Pokemon Mystery Dungeon

Shadows of Ganderosa

Chapter 2

Howling Winds


"We have to keep moving!" the pachirisu said quickly. Based only on how long they've been running for, and how the pachirisu kept his right paw on his forehead where the apple had collided, Dillan was surprised the little guy still seemed to have the energy. "By now, they'll have noticed that we escaped. We need to keep moving!"

"I know, I know." Dillan said through shallow breaths. "But, it's been hours since we escaped. On top of that, I don't know how much more my ankle can take..." Dillan looked at his foot. It was tilted just a little to the left. He felt his stomach churn from the sight. It's too noticeable. "Just five minutes."

The pachirisu looked at Dillan's ankle with a slight frown present on his face. Dillan wondered what his new companion was more worried about; Dillan's ankle or the possibility of a hoard of monsters that was in pursuit.

"All right." the squirrel said with a sigh. "You wait here and I'll be back."

"Where are you going?" Dillan asked, concern and worry contaminating his voice. Is he going to leave me?

"Not far." the pachirisu said with a rushed speed. "I need to find a tree."

Dillan frowned at the idea of splitting up, but he doubted he had much of a choice. "Alright. Just try to hurry back."

The pachirisu nodded and ran off into the darkness.

Dillan tried to look around, but there wasn't much to see. It was almost pitch black. The only source of light was the moon and stars, which only helped for about five feet infront of him. It did, however, show him the occasional siloughet of a rock or tree, but how did that help when trying to see if you're being followed?

Dillan felt his heart beating at a million miles an hour. So much had happened in such a short time. On top of that, he had no clue what was going on. Sweat dripped down the back of his neck as he thought about what might happen next.

No, stop. Dillan told himself as he shook his head. You're just freaking yourself out. Calm down. You're doing fine. Besides, you can hardly see. What's the chance that those.. creatures... are going to find you out here?

Dillan, trying to get his mind off of what was happenning, focused on the soft grass below his feet felt nice enough. The dew present in the air collected on the blades of grass making his feet slightly moist. He decided to lay down. With pain and difficulty, he got into a sitting position. He began lowering himself onto his back when he stopped. He felt something that wasn't quit on his back, yet still connected to his body keep him from descending any further. He looked behind him and found he had a fin jutting from his back. It began to bend more with the pressure he put on it, sending a dull pain into his spine. To avoid further pain, he decided it was best to lay on his side.

He wanted to keep his mind off ofwhat had happened, but he couldn't help it. He started to think about how they escaped the Nuzleaf. He then thought about how they had strayed away from the path in the hopes that they might lose their pursuers in the dark.

Are they following us? He wondered. Would they come after us and leave the rest of their captives? Dillan felt a weight fill his chest. His eyebrows knitted together. The other captives... Why didn't I try to save anyone else? He mentally kicked himself. I could have saved one or two others. Why did I leave? If I tried hard enough, I could have done more. He felt ashamed. I'm here complainning about my ankle while those other poor captives are tied next to a tree for the night. I have the ability to hope while they can't because they're being taken to some uknown place for some uknown reason.

It was then that he felt a paw on his arm. Dillan jumped from the scare. He whiped around and swung his arm. The pachirisu ducked under the attack and held his paws up. As he did that, Dillan saw the sticks he was carrying clattered to the ground.

"Easy." the pachirisu said with a scowl. "I'm not them." Dillan relaxed his muscles.

"Sorry." Dillan appoogized.

"Jeez." the pachirisu said as he rolled his eyes. "Try to help a guy.

"On another note, Sit up and stick your bad leg out."

"Alright." Dillan obeyed. "What's with the sticks?"

"Ever heard of a splint?"

"No... Maybe?"

"What?" Pachirisu questioned with annoyance. "Yes or no."

"I've heard the word, I just don't remember what it means." It was true. His amnesia didn't seem to affect names of objects. However, when it came to himself, he had to rely on feelings; like how he figured out his name. When he said it, it felt right.

"So a splint is like a brace for your leg. It's supose to keep it straight and stiff. I want to use it on your foot."

"That's awesome!" Dillan was impressed by pachirisu's knowledge. The squirrel started grinning; though, he stopped doing so when he looked at Dillan's ankle. Instead, he started to grimace.

"Alright." the pachirisu said slowly. "I need you to hold still. Your ankle is dislocated as well as broken. Brace yourself. This is going to hurt... a lot."

Dillan did not like anything he just heard. Dislocated and broken? The pachirisu held out his paw. Dillan reached with his claws to carry whatever thesmall creature was giving him. The pachirisu gave him a small, but bulky piece of bark.

