Pokémon The Torn Heart on a Golden Path

[HaxWriter]

He had been running hard, dodging and weaving around the thrown electric bolts hurled towards his fleeing figure. His lungs were working overtime, as his hot breath exhaled with each pant he made. He blinked the dirt he kicked up out of scarred left eye, and tried to stay upright as he tripped over the occasional branch or log. He kept thinking to himself how if he could just get away, get out of their sight, he would live another day…steal another day. He just never imagined the unconscious Boltund would spring to life so suddenly and give chase. He was so close to walking away with all their valuables, if only he had been granted one more minute.


The Feraligatr found himself stuck at the edge of the cliff, with angry, snarling faces and ghostly, pale eyes staring back at him. He took one step back, then two, and then saw the sky overtake his view as he tumbled back. He couldn’t have won that fight and he knew it. He was going to face his end no matter what, but at least this way it was going to be quick. He was enveloped in the cold, lonely air of darkness and was wondering if eternity was supposed to be like this for him. Accepting his fate he closed his eyes to slumber forever. He wasn’t the most moral soul, so if this was karma for his misdeeds he sadly accepted the reality

“Wake my child.”

The Feraligatr opened his eyes with some shock, wondering who or what was speaking to him.
“Who’s there! Show yourself!”

The voice hummed to an audible echo, its tone soft and dreamy. Its pitch was that of an angel, filled with care that all would feel warm upon hearing.
“People and Pokemon throughout millennia have referred to me as many names, but for you, it matters not. I have chosen you to be my instrument.”
“Wait, am I dead”
The disembodied voice simply laughed, its booming pitch ringing throughout the void. It was as if there were a million more laughing along with it, intimidating the water type to his core.
“Your name is Fang, correct? I have determined your time in this world shall not be cut so short. For one as wicked as yourself, there is always a path to redemption, and I wish to see you walk that road.”

Fang was about to speak up when he was cut short and his mouth hanging open
“A foul evil has spread across the land, and my power wanes in correcting the course of this world. You…you have the potential to be the catalyst for change, my messenger of to guide this world towards the redemption I seek. In this way, those wicked ways that have plagued you for so long will fully be cast aside, and you will be the hero you were meant to be.”

Fang scratched at the back of his head, growing more irritated at the words ringing hollow in his ear.
“What in the hell are you talking about? Whatever you’re peddling, I’m not buying. So either send me back or leave me here. I’m no hero!”
“Please, all of this will make sense in due time, but do not be so quick to judge yourself. I have seen the goodness buried inside you. It is why I have chosen you to be the one to save this world.”

Fang was in disbelief and turned his head in all directions to find whoever was speaking to him in this manner.
“This is a joke right? I fell and hit my head or something right? Or maybe those creepy dogs really did strike me with a spark or two? Either way, bite me. I’m not doing whatever the hell it is you want. Kiss my a-.”

Before he had a chance to finish his body was forced down all the way to the stomach, making him lay out flat on what felt like an invisible floor underneath him. The voice boomed out in rage and anger, the peaceful and serene grace it first showed now gone.
“You will not speak to me in such a way, your savior and new master. Watch your tongue, or I shall remove my blessing and leave you in the pitch blackness of an empty void mortal!”

The crocodile felt pressure on his jaw, forcing it closed. He tried to open it, to voice all of the obscenities that were swimming around in his mind, but he didn’t have the strength to relieve the pressure. The voice went quiet, letting silence dance around the vast emptiness, until it returned back to its original, angelic harmony.
“I am sorry. Whether you wish to or not, all find their true purpose in life sooner or later. I am giving you a new chance at life, a life that I have foreseen being of a noble path. You have the blessing of free will, all choices will be yours…but we will meet again when the time is right. Now, begone, and heed my words well.”

The void suddenly felt like it was closing in around his body, and the tightness of this invisible room rocked the Feraligatr to his core. He squeezed his clawed fists tightly and closed his eyes while he tried to fight the feeling of puking. He felt like the entire world was spinning, and he screamed out from the intense sensation washing over his body. This feeling lasted for an agonizing amount of time, and Fang wondered if it would ever end.

“Hey! Hey, are you okay? Dude, wake up! You’re having some kind of panic attack.”
Fang shot himself upright with a quick jolt and gripped his chest tightly. He breathed in and out at a fast pace, on the verge of hyperventilating until a clawed hand on his back brought him back to reality. Catching his bearings, Fang looked around the area to take in his surroundings. He saw lush trees and a beautiful, clear-blue pond a few meters away from him. He could hear the cries of bird Pokémon hidden in the foliage, and the pitter-patter of bugs trekking through the grass.

He turned his attention to the claw on his back and looked up. There standing above him was a smiling Charizard, who was gently flapping his wings to create a small, fanning breeze to help keep Fang cool. He was wearing a small, blue scarf around his neck with a diamond pattern embroidered into it, and had a small, brown bag thrown over his shoulder. He couldn’t help but wonder if there was any sort of valuables in that knapsack, or how much that handkerchief would sell for to the right buyer. The only issue was, he didn’t feel any sort of drive to snatch either object. Weird. The big jawed water-type pulled forward slightly and held a claw up to signal he was okay.
“Uh, thanks for that. Sorry…just a bad dream.” Was it a dream? He wasn’t sure but he decided to at least believe it was for now. It made more sense that way.
“Sure. I’m guessing you took a tumble from that cliff above? Honestly, I’m surprised you’re even still alive from that. How many feet high is that from the ground?” Fang looked up and whistled to himself. “Too much if you ask me…anyway…thanks for waking me up. I should get going…”

Fang tried to stand but groaned out in a loud pain before falling to his knees again. The strange Charizard ran over and cupped his arms underneath Fang to help him carefully sit back down to the ground. “Friend, I don’t think you can move with those injuries right now. You look like death if you’ll forgive me.”
Fang snarled and tried to stand again. “You’re not. I’m fine. Again, thank you but I need to get going.” He stood up again and took a few steps forward while the Charizard watched silently from behind with his arms crossed against his chest. Fang fell forward again, this time on his face and grumbled.
“Hey uh…a little help?”

With a few ‘tsks’ the fire type approached and reached down to pick Fang up. Getting him on his feet he wrapped an arm around the water crocodile and made Fang’s arm drape over his shoulder.
“Where are we going,” Fang asked in defeat.
“There’s a town not far from here called Meadowville. There’s a doctor there who can take a look at you. Hopefully you’ve got some cash on you to pay her, but she’ll at least give you a good looking over.”

The Charizard assisted Fang take step after step, even if it was at a slow pace. Fang looked down and could see the shape of his body indented into the earthen soil from his fall. He felt a quick tinge of discomfort as he looked down at it, and remembered what he was told in his dream…how he was given a chance at a second life. He questioned if he did indeed die from the fall or if it was just an unconscious dream he had. He shook the thoughts out of his head and glanced over at the kindly Charizard, who was obviously concerned about his discomfort.

“Hey, really, are you okay? I can find a stick or something if it’ll help you walk?” Fang shook his head with a grumble.
“I’m fine. Thank you though. Hey, what’s your name?”
The Charizard gave a friendly, fanged grin and puffed out his chest as if he was proud to be asked that. “Kohl, like charcoal! Momma always said it was because of my fiery temperament as a young Charmander. What about you?”

Fang couldn’t help but grin at Kohl’s boasting and looked forward. “Fiery temperament huh? Can’t see it. Are you sure it’s not because you’re a fire type? Anyway, it’s Fang.”

Kohl grinned with a laugh and kept walking steadily with his companion. “Are you calling my sweet old mom a liar? Those are fighting words, good sir.”
The two kept walking forward while chatting like old friends would. Passing some more trees the two got out onto the road and continued down the path. Passing by a clear stream Fang could sense how clean the water was and asked to stop.
“Can we rest here for a minute? I just need a drink.”
Kohl obliged and helped Fang down to his knees near the water. Watching the water type lap up some of the cool, refreshing liquid Kohl leaned up against the tree nearby and adjusted the scarf on his neck.

“Hey, what’s with the scarf? You one of those adventuring types I keep hearing about lately? Those expedition teams or something?”
Kohl chuckled and smoothed the cloth out against his scaled body. “Oh, nah. I mean, I’ve wanted to be an expeditioner for a long time now, ever since I was a charmander. Sadly I never got the chance. Meadowville is so remote and in an already fully explored area no teams or guilds ever come close here. Plus I’m the town’s resident gatherer. I’ve got the fun task of hunting for berries or other supplies when we start running low. It’s why I found you out there when I did. I was looking in the area when I saw you unconscious.”

Fang gave a small nod in understanding and took another sip from the cool stream. Sitting back on the ground he looked over at the Charizard, who had flown up to pick two crisp apples off the tree. Being tossed one of the fruits he took a bite and felt the juice hit his tongue and back of his throat.
“You must be good at what you do because this is delicious.”
Kohl smiled and took a bite out of his own. “I kind of have to be. No one else can do the job. The forest is kind of dangerous on account of the occasional plagued pokemon running wild. They’ll attack anyone without thinking, and I’m kind of the only one who can stand up to them. The townsfolk are more timid and not really suited for self-defense.”

Plagued pokemon? This was the first time Fang had heard anything like that in this corner of the world. He was an adventurer, explorer…thief…and he had heard of the occasional tall tale, such as the fabled time gears and threats of space rock threats, but this was a new one.
“Look on your face says it all but it's true. Pokemon who are affected by the plague act all funny-like. Attacking anything that moves, gaining all kinds of raw power you never would have imagined…I heard even their eyes turn a ghostly white that you would expect to be a Jumpluff’s cotton. It’s a scary thought.”

“...Yeah…” Fang thought back to the Boltund that had cornered him on the cliff and wondered to himself if they were under this supposed plague. After all, their features matched the description of this plague perfectly. However, the Feraligatr had no intention to tell that to Kohl, or why he was cornered in the first place. Wanting to change the subject he looked back up at the fire dragon and continued the conversation in a new direction.
“So you want to be an explorer huh? Why not just go and do it? I’m sure the town would be fine without you.”

Kohl took another bite out of his apple and rubbed the back of his head.
“Ah, shucks mister, I can’t leave the town at this point. I like the life I have for now, and besides, if I want to experience that life I can always read about it in those Pelipper Papers that get dropped in the town center from time to time.”

Fang could see Kohl’s eyes light up with excitement talking about the stories he reads about, and a part of him felt bad the poor guy couldn’t get away to live a life he desperately wanted to experience. Then again, maybe it was for the best. After all, that type of freedom is what led to Fang’s own life taking a downhill turn the way it has. He started to get up, and was quickly helped when Kohl swooped over in a flash.
“We’re not far now. Just a little further and we’ll be in the center of town. There, Audrey can take a look at you. Alright big guy, lets go.”

Kohl was right, as a half an hour later the pair slinked their way into too much fanfare and confusion. Young and old ran up to Kohl, asking him who his friend was or if he brought back any treats from the forest. Kohl meanwhile, in a calming and kind voice, informed everyone he had to get his friend to the town doctor, which made everyone clear the way. Fang took in his surroundings of Meadowville, seeing a general store, item shop, some kind of training ground barely in use, and a bank. Mentally kicking himself for imagining any entryway he could exploit to get inside the secure building he found himself soon in front of a little, pink building with a purple sign and text saying ‘Doctor.’ “”Straight to the point huh?”

Kohl shrugged and knocked on the door to the building. After waiting for a minute it crept open to reveal a small, pink Audino with an obvious frown on her face.
“Kohl, please don’t tell me you hurt your wing again, or caught your horns in tree branches for the third time. What would your mother think?.”
Fang looked over at the Charizard, who was visibly embarrassed.
“H-hey now, miss Audrey, don’t go spouting nonsense randomly like that. It’ll ruin my reputation. I’m here to see if you can check out my friend here. He was unconscious in the forest and I think something is broken.”

Audrey looked up and down Fang and with a slight ‘hm’ to herself she spoke bluntly.
“You got money?”
Fang gave a slight nod. “I do. It’s on my kit…attached to my…waist.”
He looked down and suddenly realized he must have lost the kit somewhere on his way down from the cliff. Cursing to himself he sighed under his breath and looked back up at the slowly growing impatient Audino. “I…had money…my kit is back in the forest. If you’ll help me I can go back, get it and pay you”
He didn’t intend to pay if he could avoid it. He instead eyed all the knick-knacks and decor plastered around the small room. Thinking it could fetch a nice price, he mentally noted to himself how he could possibly receive free care and make out like the bandit he was if he played his cards right. All he needed was for her to agree to what he proposed.

“I don’t run a charity. Goodbye.”
Audrey started to shut the door before Khol interjected by placing his foot in between the door and frame. “Wait miss Audrey, can you just help him as a favor for me this one time? I promise next time I’m out foraging I’ll bring you back five perfect apples in payment. Please?”

Audrey closed her eyes for a minute, thinking to herself before opening the door back up and stepping to the side.
“Make it six and we have a deal. Lay him on the bed.”
Kohl nodded and helped Fang through the small rooms until pushing him up onto the bed. “Don’t you worry Fang, Miss Audrey is the best doctor I know. I mean, she’s the only doctor I know…but she’ll make you feel better before you know it!”
Before Kohl could turn to leave his arm was gripped by Fang’s claws, stopping him in his tracks.
“Hey Kohl…thanks for helping me the way you have…but why did you do it?”
Kohl turned back around, being careful not to knock anything over with his tail before smiling. “You needed help, and I wasn’t going to leave you behind like that. I’ll stop by later. Maybe with another apple. Rest will mister.”
Turning to Audrey he nodded and said his thanks before walking through the door.
“Kohl, go by and visit with your mom. She’s been worried sick about you getting back so late into town. You can get those apples tomorrow.”
He nodded and took to the sky to get home as quickly as he could, leaving behind a trail of dust and smoke where he stood.

“He’s a good man, you know. It doesn’t surprise me he helped some random stranger the way he did. His mom raised him right.”
Audrey walked over and lifted her arms over Fang’s body, using her healing pulse to check for any serious injuries while healing the smaller scars and bruises covering his body.
“Just a warning though. I don’t really know who you are, or why you’re here. Kohl though, that boy is the sweetest you will ever meet. For some reason, he trusts you. Me? I don’t, so if you do anything to hurt him, I’ll make sure you never leave this bed. Understand?”

Fang nodded and was patted on the head by the Audino.
“You’re not a very nice doctor, you know that?” She laughed and finished up her examination.
“Noted. Now then. You have a broken leg and foot but everything else seems to be fine. You just need to stay in bed while my move works on repairing the damage. It should be three days of rest. I’m curious though, what did you even do to end up like this?” Fang contemplated for a moment and looked at her with a serious expression on his face.
“I fell.”

Later that night Audrey proceeded up the stairs of the building to her own private loft to sleep for the night, leaving Fang by himself to look out of the window and enjoy the moonlight dancing across his face. When he heard the door opening slowly he quickly sat upright, trying to ignore the pain in his body in preparation for whoever this intruder was. He relaxed however when he saw Kohl trying to be as quiet as possible, only to fumble the stealth approach when his tail thumped against a nearby table. Fang laughed to himself under his breath.
“Being stealthy is not your strong suit.”

The Charizard shot up and shrugged his head as he turned around.
“Caught me. I was trying to be quiet thinking you were asleep, but I found one more of those apples from the forest and wanted to bring it like I said I would.”
He sat the fruit down on the bedside table next to Fang and pulled up a chair. Fang could see a small cut on Kohl’s hand and pointed at it.
“Oh, just from a thorn from the berry bushes next to the house. Should’ve seen how my momma reacted, she would’ve thought I was dying. How are you feeling?”

Fang laid back slowly into the bed and folded his arms behind his head.
“You were right, doctor is a miracle worker. She said I just need to stay here for a few days and I'll be good to go.”
Kohl leaned forward, interested in what his next plans were.
“So where will you go?”
Fang tilted his head, pondering where he would actually go. He didn't usually think that far ahead. For him, he kind of just went wherever the wind took him so to speak.
“Honestly, I’m not sure. Maybe Crystal City, or Crater Gulch…anywhere that sounds worth seeing I guess?”

