chin, the smug confidence almost toxic now. "You lost your chance to join me when I asked. Right now, I think we'll use you as extra hostages."

    He paused for a moment, before pulling a heavy-set shrug. "Or my gang and I will just leave your corpses hanging from the trees as a warning. After these past few days, I'm in the mood for that."

    The seven bandits circled the two rabbits, Sam feeling his back press hard against Alice's. His gaze jumped from one to the other, trying to find a way out of this. He might be able to deal with one, maybe two of the smaller mons. Alice could too. But that still left Greg himself and that probably that Marowak, judging by the flaming bone. But even if they could punch through and escape, they would still be leaving Kyle at their mercy…

    "Oh, and if you try and rescue the kid or run, I'll squish him like the little bug he is." He jerked his head at Kyle, tears now rolling down his cheeks again. "We can either do this the easy way, or the hard way. Your call."

    The bandits crept that little bit closer, and Sam glanced over his shoulder. "Well, since my plan was rubbish, any ideas?".

    Alice merely glowered back. "We're screwed."

    "Not really the time to be pessimistic! How close where you to getting- "

    "Nearly had it." Alice hissed, interrupting him.

    Okay, don't want Greg getting any ideas about what we're talking about. "Think we can shake loose?"

    "Not unless you want your head caved in." Alice stated matter-of-factly.

    "Having some last words with your girlfriend?" Greg purred.

    Sam jerked his head round back to the Swampert.

    "She's not my – boyfriend!"

    He winced as he glanced back at Alice, who likewise flashed a half annoyed, half confused look before turning back to the Pokémon on her side.

    "Shucks to this! I'm not waiting!"

    The Spearow rose upwards, spread its wings out, and dove down towards Sam, wings glowing.

    Sam flashed a smirk, Alright, come to papa!

    With a skid of his foot, he let rip the Electro Ball, the yellow orb flying through the air towards the bird. Cawing, the bird rolled away, the electric attack fading away as it flew into the sky.

    Let's see how they'll deal with Libero! Sam exclaimed mentally, if that ability could help with Aidan, it could certainly help here! And so the Scorbunny crouched down, waiting for the blue glow…

    A glow that didn't come.

    Sam blinked, looking down and patting his body. Wait! This should be working!

    A thump rang out behind him as Alice smacked back the Gloom with an ice-incrusted ear, her target also impatient to get in the fray. "Sam, what the hell are you doing!?"

    Panic started to settle in to the Scorbunny, his heart once more beginning to race. "Err… bad news, Libero ain't working!"

    "Oh for the love of- "Alice cursed, her word devolving into a yell as she worked to Double Kick one of the Spinarak's away. Sam couldn't do much to help, as the Mankey sprinted towards him, fists raised for its own attack. Flame burning inside, Sam booted an Ember straight at the monkey's face. He barely caught a reaction as the fireball struck it in the face, sending his foe stumbling back. But as the light smoke cleared, the Mankey's body wrinkled up, eyes almost burning as it moved forward again. Sam started to shake, taking another step back only to bump back into Alice. They were all closing in now, tightening their killbox. Kyle's sobs rang out over the clunks and booms of their attacks and footsteps, only adding to that sense of dread weighing down on him.

    We're not walking out of this one…

    Gritting his teeth, Sam forced himself to stop shaking, bringing his foot back for another Ember. "Alice." He started, "I know we agreed not and try to be heroes. But how do you fancy trying to take down as many of these guys as possible?"

    He was initially treated with silence, then a little giggle over his shoulder. "For once, I can get behind what you say." Alice replied, feeling her back press against his. "Let's do this."

    Warmth rushing through his body, Sam flashed a grin. "Well, what you waiting for! Come and get it!"

    On cue, the bandits rushed towards them, bodies glowing as they came in for the kill. The fire roared within him, Take some of this-

    The scream jabbed at his ears like hot irons, shoving Sam down towards the ground as he desperately clutched and yanked them down. He could just make out Alice's cry.

    And could just about see the Mankey and Spearow get blown aside by what almost seemed a gust of wind. Even Greg stumbled aside, struggling to maintain his balance. And yet still, Sam and Alice weren't moving.

    The painful sound ceased, and Sam looked up to find all seven bandits piled together near the central tree. Kyle still hung there in his bindings, no longer sobbing. In fact, his eyes were sparkling.

    "Seems like we got here just in time."

    Towards the cliff, standing with her arms crossed on the field was Esper. Her ears twitching with as she flashed a little smile.

    And to both sides of her were Jack and Oscar themselves.

    "Papa!" Kyle shouted.

    "Esper?" Sam managed to utter, "What are you guys doing her- "

    Then he saw them. An armband each on Esper and Oscar's right arms, whilst Jack had a similarly coloured scarf wrapped round his neck. All of them were coloured purple, with a yellow-gold emblem embroidered on it. A collection of circles and ovals that made up a six-pointed star. If he had to hazard a guess, it could only be one group.

    "W-Wait! Your're Team Spirit!" Sam exclaimed.

    Esper tilted her head over, "We are. You two alright?"

    "We're fine." Alice replied, flashing a little smirk back. "Didn't realise you were all on the same team either."

    Oscar tipped an invisible hat, "We don't tend to show off!"

    Behind them, Greg roared, throwing the Gloom off him as if it were an inconvenient brick. "Team Spirit huh! You don't look so tough! Who do you think you are to get in my way!"

    The Meowstic rolled her eyes. "Shall we introduce ourselves boys?"

    "By golly." Oscar said, voice low as he rubbed his paws together. "Lets."

    Jack flapped his wings harder, bringing himself higher up. The normally jovial bug-type now had a darker air around him, his red eyes looking as if they are almost on fire. "I'm Jack." He declared coldly and with an almost unnatural growl, "I'm an Explorer from Pokémon Square of the Air Continent! And you shouldn't have kidnapped my son you monster!"

    Oscar placed his hands on his hips, flashing his incisors. "Oscar here! Former member of Wigglytuff's Guild on the Grass Continent!"

    Esper merely bowed her head, one eye fixed on the Swampert. "You'll know me as Esper. From Serene Village of Water Continent, member of the Expedition Society of Lively City, leader of Team Spirit and deputy head of the Robinswood Guild."

    A low groan flowed across the field as the bandits picked themselves back up, where in front of them, Greg's jaw clenched up. "What a crew." He crumbled with an air of sarcasm. "But it won't matter. We still outnumber you. You really feel like you are up to dealing with this gang of outlaws?"

    The other bandits formed up behind their leader, the Swampert taking one step forward as he stared down the Rescuers. But Team Spirit stood their unfazed, Esper if anything seemed more bemused. "If you think we are just here trying to do a job, let me explain to you why we are called Team Spirit."

    She closed her eyes, one ear twitching at the ready for a sudden charge. "Years ago, we would have just been young villagers and guildmembers. We would have felt scared, intimidated or perhaps just a little bit lonely in the world. Unsure of our futures and how we could stand on our own two feet. And we would have stayed like that for sure."

    Sam couldn't help but feel entranced as she spoke, head dipping forward. "That was, until each of us would meet Pokémon who would change our lives forever. Pairs, believe it or not. They are unique, and special in every way. They would drive us – no – inspire us to reach greater heights than we could have ever imagined. To overcome our fears. Our doubts. Or even just to push ourselves to our limits."

    Her eyes opened, "And so, we decided to let loose our spirits. We all share the goal of pushing ourselves to the same heights as they have, thanks to that shared experience. That binds this Team together. Believe me. You sorry lot of outlaws don't scare us. We've all dealt with much worse. So if you want a fight, try at your peril."

    A few of the bandits seemed to hesitate, sharing looks between themselves. Doubt settling in. But Greg let rip a feral growl, slamming a fist into the ground hard enough to get the other bandits to jump together. Without even turning, his next words seemed to sink into Sam's skin like iron. "If anyone decides to run now… I'll break your neck and hang your carcass for the whole Sea of Wonders to see!"

    That seemed to get their attention, the bandits reforming alongside Greg with steely, determined expressions.

    Esper sighed softly, unwrapping her arms. "Sam. Alice. Get Kyle and fall back. We'll deal with them."

    Sam looked between Team Spirit and Greg's bandits. They were still outnumbered, and Kyle was still in harm's way. Even if they could untie him and run, they would still have to face at least one bandit. And that would mean leaving the others behind.

    Instinct seemed stronger than ever. Not to run and hide.

    But to fight.

    No… I can't leave here now. Not after all this.

    He looked over towards Alice, who was already looking at him. Not with a smile, or a scowl. But a look of confidence and support.

    As if she could see right through him, Alice nodded once.

    That was all he needed to see.

    Sam sprung forward, positioning himself between Team Spirit and the bandits. "No. We're staying here to fight with you!" he declared, eyes locked on Greg. "And I've got a score to settle."

    Alice touched down next to him, ears pumping forward as she got into a combat stance. "Besides, wouldn't be much fun if we packed up shop and ran."

    Behind them, neither noticed the little smile of pride on Esper's face.

    Greg snarled, rearing up onto his hind legs. "Alright, if that is how you want to play things out!" He stabbed a single finger out towards the Rescuers. "Kill them all!"

    And with that, the bandits charged.

    And so with Team Spirit being revealed (with plenty of callbacks there) we move on to the penultimate chapter of the first episode! Just two more to go before this episode is concluded! I'll probably be doubling down my efforts on this, being so close to the end of this episode. So new chapters will probably be coming through very quickly in the next few days.

    I'm also planning on doing a bonus chapter between episodes 1 and 2, which would feature some of the other characters that have popped up in GoB so far rather than focusing solely on Sam and/or Alice, if anyone has any suggestions on what they want to see for a bonus chapter, please let me know and I'll see what I can do!

    Either way, enjoy this chapter!
     
    • Chapter XXIV - Confrontation
    • StolenMadWolf

    StolenMadWolf

    Loony Moony
    Pronouns
    She/They
    Partners
    1. scorbunny
    2. buneary
    POKÉMON MYSTERY DUNGEON
    GUARDIANS OF BALANCE

    ALWAYS AUDACITY
    CHAPTER XXIV – CONFRONTATION    ​

    The Mankey went for Sam first. With a yell, Sam willed himself to dash forward, shooting past the fighting type in a flash of light to materialise behind and above it. The din of battle already ringing in his ears, the Scorbunny kicked an Electro Ball straight towards their back. The monkey threw themself aside, the electric attack just brushing past the Mankey's shoulder and causing the fur to stick up on end. Sam touched the ground as his foe spun, brow visible clenching. With a scream, the angry Pokémon charged for him once more.

    Sam didn't hesitate, booting another pebble away into an Ember before springing back. Once more, the fireball struck the monkey in the face with a flash of light and a puff of smoke. But this time, it didn't stop, powering through the attack. Gasping, Sam tried to spring away again – only for the monkey's hands to grasp round one leg and one of his ears, yanking him back. The Scorbunny roared, trying to pull the ear free. God damnit not ag-

    He couldn't finish the thought, the Mankey screaming as he threw him above their head and tossed him down into the ground hard.

    Headfirst.

    Sam's jaw slammed shut on impact, his whole body jerking with the impact as his skull rang. Planting his paws into the earth, he looked up to see Oscar duelling with Marowak, spinning its bone round to deflect a burst from the beaver's Water Gun. He turned –

    To be greeted with another foot to the face.

    Sam cried out as he sailed through the air, pain rushing through his body and flaring up as he landed with a thud. Heat surged forth from his face and rushed down into his chest, feeding that fire within. He shoved himself upright, eyes locking onto once more charging Mankey.

    The fire threatened to consume him, his blood boiling. His mind flashed back to the betrayal, his original fight against Greg… the asinine number of times he had been hit in the face and Kyle's kidnapping.

    Something snapped, the Scorbunny's vision flashing red. "Fucking stop hitting my head!"

    Roaring, Sam charged back towards the fighting type, pouncing into the air. His roar rang in his ears, and so loud it was that the Mankey actually skidded to a halt, eyes widening.

    That was his mistake, as Sam dove down on top of them with a salvo of two kicks straight into his face. As the Mankey stumbled back, the Scorbunny followed up with the biggest Ember he could manage. His foe recovered just in time to see the fireball strike his face once more, sending the fighting type rolling across the field and into one of the surrounding trees with a thud.

    "Now you know what it feels like!" Sam barked, panting as he turned his attention to the rest of the battle. The Marowak was still locked in battle with Oscar, swinging a glowing bone round to strike at the bigger Pokémon. With a look that screamed that he wasn't impressed, Oscar was stood upright, casually blocking the strikes with both arms. In the air, Jack tangled with the Spearow. The latter diving down and swinging past the Butterfree with Wing Attacks and Drill Pecks. But each time, Jack twisted out of the way of the dives before firing off red waves at the bird. The Spearow squawked as one such wave hit, shaking his head violently.

    Esper in comparison was in a whole other league. She simply stood in the middle of the field, ears glowing a light blue whilst the two Spinaraks, surrounded by the same colour glow, hung helplessly in mid-air. Without as much of a twitch, the two bug Pokémon were flung into the ground with a heavy crack and thrown back up again. Beyond them, Greg growled as he stomped towards the Meowstic, one hand dragging through the earth. Esper psychically tossed the two spiders away, focusing her full attention on the Swampert.

    That left Alice to deal with the Gloom. She swung an ice-coated ear straight into their leg. Wincing, the Weed Pokémon dropped down to a knee and with a gasp, vomited a violet blob up at the Buneary. Alice hesitated only for a moment before throwing herself aside. The blob landed with a splat where she had stood, hissing softly as the grass surrounding it quickly went yellow and broke apart under the acid. Sam broke out into a sprint, headed their way. "Alice! Incoming!"

    She had just thrown another Ice Punch into the Gloom's other leg before turning to face him. She hopped away as the Gloom toppled forward straight into another Ember. With a flash, the petals on their head quickly ignited. Immediately, they had scrambled back up right, letting out a twisted scream as they sprinted away from Alice and back down the field.

    "Good shot!" Alice grunted with a little smirk as Sam slid up alongside her. "Who next?"

    One person remained unaccounted for in all of this. Someone still in danger. "Kyle…" Sam uttered, spinning his head round to find the Snom still hanging from the tree, desperately swinging himself to get free. "Let's get him loose and out of the line of fire, then we can help the others!"

    An almighty bang rang out over his shoulder.

    Behind him, Oscar grunted as he slid back, struggling to hold up a massive boulder that seemed to have been torn straight from the ground. Esper stood sideways on from him, eyes widened. That attack was all too familiar, and the Meowstic had only just dodged th-

    A shield made of light formed just as the glowing arm of Greg slammed into it. With a clang, the Protect held from the strike, allowing the Meowstic time to pull back.

    "Let's not waste any time!" Alice barked, beckoning for the Scorbunny to follow. With a sharp nod back, he followed, the two sprinting towards the central tree where Kyle was waiting, still struggling against his bindings.

    Sam dug his feet harder into the ground, willing himself to go faster. A screech rang out above him, and he looked up in time to duck under the Spearow, his beak glowing as it tried to skewer him. He bit off a curse, the bird pulling up as Jack flew overhead. "I'll keep you covered!" he cried out, flapping his wings to a heavy beat and throwing a blast of air at the bird.

    Not wasting time to watch the result, he continued his charge towards Kyle, Alice slightly ahead of him. "Hang on Kyle! We're coming!"

    They were little more than a few metres away when Kyle started screaming. "A-Alice! Look out!"

    Sam caught the flash of white and blue from his left.

    He sprung forward, arms shoving straight into Alice's back. He ignored her cry as they both fell into the grass, a loud whoosh ringing in his ears as the flaming bone spun above their heads and flew back the way it came, back into the open hand of the Marowak.

    Must have slipped away whilst Oscar caught that rock! Sam realised, as he helped Alice back up to her feet. "You alright?"

    "I'm fine!" Alice growled, "Thanks but now we've got him to deal with!"

    The Marowak had brought himself round in front of the two rabbits, twirling the bone around with clear slits in his eyes.

    He glanced over at Alice, "Take him down together?"

    "Agreed." She stated, springing forward at the Marowak as the Ice Punch formed round her ear. Sam sprinted after her, seeing the Marowak spin round the burning bone with a flash of purple. The bone connected with the ice attack, the latter shattering on impact to reveal a normal ear. The momentum flung Alice back over the top of Sam, but he didn't look back, firing off an Electro Ball at the Marowak. The skull-headed Pokémon couldn't respond quick enough to deal with that. The ball hit it in the chest, the entire Pokémon spasming as the electricity coursed through his body. Taking his chance, Sam came down onto the Marowak, kicking with both of his legs-

    Only for both feet to bounce harmlessly off its belly.

    He didn't even get a chance to process this before he was treated with the club end of a bone flying into his own gut, sending Sam sailing away. Gritting, he rolled mid-air and skidded across the grass. "Careful!" Alice shouted off to his side, crouched down with one hand in the dirt. "Ghost type!"

    Ghos- He shook his head, there was no point in questioning it now, that attack didn't do anything – Double Kick! Of course of all the times he would learn it out of nowhere, it had to be against a fighting type and a ghost type to boot! That meant Quick Attack would be worthless as an attack too. And that fire on the bone had to imply that the Marowak also happened to be a fire-type too.

    That only left Electro Ball, and pouncing up into the air, he kicked off another electric attack. This time, his opponent saw it coming, his bone glowing before whacking it away with a decent swing of his weapon.

    But as he spun the bone round for another attack, he cried out as Alice's Ice Punch caught his side. The Buneary gritted her teeth as she withdrew, the bone whipping through thin air and skimming past her chest.

    Sam booted another Electro Ball away, this time physically shoving the Marowak off balance. He readied himself for another kick, but something clicked in his mind. Just because this can't hurt him doesn't mean I can't abuse this move!

    "Hey! Skull-head!" Sam barked, pulling a mock wave as his foe turned towards him, quivering with anger. "You can't hit anything for toffee!"

    He could see the dino's hand tighten around the bone. "Y-You dumb rabbit!" he snapped, sweeping the bone back for another throw.

    Sam started to sprint at it, just as the bone flew at him.

    One moment the Scorbunny was there, the next he was gone.

    The Marowak jerked back, head swivelling to find him. "Surprise!" Sam exclaimed, poking his own head the reptile's shoulder. Almost jumping into the air, he wildly swung a fist round, only for the Scorbunny to blink away and out to the side. "Damn isn't Quick Attack fun!" Sam cheered as the Marowak caught and swung the bone back round at him, only to dash aside. "What's the matter!? Not used to a little dodging!"

    Coming in from one side, Alice was rapidly approaching, ear already getting encased back in ice. Perfect. Sam realised, a euphoric pulse rolling over him as he performed one more Quick Attack, this time feeling the bone rush past the hairs of his neck – and pulling up alongside Alice, mid charge.

    The poor bandit turned round face first into the combined Electro Ball and Ice Punch, crashing underneath his chin and sending him cartwheeling head over heels straight into the tree with a nasty crack, hard enough to shake Kyle up in the tree. The bandit crumpled face first into the ground, weakly trying to push himself back up. He looked up once, and whimpering loudly, the bandit crawled on his back towards the tree with widening eyes. Now they had space, Sam looked towards Alice, standing slightly ahead of him. "Now's our chance!" Sam said.

    "Yeah, let's-" Alice's ears stiffened and before he could say anything, she threw herself into him, knocking the wind out of his lungs as he hit the deck. Sam gasped, trying to get air back in. W-What was-

    Over her shoulder, Greg skidded past them backwards, his fingers digging into the dirt and throwing up grass blades, slowing him down to a halt just in front of the Marowak.

    "T-Thanks." Sam coughed as Alice stepped up and reached a hand out. He took a second to stare at it before grabbing hold and getting pulled up to his feet. Esper was walking towards them from the side, eyes focused on Greg, save for a quick confirmatory glance to check if the two rabbit Pokémon were alright. Greg's jaw was clamped shut; brow furrowed as he pushed himself back upright.

    "Sorry about that." Esper replied, "Had my hands full with this one."

    The Marowak slid out from behind, "B-Boss!" he shouted out in evident panic. "W-We can't keep t-this up! We s-should run!"

    Esper's ears remained open, raising an eyebrow. "The wiser option would be to surrender now."

    A low growl rumbled forth from the Swampert, loud enough regardless Sam could feel his chest vibrate in rhythm. I don't think he's that eager to quit…

    And sure enough, the Swampert rolled his jaw before barking back at her. "And lose my only chance at freedom? Screw that!"

    Esper shrugged, "The hard way it is then." She glanced back to the rabbits, "I'll deal with Greg, you get-"

    Her eyes widened as she started to spin round, only for two webs splashed against her legs with a splat, the Meowstic barely getting the chance to look down in shock before they were yanked out from underneath her. She hit the floor; eyes wide as she was pulled back from them. In the field, the two Spinaraks had spat out webs. Incredibly, the Mankey seemed to have recovered, and was pulling the Meowstic via the webbing back towards the rest of the fighting. Oscar was now fighting the Gloom, it's petals still smoking as the Bibarel dodged the Grass Knots shooting out of the ground between him and his target.

    Instinct took over, Sam readying himself to leap for the Meowstic, "Hang o-"

    Don't worry about me!

    Esper's voice boomed in his mind, barely taking a moment for Sam to realise she was using telepathy. Next to him, Alice visibly flinched. She could hear her too.

    I'll deal with these ones! Stall Greg until I can get back to you!

    Sam blinked, Stall him!? How- damn it, not the time!

    He turned back towards Greg, the big Swampert flashing his toothless grin. "So… now I have two little rabbits to play with!"

    "We're not helpless you know." Alice stated, one ear pumping in and out.

    Sam flashed his buckteeth, "And I've got a lot stronger since last time."

    Laughing, Greg stepped forward, "So confident, I might actually make this quick!"

    He took one step forward, only for the Marowak to run round in front of him, waving his arms desperately. "P-Please boss!" he cried out, "These two are something else! And S-Spirit is the s-strongest team in Robinwood! W-We've kept them busy l-long enough!"

    The smile vanished as the Swampert glared at the ghost-type, fingers twitching. "What did I say?" he growled.

    The Marowak visibly froze, slowly starting to step away with hands outstretched. "I-I-I d-didn't me-ACK!"

    His cry was cut shut as Greg's giant hand grabbed hold of his neck, lifting him up like a ragdoll. "I warned you!" he snapped, "You little shit!"

    "B-Bos-ss!" The Marowak gasped, hands beating desperately on his arm.

    Holy- Sam stepped forward, "Let him go Greg!" he barked. "You don't have to do this!"

    "Have you forgotten already?" Greg shouted back, his captive desperately gasping for air. "I'm trying to survive. And I'm not getting dragged down by some cowards!"

    "P-Please! I-I-I c-can-n f-fight! I c-c-"

    A sickening snap rang out, the Marowak's eyes going wide in shock.

    Alice gasped.

    Kyle screamed.

    Sam's heart stopped.

    The Marowak's limbs twitched for just a moment, before his body went limp, head rolling forward. "What a waste of space." Greg spat, casually tossing the corpse aside over his shoulder onto the field. When the body crumbled into a heap, it was all too easy to see the broken neck.

    Sam nearly retched, his entire body convulsing. The image of the dead Squirtle flashed through his mind, it was just like before. All that blood, all that broken-

    A soft weight settled onto his shoulder, the Scorbunny flinching, trying to turn – and finding Alice standing next to him, a firm hand on his shoulder with her mouth slightly open and her uncoiled ear dipped to one side.

    Worry.

    And then it clicked, feeling his chest rise and fall like a pulse. He took a deeper breath, slowly blowed it out, and with his breathing under control once more, turned his gaze back on Greg. "You're going to pay for what you've done." Sam growled.

    "And that's something we can both get behind." Alice declared; her voice deathly cold as she let go of Sam's shoulder.

    Greg stared them down, eyes flicking between the two. Even as the battle waged on behind their backs, Sam held his nerve. He wouldn't run. He didn't care what Greg said, or how he killed 'to survive' or some cheap excuse like that. A life was a life. It was precious regardless of who it belonged to.

    Sam dragged one foot back, readying himself for the fight ahead. They had no time to wait for Esper to finish the other bandits off. They had to deal with Greg here and now.

    "Heh." Greg croaked, more amused anything else.

    Then he rammed his fists into the ground, ripping out two gigantic boulders that dwarfed Sam and Alice both. "Then do your worst!" he roared, throwing the rocks straight towards them.

    Sam sprinted forward, Alice doing the same on his left. One rock bounced off the ground, cartwheeling in the air towards the Scorbunny. Skidding, Sam threw himself into a slide, barely flinching as the rock flew over his head. Behind him, Alice instead jumped, bouncing off his rock then over to the one aimed for her higher up. Springing back up, Sam fired off another pebble, igniting the rock with ease. A glowing arm struck the fireball, smothering the fire attack with little effort. But that gave Alice all the room she needed to come down onto the top of Greg's head with a Double Kick. The Swampert snarled, waving a giant fist to try and swat the Buneary away. But she was too fast, and backflipped away.

    Then came the second Ember flew into his open mouth. The Swampert's eyes widened as he stumbled back, an internal shot like that being too painful for the water type to ignore. His orange eyes, visibly bulging with red veins, shot daggers at the two rabbits as he reared up with a dreadful roar and slammed his fists straight down into grass.

    Sam just caught the shockwaves rushing through the grass before Alice said the word.

    "Earthquake!" she screamed, and without hesitating, Sam leapt upwards. He sailed through the air, hoping he was in the air for long enough. But when his feet hit the ground, he found them jerked to his right, then back again just as sharply. Sam cried out, struggling to maintain his balance before his legs finally slipped out from underneath him and his chin hit the ground with a crack. Groaning, he forced himself back up just as Alice launched herself back at the much bigger enemy, one ear glowing.

    Sam's heart missed a beat, "Alice! Wat-"

    Alice cried out as a single fist sailed into her chest, flinging her up and over the Swampert and out of sight.

    Screaming, Sam charged, feeling his chest burn hotter than ever. Another Ember went flying, this time being put out with a little squirt of water from Swampert's mouth as he turned to confront him. Not even a metre away now.

    Sam willed himself to Quick Attack, to dash past Greg. The world blinked.

    And Sam remerged to find Greg's fingers clamped round his legs.

    He barely had time to cry out as he was thrown to the ground. Hard. Pain jabbed across his entire body, jarring from the impact. He tried to pick himself up again, only for a blue hand to bite down round his neck. Sam squirmed, fighting desperately to get himself free, but Greg's grip was too strong. Anger turned to blind panic, the Scorbunny slamming his fists down onto his captor's fist. No no! Let go off me! P-Please!

    Greg's eyes burnt as he lifted the Scorbunny up.

    You started to rise, no, the story couldn't end here. You had to intervene-

    Something flickered in your vision.

    "Alright you little shit." Greg rumbled, "You're thick-skulled alright… but let's see how easy it is to break that little neck of yours."

    He began to squeeze.

    What little air was able to down his windpipe now failed to get through at all, his lungs starting to burn like acid. He tried to cry out, but only a weak gasp escaped. He was choking, his vision already beginning to swim. His throat throbbed harder and faster, a little tighter and-

    Panic and fear took over. He weakly kicked his legs out, where was Alice? Esper? His head rolled back, Kyle was hanging directly above, tears flooding his eyes. I-I don't wanna-

    "P-Ple…" he tried to gasp.

    "Don't bet on it." Greg growled, "No one is saving you this time."

    As if on cue, a brown shape flew into view from behind the Swampert, ear glowing blue.

    Alice's Ice Punch crashed round into the side of Greg's head with an almighty crack, the amphibian's head jerking violently to one side with a look of complete shock.

    The fingers slipped free, and Sam dropped down to the floor, gasping as fresh air rushed into his lungs. But he didn't have time to wait, looking up with a hostile to find Greg shaking his head, one hand clutching it as he moaned.

    "Break-" Sam growled, leaping up at him and kicking once at Greg's chin, "This!"

    The second kick hit even hard, snapping Greg's head back with a sickening crack as Sam cartwheeled back through the air and back onto open ground. Alice jogged up aside him, for the first time look genuinely concerned even as she clutched her side. "Thanks." Sam said, flashing a little grin. "Got a knack for last minute rescues eh?"

    Alice merely shrugged. But even in his state, he could see the pained smile.

    The agonised roar caught his attention. Greg slammed his fists back down into the grass, keeling over as he struggled to take deep breaths. "You… bastards…" he panted, head jerking back up. "When I'm finished with you, I'll rip you both in half!"

    Sam straightened himself up, slowing his briefing and willing the flames… no… that energy in his chest to burn harder than ever. "No Greg." He started, "We're finished with you."

    Greg reared back, a blue ball of energy forming within his open mouth, charging up.

    Sam looked over at Alice. "Together?"

    She looked back, returning a strong nod as she pulled her hand away from her side. "Together."

    Nodding himself, he turned to face their foe. "This ends here!"

    With a final roar, Greg snapped his head forward, a massive jet of water screaming towards them.

    Sam leapt aside; the massive Hydro Pump shot slamming into the ground where he had stood. Rolling back onto his feet, he charged for the Swampert, Alice doing the same on his left. "Go for his head!" he shouted, bouncing into the air.

    Greg, still firing the Hydro Pump, could only look up to see the Scorbunny and Buneary high above his head, falling down on him with righteous fury.

    Two feet stuck once, then twice with a bang. The Swampert crying out as the Hydro Pump cut out with a squirt thanks to the twin Double Kicks. Alice dropped down to the floor. Sam flipped back up high.

    Teeth bared, Alice's ear darkened as she swung in her Rock Smash attack, a sickening crack ringing out as Greg's jaw slammed shut. Sam touched down a few metres away, charging back in as Greg stumbled backwards. The Buneary's eyes flicking between the ground and Sam himself. In that moment, she grabbed hold of the projectile and flung it towards the Scorbunny.

    Sam kicked out, the pebble igniting as it was thrown up into the air. Leaping up to meet it, Sam screamed as he brought his foot back, and booted the Ember away.

    Greg opened his eyes to find the fireball flying towards him.

    He gasped in surprise.

    The Ember flew straight into his mouth.

    It exploded with a flash of light and smoke, Greg's roar barely reaching Sam's ears as Alice leapt away to land next to him.

    The smoke was thick and black, but as Sam panted for breath, the cloud faded away… and revealed Greg still standing upright, his mouth and jaw charred an obsidian black. Three streams of blood ran down the side of his face from the inside of his mouth.

    Groaning, eyes burning, Greg took one step forward.

    Sam and Alice held their ground.

    Greg took a second, wobbling.

    He didn't get a third.

    His eyes rolled back into his skull, and with a final sigh, toppled over backwards into the tree with an audible boom that made the plant shiver. His body slid down before finally slumping over into a big heap.

    Sam felt his shoulders sink, It's…. it's…

    Something snapped, and he looked up to find Kyle, still wrapped up in rope, falling free.

    Headfirst to the ground.

    Eyes widening, he tried to run forward. But it was too late as Kyle cried out, he couldn't-

    The Snom was bathed in a soft blue light, a confused whimper coming from the Bug-type as his descent slowed, the rope slowly unwrapping itself from him before an exposed, and unharmed Kyle was gently plopped down onto the floor.

    Blinking, Sam looked back towards the field.

    Behind them, Esper let her ears finally drop down, a little smile on her face as she looked over them. Behind her, the bandits were all scattered around the field, softly groaning as they laid on flat on the grass. Out of the fight, but very much alive.

    Save for that Mankey, arms and legs flailing as he found himself with Oscar's arm wrapped around in what was clearly a wrestling chokehold. Rolling his eyes, Oscar bumped his fist straight into the Mankey's face.

    That promptly calmed the monkey down, looking dazed within the lock.

    "Kyle!"

    Jack touched down not even half a metre away from Kyle, the Snom boosting to him at a speed that Sam didn't think was possible. "Papa! Papa!" he exclaimed, literally throwing himself at the Butterfree. Jack didn't hesitate, wrapping his arms round his son. "I-I'm so sorry Papa! I-I should have stayed at home!" Kyle sobbed, burying his face into the Butterfree's chest.

    "There there." Jack whispered with a clear quiver in his voice, holding the Snom close, "It's all cool… it's all okay now. You're safe buddy. I've got you." He looked up towards Sam and Alice, his red eyes visibly tearing up. "T-Thank you… I don't know how I can ever repay you."

    The adrenaline was now wearing thin from Sam's system, feeling rapidly more tired as his body slumped further over, throbbing from all the blows he had taken. A headache rolled through his skull, no surprise where that had come from.

    "You don't have to." Sam replied breathlessly. "It was the only thing we could do. Right Alic-"

    He turned to find her toppling over forward.

    Sam shot over to her, catching before her she even got halfway to the ground. She felt surprisingly light as he slipped one of her arms over his shoulder, her eyes flickering over to him with one hand pressed back against her side. That blow must have knocked the wind out of her.

    "I've got you." Sam quietly said, helping her back upright.

    He caught the small flash of surprise on her eyes.

    He didn't see the weak smile.

    "We'll get you patched up once we are back in town." Esper said as she walked up to them, rummaging a hand into her satchel, "We have some spare oran berries, that should- "

    "By golly he's persistent!"

    The Mankey had broke free of his captor's grip, scrambling into a run across the field. Esper sighed, "It's always the fighting-types isn't it?" she whispered to herself, opening up one of her ears again, which softly hummed with power.

    She didn't need to do anything though. He had reached the edge of the wood when a single red and yellow fist flew out and belted him in the nose. Stumbling back, the Mankey landed on his backside as the avian Pokémon emerged from the foliage, icy cool eyes looking down on the wide-eyed Pokémon.

    Rex crossed his arms, "Do you want to try that again?"

    Without hesitation, the Mankey snapped his arms up in surrender.

    "That's what I thought."

    The Guildmaster looked up towards the Pokémon across the field. He looked over Team Spirit, Kyle and the bandits in short order. He held his gaze on the still body of the Marowak, then the crumpled form of Greg. And finally, Sam and Alice, barely standing up at the foot of the tree. Sam could just make out the sharp intake of breath, before Rex composed himself just as suddenly.

    You watched from your perch, slowly sinking down as you observed the scene, your gaze mostly fixed on Sam and Alice.

    It seemed like your assistance wasn't necessary at all.

    Rex started making his way towards them, "Let's get you all home."

    And with that, we roll on to the final chapter of Episode 1. A short chapter, but with all the combat, I figured that was a reasonable approach. The next chapter will conclude Episode 1 of Guardians of Balance. The good news is, I have a pretty solid idea of how Episode 2 is now going to proceed! So I can start planning out finer details for the story ahead.

    I am still planning on doing bonus chapters in the lull between the two episodes though, so any suggestions or anything you would be particularly interested, that would be greatly appreciated it! So if you could please post/comment, that would be a big help for me! I've got some support behind a Team Spirit focused chapter, but any other ideas would be great.

    Chapter XXV will be coming within a week provided nothing much happens, as I want to wrap up this Episode and bring it to a close. Either way, again, I hope you enjoyed this new Chapter!
     
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    • Chapter XXV - Audacity
    • StolenMadWolf

    StolenMadWolf

    Loony Moony
    Pronouns
    She/They
    Partners
    1. scorbunny
    2. buneary
    ALWAYS AUDACITY
    CHAPTER XXV – AUDACITY    ​

    Rex's office was just as welcoming as ever, given the soft seats and the little details and accessories placed within it. There was nothing that its owner had done to try and make someone physically uncomfortable to be there.

    And yet, Sam still felt uneasy. Mainly thanks to the pain, now reduced to a dull throb that ran through his entire body. Almost as if he had pins and needles stabbing his… well, everything. After the last few days of getting beaten and torn apart, no amount of Heal Pulses was going to actually help the process of healing now. Sam would have to heal up the old-fashioned way now. Even if he could take an extra Heal Pulse, there were Pokémon who would need far more help physically and mentally compared to himself and even if there wasn't he doubted Rebecca would be wanting to treat him again.

    Actually, it was probably best he didn't see her at all for a bit.

    But it wasn't just that. It was also impatience. Sam remained on station along with Alice, Rex and Team Spirit until other members of the Guild could arrive to relieve them, as well as apprehending the remaining bandits. Once those numbers had been built up, Rex directed Sam and Alice to accompany Jack and Kyle back to Robinswood.

    Whilst father and son would hurry back home upon their return, the two rabbits had very specific orders to wait for at Rex's office for the Guildmaster.

    The Scorbunny paced across the upper part of the office, brow furrowed in thought. It had been over an hour since they arrived here and there was still no sign of Rex. He could hear the signs of increased activity below, and the sky seemed that little bit brighter in the direction of the port. But even so, the wait was gradually wearing the Scorbunny fine.

    "If you keep walking like that you'll burn a hole through the floor." Alice said.

    The Buneary was sat down on one of the wooden seats by the desk, one ear lazily raised with her eyes closed and hands behind her head. Sam glanced between her and the floor, then the bottom of his feet. "I suppose you're right." Sam admitted. I mean, if I can set pebbles on fire, this wood wouldn't last very long.

    He shook his head, "This is just taking too long." He said, walking up to the chair alongside Alice's and climbing on to it. "What if something has gone wrong? Aidan could have pulled another trick or Greg could have got back up."

    "You're worrying too much." Alice replied, opening her eyes and pulling a thrown. "They have Rex there. He can handle anything. And I'd be surprised if Aidan pulls something else out now."

    Sam sighed, looking towards the empty high-backed chair. "I just can't shake this feeling that something else could happen."

    "A little bit of caution isn't unfounded, but I am a little hurt at your lack of faith."

    Both rabbit's ears jerked up as Rex strode into the office, rubbing one of his wrists with his free hand. Sam bounced to his feet, "Rex! I didn't mean any offence-"

    "Don't worry about it too much." Esper reassured him, stepping into the room just behind the Guildmaster with a small smile. "The old man likes to spook people from time to time."

    Rex visibly rolled his eyes, a chuckle breaking out. "Thank you for spoiling my trade secret Esper." He motioned with one hand as he climbed up the steps. "Please, stay seated."

    Sam plopped himself back down as Rex walked behind the desk, standing to look through the window overlooking Robinswood whilst the Meowstic positioned herself by one of the curtains lining the edge of the room. Rex held his gaze, looking over the town with a practiced eye for a solid minute. Even leaning slightly to the side or closer in to get a better view of some invisible scene down below before turning back towards the recruits. "Apologies for keeping you waiting. You'll be glad to know the fire looked worse than it actually was. A few Pokémon will need some time in the clinic, but we'll expect a full recovery from everyone."

    "Kyle is sleeping back home." Esper added, arms crossed. "He's shaken up quite a bit, but I'll be working with Jack and his partner to make sure he's okay."

    Sam sighed with relief, almost sensing his heart loosen itself up. It was a win on both fronts. The main thing that mattered there was the lives of the Pokémon, Kyle especially given what he had been through. Frankly, Sam couldn't care any less if the dock burnt to a crisp, as long as everyone there was safe.

    "Sounds like we got lucky there." Alice mused, "And what about the bandits?"

    "All locked back up in the prison." Rex confirmed, "I've seen to it personally that our old friend has been given a sturdier cell and extra guards."

    It took Sam a couple of seconds to realise what he meant. "You can't be serious. He's-"

    Rex nodded, "Greg's alive. He's badly hurt, but he'll live with treatment."

    "He can't be talking. Not with the fireballs we threw down his mouth." Alice said.

    "Thankfully so." Rex replied, "He wasn't happy to say the least. And I can understand his circumstances."

    Sam frowned, biting back at the urge to growl. "He's a crook. He deserves to get locked up."

    "That's if he is lucky." Esper said quietly, eyes narrowing.

    Alice tilted her head at that one, "I don't see how that's lucky."

    Esper glanced over at the Guildmaster, the avian Pokémon merely motioning with his hand towards the two Pokémon. "Before we left for Broken Wood, I sent out information requests regarding Greg and his gang." Esper started explaining, stepping away from the wall. "In case there was a bounty on any of them. I received a criminal record from Grass Continent."

    She hesitated for a moment, "Greg has over a dozen charges relating to thievery. Four charges of assault… and one charge of murder on the Grass Continent."

    Esper let the words hang in the air for a moment. He committed murder before coming here? Sam pondered, but the train of thought was quickly stopped as the Meowstic continued. "According to the report, Greg had killed a shopkeeper by breaking his neck during a break in gone wrong. Greg always insisted that it was an accident, of how he has always been stronger than most of his species. But the law on Grass ultimately treated it as murder."

    It was Sam's turn to tilt his head, twitching his ears, "And he managed to get away out here."

    "And he's certainly killed more since then." Rex said, "That Marowak may well be the latest, provided he doesn't somehow come back to life on us, being part-ghost type. Regardless, Grass has jurisdiction over us. We're required to add additional charges as witnessed. That's at least another three charges of murder, as well as kidnapping."

    Rex let the words hang for another second before Esper continued, "If Greg is lucky, he'll face a life sentence. If not…"

    She didn't continue, but the implication was obvious. Sam's mouth dropped open a couple of millimetres, one ear tipping over. He wasn't sure what to think. Pleased with Greg facing something as severe as a death sentence… or horrified that it was even on the table.

    That would make all his talk about survival make sense. He knew if he got caught, he would probably be biting the bullet not long after.

    Not that it made Sam feel sorry for Greg. Understand his position perhaps, but it didn't excuse everything he has done.

    "Either way. Greg will be out of our hands soon enough. He'll be transported back to Grass to stand trial." Rex stated, before lowering himself down into the high-backed chair. "That leaves only two problems. Aidan and Zeke."

    Alice blinked. "Zeke?"

    "The Electrike that Sam and Aidan recovered from Broken Wood." Esper explained. "He's a member of the missing Team Nitro."

    Sam straightened back up in his seat, the memory of the crazed electric Pokémon resurfacing with a vengeance, enough that his head pulsed more sharply than before. "I remember too well." Sam said with a wince, "What's up with him?"

    Esper didn't need any blessing from Rex this time, "He's still in a coma. Even Rebecca had no luck in reviving him. Given the state he was in and the condition of Broken Wood, we have to assume that his team mates are either just as crazed, or dead."

    "How he even got into that state is a more interesting question." Rex stated, "But until we can find a way to rouse him or look into his mind, monitoring him is the best we can do."

    That wasn't exactly comforting. Zeke was effectively a complete mystery compared to everything that happened. And Sam couldn't help but feel annoyed with himself for forgetting about the electric type.

    "Aidan is a problem for obvious reasons." Rex stated, "But between the port attack, Broken Wood and Greg's kidnapping, he will be long gone now. The best we can do is arrange for a bounty, but it'll be a long time before that could be recouped.

    "He's covered his tracks for so long, we'll probably never find him again." Alice stated.

    Sam looked down to find his paws screwing up into balls. They may have succeeded in saving those lives, but Aidan had still got away with everything he wanted. At least at the surface anyway. He let out a frustrated sigh, "We'll find him." He grumbled under his breath, "Someday."

    "We will." Rex said quietly, prompting the Scorbunny to jerk back upright.

    The Guildmaster clicked his beak. "Putting all that aside." He started, leaning forward onto the desk. "We must settle on your punishment."

    Sam blinked, his mouth slackening as the gravity of what Rex just said kicked him in the gut.

    "Are you-kidding me!"

    Sam and Alice's voices rang out with a joint shrill, loud enough that Esper seemed to recoil from the edge.

    Rex barely reacted to that, nor to Sam leaping up onto his feet. "Seriously! We saved Kyle and beat the crap out of Greg when no one else was on hand!"

    Alice bared her teeth, "How does this make sense!?" she growled.

    Rex's eyes narrowed, the Blaziken stiffening in his seat as he held an unflinching glare. "I gave you very specific orders to guard Robinswood." He stated, "And to send someone to report any incidents to me if anything had happened."

    Sam snapped his arms out to the sides, nostrils flaring. "You know what Greg is capable of! I couldn't jus-"

    An avian fist slammed into the desk, the boom ringing through the entire room. Sam's rage was extinguished in an instant, the Blaziken quaking in front of him. Even Alice's eyes widened in fear, tucking back against her chair. Of to one side, Esper was smirking. "Instead of waiting for support, you both leave Robinswood less defended, with only your fellow recruits!" Rex barked, "Instead, you run into the woods to fight a powerful Pokémon who has already killed other Pokémon, without informing anyone of where you were going or leaving indicators of where you had been! If it wasn't for Perry informing Team Spirit of your plans and the tracks Greg had left behind, you would have had to face Greg and his crew alone!"

    The Scorbunny stepped back into the back of his chair, stomach sinking as the Guildmaster rose to his feet, the temperature of the room rising with him. "Your fool-hardy charge into danger could have got you and others killed or wounded! Your attempt at heroics-" he jabbed a finger into the air, eyes flicking over to Alice to promptly shut her up, her mouth hanging ajar before continuing. "Your heroics may have saved a life, but you may not be so lucky next time! Even though you have the best of intentions in mind and the will to risk your lives for the sake of others, you will need guidance for the far greater challenges to come!"

    Rex leaned forward, pointing a finger straight at the two of them. "With that in mind! You will both receive the Bronze Rank upon your initiation into the Guild!"

    Sam recoiled, about to throw a challenge back. But it died just as quickly on his tongue. Wait, Bronze Rank? What?

    At the edge of the room, Esper had a gigantic smile on her face as the Blaziken held his gaze on the two frozen rabbits, before with a sparkle in his eyes, he leaned back upwards, a little smile on his face… and clearly struggling not to chuckle. Sam sighed, his legs giving out as he slid down back onto his seat and burying his head into his hands. Hidden out of sight, he pulled a small smirk.

    "That wasn't funny." Alice growled, shaking her head as she relaxed into her seat. But her expression indicated that she didn't have the will to get angry with the Guildmaster.

    "This humour doesn't suit me, I admit." Rex wheezed, coughing to stop the chuckle.

    Esper's smile widened, "Like I said, the old man likes to spook people."

    "I know all too well." Alice replied, rolling her eyes with arms crossed.

    "And now I do." Sam replied, bringing his face out of his hands. "But Bronze Rank? What's that all about?"

    With a final cough, Rex straightened himself back up in his seat. "In all seriousness, what you did was reckless and dangerous." He nodded firmly at the two rabbits as they got themselves resettled onto their seats. "But at the same time, I can't deny your own abilities. Very few Rescuers could go through what you two have been through at such short notice." He tapped a talon on the desk, "Therefore, rather than bringing you into the guild at Normal Rank along with the others, we might as well give you a rank more fitting for your abilities. Two ranks up to be exact. And at the same time, make sure you each receive more advanced training. So you can put that talent to the appropriate kind of use."

    Esper's smile faded away, "The last time someone jumped up the ranks like that was Team Spirit." She explained, "That was five years ago. And before that, it was a Team that played a major role in the Dark Matter Crisis. Getting a higher rank out of the blue is an indicator that you could be rubbing elbows with some of the best teams in the world sooner rather than later. Thats a lot of responsibility that you need to be willing to accept when the time comes."

    Sam sharply took in a bit of breath. It was a huge leap up in the rankings… but was he even ready for that? He felt his gut tighten, but with another breath, his body relaxed once more. He had already been through Broken Wood and multiple fights to the death. That, and for some reason being a Rescuer, even on training felt so fulfilling to him. Saving a few more lives here and there, he could get behind that.

    Nevermind possibly finding out more about who he was.

    "So Sam?" Rex questioned, "What do you say?"

    He realised that the two leading Pokémon were staring at him. Sam straightened himself up, eyes flicking between the two before letting a small smile shine through. "Thanks Rex. Count me in."

    Rex's eyes sparkled briefly before he nodded back. "Very well then. Welcome to the Robinswood Guild." He motioned with a hand, "I can get an individual rank arranged, but we still need to arrange for you to join a team. My powers and ability to call in favours aren't exactly limitless."

    Sam visible winced, "Sh- I forgot about that. I was going to ask Bruce if he and his team would be fine with me tagging along." He rubbed the back of his head with a nervous look, "But if you want me to join another Bronze Rank team, I won't object."

    "I can pull up a few names, see if they have any spaces on hand." Esper said, "I would be more than happy to put you into Team Spirit, same with Alice, but as we're at Diamond Rank, it wouldn't really be fair to throw you into the deep end."

    After what Sam had been through, he couldn't really argue against that. There wasn't much point in Sam cramping Spirit's style. Just knowing them would be good enough.

    "Speaking of which," Rex started, turning back towards Alice. "I know you said you would drop out Alice, but there are still spaces open if you wish to join the Guild."

    The Buneary's expression was surprisingly neutral, at least at first glance. Her head dipped forward, eyes flicking towards the ground. "Actually." She said softly, "I've already got an offer to join a team."

    Alice lifted her head back up, looking towards Sam.

    "If that offer's still open Sam?"

    That hit him like an Onix. Sam only just managed to stop himself gaping at her as he spun round. "Alice!" he managed to utter in surprise, "I thought-"

    "I didn't want to make your life hell?" she finished for him, stepping off the chair and dropping down to the floor. "I still don't want do that. But…" she visibly hesitated, as if trying to work out what to say next. Before closing her eyes and with a little smile, shrugged. "To be honest, we made quite the team and it felt kinda… nice to work with someone who just saw me as… me. Rather than some curse. So I guess… why not?"

    "Alice…" Sam said softly, dropping down from his own seat shakily, unsure if he was dreaming or if this was really happening.

    She opened her eyes again, letting her smile grow. "Sam. I would be more than happy to form a team with you, if you'd have me." She reached out a hand, "Partners?"

    He blinked, staring down at the open hand. Still processing it all. But he didn't question it. Now wasn't the time to do that.

    Sam couldn't stop himself beaming a massive smile at Alice, "Partners." He declared warmly, clapping his hand against hers and squeezing it tight.

    If anything, Alice's hand squeezed even tighter.

    Rex and Esper glanced towards each other, sharing a joint smile between themselves before the guildmaster turned back towards the two rabbits. "Well, welcome to the Guild you two. I never thought I would see the day anyone would have the audacity to pair up in such a way."

    They let go, Sam raising a brow at Rex's choice of words. But before he could question it, the Blaziken continued. "That makes the paperwork easier as a bonus." He admitted, "We can mark you in as a Bronze Rank Rescue Team, but with the recent events, we are going to officially bring in the new members tomorrow as a morale boost. That means we are going to need a name, colours and a symbol. Tonight."

    Alice's smile vanished, "Ah crap…" she uttered, "I've… kinda didn't think of anything like that. Didn't think I would have much of a choice."

    She glanced over at Sam before shrugging sheepishly, "If you have any ideas, I'm all ears."

    Crap, this is a bit on the spot is it!? Sam thought, a cold sweat seeming to kick in on his brow. I mean, I haven't put much thought into it either! Not that I thought we would have so little time. He tapped his foot, rubbing the back of his head, What could I use? A name should have a good meaning. It should show we're daring right? Regardless of how daft it… seems…

    The word flashed back in his mind. The one that Rex had used. He didn't really know the reasoning for that choice of word but at the same time, knowing the definition behind it – it could work. That left symbol and colours.

    That was easy, his hand automatically reaching for his jacket pocket. It was still there, the armband. It couldn't be a perfect match. No way. He couldn't use their emblem like that. Inspiration though… that could work.

    "Actually." Sam started, "I might actually have something we could work with."


    The sun was slowly beginning to rise, but the forest floor remained dark enough to conceal his movements from any prying eyes above his head.

    Aidan didn't bother looking up though, his eyes fixed on the path ahead with his sack slung over his shoulder. His attack on the port went without a hitch. In and out before anyone had noticed he was there. Paired with his plan to use Greg as a distraction, his aim to extract all remaining traces of his operation would have been easily hidden away or outright removed.

    The Frogadier croaked a heavy growl. Of course Greg had to be an idiot and blow it. Again, something so incredibly simple and yet again, the Swampert had made a complete hash of his objectives. He was lucky to get out the obvious evidence and material. The rest he would have to make do with being hidden away from prying eyes.

    Still, he hadn't counted on Sam and his cursed little friend. Aidan took the time to march by the clearing he had told Greg to use. And what did he find? That damn fire rabbit, someone he trusted kicking the shit out of the beast with the cursed bitch.

    He had to admit, Sam had grown so much since he met him in the barracks. It was almost admirable in a way, Sam was audacious. The Frogadier had to love him for that.

    He shook his head in disgust, pushing onwards. Even so, Aidan kicked himself for not breaking the Scorbunny's neck when he had the chance. It was something so easy for himself to accomplish, it would have only taken a second. He let his feelings get the better of him. He would have to do better to keep them in check.

    Afterall, he didn't slip up before with Team Nitro.

    The Pikachu Owen and his team weren't the first ones to get a whiff of his operation. Zeke and his own team managed to get a glimpse of his operation before. He had hoped that they only caught an unclear glance of things in action. But as it became clear that they were starting to dig around for more information, he realised it would be best for them to 'disappear'.

    It was surprisingly easy. Poison Zeke, have them wonder into a Dungeon on an out of the blue rescue mission, and await the call for them being missing. So convenient, so easy.

    And again, out of nowhere, he finds Zeke with Sam in tow. He couldn't risk Zeke regaining consciousness, no matter how crazy he was and potentially connect the dots. So whilst everyone was off trading stories around the campfire, he quietly slipped in and poisoned him again. Fingers crossed, Zeke won't be waking up anytime soon.

    Still, this was a setback. He would have to rebuild comms and trust with his contacts once he had established his operations. That would-

    -take time?

    Aidan stopped dead in his tracks, eyes flicking towards the source. Leaning against one of the trees was a tall, slender figure. A black cloak wrapped round her – at least, he thought it was a her – judging by the voice. Was that telepathy? Or was it just so… otherworldly that it seemed to resonate inside his head. He turned to face her, placing the sack down to one side. "Who are you?" he questioned, readying himself into a combat position.

    The cloaked figure pushed herself off the wall, revealing herself to be towering over him without any problems. I am merely a… intermediary. She said, My master has a proposal for you.

    Aidan frowned, shaking his head. "I would be more than happy to arrange a meeting with your… employer." He said, "But my hands are somewhat tied right now. If you allow me time to establish a new base of operations, then we can set up a business-"

    My master will see that you are established. This proposal cannot wait.

    She waved a clothed arm to one side of the tree, stepping aside. Something flickered in the air beside them. With a brief flash of light, the air itself folded on itself, and with a low and heavy boom, a colourful tunnel formed alongside her.

    Aidan's eyes widened, taking a step at the back. "What is this?" he whispered.

    All will be explained.

    Aidan hesitated, his mind racing. If someone could do this…

    Reaching down to grab the sack, Aidan stepped forward, and followed the cloaked figure into the tunnel.


    "…and despite these challenges, we have all shown that it doesn't matter where we have come from. We have stood together and emerged not only stronger, but closer together as Pokémon." Rex said, standing on a wooden stage positioned in front of the Guildtree. The sun was shining high above the town and before him, most of the citizens of the town were gathered. Amongst them, a great many members of the guild, all decked out in their team colours. He could see Team Spirit off to one side, watching with clear smiles on their faces. A round of applause rang out amongst the wider crowd, a few cheers accompanying them. The guildmaster let them proceed, adjusting the two armbands he had on his arms. One was the black and gold armband he normally wore, the other was a red and gold one that flashed the emblem of a five pointed shooting star.

    "When I took up the post of Guildmaster here, I did so for three reasons. Firstly, to play one final, relaxed role in the Guilds before I decide to retire, after thirty years of work."

    He let the words hang in air for a moment, before casually lifting his hands up to his sides. "Guess how that turned out."

    Laughter rose up from the crowd at that, the guildmaster letting a little chuckle slip out. "Secondly, to do my absolute best to make this Guild one of the most welcoming in the world, making a difference to help every single person in this town, just as I have done for years."

    Rex placed his hands behind his back, "And thirdly, so I could perform the greatest of honours. Welcoming the next generation. Pokémon of Robinswood. I am incredibly proud to welcome three new Rescue Teams to the ranks of the guild. It doesn't matter where they have come from, and every single one has shown extraordinary resilience, willpower, compassion… and courage. And we are delighted to count them among us."

    He stepped to one side, Esper climbing up onto the platform to join him, holding a chest up in place. "First of all, Team Active and it's members Edward and Denver!"

    Another round of applause rolled forth from the crowd as the Skiddo and Skorupi emerged from the Guildtree and climbed up onto the platform, the latter having his injured legs wrapped up in light bandages. The two were visibly beaming as Rex and Esper pulled out a pair of red scarves with a bright green emblem on them, as well as two peach coloured badges and secured them on their person.

    As the two Pokémon gave each other the best high five they could, Rex turned back to the crowd, motioning for them to simmer down. "Next up, we have Bruce, Nia and Dan as Team Seekers!

    Bruce led the way up onto the stage, with Dan shakily following close behind. The little Morpeko was so nervous, he nearly toppled over back down the stairs, eyes widening. But with a flutter of her wings, Nia appeared alongside him and pulled him back onto the platform. Bruce took a glance at them, his massive smile faltering only briefly as he made sure the two were okay. Once they were all safely up, they lined up like Team Active, and received their own badges alongside their green scarves – armband in the case of Dan – complete with a white emblem composed of a leaf, a pair of wings and a lightning bolt.

    As the crowd quietened down once more with the three Pokémon sharing one giant hug between, Rex once more gained their attention. "And finally, our final new members. I would like you to join me in welcoming Sam and Alice, of Team Audacity!"

    Sam took in a sharp breath, one foot already on the step as the clapping began. "Ready?" he asked.

    Alice shrugged, "As ready as I'll ever be. Just don't expect a lot of applause."

    The Scorbunny merely tilted an ear at that one, "We'll deal with it." he replied, and with a final check, the two climbed up in lockstep and into view.

    On cue, the crowd seemed to quiet down, a few cheers being cut short. Sam felt a cold feeling sink into his gut, were they really not going to give them a chance? No, he had to stay strong. Keep up a-

    But then the cheers re-erupted, the applause rising back up once more even louder than ever. Enough that the Scorbunny actually slowed mid-step. He glanced over towards Alice, the Buneary also slowing. Her eyes blinked rapidly, as if trying to workout if this was a dream herself.

    A few whistles blew through the air. The two other teams turning and clapping their paws or cheering them over. Even Bruce and Denver couldn't help but pull small smiles as they approached.

    Sam could hear her sniff.

    He didn't leave her hanging, wrapping an arm over her shoulder as they walked up to join the others. I've got you partner.

    She looked over at him, trying and failing to hold a little smile at bay. "T-Thank you."

    Rex smiled as they pulled up alongside the others, reaching into the chest and pulling out a pair of woad blue armbands from it. Each one christened with a silver X-shaped star, overlaid with an oval shaped tear that symmetrically cut the X in two. Similar, but not identical to the Guardian emblem. If the Guardians seemed as noble as they sounded, it seemed reasonable to be inspired by their exploits.

    "Congratulations." Rex said proudly as he placed the perfectly fitting armbands on, holding back for a moment as the two rabbits adjusted them before reaching back into the chest and pulling out two similar, but differently coloured badges from the others. These ones were coloured gold rather than peach, with a small egg-shaped object at its centre with two clear wings stretching out to the sides. At the centre of the egg, surrounded by the gold, was a green coloured gem. The Bronze Badge.

    Rex handed the two Guild Badges over, the Scorbunny marvelling over the craftsmanship of the badge as it settled neatly into his hand. It's official now… Sam mused, feeling a warmth burn in his chest. As Rex addressed the crowd once more, he turned towards his partner. "Everything you expected?" he quietly asked.

    Alice didn't look at him, eyes fixed on her own badge. "No. Not really."

    He raised a brow at that as she turned towards him with a wink, "But it still feels nice."

    Sam smiled back, "I'll take that."

    "There will be greater challenges to come." Rex stated, addressing the crowd and dragging Team Audacity's attention back to the front of the stage. "But with luck, courage and friendship on our side, we will overcome whatever disasters come our way and get back to what this guild, and this town, was founded to do in the first place." He stretched his arms out to the side, directing his words to all present. "To explore this world. Together!"

    He did a small bow, before stepping aside and putting his hands together. "One more time, let us welcome our newest Guild members! Team Active! Team Seekers! And Team Audacity!"

    The crowd erupted into a ravenous roar of applause, and with their newfound guildmates cheering at their side, Sam and Alice shared a wink and pumped their badges above their heads, soaking in the cheers from Robinswood.


    POKÉMON MYSTERY DUNGEON
    GUARDIANS OF BALANCE    ​


    EPILOGUE​

    Night had once more fallen over the town, and the only light available in the office was a small, glowing white orb placed on the table.

    Rex was seated, looking down on the two objects held in hand. In his left, was the red armband he had worn at the initiation ceremony today, complete with the gold shooting star. In the other, he held a small-framed photograph. It was slightly brown in colouration, but he could still make out all the original colours on it. And most importantly, the Pokémon.

    Four of them stood in the shot. To the far left, holding the photograph device known as a camera with his right arm was a Combusken, a happy expression on his face. Behind him, a little bit further along to the right was a Kirlia, who despite the feminine look was actually male. He held what appeared to be a sword blade in one hand as he looked up at the camera, flashing an inquisitive look at the camera. Further still to the right, was a Buneary and a small looking Zangoose with a tuft on his head, the latter looking slightly panicky as the Buneary was growling viciously at the feline. Neither had seen the photo being taken.

    All four bearing the same red armbands with a golden star.

    Rex couldn't resist smiling at the sight. Team S.T.A.R. Those were-.

    A knock clunked across the room, the Guildmaster placing the armband and photo flat on his desk. "Come in."

    A door swung open and creaked shut, and out of the darkness of the lower level, Alice emerged. Her blue armband still fitted to the arm along with her Bronze Rank badge fitted to it. "Hello Alice." Rex greeted her, "How are you settling in with Sam?"

    "I've settled in the new room well enough." Alice replied, one hand placed on her hip. "Sam is staying in the barracks for tonight. He wanted to check up with Kyle and Jack one more time, but he'll be up here tomorrow morning." She tilted her head, "That, and he wanted to check over Aidan's room again. Just in case."

    Rex nodded, listening carefully to her words. Aidan's betrayal had clearly hit Sam hard, but he was grateful that Sam was taking the time to check on Jack's family. "Are you alright with that?"

    "I encouraged him." Alice said, pulling a little smile. "Kinda makes sense, and I can get stuff sorted out in our room and we get less looks with Jack. It's a win-win."

    The smile faded as she focused on Rex, "Did you want me?"

    "Yes." Rex said, turning in his seat to the side, "I wanted to show you something."

    As Alice made her way round the edge of the desk, Rex pulled out one of the drawers and reached inside. He pulled out two badges from the drawer. They resembled the guild badges he had given out today, but the wings were more angular, the eggs were sharper and lacked an outline. Both were silver, with a crystalline, shining core at their centre. The Buneary's eyes widened, "Are those old Diamond Rank Badges?" she questioned.

    "Indeed they are." Rex explained, "Rescue Badges from before the ranking changes made them Master Rank."

    He handed the two over to her. "They belonged to your parents."

    Alice froze, her hand hovering over the two badges before she took them carefully from his hand. "W-Where did you find them?"

    "I went back to Avio Town last year." Rex said. "Not much has changed since then. Including your old home."

    He leaned forward in the chair, "I know you never wanted to return but… I felt then was the time for myself to get some closure." He motioned at the badges. "They had them in their safe. I had a spare key." He closed his eyes, "They belong to you now."

    Alice looked over the badges, wiping her eyes. "Mum and Dad… are they…"

    Rex nodded, "They were still there." He whispered softly. "Someone had left flowers before I arrived."

    A bit more hesitantly, she nodded back, eyes focused on the badges. "Good." She managed to say, looking back up at Rex. "Thank you."

    "Your welcome child." The guildmaster replied. "Alice. If your parents were here right now… they would be incredibly proud of you."

    "I know." The Buneary replied, holding them close to her chest. "Master Rank, right?"

    "Indeed."

    A small smile formed on her lips. "Then I've got a lot of work to do catch up. Same time tomorrow for training?"

    Rex let out an amused huff, "Same time. Nice and early tomorrow."

    "Got it. I'll see you then." She turned and made her towards the office door.

    The Blaziken turned to watch her go, "I'm not going to make it easy on you kiddo." He said warmly. "You're Bronze Rank now."

    Alice turned round to face him, backstepping as she flashed a wink. "Whatever you say Uncle. I'll be ready."

    Rex smiled as Alice departed the room, leaving him all alone. He stared at the closed door for a solid minute, I've not seen Alice so happy in two years. Tyera and Sylvain would be glad to see that.

    Standing up, Rex took the glowing orb and the photograph of Team S.T.A.R and brought it over towards one of the bookshelves at the side of the office and placed it down next to another, newer photograph. In that one, standing side by side were four fully evolved Pokémon. A Blaziken, a Gallade, and with one arm wrapped around the other, a Lopunny and Zangoose. All four sharing the same red armbands.

    Rex felt his smile grow wider, Rest in peace old friends.

    There was one more thing he needed to do tonight. It couldn't wait.

    He returned to the desk, reaching back into the drawer and pulling out a blue, coin shaped device with five orbs fitted to the sides, leaving a slot where a sixth one would be. Taking a blue orb out, Rex slotted it into the device. It beeped in response, lighting up as Rex placed it down onto the desk.

    He went through the options on the modified Expedition Gadget and opened up the system he wanted to use. It beeped once, then twice. And finally clicked before going silent.

    "Luke?" Rex asked, "Are you there?"

    A sharp crackle and whine rang out from the device, enough for Rex to wince before the voice finally emerged from the other end. "Sorry about that Rex. The signal is pretty bad around here, I would have got in touch with you sooner. How cushy has life been?"

    Luke spoke with a light, but distinctive accent that seemed somewhat rough. Not to different from-

    He shook his head, "Rather busy actually, keeping yourself occupied out there?"

    "You could say that. So what do you need old friend?"

    Rex tapped the desk, hesitating for only a second before finally speaking. "I believe we have found a human."

    The gadget crackled, almost as something had been dropped before Luke's voice came through again. Firmer this time. "Are you sure?"

    "My deputy Esper caught a psychic trace from him just last night." Rex replied, "She was spooked enough she actually got tripped up by some Spinaraks in a fight, but she is positive that he considers himself human."

    "Esper, Esper…" Luke mused, "Wasn't she the one who worked with Auraflame during the Dark Matter Crisis?"

    "One and the same. She mentioned that once she picked up that trace, she couldn't help but make the connection between Sam and Auraflame."

    "Sam?"

    "The human. Well, he's a Scorbunny now."

    "Any other familiar symptoms?" Luke quizzed him, "Amnesia? Any strange powers?"

    "He only remembers his name as far as we know." Rex said, "He has Libero, but that isn't ground-breaking on it's own, especially since it's been sporadic."

    "Sporadic?"

    "It barely activates."

    "I see. Has he mentioned himself being human yet?"

    Rex shook his head, "Not to my knowledge. Only myself and Esper have an inkling of his status."

    Luke audibly sighed with relief, "Good. We don't need anyone trying to chase him up on that."

    "He's joined my Guild with my niece." Rex confirmed, "And he at the very least has good intentions, but Luke… if Sam is indeed a human-"

    "Then these disasters are just the beginning." Luke finished for him. "I can pack up and be out of here by tomorrow, but have you tried to speak with the others?"

    "Esper has tried to get back in touch with Team Auraflame, but they are currently working on a project back in their village. Last I heard from home, Team Warden has been having trouble between it's members for months. Team Relic is out of contact on an archelogy expedition and Team Heart was never officially a guild team anyway, and without them having a Expedition Gadget it would take too much time to get a message to Paradise without my best messenger anyway."

    "So I'm your best bet. I'll pack my things now. I'll be on my way within the hour. The best thing you can do now is to keep an eye on Sam and Alice. If Esper is correct –"

    "They are equally in as much danger." Rex noted, feeling his chest tighten up. "I am all to aware. Especially if his warning is true."

    "After all this time? Possibly. He did try and end the world because of it."

    Rex leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing. "I'll protect them." He stated, "But we need to confirm this as soon as possible. It'll be up to us to guide them, so they'll be ready for this threat when the time comes."

    "Including Alice?"

    Rex hesitated, the word nearly dying on his tongue. "Yes." He said softly, "Especially her."

    "We'll get it done Rex."

