Ash was frustrated.

Hatch was keeping something big to himself, that much was so bloody obvious. But exactly what seemed… impossible. He's just… lucky? And people notice? That was the only reason? Kinda sounded like a story she heard from-

Her next Blazing Kick smashed into a dummy as that memory pushed itself to the surface. Her effort had borne fruit for a very beat up and scorched dummy standing above her. Her Blaze kicked in involuntarily and the dummy crashed into the dirt floor, very much on fire. Ash huffed, staring at the flames.

Can't blame him for keeping secrets… makes me a hypocrite…

"Did that dummy kill your parents or something?" said a vaguely familiar voice. Ash turned to see that scarred Lucario entering. What was his name… James? No, Jessie.

"I wish," she sighed. Jessie gave her a wide eyed look for a bit, and Ash frowned at him. "...what?"

"Pushing that to the side for now," he shook his head. "Something wrong? You seem… pissed."

"Oh good! I thought I was just depressed. Thanks for confirming!" Ash kicked the burning dummy once again, rekindling the tough fabric. She groaned and sat down next to it, rubbing her head.

"...why? You guys just got the biggest haul of gummi's I've ever seen. The client even let you keep a few, right?"

"Yeah, Werth's probably splitting them up for his own training… like he needs more of a reason to be a smartass…"

"And Hatch?"

"...napping." was all she said in response to that. He needed it after that monster sheep, true… didn't mean she liked having to wait. Still… a secret was a secret, and an uncomfortable one at that.

"Looked like he needed it with how beat up he was when he came back. A Dubwool did that?" Jessie joined her next to the burning dummy.

"Massive one, yeah, with… Reversal? I think it was Reversal."

"Ouch…"

"Yeah… at least it didn't last long after that."

"If it could floor a dragon like that? Yeah, it wouldn't."

"...so why're you here?" Ash asked, standing back up, lifting the dummy as she did so.

"...because you're not the only one that trains?" Jessie tilted his head.

"Impossible," she shot back with a small smile. "But seriously, the only other person I saw in here is that pie making Ninjask and his Shedinja. They seem close."

"They are," Jessie nodded, picking his own dummy out. "Really care for eachother."

"Neat. Hey, wanna spar?"

"...now where did that come from?"

"I'm bored and restless, now try and kick my ass!"

…

"And we escaped safely, sir." Werth explained, in the guildmaster's office. The Volbeat sat calmly as he listened to the Rowlet's explanation. "More details can be found in the report I submitted right before you asked me here."

"Thank you Werth," Karamat nodded, looking the very report over. "You all did very well. I've never seen so many gummi's in one trip…"

"Yes, I thought it odd as well." Werth preened his feathers absently. "It was almost as if-"

"You all got very lucky." Karamat finished for him.

"...that is certainly one way to put it." Werth nodded. "Frankly, I do not put much stock into such things myself…"

"But you've noticed." Karamat notes, looking into the birds tired eyes.

"...yes, I've noticed how these things tend to happen around Hatch. It is difficult not to." Werth closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. "I have to wonder if that Simipour was some level of correct…"

"It still doesn't excuse their actions," Karamat said, offering Werth a cup of tea.

"I never claimed otherwise," Werth took the tea in a wing, taking a sip. Almost unbearably sweet. "...Mago?"

"Like it?" the guildmaster smiled genuinely, taking a long sip himself.

"...quite," Werth put the cup down. "Anyway, there is much Hatch isn't telling us. About this phenomenon, about why he was so beat up before those two took him in, and when anyone would take note of it, he would become nervous. It was why he took so much damage in the dungeon in the first place. Ash was asking…"

"I see… there's a time and place for everything…" the Volbeat went quiet as he thought.

"...if I may, sir." Werth spoke up after a while.

"Oh? Please, go ahead, Werth."

"...While I am admittedly curious about this twist of fortune, I do not think it worthwhile to look into it too deeply. My teammate is obviously uncomfortable with such a thing, and I must ask you to respect his, and by extension, our team's privacy."

Werth started into the Volbeat's eyes, unblinking. Karamat stared back, a surprised look on his face.

"Of course!" he said almost immediately. "...if it stays like this."

"...what do you mean, guildmaster?"

Karamat took a deep breath before continuing.

"You said yourself, Hatch was beat up before he came across those two."

"I did," Werth acknowledged.

"And do we know why?"

"...we do not," he relented. "This is the word of two criminals-"

"Who had their auras read while being questioned by our own resident Lucario. They were not lying, or exaggerating about the state of Hatch when he was found."

"...are you suggesting…?"

"It's possible there are more mon after him," Karamat nodded. "In that case, this problem is far from personal, and you are to come to me immediately. You'll all be in danger in that case."

Werth closed his eyes in thought. It… was an uncomfortable possibility…

And there was already Ash's situation…

"...Very well, guildmaster. I will inform you of any such change."

"That's all I ask," Karamat breathes a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Werth. You may go."

Werth nodded, leaving the tea where it was and flapping out.

Karamat sighed, remembering his conversation with Hatch. The brief moment of utter panic he saw in his eyes when he saw that symbol…

What had happened to him?

…

"You alright? That was almost really bad!"

"…"

"Yeah, I saved you! That bully won't be bothering anyone for a long time!"

"…"

"I'm Hatch! What's your name?"

"…"

"It's a small cut! Sure it's bleeding a lot, but I'll be fine. More tired than anything. Just gotta wait for this storm to pass and I'll take you back to Thalridge. Mama can help both of us!"

"Your mother? And you're just alone on such a treacherous path?"

"Yeah, I was going down the mountain!"

"…"

"I was finally gonna go on a real adventure!"

"…"

"No, it's alright! I'm not just gonna ditch you. I'll get down another day."

"…"

"A reward?"

"Well that's certainly a deal. Still, you deserve some reward."

"W-what are you doing with that?"

"Don't struggle, it'll be over before you know it."

"GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!"

Hatch shot out of bed, clutching at his fin, his other aches and pains completely forgotten for now. The hazy memory of that day still haunted him…

That pain… and what it led to.

But… he didn't have to focus on it. Nothing had happened for a little bit now, at least nothing that told him he needed to run. He… liked it here. He really did. Maybe it wasn't the best idea to stick around, but he was living his dream. He was an adventurer… and he wanted to live that life.

Not just… keep running.

He sat up and stretched, readjusting his headband. That did NOT need to show. Now… something to eat. That always helped calm him down.

Helped drown out the dread too.

…

The shiny Kirlia had just arrived in town. What a long, boring trip… still, he was here! He had to resist the urge to twirl as he finally got off that stupid cart.

"Thanks," he told the Rapidash pullers, leaving their payment in a coinbox in the cart. He was lucky to have hands…

He was lucky to be given this chance…

Gale wouldn't let the lady down! He had to find that guy. The last agents said the Axew was heading for Bladesbourogh, so here Gale was to find him. He'd prove himself. To the lady, to his family… and he'd earn that stone. Just had to bring the dragon in…

Now… the hotel. Suitcase in hand, he started daintily walking down the road, keeping to himself as he did so. Being shiny made him stand out a bit, but he learned to keep his head down after years of practice…

…great, now he missed Ash. Just get to the hotel, and look from there.

You can do this, Gale. You can…