Kohl sighed and sat back again in his chair. “You’re so lucky, you know? I would love to have a chance to see the world like you do. When I was young my mom handcrafted this scarf and bag for me, letting me play adventurer. Ha, sometimes she would play with me, acting like my expedition partner just to see me smile. It was fun but I guess I still crave that lifestyle for real.”

Fang grinned slightly and strained to sit up.
“She sounds nice.”
“Oh, you betcha! She took me in when she and my dad found me on the outskirts of town when I was really young. I guess I was struggling to survive out in the cold, because she would always say ‘your flickering light guided me to you.’”
“What about your dad? What’s he like?”
“Oh. He’s uh…not around anymore.”

Fang felt a little pang of guilt in his chest just from asking. It didn’t help when Kohl shuffled his feet slowly against the floor and the light from his tail dimmed.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”
“No, no, it’s okay! It was a long time ago. It's just hard to talk about. He was the guard of the town, and residential forager. There was an accident…not from his job though! Just…yeah, I’m sorry. I don’t know why it’s so hard to talk about? I like to think I took up his job to make him proud, but still, sometimes I wish I could just travel.”

“You know you always could still,” Fang interrupted. “I’m sure the town would find some way to get by?”
Kohl smiled and gave Fang a gentle push on the arm, being careful not to hurt his bruises.
“I wish, but I don’t think it would work. It’s okay though. Hey, maybe you could send me mail of your adventures!”
Oh, if only he could.
“Alright, I know it's late, so I won’t keep you awake any longer. Sleep well Fang, and I will stop in tomorrow morning. I kind of feel obligated to at this point!”
He waved a clawed hand at the water type and quietly left the building. With the door closed behind him, Fang sat back in the bed and quietly ruminated on what all transpired that day.

Did he really die? If so, who gave him new life, and why? He was just a lowly outlaw, so why was he given this new chance? He’d steal from all sorts of pokemon and rob them when they least expected it. In fact, part of him this whole time wanted to steal the bag and scarf off of Kohl the moment he first saw him.

However, another part wanted to treat him with some kind of respect. It was a new feeling for him, something he didn’t really understand. Kohl had treated him with such kindness and respect…he saved him, It felt wrong to betray that. Hoping he wasn’t losing his edge, he sighed to himself and laid back down into the bed. He turned to his side and eyed a beautiful, ceramic vase easily worth a large sum of money. He sighed and flipped back around, deciding it wasn’t worth planning to take, and drifted off to sleep.

“He is already on the right path…much sooner than I expected…let us hope he is the change I have pictured him to be…”

 

[HaxWriter]

It had been at least three days and Fang’s injuries were healing at an accelerated rate when compared to some of the other doctors and nurse visits he had in the past. Maybe Kohl was right, Audrey was the best doctor around? Kohl would occasionally stop in and visit with the injured Feraligatr, talking about his childhood and the adventures he would have with his friends back then. They’d all go into the local caves and deeper into the woods, acting like they were exploration teams searching for a missing pokemon or imagine fighting some dangerous outlaw to be brought into justice.


As they all grew older, Kohl explained how his friends and he drifted apart and how they all moved away to the bigger cities to get away from this small town life. Kohl stayed however to help take care of his ailing mother and protect the town if the need arises. He was the only Pokemon in town who could fly, so it fell to him to be the residential “go-to guy" for all manner of troubles.
“It gets tiring after a while, but when I see everyone else safe and happy, it’s worth it in the end.”

Fang felt a little bad for this guy. All he ever wanted to do was explore this wide open world and here he was stuck in a quiet, sleepy town, accepting he’d never leave. The water type tried explaining how he still could always just leave, but Kohl wouldn’t budge on that notion.
“Nah, I honestly owe my life to Meadowville because without them, I wouldn't be alive. They took me in when I had only just recently hatched. I guess I looked sickly or something, as my momma always would say ‘you were on Giratina’s door when I saw your head poking out of the bushes.’ She took me in, and with the town’s help, they raised me. It’d be wrong to just abandon them for my own selfish reasons…”

Fang could tell Kohl was trailing off as he talked but was cut off before he could speak.
“Well, I talked your tail off enough. Get some rest mister. I’ll stop by later after my foraging is done.”


It had only been a few hours of sleep Fang had guessed based on the sun’s position in the sky when he was stirred awake by a door being opened.
“Well that didn’t take long huh? Good harvest today?”
“I’m sorry, you must have me confused for my son. He’s still out. I don’t know if he’s mentioned my name yet, but I’m Glenda.”

Fang rolled over onto his side to get a look at who he imagined was Kohl’s mother. As she stepped out into the hallway Fang could see she was a small, petite Lillygant. The flower on her head was a bright, vibrant pink, and the grass skirt around her body was a breathtaking cyan color. Fang had only heard descriptions of a lilygant’s beauty, but this one was different from all the details he was told.
“Notice the colors huh? Miss Audrey told me I was something called a ‘shiny,’ though I don’t rightly know what it means. She said it’s simply a genetic mutation, but all that science stuff was never my thing.”
“Let me guess then, botany was your passion?”
“Oh goodness no. I’m a baker. Everyone always said fire and I wouldn’t mix, but I guess I proved everyone wrong. After all, I raised the finest dragon anyone will ever see.”

Her soft giggle somehow made Fang’s body turn warm, almost as if in he was in a loving embrace. No wonder Kohl was as kind as he was being raised by someone like Glenda. Fang wished silently to himself his own mother had been as nurturing as the grass type seemed to be. Glenda walked over to the bed and without a word lifted Fang’s upper body up just enough so she could smooth out the pillow underneath him.
“I guess Audrey isn’t fluffing these things out like she should be. It looked lumpy. How does it feel?”
“Much better,” Fang replied as he laid back against the softer rest. “Thank you.”

Her smile was enough of a ‘your welcome,’ and she took a seat in the visitor chair in the room.
“So tell me straight, how did you hurt yourself? My son hasn’t been able to stop talking about you, and I’d love to hear if everything he told me was true. Did you fall off that cliff?”
“I uh…yes ma’am,” Fang remarked as he fixed his gaze elsewhere. “I was cornered by some strange pokemon and slipped. It’s a miracle I’m alive right now, thanks to your son.”
“Strange Pokemon? Did they have white, pale eyes?”
“Yeah…”

Glenda nodded her head and leaned forward.
“Was there a reason they were cornering you or did you give them a reason too?”
Fang thought back to the moment before the fall. He remembered catching the pack of Boltund off guard and quickly unleashed an earthquake attack on them, knocking them all out so he could steal the money and other valuables they had in their small caravan. He was hauling it off when he heard the sudden cries from the dog-like beasts coming from behind them and saw them chasing him down in a full, breakneck sprint. He knew it would be a challenge to fight three electric types compared to his own weaker typing, so he ran as hard as he could to get away. He was then cornered and…

“They just came at me. I was trying to get away and they wouldn’t let up.” A half truth of course, but he didn’t want Glenda to know the whole story. “They chased me up there, and I fell…”
The Lilligant nodded and got up from her chair.
“I understand. Forgive me Fang. We just have been having more and more sightings of these plagued Pokémon closer to town, and with my son finding you so soon after your encounter…I just worry about him. He’s the only person in my life now, and I wanted to make sure you weren’t dangerous or plagued yourself. We don’t know how it works. With it being even closer to town though, I don’t know what we’re going to do.”

Glenda sighed and handed a small, baked treat over to Fang, who accepted it with gratitude.
“It’s one of my oran berry tarts. Kohl loves them. He would never stop asking for them as a young boy. I hope it helps you feel better. I’ll tell Kohl to let you rest when he gets back. I love him, but he can talk far to much sometimes.”
She giggled to herself and quietly strode over to the door.
“And tell Audrey that if she doesn’t fluff these pillows like she’s supposed to, she won’t be getting any more free perfect apple crumbles from me for a while.”

Glenda shut the door behind her and let Fang drift slowly off to sleep, but not before he ate the dessert in one bite.
“Damn, she knows how to bake.”


It had been a few days later since he first met Glenda, and Fang could feel his strength returning each day. Kohl was there when he Fang fully sit up without wincing in pain. Both he and Glenda visited with some more desserts when Fang could stand up for a minute. Even Audrey celebrated to herself, possibly out of a sense of pride, when Fang could walk to the door and back without the use of an aid. At last the day had come when Audrey was finishing up her last inspection over her patient, who was itching to finally leave the bed he had been stuck to for what seemed like eternity.

“Alright mister…your bones seemed to be mended perfectly and all those nasty scratches have healed up. You couldn’t even tell anything was wrong with you if someone just met you today. I’d say you’re the spitting image of healthy. Just eat a more balanced diet of berries and drink plenty of water and you’re good to go. Of course, after you pay me.” She gave Fang a stern look over her small clipboard, telling him she was serious.

“W-wait, I thought Kohl was taking care of that?! I don’t have any money on me, remember?”
“Oh no, that’s too bad. I guess that means you’ll be working for me until you pay off your bill. Now then, I need you first to sweep this whole building from top to bottom, and make it sparkle. Next-”
“Oh come on Miss Audrey, don’t scare him like that! You’ll put him right back in that bed if you keep on.”

The sudden booming voice and door swinging open stopped Audrey in her tracks, and Fang watched as Kohl stomped his way over to tower over the doctor.
“Kohl, let me have my fun. It’s not often I get new patients. Especially ones gullible like he is.”
“H-hey, I’m not-”
“Anyway, you’re free to go. No need to pay or anything. Just don’t go tumbling off high cliffs anymore okay? I don’t want to see you back in here again. And Kohl, do whatever it is you need to do and send him on his way. I’m sure he’s itching to get back on the road.”
“Yes ma’am. Come on Fang, I’ve got some place for you to see before you leave.”

Taking him by the arm, Fang was pulled out of the building before waving a polite ‘goodbye’ to the doctor, who gave a brief nod and smile before the door shut behind him. Kohl let go of his arm and greeted the occasional passerby while leading Fang to wherever it was he wanted the water type to see.
“So over there is our post office where we get those big city newspapers, thanks to Pelipper of course. And over there is our bank, which houses the town's rainy day fund.” Potentially a score waiting for the taking Fang thought to himself, at least until the strange guilt feeling overwhelmed him again. “Thats where our old training grounds are. My friends and I used to play there all the time growing up, but it’s been kind of abandoned since then. There’s no real reason to use it.”

Kohl kept going on and on, talking about the general store, the local tailoring shop, and the abandoned move tutor boutique. Whatever could be imagined Kohl showed off. Fang had to eventually cut off the excited Charizard.
“Hey Kohl, this is all cool and all…but I’m not staying, remember? You don’t have to give me a tour of the place.”

Kohl stopped and rubbed the back of his neck with visible disappointment on his face. “Right, right. Sorry about that. It’s just exciting when we have a visitor here…and if you ever returned you should know what’s what, yeah?” He shifted his feet slightly and straightened up again, hiding his slight sadness behind the facade of a friendly grin. “Anyway, if you look to your right, next to the tailor’s, that’s where we’re going. The local Whiscash cafe! It’s the best place in town!”

Kohl stepped his way up to the door and pulled it open, with Fang close behind.
“More like the only place, but you were right about Audrey so I’ll trust you.”
The two took their seats inside the admittedly nicely decorated yet empty restaurant. Fang adjusted in his seat while Kohl flicked his tail enough to wrap it around his body.
“I figured one good meal would keep your energy up as you set out on the road again. I’ll take care of the bill of course. When you leave, head through the south gate, and it’ll take you to Slate Town. It’s a little bigger than here, and they have all the supplies you’ll need for a long journey.”

Fang nodded and ordered the same food Kohl ordered, at least based on his recommendation. As they were waiting for their food the sliding door to the restaurant was pushed open and Glenda approached the table.
“I see Kohl forced you out of Audrey’s huh? Are you okay? Kohl, did you bother to ask if your guest was feeling well enough to eat a fatty meal that I’m sure you recommended to him?”
“Oh I…uh…no mama. Sorry about that Fang.”
“It’s okay, I’m alright. Plus, I’m a little hungry, and I do need the energy before I leave.”

Glenda nodded as she pushed the basket she was carrying further up her arm.
“Ingredients for some baked goods tonight mom?”
“Sort of. Mr. Crabble asked for some sitrus bars and I’m making them back home. And don’t worry, I got enough for dessert tonight after dinner. After you finish eating and saying your goodbyes, the town center needs some firewood if you can get it Kohl?”
“For sure,” he said with fake enthusiasm. “I’ll go as soon as I make sure Fang’s on his way.”
“Thank you dear, I appreciate it. And Fang, if you’re ever in town, stop by and visit with us. I’m sure Kohl would love to hear of some of your adventuring stories you pick up on out there.”

With that, she bid farewell to both and walked out the restaurant, leaving them both by themselves. “You have a good mom Kohl.”
The fire type beamed and started digging into his food when the plates were set down at the table.
“Fang, I don’t think I got to ever ask, but since you’re leaving I hope it’s okay now; where are you from originally? How’re your parents?”
Choking slightly on a steamed berry he just slipped into his mouth the water crocodile coughed into his hand for a minute and wondered how best to answer such a question. It was true he was leaving, so maybe sharing the truth wouldn’t hurt. At least just this once.

“My dad went missing while out swimming for a bite to eat for my mom. A storm came through and the currents swept him away. He was never found. It all happened before I hatched, so I didn't know him. My mom on the other hand…I think she lost her mind somewhere in between his disappearance and my hatch day.

“Growing up she would scold me the smallest things, throw things in our tiny hut, have the other kids pick on me to ‘toughen me up like my dad had been’ and other things like that. I left as soon as I could…and I never looked back. In fact, last I heard, the day after I left she acted like I was never there. Supposedly she’s still there, acting like a pillar of the community. Even raising a new Totodile with her new husband. It doesn’t really bother me. I guess as a son, I’m glad she’s happy, but I’ve not seen her since I left.”

Kohl looked down at his plate in shock and slight horror at what he heard. He only grew up in a home that was nurturing and filled with love. Never did he believe someone could treat another so coldly.
“Like I said, you have a good mom. I’m glad you didn’t go through what I did.”
Fang sighed and with one last bite he stood up and stretched. Kohl was barely halfway finished with his own food when he realized his friend had finished already.

“Well Kohl, it’s been good to meet you, and thank you for everything you’ve done for me. Honestly without you, I would probably be a carcass back there in that clearing. Tell Audrey and your mom I said thanks for the help too.”
He gave a thumbs up and a wave to the Charizard before turning on his heel and walking towards the door. Kohl sprang up from the table and ran after him.
“H-hey wait! What about that bag you left back in the forest? I wasn’t able to find it on my hunting trips, but maybe you’ll know where it fell or something?”
“Heh, forgot about that. Don’t worry about it. If you ever find it, consider it yours. You said the south gate right? Don’t worry, I’ll find it and get going. Take care of yourself!”

Fang stepped out the door and left his savior back in the restaurant, his head hung low and his feet shuffling slowly over the wooden beams that made up the flooring.

The Feraligatr found the right gate pretty quickly and with a pep in his step he walked through it to continue his adventuring way of life. Thinking back on the bank and other places of interest worth stealing from, he ultimately decided that this town, out of all the ones he’s been through, didn’t deserve that kind of treatment for the care it showed to him. Maybe he was going soft. He took a few steps forward and saw an older Crabominable sitting on the side of the road, shifting his glances at a rapid pace from one direction to another before locking eyes with Fang. He ran up to the slightly taken aback crocodile and huffed to catch his breath.

“Jeez old man, you good? You look like you’re about to kill over. Take a breath.”
“N-no time…have you seen a Lilligant around? She was supposed to bring some baked goods to my hut down the road. She was running late and I got worried so I came to find her myself and well…”
The old man shifted to the left and revealed a small, brown basket with a floral pattern etched into its design behind him.
“I found her basket over there in the trees. This is the basket Glenda always carries when she makes her rounds.”

Fang picked the basket up and laid a claw on the older gentleman’s shoulder. Inside was a small, crudely written note that he opened up to read.
“Want the old crone back Meadowville? Send her son to deliver all the money in Spearow Vault to the Wailing Cave and I’ll let her go. You have until the end of the day.”

