Chapter Forty-Nine:

New Plans are Made


Morning (5:32 A.M.), BraveStar Guild

"RAAAAAAAAAAW!"

"WAH!" Lloyd awoke with a start at Odaya's roar. OH SH*T! His heart beat rapidly in his chest, the memories of the conversation flashing through his brain. W-Well... that's something... At least I know a little more, but still... Ugh... there was so much more I could have asked, but I just blanked! Then again, it's a multicolored void with an omnipresent voice in my dreams, so having a clear mind to think of things to ask it is a little difficult. It takes me awhile to get my thoughts together in there anyway. Shaking himself, he got out of his straw bed.

"Ugh, good morning," with a grunt, Romsca stretched her arms.

"So soon?" Stream groggily got to her webbed feet, eyes blinking away the sleep.

"Actually, it's something else," the Pyroar gave a sheepish grin, "You see, BraveStar sent me to get you up early,"

"What?!" Stream's head shot up, eyes wide.

"Yes, he wanted to see you," Odaya nodded, "You'd better go now, I'll have to wake up the others in a bit, and BraveStar wants this over before then, understand?"

"Aye, aye," Romsca moved for the door, "We all know what this is about,"

"Ah," Lloyd nodded, following her with Stream to BraveStar's office. Yes, that damned Cacturne. He shivered, the pain of those spikes still fresh in his mind.

At the office...

"Team Rainy Days, good to see you," the Staraptor addressed them upon coming in, after which the door was shut behind them, "So, now that we're alone, please, tell me about your... encounter... at the hot spring,"

"Aye, Sir!" Romsca saluted, and recited, "There's not much to it, Sir. Lloyd led us to the hot spring, and the crystal," her eyes gave the quickest of glances to the Mudkip. Somehow... I know Mudkips have some sort of sense for water and stuff, but how exactly did he know the crystal was there? Both times we found one, we only did it because he just ran off and told us to follow. I think this know-nothing knows more than he lets on... but what? She gave another glance to Stream, who yawned. I know she doesn't want me to be rude to the guy, but when he keeps raising so many questions, I can't help but be a little suspicious! Hmm... Maybe if I can get him alone some time... "When we got it, Desperado showed up," she remembered her remark concerning Larz when they received their first mission, and flinched. Arceus, I can only imagine how that would've turned out then... "We tried to fight him off, but that Cacturne was too strong. We sent a signal for everyone, but Desperado disappeared into the trees before everyone arrived," she looked down, "That's it, Sir,"

"Nothing else?" BraveStar frowned, "Did he say anything of note?"

"Nothing, really," Lloyd bit his lip, "All he said was basically that he wasn't a murderer, and was gonna take the crystal by force, without hurting us too much. That's what he said, and that's pretty much what he did,"

"I see," the Staraptor's talons clenched down on his desk, "Desperado's not one for murder, but..." he trailed off, talons digging into the desk as his eyes clouded with rage, "...That damn bandit, back here after all these years..." he muttered several curses under his breath.

The three raised eyebrows, Lloyd gulping. It seems his anger toward that guy is more personal than anything else, but why?

Before anything could be asked, the Guildmaster sighed, removing his talons from his desk, "I'm sorry. Next time I find out about another... treasure..." his eyes diverted from them, mainly Stream and Romsca, "I will avoid sending more than one team after it,"

"Huh?!" they all blinked in surprise.

BraveStar looked back to them, "The only reason that Desperado was able to find us and the crystal was because our group expedition alerted him to the fact that there could be good treasure to be had." he looked down, "That is my own fault, for I had not expected that the roving bandit Desperado would have been near enough to tag along on our treasure hunt,"

"D-Don't be too hard on yourself," Stream extended her wing to him, "Desperado's never been seen around these parts, how could you have expected that when he's only been known to roam around other territories and kingdoms?"

"Aye," Romsca crossed her arms, "That bloke's infamous for thieving about every territory and kingdom but ours; why'd he suddenly show up here?"

The Staraptor narrowed his eyes, "That I cannot say," he looked away, "But I doubt he will be leaving our territory any time soon,"

Lloyd frowned. I feel he's avoiding something. Also, what the hell exactly is the name of this territory anyway?!

BraveStar continued, "Thus, in order to help fight him off, all guildmembers are going to be put on a training regimen in addition to their normal missions,"

"Really?!" their eyes widened.

"Yep," they all jumped at the door opening behind them, Victor stepping in, "And I'll be the one leading the training," he winked at them, "Especially for you guys,"

"W-Wow!" Romsca grinned, "With your help, we'll get a lot stronger! Then we won't have to worry about that Desperado!"

"Hmhmhm, we'll see about that," the Emboar held the door open for them, "Here, everyone will be getting up now, so hurry out. You're dismissed, right, BraveStar?"

"Yes, yes they are," the Staraptor nodded, heading for his bookshelf as the team exited his office, Victor closing the door behind them, "Victor, keep all guildmembers on the lookout for information concerning blue crystals,"

"I will-" Victor nodded, but warned, "-just don't let your anger get the better of you..."