Chapter Twenty One

The group stared at the creature as it ran its fingers along the bones.

"Creature," announced Otto as the others stood silent in horror, "you have my sympathy at your plight."

At this, the Pokémon drove its hand hard into the ground. It seemed sympathy was not something it cared to have.

"I apologize to be so forward but I have a request."

Lea turned to Otto and subtly shook her head from side to side. She could smack him for thinking of such a thing at a time like this.

"Would you be so kind as to part with one of your gems? We would deeply appreciate your generosity."

At this, the Pokémon turned its jeweled eyes to Otto, shining bright with anger if not outright indignation.

"Part with…"

Its voice rang loudly as it disappeared and reappeared suddenly and without warning, moving closer toward him, Theodore hid behind Lea. She unsheathed her blades, her eyes trailing the creature's movements.

"…something…"

It hissed the words as it angrily clawed the walls of the cave in one spot and then the next.

"…yours… Give!"

It came face to face with all of its teeth shown in a crazed smile. It hung its hands patiently at its sides but kept its claws bared. It too was expectant of an attack. Otto kept his stern expression but cast his eyes askance. He released his scallop and raised both his arms in front of him. With the creature watching, he slowly removed the 'Experience Share' bracelet from his wrist and held it out for it to take.

He remembered winning it in Castelia City from the old man and had woken up with it around his paw in Nimbasa. Through it, he shared experiences with his team mates that he could not have physically been present for. He knew of the Nimbasa Gym and the tricks of its Gym Leader. He knew of the Desert Resort and had also felt strengthened from the training that had been overseen by Amira's strict father. In its own way, he felt it had kept him apart of the team even through his isolation. It had also kept him close to her.

"I offer you what I have, that it may assuage your loneliness."

The creature stared at Otto curiously but took the charm without hesitance. It vanished in smoke and reappeared some distance away, holding the bracelet up to the few stray rays of light that found their way through the cracks in the ceiling. As the sunlight shone through its glass beads, memories were cast across the walls. It told of the adventures of not just of him, but of them all and all they had gone through across Unova.

The creature watched the reflections in awe as they faded in and out and danced across the cave walls like old movies. They all looked around in wonder, letting out awes of amazement and giggled at their favorite moments as scenes from their lives were projected from the dazzling trinket.

"With it," he continued, "you will know us. You will always be connected to us. And one day, you may call us friends."

The creature looked intently at the charm for a few moments. It slid it onto its arm and froze as even more memories came. They were not just pieces or fragments as it was used to. Instead they burst forth with intricate details; bright colors, loud sounds, and pungent smells. Nothing was too grand or too miniscule. Even more, it was overwhelmed with emotions, a mixture of its own and of theirs.

It knew how they felt then, when these memories were created. It knew how they were feeling now, what they felt, and why. How curious, that they were all so different yet had something in common. It was seemingly a trivial fact, yet it bound them together so deeply. It knew that feeling, had had it once before, it could feel it again in fact, with just the conjure of a memory. It opened its mouth just a bit to speak as the light in its eyes dimmed. If it had had them, tears would've fallen.

"Friends… You should… Go… home."

It vanished, this time slowly and reappeared somewhere at the bottom of the cave. They couldn't see it as it was quite far down but they could hear its nails digging into the earth once more. It appeared behind them, startling them all but stood placidly and clutching a pink gem in its hands.

"This way."

Their fear of the creature lessened as it led them out of the cave. As it recalled more of its past, they were able to see the Pokémon it had once been.

He, like Theodore, was born somewhere far away in a mountainous region. Yet unlike him, he was built to live in and indeed loved the unrelenting cold of winter. Humans were common visitors though he rarely interacted with them. He lived not with a family but with a partner. They worked together to scavenge for food, their favorite of which was bird eggs. They stole them without remorse and even now it amused him.

It was on one venture that he chanced to run into a trainer who captured him. However, unlike them, he felt no loyalty or affection. He disobeyed orders, caused mischief, and did as he pleased in general. His exasperated trainer traded him away. Away from the snow fields he called home to this new place of tall buildings and many people with scarcely a tree in sight.

Under this new trainer, he fought and won battles that made his power grow quickly but so too did his foul mood. Whereas before, he had been sullen and haughty, now he was outright hostile and openly resentful. Unable to be tamed, the trainer released him in this cave. This had suited him just fine at first. He was happy to be rid of humans once and for all. But his pride began to falter along with his health as he tried to adapt to such a foreign habitat. Though even in death, he did not cease to exist being. Perhaps because he had gone so long in the darkness, he had not known he was dead.

"I am… more powerful now, heh heh heh," he laughed at his joke and at how it stirred their unease.

"Well if you're happy…" Lea said under her breath.