“They want Kohl to go?” The older man had been reading the note over Fang’s shoulder and was breathing quickly again. “He’s the only person who can guard the town. But it’s his mom. I’ve got to tell him.!”
Fang quickly gripped the elder’s arm and held him back, only taking his eye off the note to make eye contact with the panicked man.
“I guess you’re Mr. Crabble? Look, is there any reason to tell him? He doesn’t need to get panicked like you are. I’ll go and save her, but you keep Kohl out of this. He doesn’t-”
“Keep me out of what?” Fang looked up to see the fire dragon descending from the sky as he shot a confused look at both men. “I’m sorry, I wanted to come tell you a proper ‘goodbye’ at least but I saw you and Mr. Crabble from above. Is everything okay?”

The Crabominable opened his mouth before Fang had a chance to shut him up. “It’s horrible Kohl, your mom…she’s been taken! I don’t know what to do but this kindly gentleman told me he’d go save her. The note asked specifically for you though, along with the town’s entire treasury.”
Kohl’s eyes shot wide open and he immediately turned around back towards town.
“Kohl, what’re you doing?”
“I’m getting that money and rescuing her, what does it look like?”
“You shouldn’t. Let me take care of-”
“Fang, that’s my mom, and no offense, you only just today got healthy enough to walk. I’m going. Mr. Crabble, where’d the note say to go?”
“Wailing Cave, but you know how dangerous it is young’un!”
“I’ll be fine. Fang, I really appreciated your company these last few days. Please take care of yourself on your journey.”

Without a second more to waste, Kohl took to the air again and sped off into town, leaving both men by themselves.
“Why’s it dangerous?”
The ice type jumped and looked over at Fang, who was looking up into the sky where Kohl had just been.
“Its connected to one of the local massive lakes in the area and full of water types…that boy was almost killed when he was but a Charmeleon exploring it with his friends. Thank Arceus that at least one of the locals found him before the high tide washed him away. He was unconscious after a vicious battle and…poor Glenda was scared she lost her son. I know he’s older and can fly, but it’s still dangerous.”

In the past, Fang would’ve ignored this whole ordeal and been on the road by now. There was no reason really to get involved. He wasn’t being paid to help save anyone, and he certainly didn’t expect to find any kind of treasure in some damp, wet cave. However, his heart, the thing that was stone cold for a good portion of his life up until now, beat faster hearing the danger both Kohl and Glenda were in. His mind told him to ignore this and move on in life, but his bleeding heart compelled him to move his feet forward.

“Go warn the townspeople not to go outside Meadowville’s walls until we get back. There could be more danger than we are aware of. And when we leave, lock the gates until you see Kohl in the sky.”
He got a nod from the old man and with that ran back into the town that kept his foot out of the grave. Wishing to repay Kohl’s kindness, he ran to the bank he knew the dragon was at. He wasn’t aware of the smirk slowly creeping along the Crabominable’s face.


Kohl had just finished telling the bank manager, a small Spearow wearing a purple bow tie around his neck, what was happening and how he needed the money then and there.
“Please Dustin, you’ve known my mom and me for a long time. You know I’ll return the money. I just need it to get to her. Please!”
“I know Kohl, and I do feel for you truly…but if you don’t bring it back Meadowville will go bankrupt. I can’t risk it. I’m sorry.”
Kohl was about to plead once more when a cough echoed out from behind them both.

“Oh, I think you will. Get the money and bring it here. If you don't…well, you don’t want to know.” Fang walked up past the silent, dumbfounded Kohl and got in the manager’s face.
“I don’t really have ties to this place like he does, so it wouldn’t break my back to battle you right now if you’d like to try me?” He bared the teeth he was named after and pressed a claw tip up into the bowtie Dustin was wearing. With a quick swipe from his finger, the accessory fell slowly to the floor and left the manager a shaky mess.

“Ha..haha…t-that won’t be necessary sir. I’ll get that money for you. Kohl, please just bring it all back…and pleasure doing business with you two young, fine gentlemen.”
“Good…run along now bird-brain. We don’t have all day. We have a job to do after all.”
Dustin quickly nodded his head and ran back behind the counter and into the vault of the bank. Fang flashed a grin at Kohl, who blinked in confusion.

“I thought you were leaving? And you didn’t have to scare Mister Dustin like that.”
“He wasn’t helping my friend out who’s obviously distraught. I didn’t appreciate it. And I’m staying around to help save your mom. I couldn’t let you go in there alone. Consider this my payback for you saving me.”
“I…thank you Fang…I don’t know if I could’ve done it on my own. And honestly…I’m scared…but with you there I think…no…know we can save her.”
Dustin came running out of the vault door holding onto two sacks filled to the brim with coin, each trying its best not to spill a cent through its tightly bound up openings. In his other wing was a long satchel that was handed to Fang.

“Tie that by placing it over your shoulder and hooking it underneath your arm. It’ll connect in the back. You can hook the money to the belt so you won’t lose it. Kohl already has one, so each of you can carry one sack of money. Just please bring it all back. Meadowville can’t afford to go broke.”
“We will Mister Dustin, I promise. And thank you.”
Kohl ran out of the bank after clipping his money sack to his bandolier belt, leaving Fang with the manager.
“A-and you…protect Kohl if you can. He’s a good guy. He shouldn’t be having to deal with this.”
“Yeah, I will.”

Fang closed the door behind him and saw Audrey talking to Kohl across the street. Walking up he joined in on the conversation.
“And take these oran berries, they’ll heal you if you take any damage. Oh, and these sitrus berries, but only use them in an emergency okay? Lastly, take this reviver seed…I just hope you won’t have to use it. And Fang.”
She ran over and handed a small bag to the water type.
“Use this to put all your items in, okay? It was my husband’s…but you need it more right now. Kohl already has one and he told me what’s going on…”

Kohl interjected as Fang was attaching his bag to the belt across his body.
“Thank you, Miss Audrey. What do I owe you when I get back.”
“Sweetheart, nothing at all. Just go save your momma okay? When you get back I’ll make a healthy meal for us all okay? Fang, this place you’re going…it’s not a safe place for Kohl. Please keep him safe and bring Glenda back home.”
“Ma’am I’ll be okay. I’m not a kid anymore. But…thank you Miss Audrey. We’ll be back soon.”

Audrey took Fang by the hand, holding him back as Kohl sped off ahead.
“I’m serious Fang. He’s not showing it but I know he’s terrified right now. Don’t let anything bad happen to him. Please?”
Fang understood just how important Kohl seemed to be to the town, and the people in his life. In the short time he knew him, Fang had to admit Kohl’s happy and cheerful attitude was a light that shouldn’t be dimmed, let alone threatened to be like what was currently happening. He wouldn’t let it be if he could help it
“I promise, nothing bad will happen to him.”

Audrey loosened her grip and held her hands close to her chest, letting Fang run after his partner in this small adventure they were about to go on. Standing side by side at the gate Fang looked over at the shifty fire type and placed a hand on his shoulder.
“You going to be okay?”
“Y-yeah…I will be. Let’s go.”
“Alright then.”
Both took a step through the gate and heard it closed shut behind them, pushing them forward on this new adventure in their lives.

 

[HaxWriter]

The two had been on the road for a while when Fang turned to his partner and killed the silence.
“So…how much further is this cave?”
“Honestly I think we’re getting closer, though I haven’t been near it in a long time. Mamma and the townsfolk told me to stay away from it after they pulled me out, and I reckon it’s only gotten worse since then.”
Kohl looked over at his companion and was puzzled by the snickering grin plastered across his face.
“Is something funny? Do I have something on my nose?”
“Heh…nah, nothing like that. It’s just, i didn’t realize it before…but you’ve got a pretty thick accent. The others in town had one, but I just noticed yours is even more pronounced than theirs.”


Kohl’s eyes widened in surprise and he turned on his heels to look at the crocodile.
“Wait really? I never noticed it! I guess it comes with the territory. Lots of us ‘round here have this kind of speaking. Guessing where you’ve been, it’s not normal?”
“It’s not the usual but I’d say it’s normal.”
“I can try to cut it down if it’s annoying you.”
“Not at all,” Fang beamed while laying a claw on Kohl’s shoulder. “In fact, it’s ‘mighty cute,’ so much so I’m sure every Pokemon we encounter there is going to be trembling in fear.”
He chuckled and picked up the pace again.
“H-hey, not funny!”

Kohl took off after and both continued their conversation and playful ribbing. Kohl would tell Fang how he needed to lose a little weight, while the water type would retort back about how Kohl needed some more muscle on the arms. They talked more about their home lives and Fang couldn’t help the small ping of envy hit his chest. Kohl obviously came from a loving home, even if his mother wasn’t his own biological one. He never had a dad, so Glenda showered him in twice as much love and affection to make up for it. She would be there for any daycare plays and performances, and she wouldn’t waste a second in trying to nurse Kohl back to health before relying on others' help, much to the chagrin of Audrey.

Compare that to Fang’s own childhood. While at the same time Kohl was treated like town royalty, as a Totodile he had to fend for himself. He’d steal from stores for fun, break into houses for a thrill, and beat up classmates if they so much as looked at him funny. Maybe it was all to get his mother’s attention, but each time all he was met with when he got home was a thrown object in his face and being told how much of a waste of space in his her life he was. Even when he tried his best, whether that be at school or other places or events, he was the one to walk home alone afterwards while the other children walked away with their loving parents. Maybe that’s why he was so set on saving Kohl’s own mother. He had a life Fang always wished for deep down, and he didn’t want the fire dragon to deal with the world’s harshness so soon into his young adult life.

“Hey Fang, I just want to say, thank you again for helping me. If something happens to me though, at least get my mother out of there. Promise me?”
Fang was trying to adjust the uncomfortable bag strap around his body before stopping. He turned around and shot Kohl the most stern yet angry face the Charizard had seen yet from him.
“Don’t say dumb stuff like that okay? You’re not going in there alone. You’ve got me, and we’re saving Glenda while also beating down her kidnappers, alright? In fact,” he paused, thinking of what best to say in the moment. “Consider this your very first real adventure as an expedition team, okay?”

The dragon’s tail fire seemingly lit up just a little brighter as he heard that. Being in a full fledged expedition team hadn’t even crossed his mind until Fang said it out loud. He was right though. Technically that was what they are in the moment. They were going in having taken a request and will be real heroes for a change, just like he always read about growing up all the way until now.
“Wait, you’re serious?!”
“I uh…y-yeah? Yeah, I guess I am. You know more about this stuff than I do, but I think that’s what we are right now. Am I wrong?”
“No, not at all! I…wow! If so then we have to come up with a name, and get a proper badge! Maybe find more jobs for us to take, and-”

Fang cut him off by placing a clawed finger up against Kohl’s mouth, effectively shutting him and his excitement up.
“Hey, focus. Let’s focus on saving your mom first, and you can figure all that out later, okay?”
He gave the dragon a friendly nod and removed his hand, making sure to witness Kohl’s sign of ‘okay’ before trekking on again. It wasn’t much longer before they reached their destination. Fang looked up into the large mouth of the cave. He saw some painted symbols in a multitude of colors, and warning signs telling others to turn around ‘if they know what’s good for them.’ The crashing of waves hit up against the rocky side, and a flock of Zubat fled from the sound.

“I guess this is it Kohl. Are you ready?”
He turned around to see the Charizard’s legs slightly shaking, and his tail cupped slightly around them as if they were stopping him from moving forward. He huffed to himself and looked up at the understanding and patient water type.
“I know we have to go in there…but I’m not going to lie…I don’t know if I can. I just keep thinking back to that day.”
Fang looked back at the admittedly creepy darkness that filled the echoing grotto, wondering what all had transpired while Kohl had been in there last. He stepped over to his partner and pulled a log over, forcing them both to take a seat.

“I know only about villagers from Meadowville finding you unconscious in there. I don’t know what happened to you, but maybe talking about it would help?”
Kohl had his eyes fixated on the cave entrance and gripped the log hard, almost like if he let go he’d be sucked into unnaturally raised opening of the world and never see daylight again.
“Some friends and I were exploring like we usually did back then when we got the idea to go inside. We never had been before so we thought it’d be fun to see this unexplored place fairly close to home. We all went in, and saw the occasional weak ‘mon we all could take in battle. But then…something loud came barreling through the halls.

“ We had no time to react and something hard rained down on me from above. I-I felt lightheaded, and then it pressed it’s weight down on me. My friends, they took off running while this monster…it just kept stomping me into the earth. I guess it figured that I wasn’t…you know, and walked away. I don’t know how long I was out, but I woke up in Miss Audrey’s care. She said…the little fire on my tail…it was so dim. Momma cried for hours, saying there was just so much blood. They didn’t think I’d make it but I guess I was a little fighter. Heh, at least that’s what everyone else said.”

Kohl gripped the log even tighter, digging his claws into the bark of the wood. His chest lifted and fell as he did his best to stay calm recalling the whole incident. Fang reached into the bag Audrey had prepared for him and handed Kohl a small oran berry.
“Kohl, I didn’t know how bad it truly was. I’m sorry.”
He was never good with empathizing with other’s plights, and he usually would fake it in the past, but this time Fang meant it.
“Look, it’s obvious this place, it’s got you freaking out, and I don’t want you to have to experience that again somehow if whatever that thing was is still here. Let me go in and do this. Stay here and eat that to calm down. I’ll get Glenda and we can all-”

Kohl this time cut Fang off by handing him the berry back and letting a small puff of flame erupt from his mouth.
“I appreciate it Fang, I really do, but I’ve got to do this. Not only for momma’s sake, but for my own as well. I’m not that small child anymore who can’t protect himself. We…we can’t…can’t let the past define us. We can only forage a new path forward instead. I’m supposed to be the town’s protector right? And besides,” he stopped as he unfurled his tail from around his leg. “We’re an expedition team now right? I have to back up my partner when the need arises. I’ve got you here right now with me, so I can do this.”

He gulped, slightly offsetting his determined demeanor. If anything it still showed he was scared, and admittedly, rightfully so, but Fang couldn’t help but appreciate the determination on his companion’s face.
“Alright, but if for any reason you feel like you can’t do this…I’m getting you out of there. Okay?”
“Alright. T-thank you.”

They both nodded in agreement and paced their way over to the cave entrance. Kohl was moving a little more slowly than he would’ve liked to and closed his eyes for a minute to find the courage he desperately needed to at least get through the mouth of the cave.
“I can do this. I’ve got him here with me. I can…I can do this.” He let out a long sigh, letting his fears and anxieties wash away from his body. With more determination, Kohl clenched his fists and let the light of the sun hit his eyes once more. “We’re coming mom.”


Both stepped into the pitch-black darkness that was Wailing Cave Fang felt around in his bag for anything that could help with their surroundings.
“Audrey didn’t hand me anything that could be a light source. What about you? Do you have anything?”
The glow from Kohl’s tail fire illuminated the cave perfectly, with each shadow disappearing without a trace. In a split second they could see everything the cave had to offer.
“Right…fire type.”
Kohl flashed a toothy grin before the sounds of soft wailing chimed all throughout the mouth of the cave.
“And that is why they call it Wailing Cave Fang. The water crashing into the side sends some kind of sound wave throughout the whole area. At least that’s what my old teacher told me. I wasn’t much of a sciencey guy.”

Fang checked their surroundings and found what looked to be like a hole big enough for them to walk through against the far wall opposite the cave opening.
“Think we found our way forward. We don’t have a map or anything for this, do we?”
“Uh, no. The cave has never really been explored all that much, and besides, it’s supposedly a mystery dungeon.”
“Uh huh…wait, what?”
Kohl grinned, happy to share his knowledge with the ignorant crocodile.

“You’ve never heard of a mystery dungeon? Oh boy, you’ve been sleeping under a rock haven’t you! They’re these super cool places that change themselves daily! No one really knows how it works, but each day the floor layout shifts around, and the way further in is always different! The only thing that stays the same is the entrance and the end of the dungeon. I learned all about them in those expedition reports the town would get in the mail, and my teacher always said that Wailing Cave was one of those kinds of dungeons. Since it’s really just Meadowville here, no one has really explored this place all that much. My friends and I only got to the second floor…which means…we’re the first ever team to explore the cave!”