    Swallowing, Rex nodded firmly, talons digging into his desk. "Of course. I'll hold the fort until you arrive. Then we can work out how to stop what he warned us off all those years ago."

    He hissed the next word out, "Armageddon."

    Luke chuckled from the other side of the device, "Believe me Rex. Even considering where I'm based at the moment… I'll be there before you know it."


    Sam turned under the sheets, eyes squeezed shut as he shifted position in his sleep.

    You had positioned yourself on the other side of the room, sitting yourself down on what had been Aidan's bed. You watched him intently, wanting to reach out and put a hand on his shoulder. Try and comfort him. But a part of you knew that he wouldn't even feel it.

    Still with him, hmm?

    The shadow formed alongside you, plopping down next to you with a swirl of darkness. He has proven most resilient. I know you wanted to jump in and help him again. There might have been a moment where that was necessary. With Aidan and with the Swampert. Thankfully for you, he has Alice to watch over him as well, so any action on your part was unnecessary.

    Sam twitched, shifting position once more as the shadow joined you in watching. I have seen the mural by the way. The shadow explained, It took a great, painful amount of effort to avoid Volcanion's attention, but it has paid off, if only in pennies.

    You turned towards him, a shadowy hand rising up into the air, The mural is most certainly ancient. Even the language eludes me. However, I did recognise the stylisation of the art. It was once created by an ancient civilization of Pokémon. One that was so isolated, that even the gods themselves don't know the answer of what happened to them.

    The shadow turned towards you, Conveniently, at the same time that Volcanion vanished so did they. And the art style has existed on practically every continent in some form. That being said, I have only seen a similar design in one other place… could it-

    It shook it's head, turning it's gaze towards Sam, still stirring. You watched on in silence. An ancient civilization was certainly a valuable piece of the puzzle. But where? And how did this sort out the problem before you?

    I believe part of the answer, The shadow continued, Lies in Sam's dreams.

    You turned towards him, the shadow pausing before pressing on, Do you remember when we first met? There was a dream of an ancient castle under siege. I have… experience with dreams. And I can make a fair guess it was Sam's before he woke up in this world.

    The shadow seemed to hesitate; I have a suspicion… he could potentially have the same dream again. Perhaps with more context. Yes… even from here I can sense it. In the corner of his mind and yet with what has happened to him… it's just out of reach to him. But perhaps I can tap into it. Hopefully without-

    They paused, turning back to you. If you wish, I can try and bring that dream into focus. Perhaps we can all learn something. But I must warn you… it will be quite… vivid.

    You looked between the shadow and Sam himself. What to do… what answer could be learnt from within…


    The castle was in flames. Dark clouds blanketing the sky. The distant cry of battle and death ringing far below.

    Atop one of the battlements, watching over the battle in the courtyard being fought below, was a yellow and black feline. Piercing blue eyes watched on, fists clenched at the chaos. At the death.

    The Zeraora was clearly enraged, but they held their tongue. Maintaining a cold expression as they watched on. The situation was dire. There wasn't much time.

    What was clear to any viewer now however, was the armband it wore. A blue one with a silver cross and tear embroidered onto it.

    "Maister!"

    Eyes widening only a touch, the Zeraora turned to find a tall, red and white rabbit sprinting towards them. A Cinderace, a blue armband also wrapped round their arm. But when they spoke, the words were… indiscernible. Strange, and yet familiar. "The tete is aseelid, and the path is openyd! The gounglings, seruaunt, and handmaide goith out, and oure sistris fleen!"

    The orange eyes looked down the battlefield below. "We han no ferther tyme to spare maister. I wol se the def-"

    "Ye wolen." The Zeraora interrupted in the strange language, "Y wole that ye lede hem to sikirnesse, and that ye seche oure biheest. And if oure ordre falle here, Y schal yyue hope to oure werriours to fle."

    The Cinderace looked alarmed. "But maister, ye wol been expos!"

    "Aventure I shal take." The Zeraora continued, much more softly this time. "As ye wole with youre heestis. If Y make the mesure, be ye spred abrood; be ye hid in derknessis, for to serue the liyt, as oure lord comaundide."

    The Cinderace opened his mouth, ready to argue back. Before his ears dipped. Closing his eyes, the Cinderace placed an arm across his chest and bowed his head. "I wol kepe hem maister."

    That seemed to satisfy the Zeraora, the feline smiling as they stepped forward and placed a hand on the Cinderace's shoulder. "I woot ye wole brother. Now go ye. And ealdor alwealda fro the bigynnyng kepe you, as youre herte goith."

    Raising his head, the Cinderace smiled and placed a hand of their own on the Zeraora's shoulder. They shared a final nod before finally letting go, the Cinderace sprinting back into the depths of the castle. The Zeraora watched them go, slowly rebuilding their steely expression. A flash of green caught the Zeraora's attention, bringing them back to the edge of the battlements.

    Down below, the battle had ceased. A dark Pokémon emerging from the smoke.

    The Zeraora's eyes narrowed, hands clenching the rock of the tower.

    "No." they hissed with a masculine, now clear voice, "I will not allow for them to freely start Armageddon all over again!"

    Blue energy crackling around them, the Zeraora vaulted over the battlement, and jumped into the sky.

    A cold, evil grin formed on the Zarude as it glanced back down towards the ground, watching as one defender, a Machoke, tried to drag himself away from danger. The simian approached, raised its right foot…

    And slammed it down on the defender's neck with a vicious crack. The Machoke's eyes widened, a faint gasp escaping as its body went limp. A flicker of intelligence remaining evident before finally, it's gaze went blank.

    The defenders shuffled back, fear becoming terror as the Zarude's smile grew even more morbid. It started to approach again.

    A blue bolt flashed as it struck the ground with a sharp thundercrack, all Pokémon, attacker and defender alike, flinched backwards as the electrical energy sparked across the battlefield, separating the two sides.

    All except the Zarude, who's smile vanished completely.

    As the electricity faded away, a patch of clouds parted, revealing the untouched splendour of the moon and shining a new light onto the fortress.

    Standing before the Zarude, holding position in front of the defenders was the Zeraora.

    The Zarude seemed to hesitate for the briefest of moments.

    Then it let out a bestial roar, a green vine unravelling from one of its arms into a whip, pulsing with dark green energy as it snapped round. Air rushed around the Pokémon, tugging at the other Pokémon present who once more retreated.

    Unbowed, the Zeraora merely cracked its fists together, blue electricity sparking as its eyes narrowed.

    And with that, it broke out into a run, a snarl forming as it charged for the Zarude.

    The Zarude, whip still flailing in the air, charged forward, whipping it down towards its new opponent.

    The Zeraora leapt forwards, it's fist crackling with energy.

    The whip and fist connected.

    The surrounding Pokémon cried out in shock as the blinding flash of green and blue light, pulling back as the two Pokémon sprung back from the strike, before lunging at each with a vengeance. The Zeraora's fists crackled blue, competing with a pair of glowing green blades that the Zarude attempted to counter with. Around them, Pokémon screamed as they charged back into battle or barked out orders. Some of the defenders began to withdraw, commanders ordering them to retreat through the gateway. The attackers tried to swarm them, but the arrival of the Zeraora had emboldened them, and those that remained on the front line threw themselves into the fray with renewed vigor.

    One fist and blade slammed together with a boom, the Zeraora and the Zarude's faces just inches away from each other.

    The Zarude smirked.

    The Zeraora growled.

    Roaring, the Zarude shoved the feline away, the green blades fading away for another whip.

    Eyes widening, the Zeraora through themselves aside, the whip barely just skimming past their gut. The Zarude attempted to charge, only for two more warriors to spring forward, covering the Zeraora and pushing the powerful simian back. The Zeraora stepped forward, only to feel a wave of heat surge past their back. The spun round, just in time to see a giant fireball slam into another charging grass type, engulfing the attacker in flames, sending them screaming away.

    Spinning round, the Zeraora looked back up to the battlements to find the Cinderace atop them, one foot placed above a Pyro Ball. The electric feline flashed a nod back, as did the Cinderace, who swiftly sprinted further along the battlements. The Zeraora's attention was drawn to the inner gateway, many of the fighters having successfully withdrawn back, many beginning to filter through. Only a handful were now fighting to defend it.

    Leaping twice, the Zeraora pounced back to their defensive line and joining their ranks. Amongst the ranks of the attackers, the Zarude was slowly walking towards the line, a green blade glowing. The two warriors that had lunged for it were stumbling away, re-joining their comrades. Eight, ten, eleven defenders now at the gate including the Zeraora.

    Eleven against an entire army.

    The Zeraora narrowed their eyes, focused on the Zarude. They couldn't hold them off. It was time.

    "Take flight warriors." They ordered, "Join the others. I shall hold them at bay."

    A Staraptor warrior was on the ground next to them. One wing very clearly twisted and broken. "No. We'll stand with you Master."

    The Zeraora looked over their comrades once more. Checking the will of each and every one of them. With a small smile on their face, they turned back to face their invaders. "To death then."

    Blue energy crackling around their fists, bright balls of energy began to form around them. On cue, the ten remaining fighters charged into the ranks of the attackers. The Staraptor leapt for the Zarude, only to scream as a green whip struck it across their neck with a sickening crack and sent it flying into a crowd of attackers.

    The electric orbs grew bigger, charging further. The air crackled around the Zeraora.

    Another warrior tried to block the Simian, for a green blade to slice across their throat. The Zarude's eyes burned, teeth bared as it broken into a sprint, trying to close the gap.

    The Zeraora closed their eyes, a word on their lips.

    The green blade slammed into their chest. The feline cried out, the dark Pokémon lifting them up effortlessly into the air and slamming them into the stone walls of the battlements. The blue energy dimmed.

    "Your interference Zaiell…" the Zarude growled, shoving the blade deeper into the Zeraora's chest. "Ends tonight!"

    Zaiell coughed, blood dripping out his mouth.

    The air buzzed around them, the Zarude's eyes widening as the balls of electricity glowed brighter than ever.

    They couldn't react in time to the Plasma Fist flying against their face. He let out a feral scream, trying to scramble away. Eyes snapping open, Zaiell bared their fangs. "I may die today Kain, but you will not destroy the Guardians!" They booted their feet against the wall and kicked themselves forward, throwing their full weight against Kain and sending them to the floor with a sickening crash. The Zarude kept on screaming, the electricity burning away the fur and skin on their face. Even their eye was milking over, sparks crackling across it.

    Face twisted with pain, the Zeraora lifted their free fist up, crackling with blue electricity. "You may burn our home. But we will live on! And you will fail!"

    With a final roar, Zaiell slammed the Plasma Fist into the ground.

    Bright blue light exploded outwards, consuming the two combatants in light and fire. The defenders, all nearby, couldn't even react before they themselves were consumed. The attackers had more time to react, a few of them who were further away screaming before they were caught out in the blast, others scrambling to run, their backs burning as they dove for cover.

    But even that wouldn't help them. Explosions quaked through the ground, throwing rock into the air. Blue fire burst out of the battlements of the castle, climbing up to the highest towers right down to the ocean.

    The whole ground shook violently, and confusion and shock turned into complete terror. The attackers turned, screaming as they tried to flee, cracks spreading through the ground and across the entire castle. Even those outside on the natural bridges and the mainland could only look on in horror as the towers shuddered free and came crumbling down. Entire rock faces sliding off and dragging battlements down into the ocean with a thunderous crack.

    And then the mainland began to quake, even as the ground tore itself open underneath those inside the castle and sending them plummeting to their deaths. Even the flying types weren't safe, many of their cries being cut short as they were struck by projectiles flung from the disintegrating fortress.

    The natural arches finally snapped, rock tumbling away and bringing those unfortunate enough to be on them down with them to earth. Sheer panic consumed the attackers, each and every one desperate to flee.

    The entire island that the fortress was on began to sink, descending into the waves. From a distance, even the mainland began to crumble. Trees were uprooted, houses collapsed and fires burst into life across the ground.

    It wasn't just the fortress now. The entire island was collapsing into the sea… ready to take everyone with it.

    Sam sprung upright with a jolt, crying out in terror. He panted, hands patting his chest. I-I'm alive! What was-

    Then he noticed them. Just for a split second. Two ghostly shapes floating above him. One was a dark shadow, the other was translucent, with a faint white glow. The latter didn't even look like any Pokémon he would-

    The shadow stilled itself, a bright blue light flashing in its darkness.

    And then they were gone.

    Sam blinked rapidly, rubbing his eyes before looking again. Still nothing.

    A-Am I seeing things? I'm not surprised but… His eyes drifted across the room, focusing on one of the two armbands laid out alongside him. His Team Audacity armband… and the armband of the Guardians.

    "W-What the hell was that… did the Guardians…"

    Sam tucked his legs in, curling up into a ball, willing his heart to slow down.

    He only began to calm down as the Butterfree Jack burst through the door, quickly landing by his side and holding onto his shoulder tightly. "S-Sam! Are you alright!? What happened?!"

    Sam sucked in a deep breath, "I… I don't know…"


    You remerged at the top of the Guildtree, on the very same small balcony that offered a view of the Tree of Life. You wanted to scream. Scream at the shadow.

    The dark shadow hung in open air; a blue eye glowing ever brighter. No no… this is terrible… no! This cannot be!

    It spun round on you, eye burning. I'm afraid Sam catching even a glimpse of us is the least of our concerns. For I have seen this dream before.

    Surprise flooded your being. As did confusion. Anger. Even some happiness. You tried to shove the emotions aside, focusing your attention on the shadow, begging for it to answer.

    This dream… someone else here has been having it. I took the opportunity to investigate their mind… if two people are sharing the same dream… then I believe we may have seen a hint about the horror that is coming. And that one Pokémon who shares that dream. The one that could provide Sam and ourselves any clarity or answers…

    The shadow seemed to stiffen, Is currently unconscious in Robinswood's clinic.


    The clinic was dark, most of the Pokémon resting within asleep on their own beds peacefully.

    Save for one.

    Isolated from the rest, hidden behind a locked door, the Electrike Zeke was spasming on his bed, legs kicking out and head jerking back and forth. His face was twisted in pain.

    The epileptic attack only lasted for a couple of seconds before the electric type's body finally slumped and visibly relaxed. Seemingly back at peace.

    Nothing happened for another couple of seconds.

    But then, just as sharply and suddenly, Zeke's eye snapped open.

    Glowing green…

    EPISODE 1: ALWAYS AUDACITY
    COMPLETE
    TO BE CONTINUED…​


    And with that, the first Episode of Guardians of Balance, Always Audacity, is now officially complete with the longest chapter by far! I will be taking a short break from writing primary chapters for Guardians of Balance whilst I get ready for a new job, but not for too long, as I'm already planning out the second Episode of the fan-fic. And I've already got some very good ideas on how it's going to be shaped. I'm very much looking forward to working on that Episode soon!

    I am also still looking for suggestions on what kind of bonus chapters you may want to see before Episode 2 starts. This could be anything, so please, if you have any ideas, please let me know!

    This has been a year in the making, and I will be coming back to the older chapters to do some edits and make sure they are all neatened up. But Guardians of Balance's story will be continuing.

    I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to read this and especially providing reviews. I greatly appreciate it, it and has really helped me out from time to time. It means a lot.

    In either case, GoB will continue! I hope you will tag along as this story continues, because believe me… it's only just getting started.
     
    • Bonus Chapter 1 - Dexes and Dungeons 1
    • StolenMadWolf

    StolenMadWolf

    Loony Moony
    Pronouns
    She/They
    Partners
    1. scorbunny
    2. buneary
    Well, this took longer than I planned to complete. But to fill in the gap between Episodes 1 and 2, I decided to incorperate a Bonus Chapter into Guardians of Balance! I hope this is something a bit different and enjoyable for anyone reading this!

    Life has been kinda crazy at the moment, but I have the details down for what is happening in Episode 2, and I will start writing the first chapters soon. In the meantime, enjoy this!

    POKÉMON MYSTERY DUNGEON
    GUARDIANS OF BALANCE

    DEXES AND DUNGEONS
    BONUS CHAPTER I    ​

    The berries plopped into the pot with a rather pleasant splat, and were promptly followed by a handful of beans. Edward hummed softly to himself as he carefully positioned his hoof to grasp onto the wooden spoon and slowly began to stir it, taking care to keep his green coat away from the flames from the stone oven. He paused only briefly, checking to see the mixture wasn't burning, before quietly lowering the heat to let it simmer. All of which seemed to show an air of expertise around the Skiddo.

    Edward was working within one of the small kitchens that had been built into the Guildtree. Most of the structure here was covered in stone to prevent the risk of fire, save for a small glimmer of wood that confirmed that the room was contained inside a giant tree. Alongside one wall was the oven that Edward was working on, along with work surfaces and a sink. A larder filled up the space on one side of the room and a window allowed a cool morning breeze to flow inside. At the very centre was a low table, allowing for a multitude of smaller Pokémon to sit down and eat with ease.

    Bruce strode in, his mouth agape as a massive yawn escaped from it. Blinking, his red eyes locked onto the room's formerly sole occupant. "Ah, morning Edward! What are you cooking there?"

    Edward was standing on his hind legs to get a better grip on the spoon, but it didn't really stop him from glancing over at the Bulbasaur. "Morning Bruce. Just doing my aunt's curry."

    The green reptile frowned, "Curry? Isn't that supposed to be an evening meal?"

    "Curries have got a pretty good mix of nutrients if you build it up right." Edward explained with a hint of pride, lowering the temperature a bit more before letting go of the spoon and lowering himself back onto all fours. "Do it right, and it can make a decent breakfast. I tend to make a bit extra just in case, want to try some?"

    "Well, we never had curry back on Air." Bruce said, putting himself down on a cushion round the small table. "I'll give it a go then. What about Denver though?"

    "He's out for a walk. Trying to get the strength back into his legs. What about Nia and Dan?"

    "Still fast asleep." Bruce replied, flashing a grin this time. "Nia may be good with the time, but damn can she lie in."

    Edward rolled his eyes as he pushed himself back up to stir the curry. "Well, she's missing quite the morning."

    As if on cue, the sound of flapping wings rolled through the window. Talons clattered against smoothed wood, and on cue, a blue-grey bird climbed through the window, a large brown bag hanging from his side. The bird happily sighed; eyes closed as he stretched his wings out, "Ahh…" he started, "What a wonderful morning to-"

    His eyes slipped open.

    "-WHO THE FUCK IS IN MY KITCHEN!"

    Eyes flashing red, his wing flashed in and out of the bag. Bruce and Edward could only blink, finding a massive golden hammer clutched in his talons, easily twice as large as he was and glistening with horrifying skulls. The bird screeched, sharp enough for Edward to physically leap up into the air with a yelp, nearly knocking the curry pot over and sending the spoon flying across the room. Bruce stumbled back up, eyes widening before he managed to recover, summoning his vines. He'd sent the intruder pa-

    Perry choked, eyes visibly changing colour as he thudded back down onto the window ledge, hammer awkwardly hanging into the room. "A-Oh!" he managed to recover, flashing a beaky grin. "Brucie! Edward! I'm sorry! I didn't recognise you two then!"

    Bruce blinked, vines freezing in the air. "P-Perry? Who did you think we were?"

    Perry throwed a wing to one side, "I thought you guys were the cooks! Silly mistake on my part!"

    Feet clattering against the floor, Edward had managed to stabilise himself, turning towards Perry. His eyes widening at the sight of the hammer. "That's a big hammer…" he uttered.

    The Corvisquire looked confused, beak clicking, "Ham- aha! This silly old thing!". He laughed as he lifted up the hammer with one foot, not showing any concern for the weight. "Just something I borrowed from a few super-grunts to deal with more lunatics." He shook his head, "Seriously, those guys couldn't get those buns seeded just right… wait, what is that smell?"

    "Curry..." Edward confirmed, head reared back and lips tightly pressed together. "I'm cooking breakfast."

    "Ah…" Perry sighed with a devilish sparkle in the corner of his eye. "That makes you the cook then parasite-" The bird coughed violently again, struggling to clear his throat. "Gah, sorry. Bad memories with those buns… and damn… why does conversation sound so familiar?"

    "Err…" Bruce uttered, biting his lip as if digging out an old memory, "What buns are we-"

    "Nevertheless!" the bird exclaimed, "Since you are cooking, I do have a request! If you do not mind spending a little bit of extra time using such skills?"

    Bruce and Edward shared another glance, the former chewing his lip, "Yeah… I'm sure Edward could get something put together but… err…. Before we do that, Edward, can you help me out on this one?"

    "Maybe putting the giant… hammer away will help." Edward explained, eyes fixed on the massive implement, "Then I can… see what I can do."

    Perry beamed with delight, his wings beginning to beat again. "Fantastico!" he bellowed, manoeuvring himself towards the window. "Consider it-"

    "Perry!" Bruce barked, vines whipping out, "Don-"

    With a faint woosh, the giant hammer sailed out of the window. The Corvisquire spun round, puffing his feathery chest out, "Done!" he cheered.

    A faint boom rang through the window, whilst the room softly shuddered beneath their feet. Bruce sprinted for the window, peering through it as Perry's eyes widened, shifting from the window to the rest of the room. Edward could only stare blankly at them both, blinking as if he was trying to compute the entire scene.

    "Arceus damn it Perry!" came the muffled, feminine shout from below, "You're going to pay for this you feathered scatterbrain!"

    Bruce visibly gulped, "How in the name of-" he started, his head snapping back round towards Perry, "How did you not kill someone with that!? And you smashed the roof of Larrissa's shop!"

    Covering his beak with one wing, Perry began to visibly cough. "Erm – force of – cough – habit. Cough-cough, she'll get over it."

    Edward finally seemed to snap out of it, eyes widening and shivering on the spot. Bruce glanced back, fear gripping the Bulbasaur too as some dark realisation settled in. "Shit, she isn't going to get over it! K-Kecelon, they can get really c-crazy… you need to head down the-"

    "Oh yeah yeah." Perry replied, waving his free arm away dismissively. "She can keep the hammer as a bit of compensation for the roof. It's a fair trade! We won't have to worry about her kicking our asses."

    Bruce shuddered, "B-but-"

    "Besides, she doesn't get along with her brothers. So even if she didn't stick to our little agreement for any inconvenient roof damage, we should be fine."

    He let the sentence hang there, almost disturbing to think about, "Well, I'll be fine anyway."

    "Y-Yyyyeah." Bruce replied, stepping down from the window. "What about us?"

    "Ahem, you'll be fine. Most companions are. Anyway!"

    The bird hopped over towards the table, settling down onto one of the cushions before the others could butt back in with their own fears. "I am hunting for my special curry!"

    Blinking, Edward recovered and clicked his hooves on the floor, "You have curries too?"

    "Why but of course! But my cooking skills are… eh… subpar. Can you make it for me?"

    Bruce, lips squeezed tight and keeping one eye on the door whilst he settled down back onto his own cushion as the Skiddo frowned. "I can give it a try. Do you have any ingredients in mind?"

    "Check the larder." Perry said, his voice becoming quieter, as if calming down, "There should be a lot of Babiri berries in there. In the white bag."

    Edward made his way over towards the larder, sticking his head inside as he began to search for the bag. As the Skiddo grunted, trying to make his way deeper in, Bruce clicked his tongue. "So, Perry." He started, "Sam mentioned that you called yourself the fastest post bird around back in-"

    "The quickest!" Perry chirped back, "The quickest post bird around! Remember the vocab!"

    "Okay okay." Bruce backpedalled, his bulb rustling on his back. "Quickest. But there is one thing I don't get."

    "My dashing good looks?"

    "Err, you already look good. But it was about that speed. Aren't there species of bird who can fly a lot faster than Corvisquire? No offence."

    Perry tapped a talon on the table with a faint click, "I'll tell you what I told Sam, Corviknights are still flying around with post. Raw speed isn't everything."

    Bruce leaned forward, tapping one foot on the table. "So, why's that then? I mean, the Pelipper Office back home doesn't exactly have fast birds either, but with the distances we are talking about, isn't speed-"

    "Aha!" Perry interrupted him with a sharp glint in his eye, "You've answered your own question there Brucie. Sure, Swellow are fast as all hell, but they are delicate. One good smack and bang!"

    He thumped a foot down on to the table, hard enough for Bruce to gulp. "They become a soggy pile of bones."

    Bruce leaned back onto his cushion, blowing out a puff of air. "Ah, so the Pelipper-"

    "Would be that bit tougher, and great when flying around the coasts of continents especially." Perry explained. "Sure, they have a monopoly, but that's only because they are in the business first, and if you go for specific regions, another bird species would be the better bet."

    "So the Talonflames-"

    "Would normally be for fast deliveries across the island or nearby ones. The Corviknights excel for longer distance flights or through bad weather. That established min-max is hard to beat."

    "Arceus…" Edward grumbled, wincing as he finally pulled out a gigantic white bag, filled to the brim with leafy green berries. "When did we get this many Babiri berries in? In the greenhouses?"

    "What a fascinating question!" Perry said, "Put about ten of them inside the biggest pot you can find, then start letting them simmer in cheri sauce."

    Almost automatically, Edward pulled the berries over to the oven, a second pot set to one side. But the grass-type froze. "Wait, Babiri berries and Cheri sauce? That's going to be extremely hot. Are you sure-"

    "Believe me, I want this hot enough to burn the death out of the dead!"

    Perry exploded into crackling laughter, his voice booming through the room and into the corridor outside. Bruce clenched his jaws whilst Edward visibly shrunk at it, eyes widening.

    The post-bird coughed again, "Sorry, don't mind me! I'm not planning on going through some global domination plan! Just doing a favour for the guild. Please dear Edward. We need it extra spicy."

    Edward glanced over at Bruce, who very rapidly nodded at the Skiddo. With a newfound sense of urgency, he started filling the pot with the berries. "Thinking of which." Perry continued, "I heard from a little birdie, or rather ape, that you're quite the walking encyclopaedia."

    "I-I wouldn't call myself that." The Skiddo replied, still loading berries into the pot.

    "Oh come on Ed!" Bruce exclaimed, eyes brightening, "I mean, during the trials you literally just rolled out an entire myth to the lot of us! You know your stuff!"

    Flashing a weak smile, Edward placed the last berry into place. "It's just some stuff I read about. Nothing massive."

    "Ah, but knowledge is power my hooved friend!" Perry countered, tapping a wing on the table, his voice suddenly softening. "You may be the fastest flyer, or the strongest fighter, but even the slightest bit of knowledge about the weather, or how to throw a punch can change the outcome of anything. It could be as simple as a conversation, yet it could elevate anyone to greatness."

    Bruce and Edward once more shared a glance between themselves, the latter stiffening whilst the former let out a sharp whistle. "Damn Perry, I didn't think you were so… philosophical."

    That earned a soft chuckle from the magpie. "Bruce. When you travel around as much as I do. You tend to have your eyes opened up to things." He winked towards Edward, "So don't sell yourself short."

    Edward visibly shrunk, blushing at the words as he started pouring in the sauce. "I don't want to brag." He explained, "It's not like I'm a Pokédex."

    "Pokédex?" Bruce questioned with a grimace. "What's that supposed to be?"

    The goat opened his mouth, only for Perry's voice to boom across the chamber. "Fear not!" he bellowed, wing reaching back into his satchel, "For I have – once I get past the chainsword, the omni wrench, the arc reactor, Sting, a couple of pounds of trout to spook that little man…"

    "Err… C-chainsword?"

    "Aha! Behold!"

    A thick, blue book banged onto the surface of the table. It was bound by a thick rope along it's left side. The book itself was mostly featureless, save for a few numbers written on to labels that seemed to specify specific continents. Those were overshadowed by a single big label, with the carefully handwritten word of Pokédex on it.

    Edward sprung forward, eyes sparkling, "Arceus- you had a Pokédex on you the whole time!? I thought the library didn't have any!"

    "They don't!" Perry chuckled, "This just happens to be one I picked up from one of my many travels!".

    Bruce frowned, "Not really an answer."

    The Skiddo stiffened, mouth agape for a second before he finally shook his head, "Sorry, a Pokédex is like an encyclopaedia, mainly about different species of Pokémon but occasionally about the wider world too! They often been the best books to have on the subject!"

    "Uh-Huh." Bruce replied, leaning forward to inspect the book more closely. "I've never really heard about these before."

    "They're only ever made once every few years." Edward explained, "And not that many of them are made even then."

    "Normally to get passed on to someone to get the basics done before the real deal." Perry said, rolling his eyes. "Normally another kid who gets let out of the house too much by their moms. Either they are really independent kids, or their parents are crap."

    "Erm… Perry, why would a kid even be given a Pokédex?" Edward asked, "Especially with the time it takes to get one together?"

    "Oh." Perry started, waving his wing dismissively again, "That is omniversal time space bullshit." He flashed a gigantic grin with his beak. "None of your concern."

    "Erm…"

    Bruce swiftly butted in, partly to distract the Skiddo from the strange response from Perry, "Wait, these contain stuff about species right? Would Bulbasaurs be in there?"

    "Err… should be?" Edward replied, quickly checking the cooking curry's progress with a glance before carefully flicking over the page. "Should be on the first pages, I think. How new is this book Perry?"

    "7th Edition." Perry confirmed, "Just with a few extra pages with the 8th Edition updates. Still waiting on that 9th Gen stuff."

    "So pretty recent then. Let's see, ah, number 001. Bulbasaur." With clear caution, Edward flicked over to the right page with his hoof.

    The grin that spread across Bruce's face was so large, it almost looked ready to pop out of his head. "Number 1?! Sweet! About time we got some-" His smile collapsed immediately as his eyes fell upon the page. "W-What? There's nothing here!"

    The page wasn't entirely empty, there was the name and an identification number, along with a detailed sketch of a Bulbasaur. There was details about heights, weights, foods and footprints. But there wasn't whole pages filled with text. Instead, short summaries and snippets were written on both sides upon closer inspection with one of the Bulbasaur's vines. He peeled the vine back, letting the page flop back down, glaring at the tome. "Not exactly as fantastic as I thought."

    "It's supposed to be something that was updated whilst you're out on expeditions." Edward said, "That's why it's built the way it is!"

    "Always a good laugh when you read some of the silly entries alongside the clever ones!" Perry cheered.

    "Exactly! Explorers would use Pokédexes like these all the time, if they got – silly entries?" Edward's face slackened as he turned back towards the magpie. "That's ridiculous. These are important documents!"

    "Edward my hooved friend! You'll be surprised on how silly researchers can be when it comes to names and the like. Believe it or not, those folks are lazy when they get the chance. Did you know they called a telescope the VLT? Why? It stands for the Very Large Telescope! Ha! Lazy sods!"

    Perry pointed a feather at one of the entries on the Bulbasaur page, prompting Bruce to lean back forward again. " Here we go: 'Bulbasaur can be seen napping in bright sunlight. There is a seed on its back. By soaking up the sun's rays, the seed grows progressively larger.'" The Corvisquire shrugged, "Admittedly that's a sixth edition entry, but still, have you ever seen Brucie here napping? No less in sunlight?"

    The two glanced towards the actual Bulbasaur in the room, who visibly pulled himself back. "Err… I'm not really the napping type."

    "And then there is the seed!" Perry bellowed, eyes sparkling, "Seeds don't grow! They can't just magically increase in size! They soak in enough water to crack open and let the little plant inside to grow!" His crackling laugher once more stabbed at the two grass-types ears once more. "Ha! What kind of idiot writes that in a book!"

    "And how would you know that." Edward mused, not really directing it as a question at all.

    "Wikipedia!" Perry laughed, "The best, unscientific resource for general skimping!"

    The new term flew over the pair's head, but Bruce flashed a brief smirk, "More omniversal whatchacallit?"

    "Indeed!"

    The group fell silent at that, and head jerking up, Edward scurried back over towards the oven, carefully pulling his pot of curry off and placing the second, bigger pot closer to the centre. "I suppose it makes sense for different authors to take different approaches to the entries. I mean, before I came here, I knew a Bulbasaur who napped in the sun a lot, so that makes sense. And I know most 'dexes mentioned that the bulb grows bigger too... Err, okay Perry, I'm going to need to know what else to add into this."

    Perry lowered himself back down onto his cushion, nodding back towards the larder. "You'll need my special yellow-green powder, that'll be the chlorine for cleaning. Oh, that will need to mixed in with the noni-mushrooms, peanut butter, a little sprinkling of depleted uranium from a GAU-8 Avenger-"

    "GAU-what?" Edward replied, eyes clouding over.

    Perry sharply coughed, "Ahem, iron supplements?"

    Edward stared blankly at Perry for a moment, before silently making his way back to the larder.

    "Alright then…" Bruce started, "We've got a Pokédex here. We have Edward's brains and you obviously have a few things floating around in that head of yours Perry. Why not we compare what we know and see what makes sense? You know, just for fun?"

    "Oooh! I like the way you think Bruciesaur!" Perry said with a smile.

    Bruce grimaced, "Please don't call me that."

    "I'm not sure if we'll come across anything different." Edward started, "But sure, I can give that one a try-" he groaned, the heavy thud of something hitting the floor, sending a shudder through the air. "Holy, this is heavy for a small bag… and Perry… why is this stuff glowing?"

    "Just chuck it in to the pot." Perry called back, "Preferably sooner rather than later!"

    As Edward hurried over to the pot to pour the contents of a shiny, metallic bag away, Perry returned his attention towards Bruce with a single eye focused on the Skiddo. "So, Bruce, to what Pokémon do you desire to investigate?"

    The Bulbasaur looked upwards at the ceiling, deep in thought before his eyes brightened in delight. "Charizard!" he declared, "Always wanted to know why they aren't dragon types!"

    "Excellent choice!" Perry purred, slipping a wing underneath a small handful of pages, "Number six, even got some additional comments on that one."

    "Additional?"

    "Old and new entries." Perry explained as he turned the pages over, revealing the Pokédex entry for Charizard. "Have a look!"

    Bruce leaned forward again with his eyes fixed to the page. It was mostly the same as the original Bulbasaur page, only filled with details about the Charizard species. On the space where entries were kept from a specific edition, there were now several entries secured into place. "Let's see here." He started, "When expelling a blast of superhot fire, the red flame at the tip of its tail burns more intensely."

    "Makes sense." Edward mused, slowly loading the other ingredients. "That happens a lot with fire types."

    "Sounds good. Its wings can carry this Pokémon close to an altitude of… 4,600 feet. It blows out fire at very high temperatures."

    "Go on." Perry murmured.

    "Charizard flies around the sky in search of powerful opponents. It breathes fire of such great heat that it melts anything. However-"

    "And my suspension of belief has just been shattered!" Perry exclaimed happily, cackling away from his cushion. Bruce's head snapped back up towards the magpie, "Err… come again?"

    "Wasn't it not obvious!?"

    Edward was in the process of stirring the new mixture when his head jerked back round at the pair, "I get it. It breathes fire of such great heat that it melts anything?"

    "O-Okay." Bruce said, "I'm still not getting the problem."

    Perry hummed away, "Flick those entry slips round, go for a first edition entry. The red and blue one."

    Reaching out with a green vine, Bruce brought a rather cheap looking red and blue tab on the Pokédex page. "Spits fire that is hot enough to melt boulders. Known to cause forest fires unintentionally." He read out, chewing his lip for a second before his eye gleamed. "Boulders… yeah! Charizard is super weak to rock types right?"

    "Correct-o-mundo!". Perry cheered, bumping a wing into the air.

    "Yeah." Edward confirmed, "Or rather, really vulnerable to their attacks. But there is the big one. Fire type moves struggle against rock types too. So why would fire-"

    "Melt a boulder." Bruce finished with a grin. "Any ideas why?"

    Eyes flicking between the simmering pot and his fellow grass type, Edward grimaced, "Actually I'm not sure on that one… rock types aren't immune to fire attacks. Maybe if the fire was held on a rock long enough it could melt it down?"

    "Maybe, but there would have to be a Onix or Geodude out there who was badly scarred."

    "Hmm hmm…" Perry said, "It is a most fascinating contradiction."

    Edward tilted his head, stepping down from his stirring position. "Any thoughts Perry?"

    The avian Pokémon rubbed the underside of his beak with the tip of his wing, "There is a theory I once heard of." He leaned further forward, voice starting to deepen as he spoke. "Basically, all Pokémon have this… bioenergy within them. This energy is what gives each and every Pokémon their own strength, power and speed."

    "Wait, I've heard of this." Edward interrupted. "Isn't that supposed to be Aura?"

    "Hmm. Not quite." The magpie said, wing tapping the table again. "Aura is more like spiritual energy. It's the essence of all living things. Very few Pokémon can sense Aura, never mind use it like Lucario can. Bioenergy is more about physical wellbeing."

    "So, what else does this stuff do then?" Bruce asked.

    "It would help enhance some physical traits, as well as accelerating healing. But! Most notably, it would grant different Pokémon unique… powers. Some of which be limited to specific groupings of creatures."

    Bruce's eyes widened, "Hold up one moment. Are you saying that our types are tied with this bioenergy?"

    "Dear Brucie." Perry quietly purred, "Despite not being the sharpest tool in the recruit shed, you're deliciously preceptive."

    "H-Hey, thanks!" Bruce replied, flashing a toothy grin. "I am pretty- wait, sharpest-"

    "Nevertheless!" Perry continued onwards, "Yes. If this theory is remotely correct, then bioenergy can have its own typing! A flying type would have bioenergy attuned for the rigors of flight! A grass type would be able to manipulate flora! And a fire type…"

    "Could enhance their fire." Edward finished, an air of realisation in his voice. "That would make it really easy for a fire-type to melt a boulder. But a rock type's energy would counter that!"

    "Precisely." Perry confirmed.

    "Huh…" Bruce said, "I guess that explains a lot."

    "Of course…" Perry murmured again, "It could just be that most rock types are made of sturdier stuff than your everyday boulder."

    "Enough that even Charizard's fire might not cut it?"

    "Enough that even Charizard's fire might not cut it."

    Perry hesitated for a moment, but somehow clicking the tips of his wing. "Or it could, but it would take a while to do."

    "I see…" Bruce replied, "Kinda interesting to think about anyway. Hey Edward, any ideas of what species to try out next?"

    Edward approached the table again, carrying the smaller pot of curry by a handle placed in his jaws. "Caromp." He mumbled, before placing the pot down and shaking his head. "Sorry. Garchomp?"

    "Ooh, another excellent choice!" Perry explained, flicking the pages. This time getting near halfway through the book before the Garchomp page revealed itself.

    This time, it was the grass-type Skiddo who was reading the entry. "We've got an eighth edition entry again." He confirmed. "Garchomp makes its home in volcanic mountains. It flies through the sky…"

    His words trailed off, his mouth twitching as if he was chewing something. "…as a jet airplane?"

    Bruce frowned, blowing out his cheeks in thought. "J-Jet airplane?" he blubbered. "What is that?"

    The two flinched as Perry's cackling laughter erupted again, his eyes widening enough to look bloodshot. "Ha ha, ha hahaha! Airplanes! You've probably can't even imagine Cessnas! Never mind 747s, 380s and the odd Concorde!"

    Edward hissed in a sharp breath, "Perry… maybe less confusing comments would help?"

    The laughter died down, "Alas… you're right. How about we focus on the matter of just flying, shall we?"

    "Not even the volcanic mountain stuff?" Bruce asked.

    "That makes sense itself." Edward replied, "I mean, Garchomp is a ground type. It could probably handle the heat."

    He leaned forward, scanning the document. "But… ground types shouldn't be able to fly. At least not that fast, right?"

    Bruce flashed a grin, "There are ground types that also happen to be flying types. I knew a Gilgar back home that was like that."

    "True, but Gilgar and Gliscor mainly glide." Edward replied with a twitch, "Charizard I can understand to some extent, but Garchomp? How can that even work?"

    "Perhaps you answered your own question." Perry replied, tapping his beak against the image of the Garchomp, placed at the centre of the page. "Look at the arms. Not really wing-like at all aren't they?"

    "Yeah…" Bruce grumbled, "It almost seems like the guy who wrote this was lying."

    "Or was drunk on Romulan Ale." Perry chirped.

    "Why would someone write a false report in a Pokédex though?" Edward growled, scraping his hooves on the floor. "It's a disservice!"

    Bruce's eye quivered, "Okay Edward, calm down. I'm sure there is a good answer to all that. Perry?" He flicked his eyes over to the magpie, "Sounds like you know something."

    "Oh Bruce!" he laughed back, "You continue to surprise me! But yes, I have a few ideas."

    His voice once more deepened into that story-telling tone, "So, Garchomp is a ground type with no flying type, so we can't use the bioenergy theory for this one. So we have to look at things at an even more physical level. You are both correct, there is no way a Garchomp is going to be able to get off the ground on its own. I'd be amazed if they can somehow get above the trees."

    He leaned forward, a gleam in his eye. "Which either means whoever wrote these entries wasn't accurate… or a Garchomp would use a different method of flight."

    The two grass-types shared a glance, "A different way?" Bruce questioned.

    "Indeed. Being a bird myself, I've done a bit of research into the matter. We don't just power ourselves alone, but we also glide and soar too!"

    "But Garchomp's arms still have only tiny surfaces for lift…" Edward said.

    "Hmm… weird physical facts about that one. I could go into a whole lecture about it, but if I did that, we would be here for another 20,000 wor- I mean hours. The simple rundown is this, if you happen to be going fast enough, you don't need big wings."

    Bruce blinked, freezing on the spot. "Huh, really?"

    "Oh yes!" Perry tweeted, "The faster something or someone goes, the more lift you'll get so you can get away with a shorter wing! Now, if you tried to fly at say, 50mph as a Garchomp, you'd come crashing down to earth in no time. But remember what the entry said, as fast as a jet plane."

    "And… how fast is one of those?"

    Perry blinked, "Ah, yeah. You don't know what jets are. Let's just say they're really fast. If Garchomp can get enough speed up, and find a good thermal for extra left… then maybe, just maybe, it could get airborne."

    A hoof clicked on the floor, "So… the entry could be accurate then?" Edward mused.

    "Perhaps so." Perry confirmed, "And in that case, the entry is too vague… or perhaps what the writer saw wasn't actually a Garchomp and the poor sod never realised it. Those dragons would have to be moving at quite a lick to get off the ground."

    Bruce beamed a smile, "Well, I suppose once these disasters are done with, that will be something to research!"

    Huffing, Edward couldn't stop his own little smile forming. "I didn't think you were into research Bruce."

    The Bulbasaur shrugged, "Hey, I was going to join an Exploration Team before everything got reorganised. It's part of the job."

    Rolling his shoulders and eyes, the Skiddo turned back to Perry. "Fair enough. I guess it's your turn Perry."

    Blinking, the bird jabbed a feather tip at his own chest. "Erm." He choked, "Are you sure?"

    "Hey, come on." Bruce replied, grin still present. "We've picked some Pokémon already, we need you to round it out."

    Beak clicking in hesitation at the reptile and goat looking at him. "Well…" his eyes sparkled. "Count me in for a random pick!"

    Reaching out with a set of talons, he began to flip the pages back, images and text blurring as he did so. "Lets see, lets see, lets see, lets see." He whispered to himself as the paper crackled as it flopped over. "Let's see what this is!"

    He slammed his foot down onto the Pokédex, locking it onto a specific page.

    Perry's eyes widened, his talons quivering. "…shit."

    Raising a brow, Bruce leaned forward again to inspect the page. "Number 150… Mewtwo."

    Edward also leaned forward as Perry pulled his talons away. "Created from the DNA of Mew," he said softly, "This Pokémon is a dangerous combination of overwhelming power and a savage heart."

    "Mewtwo…" Bruce mused, "I think I've heard of that one before."

    Perry visibly gulped, "M-Maybe we should go ahead and find a different entry to look at…" he started.

    "What's the matter Perry?" Bruce chuckled, "A little scared of a page? I remember a legendary being called Mew."

    "Even though it looks… pretty tough from what I recall of Mew." Edward mused, "But it's the first I've heard of it."

    Shivering, Perry shook his head, "Probably best not-"

    "I mean, what type is that guy?"

    "Is it a relative of Mew?"

    "Why does it have Two in the name?"

    "What is DNA? Why is that important?"

    "You think it coul-"

    "Shut the fuck up!" Perry squawked, eyes flashing red and causing the two grass types to leap up in fright. Bruce's eyes wide, vines slipping out whilst Edward cried out in terror and scrambled back.

    The magpie panted, shaking his head rapidly. "Since you are both so eager for answers… fine. I shall indulge you."

    Hesitating, Bruce reeled in his vines. "Y-You will?"

    "P-P-Preferably without s-shouting at us I hope?" Edward added, sucking in breath and fighting to stop himself shivering.

    Perry nodded, expression hard and serious. "I will. I know much of Mewtwo. But due to it's nature I speak little of it. And share even less."

    The two grass types settled back round the table as Perry continued. "Mewtwo is… more than just a relative of Mew." He said quietly, eyes narrowed, "It's a clone that has been enhanced within the lab that created it."

    "Created?" Edward whispered, "So it's… artificial?"

    "Like those… err… what are they called… Porygon?" Bruce added with a frown.

    "Artificial, yes, but on a biological level instead." Perry confirmed, "DNA… again, to explain that would take 40,000 hours. But to oversimplify it, DNA is a set of instructions that determine what form and traits Pokémon take. Most of them anyway. A group of scientists took the DNA of Mew, which itself is said to contain the DNA of every Pokémon species out there, and recombined it to create Mewtwo."

    He leaned further forward, wings stretched out across the table. "But they made a terrible error."

    "An error?" Bruce asked.

    "You see." Perry continued, "When you are born, or come into existence naturally. There isn't this… urge to understand one's purpose at first. It's something you learn and develop over the years. When you are artificially created, deliberately, that changes entirely. You wonder why you were created, for what purpose. What possessed them to do it? And when the answer isn't forthcoming… it can mess with one's head a lot. Which for a psychic type is particularly… troubling."

    Edward seemed unnaturally still, his eyes fixed on Perry. He swallowed, then said, "I'm guessing this is when that 'savage heart' comes into play."

    Perry nodded, "Indeed. Pokémon naturally like to fight, and can restrain it well. But Mewtwo? They truly love a fight. True they can hold it back for a while, but if you push their buttons? They will be trying to kill you on a dime. They have a lot of power too, so they're more than capable of taking you on. Even more so considering it was just made on a whim. A Legendary, of all things."

    Shivering, Edward bit his lip. "Sounds… troubling."

    Bruce tilted his head, "Dangerous? Okay, sure. But so is a Garchomp. Or any Pokémon for that matter."

    Perry glowered at Bruce, a sharp hiss of breath escaping his beak. "You shouldn't underestimate them. Speaking of which… don't fight Mewtwo."

    Narrowing his eyes, Bruce rotated his jaw, "Yeah but… Sam, Alice, Dan and… Aidan got away from Volcanion, and he was crazy strong! Like, he could fly on steam and everything! I'm sure we could deal with-"

    A blue-grey wing landed on Bruce's shoulder, Perry jerking forward with deathly cold eyes. When he finally spoke, his tone was sharp enough that it could probably freeze Bruce there and then.

    "No."

    Bruce blinked, shrinking away from the Corvisquire. "P-Perry?"

    The icy eyes narrowed, "You are not ready to fight Mewtwo. And likely never will be." He stated, bluntly and matter-of-factly. "Escaping Volcanion in a dead Mystery Dungeon is certainly no small feat, especially given your experience, make no mistake. But fighting Mewtwo? Listen to me very carefully…"

    As he spoke his next words, the air seemed to chill around them. "Mewtwo can be generous. But it is also a killing machine, it's genetically engineered superweapon created by minds far beyond ours and through technology that we would scarcely understand. They dreamed of creating the world's strongest Pokémon…"

    Perry leaned forward, beak barely inches away from Bruce's face. "…and they succeeded. Do not. Fight. Mewtwo."

    Bruce, rapidly blinking and barely managing to squeak, sharply nodded.

    "We… we understand." Edward quietly said, flinching as one of Perry's eyes twitched towards him. "But Perry… what if we're forced too?"

    Perry remained silent for a moment, before finally speaking once more. "Mewtwo is a powerful psychic. But not omniscient. Dark and Ghost type attacks will still hurt, but don't engage it directly. Keep your mind clear, split up, throw objects, create confusion. Use your instincts. Don't think. Just do."

    He peeled his wing off Bruce and returned to his cushion. "Do not fight it. Do you understand?"

    "Y-Yeah." Bruce confirmed.

    "O-Of course." Edward declared.

    "Say the words." Perry hissed, causing the two to once more flinch.

    "I understand." They collectively said.

    He held his gaze on the pair for a solid five seconds, peering deep into them as if to make sure their concerns were genuine.

    "Good." He curtly said.

    Then, on cue, his eyes almost bulged out of his head, his face stretching into a devilish look that was mixed in with clear joy. "BECAUSE IT'S CURRY TIME!"

    The Skiddo's eyes widened, "Shit shit!" Edward cursed, pitch high as he sprung back to the oven, steam rising from the large pot on it. "I forgot about the curry! It's burning!"

    "Fear not!" Perry bellowed, touching down next to the goat and reaching into his satchel. "It's just the way I like it! Now where is it… no I don't want the Lostech PPC, or Luke's lightsab- there we go!"

    He plopped a strange looking device onto the side, which included a pair of blades on the inside of a clear container before grabbing hold of the pot. "Okay Big-D, this better not be a cheap knock off blender you robbed! Then again, I had Mariner give it an extra kick!" he cheerfully said before pouring the yellow-green curry into the device.

    Edward's mouth dropped open as Perry turned it on, the blades cutting up the up the meal and breaking it up into a clearing liquid. "W-Why are you doing that to it!"

    Bruce jogged off his cushion to join them, "It doesn't look like curry anymore!" he exclaimed.

    "Oh, don't worry!" Perry cheered, shutting off the blender to reveal a clear, fluid within the container, the metal blades inside… fizzing away. "This is only my special curry!". His voice almost went demonic as he lifted up the sealed container. "Also known as, HYDROCHLORIC ACID!"

    "Hydrochlo-what?!" Bruce uttered.

    Edward recoiled, his body freezing up complete. "Arc- Perry!" he managed to say, his tone sharpening to a knife edge, "You can't be seriously thinking of drinking that!"

    The magpie's laughter echoed through the room. "O-Oh? Me! Hell no! I'd die or throw up! No no, this is for one of our special guests underneath the tree!"

    "Y-Y-You don't mean the prisoners! L-like… what's his name?"

    "Greg?" Bruce asked.

    "Yes, him. That's torture!" Edward spat.

    The Bulbasaur shuffled on the spot, "Yeah, Perry… I don't think the guild allows that-"

    Tucking the container of acid under his wing, Perry shuck his head. "No no, not for the prisoners! For the corpse!"

    Edward blinked, "T-The corpse… wh- no, no no no…" his eyes squeezed shut as he shook his head. "That cannot be a thing!"

    Bruce snarled at the pair, "Is someone going to tell me what the hell is going on here?"

    The Skiddo didn't even look at Bruce, his eyes focused on the container. "Did Sam mention Greg… killing someone?"

    "A Marowak I think… his neck got broken. Why?"

    "Well…" Edward visibly gulped, "Ghost-types can kind of… come back to life."

    "Come back to… life?" Bruce whispered, "I mean, yeah, some of those guys were dead once. But coming back from being dead… dead? I'm not sure it's possible."

    "It can happen with ghost-types." Edward reiterated. "It doesn't always work, so one way to check if they are dead is to pour-" he swallowed once more, "acid over the body."

    Perry's head snapped back as he laughed, "I did say I wanted this hot enough to burn the death out of the dead!"

    Bruce visibly recoiled, baring his teeth, "That's sick!" he spat, "Can't we show a bit of respect for the dead!"

    "Oh please." Perry replied, waving his arm. "Think of it this way. If he is about to revive, he'll wake up screaming and we can bury him in baking soda, celebrate his survival and send him off to prison! If not, then hey! At least it will be easy to clean everything up!"

    His laughter grated against the two grass-types ears as he made his way towards the window. "Thank you so much for getting this completed good sir!" he cheered, "Now if you excuse me, I need to get this down to the morgue."

    Edward's eyes snapped back towards the table, "Aren't you forgetting your-"

    "Oh! Keep the Pokédex as thanks! You two will probably find it more useful than me anyway!" He tucked the acid into his satchel, leaning out of the window. "Now, I need to get this down quick, then I can give Guilmon his digivice back!"

    Bruce slowly shook his head, "Guilmon-"

    "Cheerio! Gotta mess around with digital grunts bye!"

    The magpie dove out of sight, his wings opening up as he took flight.

    Inside the kitchen, Bruce and Edward stared blankly at the now empty window, planted firmly on the spot.

    Neither spoke for a whole minute, eyes fixed on that window. As if waiting for Perry to stick his head back through. But no bird came.

    Bruce let out a heavy sigh, "Perry is… weird…"

    Edward shivered, "That… is an understatement."

    Awkwardly, the Skiddo looked over at the smaller pot that he originally been cooking with, sealed up and with it's handle in place. "I'm not sure I want to eat that anymore."

    Bruce rolled his eyes over towards it. "Yeah… wouldn't it be a bit of a waste though?"

    "Maybe… though it will still be good for a bit."

    The Bulbasaur held that gaze for only a second before his eyes brightened, "Wait, I saw some bread being baked down in the town around this time before, how about I go down and grab some and we have a team breakfast?!"

    Nose wrinkling, Edward tilted his head at the reptile, "Team breakfast?"

    "Yeah! We wake up Nia and Dan, you get Denver, heck, let's get Sam and Alice roped in!"

    Edward raised a brow, "Denver is still kind of, err, shaky with Alice for what happened down at Broken Wood. Are you sure that's a good idea? Besides, I thought you hated her?"

    Bruce rolled his eyes again, "Well, after all that crap and getting signed on with the Guild? Even I will throw Alice a bone. Besides, she and Sam did take down Greg with Team Spirit, nothing wrong with that."

    Smiling, Edward bowed his head as approached the table. "Well, they would be small portions, but I think we can split it up."

    A single green vine crept over to the Pokédex, flipped the book shut, and coiled round it. "Yeah! Throw some bread in, maybe an apple or two and hey! We've got a nice little feast like back home!"

    "Air Continent thing?" Edward asked before lifting the pot up in his jaws.

    "Nah, more of a Bulbasaur thing!" Bruce replied, the two approaching the door. "Proper grass-type hospitality for you! Though one thing is bothering me."

    "Hmph?" Edward mumbled; jaws stiff as he tried to hold the pot in place.

    "Perry's curry is this hydrochloacid or something right? One, I'm sure there are better ways to make acid than that, and two, why was he in such a hurry th-"

    The door flew open with a bang, a green chameleon barging in with a massive golden hammer in hand, that now, only closer inspection, had a horse shaped skull on its side. The Kecelon's eyes burned, "Where the hell is Perry!?"

    *****

    ​
    A few levels down the tree, Bruce and Edward's screams echoed through the door to their room. Sam's ears went fully erect, the Scorbunny jerking upright. "What the heck was that!?".

    He sprinted over to the door, peering out and his head tilting back to look up as best he could. "I think someone's in trouble!"

    "Kecelon."

    Sam jerked round to look back into the room. There, at the foot of one of the beds was Alice, slowly stretching her body on a soft mat. A warm up for the morning ahead.

    "Err, like Larissa?" he asked, "Is she trying to kill someone?"

    "Probably not." Alice replied, still stretching away. "The unofficial rule of the guild? Don't piss off a Kecelon."

    Sam frowned, "Okay… why-"

    "Don't piss off a Kecelon."

    The Scorbunny blinked, taken aback by the unusual bluntness of the words, even by Alice's standards. He took one final look, whistled, started to make his way back in… and…

    "Balls to it."

    Spinning on his foot, Sam sprinted out of the door and out of sight.

    Alice straightened herself up, staring blankly at the door. "What an idiot…" she grumbled.

    She stared at the door for a moment longer, then she started to lean over to stretch again. But she froze once more, still staring at the door. And with that, she let out a heavy sigh, "Fuck."

    Abandoning her stretch, Alice hopped across the room and through the door, in hot pursuit of her partner.
     
    • Chapter II.I - Darkness at Sea
    • StolenMadWolf

    StolenMadWolf

    Loony Moony
    Pronouns
    She/They
    Partners
    1. scorbunny
    2. buneary
    IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER - To any new readers, if you haven't read the events of Episode I - Always Audacity, I would highly recommend going back and reading through that episode in order to get a better understanding of the events taking place in this story before rolling into Episode II - especially as I'm in the process of going through the old chapters with a very fine brush to neaten them up. You do not need to read the first Bonus Chapter in order to understand the events of this story.

    Now, without further ado...

    POKÉMON MYSTERY DUNGEON
    GUARDIANS OF BALANCE

    EPISODE II - THE DARK, WONDEROUS PAST
    CHAPTER I - DARKNESS AT SEA    ​


    Black clouds blanketed the sky, blotting out the stars completely like an impenetrable wall. The wind howled, cloth flapped wildly, rope creaked and wood moaned, joining together into a painful melody.

    A bolt of lightning flashed in the distance, shining it's light around the masts of the ship for a few seconds before plunging it back into darkness. The rain pelted everything, briefly taking over the melody before the thunder rolled over with a low boom. Another bolt lit up the sky just a second later, bringing light back to the vessel.

    Kailani winced at the flash of lightning, shocked by the sudden burst of light but otherwise feeling glad for it. She rapidly blinked her eyes, pecking away at the rope to loosen it. As the rope slackened, she shook her long orange beak through into the biggest opening and with a sharp tug, let it snap free.

    The Trumbeak tilted her head up at the main mast, "That's the last one!" she shouted over the wind, praying she could be heard over the shrieking wind.

    "I hear you! Pull the sail up! Now!"

    Two lemurs were crouched on the lower boom of the rearward, larger mast of the ship, buffeted by the rain and wind as they struggled to hold on. Reaching down over the edge, the two brothers quickly reeled in the white sail as it flapped in the wind, threatening to tear itself free.

    Kailani wheezed with relief, covering her head with one wing as she watched the Passimian brothers get the sail resecured in the rigging. Good! That should stop us getting blown over!

    Wind still roaring, she marched across the deck, stumbling as the ship rolled in the seas. A blast of white water flung itself over the railing, the bird shielding herself with another wing as the sea water came splashing down around her. Her beak quivered, her legs stiff as she forced herself towards the aft castle and its steps.

    Holding off the curses as best as she could, she managed to throw herself up the stairs and onto the upper deck. "Captain!" she panted, pushing herself to her feet. "We've got most of the sails up!"

    At a large ships wheel stood a blue octopus, another Pokémon like herself. His light blue eyes were narrowed as he gripped onto the wheel with his tentacles, managing to hold it in place despite the roll of the ship. "Good!" he barked, less from anger and more from sheer concentration. "We'll coast towards the edge of the storm! At least 'till we get to safe harbour!"

    Kailani resisted the urge to peck the deck in frustration. They were originally meant to sail east, towards Grass Continent, but the storm had forced them to move towards the south, towards much more open waters. Where would an island be here!?

    Her beak trembled, she had been working on ships for the last three years now, and she had seen her share of storms in that time. But this one was something else. It might as well have been a hurricane! She had wanted to beg the captain to pull into one of the natural harbours surrounding the main islands in the Sea of Wonders the moment he detailed his plan. Any of them, but the captain didn't want to waste time. Especially given the 'passengers' they were carrying.

    She shook her head, still, the Grapploct had been at sea for longer than she had been alive. She had to trust the captain's judgement. She may have not been an officer, but she was still high amongst the rankings. If she started openly questioning the captain now, how would the rest of the crew see things?

    "Jaquin!" the octopus shouted; his voice somehow booming over the wind. "Tighten up the rigging on the foremast! I don't want that sail to rip free!"

    Spinning her head round, Kailani peered across the deck of the ship. The better part of a dozen Pokémon stumbled around the deck, struggling to hold onto anything they could as they struggled to maintain the rigging of the ship. A Furret towards the bow struggled her way across towards one set of lines and got to work with tightening them up again.

    How anyone managed to run around a ship like this in a storm was beyond her. She was used to flying around in the air, not tripping herself up on ship decks. Normally in such cases, she would below decks, but they were that short of hands as it is that she had to get involved with the rigging.

    Her head began to dip forward, letting out a sigh that she could barely hear over the wind, her eyes slipping sh-

    The top of her head bumped into the railing, jerking the bird back to being awake. She grinding her beak, she had been up here for six hours. She was starting to fall apart! When will this damn storm end!

    She felt the captain's eye settle on her before she heard him. "Get yourself down below kiddo." He said, not shouting yet once more managing to get his voice to project as another wave flew over the side of the ship. "Swap places with Seb. We'll be at this for a while."

    Stiffening, Kailani turned towards the captain, opening her beak with a dazed look. But the simple flick of the Grapploct's brow was all that was needed to stop her from uttering anything more than a squeak. Part of her felt like she was wasting space, that she wasn't proving her worth. But at the same time, she knew that the captain was right. She had been working for so long in this storm, the longer she spent out here, the more of a liability she was going to become.

    That was true with every member of the crew.

    She bowed her head, wiping her face clear as another raindrop pelted one of her eyes. "Got it captain."

    She began to stumble for the stairs again, to get herself down into the hold and into a hammock. It wouldn't be the best night's sleep, but at least-

    White light flashed before her eyes with a powerful boom. Kailani cried out in shock, snapping her head away from the source.

    It didn't even last a second.


    She barely just picked up the scream.

    Blinking, she spun back round towards the mast, smoking at the very top from where a lightning bolt had struck.

    And saw one of the two brothers falling to the deck.

    Eyes widening, she leapt over the railing and glided down to the lower level as other Pokémon to help their crewmate. The Passimian was sprawled out on his back, eyes closed and chest fur blackened. "Reggie!"

    The other brother dropped down from the lowest spar on the mast and hurried over to his side as Kailani touched down, the unharmed lemur cradling his brother in his arms. "Reggie! Wake up!" he begged; eyes teary as the other crew scrambled to help. Kailani didn't need to ask what happened; the smoking mast was an indicator of that. A stray lightning bolt must have struck the ship and managed to find a way through to the Passimian as he was working on the mast.

    As a faint sigh of relief rolled over the crew as the injured lemur groaned, Kailani looked up towards the top of the mast, searching for the lightning rod fitted to the top. It was still there alright, a metal spike fitted to the top of the mast, still shining in the wind. That would mean the wire…

    Something flicked across her vision, There it is!

    Flapping wildly around in the wind, glinting under the dark skies and the distant flashes of lightning, a metal wire swung wildly around the mast. That ground wire allowed the energy of the lightning to rush down towards the water so the ship wasn't damaged. With the wire disconnected and flapping around like that, it was amazing no one else got hurt!

    She bit off a curse, that same wire could wrap around anything now. If that happened, any lightning bolt would scorch wood, sails or any unlucky Pokémon who happened to get caught near it! If the wire had broken off anywhere else – lower down perhaps, they could afford to leave it there. But if that kept flapping around-

    Damn it! It'll start a fire in no time!

    "Someone needs to get up there!" the Captain barked, tentacles tight around the wheel. "Another bolt and we'll lose the sails!"

    Kailani stared up at the wire as the voices rose over the wind. "I-Is he nuts!?" someone snapped, "We'll get cooked!"

    "I-I didn't sign up for this!"

    "Can't we just pull down!?"

    "It's bolted in place! We can't do that!"

    Faki! We don't have time for someone to climb up! That means… damn damn! Why do I have to be the one to be a goody-two-shoes!

    Wiping her eyes clear of yet more rain, Kailani flapped her wings open. "I'll resecure it!"

    One of the other Pokémon, a Heracross raised a clawed hand, eyes widening. "W-Wait! Kai! It's too-"

    With a beat of her wings, the Trumbeak rose into the air.

    And almost immediately regretted it.

    Kailani squawked as the gust caught her wings and flung her aside, the bird trying to get control. Netting rushed towards her, and without thinking she rolled, slipping past and over the water. She gritted her beak, beating her wings harder, fighting to gain lift and control as she turned back towards the ship.

    Even with the buffeting winds, her feathers finally caught good air and she began to climb towards the top of the masts, towards the waving wire. Okay, just gotta catch the top of the wire, hook it up to the lightning rod. And try not get electrocuted. Not being lolo here.

    She couldn't wipe her eyes now, only rapid blinking helped keep her vision clear, making it harder to track the erratically moving cable. She panted, not used to flying in such bad conditions. The wind screaming past her ears, drowning out the shouts from below. The darkness was now more overwhelming than ever, only the distant flash of lightning breaking through.

    In the on and off of her vision, she was getting closer.

    And closer.

    The wire whipped around even more.

    She started to reach out one of her feet. Don't wrap. Don't wrap. Don-

    Her claws slipped shut, the warm metal pressing against her skin. Got it!

    Tucking her wings in, she swung herself round towards the mast. Hopefully those lightning strikes won't hit her now. She was the easiest route for the current now!

    Her heart pounding, she forced herself, higher, and higher up until Kailani, panting rapidly, touched down on the top of the mast. A circular, wooden railing was placed around the rod, allowing crew a safe perch. With her feet tight round the railing, she took the wire with her beak and cast a wary eye over the rod. Looks like the fitting failed. Just need to screw the new clip in…

    The job would have been easy for one of the brothers – or any Pokémon with functional hands or paws for that matter. Kailani had to brace herself as she fed the wire back into the rod with one foot and her beak, before tightening the screws back into place to hold everything together. It wouldn't be perfect, but it would hold for now.

    Kailani wasn't going to wait to tell anyone about the repair from up there. She spun round, opened her wings to glide back down to the deck and out of danger.

    Lightning flashed, in the corner of her eye… and yet something remained dark. Unlit.

    Blinking, the Trumbeak's head swivelled round, the rain pelting the back of her head, helping to keep things clear. Huh? What was that? An island?

    Instinct tugged at her heart, begging for her to get down from her exposed position and back to the safety of the deck. But something didn't feel right about this, there couldn't be an island out there, they should have seen it sooner by now!

    She opened her wings again, eyes fixed on a dark patch of space before her, the clouds wrapping around it.

    Another lightning bolt light up the sky.

    The black shape of a ship, larger than theirs materialised before her.

    Rushing towards them.

    It could only be one thing.

    She spun round, shouting at the top of her lungs. "Pirates! Hard starbo-!"

    A Thunderbolt shot up from the incoming ship, slamming into the lightning rod. Kailani screamed as the electric attack sparked off the rod and surged into her body. It spasmed beyond her control, pain tearing through her. Torment was all she knew as the gust caught her once more.

    To the crew, the last they saw of her was the Trumbeak being blown clear of the mast and into the darkness.


    In the depths of the hold, a large, amphibian Pokémon was held up in his cell. Arms and legs locked in place by heavy chains that ran into the structure of the ship. His head was bowed, eyes closed, asleep, judging by the softly rising and falling chest.

    Then the entire ship shuddered, jerking the amphibian sharply off to one side, someone screamed in fright, and the murmur of other prisoners began to quickly rise inside the prison.

    Then came the clang of battle. More screams, the snap, crackle and boom of Pokémon moves being fired off. The murmur died down; questions being quickly whispered amongst the prisoners.

    It was only then did the amphibian's orange eyes slip open, fixing on the metal door leading deeper into the ship.

    The sounds of battle grew closer, more desperate.

    Then just as quickly, faded away.

    Everyone fell silent.

    The amphibian narrowed his gaze, his fists beginning to tighten in the shackles.

    With a massive boom, the door exploded, a blue octopus flying through. It hit the floor with a splat, body twitching wildly for just a second before it finally went limp.

    It didn't take an idiot to realise that the Grapploct was dead, given the bloody cuts left in his skin and the missing tentacles.

    Standing in the doorway, features shaded by the light of the outside room, was a tall, bulky Pokémon. As large, if not even larger than the amphibian himself. It was armoured head to toe in some kind of armoured material… and its arms ended in vicious looking axes, stained in black blood.

    It was only then did the prisoner's eyes widen.

    "No…" he uttered, "It can't be… you're just a myth!"

    A pair of white, angular eyes locked on the amphibian.

    And thumping footsteps, they slowly approached the cell… thunder rolling as they raised their bloody axe…


    Rex woke with a start, huffing as something started beeping off to the side of him. He could feel the warm wood underneath his cheek, close enough that he could almost taste the smell of it.

    Raising his head up, the Blaziken scanned the darkness of his office, searching for any unusual splotches, any sharper shadows. Or any sign of an intruder.