"What's this for?" Dillan asked skeptically.

Pachirisu seemed worried. "It's... for the pain. You're suppose to bite down on it..."

Dillan was at a loss for words. His mouth hung open as if he wanted to protest, though he didn't know why.

"Hey." the pachirisu said hurriedly. "We've wasted enough time as it is just sitting here. You need to trust me."

"You know what?" Dillan began. "I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm Dillan." Dillan dropped the piece of wood on the floor and extended his claw.

The sudden introduction made the pachirisu feel uncomfortable. He just stood there and stared. This went on for a few uncomfortable seconds.

"Um..." Dillan said. He began retracting his arm, setting it at his side uncomfortably. "Sorry. It just felt weird that we've already been through a lot together but we don't know eachother's names. I'm just gonna bite on the-"

"I'm Ryan." The pachirisu interrupted with a nervous grin. He stuck out his paw. "Nice to meet you Dillan."

"You too, Ryan." Dillan said as he put his claw in the pachirisu's small, fuzzy paw. Dillan then proceeded to lifting the wood into his mouth and bitting down.

"Ready?" Ryan asked nervously.

"Am I ever gonna be?" Dillan said, words jumbled by the piece of bark. Ryan didn't seem to notice, or care. He just nodded at Dillan. The gabite bit down on the wood as hard as he could.

Ryan moved Dillan's foot an inch ofr two to get it into position, which was painful enough. He didn't yell. However, that changed quickly whith the sound of a "Pop" and a "ksh" at the same time. Dillan's eyes bulged out of his head as he grimmaced from the agony surging into his leg. He yelled at the top of his lungs. Ryan lept off of the ground and set himself at Dillan's mouth as he acted as a fluffy sound barried between Dillan and the world. After three seconds, the pain became more of a sore feeling, though still very painful. Dillan stopped yelling, going into a state between inhaling sharply and hyperventalating.

Ryan fell over onto Dillan's lap, holding his ears in pain. The pachirisu's stomach was dripping in spit.

"You ok, Ryan?" Dillan asked through gritted teeth.

"What?" Ryan said. Surprise overthrew Ryan's face He then yelled, "WHAT? I CA-" Ryan was interupted by Dillan's arm as he shoved it to Ryan's mouth. The two pokemon looked at eachother uncomfortably for seconds before Ryan rolled his eyes and gave the thumb's up.

"You better now?" Dillan asked.

"Yeah..." Ryan said sarcastically. "Being covered in dragon spit makes everything fine and dandy."

Dillan chuckled.

"You thinks it's funny, yeah?" Ryan said with a smile.

"A little." Dillan responded.

"Alright chuckles, let me get the brace on."

He jumped off Dillan's stomach and onto the grass. He then proceeded to put two sticks on either side of Dillan's leg. He then used two of the flimsy sticks together and wrapped it around the top of the sticks. He did the same on his ankle. Finally, Ryan took two more flimsy sticks, put them on the bottom of Dillans foot and laced it through the other flimsy sticks so his foot would remain stiff against his leg.

"How does it feel?" Ryan asked.

"Uncomfortable." Dillan responded, relaxing his jaw as the pain dulled.

"Good enough. Now stand up."

Dillan complied. It still hurt, but not as much as before. He started walking around in a circle. Each step sent a stabbing pain into his brain, but it wasn't as bad as earlier. He felt clumsy with his stiff leg. Nevertheless, it made it easier to move.

"Thanks Ryan." dillan said sincerely. "I really appreciate it."

"No problem. Now, let's hustle."

"What about you?" Dillan asked.

"What about me?" Ryan questioned.

"Well, you did take an apple to the head earlier."

"I'm fine." Ryan assured. "Besides, we've already wasted enough time as it is; plus, your girly scream surely attracted some attention."

"Girly?" Dillan grinned.

"Yep." Ryan grinned.

"I guess I deserve that." he laughed.

Dillan, ignoring the surges of pain, walked onwards with Ryan.


The two walked for what felt like hours. The scenery wasn't any different, only the place. The temperatude dropped, so it felt a little chilly. Dillan was wondering how much longer it was going to be until they found some sign of civilization. He also wondered if Ryan knew where they were going to. He certainly had no idea.

Because of the lack of path as well as the hilly terrain, Dillan felt as though they had hardly made any progress. He was also worried that he was slowing Ryan down because of his wobbly movement. Nevertheless, he didn't tell Ryan his complaints. He just continued walking.