Kohl was visibly bouncing in excitement, a far cry from his timid self just a few minutes ago. Maybe all Fang had to do was talk about these teams to keep Kohl calm.
“Heh, well good to know. Guess we should get to exploring then huh? A map it sounds like wouldn’t do us any good anyway. Let’s go.”
Fang made sure his bag was connected to his belt before slipping into the hole in the wall. Pulling Kohl through afterwards they emerged on the other side and saw a small hallway out of the corner of the box-like room they were in.

“It looks just like the room we were just in?”
“Fang, where's your sense of adventure! It doesn’t matter what the rooms look like. It only matters in how you get through them and get to the next floor.”
Admittedly, it seemed like Kohl had forgotten the real reason why they were there. It didn’t matter however. As long as he kept calm and they kept together, the Feraligatr thought they could get through this place without much trouble. Besides, he didn’t really want to go through this place alone. He was happy to have company.

“Get out of our home!”
He was brought back to reality when a small fist pushed Fang forward, sending him tumbling into Kohl and ending up with them both on the floor. He looked up and saw a small Machop sprinting towards them both with an angry frown on his face.
“Get out now!”
Fang pushed Kohl away and took the hit, ending up against the wall of the cave. He needed to defend himself, and quickly tried to use an earthquake attack…but he couldn’t exactly remember how to do it. Weird, but he’d figure it out later. He then tried a painful shadow claw but that also failed. He wondered why his usual moves weren’t working, but with no time to address the issue, he dodged to the left as the small fighter took a chunk out of the wall with his fist.

“Hey little guy, we’re just trying to save someone trapped in here! If you could leave us alone we’d really appreciate it!”
“Get out!”
Fang dodged again and, cornered in the wall, held his fists up to try blocking blows. He looked over at Kohl, who was standing still taking in what was happening.
“Fang, this is our first real fight as a team! This is so cool!”
“Not for me it’s not! Help me! Use an air slash, or flamethrower or something! Just hurry up!”
Kohl sheepishly rubbed the back of his head
“I uh…can’t do that. But I can scratch though!”
“You can what?!”

With a fist colliding with his face the water type felt himself go slightly dizzy, and trying to compose himself he witnessed Kohl unleash a pitiful scratch on his opponent. It however was enough, and the machop fell to the ground in a faint.
“Need a berry?”
Fang shook his head, both to tell Kohl no and to have the room stop spinning. He stood up slowly and looked confused at his companion.
“You’re a charizard…and you don’t know how to use flamethrower? How?”
“I never learned. There was no reason for me to battle or train except for the few times I went out with friends. So all of my moves are from when I was little. What about you?”

Fang was perplexed as to why the moves he had known for years were seemingly not working for him anymore nor why he couldn’t remember how to use them. Could the tumble have something to do with it? He didn’t know, but he tried a few more times to use his signature attacks, but it wasn’t working.
“I don’t know. I had strong moves for years but..I don’t know how to use them anymore…all I’ve got is…scratch and leer. At least, I remember how to use those.”
“So, in a way, we’re like completely new to everything then huh? Well, that makes this whole adventure even more fun, right?”

Kohl gave a hearty laugh to the visibly annoyed crocodile and handed him a berry from his bag.
“By the way I saw the stairs down while you were dealing with our little violent attacker. Let’s go. Momma will be further down.”
Kohl took the first few steps down while Fang followed close behind, still annoyed by his apparent, sudden weakness. The next floor was much like the first. The cave walls were similar in texture, and the sand beneath their feet audibly squished with each step. The only real difference was the occasional Wingull of Krabby that tried to pick a fight with them and easily knocked out through some well timed scratches from the team.

“And there’s another floor. I think my teacher once said this place should have at least five floors, and we’re on the third now. Are you doing okay Fang?”
The water type was busy landing a scratch attack after attack on a small Weedle he had picked up after it tried to tackle him from behind. Dropping it to the floor he nodded.
“Never better. Admittedly this is kind of fun. You know, you’re kind of a natural at this Kohl. Guess all that reading is paying off.”
“Wait, you think so?!”
“Yep, definitely. I probably couldn’t have done this on my own to be honest. Especially with these beginner moves I’m stuck with. I’m glad you’re here.”
“Shucks.”

Kohl swished his tail excitedly before they both froze in place at the sound of a lowly echoing throughout the room.
“Le…m…g…”
Even if they couldn’t hear exactly what was said, both knew who it belonged to.
“Momma?!”
Kohl turned back to his partner, who was kicking away another Weedle.
“Kohl, you’re still okay right?”
“Yeah, I am. It’s not much further. Come on.”
Fang punted the Weedle back into the hallway it had come from and both ran down the stairs in the next room. They both worked together to fend off any attackers, including the same machop who gave the water type so much trouble earlier, and found the last set of stairs.

“Alright, this is it. Fang, remember what I told you. If for whatever reason something happens to me, get momma out of here. Please.”
“You know I will but if you say that stupid tripe again I’ll shove you down these stairs myself.”
The Charizard nervously laughed and saw by the look on his face, he meant it.
“You’re right. Sorry.”
“Don’t be. Come on, let’s go.”
Fang went first and stopped to look up at the frozen dragon.

“Kohl, you’ve gotten much further than your younger self did. You’re stronger than you ever thought you were. I meant it earlier, if you don’t think you can do this I’ll get you out of here safely and then come back for Glenda…but I know you can do this. We can do this, especially as a team. I’m here okay?”
“You’re right. Just needed a minute is all. Alright…I’m ready.”
With one last long sigh, he took his first step forward and both walked down into the abyss below.


“Let me go! You’re some type of low, you know that, taking an older woman hostage like this. Vile, evil behavior!”
“Shut up or I’ll turn you into one of the most beautiful ice sculptures anyone has ever seen. I’m sick of whatever voice you’re putting out, so just be quiet.”

The distinct voice of Glenda shot throughout the large room she and her kidnapper was in. Both Fang and Kohl quickly sprinted in to find his mother in a small, cramped cage held over some of the rushing water below. Stopping they both locked eyes with her assailant, a shifty eyed Snover standing on top a small mound of his own snow.
“Momma, we’re here!”
“Just hang tight Glenda, we’ll get you down in a minute.”

She was about to speak up when the criminal raised his hand in the air.
“Uh-uh, stay right there. This rope is keeping her out of a watery grave and if you come closer I’ll cut it with an ice shard. I’m guessing you’re the son but i didn’t say in the note to bring a plus one. Who are you?”
“A friend. Kohl needed an extra hand to bring the money to you, so I obliged. How about to step away slowly and we’ll hand the cash over?”
“Or…you could throw it up to me instead.”

As if on cue, a small shard of ice materialized over the rope and hung there in a threatening way. It lowered ever so slightly, causing both Kohl and Fang to panic slightly. Kohl interjected by unclipping his bag of money and tossing it up the Snover.
“Good. Okay your turn big guy. Throw it up nice and easy.”

A part of his body was screaming at him to take the money and run. Fang never before had any sense of care to save people in situations like this. He would see the occasional bounty board in towns talking about the missing person, or how someone was kidnapped and being held for ransom. It was too much work to bring criminals in. Instead it was far more lucrative to steal from the brokenhearted instead. Here a part of him was saying to do just that, to turn and walk away. He shut the feeling out and did as told.

“Here. Hope you choke on it.”
The second bag plopped down with a thud beneath the Snover’s feet and with a giddy dance he picked up each sack. He checked the contents inside and, satisfied, he whistled.
“Oh boy, you two did a good job. I appreciate it, my accomplices. Half for me and half for my partner. Hey, you want to show yourself to them?”

With a loud, rumbling thud followed by another, a distinct, elderly man stepped out from the dark and stood in front of the dumbfounded team. They were silent, not even a breath filled the air, until Glenda finally spoke from inside her cage.
“Mr. Crabble?”
“Hey, nimrod, it’s boss. Not partner. Get that right next time. Now give me that.”
The Crabominable seized both sacks of money and bounced them up and down, jingling the coins tucked away inside.
“Surprised the old man tricked you in such a way? Kohl, honestly I’m surprised you even made it down here in the first place. I thought my last attack would’ve kept you from ever creeping your sorry rear end around here again. I guess I was mistaken. Maybe I should’ve done one more stomp to your head for good measure huh.”

Kohl stared up at Crabble for a good minute until he finally took in what he just heard.
“You…you were the monster that attacked me here all those years ago? But…why?”

“Simple. You were getting a little too close to my business. I used to have the best smuggling operation going on down here that the Zypher Region has ever seen. We’d ship off the finest counterfeit products that couldn’t even be told apart from the real stuff. Even got into the whole business of making disappear if you can believe it. I had to give it up on account of getting older and my sorry excuse of dock-hands let it flounder. I was trying to start it all back up when you and your friends poked your noses in here, and I couldn't have my business discovered.

“Honestly boy, I thought I killed you. Was going to dispose of your body later and make sure everyone just thought you were missing…but those friends of yours I guess told everyone what happened quicker than I hoped. After that, the cave was deemed ‘dangerous’ and I had to give up the whole operation. It would’ve been too suspicious for an old man to be wandering in here so often. Snowy here was my last employee, loyal to a fault, so with his help, along with the genius of a kind stranger, I get to partake in his whole master plan and even retire with one last big paycheck for myself. Figure with all my cash I could live in luxury in one of those villas they have in Valleyshore. What do you think?”

“I think you're a real scumbag, the lowest of the low, who’s asking for the worst kind of beat down he could get in his life. You think what you did to Kohl was bad, just wait. We’ll return that back tenfold, along with whoever that mastermind is!”
Kohl looked over at Fang, whose eyes were locked on the criminal standing in front of him. His determination and rage lit a fire deep within Kohl’s heart, and confronting the one who fully intended to kill him all those years ago, it destroyed any ounce of fear he had when he first walked into the cave above.
“You hurting me and hurting the town is already bad enough, but kidnapping the woman who took care of you for years is something I can’t forgive. I’ll make you pay for everything you’ve done.”

Crabble simply laughed, bellowing out chortles of joy from deep within his gut.
“You both are really threatening me? A feeble old man? Kohl, do you not remember all those times I babysat you while your mother was busy with cleaning work? Even after I stomped your skull in I still would look after you when there was a need. I was almost like your dear old, kindly grandpa if you could believe it. At least your mom thought so. Do you remember that Glenda? You would always say how good I was to your precious little boy, and would bring those sweet baked goods over each time you picked him up. How does it feel knowing you were being so kind to the man who almost killed your son?”

The Lilligant fell to her knees in the cage, the weight of his words heavy on her heart. A few tears fell from her eyes, guilt overtaking her as she realized she left her precious boy in the hands of a cold, sadistic villain of a man. Kohl’s fist clenched tight seeing his mother react in such a way, and even the touch of Fang’s claw on his shoulder couldn’t keep his anger down. It was reaching a boiling point.
“Oh dear. Did I strike a nerve? Tsk tsk…Glenda, maybe you should’ve kept watch on the poor tyke. If so maybe I wouldn’t have beaten him within an inch of his life. Shame on you.”

Her tears streamed down faster, her heart feeling tight and compressed, like a heavy lock had been fixated to it.
“Kohl, I’m so sorry. If I had known…I…I…”
“Oh stop crying. In fact, I suggest you hold your breath instead.”
Without a second thought, Crabble pushed his grunt onto the floor, landing him in front of the rage fueled team. Swinging his arm down across the rope all that could be heard was a sudden, shrill scream and the crash of water being displaced below.
“Snowy, take care of those two as one last order from me. Keep them busy long enough for her to drown. I bid you all a happy farewell!”

Kohl tried to rush ahead but was blocked by the freezing cold of ice pushing him back into the wall. Out of the corner of his eye he watched as the giant crab scuttled away into another room and out of sight. The cold blast of ice was quickly stopped when a shot of water erupted out of Fang’s mouth, making the Snover recompose himself.
“Kohl, you can’t get under the water. He anticipated that, but didn’t expect me to be here originally. I’ll get Glenda. You take down this pest!”
“A-alright!”

The Snover was about to send out another blast of cold air until Kohl swooped over in time and knocked the ice type off his feet. Taking the opening Fang booked it over to the water and quickly leaped in, crashing down into it below. Sinking down as quickly as he could, the sudden booming sound of a voice caused his head to spin.

“Very good my hero…very good. Save the drowning mother…do this, and you will cement yourself as being on the path I have chosen for you. Do not fail me.”

The voice disappeared without any fanfare, and shaking his head, Fang swam down to the bottom of the seabed. There in the cage he could see Glenda, already on the verge of passing out, as her tiny blades barely were able to press into the iron keeping her locked up. He didn’t know how to break the lock holding the cage door shut, as every attack he knew was too weak to penetrate the steel. He was panicking, worrying this loving woman would meet her end at the bottom of lake. Maybe it was the thought of Kohl, how he would react to the death of his mother that caused him the most fear. This was his first expedition, and it was going to end in tragedy. How could he face the Charizard after this?

As if some guardian angle was there beside him, something clicked in his mind, a move he used to remember in his younger years. It was never that strong, so he got rid of it as soon as he could, but here and now, it was a blessing he wouldn’t pass up. Opening his mouth the pointed teeth along his jaw grew even sharper, and in a split second, he bit down on the lock and tore it off without much effort. Scooping up the now unconscious Glenda, he swam them both up and popped out of the water with a splash. Running onto land he laid her down and looked up to see the battle between the Snover and Kohl coming to an end. Kohl was shivering, his wing-tips caked in ice and frost, and his breathing was heavy, but with a quick blast of a tiny ember, the Snover screamed out in pain and fell face down into the cushiony sand.

Kohl didn’t stop. He rushed past the unconscious outlaw and skidded to his knees, picking his mother up and gently shaking her.
“Hey…hey momma wake up. We did it. You’re safe. I’m a real expeditioner now! Come on, wake up and tell me how it’s too dangerous to do this kind of stuff! Scold me or something! Tell me how you’ll bake those sweet tarts I love so much! Please!”

She laid there limp in his arms, and his tail flame slowly died down as the adrenaline in his body was being replaced with dread. Fang stayed quiet. He wondered to himself if he had been too slow, or if his swimming had somehow jerked her around too much. He looked up at Kohl, whose eyes were slowly filling up with small tears.
“Come on momma, please.”
Neither were looking when a small, leafy stem came up and wiped the tears away from Kohl’s face. He looked down slowly and saw Glenda’s face and smile staring back up at him, immediately turning the dark room brighter.
“Expeditioners are not supposed to cry, so dry it up.”

Kohl quickly wrapped his arms around his mother, holding onto her in a familial embrace. Next thing he knew, Fang was pulled in as well, being hugged closely by Kohl, who wasn’t going to let him go either as much as the water type tried to pull away. He had to admit though, it was something he didn’t really want to end.

“So…what about him?”
Kohl and Glenda both looked over to the unconscious Snover, still face down in the sand.
“We have a jail in the middle of town,” Glenda said. “We didn’t have a need to use it for so long…at least until now.”

The trio with their tied up prisoner were on the road making their way back to Meadowville soon after leaving the cave. Making sure Glenda had some berries to eat to regain her strength Fang was grinning seeing Kohl so full of life. He was excitedly talking about the journey through the cave, and how he would apologize profusely to Dustin about loosing the money while earning it all back somehow, when all noticed the black smoke rising up from behind the town walls.
“So the boss wasn’t kidding then…there really was someone else pulling strings.”

Fang turned around and grabbed the grunt by his neck.
“What are you talking about? What strings?”
“Heh, go in and find out yourself. Though I’ll warn you, it won’t be pretty. You’re opening up a box you won’t be able to close friend.”
Throwing him down to the ground Fang ran up to the gates and forced them open. Kohl and Glenda gave chase close behind, leaving the Snowrunt alone to run off into the trees and away from the town.