He led them as far as he could to the entrance of the cave but stopped just short of where the light met the shadow. It was as far as he could go, afraid of what he hadn't seen in so long. He handed the gem over to Otto who thanked him and shook his hand as best as he could without injuring himself.

Levana bowed to him politely and he gave an awkwardly stiff bow in return. Joule ran over him letting off little sparks of affection, much to the Pokémon's delight. Theodore gave him a hurried lick on the cheek and received a paralyzing shock for his troubles.

"You take care of yourself," chirped Levana.

"Goodbye… friends."

As they stepped outside, it took a moment for their eyes to adjust. The light of the moon lit all it hit in a beautiful ethereal light. They all expressed their happiness at being out of the cave, taking pleasure in the gentle breeze, swaying trees, and whistling grass. All except Otto, who was warily looking around. Gothorita was nowhere to be found.

'I told you so,' thought Lea as she watched him try to hide the anxiety in his eyes.

"How are we going to get home," asked Theodore, on the verge of tears.

"We… hmm?" Otto sniffed at the air as a scent interrupted his thoughts. It was unmistakably familiar. Something was burning.

"This way," he yelled and took off toward it.

The hill slopped upward and came to a flat plain on the side of the highway. He darted through the trees as he followed it, scorching his paws a few times on some cinders, the tell-tale sign of a large beast with blazing footprints. As they came closer to the source, the chill of the night air turned into the warmth of a flaming red behemoth that stood only yards away.

"Dharma," Otto yelled.

The Darmanitan turned around and its worried face changed into a frantic expression of joy, beside itself at seeing its friends again. He stood on his hind legs, beat his chest, and let out a roar. The young woman that had been with him turned to see what had caused his outburst. She too let out screams of joy and ran forward to embrace them.

"Otto! Levana! Theodore! Joule! Are you okay? What happened to you!? Where'd you go!? Never do that again!"

They each took turns being smothered in affection from their comrade and trainer respectively. Once they had calmed down, she led the group to a Pokémon Center for a thorough once over. It would have been easier to transport them in their Poké Balls but she was unable to even recall them as they had been broken earlier from falling off the shelf.

"I'm very glad to see they've returned," said Drayden, once she had returned to his house.

"Yeah! That's amazing," added Iris. "I wonder what they did all day though?"

Amira shrugged her shoulders and admitted to wondering the same thing. "I'd definitely want to hear all about it if they could talk."

Upstairs in the room she was staying in, her Pokémon were enjoying a dinner of their own.

"Where did you guys go," asked Dharma.

"It's a long story," said Theodore as he jumped up onto the bed and stretched his self across it.

"It's quite an interesting one too," said Joule. "There was a cave and many Pokémon and one was a ghost."

"I fought a dragon," sang Dharma as he raised his eyebrows at the tiny bug. Nothing could be more interesting than that. "It's one we're going to fight at the gym."

"Really," asked Otto. He was interested in knowing as much as he could about the Pokémon they'd be facing in the upcoming match.

"Dear, what's that?" Lea interrupted and pointed at a Poké Ball that sat on the cushion at the bedside.

"A new team mate," Dharma said excitedly. "I think she's nice."

"Oh my…" Lea raised both eyebrows upon hearing the word 'she'. It was true that she was the only female on the team and would've enjoyed having another girl to talk to, but she was suspicious of the possible identity of this newest team member.

Joule ran over to the Poké Ball and scurried across it, discharging small sparks until he managed to find the center button that opened it. It swung open and from it came a white ball of light that gradually got bigger and took shape. In seconds, the light turned into a Pokémon. It stood about a foot or so tall with a pink face, red lips, blue eyes, and a black dress with white ribbons.

Lea stared at the Gothorita in irritation and narrowed her eyes.

"Oh. Joy."

"This is Rita. Rita, these are my friends," said Dharma as he introduced her to a less then enthused audience. Theodore ignored her completely in favor of sleep.

"Well, isn't this a surprise? When I was captured, I never would've thought I'd find myself on the same team as you all."

Her voice was syrupy thick but much less sweet then when they had first met her.

"What a coincidence," muttered Lea. "I've always hated surprises."

Her polite to a fault decorum towards team members forced her to keep a tight lid on any ruder comments.

"It's nice to have you," she said while forcing a smile.

Rita twitched her lips but kept her wry expression.

"I think it will be troublesome actually," said Joule who bound himself to no such code and could therefore say whatever he liked.

Theodore let out a mumbled sound of agreement while Dharma stared at them in confusion. Rita gasped in outrage and stared angrily at the little bug.

"Enough," said Otto in a preemptive act to stop any bickering before it could start. "If Amira has decided to make you a part of our team, then you are welcomed. As for our deal, we kept our word. I give you this in good faith that you would have kept yours."

He gave her the pink gem they had gotten from the creature in the cave and she stared at it with wide eyes as she held it in her tiny hands.

"You're welcome," Levana said just a bit too loudly.

