Well after a seemingly endless amount of time, I finally had the time and inclination to write this chapter! Along with my favorite critic and Pokemon expert kleptozeldapokemonmaster, I hope you find this chapter, and all future chapters, an enjoyable read. Without further ado, our hero's adventure takes its first steps!


Chapter 2

Bandits! Ugh!

When they finally decided they had hiked far enough away from home, they hiked well through the night and most of the morning. And what do our heroes decide?

"Let's eat! I'm starving!" Ben said, for like the umpteenth time.

"I told you! I wasn't able to grab much food from my house; we'll stop and eat when we get to the city, alright?" Ben nodded, but he still looked sour. Kyle sighed. Truth was he was tired as well, especially since none of his Pokémon decided to carry him, as Ben's Arcanine did. But Kyle didn't feel bitter about it, since he knew none of his Pokémon had the size to carry him. But after five more minutes of walking, they looked at a large tree with a lot of shade, looked at each other, and immediately crashed next to it. There Pokémon doing the same, but clearly less fatigued by the long walk. After all, that's all they did to get around. Kyle briefly thought of his family's carriage and then cast the thought aside. He knew the comforts (or lack thereof) that this trip was going to have. Kyle pulled out the last of their food, which comprised of a few slices of bread, and some leftover cheese, still good despite the heat of the day. They sat in silence for a few minutes, and then Ben finally broke the silence.

"Thanks man. I owe you majorly."

"You owe me nothing. Besides, I kind of forced you anyway, so you have nothing to worry about." Ben smiled, and then they broke off some bread to feed to the Pokémon. The Pokémon accepted the bread, and together, they ate together under the tree. After they finished their meal, Kyle looked at the road and the sun overhead, and sighed.

"Alright, we can rest here and be at the city by nightfall." At that moment, everyone sighed and collapsed back under the tree. Kyle stared at them all, and then his gaze fell on his Zoroark, then his Sceptile and Lucario.

"All of you?" he asked. They all nodded, and Kyle smiled despite himself. Then he plopped himself next to his Pokémon. Kyle looked at his group and sighed. He was just so tired after all that walking. He found himself drifting off to sleep...

"Scream and your dead, so get up slowly." Kyle felt a blade against his throat. He instantly took time to take in his surroundings. It was only a little afternoon, but the assailant in question was standing behind him, so he had no idea what kind of threat he may/may not pose as. He rose and saw that Ben was in the same predicament. They looked at each other and nodded. Their Pokémon were gone, hopefully hiding and waiting for an order, but they wouldn't be needed. As he moved to rise to his full height, he stumbled and fell in the dirt.

"Get up!" barked the bandit. But Kyle had happened to "stumble" on his blade lying just out of reach before. He unsheathed his sword and swung it towards the man's feet. Blood spurted as his legs were cut (not completely off though) and he fell next to Kyle, who leapt to his feet and finished him off with one fluid stab downward. Kyle spun to see Ben still being held with a knife to his throat.

"One wrong move and your friend's dead!" yelled the second man. Kyle and Ben looked at each other and rolled their eyes. In one fluid motion, Ben stepped out of his hold, and hefted the man, throwing him right at Kyle's feet. Now two swords were pointing against his throat.

"Give us one reason not to." Ben growled. The man was sweating profusely now.

"Please! He gasped. "I have 500 pokeshillings, and my friend carried another 400." Ben looked at Kyle, and then walked over to the body of the fallen bandit while the live one threw the pouch at Kyle's feet. They were both clearly full of money. Ben threw both pouches into their packs, and Kyle stepped away, lowering his sword and letting the man drag his dead comrade back to where ever.

"Well that was quick." Ben noted.

Shortly after the encounter, their Pokémon had all come back, and had received a scolding to never leave them like that again. But they forgave them, and the Pokémon were now gathering berries to eat on the trail. Ben turned curtly to Kyle, who had already interpreted his question.

"Yes, it was quick." Kyle noted, "Especially for members of the Ripstealth squad, so I'd guess-."Kyle saw the confusion on Ben's face, forgetting his lack of knowledge of the kingdoms history.

"They're soldiers from our neighboring kingdom. During the great Ten Year War, they were their best and most adept at killing. But after the war, the kingdom of Grouhl (yes, Grouhl Ben! Sounds like grool, spelled G, r…. oh never mind) had their elite troops stay there in wait, hoping that one day, they could be used to re-instigate another Ten Year War." Ben nodded, a little concerned. Kyle read the question in his eyes.

"I knew they have a rumored base some five miles from here, but I never suspected they'd come this far out to attack village roads. I wonder….."

"Wonder what? C'mon, don't hold back!" But Kyle was hesitant.

"Well now that they seem to be on the move, it's possible that Terador may once again be in the lustful eye of Grouhl." Ben nodded again, even more unsure than before. But then their Pokémon came back with berries. They patted each Pokémon on the head for a job well done, and then the group were once again trekking towards the first town on the map. Staying at an inn might leave them better rested, plus the blacksmith there may be able to outfit them with better equipment. Kyle hadn't exactly had time to grab his father's old (but fantastic) armor, and his blade was nicked in several spots. So upon reaching the town, Ben and Kyle dropped their Pokémon off at the Day-Care, promising to see them first thing tomorrow, and then turned and walked over to a lovely looking inn, which is where the first of their troubles began.


Okay, not my best work, but I wanted to get this chapter up so I can finish working on Ch. 3. I hope this gains more popularity as this tale continues. Feel free to comment on any critics/errors you find in this chapter. Thanks!

TentailedWolf00