    He pushed himself off his desk, Hmph. Look at me now. So busy and so old that I'm falling asleep on the job. He glanced over his shoulder, seeing the cloudy night sky hanging over Robinswood through the window. Mustn't have been asleep for too long.

    A tiny light blinked in the corner of his eye, and the Guildmaster turned to find the coin-shaped Expedition device, softly vibrating and beeping away. An incoming message.

    Is that Luke? Rex mused; He can't have got here in six weeks. Surely not.

    He carefully picked up the device and looked over the screen, where the words Island Camp VI were displayed.

    One of the smaller islands? Rex wondered, They wouldn't be contacting me directly if something hadn't gone wrong. Not at this time either. It must have been the storm. They would have been caught at the very edge of it.

    He accepted the call, pulling out a small candle and with a quick rub of his fingers, lit the wick. "This is Guildmaster Rex." He said, "Did you get hit by the storm?"

    The voice on the other end was actually fairly clear as the device briefly squeaked. "Guildmaster! We got lucky, it drifted away at the last moment. Rather strange to be honest. Anyway, that's not why we went straight to you."

    Rex couldn't stop the faint chuckle from escaping his beak, "I figured as much. I'm glad you got clear of it.". The Blaziken swallowed a bit of air, cutting off his chuckle. This only meant there was something else wrong.

    Something serious.

    "So." He started, narrowing his eyes, "What's happened? Do you need assistance?"

    There was a moment of hesitation before the speaker continued, "Not us. But we could do with help. Someone's washed up on the beach just this evening."

    That got the Guildmaster's full attention, the avian leaning forward onto the desk. "Washed up? Who?"

    "We couldn't get her name, she's pretty young though, and she said she was part of the crew on a ship headed back to Grass Continent."

    There was a faint hiss, almost lost in the digital static of the device. "She said her ship was attacked by pirates. Poor girl must have been stuck in the water for hours."

    Rex only blinked once, a talon faintly scratching the desk surface as the voice continued, "She passed out not long after she told us that, but the ship fell in a matter of minutes. It was the-"

    "The Daywalker." Rex interrupted, bluntly and to the point.

    There was an audible silence, save for a faint click as if the device has been dropped. Something scratched, only confirming that theory as the Pokémon on the other side scooped their device back up again. "Y-Yeah!" they exclaimed, "The Daywalker. How did you know?"

    Rex clenched his jaw, the talon digging deeper into the wood, his heart going cold. "I… I had my suspicions once you mentioned it."

    "We can keep her here for now, but she might need some more medical help. She seemed to get hit by a pretty nasty attack, electric we think. We can send our boat over to town-"

    "No." Rex interrupted, "That will take too much time. I'll contact the Post Office, see if they can spare a Corviknight to send your way. We have better facilities at the Guild anyway, and we will need to investigate this. The Daywalker isn't the biggest ship to go into the Sea of Wonders, but it's the biggest that pirates have gone for. We need to investigate this and this crewmate is effectively our only witness. Do what you can for her there, I'll send word once I have something prepared."

    "Y-Yes Guildmaster!"

    "And thank you for getting this straight to me. I'll leave you to it."

    "T-Thank you sir!"

    The device went dark as the call ceased, only to light up again as Rex tapped at the device again, first to send a message directly to the TalonKnight Post Office atop the tree, and a second to summon the one person he would need to talk to about this new development.

    Esper arrived with five minutes, the Meowstic rubbing her eyes as she came on in. "I could sense your troubled thoughts from four floors away." She said, somewhat groggy as she shook her head, still working to fully wake herself up. "This isn't to do with our mutual newcomer?"

    Newcomer. The Scorbunny known as Sam. One of their newest members to the Robinswood Guild.

    Their human member.

    The human-turned-Pokémon who now happened to be the partner to his adoptive niece, Alice the Buneary.

    The Blaziken sighed, rubbing his forehead. It had been six weeks since Esper picked up the psychic traces that indicated Sam's status as a human. Something that the Meowstic had only felt once before, six years ago during the Dark Matter Crisis. The same Crisis that killed his former teammates… and Alice's parents.

    He didn't want to believe Esper. Write it off as something in the heat of the moment, a misread. Even Psychic types were not infallible, but Esper's experience couldn't be written off.

    And neither could he do the same with his own.

    He was one of three Pokémon alive that was aware of Sam's status as a human, at least to his knowledge. Something that Sam himself didn't know.

    For the time being, given the… challenges that tended to follow humans around, that would be for the best.

    "Rex?"

    The Blaziken leaned back, "Apologies." He stated, "You are correct. There has been a suspected pirate attack on one of the ships that left the docks a few days ago."

    Esper stepped up towards the desks, slightly slumped as she approached… only for her eyes to widen, straightening up with quivering ears. "The Daywalker." She quietly said, now very firmly awake. "The same ship that was carrying-"

    "Greg and his bandits." Rex growled, "Yes."

    Greg, the Swampert leader of a group of bandits that called the main island of the Sea of Wonders their home.

    "Damn it." The Meowstic hissed, ears briefly rising up before dipping back down just as suddenly again. "Could it be Aidan?"

    Aidan. The Froakie-evolved-Frogadier. Someone who appeared to just be the rebellious scion of a powerful family back on the Sand Continent and the fellow recruit and partner to Sam, and yet he managed to run a large smuggling operation right beneath their noses. The same Pokémon who nearly killed Sam when he refused to join his side and set Greg loose to kidnap a young child from the town under the his orders. Greg had been captured and charged for kidnapping and murder, including a team resident to Robinswood and nearly killing Sam and Alice as well. But Aidan himself hasn't been seen since.

    "Piracy wouldn't fit Aidan's MO." Rex said. "No, this is something else. Pirates have never gone for something the size of the Daywalker before, and never took it over so quickly."

    "It's more troubling that someone happened to go out of the way to attack the ship that just happened to be carrying Greg back to Grass." Esper replied. "In a storm no less. I have heard rumours of increased pirate activity, but nothing remotely like this." She placed her hands behind her back, straightening up. "It's almost as if they are getting organised."

    "And that." Rex stated, tapping the table, "Is very dangerous. Especially now. Between the disasters and the official visits… this will make things much more difficult."

    Esper got herself sat down on one of the chairs opposite Rex. "Forget about protecting Sam. If the continents decide to pull their strings in response to pirate activity, we won't have any means to protect him at all."

    "And Alice." Rex murmured, stiffening for the briefest of moments. Just being even remotely affiliated with Sam had automatically put Alice in just as much danger as he was. He promised her mother, Tyera, that he would look after her. Protect her. He had struggled to hold the stigma around Alice so many times before. Could he…

    He shook his head; he couldn't have doubts now.

    "I've already called the Post Office; they are dispatching a Corviknight affiliated with the Guild to retrieve the witness to the attack and bring her back to Robinswood. I'll need you to assist me in that investigation."

    "Of course." Esper replied, nodding back. "Should we consider blending that into our investigation surrounding Aidan, and maybe Sam too?"

    "We'll keep it separate for now. But let's be careful for any connections. I have my doubts that this act of piracy is connected to Sam or Aidan, but with everything going on, we must be vigilant."

    "I'll make the necessary preparations." Esper said, rising back to her feet. Rex couldn't help but admire the young Meowstic. She spoke as if she had decades of experience, and yet, she was only eighteen. So many Pokémon – including himself for that matter – confided in her for advice and support. Her role in ending the Dark Matter Crisis, her position as his deputy and the rank of herself and her rescue team, Team Spirit, was just the tip of the iceberg when it came to her achievements. At such a young ag-

    "You're getting carried away again old man." Esper said abruptly, flashing a wink back at the elder Blaziken.

    Rex blinked blankly at her, before the chuckle finally escaped from his beak. "I can't exactly hide the truth from your psychic powers Esper. We would be in a much worse state without you."

    "I'll take that as a compliment Rex." She replied with a smile.

    The Guildmaster leaned forward again, "Speaking of precautions and preparations, is Team Audacity still in the Tree?"

    The smile faded away, the Meowstic crossing her arms. "Not at the moment, I already received the word, they are on a rescue mission near the site of a new fissure."

    Rex narrowed his eyes, "Can they handle it?"

    "It's a fissure." Esper replied, "They are always challenging. But this isn't something they can't deal with. I'd imagine they are already snarking about that rescue right now."


    "This'll work."

    "It's gonna be messy, Sam."

    "Come on Alice! You and I both know this is the only way to get down there!"

    "They're panicking more than Dan does when he runs out of food. How are you going to get them to listen?"

    "Easy. Run my-"

    "Frickin' mouth." She replied with a groan, "You really need to think of trying something different instead of just trying to talk them into action."

    "Like what? Punching their lights out?"

    There was a moment of hesitation. "…yes."

    "Which is what you did last time, and it kinda pis-"

    "Shut up."

    Quietly, the two Pokémon began to chuckle amongst themselves.

    "Seriously. You be careful down there." Alice said, struggling to stop her chuckle.

    "Well, you know me." Sam replied, very clearly still laughing himself. "I'll try and avoid getting punched in the face."

    And so... it continues...

    The Second Episode of Guardians of Balance is now starting. This one is going to be a very different beast compared to the first Episode, so I hope you folks enjoy this new chapter and this new episode!
     
    • Chapter II.II - Another Happy Rescue
    • StolenMadWolf

    StolenMadWolf

    Loony Moony
    Pronouns
    She/They
    Partners
    1. scorbunny
    2. buneary
    Well, apologies for the delay on this chapter. Life has been very busy in the last few weeks for me, and this chapter was tricky to write. But either way, I hope you enjoy it as we push on into this new episode!

    Also special thanks for everyone doing the reviews and feedback on my fic! I appreciate the time you put aside to do it!

    POKÉMON MYSTERY DUNGEON
    GUARDIANS OF BALANCE

    EPISODE II - DARK, WONDEROUS PAST
    CHAPTER II - ANOTHER HAPPY RESCUE    ​

    "Hurry up! This place is falling apart!"

    The eight Pokémon rushed through the rocky chasm, the ground quivering beneath their feet as they ran. Most of them looked no older than teenagers, with even the more evolved members looking on the smaller side. Stone clicked and cracked as little rocks tumbled down the sheer walls that surrounded them on all side. At the head of the group, a Furfrou, white fur caked with dirt and dust, clambered up onto a large boulder that blocked the narrow path ahead.

    "E-Elliot!" cried out a Chespin towards the middle of the gathered Pokémon, leaning against the rocky wall as she panted. "I-We can't keep- running like this…"

    The Furfrou glanced back, quietly hissing as the Chespin, "We can't keep taking breaks Claire! The walls are getting more unstable by the minute!"

    He leaned over, letting his long ear dip down for a panicking Scatterbug to climb up. "And those aftershocks aren't getting much better either!"

    Claire groaned as she stumbled over to the boulder. "But no one here- is as active as you!"

    Wincing, she hopped up onto the boulder, peering past the bigger canine to try and get a better view down the fissure, "Ugh… we'll be going on forever! The path back there was-"

    "It was falling apart! You saw it went for Xander trying to get up it with the rocks breaking loose, how would you handle getting up it? Forget about me getting up it either."

    The Furfrou didn't look back at the Chespin as she visibly slumped, trying to get a read of the path ahead. "If we just keep going, at the very least we'll be safer until someone from the Guild helps us!"

    "That's if anyone shows up!" Claire reminded him.

    "You heard what the others said, they'd get in touch with the guild if anyone got into trouble. We're not that far from town anyway."

    As the last Pokémon, an injured Nidorian, came over the rock, a loud crack rumbled through the fissure, and all seven other Pokémon couldn't stop their gasps or whimpers from escaping. Elliot froze in place only for a moment, eyes widening before he bit his lip. "Come on! We can't waste an-"

    He turned round to find the others gone, crying out as they struggled to force their way through the gap. "W-Wait!" Elliot shouted, "Not all at once!"

    Hopping down, he set off after them, but his fellow teens were now in a complete panic. Eyes wide, crying out as they rushed on ahead, forcing the Furfrou to widen his stride to catch back up, only to slow down just as suddenly as they hurried through a tight gap within the fissure, forcing the bigger canine to slow down. He growled, cursing his size as he stooped down and squeezed himself through and adding yet another layer of dirt into his coat. He never really cared about his looks like others of his species did, but he wished he had had it trimmed anyway.

    Minutes passed, and he finally rounded another corner in the rocky chasm to find the seven Pokémon in a larger clearing, backs turned to him. Panting, Edward stomped one foot down on the ground. "What the hell were you thinking!" he snapped, struggling to restrain himself. "Are you trying to get yourselves hurt-"

    Claire spun round towards him, nostrils flaring up. "Shut up Elliot! Your plan was fracking hopeless!"

    The canine blinked, freezing on the spot. "H-Huh?"

    Grinding her teeth, the Chespin stabbed a finger in the direction that the others were facing, all of whom were frozen in place… and eyes fixed on the steep, craggy wall that rose for dozens of metres above their heads towards open sky – and freedom.

    And impossible for them to climb.

    Elliot shivered, sliding one foot back as he looked towards the others again. With the exception of Claire, all of them were quivering on the spot, wincing from their wounds or just staring up at the insurmountable obstacle. It was all too clear to the Furfrou that fear was starting to plague them once more. None of them asked to be here. There were just strolling along the river, making their way towards one of the small gullies on the island as part of a casual day out. Then out of nowhere, the ground tore itself open beneath them and swallowed them all whole.

    Even he had to admit he was terrified, gulping as he glanced back the way they came, back deeper into the fissure. It took them long enough to get to a dead end, to go back now, where the fissure was looking less and less stable…

    "W-W-We're doomed…" whispered the Scatterbug, eyes going wide enough that the canine thought they were going to pop out.

    The Nidoran's chest rapidly started rising and falling, paws clutched tightly together as she fell back down into a sitting position. "S-Someone will come for us… right?"

    A loud, deep crack rang out, loud enough for the Furfrou to flinch, wincing as his ears throbbed in response. Beneath him, tiny pebbles bounced off the ground, faintly clicking as they did so.

    That got everyone's attention again, a Chingling spinning around with a visible leap in the air. "D-D-D-Did anyone else hear that!?"

    "We all did." Elliot replied, glancing back down the fissure again. That wasn't an earthquake. That was something else. As if a section of wall was giving way. When the fissure had torn open the earth near them, they had been walking directly alongside that river. He took the lack of water as a good sign that they weren't going to get flooded, but if the walls were cracking…

    They were going to get very, very wet. And not everyone could swim, nevermind deal with what would effectively be a tsunami.

    With no escape.

    It was then, and finally then that Elliot felt himself shiver, the fear now sinking its teeth into his heart. He couldn't open his mouth again, both out of terror and out of some last-ditch necessity. If he tried to speak now, whatever feeble words that came out would only terrify everyone else. Even Claire, the only other member of their group keeping some semblance of cool was starting to quickly shake her head, mumbling under her breath and she slowly took a few steps backwards.

    "S-Someone's gotta come… they'll save us…" the Nidoran started to sob, "T-They have to…"

    One by one, the group began to crack. Some started to panic once more, hurrying around the wall, looking for a way out. Others crumbled, breaking down into tears. Claire was frozen on the spot. Unmoving as she stared down the fissure.

    Elliot willed himself to move. To shout out. To get the group back to attention. But the Furfrou's body wouldn't obey him, not heeding his will or desires. Had it given up before his mind had?

    A-Are we going to get out of here alive?

    The ground quaked again, rocks clicking as they shook themselves loose and sliding down the cliff. His fellow Pokémon cried out in surprise, struggling to keep their footing. Another, sharper crack over his shoulder was joined by a surprised yelp. Only then did his body finally obey him, and the canine turned to find Claire down on her hands and knees, eyes squeezed shut. "C-Claire!" he shouted, stumbling over and moving to try and help lift her up with one paw. "Are you alright!?"

    The Chespin groaned, grasping the back of her head with one hand. His eyes following the movement, he found a darkened patch of skin at the back of her skull… and winced at the sight of the big rock on the ground next to her. Damn… good job she has that shell, but how bad is sh-

    "Hey! Calm down! We're here to help!"

    His heart missed a beat. W-Wha?

    "Guys!" that voice shouted again, different from the others. Louder. Clearer. "Back up from the wall, I'm coming down to you!"

    Teary eyes blinking, the Pokémon closest to the wall picked themselves up and backed away… just as a rope rolled down the wall, wooden rungs tied to it and bashing into the wall with a click. Elliot couldn't help but stare at the rope – no, the ladder that had come out of nowhere. He looked up the fissure cliff again, the sun poking over the top and shining down into his eyes. He winced, the bright light burning into his retinas.

    As he blinked, vision filled with splotches, a small figure scrambled down the rope and touched down before them. Beneath him, the ground ceased quaking, and his ears detected the faint gasp of one of his companions.

    The blotches faded away, revealing at the bottom of the ladder, one hand holding the rope and the other on his hip, was a white and red rabbit.

    "Everyone okay down here?" he asked, a brief flash of concern across his face as he scanned the group with orange eyes.

    "Y-Yeah." Elliot replied, gulping as he regained his composure. "At least I think we are. Who are you?"

    The Scorbunny tipped an invisible hat from atop his head, a big smile forming. "I'm Sam, from Team Audacity! We got word at the guild that a fissure opened here, we're here to get you out!"

    Alright. Sam figured to himself mentally, Keep that smile up. Get these guys to calm down.

    He let go of the rope and stepped closer to the gathered Pokémon. From the briefing, he knew these guys hadn't been down in the fissure for more than a few hours, but at the same time, it wasn't difficult to work out how shaken up these guys were. His heart thumped that little bit harder, knowing that feeling off falling onto a seemingly bottomless pit to his seeming doom, then working out how to get out of that hell.

    He resisted the urge to shiver, even after all this time, the memory of Broken Wood still plagued him.

    Not that he was going to let them see that.

    "Alright, we're Rescuers, we're trained for stuff like this and we're going to get you out of here. My partner is at the top of the ladder. I know it's not perfect, but it's the best we've got at short notice." He flashed an even bigger smile to reassure them, "This place looks stable enough anyway, so lighten up. We'll get you out of here in no time at all-"

    The smile vanished as the ground shuddered beneath his feet, the Scorbunny struggling to maintain his balance as his feet slide across the ground. Around him, the young Pokémon were whimpered and cried out in fright. Gritting his teeth, Sam grabbed hold of the rope ladder, steadying himself as the quake ceased to the clatter of falling stones. Right… I can already hear Alice shouting at me to hurry up.

    Narrowing his eyes, he stepped away from the ladder and waved a hand towards it. "Okay, introductions for later, up we go everyone!"

    Sluggishly, some of the Pokémon began to move towards the ladder, leaving others to stare blankly at their rescuer and the means of escape.

    It didn't take long for that to change though. Sam could literally see the light in their eyes brighten, the realisation of what was happening dawned on them. One by one, the assembled Pokémon scrambled forward, trying to rush the ladder. Stumbling back, Sam quickly got himself in front of the ladder as they started piling into each other. "One at a time!" he shouted, "Smallest and fastest first!"

    It took a solid thirty seconds of gradually louder shouting for the Scorbunny to calm them down enough for them to heed his words, and soon enough, the Pokémon best able to climb the rope ladder began their ascent. Namely the bugs and those with actual hands, whilst the others who struggled more followed more slowly after them.

    When they emerged on a ledge part way up the fissure wall, they would a similarly sized rabbit waiting for them, standing alongside a large boulder that the top of the rope was wrapped around was a brown and cream coloured rabbit. A Buneary.

    The Scatterbug was the first to appear, only for their eyes to narrow at the sight of the rabbit. "Y-You? What are yo – hey!"

    Alice rolled her eyes as she pulled the bug-type up onto the ledge, "It's my job." She said with a hint of sarcasm, "Follow the slope up." She jabbed a finger up a rocky slope leading up to the top of the fissure and, seemingly, out. "Watch your step."

    The Buneary took it all in her stride, catching a few more looks as she helped the others up onto the ledge. She nodded in reply to the thanks she received, and steeled her heart to the confused looks from those who did not thank her. Her 'reputation' preceded her even now, but it rolled off her shoulders as easily as she could shake off a coat. She had to.

    Back below, Sam grunted as he helped lift one of the larger Pokémon up onto the ladder. He almost wished this place would somehow transform into a Mystery Dungeon, at least they could use their badges to teleport all these guys out. He tapped one foot at the thought, biting his tongue. It was a dumb thought, he knew. A Dungeon would make this entire situation worse.

    Still… would make leaving the place easy…

    He turned to face what appeared to be the last person to rescue, the white furred but dirty looking Furfrou. "Alright, ready to get going?" Sam asked, one hand placed on his hip.

    The canine visibly slumped his head down with a faint sigh, trembling as he stepped forward towards the ladder. "I… thanks. Things were getting a bit tense down here. We really thought no one was coming."

    Elliot visibly gulped, and Sam could easily tell that the guy just sounded tired. As if he was glad for someone to take the weight off his shoulders. "Not a problem at all." Sam reassured him, stepping up to the dog's side. "We signed up to help guys like you out."

    "Yeah." He replied, "If it wasn't for Claire I would hav-".

    His eyes bulged, darting around him and up the ladder again. "W-Wait, did Claire go up?"

    Sam frowned, hand slipping away as his body stiffened. "Claire?"

    "A Chespin!" He explained, "She was right with us a second ago-"

    Catching the curse on his lips, he spun round towards the cliff. "Alice! Is there a Chespin up there!?"

    A brown rabbit head poked over the edge of the ledge. "No! You're the one supposed to be talking things out!"

    "It's not that easy when everyone's panicking!" Sam shouted back, snapping his head back towards the clearing. Damn it, why would someone wander off now!

    "There she is!"

    His eyes locked onto the Chespin, stumbling deeper into the fissure, her moaning easily reaching Sam's ears. Elliot growled, "A rock hit her head… was it a Gravelrock?!"

    So she's delirious! Sam started to jog forward, only to slide to a halt as he spun round towards the dog, "Elliot, I'll get her! You head up the ladder!"

    Elliot visibly recoiled back, "B-But-"

    The ground jerked sharply to the side, dragging their feet with it. Sam cried out, struggling to stay upright. A low, loud rumble rolled over him like a wave. Crouching down, Sam planted a hand down against the rock, gnashing his teeth as he held himself steady. Ahead of him, Claire didn't even manage that, toppling forward face first into the ground.

    Something boomed, loud enough for Sam to instinctively reach to pull his ears down. On cue, a dark crack shot across the ground between them, the terrain jerking wildly left and right on the opposite side of that tear in the earth.

    A crack that was gradually widening.

    As the shaking weakened, the Scorbunny glanced over his shoulder back at Elliot, the white-furred canine managing to stay on all four feet. "Up the ladder." He ordered him, his tone direct and sharp, working to remove all the emotion out of his voice. "Now. I'll go and get her."

    Elliot's mouth dropped open, jaw moving as he tried to find another counter argument. But Sam narrowed his eyes at the canine, focusing them straight on Elliot's own.

    That finally got the message across, and with a final glance at the Chespin pushing herself up to her knees, the Furfrou started to slowly and awkwardly clamber up the ladder, wrapping his legs round the rungs to do so.

    Sam was already stepping towards the Chespin as he shouted again, "Alice! I'm getting the last one! Make sure everyone else gets up!"

    Rabbit ears were certainly a blessing now as he started running, the Buneary's voice reaching down from above. "Damn it! Be careful! Another quake and we'll be getting another fissure!"

    Focused on the Chespin, Sam broke into a sprint, rapidly beginning to close the gap on the grass-type. The ground started to quake again, rumbling around him. Don't collapse on me now don't collapse on me now-

    Ahead of him, Claire was shaking her head, moaning as she lifted it back up. "W-What… huh? Where-"

    A painful roar shot down his ears, rock erupting from the ground and shoving Claire into the air on a spire. "W-What the hell!?" Claire screamed as the pillar rose above Sam.

    Are you kidding me!? Sam cursed, more jagged rocks erupting from the ground ahead of him. He didn't slow down, booting himself up into the air to land on one such rock, then onward to a second. Okay, one at a time!

    He landed on the third, the Chespin's screams still ringing in his ears. "Just stay still!" he bellowed, "I'm coming!"

    Sam reeled his legs in, ready to leap up towards the new, larger outcrop, but then quake hit again, something snapping directly in front and below him. Immediately with a yelp, Sam stumbled back, waving his arms to keep his balance. The pillar beneath him toppled back away from the main outcrop and jerked to a halt. Once again, Sam was forced to slam his fist into the ground to try and stabilise himself. Screw waiting for a second fissure! We're about to have six of them!

    Getting a short running start, Sam leapt across to another pillar, feeling heat rush over his body from below. Feet gripping into the outcrop, Sam glanced back, catching the faint orange glow of magma coming from below. He stiffened, limbs clamming up as he gulped. God… why does it have to be heights and magma?

    Shaking his head, Sam felt the quake slowly cease, the ground beneath him no longer shaking. So swallowing his fear, he booted himself up into the air once more and found himself touching down on the main pillar.

    Sat down – not from choice given the fact she was wincing – was Claire, the Chespin spitting at the ground. "I thought my shell stopped concussions!?"

    "Gravelrocks hurt." Sam quipped, jogging over and reaching down to help her up. "We can work it out later. Right now we need to get you out."

    Shakily, the Chespin lifted her hand to take his, and the Scorbunny pulled her onto her feet. The exist should be easy enough. Jump down broken earth bit by bit, and avoid falling into the lava.

    No pressure. Sam mused.

    That was the boom came. A low, deep boom that echoed through the fissure. Sam winced, not quite hearing it for once as much as he was feeling it beat on his chest as if it were a drum.

    "W-W-W-W-What the hell was that!?" Claire uttered, head swivelling around.

    Sam's ears twitched in one direction. Not downwards, but deeper in.

    Deeper into the fissure.

    Back where the Pokémon had came from.

    He just caught Alice's shout. "Sam! Get the hell out of there!"

    Flinching, Sam spun back round. From here, he could see Alice waving her arms wildly at him whilst the others were scrambling up the rocky wall. He was higher up now, enough that he had the easier time seeing them all now.

    Enough to see the sheer panic spread across her face.

    "What is it!?" Sam shouted back, cupping his hands. "We're coming out now!"

    He nearly leapt back when her reply came. "No you idiot! Incoming!"

    Alice would never panic like this… that means-

    His training took over, the Scorbunny grabbing hold of the grass-type's arm. "H-Hey!" Claire cursed as she stumbled after him towards the edge. "Slow down!"

    "We have to go. Now!"

    Just as they reached the edge, the low rumble slowly began to rise. The Scorbunny froze, ears flicking back towards the rest of the fissure. A rumble that was getting louder.

    Stiffly, he turned to look back down the winding canyon, the rumble becoming a roar.

    The rocky path greeted him.

    Then the wall of white water erupted into view, rushing forward – and more importantly – above them.

    Towards them.

    Oh fuck me!

    The water surged forward, punching through the fissure at lightning speed. He barely registered Claire's terrified scream. Shitshitshit! We won't make it to the rope in time! We need another escape route – and fast!

    The Scorbunny spun round on the spot, searching for anything, another rock outcrop, a tree, anything!

    Heart pounding, he desperately scoured the fissure sides, Come on come on – there!

    Another ledge erupted from the fissure wall on one side of the canyon, closer to them than the original access point but with no easy means of ascent. It'll do!

    He tightened his grip on the Chespin's arm, "Run!" he shouted, ignoring her protests as he broke into a sprint, half dragging the panicking Chespin with him, rapidly closing on the edge.

    Eyes fixed on the edge of their outcrop and their target; Sam didn't even look over at the surging column of water. "Get ready to jump!" he barked.

    "Jump!? B-"

    "Now!"

    Toes just touching the edge, Sam kicked himself into the air, taking Claire with him, the roar of the wave now deafening. "Hold on!" he shouted, letting his emotion feed in, feeling that flame burn in his chest as he urged them to rush forward.

    The world seemed to blur as the Quick Attack fired off, and in the blink of an eye, they were racing towards the outcrop.

    The very edge of it.

    Sam grunted as his gut hit the edge, one hand reaching forward to desperately grab hold of anything. It slid back, his body pulling it down as Claire's weight yanked down his other arm. His fingers caught something rocky and solid with a jolt, bringing them to a halt as pain surged through his shoulder. Crying out as the knife sunk into his muscles, he gritted his teeth as the water thundered beneath him, before the almighty slam exploded, stabbing away at his eardrums. "Hold on!" He gritted, "I'm going to pull you up, grab hold of something solid!"

    Below, he could just make out Claire's response, "E-E-E-Okay!"

    Growling, Sam tightened his grip on whatever he grabbed onto, resisting the pain surging through his limbs as he pulled up the Chespin, mentally begging for her to get a grip onto the rock. He felt his arm lift, and the weight abruptly fade away. "Erk! I've got something!" Claire shouted, just barely louder than the rush of water.

    His arm now free, he quickly threw it over the edge of the outcrop, his fingers finding another rocky hold and tightening. "I'll help you up! Just hang on!"

    Gritting his teeth, Sam flung himself up onto the platform, before lying down to lean back over the edge. Claire was hanging on to the very edge by the tips of her fingers. Not even waiting to hear any comment, the Scorbunny leaned over and grabbed hold of the Chespin's arms. "I've got you, push with your feet!"

    Groaning, Sam yanked the arms back, nearly stumbling backwards as Claire pushed herself up and over the top. The pair collapsed to the floor with a thud, the Chespin panting with her face against the rock. Gulping his own breath of air, Sam didn't wait to catch his breath back. Instead, he pushed himself back up to his feet, slowly stepping towards the edge. "What… did we… do… to deserve this…" Claire groaned.

    "Nothing at all." Sam replied, peering down from their perch. The water was no longer rushing through, but small waves were still crashing against the walls of the fissure and the outcrop that Sam and Claire had stood on – nevermind the bottom – was now completely underwater. "You just got unlucky."

    Crickey… any later and we would have smashed against all the rocks… wait!

    He spun around towards their entry point, where they fitted the makeshift ladder at the bottom of the slope. But instead of finding the anchor there… he only found water.

    Trembling, Sam turned his gaze upwards, begging that Alice and the others had got clear of the wave. They had the head start for sure.

    His eyes drifted further and further until his heart soared. He spotted them all scattered amongst the boulders of the slope – a slope that had a lot more of them than he recalled seeing.

    A brown rabbit that could only be Alice was balancing atop one of the taller rocks, hands cupped round her mouth. "You're crazy! You know that!"

    Stifling a chuckle, Sam shook his head with a thin smirk before cupping his own hands to shout back. "Hey! It worked alright! Everyone okay over there!"

    "We're fine! Nearly got hit by a few boulders but Rock Smash helped! What about you!"

    Sam looked up towards the cliff over his shoulder. Claire had rolled over onto her back, still shaken from the near escape at the bottom of the cliff. And indeed, it was one heck of a cliff. It was practically shear, rising well above his head – at least twelve metres - with appeared to only be a few foot and hand holds in the surface. Off to his right, the trunk of a tree hung against the cliffside, only its roots holding the thing in place.

    It was too high for them to jump up to the top with a Quick Attack to power them up, and the tree… definitely didn't look ideal.

    He turned back to Alice, "We're okay! But we might need a bit of help to get out!"

    "We've got some spare rope outside of the fissure! I'll make my way round to you!"

    Sam opened his mouth to reply, only to feel the ground quake beneath him again. More tiny pebbles tumbled down from above. On cue, Claire sprung into a sitting position, eyes darting left and right as if searching for those rocks. Body stiffening, the Scorbunny, turned back towards Alice. "You might want to hurry!"

    I'm not sure how long this outcrop is gonna last! Not that I want Claire here to know that!

    Even from this distance, he could make out Alice's nod as she hopped her way up the hill, calling for the other Pokémon to make their way further up the slope. Sam stepped away from the edge and made his way towards the wall. Yeah, he would have to worry about the rocks tumbling down, but at least he would be able to grab a hold straight away their platform collapsed. "Come on over here." Sam told Claire, "It's a bit safer over here."

    "And if I get hit in the head again?" Claire moaned as she got up and skulked over.

    "Well, I'll just stop you wondering off." Sam replied, "And if it's any consolation, I've been hit in the head too many times in the past." He flashed a smirk, "And here I am, no worse for wear."

    The Chespin's face screwed up, "You've not got a few screws loose?"

    "No more than anyone else at the guild."

    Huh, save for Perry of course. He's completely nuts.

    The area shuddered once again, the Scorbunny pushing himself further against the wall. Just gotta hope Alice gets here sooner rather than later.

    He watched as Alice and the rescued Pokémon summited the slope and emerged from the fissure proper, sighing with relief at the sight. At least those they had rescued would be getting out of danger.

    Another few minutes passed, the ground gently quaking every so often again before Alice's head remerged above them, eyes narrowed. "Holding up alright?"

    "For now." Sam called out, looking back up at the Buneary. "Do you think the spare rope will reach?"

    "Only one way to find out. I'll save the smaller bundle just in case."

    Her head disappeared from view, and within a few seconds, another rope, lacking the rungs of the original, now submerged one, was flung down the cliff face. Sam clenched his fists, hoping that the rope could reach them, it would make things easier for sure-

    The rope stopped short, the tip gently swaying four metres above them. Alice's head promptly remerged, scowling at the rope. "That's the best I can do. I don't have any other good anchors close by."

    "It'll do." Sam reassured her, stepping away from the wall and crouching down to cup his hands together. Instinct and training was already kicking in as he firmly looked over to Claire. "I'll give you a boost."

    The Chespin gulped, eyes fixed on the rope directly above her. "D-Do you think that will work?"

    "Between me and you jumping? Easy."

    "And what about you?" she questioned, shivering as her gaze turned down on him.

    Sam flashed a smirk, "I can make that jump. Besides, it's the job."

    The ground shivered underfoot once more, and that seemed to be the final push that the grass type needed. Shaking her body loose, she placed one foot into his cupped hands, the Scorbunny stiffening himself to take the weight. "On three." Sam declared, shuffling on the spot. "Ready?"

    Nervously looking up, she nodded.

    "Alright." He said, "One. Two… Three!"

    He pushed her foot upwards, the Chespin flying up into the air above him. One, two, three metres…

    Her hands grabbed hold of the rope.

    The colossal crack nearly deafened him, annihilating his smile as the ground fell away beneath him, only for his feet to slam back down again.

    Hard.

    Barking out in pain, he barely noticed his feet slide out beneath him. What actually jarred him back into reality was when his chin hit the rock, cutting his cry short. His hands grasped for anything, literally anything, wrapping around another rock and stopping his fall with another painful jolt.

    "Sam!" Alice shouted, her voice ringing in her ears.

    Gritting his teeth as his fingers cried out in protest, the Scorbunny snapped his head back up to find that the entire outcrop had collapsed. Enough that as he forced himself back up to his feet, he was finding himself standing on a shaking slope. "I'm alright!" He looked up towards the rope, Claire looking down at with wide eyes as she dangled from the rope. "Claire! Just keep climbing up! I'll be right behind you!"

    Very quickly nodding back, she started to struggle her way up the rope, clearly not used to trying to shuffle up one. Okay! Just give her a minute, then I can get up as well and-

    The aftershock came rumbling in, hard and fast, more debris tumbling down the cliff as Sam struggled to stay on his feet. The outcrop shook even hard, the tip dropping down further, ready to snap at any moment.

    Above him, Claire cried out, sliding back down the rope a few inches as she climbed. Above her, Alice's eyes were wide enough to explode. "Sam! Get out of there!"

    Damn it! If I jump now, I could throw Claire off the rope! Then she'd be definitely be screwed! But if I don't get off soon, I'm not gonna be swimming out of here! I need another way out of fast!

    "Alice! Get that second rope ready!" he barked, steadying himself as best he could.

    "How's th- shit! Hang on!" Alice drifted out of view, and Claire seemed to rise faster, the rope being pulled up too.

    Two birds with one stone… Sam realised, the shaking intensifying underfoot, Alice must be having someone pull Claire up whilst setting up the last rope!

    "Alice! Hurry!" he shouted.

    A low grunt rolled forth from the top of the outcrop, now hanging more and more by a thread. Shit! We might not have any time! I need another way out and fast!

    Sam snapped his gaze around, trying to work out the way out. He looked down towards the water, still a white torrent as it smashed against the sides of the fissure. Still no way out that way. What about the cliff itself? He looked up, struggling to find any good holds. Even if he could jump for one, he didn't have any idea if he could hold on for long. That left…

    The Scorbunny turned to find himself staring at the hanging tree. No way, that's not going to hold much better than the cliff! Still… if I could reach it…

    Claire disappeared from view as Alice remerged, "I'm going to throw this rope down now!"

    Sam swept his foot back, feeling the sound of the cracking rocks, the outcrop starting to dip once again.

    He made his decision. "No time! Go for the tree!"

    "Sam! Don't be an i-"

    Too late, the fire-type breaking into a sprint and leaping into the air just as something boomed over his shoulder – the outcrop finally failing and falling free. He just heard the splash as he reached the height of his leap, Here goes!

    He willed himself forward, feeling the rush of air as he surged ahead, hoping he hadn't guessed wro-

    The world reblinked into view, the Scorbunny flying out of the Quick Attack and straight towards the tree. Eyes widening, Sam cried out as he snapped his arms out. Come o-

    His white hands screamed as they dug into the wood, shoulders screaming as his body was flung back against the bark with a crack. Groaning, he blinked, glancing back towards the water. The rocky outcrop was already gone, just an irregular collection of ripples in the water from where it fell.

    "Sam you fucking idiot!"

    His head jerked back up to find Alice sprinting along the edge, carrying a coil of rope in her grasp. "Can you stop pulling stunts like that!?" she snapped, eyes burning.

    "Again! It worked!" Sam countered, reaching out with one hand towards another handhold, "Just gotta climb this ol' gi-"

    The tree let out a horrible creak as his fingers slipped into the hold.

    Something snapped, and the tree dropped. Sam's fingers tightened, eyes widening for the fall. Only for the tree to jerk to halt, something else snapping above him. "Oh come on!" he roared, racing up the trunk, the sounds of snapping roots still ringing in his ears.

    "Sam!" Alice shouted, "I'm coming!"

    "Anytime would do!" Sam snapped, the tree jolting as the last bits of support broke free, falling further every time. Each second, he climbed higher. Every other second, he dropped another bit, forcing him to go faster.

    Another second, and he was near the top. The straining and breaking roots just in sight, past a single, thick branch. One! Last! Jump!

    The last roots snapped, the tree beginning it's fall as he kicked himself up for the branch.

    His hands wrapped round it.

    Only to break free in his hands.

    Sam could only scream as he began to fall. Back into the fissure.

    Back to his death.

    Alice dove over the edge, a brown shape that shot towards him. His hands shot forward, reaching-

    Sam jerked to a halt, white and brown hands wrapped round each other as he bounced against the cliff face. "Got you!" Alice grunted with a hiss of pain, teeth grinding together as the heavy splash rang out below.

    He blinked, his brain catching up with reality. They were hanging there alongside the fissure wall, held only by the brown rope wrapped around her waist.

    "That's twice." She uttered, managing to pull a thin smirk.

    Sam nearly choked on the curse. "What, when was the first time!?"

    Alice rolled her eyes, "From the last time I had to save you from falling?"

    "That was two weeks ago!"

    Putting aside the trip down memory lane, it was a somewhat frustrating effort to climb back up again, involving no small amount of fiddling as they worked to get Sam onto the rope proper before together, they pulled themselves up little by little until with a final moan of effort, the two clambered over the edge and out of the crack.

    The Scorbunny stumbled away from the edge, bending over and panting away to himself, unable to utter any words.

    "H-How did you even do that!?"

    Still panting, he lifted his head up to find the rescued Pokémon assembled before them, gathered around a small, jagged rock with a very loosely secured rope hoop. As if it was thrown over at the last second. Elliot stood at the head of the group, a look of pure bewilderment as he glanced between Claire, sat down against the boulder with her own stunned expression, and the two Rescuers. "That was… I don't know what to say…"

    Gulping in a fresh new breath, Sam flashed a grin as he waved at them, "Don't… worry... about it." he managed to breath out, "Just… another happy rescue!"

    To his left, Alice began to chuckle, and blinking, he turned to face her. The Buneary had straightened up, a coiled-up ear twitching as she flashed a borderline evil smirk at him. That was, of course, if he didn't know better.

    And in that moment, he realised his mistake.

    Eyes widening, Sam began to raise his hands up, "Come on Alice… that just came out, okay?"

    "Oh really?" she purred, grin widening. "Sounds like a joke about your so-called heroics. And nearly getting yourself killed for it."

    "Improvising!" Sam countered, heart beginning to beat. "I was improvising! Look, I know the promise we made. And it's just one quip! I think we've earned it!"

    "Err… promise?" Elliot stuttered, "What promise?"

    Alice rolled her eyes, springing forward towards the fire rabbit, and before Sam could leap away, she already had one hand on his chest fluff. "Just a promise not to joke too much about rescues so quickly afterwards. Especially when he deliberately tries to do heroic stunts."

    The Scorbunny had to bite down on his tongue at that. Okay, he had to admit it. He did probably subconsciously think the different risky tricks he pulled was pretty cool looking. But it was necessary too! And it was not like they had much choice!

    "I will admit they were kinda epic…" he uttered.

    "Then it's my turn to keep the promise." Alice chuckled, "It goes both ways. You get to drive me crazy when I go too far with your… ahem… dares. I get to punch you if it happens with you. One to the face, we agreed."

    He almost wished they never made that agreement. Then again, it did go both ways. If she had punched someone again, it would be him breathing down her neck, not that he would be punching her. It would be more mundane… annoying as all heck to her, but mundane. And there were times he deserved a punch in the face. Still…

    He sharply shook his head, "Okay!" Sam barked in surrender, "But given the circumstances… err…" he clicked his tongue, trying to work out the right words.

    "Go on…"

    Sam chewed on his lip, "Maybe… punch me in the arm instead? I mean, some of those stunts were kinda… you know… needed?"

    The Buneary thought about that for a moment, eyes looking up to the sky. "Hmm… well, the flood was a bit unexpected…"

    Sam flashed a weak grin, "Great? So… can we go for that then?"

    Alice seemed to think about that for a moment longer, then merely shrugged with a widening smirk.

    "Nah. I like my way better."

    Eyes widening, Sam tried to pull away. "Cra-!"

    He didn't get to finish the curse as Alice's coiled ear flew straight into his face.
     
    • Chapter II.III - This is alot to take in
    • StolenMadWolf

    StolenMadWolf

    Loony Moony
    Pronouns
    She/They
    Partners
    1. scorbunny
    2. buneary
    Right, after a long delay. GoB is back again after a delay. I had some big art projects to complete and alot of real life stuff to sort out. But Chapter 2.3 is now complete! Not a massive amount of stuff happening this time, but it does help set the stage a bit for future chapters down the line... and a bit of a small wham for one character. Again, sorry for the wait and I hope you enjoy the new chapter!

    POKÉMON MYSTERY DUNGEON​
    GUARDIANS OF BALANCE​

    EPISODE II - DARK, WONDEROUS PAST
    CHAPTER III - THIS IS A LOT TO TAKE IN    ​

    "Oh by Arceus! Thank heavens you are alright!" exclaimed the Maractus, visibly shaking their body side to side as she stepped towards one of the gathered teens with their arms widening. Only for her intended target to immediately shy away and quickly reassure her they were okay. That being said, Sam imagined that it was more because they didn't want to get stung by the spines scattered across her body than anything else.

    Not that Sam himself particularly caring at this point, water dripping down his face and soaking into his fur, courtesy of the drenched cold towel he pressed against the bruise left behind from Alice's punch, still throbbing away. Shit… hit harder why not?

    Then again, they did agree on it. He would just have to catch her back later.

    Just without a punch.

    The sun was slowly coming down over Robinswood, coating the town in an orange light. And yet, the town was still abuzz with activity, the chitchat a constant background noise for Sam's ears to pick up. The clang and bang of the shops occasionally broke through the chapter, as items were made and deals with sorted out.

    Team Audacity and the rescued teens didn't waste any time getting back home once they checked over any injuries, all of which had thankfully been minor. Now they stood under the massive Guildtree that stood at the centre of the town, its massive girth blocking out a significant portion of the sky and yet, Sam couldn't help but feel the tension flow out of him each time he saw it.

    Sam glanced over towards his partner. Alice had her arms crossed with a scowl on her face. She had to have seen the Maractus try and embrace one of the teens at least six times now, and it was clear her patience was beginning to run out.

    Resisting the urge to chuckle at the Buneary, Sam merely turned back towards the sentient cactus and with his mouth covered, let out a quiet cough. Only then did she finally turn round to face the Rescuers proper. "Pardon my manners!" she exclaimed, hurrying towards them. "I must offer my most gracious thank you for rescuing my students!"

    Flashing a grin, Sam flicked the towel off his head and placed it over his shoulder, struggling not to wince as the bruise continued to throb. "It's our job. Besides, we couldn't leave anyone in danger."

    "I'm surprised you didn't realise they had wandered off until the quake hit." Alice noted with a severe lack of humour.

    "I was multitasking!" she replied loudly, "I had a lot of stuff to prepare."

    Elliot stood further forward, rolling his eyes less in annoyance and more as if he was bored. "Miss Catrina was trying to cook mago cakes."

    Catrina laughed, not quite looking back towards the Furfrou, "M-Multitasking Elliot. I was multitasking."

    In the corner of his eye, he could tell by the twitching ear that Alice wasn't impressed with that response.

    "Anyway, I have already given the guild's share of the reward." Catrina explained, "Here is yours."

    Rewards. There was something about it that didn't sit quite right on him. He couldn't shake the feeling that a simple thanks would be enough for him rather than someone giving away their money. Sure, if they were diving into a dungeon to retrieve something when it was just their lives at stake, then he would like a bit of Poke to pocket. But for rescues? Not so much.

    Even though many of his fellow guildmates assured him that it was as much a thanks as just the words, and an old tradition. Apparently anyway.

    Still left him with a cold pit in his stomach as Catrina handed over a hefty looking pouch over to Alice, the Buneary narrowing her eyes as she handled the weight. As if she could tell how much was in it as if she was a set of scales. Without much of a reaction, she slipped it away into her satchel. Must be the right amount then.

    "We're glad to help out." Sam chipped in, "Probably not a good idea to go back there anytime soon, at least until the guild can make sure it's safe."

    The cactus opened her mouth to reply, but Elliot beat her to the punch. "Trust us, we have zero plans to go anywhere near that river." He said with an exhausted smile.

    Claire was stood next to him with a narrowed set of eyes, a wet towel of her own resting atop her head. "I'm good for not going through earthquake zones for another couple of years."

    Teenagers. Sam chuckled mentally as the grass-type's mouth soundlessly open and close, Don't want their teacher or elder to get the last laugh. I don't think they'll end up in any trouble at least.

    "Then that is… excellent then!" Catrina celebrated, spinning back towards the rescuers, her face relaxing to show her goofy smile once more. "In the meantime, we shall depart. Thank you once again for your aid rescuers!"

    She stepped forward, arms widening as she got ready to drag the rabbits into an embrace. Sam's eyes widened, his foot sliding back as Alice snapped one hand up, "We don't need hugs!" she quickly stressed with a faint quiver.

    Luckily, the cactus didn't seem to notice their distress, instead offering a small bow to them before she finally shuffled back towards the gathered teens, quickly requesting them to follow her back to their homes.

    Much to their very audible grumbling as they started to scatter before her.

    Leaving the rescued to 'rescue' themselves from their elder, Sam and Alice slowly made their way back across the square towards the Guildtree's entrance. "What an idiot."

    Sighing, the Scorbunny rolled his eyes towards the sky, prepared for what tirade was about to come forth, "Go on then, what was idiotic about the folks we were helping this time?"

    Alice let out a hefty groan as they crossed the central bridge in the town square. "The kids are certainly old enough to be on their own. But that damn cactus should have kept a better eye on them, or at least had some means of knowing where they were going or reaching them. Instead, she spent her time cooking without noticing them going anywhere."

    "And she didn't have the means to quickly contact them." Sam replied, "At least she did get in touch with the guild as quickly as she did."

    Now the Buneary growled, "She only noticed after the fissure opened up and caused a small earthquake. She could have gone and checked on them at any time. And then she tried to play down her own stupidity!"

    Come on Alice. Calm down, or I'll be calling on my half of the promise.

    He narrowed one eye as he glanced around them, searching for any sign that someone was listening. But everyone seemed too occupied to look their way. "Might want to be careful with what you say around here." He quietly stressed.

    "She's still an idiot. That area was marked as a risky location, why even go there?"

    "It was a last-minute update."

    "Not good enough! She should have checked the board before leaving! Or had some back up plan!" her hands visibly shuddered as they approached the entrance to the tree. "Instead, she was probably too busy thinking about stuffing herself, damn plant."

    "Hey!" came a deeper voice just behind them. "That's a bit shitty."

    Sam froze on the spot, recognising the voice immediately. Crap. Seems like the promise is coming through about-

    Alice spun round, eyes red, "Excuse me then you green cu… crap."

    Now.

    Her words trailed off into the curse almost like some kind of broken record player (whatever that was to the Scorbunny's mind.). Rolling his eyes in bemusement, Sam turned to meet the new arrivals.

    Standing behind them were three Pokémon, a Bulbasaur at their front, a Noibat and a rather nervous looking Morpeko at his flanks, brandishing green scarves and armbands similar to the blue bands that Sam and Alice wore. Each one embroidered with a white emblem showing a pair of wings, a leaf, and a lightning bolt.

    The Bulbasaur dipped his head forward, red eyes narrowing a little bit. "You know I'm part-plant right?"

    Alice blinked once, as if realising what kind of mess she had just got herself into, before narrowing her eyes again and crossing her arms. "I wasn't talking about you. I was meaning some idiot."

    The reptile flashed a toothy smirk, "And wasn't that what you called me last week?"

    "That was because you forgot your pecha berries again." She growled, before shrugging, "Then there was five weeks ago…"

    His face suddenly went black, eyes widening with a flicker of fear. The other two Pokémon glanced over at him, a flicker of confusion evident in their eyes.

    Welp, better break this up before one of them does anything stupid.

    Sam stepped forward, placing one hand down onto Alice's shoulder with a subtle squeeze. "Okay Alice, dial back the grumpy will you?"

    Alice visibly flinched, ready to snap something back. But she couldn't even get out the faintest letter as she looked towards Sam's face, the Scorbunny keeping a relaxed, expressing, focusing his gaze on her with a twitch of his ear.

    With that look, Alice sighed softly and turned back towards the others, unwrapping her arms as Sam spoke once more. "And to be fair Bruce, you did kinda over rely on some of your moves. She has a point."

    That snapped Bruce out of his stupor, his eyes focusing onto the Scorbunny. "Err… yeah, you're both right."

    "Told you that before." Alice mused with a thin smirk, "Maybe we can go for the ceasefire?"

    Bruce blinked a couple of times, before flashing a similar smirk, "Alright, I can go with that."

    "Brilliant!" exclaimed the Noibat, clapping her little hands together. "About time you to started getting along!"

    "We are not Nia." Alice and Bruce said together, voices deadpan. Sam couldn't stop the chuckle erupting from his chest, coughing to cover it up. Bruce had never fully liked Alice, and she didn't mince her words with him. But since the trials at Broken Wood, the two had kinda agreed to disagree and tried to work together. Somehow, they kinda got it working.

    The Noibat Nia was the complete opposite to Bruce regarding Alice. In fact, it was Nia who had first got Alice roped in with the trials. As for the Morpeko, Dan, well…

    He shuffled on the spot, eyes flicking between the rescuers. "Maybe you shouldn't push it too far Nia. They can get kinda… scary when they don't listen."

    "You know me buddy!" Nia cheered, hugging the electric-type tight with her wings, the poor guy squirming in her embrace. "Gotta keep trying until we drop right?"

    "I-I'd rather not drop at all!"

    His grin widening, Bruce turned towards the Scorbunny. "You look like you've busy. What kind of mess did you get into?"

    Head throbbing at the words, Sam rubbed his forehead, wincing hard enough for his jaw to hurt. "Fissure opened up near the western river." He explained, "Had a lot of teens to rescue. What about you guys?"

    Bruce's smile flickered just a touch. "Team Seekers is still doing a lot of good! We've just… err…" he groaned as he stomped the floor, shaking his head. "Just had to collect something important from one of the smaller dungeons. On the beach?"

    "Let me guess." Sam chuckled, "It was a ribbon or berry right?"

    "H-Hey!" Bruce bellowed, jaw clenching tight. "We're not getting the same jobs you do! You got the Bronze Rank ahead of us! Once we turn this job in, we'll be onto Normal Rank!"

    Another weird thing that had occurred between Team Audacity – Sam and Alice's Team – and Team Seekers. As both a reward and a 'punishment' for their actions, Sam and Alice were inducted two ranks ahead of their fellow recruits. Said actions involving racing after the Swampert known as Greg on an impromptu rescue mission. Greg had broken out of the guild's prison and kidnapped the little kid, Kyle. With the help of Team Spirit – which included Kyle's dad Jack – Sam and Alice were able to rescue him, and take down Greg with a few kicks, ice covered ear punches and naturally, a few fireballs down his mouth.

    Sam's fist automatically started to clench as he dove back through the memories. The only reason why Greg was able to get out of the prison in the first place was due to Aidan.

    His old partner.

    "And it wasn't anything like that either!" Nia added. "Our client wanted to pick up an Evolution Crystal."

    Evolution Crystal… what? Sam felt his brow scrunch up, what was that supposed to even be?

    "You're kidding me right?" Alice asked, a blank gaze aimed at the bat. "Are you sure you heard them right?"

    Releasing her grip from the quivering Morpeko, Nia reached into a satchel clipped onto her side and pulled out a brown-grey rock, or rather, the rocky coating surrounding a brilliantly pink crystal that shone from within. "See?" Nia explained, holding it up for everyone to clearly see.

    Alice blinked with a deepening frown, "Someone can't be that dumb to think that the evolution crystals still work?"

    "I-Its what they asked for though." Dan quietly whimpered.

    Foot tapping away and with the confusion clutching at his chest, Sam slowly lifted his arm up. "Err… amnesia kicking in again. What the heck is an evolution crystal?"

    That earned him four different glances, ranging from amusement from Alice to complete bewilderment from Bruce.

    "It is in the name Sam." The Buneary said with a smirk.

    A brief chill settled over Sam's shoulders, his own turn to stare blankly at her as his mind processed it. A second passed, and the realisation had kicked him hard enough in the gut for Sam to let out a heavy moan. "Holy crap."

    "Maybe Sam needs to go back to school again!" Bruce laughed, hard enough that his eyes were squeezed shut.

    Dan seemed to shrink, even as he giggled to himself, "L-Like a kid again!"

    "Shit! Stop it!" Sam barked, face resting within his palm, as much to hide his smile as much as his embarrassment. Damn it, I can be really thick huh?

    "…you little damn wi-agh!"

    Sam's heart missed a beat, the smile vanishing immediately as the memory surged back up to the surface. The memory from that night, after Sam and the then-recruits had escaped what was left of the Broken Wood mystery dungeon and the mythical Pokémon Volcanion. Aidan had brought him out of town, revealing himself to have been a smuggler. He claimed that he was providing a service, trying to bring Sam round to help him out. He had been so convincing that he was trying to do some good, that whilst the fire-type wouldn't help with the actual smuggling, he would support him.

    Until the Froakie tripped up and revealed he was complicit to murder.

    Something so dark and horrific, after nearly getting killed himself, was something the Scorbunny couldn't allow Aidan to get away with.

    He could remember it all now, Alice, having followed the pair, had just jumped in and saved his life when the Froakie attacked him with a Water Pulse. But that was when Aidan had took the gloves off. From the moment he first met Aidan, the water-type had been suffering from countless headaches. It had been something that had troubled the Scorbunny, and yet, he didn't realise that they were hiding something else.

    The headaches had returned with a vengeance, and finally pushed too far, Aidan transformed – evolved – into Frogadier. If it wasn't for the arrival of the rest of the guild, Aidan would have killed Sam and Alice there and then.

    So why was he thinking of Aidan now? The evolution? How did-

    The Rattata quivered, "Look, you know how no one's evolving again…"

    "Sam?" Alice asked, head drifting in front of him with a set of narrowed eyes. "Snap out of it."

    Blinking as the lump formed in his throat, Sam leaned back a touch. "Sorry." He coughed, "I was just thinking… I heard from someone that Pokémon have stopped evolving before. But Aidan evolved right in front of us, didn't he?"

    Alice's eyes widened for a couple of seconds, as if the implications had just started to yank her back before they narrowed once more. "Yeah… he did."

    Bruce frowned, eyes clouding over. "Wait, he did?"

    "Yeah." Sam explained, tapping his foot, "He evolved into Frogadier right in front of us. Those headaches he had? That was, like, a sign he was nearly ready to evolve or something."

    Holding up the stone, Nia tilted her head curiously. "Huh, maybe we can all evolve again."

    Her eyes began to sparkle, "Oh yeah!" she shouted, her voice quivering to the point that Sam immediately started reaching for his ears to pull them down. "Maybe I can become a Noivern! A dragon bat! That'd be awesome!"

    "Volume Nia." Came a new voice.

    Approaching from the square was another pair of Pokémon. Team Active. Taking point was a Skiddo that Sam immediately recognised as Edward. Out of the recruits that got through the trials, he was easily the smartest one of the bunch, at least from Sam could see. He recalled Perry once calling the guy a walking encyclopaedia, and he didn't think the bird was wrong.

    "And as for evolution, it's kinda yes and no." Edward explained as he approached. "It's not impossible to evolve, just very difficult. Headaches are a pretty good sign that someone is getting close to evolving nowadays in theory."

    Pulling up alongside the new grass-type was a purple bug, a Skorupi – Denver. He was the one Sam knew the least about, other than he was a close friend to the Skiddo. He looked up at Edward. "First I've heard of that."

    Edward clicked a hoof in response, "Yeah. One of the main theories why evolution is so difficult isn't that Pokémon can't evolve. More like the energy used in evolution isn't getting through enough."

    Sam let go of his ears, letting them spring back up with a faint boing. "What, like a bottleneck?"

    The goat nodded smoothly, as if savouring the comment. "That would be a good analogy, aye. Those evolution crystals might not be useful now, but at some point down the line, areas which are particularly potent with evolution energy can let some Pokémon evolve."

    Nia's wings drooped comically before them. "Aaawwww… I guess I'll have to wait along with everyone else."

    With her arms crossed, Alice flashed a smirk, "I wouldn't worry too much on it Nia, besides, you'll probably evolve well before most of these boys will."

    Now it was the four guys turn to spin round on a rabbit, with Bruce's mouth dropping open far enough towards the floor that Sam couldn't stop himself from bursting out into laughter. "Well, holy crap!"

    "O-Oh shut up!" Bruce blurted out, "I'm just as good as Nia here!"

    Sam leaned next to Alice, struggling to cut his laughter short. "Yeah… heck of a thing to say to your partner."

    A small smile spreading, Alice leaned in herself, not looking towards him. "Would you like another punch in the face?"

    The sharp pulse rushed through his head, and the Scorbunny barely was able to transform the wince into a smile. "No thanks!" he replied, his voice tightening as if wounded.

    Nia did a little hop, "Well, I did do a lot of the work last time…"

    "Nia…" Bruce groaned.

    "E-Err… guys?" Dan started, his paw digits sliding together.

    The bat beamed cheekily, lips curling upwards. "And I did get the better score in the dojo…"

    "Girl power for you." Alice smirked.

    "G-Guys…"

    Sam laughed nervously, head dipping down, "Come on Bruce, they're just screwing with you."

    "I can agree on that one." Edward admitted.

    "Especially with the witch." Denver hissed, clearly flicking his eyes over the Buneary.

    Something that she noticed, as the Buneary snapped round towards the bug, paws tightening into fists whilst her coiled ear twitched. "How about you say that to my face!" she barked.

    Denver yelped, legs quivering as he scurried backwards a few inches. His heart starting to race, Sam swiftly clamped on hand down onto her shoulder. "Alice, don't let him get to you."

    Bruce's head drifted between the purple bug and the brown rabbit, "Yeah… that was a bit too far."

    "No shit!" Alice growled, waving her fist at the spooked Denver "I'll give him-"

    "STOP FIGHTING!"

    The anger and rage was blown away in an instant, Alice ceasing to shake under his hand. Sam's head spun round to find Dan shivering on the spot, a faint flicker of solid red coming from his eyes.

    Freezing on the spot, Sam's body tightened up, ready for the Hangry Morpeko to come out. The memory of the crazy form of Dan chowing down on his arm still fresh in his mind.

    He released a heavy sigh as Dan shook his head, the rodent's eyes reopening to reveal their normal colour. Nia sank in front of them, hands grasped together in front of her. "D-Dan… sorry. We-"

    Dan shook his head again, pointing a finger towards the sky. "Look!"

    Frowning, Sam followed the finger towards the orange sky and onwards towards a dark blot. A dark blot that was drifting closer towards them… and increasingly quickly.

    The blot split into two, one on top of the other. Then they began to come into focus. Two large, metallic wings beated away as it approached. It wasn't just the wings either, the entire body was covered in dark metal feathers. A Skamory like Emrys? No, it was too big. A Corviknight.

    The avian knight slowly drifted downwards into the town square, several of the Pokémon present there or around the stores started to bring their gazes upwards towards the giant bird coming in, carrying a large basket in it's claws.

    Sam blinked, mouth dropping at the sheer size of the raven/raptor, "I thought the Corviknight worked at the Post Office up top."

    "They do." Edward replied, giving a quick shake of his head as if to make sure he wasn't seeing things. "The Corviknight often come in to carry heavy packages, but why would one be coming down here?"

    Alice narrowed her eyes, lips twitching. "Something's wrong."

    "More like the circumstances are unusual." Came the much older, more authoritative voice from behind them. The seven Rescuers would turn to find the tall, red and yellow avian standing behind them with his cool blue eyes.

    Sam's eyes widened as a good chunk of the groups straightened up around him, "Guildmaster!" they shouted in alarm.

    The Blaziken Rex returned the younger Pokémon a small smile, "Relax. This isn't the army."

    A few sighs of relief rolled over Sam's shoulders. As far as the rest of the group was concerned, Rex was their boss. The experienced and wise leader of the Robinswood Rescue Guild. But that level of authority didn't seem to bother Sam. He had spoken to Rex enough times over such a short period of time it never really came to him. Not with the amount of support Rex had shown him and Alice in the past.

    Alice didn't seem that fazed either, tilting her head at the fire-type. "Guildmaster, what's going on?"

    Rex's smile vanished, his eyes drifting across the gathered group, as if trying to work out how best to reply. Sam could almost see the gears turning in his head before he finally spoke, "One of our outposts pulled someone out of the ocean. She was a crewmate on a ship that appears to have been attacked by pirates."

    H-Huh? Pirates? What wo- oh. Right, if we had bandits like Greg in an island chain, then pirates totally makes sense. The Scorbunny felt his brow tighten as he reflected on the information, "Are pirate attacks that common?"

    "Common enough to be a problem." Rex replied, eyes lifting back up to the incoming arrival. The Corviknight beated it's wings harder as a small cloud began to approach, a pair of Pokémon approaching from the edge of the square. Sam nearly shivered at the sight of the Rapidash Rebecca trotting her way towards the bird. The ever-grouchy nurse had her eyes fixed on the basket, either ready to start shouting as much as she was going to treat anyone.

    With a final thud, the basket touched down on the ground, followed shortly after by the Corviknight themselves. Bruce shivered at the sight, "Never liked the sea…" he grumbled, "I thought the pirates were just some kind of joke."

    Nia frowned, "I wouldn't write it off – hey! Guildmaster!"

    The Noibat stumbled after the Guildmaster, who was already beginning to move towards the basket himself. "Can we have a look?"

    Rex let out a small huff, clearly more amused than annoyed, "I appreciate your enthusiasm Nia, but it would be best not to crowd out Rebecca."

    Fair enough. Sam figured, It'd be a good idea not to piss off the grumpy horse.

    He cast his eyes across the three teams once again, gears seeming to turn once more before his eyes settled onto Sam and Alice. "Team Audacity. If you'd like to come with me?"

    The two rabbits shared a glance – trying their best to ignore the looks of the other gathered Rescuers. It wasn't the first time Rex had pulled them to one side, but this was the first time he had did something like that in front of anyone else.

    Alice merely shrugged back at Sam, and feeling satisfied, he began to walk after Rex, "Don't worry about it guys." He said with a thumbs up, "We'll be back in a minute."

    The two rabbits pulled up alongside the much taller Blaziken as they strode towards the landing site. Sam waited until they were mostly out of earshot before he finally looked up towards the Guildmaster. "So… what's the unofficial story then Rex?" Sam asked, keeping his voice down.

    Rex flicked his eyes down towards him, "This crew member was onboard a ship called the Daywalker."

    "Daywalker?" Alice asked quietly.

    "A forty-metre ship." Rex explained, "Mainly used for transporting cargo… and occasionally prisoners."

    The guildmaster let out a heavy sigh, "Including Greg."

    Sam nearly stopped in his tracks, if it wasn't for Alice's hand slapping him in the back to keep him marching forward. He felt his fist tighten up immediately, even as his body kept itself moving. "Do you think it was planned?" Sam growled.

    "We don't know for sure." Rex admitted, "It could just be coincidence, but that's why I had the survivor brought here."

    "Forty metres…" Alice mused, "Sounds pretty big."

    "The biggest one yet."

    "Then, maybe Aidan got involved?"

    Sam shook his head, willing his shaking arm to stop moving. "I doubt it. Aidan threw Greg out to the wolves to cover his own ass."

    Rex nodded, "I concur. Besides, smugglers rarely have access to the ships themselves."

    They reached the basket just as one of the attendant Pokémon unlatched a door on the side and pulled it open to reveal a bird just that little bit bigger than either rabbit. She were covered in black and white feathers, save for a red band round their neck, as well as a very pointy yet bright orange beak. A Trumbeak. She was laid out on her side, chest softly rising and falling with her eyes closed.

    Rex turned towards the Corviknight as Rebecca leaned in closer to have a look at the tropical bird. "So, anything you managed to find out at the outpost Clovis?"

    The Corviknight straightened himself up. Sam had to take a moment to steady himself, as the metal raven was even bigger than Rex was, his black and red eyes looking down at the fire-type. "Her name is Kaliani, she's from the Grass Continent." He stated in a rather posh, borderline upper-class tone that seemed strange for such a big Pokémon. "She was working up in the masts when the pirates hit. Tried to warn her crewmates but she was struck by some kind of electric attack."

    "Bloody powerful one to boot." Rebecca noted grimly, eyes scanning the bird as her horn softly glowed. "She's got electric burns all across her body."

    Clovis tilted his head, "The Pokémon at the outpost caught her mentioning something about a rod."

    "Lightning Rod." Rebecca replied, "The attack could have caught her working on it. Metal and water are nasty conductors."

    She hissed softly as she glanced back over at the Guildmaster. "You made a good call in bringing her back here. She'll need a lot of work."

    "How long until you reckon she is conscious again?" Rex asked, a talon scratching his chin.

    "I can't say until she's in the clinic."

    "Then do what you need to then."

    Nodding, Rebecca leaned back from the basket and barked orders to her assistant, who slowly and carefully began to lift the sleeping bird out. Sam felt his skin clump up as he got a better glimpse at Kaliani, seeing the darkened, singed patches of feathers that covered her body. He recalled his fight with Zeke back in Broken Wood, and the sheer power of electric type moves.

    Geez… could my Electro Ball do anything like that done the line? What about the rest of my moves? He felt a shiver run down his spine, I've been lucky so far, but what if the dice rolled that badly, I could have accidently killed someone.

    He caught a flash of his fight with the insane Zeke, his Ember slamming into his gut and throwing him across the room-

    Sam shook his head, watching the assistant carry her away with Rebecca carefully inspecting her as they went. Clovis turned back towards the Guildmaster, "I best prepare my own report, I'll leave the basket just in case the guild wishes to investigate." He bowed his head, before with a massive whump of his wings began to rise into the air.