Inside, the sight was grim. The buildings Kohl had been so eager to show off were burning, and some were already smoldering ruins. The hospital Fang had stayed at was a shattered mess, and the restaurant wasn’t even there anymore. Fang ran into the center of town, trying to figure out what happened. There, he saw a Pokémon unleashing a strong flamethrower attack on another building, leaving it smoldering before turning around. Its body was covered in fire, and its arm was smoking from the flame emitting from before. Fang recognized what this Pokemon was, even if he had never seen it before. A Magmortar.

“Seems like someone escaped. Let me correct that mistake.
It aimed its arm directly at Fang who braced for whatever attack was coming. That is until the shape of a certain flying dragon stood in front and took the hit for him.
“Ready?”
“I’m ready.”

 

[HaxWriter]

Both Pokemon ran forward at the blazing, hot fire-engulfed terror that was the Magmortar. It braced for the combined hit coming from both Fang and Kohl, the former going for a bite and the latter raising his claws for a scratch. They felt their moves land, hitting their target dead on, but were shocked to see the literal monster take the hit and shrug it off. Throwing his arms to the side, the Magmortar flung them both off his body and watched as they skidded along the dirt road. The attacker didn’t let up, and soon hurled an orb of orange light at the town defenders.


Fang was pushed backwards from where he once stood and soon found himself crashing against the rubble remains of the bank he had just been in earlier that day. Getting slowly up to his feet, he tried to catch his breathing, feeling himself close to fainting just from the one attack alone. He soon realized he was alone, and tumbled out of the ruined building with a haze. He gazed over at the town square and felt his heart drop at the sight. There, swiping at the fiend, was Kohl pinned down to the ground, with the full weight of the fiend’s foot down on his neck. His wings flapped and his tail lashed as he desperately tried to get away, much to the chagrin of his opponent, whose arm-weapon was aimed down at Kohl’s breathless, gasping face.

“Hey, s-stop!”
Fang screamed at the man and started charging at full sprint to close the gap, only to halt when the monster turned to face him. It felt like since they got back to town, this was the first time this blazing rouge acknowledged him. His voice crept out slowly and was so deep it could make the most brave Pokémon quake. It was unnaturally cold.
“You hear the voice, do you not?”

Fang’s eyes trailed down to the ground. He hated to admit this, but he felt terrified. For the first time in his life, he felt some type of fear that even he couldn’t explain. He knew what was asked was the truth, but he didn’t understand how the criminal knew about the voice plaguing his head.
“How do you know about that?”

The Magmortar grinned and looked back down at Kohl, whose fighting was slowing down from both exhaustion and lack of airflow.
“I was…informed of your current plight. However, I did not know you would be here at this point in our time. I’m here…to save these people. To save all that I can. I thought I would need the town’s guard to be gone before the cleansing commenced. I see now, with him beneath my feet, I was wrong. Now please, do not interfere with my work any longer.”

Fang bit his lip in anger at just the utterance of these words. Saving people by butchering them and their homes? He grew furious at this twisted sense of heroism.
“You’re killing people! How is that saving them? You’re a monster!”
“If that is what you believe,” the Magmortar shook his head in disapproval. “The place must be leveled if the world wants to be cleansed. You wouldn’t understand, messenger of destruction. I was instructed to let you live or die at my discretion. I want to save you as well, to turn you away from the path you walk. And in order to do that…he must die along with the rest of this town. I am sorry.”

The Magmortar turned his attention back to Kohl, whose visible panic was at a peak. He thrashed with one last push from adrenaline, desperate to save himself before his life was cut short.
“F-Fang!”
The orb in the killer’s arm grew more, and more, ready to fire and end its scared victim. That was until a rock from behind struck the back of Magmortar’s head. He turned around to see where the sneak attack had come from, only to see a small, pink woman with a certain nurse's hat affixed atop her head and a small rock in her hand.

“Get out of our town!”
As the maniac lifted his arm and aimed it at Audrey, he felt his body go off balance as Fang crashed into him with as much force as his body allowed him. It didn’t knock the Magmortar down completely, but it was just enough for Kohl to push himself off the ground and take flight.

Catching his breath he quickly looked into his bag and found a small blue orb, one he only guessed Audrey had snuck in when he wasn’t looking. Realizing what it did he flew down close enough to to get his partner out of harm’s way and hurled it directly into the outlaw’s face. A harsh, blue light descended from the sky and enveloped the Magmortar’s body in a sapphire glow. He knew he was forcibly being taken away from the area, but he figured he had done enough damage to successfully complete his task.

“What’s your name?
Fang was on the ground taking a knee, physically exhausted from the day’s events. He didn’t take his eyes off the Magmortar, even when Kohl’s clawed hand laid down on his shoulder.

“Ignis. We’ll meet again. Enjoy this small victory until then.”
The man named Ignis soon was gone in a flash of blinding light, leaving behind death and destruction in the area he torched. Fang finally felt his world go dark as he fell into the dirt. He couldn’t feel Kohl dragging him to a nearby, structurally safe tree for shade.

He didn’t know how long he had been out, but when the water type woke up he saw Audrey standing over him using her healing pulse to mend his wounds.
“Jeez friend, maybe don’t push yourself until I’m done?”
“W-where’s Kohl?”
“He’s fine, don’t worry. His injuries weren’t that bad. He’ll hurt when he breathes for a little while but he’s okay. He and Glenda are trying to clean up around here. At least as best as they can.”
“How long was I out?”
“Not long, just two hours. I already looked at everyone else who survived the attack. If you two didn’t arrive when you did, I don’t think any of us would still be breathing. I hid as many townspeople as I could in the cellar of my house, including all the children. You both…you saved a lot of people.”

Fang nodded and slowly got to his feet. Holding onto Audrey to stabilize himself, he looked out at the ash and charcoal streets that were once bright yellow and white from soft dirt and sand.
“I’m good now Audrey. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. I’m sure the others will want to see you now. Don’t strain your body anymore, please.”
The small Audino went on ahead and was out of sight in a flash. Fang hobbled himself slowly over to the square, seeing Kohl handing out small amounts of berry juice to scared kids and crying adults.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t here for you all. I could’ve prevented this, or done something so you all could get away. I’m just-”
“Mr. Kohl, why did this happen,” a small Burmy interrupted. Her eyes told the dragon what all she had lost and witnessed. “My daddy…he’s…he’s…”
Kohl quickly wrapped the small child up, holding her close as the tears flowed.
“I don’t know. I wish I knew.”
Fang stayed back, letting Kohl comfort the child as best he could.

“I was married once to a wonderful Cacturn, Kohl’s adoptive dad.”
Glenda had silently crept up to the quiet crocodile and placed her arm against his.
“He was a gatherer and guard for the city like Kohl was. He would always tell Kohl of his duties and how honorable it was to protect their home. I think he always wanted Kohl to follow in his footsteps, to be some kind of hero. We both knew he was destined to be something greater.”

Fang glanced back at the Charizard, who was still cradling the small child.
“What happened to him?”
“One of the townspeople found him in a crater not far from the house. He was walking back home when a sudden storm caused a mudslide that trapped him under the soil. When I informed Kohl he wouldn’t accept it just like that child there. He cried and cried, begging for his papa to come back home. He wanted to honor his father’s memory, as he signed up for the position as soon as he came of age as an adult. Fang. This…I’m sure it’s tearing him up inside.”

Fang looked back at his newfound friend, who was busy trying his best to console the townspeople, the people he considered family.
“Fang…please…if he stays here, especially now, it’s going to destroy him. He’s always going to blame himself for this. I want him to get out and see the world. I don’t want him to be trapped here anymore…in this ruin. Audrey and I are already planning to relocate everyone someplace else. He doesn’t need to stay here any longer.”

Fang looked down at Glenda and saw the tears slowly fall down her face. He placed a claw on her shoulder and nodded.
“I’ll talk to him…but it’s ultimately his decision Glenda. I can’t make promises, but I’ll see what I can do.”
She sighed with a slight nod, and slowly let her arm fall off his body before walking over to the group of survivors to offer them any help she could afford.

Fang approached Kohl when he finally placed the child back on the ground. The fire type had the weakest smile on his face when he saw his friend.
“Fang, how’re you feeling?”
“I’ll be alright thanks to Audrey. Kohl, can we talk please? It’s important.”

The two found a nearby clearing some distance away from the smoldering ruins of Meadowville. Kohl took a seat as he waited for Fang to speak.
“Kohl…I heard about your dad, why you took up his position in the town. I’m sorry. Had I known sooner-”
“I-it’s alright, I’ve made peace with what happened. I just…I feel like I’ve let him down somehow. This attack, I could've done something. Had I stayed here I-”
“You’d be dead Kohl. You and I both know that. That…whatever he is, we stood no chance. He almost killed you. He would've killed me. It’s a miracle we’re even alive right now! And if you had stayed, Glenda wouldn’t be breathing right now. I wouldn’t be.”

Kohl’s tail dipped over his lap. He knew Fang was right, but he didn’t want to admit it.
“But we were already weak from saving momma. Had we been fully rested, and had some better gear, we could’ve-”

Fang cut him off by dropping down to eye level and placed both claws on the Charizard’s shoulders.
“Nothing we could’ve done would’ve prepared us for that.”
“But what about my dad? I failed to protect the town. Look at Meadowville now! It’s…it’s gone. So many people dead…just like that. I failed so many people.”

Fang looked back at his partner. Kohl was visibly shaking, thinking about all that happened, and the carnage that came with Ignis’ assault. The dragon hung his head down, thinking about his failure to live up to his father’s expectations of what it meant to be a hero to their home.
“He always told me when I was young how I was destined to be some kind of grand hero. He’d tell me stories of how the hero protects the weak. I couldn’t even save my home. To think I wanted to be an expeditioner when I was younger.”

Fang pressed a finger to Kohl’s chest, poking him hard enough to make the dragon look up into his friend’s face.
“Stop saying dumb shit like that. Yeah, the town might be gone, but look who’s still kicking! Kohl, you and I saved them, together, as a team! You went on a mission to save your mom, and maybe we weren’t there when Ignis attacked, but we still sent him packing and saved people he would’ve killed had he been given the chance! That's what a heroic expeditioner is supposed to do right? Save people who need saving?”

Kohl winced slightly.
“But-”
“But nothing! I didn’t know your dad, but I’ve come to know you in this short time we’ve been working together now. You go in head first, you know how mystery dungeons work, you saved me from death in that damn field…you stopped the death of who knows how many people. If your dad would think you failed him, or you weren’t some kind of hero…then he’d be a dumbass! To me you are one, and I would rather have you by my side than anyone else. So get up, stop feeling so defeated, and let’s figure out our next steps.”

Kohl slowly rose to his feet, a visibly confused expression etched across his slightly damp face.
“What next steps?”
“Meadowville is gone, and for that I’m sorry. But, that doesn’t mean it’s the end for everyone. Glenda told me, all those people we protected, they’re packing up and leaving. After everyone is healthy enough to stand on their own, Audrey and Glenda are leading everyone to somewhere new they can call home.”
“Wait, that means they’ll need an escort! I don’t…want to leave Meadowville behind, but I don’t want anyone else getting hurt. Not on my watch. I’ll tell momma that I’ll lead the pack, maybe I can scout from above or-”

The crocodile gripped Kohl’s arm and stopped him from running to the crowd.
“Kohl, I was told by Glenda to tell you…there’s nothing more for you here. With them, with wherever you end up. She wants you to get out, follow your dreams, be a hero for people who need you now more than they do. And I agree.”

The dragon was visibly shocked, and pulled his arm back forcefully.
“No, I can’t do that. I’m supposed to protect Meadowville, or at least what’s left of it. That includes its residents. My friends, all of them. I can’t just.”
“You can sweetheart. You need to.”

Both men turned to the voice, revealing herself to be Glenda. She carried a small basket in her black, soot-covered arms. Approving them both, she turned to look at her son, small streams of tears flowing down her face.

“Kohl, I have watched you grow from a small, timid Charmander to the loyal man you are now. Your father would be so proud of who you have become, which is why if he was here right now, he’d tell you to follow your heart's true wishes. We both knew that you always wanted to be an expeditioner when you got older, which is why that night he had gone out to get you these for when you came of age. I’m sorry it took so long for me to give these to you. I think…I just never wanted to see you leave.”

She handed the box to Kohl, who, after a nod of approval from his mother, he opened it. An audible gasp was exhaled as Kohl pulled out a blue handkerchief from the box, and a slightly bigger bag than what he had on.
“Your father had gone out to get you official explorer gear for Christmas. We used all the money we had at the time to get this for you. When…when we found him something inside me just snapped. I lost my husband. I didn’t want to eventually lose my child too. I just…I was selfish. I hid the box under the house, but with everything that’s happened, you’ve shown to me that an expeditioner is the life for you. Not, stuck in some hovel or small town. I had to dig in the old house to find this and luckily it was okay. If that’s not a sign that you’re destined for something greater, than I don’t know what is. I’m just sorry…I’m sorry for never giving this to you. I didn’t want to lose my boy.”

Glenda’s motherly love was shown through her tears of remorse, and they only flowed more as Kohl embraced her in a hugging bond only a parent and child would understand.
“Its okay momma. I promise. I understand why you did it. Are you sure though…you and everyone else needs someone to help on the journey.”
“It’s okay, my little fire starter. Once Pelipper comes by for her usual routine of delivering mail we’ll ask her to deliver a request for protection and sanctuary in Emerald Coast. We’ll all chip in for safe passage. Even Dustin is pitching in. We’re going to be okay. And maybe someday soon you’ll be able to come home to a new Meadowville to tell me all about your adventures!”
“I’d like that.”

Both parent and child laughed softly and pulled apart. As Kohl was busy strapping his new bag to his bandolier, Glenda pulled Fang to the side.
“What are your plans moving forward?”
“I…I’m not sure yet. I haven’t decided yet.”
“Well..for a start, can you take one request from me? Will you please take my son to the town of Goldcrest? There’s an expedition team guild there that’s being run by an old friend of my husband’s. He never met Kohl, but maybe mentioning my name will convince him to take Kohl in? I know this is the path that’s best for my son, so please, do that for me? I don’t want him going alone.”

Fang looked at the Charizard, who was checking out the inside pockets of his new bag. Just like a kid with a new toy, he was positively glowing just from the thought of his dreams finally coming true.
“I will. Don’t worry. It shouldn’t be that far, right? Three days on foot I think?”
“Yes, and please be careful when it turns dusk. I’ve heard reports of not only more plagued Pokémon prowling the streets at night, but bandits itching to steal from travelers. Kohl hasn’t really been out like you have, so I just worry about him.”
“I promise, I’ll make sure he gets to Goldcrest in one piece.”

Glenda nodded, and pulled a small, red handkerchief out from behind.
“I believe you’ll need this. It’s customary for expedition teams to wear one at all times.”
She reached up to tie the ends of the cloth behind Fang’s neck.

“H-hey I think you’re confused. We’re not really a team, Glenda. I care about Kohl of course, but I’m not really a team player that much.”
She hushed him and made sure the cloth was firmly bound behind his head and hung gently down his front.
“I know you’re not, but do this for him. Once he’s in Goldcrest, you can take it off…but Fang. Do think about the expedition life. I never told Kohl this, but I met his father when he was an expeditioner himself. Maybe that’s where he gets his love for the adventuring life? And I’ll be honest, it really gives a dishonest past life a new, brighter purpose.”

Fang caught a quick glimpse of Glenda’s knowing wink, and with a quick, tight pull to the cloth she turned back to her son.
“Please be safe. I packed that bag up with all the sorts of goodies you both will need on the long journey ahead. There’s a guild in Goldcrest all for fledgling expeditioners. It’s not far from Emerald Coast, so please stop in and see me if you get homesick, okay?”
Kohl wrapped his arms and wings once more around his mother. Glenda was silent. She felt her heart breaking at the thought of her son venturing off towards a new, dangerous life, but she knew it was best for him.

“I will. I promise.”
Kohl pulled away, his own tears slightly streaming down his face. With one more bid farewell, Glenda walked back towards the smoky pile that was once called home by the dragon. He sighed as his mother disappeared into the crowd of survivors and untied the handkerchief he pulled out from the box. He tied the blue bandanna around his bicep, and put the old one he wore when Fang first met him back around his neck.
“It feels better this way. You look like a legendary hero Fang. The red suits you.”
“Shuddap.”

