Pokemon Mystery Dungeon
Shadows of Ganderosa
Chapter 37
A Keeper's Prison
Hey guys! Just a quick little "Author's Note" here before you get started. I'm going to shout out five names at you guys at one point of the story, and it'll be your job to remember it. "Now that sounds rough", you might say. Well, to make it easier on you, I have the names printed at the bottom of the chapter in the "Author's Notes" section and who they are in "the council" (you'll understand later). When the time comes, you can do one of the following: 1. Remember their names (not sure how you'd do this, but go nuts). 2. Jot them down on a piece of paper. 3. Scroll down to the bottom of the page at the "Author's Notes" section and read from that. 4. Take a screenshot and make that work (for laptop users, screenshots are the PrtSc (or Print Screen) button). 5. Don't even bother and move on (whatever works for you).
Why am I doing this to you? Why have so many names? Copious amounts of description and dialogue take you out of the moment. I'm not going to say "the middle-right" several times when you can just have a list (or use the one provided for you). I'll make it your choice on how to remember the names, or to even remember at all.
Thanks! On to the chapter!
As she basked in the silence of her hollow, she allowed her back to rest on the dirt floor. She lied there, relaxing for what little time she had left until someone walked into her cavern-like burrow in the ground to call on her for some random task. Trinity Fitz... Did you consider the crystal you held a mere trinket to be sold? Or did you know what it was? Was it a test for the wielder of this burden?
She grabbed the string around her neck and held it upwards, bringing the four-pronged, blue star into her own visibility. She knew exactly what this crystal meant to some. A mere gemstone to be sold or held with all its splendor. A weapon of mass destruction to be weld by only the most hardened of creatures... Is that what this crystal means? What did this crystal mean to her? She pondered the question, not truly knowing an answer. A friend to some, an enemy to others... Overall, a burden. But... what to do with it?
"Mistress," a pokemon called through the darkness.
Lily gave a sigh to the voice. "Is it time, Lauren?" she asked.
"No, Mistress," the mid-day lycanroc responded. "Though I wish it was that simple."
Lily looked towards the Sapphire Star. And what do you have to say, hm? Do you know if he is here? The crystal shone brightly, piercing the darkness and shinning blue light on the brown walls of her hollow. Lily closed her eyes and gave a smirk: not one of joy, but of anticipation. "I have been patiently awaiting his arrival."
"I have as well, Mistress. It should be a glorious day."
"Perhaps," Lily said. "Then again," She let the crystal fall onto her chest. "I guess it all depends on what is in store."
As Dillan and Hazel made their way over the last hill, they found themselves overlooking over a massive expanse of grassy plains as far as the eye could see. Dillan was happy to be back at the Howling Plains. Sure, he and Ryan almost died here, but this place was where he was first shown an ounce of kindness in Ganderosa.
"What's got you in such a good mood?" Hazel asked with a grin.
Dillan continued smiling at the horizon. "It's just been so long since I've been here... It almost feels... nostalgic... and I don't really know why."
"Finally excited to see Lily, again?"
"I gave you that answer two days ago," Dillan said.
"And you haven't changed your mind since?"
He thought about the question. Probably... But I'll let you wonder.
"I for one am excited to meet her," Hazel stated. "Getting to know the pokemon who brought me my teammates should be fun."
"I guess you're right." Dillan smiled. He recalled the last time he'd met the midnight lycanroc. He remembered the fear in his chest from when her red eyes pierced the darkness. He remembered not backing down for Ryan's sake. My first time being brave... "How long has it been?"
"Good question," Hazel said. She looked to the sky as she thought about an answer. "Maybe... a month and one-half? Two months? Maybe even longer..."
"Then, too long," Dillan said. "I probably should have come sooner to thank her."
"Why didn't you?" Hazel questioned.
Dillan shrugged. "Too far north? Not enough time to come back down here?"
"Well, you're here now, and that's what counts."
"Yeah," Dillan said. "But it's different. We're here to help Ryan."
"True, but we can still mingle, right?"
Smiling, Dillan continued to look out on the horizon. He noticed something strange about the land ahead. It happened for only for a second, but he could have sworn the sky morphed and blurred ahead as if it was distorted.
"What... was that?" Dillan thought aloud.
"The Mystery Dungeon," Hazel said. "Howling Plains is actually one big Mystery Dungeon."
"Guess me and Ryan must have missed it when we were here, last."
"Well, come on! We're almost there!" With that, Hazel tapped Dillan's arm and ran off. He watched Hazel for a few seconds before running after her. Alright, Sapphire Star. I'm coming for-
Not even ten seconds went by before Dillan felt his ankle snag on an object. He fell forwards onto his stomach and started rolling, bumping on his back-fin as if it was some sort of wedge that he couldn't help but hit. It felt as though it was bending under his weight with every pass of his body. Then, he finally hit the bottom of the hill.
He felt very dizzy, indeed. The entire world above him was spinning, and his head ached; not to mention his fin which felt like it was on fire.
"What happened?" Hazel asked dizzily. She attempted to stand, but fell over within seconds.
"It's him!" a voice stated from above the gabite. He slammed the side of his head to get control of his vision.
"How can you be sure?" another voice asked. "Last time he was with a small one."
"What does it matter?" a new voice asked. It sounded gruff and stern. "Even if he is the one she speaks of, we never accepted him here! He's an intruder!"
"This again?" a feminine voice asked. "The council has spoken on this matter! The Paladin seeks to heal all wounds of our tribe through the crystal!"
Dillan's vision finally stabilized, to which he began sitting up. He looked around to find a group of pokemon were talking. They were all pokemon he recognized: lycanroc, though half of them were red while the other half were brown. Did we trip?
"Excuse me," Hazel called out. Dillan found the charmeleon was sitting next to him, also on the ground. The lycanroc all turned to face Hazel.
"And what of her?" the gruff voice asked. Dillan found it belonged to a midnight lycanroc who's fur was matted and face was wrinkled. "Even if the council agrees to allow the Paladin, she has no business being here."