    "Pirates freeing Greg would be bad enough." Alice noted, "And with a big ship being lost too. But Rex…" she looked up at the Blaziken with narrowed eyes, "I've got a feeling there is more to it than that."

    He pulled a sad smile at her. "More for political reasons sadly. You both know of how Robinswood is as much a colony as it is a native town?"

    Sam nodded towards him, rubbing the back of his head, "I've tried to read a bit into it. All five continents made an agreement along with the town itself right? And there's like a pseudo… Cold War or something going on between them all right? The Eastern Continents up against the Western ones right?"

    "I hope it's not a Cold War." Alice admitted, shivering a touch on the spot before frowning, "Not that I've ever heard of a cold war."

    Rex quietly coughed, "Either way, you are correct. When the islands of the Sea of Wonders began to rise out of the ocean, the continents nearly entered a free-for-all in the name of a landgrab. Especially between Air and Sand Continents. When Water Continent tried to put forward a deal for joint exploration, most of the continents laughed it off."

    "Most of them?" Sam questioned.

    "Water Continent may be neutral, but Air Continent has always had pretty good relations with them, so the two continents happily launched joint expeditions. Once that started making rapid progress, it wasn't long until the other Continents realised that they were missing out and signed in. But that is besides the point."

    The Blaziken crossed his arms, "Robinswood in it's current state exists on the whims of the Continents, and whilst places like Air and Water would like nothing more than to keep it in said state, the others will be looking for any opportunity to gain more power or to cut their support."

    Sam's frown deepened, "But Grass is an ally to Air right?"

    "It is. But Grass may well act against it if it thinks it's own interests are at risk. Air is the strongest Continent, but it's not strong enough to force another to bend a lot of time, never mind the political capital loss of turning on it's ally. And right now, representatives of all five continents are on their way to 'assess' Robinswood."

    Sam let out a faint ahh as the whole picture came to the front of his mind. The Continents held the strings, and if there was something they didn't like…

    "Then a surge in pirate attacks on top of everything else might not send the best impressions right?"

    Rex bowed his head without any air of humour, "Exactly. Which is why we need to get to the bottom of this and keep on top of everything until they arrive and not a second before they leave, otherwise it can affect not just the Guild, but everyone on the islands. So far, only Esper and myself know the full extent of this pirate attack, so I trust you two can stay quiet on this until we complete our initial investigation?"

    The two rabbits swiftly nodded back, "Sure thing Rex." Sam said, sharply nodding back at him. "You can count on us."

    "Seconded." Alice replied.

    Cool blue eyes scanned over the pair, as if searching deeper within them to confirm they had received the message. Sam rested the urge to falter and tear his gaze away. A part of him was terrified that Rex was somehow able to see through his façade. Towards the fact that he was once a human being.

    But that wariness faded away as the guildmaster uncrossed his arms. "Excellent. Well, I won't keep you any further. I need to get to work on the endless pile of paperwork that seems to grace my desk as of late."

    He turned away, looking back towards the Guildtree. "Take care you two."

    As the much taller Pokémon strode away, Sam let himself exhale, his body wavering on the spot.

    "Well… shit." Alice grunted, "How did we wander into politics?"

    Sam snorted as he turned round, looking back towards their fellow guildmates. "Ask me again when we get through the ribbing we'll receive from them lot. They'll want to know what is happening."

    Alice stiffened at the sight, "Damn it… Nia will be begging me right?"

    With a smirk, Sam rubbed his hands together. "Definitely."

    The seed that had been planted before Rex had first appeared was now beginning to sprout, and his now gently throbbing forehead was only serving to remind him of what had occurred. He leaned in closer, the smirk widening, "Meanwhile… I'm calling dibs on my half of the promise."

    The Buneary stopped dead in her tracks, her coiled ear visibly dropping to the side like it had suddenly been paralysed.

    It sprung back up with shocking speed, teeth grinding against each other. "Come the fuck on!" she snapped, "Denver started it!"

    "Yeah, Denver was a jerk, but we agreed you would try and act a bit nicer to everyone or at least ignore the idiots. And even if he wasn't, you did nearly bite Bruce's head off again." Sam gently elbowed her side, "Come on, you get to punch me when I jump off the deep end, you know what happens when you do the same."

    Alice stomped the ground, fists clenched, "Fuck!" she barked, shaking heavily. "Well, damn it. Just… please don't have me do your shift down under the tree again. I swear the smell followed me for half a week…"

    Hell, I am so glad that I managed to cop out of that! Makes the punches definitely worth it sometimes. He placed his hands behind his head, savouring the moment way too much. "You'll be glad to know I don't have any shift now. But… hmm… let me think…"

    What could I ask of her? Well, I can't ask for something particularly stupid or invasive obviously. Maybe something mundane. Maybe join her on one of her training excursions – aha!

    "Tomorrow you go on your early morning training right?" he asked.

    Alice's eyes widened in shock, "No, no! Absolutely not!"

    "Come on!" Sam protested, "You always go to do that this time of week! It might help us both improve!"

    She spun back round on him, raising a finger up to counter him. "Oh, you are not pulling that one on me!"

    "Hey." He countered, twitching one of his ears as he adapted a more serious tone, "Compared to under the tree and your punches, this is pretty tame. You earned that much for saving my life."

    The Scorbunny shrugged, "Again."

    The brown furred Pokémon's ears quivered so fast, Sam was half sure they were about to fly off across the square, but with a final hiss, Alice spun away. "Fu-fine! You win. 5:30am, we get up then."

    And hook, line and sinker! Sam mentally cheered as he sharply fist bumped the air, soaking the small victory he had. A tiny one to be sure, he could have got away with more, they did make that promise to deliberately make sure they didn't go off the deep end, but even so… why did Alice resist so much on that?

    He didn't get much of a chance to think of that though, as Bruce's voice shattered his thought pattern, "Hey you two! Are you coming or not! I've got my hands on some new gummis to throw in at Spindas! I bet they've got one hell of a kick!"

    Letting out a quiet sigh, Alice managed to force out her own smirk, taking a step back and waving her arm forward. "After you, rabbit boy."

    The thought finally fading away, Sam struggled to control the laugh as he led the way towards the gathered Rescuers. "As long as we don't get drunk off them, sounds good to me!" he exclaimed.

    Alice thumped him in the back as the assembled Pokémon made their way into the tree. "You can't you idiot." She teased him, ears relaxing.

    *****

    ​
    You observed the seven young Pokémon enter the tree from atop a stack of small crates in the square, invisible to any that looked your way. It had been a while since you started watching Sam and yet… there was something that you couldn't really shake off. Something tied to your very presence here.

    No… it wasn't Sam's current state, he was well enough. It was something else. More about yourself.

    A dark cloud materialised alongside you, the surrounding Pokémon not responding to its presence.

    And the only entity that sees -and knows - you.

    Greetings, Observer. It declared, Do you ever stop watching Sam?

    The shadow chuckled as it settled down next to you. Sorry. A stupid question. I only tease. Although… it is perhaps not that stupid a question. There must have been someone else you have watched over the past few weeks? Alice perhaps?

    You pondered on that for a moment… it was true that Sam was the primary focus of your efforts. But it hadn't stopped you from observing some of the other Pokémon. Bruce, Edward and Perry came to mind. You couldn't quite explain how you could or why, but you felt like you had to at least get a better lay of the land. But Sam himself… the reasons seemed obvious and yet…

    You shivered at the thought. Or at least, a part of you did.

    Ahh… I'm beginning to understand. The shadow observed, You may be focusing mainly on Sam here but the truth is, you don't know why don't you?

    Shifting position, the shadow drifted to your opposite side, Not to dissimilar to Sam himself. Or any other humans that came to this world. It would not be the first time someone has been an observer of a sort. A Pokémon Spirit from the Air Continent comes to mind, but you... you are something else. Something more central to these events. To those that Sam is tied too. Alice as well. And even the one who lies in the clinic.

    The shadow quivered itself, Questions, and yet no answers. It is not so satisfying to be on the receiving end of a grand conspiracy, but I digress. I have a feeling that an opportunity for more answers will be coming soon.

    Slowly, it began to rise to the sky. I will be at the ready as always, no matter how far I am. As for yourself Observer, I would keep Sam close. The fate of the world may depend on it.

    In an instant, the dark cloud shot up into the sky and out of sight, leaving the gathered Pokémon non-the-wiser.

    You slowly rose, and followed the Rescuers inside.

    *****

    ​
    The sea of colours was dim in his vision, shifting between the reds, blues, greens and the other dozen or so colours that seemed to fade in and out of existence. It seemed endless, stretching as far as the eye could see in all directions. A soft, rhythmic sound rolled all around, as if trying to make the sensation more peaceful.

    He couldn't feel his body. In fact, he felt a strange nothingness where it should have been.

    A faint white star flickered in the middle of the sea. Rapidly. Weakly. As if begging to get his attention.

    What… what do you want from me? He groaned, Can't you speak up or just… show me something? Please, what am I doing here!

    The star faded away, and with it, the colours of the sea.

    Why… why am I a Pokémon?

    "Sam. Wake up."

    The Scorbunny moaned as his eyes flickered open to find the darkened dorm room opened out before him, a furred hand giving him a firm shake. "Come on." Alice told him, "This was your idea after all. Those gummis were definitely not alcoholic."

    "Yeah yeah…" Sam mumbled, rubbing his eyes as he pushed himself up right. Their dorm was a fair bit bigger than the barracks room that Sam had crashed in when he first arrived. It had enough room for two free-standing storage spaces, a few cupboards and drawers, as well as a sizeable chest by the entrance. A set of curtains in one of the walls were pulled apart, revealing a grey, poorly lit sky. Clouds were probably not helping matters.

    Alice stepped off his bed, a serious expression fitted to her face, "Better leave the jacket here." She said, "Though don't forget to bring the water."

    Letting out a chuckle, Sam leaned over and picked up a bottle of water he had left on the bedside drawers. "Don't worry, I'm not that thick."

    He let out a sigh though, as he rose to his feet. It had not been the first time he had dreams like that. It was the first thing he could ever truly remember. That star, that voice trying to speak to him. Asking him to help.

    To 'save' something. But what, he didn't know. The events of his first few days at Robinswood drove that dream into the back of his mind… until he had the dream of that battle. A battle with a burning castle, death, the battle of the electric feline and the dark simian. The collapse of an entire island into the ocean.

    Whilst that dream didn't return, he did have to put up with the colourful sea again, and that star. So close, and yet so far out of reach.

    Alice's frown deepened as she took a step forward, "Another dream?" she asked.

    A deeper sigh coming out, he didn't tell her the full details, especially the fact that he was a former human and his dreams may well be tied with that. He didn't want to throw that mess at anyone, never mind see what the result was. But Alice wasn't stupid. She was smart enough to know something was up. So he did the next best thing.

    "Yeah." He replied, "Still just some weird mess that doesn't make much sense." He thumped the side of his leg, "Really starting to annoy me now."

    A half truth. It wasn't perfect, but it would serve Sam's purposes until he could find the right time to explain things. Or rather, work out the best way to do so.

    I'm gonna have to admit the fact that I'm a human eventually… but… how? And what if I lose everyone in the process?

    He shook his head, brushing the fur at the top of his head back and placing his paws on his hips. "Well, let's not get bogged down with that." He said with the warmest smile he could manage, "What's the plan then? You go for a jog, or head to some secret grove to train?"

    The Buneary crossed her arms, her lips twitching upwards a touch. "Nope. We're going to jog up to one of the gyms higher up in the tree."

    His head flinched back, "Huh?"

    She jabbed a finger upwards, "No one is up there this early. We've got them all to ourselves."

    Okay, that kinda makes sense. Why find something out of the way when you can just sneak in somewhere that was already on hand?

    Hopping over to the door, Alice didn't even look back, "Time for the warm up."

    Sam stepped after her, "Wait, what wa-hey!"

    Alice was already hopping away at a near unreal speed, the Scorbunny sprinting after her through the door. The tree itself was near silent and devoid of activity, the corridors were empty and whilst there was enough light creeping in threw the windows to help guide the way, it was a little bit more on the darker end.

    Not that the Buneary was holding back from going full throttle. She boinged through the corridors without slowing down, so much that Sam running at full chant was barely enough to keep pace. He panted, his muscles beginning to ache and his lungs starting to burn as he chased her on a path leading up the tree. Geez, I knew Alice was fast, but – holy shit this is something else!

    He winced as he skidded across the wooden floor, nearly crying out as he struggled not to bounce of one of the walls. "Alice!" he hissed, struggling to burst back into range of the still mobile rabbit, "How much more of this are we doing!?"

    Sam barely caught her smirk as she rounded the next corner, "We're just getting started. Not much further though."

    Groaning, the Scorbunny pushed himself faster.

    When Alice finally skidded to a halt by a pair of double doors, he was about ready to keel over, managing to catch his hands on his knees as he struggled to draw in breath. "Had enough yet?" Alice asked teasingly.

    Without looking up at her, he swallowed a lungful of air and casually waved a weak paw back up at her. "I… I'm… I'm good…"

    A satisfied huff rolled past his ears, lazily followed by the sound of the doors creaking open. "Come on then, we better head in."

    With a final gulp of air, Sam straightened himself back up and followed her in, doors swinging gently shut behind him.

    The gym, as Alice had put it, only had about two thirds of itself in the tree. The rest was actually built onto a covered balcony that hung out of the trunk. Wooden pillars supported the ceiling that was easily over eight metres above his head. It wasn't ideal for every Pokémon out there, but the really big ones were going to have a hard time getting up the tree anyway. At the centre of the room was what almost looked like the markings for some kind of sports court, a large white box outline that stretched for most of the length, split in half in the middle by a single line and a pair of circles.

    Well… this is certainly striking. Sam mused.

    Alice moved off to one side of the room, where admist what appeared to be training equipment was a large pile of cushions. The Buneary plopped herself onto one of them, "Make the most of the break, he should be here soon."

    Sam sighed with relief, "I definitely will." He admitted, walking closer towards the edge of the court markings. "I don't know if that is your idea for a warm up everyday but it's definitely not m-"

    Ears stiffening, he spun towards Alice, "Wait a minute. He? You've been training with someone else?"

    Alice gazed towards the floor, refusing to even glance at the fire rabbit. "It's not what you think."

    Wait… what would I think it would be? Another partner? An old friend? Damn, what would it be? Wait, maybe…

    He turned round towards her, rubbing the back of his head. "Look, if I'm… getting in the way of something… like… a date or something… I can slip away now and-"

    "Oh, Arceus no!" Alice retched, visibly recoiling on her cushion, "Just… eww, thanks for putting that image into my head."

    Sam shuddered, raising his hands up reassuringly, "Okay okay, sorry. Just having a guess, I'm wondering who it'd be."

    That was when the doors groaned once more, swinging open to Sam's side. "Apologies for the delay Alice, I just had another round of… oh."

    He stiffened immediately. That authoritative voice, only more relaxed than before. It was one he knew all too well. No… you've gotta to be kidding me. Alice's had help from…

    Turning on the ball of his foot towards the source, he found standing at the slowly closing doors was a very familiar looking red and yellow avian Pokémon.

    Rex's eyes widened as he seemed to process what he was seeing, his beak slightly ajar. "Ah." He finally breathed out, "This is new."

    Sam let his mouth drop, "Crap."
     
    • Chapter II.IV - A Taste of Power... and Confusion
    • StolenMadWolf

    StolenMadWolf

    Loony Moony
    Pronouns
    She/They
    Partners
    1. scorbunny
    2. buneary
    Howdy, sorry again for the delay in getting this chapter out. Alot of stuff has been happening over the last few weeks, both on a personal level and with my current career plans, which are starting to become alot more important in the next few weeks. But GoB is still very much on. I hope this chapter offers something a bit different than normal. Enjoy.

    POKÉMON MYSTERY DUNGEON
    GUARDIANS OF BALANCE

    EPISODE II - DARK, WONDEROUS PAST
    CHAPTER IV - A TASTE OF POWER... AND CONFUSION    ​

    The clinic was quiet that morning, given there wasn't that many Pokémon staying inside. Indeed, a cursory look at the medical register would reveal only three Pokémon currently in there. The first was a Sneasel who had got injured on a previous rescue mission, currently resting up before he was released that evening. The second was the most recent arrival to the clinic, a young Trumbeak that got flown in yesterday, still out cold in her bed but in a better state than she had arrived in.

    The final patient was behind a locked door, on the orders of doctor Rebecca. The Rapidash may have been the main medical authority for Robinwood, but despite doing so much, she still needed assistants.

    The Chingling was one such assistant, hopping up to unlock the door with a swift twist of a key. Gently ringing, the yellow bell wandered on into the room. "Good morning Mr Zeke!" she cried out happily, moving to close the door behind her.

    On the other side of the small room, positioned on a clean bed was a green canine, his chest slowly rising and falling. An Electrike.

    The Chingling floated up onto the bed. Zeke had been found in Broken Wood by trainee recruits. Before that Mystery Dungeon collapsed anyway.

    "Don't mind me Mr Zeke! I just need to make sure that you're still all comfortable here!" she started looking over the electric-type's body, making sure there was no sores or bruises across the body. Then she could start setting up the drinking fluid. The poor Electrike had been unconscious for five weeks, but despite Doctor Rebecca's efforts, she hadn't been able to rouse him. Was the strain of being in a Mystery Dungeon and missing his team for so long a factor?

    Well, the Chingling was only a nurse. She was only around to help the good doctor. Finding no problems with Zeke's body. She began to move towards his head, reaching for a clear bottle of water at the side of the bed. "Okay Mr Zeke." She cheerfully said, "Time for your drink!" She placed one hand over his mouth.

    In that moment, the Electrike's eyes snapped open.

    The Chingling screamed.


    Sam stood rooted to the ground; his eyes locked onto the guildmaster standing at the entrance to the gym. He could just make out Alice at the edge of his vision, positioned on her large cushion with her arms crossed, and yet, he couldn't make out her expression.

    Hell! He cursed internally, Why did it have to be Rex!? How did Alice even get to do training with him! When did it happen!? Crap! What did I stumble into?! I-

    "You can calm your foot down Sam." Rex chuckled.

    The Scorbunny blinked, registering the bemused smirk forming across the avian Pokémon's face. Then came the platter from below, the rabbit looking down to find his right foot tapping wildly against the floor. "Crap." He managed to utter again, forcing himself to stop and nearly cursing for the third time. "S-Sorry guildmaster! I wasn't doing anything weird, I was just wanting to try some training out and… err…"

    The words faded away, only to be replaced with a deeper chuckle from the guildmaster. "Relax Sam. If anything, I'm glad you managed to convince Alice to let you join in."

    Scowling, the Buneary spun around on the Blaziken. "You can't be saying you're okay with this! Unc-unbelievable!"

    Alice seems just as surprised as I am. Sam thought, before sharply shaking his head. "Okay, b-back up one minute!" he managed to stutter out, "When did my partner end up on some private training with the Guildmaster of all people!?"

    Alice's gaze snapped between the two fire types, but the Blaziken merely raised his hand for calm, "I know Alice's guardian well, and given her circumstances, I agreed to help keep up her training regimen. Nothing more, nothing less."

    Sam frowned; he knew of Alice's past too. How she had lost her parents, been driven out of her home and rescued by a friend of said parents. In the five weeks he had known Alice, he had never actually met her uncle. Always busy, according to her.

    Still, he felt a small warmth in his chest. Alice had been through so much crap throughout her life, it was good to see someone other than her uncle was also watching out for her.

    "A-Alright then." Sam finished, shaking himself loose. "So, what kind of training do you do here? It can't be just running around doing push ups right?"

    He dreaded the prospect, Alice's 'warm-up' was bad enough. The main event sounded like a living hell.

    This time, Alice began to smirk, as if she was just realising there was an opportunity to exploit. "Combat." She said, a little devilish spark in her eye, "Combat training.".

    The dread only amplified in Sam's very core, his eyes drifting back towards Rex. "Combat? You're not talking about… sparing right?"

    Cracking her paws together, Alice's grin only widened. "Yep."

    Sam flicked a digit between them, still not quite able to process the scene in front of him. "And that involves… you two sparring… right?"

    "Right." Alice replied pridefully.

    Well crap.

    He gave the floor a light stamp, so it turned out Alice's training was not only sparring, it was sparring the much larger, much more experienced Rex. What remained of the warmth in his chest was all gone, the prospect of sparring Rex sending a chill running through his spine.

    The Buneary rolled her eyes, pushing herself off the cushion. "Don't start freaking out on me. The old man doesn't have us walk away with any broken bones."

    Phew… Sam thought, once more trying to shake himself warm again. But then the words finally clicked, the Scorbunny cocking his head at the realisation. "Wait. Old man?"

    Sam fought the urge to smile as Alice blinked blankly at his response, the blush swiftly spreading across her cheeks. With a tiny gasp, she tore her gaze aside, trying her best to hide her face from the Scorbunny.

    Didn't think Alice could ever blush. Actually, she looks kinda cute…

    He immediately slammed the thought down, the cringe burning enough to make Sam flinch. NOPE. NOPE. DO NOT GO THERE.

    "Hmm…"

    Thankful for the distraction, Sam turned his gaze back towards the guildmaster. The Blaziken had turned away from the two younger Pokémon, his beak resting on his fingers and eyes closed in thought. Sam tried to ponder what gears were turning in his head now.

    But Rex didn't hold that pose for that much longer though, opening his eyes and looking across the group again. "How about Sam and myself spar first?"

    Sam felt the verbal punch hit him in the gut. Crap.

    Alice spun back round again, the blush vanishing in favour of a slack face, "Wait, guildmaster. I don't think that's a good idea…" she questioned, "At least let us spar first so Sam gets an idea of how it works. It's supposed to be our session after all."

    "Y-Yeah." Sam managed to stutter out, "I don't want to throw a wrench in your plans."

    Rex merely smiled, "It will be fine. Besides, sometimes it's better to simply get stuck in rather than sit back and worry too much over it."

    Sam's mouth opened just in time with Alice's, ready to protest, but the Blaziken merely strode past them, headed towards the balcony-side of the gym. "Go ahead Sam, take position on the other side of the battle court. Alice, can you please turn on the safeties?"

    The Scorbunny silently mouthed at the air as Rex slipped past, unable to even squeak a word out. He caught Alice shaking her head, muttering something under her breath before hopping off in the direction of one of the pillars. Knowing all too well that the Blaziken's mind was made up, Sam let out a heavy sigh, and made his way to his half of the so-called battle court.

    He positioned himself at the centre of the door-side half of the court, watching as Rex stood with his back turned to him, rolling his shoulders and legs as if to lightly warm himself up. The memory rushed back to the surface. He had seen Rex in action once. Against Greg – the first time the former human had come across him.

    Sam remembered closing his eyes, ready to accept his death by Hydro Pump. Only for Rex to jump in, cut the attack off, then proceed to easily beat Greg into unconsciousness within a matter of seconds. Hand to hand.

    And after seeing the state of the Trumbeak Kaliani, nevermind nearly blowing out Greg's mouth himself… Sam knew how much damage any Pokémon, Rex especially, could do.

    And that, secretly, terrified him.

    Rex turned towards him, rubbing his hands together. A low hum rose up around the two for a moment, the air even shimmering before the balcony, before that hum faded away. Alice hopped back round the edge of one of the pillars, brushing her hands off. Whatever she had done, the effects were already seeming to fade away.

    "Alright Sam." Rex started, dragging one foot back as he settled into a combat stance. "I want you to try and knock me down. As hard as you can with your moves."

    Sam blinked, hesitating before sweeping his foot back. "Err… are you sure Rex?"

    Rex chuckled in response, "Don't worry Sam. I can take it."

    "You might want these Sam." Alice added, lifting out a bag and tossing the contents across the battle court, pebbles, to be precise.

    Well, at least using Ember will be easier.

    Sam stepped forward, placing his foot over the top of one of the pebbles. He locked his eyes onto Rex, willing the fire in his chest to ignite. Okay, I only need to knock him over. I've probably got a speed edge… so… here goes.

    He sprung to one side, rolling to another pebble and booted it towards the Blaziken. The pebble ignited instantly, the fireball easily flying across the room towards its target.

    Rex stepped aside, the Ember sailing past and towards the balcony. But to Sam's surprise, the fireball bounced harmlessly of thin air and flopping back to the ground. The Scorbunny could only freeze as a faint blue crackle ran through the air before vanishing out of existence.

    "We don't want to accidently burn down the tree now don't we?" Rex asked rhetorically, resettling onto the same spot he was originally standing on. He narrowed his eyes, "Come on. Try and knock me over. One Ember isn't going to cut it."

    The fire intensified in his chest, the fear of damaging the gym dissipating as the Scorbunny gritted his teeth. "Alright then, you asked for it."

    He booted another Ember away at the Blaziken, bouncing away immediately to another position to fire off another. Then another. Sam focused on spamming out Ember after Ember, hoping his opponent out on sheer speed.

    It didn't even faze Rex, the avian stepping, rolling and ducking each of the incoming fireballs. Sam panted, firing off even more Embers, even feinting his kicks from time to time, but nothing was working.

    Finally, one Ember shot towards Rex, a grin forming across the Scorbunny's face. He's not got no chance to dodge that!

    One clawed hand snapped out, the fireball striking the palm with a brief flash of yellow light. And yet, Rex didn't even flinch, the flame burning in his grasp, flickering as it struggled to push on further.

    Sam's grin vanished as the Blaziken pulled his hand back in, still holding the Ember in his hand, icy eyes narrowing as he inspected it.

    Then snapping his fingers shut, the Ember sizzled out of existence with a puff of smoke, and when his hand opened up again, a blackened pebble fell to the floor.

    "Good effort." Rex admitted, starting to stride towards the Scorbunny with his eyes narrowing further. "But I think you're holding back."

    Sam slid one foot back, linking his lips. Okay... Spam didn't work. Gonna need to work a different tactic and-

    Rex shot upwards into the air, fire erupting from his feet as he dove down towards him. "So show me your worst!"

    Eyes widening, instinct took over, the Quick Attack flinging the Scorbunny forward. As he reappeared, his head snapped round just in time to see Rex's flaming foot slam into the ground with a catastrophic boom, the floor quivering beneath his feet.

    "Rex!" Alice barked from the edge of the court, taking a step back from the impact. "This is overkill!"

    "Yeah!" Sam snapped, "I thought this was supposed to be a spar!"

    "Nonsense!" Rex exclaimed, spinning back towards the Scorbunny. "This is a spar! As we did in the old days! And I'm STILL WAITING!"

    He charged towards him again, his fists brightening as he got within range. Adrealine rushing through his body, Sam sprung upwards, trying to throw himself clear of the Blaziken.

    A bright white fist slammed into his gut hard, the air rushing out his lungs as he was flung skyward. The room spun around him, only for something else to strike against his back, flooding said lungs back with air as he flew downwards.

    The yelp echoed throughout the room, the pain surging through every part of Sam's body as he faceplanted with a crack. The pain vanished, his mind going dark… and then the agony came rushing back, stirring the Scorbunny with a gasp.

    "-le! Stop it! This is fucking insane!"

    "I need to see what he is capable of."

    Sam groaned, fighting the pain rolling through his body. His vision was blurry as still on his knees, he glanced over his shoulder to find the Blaziken slowly approaching him, the balcony somehow at his back again. Alice was off to one side, already taking a step forward towards the guildmaster.

    "NO!" Rex barked, with an unparalleled force in his tone that got caused the angry Buneary to recoil backwards. And for the first time since Sam had met her, fear dominated her eyes.

    Rex's eyes never left the Scorbunny, eyes so cold that it smothered the fire he had willed up just moments before. "And this is the effort of the amnesiac Pokémon who defeated a bandit." He spat, menacingly stepping closer toward him. "The Pokémon who has come out of nowhere, the one who should be amongst the best, holds back. Perhaps that is why he was beaten so badly."

    Growling, Sam's fist slammed into the floor as he pushed himself back up, his entire body still throbbing. "Shut up…" he seethed, turning to face the Blaziken head on. "I tried to fight."

    "And yet, you didn't even fight Volcanion." Rex hissed back.

    Wait… what?! That guy was just a fucking tank! What the hell was I supposed to do to him!?

    "Not only that, you were barely able to save anyone else yourself. You just wondered into the town, figured you could be a Rescuer, and not only struggle to rescue others without any kind of help, you proceed to beat anyone who would otherwise get in your way!"

    Every part of Sam's body began to pound, the blood starting to rush through him. "I said shut up!" he bellowed, the fire reigniting with a new found intensity that rose into his head.

    "Is that the best you can offer!?" Rex demanded, fire erupting from his wrists as he cracked his fists together. "You always fall short, act irresponsibly and threaten the lives of your comrades, all to inflate your own ego even if it kills someone!"

    Unable to control it, the fire flashed through him entirely, Sam's entire body shuddered, his teeth bared as he stomped the ground.

    "SHUT. UP!"

    His gruttal roar blew through the room like a cannon shell, the Blaziken's eyes widening as the Scorbunny's own flashed a dark red.

    Eyes fixed on his target, Sam started to kick a pebble up into the air, but instead of sending it flying as an Ember, he instead started to juggle it between his feet, every kick sending another spark off the fireball… a fireball that was getting bigger.

    Across the way, Alice had taken a couple of steps back, her entire body tense with her gaze fixed on her partner. Rex's response would have been even more shocking, his eyes widening with both realisation and clear worry. The wrist flames died down, raising his hands as the Blaziken… started to step back. "Sam…" Rex quietly said, all the seething anger he once had obliterated. "Calm down, stop what you are doing, right now."

    Sam shoved the words aside, his mind focused on decimating the target in front of him. The fireball grew ever more massive, faint rings forming in front of the Scorbunny as he began to hop, still bouncing the fireball.

    "Sam! You'll hurt yourself! Stop!"

    But it was too late, as with one more kick up, Sam leapt after the fireball. With a final, bestial roar, Sam kicked the fireball with a devastating blow. The air igniting into rings as the flaming projectile sailed through the air towards Rex. Eyes widening, Rex dove to the floor with a bang, the Ball screaming past where he once stood towards the open balcony.

    The Ball struck the safety field as Sam touched down, the air crackling around it as the fire attack tried to power through it, growing bright and starting to hum louder and louder. The rage vanished from Sam as he watched, his vision started to go dark and legs went wobbly beneath him.

    Alice hopped onto the court, her back turned towards the Scorbunny as she looked at the burning projectile. "What the fuck-"

    She couldn't finish her sentence, a cold sweat settling onto Sam as he stumbled back, the image before him blurring as Rex grabbed Alice and sprinted towards him, reaching for him.

    As he toppled backwards, the last thing he saw was the bright flash of white light as the Ball exploded.


    "…on Sam. Come on back to us."

    A low throb ran through his body as he stirred from the depths of unconsciousness. Dragging him back into the waking world. His ears started to softly ring, and slowly, Sam opened his eyes. The blurry red and brown shapes hanging above him not quite drifting into focus.

    "That's it my boy." Rex said, a scaled hand gently tapping the side of the rabbit's face, "Come on back."

    Blinking, the shapes started to reform into the familiar forms of a Buneary and a Blaziken.

    "W-What happened…" Sam croaked weakly.

    Alice let out a visible sigh, her entire body slumping enough that Sam honestly thought she was starting to melt. "Thank Arceus…" she whispered, "Not again."

    Rex did not look so relaxed, briefly closing his eyes before holding up a small vial of blue fluid. "Here. Drink this, it will help."

    Sam tried to lift his head up, only for what little strength he had on him to crumble away. As his head dipped back down, Alice reached forward, only for Rex to get his hand underneath his head. "I've got him. Here, open up."

    Letting his mouth drop open, he allowed the fluid to drain down his throat. Almost immediately, the dull throb began to fade away, the ringing ceased and his limbs began to stiffen. Coughing, Sam slowly lifted up one trembling arm, watched as it steadied as he held it up.

    Feeling his strength slowly returning, Sam managed to start lifting himself up, Alice's hand grasping his back. "Easy." she whispered, helping him upright. "You scared the fucking shit out me. You okay?"

    Groaning as his body protested, he slumped forward for just a second, the momentum carrying him forward before he managed to lean back. A singular pulse of pain went through his skull, the Scorbunny rubbing his forehead. "I-I'm feeling better now… what the heck was that stuff?"

    Rex held up the now empty vial in between his claws. "A max strength Potion." He explained, "Made from Sitrus berries and King's Leaf. Not exactly common."

    Alice narrowed her eyes, "Works a treat alright. Especially after that stunt."

    "S-Stunt?" Sam questioned, shaking his head as he struggled to drag up any memory, "I don't know what you're talking-"

    His heart missed a beat, the Scorbunny leaning forward to try and peer past Alice and Rex. The gym ahead of him was intact, as if no fight had occurred.

    Well, apart from the massive black scorch mark that dominated the floor, stretching out towards them, whilst on the other side, it abruptly ended at what had been whatever that safety system was with a clear cut going through the mark. But even then, the wooden floor looked that little bit darker around the scorch mark on that cut off side of it.

    "What the hell happened?" Sam managed to gasp.

    Alice pressed her lips together, "You did."

    Flinching, Sam turned to face the Buneary to question her, but then the memory rushed to the surface. Kicking that ball between his feet, almost on autopilot, before sending the raging attack flying. The explosion… that flash of light.

    His gaze drifted back towards the blackened floor. "I… I did that?" he whispered, a slow shiver running through his bones.

    Alice's own eyes drifted towards the mark, "Yeah. If it wasn't for Rex getting us out of the way, we'd be toast." She frowned, rubbing one of her shaking ears. "Still… never seen an Ember get that nasty."

    "That's because it wasn't an Ember." Rex said quietly, himself inspecting the damage. "That, was Pyro Ball."

    One of Sam's ears dipped aside, blankly staring up at the Blaziken. "Pyro Ball?"

    "A powerful fire type attack, exclusive to the Pokémon Cinderace." Rex narrowed his eyes, "Until now."

    The Buneary froze hard enough that Sam thought she had quite literally frozen on the spot. "Shit, that was Pyro Ball?"

    "Indeed, I've only seen it a couple of times, but it's always left a mark." Rex's eyes flitted back to the scorch mark. "As you can see."

    "Hold up." Sam cut in, raising a hand up to stop him, "You said only Cinderace know it. That's like, the final evolution Pokémon like me should have right?"

    "Indeed."

    "So… how the hell did I pull that off?"

    On cue, Alice had swivelled on the guildmaster, "I know why." She hissed, stabbing a finger at the guildmaster, "What the fuck were you thinking!? Beating the fucking crap out of him and saying all that shit to his face! What was it even for!?"

    The memory of Rex's aggressive attacks and his verbal tirade finally rushed back up to the surface. Sam spun himself round, nearly going dizzy as he glared up at the avian. After every good moment, every moment of trust, the guildmaster had just spun round on him and came down on his head, shattering that in not even a second. "Damn it Rex!" Sam cursed, eyes narrowing and a fist shaking, "I trusted you! And you just-"

    One hand rested on each rabbit's shoulder, the Blaziken bowing his head down as he brought himself lower to their level. "I very firmly believe, that you two are excellent Rescuers." He stated, his voice soft and gentle. "You have saved so many lives in such a short period of time and defied the odds again and again. Whilst I do think you are a little bit reckless Sam, and you both have difficulty with emotions. I do believe your hearts are in the right place, and you have potential to be amongst the very best. And sometimes to get there, you have to occasionally get very challenging training assignments to get there. Both physically and mentally."

    The anger was slowly starting to fade away from the Scorbunny as the words slowly settled. In the corner of his eye, he could see Alice slowly slump. The sudden change of attitude, the gentle pressure from his hands… the realisation was becoming as bright as day.

    "So." Sam started with a click of his tongue, "You didn't mean…"

    The corner of Rex's mouth began to twitch upwards. "I believe the word the youngsters use is… trolling."

    A potent mixture of emotions boiled inside the Scorbunny at the words. Relief. Anger. Confusion. But unable and unwilling to dwell on it, Sam merely let out a heavy sigh. Rex had his ways at dealing with things. If he was going to throw a curveball at them, he could understand why.

    "Geez Rex." Sam breathed out with a hint of frustration, "You really know how to get a rise out of people."

    "You can say that again." Alice growled, thumping a fist against the Blaziken's arm with only a little bit of force. "After that, you're lucky Sam didn't blow your head off."

    Rex bowed his head down at them, eyes slipping closed. "I know. Sam, Alice. I apologise for pushing you that far. I wanted to see how Sam would fare in a difficult situation, but underestimated how you would react. I'll never push you like that again."

    One clawed hand rested against the avian Pokémon's chest. "I'm sorry."

    Alice let out a heavy sigh of her own, briefly shaking her head. "I… I understand what you mean."

    "Aye." Sam replied, nodding slowly back. "I mean, I hate the way you've done it. But I know you didn't mean to be… well…"

    "An asshole?" Rex mused.

    Sam pulled a thin smirk, "Language."

    The Blaziken stifled a chuckle, "I suppose I've earned that one."

    "Yes." Alice stated, "You have."

    Sam's eyes drifted towards the scorch mark again, the realisation of what he had exactly done starting to spread through his mind. "Wait a second… maybe I could do that again." He stated, "I mean, just look at that!" he waved a hand over toward the blasted ground. "With Pyro Ball, I could kick some serious ass!"

    Rex's eyes immediately went cold again, piercing through Sam like a sword. "No."

    Sam recoiled a touch, nearly falling onto his back again. The Guildmaster rested a hand on his shoulder. "Sam, Pyro Ball has been exclusive to Cinderace for a reason. It's not only a powerful move, but draws a lot of energy. Something that a Scorbunny can't handle."

    Alice seemed to realise what Rex was saying, crossing her arms at the sight, "Like a pre-evolution using Fire Blast. They'd be lucky to use it at all."

    "Exactly." Rex explained, squeezing Sam's shoulder. "You were lucky to even use Pyro Ball when bruised up, and the result was you passing out. If you were in a true life-or-death battle and used Pyro Ball… the stress of the attack could kill you. It will kill you Sam."

    K-Kill me? Sam thought, a cold wave churning in his gut.

    Rex leaned closer in, narrowing his eyes, "There will be day you can use it safely Sam. But for now, you must – no – I'm ordering you as the Guildmaster to not use Pyro Ball. Do you understand?"

    His voice was firm, but not massively to spook him. He didn't want to hear it, but he knew Rex had a point. Sam had felt his strength sap away within moments after he used Pyro Ball. He had got lucky this time. He wouldn't be the next."

    Slowly, Sam nodded back at the Blaziken. "Yes sir."

    "Good." Rex stated.

    Behind the Scorbunny, the doors creaked open, the Guildmaster's head lifting up. "Esper?" he asked, surprised. "What brings you up at this hour?"

    Standing at the entrance to the gym was the white and blue form of a Meowstic. Esper.

    The deputy guildmaster and Team Spirit leader glanced around the gym, her eyes hovering over the scorch mark on the far side of the room. "I felt the battle whilst studying some files." She replied, raising a brow as she closed the doors behind her. "I was going to pass the files onto you, but it seems like you're quite busy."

    "Just another training session." Rex said, rising to his feet. "Though it didn't go quite as planned."

    "I can see that." The feline replied, not missing a beat as she approached. Alice rose to her feet and reached down to help Sam up. Legs wobbling, the Scorbunny stumbled upright, struggling to maintain his balance. He couldn't help but wonder how Esper was able to feel the fight. Through her own psychic powers? Or from the sheer power of the exploding Pyro Ball that he was able to release?

    The Meowstic's gaze slipped between the two rabbits and the Blaziken, the latter slowly rising to his feet. "Don't worry Esper, they know about the recent events."

    With a confirming nod, Esper walked over to the taller Guildmaster, reaching into a satchel at her side and passing over a brown folder to him as she walked past, one eye still flicking over to the scorch mark. "I've been looking through the reports on pirate attacks heading between Robinswood's port and the eastern continents. And I've noticed a pattern compared to those leading westward."

    "Like the Daywalker being caught out?" Alice noted with a tilt of her head.

    "Very much so." Esper replied as Rex opened up the folder and flicked through the documents inside. "The level of pirate activity is pretty much the same on both sides of the main continent, but the attackers themselves seem different on both sides."

    Sam blinked, trying to picture the top-down view of the Sea of Wonders that he'd have seen on maps all the time. "What would you mean? Pirates are pirates right?"

    Esper looked over at him, "True. But they aren't one big group, they will have different crews and ships. The ones reported on the east side tend to have larger ships, yet smaller crews."

    "Sounds unorthodox." He replied with a frown. "Wouldn't they have a harder time even doing anything?"

    "It would be, except it was also reported that the crews were more organised, and had an easier time fighting the defenders. Those on the west side often came on smaller, more crowded ships that tended to throw themselves at the merchants. That would imply-"

    "That the pirates in the eastern Sea of Wonders are much more experienced." Rex finished, "And therefore are likely making use of intelligence and recon to pick out their targets."

    Esper pulled a small smile, "Almost as if you were psychic yourself Guildmaster."

    Rex let out a quiet chuckle, "I've said it a million times Esper, but for your age you continue to astound me."

    Hold up. Your age?

    He could already see Alice's ear twitch, knowing she also caught the hint.

    "Her age?" Alice questioned, hands on her hips "What's that supposed to mean?"

    The two guild leaders shared a glance, the Scorbunny tilting his head. "Yeah… we don't mean to pry but… how old are you?"

    Rolling her eyes with a hint of annoyance, before almost seeming to visibly relax. There was something strange with how the feline Pokémon suddenly carried herself, with a hand placed on her hip and head tilted to one side. All of a sudden, Esper looked younger in every way. "Well, I'm eighteen, since you asked so nicely."

    Sam felt an invisible fist hit him in the gut, feeling the blood rush to his face. All this time, he had assumed that Esper had been in her late twenties at very least, probably more so. Someone he could at least get advice from. And now she revealed this?

    The Scorbunny realised he was chewing on his lip, "Well… crap…"

    The teenager formed a little cheeky smirk, "Let me guess. You're twenty-five right?"

    "You didn't have to read my mind on that." Sam groaned, feeling a headache slowly coming on. He had been getting advice from someone seven years his younger, and it felt like he was getting kicked in the n-

    Sam could already see Alice's own teeth flashing, "You know Sam. You've never asked me how old I am."

    "Err…" Sam winced, his body already shying away from the Buneary. "You're my age, right? Twenty-five? Twenty-four?"

    "No." Alice replied, somehow managing to mix annoyance and amusement into her tone. "I'm not."

    "Then… err… how old are you then?"

    "Twenty-two. That a problem?"

    Sam recoiled, "Hell no! That's fine!"

    Alice smirked, "That's what I thought."

    "Moving on." Esper said, turning back towards the Guildmaster. "If we are dealing with more experienced units with smaller crews, they likely have a base of operations in the eastern region. And if they are able to obtain intel, they likely knew what was on the Daywalker, if not, knew her size and typical cargo."

    Sam clenched his fist into a ball, the thought of a targeted raid twisting his gut into a tight knot. "So it's even more likely they were getting Greg and the others out."

    "I wouldn't believe that." Esper replied, "Greg wasn't exactly the most influential bandit. It's likely that cargo would be the prime target."

    "Certainly didn't feel that way…" Sam grumbled.

    "Did you recover the manifest?" Rex questioned, tearing his gaze from the file.

    "I did, but there is nothing outstanding there." Esper confirmed, "Most of the cargo is on route for either Grass or Air, but it's things like food, some medicines and research samples, but nothing that would ring alarm bells."

    The Guildmaster's frown deepened, his eyes narrowing. "That's odd. Why target a ship that is otherwise mundane?"

    Esper merely shrugged, her own eyes narrowed. "I'm afraid we won't know without an actual pirate to interrogate. Or one of their informants."

    "We could have someone else providing info in town?" Alice growled, ear twitching.

    The thought of another informant in the town, like those potentially helping out Aidan only tightened the knot further in Sam's gut. But Esper shook her head, "We'll need to dig deeper. There could be a wider network that Aidan's smuggling ring was part of."

    "Then do what you can to dig it out Esper." Rex stated, handing over the file back to her. "If there is a more extended crime ring around Robinswood, we need to find it. Especially with the representatives coming in soon."

    "I'll get started immedia-"

    "There you are!"

    The gathered Pokémon spun round to find the familiar form of a Rapidash galloping in, her pink and purple mane fluttering behind her. Esper swiftly placed her hands behind her back, looking older just as quickly as she managed to make herself look younger moments before. Rex straightened up, "Rebecca, I didn't expect you to be up this early. Has Miss Kaliani woken up?"

    The Rapidash shook her head, puffing out a visible blow of hot air from her nostrils. "No, but one of my other patients has gone missing! That Electrike!"

    That caught the Scorbunny off guard, flinching back. "Zeke?" he questioned, the memory of the crazed electric-type attacking him in Broken Wood fighting to resurface. "He's awake!?"

    "That guy?" Alice added, squinting, "I thought he was going to be unconscious for a while yet?"

    Rebecca narrowed her eyes, "I came in to find one of my assistants crying in a corner. Said Zeke woke up with a start, snapped at her and ran off."

    Narrowing his eyes further, Rex stepped forward past the younger Rescuers and up to the doctor, the doors off to one side, which had now been jammed open. "We'll start the search immediately." He declared, "He can't have got far. Get your supplies ready. Sam and Alice." He turned towards the rabbits, "I want you to wake up Team Seekers and Team Active. I'll rouse some of the other teams, to help search the town and surrounding woods-"

    "I don't think there is any need Guildmaster."

    Everyone turned towards the Meowstic, her hands still clasped behind her back. "You can sense him Esper?" Rex asked.

    "No." Esper replied, nodding towards the door. "He's right there."

    Blinking, Sam joined the others in turning towards the door. There, slowly stumbling through the corridor was a familiar looking Electrike. He blankly stared around him with clear, normal eyes. A long ribbon was wrapped round his chest, trailing behind him. Coming into view at the edge of the door frame, the ribbon wrapped round a plant pot, a small tree brushed against the floor as Zeke crept along.

    The assembled Pokémon stared at the confused looking electric type as continued wandering through the corridor, many of them with widened eyes.

    Finally losing it with the silence, Sam quietly coughed. "Well… that was easy."
     
    • Chapter II.V - The Truth Comes Out
    • StolenMadWolf

    StolenMadWolf

    Loony Moony
    Pronouns
    She/They
    Partners
    1. scorbunny
    2. buneary
    Righto, well, it's time for the biggest Chapter since Chapter 25. This took alot longer than planned, and went so long by word count that I couldn't reasonably squeeze in a reveal at the end. But I think the long length will pay off. I hope you enjoy this chapter, because oh boy, it leaves a few questions and a big wham shot.

    POKÉMON MYSTERY DUNGEON
    GUARDIANS OF BALANCE

    EPISODE II - DARK, WONDEROUS PAST
    CHAPTER V - THE TRUTH COMES OUT    ​

    The green canine quietly lifted up the bowl in his mouth, faintly slurping the red liquid inside. He didn't put it down at first, drinking the contents in one draw before placing it down with a clatter.

    Zeke sighed, licking his lips with a tired expression. "That… that was good."

    They were gathered around the lower level of Rex's office, sat on the sofas or standing around the table in between them. Sam stood with his back to the entrance alongside Alice, whereas Esper stood on the far side of the table. Zeke himself was sat down on one of the sofas, with a scowling Rebecca slipping between the couch and table to inspect her patient. On the other seat was Rex himself, eyes fixed onto the Electrike.

    Esper had managed to get Zeke focused enough to become lucid again, after which they swiftly abandoned the gym and moved to Rex's office. Sam couldn't help but quiver as they brought him up, feeling his fists clench. Not from anger, but more out of concern. The last time Sam had saw Zeke, the electric-type had been trying to kill him. Hell, he nearly killed Aidan with one well-placed electric attack. Now here he was, quietly sipping away at this medicine that Rebecca had managed to cook up.

    He was half expecting the Pokémon's eyes to go bloodshot and lunge for the equine's throat.

    Instead, the once Feral explorer had his head bowed, eyes partly closed and refusing to look anyone's way directly. "M-My team…"

    Rex leaned forward, hands grasped together. "I'm sorry Zeke." He replied slowly with a very soft tone. "We only ever found you, and with Broken Wood in the state it is… Oliver and Tracy's chances of survival aren't great, even if we could access the remains of the dungeon."

    Zeke shivered, still not quite looking at anyone. "I… I see…"

    Rex glanced over at Rebecca, the scowl fading away in favour of a more concerned look. "Just don't push him." She said, her tone gentler than Sam had ever heard before. Not that his experience with her typically grouchy self helped matters.

    Nodding back at her, Rex turned his attention back towards the Electrike. "Zeke. I know you still have a lot to process, but I have to ask, is there anything you remember about what happened to you and Team Nitro? Anything could help the Guild now."

    Still staring at the floor, Zeke slowly shook his head, watery eyes narrowing. "I… I don't know." He started, "I remember us going onto the dungeon but… I can't remember why."

    The canine let out a soft groan, rubbing his forehead. "I keep getting these flashes, but they make no sense. It's all so broken up, I can't make heads or toes of it."

    "That sounds like amnesia." Esper noted.

    Sam shuffled on the spot, eyes flicking between Zeke and the Meowstic. "Amnesia." He uttered, "Like I've got."

    "Similar, you haven't had any flashes yourself?"

    He shook his head, a pang of sadness singing in his chest. "No."

    A flicker of a frown formed on Esper's face as she gazed at him, a chill forming at the base of his skull. What did that frown mean? He was about to ask, but the psychic type turned back to the Guildmaster. "His memory could return, but I doubt pushing further right now will make much of a difference."

    Rex gently nodded back, "Fair enough."

    "I do remember… one thing." Zeke continued, "It feels fresher. I was in a fight with someone… they were using fire type moves, hit me a couple of times. I tried to bite them. I-"

    Feeling the memory surging back up, Sam sheepishly raised his hand up. "Aaactually, that might have been me."

    It was only then did Zeke finally seemed to lift up his head, looking at him from the corner of his eye. Sam lowered the hand to rub the back of his head. "You were trying to kill me." He softly admitted, "Sorry, I had to fight back."

    Zeke held the gaze for a moment, not really reacting to Sam's reply. The Scorbunny shuffled on the spot, feeling lightheaded. Nervous at how the Electrike was going to respond. He started to open his mouth to say something again, only for Zeke to lower his head, eyes slipping closed. "Thank you for managing to rescue me."

    Sam froze, mouth hanging open. W-Hey! He's alright about it?

    Alice's elbow hit him gently in the back, stirring Sam back into action. "Er-yeah. Glad to be of help."

    Zeke managed to lift his head up again, looking towards Rex. "Guildmaster." He started, "I'd like to request to go to Broken Wood to search for my team."

    The gathered Pokémon shared glances amongst themselves. Alice herself started to open her own mouth, only to slam it shut. As if deciding against what she was going to say.

    Rex merely shook his head, "I'm sorry Zeke. But much of Broken Wood is gone. The Dungeons were almost entirely destroyed in an earthquake."

    Sam shivered at the words. He was there when it happened. At the top of that final dungeon, ready to fight through a trial to get into the Guild, only for the ground to shatter beneath his feet. He still didn't know how he survived the fall into the depths now.

    Straightening up, Zeke focused his gaze firmly onto the Guildmaster. "But sir, if there is any sign-"

    "Even if you can get in there Zeke, what's left of Broken Wood is off limits." Rex explained, "A Mythical Pokémon is defending the caverns there, and nearly killed our recruits."

    Volcanion. The Pokémon built like a literal steam engine. He just burst out of the ground and started chasing after them, barking some kind of nonsense about how they were committing a transgression or something like that. The sheer power that Pokémon had at its disposal. He could see Alice place a hand on her chest, and Sam shivered again at the sight of the Buneary recalling the memory herself.

    They had barely got out of there alive.

    "But…"

    "Zeke." Alice cut in. Sam turned to look over at his partner, the brown-furred rabbit narrowing her eyes. "You wouldn't want to be down there. Trust me."

    The green canine was now looking towards her, as if ready to try and argue against her, but Sam knew Alice's cool look, and that itself was enough to stop the Electrike from pressing the matter further.

    "Believe me Zeke, I'd be joining you in searching Broken Wood." Rex said, leaning further over to put himself on the same level as the Electrike. "But until we can be certain that it's safe to enter the region again, I need you to stay within Robinswood. Alright?"

    Zeke bowed his head again, gritting his teeth. "…understood."

    Sam's heart sank into his gut. I know how bad an idea it is to go back into that hellhole. But still, I don't know if I could sit here if my friends were still stuck in there.

    Rex began to open his beak again, only for a squark to ring out behind Sam. "How did any monkey doors op-aha!"

    The Scorbunny spun on his heel to find the doors to the office creaking open, a familiar blue-grey bird was trying to squeeze his way through the door. The Corvisquire's red eyes brightened, "Ah, so we have our little protagonists here too! How quaint!

    I swear, I like Perry, but he's so… Perry at the best of times that I never get what he means.

    "Perry." Esper mused in an almost bored tone, "How do you manage to hide your… substantial ego from me?"

    "Magic!" replied with a wink, wincing again as he finally managed to push himself through the gap, the bird crying out as he landed face first onto the floor. "Rex-man, why can't you get a window you can open?"

    "Not exactly easy to replace." Rex replied with a bemused smile, "I'm assuming the fact you're stumbling into my office means you have post?"

    Picking himself up, Perry brushed one of his wings down. "Not quite that, otherwise I'd lobbed a Bolo Grenade at the window. Anyway!"

    As Sam blinked in confusion at the mention of this so-called grenade, Perry crossed his wings, "I was just floating on back in from one of my… longer flights and found that a trio of new ships have arrived at the port. The continental representatives, I believe."

    The representatives? When-

    "W-What?" Esper uttered, her composure immediately shattering over Sam's shoulder. "I've read the reports myself, they weren't due for another week!"

    "Sorry to burst your bubble Espurr." Perry replied, "They either left early or got some damn good weather for coming on in."

    Alice turned back towards Rex and Esper, "This wasn't what you were expecting Guildmaster?"

    "No." Rex replied, rising to his feet with narrowed eyes, "It wasn't. Whatever the reason, we're already on the backfoot." He turned towards the Team Spirit leader, "Esper, I'll need your help in getting the Guild and the town ready for the representative's arrival. We might only have an hour, if that, to be ready."

    Steadying herself, Esper nodded, already beginning to jog around the sofas. "I'm on it."

    He turned towards Sam and Alice, "Sam, Alice, go with her. Though if you have any smart items on hand, it might be a good idea to put them on. Zeke, you should go back to the clinic with Rebecca, rest up as much as you can."

    Sam sharply nodded, "We'll get it done Rex." He declared, beginning to turn as Zeke slowly climbed down from his own seat.

    "I will" Zeke said, "And thank you Guildmaster, for talking through all this with me."

    "I'll find the time to talk with you more if you wish Zeke."

    "…I'd like that."

    Esper was approaching the door, Sam and Alice jogging to join her as Perry stepped aside.

    "Esper! Audacity! One more thing!"

    The trio glanced back over at the Blaziken as Rebecca carefully led Zeke through the doors. "Let's try and keep this as relaxed and as calm as possible, shall we?"

    Not wanting any more Pyro Ball explosions, Sam couldn't help but swallow the chuckle, "We'll do our best Guildmaster."

    Alice flashed a cheeky smirk, "I'll make sure he doesn't pull any heroics."

    Sam couldn't help flash half a glare at his teammate as they followed Esper out of the office.

    As they departed, out of earshot, Perry turned back towards the Guildmaster. "Boy, they do have a whiff of hero material about them, don't they?"

    "More than you realise Perry." Rex replied, raising a brow as best he could.

    Perry's little cocky smirk vanished from the crow's face, "Wait, what do you need me to do Rex-man?"

    Snorting to stop the chuckle, Rex merely shrugged, "You just do you Perry. Just don't start confusing the dignitaries."

    Pulling a mock salute, Perry turned to march out of the office… only to bump head first into the doors with an audible clunk. Shaking his head with a yelp, the Corvisquire looked up at the Blaziken. "Err…"

    Rolling his eyes and struggling to fight off the smirk, Rex simply took the door handle and swung it open, the winged avian wandering on through. "Grazie."

    Watching the bird go, Rex couldn't stop the quiet quip coming out of his mouth. "All in a day's work." He quietly snarked to himself before stepping through and closing the door behind him.


    The town of Robinswood went from a sleepy little settlement in the morning to a loud, packed one in half an hour. As Pokémon from across the town were roused, they scrambled to prepare for the imminent arrival of the continental representatives.

    It was clear to everyone just how important a visit from all five continents was for the entire Sea of Wonders, nevermind Robinswood itself, so all hands were effectively on deck. Larger Pokémon transported the necessary equipment across the town. Smaller ones scurried around them, delivering messages or light packages as quickly as they could. Bipedal Pokémon began to construct a fenced off path through the town, allowing a clear path towards the Guildtree so the representatives were not caught off guard by a settler rushing towards them.

    The Guild and the TalonKnight Post Office also made their presence acutely known. Donning their team colours, the Rescuers of the Robinswood Guild assisted in the necessary tasks, but also took up guard positions across the centre of the town, ready to leap to the defence of the town or the incoming visitors. In the air above their heads, Talonflames dove and flew to and from the tree at a disturbingly high speed, whilst lower down, the Corviknights assisted with the construction efforts, slowly bringing crates down into the square for the awaiting workers.

    As the work began to finish up, Esper pulled Sam and Alice to one side, telling the two that she had a specific place that she wanted Team Audacity to be based at for the arrivals.

    Which certainly didn't do Sam's nerves any favours when it turned out they'd be standing at the entrance to the Guildtree itself, alongside the Diamond Rank Team Spirit and the Rookie Team Seekers and Active.

    A low murmur had settled over the crowd as they quietly waited, Sam's mouth dry and he tapped his foot against the ground, both from said nerves and being impatience. He wanted these representatives to just come through, do whatever formalities were needed, and move on through. Standing on a stage to be awarded the Bronze Rank is one thing. Being at the centre of a political play was something else.

    Sam really didn't want to let the town down.

    "S-Sam?" Dan whispered, quivering on the spot. "C-Can you stop doing that?"

    The Scorbunny glanced over at the little electric type, then over at his tapping foot. Geez, I really need to cut that out. It's not doing him any favours.

    He willed his foot to stop, "Sorry there Dan. Didn't mean to spook you."

    Further along the line, Denver glanced over at Dan, the Skorupi clicking his claws, "Hey. These guys aren't that bad compared to what we've dealt with before. You'll be fine."

    "Yup yup!" exclaimed Oscar, the big Birabel from Team Spirit. "They are just everyday Mons like you and me, and you've got us helping out!"

    Dan took a shaky breath in, Nia gently resting a paw on his shoulder to ease him. Bruce meanwhile glanced around, his red eyes narrowing, "Hey, where's Jack? Isn't he supposed to be with you guys?"

    Jack, the final member of Team Spirit and the one who helped Sam out with finding accommodation. The Butterfree had been nothing but welcoming to the Scorbunny, and by extension, his entire family had been. Heck, short of Alice and Rex, he was probably the Pokémon he trusted the most in the town.

    Sam glanced into the crowd, trying to spot the familiar shape of the butterfly. "Yeah… I hope he's not too tied up in stuff."

    Oscar crossed his arms, pulling a loose shrug. "Probably making sure his folks are all fine in the crowd, he'll get here."

    Alice leaned over towards Sam, the Buneary taking the chance to wrap a blue scarf around her neck before leaving the tree. "Any ideas on how this is going to all go?" She whispered to him, eyes focused on the opening in the trees, where a trail was carved through.

    Sam tugged at his red jacket, the one he recovered from Broken Wood along with his goggles. "No idea. I'm not even sure what to expect."

    The Buneary let out a little gentle hiss, "Probably a shitshow."

    "Probably." Sam admitted, trying to focus on the event ahead.

    A minute passed before Rex emerged from the Guildtree, sporting a different armband on each arm. The black armband with the feathered symbol of the Robinswood Guild on one, and that strange red armband with a gold shooting star on the other. His eyes cool and focused on the path ahead. Esper leaned in, whispered something so quiet that Sam barely registered it.

    It was something Rex merely nodded in response.

    Another minute passed, and finally Jack came fluttering towards them. "Sorry I'm late." He panted, touching down next to Team Audacity. "Had to make sure the fam' was all sorted out."

    Sam turned towards the Butterfree with a warm smile, "No worries there Jack. Kyle doing alright?"

    Jack's eyes sparkled in response, "Oh! Brilliantly! He's been asking about you a lot too, you'll have to swing by at some point!"

    Alice flashed a grin, "Next up, you'll be end up being some kind of uncle."

    Sam coughed, struggling to contain the burst of laughter, a burst of pain of rubbing through his ribs. "Well, maybe not like that. But yeah, I'll find some time to say hi."

    "That'd be cool!" Jack exclaimed, starting to walk towards the rest of his team, "Just let me know, alright?"

    "Will do!"

    Literally as soon as Jack took his place, a faint whirling noise penetrated the trees, and the murmur died down entirely. A Guild Team near the trail entrance looked down the path, before backing up as a trio of strange carts rolled into the square. But they weren't being pulled along by Pokémon. Instead, they ran under their own power, propelling themselves of their own accord.

    Sam frowned at the weird sight, feeling a faint itch at the back of his mind. They seemed… familiar somehow and yet, he didn't recognise them either.

    With a faint zap, the trio of vehicles came to a halt, a set of front hatches opening up to reveal a Pachirisu climbing out of each one and hurrying around the wheels of their respective vehicles, securing them in place.

    One of the electric squirrels hurried towards a side door of the front vehicle, grasping the handle and letting it swing open.

    Emerging from the inside of the vehicle was a reddish orange, insectoid like Pokémon, his arms ending in long thin blades and his face adorned in a black moustache of sorts. He donned a golden bowtie around his neck, and around one arm was a just as ornate pocket watch. But even those were blotted out by the green sash wrapped round his chest. The Kricketune, one who seemed quite overweight underneath the sash, stepped down from the carriage, not even acknowledging the Pachirisu that opened the door for him. Instead, he inspected his watch and giving a faint tut before turning his attention towards the Guildtree itself.

    Rex stepped forward, Esper moving to join him. "Representative Brooks." The Guildmaster said with a bow of his head, "Welcome to Robinswood."

    Brooks merely tilted his head back, "Guildmaster Rex." He replied in what Sam had to guess was some kind of upper-class voice. "I appreciate this welcoming committee." The overweight Kricketune scanned the surrounding town with an almost lazy gaze. "It seems at first glance that the investments from the Grass Continent have bolstered this fair little hamlet."

    The Blaziken placed his hands behind his back, "They have, and the people made good use of it."

    "Hmmhmm…" Brooks noted, patting his belly with a blade. "It shall be interesting to see the full ledger."

    Dan shuffled on the spot, "I thought he ran a lot of farms back home." He whispered, "I didn't think he'd come out here…"

    Edward flicked his gaze between Brooks and Dan, "I don't know about Grass' politics, but if someone's got enough money on hand, they'd probably invest in this place."

    Sam tilted his head as he expected the Bug-type, unsure what to think about the guy. He didn't seem that bad, but at the same time, he couldn't help he was inspecting everything. And not for the sake of regular folks.

    Further back as the crowd started to talk amongst themselves again, another carriage opened up, allowing a black and white equine to step on out into the open, her fur covered in white lightning bolts whilst a similar coloured spiky mane ran from head to tail. The Zebstrika also wore a sash of her own, only this time it was coloured grey. But beyond that, she didn't have much else on her.

    "I recognise her." Edward said, eyes widening a touch.

    Nia glanced up at the goat, "I remember now!" she said, clearly struggling to keep her voice down, "You're from Mist huh?"

    "I am." Edward admitted, "That's Triss. She's an ambassador from Noe City."

    Sam glanced over at him, "Anything else about her we should know?"

    "Not much. She's a little more open about the other continents than most back home but…"

    "Guildmaster." Triss simply said as she approached, not even bowing her head in greeting.

    In the corner of his eye, he could see Edward visibly wince.

    Huh, talk about being cold.

    Brooks quivered on the spot, a tut escaping the insect. "Dear lord Mrs Triss! At the very least offer more courtesies to the Guildmaster here!"

    Triss merely glared at him, blue eyes stabbing at the bug-type. "We aren't here on a social call, your obsession with money should be evidence alone of that."

    "How dare you!" Brooks countered, his moustache quivering almost comically whilst his face got even redder, "I'm a respectable businessmon!"

    His heart beating faster, Sam leaned towards Alice, "Looks like it's all about to pop."

    The striped horse snorted, "Says the man who wants to change the culture of Mist. Pathe-"

    "Triss, perhaps we shouldn't antagonise each other for now. We do have a lot of work to do."

    The two representatives fell silent, glancing back and stepping aside to reveal a third Pokémon approaching them from the same carriage Triss had emerged from. She was smaller than her peers, however, this was offset by the massive grey set of jaws that came out of the back of her head. A Mawile. She wore a blue sash, but also wore a white armband with a gold circle and ring as it's symbol.

    Okay. Sam admitted with a mental sigh, She at least seems to have her head on the right way round at least.

    Triss' features softened as she settled her gaze on the steel-type, "Very well then." She said, turning away from the Grass Continent representative.

    Brooks merely turned away from his Mist counterpart, frustrated at.

    However, instead of Rex greeting her, Esper moved towards the Mawile, her smile glowing even from where Sam stood. "Mary." Esper said warmly, "It's been too long."

    The Mawile – Mary – returned the smile as she walked towards the Meowstic, "Indeed it has Esper."

    Sam blinked, looking over at Alice to find her staring at the two Pokémon, an ear visibly dipping to one side, "Esper knows her?" he asked.

    It took a moment for Alice to reply, her ear straightening back up, "Seems like it."

    The two Pokémon politely shook hands, "You've been keeping well?" Mary asked.

    "Busy, but well enough." Esper replied, visibly slumping a touch, "I don't envy you anymore with all that work behind the scenes."

    Mary quietly let out a brief giggle, "Don't feel too let down." She reassured her, "Just have a look around, you've done a lot of good here."

    Esper gave a youthful wink, "I'd like to think I made an impact."

    Huh, so Esper doesn't just know Mary here, but she worked with her? Sam thought, wondering how long they had been known each other.

    Rex smiled as he stepped up to join them, "Should I leave you two be?" he said in a teasing tone.

    Mary's smile didn't waver as she looked up at the Blaziken, "Don't worry Rex, we'll find time to catch up on our shared Expedition Society days a bit later." She stated as the Blaziken crouched down to shake her hand. "Arthur said you're always welcome to visit us at Lively City if you find the time."

    "Well, if I get a holiday slot, I'll let him know." He replied.

    Bruce leaned back towards Nia, "You're from Lively City right?"

    "Yeah!" Nia replied with a little hop and struggling to quiet herself down, "Those guys and gals at the Expedition Society are awesome. And great fun too!"

    Sam barely managed to stifle his laugh, not entirely surprised with the little bat's response. "What makes you say that?"

    "Maybe they make a racket at the Society too." Alice quipped with a smirk.

    Nia seemed to shrink, blushing in response. "That might be part of it."

    "Speaking of which." Esper noted, "How is everyone back home? Especially-"

    "Your old friends?" Mary interjected, "Quite well actually. You-know-who is still driving people crazy."

    "Of course she is." The Meowstic said with a smirk, rolling her eyes.

    Rex rose back to his feet, "Moving back to matters of business, where are the representatives from Air and Sand?"

    "My counterpart from Sand is in the back car." Triss explained with narrowed eyes, "As for the representative from Air, he said he was arriving another way."

    "To quote my fellow representative." Brooks said in that posh tone, "'I'm taking the high road'."

    The Guildmaster stiffened, his eyes drifting up towards the sky, "Naturally."

    A shadow flashed across the ground, blanketing everyone for at least half a second. Sam's heart missed a beat, someone gasping to one side as he snapped his eyes up at the sky.

    A dark, draconic shape dove towards them, more gasps and cries echoing around him. Gritting his teeth, Sam swiped a pebble from his jacket pocket. He might not have been able to use Pyro Ball, but he could still fire off a good Ember-

    Air slammed into his face as the dragon pulled up at the last second, a beat of it's orange-blue wings throwing up a cloud of dust before dropping down with a thud. The dragon brought himself up to his full height, looking slightly slimmer than most members of his species but no less well built underneath his white sash and navy-blue armband.