Both laughed and turned towards the west. Looking at the map included in Kohls new bag, they mapped out their route.
“I guess next stop is Goldcrest. You excited?”
“Of course,” Kohl exclaimed. “I’m finally going to do this. I didn’t think it’d ever happen.”
“Good. You look better when happy. Alright, let’s go.”
Fang took the first step, adjusting his handkerchief to be a little more comfortable with each step. Kohl gave one last look at what he called home for all his life. Waving it goodbye, but promising to never forget, he ran forward to catch up with his new teammate.

“Hey Fang.”
“Yeah.”
“What did Ignis mean by some ‘voice?’”
“I’ll tell you soon. I promise.”
The pair crossed over the hill and disappeared out of Glenda’s sight as she waved one last goodbye with a single tear in her eye.

 

[HaxWriter]

It had been a couple of hours since the pair took to the roads on their way to Goldcrest. Kohl had been positively beaming since their departure, excitement on his face at a brand new start. The thoughts of his home and the ones he grew up with would occasionally cross his mind, but the knowledge he would eventually return to see them all as a fully fledged expeditioner made the sadness easier to bear. He was giddy, hovering above the ground a few feet ahead of his traveling companion wondering what the famous city was like.


“Hey Fang, have you ever been to Goldcrest? I’ve only heard the occasional story about it from the newspapers or rare traveler. Do you think it’ll be as big as everyone says it is?”

Fang clutched his bag to his body, being observant as the pair walked along the dirt road in this unfamiliar territory. He chalked it up to his past life but someone had to be on the lookout from the occasional bandit or outlaw. After all, he was one, or so he still believed he was.

“Uh, no. If I have I don’t recall ever visiting. I imagine though whatever you heard it’ll probably be true.”

Kohl flipped around, hovering backwards along the path as he turned his attention to his friend.

“Oh, do you think so?! I’ve heard it’s got some of the tallest buildings this side of the region, and some of the best places to eat in the town center! Plus it’s some kind of trade hub where a lot of merchants go to peddle their wares. I tried convincing mama to go when I was younger, but she always told me that we had plenty of wealth back home. Fang, I’m really excited about this! I can’t wait for us to see what it’s like in a bigger town!”

Fang quickly took note about this place being some sort of hub for all sorts of commerce. His heart beat in his chest hearing about all the goods that could be on display, just ripe for the taking. A simple distraction here and a pickpocket there and he could possibly make enough selling the illicit goods to eat for weeks. A grin crept across his face at the image of him swiping whatever he could get his hands on…but it faded when his subconscious guilt took over. He felt a twinge of disappointment and disgust with himself, and was pulled from his thoughts hearing the Charizard in front of him speak up.

“Hey, Fang…you okay? You’re not looking okay and your fingers look shaky. Let’s take a break for a moment, okay?”

The Feraligatr looked down at his twitching hands and cursed under his breath. Why in the hell was he feeling so…awful? He never got this way while in the midst of a robbery, so why is the simple thought of him committing the act causing him so much discomfort?

“I-I’m alright Kohl. Really. Let’s keep going. I want to get to some kind of roadside inn or camp before dark.”
Kohl shook his head and took the water Pokémon by the arm.
“Not happening. Come on.”

Fang felt himself dragged over to a nearby tree and was forced down to sit under its shade. He didn’t have the heart to fight Kohl on this, and figured maybe a rest would actually calm his nerves. He felt his head tilt back and a cold but tasty liquid flush its way down his throat.

“It’s an Oran berry juice. Mama packed some in my bag before she gave it to me. It’ll help you feel a little better.”
“Seriously, I’m fine. I just needed-”
“A drink? Yeah you did. Just rest okay? For me?”
“For you,” Fang shot a quizzical look at the dragon in front of him. Weirdly, instead of questioning the comment off, he simply shrugged his shoulders. “Uh, fine. For you then. Take a seat too though. Rest the wings. You’ve been hovering since we left and I’m sure you’re tired too. Five minutes then we leave again.”
“Deal!”

Kohl fluttered onto the ground and took a seat on the cool grass beneath him. Pulling out a map he charted along the path from the remains of Meadowville to approximately where they were now.
“Okay, it looks like there’s a small lodge down this path. If we stick to the road, I think we’ll get there by midnight, maybe?”
“And you’re sure of this?”
“Call it a foragers intuition!”

Fang rolled his eyes and reached into his bag. Finding another juice and figuring it was packed without his knowledge before they left, he handed it to Kohl and leaned completely back against the tree.
“Why hand me this?”
“You forced me to drink one so I’m returning the favor.”
“But I don’t need it?”
“And I didn’t either. Stop arguing and take a few sips at least.”

Kohl laughed and gave a toothy grin at the water type before slurping some of the rejuvenating juice down. He put the empty container into his bag and flopped back into the grass behind him, spreading his wings out as he relaxed. There was a comfortable silence between them both, with the sun’s rays sending a pleasant heat through both of their bodies. It was perfect at that moment.

“So Fang…what’s the voice you heard?”
‘Shit’ was all the Feraligatr could think of.
“You just had to ruin the moment huh?”
“I just want to know. Like, are you okay? Is it something serious? You’re not in danger, are you?”

Groaning to himself, Fang sat back up and stretched to bring to blood back into his numb arms. Turning to look down at his partner, he sighed.
“No…at least I don’t think so. I honestly don’t really know what it is. Before you found me, I heard something distant. Look, if I knew more I’d tell you, but it’s not that important. Let’s just-”
“No, it obviously is important!” Kohl shot up with a stern and serious expression plastered on his face. It didn’t feel natural on the cheerful and friendly dragon, and even Fang had to admit it took him aback.

“Whoever the hell that fire freak is, he mentioned hearing it too. I don’t know whatever it is, but it led to my Meadowville burning. If this voice caused Ignis to go psychotic, then it's dangerous. I just don’t want it to happen to you. So please, just tell me what it is.”

Kohl slumped back into the tree and looked over at his friend. Fang saw the stern expression from before shift to one of worry…worry for him. He sighed and decided to tell all he knew.

“I don’t think it’s dangerous Kohl, and if it is somehow I promise I’ll walk away so you don’t have to deal with it.”
“But-”
“Just shush for a minute. Like I said, I don’t think it’s dangerous. Whatever it is, I think it saved me. When I fell from the cliff, I think…I think I died. It just…spoke to me. It was calm, warm, it felt peaceful, even if I admittedly was an ass to it. All it said was I was ‘chosen’ whatever that means. I honestly thought at first I was just going crazy or having some kind of dream before death, but I guess it’s real if he knew about it. I haven’t heard it since, but if I do I’ll tell you, okay?”

Kohl silently nodded his head in understanding and got back to his feet. Folding his wings back in he stared up into the sky, basking in the sun’s glow before turning on his heels and outstretching his hand.
“I believe you. If you don’t think it’s dangerous then I won’t either. In the short time I’ve known you, I know you have a heart of gold. Honestly, when I become a full member of Goldcrest’s guild…I hope I have a partner like you.”

Fang took his hand and was pulled up to his feet. The dragon’s happy demeanor was back, expressed by an excited flip in the air and a quick dash ahead of the crocodile. Even he had to admit, this suited Kohl better. He took a step forward and quickly felt a sharp pain ring through his ears and perpetrated his mind.
“The dragon is now on the same path as you. Stick together…or you will falter. Do not fail, chosen.”

Leaning against the tree, Fang gripped his head trying to push away the discomfort and ringing sensation he was experiencing. Seeing his discomfort, Kohl turned back around and flew over to his partner.
“You-”
“Before you ask, yeah, I'm okay. Just got up too fast is all. I’m feeling better. Let’s go.”

Not letting Kohl question him again, Fang picked up the pace and trekked down the dirt pathway, all the while fighting off the splitting pain he was enduring. He knew he promised Kohl he would tell him every time the voice spoke, but whatever path to damnation he was supposed to follow, he wasn’t going to let Kohl walk it with him. He wasn’t going to involve him in this mess. It was for the best.
“Come on slowpoke, let’s go!”
“I’m a Charizard and…wait up!”


It had been a few hours since their break and the sun had already set. The glow from Kohl’s tail was a perfect light source from the dark, and the occasional crunch of berries or dried meats from their bags kept their bellies from rumbling. Fang would ask about Kohl’s childhood and what kind of adventurer he wanted to be, while Kohl would ask Fang what his favorite things were, like foods or colors.
“Pecha berry pie. That’s my favorite.”
“Wait…your favorite food is a dessert? It’s not some kind of jerky? What about meats? You can put them on sandwiches, which I heard is really popular!”
“Just because I’m a Feraligatr my favorite food has to be meat? Kohl, you’ve got to see more of the world. I mean-”

The quick rustling of leaves and breaking of twigs took the both of them by surprise, and with instinct Fang quickly got in front of Kohl, positioning himself between the Charizard and the suspicious sound. He silently wondered to himself why he felt he wanted to protect the dragon, but there wasn’t much time to question himself as the sounds picked up again.

“Hey, y-you might as well come out! We’re an expedition team, and we’ll…uh…”
“Kohl, shush!”
“Sorry, I’m trying to scare whatever it is off.”

The rustling stopped as a voice picked up to replace it.
“Oh ho ho, an expedition team that doesn’t even know how ‘ta sound ‘ah scary! Oi boss, got us some easy pickins’ over ‘ere!
“Sorry Fang. Think I screwed that up.”

Grunting to himself, Fang held his arm out in front of Kohl and braced for whatever was coming. The pattering of feet slinked across the grass, coming closer and closer in a fast pace. The pair tensed up, ready for a fight until out came their opponents. A small Sandile and Krokorok slinked their way out from the bushes and jumped out onto the path in front of the pair. They each gave a tooth filled smirk and posed themselves in what they considered a menacing stance, their black bandannas tied securely around their necks.

“Oi look at 'em, too scared to even speak. That’s right, you’re messing with the Krook Gang! Striking when they least expect it! Hand over the valuables and we’ll go!”

Fang loosened up his stance and turned to look at Kohl, who was simply staring blankly at the criminal pair in front of them. He looked back at Fang and let loose a small chuckle, which soon turned into a fit of laughter. Fang, trying his best to hold it in, started to laugh along with the Charizard, causing the two ground types to glow red in anger.
“‘Ey now! Stop ‘laughin or you’ll be sorry!”
“Uh, yeah! What he said!”

Fang wiped the small tear from his eye and decided to do the speaking for the pair, as Kohl was slightly doubled over from his laughing fit.
“Heh…okay kids, go home. It’s probably out past your curfew and we have somewhere to be. So go on, move.”
“Kids!? We’re not kids ‘ya dolt! We just haven’t evolved yet! We’re a real deal criminal enterprise and-”
“Oh, so not kids? Okay, then I won’t feel bad about this.”

Both looked puzzled before a quick blast of a water gun shot the small Sandile backwards and land on the dirt a few feet from where he stood, out cold. The Krokorok quickly looked back at his partner and then back at Fang, shock on his face.
“Fang, you didn’t have to do them so dirty like that! Poor guy’s out like a light.”
Both started to laugh again, causing the Krokorok to grow even more angry than before.

“Oh, ohhhh! You think you’re funny do ‘ya’s? Okay, fine! Boss! Need you out here! You two are so dead!”
The bandit folded his arms across his chest in a victorious manner as Fang chuckled to himself.
“Yeah right, Kohl let’s go. I’m ready to sleep for the night and the lodge is calling my name.”

The two started walking, pushing the bandit aside before sharp, jagged rocks erupted from the ground and almost pierced them both. Kohl pushed Fang out of the way and flew up just in time to miss the damaging attack and turned around to find a taller, more intimidating Krookodile standing with his underlings.

“I see you two have been picking on my little family here. Have you no shame in bullying the weak?”
“Yeah have you…hey, brother, what gives!”
“Quiet, I’m conversing with our traveler friends here. Take our younger brother and move to the side please.”
The Krokorok picked up the unconscious Sandile and took a seat in the grass. Their older brother meanwhile simply flicked his tongue over his lips and got into a fighting pose as he looked at his two opponents.

“I’m so sorry my brothers decided to pick a fight with you on this wonderfully dark, starry night, but it looks like I simply must finish what they started. Don’t worry, if you two end up corpses we’ll sell the valuables to reputable buyers.”
“Yeah well..you talk way too much! Kohl stay back!”
“But I can help!”
“Just stay back!”

Fang launched forward, going for one of his biting attacks. Even if it didn’t do that much damage maybe it would cause the bandit to flinch and allow them to get away. There was no point in fighting and getting potentially injured, he figured. And even if he had to fight…he didn’t want Kohl to fight anymore. What he had been through the last few days was more than enough fighting for the Charizard. Clamping his jaw down on the ground type’s arm he sunk his teeth into the flesh, only to get pushed away by the other crocodile like he was nothing.

“Tsk tsk, use your head my friend. Will that truly work. I’m still a dark type, remember? Now then, how about my turn. Hey, weak dragon, watch as I ultimately destroy your friend here.”
Lifting his arms, a cloud of dust and debris was quickly formed around Fang, buffing him every second and clouding his vision. Scrapes were slowly plastering along his arm, and his eyes watered as the dirt pierced them. He coughed as sand filled his lungs, and he tried to fire off a quick water gun, but even he realized he missed when the sand picked up.

“It’s called sand tomb my friend. Soon you’ll just be a body filled and stuffed with the coarse gravel. That is, unless you would kindly beg on your knees for forgiveness and hand over the valuables. I haven’t got all day. My brothers and I know a wonderful merchant in need of a bag like yours.”

Fang coughed, trying to get out of the trap but each time he pushed the sand picked up and cut his fingers. He was slowly losing air as all oxygen was being sucked away, and he quickly thought of Kohl, worried about what would happen if he had to fight all alone. He felt panic, and tried once more to get out of the trap, until it suddenly stopped. Wiping his eyes he saw a quick blasts of fire erupting from Kohl’s throat into the direction of the bandit, who was trying to protect himself with raised rocks over and over again. Getting his breath back and seeing the bandit distracted he launched water gun after water gun, connecting with each hit and getting grunts of pain out of the dessert crocodile. As he turned around Kohl quickly flew up and landed scratch after scratch to his face, and with a tackle to his stomach, Fang sent the ground type flying backwards into his patiently waiting brothers.

As Kohl flew over to Fang to check over him, both heard the scattering of leaves and twigs and turned to see only the Krookodile remaining.
“Not bad. How about we call this a draw and we go our separate ways for now.”
“Get anywhere near Kohl again and I’ll kill you!”
Kohl shot a worried expression at Fang, whose face was red hot in rage and fury, an expression he hadn’t seen on the Feraligatr’s face before.

“Fang, it’s okay. I’m fine. Let’s just-”
“You understand!”
“Woah, hey, relax! Heard you loud and clear. We shouldn’t have taken this stupid job anyway.”
The Krookodile quickly turned tail and ran, leaving both tired partners alone once again.
“Fang…are you okay? Here, drink this for now and…”
“I’m fine. Just heat of the moment. Let’s go please.”
Stumbling slightly, Kohl wrapped an arm over Fang’s shoulder and leaned the crocodile against him as he led them to the lodge.


It wasn’t long until they pushed the door open and felt the warmth of the fire in the foyer greet their bodies, and setting Fang down in one of the chairs by it, Kohl approached the front desk. There sitting in a chair was a tiny Snubbull, who rapidly got up and smiled.
“Welcome to the Granbull Lodge! Will you be staying with us tonight?”
“Yes please. Can I have two bedrooms please?”
“Oh my, I’m terribly sorry sir but we’re currently booked up by travelers just like yourself. We have one bedroom available though! It’s fifty for one night. We also offer a complementary breakfast if you wish to join us. Will that be acceptable?”
“Uh, yes, thank you.”

Kohl handed over the money and was presented with a small, brass key handed over to him by a klefki assistant.
“It’ll be your last door on the right. Breakfast will be at nine. Thank you so much for your patronage!”