"You're with Lily, right?" Hazel questioned cautiously.
Dillan was on-edge about this situation. Something's wrong... They're acting weird.
"I have an idea," a midday lycanroc stated. It pounced through the air quickly straight at Hazel. Dillan watched in horror as the lycanroc slammed the stones which rested around its neck against Hazel's head. She fell to the floor, rendered unconscious. Dillan grimaced. They're not being friendly!
"Daniel!" a lycanroc shouted.
Dillan leaped up onto his feet and focused on his fin. It extended and began to glow blue. He charged the lycanroc, ready to fight. That's when he felt a surge of pain originating from the back of his head. It lasted seconds before subsiding, along with his vision. Dillan fell over onto his side and blacked out.
The cold air around him was stagnant and dry. Awakening, Dillan got up into a sitting position. His head ached with a dull pain, probably from the blow he had received. The gabite looked around at his surroundings.
The walls around him were all brown with dirt, and so was the ceiling and floor. Some sort of... cave? He found a lone opening in the wall which led deeper into whatever hole he was in. Finding he could use his miracle sense, Dillan sensed a small passageway beyond the room which led upwards to the surface. He also sensed a quadrupedal pokemon was sitting outside of his room.
The one thing that scared him most was the fact that Hazel was nowhere to be was very confused. Am I a prisoner? Or am I a guest? What is going on?
"H... hello?" Dillan said hesitantly. He sensed the pokemon ahead stand on its legs and move into his sight. It was a lycanroc. Dillan scowled at the pokemon, unsure of whether this pokemon was a friend or foe.
"Hello, Mr. Gabite!" the lycanroc greeted cheerfully. "It's nice to see you again, my friend."
"Do I know you?" Dillan asked, tilting his head in confusion.
"Of course!" the lycanroc stated. "I'm Kate! I helped you and your pachirisu friend travel to Fericia Castle."
"Okay..." Dillan said. He was still unsure of what to believe. "What's going on? Where am I? Where's my friend?"
"You're safe," Kate assured. "Although, that is all I'm allowed to share."
"You can't tell me where I am?" he asked.
"You're in my tribe's home," a rough voice stated.
Dillan looked passed Kate and found a midnight lycanroc walking towards him. He couldn't tell by looks alone, but the voice sounded oddly familiar. The defining factor was a gemstone which rested below the lycanroc's neck.
His heart seemed to stop with time itself. Dillan's eyes continued to rest on the Sapphire Star. He felt some primal urge within him to run up towards Lily and take the crystal. Seeing it made him wish to run his claw over the top. He wished to feel its weight around his neck. He wanted- No! Dillan scolded internally. You're letting your mind wander. You need to focus on what's going on. Even when he told himself this, a sort of drive continued to linger in his mind: a drive to own the Sapphire Star once more.
Lily scowled at Dillan. "Hello, gabite," she said, though it shocked Dillan to find she sounded cold towards him. "I would say it's good to see you, but I'm honestly unsure."
"Where's my friend?" he asked.
"The charmeleon?" Lily questioned. Dillan nodded. "She is safe, I assure you. Currently, she is being interrogated as a spy."
"Spy?" Dillan questioned. "What are you talking about? She's my friend!"
"As much as I'd like to believe you, I find myself in a difficult position you've put me in."
Dillan was even more confused than before. "What position?"
Lily stood there for a few seconds, scowling at the gabite. He had no idea why she seemed resentful towards him. What did he do? Why was he attacked?
"Lily," Dillan urged. "What's going on? What's this about?"
"Kate," Lily said with an authoritative tone. "You are no longer needed."
The mid-day lycanroc looked at Lily with shock. "But Mistress-" she began.
"I will be taking up the gabite's supervision. Understood?"
Kate quickly bowed and said, "If that is truly your wish." The lycanroc then turned away and exited the burrow.
Lily looked Dillan in the eyes. "Who do you think I am?"
Dillan tilted his head. "What?"
"Do you think I am a fool?" she asked. "Do you think I am a tool?"
Dillan was taken aback by the questions. "N-no!" he stuttered. "That's not it!"
"Then who am I?"
Dillan had no clue how to answer the question. There were some answers that popped into his head, such as "A friend", but that was insincere. He didn't truly feel that way about her.
"So, you don't know?" Lily questioned. Dillan shook his head. The lycanroc out-stretched her hand towards the gabite. "Would you like to learn?"
"Will it tell me why I'm here?"
"My hope is that you will learn that for yourself," Lily said. She motioned her head down towards her paw.
Dillan thought about his options. Hazel's being interrogated for some reason, and I'm here in this burrow. Kate was obviously suppose to watch me, which means they don't trust me... but I'm not a captive... If I refuse Lily,'s offer, I'll probably be stuck down here. If I accept... I'll find out more about what's going on.
There was no question in Dillan's mind. He nodded and set his claw in Lily's hand. She lost her hardened gaze and grasped Dillan's claw.
"I warned you before, and I'll do so again. My tribe does not appreciate outsiders, so stay close. And under no circumstances are you allowed to speak with anyone other than me, understood?" Dillan recalled his first encounter with Lily. She's right... The first time we met, she told Ryan and I about her tribe hating outsiders... Dillan mentally slapped himself. How could I have forgotten that?
"Is that what this is about?" he asked. "Were we not suppose to be here?"
"It is more complicated than that," Lily stated. "But it is a contributor. Come." She let go of Dillan's claw and began walking away. Dillan followed the lycanroc down the dirt hall and out through the exit.
The light hit Dillan's eyes like a club, forcing him to squint. When his eyes were finished, he looked ahead at a place he hadn't expected.
He and Lily had just exited from a literal hole in the side of a hill. Dillan looked out at a dirt road that stretched between hills and towards more holes in the hill-sides. Flowers of different colors, shapes, and sizes littered the hills like blankets of colors. Groups of lycanroc were all over the place: some on top of the hills conversing while others were walking down the path. Groups of small, vanilla, quadrupedal pokemon were racing along the path, barking at each other playfully.