    The Charizard's blue eyes fixed onto the Guildmaster, a puff of smoke erupting from his nostrils as he stared the Blaziken down.

    Rex held his ground, fists clenched as he brought his hands to his side.

    Blinking his eyes clear, Sam dropped the pebble to the ground, ready to fire off his attack. To his side, Alice was starting to crouch down into her fighting stance, ears coiled in. The other recruits looked less certain, sharing glances between each other. Come on guys! Sam cursed to himself, These guy could be looking for trouble!

    The two fire-types held their ground, cold blue eyes locked on each other, sizing their opposing Pokémon up. Sam stiffened, foot on the pebble. Willing that fire up. Come on… don't try it.

    The Charizard's eyes narrowed further.

    Then the smile crept into existence.

    His head immediately snapped back, his hearty laugh striking the Scorbunny hard enough that Sam nearly stumbled back. The aggression and tension now shattered as the Charizard stomped towards the Blaziken laughing, arms open. "Rex!" he declared in a rough, but warm tone, "My old friend!"

    Rex broke down laughing himself as he stepped forward, "Calvin!".

    The fire in Sam's chest immediately spluttered out as the avian and dragon embraced each other in a big bear hug. A quick glance at his companions showing widening eyes and gaping mouths. Even Alice seemed sideswiped, her coiled ear now completely dropping to one side. I… wasn't expecting that.

    The two fire-types pulled each other apart, Calvin's smile utterly welcoming. "How are you even thinking of retiring down the line!" he exclaimed, "You look like you haven't aged a day!"

    "And to the looks of it you've somehow got younger Cal." Rex joked.

    The Charizard burst into laughter once more, "I suppose I'm still getting a kick out of flying around nowadays." He turned towards the Guildtree, settling his eyes on the assembled teams there. Sam immediately swept the pebble behind him as his fellow guildmates straightened themselves out. Calvin scanned the group with a friendly smirk, "Don't worry kids, I don't bite." He turned towards Rex, "I'm guessing from the power of deduction that these are your newest recruits?"

    "Indeed they are." Rex replied with his own relaxed smile, "And already quite experienced for that matter."

    "Experienced huh? Gotta be earning it to keep up with these lot." He nodded towards Jack and Oscar, flashing a rudimentary thumbs up at the Butterfree, "Keeping them on their toes little Jack?"

    All of Sam's muscles began to relax as the bug-type rubbed the back of his head, his cheeks reddening, "I'm not throwing them that far off the deep end. And come on Cal! I'm not a Caterpie anymore."

    "Take it in your stride Jack." Calvin expressed seriously, "You'll still be our little buddy. It doesn't take away how far you've come since then." He turned towards the less experienced teams, and Sam felt a buzz at the back of his skull. "Want to introduce me to these little guys?"

    Jack motioned with one hand towards them, "These are Team Active, Seekers and Audacity."

    Bruce's eyes seemed to fog over for a moment, before brightening so much Sam half thought they caught fire. "Holy c- Calvin!" he exclaimed, his voice booming as the crowd began to murmur with each other once again. "You're fucking legendary and –" Bruce's eyes widened with a fear, his mouth clamping shut.

    Calvin narrowed his eyes, focusing his attention on the Bulbasaur, "What's your name kid?"

    The grass-type quivered on the spot, "B-Bruce..."

    The Charizard held his gaze.

    Only for Calvin to laugh again, "Fucking legendary! That's a new one if I've ever heard it Bruce!"

    Bruce almost seemed to collapse, barely holding himself up as he puffed out a breath of relief.

    Wait, what's got Bruce so excited in the first place? Sam blinked rapidly, blowing out his cheeks as he raised his hand, "I hate to be that guy, but… are you supposed to be famous or something?"

    Bruce's head spun round at the Scorbunny, snarling for a fraction of a second before the realisation settled back in, "Oh shit, memories, right." He nodded towards the Charizard, eyes sparkling. "This is Calvin. A Rescuer from Team ACT."

    "Team ACT?" Edward stuttered, taking a step back, "The Gold Rank Team from Air Continent?"

    Calvin snorted out another puff of smoke, "Master Rank now, though I suppose our time as the old Gold Rank is kinda remembered the most."

    Team ACT? Aidan mentioned them when he first told me about Explorer Teams… Calvin is one of those guys?

    "Sorry." Edward replied, bowing his head, "I'm from the far-side of Mist, I'm still running off old info from time to time."

    Calvin casually waved a hand aside. "Ah, don't worry about it. So, you all been enjoying your time with the Guild?"

    "Oh you can say that for sure!" Bruce beamed, "And we in Team Seekers will be pushing for the Master Rank some day!"

    Denver sniggered from just behind Edward, "We're all a few years off that yet."

    Geez, does Denver always have to put a downer on things here and there?

    Sam leaned over, frowning at the Skorupi. "Hey, you never know. We've got the Bronze Rank. If we can do that, I'm sure we can get to… whatever Master Rank is."

    A serious, but warm smile formed on the Charizard's face. "Exactly. You'd be surprised how far you can get in a short period of time." He dipped his head down towards the Scorbunny, and once again feeling on the spot, Sam felt that same buzz run down the back of his neck. "What's your name?"

    Holding his nerve better than Bruce did, Sam straightened himself up, "I'm Sam."

    "Sam." Calvin mused, letting the word roll forward, "Bronze Rank already huh?"

    "Aye, along with my partner, Alice." He tipped his head towards the Buneary, who merely tipped her head forward in acknowledgement in the corner of his vision.

    Scanning the pair, the Charizard slowly nodded, "You remind me of a few friends. Keep up the good mindset, alright?"

    Unsure of what seemed so familiar to the Charizard, Sam merely nodded back. "Will do."

    Nodding once more, Calvin rose up to his feet. "Well then, I'd love to see these guys in action, but I think we've got a lot of work to do."

    "Indeed!" Brooks said, stepping up to join the Charizard and Blaziken. "These do represent the next generation after all."

    "For once." Triss said, joining them, "We agree."

    Rex raised his hands to his side, "I can arrange training sessions if needed, in the meantime, we can get you all settled into the Guildtree. You will have had a long journey."

    "That would be ideal." Mary admitted, moving in alongside Esper. "It would allow for some of us to catch up."

    Rex nodded, "Then it's settled. If you'd foll-"

    "I'm not finished yet."

    The six Pokémon before Sam and the teams slowly turned, the Scorbunny leaning aside to try and peer between them.

    Standing behind them was the slim, blue Pokémon. They resembled a frog, bipedal in form with a pink tongue wrapped around his neck. A Greninja.

    Uncrossing his arms to expose a dark orange sash around his chest, the Greninja started to walk towards. Rex tilted his head, "Are you sure you don't want to wait-"

    "I will do my own independent investigation for now." The Greninja declared as he stepped amongst his counterparts. "I'd prefer I was not interrupted in this."

    The Greninja's head then turned to look down on Sam, his red eyes locking onto him. A freezing chill rolled over Sam's body, and it took every last bit of Sam's willpower to not shrink away from the glare.

    "You are Sam, correct?" he questioned.

    Feeling everyone's gaze on him and mentally biting down on his nerves, Sam worked to hold his ground, "Yeah." He said as calmly as he could manage, "I am."

    Damon's eyes narrowed, "I am Damon, of the Sand Continent. I believe you know my son."

    His son? What does he mean-

    The realisation came through as a hard, invisible punch to the gut, and finally Sam's nerve broke. The Scorbunny took an instinctive step back. To his side, Alice's ears coiled in, ready for a fight. Sam slowly raised a hand up, his foot already settling back onto the pebble. "Look… Aidan didn't leave me-"

    "I'm not here to challenge you on the matter."

    Sam blinked, the words dying at the tip of his tongue. "What?"

    Damon kept his eyes on him, but the chill seemed to abate, if barely. "I disowned that deviant long ago. You'd have done me a service."

    Dread fluttered away into confusion, and confusion reshaped itself into… something else. Disgust? Aidan may have tried to kill him, but he did confess to not liking his family. Sam saw how badly he took it when Alice had a go at him about it.

    Geez… did Damon really end up pushing Aidan away? That'd explain a lot…

    "That does sound rather harsh." Triss noted, eyes narrowing.

    Nia actually quivered on the spot, and for the first time in a while, she looked genuinely annoyed. "Yeah! Aidan may have tried to hurt us, but he is your family!"

    Damon barely reacted, his eyes flicking between the two, "Don't presume you can question matters related to family." He narrowed his gaze on the Zebstrika, "You should know that as much as anyone."

    The Zebstrika seemed to withdraw, if only by a little bit as her eyes flicked away, the equine unable to reply. Even Nia seemed cowed by the Greninja, shrinking away. Now it was Dan who was resting a hand on her shoulder.

    Hands placed behind his back, Damon slowly paced along the line, inspecting the assembled teams, the Guildtree and the surrounding town. "Appearances can be deceiving. This town might seem peaceful, but recent activities seem to… challenge that."

    Esper frowned, "There are always difficulties far from the major cit-"

    "Significant criminal activity?" Damon questioned as he paced the line, not even looking Esper's way. "Insignificant trade returns? A Mythical tying down valuable resources?"

    His eyes narrowed again, "These aren't signs of a prosperous town."

    Sam's fist automatically clenched, Alright… this guy is a proper piece of work.

    Rex's own eyes narrowed, "The town itself is doing well despite those challenges, I'm sure if you speak to some of the people in the town-"

    "And the signs of a failing Guild." Damon finished, turning towards the Guildmaster.

    Tightening his first, Sam resisted the urge to protest. Fucking bastard, does he know what kind of stuff we've been having to deal with?

    Calvin reared his head, the Charizard's eyes flashing red. "Come on." He growled, "That's not fair and you know it."

    Damon didn't even hesitate to reply, "Is it?" he questioned, "Our countries agreed to maintain a joint presence in the Sea of Wonders. We even allowed some level of autonomy, to ease governance and use of resources. If that trust is strained, and the current status quo leads to disruption and crisis after crisis… we must consider alternatives. Especially in the wake of the disasters back on the home continents."

    The Greninja brought himself close to the Blaziken, yet despite being shorter than the avian, the frog's presence seemed enough to make Rex stiffen. Damon leaned forward, red eyes still narrowed, "Whatever the outcome of our investigation, we'll learn many things… Guildmaster."

    Sam could only watch as Rex stiffened even more, eyes narrowing as he looked down at the Sand Representative. "…understood." He woodenly stated.

    Damon held the gaze for a moment long, before seeming satisfied, he turned away. "I believe we should at least find our accommodations first."

    Esper stepped forward, eyes flicking between the Guildmaster and Representative. "If you'd follow me, I'll show you to your rooms."

    Slowly, she led the Representatives into the Guildtree, Damon following close behind the Psychic type, followed more distantly by the other Representatives.

    All except Calvin, the Charizard looking towards the Blaziken. Sam followed his gaze, where weakly shaking at the avian's sides, was Rex's clenched fists.

    Rex…

    "Damon is a right piece of work Rex." Calvin said, "Don't let him get to you." he bared his fangs, "That scummy politician..."

    Rolling his shoulders, Rex relaxed his hands. "He's not the first I've dealt with. I'll be fine."

    He turned towards the Charizard, "Care for a cup of tea?" he asked nonchalantly.

    The Charizard flashed a smirk, "Thought you'd never ask." He replied, slowly beginning to walk into the Guildtree, waving a clawed hand at the younger guild members, "Don't worry you lot, we'll catch up another time." He winked down at Bruce, "Looking forward to seeing you in action."

    Bruce's eyes sparkled in visible awe, "Y-You got it!"

    Chuckling to himself, Calvin disappeared into the tree. Rex bowed down his head, sighed a breath of relief, and focused his attention on the recruits. "Thank you for holding yourselves up as well as you could."

    With the representatives gone, the tension in Sam's muscles washed away, and the Scorbunny bared his teeth. That fire reigniting in his chest, "Damon is Aidan's dad!?" he snapped, "I thought Aidan was bad enough! But Damon shouldn't have pushed you around like that!"

    Rex sighed, rubbing his forehead. "That is politics for you. And as harsh as he is, Damon does have a point. A lot has happened here, and the continents do have a vested interest in the region."

    Alice frowned, "At least Calvin seems reasonable. Same with Mary."

    "Yeah!" Bruce exclaimed, "I mean, Calvin's awesome! A Team ACT member on our side helps!"

    Edward leaned forward, "That's still three other Representatives to consider."

    Rex raised his hands for calm, "I'm sure you all have very strong opinions on this, but it will not help as of now." He motioned towards the rest of the town square, the talk amongst the settlers beginning to rise as they started to get to work with clearing the fences, or moving off to carry on with their own business. "If you would help the other guildmembers and townspeople, they'll appreciate that. If you'd excuse me…"

    Rex started making his way into the Guildtree, leaving the assembled guildmembers standing at the foot of the tree.

    Sam could only watch him ago, seething underneath his fur. It didn't matter if Damon had a point or not! He shouldn't have just tried to put down the Guildmaster in such a way. He only ceased quaking as Alice put her hand on his shoulder. "He can deal with it. Believe me."

    Shakingly, Sam let out a heavy sigh. He couldn't deny she was right.

    Oscar rubbed the back of his head, slowly striding off towards the fences, "I better go and… help carry some stuff away."

    "We'll go and help you." Edward said, following close behind the Birabel with Denver in tow.

    Bruce was next to move, the bulb on his back rustling as he started walking, "Hey, I promised Donal that I'd help move some stuff for him after this so… are you two okay to handle anything else?"

    Nia, as if flipping a 180, was now beaming once more. "Me and Dan can handle some stuff easy! Especially with Ali here!"

    The frustration in Sam's heart shattered as Alice recoiled in shock, "Wait wait-"

    Oh boy, Nia really likes dragging Alice into her little jobs! Sam mentally cheered.

    The Noibat was already hovering behind the Buneary, little hands placed on her shoulders. "Please Alice! You're strong! We've got some heavy things to move!"

    Alice was blinking away rapidly, eyes foggy, "I… err…"

    Smirking, Sam patted the Buneary on the back, "Go on, I'll catch up. Nia's gonna be bothering you all day otherwise."

    Sighing, Alice rolled her shoulders, "Alright, fine. What do I need to move?"

    Cheering with delight, Nia started pulling Alice off in a random direction, with a very nervous looking Dan following right behind them. Bruce was already moving off in the opposite direction, heading towards the bank, leaving Sam alone. Well, the work will take all their minds off things.

    Jack walked over towards him, the Butterfree being the only other one who hadn't departed on some task. "Hey Sam." He started, eyes looking a bit dim, "You sure you're okay? You looked about ready to blow up."

    Sam kept his eyes on Alice and the others as they disappeared into the town, before visibly slumping, his legs threatening to buckle as the stress faded off into the ether. "That was just… frustrating. I didn't expect Aidan's family to come here at all, never mind know me by name. Heck!" He bared his teeth, "How did he even know me?!"

    The butterfly took to the air to hover in front of Sam. "Could be anything. Maybe Aidan told him, or he got his hands on an after-action report. Could even be just rumours. Stuff like that has happened before."

    Feeling an ear dip, Sam looked up towards him. "Rumours? How would that even work?"

    "Don't ask me. But I know Calvin would back me up on that."

    Oh yeah. What did Calvin call him?

    The rabbit let a small smirk escape, "Oh yeah, big Calvin and little Jack right?"

    Jack softly groaned, rubbing his antennae in clear discomfort. "Please don't do that." He begged. "I'm not that small now."

    "Okay okay." Sam replied, willing his ear back up. "So, how did you and Calvin know each other enough to talk about rumours?"

    Waving a hand again, the Butterfree bobbled up and down. "Oh, I was only a Caterpie when I first knew him. Team ACT were Gold Rank… well, Diamond Rank by today's system. They were one of two teams of local heroes. At least to kids like me and the villagers. They had a load of adventures in the Mystery Dungeons, saving Pokémon during the first disasters. Doesn't mean they aren't perfect though."

    Tilting his head, Sam twisted his ears to focus on Jack's story. "What do you mean?" he questioned, "Chasing a rumour?"

    "A massive one." Jack said softly.

    "And… what was that?"

    "Chasing after those other heroes." The Butterfree's eyes brightening once more. "They were Team Warden. They were the guys who saved me when I fell in that fissure. Turns out some mean sods really wanted them out of the way."

    Jack sighed, looking down, "They took this rather horrible story and tried to name one of Warden's members as a villain. Got the entire town and it's Rescue Teams chasing them out. Including ACT."

    A faint chuckle came from the Butterfree. Sam's chest tightened, leaning away from Jack. "What's so funny?"

    Stifling the chuckle, Jack shook his head, "Sorry, the gossips claimed that one of Warden's members was human."

    Sam's heart stopped in his chest.

    "But here's the funny thing, they were right about him being human!"

    Human.

    Jack knows about humans.

    "But he wasn't the nasty human they were talking about! He was all fi…"

    Jack's words teetered off as Sam stared at the Butterfree. The Scorbunny's body limp. The Butterfree's eyes widening.

    "…I shouldn't have said that…"

    Jack's yelp barely registered in Sam's ears as he grabbed hold of his hands and yanked him across the square at a breakneck pace. Unable to run with him, Sam instead marched, his grip nearly iron. "S-Sam! Uncool man! What got into you!?"

    "We need to talk." Sam snapped, pulling him in between the buildings and looking for somewhere private. Anywhere. Anything.

    Jack's protests barely registered in his ears as the Scorbunny's eyes settled on a small storage shed at the edge of the square. He had poked his head in there little more than an hour ago to find it empty and unlocked. It'd do.

    Booting the wooden door open, Sam half dragged, half threw Jack inside before slamming the hatch closed behind him. Jack spun round, "What on earth is up with you!?" Jack rattled on, red eyes darkening.

    Sam slammed his back against the door, snapping his hands up defensively, his mind buzzing on overdrive. "Listen Jack, what I'm going to say is going to sound crazy-"

    "Crazy?! Talk about dragging me through the town into… whatever the heck this shed is! I mean, was it something I-"

    "I'm human Jack!"

    The words just flew out of his mouth. Already Sam was regretting it, the Scorbunny's heart pounding against his ribs as Jack seemed to freeze in mid-air, his eyes impossibly wide as if he had just been swatted by a thunderbolt.

    They hung there in silence, only the clangs and bangs of the town breaking through the shed's walls. Sam could only stare back at the frozen Butterfree, half expecting Jack to come sweeping down towards him. Or to start screaming.

    Unable to take the silence anymore, Sam shook his head and refocused his gaze, "Jack!" he hissed. "Well."

    Jack quivered in the air.

    "So…"

    This is going to be bad…

    "Fucking…"

    Yeah, I'm screwed…

    "COOL!"

    The outburst nearly knocked the air out of his lungs, if not Jack diving down to buzz around the Scorbunny. "I can't believe I get to meet another human!"

    "J-Jack…" Sam stammered, raising his hands up.

    "I mean, I've only met one human. But the stuff these guys get up to! It's awesome!"

    "Jack."

    "Arceus! I can't wait to tell Belle this! Or Oscar! Or maybe Warden! Tob-

    "JACK!"

    The Butterfree flinched away, the Scorbunny panting as he motioned downwards with his hands. "Jack… calm down."

    Shaking in the air, Jack touched down. "S-Sorry. Got excited. I-It just makes sense. That amnesia of yours? My friend in Warden had the exact same thing. I just didn't think I'd meet another human after so long…"

    Whistling a breath out, Sam stepped away from the door, "Y-You know them?"

    "Yeah! Like I said, they helped me out a ton of times! Inspired me to become an Explorer myself! Just like Esper and Oscar!"

    "Whoa whoa, hold up." Sam cut in, rubbing the back of his head. "Like Esper and Oscar?"

    Jack opened up his palms, "Remember Esper's speech? Back when you helped save Kyle? About Spirit and all that?"

    "Yeah, I do."

    "Esper and Oscar also worked with humans! I was with Warden, Oscar with Team Relic and Esper with Team Auraflame! The humans on those teams inspired us to go further! And their partners! That means… gosh! Alice! Alice would be your partner!"

    Agitated, Sam waved his hands down again, "Just… just slow down!" Sam gasped, rubbing his forehead. Hell… this is just too much to take… but… I'm not the only one? I'm not the only human!

    "Sorry." Jack said, taking in a deep breath. "Does… does anyone else know?"

    Sam shook his head, "No… just you and me."

    "Blimey… you managed to stay quiet about it for this long? Most humans I've heard about normally spill the beans quite quick. At least to a few trusted folks."

    Sam's gut went cold. "Should… should I tell people?"

    Jack raised a hand, on the cusp of answering, only to freeze. "Err…" he let that hand drop. "Well… you know how I said Team Warden got chased?" Jack shivered, itself sending a shiver through Sam just on instinct. "Well, the town was trying to kill them."

    Sam's legs weakened beneath him, forcing the Scorbunny to lean back against the door. Kill? The town? Team ACT. Calvin… they tried to kill the human on Team Warden?

    "H-Hey!" Jack cried out, hopping towards Sam. "It's alright! Team Warden got proven innocent! And Team ACT never believed the rumours. Even bought them time to get a head start to find the truth. It's just…"

    The Butterfree shrugged, "You might want to be careful about who to tell. I'm sure Esper and Oscar would be fine, probably the Guildmaster too! And Alice would be a good bet too."

    So… is it save to be out as a human or is it not? Sam questioned to himself. It doesn't matter if those guys are fine but…

    Sam slowly shook his head as he stepped away from the door again, "I-I don't know Jack. What would everyone even think?"

    "Hey! Look at me!" Jack exclaimed, hands on his hips, "You're still Sam to me. Nothing changed for me here."

    Feeling a slight warmth form, Sam still shook his head, "It's not just that Jack… I could be putting others in danger. I mean, what about Alice? She's been through so much… I don't want to throw her into another quagmire because of me."

    He barely registered something creak, nor did he catch Jack stiffening in front of him. "S-Sam."

    "I mean, I could just be a freak." Sam stressed. "Who'd trust me on this?"

    "Sam." Jack cut in. Firmer.

    That got his attention. Jack's gaze also grabbed hold of him too.

    The Butterfree was staring over his shoulder.

    At something behind him.

    An iron ball formed in his gut as he turned slowly round towards the door. The door was propped open, a small brown rabbit standing in the doorway.

    The whole world came crashing down onto him, weighing down onto his shoulders along with the realisation itself.

    He started to reach a hand out towards her, "A-Alice-"

    The door slammed shut with a painfully loud bang, the Scorbunny barely flinching before scrambling to throw it back open. "A-Alice! Wait!" Sam shouted, chasing after her and leaving Jack all alone in the shed.

    Jack shivered, eyes fixed on where the two rabbits were. "Oh no…"

    Sam meanwhile charged after Alice, the Buneary storming off between the buildings. "Alice!" he cried out.

    The Buneary didn't turn round, still marching through empty paths through the buildings. Almost as if she was deliberately avoiding the crowds. Not that it was doing anything to dissuade him. "Alice!" he barked, breaking into a sprint. "Alice!".

    His fingers just grasped her arm, "Alice just st-"

    Alice's fist flew into his face like a brick, the sheer shock enough send Sam staggering back, his vision a blur for a second. It swiftly recovered, and the Scorbunny found himself standing face to face with Alice. Her eyes red.

    "You fucking idiot!" she shouted, her palms slamming into his shoulders and knocking him back further. "You think you get away with hiding that!?"

    Heart threatening to burst out of his chest, tried to raise his hands defensively. "A-Alice! Look, I didn't know what to think! I didn't know if I was going to get killed, or thrown to the wolves- I didn't know if I was going to put you in d-"

    Another pair of fists slammed into his shoulders, and this time, Sam couldn't stop himself. Crying out, he fell onto his back, just about able to stop his head from striking the ground. "You think I'd give a shit about all that!?" Alice barked.

    Growling, Sam pushed himself up, "How was I supposed to know with something-"

    He froze as he reached one knee, ears twitching as her words finally settled into his mind. "Wait… you don't mind me… being human? Once?"

    Snarl widening, Alice turned away from him, her arms crossed tight. "Of course I don't care about that! After everything did you think I'd just throw you out?!"

    Feeling part of the world's weight rolling off him, Sam blinked. "Then… why are you so angry?"

    He couldn't see her face, but he could see her body clench up. "You didn't tell me."

    Sam slowly finished picking himself up, "Look, Alice, I'm sorry I didn't say anything sooner…"

    "Doesn't matter." Alice growled back, "You're still being a fucking idiot."

    Grinding his teeth, Sam took a step towards her, narrowing his eyes. "Why the hell ar-"

    She spun round on him in a second, "BECAUSE I THOUGHT YOU WERE MY FRIEND!"

    Sam stumbled back again, feeling the air rush from his lungs. Alice glared at him, the fur under her eyes clearly wet. Blinking, she wiped a paw across them, took a glance at it, and deepened her snarl. "You wouldn't stop nagging me about telling you about my past. The one where I lost my parents… yet you won't do the same about yourself. It's like you don't even trust me."

    His strength fading away, Sam gently reached a hand for her, only for the Buneary to flinch away from it.

    "Alice…" Sam whispered weakly.

    Turning away with her eyes clamped shut, Alice merely shook her head. "Just… leave me alone. Please."

    Shoulders tense, Alice slowly walked deeper into the town.

    Sam didn't have the heart to follow her, his arm dropping limply down to his side.

    He could feel his own eyes getting wet.

    God… what have I done?
     
    • Chapter II.VI - Dark History
    • StolenMadWolf

    StolenMadWolf

    Loony Moony
    Pronouns
    She/They
    Partners
    1. scorbunny
    2. buneary
    POKÉMON MYSTERY DUNGEON
    GUARDIANS OF BALANCE

    EPISODE II – DARK, WONDEROUS PAST
    CHAPTER VI – DARK HISTORY    ​

    Sam blankly wandered through the town, his feet dragging behind him as he did so. He barely acknowledged the presence of the Pokémon around him, his eyes dipped down towards the floor. In fact, he was completely in a world of his own, trapped in the same thoughts that had punched through him entirely.

    The fact there were other humans besides himself.

    And Alice.

    Oh Alice… I'm so sorry…

    He had always had some suspicion that revealing his human nature would potentially be disastrous. He was terrified that everyone around him would turn on him, or at least, something would come crashing down on his head.

    But not like this. Not by Alice hearing him say it in private, voicing his own doubts about revealing it to anyone. Including her. And instead of being pushed away because he had been human, he drove her way because he didn't tell her at all.

    And the painful thing was, she was one hundred precent right. He had pushed her about opening up. Everything she tried to push him away, he pushed harder back until eventually she opened up.

    And Sam immediately backed off from doing the same.

    He couldn't stop thinking that conversation over, the same set of words ringing in his ears over and over again.

    "BECAUSE I THOUGHT YOU WERE MY FRIEND!!!"

    An old, dusty smell drifted up his nostrils, and only then did the Scorbunny finally drag himself out of his shell and looked up. Somehow, he had managed to walk back into the Guildtree and worked his way back up to the upper levels, where he now stood outside the Library. He straightened himself up as he looked through the open entrance way, he had only been there once. Shortly after their return from Broken Wood.

    He had tried to learn a bit more about the history of the world… but Aidan then came to find him… to bring Sam into his dark world.

    The thought of returning back to the Library had completely evaded his mind.

    Alice… Alice needs time. He thought quietly to himself. If things will even remain the same after all this. I suppose…

    Then the originator of all this pain rushed back to the surface. Everything Jack was saying. About how he knew a human. How Oscar and Esper had known humans…

    Why… why was I brought here? Why were they brought here?

    The guilt slowly withdrew to a dark corner, the Scorbunny narrowing his eyes as with renewed purpose, he spun on his heel and marched inside. Time to find some answers.

    It didn't take long to find the Oranguru librarian, a friendly Pokémon called Henry, working at the central counter of the guild library. The big orangutan looked up from a brown, canvas tome with a small smile, "Ah, Sam was it? I was wondering when you'd come back in."

    "Been busy." Sam replied curtly, reaching up to place his hands on top of a desk that was slightly too high for him. "I need those old books I was reading through before. That Atlas and… whatever the other ones were called."

    Henry let out a quiet chuckle, "Wanting to catch up? Luckily, I make a note of all the books that are requested. I can bring them back out for you in just a moment."

    Closing the tome, he slowly began to rise to his feet. Remembering Jack's words once more, Sam swiftly reached out, "Wait a second!" he said a little bit too loudly, earning a confused look from the bigger Pokémon.

    Wincing at himself, Sam placed his hands back on the table, "Sorry… but do you happen to have records on Explorer and Rescue Teams? Preferably something with references?"

    Much to Sam's restrained relief, it turned out Henry did have such records on hand, and the Scorbunny soon found himself back at the original table he had first sat out, with a very familiar stack of books by his side. Alongside the Atlas of the Pokémon World – the one book he even managed to get a small read through – he now had a beefy tome placed alongside it. In small print was the very simple title on the cover: Registers and References for Rescue, Explorer, Adventure and Expedition Teams.

    Right. I already know the basics behind the world right now. But if I want to know about other humans, I'm gonna have to dig deeper. What did Jack call that team with his human in it? Team Warden right? And Team ACT was involved. Jack's from Air Continent and he was a Caterpie back then so…

    Instead of opening the register, he pushed the Atlas aside and picked out a book from the stack.

    Rescue Teams of Air Continent.

    Sam let out a heavy sigh as he flicked open up the book, Alright… let's get to work.


    What came back to her first was the warmth that enveloped her entire body. Soft, gentle. That was what she could describe it as. Then her hearing returned, a very soft hum drifting into her ears before finally, a dull throb that worked its way through her limbs.

    That was what finally got Kaliani to wake up.

    Her eyes slowly drifted open to find herself inside a small cabin room. Soft yellow lights hung above her head to reveal a cluster of beds that ran alongside the far wall, each one with a bedside table next to them.

    She was laid out on her side, one of her wings spread out to stop her resting on top of it. The Trumbeak tried to lift her head up, only for the throb to turn into a sharp pulse that sank through her chest and neck. Groaning, her head plopped back down with a soft thump on the cushion underneath her.

    "Huh? You're awake?"

    Wincing, Kaliani managed to lever her head round towards the source. Laid down on another bed just across the way from her was a green canine. An Electrike, she recognised.

    "Y-Yeah." She weakly uttered, once more trying to lift her head up. "W-Where am – urk!"

    She cried out as her head plopped back down again, the electric type dropping down from his bed. "Don't move, I'll help you up."

    Clenching her claws together, Kaliani could only wait as the canine leapt up to the side of her bed. He looked about her age, older perhaps as he positioned himself alongside. "It'd be easier if I get you upright. I'll push you up, then you get your wing on me, alright?"

    Meekly, Kaliani nodded, immediately regretting it as another pulse ran across her body. Carefully, she felt a bit of pressure against her side as the electric-type carefully rolled her over onto her stomach, and with that, she worked to lift her head up once more. Despite the throb of pain, this time, she managed to finally sit upright, her feet tucked underneath her. "T-Thanks." She managed to reply, "W-Where am I?"

    The Electrike sat down next to her, bowing his head down towards her. "You're in Robinswood."

    Robinswood… where was that again? Oh, wait.

    "The frontier town?" Kaliani asked, voice getting a little bit stronger, if still feeling hoarse. She started to glance around for water, and noticed a bowl had been placed on a small wheeled table at the side of her bed. Seeing the flicker of water, she leaned over and scooped up some water in her beak.

    "Yeah." The canine replied, "The big one anyway. Don't ask me how long you've been here, I've only just woke up."

    "Woke up?" She asked after she swallowed down the water, feeling it soothe her throat.

    "Yeah, I was… out of action for a while."

    He tilted his head to one side, thoughtful eyes settling onto her, "So, what's your name?"

    "Kaliani." She replied, feeling her body – and voice – strengthen as she shuffled on the spot. "Able seamon. You?"

    "Zeke." He said, "Explorer."

    Kaliani ruffled her feathers underneath the fluffy quilt she was sat in. "A Guild member?"

    Zeke pulled a thin smile, "Pretty much. Not done much for them for a while though."

    His smile faded away, his pupils widening as he tore his gaze away.

    That was when the memory resurfaced, rushing through her so rapidly – so vividly – that the headache nearly caused her to collapse, a massive weight crashing down onto her head. The storm, the Daywalker, that pir-

    "P-Pirates!" she cawed, trying to stumble upright, only to fail as her legs gave out and collapsed under her.

    Zeke sprung back up to his feet, eyes widening in shock, "Careful! You were hit with a really powerful Thunderbolt! A-At least that's what the doctor said."

    Groaning, the Trumbeak shook her head and managed to push herself up. "Doesn't matter, got to tell someone… my crewmates…"

    "The guild already knows!" Zeke countered with a hiss, eyes narrowing at her.

    Kaliani froze, the quilt having rolled down her back to expose her sore body, "T-They do?"

    Zeke nodded, "From what I heard. And even if they didn't, you're not in any state to move around."

    Shakingly, the avian settled back down, using her wings to stop herself from collapsing entirely. She must have said something before she passed out. She had a vague memory at the back of her mind, it was unclear, all foggy, but she could just remember saying something to someone. What exactly? She had no idea, but it must have been about the pirates.

    Looking away, the canine sighed, "I know it's hard, not being able to do anything for your team, but the guildmaster here doesn't seem bad. I think he'll find a way to help them."

    He shivered, "He's got a better chance with your guys than mine."

    Frowning, Kaliani clicked her beak as she looked back over at him. The Explorer's head was bowed downward, his eyes squeezed shut, as if trying to hold back something painful from deeper within him.

    "Hey…" she started reaching a wing towards him, "I'm sure this guildmaster can help your friends out. I know my captain would do the same."

    "My friends are probably already dead." Zeke quietly replied, eyes still shut.

    A pang revelated through her ribs at the rather blunt answer, and the Trumbeak couldn't help but recoil an inch. She signed on as a sailor accepting the possibility of death, but even then, she didn't want to give up hope that her fellow crewmates had survived. For Zeke to write off what she could only guess were his fellow explorers…

    Shaking herself loose, she shuffled up next to him. "I don't know what happened to your team." She started, "But if you are sitting here right now, then your team must be alright. I've seen some… lax crews, but your Guild teams don't tend to be lolo. They'll be fine. You'll get to see them again."

    She could feel the warmth radiate across from the Electrike as his eyes flicked over towards her. "I appreciate the thought." He said with a small smile, "I'm just being a realist."

    Kaliani tilted her head over in the most relaxed fashion she could, even as she felt a weak, aching wave rolled through her neck. She understood what he meant about that. But still, her family back home had instilled in her the will not to give up. It got them through Dark Matter, and some other incident she couldn't quite put her feather on, but it was there.

    Softly groaning, the Electrike rubbed his forehead with his paw. "It's just these damn memories. I don't recall anything that happened in the Mystery Dungeon! Just walking in and then…"

    He shook his head, which only bolstered her desire to try and work through whatever issues he had. Afterall, if a member of the crew had issues, it was something that needed talking through.

    "Well." Kaliani started, "What do you remember then?"

    Zeke shook his head again, "You want to hear through that? Theres not much to say."

    The Trumbeak merely shrugged, "Hey, it's a starting point. Baby steps."


    Your gaze flicked between the passed out Scorbunny and the paperwork that were scattered across the table. The fire rabbit's face was pressed into the open page of one such book, its title hidden from view.

    After what had happened between him and Alice, you had been compelled to stay closer than ever. Part of you also wanted to go elsewhere. To check over Alice. Or someone else entirely, but in the end, it was that focus on Sam himself that had won out.

    You could feel the shadow's presence moments before it arrived. "I sensed the argument when it happened." It explained, settling itself into place next to you. "Not exactly the finest reveal. Then again, most of the humans who have came before Sam here revealed their identity much earlier than he has."

    Bewildered, you felt… stiff… as you turned towards the dark shape of the shadow itself, a single blue light poking out from it. "Yes. I was aware of the other humans that have come to this world. One of which rather… too well."

    The shadow drifted away from you to have a closer look at the Scorbunny, the former human's chest slowly rising and falling. "No doubt he'll be trying to make sense of who and what he exactly is. And by extension, the other humans of the world. At least, the information that is written knowledge. I only know of a handful of humans, and given what some have experienced… some of that knowledge is best kept hidden from the masses."

    You found your gaze settling onto the shadow. Wondering what the future would hold in store for Sam now. What exactly he would have to do. Or what would come next…

    "That much is the question." It rested a shadowy hand on the table, the blue light focused on you. "I can tell you this much. Every human that has come to this world before has always faced a great calamity. Sixteen years ago, that was the meteor. Six years ago, Dark Matter. The danger gets greater every time, and I have genuinely no idea what is coming next. But Sam will have to face that threat in time, and I fear if we can't find a way to make amends with Alice… I fear it won't just be them in danger. But the rest of our world too."

    Even as the thought emerged, the Shadow was one step ahead of you. "I'm afraid there isn't much we can do with Sam and Alice's partnership. That is something that only they can solve themselves. I hope."

    The light brightened, "What we can do is try and work out what this new threat is. If Sam's dreams are any indication, as well the hints we have received so far, there has to be a tie to the Guardians of Balance. You do recall do you? The warriors who once inhabited these islands? The ones who went into the ancient Mystery Dungeon of Broken Wood? Something befell them. And if we can work out what happened to the Guardians, I'm positive we'll find clues that with give us a better picture of what is to come. And potentially help Sam here in the process…"

    Something creaked, and the shadow's gaze drifted towards the source in the dark room. "We'll have to continue this discussion at another time. But we must be ready for any information as we come across it. Stay close."

    The shadow disappeared from view, and you quietly pulled away just as Jack fluttered by, taking in a pair of deep breaths before hovering next to the sleeping Scorbunny. "H-Hey. Sam." He whispered as he shook his shoulders. "Wake up, com-"

    Sam woke with a start, jerking himself upright hard enough for the blurry world to spin. "W-What?" he uttered, whipping his head round in an attempt to wake himself up. "J-Jack? He managed to say. "What… what time is it?"

    Jack hovered over to his left-hand side, fiddling with his fingers as he looked over the Scorbunny. "It's nearly midnight! I've been trying to find you for hours! What happened with you and Alice? Are you still…"

    His words to teetered off as Sam slid down his seat, eyes squeezed shut, a tightness in his chest forming. The pain of that argument still too raw to even speak about.

    "Oh… oh…" Jack started, "Look. I don't know what happened between you two, but it's-"

    "Not as bad as it looks." Sam growled, opening his eyes, "I might as well have burnt down every bridge imaginable." He thumped his leg hard enough for the chair to quiver, "You didn't see the look on her face Jack… how hurt she was that I kept quiet about what I am. That I was still wanting to keep quiet about it. And the truth is she's right. I should have told her sooner." His hand shivered in place, digits clenching into a tightening fist. "I shouldn't have hesitated in telling her."

    "Hey, hey." Jack started, touching down on the table and resting a hand on Sam's shoulder. "Just give her some time. Let her process it. I'm sure she'll come around."

    Sam shook his hand loose, uncomfortable with the contact. Yeah… I'm not so sure about that.

    Jack's gaze drifted towards the open books and paperwork scattered across the table. "What have you been looking at then – wait a second… isn't that…"

    He leaned forward, eying the drawing of what appeared to be a fireball falling through the sky, plummeting to the earth.

    "…the meteor? Why are you looking at that?"

    Rising to his feet, Sam narrowed his eyes at the image. "I've been trying to work out what the other humans have done here." He replied, "I mean, your guys? Team Warden?" He tapped the image of the meteor in the book. "They not only got chased across the entire Air Continent, they had to fight a literal sky dragon god to get him to blow up that meteor! To save the entire damn continent from becoming a molten pancake!"

    His voice began to rise, the fire beginning to ignite in his chest. Jack took a step back, shivering on the spot. "L-Look." He started, "You might be reading-"

    "And that was on top of fighting legendries every other day." He leaned forward, shoving the book aside and shuffling through the other papers. "What else then? Lets see here, ha!"

    He pulled out another book, opened up to show a drawing of what looked like an intricate mechanical gear. "Team Relic? They had to fight more legendries, and deal with stuff like time stopping. Fucking time! And that's before getting dealing with bad futures and nightmares? Nearly dying dozens of times too!"

    "S-Sam…" Jack tried to interrupt.

    "Team Heart!" Sam exclaimed as he snatched a single sheet of paper, "Took some time to work out they had a human too. This Bittercold. Wasn't a Pokémon. Ran on negative emotions and literally smothered Pokémon to death by just being near them! And let's not even get started with Auraflame and Dark Matter…"

    Sam jumped as Jack's foot slammed into the tabletop, the Butterfree glaring at the Scorbunny with his darkened red eyes. "You need to calm down." He stressed, "Reading through all that stuff now isn't going to do you any favours."

    The Scorbunny bared his teeth, thumping the table with his fist. "Well, what do you expect me to do?" he snapped, "I've found myself stuck in this world with absolutely no idea how or why I'm here!"

    That managed to silence the bug-type again, Sam's skin boiling as he struggled to restrain his temper. "All I know is I keep hearing this damn voice in my dreams telling me I have to 'save' something. I don't have a clue about what I have to 'save'! For all I know I could be fighting an alien invasion! Or stopping the sun from blowing up!"

    His body shaking, Sam's legs finally lost their strength and he slumped back down in his seat, puffing out a painfully deep sigh. "I just… I just want to know what I'm here for… that way I know what I'm dealing with. And hell, even if I did know, what could I do? I barely stopped Greg with help. I couldn't even do anything against Volcanion!" He let out a heavy sigh. "It's just… I might have the entire world resting on my shoulders and I can barely do anything. I can't afford to make mistakes…"

    Sam squeezed his eyes shut, trying to slow his breathing and still his heart. He had spent hours pouring through what information he could find, trying to work out what the humans before him had done. But the deeper he dug in, the greater his despair had become. Chances are he wasn't just here for the heck of it. That 'saving' the voice in his dreams was talking about? What if it was the whole world?

    How am I going to do that? And what am I saving it from? I've struggled so far… how can I take on the likes of what the other teams have done?

    He barely noticed Jack's hand resting back onto his shoulder, and this time, he couldn't bring himself to shake it loose. "Sam… I can't say much on the other teams, but Team Warden started off the same way as you did. They were barely able to fight off another team themselves, and only just survived against legendries early on too. It wasn't all just plain sailing for them."

    Sam opened his eyes to look over at Jack, the Butterfree keeping his eyes onto him. "I know you'll get stronger, just like they did." He continued, "And we can help you get there. I know we can. But if you let this get to your head, it's only going to make you feel worse man."

    "Then what should I even do?" Sam questioned, weakly looking over towards the Butterfree. "With something like that or worse that could be down the road?"

    Jack narrowed his eyes, "Don't think about it." he said firmly, "Focus on what you can do now. Not for something in the future you don't know about. Sorting things out with Alice would be a start."

    Softly sighing, Sam thumped the table. It was difficult for sure. He had spent so much time researching and working out the activities of humans like himself, it had drawn his attention away from everything else that happened. Alice in particular had just been too… painful.

    But… I've just traded one kind of pain for another. Shit, Jack's right. I can't keep cooped up like this.

    Pushing himself away from the table, he finally tore his eyes away from the paperwork. "Yeah… you're right. I need to focus on what I can do now."

    "Exactly!" Jack exclaimed, hovering back before him again. "I mean, we can start off with Alice. Then… well, we can talk about who else to tell this about. Like I said, I think the rest of Team Spirit will be fine to tell, and Rex too. Or hell, you can just tell me more about this 'Voice' you were talking about."

    I suppose that makes sense. To be honest, I wonder if Esper was able to sense anything about me being human. I mean, she is a psychic type. And who knows? Maybe the other humans had voices in their heads too.

    Dropping down the floor, Sam adjusted his jacket, "Right, let's focus on Alice. Then we can-"

    The boom pounded at his ears hard enough for him to jump up with a jerk, the floor quivering beneath his feet. Over his shoulder, paper rustled.

    The heck!?

    He spun around towards the Butterfree, the bug-type's eyes glowing brightly. He had noticed the boom too.

    "Jack, what the hell was that?" Sam asked, feeling the adrenaline slowly flow in at the building tension.

    "Nothing good." Jack stated, his tone deepening. "Come on, sounded like it came from below."

    The two abandoned the desk and shot through the library, bypassing the rather confused looking Henry and the few other Pokémon inside through into the corridors. As they rushed towards the elevators, they came across one of the windows overlooking the town. Instinct took over, and Sam scurried over, trying to peer down at the scene below.

    He froze immediately.

    "Sam?" Jack questioned firmly, "What is it?"

    Sam had a good view of the town square from above, even in the dark. But he could make out the gaping hole in the side of one of the more far-flung buildings, the orange flicker of flames erupting from it. A building he had only been in once before. When he had first arrived.

    And the same place where two key individuals were being kept in.

    "It's the clinic…" Sam uttered, "Something's happened at the clinic!"


    Zeke sat on the other end of the bed, his eyes closed and head bowed. "I remember… walking down the steps towards one of the Dungeon floors… I'm not sure which one… I was in the middle of the group. Rachel was taking point…"

    Kaliani sat opposite him, having recovered enough strength to get herself fully sat upright. They had been talking for the better part of two hours. Kali had learnt about some visualisation techniques that she had learnt from a psychic-type back home, so she figured it made sense to try and put them to work.

    And so far, progress has been slow. But steady.

    "What was at the bottom of the stairs?" she quietly asked, keeping her gaze focused on him.

    The Electrike's brow tightened. "I remember… a cold room. The walls were neat stone bricks… and there was only one tunnel out. We… we started walking through it."

    "And what was that corridor like?"

    "It was… it was…"

    Kaliani tilted her head as she watched Zeke shuffle on the spot, the canine grimacing. "Take your time." She quietly stressed.

    She watched as Zeke's lips twitched, as if he was trying to focus his attention on some particular detail. Finally, with a snap, he opened his eyes and shook his head madly from side to side. "It's no use." He growled, "I can't remember what's at the end of that tunnel! I know we made our way down a few floors before the dungeon broke up and we're all fine but…"

    She leaned forward, pushing a wing out towards the Electrike. "Just take a deep breath." She said, "Have some water, we'll have another go in a minute."

    A faint ring echoed through the room, and Kaliani's eyes drifted towards the sight of the Chingling making her way through the door. Her eyes widened as they settled on the two patients, her little hands lifting up. "H-Hello there! I didn't know you were awake! I can come back and sort things out later if you want-"

    "A'ole." Kaliani replied, "It's fine. We're just trying something."

    Beaming just a little bit, the clinic assistant hopped across the room, ringing all the way. With that noise clinging away in her head, Kaliani turned her attention back towards the explorer. He had lapped up a little bit of water by his side. "Are you okay?" she asked.

    Sighing, he shook his head. "Not really. I just don't know what the hell happened to cause my memories to go like this…"

    He thumped the bed with his paw, "Damn it, why is it so hard to remember!"

    Zeke hissed as he breathed in. Any other person might have shivered from nerves, but Kaliani forced down the shiver away, and instead, she shuffled forward again, reaching out with her wing and letting it connect with his shoulder.

    The Electrike didn't pull away from the contact.

    "Then forget about the cause." Kaliani replied, "Maybe focus on what you can remember. Look for details in those."

    Zeke opened his eyes, his gaze settling on her. "When did you learn to be so patient?" he asked.

    "Dealing with greenmons on the ships." She explained without hesitating, "Plus dealing with far too many younger siblings and cousins."

    Zeke let out a warm chuckle, suddenly looked that bit more relaxed. "Well, it's been good practice. Means you can deal with me."

    Kaliani could feel the warmth rush to her cheeks, the Trumbeak turning to look away from him. "Thanks… lets… err… focus on those memories again. You ready?"

    Sighing softly, if a little more gently, Zeke leaned back and let his eyes drift closed. "Ready."

    Letting out a faint whistle, she turned back to focus her attention on him. "Okay. Let's start off with the corridor. What does it look like?"

    "It's made of grey brick." He started, letting out a slow breath. "Like the rest of the rooms. The floor is smoother… dusty but smooth. Like it's been filed flat."

    "How do you feel?" Kaliani asked, "About the corridor?"

    "Nervous… dizzy… the tunnel ahead is dark… darker than any other part of the dungeon."

    "Do you normally carry something that can light up dark places?"

    "No… yes…" Zeke replied with a little zip in his voice. "Adam would… yes. He pulled out a Light Wand. I can see further ahead."

    "And what can you see there?" she asked, feeling a faint hit of euphoria at the new progress.

    "More grey brick for the walls… we're moving down it… and it seems to be going on forever. We've not found another room yet."

    "And any changes?"

    "No… but it is getting… colder… and quieter too… I can't hear my footsteps anymo-wait…"

    The Electrike stiffened, and instinct took over as the Trumbeak leaned forward, placing a feather onto his front foot. "W-What is it?"

    Zeke shivered, "There's… a light… a green light coming from down the tunnel… it's faint but… wait… it's starting to get brighter…"

    Kaliani's mind was starting to throw out dozens of ideas of what could be happening. At first anyway. Now, there was an acute feeling of something else.

    A flicker of fear?

    I don't know much about Dungeons… but I'm sure green lights in the dark isn't normal.

    She brushed her wing along his shoulder. "A-Alright, let's take a break Zeke…"

    "It's so…" Zeke was whispering, eyeballs visibly moving under his lids, "Bright… I feel… drawn to it.

    "Come on Zeke…"

    "Like it's… calling me. I can just reach out and touch it…"

    Her heart racing, Kaliani shook him carefully by the shoulder. "Zeke-"

    The Chingling hopped towards them, a big smile on her face. "I've got some extra-"

    Zeke's eyes snapped open, glowing a dark, malicious emerald green.

    The next thing Kaliani saw was the flash of teeth.

    The next thing she heard was the scream of the Chingling.

    And Kaliani screamed herself as the blood splattered across her face.
     
    • Chapter II.VII - Death, and a Mission
    • StolenMadWolf

    StolenMadWolf

    Loony Moony
    Pronouns
    She/They
    Partners
    1. scorbunny
    2. buneary
    And after a very long delay, the latest chapter of GoB is finally uploaded. I do apolgise for the delay, as I've had a very busy few weeks between going through a very... err... obsessive art phase, trying to look after a new kitten who is very hyper, work, and trying to prepare a novel for submissions again. All of which took alot of time of working on this chapter. But stuff is happening, both for GoB... and for something else you'll find at the end. Enjoy.

    POKÉMON MYSTERY DUNGEON
    GUARDIANS OF BALANCE

    EPISODE II - DARK, WONDEROUS PAST
    CHAPTER VII - DEATH, AND A MISSION    ​

    Sam and Jack didn't waste a second, rushing for the elevators. "Don't wait for me Jack!" Sam shouted, "I'll catch up!"

    "On it!" The Butterfree answered, diving down over the edge and towards the lobby. Unable to follow, Sam resorted to pacing in the elevator car as it descended. His mind raced, what the fucking hell happened in the clinic? Was there an attack? Did something break out? Was everyone in their alright? What if this was launched by pirates or something worse!?

    He forced himself to stay calm, rubbing his feet into the wooden deck. There was no point in speculating. What was happening down there was happening right now. Trying to work out all the details could wait.

    Before the elevator had even touched the ground floor, Sam bounced out of the elevator and hit the ground running, Jack was already gone, but there was already another dozen members of the Guild sprinting for the entrance from the rampways. The entire town had just gone on alert.

    As Sam rushed to join them, Alice emerged from one of those rampways, her eyes locking onto the Scorbunny. "I heard something go off!" she snapped, all evidence of their argument seemingly wiped out in the heat of the moment. "What's going on!?"

    He barely slowed, "The clinic's exploded!" he barked, noticing Alice hopping alongside to join him. "Don't know how or why, but we need to help!"

    "Shit!" Alice cursed, actually hopping hard enough for her to overtake him and forcing the Scorbunny to lengthen his stride.

    It took a matter of seconds for them to race across the town centre and towards the clinic. The wooden cabin that he first awakened in after being rescued himself was now ablaze. Orange flames flashing through the windows as smoke poured out. Dozens of Pokémon surrounded the clinic, many of them regular townsfolk watching in shock and horror at the scene before them. Water-type Pokémon, some of them Sam recognised from the Guild, were already blasting away at the flames with their attacks. A Blastoise led the firefighting effort as he fired his cannons directly into the burning building.

    Out of the flames, a red-black furred Pokémon burst out into the opening, an Arcanine of some kind. She jogged away from the burning building, a coughing Sneasel thrown over her back, "There's no one else in there!" she bellowed, "All clear!"

    Sam slowed, watching as the water-type attacks intensified and started to douse the flames. A faint flicker of relief in his chest that there seemed to at least be no one left in there. He caught a flicker of movement to his left. Alice was already shooting off past him, heading towards the rear of the building. There, he could just make out fluttering form of Jack ahead of her.

    He chased after her, rushing towards the Butterfree and headed round the burning building. There, he could make out the full picture of the devastation. It was like someone had dropped a bomb inside, the walls having been blown clear and leaving a gigantic hole in the side of the clinic. Flames roared with in. The bulky form of Oscar was silhouetted in the flames, water rushing out his mouth in an attempt to douse them. Jack hovered around the crouched form of Esper, her head bowed down towards something at her feet. They must have got here ahead of us!

    Sam slowed to a jog as he approached, Alice skidding to a halt next to Esper. "I think the building's clear." He explained, "So what ha-"

    As he stepped beside Esper, his gut twisted hard into a ball, sending a wave of nausea flowing over him.

    Laid out in front of the Meowstic, was the little shape of a Chingling on her back… only the rope atop her head had been torn free, and there was a gaping, bloody hole where half her jaw should have been, her wide eyes frozen in terror.

    Sam couldn't stop the gasp escaping, his legs reduced to jelly as he struggled to hold himself upright. He could feel himself going back in time, to the day he first woke up in the world. Where he come across Greg, and the broken bodies he had left behind-

    Only Alice's gagging kept him from flashing back to that moment, the Scorbunny glancing over to find Alice covering her mouth, unable to tear her eyes away from the corpse. Esper leaned forward, and gently closed the Chingling's eyes.

    Clenching his hands, Sam felt himself steady, a flash of anger rushing through him like fire. Before him was another victim. Maybe not at Greg or Aidan's hands, but still a victim. Someone who's life had been snuffed out in a terrifying fashion.

    I… I can't let them get away with this!

    "…who did this?" Sam growled, ears fully erect.

    Esper didn't even look his way, narrowed eyes drifting towards the building. "We don't know." She admitted, a flicker of anger present in her tone.

    "You don't know?" Alice snarled, tearing her hand clear of her mouth, "Whoever did this woke the entire fucking town, how could they get away?!"

    "We don't know." Esper stressed again, "It can't be an external attack, otherwise the guards would have noticed."

    Jack touched next to them, eyes a darker red than normal, "What if the guards are hurt too?"

    "They all reported in." the Meowstic confirmed, her eyes still not looking back, "Whoever did this had to started their attack from inside the clinic."

    "Who would be insane enough to waltz into the clinic and blow it up?" Sam questioned with a snap, earning a glance from the Buneary. "And why here? They could have done it at the Guildtree!"

    Unless…

    Sam stiffened, his eye drifting towards the collapsed beds he could just make out amongst the flames that Oscar was trying to put out. There were only a handful of people who would definitely be in there.

    One of who had tried to kill him once.

    "Wait… it can't have been-"

    Esper stiffened, her ears unfolding to reveal a pair of eye shapes on the flaps of those ears. They let out a soft blue glow coming from them. Jack shivered, instinctively taking a step back from the Meowstic, and the Scorbunny was quick to catch the shiver running up Alice's back. It was Esper's eyes widening that encouraged Sam to back off. He had seen what power Esper had, and he didn't-

    The ears dropped back down just as suddenly, Esper's pupils narrowing. "Team Battle." She hissed, "They're in trouble!"

    Sam's head jerked back by the sudden shout, "W-What?" he uttered, "W-Why-"

    "Because they are fighting whoever destroyed the clinic!" Esper barked, "Oscar! Leave it! A team needs help!"

    The Bibarel's head snapped round towards them, "But the cl-"

    "They are fighting for their lives!" Esper shouted, a faint glow forming around her folded ears, "We need to go! Now!"

    That got him aboard, the beaver moving out far faster than his bulk would suggest. Jack was already in the air as Esper spun on the two rabbits so fast, that Sam caught Alice physically jump back, her ears twitching.

    "Follow us!" Esper ordered, her tone sharp enough to slice through Sam. Instinct took over, and the Scorbunny immediately fell in behind the leader of Team Spirit along with Alice.

    Esper led the way into the surrounding forest, brushing away foliage to reveal a faintly beaten path. Did Team Battle do this? Or was this the attacker? Sam questioned to himself, struggling to keep pace with Esper as she rushed ahead. He had never seen the psychic type move at this kind of pace before, and as much as that was dragging him along, he couldn't shake loose his discomfort.

    Esper's never been this snappy… whatever's happening, it's bad!

    The crack boomed through the air hard enough for Sam to feel the sound pound against his chest. A faint gasp just registered in his head as the group was brought to a halt. His body seemed to freeze, as if he was just dropped into an ice-cold lake. "W-What was that?" Oscar managed to utter, the big water-type stiff and on edge.

    Another crack rang out, and on cue, Esper recovered first. "Trouble." She replied, "Come on!"

    Esper shot on ahead again, and once more, Sam scrambled to join the others in pursuit. More cracks started to ring, then a boom… and finally a scream. Each one sent another jolt and shiver running straight up Sam's spine.

    It didn't help as just as quickly as they came, they all faded away.

    Sam's heart threatened to burst out of his chest, his mind that focused on the danger ahead that he ended up bumping into Oscar's back. The Bibarel frozen like a statue in front of him.

    As was Esper and Jack.

    Next to him, Alice cast a cold glare, bouncing past Sam and shoving her way past the now grounded Jack. "What on the hell is it…"

    Her voice trailed off, the Buneary's arms going limp.

    His heart now ready to explode in his throat, Sam more gently slid past Oscar and alongside Esper.

    And in that moment, Sam struggled as his throat burned with bile.

    They had emerged into a small clearing within the trees. A clearing that wouldn't have been out of place from most. A tree trunk lay across part of the grassy field with a couple of bushes off to the side near one tiny pond.

    A clearing that had been turned into a killing field.

    Six bodies lay scattered across the ground, blood spattered all around them. Three of them Sam recognised immediately. The nearest bodies were covered in dozens of deep, straight wounds that criss-crossed nearly every inch of their skin. The Breloom's throat had also been torn out, leaving a huge cone-shaped splatter of blood across the grass. A few feet away, the Gallade's head was snapped round a whole 180 degrees, his surprised, blank eyes staring at the still living Pokémon, and mouth dripping with the blood he had clearly vomited up in his last moments. Behind them, their Scyther companion was sprayed out over the trunk, his head impaled on a wooden stake with a look of pure terror.

    The… the rescuers who helped Rex save me… Sam realised, his eyes bouncing between the three corpses. Two of them had played a role in rescuing him the first time he encountered Greg and his cronies, taking them down with ease. To see them now-

    Someone retched to his side, and the Scorbunny snapped his gaze over to find Alice visibly covering her mouth, trying to tear her gaze away. But it was too late, and the Buneary swivelled away and keeled over, green and yellow gunk rushing from her mouth. Instinct took over, and Sam hurried to her side, gently patting her back as she struggled to recover. Alice didn't resist the help.

    The Scorbunny swallowed, forcing the bile in his own throat back down as he turned his attention back towards the scene again, the other corpses were arguably in an even worst state. One Mon's head had practically explo-

    Nope. Nope.

    Sam stumbled away himself, all the anger and worry dissipating as he pressed a hand against a nearby tree, struggling to stop himself from vomiting himself.

    "What…" he managed to gasp, "W-What the hell happened?"

    Managing to recover, he turned to find that the members of Team Spirit were already moving into the clearing. Jack had touched down near one of the more distant bodies, inspecting her wounds. Oscar did the same for the dead Gallade, and Esper herself was inspecting the Scyther. Alice was wiping her mouth, still not fully turning to face the devastation.

    Sam shakingly walked forward, struggling to tear his gaze away from it all. He barely registered the others speak, Esper giving orders, Jack and Oscar nervously responding to those. Alice finally recovering and barking with anger. Sam just kept walking. He didn't know what they were saying.

    The memories of the dead Pikachu and his companions, brutally murdered by Greg, now flashed across his mind too.

    Who… who was strong enough to… to do all this?

    Sam found himself standing over the corpse of the Breloom, struggling not to gag at the sight. His eyes were closed, but it didn't help seeing he wounds cutting deeply into the grass-type's flesh, that gaping tear in his throat, still glistening-

    That was what finally snapped Sam out of his trance. He blinked, focusing more closely on the wound, Something's off… like he's-

    The Breloom's eyes snapped open, desperately gasping for air. Sam recoiled back with a yelp, "W-Whatthe- Guys!" he screamed, "Someone's still alive over here!"

    Esper and Alice sprinted over as Jack and Oscar quickly moved to double check the other bodies. Sam dropped down to one knee, eyes locking back onto the struggling Breloom. He leaned forward, moving to put pressure on the wound.

    W-Wait! Sam pulled them back a touch, staring at the gigantic, pulsing wound in the survivor's throat. I could end up choking him trying to stop the bleeding!

    Alice slid to a halt opposite Sam, "What are you waiting for!?" she hissed, moving to try and press the wound herself.

    "You could end up killing him!" Sam barked back, enough for Alice to freeze in surprise.

    "He's right!" Esper shouted, coming in by her side. "The wound's too large, we need more than that!"

    Alice grinded her teeth, "Does any here have any healing moves?"

    The psychic-type narrowed her eyes. "No." She snapped her attention over towards something behind him, "Get back to the town, find someone with healing moves! Now!"

    A Houndour shakingly turned towards them, mouth stained green and yellow. He must have followed them from the town. And the poor guy barely responded, clearly in a daze.

    Esper's eyes flashed blue, "NOW!"

    With that, the Houndour snapped to attention, "G-I'll be back!"

    As he ran, Oscar and Jack were now by their sides. The beaver's eyes widened, "By gol- Jack, I'm going to need you to fly up into the trees. Find as many berries as you can, I'm going to try and find herbs!"

    Fingers digging into the soil, Sam glared at him. "How's that going to help!?" he howled.

    "Keeping him alive!" Oscar countered, starting to run for the forest.

    "We'll be right back!" Jack added, taking to the air.

    Sam couldn't argue with them as Esper pulled an Oran Berry out of her satchel. "Sam, hold his head!" She said, mashing the berry up in her paws. "I'll apply this, then you put the pressure on. Alice, raise his legs!"

    Sam scrambled into action, holding the Breloom's head still as Esper started spreading the Oran paste across the neck wound. As soon as she pulled her hands away, Sam pressed his paws in, wincing at the squishing noise jabbing at his ear.

    Esper was beginning to pull something else out of her satchel when the grass-type's paw grasped her arm. Glancing up, the Scorbunny could see her trying to push the hand away, only to freeze. The Breloom's eyes were slightly closed now, wet streaks running down his face as he looked over at the feline.

    His lips were faintly moving, but something squirted underneath Sam's paws, dragging his attention away.

    Sam let out a faint hiss, the blue paste that had been the oran berry was quickly turning red. Gritting his teeth, he pressed his paws harder against the wound, wincing as the Breloom groaned. "I'm sorry! Alice! Can you give me a hand!"

    Out of his sight, came a faint grunt. "Just getting his legs propped up!" Alice replied.

    "Alright, Esper, do you have another-"

    He looked up to find Esper leaning forward, her hands resting against the Breloom's head. "E-Esper? What you doing?"

    Esper closed her eyes, head dipping down as if focusing on something. The wounded Mon's eyes remained fixed on her, as were Sam's. He almost felt his paws peel away from the neck, his chest tightening as he pressed them back in. What did he say to her? Or… is he saying some-

    The Meowstic screamed, yanking her hands away and grasping her head. Blue lights flashed underneath her ears as she stumbled away, eyes squeezed shut. Sam jerked back, the Breloom gasping faintly underneath his paws. The fuck!?

    "Esper!" Alice shouted, eyes widening as she stepped towards her.

    The feline's eye snapped open, the air rippling as the scream amplified. Now the Buneary was screaming too, grasping her ears. Hot knives stabbed at Sam's own, but with little choice, he could only tuck his head in, squeezing his eyes shut as his ears burned.

    The psychic scream ceased, but Esper was on her knees, still clutching her head and crying out with pain. Alice had fallen onto her back next to Sam and the Breloom, grinding her teeth. "What the fuck happened!?" she barked, weakly trying to push herself up.

    Shit! Alice is in no state to push back towards Esper again! But we can't just leave her or this guy in trouble!

    Violently shaking his head, Sam reached across and grabbed Alice's shoulder, tight. "Take over! I've got this!"

    Alice half froze, even as her paw drifted towards the Breloom's neck. "W-Don't be stupid!"

    But it was too late, Sam was already running for Esper. "Sam! Stop!" Alice roared, already applying pressure to the wound, unable to pursue.

    It took him only two seconds to close the distance.

    Just enough to time for Oscar to emerge from the trees, and enough for Sam to catch his cry.

    "W-Sam! Don't to-"

    Sam's hand grasped onto her shoulder, "Es-"

    Esper's eyes flashed open, glowing a dark blue. He tried to recover, to pull away. But it was too late, the light from the psychic's eyes engulfing him.

    Blue light and black shadows streaked around him, all sense of his body gone as he rushed through the space. Figures formed across his vision, emerging from the stream of colours. The Scyther appeared before him, an ethereal blue in place of the typical green. His eyes wide in panic as he flew through the air. A dark shadow grasped him from behind, yanking him back before whipping him down towards the faint form of the trunk.

    In a flash of green light, the Scyther's head slammed through the spike.

    Agony rushed through Sam's skull, the Scorbunny desperately trying to scream as something punched straight through, but nothing escaped his mouth – if it was even there. Instead, he was thrown aside, the blue lines a blur as he was dragged towards another figure. This time a Medicham, a shadowy blade sinking into her chest, and sending another spike rushing through him and Sam into another silent scream as the world flashed green.

    He was thrown from figure to figure, torturing him with their dying moments. The Gallade's neck being snapped, limbs being torn off, a head exploding as a whip flew through it. Each kill sending Sam teetering beyond agony, in a bathing green light.

    In a sea of darkness and emerald specks of lights, a new shape began to take form. A shape Sam realised he was retreating from.

    It was quadrupedal, a dark shape which seemed to be set ablaze in green energy. The shape of an Electrike.

    No! No!

    Zeke rushed forward, teeth glistening as his teeth sank into his throat.

    Only then did Sam's scream finally reach his ears, feeling his flesh rip and tear before after what felt like an eternity, he was tossed aside.

    Choking on his own blood, Sam could only watch as Zeke strolled away from the killing field, the limp form of a Trumbeak wrapped in a green tendril that hung behind him.

    Kalian-

    The water gun slammed into his chest, the air rushing out of his lungs as he was flung back and landed with a thud. He gasped, panting for breath. A hand squeezed his arm. "FUCK FUCK FUCK!" Sam shrieked, trying to bounce away from-

    "It's just me!" Oscar bellowed, eyes wide as he tightened his grip on Sam's squirming arm.

    Sam blinked, his skin clammy and fur drenched in sweat. "F-w-what?"

    "You're okay." The big beaver stressed, "I broke the link."

    "L-L-Link…"

    Across the way, Jack had touched down next to Esper, helping the feline to her feet.

    Something thumped behind him, and glancing over his shoulder, he could see the Breloom staring blankly at him, his chest no longer moving as Alice pulled her bloody paws away, softly panting herself.

    W-What the hell was that… no… Zeke… Zeke can't have done all this… And I… I…

    He turned towards Esper, the Meowstic's own fur soggy and her ears hanging limply. She seemed to look right past him, as if staring at some now distant place far away with cloudy eyes.

    "E-Esper…" Sam managed to stutter, "W-What was that?"

    Her eyes cleared, focusing back onto the Scorbunny. Her breathing rapid, as if she was about ready to faint.

    And when she finally spoke, it became all too clear that she was terrified.