"Yes, thank you," said Rita as she quickly shot a glare at Lea then turned her doll-like eyes to Otto. "Thank you so much."

Just as she had with the Poké Doll and all other items she liked, it too disappeared from her hands and was sent somewhere unknown.

"By the way, just how did you happen to lose your gem in such a horrid place as that cave?"

Levana ignored the dirty look and decided that it couldn't hurt to ask. If they were to be team mates after all, then this would strengthen their bond or, as she dared to imagine, expose her.

"Far be it from me to pry into such a painful memory but I am ever so curious."

"Oh, well, it is such a painful memory," she replied, "I just can't!"

"And no one is going to force you to share, either," Otto quickly snapped.

"A horrid cave," asked Dharma.

"Yes," answered Joule. "It wasn't like the one at home though. No electricity. Hey, where do you come from?"

"Hmm," Dharma wondered aloud at the question. "From the desert."

"No, what's your story," asked Theodore who let out a yawn. "Before you were caught…"

"Yes, we were sharing our pasts. We'd very much like to hear yours," Lea said with genuine cheer.

"Oh…" Dharma crossed his legs with his left foot over his right thigh and vice versa, his hands clasped in his lap as he thought it over. "I have always existed in one form or another but so have we all…"

"Huh?" Theodore looked at Dharma with a clear expression of confusion and derision.

"That's not the answer you were expecting but it is true. We are all old beings who are born, die, and are born again. I came into this life many years ago…"

Dharma told them his tale of being born in the days when the Relic Castle was alive and flourishing. It was a thriving oasis ruled by a kind leader. He had founded the city as a refuge for all those whom he had hurt in his war against his brother. He reformed his ways and dedicated his life to peace and understanding.

Humans and Pokémon lived in peace side by side, the same as today only their relationship went undefined as it was too complex to be attached to simplistic titles. Where the castle lay in ruins was once the sight of a grand city and in it, a magnificent temple. He and his kind helped guard it. They followed its teachings alongside humans and sought enlightenment. Their vow of selflessness was one of compassion and commitment to all. This, it was taught, was the one path to the end of suffering and the way to freedom.

Their life was full of happiness and tranquility until the day the old man passed away. It was not death that saddened them, as it was only natural. The source of their despair was the ruler's son. He spurned his father's teachings in favor of his vanity and pride. Subjugating the power of the white dragon as his own, he began the war began anew.

The elders of Dharma's kind turned themselves to stone, sacrificing their bodies with only their spirits remaining in order to protect what was the last refuge from the dragon's reign of destruction. He and his fellow Darumaka, not yet strong enough nor wise enough to offer any aid, were scattered to the winds as the nation fell. All that remained of their home was the howling storm that carried their cries of rage at their loss and their grief at having become lost.

"There was nothing left for us but to wander, forgetting ourselves as we were forgotten by time. I was blinded by my debasement. When I met you and Amira," he said with a nod toward Otto, "I was just lonely. I wanted a friend, any friend. In my selfishness, I could not control my power and it led to destruction. I'm most sorry. Now, I remember the way, the path I must traverse. I will give myself fully to what is right."

Dharma stared off as he spoke, his internal fire fueled by some purpose higher than they could grasp.

"Sure…" mumbled Theodore who didn't understand much of anything that he had said.

Only Rita expressed any displeasure at his narrative. "Well, I suppose if that's good enough for you, that's fine."

"What's your story," Joule turned to her and stared with keen interest.

"Mine? Nothing you need to hear. Don't worry yourself about it."

Levana gave her a flat look. She had never wished harm to anyone but what this child needed was a good reprimanding. Honestly, had her parents taught her nothing in the way of manners?

"Alright, I hope you guys had a nice break," sang Amira as she entered the room.

Rita picked up her cute act in full force as she skipped over to her trainer and hugged her.

"Aww! I'm happy to see you too. Your Poké Balls just came back from the Pokémon Center, they're all fixed. I know you guys like to sleep outside but the room is a bit too cramped for everyone to sleep comfortably. And we're going to need our rest. Tomorrow we're headed to the gym!"

Otto gave a happy yell and Dharma joined him in cheering. If she had to peg them, they were the most excited to battle. Lea was also not a contender to be sneezed at and even Joule had his surprises, but they took battling in a laissez-faire sort of way. Theodore battled more so for his pride then actual joy of the sport but even he had come a long way.

As she bid each of her Pokémon good night in turn and recalled them into their Poké Balls, only her and this new one, Rita were left. Psychic-types were valuable allies to be sure but were unpredictable all the same. As the Gothorita gave a little twirl before returning, she wondered if she had made the right choice. It was foolhardy to say the least to go into battle with a new Pokémon without training it and nothing short of miraculous to pull it off, but she had chosen her hand and there was nothing left but to play her cards.