"Woah..." Dillan said in amazement.
"You were expecting tents?" Lily questioned.
"I'm honestly not sure what I was expecting..." Dillan admitted, still staring in wonder at the small town. "And it's just you lycanrocs?"
"We live in the center of the mystery dungeon," Lily stated. "It makes it easy to remain isolated."
Dillan looked to his left at a group of midnight lycanroc. He found they were currently whispering among themselves as they stared at Lily and him. He wondered what they were talking about. What kind of topics would an isolated tribe have to talk about? The lycanroc began scowling at Dillan. Wow... They must really hate outsiders...
"Come," Lily commanded. She began walking forwards down the path. Dillan began following.
"Why don't you like other pokemon?" Dillan questioned.
A sigh came from the lycanroc. "It is a... philosophy... of my tribe..." Lily stated. Dillan couldn't help but notice a sort of sadness in her tone. "It is one I don't care for, although it has protected us from attacks."
"How so?"
"Isolation is the very reason we live in the Howling Plains," Lily stated. "The mystery dungeon acts as a deterrent for thieves and brutal forces. The Turned make it so our enemies think twice about invading. At the same time, the mystery dungeon hides us from the uneducated."
"Wait," Dillan said. "'Turned'?"
"Yes," Lily said as she waved to a group of midday lycanroc to her left. "They are the pokemon who live in Howling Plains' mystery dungeon. They attack anyone and everyone that they see."
"So feral pokemon?" Dillan asked.
Lily held her paws behind her back and hummed. "Is that how outsiders refer to them?"
"Raksha! A voice demanded from behind Dillan.
Upon hearing the voice, Lily stopped in her tracks. She gave a long drawn-out sigh, not turning to face the voice. Dillan stopped as well, asking, "What is it?"
"Raksha, I'm speaking to you!" the voice shouted once more. Dillan turned around to face the voice.
He found himself looking at a midnight lycanroc who wore a necklace that fanned out at the bottom into a beaded piece of cloth. The cloth had a set of beads white swirling towards the center of a black circle, but stopped near the center where a blue circle sat. The lycanroc had what looked like a massive scar touching the top of its left eyebrow and trailing all the way down its face where it stopped at the bottom of the jaw. The lycanroc was storming, followed by two midday lycanrocs, all of which snarled towards Dillan and Lily.
"You shouldn't be so bold as to stop me, Amarey," Lily stated calmly. "At this moment, I'm on an important assign-"
"Hold your tongue, coward!" the lycanroc, Amarey, snarled. "Stop acting so high and mighty!"
"I would watch your next words carefully," Lily warned, her tone becoming tinged with fury. "They could be your last."
Almost immediately after Lily's words, the two lycanroc accompanying Amarey began growling at Lily. Dillan looked at her with shock. Whoa... She must be ticked...
"Your empty threats mean nothing," Amarey said. "For how can you follow through on that if you couldn't even fulfill your purpose in this world?" Amarey's eyes wandered from Lily's back towards the gabite standing next to her. "And I'm assuming this is your paladin?"
"He is," Lily stated coldly, looking at the gabite through the corner of her eye.
Amarey glowered at Dillan for a few seconds before huffing. "What arrogance: entrusting this being with the Sapphire Star. How could you be so blind? Is it not obvious to you how pathetic he is? His weakness should stand out to you the second you met-"
Lily whipped around and slashed at Amarey's face, her claws cutting through the air inches away from his nose. Her paw came to rest in front of the lycanroc's face, missing her target. The lycanroc on either side got down as if to pounce, but Amarey held his paw up, signaling them to hold.
"That was a warning," Lily stated with a scowl. "Don't mistaken me for a coward who will play dead. I will hurt you if you dishonor me again. Do you understand?"
Amarey stared at Lily's claws for a second before giving a huff of disapproval. "The council will hear about this."
"I bet they will," Lily stated.
With a cold smile towards Dillan, Amarey said, "We're done here."
With that, Amarey turned away from Lily and walked off, accompanied by his companions. Lily began walking in the opposite direction. "Come gabite," she stated.
"Lily," Dillan said, walking behind her. "They called me 'paladin'. What does that mean?"
Lily paused, presumably thinking about how to answer the gabite's question. "A single word," she said. "Two ambassadors who sit at the same table to discuss peace can go to war with a single word. Lives of pokemon can rise from despair or be plunged into darkness at the mere whisper of a single word. The word 'Paladin' is one of those words for my tribe. To ask what a word such as this means is not only hard question to answer, but even harder to explain. Although, I guess an explanation is in order, considering.
"My entire tribe is based around one single object of unimaginable power."
"The Sapphire Star," Dillan said.
Lily nodded. "As I told you before, we live in the Howling Plains for isolation from the rest of the world. The reason for this isolation is to keep malicious claws away from the Sapphire Star." Lily's paw began to move up her chest and began resting upon the Sapphire Star, to which Dillan's heart skipped a beat. "An entire society based on one crystal... that is my tribe.
"It all began more than three-hundred years ago. Back then, my tribe was a nomadic group, traveling from place to place with no purpose to life. My ancestors began wondering about their purpose in this world. That's when a being of immense power came. That being gave them the Sapphire, stating it was an object that was to be kept away from all. That being became our purpose: our reason for living. He directed us towards the plains, telling us to find refuge in the dungeon so no one could ever find us. From Howling Plains, we lived on as a group of unknowns to the world. The world around us ceased to exist, leaving only us. Not even the being was with us anymore. It vanished into the night like a star in the night sky: always around us, but lost in the vast expanse.
"Nearly one hundred and fifty years passed with no new objective other than to live and keep the Sapphire Star safe. One day rolled around, marking the final time my tribe would ever see the being. It came in a flash of blue light. The being communicated with us, giving us a new purpose. It stated an evil would rise and seek the Sapphire Star, one of the likes the world should never have to experience again. That evil would come for the Sapphire Star. When that day comes, a new being would be sent to us, and a sign of its loyalty would be shown to us through the crystal. We were to give the Sapphire Star to that being so he may strike down and end the evils of this world for good. That being would be known in my tribe as the Paladin."