"Hey Ryan," He said, focusing only on what lied ahead so he didn't kick a rock or run into a random tree, which had happened fifteen minuteds ago. "Do you know this area or where we're going?" Dillan waited for about ten seconds for his frined to answer. "Ryan?" Still no answer. "Look," Dillan said. "I know I'm slowing us down, but I didn't think you cared." Still no answer. Dillan felt his heart sink. Am I really being that much of a bother?

He looked for Ryan at his left. He wasn't there.

"Ryan?" He said. He looked right, the pachirisu wasn't there. "Ryan?" He was starting to get scared. "Ryan! Where are you? Ryan!" he yelled. Still no response.

Dillan spun around looking for Ryan. He couldn't find him anywhere. He thought about the last place he had seen the pachirisu. He couldn't remember. Everything had looked the same. He decided to retrace his steps while shouting Ryan's name.

How could I be so careless? How could I let this happen? He was right next to me! How does someone just disappear? I need to find him! I have to! He's helped me so much already! I will not just abandon him!

Dillan felt a pain coming from his toes on his right foot shoot up his spine as the earth came closer to hug his face. He hit the floor with a "Thud" and felt more pain come from the scratches on his chest as grass, dirt, and water clung to his wounds.

He let out a yelp. A howl answered back. Dillan froze. He had never heard something quite like that; well, not that he could recall. He heard it once more as it peirced the silence filling the dark air. It soundedloud and threatenning.

"Hello?" Dillan called out worriedly. Another howl echoed in the distance. It sounded closer than the last.

What now? Do I stay here? Maybe they'll go away if I don't make a noise. He then thought about Ryan. But if he's hurt... I can't just lie here and do nothing! If Ryan needs me, then I have to get to him! There's no question about it! He tried to stand. Another howl echoed. Dillan fell to the ground in fear. Get up. He felt his muscles start to tighten. His brain wanted one thing when his body did another. I can't get up... If I do, they might see me. They might eat me... But, if I do nothing, they might eat Ryan... One more howl echoed. It sounded even closer. Dillan smacked his head with his arm-fin. Argh! Get up! I have to!

He struggled with the pain in his leg and aching body as well as his mind to lift himself up off of the ground. I gotta get up! He coaxed himself. I gotta get up! Get up! With a lot of courage and self-motivation, Dillan was standing up.

Another howl came from behind Dillan. He needed no motivation for what he was going to do next. He ran as fast as a gabite can while in a splint. He ran for about three minutes, barely noticing the lump of white fur in the grass. Wait. He stopped running and looked at the white thing.

"Ryan!" he called to the lump. It didn't move. Dillan dropped to his knees. He didn't care if his foot hurt because of it. He turned Ryan onto his back. The pachirisu had his eyes closed, eyebrows scrunched together like he was in a nightmare; asleep, yet scared. His breath was unsteady and shallow. There was a bulging spon on the pachirisu's head. Worst of all, Dillan realized Ryan was cold.

"Ryan!" Dillan shouted. "Talk to me!" Ryan didn't move. "Ryan!"

What's going on? Why is he- A piercing howl stopped Dillan mid-thought. It sounded as though it was feet from where he sat. The gabite was about to run when he heard another one to the front of him. Then two more: one to the left and one to the right. He was surrounded.

Out of the shadows behind Dillan came a scratchy voice. "Who are you and what are you doing here?"

Dillan couldn't tell if it was male or female. Then again, he didn't care. He was petrified by fear. He couldn't speak. He didn't turn around to face the voice. He could only hold his friend in his arms and try to warm Ryan up.

"Speak, or we will show no mercy..." The voice said sharply. Howls confirmed the creature's words. Seconds passed before it said, "Well?"

"I say we kill them for trespassing!" A voice called out from Dillan's left.

"I say we eat them, then kill them! One called out from the right.

"What?" The left one said. "Don't be dumb! They would have to be dead before we eat them!"

"Not true!" The right one objected.

"Enough of this foolishness!" The back voice ordered. The other voices fell silent. "Now who are you and why are you here?"

I need to answer. They'll kill me and Ryan if I don't. Dillan finally found his voice. "M-My name is Dillan," Dillan stuttered fearfully. "A-And my friend is Ryan. We're f-fleeing from a group of... What was that word Ryan used? Pokemon... that had captured us. Please, we don't want any trouble. My friend's hurt! I don't know what will happen if we don't get help."

