Hey everyone, it's Vixal, back with our first actual chapter of The Beasts of Hennal Mountain. Hope y'all enjoy this chapter.
Chapter One: A Thorn in My Side
Many months had passed since the king had taken Quintus under his wing. They had discovered through another mountain resident that the newcomer was part of a species called Whismur, and that they were considered Normal types. The Whisper Pokemon had greatly increased in strength, although he still couldn't take on his mentor. However, he had learned many new techniques from his mentor and other Pokemon in the mountain, harnessing energy from water, the shadows, fire, and a multitude of others. He felt powerful, completely the opposite from when he had first shown up in the mountain. Only Ferrous was able to top him in battle, and every time they matched up, the Steel type took longer and longer to defeat him.
The Normal type fought against foes such as Marcargo, Sableye, Barabacle, and many others in his battles. The thirst for victory was so great that on occasion Qunitus had to be told off by the king in order to calm him down, and his timidity didn't last for long as his confidence grew more after each win. A lot of the same 'mon he defeated also taught the Whismur new moves and styles, improving the foreigner's skills.
They were sitting in the Chamber of Remembrance when the Rockruff came running. The alarm on its face let them know that something was seriously wrong, and Ferrous stopped what he was saying to turn towards the Puppy Pokemon.
"Yes? Speak runt, before you are kicked out of this chamber." The monarch snarled at the smaller Rock type.
The tiny 'mon, already scared witless, cringed under the king's gaze. "Th-there's a stranger here to see you my lord! She says it is of utmost importance!"
"Where is this stranger, and what is she?" asked the Steel type.
"She is in a chamber a few halls from this one. None of us know what she is, but she has big ears and a bigger mouth. The stranger won't talk to us about what is going on, and keeps requesting your presence."
"Very well little Rockruff, lead us to the room where she is. I am curious about this new foreigner. Come Quintus, let us meet this Pokemon. Perhaps she will have something worthwhile to listen to."
The trio left the chamber and made their way down a long corridor of stone, ending up in a large cavern branching off into dozens of rooms and hallways. After traversing a few more rooms, they came across an isolated hole in the wall, leading into a larger chamber. Inside sat a purple 'mon with circular ears and four large fangs protruding out of its mouth. When they entered, the strange Pokemon bowed and looked at the Normal type before the king.
"Why do you have a commoner in our meeting, dear king? And what is a Whismur doing in this mountain? I wasn't aware any of us lived here, or even in this region at all." she asked Quintus.
"Where I go, so does he. Do not worry yourself over my affairs, little subject." answered the monarch before his apprentice replied to the foreigner.
"You're not a Whismur, I am. What're you talking about?"
The purple creature giggled loud enough to bother Ferrous' ears, but it didn't bother the Normal type a bit. "You are right, I'm a Loudred. You will evolve into this one day, and then again into another form called Exploud. Do you really know nothing of our species?" she asked.
"I'm the only Whismur here, and you're the first Loudred I've met since arriving." he told his evolutionary counterpart.
The Big Voice Pokemon looked shocked, her mouth opening wide as she took in the information. "Never? You have never seen another one of us? What about your parents?"
The king and his apprentice looked at each other, and the Steel type shook his head. "Quintus simply showed up one day, unaware of where he was or what he was. No other Pokemon accompanied him here."
The newcomer narrowed her eyes and shook her head. "Hmmm...oh well, perhaps another time. I have come from the province of Pasir to ask you a question, dear king."
"What does a faraway province want with me and my mountain?" asked the monarch.
"Queen Aster has requested your help. She seeks to unify Pasir with Hennal Mountain, and-" the dual type interrupted her without a moment's hesitation.
"Absolutely not. This mountain has never been involved in any sort of politics, or had any influence on or from the outside. Your queen is wise for seeking out allies, but she is not going to find one in me. You should leave, foreigner, and inform her of your failure. If she sends another envoy, they will not receive the same treatment you have."
The Loudred gulped and bowed to the Iron Armor Pokemon. "Yes my lord, I understand. The queen's hall is always open to you and yours should you change your mind."
The Normal type went to leave the room, but as she was at the opening, the Whismur called out to her. "Wait! What's your name?"
"I am Sonata. Pasir is not so far from here stranger, if you should seek others of our kind out in the future," she said before leaving the chamber and the Rockruff escorting her out of the mountain.
The tiny 'mon turned back to his mentor. "Why do you royal types speak like that?"
Ferrous snorted and shook his head. "You are so inquisitive, little one. I know not the answer to that question. Come, let us return to the Chamber of Remembrance."
"Why aren't there any others like me in the mountain?"