Kohl grinned with a nod and helped Fang back to his feet. Still coughing slightly he was feeling the strength returning to his body and gently tapped Kohl on the arm.
“Thanks. I can walk now. I just want to go to bed. Do you have my room key?”
“About that…”


Looking at their small, shared room both turned their attention to the singular bed and groaned.
“Want to flip a coin for it,” Kohl asked with a laugh. Fang picked a coin out of his bag and called for heads. Catching it in the air and not even looking at it he tucked it back in his bag.
“Looks like I lost. You take the bed. I’ll take the chair. Goodnight.”
“Wait, you didn’t even look at the coin. You can’t do that.”
Quickly sitting down, Fang picked his feet up with a slight wince and closed his eyes.
“Goodnight Kohl.”

The Charizard sighed as he soon heard the soft snoring escaping Fang’s opened mouth and, feeling like he wasn’t that tired yet, left the room to look around the lodge. Walking down stairs he saw the attendant’s from earlier were away and figured they had gone to sleep themselves. Sitting in the foyer Kohl quickly heard the rummaging of feet across the soft rug in the room and turned around to see what was causing the noise. Walking out from the doorway was a familiar Krookodile, who was holding snacks in his arms. Seeing the Charizard sitting there in front of him he quickly turned around to race up the stairs but was cut off.

“You want to come sit with me?”
The crocodile stammered and, with a sigh, took a seat. Handing over a small berry to Kohl he leaned back.
“For my brothers, from the fight earlier. We have plenty so here’s one for you or the other guy.”
“Thanks.”
Kohl tucked the berry away in his bag and looked over at the bandit, who was awkwardly shuffling his feet.

“You’re new to this whole ‘bandit’ life huh?”
The desert dweller opened his eyes in shock.
“How’d you know?”
“Your brothers were quick to anger and were quick to attack, not stealthy at all, and called you when they got hit once. Plus you were very showboaty.”
“Ha…guess you got us there. Name’s Skald. Honestly, didn’t really want to be a bandit but…well that’s a story for better company. Let’s call this night a truce. I don’t want to rough up a nice place like this.”

Skald started to stand up when he was quickly frozen in place when Kohl spoke up.
“You said the attack on us was a job? Who hired you?”
Skald looked back down at the Charizard, whose piercing eyes stared back up at him with a fiery determination to know.

“Some Crabominable. All the note said was for us to track you down and put you out of commission, and we’d be paid.”
Crabble. Kohl thought back to the older man’s role in leading to his Mother’s abduction and his assistance in the destruction of his town. His rage at just the name caused him to grip the chair a little tighter.
“Did it say anything about revenge?”

Skald could see the fire in his eyes and figured he could at least share. The dragon deserved that much.
“Not sure. Only reason he gave was something about tying up loose ends and making way for ‘new businesses ventures,’ whatever that means.”

Kohl bid a kind farewell and goodnight to Skald and watched as the Krookodile made his way up the stairs. He pondered to himself what sort of business ventures the old man wanted if it meant getting rid of Fang and himself. Yawning, he mentally noted Crabble as just another person that’ll have to face justice some day. Entering the bedroom he shifted Fang onto the bed as carefully as he could, and passed out in the chair for the night.

As he laid there in a deep sleep, Fang dreamed of the voice and whatever it wanted from him…and why he truly cared so much about Kohl. He tossed and turned, subconsciously trying his best to make his dreams go away. That was when he realized the thoughts were becoming reality.

“Hello again, my young friend.”

Hi everyone, happy new year! I’m sorry it took a bit to get this new chapter out, as I had a severe case of writers block, life events, and holidays all at once! As I write I get more and more ideas so I’m hoping you’re all enjoying the story! It’s a slow burn definitely so I thank you all for reading and keeping up with my little passion project! As I write I think I continue to get better and I hope it shows. I hope to go back to my usual schedule of once or twice a week with the chapters but just so everyone knows I’m committed to my story. I want to thank Jarnes (you know who you are) for being a huge supporter on this story and commenting whenever he can, as it’s a huge confidence boost each post. If you enjoy the work or have suggestions by all means please share! I love to hear it and it only helps me out! Thank you so, so much for reading. It’s great to be back!

 

[HaxWriter]

Fang found himself in the one place he had hoped to never wind up in again: the cold, endless void that housed him once before. The black, empty nothingness expanded across the horizon, piercing every conceivable corner that the Feraligatr could imagine. He slowly got to his feet, cursing under his breath that his peaceful, restful slumber was now interrupted by this nameless, faceless entity. Slow, rhythmic drums and what sounded like trumpets verberated the hollow world, slowly increasing in intensity until suddenly stopping. The voice, its angelic tone, picked up in volume.


“My young hero, it seems you’ve already come so far since we last spoke. I’m quite pleased with the progress you’ve made thus far. Tell me, how do you feel with your current situation in your new life?”

“Shove it. What do you want with me? What path am I supposed to be on? Because the way I’m seeing it, I’m chasing nothing besides battle after battle and getting nothing in return except for bruises and cuts. You keep acting like I’m some holy messenger of goodness, but I don’t even know who the hell you are. I’m not even sure I can trust you.”

The voice rose to cut off Fang, and let out a soft grunt in return. It sounded annoyed, but held itself back.

“I understand the sentiment, I truly do. There is a reason I do not reveal myself at this time, but know that you were chosen for a specific reason. You are the hero that will light this world before it’s entirely consumed by shadow and vile evil. I have given you no reason to question my trustworthiness. I saved you, did I not?”

“Maybe you did, but you still haven’t told me what in the hell I'm supposed to be doing. You keep talking about ‘saving the world’ but then tell me to stick to some path? What do you want from me, truly?”

“If I told you there are more like Ignis, would you believe me?”

The name sent a small chill up Fang’s back, and his mind immediately rushed back to the fire engulfing Meadowville, the collapsing buildings, the screaming and crying…the shouting for help as Kohl stared down what was to be certain death. His claw clench tightly and bit his lip. His subconscious mind however sent a very quick, almost unnoticeable thought towards the front of his mind: ‘why did he care so badly for these people when he never did before.’

He opened his jaw to speak but a flash of warm, bright light shot out across the great sea of darkness and replaced it with a sparkling beautiful landscape. Fang looked out and beyond he could see what looked to be what he would consider paradise. Children were playing in fields while their parents watched in glee, festivals and parades of all shapes and sizes were held in towns and villages, all sorts of marine Pokémon swimming in bliss in crystal clear lakes while the land dwellers laid back in rolling meadows.

“This world is truly beautiful, you know. This is what it should be: a utopia of bliss, laughter, and thrills where no one wishes to harm another. However, as years have passed, a foul evil has been entombed, silently waiting to strike and destroy what our society should be. This evil has finally come to ground and is a silent killer, affecting all those with what you call-”

“The plague?”

“Exactly. It will continue to grow out and expand, inflicting upon the unfortunate soul a strong desire to maim and attack anyone who it sees. I have been able to suppress this sickness for a very long time now, keeping it dormant while watching the world I love continue to grow towards the paradise I envision. However, I was foolish enough to believe I was alone in knowing this plague originally.”

The scenery of happiness and tranquility shifted as fast as it came, and in its place a world of fire and brimstone shook Fang to the core. Screaming, crying, and pleads for mercy filled his ears, and the damned souls on display were cut down by ravenous, feral Pokémon. Their eyes a ghostly white, their skin blotted and torn, a true representation of a monster.

“I show you this in the hopes that you will start to trust me and believe me when I say, I am your ally. I don’t want this to befall our world, Fang.”

The Feraligatr swallowed his pride and took in the grisly sight. He wasn’t a stranger to violence, as his past hardened him towards the notion when backed into a corner. But something about this sight, all the death and remains…it ate at him…a guilty feeling? But why? He choked back a small gasp and sighed.

“What do you mean by others knowing about the plague? We’ve known about it for a while?”

“That is indeed true, but most only know of the effects of the plague, and what it does to a Pokemon afflicted by it. Only a few know where it comes from, and how they can use it for their own selfish desires.”

“What…do you mean exactly?”

The scenery changed again, this time showing what appeared to be eight silhouettes of beings Fang had never seen before…except for one. The face he couldn’t forget even if he wanted to.

“Is that Ignis?”

“It is. He is what is called an Emissary, a capable Pokémon who has been bought by the idea of exceptional power to do his master’s bidding. They are called ‘the inheritors,’ believing themselves to be the rightful masters of power and control. They’re under the belief that this plague is a gift from the planet, and that only a select few should be able to wield it. These immoral people…wish to flood the world with the plague, believing they can harness it and rule over all with an iron fist.”

“So why did that bastard attack Meadowville? It had nothing to do with the plague! There was nothing there but innocents just trying to live their lives!”

“It was because the plague had been discovered there. Do you remember? You saw it with your own eyes.”

“The Boltund? But, why did they get infected?”

“The area was a growing hotspot for the plague it seemed. Pockets of it were under the ground, and it finally reached the surface at that moment. Whether anyone knew it or not…the Inheritors’ emissary was already on his way. He simply laid waste to it because it was in his way. If I had chosen not to save you, the whole town would’ve lost their lives. Including your new friend.

Fang closed his eyes, thinking about the town of peaceful people, who were kind enough to help him back to his feet and let them stay with him, even if for a short time. They didn’t deserve the destruction that came with the plague. Kohl entered his mind. The poor, innocent Charizard whose heart was too big for his own body it always seemed, could’ve been another victim of that onslaught. The twisted image of Kohl’s broken body laying in a pool of blood and innards, much more gruesome than the story of what Fang had heard previously, shocked him to his senses and he felt his heart skip a few beats.

“Since I chose you, think about your recent heroics. You saved your friend, his mother and town, and pushed back the sinful being who would’ve weaponized the very thing he was sent out to retrieve. You question if you’re worthy of this task, but your bright hue has shown it outshines the wicked ways of your past. It is why you were selected for this task: you have a heart of gold, even if it has been hidden away for so long. Only a pure soul can be my emissary, and be the beacon of hope this world needs in this trying time, for I must stay and continue to hold back the plague before it fully consumes all.”

Fang shifted his weight on each of his feet, visibly uncomfortable at everything he had been told. On one hand, at least he now had a better understanding of the situation. He wanted to help, to make sure that grisly, bleak future didn’t happen. He wanted there to be paradise amongst all. He thought about this shadowy group of figures, their intentions and lust for all-consuming power. Their greed shook him to his core. Their willingness to kill innocents just for being in the way, it was sickening. The thought of Glenda, Audrey, and especially Kohl lying dead and reduced to nothing, made his skin crawl.

However, he didn’t ask for this. He didn’t ask to be labeled a hero. He shouldn’t be one. His past actions, he was a downright sinner himself. He stole from all, was selfish and lacked empathy. He would pick fights, scam the vulnerable, all to get to the end of the day with an extra cent lining his pockets. And there was…something else? A thought trying to push its way to the top of his head, screaming at him to open up the locked gates of his mind-palace but they were refusing to budge. He closed his eyes, trying hard to understand what he was having trouble deciphering. It felt like he was close, so close…

“That is all I can share at this time. I do not know who runs the Inheritors, for even for my all seeing presence they remain elusive. It is why you must be in my stead. Save this world. I beg of you.”

Pulled out from his chance the screaming thought faded into nothing as Fang found himself quickly blurting out a solid ‘yes,’ much to the angelic voices glee. The scenery shifted one last time to a colorful glow of mixed colors, a smorgasbord of eye-catching tones was all the eye could see. It felt warm and inviting compared to the cold that was the void.

“I thank you, my child. I do believe I have kept you away from the real world long enough though. You will hear from me again in time but for now, continue on the same path as you currently are. I am sure more will be revealed to you in time.”

“I just have to ask…why involve Kohl? He doesn’t…he just doesn’t need to be involved in this. I’m not going to do that to him.”

The voice was silent for a minute, letting the awkward stillness of quiet echo louder than any voice could ever hope to match.

“Your paths crossed and he has found himself walking down the same one you’re on. He has tied himself to your side, and the bonds have been forged, whether you wish them to be or not.”

“…Who are you. Truly?”

“You will know in time.”


Throwing himself up with a jolt, Fang gripped his chest and felt his heart beating fast. He tried to calm himself down with deep breaths and slow counting until he noticed he was in the bed. Looking over, he saw Kohl sprawled out all over the chair in the corner of the room. His head was flopped over the back end, his tail and legs spread out against the floor, and wings were shifted in a very crooked way. His snores were slightly obnoxious as his tongue hung from his gaping mouth.

“You idiot. How in the hell are you sleeping like that?”

Rubbing his eyes, Fang shifted the dragon back over to the bed and collapsed back into the chair. He looked out of the lodge’s small window and stared up into the night sky. The stars twinkled beautifully, and the moon was a luminous crescent. The croc thought to himself just how he never really acknowledged how pretty the sky could look at night, and how many pokemon truly were out in the world when compared to just him. He shifted in the chair and silently thought about how he truly did want to protect the world, even if he didn’t know exactly how he would. For now, they just needed to get to Goldcrest.


The next morning it was stereotypical for the pair. Fang was gently cleaning the sharp teeth he got his name from, while Kohl was doing some morning stretches and twists, to ‘limber up’ for his flights as he called it. Fang had already gotten an earful from the fire type for moving him in the night, saying how the Feraligatr needed the bed more. The two bickered for a few minutes until a soft knock at the door informing the pair of breakfast shut them up. Kohl sprinted out the door, with his loud stomping audible to Fang before he could even leave their room. In the hall, Fang noticed a familiar face in front of him and grit his teeth.

“Woah, hey, let’s calm down! I’m not going to attack you. We just needed lodging for the night. Besides, Kohl and I made a truce while here.”

“You talked to him?”

“Fang, it’s fine! Just come on down and eat! It’s delicious!”

Skald turned to his rival and with a grin, he and his brothers made their way down the stairs. Fang followed close behind, watching the groups every step out of caution, and took a seat next to his partner while refusing to take his gaze off the bandit trio.

Kohl was busy pouring an enormous amount of syrup on the sitrus berry infused pancakes and tried to hand it over to Fang.
“Fang…Faaaaang…breakfast will go cold. Come onnnnn.”

Breaking his gaze he took the syrup and poured what little there was on his food.
“Kohl…you used almost all of it…”
“Oh, sorry about that! It’s just, it’s so good! Way better than back home!”

Nudging his brother, Skald had the Krokorok push their bottle over to the pair.
“Use that and quit whining.”
“I wasn’t whining! I was making an observation!”
“Sounded like whining to me Fang.”
“Who’s side are you on!”


The group finished up their plates and got up from the table, leaving Kohl alone, who had insisted to help the staff clean up the mess from their complementary breakfast. While Fang was upstairs getting ready to leave, Kohl was finishing his cleaning when he saw the ground type trio walking down the stairs. The younger brothers had already walked out the door before Kohl approached.

“Well, I guess our truce is over now.”
“It doesn’t have to be though! Maybe we can travel together? We’re heading to Goldcrest, and I’m joining the local expedition training guild there. Your brothers and you should join us for now! After all, a bigger group means better protection.”

Skald laughed to himself and shook his head.
“Take it from me, we’d make bad company. Plus you’re friend there would rather see us at the bottom of a lake instead of traveling together. But an expeditioner huh?”
“Yeah! It’s been a dream of mine since I was a little Charmander! I’m excited!”
“What about the grumpy one? Is he not joining?”

Kohl’s excited expression softened, and he shifted around slightly.
“No, I don’t think so. He’s just with me until we get there and then I think he wants to go his own way. Though, I kind of wish he would join me.”
“Honestly, the way he acts all protective about you, I expect he’s silently thinking about doing just that as we speak. If he’s smart, he will. You two would make a great team. Maybe you two will even get a job of taking my brothers and I into custody.”

Skald gave a punch to the arm of Kohl, who laughed and returned the gesture.
“Maybe, but I’d rather not. How about you guys stay on the up and up instead?”
“Hah, not happening! Stay safe out there, and see you around Kohl! Tell old grumpy in there I said I’ll best him in our next battle.”