"Paladin..." Dillan repeated. "So your tribe thinks I'm-"
"It's more complicated than that," Lily interrupted. "When we received our new mission, a family emerged to bear responsibility for the Sapphire Star: to make sure it would be given to the Paladin once the time came. That family was known as the Keepers: my family. My father, and his father before him, and his father before him up until the first encounter with the being were all keepers. As a result, my family has a massive responsibility to our tribe.
"As the keeper, the Sapphire Star calls out to me... in a way I can't explain..." Lily stopped, thinking about how best to explain, though Dillan didn't need it.
"It was like it was leading you, wasn't it?" Dillan asked. Lily looked at Dillan with shock. "Like... a weight was pulling your heart... in a specific way... Like it's calling to you..."
"Yes..." Lily stated with wide-eyed shock. "How did you know?"
"Because..." Dillan began slowly. "It's been happening since I saw the Sapphire Star down in the burrow..."
Lily scowled at the statement, directing her attention back to the road ahead. It shocked Dillan. Did I say something...?
"The Sapphire Star 'called' to me, as you put it. When we first met, this calling led me to give you the crystal. When I handed it to you, I felt as though a weight I'd been carrying ever since I was make keeper had been lifted. What I didn't realize at the time was a simple fact."
Lily gave a sigh and stated, "Do you know what happens when an object an entire society is based around is... removed without warning?" Dillan shook his head slowly. "Chaos.
"Because of my sole decision to give you the crystal, my entire tribe has been divided. Some agree with my decision and are relieved that the burden of safe-guarding the Sapphire Star is no longer upon us, others are so reliant upon the Sapphire Star being our purpose that they don't know what to do with themselves now that it's gone. There are those of us who are so blinded by their lack of purpose that they trick themselves into believing that the Paladin is still out there, and you aren't him. They believe I've made a mistake in trusting you with the Sapphire Star.
"You have no idea what position I placed my tribe in. We were on the verge of a civil war over this accursed object." Lily gripped the star in her claws. Dillan noticed the bulging veins in her arm. "So in order to keep my tribe safe, I left the Howling Plains and ventured into the world, attempting to find the Sapphire Star so I could put my tribe at ease once again. I know it is impossible to keep the peace. Conflict was inevitable, but I had to try." Lily gave a huff as she finished talking.
Dillan couldn't help but feel bad. That's why that lycanroc called me your Paladin... He's one of the ones in conflict with me being... Paladin...
"Lily..." Dillan began. "I'm-"
"Save your apologies, Gabite," Lily stated coldly. "Even now, there is conflict within my tribe. All is not well, nor will it ever be until my leaders are finished with you."
"F-finished?" Dillan asked worriedly. That doesn't sound pleasant...
"They wish to find out if you are truly the Paladin: the one who will lead the world out of the shadows. As a result, they wish to examine you for themselves."
"Examine how?" Dillan questioned.
"That is for them to decide," Lily stated.
"What happens if I am decided as Paladin..." Dillan asked.
Lily stopped in her tracks and faced Dillan. "The Council will tell you that." She looked ahead and stated, "Besides, I'm out of time to explain. We're here."
Dillan looked onward at what appeared to be a big hill with a hole carved into the side. Roots from the hill's grassy blanket could be seen hanging from the dirt ceiling. Lily stepped into the burrow and motioned her arm for Dillan to enter ahead of her. Dillan took a hard gulp, worried about what lied ahead for him, and entered the burrow.
The inside of the burrow was pitch black, lit by absolutely nothing. A sort of veil was used to obscure the inside of any light, though when he pulled it aside, he caught a look of the room.
It wasn't too big, nor too small. There was a dirt floor about ten feet in diameter with a stage-like pedestal at the back. Dillan looked ahead towards the pedestal and saw a group of five lycanroc sitting in a row: the far right one being a midnight, then another midnight, then a midday, some sort of orange lycanroc that looked similar to the midday, and another midday. They looked toward Dillan who walked into the center of the room. Their gazes seemed to penetrate whatever confidence Dillan had, leaving behind the scared, worried gabite in this new place.
Dillan walked away from the veil, letting it drift shut, bathing the room once again in darkness. He relied on his miracle sense to see anything in this cave as he walked in front of the pedestal.
"Keeper Raksha," the far right midnight lycanroc said. "Enter."
Lily walked into the room, stopping next to Dillan where she bowed before the five. "Council members," she addressed.
"Keeper Raksha," they addressed back in unison.
"H-hi..." Dillan stuttered, following Lily's example and bowing before the council.
"So you are the Paladin, are you not?" The orange lycanroc stated.
"He is," Lily said.
"Keeper Raksha," the middle-right midnight lycanroc stated. "You will only speak when addressed. Do we make ourselves clear?"
"Yes Councilman Biopelo," Lily said with a bow, keeping a calm and straight face.
"Once again," the orange lycanroc repeated. "Are you – or are you not – the Paladin?"
"I am," Dillan said nervously.
"You don't sound like you're sure," the middle-left midday said.
"Councilman Shaka," the second midday said. "Let's give him a chance. After all, he was abducted and held against his will by our tribe. He probably doesn't even know what the Paladin is."
"Imari," Biopelo said. "I'm sure Keeper Raksha has explained that much to the gabite, have you not?"
"I have," Lily stated.
"What exactly have you informed him of?" Shaka asked.
"Everything from the beginning of our tribe to today," Lily stated.
"You shared this much with an outsider?" Biopelo bellowed. "How dare you!"
"You expect him to come in here blind?" Lily asked. "Should he not know everything that being Paladin entails?"
"As the Paladin, he should already know!"
"Biopelo," the orange lycanroc warned. "This is a council, not a child's hill."
Biopelo looked towards his fellow council member and said through gritted teeth, "You are correct, Councilwoman Zoya. My apologies."