"Another good question that I hold no answer for. Perhaps it is because they were weaker than you, and were driven out. I had never seen anything like you when we had met. Why does it matter?" asked the king.
"Maybe it wouldn't matter to you when there's dozens of your species here, but I am alone in the mountain. I might have you, but I don't have anyone like me to teach me what to do or how I am supposed to fight. You've taught me to fight like you, which is fine for now, but what if I evolve and I have to change?"
"Do you not appreciate what I have done for you? That I have taken you under my guidance and trained you?"
Quintus shook his head frustratedly. "I do appreciate it, I'm trying to say it's not the same for me as it is for you. I just wish I had my own kind around to teach me the things you and the others around the mountain can't."
The Lairon pondered this for a few more moments before starting towards the entrance. "Perhaps one day you will see another of your kind, or even the foreigner whose visit I ended. You may even leave the mountain one day to settle down with one of your own. But for now, you are here, and I am your teacher. You will have to make due with what you are given."
The Normal type followed the king out of the room and back down the cavern they had come from. "Who taught you how to fight?"
The duo walked in silence for a few moments before the king answered. "My parents taught me when I was still a young Aron. That was a long time ago, and it is not worth the time it takes to tell you. I taught myself the technique that let me kill the former king, and that is all that matters. Perhaps if your final evolution is large enough, I will teach it to you as well."
"What technique is that?" asked the king's student.
"Earthquake. One of the most powerful moves to be learned, and a dangerous one at that. I came close to bringing down the whole mountain." Ferrous replied. "It takes a lot of weight and strength to properly use. As I said, perhaps if your evolution is big enough you can learn it. We shall see."
The Whisper Pokemon nodded his head and continued to follow his mentor in silence. They soon reached the Chamber of Remembrance, where they resumed the lessons of the mountain's history. The foreigner attempted to pay attention to what his lord was teaching him, but his mind kept wandering back to the Loudred they had met. He wondered what she was like outside of meetings like that, or if she knew the secret to him evolving. Maybe she even-
"Quintus!" the Steel type roared at his inattentive student, causing him to jump in the air.
"Yes king?"
"Pay attention or begone elsewhere. I have no patience for those who do not pay attention to what they are learning." Softly he added, "But I understand why you are distracted little one. You wonder if perhaps she was a potential mate."
The Normal type shook his head as fast as possible. "No, no! I was wondering if she knew how I evolved, since some 'mon evolve over time and some use other things."
"Ah, to be a youngling again. I see the red in your cheeks Quintus. Perhaps you were not thinking about it, but that does not mean you do not want it."
"What were you talking about again? Something about a war?" asked the blushing Whismur.
"Ah, so that is how I can get your attention. Good to know. I was teaching you about a war that the mountain had gotten involved in 600 years ago, and the last one that Hennal Mountain ever participated in. The final battle was so devastating that the king at the time had his remaining subjects seal all the entrances to the mountain by caving them in. Since then, some of them have been reopened, in most cases only partially, so that travellers may enter and leave and so that Pokemon can go outside if they please. Most do not bother, but on occasion some journey out to find mates or evolution stones that are absent in the numerous caverns here."
"Have you ever left?" questioned the student.
"No, and to my knowledge no one from my line has ever left this mountain. We are raised here, and we die here. I would not have it any other way, little one." replied the Lairon.
"Would you ever want to leave? Just for a bit anyway?"
Here the monarch paused, contemplating his pupil's question. "Perhaps it would be..nice, to leave the mountain. But not for long, no king leaves his kingdom for long periods of time. It simply would not do."
"Maybe we'll go one day. We could visit a nearby country, or just see what's outside the mountain. Maybe you'd like it."
The Steel Type chuckled and shook his head. "One day, one day. Maybe when I am old and you are ready to step up for me."
The Normal Type tilted his head at his mentor's statement. "You think that's possible? You think someone will take your place one day?"
"Yes, and I think you will be the one to do it. You have the potential to be a very powerful fighter, and you have not even evolved yet. Who knows how powerful you will be. Maybe we can invite that Loudred back into the mountain. Although maybe you would like that for a different reason…" the dual type implied, a gleam in his eyes.
"No, no, no! Stop saying that Ferrous, I wasn't thinking about that!"
The king guffawed, stomping his front leg into the ground as he roared with laughter. Eventually, his student started laughing too, until the duo were short of breath and sucking wind from their mirth. "You are a male little Quintus, and as one I am aware of the things that run through your head. My status as king does not exempt me from such thoughts."
"I swear, I didn't think anything of the sort! I don't even know her, we only met for a little while." the pink 'mon replied, sweat running down his face.