There was no answer for a while. Theony noise present was the grass moving as the wind blew against the blades. What's going on? Why aren't they answering? Did I say too much? He turned around to face the place where the first voice had originated.

"Hello?" He called. Dillan squinted his eyes to try and see past the dark wall that laid before him. He could make out a figure. It was getting closer. He saw red, glowing eyes peering back at him. He was scared, his upper lip witching slightly as he stard with bulging eyes at the pokemon ahead.

The figure came close enough for Dillan to see what it was. The creature was a bipedal pokemon. It was about the same height as Dillan, if not slightly taller. It had red and white fur, with a tail that led up to it's head. It had massive paws and big claws that looked like it could easily cut a tree with one swing. He couldn't imagine how that would feel on his scales. The one feature that stood out among the rest was the pendant she was wearing. It looked as if it was pure sapphire, carved into a four-cornered star. It seemed to glow blue in the darkness. It dangled from a string that went trough a hole at the top.

Dillan forgot his fear. He looked at the crystal for a long period of time. He didn't know why, but he felt a slight desire to hold it in his claws. He wanted to touch it... No. He wanted it for himself. He seemed drawn to the crystal like it was something he greatly desired.

What are you thinking? He scolded, snapping himself out of his trance. It isn't yours! Besides, there are more important matters than some silly pendant!

"My name is Lily." the lycanroc said. She was the owner of the scratchy voice from before. She looked at Dilla without malice, but with a sort of kind glint in her eyes that contrasted the red glow. Her voice seemed to mimic her eyes; filled with compassion that contrasted her scratchy words. "Forgive me. Our people do not appreciate outsiders, so we try to scare them off. We had no intention of harming you, I give you my word."

It soothed Dillan to hear her assure him that he was in no danger, but he was still worried about Ryan. He looked at the pachirisu in his arms who was struggling to grasp his next breath.

"Are you going to help us?" Dillan asked the lycanroc.

"I wish I could," Lily said as she lowered her head in shame, her words sharp as if remembering something painful. "But my tribe leader prohibits bringing outsiders to our den under any circumstances."

"Please." Dillan pleaded. "You're the first one I've seen today with any compassion and the ability to help me. We're being hunted right now, and we need help."

"There's nothing I can do." Lily said, not meeting the gabite's eyes.

"What am I suppose to do now?" Dillan asked with a scowl. "I have no clue how long it is until the next town, let alone where it is! Now I run into someone that has a shred of compassion and they won't help my dying friend!" Lily flinched upon hearing Dillan's words. "There has to be something you can do!"

Lily thoguht about it for a few seconds before looking at Dillan with a bright smile and saying, "I have an idea. My tribe will not let us take you to our den, that does not mean we cannot give you a ride to yours."

"What?" Dillan asked. He was perplexed. What does she mean by "yours"?

"Kate! Lauren!" Lily called out. "Come out of the shadows."

Two quadruped creatures came out of the darkness from Dillan's left and right. They walked on all fours and stood at Lily's side. They both looked the same, as if they were twins. They both had deep, blue eyes. They were tan and white. They had a short, white mane around their necks. It had four rocks jutting out from it. Their tails stretched out from their body like a normal creature.

"Yes mistress?" the lycanroc on Lily's left asked.

"I want you to take these two pokemon to Fericia Castle as fast as you can." Lily told them both. "Do you understand?"

"Yes, mistress." They both said in unison.

Dillan looked at Lily in shock. He didn't expect this. All of this had happened in the span of minutes, yet they had already managed to help Dillan.

He started to tear up due to all that had happened. His first memories were not at all ones he would rather forget. He was beaten and dragged until being strung up to a tree. Then he met Ryan, who was now dying in his arms. Now, he looked upon three creatures who had treated him like a friend. They found compassion in their hearts to help complete strangers.

"Lily..." He said through the tears.

"Do not cry, Gabite." Lily said when she realized his tears. "You seem to have been trough a lot. There will be a time when you may let your sorrows overwhelm your body, but not now.; not when death claws at your friends life."

Dillan wiped the tears away from his eyes. "Thank you so much."

"I must ask one favor of you in return." Lily said as she started fingering the Saphire Star that hung around her neck. "This pendant I carry has been passed down in my family through generations. It speaks to me in ways I cannot understand, leading me down the paths it choosed. It was not meant for me. It was meant for you." She removed the pendant from her neck and handed it to Dillan. "Please, take it and care for it."

Dillan looked at the pendant. It speaks to you? He stared as the pendant seemed to draw him towards him. He reached his claw towards it. The crystal seemed to glow brighter the closer he got to it. He lifted the crystal from the chain and set it around his neck. The desire died down as it hung on his chest, making the gabite feel content.