"Though Councilman Biopelo does propose an interesting point," Shaka stated. He looked towards Dillan. "If you truly are Paladin, why do you not already know these facts?"
"W-well..." Dillan said. There's no way I could have known this... Should I lie? Or would they see through it? Dang it... I have to think of something, and fast! He looked over at Lily for some sort of sign, but she just stared at him, waiting for his own answer. She can't help me... The moment she speaks up, she'll get jumped by this council, so what do I do? Grace would have been good at this stuff: the way she tricked that bully into leaving her alone... If I could only remember- Dillan stopped himself, realizing his way out of this first question.
"I have amnesia," he said.
"Amnesia?" Zoya questioned.
"A likely story," Biopelo stated.
"I do," Dillan said. "I can't remember anything beyond waking up in some sort of cave. Everything else is... a blur."
"Come up with a ore compelling lie next t-"
"Of course you would need more convincing," the last council member stated. "You wouldn't believe he's the Paladin if the evidence hit you in the skull."
"Dage, test my patience again and-"
"Enough!" Zoya shouted. "The next incident will end your representation of the tribe in this trial. Agreed?"
Shaka and Imari both said, "Agreed" in unison, as if it was some sort of mini-vote.
"Motion passed," Zoya stated.
Both Biopelo and Dage turned away from each other and set their attention on Dillan. Weird... but ok...
"Even if he doesn't know whether he is the Paladin," Shaka began. "How does it make him unqualified?"
Biopelo opened his mouth to say something, yet the only thing to come from his mouth was air.
"Enough about what he knows and does not," Imari stated. "It's time to get back on the topic at hand." He looked towards Dillan and stated, "The test must begin before we progress any further."
"The test will not prove his loyalty towards Howling Plains! And it won't excuse his compatriot!"
"Biopelo," Zoya stated. "A test to prove he is the Paladin. Who he travels with is of no interest to me, as it should be to the rest of the council."
"Agreed," Dage, Shaka, and Imari said in unison.
"Motion passed," Zoya stated.
"Now then," Dage began. He turned towards the gabite. "Keeper, step forwards."
Lily stepped up closer to the council. She bowed her head and said, "Yes, Councilwoman."
"You will do battle with your Paladin," Biopelo stated with a curl in his lip.
"W-what?!" Dillan blurted worriedly. "M-me?! And Lily?!"
"The Paladin is one of high esteem to the pokemon of Howling Plains," Zoya said. "The Paladin should have no trouble defeating the Keeper. If the Paladin were to win, he would gain the rights to the Sapphire Star, no?"
Lily stood up straight and nodded to the Council. "If that is your wish." She turned towards Dillan and glowered, though something was off. Dilan couldn't tell what, but something was wrong with the lycanroc. Why are you worried about her?! She'll kill you!
"Th-this is crazy!" Dillan said. "You can't seriously expect me to follow through with this!"
"We can and do," Shaka stated. "If you truly are the Paladin, than your strength – physical and mental – should be unrivaled."
"This is our only option," Dage stated.
"If you lose, you will be seen as an intruder on our lands and prosecuted as such," Imari said. "Lily-... I mean, Keeper Raksha will continue on as Howling Plains' keeper."
"Although," Zoya began. "If you were to succeed, you would be crowned Paladin, Guardian of the Sapphire Star. You would be gifted the Sapphire Star and a place in Howling Plains' society as a hero." Zoya looked towards Lily. "Keeper Raksha would then lose her job and be executed for venturing into the outside world without Council consent."
"E-executed?!" Dillan said with shock.
"No one is allowed to leave Howling Plains," Biopelo explained. "Let alone come back after doing so. It allows spies to follow and be led through the Mystery Dungeon to our home. Exile would defeat the purpose of not allowing anyone to leave. Execution is the only option left."
"Agreed," Zoya, Shaka, and Imari said.
"Motion passed," Zoya stated.
"She would have been executed sooner if it wasn't for her status as Keeper. But if you were to win, she would lose the status – hence execution opens up."
"You can't expect me to fight now!" Dillan said. "I won't help you kill Lily!"
"Then this is where you die," Lily shouted pridefully.
Dillan looked towards the midnight lycanroc with shock. "W-what are you talking about?" he asked.
"This is my home," Lily stated. "I will not tarnish its laws because a gabite wished to spare my life. And if you are the Paladin, my job in this world comes to a close. There would be no purpose for my continued survival after what I have done."
"But you didn't do anything wrong!" Dillan shouted. "You were trying to save your tribe from killing themselves!"
"It doesn't matter whether it was the right decision or the wrong one. What matters is the simple fact that I broke one of our most sacred laws. The only way I can regain my purpose is by proving to my tribe that I am still needed. Anything less warrants death.
"Now fight me gabite. Let me reclaim my purpose."
"I won't fight you," Dillan said.
"Then die where you stand."
Lily looked towards the ceiling and howled. The second she did, the Sapphire Star began glowing a bright blue, illuminating the surrounding area. Dillan looked away, bringing his fins up to block the light from hitting his eyes. Using his miracle sense, he felt Lily charging towards him. Dillan jumped left, avoiding the attack – or so he thought. Almost immediately after side-stepping, Dillan felt Lily's feet plant as she changed direction. Her claws grew in size as they slashed at Dillan. He put his arms up in defense, focusing on his fins. His fins extended into a "Dragon Claw" attack and blocked Lily's claws. Even so, Dillan felt a surge of pain in his arms. He gave a cry of pain as he stumbled backwards.
"Fight me!" Lily shouted. Dillan had just enough time to look upwards to see a fist encased in rock flying towards him at an unimaginable speed. He side-stepped again, determined not to fight the lycanroc, narrowly avoiding the attack. Suddenly, he felt a dull pain in his chest. All the wind was knocked out of him, and he felt as though he had been clobbered with a brick. Dillan fell to his knees, gasping for air.
"What did you... just do?" Dillan asked through shallow breaths.