This caused the monarch to laugh even harder as his pupil attempted to keep a straight face. "Oh, I shall never forget this one. Now I know something to bother you, and I will never let it go."
After a few more moments of laughter from the two, they went back to discussing the history of the mountain, and the kings that were before Ferrous. They talked about King Tyrannus, one of the most fearsome Tyranitars to walk the mountain, and about King Petram, a Golem known for his benevolence. Even Queen Grisial, rumored to be the legendary Pokemon Diancie.
"That story is more than likely just a story Quintus, just like the Mountain Legendary myth. There are no legendaries in this mountain, or if there were they are long dead and gone. I only teach you this since it is what I was taught as a young Aron. Do not have any faith in them, as no one else here does. You would likely be ridiculed for such ideas, and rightfully so."
"But what if they're real stories? What if there is a legendary in the mountain, sleeping where we can't find it?" questioned the smaller 'mon.
"Like I said, if it was real, I would know. That being said, if it somehow went unnoticed, then it would not wake for any small thing. I would imagine that it would only appear at times of great struggle, but we have little struggle here. The outside world does not bother us, and we are self sufficient enough to not bother them. Neither of us will see them in our lives little one, and you should be glad to hear it. As for Queen Grisial...if she existed, it was many ages ago, during a time when legendaries still walked the planet. I have never seen one myself, and for that I am glad. Beings of that power level….they should not be allowed to exist alongside us. Gods have no place among the mortals anymore than I have a place among the commoners."
"Then why am I your apprentice?" asked the Whismur.
"You are not some commoner. If you were, why would you have fallen from thin air? No, you are special little one. Some being put you here for a reason, and that means you are above any mere commoner." replied the metallic monster.
"There's nothing wrong with the other 'mon of the mountain! They're kind, and teach me things, and they've never done anything to you. Why do you put them down so much?"
"Do not interrogate me Quintus, you will regret it. I am king, and that means I am above the other inhabitants of Hennal Mountain. I do not make them fear me, but if I chose to, then they would live in terror. I am far kinder than my predecessor was, and I am sure every Pokemon here is glad of it. It is not for you to question your lord, nor is it your place to critique me."
The Normal type scowled at his mentor. "Why don't you treat them as your equals? You weren't always king, were you? That means you should remember a time before you were ruling the mountain."
"If you choose to continue this, I can not guarantee my reaction. Be very careful of the next words that leave your mouth."
"Why?" snarked the learning 'mon. "Are you mad that I have a point?"
The Steel type didn't bother responding with anything verbal. An electric pulse fired out of the behemoth, smacking the smaller 'mon into the far wall. The monarch left the chamber, and his pupil followed, steaming from the attack. As soon as they cleared the room, he conjured up small flames, a tactic he learned from one of the local Marcargo. Burning the back of the brute's legs, the dual type turned with a speed that a quadruped of his size shouldn't have been able to attain. He roared in anger, stomping the ground with all of his legs in quick succession. The amnesiac had only seen the move once before from a Rhyhorn, which was like fighting a weaker Ferrous. Much weaker.
The attack threatened the very ground the Whisper Pokemon stood on, and he couldn't keep his footing before tumbling onto his back. He spat out a Water Pulse, learned from a timid Nidoran he'd encountered, and the barbaric king winced before stopping to launch his own version of the attack, an orb of water bigger than the attacker himself. Quintus tried dodging, and would have succeeded if it weren't so big, clipping the side of him before sending him spinning across the wide cavern. The 'mon switched tactics, running in and using Dynamic punch with his stubby arm. The Lairon didn't budge, and simply bit his student. Not with any sort of power, but with the pure strength of a king, and the Normal type went limp in his jaws. Worried of his powerful jaws, Ferrous dropped his apprentice and rolled him onto his back.
Only to receive a face full of flames.
"Quintuuuusss!" he howled, staggering back and slamming into the dirt to put out the flames. Using his Dig technique, the Rock type burrowed into the ground, and the Whismur peppered the soil with Water Pulses, dampening everything within ten feet of himself. He sunk into the ground, and waited a few moments before jumping out of the small hole and off to the side, avoiding the monster that awaited him. The king surfaced to swallow soggy dirt, and spat it out before looking around the area, only to find that Quintus had disappeared.
"You can't hide from me!" the brute screamed, stomping the ground like he had earlier. But still nothing happened, and there was no way his opponent had left the cave without his notice. It didn't take him long to find out where the missing 'mon had gone, as he felt a punch to his underbelly. Taking him clear of his feet, the Normal type had slammed into the Lairon from underneath, where he had been holding on to the edge of his teacher's armor. The dual type struggled to regain his footing afterwards, rolling around on his back. Quintus helped by firing a jet of flame at the monarch, rolling him over three times to land back on his legs.