    "Something I haven't felt in a long time…"

    *****​

    The following couple of hours seemed to last for an eternity. The flames had quickly been doused in the clinic, although it had been rendered uninhabitable between that and the explosion. An explosion that seemed to have been caused by none other than Zeke himself.

    The corpses had to be carried back to the Guildtree too, to be stored in the morgue until they can be sent back home, or given a proper funeral in Robinswood. And that was on top of the Guild sweeping through the town like a wave, scouring the place for any signs of other intruders or just shoring up its defences. Others rushed towards the port, and towards the scarred remains of Broken Wood, to warn them and make sure those locations were secure.

    Sam had kept himself busy in those hours. As had Alice. The still shaken Esper had swiftly retreated into the Guildtree, with Oscar in hot pursuit. Jack himself broke off very quickly, if only to check to see his family was safely out of the way before he'd rush to help his teammates.

    He didn't blame Esper for her withdrawal though. As Sam assisted his fellow Guild members, he secretly wished that the work in securing the town didn't end. His mind remained almost completely fixed on that… that vision. The deaths of Team Battle, and the team that came to help them – Team Talisman. The scene was bad enough, but seeing their deaths? Feeling how they died. Every last second of it.

    The work was the only thing keeping him from letting that vision consume him entirely.

    But soon enough, another member of the guild was tapping his shoulder. He was to report to the Guildmaster's office immediately.

    With a heavy sigh, Sam made his way up the Guildtree alone, now effectively emptied of its inhabitants. He tried to focus his attention on what Rex would want him for, and the answer became all too clear. No doubt Esper had to report to him about what had happened.

    Esper must have seen the same thing I did, somekind of psychic… what? Feedback?

    It didn't matter. Either way, Sam must have been as much a witness as Esper was. No doubt Rex would want to get every last bit of information he could. Including from him.

    He was dragged out of his thoughts by the sound of arguing coming down the corridors, and soon enough, he found Alice waiting outside the door, her eyes fixed on the door. The voices were now clear now. He could hear the high shrill of Brooks' voice on the other side, as well as Triss' grumpy tone.

    Of course the Representatives would be here. Sam moaned mentally to himself as he stepped alongside Alice. "How bad is it?" he asked.

    "Bad." She replied curtly, her eyes staying fixed on the doors.

    Sam shuffled his feet, looking at the Buneary by the corner of his eye. She was stoic, paws clenched into fists. It didn't take a genius to see she was angry. Either from the events of the night, the reveal of his human identity, or perhaps both.

    Probably both.

    'BECAUSE I THOUGHT YOU WERE MY FRIEND!'

    Trembling with his arms limp by his side, Sam turned towards her, "Alice. I'm-"

    "We better get in there." She interrupted coldly, planting her paws on one of the doors to push it open. Sam flinched, the words sending a tremor running through his body. But he didn't have time to think about it, rushing to follow Alice inside.

    Standing on opposite sides to the table on the lower level, Brooks and Triss were arguing with each other, furious looks written across their faces. Calvin stood as best as he could between them, the dragon stretching his arms between them. Further back, Mary was sat on one of the couches next to Esper, a comforting hand on the latter's shoulder as her head was buried in her hands. Rex leaned against the railing between the two offices, rubbing his forehead whilst his beak was clenched. He almost missed Damon, one hand resting on the bookcases and his eyes flicking between the contents and the argument at the centre of the room.

    "You can't just be thinking about the damage to the clinic!" Triss hissed, stomping her foot into the wooden floor.

    The fat Kricketune merely waved one of his bladed arms away, whistling as he did so. "I'm not blind to circumstances of those affected. But without a functioning clinic, the entire community become less efficient and less able to receive-"

    "Seven Pokémon are dead!" She snapped back, "Two of whom are from Mist. Nevermind those grieving. You should treat them with some more respect before considering your 'profits'!"

    A deep growl rumbled from Calvin, a faint hint of smoke blowing out of the Charizard's nostrils. "I'm not a politician, but whenever you both have a point or not doesn't matter. We've got people to try and help!"

    Sam stood half frozen at the edge of the office, his chest tight as he surveyed the whole scene. He had never felt tension like it.

    "Perhaps so." Brooks started, "As long-"

    "Not another of your damn conditions!" Triss countered, "You outsiders wou-"

    A feathered fist slammed onto the table, everyone's head spinning towards Rex. The Blaziken seemed to darken physically before them, his eyes like ice. Under his fur, Sam felt himself pale, he had never seen the Guildmaster looking this angry before.

    "This debate will have to wait until another time. My first priority is making sure Robinwood and it's people are safe. After that, my second priority will be finding the culprit behind this attack."

    He almost snarled the last few words, only making Sam's body tighten further. Damn…

    The representatives from Grass and Mist seemed to stiffen too, internally debating wherever or not counter the words of the Guildmaster. But the fire-type's dark expression seemed to shut those plans down, Brooks shying away, and Triss backing up, fur erect.

    "Then do tell me how you intend to… apprehend this individual, or group of individuals." Damon questioned, turning to face the avian with a narrowed gaze. "As representative Triss pointed out, they had already dispatched two of your teams in brutal fashion." The frog crossed his arms. "How would you even fight such a foe? Never mind finding someone who will fight them?"

    Rex focused his cold gaze on the Greninja, "We'll gather as much intelligence as we can, then we can plan out the best plan of attack."

    "Rex is right." Calvin said, clenching his fist. "This bastard has to have a weakness, once we've got that, we can take him down." The Charizard bared his fangs, "Hell, I'll lead the Teams myself!"

    Unfazed, Damon merely tilted his head, "I don't doubt your own abilities Calvin, as a former Rescuer yourself. And I am sure the Guildmaster here has the means to investigate, but that still doesn't solve the core problem. Who is skilled enough to go, and who would be willing to risk their lives against such an opponent?"

    He turned towards Rex. "And don't say you'd volunteer yourself, Rex. I know of your reputation. But you can't simply punch the problem away yourself. If you disappear, I doubt your Guild would hold together. Likewise I doubt it'll help if you do the same Calvin."

    Sam could almost feel the scowl Rex showed. Damon is a right prick. Sam thought to himself with a tightening chest, But he's not wrong. I… I felt how those guys died. Whatever Zeke is… he's dangerous. Who would be brave enough to try? And if Rex vanished trying to deal with this… who knows what would happen to Robinwood? I think Rex knows it too.

    "That won't matter if we don't know what we are dealing with." Mary finally said, turning her attention away from Esper. "Unfortunately, the only hints that we have to the perpetrators identity is Esper here, and via psychic feedback… our young friend here."

    The Mawile bowed her head towards the Scorbunny.

    Sam's heart fluttered as everyone in the room sans Esper turned towards him. Not just the Guildmaster, but all five representatives. It was almost as if the whole world had suddenly turned an eye onto him.

    "P-Psychic feedback?" Sam asked weakly.

    Mary rested her hands across her lap, focusing her gaze on him and seemingly satisfied Esper would be okay for now. "Yes. Psychic abilities do involve the mind after all. Sometimes if a psychic type is under strain, others around them might receive echoes, even if they aren't psychic themselves. By touching Esper, and from what I've heard from the others in Team Spirit, you tapped into what Esper actually saw. Am I right?"

    Brooks and Triss seemed to settle into their seats, whilst Calvin withdrew to join Rex. The Scorbunny gulped, not comfortable with the sudden interest. Alice wasn't exactly any help either, he could feel her gaze staring into the back of his head.

    "Take your time." Mary softly said.

    Can't just stand here like a stick in the mud. Sam weakly admitted to himself.

    Rubbing his hands, Sam stepped forward towards the table. "I… I saw them getting killed by Zeke." He explained.

    "Zeke?" Brooks asked quizzingly.

    "A Rescuer from the Guild. I rescued him a while ago, but he had only just woken up like… yesterday."

    Rex stepped towards the table himself, eyes narrowed again, "He didn't show any signs that he was planning on doing this when we spoke to him. And that was hours ago."

    "I know." Sam stressed, "But he did try to kill me back when I found him… maybe it is tied with that?"

    The representatives shared a glance between themselves, as if trying to process this information. Rex himself seemed to finally relax somewhat, if only by having a new problem to chew on as he scratched his beak.

    "Was there anything in this vision abut Zeke you've noticed?" Mary gently pressed.

    Sam hesitated, not wanting to recall how each person died under that attack, "I… Zeke was attacking them with some kind of… green moves. Not electric. A whip of some kind… and some kind of shadow…"

    Calvin's eyes narrowed, "A shadow?"

    Nodding back, Sam continued, "Aye… that shadow was holding Kaliani, she was recovering in the clinic too… I think that Shadow… it was killing the guildmembers." He let out a faint sigh, "It was… all around Zeke. Like a cloak."

    A few concerned glances formed around him, Calvin's brow drawing together, Rex's beak scratching intensifying, Damon… merely raising his eyes.

    "Almost sounds as if he's being empowered by something." Mary noted.

    "Empowered?" Calvin grunted, "I've seen some fucked up shit, but nothing 'bout some kind of shadow power."

    Finally ceasing his scratching, Rex's fist clenched. "Shadow… almost sounds like-"

    "Dark Matter."

    The air seemed to freeze around him, his eyes immediately flashing towards the source. Esper had finally raised her face, wiping it clean with one paw. The entire room seemed to shudder at the two words. Calvin's lip curled back, Mary's eyes widened. Triss slowly shook her head, as if trying to deny it. Brooks started to hyperventilate, his chest rising and falling rapidly. Alice!

    When he turned to look at her, the Buneary was frozen. Her eyes blankly staring into space, her arms limp by her side.

    Dark Matter… the same thing that helped kill her family… that nearly destroyed the world… how it still scares everyone now…

    Only Rex and Damon seemed almost unfazed, the former's brow wrinkling, deep in thought. Damon merely tightened his crossed arms, eyes narrowing even more.

    "Nonsense." Damon finally said, tone deepening, "Dark Matter was destroyed six years ago."

    Esper shook her head, softly sighing. "I was there." She stressed, "I felt Dark Matter die. But I also felt what was going on with those it enslaved… and I felt something similar here."

    Sam tilted a ear, trying to process what exactly Esper was saying. "So… what you and I felt wasn't Dark Matter? Or was it?"

    "It wasn't." Esper replied.

    "Oh thank Arceus." Brooks uttered, wiping his forehead with a sigh of relief. "We didn't need anything like that happening again."

    Esper's frown deepened, "That wasn't a positive. Because whatever was in that vision wasn't Zeke."

    The silence cut through the room again, Sam's body starting to shiver as Rex motioned for himself and Alice to approach the table. "How so then?" Triss finally asked, "You make it sound like Dark Matter's control and what happened here are two different things."

    The Meowstic narrowed her eyes, "People tend to think that Dark Matter possessed Pokémon. But in practice it's more like it… corrupts them, manipulates them. It's more like puppetry. They possess elements of their personality, but that corruption is subtle. They found themselves slowly following it's whims until they lose themselves along the way. You can sense they are still there, but they aren't really themselves anymore."

    Off to his side, Sam barely just caught Alice audibly scoff at the words. Disbelieving even.

    "Makes sense." Calvin admitted, "And what of Zeke?"

    Sighing, Esper shook her head, "I never felt that at all. That's the problem. I sensed a dark presence in the vision… but I felt no sign of Zeke either. Or if he is there, I can barely sense him. It's like someone – or something – shoved his mind aside and took control of him entirely. That's why his abilities seem different."

    Shivering, she scanned the entire group, "Something else killed those Pokémon. Something dark and very powerful. It makes what Dark Matter pulled look like child's play, or at the very least, is very focused on one individual."

    Sam's eyes flicked across the group, he never went through the Dark Matter Crisis. And if he somehow did, he didn't remember it. But he had heard about it, how it affected the whole world. It was how all the Continents formed countries in the first place. And this thing… whatever Zeke is… is worst?

    The words of that star in his dreams crept back into his mind, Is… is this it? Is this what I'm meant to stop? Or just the first step to something more?

    Rex sighed, "Then we need to find Zeke – or whoever is inhabiting his body – and stop him. The risk to the rest of the Sea of Wonders and the continents is too great to ignore."

    "All the more reason for your teams to refuse to go." Damon said, rubbing his fingers together. "I could call upon troops from Sand Continent to… deal with this individual."

    Calvin's eyes flashed red. "That violates every treaty we've made regarding the continents. We can get teams ready her-"

    "I highly doubt that." Damon countered, "Nor are Guildmaster's Rex's teams… particularly highly ranked? Diamond at most? That used to be your humble Gold Rank after all. I'm offering-"

    "I'll go."

    For the first time, Damon stiffened, his eyes flicking towards the source, along with the gaze of every single other person in the room.

    Aimed directly at Sam.

    Fffuck. Sam thought, I've lost my mind… but… I can't just sit back with a threat like this. And I… I brought Zeke here…

    Alice hissed in his ear, "Sam, what the fuck are you doing?"

    "Doing the right thing." Sam countered with a hiss of his own, stepping forward towards the table again, straightening his back and narrowing his eyes. "I rescued Zeke in the first place. Those deaths are on me, and it's my responsibility to bring him down."

    Damon seemed to darken before him, "You can't be serious. You are barely a novice, you are no match for this entity."

    "You said it yourself." Sam quipped, shrugging, "Not many people will want to go, you've got yourself a volunteer here and now."

    The Greninja's eyes merely narrowed further.

    "No Sam!" Esper barked, trying to rise to her feet, "This is a threat far beyond anything you've ever faced. I'll go with Team Spirit, we're the most-"

    She suddenly cried out, grasping her head as she slumped back to her seat. Mary swiftly rested a hand on her shoulder, "You're not in any state to go into a fight Esper." She turned towards Sam, directly making eye contact. "But she is also right, you aren't ready for this."

    "I concur." Triss added, bowing her head towards him, "I admire your bravery, but this is a job for someone more experienced than yourself."

    Come on! You've got someone willing to get involved! And I'm not letting anyone else die on my watch!

    Snarling, Sam turned towards Rex. "Guildmaster, I have to do this. I don't see many others volunteering and I've beaten the odds before."

    Rex's features softened, his eyes flicking away, a talon scraping the bottom of his beak.

    The Scorbunny leaned on the table, eyes fixed on the Blaziken, "Please Rex, let me do this."

    Calvin looked over the Scorbunny, a brow raised, "You could die on this mission. Is that something you're prepared for?"

    This is my chance. I could opt out here. Right now. No one would blame me.

    But at the same time, he only felt the fire in his chest intensify.

    He nodded back, "I'm positive."

    Over his shoulder, he felt a deep sigh, and a brown shape appear at the edge of his vision. "I'll go as well. Make sure he doesn't get himself killed."

    Alice…

    Calvin's eyes flicked between the two rabbits, as if peering into their very hearts before turning his gaze towards Rex. "It's your call Rex."

    The guildmaster barely reacted, his eyes staring at some distant point on the ground. Deep in thought. Sam resisted the urge to shout, or to tap his foot impatiently. Begging for Rex to decide.

    "Team Audacity…" He finally started, raising his head. "…I'm clearing you to go after Zeke and Kaliani."

    Esper's eyes widened, "Guildmaster! Y-You can't-"

    "I've made my decision Esper." He replied sternly, not even looking her way. "As soon as we have a lead, Team Audacity will handle this."

    Sam let out a faint sigh of relief, Thanks Rex.

    Damon's eyes seemed to burn, "Then I leverage my authority as Representative of Sand Continent." He declared, "I'm putting an end to this act of suicide."

    "Then I'm leveraging my authority as Air's Representative to allow this to go ahead." The Charizard growled, turning towards the Greninja, "Rex trusts these two to get the job done." He nodded towards the two rabbits, "So, I'll trust his judgement. Besides, I've got a good feeling about these two."

    The Greninja didn't even quiver, but his voice had clearly deepened, "Then their deaths are on your conscience then." He turned towards Triss, the Zebstrika taking a moment to look round at him.

    She quietly shook her head.

    Damon didn't reply.

    Brooks motioned with one of his bladed arms, "I do believe there is one small problem… where Master Zeke and Miss Kaliani are now?"

    A faint knock came forward from the doors, and Rex merely bowed his head towards them. "I believe this is your answer Representative. Come in!"

    The door swung open, revealing a red and grey falcon leaning through the door, "Monsieur Rex?" he asked in a rather strong accent that seemed… oddly familiar to the Scorbunny.

    "Ah, Jean." Rex said warmly, "Do you have anything to report?"

    The Talonflame pushed his way through into the room with far more ease than Perry had, "One of our fliers has returned, she spotted the Electrike dragging a flying type, towards the mountains west of here."

    "Any mountain in particular?"

    Jean bowed his head, "Qui. It was Waterfall Mountain."

    Alice's uncoiled ear twitched, "Waterfall Mountain?" she asked.

    Esper sat back up again, a hand from Mary holding her in place, "It's a mountain on the coast, as you can probably imagine, it's covered in waterfalls running from the upper slopes, which are covered in thick mist."

    The picture of a mountain mostly made of water flashed across Sam's mind, Sounds rather… pretty.

    She narrowed her eyes, "It also happens to be a Mystery Dungeon."

    And of course it is. Sam groaned.

    Alice frowned, "Is it at risk of collapse? Broken Wood was bad enough."

    "The most recent expedition to the Mountain reported that the Dungeon was in extremely good condition." Rex replied, "Whatever is afflicting the other dungeons clearly hasn't affected Waterfall Mountain yet, but that is not what you should be worried about."

    The Dungeon isn't the problem? Sam tilted his head, "How come?"

    Rex hesitated, "It is split into two dungeons, the first half is fairly straight forward. But the second half… is more difficult to traverse. Only myself and Esper have made it through, and the mist was so thick we couldn't navigate. We had to retreat out of the Dungeon proper."

    Sam tapped his foot, trying to imagine the state of the dungeon in his head, Maybe Zeke will only go through the first half? But… but I've got a feeling that he'll make a run for the second. And if he gets through there… would we ever be able to find him and Kaliani?

    Come on Sam, focus. Don't start doubting yourself now!

    He instead turned his attention back to Rex, "Then we'll need to be careful then, and make sure we've got kit on hand."

    Rex slowly nodded back in approval. "Very well. Team Audacity, get yourselves ready, I'll make some final preparations before you depart. Once you are ready, go to Waterfall Mountain. Try and save Kaliani. And if you can, Zeke as well."

    Feeling a new found strength, Sam sharply nodded back, "We'll get it done."

    "We will." Alice confirmed.

    Rex turned his gaze across the room, "Then it's settled. We all have a lot of work to do."

    *****​

    Most of the gathered Pokémon flooded out of the office, Sam and Alice leading the way, whilst Esper, Mary, Triss, Brooks and Jean set off after them, leaving Rex alone with the remaining two representatives.

    Damon uncrossed his arms, "This is a bold move guildmaster."

    Rex's muscles tightened, "It is an unorthodox plan to be sure, but I will be making sure they do have support in reserve."

    "A wise approach." He replied, "I must admit, I'm surprised Sam would even do this, or his companion for that matter, Alice, I believe?"

    "They have done a lot in their short time here." Rex explained, feeling a hint of pride swell within him. "If any team can get the job done. It'll be them."

    "Perhaps." Damon replied coldly, "They might be riding high now, but such highs always come to an end eventually. Sometimes… brutally."

    He turned away, "I hope you do understand the costs if they fail."

    The Greninja strolled out of the office, leaving Rex alone with only Calvin. The Charizard growled as the door slipped shut, "Manipulative bastard."

    Rex sighed as he slowly climbed the steps to the upper level. "And yet you still entered politics."

    "Mainly as a favour to Abraham." Calvin grunted as he followed him, "Besides, I can't dive into rescues all the time anymore. Got other responsibilities nowadays."

    As Rex sat down behind his desk, Calvin placed his claws on his waist. "Being a dick aside, Damon's got a point. Sending a Bronze Rank team against someone who took out Gold Ranks? It's a big risk, what exactly do you see in them to let them try it?"

    The Blaziken slumped in his seat, "That would be… complicated to explain."

    Narrowing his eyes, the Charizard puffed out another bit of smoke, "I don't have Abraham's powers, but I'm not stupid. I know you too well Rex. I'm speaking as your friend here, not a fucking representative, I know you think those two are going to be important down the line. World changing levels of important."

    Clicking his beak, the Blaziken merely nodded, "You can say that."

    "I figured as much. I thought I saw a bit of Tobias in him."

    He flashed a small smirk, "And to be honest, a little bit of you."

    Rex huffed, bemused at the comment, "Perhaps from a long time ago."

    "Come on Rex." Calvin replied, plopping himself into one of the seats, "The way he carries himself, you've definitely rubbed off on him. He's definitely more like you then you realise."

    Closing his eyes, Rex leaned back in his seat, "Yes. He's going to be important. But… he does remind me of a young Pokémon many years ago…"

    *****​

    Twenty Five Years Ago

    The Azumarill slowly backed up, panting desperately as her eyes flicked left to right, desperate for an escape route. The group of five Pokémon crept towards her, forming an arched line before her. The bandits were trying to box her in.

    She felt cold rock bump into her back, a quick glance behind her revealing the cliff rising up above her. Definitely cornered now, she had already managed to get one good hit in but-

    The water type winced, feeling the spike of pain running down her arm. She glanced over, seeing the flicker of blood coming out of the wound.

    At the head of the bandit group, a Golduck rubbed his hands together, his red eyes glowing with barely concealed humour. "Come on lady… pass us the key to that chest you traders were carrying, and we probably won't have too much fun…"

    Hissing back, the Azumarill tried to find a way out. Could she blow one away? No, the formation was too tight, she wouldn't get through in time.

    The Golduck shrugged, "Up to you then. Boys, let's get her."

    The bandits took a step forward.

    The Azumarill clenched her fist.

    A shadow formed over the bandits. "I wouldn't do that if I were you!"

    The five bandits snapped their gazes up, wincing as the sun shone in their face.

    An orange-yellow Pokémon dropped down between the Azumarill and the bandits. It was avian in shape, standing on two grey legs and had arms ending in long claws.

    The Combusken flashed a grin, "Because trust me, it ain't worth it."

    The Golduck snarled at him, eyes burning, "Who the fuck are you, punk?!"

    Rolling his shoulders, the Combusken started to pace before them. "The name's Rex." He declared, "Just your friendly neighbourhood mercenary. I tend to get paid for protecting traders but… well… after seeing what you guys were doing, I'd figured I'd go in and help out."

    Rex glanced back towards the Azumarill, the humour disappearing from his face, "Alright?" he said quietly and sincerely.

    Nervously, the Azumarill managed to muster a small smile before nodding back.

    Turning back towards the bandits, Rex scraped his claws against each other, narrowing his orange eyes on them. "So, walk away now, or you'll get what's coming."

    The bandits turned towards the Golduck, who's fists clenched, "You think you can boss us around?! Come on boys!" The gem on his head glowed, "Let's teach him a lesson!"

    Raising his claws, Rex settled into a combat stance, "Gonna be honest here…"

    The Combusken flashed a grin, "Was kinda hoping you'd say that."

    And with that, the mercenary jumped forward into the fray.

    The Story Continues In

    POKÉMON MYSTERY DUNGEON
    GUARDIANS OF BALANCE

    And

    POKÉMON MYSTERY DUNGEON
    MERCENARIES OF DAWN    ​

    I hoped you enjoyed that chapter! And I'm also very happy to announce not just the continuation of GoB, but an additional story that will run alongside it. I'd like to confirm a new fan-fic, Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Mercenaries of Dawn.

    Mercenaries of Dawn (MoD) is set in the same canon as Guardians of Balance (GoB), but takes place twenty five years before the events of GoB... which also happens to be nine years before the events of Rescue Team. Yes, MoD is a prequel to the wider GoB/Canon-verse. It'll feature Rex as the protagonist in his younger days, where Rescue Teams and Explorer Teams and the like weren't around, instead, there are only mercenaries. But when one job goes wrong, Rex finds himself on a new journey across the Air Continent with new companions. A journey of vengence... that will lead him to shape things to come.

    I don't know when I'll start MoD, given how slow I am doing posts at the moment and how many things I'm trying to do, but I do hope to start MoD sooner rather than later, especially as the events in MoD will ultimately tie heavily to the events of GoB.
     
    • Chapter II.VIII - Onward to Waterfall Mountain
    • StolenMadWolf

    StolenMadWolf

    Loony Moony
    Pronouns
    She/They
    Partners
    1. scorbunny
    2. buneary
    POKÉMON MYSTERY DUNGEON
    GUARDIANS OF BALANCE

    EPISODE II - DARK, WONDEROUS PAST
    CHAPTER VIII - ONWARD TO WATERFALL MOUNTAIN
    ​
    Right, this took far longer than planned. Long story short. I was doubling down on other projects and... to put it bluntly I had a bit of breakdown which put me off doing anything creative for a while, and I've only just recovered my mojo enough to carry on. Apologies if this chapter doesn't seem to be as good as others. But I do hope you enjoy some of story in this, as Chapter IX is going to hit like a truck now I'm getting back on track.

    The preparation for the new mission was a swift affair, with Alice immediately telling him what kind of equipment they would likely need for the job before meeting at the main road out of town. But he couldn't even fully acknowledge the order before Alice was hopping away down the corridors of the Guildtree.

    Alone, Sam merely sighed before setting off himself. He had only managed to piss her off even more.

    He tried not to think about what had prompted him to volunteer for this rescue as he descended into the town, stopping by their room on the way down the tree to collect his satchel. Realising he didn't have that much Poké inside the bag as he strode out of the tree, he made his way to the Duraludon Bank and got help from its owner, Dural, in getting some more pulled out of Team Audacity's account.

    It was pretty easy to figure out Alice would have gone straight to the farms and gardens first. It's out of the way, and she always said it was cheaper to get the berries from there.

    Of course, he fully suspected she went that way just to keep away from him.

    Keeping his mind focused, he worked through Robinwood's stores. He got his paws on rope to replace that lost in the last rescue, some Iron Spikes for both battle and to secure their gear, and a handful of Ethers. He didn't quite recall how it all worked, but the Ethers did help with allowing Pokémon to regenerate their ability to use moves, allowing them to be used more. Up to now, he hadn't needed them.

    He shivered at the memory of the green whip snapping the necks of the rescuers in his vision. I've got a feeling I'm going to need them this time.

    As he walked over to the Kecleon Shop, he couldn't contain his concerns anymore. Geez, I don't blame Alice for being mad. I just volunteered to go on this mission. Esper outright said this guy was worse than Dark Matter. Or… well, the thing inside him. She didn't say it was more powerful than Dark Matter right… oh who am I kidding? It's powerful enough.

    He knew how dangerous it was. Even if Alice still seemed to care enough to help him they will still going up against something that wiped out two whole teams in a matter of seconds. Esper was right, this was beyond Greg. Maybe even Volcanion.

    His ears twitched, they may have lacked experience, but they did have a couple of aces up their sleeves. One, they knew what they were getting into. They could be better prepared when the others had been caught off guard.

    Two… there was himself being human.

    Well, he didn't know how that would work. Maybe it was tied to that hidden ability of his? Libero? Not that has been very useful to him, with it refusing to fire up from time to time. Or maybe Pyro Ball? Or… well, he wasn't-

    "Earth to rabbit dude?"

    Sam blinked, his gaze snapping up to find the green-skinned Kecleon Larissa looking over him with a slightly confused expression, standing behind the counter of her shop. "S-Sorry." He managed to utter before recomposing himself, "Just lost in thought."

    Larissa merely rolled her eyes and casually waved an arm, "Ah, it's fine. I think we're all stuck in thought."

    With that, she flashed the warm smile of a merchant and leaned on the counter, "What can I get you?"

    He managed to hold back the laugh, Larissa always seemed so friendly despite the reputation that Kecleon seemed to have throughout Robinwood. Something along the lines of being very easy to anger when it came to the protection of their merchandise or something. But Larissa? He couldn't imagine that. Why the heck are Bruce and Edward so scared of her then?

    The Scorbunny returned his attention towards the conversation, "I'm looking to get some wands and orbs, I heard you had some in stock."

    "Just came in from Water." Larissa confirmed, "And what you're thinking of using them for?"

    He took a moment to get a breath in, "I'm going after the guy who took out the clinic."

    "And the two teams right?" she replied with a straight face.

    "Err, yeah."

    She nodded firmly before reaching under the counter, "Then in that case, you want something heavy hitting." She pulled out what appeared to be a rather thick stick, ending with a charred tip and a red leaf.

    His gut clenched, "A twig?" Sam questioned.

    "Nooo, a Blast Wand." Larissa explained, "Give this bad boy a wave and you'll blow up the ground underneath the bastard's feet!"

    Flicking an ear, he took a moment to inspect the wand with a slight smirk. The extra firepower would help for sure. "Sounds good, anything that could give more of a punch?"

    Almost on instinct, she spun round and swiped a pair of small orbs off a shelf behind her. A peach-red orb and a bright orange one. "Thinking of fire types, you can try these." She patted the first one, "This All-Power Orb can improve the power of your attacks." She proceeded to tap the second one, "And the Sunny Orb can do the same thing for your fire-type moves, plus weaken water-type moves by intensifying the sunlight."

    Huh… Waterfall Mountain does sound like it's going to have quite a few water types. Might be handy in a pinch.

    Smiling, Sam pulled out some of the remaining Poké in his satchel. "Sounds like a deal."

    With the orbs and wands contained in his bag, he made his way towards one of the routes out of town, the same one Alice told him to meet her at. The wide trail went into the trees, a wooden arch serving as the boundary of the town.

    Alice had conveniently arrived at the same time as himself, and in silence, handed over a handful of berries and seeds. Sam likewise handed her back some of the equipment he obtained. An iron lump settled into his gut as he watched the Buneary load up her satchel. He couldn't bring himself to speak.

    "Are you prepared?"

    He turned to find Rex striding towards them, holding a pair of discs in one hand. "We've got our kit sorted ready, aye." Sam replied.

    "I've made sure to get extra Reviver Seeds." Alice added, holding up a golf-ball-shaped seed that seemed very natural compared to the rather mundane seeds that he had come across before. "Still, it's not going to be easy."

    Thanks for dampening the mood Alice…

    Rex nodded, handing over the two discs, one in each hand, "I managed to dig these out from my old supplies, I have a feeling they'll come in handy."

    Sam took a grey disc from the Guildmaster's hand, surprisingly cool to touch. As he looked down at the reflection, he caught a glimpse of the second disc, which was a bright yellow in comparison.

    "TMs?" Alice questioned, "Why did you get us these?"

    The Scorbunny blinked, the acronym flying over his head. It must have been obvious, as the Blaziken turned his feathered head towards him. "Technical Machines, they contain the key knowledge of moves."

    "H-Huh? You can learn a move just from these?" Sam waved the disc as he spoke, frowning.

    "Don't ask me the science." Rex confirmed, "Alice can show you how they work."

    The Buneary rolled her eyes before inspecting her TM, "Electric?"

    "Thunder Punch." Rex confirmed, "I figured it would be worth widening your reportare."

    You can learn this stuff from what? Reading these things or… something?

    Sam eyed the grey-disc, "And… this?"

    Rex flashed a brief smirk, "Given your experiences, I pulled out Protect. It allows you to completely block another move."

    His heart soared as he looked over the TM, the image of a powerful shield forming before him, "Wait… it can stop anything? Awesome! It should help!"

    "Don't get too comfortable." Rex warned him, waving a finger, "It only works so many times in quick succession. So use it wisely."

    And of course there's a catch. Sam sighed, the prospect of blocking off the devastating attacks of the foe non-stop quickly crumbling to ash.

    As the two rescuers slipped the TMs into their satchels, Rex narrowed his eyes. "I know I gave you the go-ahead, but privately, this is still a chance for you to pull out. I can find another team if-"

    "Rex." Sam interrupted, feeling the bite in his words, "We're up for it."

    I'm not backing out of this now. I've got to this.

    Alice merely nodded.

    Satisfied, Rex stuck up his beak, "Then I will advise caution. I have already sent ahead two members of the Post Office to Waterfall Mountain to scout out the exterior of the dungeon, and we're trying to work out a means of resupply after the first dungeon. But once you walk in, you will be on your own."

    "Won't be the first time." Alice replied curtly. "But we can't just be the only ones going up?"

    "Not if I have anything to say about it." Rex confirmed, "I'm still gathering other guildmembers. If we don't hear anything from you after you enter the dungeon, I'll personally lead a larger team to search for you. You have my word."

    Sam let out a faint sigh, having backup plans did offer some small comfort. "Fingers crossed; we won't need it."

    "I hope that's the case." Rex replied, the Blaziken stiffening before glancing behind them. "Waterfall Mountain is a fair distance off, but I did arrange for some help in getting you there."

    Behind the two rabbits, a red-orange canine Pokémon approached them, towering above the two rabbits easily. He recognised her immediately; it was the strange Arcanine who dove into the burning clinic. "'Sup." She greeted them with a casual, almost lazy tone, looking over the pair.

    Damn… she's bigger up close than I thought. Sam pondered as he mustered a simple wave.

    "Carol happened to be travelling past Waterfall Mountain. So I asked for a favour." Rex explained.

    "Not often I help out the Guild twice in one day." Carol admitted, "I'm not trained for Dungeons, but getting you there is a piece of cake."

    Sam's grin glimmered, "Thanks, it'd be a big help."

    Alice merely nodded back her thanks.

    It took mere moments for Team Audacity to climb onto Carol's back, who now began to stride towards the path out. Rex watched on, "Stay safe you two. And good luck, we'll be right behind you."

    "I'll make sure of that." Alice replied firmly.

    Sam faintly noticed his ear twitch as he pulled the mock salute to Rex.

    Carol gently shook herself, "Hold on you two." She grunted, "I think the saying goes, 'Speed limits are meant' to be broken.'".

    And with that, the Arcanine burst into a run, shooting down the path and leaving Robinwood very quickly behind them.

    *****

    ​
    The journey had been surprisingly pleasant for the two rabbits as their canine mount sprinted effortlessly through the forests and across the open plains of the island. The wind rushed past the Scorbunny's face, bringing with it the fresh scent of grass. It was bumpy of course thanks to Carol's running, but he could still hold himself comfortably in place with a good grip.

    In just over two hours, Waterfall Mountain hove into view.

    It sat at the tip of a mountain range that ran towards the north on Sam's right and found itself positioned just at the edge of the ocean itself. A grey peak that was only a little bit taller than the mountains near it, but it was still easy to spot with it being broader than the others. That, and there were the waterfalls themselves. Hundreds of them glistened in the distance, including one giant one that thundered from top to bottom in one clean go. A thick mist swirled around the mountain, forming a thick blanket that hide the summit from view.

    He felt his heart flutter for a moment, "Whoa…"

    "Quite the sight huh?" Carol puffed, "It's about to get a whole lot better."

    She wasn't kidding. Within twenty minutes, they could slowly hear the thundering of the water itself. Ten minutes after that, they emerged from the forest they cut through to find the mountain in all its glory.

    Waterfall Mountain was surrounded by a gigantic ring-shaped lake, the discharge from the waterfalls rushing into to fill it. White water bubbled across the very edge of the mountain, leaving the remaining water an azure blue in comparison. The sound of the waterfalls was what surprised him though. It wasn't unbearable as he expected, but it was still loud enough that it blotted out many of the other sounds. A faint mist swirled around them, but it didn't hide the glinting of the biggest waterfall coming down to their right.

    A rocky arch was all that connected the mountain to the rest of the land, spared by the power of the waterfalls. As Carol jogged across it, Sam couldn't help but stare at Waterfall Mountain. Esper's words didn't get anywhere near close to doing it justice. Over his shoulder, he could sense that even Alice was taken aback, her head tilting back to get a good view.

    At the end of the arch was a larger outcrop, where a dark cave opening beckoned. There, sat on a pair of boulders a few metres ahead of it were a pair of avian Pokémon talking to each other. A Talonflame and a Corviknight.

    Wait, are those Jean and Clovis?

    "We're here." Carol said, no worse for wear as she slowed to a halt a short distance away from the pair.

    Sam clambered off her back, his legs wobbly beneath him from having sat on the canine's back for so long. "Thanks for the lift." He replied. "You sure you're alright?"

    "That was like a jog for me." Carol replied, "I need to get moving up the range, there are a few camps that are out of the way that need someone giving the heads up of what's going on."

    "Then stay safe." Alice said, "We'll try and keep this mess from spreading."

    "Hurrah to that." The red and orange Pokémon slowly turned back towards the bridge. "Good hunting."

    Sam watched as Carol started jogging back across the bridge, but he could hear Alice striding towards the two birds and he moved to follow her. "Ah. I believe you are Team Audacity?" inquired Clovis, the Corviknight looking down towards the two rabbits.

    Not feeling intimidated by his height, Sam responded first. "That's us."

    "Have you seen Zeke or Kaliani?" Alice questioned bluntly, leaving a bitter taste in Sam's mouth. Come on Alice, be mad at me. Not everyone else.

    He didn't catch Clovis's reaction though. It was Jean who spoke first. "Non. We've tried to scout the perimeter, but we've had no luck."

    "All we have ascertained is that the pair have entered the dungeon." Clovis explained, "Nor have they come out this way."

    Sam called back his memory of how Dungeons worked. The layout changed all the time, there was often only one way in, and unless they had the means to escape instantly, the only way out was to work their way through and backtrack to find themselves at the original entrance.

    I doubt either Zeke or Kaliani had Escape Orbs on hand. They still have to be up there. He angled his head up towards the mist-covered mountain. "Well, looks like we've got quite the climb ahead of us." He mused.

    "We did try and scout out the upper slopes." Clovis explained in his posh tone, narrowing his red eyes, "Not that we had any real success though."

    The Talonflame rolled his eyes, "Merde! You were so confident about flying above the mist layer, then the winds kicked in and you were diving back with your tail feathers between your legs! Tommy rostbif!"

    Sam almost felt the audible crack as the Corviknight stiffened, his armoured head snapping towards the Talonflame. "Oi!" he exclaimed, his previous tone eradicated in a heartbeat for a much rougher, lower-class accent, "You froggie git! You nearly smashed ya'self into the cliffs ya nob!"

    Ears ringing, Sam yanked his ears down. "Guys! Back on topic?!" he barked, dragging the attention of the two birds back towards him. The Corviknight coughed heavily, hiding his face behind his wing.

    The Talonflame meanwhile merely ground his beak. "E-Either way, we've not had much luck in searching the upper slopes."

    "We'll – ahem – keep trying." Clovis finally replied, "And if we can establish a means of resupply for the area between the two dungeons, we'll try and get up to you there."

    The Scorbunny merely sighed, "Don't get yourselves hurt trying to reach us. Just having some backup here helps. Right, Ali-"

    He turned to find Alice had disappeared. Growling, he scanned his surroundings and spotted the Buneary was already making her way towards the entrance. "R-Right, thanks guys, wish us luck!"

    Leaving the two birds to watch on with confusion, Sam sprinted after her. Thankfully, Alice seemed to retain enough patience to wait for him at the threshold of the door. Barely, judging by how her arms were crossed.

    He half expected her to stride in without him. But instead, she stood her ground, eyes fixed on the door.

    It was only then did she finally speak to him. "This is insane."

    Shuffling his feet, Sam looked over the fuming Buneary. "You didn't have to come." He quietly said, "This is my responsibility."

    "And again you're trying to be a hero." Alice snarled, "Never quite seem to think through things."

    Feeling the sting strike his chest, Sam peeled back. "Alice, come on-"

    "Are we going in here or not?" she asked bluntly, eyes still fixed on the dungeon entrance.

    Bloody hell Alice…

    Unable to hide the flash of his teeth as a wave of heat rushed over him, Sam snapped his eyes towards the darkness of the mountain. "Let's get going."

    And with that, the two entered Waterfall Mountain.

    *****

    ​
    Compared to Broken Wood, seeing the interior of Waterfall Mountain was a breath of fresh air. The walls were made of smooth grey stone, devoid of any cracks or deterioration. Shallow puddles formed breadcrumbs between deeper pools that ran into separate tunnels. Thankfully, corridors on solid ground remained clear and open for the two Rescuers to navigate.

    A few Feral Pokémon battled them along the way, mainly some water types and rock types with the occasional flying type when the ceiling disappeared to reveal a misty grey sky. Despite the type challenges, the two pushed onward through the floors. Climbing higher. But Sam didn't tackle the fights with his usual vigour. Instead, it felt cold and distant as he tackled each threat one to one, focusing on his own battles and letting Alice handle hers.

    There wasn't much point in trying to mess with each other's fighting styles.

    Twelve floors later, Team Audacity emerged back into the sunlight.

    They had emerged onto a wide, flat section that seemed to have been carved out of the side of the mountain by a trio of waterfalls that fell onto the ledge, forming a collection of streams and small pools before it ran over the edge and further down the mountain. Moss and a thin layer of grass covered anything that wasn't covered in rocks and water.

    They couldn't get much of a view though, as the mist was now thick enough to block out the view from higher up. Only the sun and the odd patch of blue sky punched through from directly above.

    Sam sighed as he leaned against a boulder near the tunnel they had emerged from. "Well… so far so good."

    "For now." Alice said coldly as she moved on ahead, heading towards one of the larger pools. "We better rest and take stock before we head on towards the next dungeon."

    He followed the jab of her head towards another rocky tunnel at the other end of the ledge. Even from here, a brief shiver ran through his skull and ears. It didn't seem much different to the one at the bottom of Waterfall Mountain, but it seemed… darker somehow. Or at least, darker than what pitch black should have been.

    "Probably for the best, Zeke and Kaliani aren't-"

    When he turned back, Alice had opened the distance even further, leaving Sam behind.

    Groaning, Sam rubbed his forehead. He had been trying to work out how to even talk things through with her. But between the fighting and the journey to the Mountain, he hadn't been able to work out how. He had never seen Alice angry in this manner before, how could he handle it without making things worse and losing her altogether?

    That was when he heard the light beat of wings. His ears perked up, he traced the source towards the cliff edge. Practically a second later, a familiar blue-grey shape shot out of the mist and dropped down onto the ground with the scraping of talons.

    Sam hopped back to his feet, "Perry!?" he exclaimed, feeling dizzy from the sudden leap.

    The Corvisquire post-bird flashed a winning smile with his beak, "Ah! Sam-man! You know, this place was easier to get to than those two old geezers claimed! Maybe because I'm a damn good flier…"

    A subtle warmth rolled over Sam as he walked over to the bird. Perry may have been bonkers, but there was still something weirdly pleasant about seeing the guy. "I've never been so glad to see you, Perry! Did you manage to bring anything up?"

    The crow had a satchel secured around his body, and reaching inside it, he pulled out a small bag. "The crafters have been working on overdrive to get these potions ready. A few Supers too, but that's it."

    Sam took hold of the bag from the bird's claws, "And a message from Rex-man too." Perry explained, "Teams RAY, Trooper and Fox are nearly here, and he and Team Spirit were getting ready to lead the second wave. Probably already on their way."

    Good. The Scorbunny thought as he closed his eyes. At least we've got back up on its way.

    But… are we even going to be enough?     He felt the doubt creep in, a small patch of cold forming at the base of his spine. It could be snapped in half soon enough.

    "Hey, you've got hero potential buddy!" Perry exclaimed, his grin even bigger, "You'll probably curb-stomp this green bastard!"

    Weakly, Sam could only laugh, "Hero potential? More like losing my mind." He found himself staring distantly off into the mists, his mouth drying up. "I saw how those teams died… they never stood a chance."

    He narrowed his gaze on Perry. "What chance do we have?"

    The smile vanished from Perry's beak. Instead, his eyes darkened and the bird straightened up. "You've proven yourself before. And you've already got a better mind to this than most. But if you let doubt get into your head, it'll slow you down."

    His eyes flicked past Sam. "And so will mistrust."

    Behind him, Alice sat at the edge of one of the pools, rubbing her hands in the clear water.

    Here goes Perry again… flipping things on their head.

    "I'm not sure what to even do," Sam admitted numbly. "She keeps brushing me off."

    "Then you need to persist." Perry urged him, "You will get killed if you can't put your issues aside for the mission. Believe me, I've seen and heard families turn on each other because they can't work things out." He tilted his head towards her, "You might not get another chance."

    Sam sighed softly, a part of him knowing it was going to be difficult to even try that. But he knew he had to give it a shot.

    "You're… you're right." He glumly admitted, weighing the bag of potions in one hand.

    "Of course I'm right!" Perry cheered, his serious composure evaporating as jabbed a wing at his head. "I've got big brains!"

    He hopped back towards the edge, opening his wings up, "I better pass on word you got this far. Happy hunting!"

    Sam reached out, "Wait P-"

    The Corvisquire dove off the edge and out of sight.

    The Scorbunny let his hand drop. And there he goes…

    He turned to face Alice, her back still turned to him.

    Taking a moment to rub his feet and shake himself loose. Okay… here goes.

    The Scorbunny made his way over the rocks towards her, taking care not to slip off them and into the water. No point in making himself look like a complete fool now.

    When he finally reached her, she was staring down at her reflection in the pool, her coiled ear twitching. Sam placed the vial bag next to her. "Perry dropped off some potions, other teams are nearly here." He explained.

    "Good." She said, taking her eyes away to reach into the bag and pull out a couple of the vials.

    She still didn't look at him.

    Huffing quietly to himself, Sam rolled a shoulder. "Alice. We need to talk."

    "Ah-huh." She said, inspecting a red vial.

    Sam crouched down next to her, "Alice, I never knew what to expect with being human. I woke with absolutely no idea where I was or how things worked. I got attacked on my first day for crying out loud! I was worried that if I started sprouting that I was a human, it'd be like setting a bomb off or something."

    "And look how well that worked out." Alice snapped, rolling her eyes. "You were worried about getting stabbed by someone. I get it. But you can't just shove people to reveal every one of their secrets or to do exactly what you want, then refuse to do the same."

    Sam winced, "I don't force people to do anything like that, and I didn't want to put you at risk again because-"

    "Because of the fake curse." Alice countered, her coiled ear twitching as she turned towards him. "That I had a part to play in killing my parents?"

    Quivering, Sam couldn't quite respond.

    "I had to fight to keep people off my back. Some of them wanted to break me. At least one wanted to kill me." She rose to her feet, "I don't need your protection."

    He slipped back from her, "That wasn't what I meant!" he exclaimed.

    "But it is!" Alice bellowed, fists clenched, "You've always got to be some kind of hero, barging your way into other people's problems and trying to act like you are looking out for everyone!"

    "Al-"

    "But you're not a hero Sam!" she shouted, "You've barely made anyone's life any better! And even if you do, you end up digging yourself a hole that someone has to get you out of! You can't save anyone without help! You're fucking hopeless!"

    That last sentence struck him hard. The Scorbunny's back clicked as he straightened up, ears fully erect. He felt cold, clammy and… empty.

    Then his heart began to pound, his arms began to shake. Flames began to burn through him entirely, a blaze that began to consume him.

    *****

    ​
    Alice panted, shaking herself as she tried to recompose herself. She needed to get the message into his thick skull. Come on you fucking idiot! Why can't you just see that I would try h-

    Her thoughts ceased as she noticed not only the stiffening, quivering Scorbunny… but the snarl stretching across his lips and his dark eyes.

    Her gut tightened, the Buneary feeling herself tremble as the full weight of what she had just said to him finally dawned on her. Shit… what the hell am I doing?

    All the anger in her drained away, her eyes widening as she quickly raised her hands and backed off. "I… Sam, I didn't-"

    "No." Sam growled, "I guess you're right. Hopeless, can't save anyone? Certainly makes sense."

    "No! You can-"

    "Shut up."

    Alice flinched, the Scorbunny's eyes flashing red. "I'm not stupid Alice. I tend to make things worse. I don't think before I run in, because it's fucking instinct to me Alice. Hell, I might have to run on that instinct down the line when the whole fucking world is at stake!"

    "The world!?" Alice cried out, "What the hell are you talking about?"

    "How about dealing with another Dark Matter!"

    Now she froze, all the heat fleeing from her body as the Scorbunny continued to rant. "I found out what the other humans did! Meteors, time crises, emotion eaters and Dark Matter! About how many people got hurt during all that! How much those humans had to suffer and fight through! I might have to fight something worse, such as that thing up there!"

    He jabbed a finger towards the still hidden summit, "And I have no idea what I'm going to be dealing with, when that's going to happen, or what I can even do about it! If I can't fight a handful of bandits or save a few kids on my own, how the fuck can I deal with something like this! I brought him back to Robinswood! I got people killed!"

    Sam's foot came flying, striking a rock and igniting it. A single Ember sailed through the air and smacked itself against the rock cliff, sparking as it tumbled down and into one of the streams with a sizzle of hot steam.

    The fire-type turned away, panting heavily. Sh…

    Alice shook herself loose, "S-Sam…"

    "Keep the damn vials. I'm going into that dungeon soon. We need to be ready."

    Sam stormed off, leaving Alice quietly watching him go, trying her best to conceal a haunted look on her face. S-Sam…

    She failed to see Sam struggling to hold back tears.

    Then he recovered, his expression going as hard as steel as he left Alice behind.

    *****

    ​
    After fifteen minutes, Sam and Alice made their way into the second dungeon in almost complete silence. When it materialised around them, it became apparent that Rex wasn't exaggerating. A thick layer of mist filled the chambers, so dense that it was only the faint forms of the corridors that gave Sam a sense of where the walls were. His senses were all borked too, every step seemed to send an echo bouncing all around him, making his ears twitch constantly. The air wasn't only damp too, but also cold too, leaving his fur to stand on end.

    But as they began to work through the dungeon, Sam kept his nerve. If they started panicking now, they wouldn't stand a chance.

    Not that he was going to panic in here, and he doubted Alice would either. The Buneary could barely look at him, an angry look written across her face now she had recovered from their latest spat.

    He couldn't give a toss at the end of the day. If Alice thought he was that hopeless, he wasn't going to concern himself with her thoughts about him. What mattered now was getting through this dungeon.

    The first couple of floors went slowly, not from fighting feral Pokémon, but from trying to navigate the place. With the mist so thick, they found themselves going wondering into larger rooms and often finding themselves back where they started. Even the Wonder Map they had, which should have allowed them to get an idea of the layout, wasn't taking shape properly, leaving entire sections of the map blank and forcing the two to try and scour the areas not being marked.

    But as time progressed, they started coming across the stairs and began to ascend.

    It was on the third floor when they started coming across another Pokémon. Sometimes appearing as dark spots within the mist, giving them some time to prepare for the threat. Other times, something would leap out of the fog towards them, trying to swipe at them with a physical move or blast them with something with more range. They had to be constantly vigilant, lest they got caught off guard by a blast of water or shard of ice punching through the mist.

    The only words Sam and Alice barked at each other were warnings of incoming attacks. Neither seemed to be inclined to say much else.

    The fifth floor was even more painful to navigate. The ground was covered in water that covered the top of his feet, and it was an effort to avoid slipping into any deeper pools that were hidden from view whilst being attacked and lost along the way.

    More and more hits slipped through, forcing the two to pause along the way and munch on oran berries to patch themselves up. They saved the potions for the threat ahead.

    The mist was so thick, they didn't even realise they had walked out of the dungeon entirely until they felt the gravel beneath their feet.

    Sam looked down, toes digging into the ground. His muscles relaxed for a moment, the Scorbunny quietly glad they had reached the top.

    But then he stiffened again, remembering Rex's words on the dungeon itself. How it was difficult to navigate. And yet…

    "That felt too easy." Sam coldly noted.

    "Agreed." Alice replied woodenly. "Zeke?"

    "Has to be."

    Sam stepped forward, hoping the mist would start to clear. But if anything, just one step made the fog thicken further and made it even more impenetrable.

    "I can't see a fucking thing." The Buneary growled, "We'll walk off the mountain at this rate."

    Frowning, Sam rubbed a few of the pebbles beneath his feet, feeling them heat up beneath him. Come on Sam think… how can you get rid of mist? Or fog? It normally pops up on a cold day right so, we need some… sunlight!

    He reached into his satchel and pulled out the bright orange orb from within. "This might help."

    Sam had slowly gotten to grips with how Orbs were activated over the last few weeks, and the Sunny Orb was no different. He carefully squeezed the ball in his hand, feeling the seemingly solid object vibrate in his hand. He tossed it gently up into the air, and the now glowing orange orb hovered just above his head. It glowed brighter and brighter, turning into a brilliant white for a fraction of a second before fading away.

    And yet, the fog remained.

    Alice blinked, "So much for that plan."

    Growling, Sam stomped further forward into the mist.

    "Come on, let's not be stupid." Alice snapped, "We need to work on a plan."

    "Zeke and Kaliani had to have come through here." Sam countered, "I'm not turning back now."

    He could just make out Alice's bite of her curse.

    They moved deeper into the fog, keeping one eye on the gravel beneath them as it crunched. Alice did have a point, one wrong step, and they'd be tumbling down the mountain in no time. The fog got thicker with every step as if trying to encourage them to turn around. But Sam pushed onwards, hearing Alice's footsteps behind him. Part of him screamed that wandering around in the mist was stupid, but the rest of him knew that they couldn't just turn back round. The next group would run into the same issue.

    Either way, they had to find a path through it or clear it out.

    A dark shape formed ahead of them. For the first time, he glanced towards Alice. Her eyes were narrowed, fixed on the same point ahead.

    They slowed down, Sam scoping up a few stones to get Ember ready, whilst Alice's ears fully retracted, ready to strike at the threat.

    The shape darkened and began to take shape. It was a small column, about three times their height. With all the cracks and bumps on the surface, it wasn't even a column at all. Just a tall rock.

    Sighing, Sam increased his stride towards the rock, Alice moving to follow him. But he slowed again as other details appeared. Or rather, just one.

    On a flat patch of the pillar at his level, a white symbol had been etched on. A symbol he didn't expect to see.

    A striped tear placed over a cross.

    Sam managed to catch his gasp at the sight of it. A symbol he found in Broken Wood. A symbol he had heard of from an ancient story. The Guardians… what… what were they doing here?

    Six weeks on from Broken Wood, he had tried and failed to learn much about them. There was nothing in the library that had anything on them. Even Edward, being knowledgeable as he was, only really knew the story he had explained in Broken Wood. They were just that obscure.

    Did Rex and Esper come across this? Sam questioned, recalling the armband he managed to recover from Broken Wood, along with that mural down there too. He barely had a chance to look over the markings of it before Volcanion burst out of the ground and tried to kill him and the other recruits.

    Alice peered around behind the pillar, "There's nothing here." She coldly said, "This is pointless, we should backtrack."

    "No," Sam replied, leaning forward to inspect the symbol. "It means something. Who would carve this here?"

    Snarling, Alice strode round and pushed him back. "Look, it's just an old drawing."

    She placed her hand against the symbol, holding it there for a few seconds with a lazy look on her face. Understandably, nothing happened.

    "There." She said, pulling the hand away. "Not worth anything at all."

    Snarling, Sam pushed past her again. It can't have been that simple. The guardians wouldn't have left what seemed to be their emblem here. It had to mean something.

    He planted his hand against the symbol. "Why would it be-"

    In that instant, a bright green outline flashed around the symbol and with it, a resonant ping.

    Sam stumbled back, his heart missing a beat as the glow intensified around the symbol. "…here…" he finally uttered. Alice's eyes widened as she took a step back herself.

    The symbol began to pulse, and the wind started to howl, ruffling up the two rabbit's fur as it whipped around them. Sam blinked rapidly, trying to protect his eyes from the wind. "What the hell did you do!?" Alice cried out, eyes squeezed shut.

    Sam dug his feet into the ground as the wind punched into his chest, struggling to stop it from brushing him back. The air around him grew brighter every second, the Scorbunny wincing and forcing him to close his eyes. The air screamed around him, pushing himself further back and whipping his ears around.

    But then the wind slowly died down, fading away into silence. And slowly, Sam's eyes drifted back open.

    Sunlight burned bright into his eyes, and once they had adjusted, both he and Alice gasped.

    The mist had been blown away, revealing a vibrant blue sky above their heads and the majesty of their surroundings.

    They stood on the edge of a crater lake, crystal clear blue water lapping against the rim. Dozens of smaller islands were scattered across the lake, rising dozens of metres above the surface. A small amount of steam rose from patches, only for a blast of water to shoot up from hidden geysers into the air and briefly forming colourful rainbows in the sky.

    "It's… it's beautiful." Alice quietly said with awe.

    Sam felt his eyes drawn to the geysers as they shot upwards. "Tell me about it."

    They stood there for a moment longer, drawn to the scene before them until Alice broke the silence again. "How… how did you know that'd happen?"

    "I didn't." Sam replied, "I've just seen that symbol before."

    Unknown to him, Alice turned to face her, poised to ask another question, only to seal her mouth shut with a shake of her head. "This is going to take too much time." She said with a wave of her arm towards the lake, "They could be on any one of those islands!"

    Sam scoured the surroundings, trying to spot any landmark that could hint at their location. The islands would be… well… obvious right? Maybe they're… aha!

    "I think I found where they could be." Sam said, turning his gaze to the crater rim.

    A section of the rim rose higher up than the rest several hundred metres away, but from where Sam's standing, at the top of a set of stairs carved into the rock, there was a tall grey tower, crumbling but otherwise intact. It wasn't made of plain rock, but clearly from cut stone bricks. Like the tower of a castle.

    Alice stepped up next to him, "Makes sense, but… are you sure?"

    Sam started talking around the rim towards it, "Only one way to find out."
     
    • Chapter II.IX - The Dark Power
    • StolenMadWolf

    StolenMadWolf

    Loony Moony
    Pronouns
    She/They
    Partners
    1. scorbunny
    2. buneary
    And finally, Chapter 2.9 is up and running. Sorry it took a while to come out.

    I'm feeling in a better state now, so I'm hoping this chapter will make up for the last one. Plenty of action this time, and there are some significant details which should upend alot of conceptions about what is happening in GoB. Or at least, get folks thinking.

    Hope you enjoy it!

    POKÉMON MYSTERY DUNGEON​
    GUARDIANS OF BALANCE​

    EPISODE II - DARK, WONDEROUS PAST
    CHAPTER IX - THE DARK POWER    ​

    Kaliani groaned with a wheeze, slowly slipping back into consciousness. As her mind sharpened back into focus, she quietly begged for it all to be just a dream. Every bad thing that had happened so far had to have been part of a nightmare. She was still on her bed, trying to recover from the pirate attack.

    That hope was dashed the moment the feeling of her legs tied together faded back into existence, her wing dragging along the smooth stone.

    Oh Arceus… what happened? Zeke was so friendly and… and…

    The memory of Zeke tearing apart the nurse… those teams… she had barely held onto consciousness. But she was awake enough to see all of that death.

    It hadn't been the first time she had come across it, but nothing like that…

    W-Where are we now?

    On cue, the pressure around her legs vanished and weakly, the Trumbeak opened her eyes.

    A grey sky formed above her head, shrouding her surroundings in a faint cloak, not enough to make everything to be wrapped in shadow, but enough to blur out a few details. A tall grey wall appeared before her, its surface visibly smooth and engraved.

    That was before she saw Zeke. The Electrike had his back turned to her as he inspected the wall. A dark green energy flowed lazily around him. The same green energy that had killed those Pokémon. Her heart began to race as Kaliani tried to pick herself up, but her stupid legs again failed her. A jab of pain shot up them as she crumpled back into a heap.

    She couldn't hold the cry.

    The Electrike's head snapped around, a glowing green eye-locking onto her.

    "God god!" Kaliani squawked in a panic, trying and failing to shove herself backwards.

    Zeke – no – that thing revealed a cold, bemused smile. "Ah. Ye ave awokn. Idel tymeing. Bes not kepe thy waiten."

    The language he spoke might as well have been gibberish, and it didn't help her increasingly rapid breathing and heart rate. "W-What do you want from me!?" she cried out, "What did we ever do to you?!"

    The creature chuckled as he turned and approached, a green tendril beginning to scrape the stone ground behind him. "I wole nee thine ichon."

    Vainly, Kaliani tried to retreat again, and once more, couldn't slip away. The tendril slipped forward, rising above her as the tip sharpened into a point.

    "No! No!" Kaliani screamed, "Don-"

    The tendril shot forward.

    And pricked her shoulder, retreating just as quickly as it came, the tip coated in a thin layer of blood. Hissing, the Trumbeak fell onto her back, a wing instinctively reaching for the wound as the entity turned away, inspecting the blood. "My ichon wole be expelled. Thou lyfefor shal suffien."

    He approached the wall, stroking the tendril across the stone surface with a simple movement. Kaliani's heart started to slow, if only while trying to process what was happening. He… he just needs a little of my blood?

    It was in that moment, the sky suddenly brightened. Wincing, she shielded her eyes as she tried to look up. The clouds had evaporated away, leaving the bright form of the sun shining above her head.

    Her captor didn't seem to physically react. "Thou poor succeonor cometh. It mattos not."

    Faint glowing lines began to form across the wall, a near-silent ping ringing out as the entity took a couple of steps back, the tendril withdrawing and the energy tightening around him.

    This is insane! I… I've gotta get out of here!

    Finally, her legs gained the strength to lift her upright. She quivered, a twitch in her wings confirming that she was in no state to fly.

    That left no alternative.

    She turned and ran, heart racing as she struggled to hold her balance, desperately looking for an exit.

    The entity didn't care about it's captive fleeing, instead, it continued to inspect the wall, it's glowing lines spreading and starting to form new shapes. "Zaiell… I shal se what hepen…"


    Team Audacity moved at a steady pace, making their way around the crater rim for the tower. As they reached the foot of the stairs, Alice reached into her satchel and pulled out the yellow disc that Rex had given her. "We better use these first, might not get another chance to learn a move."

    Sam couldn't deny she had a point. Slowing down, the Scorbunny pulled out the grey TM from his bag. However, a lump swiftly formed in his throat. He had no idea how to use the disc.

    Alice isn't going to give me that answer so easily.

    He did flick his gaze her way, noticing the Buneary staring at her yellow disc, as if mesmerized by it. With a frown, Sam looked back towards the TM in his hands, focusing his gaze on the shiny surface. He tried to spy little details there, blemishes, scratches, circular lines… stuff that was becoming more obvious.

    Before his eyes, a pattern began to form. Covered in circles, arcs, lines and other shapes, he started to see bright white colours appear too. Getting brighter every second.

    He only tore his gaze away when the disc itself flashed him, but it was too late, that mysterious pattern imprinted into his vision before fading away. A cold tickle ran at the base of his skull, and Sam quietly moaned as the image faded away. "Looks like we're all set." Alice said, putting her TM away.

    "That was it?" Sam questioned with a groan, moving to do the same.

    "Weird pattern flashing in your eyes? Yeah."

    Shaking his head once more, Sam started to jog up the rocky stairs. "I'll take your word for it. Come on."

    Each step wasn't that tall, making it pretty easy for the two small rabbits to pick up speed. But each step was massive, as if they were not only easy for small Pokémon to climb, but had plenty of room for bigger ones too. But Sam couldn't think about the universal nature of these steps. Zeke and Kaliani had to be ahead, he was sure of it.

    Soon, the tower itself appeared before them. It was more than fifty metres tall, and was surrounded by a grey stone wall of around twelve metres, itself made of brick. Three arches offered a gateway into the complex.

    Sam's frown deepened as they slowed, scanning the plain wall and the tower itself, which now he was closer looked more like a blunt obelisk than a castle tower. But that wasn't why he was frowning. This feels… familiar… almost like I've…

    The image of a burning castle flashed across mind's eye, the Scorbunny nearly went as still as a statue. A dream! This looks the castle in my dreams!

    It had been one of the dreams he was plagued with. A castle under siege, a giant battle being waged. Two powerful Pokémon clashing against each other…

    This place looks so similar!

    But this isn't a castle… it doesn't look as well fortified. Especially with that obelisk… what is this place? It's too open to be an outpost, and too far out of the way for trade I guess…

    The answer suddenly became obvious.

    A Temple…

    Alice had crept ahead of him, and jerking back to attention, Sam widened his stride to keep pace.

    But as they reached the last few steps, a black and white bird stumbled out from one of the arches, a surprised cry echoing from her orange beak as she tripped, and started to tumble down a step.

    Gasping, Sam leapt forward, throwing his body weight at the Trumbeak and holding the bird up from hitting the ground. "Got you!" he exclaimed.

    The Trumbeak let out a yelp as her feet settled underneath her. "W-Who-hell!?"

    "Calm down!" Alice barked, clamping a paw onto the bird's shoulder. "Kaliani right? We're Rescuers!"

    Kaliani blinked rapidly, gulping in fresh air as she worked to calm herself down. With a ruffle of her body, she shakingly stepped clear of Sam's arms, "About damn time…" she panted.

    Sam raised a brow, Damn, she recovered quick.

    "Are you hurt?" He asked, leaning from side to side as he checked her over.

    "Nani, just a bit… shaky." She replied, her legs quivering for a moment. "W-We need to get out of here though!"

    Feeling himself relax at the words, Sam let out a quiet sigh. Against the odds, Kaliani was in one peace. He was glad for that.

    That was one half of the mission covered. As for the other half…

    Narrowing his eyes, Sam peered past Kaliani towards the arches. "What about Zeke? Is he after you?"

    "Zeke?! He just got some blood off me and started staring at that tower thing! I don't think he even cares now!"

    Wincing, the orange-beaked avian lifted her wing, revealing a tiny patch of blood on her shoulder. Alice's brow furrowed, "That's it? He just wanted some blood and let you go?"

    "I-I don't know!" Kaliani barked, "He's speaking some nonsense! And he has this green aura all around him! I saw him kill other Rescuers!" She narrowed her eyes, "We can't stay here!"

    She took a shaky step forward, only to crumple again into Sam's arms as her legs gave out. "Kanapapiki!" she cursed.

    "You're in no shape to move!" Alice growled, reaching into her bag and pulling out an oran berry. "It's not much, but this should help."

    Staring at it for a second, Kaliani swiftly gobbled up the berry as the Buneary faced Sam. "We can get back to the dungeon, get her out of here."

    Sam glared back at the arches, the deaths of the Pokémon back in Robinswood slipping back into his mind. They knew that whatever was up here was powerful. Dangerous. If they turned back now, got Kaliani through the exit and backtracked, Zeke could have been well out of reach.

    Ready to cause more death and destruction.

    No. I can't allow that.

    He pulled one of the brewed Super Potions from his bag and handed it over to Kaliani. "Drink this too, then start making your way back along the rim towards a cave entrance. Head through there, and you'll end up at the bottom of the mountain. Others will be waiting there."

    Sam turned his eyes towards the arches and began to march up towards the entrance. "What the hell are you doing?" Kaliani hissed in surprise and confusion, "You can't fight that thing! You'll get ripped apart!"

    "He's being a thickhead again." Alice growled, "Come on Sam, let's try and get some H-"

    Baring his teeth, Sam snapped his head back round, "I can't let him get away. If you think I'm that hopeless, take Kaliani and leave. I'm going up there either way."

    He climbed the last step and moved through the arches, fists clenched. He heard a brief curse, followed by an order and finally, the beat of Alice's hops as she moved after him.

    On the other side, a shallow pit greeted them, with a handful of steps placed inside the surrounding wall. The pit itself was only fifteen metres in length, but at the very centre was the obelisk. Now he was up close, its features became more apparent. A good chunk of it appeared to be made out of darker stone bricks, save for the side closest to them. That was made of smooth stone, and even from here, Sam could tell that it was covered in symbols, icons and carvings.

    Sam and Alice held up at the top of the steps leading into the pit, eyes moving towards the base of the obelisk. Zeke was at it's base, inspecting the wall.

    And with the same green aura flowing around him.

    Feeling a faint shiver, Sam noticed a handful of pebbles on the floor and scooped them up. "We need to focus on evasion." He said, "Make every shot count and don't let him hit either of us."

    "For once, we agree." Alice replied coldly, her eyes fixed on the dark Electrike.

    Silently, the two descended into the pit and moved towards the obelisk. Sam's heart began to beat harder, the air feeling heavier around the Scorbunny. Zeke's back was turned to them, but they couldn't take any chances.

    Then came the voice. Deeper, and more gruttal than the tone Zeke had before. Kaliani wasn't kidding either, almost every word that left his mouth came across as gibberish.