"My ability is one called No Guard," Lily stated. "It makes sure my attacks always his their target, regardless of whether I miss." If that's true, this is really bad!
A shockwave could be felt in the earth as Lily dropped on all-fours. A massive beam of light emerged from her tail, straining Dillan's eyes. He could barely look through the light at first, but after a few seconds the light died down, showing a long, metallic tail where Lily's stubby one use to be. He'd seen that move before, but it didn't make that much light when he'd first witnessed Garth use it. Iron Tail!
"Now fight me or die!" Lily roared. She leaped into the air and somersaulted. Her tail began spinning with her, creating what looked like some sort of blade.
Dillan had a second to react before the attack made its mark. He planted his feet quickly, feeling for the fire in his chest. When he found it, Dillan let out a massive stream of fire at Lily. She became bathed in the flames, disappearing in its yellows and oranges. Then, Dillan felt a solid force come into contact with his skull. It was massively painful, forcing Dillan onto his back-fin.
He sat there, feeling as though his skull had cracked. He slowly got onto his knees, looking for Lily. The lycanroc was standing on two feet, glowering at the gabite from above. She was currently clutching the glowing crystal around her neck, her claws dragging themselves against its surface. Dillan felt his heart become unsteady, as if he was worried it would break.
Stop it, and focus! There's no way out of this... Even if she misses, she still hits me... At this rate, she'll kill me if I lose. If I win, she'll die... There's no way out of this! If I win, would that mean I killed her? And if I don't fight, is it suicide? But I can't die... Too many pokemon are relying on me...
A tension began to pull in Dillan's chest. What... What's going on? The pull reminded him of the Sapphire Star. It seemed to pull him towards Lily. It want me to fight...
"You've chosen your fate," Lily stated. As much as I hate it... "You must die." She brought her fist up above her head, ready to deal the final blow. If fighting is what you want me to do...
Dillan focused on his fins. Then I'll trust you... He slashed at Lily's ankle. The lycanroc dropped to one knee from the pain. That's when Dillan slammed his claw into the ground, sending a stone flying upwards into Lily's face. She flew backwards from the shock and onto her back. Dillan then proceeded to leap into the air, focusing on both fins. He dropped downwards towards Lily. The lycanroc looked upwards at Dillan as he drove his "Dragon Claw" attack towards her. She gave another howl into the air before jumping onto her feet. She side-stepped Dillan and grabbed him by the arm, spinning around with him before throwing him away towards the wall.
Dillan looked back as he flew through the air. Lily grimaced when she let go. Dillan noticed two divots in Lily's fur. That was the last thing he saw before his head slammed into the back wall. He felt all his energy start to leave his body. As his head spun, he attempted to stand on his feet. When he did, he fell over onto his left side.
Lily walked over to him, scowling at her opponent. "I thought you were the Paladin," she said. "And maybe you were. Maybe that's why this is so hard for me to give this fight my all. I could blame the pendant that's constantly pulling at my chest... but would that be entirely honest?"
A paw came down around Dillan's neck. It gripped around his scales, hoisting him upwards. She then pressed him against the wall. Dillan looked at Lily through his grimacing face. He began slamming his arms down on the lycanroc's arms in an attempt at forcing her grip to loosen, but that didn't work. His fin extended and slashed the top of her wrist. Lily's balled-up fist drove itself into Dillan's chest. He coughed up what little air he had left in his lungs, proceeding to gasp for air.
"No, it wouldn't be true," Lily said. "I've held back for a specific reason, one I don't care to admit in front of the Council, but then again, what more can they do?" She let Dillan go and slide tot eh floor, gasping for air. "You obviously aren't strong enough to become Paladin. So, in that case, I'll remain Keeper. And I'll share a secret with you." Lily got down next to Dillan's ear and whispered, "I wanted you to take the Sapphire Star from me so I would be free."
Dillan was shocked. He looked upwards, still breathing unsteadily. "You..." he began.
"Tell me, Gabite," Lily began aloud. "What is the Sapphire Star to you? Treasure? Power? Responsibility?"
"A way... to my friend..." Dillan said. He began standing once more, struggling to get to his feet.
"Do you know what it is to me?" she asked. Lily's stubby tail began glowing again as an "Iron Tail" attack formed. "It's the Keeper's Prison." Lily swung her tail around behind her, completely missing the gabite. Dillan then felt a surge of pain in his chest like a beam being forced through him. He collapsed onto his chest as the world began to disappear around him.
"Well done, Keeper Raksha," Biopelo bellowed. The world around him went black, leaving only the voices left.
"All in favor of this gabite being Paladin?" Zoya asked. No one answered. "Motion passed. Henceforth, the gabite will be imprisoned here for life as a trespasser."
"Agreed," everyone stated.
"Motion passed."
(Jarondai Territory: Castle Jarondai)
Judah walked along the black halls of Jarondai Castle, observing the walls: all of which were littered with the Ganderosan Symbol. He strode across the red, velvet carpet as his purple cape flowed behind him. His eyes drifted towards a banner with a scorch mark on it. The king scowled at the burn. Nearly two years, and they still haven't redone that banner. Is it truly that difficult?
"Your Majesty," a mienshao stated, bowing to Kind Judah before scuffling off.
Judah watched the mienshao, wanting to call after it to bring a servant in to remove the banner from his sight. As the mienshao grew further away, so did his wants for a new banner. I am too busy to focus on that night at the moment... I need to focus on the task laid out before me.
Judah continued on his way, not bothering a second's glance at anything that passed. That's when he felt a tug on his cape. He looked backwards, noticing a raichu which sported a set of purple robes standing at his feet.
"Your Majesty," the raichu stated with a bow.
"Ah, Reginald," Judah said with a slight smile. "I assume by your sudden appearance, you have something to report?"
"Indeed, my liege. Your message has been sent to the three remaining Guildmasters, and they all have agreed to follow through with the plan."
"Excellent," Judah said with a wide smile, directing his eyes to the world ahead. Everything is going according to my plan...
"Although," Reginald said calmly. "I'm afraid I must report that the gabite and his fried have gone missing."