The king growled, a shine in his eye. "Good job taking me unawares little one. But can you do it again?"
The Steel type took a deep breath and unleashed a harsh wind, kicking up a sandstorm in the cavern. The Whisper Pokemon wandered around in the storm aimlessly, getting caught in whirlwinds and pitfalls before he saw a flash of light coming from his left. He dodged a blur of silver, but wasn't so lucky the second time. The last thing Quintus knew before he blacked out was the immense pain of his mentor's Superpower, and his body being crushed into the floor.
In Pasir, a small, plant-like Pokemon sat upon a throne of flowers and thorns. She had her left hand, a blooming flower, propping her head from the armrest. A purple 'mon entered the room, bowing when she walked in front of the queen.
"Well, how did it go Miss Sonata?" asked the Grass type.
"Not well my queen, King Ferrous rebuked me. He threatened to harm any that returned to ask for his alliance, although if it helps I am sure he meant from any kingdom."
"It does help, but not enough to make up for his denial of a friendship. He will need our help in the times ahead, and I fear that we will need his as well. If there was one thing I learned as a budding Roselia, it was that the kingdoms have no friendship towards the mountains. Did you notice anything strange in the mountain that we could use to our advantage?" the Roserade questioned her subject.
"There was a Whismur there, with the king. I did not manage to catch his name, but he had no clue what I was or that he would evolve. He had no knowledge of his parents either, and seemed to cling close to the king. Perhaps he raised him, but that Whismur is at least 15 summers old. Do you remember seeing one when King Ferrous was crowned?"
"No, but that does not mean anything. He could have been hidden to avoid being spotted, or perhaps the little Whismur was hit hard on the head. I have met my fair share of Pokemon with brain trauma and no access to an advanced psychic, especially in backwards kingdoms such as Hennal Mountain. Its neighbor is not much better, but at least the states outside the range have some sort of healers. I am not sure anything that lives there knows anything past Recover, and that is a stretch at best. Yes, it is likely that your kin was given an untreated injury, and simply does not remember his life. Why, did you find anything..interesting about him?" asked the Poison type.
"No! Nothing like that Queen Aster, just merely an observation of another of my kind. We are rare as it is, so of course I find it unordinary for one to be in the Beast of Hennal Mountain's care." replied the Normal type.
"No, you are justified in your curiosity. I merely jest. I wish to know more about this Whismur. Do you think you could return and find out more about their relationship?"
"I am unsure, my lord. He made it very clear that he did not want anyone returning for him." answered the Loudred.
"But what if you returned just for the Whismur? Make it seem like you wish to train him, or perhaps that you wish to court him?" suggested the monarch.
The knight blushed, and told her king she would do her best. Aster dismissed her, and had the warrior call in the court advisor. A Bellossom waltzed in, a smile covering her tiny face.
"You called, Queen?"
"Yes, I wish to discuss something with you Tansia. Ferrous denied our alliance. We could turn to the other peak, but it is risky, and I am not sure awakening that little demon is the best idea for us. We are left alone against Agni, and no one will come to our aid unless we can pull Hennal around. What are your thoughts?"
The Flower Pokemon pondered this before replying to her queen. "Perhaps we should bring it to his front door? Ferrous can not deny a war that gets his citizens involved, and it would be unwise for him to deny an alliance if Agni was on his gates. They would never try to talk to him, not with the king's reputation. They would raze the entire mountain before even trying to ally with the range. If the Council decides it is in their best interest to take us beforehand, which I am counting on them to not, then Ferrous will sit by idly, and he will be devoid of a much needed ally when his half gets attacked. Unless we make it in Agni's best interests to attack Hennal Mountain…" trailed the advisor.
"No, I will not lead them to his territory on purpose. That would make me a fearsome enemy, and I am not so confident that Ferrous will stay peaceful if he knows we forced his hand. Now, if that had nothing to do with our kingdom, and he was forced to fight and we come to his aid...that could gain his trust."
The smaller Grass type nodded and bowed. "I have just the idea, my queen. The king will never know of our plan."
"Good. Knight Sonata will be visiting them soon on a "personal" trip to see one of her own, and while she does we can send her messages through some contacts I have in the mountain. Be sure that brute will not find us out." With that, the Bellossom bowed again and left the chamber. The Roserade sat upon the throne, thinking over what she had learned.
"You will have to come to my side soon Ferrous, sooner than you wish."
That's it for chapter one folks. Leave a review if you'd like (or just do it anyway), and follow/favorite if you like reading. I'll see y'all January 15th with chapter two.