    Alright, just get close… then we can try and surpr-

    The canine's ears casually flicked back. "Gretel… hae ye cometh sla me? Rescuers…"

    Zeke's eye flashed green as he turned to face them, Alice silently cursing off to Sam's side. He narrowed his gaze on the electric-type. Some of the words seemed… somewhat familiar again. But he couldn't put his finger on them. Save for Rescuers.

    Must have learnt it from someone else.

    Snarling, Sam dropped a pebble and placed his foot on it, feeling it warm up beneath him. "Zeke." Sam started, making his voice firm and strong-sounding. "Whatever you are. You're wanted for murder, give it up now."

    Despite his efforts, the electric-type laughed. Coldly and quietly at his words. "Na."

    Alice's clenched ear twitched, "I don't think he's going to listen."

    As 'Zeke' started speaking again, as if about to start a monologue. But as he spoke, Sam noticed his voice… his words were starting to shift. Frowning, Sam's ears tilted slightly as he focused on the words.

    "Ye ar currech. Ye ave no chan against me. D ave any idea wha kind of power that I possess? You don't even know the significance of this place."

    Sam's eyes widened, suddenly feeling cold. W-What? He's speaking English? Or… am I understanding him? Like the words…

    "Significance? What are you talking about?" he questioned.

    Zeke narrowed an eye, "We stand in the remains of a temple. One created by my old enemies. They may have been obsessed with the balance their lord desired, but they did try and record every part of their disgusting history. Fate seems to have led to most of that history being lost. A blessing… if inconvenient for my purposes."

    So this place is a temple… but…

    "Enemies?" Sam questioned.

    There was only one thing he could think of. That symbol he had been coming across, time and time again. "You're talking about the Guardians aren't you? You hated them?"

    Alice's neck clicked as her head spun towards him, "What are you talking about?"

    Blinking again, Sam glanced over at the baffled Buneary. "W-what? Can't you understand him?"

    "No!" Alice snapped.

    It's… just me?

    Zeke's eye brightened, "Curious… You… understand me Scorbunny. How convenient."

    Sam focused back on him again, "Guardians. That's who you're talking about?"

    "Yes." The entity purred, "I knew them well. So narrow-minded, so secure in their self-righteousness. But even I will admit, your kind are a pale imitation of what they were."

    Resisting the urge to shout, he instead threw out another question. "…who are you?"

    "I'm not this 'Zeke'. I am merely… borrowing him. Call me… a missionary."

    So Esper was right… something else is controlling him…

    "And what exactly are you doing? Why the hell did you kill those Pokémon?"

    "They were… merely in my way." The missionary chuckled.

    Sam's nostrils flared. "So you just killed them for no reason at all? Just because they happened to be on your way out?"

    "The strong are those that survive." He replied with a relaxed tone. "And after being dormant for so long… I needed to see what has happened since my… demise."

    He raised his chin, motioning towards the obelisk and the murals on its surface. "Even with the Guardians long being gone, this Oracle has still been recording the events of this world. These disasters… new nations. The old continent being shattered."

    Resisting the urge to bite his lip, Sam gazed up at the obelisk, confounded at what exactly he was meaning. "What… this thing is recording history all the time?"

    "In a way… yes…"

    A red-tipped tendril drifted away from the missionary and scraped along the wall. Green lines flared into life around the murals, and the two rabbits could only gasp as the shapes began to change and reform before their eyes. Sam shivered as the light faded away, revealing a new set of images on the wall.

    "Hmm. Volcanion has reawakened it seems." The missionary stated, a tendril hovering over the very familiar, if crude shape of Volcanion erupting from the ground. "He never abandoned the ruins after all. Another fool to deal with in time."

    Growling, Sam took a step forward, he wanted to put an end to this. But this thing was the best means he had to finding answers now.

    "I'm guessing you found out what's been happening… so that means…"

    A weight suddenly lifted off his shoulders, We could find out what is causing the disasters! If this Oracle thing records events, then maybe-

    "Yes. And now I have what I need, I can start planning for the future."

    The missionary's words dragged Sam's mind back, "For the future? What kind of plans?"

    "Sam…" Alice started quietly, "What's going on!?"

    He barely registered her as the entity chuckled, "That is simple. To spread the truth. To show what power the people of this world can tap into. And to destroy the fools who would deny it."

    Sam felt all the warmth in his body escape. What truth? Is it the power he has? The same one he used to kill those Rescuers… no… I can't allow him to do that!

    Snarling, Sam swiped his foot back, feeling sparks briefly ignite underneath it. "I'm not letting that happen. Let Zeke go!"

    The missionary's eye flashed, "How very familiar… no matter. If you do not at least want to hear the truth I preach. Then you must be dealt with."

    The green aura surrounding the missionary started expanding, tendrils… no… whips forming with it. "Get ready Alice!" Sam barked.

    "Obviously!" Alice snapped.

    "I shall give you one small blessing." The missionary stated, "You may know my name."

    What happened next nearly stopped Sam's heart, and made Alice gasp in fear.

    The aura concentrated into a clear shape above Zeke. That of a Pokémon. A dark simian towered over the gasping Electrike, vines wrapped around their arms and wicked eyes fixed on the rabbits.

    "I… am Kain. I bring the truth of the past. I am the architect of the future. And now…"

    Kain's eyes glowed. "You die."

    With that, twin whips formed from the spectre's arms and snapped towards the two rabbits.

    Instinct took over as Sam dove to the side, shoving Alice out of the way of one whip as it cracked through the air, they once stood in. "Watch out for the whips!"

    "I know!"

    The two were barely on their feet as another whip came flying down at them, the two bouncing apart to avoid it. Sam skidded across the ground, only to spring up to avoid the third whip sweeping across the floor.

    So far so good! Not dead yet!

    Kain had the element of surprise before. Now, Sam and Alice knew what to expect. But they couldn't take any chances. They needed to hit back…

    Kain's controlling Zeke… but if we're not careful we might hurt Zeke more than Kain!

    There was only one way to test the theory.

    "Alice! Zeke's being controlled! I'm going to try something!" Sam shouted, ducking under another whip attack.

    The spectre's eyes drifted towards Alice, the Buneary rolling underneath another whip. Got an opening!

    With a pebble ready, Sam sent an Ember flying, aiming for the simian hanging above Zeke-

    The fireball sailed through Kain's form with nought but a ripple across the aura. The ape's teeth flashed as a smile formed, "Pathetic!"

    With a whirl of his wrist, one of the green whips spun above Kain's head, rapidly turning black.

    "Shit!" Alice screamed, "Brutal Swing! Watch out!"

    "Bru-"

    The dark tendril flung round towards them, crackling with energy.

    Sam wasn't ready to dodge it. A cry escaped his lips, hands up in futile defence. "Crap-"

    The air shimmered blue in front of his hands just before the swing hit him, a boom ringing out as the whip struck the bright blue shield. Sam cried out as he felt air whump into his chest, shoving him aside. He stumbled, struggling to hold himself upright. The fuck!? I'm not dead!?

    His heart soared, Protect! I did learn it!

    "Look out!"

    Sam looked up in time to see a spectral boulder fly towards him. Yelping, he threw himself aside as the rock crashed into the ground by him. Kain raised a clawed hand, a new boulder forming before he tossed it towards Alice.

    Alice was ready, yellow sparks flashing around her ear as she jumped forwards. The Thunder Punch slammed into the boulder with a powerful crack, the latter disintegrating in seconds.

    "Looks like Rock Throw!" Sam shouted with a flicker of realisation.

    "He still uses moves, that gives us a chance!" Alice barked back.

    The Buneary leapt forward, electricity replaced with ice as the Ice Punch snapped out at the spectre, only for Alice to sail through him with a look of pure alarm on her face.

    "You think me to be a mere ghost?" Kain laughed as a new whip formed, "I'm much more than that!"

    The whip snapped at the Buneary, and Alice sprung at it, ear crackling with electric power.

    Punch and Whip connected with flash of light bright enough for the Scorbunny to flinch.

    He barely heard Alice's cry as he caught a glimpse of her being tossed back effortlessly, the Buneary skidding across the ground to a halt. Groaning, Alice started pushing herself up.

    Those attacks hit hard! And how can we even hurt this guy!? Our attacks just phase through him! Unless…

    As Sam ducked another whip, he eyed the twitching form of Zeke, eyes glowing green and mouth agape. Shit… if you're still in there Zeke, I'm sorry about this!

    Rolling away from another tendril, he readied another Ember, aimed for the Electrike, and fired it off.

    Zeke didn't even attempt to dodge, the fireball striking his side with a flicker of flame. Zeke cried out, voice shrill as he stumbled. Kain himself winced, his projection flickering. That seemed to work!

    "Alice! We've got to target Zeke!"

    "Are you sure!?" Alice questioned, on one knee and ready to attack.

    Sam clenched his fist, "We've not got much choice!"

    Kain's teeth flashed, his eyes snapping between the two before snapping an arm up towards the Scorbunny, another boulder forming.

    Alice sprung forward, snapping two feet out as she did. Zeke stumbled aside as the Double Kick struck him, and Kain's image once more flickered whilst Alice backed off.

    "Useless vessel!" Kain cursed, "Move damn you!"

    As Sam flung another Ember, Zeke stiffened and leapt aside, the fireball flying harmlessly by. "Keep the pressure up!"

    "On it!" Alice replied, their arguments now gone in the face of survival. She lunged forward again with another Ice Punch. And once more, Zeke's body moved to evade. But Sam was faster, leading his next shot. As Zeke touched down, the Ember hit his side once more. Zeke cried out in pain, and Sam willed himself to shoot forward, triggering the Quick Attack and booting the Electrike in the same spot.

    The Electrike skidded towards the obelisk, mouth frothing as he shakily rose to his feet. Kain's form flickered rapidly, eyes flashing as he focused his attention on the two rabbits. I hate doing this, but it's disrupting Kain!

    Sam ignited another fireball, holding it at the ready with his foot. In the corner of his eye, ice formed around Alice's ear. This was going easier than planned, if they could just knock Zeke out, they might be able to cancel out Kain.

    "It's time to finish this." Alice snarled.

    "Aye." Sam replied, "It is."

    With that, the two rabbits charged at their opponent.

    Kain's eyes flashed a vicious black.

    "ENOUGH!"

    Green aura turned black and purple, resembling a ball of obsidian smoke as it concentrated itself around Kain's claws.

    As Sam and Alice leapt into the air, Kain threw the energy, a pair of shadowy waves, towards them.

    Sam gasped, snapping his arms forward and begging for the Protect to form. A ripple of blue energy formed before him just as-

    The blue shield shattered, the shadow wave blowing through it with a snap.

    "FU-"

    The wave slammed into Sam's chest like a train, cutting off his scream. The world blurred before his body crashed into the ground, his back burning as rock seared his skin.

    When he finally slid to a halt, his entire body prickled as if he was being stabbed by a dozen daggers. Vision swimming, Sam pushed himself up just enough to see Alice and Kain. The former moaned as she tried to push herself onto her knees, only for her to quiver and slump to the floor.

    "Alice!" Sam cried out, wincing as he pushed himself up and stumbled towards the Buneary.

    She was still breathing.

    Damn! That was close! What the flying fuck was that!?

    He looked up to find Zeke's body spasming, with even his pupilless green eyes wide in pain. Kain smirked, his ghostly claws surrounded by that black energy. "Ah… it has been too long since I used this divine power. Far beyond your feeble 'moves'."

    He knew the best he could do was try and revive her. He knew Alice had always carried at least one Tiny Reviver Seed in her satchel, and quickly reaching in, he pulled the tiny, plain seed out, placed it in her mouth and manually crunched it in her jaw. It wasn't ideal, as it wasn't an instantly activating seed like most, but it'd have to do.

    Sam shakily rose back to his feet, Protect wasn't going to be worth much now.

    "I must admit." Kain murmured, "I'm impressed. Even with this weak vessel, you're still standing."

    Growling, Sam scooped another pebble, igniting it beneath his foot as one hand reached into his satchel for one of the Potions. At the very least, he could keep himself going long enough for Alice to get back into the fight. "I'm pretty tough to kill." He managed to reply, fingers grasping one glass bottle, not sure what fluid it contained.

    Kain laughed, and as he did, Sam took his chance, yanked the container out and with a faint pop, poured the contents into his mouth. A sudden surge of strength rushed through the Scorbunny, as he felt that little bit more stable. It'd do for now.

    "Very familiar again. Very well. Let us test that theory."

    With a flick of his wrist, another green whip snapped around. Sam Quick Attacked aside, avoiding the attack and countering with Ember. A green blade formed from Kain's wrist, neatly slicing the fireball in two before finding it found the mark.

    Sam Quick Attacked again, dashing past Kain and reaching into his satchel.

    As Kain turned to track him, Sam threw the weapons and dashed away again.

    The ghost swatted his whip around again, the iron spikes effortlessly pinging away.

    Sam reappeared behind the Electrike, pouncing forward for another Double Kick.

    Another green blade flashed above the Scorbunny, and with a flutter of pure panic, Sam ducked mid-attack, the whistle of the blade scratching at his ears. He rolled away, readying another Ember.

    His eyes widened as the black energy formed in Kain's hand and shot at him again, the shadowy wave rushing towards him.

    FUCK!

    Screaming, Sam threw himself aside, the attack skimming past his leg as he did. It went deathly cold, as if all the warmth from it was sucked out. He skidded to a halt, in time to hear Zeke scream.

    The Electrike was spasming again, black energy pouring in and out of him to concentrate in Kain's outstretched claws. Sam panted, his chest tightening at the sight. G-God… what's he doing?

    Within the shadow, dark yellow energy crackled.

    The dark thunderbolt hit fast enough that Sam couldn't even blink. It slammed him hard in the chest, and somehow, he could just about scream.

    He barrelled head over heels, his entire body twitching in agony.

    That was when the tendril wrapped around his neck, and squeezed.

    Sam's eyes widened, desperately gasping for air. He was almost begging for his mind to flash an image of Greg trying to crush his neck.

    Instead, with a crack of the tendril, he felt himself float up towards Kain's face, the simian's teeth bared. "Definitely familiar… you remind me of an old acquaintance. But he has been dead for centuries."

    The Scorbunny could only choke and squirm as Kain raised a green blade of energy that erupted from his wrist. "Time to send your soul to rest."

    Even with his lungs screaming, Sam could only glare. Damn… damn monster!

    As the blade raised to strike, the simian's form flickered briefly as a single spike sailed through him. Blinking, Kain turned his attention towards the source. Sam struggled to follow it.

    Standing towards the entrance of the temple was Kaliani, the Trumbeak wide-eyed as she quivered at the bottom of the stairs. Another iron spike was held in her beak as she tried to step back, only for her foot to catch the first step and send her tumbling over.

    W-what is s-she thinking!?

    "Ah. I was wondering where she went." Kain mused.

    The vice loosed its grip, and enough air slipped through for Sam to cough up the one word he could say.

    "R-RUN!"

    The whip tightened around his neck but for a moment, his head snapping forward as the tendril finally slipped free altogether.

    Sam grunted as the back of his head struck the floor, his vision blurring. His head pounding, he managed to sit up. Across the way, Kain had moved closer to Kaliani, directing Zeke to take a few steps. "You had every opportunity to flee… and here you are. I have to admire that."

    "I-I heard everything." Kaliani shouted, shaking off a layer of fear. "Let Zeke go!"

    Kain flashed a nasty smirk, "Oh, I think not."

    Grinding his teeth, the Scorbunny punched the ground, ignoring the jolt that ran through his fingers as he stood up. Shit… I'll be out of Potions before I can stop him. Ember doesn't cut it. All-Hit Orb? Still gotta hit Zeke, and that could kill him. Electro-Ball is useless. What can I do?

    Then he remembered the gym. The charred floor, the flash of light. Rex's panic…

    …Pyro Ball.

    It was insane. He still had to hit the mark, and it could kill Zeke. But against Kain… with that level of power?

    It might be our only chance.

    He let the fire within him grow. He recalled Aidan's lesson in learning how to use his powers. He concentrated his anger, his fear, his rage. He willed it into the fire that burnt his chest. He could feel it grow, his body getting hotter and hotter. Hissing, Sam's foot connected with another pebble, and on instinct, he began to juggle it with his feet.

    The ghost stiffened, having crept closer towards the Trumbeak. As if sensing what was happening, his spectre turned. "Interesting…" he purred, "Are you that desperate?"

    Sam tried to ignore the words, the pebble now aflame and becoming hotter every kick.

    "Is that… you can't be serious." Kain uttered, more out of disbelief than fear. "Even if you pull it off, you'll kill this vessel." He waved a hand to the tremoring Zeke below him.

    "I've… gotta… stop you…" Sam hissed, his vision darkening as he started sweating, his kicks running almost automatically. His heart pounded against his rips, as if trying to break out.

    One eye flashed red, "What is driving you? Why do you care so much-"

    "Sam! Stop!"

    He barely felt his ear twitch, Alice… she woke up…

    Alice stumbled into the corner of his eye, ears drooping, but her eyes wide with alarm. "Oh yes." Kain mused, "Listen to your partner. She clearly has her head on straight."

    "I don't know what the fuck you're saying but shut up!" Alice snapped, clutching her side. "Sam, you know what Rex said! You'll kill yourself!"

    "I don't care!" Sam roared, anger surging through him, "I need to stop him! I have to do this!"

    "Can you stop trying to be a hero for one second and be my fucking partner!"

    Sam sharply jerked, nearly dropping the pebble. "That's what we need right now!" Alice screamed, "A Rescuer! Not a bloody martyr!"

    The words hit him hard. The Scorbunny feeling shaky on his leg. He couldn't let Kain get away… not hurt anyone else…

    And yet, Alice's words had found their mark. The memory of his friends was doing the same. Of the Guild…

    The fire subtly began to die down, and the burning pebble fell off his raised foot and sizzled on the floor.

    People… people need me…

    Kain's cold laugh pierced Sam's confused thoughts. "And so, your will fails you!"

    As the Scorbunny's vision cleared, Kain's form became clear, hands resting on his hips. "You aren't willing to lay down your life in the face of adversity. You are certainly no hero. Just a disappointment. A waste of a soul."

    In that moment, rage surged through the Scorbunny. Igniting at the very centre of Sam's being.

    But it wasn't the feeling of fire rising within him. Instead, it was a pulse, a flare of raw, undiluted power.

    Dark power…


    …Zech vo. Tenari Ulay.

    I sense an awakening.

    It has been nearly a millenium… nay, more than that.

    Since I have felt the presence of one who can tap into my power.

    My own energy.

    …very well.

    Empower this being I must.

    Awaken… young fighter.

    Unleash the power that coursed through my veins.

    Banish this unnatural mockery. This Shadow.

    And show your foe…

    Show them the power of true darkness!


    In that instant, Sam roared. Feeling that power rush through him, burning harder and faster than any fire could hope to match.

    His eyes flashed red, and in that moment, a dark, reddish aura blinked into existence around the Scorbunny. His ears lengthened, and the rabbit seemed to increase in size by a couple of centimetres. But that aura clung to him like a cloak.

    It wasn't smoky, or cloudy like the power Kain had wielded.

    This was like the darkness around Sam had started outright glowing.

    Alice was stunned.

    Kaliani's beak dropped open.

    Even Kain recoiled, shielding his eyes.

    "The Dark Power?! How?!"

    And his eyes went wide.

    You tried to bring yourself close, tried to see what Kain could see. But you knew you wouldn't have a chance. All you could see was that crimson aura.

    "N-No…" Kain uttered, "No! It can't be! You should have been obliterated!"

    Kain's head snapped upwards to the heavens, "Damn you! Damn you Samiel! Not again!"

    Sam's dark eyes locked onto the entity, and he slowly began to walk towards his target. Alice took a step towards him, arm outstretched, "S-Sam?"

    He brushed her arm aside without a word.

    With a horrific snarl, Kain snapped both hands towards the Scorbunny, "I will annihilate you apostate!"

    Two shadowy waves shot forward, rushing towards Sam.

    A thick, bright blue barrier formed before the Scorbunny, the shadow attacks bouncing helplessly off the shield. Kain could only growl, summoning another shadow.

    Sam dashed into the air, fist glowing with red flame as he raced towards the monster's image. Too fast for even Kain to follow.

    The flaming fist slammed across his face with a colossal crack, loud enough that Alice swore she could see the shockwave.

    Kain roared, clutching his jaw as Sam slid to a halt behind him.

    "I-Impossible!" Kain bellowed, "I was assured this wouldn't happen!"

    The Scorbunny turned to face the enraged spectre, electricity crackling in his palms.

    Alice screamed as the darkened thunderbolt shot at him. Sam blinked out of existence, the electric attack slamming into the ground where he once stood. Sam reappeared, only to dash out of the way of another attack. Again and again, getting closer before with another leap, he shot towards the threat.

    Kain tried to swing another green blade, only for Sam's fist to smash across his temple. As the ghost recoiled, Sam came back at him. Again and again, each impact sending another powerful crack through the air. Alice winced, clutching her ears as each blow clawed at them.

    After the twelfth blow, Kain's form was twitching and spasming, struggling to hold himself together. "B-B-B-y m-y -l-ord-…"

    Touching down for just a second, Sam sprung up into the air. A red fire ignited near his foot.

    Kain's form stabilised just enough for his eyes to widen, "NO NO N-!"

    Eyes burning, Sam booted the dark fireball at his target.

    The fireball punched through Kain's chest in a flash of red and green light.

    For a moment, all sound seemed to fade away.

    Then came the almighty boom that shunted Alice and Kaliani back, the Buneary crying out as she tried to cover her ears again.

    The ghost glitched wildly out of control, particles flipping away from him. "N-NO! I-I-I AM ETERNAL! I W-WI-LL N-O-T AL-LOW MY-SE-LF T-O F-A-D-E A-W-"

    With a final spasm, the ghost of Kain vanished from view.

    As Sam touched down, Zeke's eyes squeezed shut, body twitching once more before with a final howl, his head snapped towards the sky. Green and black energy burst out of his eyes and mouth, air crackling with thunder, the light bright enough for Alice and Kaliani to desperately shield their eyes.

    With a final boom, the energy dissipated altogether, and Zeke slumped to the floor.

    Only then did the dark aura around Sam finally fade away. With a soft groan, Sam dropped to his knees, panting as his entire body shook, his muscles turning to jelly.

    Kaliani scrambled to her feet, "Zeke!" she cried out, hurrying over to his side.

    Alice growled as she moved for Sam, "Kaliani! Stay away from him! He could still be dangerous!"

    "I don't give a toss!" Kaliani squawked back, checking over the softly breathing form of the electric type.

    Alice reached Sam's side, resting a hand on his shoulder. "S-Sam? Are you alright?" she asked him softly.

    Sam shook her hand loose with a hiss, "I'm fine."

    The Buneary scowled at him, "No chance, did you see what you just did?"

    "I don't care." Sam snapped, "Kain's gone now and we saved the others. That's what counts."

    As Sam shakily rosed to his feet and walked away, Alice was about to curse at him again, but she resisted the urge to do so. She knew he wasn't in the best state to listen.

    Instead, she hopped towards the Electrike and Trumbeak, pulling out one of the potions from her satchel. Much like Sam, she knew there wasn't much of a point in questioning why Kaliani was here still. Instead, she focused her attention on the injured Electrike. "Can you hold his mouth open?" she asked.

    "I-I can." Kaliani replied, "Had to treat a few injuries on ships."

    Somehow, Kaliani managed to use one of her wings to gently prop open Zeke's mouth, whilst with one hand, Alice held his head still and used the other to pour the fluid in.

    Moments later, Zeke coughed, his eyes fluttering open. "Zeke!" the Trumbeak exclaimed, "A-are you ok-"

    The Electrike's normal eyes stretched wide. "GET AWAY FROM ME!"

    Alice and Kaliani both recoiled enough for the Electrike to half run, half drag himself away from the pair in alarm. His body hit the steps, and unable to ascend, he curled up into a ball, tears streaking down his face.

    The Buneary softly sighed, Sam had pulled it off. Zeke was safe. But Alice could tell that he hadn't been buried deep enough to not know what had happened.

    He had to live through every action that Kain committed.

    Kaliani looked sullen as she took a step towards him, but Alice didn't hesitate in putting her hand on her shoulder. "No… give him a moment…"

    The Trumbeak's face was puffed up, "B-But…"

    "Trust me. I get how he's feeling." Alice interrupted.

    There was a point when Alice felt responsible for her parent's deaths. A cold chill settling around her heart only hinted that she still subtly felt somewhat that way.

    It wasn't hard to grasp what Zeke was feeling.

    Kaliani bowed her head, unable to even look at the Electrike.

    "No… no!"

    At the foot of the obelisk, Sam was patting the rocky surface… a surface where the mural was fading away. "No! I need answers! Come on!"

    The last images faded away, and Sam screamed as he kicked the wall. "Fucking damn it!"

    Crying out, Sam hopped away briefly before smacking his fist against it.

    But the obelisk didn't respond and defeated, Sam could only rest his head against the wall.

    Alice could only stare at his back. A part of her wanted to try and beat some sense in him.

    She sighed as she looked away, but she knew there was little point.

    Sam's thoughts meanwhile, were a jumbled mess.

    It… it can't be over like that… who am I? What am I meant to do… I…

    I need to know…
     
    • Chapter II.X - The Expedition
    • StolenMadWolf

    StolenMadWolf

    Loony Moony
    Pronouns
    She/They
    Partners
    1. scorbunny
    2. buneary
    POKÉMON MYSTERY DUNGEON
    GUARDIANS OF BALANCE

    EPISODE II - DARK, WONDEROUS PAST
    CHAPTER X - THE EXPEDITION    ​

    From your position atop the wall, you watched the scene unfolding below you. Over a dozen Pokémon scoured the Temple grounds, inspecting the walls, the obelisk and even the floor, searching for anything that could provide some insight into the ruin. Anything they did notice was noted down, recorded, and safely stowed away for future reference.

    The first relief teams arrived shortly after the battle against Kain, allowing Sam, Alice and Kaliani to descend the mountain.

    Zeke meanwhile, didn't resist the restraints that were swiftly clamped round his legs, nor the muzzle. One of the arriving teams immediately escorted him back down behind Team Audacity and their charge.

    You had initially moved to follow, but the Shadow had soon made itself known once more.

    When it had finally processed the events that had transpired, the shadow somehow managed to darken beyond pitch black. This is disturbing. It finally said, An entity claiming to know the Guardians possessed the same Pokémon rescued from Broken Wood, wielding power unlike anything we have seen?

    The shadow seemed to shiver before you, The fact that regular attacks didn't work on the spectre himself despite manifesting as a Pokémon can only imply one thing. This Kain was a spirit of some kind.

    You felt your attention drift mostly towards the shadow now.

    I do have some knowledge of the subject, but it is scarcely studied. The shadow explained, Spirits have been reported to appear before Pokémon in the past. Or agents of spirits at least. It has been said they are often Pokémon who have died in the past, but have lingered on for some reason or another before moving on to the afterlife. At least, that is just one of many theories and stories. Some far more authentic than others. But I've never seen or heard of any spirit exerting its influence into the physical world.

    Some distant part of you may have shivered, another part might have scoffed. It was hard to work out exactly what all of you was feeling. But either way, you could tell the concern in the shadow's voice.

    A spirit persisting for centuries, perhaps even millennia… between that and his interest in the current events only further confirms that today's disasters are linked to the Guardians. There was a conflict between them and Kain. Perhaps they encountered their own disasters? And the one who could give answers has now gone to the wind.

    A flicker of confusion formed in part of yourself, and the shadow immediately noticed. This entity has managed to survive for centuries as some kind of spirit to possess one unfortunate soul. I doubt Sam killed him. Kain will show himself again, I'm sure of it. And speaking of Sam… his newfound power was… ominous.

    The shadow seemed to darken again, Same with Kain's power too. And strangely… both look familiar somehow. Kain's powers were warped and corrupted versions of conventional moves. It was as if they had been cloaked in shadow. Sam's power though was channelling some form of dark energy into his abilities… similar, but radically different.

    You could almost see the cold murmur from the shadow's words, Shadow Energy… and a Dark Power… where did I come across those before? Back in the Crater? Or during the Crisis? It involved… emotions… I'm sure that is part of it somewhere…

    You heard someone bark out in surprise. Towards the entrance of the temple ground, Rex and Esper had emerged from the arches and were making their way towards the centre of the ground.

    In the meantime, we should let the guild launch their own investigation. Without the means to access this 'Oracle', The Shadow motioned towards the obelisk, Our next best move is to wait on them. I must reflect on these Shadow Moves and the Dark Power. Once you have seen what Rex and Esper have to say… please keep an eye on Sam and Alice, I sense what anger they have towards each other between this reveal of Sam being human, and the events here will only intensify… you may have to step in to intervene again discreetly if all else fails.

    The shadow seemed to turn to go, Be wary Observer, I fear we may find ourselves off balance at the wrong moment.

    With those last words, the Shadow departed, leaving you to slowly approach the guildmaster…


    Rex could feel his feathers ruffle up at the sight of the obelisk, the smooth stone wall that once, according to Team Audacity, contained a strange mural. But with this so-called Oracle now inactive, they had no means of gleaning that information.

    He didn't doubt Team Audacity's report. If there was a way to access the mural, he would make sure to use whatever means the guild had to do so.

    No, that was not what put the guildmaster on edge. It was the power that the entity controlling Zeke had for a start. An entity that appeared to have existed for centuries, with dark powers that sucked all the strength out of its victims.

    But what really troubled him was the look on Sam and Alice's faces as they escorted Kaliani off Waterfall Mountain. How blunt and detached they were. How angry they were. How little they interacted with each other.

    He could already tell something had left them on edge before they departed Robinswood, but whatever happened on the mountain had only made things worse. Esper hadn't even been near them, having passed each other along different paths. But even she could still sense the tension between them.

    If they were vital in dealing with what may well come…

    He shoved the thought aside. He would have to try and get to the bottom of the problem as soon as possible. In the meantime, he needed to complete her inspection of the site.

    One of the members of Team RAY, a Rhydon, stood at the base of the obelisk, scouring every last inch of the surface. He noticed the two senior Pokémon approach, and turned to face them, "Guildmaster. Esper." He said in greeting with a bow of his head.

    "Rhys," Rex replied, returning the head bow. "Have you and the others been able to find much out?"

    The Rhydon frowned, "Not much. We've come across a few markings on the walls, but we doubt they mean anything."

    It was Esper's turn now to frown, "Nothing at all? No pictograms or symbols? No artifacts?"

    The Blaziken cast a concerned eye over at the young Meowstic. He tried to order Esper to stay behind and recover from the psychic backlash, and Mary attempted the same thing. But the leader of Team Spirit was not easily cowed, and even they had to relent from her persistence.

    Even Rebecca couldn't stop her. And that was quite the achievement.

    "Nothing we can see." Rohan admitted, "Maybe a Pokémon with sharper senses or something could spot something, but this place is bare."

    Rex turned his attention towards the obelisk, taking a few cautious steps towards it as Esper questioned the guildmember further. Apart from its height, and the bare wall itself, the obelisk appeared unremarkable.

    The guildmaster placed his clawed hand against the smooth stone, the material cool to the touch. Inert. Unresponsive.

    "Guildmaster?"

    Rex's eyes flicked towards Esper and Rhys, the two Pokémon staring at him. Raising a brow, he glanced back at the hand once more, before finally peeling it away. "Kaliani told me that the entity had activated the obelisk with her blood. Did anyone-"

    "I volunteered to try." Rhys admitted, holding up a scaling hand where a thin line was marked out across his palm. "Couldn't get the thing to fire up. I asked Axel too, being a flying type, but he couldn't get it to work either."

    Rex turned to face the obelisk, Curious… he pondered, scratching his beak. "I appreciate your efforts." He said, "We'll get ready to depart soon."

    "Not going to leave someone here?" asked the Rhydon.

    "There is not much worth we can glean for now. The dungeon will help keep this place isolated for now. Thank you, Rhys."

    Bowing his head, the Rhydon set off to join the rest of his team. Esper narrowed her eyes, staring at the blank rock feature. "If blood isn't what allows access to this device… then why bring Kaliani up here?" she asked softly.

    Rex directed his gaze upwards towards the top, clicking his beak as tried to peer at any finer details. "Perhaps it was a key." Rex mused, scraping a talon across the stone and leaving no mark. "Or rather, one half of one. Kaine must have had a hypothetical second half."

    "Then why not use Zeke?" Esper replied with a frown.

    "Perhaps that entity's act of possession caused issues. Either way, with it gone-"

    "Then we have no way of accessing this mural." The Meowstic finished with a faint hiss.

    Rex pulled his hand away from the wall. "Short of this… Kain returning, our only hope is that Zeke can recall anything about his methods."

    Esper's frown only deepened, "Sam and Alice are in a bad enough state as it is. Zeke is borderline catatonic. We're not going to get much out of him no matter what method we try."

    It was the fire-type's turn to frown now. "I know. But first Broken Wood, and now this. We need some answers. And whatever is plaguing Sam and Alice… is something we need to be able to try and support them with."

    The Meowstic suddenly looked nervous, "Thinking back on what I sensed, I noticed… a lot of anger. At the wider world and each other. A sense of betrayal. Rex…"

    She glanced round herself, making sure the other guildmembers were out of earshot before continuing, "Do you think Alice might have found out that Sam is human?"

    Rex softly thumped his fist against the obelisk. Little escaped Esper's notice. If she couldn't work that out from a glance… then wherever his niece found out about Sam's true nature didn't matter. "I don't know." Rex admitted, "Either way, our course is the same. We do what we can to help them get through this. And hope they work through their issues."

    He stepped back from the tower, shakingly letting out a breath of air he'd been holding in. "The events here just confirmed how important they are."

    Esper stiffened, "You are that certain? The disasters and the last few weeks are connected?"

    "Absolutely." Rex acknowledged, eyes narrowing as he looked towards her. "I have a feeling that what has happened here is just the beginning…


    When Sam and Alice emerged from Waterfall Mountain, several more Pokémon had been waiting for them. Zeke was swiftly restrained further before being placed within a specialised cage before just as quickly being carried away under the wings of a Corviknight. That had sent a few alarm bells ringing in the Scorbunny's head, until one of the other Rescuers explained that the cage was designed to contain electric types, even in the air.

    There had been another Corviknight on standby, but she only had enough space in her travel pod for two Pokémon. And so, without giving much of a chance for anyone to express their preference, Sam immediately volunteered to take the slow way back on the ground.

    Not that Alice complained as she and Kaliani had climbed onboard.

    The two members of Team Audacity had barely spoken since the battle at the temple.

    It didn't take too long for the Arcanine, Carol, to come back round on her return leg and carry Sam on her back towards Robinswood.

    And during that time, Sam turned inward, trying to think back on the confrontation with Kain. That ghost or spirit or whatever he was. He knew about the Guardians. He knew about Volcanion! And Sam was the one person who could even understand him!

    And the whole thing has left him with only more questions than answers.

    He nearly ended up thumping Carol's back in a blitz of rage, only just holding himself back at the last second. Still, he couldn't help but fume about the Oracle as well.

    Even if Kain couldn't give him answers, that thing might have been able to do the trick too! It could have given him an idea of where was from, or even find out what was causing the disasters. And yet, unlike him, Sam had no such luck accessing the device.

    He glanced at his hand, where a thin set of marks on the palm of his hand was already beginning to fade. Even his piss-poor attempt at trying to use his blood to reactivate the device failed miserably.

    Puffing out a breath of air, Sam tried to ease out his anger, and refocused on what he did learn. The temple must have been first built by the Guardians. Kain had known about them too. Volcanion might have been connected to them as well. But the biggest indicator was his dreams, how the castle in them had features not too different from those of the temple.

    I… I suppose that confirms it. He admitted to himself shakingly, Whatever I'm here for, it has to be connected to the Guardians.

    He frowned to himself, But how? And why? Damn it, I wish I didn't take out Kain like that.

    Sam was as much angry with himself, even with that power. It was… it felt like nothing he had ever had before. That sheer, unbridled energy that just surged through him, darkening his thoughts and empowering his every move. He… that went beyond anything he had mustered before.

    Did… did I just lose it with Kain? Like with Pyro Ball? He shook his head, Nope, that can't be it. Even Pyro Ball didn't feel like that. It felt… it felt darker than that…

    He was still trying to come to terms with it as Carol jogged into Robinswood, by which point, darkness was beginning to fall. He exchanged his thanks to the fire dog once more, before starting to make his way towards the tree. But he halted just short of the entrance, the tree suddenly feeling cold and unwelcoming. No one had come out to greet him, an odd occurrence to the Scorbunny. He had no idea he needed to see anyone, or just had some time to himself.

    If it was the latter, then going back to his and Alice's room was not the right call. His chest tightened at the thought of Alice. How she just tore into him. He couldn't stand that bullshit of hers! He might have been wrong to hold back his identity from her, but he wasn't going to put up with that attitude. Not yet.

    Instead, there was one other place he knew he could go. As what little sunlight remaining faded away, the former human headed through the town's streets towards the barracks, coming across very few Pokémon as he arrived at the large building, made his way inside, and onward to his destination.

    Aidan's old room had been left abandoned ever since Sam moved into the Guildtree after he and Alice had been accepted into the Guild. No one had wanted to move into the free space ever since the smuggler had tried to kill him and planted the seeds of an attack on Robinwood itself. The beds and drawers had been left untouched, without even an inch of dust.

    It worked for the night, he may have not had much of his stuff, but he still fell asleep with surprising speed.

    If he dreamed, he didn't recall it as a paw gently shook his shoulder. "Hey, buddy." Jack said, "Wake up."

    Groaning, Sam pushed himself upright, rubbing his eyes before focusing his gaze on the Butterfree. Of course Jack would be the one to find me, he lives here.

    "You holding up alright?" the bug-type asked, his red eyes dim with concern.

    Sam stiffened, hesitating for a moment as a knot formed in his stomach, "…not really." He admitted sadly, "What's up?"

    Jack's concern remained evident in his tone, "Rex has asked for you and Alice to come to his office. To talk about the mountain mission."

    His back creaking, Sam clambered out of bed. "I'll head up now." He replied quietly, already not looking forward to the prospect of seeing the Buneary again.

    With a flutter of his wings, Jack hovered in front of him. "If you need to talk… you know where to find me right?"

    His words were gentle, clearly intended to comfort the Scorbunny. Was it to do with Sam and Alice? The mountain rescue? Or something else?

    Sam merely nodded, "Yeah. Thanks Jack."

    With that, the Scorbunny pressed onwards, retracing his steps back to the tree. The sun still hadn't risen yet, but he knew it was only a matter of time judging by the faint orange smudge towards the east.

    The corridors of the Guildtree were silent, and this time, there was no one waiting for him outside. The doors themselves were ajar, allowing the conversation to seep through.

    "I told you everything I know." Alice explained, "He spoke gibberish the whole time, we didn't understand what he was saying short of a few words."

    "And that is all?" came Damon's voice, firm and sceptical, "You expect us to believe that this babbling baffoon travelled to what it claimed was a Guardian temple, accessed a strange device to try and learn the events of history, and then tried to kill you."

    "We've all heard and seen stranger things." Calvin grunted.

    "And this is not one of those cases." Damon responded coldly, "A possession gone too far trying to deceive these recruits."

    "You saw the bodies." growled the Charizard. "That was no trick."

    "Yet where is the evidence?"

    Must just be them. And Rex, I guess. And… Alice seems to have told a few details at least about what happened up there.

    Did she say that I was the only one who ended up understanding Kain? She might have said something about me being human? How would Calvin and Damon react to that?

    His fur going erect, Sam shook himself loose. No, she seems to be implying that we both heard bits and pieces. Well, whatever happens. I've gotta go in there.

    Rolling his shoulders, Sam pushed his way inside. Alice and Rex were sat opposite each other on the couches, whilst the representatives Calvin and Damon stood surrounding them. The four Pokémon turned towards him, "Ah, Sam." Rex said, "Good to see you. Please, take a seat."

    The Blaziken directed Sam towards the couch Alice was sat on, and with an iron lump settling in his gut, he sat down at the other end of the seat, away from the Buneary.

    Sam got a narrowed eye from Rex, before the debrief began. He found himself assailed with questions, not only from Rex, but the two representatives. Rex and Calvin asked their questions carefully and neutrally, whilst Damon's were blunter and to the point. The Scorbunny did the best he could to answer the best he could. How they navigated the mountain, their discovery of the temple, their encounter with Kain.

    "Did this ghost express knowledge about these Guardians?" Damon questioned, eyes narrowing. "Any peculiar details?"

    Sam's ear twitched, refusing to show signs of emotion, "We got bits and pieces." He said, "I swore he said Guardians a couple of times."

    "And this Oracle… did he explain how it functioned?"

    "Not really." Sam admitted, "Details of recording history, but that's it."

    It felt daft, holding back on information. But until he had a better idea of how to process everything, he didn't want to say much, especially in front of Damon. At the very least, his account seemed harmonised with Alice's. No one was questioning any holes in his story.

    So… Alice is saying we both heard bits and pieces? Ha, I suppose she is not entirely wrong. She did hear me talking to Kain.

    As the questioning finally ended, Rex scratched his chin with a narrowed gaze, "So the entity you faced… Kain he called himself, needed Kaliani's blood to access the Oracle. And whilst you didn't completely understand what he said, he seemed intent on killing other Pokémon. You seemed to suggest Sam, that Kain would try to force others to subscribe to his point of view, or get killed?"

    "Yeah." Sam simply said bluntly, shrugging at the words. "Like Alice said. We didn't learn much."

    "And these Guardians?" Damon questioned, arms crossed, "Did he say anything else?"

    Calvin rubbed his forehead, "He did know where to find the biggest set of ruins in years."

    Sam opened his mouth to reply, then hesitated. He hadn't revealed everything, he didn't want to start going through his newfound power. Nor did he want to go into how he understood everything Kain said. If he tried explaining what little he heard about the Guardians from Kain, no one would believe him. Not even Alice or Rex.

    And yet… maybe he could still lean into using a small segment of what he knew to test the waters.

    And so with a sharp sigh, Sam continued, "I'm… I'm not sure if I heard this right… but he did mention having known the Guardians."

    That earned a surprised look from Rex, and Calvin seemed taken aback as a little whiff of smoke escaped his nostrils. He could almost taste the dagger pierce him from Alice's direction. Calvin opened his mo-

    "The ramblings of an insane fool or liar." Damon declared harshly, clicking his fingers, "Not even the legendaries have talked about these Guardians, and you expect us to believe that he knew them personally?"

    Sam bared his teeth, unable to hold back his anger. "That guy was stupidly powerful! We're lucky to beat him! You have to believe us!"

    The Greninja's eyes went dark, "And I say again, where is your proof? An inanimate obelisk? The eyewitness report of a panicking, injured sailor?" He began to pace the side of the room. "This is mere fantasy."

    "For fucks sake." Calvin growled, "You've changed your tone on how dangerous this guy was."

    "I don't deny it's power." Damon countered, "But I won't entertain this story. More likely this 'Kain' was just a ghost – a powerful ghost granted – who happened to possess a missing rescuer and used an old ruin he found as part of some twisted game."

    "The obelisk flashed an image of Volcanion." Alice hissed, speaking up for the first time since Sam entered, "Shouldn't that concern you?"

    "A mythical who has recently emerged? Likely another part of this ghost's story to make it seem more relevant."

    Alice's jaw visibly clenched, whilst across the way, Calvin looked about ready to spit a fireball at him. Rex merely narrowed his eyes.

    Sam grinded his teeth, Fucking hell Damon… he thought to himself, seething at the Representative's nonsense. He turned towards Rex, "Guildmaster, you have to believe us!"

    "I do." Rex replied, barely glancing back. "Especially given recent events."

    Damon finally uncrossed his arms, leaning on Rex's couch, "The matter is dealt with. It is time. To move. On."

    "Even if you're right." Calvin barked, "It's not over."

    "As far as I'm concerned, it is!"

    Sam's mind raced, trying to think of anything to try and convince Damon of the truth. How dangerous Kain was, it can't have been over just like that! He sprang to his feet, "What about Zeke?!" he shouted, "Maybe he caught something from Kain!"

    Damon huffed in reply, "I doubt he'll offer anything worthwhile."

    "You'll be surprised how resilient our rescuers are." Rex replied coldly. "Sam and Alice here are proof of that."

    What little warmth Sam felt in his chest was quickly suppressed when Damon glared at the Blaziken, "An exception. I've seen little proof otherwise."

    Rex slowly rose to his feet, eyes flashing red as he stared down the water-type. "You might want to watch what you say." He growled, jaw tight. "More than a few might take offense at that."

    Sam's breath fluttered, his full attention focused on the two.

    The bang that rang out made him flinch.

    All eyes snapped towards the door, where Esper now stood at the threshold, a calm, unfazed look on her face. "Apologies for interrupting." She said, "But Zeke would like to speak to you."

    Alice blinked, "That's sudden."

    "I thought he was locked in isolation." Calvin said, a blank look on his face.

    "He was." Esper confirmed, "He insisted he couldn't wait."

    Damon narrowed his gaze, but the Meowstic beat him to the punch. "And before you asked, I personally looked into his mind. The presence that was there is gone. He isn't a threat."

    Softly sighing – in a manner that suggested to Sam that the Guildmaster was glad for her arrival- Rex nodded at her. "Very well. Bring him in."

    Esper pushed the door further open, allowing the Electrike to shuffle in. His legs were chained together, and a strange silver collar was fitted to his neck. "Don't worry." The deputy said, "He can't use his attacks."

    "I don't want to use them." Zeke said quietly, positioning himself in front of the assembled Pokémon. Rex sat more upright, directing his attention towards the canine.

    "Zeke… are you-"

    "No." Zeke interrupted the Guildmaster, "I'm not alright. But I need to tell you what I saw."

    Sam tilted his head, finding himself suddenly intrigued. "Like what?"

    Zeke actually turned his gaze away from Sam, seeming to shrink in the presence of the Scorbunny. Sam couldn't help but feel numb as the Electrike continued, "I… I think I could read his mind."

    "A psychic link." Esper uttered with brightening eyes.

    Calvin flashed a smirk at Damon, "Sounds like you've spoken too soon."

    The Greninja merely huffed in reply as Rex leaned Zeke's way. "Please Zeke, continue."

    "I didn't see much." Zeke admitted with a sigh, "I was barely… l-look. All I saw were these images of some kind of ruin."

    "Like at Waterfall Mountain?"

    There was a moment of hesitation, "Similar but… different. Kain… he planned to get there."

    Another ruin? Sam thought to himself, Why would Kain want to visit it? An artifact? More knowledge? It has to be a Guardian thing again, I'm sure of it.

    "That does little to further explain the ghost's agenda." Damon said.

    Zeke didn't seem fazed at that. "I… I think I know where it is."

    A faint crack rang out in the room.

    Well shit!

    "W-Where then?" Sam asked, his mind buzzing. "On the island?"

    "N-No." Zeke replied, finally directing his gaze towards Rex, "Can I look at a map?"

    Alice reached over the side of the sofa, "I've got my map, here." She laid it out across the table in the middle, on the side showing the wider region of the Sea of Wonders. It showed a large island to the west side of the map, along with a cluster of smaller landmasses towards the east. Most of them were unmapped. From what he had heard, most of the smaller islands hadn't been fully explored.

    Zeke shuffled forward, his eyes scanning the surface. "There." He pointed a paw towards some of the smaller northeastern islands. "It's one of those."

    "Are you sure?" Rex asked, leaning forward to inspect the set of islands, roughly five of them clustered together.

    He nodded, "They look a bit different… but yes… I'm sure of it."

    Sam frowned, trying to inspect the details of the little islands. But they appeared only as little blobs. "How would he even get out there…" he uttered, not really intending the question to be answered as he lifted his head up towards Rex. "Any idea what's there?"

    "We don't know." Rex admitted, "The best we have is just observations from offshore."

    Ideal place to hide something… Sam figured as he spoke again, "Rex, this had to be important to Kain. We have to go and check it out!"

    "I concur." Esper replied, "The fact that Zeke found this out just highlights it's significance."

    "And maybe we'll find out more about what was going on with this place." Alice admitted with a shrug.

    Damon grunted, "This is absurd. This outpost cannot fulfil all of it's requirements and search these islands at the same time. All on the word of one troubled Pokémon." He waved his hand dismissively at Zeke.

    The Electrike's head slumped down in shame, and Sam couldn't help but glare at the Greninja, "How abo-"

    Alice's elbow shunted him hard of the ribs, cutting off his words. The Buneary stared at him harshly, her coiled ear twitching. Damn it Alice…

    Calvin's lips tightened, "It is quite a reach Rex." He advised.

    Rex's claws moved to scratch his beak, only to stop short, his eyes brightening enough that the Guildmaster had suddenly become younger, "Remind me Esper, where have we been monitoring pirate activities?"

    Esper recoiled in surprise, but then, just as quickly, a faint smile formed. "On the east side, especially towards the northeast."

    Rex returned his own smile, "I believe the saying is our course is set."

    "Very well. I'll send the word out to the dockmaster immediately." Esper warmly replied, turning and walking out of the room.

    Wait a second… is Rex thinking of-?

    "What are you plotting Guildmaster?" Damon coldly questioned.

    "Fulfilling our requirements." Rex replied, "One of which is dealing with criminals, including any pirates who happen to be within our waters. And whilst the Guild is out in the field, we can do some survey work on those islands."

    Sam's heart soared as started realising what was happening, even more so as Alice stuttered next to him, "Your planning…"

    "Yes." admitted the Blaziken with a deeper smile, "You two best get yourselves ready. We'll be going on an expedition."

    Hell yeah! We can cover both bases like this! Sam exclaimed internally, resisting the urge to fist pump.

    And he had to fight his own smirk as Damon visibly shook to one side, "I struggle to…", he cut his words short with a hiss, as if realising he could talk his way out of this one.

    "Sounds like a brilliant plan Rex." Calvin replied with a toothy grin, "You don't mind if I tag along?"

    Damon spun on him, "You'd give up your responsibilities?"

    "Consider it one part of the job." The Charizard grunted, "You and the others can still check over the town, whilst I can see the Guild in action."

    He winked at the Blaziken, "Just like old times."

    "I'd be delighted Calvin." Rex replied warmly.

    Damon meanwhile sighed, "I will inform the other representatives of your decision."

    As the Greninja left the room, Rex turned towards Sam and Alice, "Take the time you need to sort anything out." He advised firmly, eyes flicking between the two, "We could depart as early as tomorrow morning."

    "You got it Rex." Sam replied, rising to his feet and moving for the door and sensing Alice moving to do the same, feeling a new warmth flow through his chest at the new possibility ahead.

    Neither noticed Rex's focus directly on them, beak closed tight. He started to reach back out, only for his eyes to flick towards Zeke, the canine's head still bowed towards the ground, no doubt knowing what state he was in. When he turned to look at Team Audacity again, the door was already swinging shut.

    His beak hanging open, Rex clicked it shut and turned towards the Electrike again. "Zeke… do you feel up for talking?" he asked.

    You caught a brief flutter of his thoughts, I just have to hope Sam and Alice are mature enough to work though their issues. Zeke is much more in need of help now.

    "I can offer an ear too." Calvin offered, his own features softening.

    Zeke shivered, his eyes finally drifting back up towards them, tears starting to form again. "I… I'd like that…"


    Twenty-Six Hours Later

    There were two things Sam was processing as he walked through the wooden gates. Firstly, how consistently amazed he was at Robinwood mobilising itself with such speed, even in the face of preparing a long expedition to distant islands.

    The second was how big the port itself was.

    The port was a fenced-off area a few miles away from Robinwood proper, nestled within a well-sheltered bay. Several wooden and stone warehouses were scattered all around him, with dozens of Pokémon scurrying between them, carrying supplies to head back towards Robinswood or towards the water itself.

    Off to one side though, Sam could see the darkened shell of one warehouse, scaffolding erected around it as a small team of Timburr worked on repairing and reinforcing the structure. The victim of Aidan's fire attack on the docks.

    Sam ducked and weaved through the crowd, his satchel tightly secured around his red jacket. The Scorbunny had elected to bring as much as he could in terms of his own gear. Fruits, some left over potions from Waterfall Mountain and… well, two things he had recovered from Broken Wood apart from his jacket and goggles.

    He flipped open the satchel to see the blue Guardian armband within it, its white striped tear and cross embroidered on the surface. If they found a Guardian ruin on the islands, better to bring something bearing its symbol just in case.

    Tucked in at the very bottom of the bag however was a small, metallic red cup, its only other distinguishing feature being a white circle on the side. It was another item he had recovered from the dead Mystery Dungeon. Much like the armband, he hadn't shown it to anyone, but the cup itself was even more of a mystery to the Scorbunny. He found no reference to it in any materials. So what was it doing all wrapped up in a chest within Broken Wood was beyond him. But again, he had a feeling it would come in handy.

    Sam cleared the bulk of the crowd, and found himself walking onto a wooden jetty, where the ships themselves finally appeared. Seven ships were tied up alongside a set of piers running into deeper waters. Four of them seemed to be fairly small, with a single mast and flashing a small red and white flag striped flag behind them. Alongside them was a larger, double-decked, double-masted ship with the same flag. Sam had to guess they were Robinwood's vessels.

    The other two sported different flags, a grey flag fluttered on another, more battered-looking two-masted ship. Whilst at the other end of the port was a gigantic three-masted ship, a large blue flag waving from the stern, with two visible decks, on par with the two-masted ships, though she was considerably bulkier in comparison. Sam hazarded a guess that it must have been the ship that the representatives arrived on. A Water Continent ship maybe if the flag was any indication.

    "Hey Sam! Over here!" came the big boom, enough that Sam and several other Pokémon dropped their heads in shock.

    In the direction of the red-flagged ships, Nia was bouncing up and down on the spot, waving for Sam's attention. Pokémon were moving up and down gangways leading on board three of the ships, including the larger one of the set. Sam bared his teeth, "Volume Nia!"

    The Noibat froze, her gaze snapping from left to right as a few of the dockworkers glared at her. "Sorry!" she whispered, a little too loudly.

    Sam jogged over to join her, "You guys got called up too?" he called out as he approached. It only became apparent until a few hours ago that not all the Guild could join the expedition. They could only get so many onboard the ships at once and others were needed to protect Robinswood. It boiled down to choice, skill or just having the luck of the draw.

    "We did!" Nia exclaimed with a massive grin, "Edward and Denver too. It's about time we all got back together again!"

    The brief thought of Alice crossed his mind.

    "Yeah…" Sam replied, "You can say that."

    The two started walking towards the trio of ships being prepared, their names now becoming visible on their sterns. The two smaller ships donned the names Penguin and Crow. The larger vessel meanwhile was christened the Red Kite. At least, it seemed to be named that because of the red stripes that ran along it's hull, making her look in far better condition compared to the grey-flagged ship. "And on an expedition too!" Nia cheered, "On ships! We're going somewhere no one has been able to map yet!"

    Sam eyed the Red Kite in particular; besides the red stripes, the vessel had been painted a warm, dark brown and it's sails were also dyed in a more reddish brown. At the front of the Kite itself, the figurehead resembled an angular-looking bird of prey. What species he didn't recognise, given the stylised form it had.

    It seemed like a damn fine vessel either way, the Guild must have been lucky to have it.

    "Should be quite the adventure for sure." Sam said with a small grin.

    "You can count on that!" Nia said, "We're going to be on the Kite for the trip out!"

    The Scorbunny felt a little bit more energised at that, "Should be comfortable at least."

    In truth, he wasn't sure if was going to be seasick or not.

    "Come on, we better get aboard!" Nia said, "Bruce and the others are already picking bunks- wait a second, where's Alice?"

    "Wait up."

    As Sam took one step onto the gangway, he turned to find Alice jogging towards them, her own satchel bouncing by her side. "Could have waited." She said with a bit of venom in her tone.

    Nia quickly rubbed her face, blinking all the while. "I thought you two were coming together?"

    "Not something we do everyday." Sam replied coldly, not feeling in the mood still to talk to the Buneary. She was still hostile towards him, and still feeling a spike of pain in his chest at her own rants at him, he wasn't ready to talk to her either. He turned to carry on up the gangway.

    That was when he felt her hand clamp down on his shoulder. "How about you cut the damn attitude?" Alice snapped.

    Growling, Sam shook her hand loose and spun round at her, "My attitude?" He questioned, "How about you start working on fixing yours before telling me about mine!"

    Nia had frozen on the spot, eyes snapping between them.

    Rolling her head sharply, Alice's teeth grinded together, "You're the one who can't control yourself! Did you realise how far off the rails you've been going!?"

    Sam couldn't stop himself, heat flushing through him, "Maybe if you acted less like a rotten bitch and tried to think about others more, you'd understand better!"

    Deep inside the Scorbunny, he felt like had suddenly stabbed himself in the gut. Or, rather, wanted to do so. Alice backed up an inch, a hiss of breath escaping her mouth. But then she recovered, glaring back at him.

    "Maybe this is just what you are. A liar and cunt who thinks he's important enough to try and dictate what others should do. No wonder Aidan took a shining for you."

    Anger rushed back through the Scorbunny again, with Sam stomping one foot forward and down hard enough that a brief spark flashed from beneath it. He could feel this sudden urge to lunge forward, and it took every ounce of his strength not to lash out at her.

    Nia's wings snapped forward, the little bat managing to squeeze between the two. "P-Please guys! Can you two just make up?!"

    Sam and Alice didn't respond, their burning gazes focused on each other.

    When Alice finally spoke, her voice was cold.

    "Long enough to get through this." She said, "Then I'm done."

    Nia's eyes went wide with alarm, "N-No!" she exclaimed, "You two h-"

    "One more time." Sam interrupted, unable to contain the venom in his tone.

    He felt a hollow mass reluctantly fade away, as some form of understanding settled between the two rabbits. They shared a nod, and Sam stepped aside, allowing Alice to stride past and ascend the gangway. Nia started to protest, and biting his tongue, Sam silently held up a finger.

    Nia clamped her mouth shut.

    "Don't ask about it." he quietly urged her, before turning and marching up to board the Red Kite.

    Nia watched the two rabbits go, shaking softly on the spot until the two vanished from sight. Only then did Sam and Alice vanished from view did she seem to steady herself, a new-found look. An alert, determined look. With a beat of her wings, she took to the air, flying for the Kite herself.

    None of the trio saw a certain Charizard watching them from a distance, his eyes narrowing before he himself began to move…


    Rex strolled into the harbour, making a deliberate effort to control his pace, "I understand it wasn't easy for you to ease the concerns of the other representatives." he said.

    "It wasn't a problem."

    The Mawile, Mary, walked alongside Rex almost casually, "Brooks was ecstatic at the pirate hunt. Triss took more convincing, but we've developed a good working relationship over the years, so she heard me out."

    The pair now strode onto the pier leading towards the three Robinwood ships preparing for departure. As they did, Mary's expression hardened, "I am worried about you leading the expedition." She said, "There aren't many who can handle running the guild whilst you are away."

    Rex placed his hands behind his back, "I would normally agree, but after the incident with Waterfall Mountain, I can't leave this expedition to chance."

    "Water Continent's neutrality offers me a lot of weight in easing disputes, but Damon has much more influence." Mary warned, "Without Calvin or you to counterbalance him, I doubt Brooks will be able to resist anything he pushes for, and…"

    She hesitated.

    "You don't have to tell me." Rex reassured her.

    "No, you should know." Mary countered, "Triss is worried that Sand trying to exert more influence in Mist. Grass may be a junior partner to Air, but at least it's still mutual partnership. Triss only has so much pull in trying to keep things equal between their two states, she may well be forced to follow suit with Damon."

    The guildmaster's frown deepened, "Why are you telling me this?"

    Mary flicked her gaze away for a moment, "Water's leadership believes in trying to maintain the peace, and a multinational approach to the Sea of Wonders is critical to that. If any continent asserts itself as the main entity here, it'll upset balance of power. Grass, Mist or even Water would be bad enough. But if Sand or Air gains the Sea? It'll trigger a massive escalation, and it'll drag all continents into conflict including Water."

    Rex stiffened at the words, unwilling to imagine the hell that would unfold. "And… what do you believe?"

    "Just in peace." She admitted softly, "Which is why I still feel that you are needed here."

    Good thing I have a contingency for that.

    Rex raised a brow, "Which is why I'll be leaving someone I closely trust to run the Guild in my absence."

    "I can't run-" Mary paused, only for a small smile to form, "Esper." She realised, "But is she ready?"

    "She nearly half runs the Guild as it is." Rex replied, "And she has the rest of Team Spirit to help her. Besides, they deserve the break."

    They stopped at the bottom of the gangway leading upto the Red Kite, the Blaziken crouching down to the Mawille's level, "Can I trust you to support her?"

    "As a representative, I can't influence Robinwood's internal affairs without the others." Mary admitted quietly, before giving a careful nod, "But as her friend, absolutely."

    The two bowed their heads at each other respectfully, "We won't be long." Rex said, "Take care Mary."

    With that, the Blaziken climbed aboard the vessel.


    Whistles were blown as the gangways were pulled aboard and the lines were cast off. Larger Aquatic Pokémon, consisting of a squadron of Sharpedos and a few massive Gryandos took hold of other ropes and worked as tugs, pulling the expedition ships away from the piers and towards open water.

    Only when they released their grip did the three ships unfurl their sails. The Penguin and the Crow released brilliant white sails, standing in stark contrast to the Red Kite's red ones. With the wind at their backs, the fleet accelerated, headed towards the east.

    Sam leaned against the railing at the stern of the Red Kite, his eyes fixed on the slowly shrinking landmass of the island he was leaving.

    The only one he had ever known.

    I'm doing this for the right reasons. Sam thought, We gotta follow all the leads we can. The disasters, Kain, Broken Wood, the Guardians… me…

    He looked down at the Guardian armband within his hands, the white symbol shining brightly under the sun. And yet…

    With a sense of hollowness at his core, Sam turned to his side, only to find the familiar shape he had subconsciously been looking for wasn't there.

    I've… I've never felt so alone.

    And so, we conclude what is essentially the first half of Episode 2 of Guardians of Balance. I hope you guys enjoy this!

    I'm hoping to try and make future chapters a little bit shorter, both to allow for quicker posts and to make it easier to work on edits.

    And this is the perfect stop over point, potentially, before the start of Mercenaries of Dawn, hence the shorter chapters will be a big help for writing both fan-fics. My question now of course, is what are you readers more interested in right now? The continuation of the GoB story with Chapter 2.11 as the team heads in the direction of pirates? Or the first chapter of MoD?

    Either way, GoB will still continue, and GoB and MoD will alternate chapters accordingly once GoB starts off, with MoD occassionly getting breaks whilst GoB gets to the relevent plot points. Let me know what you fancy.
     
    • Chapter II.XI - Realisation
    • StolenMadWolf

    StolenMadWolf

    Loony Moony
    Pronouns
    She/They
    Partners
    1. scorbunny
    2. buneary
    POKÉMON MYSTERY DUNGEON
    GUARDIANS OF BALANCE

    EPISODE II - DARK, WONDEROUS PAST
    CHAPTER XI - REALISATION    ​

    Four Days after Expedition Departure

    Sam swung the tent canvas aside and stepped out into the sunlight. He blinked, shielding his eyes from the bright rays. Gulls called out above his head and the whoosh of waves breaking resonated in his ears.

    We had walked out onto a wide beach, the white sand beneath his feet warm and soft. The deep blue water gently lapped up onto the shore to his left whilst to his right, palm trees several metres above his head, serving as the front line of a thick forest.

    Canvas tents of every size and colour dotted the beach, and from where Sam stood, he could just make out the masts of the Red Kite and her escorts sticking out from behind the tents. With no deep water by the island they had set up camp at, the ships had to anchor further offshore, leaving boats, swimming or flight as the only reliable means of reaching them.

    A groan rumbled out behind the Scorbunny, "Ar… why does everything have to be so bright?"

    Bruce stumbled out of the tent behind him, trying flutily to cover his eyes with a vine. Since boarding the Red Kite, Sam mainly hung around the boys amongst Teams Seekers and Active. And when push came to shove, the Scorbunny had ended up sharing a tent with Bruce.

    Sam rubbed the back of his head with a frown, "Water and sand." He said matter-of-factly. "You really don't like the sea don't you?"

    Grumbling to himself for a moment, Bruce squinted at the rabbit. "My family has lived in a forest since my great-great-great-great…greatgreatgreat-grandmother wondered in. We don't do oceans."

    "Maybe you should get some sunglasses." Sam replied with a chuckle.

    "How about we don't go near the ocean again after this?"

    "I hate to break it to you Bruce but we live on an island."

    Sighing heavily, Bruce's eyes began to widen as they adjusted. "You going to chat with the Guildmaster again?"

    "That was the plan. I'll catch you at the forward camp soon."

    Bruce nodded, pulling the vine away, only to wince and cover his eyes once more, "Got it buddy. We'll see you there."

    The two parted ways, the Bulbasaur stumbling towards the treeline and a path carved through the undergrowth. Sam meanwhile, made his way deeper into the camp.

    It had taken the better part of two days for the expedition to arrive at the first island in the micro-chain that Zeke pointed out, a relatively quick journey owing to the wind being comfortably at the fleet's back. Since the ships had weighed anchor, the Guild had descended on the island like a swarm, setting off on short journeys deeper into the forests. The aim was to investigate, map and survey the island for pirates, notable ruins, natural resources, potential new supplies and of course, any Mystery Dungeons that may have remained hidden.

    Sam and the other recruits had worked to help with that effort. Whilst they hadn't come across any Mystery Dungeons yet, they had been working on the outer edge of the forest, marking down what was in each specific area before moving on.

    Sam and Alice had made certain not to be part of the same team if they could avoid it. Not that it was too hard to do that. The island wasn't anywhere near as big as the one that Robinwood had been built on, but it was still big enough that it was taking time for the expedition to process even a small part of it, and the next islands were bigger than this one…

    Sam slipped between the tents, making his way towards the centre of the camp. He had been trying to stay on top of any updates, any hint of Guardian ruins or even just their emblem. And that meant staying in touch with Rex, figuring if anything major came up, he'd know.

    So far, Rex hadn't denied the Scorbunny access. If anything, he welcomed Sam's presence.

    Sam approached a lightweight gazebo. It had been erected on a small wooden deck with black canvas covering the top to serve as shade.

    Rex and Calvin were already there, the Charizard having put aside the sash that marked himself as a representative and now sporting a yellow armband in its place with the outline of a black sun in the centre. Thankfully, Calvin had been okay with Sam poking his head in too.

    The pair were leaning over a wooden table that was covered in half a dozen charts and maps, some of which had been freshly updated and others had carved pieces placed atop them. Team locations and landmarks, Sam guessed.

    "Maybe if we kept folks out at the camps." Calvin was saying, "Could speed up the survey."

    "If we had extra manpower perhaps." Rex replied, scratching his chin, "But it would complicate the logistics of keeping teams supplied which would defy the point. We would better make sure we've got the trails fully cleared through the forest, make it easier to navigate from camp to camp."

    "Might be a good idea to have someone get some touches put together then. At least we can keep the paths well-lit."

    "Good idea."

    The wood creaked underfoot as Sam stepped up onto the decking, bringing the Blaziken's attention to him. "Ah Sam, did you sleep well?"

    "Well Bruce didn't snore this time." He replied, managing to hide most of his chuckle. "He's already headed out. Nia and Dan will probably be doing the same."

    "I'll take that as a good thing," Rex replied, tone casual as he picked up another wooden piece and placed it on one of the maps. "Unfortunately, we haven't come across much in the night."

    "Not even made it a hundred metres." Calvin sighed, rubbing his forehead.

    Sam felt his face slacken, "You've gotta be kidding me."

    That had been the one bit of trouble. Whilst progress around the island's edge had been relatively straightforward, piercing the interior was a different matter altogether. He had heard how dense the jungle was, slowing the teams down. That had even been a few feral Pokémon hanging amongst the trees, attacking some of the guildmembers on the way through. Whilst no one had been hurt badly yet, it was probably already a matter of time until that happened, especially with some teams getting lost in the trees.

    "If we could just burn back-" Calvin started.

    "Cal…" Rex softly groaned.

    "I know, I know." The Charizard grunted, "Can't risk the fire going out of control and taking out any ruins."