Skald bid farewell to the Charizard and closed the door behind him as he walked out. Standing on the staircase out of view, Fang considered both what the Krookodile and his mysterious friend had said. He didn’t want Kohl to be involved with this new venture in his life…but he silently wondered if keeping him out of it was even possible. If not, maybe forming a proper team was the best way to keep the dragon safe. After all, Fang would be by his side through whatever life threw at them.


“We just continue down this road, and we’ll be in Goldcrest by midnight tonight! Let’s go!”
Kohl zipped on ahead, ready to see the lights of the bigger town and begin the new chapter in his life. Fang made sure his bag was secured to his body and followed after, wondering to himself if he’d find out anything new related to the Inheritors in a brand new location, and if so, what would he do next?

 

[HaxWriter]

The pair passed the time on the road discussing what types of attractions and places of interest each expected Goldcrest to have. Fang had mentioned he hoped to see some of the quieter parts of the town, and maybe converse with the locals to get any sort of idea where Ignis or the other members of the Inheritors might be hiding. Kohl, meanwhile, continued to talk about looking at the shops to purchase accessories for himself, any sort of styled clothing that would help him fit in with the population, and maybe some new eateries for the tired explorer. After all, he was soon to be living there he assumed.


Day soon turned to evening and soon the team came across marble studded streets, larger buildings than that of Meadowville, and Pokémon of all shapes and sizes hustling and bustling throughout. Fang looked over at the dragon, who had a confused expression plastered on his face. Pulling out the map, the pair took a second glance to make sure they hadn’t taken a wrong turn down some forgotten dirt path.

“I thought Goldcrest was supposed to be a town? This is more like a city?”

Kohl approached a nearby Sneasle sitting on a bench and introduced himself with a kind smile.

“Uh, hello sir. Can you tell me what town this is exactly? My friend and I are trying to get to Goldcrest and-”

“You talk funny don’t you? Not from around here, huh? Friend, this is Goldcrest.”

“But, that can’t be right? It’s bigger than what I was told, and the map shows it as a tiny town?”

Without asking, the Sneasle pulled the paper out of Kohl’s claws and gave it a look-over. The dark type quickly started to laugh and handed the map back.

“You blind or something? Look at the back, it says this map was made forty years ago! Goldcrest has had a huge influx of cash and residents over the years, it’s obvious we’re going to get bigger! One of the biggest cities this side of Crater River in fact! Sorry friend, but look on the bright side, more things for you to do here right? Anyway, take care!”

As the dark type got up and left Kohl relayed what he learned back to Fang, who let out an exhausted sigh from the depths of his throat.
“Thats great. Just means it’ll be harder tracking down the guild. Come on, let’s at least see if there’s some kind of cafe or something.”

With a nod the pair started walking down the cobblestone sidewalks to begin their hunt. Larger cities the water type was used to. He had been in them far too often, especially for his more mischievous deeds, but it was obvious Kohl was the complete opposite. As they walked, Fang would occasionally have to pull the Charizard away from vendor stalls and apologize to the owner when the dragon picked up the merchandise. He’d have to explain to Kohl not to touch the glass when looking inside stores. Annoyingly, he even had to pull the fire type back from a nimble fingered pickpocket, when her partner came up to the pair asking for directions. Truthfully, it was exhausting.

“It really is obvious you’ve never been to the city before. I don’t know how you’ll get around without me. Maybe your guildmaster or apprentices will get you clued into how the city works.”

“Sorry Fang, it’s just kind of exciting to be here, ya know! Like this is so different compared to back home. Like, look, there’s a performance over there! Let’s check it out!”

Without warning Kohl quickly flew towards a huge crowd of Pokémon standing in one of the many plazas of the city. Approaching slowly, and with a hint of annoyance, Fang grabbed Kohl by the shoulder and pulled him back somewhat.

“We don’t have time for this. Let’s find the guild, or at least an inn before it gets too dark out.”

“We will, I promise, but look over there. Live music, and it’s a lot more wild than the folky stuff we played back in Meadowville. Listen.”

Fang rolled his eyes and leaned in, hearing what sounded like a mix of hard sounds and some off key screaming. He wasn’t much of a music fan, but if he was, this would certainly kill his appreciation for the art. He peered between the crowd to see three Pokémon on a raised stage, each performing for the show. The first, a Chimecho, was ringing her bells and fluttering around in the air. The second, a Ludicolo, was bouncing around to the performance to get people dancing. In the center stage was a Pokémon Fang hadn’t seen before on his travels, but had at least heard of. There singing in a gruff pitch, was a black and white Obstagoon bearing a skull bandanna tied around his neck.

As the trio sang and performed, Fang looked over to see Kohl tapping his feet along with the vocals, and his claws trying to snap to the rhythm.

“Liking the song?”

“Not at all, but if this is the music Goldcrest has, then I should get accustomed to it right?”

Fang rolled his eyes and was about to pull the two of them out of the crowd when a large Ursaring bumped into him. The bear turned around with a deep scowl on his face.

“Watch where you’re going or I’ll stomp you into the ground, big-jawed freak.”

“You bumped into me, but keep it up and it’ll be the last thing you do for a long, long time.”

“You wanna fight, let’s do this right now!”

Kohl quickly got in between the two rage-filled monsters and pushed Fang slightly away from the delinquent.

“I’m sorry sir, we were just leaving.”

“Get out of the way country bumpkin, or I’ll break those pretty wings of yours.”

“Kohl, move. Think he needs his mouth shut.”

The commotion continued to escalate, it being obvious as the moshing crowd turned around to witness another fight, just like they had seen countless times before.

“Oh, Bruno is about to mess them up good!”

“This will be the fifth fight this week! How long will they be in the hospital you reckon? Think it’ll be a new record!”

The crowd quickly started to form a circle around the bickering trio, not wishing to let them go until any sort of blood was spilled. As the chants of the crowd grew in volume, no one heard the singing from the Obstagoon quiet down to a deafening silence, nor his footsteps as he approached the circle. Spreading the crowd apart, the weasel like monster got in between the fighters and held his hands out.

“Hey, hey, chill out! I know the music gets something going crazy inside people, but are we really picking a fight here? Bruno, how about you go sit down, take a breather or two and get on home. Show’s over anyway. The energy tonight is gone anyway. That goes for all of you as well. Picking back up tomorrow night at the Kelpsi Lounge. Go on now!”

Bruno and the rest of the crowd let out exasperated sighs of disappointment and turned tail to walk to their respective houses. The other two from the performance bid their goodbyes as well and walked down the road out of sight. Kohl laid a claw on his friend’s shoulder, telling him to relax before turning around and grinning at the singing mediator.

“Thanks for stepping in. We were just about to leave when they kind of collided and then-”

“No, he bumped into me then got all pissed about it!”

“Anyway, sorry if we ruined the show.”

The Obstagoon chuckled and ran his clawed hand over his head, fluffing up the spiked hair along his body.

“Don’t worry about it. It was the last song for the night anyway, and between us, Bruno is too much of a hothead for his own good. Would’ve loved to have seen you two knock him down a peg, but not in public right? Don’t want the city any more mad at me than what they already are for the musical performances. Name’s Garth, nice to meet you both.”

“Kohl,” the Charizard answered as he shook the singer’s hand. “And this grouch is Fang. Is that a stage name?”

“Nope, real deal. You two aren’t from around here are you? Your accent’s different, in a nice way, and you…well, we don’t really get Feraligatrs around here. Pretty rare in fact.”

Fang adjusted his bag strap as he pulled out the pair’s map.

“No, he’s not. I’m just a traveler. We’re looking for a guild here in town. He’s joining it.”

“And you’re not? Weird to be traveling to a guild with someone and not joining it. He's your bodyguard or something?”

“I guess something like that. He offered.” Kohl chuckled and nudged Fang’s shoulder, drawing out a groan from the alligator.

“Anyway, do you know where the guild is?”

Garth grinned and walked back up to the stage. Picking up his leftover equipment he slung the microphone stand over his shoulder and motioned to another alleyway with his head.

“It just so happens I do. I’m actually a member of it in fact. The Garchomp Guild is it’s official name, and you’d probably best remember it. The guildmaster’s assistant gets really pissed off when we just call it ‘the guild.’”

“I guess that explains the bandana on your neck then huh?”

“Right you are my charming fire breather, though I think it adds to the stage presence too. Gets the crowd jumping. If you want to know where it’s at, I’m heading back for the night. Can tag along with me.”

“What about your bandmates? Do you all not stick together?”

“Oh my sharp toothed friend…I don’t even know who they are! They just got up on stage with me tonight and added to the show. Let’s go!”

Garth quickly jumped off the stage and starting making his way towards the guild. Kohl and Fang gave a quick, bewildered stare at one another, and with a shrug from the water type, both followed afterwards. As they walked, Garth gave a quick overview of some of the places he considered most important to the new guild member or weary traveler. He pointed out the shops, an eatery, bank, almost everything that Meadowville had, sending a pleasant wave of nostalgia into the dragon’s heart.

“And over that way is the Glowing Stone! It’s one of those stores for exclusive VIP customers. Only a select few are allowed in, and their prices are outrageous.”

“What do they sale,” Fang asked with a devilish curiosity. As much as he wished to push it down, the inner thief in him always liked to sprout back up at opportunities for quick cash.

“Stones.”

And just like that, the mischievous feeling was gone.

“What kind of stones? Like evolution stones? That’s what was needed for mama to evolve, but I’ve heard they’re rare.”

“Nope. Not those kinds of stones. Supposedly it’s stones that make you grow crazy in power, but only select Pokémon can. I wish I knew more, but the reason why I’m telling you is because sometimes they allow some of the most noteworthy expedition teams inside to browse around. Get there and tell me what’s inside sometime, yeah?”

Both nodded and continued on their way with Garth, Kohl listening with a deep sense of fascination with all he was being told, while Fang was not paying much attention. As they rounded a few more turns the trio approached a set of stairs along with a tall, gaudy building dressed to the nine with decorations and colors. Plastered on the front was a giant image of a Garchomp, its eyes of different color and a tiny scar underneath the right blue one.

“Master Azure always had a flair for the extreme on decoré. Don’t let its appearance fool you. The guildmaster is rough-skinned expert journeyman. People from all over come to learn under his tutelage!”

“Is that because it’s the only guild for miles around here,” Fang asked with a noticeable tone of doubt in his voice. “Or is it because of the majestic splendor that is the building design.”

“Both! Anyway come on!”

As Garth bounded up the stairs, Kohl took flight, preparing to fly up to meet him when Fang reached over and pulled him back to the ground. The dragon quickly flipped around with confusion in his eyes.

“Everything okay?”

“Yeah, I just…are you sure you want to do this? Glenda told me an old friend of your dad’s runs this, but…you can go somewhere else you know? You can travel the world like me, you don’t have to be an expeditioner.”

“I appreciate the worry, but this is something I’ve dreamed of since as far back as I can remember. I haven’t questioned this decision at all…but why are you worried so suddenly?”

Fang thought back to what he learned the other night, the threat to the world as everyone knew it. Of course, it could be safer to be in a guild, but what if the Plague simply continued to grow more and more, infecting all those it touched. What if, in that event, guilds around the region were called to action to tackle the problem, or their teams were sent to find some kind of solution? As much as he didn’t want to admit it, he was truly worried that this dragon, whose heart always seemed so kind and innocent, could potentially end up corrupted to be one of evil and vicious in one such event.

At least, if he chose to walk away and live life as an adventurer, he always had the chance to run away from any sort of danger. Maybe, even with Fang, always watching each other's backs. And if somehow Fang did have to end up facing the Inheritors, he could protect Kohl, the one thing he wanted to do most.

“It just seems too dangerous is all. Plus, you’re only just now experiencing what the real world is like. Don’t you think waiting would be better right now.”

“You’re worried about me, I get it. But, this is something I just have to do. I think it’s my purpose in life, as dumb as that is to say.”

“It’s not dumb. But, what if you get stuck with someone who just doesn’t even care about you. Or-”

“Then join me. I want to form a team with you.”

There was no hint of Kohl’s usual enthusiasm or bubbly personality. There was no tone that hinted he was gaging for an inkling as to what Fang was thinking. He meant it. He genuinely wanted this Feraligatr to form a team with him. The mysterious entity’s voice rang through his ears once more, making the alligator remember just exactly what he was told during their last conversation together.

Your paths have crossed, and he walks the same one. He is bonded to you, whether you like it or not.

“Whether you like it or not, we’re on this journey together. Once I get stronger, I’m going to look for Ignis. And I imagine you will too because of the voice. I’m begging you, don’t leave me alone here.”

He desperately wanted to flee, get out of there and not look back. At least if that happened, he could force Kohl to stay off the path that’s been laid out for them both. Sadly, that wouldn’t work. No matter what decision was made, Kohl would be exposed to the Plague proper. He would hunt down Ignis. They would cross again.

“Hey you two, come on! You’re slower than Crustle!”

Kohl flashed a soft, pleading smile at Fang and darted up the stairs towards the guild. He was now at a crossroads: on one hand Fang set out to do what was asked of him. He delivered Kohl to the guild. He could walk away and start trying to find out information about the Inhertors. He could buy supplies for the road, get a good night sleep, and be off in the morning. He could even forget all of this and try to get back to what he was originally great at doing; thievery, if his body allowed it however. So many possibilities were open to him.

He instead went with the opposite option. He ran up the stairs quickly after Kohl. Each step his mind screamed for him to turn around and just leave. He wasn’t a team player. He never was. Being an expedition member was something he never cared about doing. Why did he care so much about this naive dragon from some hillbilly town in the middle of nowhere? Why did he want to protect him so badly? It had to be the voice, it did something to him surely. This voice changed him somehow, it was the only explanation.

His heart, meanwhile, beat faster and faster, growing more and more excited with each climb towards the sky. It wanted to see the top, it wanted to explore and see the world as someone who gave and protected instead of stole and hurt. It wanted to be there in a team with the guy who saved his life, who showed care and compassion towards him when no one else did, whose kindness was always a bright spot on the crazy, dark days they’ve endured so far. He wanted to…be a hero with him.

As he reached the top of the stairs, Fang doubled over to catch his breath. Kohl immediately flapped his wings to air down the exhausted water type, while Garth simply laughed to himself.

“You don’t get much cardio do you. By the way, is Fang your real name, or is it one of those fake names people make up as an alias?”

“W-what’s it..huff…what’s it to you,” he asked, still bent over to fill his lungs up. “And shuddap. Strength training is better…”

“I ask because Azure’s assistant is going to need it for files.”

Just then, the Obstagoon gave a quick, three tap knock on the door and rang the doorbell. As the door slowly opened two Pokémon emerged from the shadows. Be first was the guildmaster, Azure. His face was exactly that on the front display of the building. His eyes were of different colors, his right being blue and his left a glowing white, and a small scar ran underneath it. His dorsal plate had a chip in it, and his body was slightly scared but still in good shape.

The second Pokémon was more of a surprise to Fang and Kohl. Expecting a tall, monstrous creature to fit the aesthetic of that of a famous hardcore guild, instead there was a tiny white and pink electric Pachirisu. Her face was in a small scowl, and her fur was standing up on edge. She turned immediately towards Garth and her cheeks crackled with electricity.

“Another late night out again for nonpermitted singing! And not only that, but talks of another fight breaking out! Guildmaster, why did you ever take in this buffoon! He’s giving your guild a bad name! I say kick him out this instant or else we’re going to be shut down.”

“It’s nice to see you too, Sable. Say, have you been drinking some of that herbal juice old man Jenkins gave to the guild? You seem calmer to me.”

“Garth, please do not agitate our poor Sable any longer. Go on in and we’ll discuss these performances tomorrow. We have guests to attend to.”

Garth nodded and gave a quick thumbs up to the pair of confused onlookers before dashing into the building. Once out of earshot Sable sighed and pulled out a small clipboard and pen.

“Alright you two, it’s late and I want to go to bed. Let’s do this interview right now so the Guildmaster can reject your applications and I can get my beauty sleep. Now then, who are you and why are you here.”

Kohl opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off as Fang stepped forward and did the talking for them. What was said, all Kohl could do was beam with a happiness he hadn’t felt since he could remember.

“This is Kohl and I’m Fang. We want to form an expedition team and train under Master Azure, together.”