Whipping around, Judah faced Reginald with a heavy scowl of disapproval. "What did you say?!" he snarled. "He is missing?!"
"Yes, Majesty." Reginald sounded completely calm, and why should he be anything less? He'd seen King Judah on far worse days, and he knew he wouldn't be receiving any sort of punishment for simply delivering news.
"When did this occur?!"
"I've just received word by pigeot," Reginald stated as he held up his paw. A letter rested in his paw, waiting for the King to take it from its current holder. Judah did just that, completely horrified by the recent news. He tore open the letter, nearly splitting it in half due to pure strength. Nevertheless, he began reading to himself.
Your Majesty
I hope this letter finds you in good health,
I would like to personally inform you of Team Rapture's sudden disappearance from the Palando Guild. My theory is that they will be traveling to Snow-Point Peak in search of their old teammate, Ryan Simon; though I do not know what they will find there. If my sources are to be believed, Team Rapture will most certainly stumble upon the ones you spoke of before we met: the ones who threaten Ganderosa's very existence. Once there, they will either have either fallen victim to these enemies of the throne, or found nothing of interest. If the latter, I have no idea where they would be heading to next.
Seeing as you just appointed me to observe Dillan from a distance, I regretfully inform you of my failure. However, by tomorrow, a search party made up of Palando Guildmembers will be-
Judah disregarded the rest of the letter, going down to the date it was sent. Upon reading the end of the letter, He snarled. Missing for four days, now?!
"Why did I appoint that buffoon as Guildmaster!"
"Because of his triumph over Team Armageddon, Your Majesty," Ronald stated.
"Yet Team Rapture failed to accomplish their true objective!"
"If you are referring to the capture of Ignitus Blaine-"
"What else would I be referring to?" Judah snarled. That damned ape could ruin everything! Capturing him is the difference between Ganderosa being saved or destroyed! "To top it all off, the gabite must come to this castle in little over a week's time! And Garth Amoux has lost him! He cannot be allowed to be used by our enemies against the crown! Dillan is too important to be..." Judah felt a surge of pain in his chest. He doubled back and fell onto his hands knees, his left paw clutching the skin over his skull.
"Your Majesty!" Ronald shouted frantically. He took a quick step forwards before Judah held up his paw.
"I am fine..." Judah assured. The pain began subsiding in his head. "I'm fine." It's finally happening... All these years, and it has to happen now. Why now? Why when I'm so close to achieving the impossible?
"You need to see the royal doctor," Ronald began.
"What did I just say?!" Judah snarled. "They would tell me the same thing they told all the rulers of Ganderosa, would they not?"
Ronald grimaced. "B-but you would be giving up to this disease if-"
Judah tuned the little servant out. He had no use of excuses. My body is dying... which means my reign is coming to an end... His eyes drifted to the banner along the wall. Dianne...
(Five Years Ago: Jarondai Territory: Castle Jarondai)
"Dianne, you can only run for so long," Judah called out into the darkness. He walked with his head held high onto the ash-filled grounds, searching for his daughter. He found a Guardsman laying on the floor, beaten to a pulp. The abomadsnow moved his arm futilely towards King Judah.
"She... caught me... off guard..." the pokemon stated quietly.
"And who's fault was that?" Judah stated coldly. He continued walking onward towards the front gates of the castle.
"Dianne, I only wish to talk," Judah called out. "I do not want to hurt you. You have something that does not belong to you. I only wish to have it. After that, we can pretend this excursion never happened."
Judah stared through the ash-filled air. He saw the gates lying up ahead, as well as two forms. The first was short and skinny, while the other was massive and bulbous. Nowhere left to run.
"Your Majesty," a proud, rough voice called out through the ash. "She's here."
"Good work, Captain," Judah stated. He walked forwards, setting his eyes on his daughter. She looked back at him with a fearful scowl. "Now then: where is it?
"I do not know what you are referring to," Dianne stated.
"You have no clue how important it is."
"Maybe not," Dianne stated. She turned towards the Captain. "But I know what you did to get it."
"Dianne," Judah said. "There is no point in resisting me. I am your father, and-"
"Stop lying," Dianne snapped. "We both know you are not really my..." Tears began filling the little Arvaine's eyes. "You are not my real father..."
Judah gave a huff. "This is your final warning, girl. Hand me the amulet."
"Kill me for it!" Dianne shouted. "You did it before when you took it from that lady: when you decimated her tribe!"
Judah grimaced at Dianne. "You little thief," he scolded. "Hand me the amulet this instant!"
Dianne looked towards the ground below. "I am no thief..." she whispered defiantly.
"Your Majesty," the Captain said. "I know the location of this amulet you talked about."
Judah's head perked up. "Captain?"
"It's hiding in the Princess' room, under a floor board in the center of the room."
Dianne looked at the Captain with shock. He didn't face her, but continued to look at the King.
"Excellent work, Captain!" Judah complimented. "You have served the Arvaine family well. Now if you will excuse us, me and my daughter have some things to talk about." Judah grasped Dianne's arm roughly and began leading her back to the castle.
"Captain!" Dianne pleaded. "Please!"
Judah felt a hand grasp his own arm, holding him in place. He turned around in shock to see the Captain was holding him in place.
"Your Majesty," the Captain stated. He wore a defiant scowl pointed straight towards Judah.
"Tell me," Judah stated. "How many of your men have you locked away for treason?"
"I lost count," the Captain stated. "Which leads me to wonder why there are so many pokemon who oppose you."
"My ideals are beyond the comprehension of small-minded individuals," Judah stated. "It leads to confusion, and sometimes treason. So tell me, Captain: how small-minded are you?"
"It depends, Your Majesty."
The two pokemon glared at each other, both of them knowing what was to occur the moment the Captain set his claws on Royal skin.