    Sam looked over at the map, it had only been a few days since they arrived but progress still felt painfully slow. There could have been a Guardian site just a few metres deeper in the trees, and yet they could easily walk past it without noticing. He spotted the other islands of the chain amongst the charts, still unvisited.

    And yet we have to search this island first… how bad are the others going to be? I think anyone would kill to get out-

    He stiffened, ears twitching as the idea drifted into his mind. It was probably a bad one… but-

    "Any thoughts Sam?" Rex asked, jerking the Scorbunny back to attention.

    "S-Sorry." Sam replied, "I don't know about this island but… when do you think we could check out the others?"

    Rex raised a brow, clearly curious. "Already eager to leave this place behind?"

    He started to shake his head, only to stop. The truth was, he was just eager for some progress, some kind of change. He needed to know what the Guardians were. What they had done. And the more time they spent trying to clear a jungle, the longer it'd take to find anything. "Well… I'm just thinking. Could we like, divide and conquer or something?"

    The Blaziken huffed warmly, "Perhaps not quite like that. We need most of our people here, but we normally would send a ship to scout ahead of the main expedition."

    Sam rubbed the back of his head, eying the ships anchored offshore, "Then… why haven't we done that yet?"

    "You've got a pirate issue right?" Calvin asked bluntly, arms crossed.

    It was only Rex's calming hand that stopped Sam from jumping, "Don't worry." He reassured him, "I have already told Calvin about the Daywalker."

    Sam shook himself loose, "Ah…" he nodded towards Calvin, "Yeah, they seemed to have got pretty ballsy."

    Stifling a laugh, Calvin winked at the rabbit, "Right! You've got a potential threat to those ships out there."

    "The schooners." Rex started, nodding towards the two smaller ships, "They'd be the scouts, but they aren't equipped for a heavy fight, especially against anything that could threaten something the size of the Daywalker."

    "Then why not the Kite?" Sam questioned, waving a hand towards the larger ship and recalling how well it had handled under sail and seeing just a handful of the cannons she had aboard her. "She looks like she could hold her own."

    A warm smile formed on Rex's face, "She certainly would. But being between a brig and a frigate, she needs a large crew, and we don't have the manpower to send her out and survey this island at the same time. Even if we could-"

    "The two schooners won't be able to help everyone else stuck here." Calvin finished, "Especially if we've got to evacuate."

    Sam rubbed his forehead, softly groaning. The never-ending problem of manpower. He could already guess they would have had more if not for the representatives and Broken Wood taking some of that away. It was a pain in the side.

    That was when he caught the glint in Calvin's eye. "Hold on. We can't send the Kite or a schooner out on their own, right?"

    "That's right." Rex confirmed.

    "Then why not send both schooners?"

    Sam's eyes snapped towards the guildmaster, who was already casting an aside glance at the Scorbunny.

    "Think about it." Calvin continued with a smirk, "Send the Crow and Penguin ahead together. They can get away with much smaller crews and watch each other's backs."

    Sam chewed his lip, trying to imagine the two ships moving together, "I'd guess that would work for scouting. We could at least check the beaches out."

    Rex started scratching his beak again, "The Kite can remain behind and support the expedition – and defend it if needed."

    "Could she do that on her own?" Sam asked.

    "We can keep her manned enough to start fighting." Rex admitted, "The rest of the crew can quickly get back aboard from here if she needs to move."

    Sam nearly bounced as he rubbed his hands together, "I volunteer for scouting then!" he exclaimed, "We can head out, see what we'd expect and come back."

    Seeing Rex's raised brow at his enthusiasm, he quickly calmed himself down and rolled his shoulder. "I'm just… wanting to get to the bottom of this stuff. That's all."

    Rex stiffened for a second, before flashing a weak smile. "I know too well." He admitted. "And I do believe this is the best course of action."

    "Y-You do?" Sam stuttered, blinking.

    "Indeed. Audacity, Seekers and Active can go ahead on the Crow and Penguin, and I'll assign some of our stronger frontline teams to join you."

    "I'll make it easier for you Rex." Calvin said, cracking his knuckles, "I'll lead them. I've kinda been itching for some fresh air anyway."

    Calvin? We could do with the firepower but…

    The Blaziken frowned, "Calvin, I'd appreciate the help, but-"

    "Rex." The Charizard interrupted, "Screw the politics. I'm a Rescuer, and last time I checked, you outrank me. Put me to work."

    Wait. Is he talking about Rex being the Guildmaster? Or the actual ranks? Calvin's Master Rank right? So… what rank does Rex have?

    Sighing, Rex firmly nodded back. "Very well. I'll see if any of our Silver's are willing to join and contact the schooner captains, they might be able to set off today."

    "I'll get some supplies prepped." Calvin replied, nodding his head before hopping out of the gazebo and strolling into the trees.

    Rex turned towards Sam, "Before you go Sam… be careful out that. You're going to need to back up the others as best you can along with Alice."

    Sam stiffened, not quite wanting to hear or hear about it. He quickly shook his head, electing to change the topic. "There's one thing to worry about it…"


    "FUCKING HELL!" Bruce roared, looking a little more green than normal as the recruits started to push some of the longboats to the water. A few flying types flew above their heads, headed towards the two smaller ships. "Just when I was getting settled!"

    "I'll take it." Denver grunted as he pushed one of the boats into the water, "The bugs in that jungle are murder."

    Sam blinked, back pressed against another boat, "Err… Denver you are a bug type."

    The Skorupi's pincers snapped together, "No type can protect against those little bastards."

    Dan stumbled from around another boat, noticeable red spots dotted across his arm. "H-He's not kidding." He wheezed.

    Feeling a shiver down his spine, Sam promptly analysed his arms for any bite marks that had evaded his notice.

    "A Silver-Rank team will be following in behind us." Edward said as he trotted towards them, Nia and Alice following him from behind.

    That's good to hear. Sam mused to himself as his eyes shifted towards the Noibat and Buneary, the former hovering just behind her. Huh… Nia's been trying to hang around Alice a lot more since we've set off. I wonder why Alice hasn't thrown her off yet.

    The recruits started to gather around two of the boats, "Good. So…" Sam started, "We've got two ships. Who's going where?"

    "I'll go on the Crow." Alice simply stated, not even looking Sam's way.

    Not that he was in any mood to argue with her on which little boat they'd go on.

    "Right." Sam said, "Looks like it's the Penguin for me."

    Bruce seemed to recover enough to look more bewildered, glancing between the two rabbits. "Well… I heard that the Penguin is less… tippy? You don't mind if we-"

    Nia dropped down to the floor next to Alice, "You can sign me up for the Crow." She declared, bumping Alice's side with a wing. "And I'm not taking no for an answer."

    Sam nearly smirked as Alice groaned in reply.

    Looking even more perplexed, Bruce slowly nodded his head, "O-Okay… well if the girls are doing that, how about us boys go on the Penguin! Would make a change!"

    "Well…" Edward started, "It's a four-mon Silver Team, should be able to even things up."

    Dan shuffled on the spot with a visible quiver, as his gaze flicked between Nia and Bruce. "I-I-I… I don't know if it's-"

    Nia placed a paw onto the Morpeko's shoulder, "Go on Dan! Give it a try with the boys!" she flashed a gigantic grin, "Should be a new experience!"

    A fuzzy feeling formed inside Sam as Dan seemed to visibly relax at the bat's words. Nia is damn good to Dan.

    A hearty laugh rumbled from the camp, "Good job Team Iris is all girls then! Just don't start getting competitive! It's a team effort!"

    Calvin stomped across the beach towards them, two big satchels hung over his side… and alongside him walked Zeke. His chains had been removed, but the silver collar was still secured around his neck. Sam blinked, he'd heard of Zeke being bought on the expedition to help with the search. But it was the first time he had seen him in a few days.

    Denver snarled, "What's he doing here?"

    "Calm down Denver." Edward stressed softly, "He's not going to hurt us."

    "I'm only here in case I recognise anything." Zeke quietly admitted, "I won't get in the way."

    "He's been through a lot." Calvin said seriously, "Treat him as well as any other. Now if you don't mind me-" he patted the satchels, "I've gotta pass on these requests to the captains."

    With a whump of his wings, the Charizard flew up into the air, kicking sand straight into the recruits' faces. Sam quickly covered his eyes, gritting his teeth as the grains bounced off him. Edward hadn't been so lucky, the Skiddo coughing wildly out of sight. Blinking, Sam lowered his arm. The dragon was already flying towards the smaller ships, the sound of his wingbeat already fading away.

    "Team ACT my ass." Denver grumbled, rubbing his eyes, "At least take off away from all the sand!"

    "At least he's coming to help us." Alice grunted back.

    Sam frowned, "Look, we better get over to the ships. Won't want them to leave without us."

    "Yes." Zeke said weakly, "Lets."

    The boys started loading up onto one of the boats, the girls having to wait for Team Iris to catch up. As the Scorbunny took his seat, he cast an eye towards Alice, her back now turned as she leaned against their craft. She's all alone again…

    Sighing, he took one of the oars, and pushed the boat out into the water.


    The wind was still at the ship's backs, so the journey towards the next island was a much quicker affair once the Penguin and the Crow had brought themselves out into open water, a collection of islands now visible before the horizon. Rex had requested the captains to at least survey the edge of the largest island, which happened to be the closest one of the chain.

    It only took a few hours for the schooners to reach that island, but they couldn't get close. Waves crashed against towering grey cliffs, far too craggy and rough for the ships to approach. That left only one option, to circle around to a beach they could access.

    Sam leaned against the railing of the vessel, watching the coast as the Penguin slowly started it's search. But occasionally, he would turn his head towards the Crow trailing behind them. He tried to put the thought of her passengers out of his head, but it wasn't working.

    Not that he could move elsewhere, Bruce was still puking over on the other side of the ship whilst Dan tried to get the Bulbasaur to nibble on some bread chunks.

    Dry heaving was hell, apparently. Sam figured he'd let the Morpeko do what he could to help his teammate. Edward meanwhile was now browsing through some charts along with the navigator, Zeke was watching the shore from the bow, and he had no idea where Denver was hiding. And Al-

    Gah, fuck!

    He thumped the railing, unable to finally turn his attention away from Alice. Not even the thought of finding Guardian ruins or any clues was getting buried. Come on! Alice can't stand me half the time on a good day, why should I even bother with her? After the bullshit she threw at me. No won-

    "You look ready to fight someone."

    Sam jerked upright. "H-Huh?"

    Standing behind him was Calvin, the lean Charizard casting a wary eye on the Scorbunny.

    "Calvin!" Sam exclaimed, "I'm not planning on that!"

    "Bet you aren't." he gruffly replied, "But you're pissed, punching the railing and all."

    The Charizard walked over to join Sam at the railing, eyes flicking between the island and the following Crow. "How are you?"

    Sam tightened his grip on the railing, "Err… yeah. Just want to get started with surveying the place. Find what Kain was looking for, you know?"

    "And are you going to do that alone?"

    Flinching, Sam turned to fully face the dragon, his heart beginning to beat harder, "What's that supposed to mean?"

    A low deep rumble came from Calvin, encouraging Sam to sweep a foot back. When Calvin turned to face him, his eyes were narrowed, and a faint stream of smoke rose from his nostrils.

    "Let's say I can smell a mistake coming."

    And with that, Sam bared his teeth, his fists clenching as he fought to keep himself from exploding.


    On the Crow, Alice had found herself in a similar position to what Sam was in. She had positioned herself at the railing of the ship, albeit at the bow rather than the side. Behind her, she could hear the members of Team Iris talking amongst themselves, flashing whatever new possessions they got their hands on.

    But it was something else that surprised her entirely.

    "Make sure to keep those ropes tight!" Kaliani called out, hopping across the deck as she inspected some of the crew working on the deck. "I don't want the wind to blow us into those rocks!"

    Zeke's presence was something Alice could expect. But she didn't expect Kaliani to join them until the Trumbeak helped her and Nia onto the Crow. The girl had been through a lot, something Alice could understand. But as the Buneary saw her passing on orders from the captain, she realised this was the best place for her to be. She was a sailor at the end of the day.

    Alice watched the coast, wondering wha-

    Nia hovered in front of her, a bright smile stretched across her face. "Whatcha doing?"

    Alice recoiled, raising clenched fists. "Can you stop doing that Nia!" she barked.

    The Noibat froze almost comically in front of her, "C-Come on! You like my surprises!"

    "Not when they are non-stop!"

    The Buneary started to hop towards the other side of the ship's bow, trying to ignore the thud as Nia landed on the deck behind her. "Just tell me what I can do then!" she shouted, "You are so on edge! Like… more on edge than normal!"

    "Just sounds like another normal day to me." Alice grunted back, reaching the other end and leaning against the railing there. "It's none of your bus-"

    "IT IS MY DAMN BUSINESS!"

    The scream wasn't the loudest she heard, but Alice still had to retract both ears to cover them, the ship went briefly silent, a few members of the crew pausing to look their way, only for another deckhand to bark for them to get back to work.

    "Can you keep it down for one fucking minute!" Alice hissed, releasing her ears.

    "No!" Nia shouted back, managing to dial it down regardless. "Ever since the representatives arrived you've been so much nastier to Sam! And to the others!"

    Alice groaned and turned away as Nia continued ranting, "I'm trying to help you here!"

    "Yeah, that's what Sam offered." She growled back, "Then that liar just proved himself to be no better than anyone else."

    She clenched her fists, eyes focused on the water. That was who nearly everyone was. Another person to disappoint her and turn on her. No matter how nice they seemed to act.

    "You lost your parents to Dark Matter… right?"

    Alice's head jerked up, her legs suddenly feeling weak beneath her. Nia's words were soft, without any shred of anger, something that Alice wasn't prepared for.

    She turned back to face Nia, but instead of the bubbly Pokémon she recognised, instead, she looked much calmer and composed with her wings placed at her side. "H-How…" Alice started. "How did you…"

    Nia walked up to join Alice, "I kinda worked it out awhile ago. I saw how badly you reacted about Dark Matter when Edward talked about it, and there is that cursed rumour too – which is rubbish by the way!" She placed her hands on the railing, "And there's how much the guildmaster keeps an eye on you too, the same one who led Team STAR…"

    Alice could only stare blankly at the bat as she shrugged, "It wasn't that hard to connect the dots. I'm… sorry that happened to you."

    Taking a shaky sigh, the Buneary steadied herself against the railing. Of all the people to work out her secret… her past…

    "Nia…" she managed to utter, "You are officially scary, you know that right?"

    She pulled a sly smile at that, if only briefly, "Let's pull back a sec. You don't trust many people because of all the shit you've put up with? I don't know what has happened between you and Sam-"

    "I don't want to talk about it." Alice said quietly back.

    "Hear me out."

    For f…

    She couldn't bring herself to finish the thought, not with what Nia was pulling off now. She still suspected that Nia wouldn't back down. So…

    "Shoot."

    Steadying herself with a shallow breath, Nia got started again. "I'm going to take a guess. Sam didn't tell you something big about himself right? And you got mad at him because he knows about what happened to you?"

    "Get to the point." Alice bluntly stated, finally directing her gaze on the Penguin further ahead of them.

    Nia tapped the railing with a claw, "Okay. Let me put it like this. What if Sam was like you?"

    Alice's back stiffened, "The fuck?" she growled.

    The bat, still composed, raised her hands as Alice turned back to face her. "Seriously, did you tell anyone else about your past?"

    "No!"

    "Why then?"

    "Because it would get me or someone hurt!" Alice replied, clenching her jaw.

    That was when the coin dropped. Alice suddenly felt cold as the words left her mouth. Someone getting hurt…

    'I could be putting others in danger. I mean, what about Alice? She's been through so much… I don't want to throw her into another quagmire because of me.'

    Sam… you were being a fucking idiot so many times but… you were always…

    "Sam was probably thinking the same." Nia explained, "And that's not the only thing!"

    Alice tore her eyes away, back towards the Penguin. But Nia scrambled around to remain in her view, "You've had – what? – six years to work through what happened. Sam's had six weeks. He probably doesn't know how to fully talk about it."

    And Sam… probably wouldn't have to talked to Jack about it unless he felt like he…

    The realisation only made Alice feel even colder.


    Sam could feel himself burning up as the Charizard stared him down, both their nostrils flaring. If this had been over six weeks ago, Sam would probably have backed down or tried to ease the situation. But after fighting Greg and Kain, he didn't feel any fear of Calvin trying to fight him. He doubted it would end well, but he wasn't going to retreat here.

    "What's this all about?" Sam questioned.

    A sharp tooth poked out of the dragon's mouth, "Your attitude. And your partner."

    Groaning, Sam rolled his eyes, "Look, we agreed to call it quits after the expedition. Its for the best."

    Calvin merely grunted in reply, "Heh, so you think it's alright to keep barking down each other's throats?"

    For fucking crying out loud, what's his problem!?

    Fists squeezing even tighter, Sam's voice started to rise, "She was the one who blew her lid! Acting like a damn bitch!"

    "Oh yeah?" the dragon questioned, taking a loud step forward as he looked down at the rabbit. "And you think shouting back at her is going to help? Sounds you pissed her off!"

    "I tried to calm her down!" he snapped back, "And she ended up tearing me down for it!"

    Calvin seemed to darken and grow bigger before him, "And here you are, still going on at each other. It's like you're some old married couple!"

    Sam's eyes burned, "A-Alice isn't my concern anymore! I've got more important shit to deal with!"

    "Screw that! You do give a crap, so why are you being such an arsey little shit over it!"

    "BECAUSE I FUCKED UP!"

    The Scorbunny panted, his body feeling like jelly. Not from fear, but from the shout itself. He could feel a few stares from the crew working on deck, but they didn't stop working.

    The Charizard glared silently down at him as Sam felt the briefest flicker of a tear form, something Sam swiftly wiped away, "I kept something back about myself." He said quietly, throat sore. "And when she lashed out that I didn't trust her, I snapped."

    He turned away, directing his gaze back towards the trailing Crow. "I... I started driving her away. And every time we tried to reconnect, we just started fighting again. And I just keep…"

    Sam couldn't finish that sentence as Calvin started chuckling. "You're not pissed off at Alice. You're angry with yourself."

    Clutching the railing, Sam couldn't bring himself to look Calvin's way. He wanted to deny it, Alice had thrown no small amount of abuse his way. But it was he who got the ball rolling. He was so terrified of what response he would get that he would get that he failed to see what hiding the truth would have meant to Alice.

    "Yes… I… I pushed her away…"

    He turned to face the now smiling Charizard, "You meant for me to get angry…"

    Calvin gave a bemused flick of his wings, "Can't exactly beat pushing people's buttons until things click."

    "Did… was that something you worked on with Rex?" Sam meekly asked.

    "Worked with? More like something Rex learnt whilst playing hero."

    And then, much like it had for Alice on the Crow, the penny dropped.

    'You've always got to be some kind of hero, barging your way into other people's problems and trying to act like you are looking out for everyone!'

    He had thought Alice was going on about him headlong into danger despite her warnings. But she was not meaning that at all.

    "What are you thinking of Sam?" Calvin asked.

    Sam's body started to numb, his eyes fixed on the rocking form of the Crow.

    "I… I just kinda realised something."

    W…What am I doing?

    "And what's that?"

    Sam's next words were soft, and tinged with a bit of sadness. "I never had to-"


    "-go it alone."

    Alice's eyes were fixed on the Penguin, feeling low on energy. W… What am I doing?

    Nia leaned in closer and more into view, staring wide-eyed at the Buneary. "Wwwell?"

    She blinked back, feeling the chill fade away, "I… I just realised something. I'm… I'm going to have to talk to him when we get the chance."

    Rubbing her hands together, she finally looked back towards Nia with a small smile, "Thanks. I needed to hear all that."

    With a beaming smile, Nia bobbed up and down in delight. "Amazing! I knew you two would come around!" Before Alice could react, she had planted a hand into her back, "You two do get along!"

    "Get your hand. Off my back." Alice said bluntly but warmly.

    "Okay." Nia complied.

    Alice started to look back towards the front ship… but that was when she saw it, placed further past the Robinwood vessel.

    She frowned, "Wait. What's that?"


    "I'm guessing you figured out we were having a row?" Sam asked.

    "Saw the whole thing from a mile away." Calvin admitted.

    The two fire types were now leaning more casually against the railing, the rage having quickly faded away. Sam rubbed the back of his head, "I'm going to speak to Alice, sure." He stressed, "But… why are you so interested in us? I mean, we've just gotta be another team right?"

    With a huff, Calvin shook his head, "Let's just say you remind me of someone. Someone who recently… had a pretty nasty break up."

    "Break up?"

    "With a teammate. A partner."

    The Charizard sighed, rubbing his forehead. "It's not been pretty to watch. Not after seeing how important the bonds between teams are. I've felt it with Team ACT. I've seen it dozens of other teams, including Rex's."

    That perked his ears up, "Rex had a team?" He asked.

    Now he flashed a grin, "Team STAR." He explained, "Damn, you should have seen them, they were legends. There was only one Mon who inspired us in Team ACT more."

    Sam frowned, There was one Mon who was better than Rex and his entire team? Or, what? More inspirational?

    "And… who was that?"

    He only got a snort at that, "That would be a story for another time. The point is, never give up on your teammates. They are your anchor when the whole world turns against you."

    Is… is he talking about Team Warden?

    "I don't want you to lose that bond because of something stupid." Calvin stressed, "Cherish it. And together… I bet you two could take on anything."

    The Charizard smiled again as he patted the Scorbunny on the back, "I better get back to work." He said, starting to walk away.

    Sam couldn't stop himself blurting out the word, "Wait!"

    Calvin stopped to look back at the Scorbunny, "That Pokémon you mentioned, the one I reminded you of… who are they?"

    The smile shifted to something smaller, more sincere, as if the dragon was recalling a pleasant memory. "His name's Tobias."

    Tobias…

    With a mock salute, Calvin turned away again, "Keep up the good work – as a team – and who knows? Maybe you'll meet him one day."

    As he walked away, Sam spun on his heel to look back towards the Crow. Maybe… maybe we will…

    He closed his eyes. I've just gotta find out how.

    That was when the bell started ringing. "Sails! Straight ahead!"

    Huh?!

    Sam's eyes snapped open just as the crew ran into overdrive, responding to new orders being barked out. Instinct took over as Sam started running, headed for the ship's bow, scrambling up the steps to reach it. Zeke was trying to look over the railing, glancing back briefly to see who was coming. "There it is!"

    Sam could see the ship appearing from behind a cliff. It was too far for him to catch all the details, but its size was easy. A two-decker, with three masts poking out from it's deck, supporting black sails.

    Someone squarked out another panicked report, and he could hear Zeke hiss, but Sam's eyes had already drifted towards the top of the contact.

    Where a black flag adorned with a white skull and crossbones flapped in the wind.

    Sam felt his heart miss a beat.

    Pirates!

    Alright, and again, this took longer than planned, but the latest GoB Chapter is complete! This is a bit of a slower chapter, but not for much longer, as it sets the stage for the episode's main conflict. I hope it is enjoyable for you all again!
     
    • Mercenaries of Dawn Update
    • StolenMadWolf

    StolenMadWolf

    Loony Moony
    Pronouns
    She/They
    Partners
    1. scorbunny
    2. buneary
    And so, it has finally come. The Prequel to Guardians of Balance has come.

    Mercenaries of Dawn is live. If you are interested in reading this, please follow the link.

    Guardians of Balance is still fully active, and will likely be the next chapter update.
     
    • Chapter II.XII - Pirates
    • StolenMadWolf

    StolenMadWolf

    Loony Moony
    Pronouns
    She/They
    Partners
    1. scorbunny
    2. buneary
    POKÉMON MYSTERY DUNGEON
    GUARDIANS OF BALANCE

    EPISODE II – DARK, WONDEROUS PAST
    CHAPTER XII – PIRATES!    ​

    Sam tightened his grip on the railing, eyes fixed on the ship as it started to turn towards them. They know we're here!

    "She's coming about!" One of the shiphands shouted.

    Calvin's roar boomed across the deck, "Rescuers! Get over here!"

    Jerking to attention, Sam and Zeke shared a glance as they ran back down the ship towards the centre. Calvin was waiting for them, alongside a rather panicky-looking Dan and a seemingly recovered Bruce. It seemed as if the threat of attack had pushed down whatever seasickness he had been feeling. From further back, he could see the captain at the wheel, shouting for the crew to ready the cannons. With a practised sense of urgency, the crew scurried across the deck, shoving the weapons into position.

    As Edward and Denver scrambled from below decks, the Charizard directed his attention to the assembled recruits, "Alright boys, the wind isn't doing us any favours. We can't run until either the wind turns or until one of the flying types can get enough of a gust to turn us. The captain is going to turn us on for a broadside ahead of the Crow, try and keep him at a distance. But there is a good chance they'll try and board us. We need to keep them off the gun crews until we can break clear. Bruce! Edward!"

    The Bulbasaur and Skiddo almost leapt out of their skins, "Y-yeah Calvin!?" Bruce barked.

    Calvin pointed towards the railings, "I need you two to cover the sides for any water types coming up on us! Denver, I need you to be our fast responder. Sam and Dan, you both know electric moves, right?"

    Sam sharply nodded, not thinking about how Calvin knew that. "Got Electro Ball."

    "T-Thunder Shock!" Dan weakly replied.

    "Then you two head up front. Any flyers come in, turn them round-" Calvin squeezed his fist, "Or blow the bastards out of the sky."

    Can't argue with that! Sam flashed a thumbs up to that. "You can count on us!"

    That was when Calvin turned to the Electrike. "Zeke, I need you to help them."

    Sam's heart instinctively skipped a beat.

    Denver's eyes widened, "Are you fucking nuts!?"

    Zeke looked just as alarmed, "No no. No! I can't-"

    "That wasn't you Zeke!" Calvin barked, cowing the younger Rescuers in an instant. "You're a Rescuer, I trust you to be that!"

    "B-But…" Zeke blubbered.

    "Flyers leaving the pirate ship!" one of the crew members shouted.

    Calvin narrowed his eyes, "You want to keep Pokémon safe from harm? Then help us fight these pricks off, cos there's a good chance of more harm happening with one less fighter."

    Sam's eyes flicked towards the Electrike, his mind flashing back to the first fight he had against him in Broken Wood, how easily he electrocuted Aidan in that fight. The Scorbunny did beat him, but he knew Zeke had a lot of power in him. But with Kain… he knew Zeke was terrified of losing himself.

    He leaned into view, "We've got your back Zeke." He said firmly, flashing a determined look. "Trust me, I'll take any help we can get."

    Zeke finally looked towards Sam, properly, struggling to fight back tears. Terrified.

    But whatever he saw in Sam seemed to stabilise him. He narrowed his eyes, gritted his teeth, and turned back towards Calvin, lifting his neck to expose the collar.

    With a flash of white, Calvin's Metal Claw easily cut the collar loose, the metal fragments clunking on the floor.

    "What about you Calvin?" Bruce questioned, starting to back up towards one of the railings.

    The Charizard flashed a grin, "I'm going to have a scrap, buy you boys some time."

    With a whump of his wings, he shot up into the air, headed towards the pirate ship.

    "Mad bastard…" Denver grunted.

    "You heard him though!" Edward replied, starting to trot towards the starboard side. "We need to be ready!"

    "Hurrah to that!" Bruce cheered, taking his position on the port side.

    Whilst Denver grumbled to himself, Sam flicked his head back towards the bow. "Zeke, Dan, come on!"

    As they ran back towards the bow of the ship, Sam could only spare a brief thought back towards the Crow, what was going through Alice's and Nia's heads? Was the captain making a similar call?

    He wished he could get aboard the Crow right now, but he knew they didn't have that option. The best Sam could do now was try and defend the Penguin.

    Reaching the bow, the pirate ship had closed the gap, and now, Pokémon were approaching in the air and water, running on ahead of the vessel. Bruce and Edward could handle the water, but they needed a good approach to deal with the air. He shuddered, he wasn't an expert on dealing with air targets, and he didn't even need to look to know that Dan was never going to co-ordinate their attacks… so…

    "Zeke." Sam started, turning towards him with a firm look, "Can you take point?"

    The canine hesitated, but only for a moment, snarling as he looked towards the flyers. "Alright, on my mark!"

    An orange dart sliced through the air, forcing the approaching fliers to duck and weave to avoid the Charizard with some turning to take him on. Others closed in on the Penguin, almost all of them birds.

    Dan was shaking uncontrollably, his mouth trembling, "Z-Z-Zeke?"

    "Not yet."

    The birds were nearly on top of them, Sam's heart thumping harder in his chest, "Come on Zeke." He hissed.

    "Not yet!" Zeke barked.

    Three started to dive towards the ship, Sam sweeping his foot back to ready the Electro Ball. "Now would be a good time!"

    "Not yet!"

    He could start seeing the features more clearly now of the attackers, the leader, a Fearow, was starting to shriek.

    Blue energy crackled around the Electrike, his jaws snapping open-

    Sam recoiled as the blue beam of energy shot out of Zeke's mouth, too fast for the Fearow to react. In a flash of light, the bird was blown back, spiralling out of the air. His wingmates squawked, immediately trying to pull away.

    "NOW!" Zeke roared.

    Eying a fleeing Swallow, Sam booted an Electro Ball into the air. The orb raced after it, and with a twirl, the flying-type barrel rolled away, the attack skimming across their back. Sam growled as with a panicked flutter of their wings, the bird peeled away.

    A flash of yellow light erupted in the corner of his vision, another bird being blown out of the sky with the Thundershock attack.

    Sam gritted his teeth, glaring at the Swellow scurrying away. At least his attack run is ruined!

    "Here they come again!" Zeke shouted, "Sam, we'll fire first, you try and catch anyone evading us!"

    Snapping out of it, Sam readied himself for another shot, "Got it!"

    Another trio of birds began to dive, at them, coming from two angles to try and throw them off. But another blast from Zeke blasted one back, forcing their comrade to throw themselves aside to avoid them. Gotcha!

    Sam's next Electro Ball sailed straight into his target, sending them screaming into the water below.

    The rest of the fliers hung back, starting to circle the Penguin to try and find a fresh angle. "They're going round back!" Sam realised, ears going fully erect.

    "Go!" Zeke shouted, "We'll keep the bow covered!"

    "Y-Yeah! We'll… try!" Dan stuttered, trying to rile himself up.

    Sam nodded, sprinting back across the deck, past the cannons and shooting up towards the higher stern. The Dewott captain was at the wheel, still barking orders to his crew. Sam reached the rear railing, just as a bug type tried diving in. Another Electro Ball later, and the bug was sent reeling back, trying to keep himself in the air.

    Okay! Just gotta keep the flyers off us!

    Another bird flew overhead, a red band wrapped around them. One of the crew. Must be getting ready to get the gust going!

    "Surprise!" Bruce shouted.

    Behind him, a Squirtle had poked his head up over the side, only for the Bulbasaur's vines to wrap around his neck, "See ya in hell!" he exclaimed with a smirk as he flung the turtle away almost casually.

    Another squark came, and he turned in time to see the Swellow diving for him. Yelping, Sam dove aside, the air whistling as the flying type rushed by.

    Sweat soaking into his fur, Sam growled and pushed himself back up to his feet. "Buzz off!"

    Sam kicked off another Electro Ball, and this time, the Swellow wasn't ready. It struck them hard in the back. The bird's scream was swiftly cut off as he plummeted into the water.

    "Hold them off! We're nearly ready!" The Dewott shouted, his eyes fixed on the closing pirate ship. It was close enough now that Sam could now see the forms of Pokémon running or clambering across it, getting ready for their attack. "Starboard cannons ready!"

    Someone cried out, and Sam scrambled over towards the wheel to look down at the deck. A Lombre riding a pink Gastrodon had started sliding over the railing, the crew hurrying away from the deck.

    The Gastrodon's eyes widened in time for Edward's head to bury itself in them, and with a slimy pop, the slug and the Lombre flipped off the railing and back into the water. "We're clear!" he shouted, "Back on the guns!"

    Snapping to attention, the gun crews swiftly took their places, loading shot into the barrels.

    "Hard to port!"

    The captain started spinning the wheel, and with wood creaking all around, the ship started heaving over as she began to turn. Wind rushed above the Scorbunny, a pair red-sporting flying-types were beating their wings hard to try and add some extra speed to the turn. Sam struggled to keep his footing, one eye still on the sky if another flier tried to have another go at them.

    The Penguin creaked even more, juddering as its turn sharpened, the bow peeling away from the pirate ship and slowly exposing the cannons of the schooner. The enemy ship kept sailing at them, its bow remaining fixed on them.

    What the hell is he doing!? Sam snapped, He's gonna be a sitting duc-

    Four hatches in the bow of the pirate ship sprung open.

    He barely heard the shout. "CHASE GUNS!"

    Smoke and fire flashed from the guns, wood detonating and splintering as cannonballs blew through the Penguin like an angry god. Pokémon screamed as they took a face full of shrapnel or were blown into the air.

    One shot tore through the higher rear deck, Sam immediately shielded his eyes as he rolled back, debris whistling as she rushed past him. He landed hard on his back, the Scorbunny barely managing to keep his head from hitting the floor. His eyes snapped open to find the Dewott captain barely hanging onto the ship's wheel. He was wincing, clutching the side of his body, quickly becoming drenched in blood. Across the way, an unfortunate crewmember lay against the far railing, a grass type that sat unmoving.

    Moans and screams echoed across the ship, out of sight of Sam. He only just stumbled to his feet when the whole ship jerked underneath him. Crying out, Sam nearly faceplanted the deck. Holy- did they just ram us!?

    Gritting his teeth from anger and his aching arms, he picked himself up again to find the pirate ship's bow high above him, only just prevented from burying itself into the side of the Penguin. The schooner wheezed, water slushing against the hull. "T-There are pushing us aside!" Sam realised, the Penguin being turned to face the direction it had originally been travelling.

    His chest tightened as he spun back to face the Crow, the other schooner still sailing onwards.

    Into the path of the pirate ship's guns.

    "No!" Sam screamed, "Get-"

    Cannon fire roared as the pirate ship unleashed its broadside.

    The Crow nearly exploded as the cannonballs slammed across her side, punching through her hull in a shower of shrapnel and flame. Sam's words died, as all he could do was watch as the ship heaved and rolled, gaping holes emerging out of the smoke.

    "Alice!"

    Above his head, war cries started to boom, a bell ringing as the pirates prepared to board the Penguin.

    Sam snarled, readying a new attack, "Bastards! Come on! Come and get it!"


    Across the way on the Crow, Alice gritted her teeth, her head pounding and her ears ringing. She had been terrified about Sam being stuck on the rammed Penguin when the broadside hit, throwing the Buneary across the deck. Through the ringing, she could make out the agonised cries and the moans of the crew. The captain was trying to get further ahead, to try and avoid striking the Penguin by accident. But then that pirate ship had lined up for its attack, and the Crow didn't stand a chance.

    "Alice!" Nia shouted, "Alice!"

    Grunting, Alice tossed aside the plank pressing against her back and pushed herself back up. "I'm alright!" She turned to find the Niobat unhurt, lowering herself back towards the deck with a beat of her wings. She must have got above the cannon fire.

    The deck itself was ruined, covered in debris and blood from where Pokémon had been caught. We need to he-

    Over the side, a team of four threw themselves over the railing, all sporting black armbands or bandanas. An Ambipom waved one of it's tails threateningly in the air, "Kill anyone who resists!" he barked.

    Whilst a big Ursaring marched towards the rear of the ship, where a few members of the crew started to rise, the Ambipom, a Yungoos and a Minccino turned on Alice and Nia, moving towards them.

    Alice took a step back, one ear already hardening in ice, she had to hope Sam was fine and deal with these guys, and with a smirk, she had the ideal solution. "Nia? You know how we keep telling you to watch your tone?"

    She could hear Nia laugh as she floated past the Buneary, "Allow me!"

    Her ears perked up, everything seemingly to go silent.

    Alice covered her ears.

    Nia's ultrasonic scream somehow slammed into Alice's chest, even though she was behind the bat. A scream loud enough that she could see the waves punch through the air. The three pirates screamed, clutching their ears as they tried to block out the sound. The Minccino keeled over, banging her head against the floor.

    As the scream ended, Alice sprung forward, swinging her Ice Punch straight into the face of the Yungoos. As they skidded across the floor, the Ambipom shook his head, but his eyes were unfocused as he wildly threw a tail punch. Alice didn't even need to dodge it, letting her other ear glow white as she slammed the Rock Smash into his gut with a crack.

    The Minccino looked up in time for Alice's still ice-encrusted ear to smash her face in. The rodent's face slumped into the deck, unconscious.

    "Incoming!" Nia shouted as other pirates started throwing themselves over the railing.

    Gritting her teeth, the Buneary readied herself for the next fight, hoping that Sam and the others were holding out.


    Grappling hooks clunked against the railings, the larger ship reeling the stricken Penguin alongside. Even then, pirate Pokémon, all with black armbands, scarves or bandanas leapt aboard. Sam started to run for the stairs. Got-

    A Sandshrew crashed down onto the deck, claws glinting as he charged at the Scorbunny. Sam sprung back, avoiding the slashes. "Out of the way!"

    Roaring, Sam leapt back forward, trying to double-kick him away. The Sandshrew spun away, wincing as the kicks struck his back. It tried to swipe him again, but the Scorbunny was faster, leaping above the ground type. His feet connected at the back of the shrew's head.

    As the pirate collapsed onto the deck, Sam could see the captain watching him, pressing some kind of paste into his wound. Grimacing, the water-type flicked his deck towards the steps.

    Heart pounding, Sam swiftly nodded and leapt down the stairs.

    Denver shoved a Tangela into the railing, his stinger stabbing away at the vined Pokémon. "Fuck off!" he bellowed, lifting the grass type in his pincers and throwing him aside. "Sam!" he shouted as the Scorbunny landed next to him, "Bruce and Edward are struggling at the mast!"

    Sam didn't question the Skorpi, immediately jogging after the bug type. The Penguin was a scene of chaos, pirates and crew battled each other, trying to fire off whatever moves they could when they weren't fighting hand-to-hand. Sam ducked and weaved through the fights, fighting to keep his balance and not get trampled.

    Bruce and Edward were back-to-back, fending off a pair of rock-type pirates trying to batter them. Denver roared as he charged the one attacking Edward, pincers cutting at them. Sam pounced at the other, double-kicking the rock-type away.

    "Thanks!" Bruce shouted, "How many of these guys are there!?"

    "You can ask them!" Sam panted, backing up to join the other Rescuers. "Any idea about Dan and Zeke?"

    "Still at the bow!" Edward replied, the normally reserved goat scraping his hooves on the deck, "But there's so many!"

    "If we could get away from these bastards!" Denver snapped.

    One of the rock types lunged at Sam, only for Bruce's vines to wrap around their gravelly body and toss him across the ship. Sam couldn't help but smirk at the sight.

    That was when in the direction of the tossed pirate, a Krokorok's head poked up from the crowd. Growling, his arm snapped up, a metal object glinting in his hand. Sam gasped, it was a bloody sword!

    "Fire type at the mast! Kill him!" he roared.

    Sam recoiled, "Wait, wh-"

    Five pirates suddenly broke off from the main battle, charging for the Rescuers. Sam didn't think, immediately kicking away another Electro Ball. So close, two of the pirates, both monkey Pokémon, spasmed as the ball struck them. Denver immediately lunged forward, grappling two of the attacking pirates. Edward got the last, headbutting them back.

    "Sam!" Bruce roared, vines raised and ready, "We could do with that fire-type shit!"

    He gritted his teeth, "I can't just kick fireballs all over the place! I'll burn down the whole ship!" All it'll take is one rope catching and we won't have a Penguin left!"

    As the three pirates were shunted back, a much bigger Empoleon and Sceptile barged through, limbs already glowing.

    Sam's heart missed a beat, "Fuc – get back!"

    Denver and Edward's eyes widened as they stumbled back. Bruce growled as he stepped forward, leaf-shaped projectiles shooting forward from the bulb on his back. But the water-type snapped one fin up, the Razor Leaves helplessly pinging off the steel.

    Shit! Sam swept his foot back, feeling the heat underneath, he had to try and get a direct hit on them, or he'd-

    The Charizard slammed down onto the deck behind the two Pokémon. They started to turn, but too late, Calvin's hands grasping the side of their heads and with an almighty crack, slammed them together.

    "Now this is more like it!" Calvin roared with obvious delight as he tossed the two aside and his Metal Claws formed, "Come on lads!"

    With a whip of his tail, he sent two smaller pirates flying, before lunging at an attacking Carracosta, forcing them back and laughing all the while.

    "Another fire-type! Take out the dragon!"

    "Hate a little firepower?" Calvin snorted, his tail glowing blue as he slapped the Sceptile away. "You're lucky you're not getting a taste!"

    As the Charizard battered his way through the pirates, some of the shipmates rallied, falling in behind the veteran rescuer.

    "What the hell is with these guys and fire-types?" Bruce wheezed, finally stopping to catch his breath in the lull.

    Sam panted, leaning over as he caught his breath. "I'm asking the same."

    "Fire hazard?" growled Denver, eyes on the unfolding battle, ready for someone to come at them.

    He does have a point.

    "There's still too many of them." Edward said, trying to survey the deck, "We need an equaliser."

    Equaliser? Sam thought, back stiffening. We need a damn tornado! Could we break the Penguin free? He shook his head, No, the Crow would be a sitting duck! We need some more firepower!

    His ears went erect, Firepower.

    He looked towards the pirate ship easily overshadowing the Penguin… and the unfired cannons pointed right at it.

    "Guys!" Sam shouted, "I've got an idea! Cover me!"

    Bruce flinched, "Wha-"

    Sam was already atop the guns, hoping Calvin could keep the pirates busy for another moment. Alright! How do I fire this thing!? He scanned one of the cannons, trying to find anything that seemed obvious. Fuses!

    And there it was, a little dent to allow it to fire. Sam started to rub his hands together, feeling the heat rush through them.

    "Sam on your right!"

    The Krokorok's blade came rushing down at him, too close to dodge.

    With a panicked yell, instinct fired off the Protect, the blue shield blinking in between them in time for the sword to ping off. The Krokorok's surprise flashed before he slashed again, the Protect fading away. Sam tried to spring away, but his feet slid away underneath him and with a yelp, he fell to the floor.

    The croc roared, and the Scorbunny rolled aside, the sword impacting just inches away from him.

    The sword came at him again and again, keeping the Scorbunny stuck on the ground. He tried to look back at the others, but all he caught was a glimpse of Bruce diving away from an ice shard. Another slash came and Sam evaded again.

    The kick came flying into his gut, Sam barking out as his body spasmed. He tried to gasp some fresh air in, but with a crooked smile, the croc raised the sword again.

    FUC-!

    A dark projectile struck the pirate in the chest, sending him stumbling back. Rolling over, Sam eyed Dan standing at the bow, looking amazed… before screaming as another pirate attacked him. Hearing the growl behind him, Sam threw himself back onto his feet and fired off his Quick Attack, shoulder-slamming the returning Krokorok.

    The larger Pokémon stumbled back right into Calvin's grasp. He had a moment to start crying for help before the Charizard casually chucked him over the railing. "Go on! Light them up!" He bellowed, turning back to grapple with another large Pokémon.

    "On it!" Sam scurried back onto the cannon and rubbed his paws together, the heat building. Here goes nothing!

    "Fire in the hole!" he shouted with a final scrape of his hands, a tiny Ember emerging and striking the fuse.

    His ears rang as the front of the cannon exploded in smoke and flame, followed by the sound of detonating wood. The cannon jumped back, and unable to hold on, Sam flew off and slammed across the deck.

    As he stumbled back to his feet, he caught a glimpse of Calvin, the Charizard laughing as the smoke cleared, revealing a gaping hole in the pirate ship. "Have a piece of your own medicine!" he cackled.

    Out from the still battling Pokémon, the Empoleon charged, slashing his bladed wing across Calvin's back.

    The Charizard roared, spinning around and slashing at the water-type. A Panpour and Mankey leapt onto his back, clawing away at his face. Wildly shaking himself, Calvin shook them loose, only for a Toxicroak to smack a fist across his jaws.

    "Calvin!" Sam got back onto his feet, only for the Water Gun to strike his leg like a hot knife. Sam couldn't stop the cry, tumbling back over as he clutched his leg.

    The Mankey had got on Calvin's back again, the dragon getting punched in the gut by the returning Sceptile, followed by the Toxicroak again punching his face. Another bird came swooping in, slamming into the Charizard's back. Grunting, the Charizard fell to his knees, getting pounded again and again.

    Sam gritted his teeth, trying to rise to his feet, only for something to clamp around them and sweep them out from underneath him. Roaring, he struggled to break free, a Kingler hefting him into the air. Before he could do anything, he was hanging helplessly upside down.

    As he struggled to shake himself free, he could only watch as Calvin was forced down to the ground. So was Edward, a Machoke holding the Skiddo by the horns. Bruce and Denver were backed up against the far railing, surrounded by pirates. The ship spun around him, bile burning in the Scorbunny's throat. As the world steadied, he could make out a Marshtomp holding a panicking Dan, whilst Zeke, electricity crackling all over his body, was being forced over the railing by a Sandslash.

    Desperate, he tried to punch the claw, only for a wave of pain to flood up his arm. The Kingler could only laugh as he hefted the rabbit up higher into the air, "Just for you kid."

    The Kingler smirked, "Greg sends his regards."

    Sam's entire body froze, G-Greg!?

    And before he could do anything, the Kingler threw him overboard.

    And the last thing Sam saw was a blast of water rushing towards him…

    Sadly again, this took longer than planned to complete, but chapters which are mainly battles tend to be trickier to write anyway. Either way, GoB's story continues as the pirates make their entry into the story. I hope you guys enjoy this one!
     
    • Chapter II.XIII - The Myth of Blackaxe
    • StolenMadWolf

    StolenMadWolf

    Loony Moony
    Pronouns
    She/They
    Partners
    1. scorbunny
    2. buneary
    POKÉMON MYSTERY DUNGEON
    GUARDIANS OF BALANCE

    EPISODE II - DARK, WONDEROUS PAST
    CHAPTER XIII - THE MYTH OF BLACKAXE    ​

    Days earlier…

    Greg growled as the sword poked his back, making a deliberate effort to make it a rumble.

    "Go on big boy." grunted the pirate behind him, poking him again, "Get moving."

    A faint whimper came from the Swampert's side. "C-Come on boss…"

    The Marowak next to him quivered, instinctively rubbing the back of his neck, no doubt remembering how the bandit leader had crushed it. Rolling his eyes, Greg started walking down the ramp of the ship.

    It was midday, and ahead of them was a large town, composed of wooden structures that seemed to have been made from parts of old ships. An extensive dock was established outside, where not only smaller pirate ships were docked, but several other ships were currently being broken up and looted, likely to contribute to the building of the town. Greg could just make out an outer wall, that had also been built with stone alongside the wood.

    "How did these guys get this place built?" asked the Rattata as he stepped down to the ground.

    "Shipbreaking." The Pidgey replied with a snip, struggling to stretch his tied-up wings. "Are you blind?"

    "Shut. Up." Greg grunted, as another pirate, sporting her black armband, started to direct the bandits – and the crew of the Daywalker – to stand around a small clearing before the central building, a large three-story structure with a set of stairs leading directly to the second floor. He narrowed his eyes at the crew, fear written across their faces much as it had with his own. Whatever the pirates want with us, it can't be good.

    As the gathered prisoners were brought to a halt, surrounded by pirates from both the ship and the town, a Floatzel with a milky eye looked over them, his hand resting on an axe held at his hip. Didn't think anyone would get their hands on swords and axes. Save for those bastards on Sand maybe.

    With a sharp whistle, what little conversation between the prisoners faded away, and the Floatzel crossed his arms. He scanned them once more, causing the bandits next to Greg to start squirming. The Swampert merely held his gaze, refusing to be cowed by the pirate's display of power. He even started thinking of using an Earthquake, to try and escape.

    Instead, the Floatzel turned towards the building. "My lady!" He shouted, closing his eyes and bowing his head, "The prisoners are ready!"

    The doors at the top of the stairs swung open, and as the new Pokémon emerged, Greg swore he could feel his back twang.

    The pirate leader descended the steps, each footstep sending a faint quiver through the ground. She appeared insectoid in shape, but she was massive, her entire body armoured head-to-toe in beige and black rocky armour. At the ends of her arms, there were a pair of gigantic obsidian axes that didn't reflect any sunlight at all.

    And as she stepped onto the ground, showing her to be even taller than Greg was, he could make out her eyes, nearly completely white, save for a dark pupil in each eye.

    "I am Blackaxe." She said, her voice gravelly as she strolled towards the prisoners, letting her axes scrape across the dirty ground. "I'm the commander of these crews."

    Blackaxe… it can't be! The legendary pirate queen!

    Greg locked his jaw as Blackaxe started to pace along the line of prisoners. "Your ship and cargo now belong to Libertalia to do as we see fit. The question now becomes… what of you?"

    A weak sob broke out from the captive crew, but Blackaxe didn't acknowledge it, continuing her pacing. "I offer a place where you can become a free Pokémon, no longer tied to the manipulations of the Continents and their guilds. You will be able to carve out your own destiny, and share in the spoils."

    Some of the prisoners started sharing glances with each other. "You will need to prove this of course, but if you do… you will be welcomed as brothers and sisters." Blackaxe raised her axes in a somewhat welcoming pose. "If not… then fear not. Prove yourselves worthwhile, and I may be inclined to return you to the nearest safe port. But I do warn you… that is a fine line."

    Her voice deepened with those last few words, and Greg swore he noticed a pirate shiver at that.

    Blackaxe returned to her pacing, her eyes scanning the line of prisoners once more.

    And then she stopped, and Greg could just make out that the strange Pokémon had stiffened.

    "Come on out."

    Two pirates barged into the crowd, much to the surprise of the prisoners. With a stifled squeal, they dragged a Pignite out from the crew, throwing him down at the feet of the pirate queen. "Stand." She ordered, and fearfully, the fire-type scrambled to his feet.

    "Who are you?" she asked, her eyes narrowing as the quivering pig struggled to reply. "T-T-T-T-T-Trevor!" He babbled, his eyes wide.

    "And what do you do for your crew?"

    What's she up to…

    Trevor was still shaking, but managed to muster up a nervous smile, "M-Me? I'm the ship's morale officer! I help keep these weary souls in the best of spirits with warm bellies from rum and stew!" He patted his belly, "I-I can you a taster! If your lady would be so inclined…"

    Blackaxe turned away, and Greg could almost taste the sarcasm in her voice.

    "…the cook… perfect…"

    Then she spun and slammed her axe down on the Pignite's head.

    Someone screamed as blood splattered everywhere, the crew starting to panic and the bandits gasping in shock as Blackaxe yanked her bloody weapon free, allowing the cook's corpse to limply hit the floor. Greg himself flinched, not ready for that sudden a strike. The pirate whipped her axe aside and motioned her head towards the prisoners.

    A Vulpix was the next to die, a pirate stepping in from behind her and stabbing her in the neck with a knife, a faint gasp being all she could muster. A Salazzle clawed at her neck as it was slit with another blade.

    As a Simisear started getting stabbed, Greg saw the pattern. His eyes snapped towards his own bandits… towards the dark Marowak, unable to tear his gaze away… and unaware of the pirate approaching him from behind.

    Greg made his decision.

    The Swampert's hands were bound, but without hesitating, he grabbed hold of the Marowak by the head, lifting him out of reach of the stunned pirate and the startled bandits. And as if on cue, the Marowak knew what was coming. "No no no! Please! Not ag-"

    The skull of the Marowak imploded in the Swampert's grasp, the fire-ghost's body going limp. Should have stayed dead.

    As the bandits stared on, mouths agape, Greg curled his lip in disgust and tossed the body away. But as he did, he found Blackaxe's eyes fixed on him.

    Shit… here we go...

    On the ground, the last of the target Pokémon gasped his last breath, his blood mixing in with that of his peers. Whipping her axe free of blood, she turned towards the Floatzel. "Get them accommodated. And someone needs to get rid of this… trash." She motioned towards the bodies.

    "Of course, my lady." He replied, before barking his orders to the pirates. They sprang into action, starting to shove the prisoners towards the town. Another blade poked at Greg's back, shunting the Swampert along. Grunting, he started to move.

    Only for the axe to hang just short of his throat. "Except this one." Blackaxe growled, as the other prisoners were forced further away. Greg clenched his jaws, holding his neck back from the weapon.

    As the captives went out of earshot, Blackaxe leaned forward, peering down on the Swampert. "Who are you?" she questioned, voice deep.

    Greg croaked out a cough before speaking, "Why would you ask?"

    "You cur!" the Floatzel shouted, stomping over to their side, his eyes bloodshot. "You'll address her as Lady Blackaxe!"

    "Overruled." grunted the axe-pokemon, earning a surprised look from the Floatzel that she didn't even acknowledge. "Answer the question."

    Greg swallowed, keeping his heart rate down. "Greg." He admitted, "I'm… a vagabond."

    Blackaxe's eyes narrowed, "And where were you caught Greg?"

    "In the Sea of Wonders."

    The axe twitched a touch, "You ran out of road… didn't you?"

    Greg merely narrowed his eyes, resisting the urge to clench his fists. "You could say that."

    The pirate queen stared down the Swampert, her axe still hovering by his throat. Greg held his nerve, refusing to show any fear.

    Blackaxe swivelled the axe.

    And neatly cut the bindings off Greg.

    "My lady!" The Floatzel blurted out, "What are you doing!?"

    "Don't worry Ezekyle." She replied, "I will keep my eye on this one."

    She lowered the axe, and this time, Greg couldn't stop himself from letting out his held breath.

    "You may well have found another road." Blackaxe stated before turning, "Come with me… we have much to discuss."

    She started stomping towards the main building. Greg rubbed his wrists and feeling the eyes of the pirates piercing his back, he slowly shuffled after her.


    Present day...

    The sea of colours had returned, the soothing, rolling sounds playing within his head as everything softly shifted from one colour to the next.

    Sam groaned softly to himself, seeing the white star hovering in the distance, blinking once more.

    Great. This again? Come on… this is pointless…

    He had no idea what had happened. The last thing he knew, he was being thrown overboard. For all he knew, his friends were in danger! And here he was in another stupid dream!

    Can you get me out of here already!

    The star continued to blink… but it was getting brighter.

    "…please please please! Can you hear me! Oooohhh why does this have to be so hard!"

    That brought the Scorbunny out of his stupor. Whoa whoa… hang on! I can hear you! Can you hear me!?

    The star stopped blinking, only to start again, even brighter than before. "FINALLY! It's been so long! Do you know how many different methods I took to try and make contact again! It's normally a lot easier than this!"

    If he still had a heart, it'd have leapt for joy. Finally! Six weeks after arriving in the Pokémon world, the voice that first greeted him had finally reappeared! About damn time! But… who are you? Why did you bring me here?

    "Me? I didn't bring you here."

    Huh?

    "As for who I am… let me try something. It'd probably be better just to show you."

    The colours rapidly started to shift again, before focusing onto a solid, warm green, the star rapidly brightening to the point that it nearly blinded the Scorbunny.

    Instinctively, Sam shielded his eyes, trying to bloc- huh?

    As the light started to fade, he blinked, finding his arm now hanging in front of him. Mouth agape, he looked down to find that his Scorbunny body existed again. A quick pat over and running his hand over his head and past his ears confirming it wasn't a trick. He flashed a grin to himself, God… this is so much better!

    "Over here!"

    Flinching, Sam turned back to face the star, the sea of colours seeming less intense but no less vibrant as it faded away to reveal a new figure.

    A strange green… blob, with a tiny red hexagon on the body and a single little eye at the top.

    "Hi!" they exclaimed in a high-pitched, almost childish voice, the blob wobbling cheerfully.

    "Err…" Sam ears dipped as he tried to process the… thing in front of him. I… I have no idea what this guy is.

    "Hi…" He managed to say. "Err… who are you? What are you? Are you some kind of Pokémon?"

    "Yeah! Erm…" the blob suddenly looked confused. "No? Kinda? It's really complicated… how about you just call Squishy for now?"

    Sam couldn't stop himself from stumbling over his own words. "Sq… S-Squishy?"

    "Yeah! That's a long story too, been a while since someone called me that!"

    Squishy hopped over towards the Scorbunny, his single eye beaming. "I'm glad to finally meet you!"

    "Nice to meet you too…" Sam replied woodenly, swiftly shaking his head sharply. Come on Sam! Focus!

    "So… Squishy." He started, managing to recover, "Do you know why I'm here?"

    "To save the world obviously!" Squishy replied warmly.

    "Yeah… and… what I'm saving it from what exactly?"

    The little green blob froze. "Err…. Err…"

    Sam rolled his eyes, "Go on." He said, motioning with his hand to request the answer, "I can take it."

    "I… I don't know."

    Something snapped in the back of Sam's mind, the Scorbunny nearly lunging at the blob. "Are you fucking kidding me!" he shouted, causing the weird creature to bounce back. "I've been waiting six weeks for an answer to what I'm doing here! You show up and your answer to the question of, saving the world is: 'i dont know!'", pulling a mock accent as he finished his rant.

    Squishy blinked a couple of times at the Scorbunny, "In my defence…" He started with a slightly chipper tone, "I just woke up from a few hundred-year-old sleep about… a week before you arrived? I'm catching up as much as you are and I don't have a lot of cameras to look through!"

    Suddenly feeling lightheaded, Sam sheepishly rubbed the back of his head. "Okay… that'd explain a lot…" Wait, a few hundred years?

    "I can point you in the right direction to start looking though!" Squishy replied, hopping back over to his side. "The disasters, the guardians… your dream with the castle-"

    Sam nearly leapt out of his skin, "H-How did you know that!?" he cried, recalling the dream of the besieged castle, what little he did anyway.

    "I'm in your head dumdum!" Squishy bounced off the ground and before Sam could react, the blob was wobbling on the Scorbunny's head. "It's not that hard!"

    Gritting his teeth, Sam grabbed hold of Squishy and pulled him down, holding the blob in front of him. "I get it!"

    Cycling a breath in and out, Sam calmed himself down. "Okay… okay… so the Guardians and the disasters that have been happening... They're all related?"

    "I'm positive of that!" Squishy confirmed, "You'll need to follow that lead. And if my memory hasn't borked out, there is an old Guardian structure on this island!"

    Zeke was right! Kain was headed out here!

    Sam lowered the blob down to the ground, "Great then! Do you know where it is? Or what is in there?"

    "I think it might have been… an arcanum?" Squishy replied, eye clenched as if deep in thought, "Agh, if only I had a few more cells."

    "Cells?" Sam uttered.

    "Nevermind. Point is, I know its on the island, but where exactly? I don't know. But if you find that, I've got a feeling you'll start finding some answers. If not about what is happening right now, then definitely something on the Guardians."

    Suddenly, Squishy seemed to start fading, only to rematerialize, his eye widened. "Great. I can't maintain this for too long. You're going to have to go on without me for now!"

    Sam growled, "No! Squishy, you've just given the best help on this so far, how do I even find this place!?"

    Squishy was already beginning to fade, "Maybe ask some locals? They know this place better than any guild members!"

    The Scorbunny wanted to slap himself, "Where the hell am I going to find locals out here who want to help!?"

    The blob seemed even more delighted, "Maybe ask the one looting your stuff?"

    Stiffening, the Scorbunny could only cock his head. "Wait, looting-"

    The sea of colours suddenly went back, the Scorbunny falling into blackness…


    To the sound of gently breaking waves, Sam stirred.

    Shielding his face, he opened his eyes, trying to stop the sunlight from burning them out. He was lying on soft, warm sand and his fur felt mangy and clumped up from salt and beach.

    Groaning softly, Sam sat himself up.

    The ships were gone. The only evidence of their existence was wooden debris that lay washed up on the beach, from planks to barrels. Sam's heart sank as he started to scan his surroundings, hoping against hope that Alice or the others had managed to get away.

    He doubted they could have saved the Penguin, nevermind the Crow.

    No one he recognised appeared.

    God damn it…

    Something clunked behind him, prompting the Scorbunny to spin round, facing a line of tropical trees.

    He found himself staring at the back of a green monkey Pokémon about his size, with two leaf-like tuffs extending from its head and held in place by a stick. He had a rather familiar-looking satchel hung over his shoulder… and a certain red jacket.

    "Hey!" he croaked, getting to his feet, "What do you think you're doing!?"

    The monkey spun around, his eyes wide with alarm.

    Sam took a step forward, "Give me bac-"

    The Pokémon leapt away, running for the forest.

    "Oh no you don't!" Sam barked, sprinting after the monkey.

    Running into the trees, he chased the thief as he ducked and weaved through the foliage. As soon as he took his chance, the monkey started to ascend, working his way up into the trees. Unable to climb after him, the Scorbunny pursued him from the ground. Panting, Sam ducked through leafy ferns and hopped over fallen trunks, following him deeper into the forest and managing to keep his eyes fixed on his target.

    As the forest started to clear, the monkey started to jump between lower, thicker branches. Alright! Try this!

    Willing the fire within him to ignite, Sam shot an Ember away.

    The fireball struck the branch the monkey landed on, the Pokémon yelping in surprise as he was flung off the tree and fell towards the ground.

    Gotcha!

    Sam punched through another fern, entering a larger clearing in the trees, a pool of water sat off to one side. The thief winced, trying to crawl away from the trees. Rubbing his feet against the ground, the Scorbunny slowly approached, "I don't want to hurt you." He panted, raising a hand as he approached, "I just want my stuff back…"

    The monkey snarled at him, "Helping you outsiders! Not a chance!"

    Cocking his head, Sam narrowed his eyes, He must be talking about the pirates….

    "I'm not like those guys…"

    "I don't believe you!" He shouted back, pushing himself back to his feet, and pulling the stick from the top of his head.

    Sam swept his foot back, getting another pebble ready. "Alright… you're not giving me muc-"

    A squirt of water landed between the two Pokémon harmlessly, Sam twitched at the sudden sight. The monkey seemed equally as baffled, blinking at the sight.

    "Why is it that boys have to have a spat every ten seconds?"

    The voice came from the pool. But… there's no one there.

    That was when he noticed it, a shimmering patch of air that hung just above the water.

    A faint sigh came from it, "Boys these days…"

    The shape sprung out of the water, a blue Pokémon materialising as they touched down in between the rabbit and monkey. Sam nearly leapt out of his skin, almost seeing Aidan as a Froakie again. But his heart slowed as he saw the yellow fin atop her head, and she looked more like a lizard or a chameleon than a frog.

    "How did you get back so quick?" The monkey snapped.

    "Relax." She stressed, motioning for the monkey to calm down. "That doesn't matter, he's not one of those pirates."

    I knew it!

    Sam clicked his fingers, "Exactly! I'm not one of those guys! I ended up here because of them!"

    "We can't trust these outsiders!" Hissed the monkey.

    "Then why does she think I'm not a pirate?" Sam questioned.

    The lizard turned back towards him, her blue eyes looking him over. She seemed a lot calmer, but her big eyes seemed to suggest that her species was… less so? "Look up then." She replied.

    Sam stared blankly back at her, "W-What?"

    "Seriously. Look up."

    He started to look up, "What am I-"

    That was when he saw them, his heart nearly exploding in his chest as he gasped. He stumbled back, unable to tear his gaze away, nearly tumbling over.

    Hanging above their heads, were over a dozen bodies. Some were fresh, hanging limply from the tree branches. There was a Chimchar, a Salandit and a Typhlosion hanging there, deep cuts left open to fester. Some were older, starting to rot away into skeletons or starting to become bloated. Some unfortunate Pokémon, such as a Numel, had their heads mounted on spikes, and one unfortunate Flareon was fully impaled on a branch outright.

    Sam teared his eyes away and keeled over, desperately trying to stop himself from retching.

    "Because there are no fire-types with the pirates, remember?" The lizard explained, "They kill any fire-type they come across."

    "I… hells." Cursed the monkey, "I thought I nearly caught fire then."

    They… they all kill fire-types? Is… is that why they were so riled up at the sight of me?

    A surprisingly soft hand settled onto his shoulder, and Sam weakly looked up to find the lizard holding on to him. "Come on." She said, "Let's talk somewhere else…"


    The three Pokémon sat in a much smaller clearing, under the shelter of a much bigger tree with Sam's possessions now back in his hands.

    "I'm Kyra." Said the water lizard, "This is my friend, Denzel."

    The monkey sheepishly raised a hand in greeting. "'Ello."

    Sam quickly introduced himself, "Sam. I'm a Scorbunny from the town of Robinswood." He looked over the two Pokémon, "I haven't seen your species before."

    "We've known Scorbunny before." Denzel admitted, "But we're more obscure I guess." He rested a hand on his chest, "I'm a Grookey. Kyra is a Sobble."

    Grookey and Sobble… got it.

    Sam nodded back, "So… I'm guessing you guys live here?"

    Kyra and Denzel shared a glance between each other, before Kyra continued, "We're from the Wela Tribe. We've called these islands home for generations. No one else came out here until the Lady arrived with her pirates and started attacking our people."

    Cocking his head, Sam frowned back, "The Lady?" he questioned.

    "Lady Blackaxe." Kyra confirmed, "She leads the pirates here and started taking our people captive to help build her Libertalia."

    "Mainly after our fire-type chieftain went to greet her." Denzel said glumly, "And after she cut his head off."

    Sam leaned forward, processing the word, "Blackaxe… I mean, who is she? I mean, do you know anything about her?"

    "Not much." Denzel explained, "All we do know is she's a Pokémon unlike anything we've ever seen. One of a kind." He fiddled with the twig in his 'hairdo'. "I think she called herself… a Klevor?"

    Klevor? Never heard of that Pokémon... is she a legendary or mythical like Volcanion? He felt a slight shiver at the thought of another one. Volcanion was bad enough, a second...

    "She seems to have a bone to pick with other outsiders. And she really hates fire-types." Kyra added, "Why she does is anyone's guess."

    The Sobble leaned forward, "So what about you? You're not a pirate. So what are you?"

    "I'm a Rescuer." Sam explained, "Of the Robinswood Guild. It's on a big island… like, much bigger than this one. We came out to survey the islands and track down pirates like this Blackaxe to try and help people. They've been attacking ships going between the continents."

    That earned a few blank looks from the two Pokémon, enough for Sam to shuffle his feet. "Er… boats?"

    A light sparkled in Kyra's eyes. "Oh, boats! Got it."

    "The point is," Sam continued, "We can work together to stop these guys. But first I need-"

    The penny dropped; his heart clenching tight as he gasped. "The others!" he shouted, springing to his feet.

    "What?" Denzel choked, doing the same.

    "My friends! The other rescuers! Our ships, they got attacked by the pirates!"

    He glanced between the others, "Did you find anyone else on the beach?" he quickly asked, gathering his things. "Another rabbit like me? Or a bat or a reptile with a bulb on his back?"

    Kyra winced, "We… we heard there was a battle. That's why we came out here, to try and find out what was happening. But your ships were already gone. And me and Denzel have only found you."

    Sam clenched his fist, trying to control his breathing, Damn it… could the pirates have got everyone? Alice? Nia? Bruce, Edward, Denver and Dan? I saw… I saw Zeke getting thrown overboard and… wait… Calvin! He's a fire-type too! Did the pirates… I've gotta know!

    "Hey! Hey!" Kyra barked, grasping the Scorbunny's shoulders. "There are more of us out there! If any of your friends got away from the pirates, they probably got picked up and are already on their way to our village. We can find out there."

    "Yes." Denzel said, "The pirates will come back to search the beaches again soon."

    With a hiss of breath, Sam managed to get his heartrate under control. It frustrated him to no end, but he knew the two were right. He couldn't just start searching the forest randomly. He needed… needed to take inventory. Hope that some of the others got found by Kyra and Denzel's tribemon. Get somewhere safe, then work out the next best plan of attack.

    "Okay…" Sam slowly said, "Lead the way."

    Well hell... that was a new experience. I ended up getting on one of a roll last night with this writing. What was supposed to be just a thousand words max turned out to become the entirety of Chapter 2.13. All 4000+ words. Damn thing nearly killed me but I'm pleased I managed to get this chapter complete. After Chapter 12's events, I also felt that I had to get the rather significant Chapter 13 released sooner rather than later. And yeah... this Chapter should change things not only for Episode 2... but for the rest of GoB as well. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter!
     
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