"Thank you for this-" Dillan started.

"No need." Lily interrupted. " Based on the glow, I can already tell it is in good hands. Now, climb aboard Kate and put your friend on Lauren."

He looked at the tan lycanrocs and the left one came forward.

"I am Kate." she said with a smile. "Sorry for saying we should eat you."

"Put your friend on me." the other one, obviously Lauren, said.

Dillan placed Ryan on Lauren. "Are you sure he won't fall off?" he asked.

"Does a Wailord have fins?" Lauren asked. Dillan did not know what a wailord was, let alone what it looked like, but realized it was a rhetorical question. He set the pachirisu on the lycanroc and moved towards Kate. He stepped onto her back and sat down on top of her.

"Kate and Lauren." Lily said to the Lycanrocs. "Take heed. The pokemon following them may intercept you. Do not engage. Your passengers are both injured. Do not risk their safety. Now, make haste to Fericia Castle."

The three Lycanrocs raised their heads toward the moon and howled. Afterwards, Kate and Lauren darted off. Lily watched as the three pokemon dissapeared. She sighed and looked into the darkness. A new pokemon krept out of the shadows and stood next to Lily.

The new figure looked almost like Lily, except it had wrinkles under its eyes and on its hands.

"Why did you give him the pendant, Lily?" He asked. "Why "Him"?

"Do not question my motives, father." Lily responded without batting an eye in his direction. "The question you should be asking is why you do not understand. You owned the pendant for far longer than I. You should know."

"You do not understand-"

"I understand clearly." Lily interrupted calmly, not looking at her father. "I know what happened in Harrier Town years ago."

"Then why would you simply give it to a random stranger you do not know?"

Lily did not respond. The two stood in silence for a few seconds. Lily sighed and got on all fours, running in the opposite direction of Kate and Lauren. Her father didn't try to follow. He just stood there and sighed.


Dawn was starting to break, shedding light on the surrounding area.

"Do you see that building?" Kate asked Dillan.

Dillan was lost in thought until Kate brought him back to reality. He looked ahead on the horrizon. He gasped in awe as he saw a massive structure about twenty times larger than him. It was a castle made of stone, just like in a fairy tale. The castle was surrounded by a grassy plain. He stared at the horison and saw mountains jutting up towards the sky. The sky was tinted rose.

It was such a beautiful sight. He forgot about all his troubles. He just stared at the view, lost in thought. There's a bright side to this 'amnesia' thing. I get to experience all of these magnificent things for the first time. The rising sun, the mountains, even the castle. The sight made Dillan forget about his troubles.

Dillan couldn't wait to see the inside of the castle. Then he remembered why he was really there. His face went into a frown as he looked to his left, looking at Ryan who was on top of the other lycanroc running besides them. I'm sorry Ryan. I... This is my fault. If I had been paying attention, I would have seen what happened to you. I could have helped you... Now look at what has happened. Please be ok! You have to get better...


As they approached the castle walls, Dillan could make out some big, wooden gates with a metal frame. The walls were a layer of brick upon brick upon brick.

Lauren banged on the door three times with the rocks along her neck. As soon as she stopped, a little hatch opened in the door which revealed a pair of yellow eyes.

"State your buisness." The eyes said with an authoritative tone.

"I am Kate of the Lycanroc tribe in Howling Plains." She said with an urgent and rushed voice. Dillan felt hs eyes start to become heavy. Must be tired. 'This is Lauren of the Lycanroc tribe. We are in need of medical assistance immediately. These travelers-"

Dillan couldn't hear her voice anymore. He banged the side of his head to try and get the blood flowing to his ear-canal. What ended up happening was a problem. He grew very dizzy. His vision started to black out.

"Guys..." Dillan said, before falling off of Kate's back and onto the dirt. He didn't feel the impact against the ground. His eyes shut slowly, looking at Kate who rushed down to him, saying something to him that Dillan couldn't hear. Lauren was slamming on the door, shouting inaudibly at the wall. That's when Dillan's eyes shut and he lost consciousness.


(Author's Notes)

Hey guys! Just wanted to say thanks for reading this chapter! I've revised it for your reading pleasures. If you find an issue or something you enjoy, feel free to point it out! I want to make this story as great as possible for all of you guys, so I support you guys pointing out every little detail I'm doing right and wrong.

That's all! Hope you guys like the story so far! I'll see you in the next chapter!

(Revised as of 4/24/2018)