"Treasonous snake!" Judah roared as he let go of Dianne and immediately slammed his arm into the Captain's chest. The Captain didn't make any attempt at avoiding Judah's strike. Instead, he took it head-on. Almost immediately after the strike against him, the Captain pulled Judah in close and bit down on his shoulder. Judah didn't even flinch from the attack. Instead, he roared into the sky. His body began glowing as a sort of red fire consumed the Arvaine. He slammed his face into the Captain, who doubled back from the brutality.
"Captain!" Dianne called out.
"Leave, Ms. Arvaine!" the Captain called out. "I won't be able to hold His Majesty for ever, so leave!"
"What about you?"
"Wait for me at the walls!"
Dianne stood there for a few seconds, unsure of what to do. Then, she darted off towards the gates.
"Dianne!" Judah roared. "Do not walk away from this!"
"Your Majesty!" the Captain shouted. He began charging at Judah.
The Arvaine focused on his fists as they became bathed in water. The Captain leaped through the air and roared. Out of nowhere, little dots appeared and grew into large boulders that fell from the sky onto Judah, but he didn't let that stop him. Judah shouted in rage as he slammed his fists together. A massive burst of water formed in front of him, leading straight to the Captain. He barreled through the rocks, not even bothering to dodge. It didn't matter. His ability was too strong to not be taken advantage of.
Judah shouted in anger as he slammed right into the Captain with a burst of water. The Captain spun through the air, landing on the black soil. Judah began flying in the air as he descended towards the Captain.
"You foolish krookodile!" Judah roared. "You lying traitor!
"I never lied to you," the Captain said as he got to his feet. "The amulet is in the Princess' room."
"And you thought telling me this would redeem you?"
"No, Majesty. I only wanted you to know that I am not a traitor to the throne."
"Defying me is treason!"
The Captain laughed. "The true ruler of this country is currently making her escape. You are not my ruler."
"I'll kill you!" Judah roared.
"Not today," the Captain shouted. He lunged at the ground and burrowed into the dirt. Judah looked on in horror. Looking towards the gates, Judah saw Dianne staring in his direction with worry. In a split second, she sunk into the ground. Captain...
"Your Majesty," a pokemon called from behind. Judah whipped around and faced the braviary Guardsman with a hate-filled gaze.
"Get over that wall and find my daughter!" Judah roared. "And kill the Captain!"
"Th-the Captain?!" the braviary questioned.
"He's a traitor along with my thieving daughter!" Judah roared. "I want you to find them, now!"
"Yes, Your Majesty." With that, the braviary flew off, leaving Judah alone.
"Damn it..." he said to himself. He felt his anger bubble in his chest. "Damn it. Damn it. Damn it!" He felt his anger spill out through his throat and threw his mouth. Judah let loose a massive beam of purple energy back towards the castle walls. One of the Ganderosan banners along the wall was scorched from the blast, though it didn't ignite, leaving a black hole though the center.
Curse this infernal body! And curse Dianne Arvaine!
"Dianne!"
Judah came out of his memory, scowling at the whole situation. He scowled at the banner: his reminder of his daughter's escape.
"Where is Dianne?" Judah questioned.
Ronald stared at Judah for a few seconds, wearing a worried gaze. He then shook his head and stated, "We still don't know. She's very good at remaining hidden, my liege."
"After three years, you still haven't found my daughter?!"
"You have to understand that she has help from-"
"I'm tired of hearing your excuses!" Judah walked straight up to Ronald and loomed above him. The shadows crept across Judah's scrunched face revealing the utmost anger. "It's been nearly five years since she escaped! That's five years you've had to bring Dianne back home! Are you telling me that after all this time, you still have no idea where she is?!"
"W-we've been dumping our resources i-into securing the relics and maintaining G-Ganderosa, sire!" Ronald stuttered. Hid wide-eyed fear was not what Judah wanted at this moment.
"Let me make this simple," Judah stated. His brow-line was twitching with malice. "I no longer any more time to wait for you to bring Ganderosa's heir to Castle Jarondai! She must go through with the ritual before I die, or she will have lost the right to be Queen! It is in your best interests to bring Dianne Arvaine back to Jarondai! I am giving you three weeks to bring her here without interfering with my other affairs! If you fail to bring her back alive and intact, you will not be leaving this castle at all! And if you attempt to run, every one of my top-ranked soldiers will hunt you down and end whatever pathetic life you managed to scrounge up without this castle's support. Do I make myself clear?"
"Y-yes, Your Majesty!" Almost immediately, Ronald turned away from Judah and scampered off.
Judah stood there, infuriated. He turned to the burned banner lining the wall, recalling the circumstances that led to it's burned hole. Curse it all... He grabbed the banner and was about to yank it from the wall, but stopped. He stared at it's scorched center. No... He pulled it off of the wall and to the floor. It's time to stop ignoring this problem. It's time to stop making this the least of my concerns. The time has come for me to focus on the future... and it all starts with Dianne Arvaine.
(Author's Notes)
Looking for the names? Go to the bottom! If not, then
Hey guys! I'll make this quick.
Happy Birthday to Ganderosa! As of 10/3/2018, the story is one year old! I honestly didn't think I would keep writing after all this time. I thought I'd move on to something else like art or robots... Something. Instead, here we are! If you are one of those people, thank you so much for reading! I want to dedicate this chapter to the people who helped drive me to continue writing so that we'd get to this point today! So, whether you're reading this or not, thank you!
Shout-out to "SomethingDictionaryRelated", "The Unimaginitive One", "avidreader-everafter", "KALIFEO", "jakeroo123", "Leugim2002", "Azalmega", and "eevee3960" for following/favoriting the story one year ago! Again, thanks from the bottom of my heart for keeping me going, and helping me to grow as a writer!
Shout-out to "X007", "d. .com" (if this is to advertise, genius XD) and "randomguy3467" for following/favoriting the story! Thanks for helping this story to grow since day one!
That's all! Hope you guys enjoyed the read! I'll see you guys in the next chapter!
(Lycanroc names and Positions)
First Midnight- Dage
Second Midnight- Biopelo
First Midday- Shaka
Dusk Lycanroc- Zoya
Second Midday- Imari