Pokemon Mystery Dungeon
Shadows of Ganderosa
Chapter 12
A Reason
"Jeremy?" Ryan called out as he and Dillan openned the door labelled, "Jeremy's Room". Ryan walked in the room first followed by Dillan. It was an average-sized room. It had pictures plastered to the walls. The pictures were of stick figures that were standing on a green floor with a blue background. Some of the pictures were grey with rock formations coming out of the ground. The figures were labelled with names: Leon, Bart, Borris, and Jeremy. The room itself was stone with carpet along the floor. There was a bed with a little pokemon, sitting up on its fins. The pokemon was blue with three fins: two for hands and one for a tail. The blue pokemon had a pink nose and a white muzzle. It also had a wavy mane of cloth.
The poplio looked at the two members of Team Rapture and said, "I'm Jeremy!" He proclaimed it proudly like a title. "Who are you two?"
"I'm Dillan," Dillan said. He then gestured to the pachirisu who was examining the room. "and this is Ryan. We're here to rescue you..." Dillan's voice trailed off as he realized just exactly the room meant. Jeremy was safe?
"Rescue me?" Jeremy asked as he rolled over onto his back. He stared at them from his new upside-down perspective. "Did Borris ask you to play with me?" He scoffed. "He never wants to play..."
"Jeremy," Ryan started. "can you tell us what's going on?"
"I can." a shrill voice called out from behind Dillan. Its ominous tone made Dillan shudder. He turned around to find himself inches away from the mismagius from before. Dillan jumped backwards and landed on his backside. Bart looked at Dillan with an expressionless stare. He then looked at Ryan. Ryan was about to charge the pokemon when Jeremy jumped off the bed and tackled Bart. Bart stood (or in this case, floated) his ground. He didn't move an inch as the poplio hugged Bart tightly. Ryan stared on in confusion.
"Alright." Ryan said while shaking his head. "What's going on?"
Bart floated past Dillan and towards Jeremy's bed. Jeremy let go and sat in his bed as Bart hovered close by. "I will explain;" Bart said. "but first I would like to know why you two have come here."
Dillan stood up. He walked over to Ryan and squatted down to get closer to Ryan's height.
"Should we trust him?" Dillan whispered.
"I don't know..." Ryan responded. "Jeremy seems pretty attached to the mismagius, so they haven't hurt him or anything... But then again, they could have done something to him... I'm not sure..."
"Personally, I say there's no real harm in trying." Dillan said. "If Bart is a threat, he knows why we're here; but that won't hurt us. If we tell him, we might find out what's going on..."
"Alright..." Ryan said unenthusiastically. "We'll tell him."
Dillan and Ryan broke out of their huddle and explained to Bart what had happened. They watched his expression and Jeremy's; though Dillan and Ryan left the part out about Jeremy's father for fear that he would break down from sadness. Jeremy didn't look shocked or confused by what they were telling them; in fact, he was fascinated by their explanation.
"You guys are a real life exploration team?" Jeremy asked with enthusiasm.
"Yep." Dillan said. Ryan was eyeing Bart suspiciously.
"Cool!" Jeremy said.
"Anyways," Ryan said. "that's why we're here."
"So you are here to take Jeremy back to his mother?" Bart asked.
"Uh..." Ryan said. "Isn't that what we just said?"
"I cannot allow that." Bart said.
Dillan was annoyed. "So you are a kidnapper?" he asked.
"No." a voice called out from behind Dillan. Ryan's face turned into one of anger. Dillan turned around to face the alakazam from before. The gabite scowled at the psychic type.
"Borris," Bart said. "Do not sneak up on others. It's rude."
"No it isn't." Borris protested with a slight smile. "It's perfectly acceptable in my own house."
"It's a base." Bart corrected.
"What ever." Borris said as hew rolled his eyes. He turned towards Ryan. Ryan was focused on Borris' leg. The bite wound from before could be seen, but it was little more than a scar. Dillan didn't really care how it healed so quickly. By now, there were plenty of things that felt like they belonged in a world of fantasy that turned out to be real; such as the fact that he could breath fire.
"If you aren't kidnappers," Ryan began. "then what are you?"
"They're my guardians!" Jeremy said.
"Guardians?" Dillan asked.
"Yes." Borris said. "Jeremy, show the gabite and his friend your back."
Jeremy turned around and showed the pokemon his back. Jeremy had a slew of scars on his back. Dillan became very disgusted and disturbed. He looked away from the sight of the poor poplio.
"What did you so to him?!" Ryan asked with harshness. His cheeks started sparking.
"Calm yourself, shorty." the mismagius said. Ryan gritted his teeth. "We didn't do that."
"Prove it!" Ryan shouted.
"Bart," Borris said. "take Jeremy downstairs to meet Leon." He turned to face Ryan and Dillan. "I'll send my friend a message to let him know your team is no harm to Jeremy."
"No!" Ryan ordered. "We still don't trust you two. I won't let Jeremy out of my sight."
"Then you can come along." Bart said in his shrill tone.
Ryan thought about it for a few seconds. "Fine." He then turned towards Dillan. Dillan was unsure of the whole splitting up thing. Ryan saw his expression of concern.
"It's cool." Ryan said. "I'll make sure Jeremy's safe. You stay here and find out what this is about."
Dillan nodded his head. Ryan walked out of the room along with Bart and Jeremy. Borris walked over to the door and shut it. He then turned towards Dillan who was gnashing his teeth together. Thoughts were racing through Dillan's head. He won't catch me off guard this time.
"Do not worry." the alakazam said. "I will not hurt you. I am the more civilized pokemon on our team.
"Now, you are probably wondering about those scars on Jeremy's back." Yes. Yes I am. Borris strode towards the window and looked out of it like a person does in a movie when he is about to recall an event from his past. "Let me start at the beginning. Jeremy was a fine young lad. He didn't do anything to deserve what happened to him; if anything, he deserved more than better. His father and mother had... issues when they were younger. Jeremy's mother considered him a mistake; his father didn't. THey had a falling out. His mother left with Jeremy, taking his father out of his life. From what Jeremy's told us, his mother hated him. She treated him more as a slave than a son. When he either couldn't or wouldn't stand the ill-treatment, he was beaten; hence the scars. We assume his father found out about the abusive behaviors and tried to take Jeremy away. Jeremy hates to talk about it, but he did tell Leon about his father..."
Borris looked down and squinted his eyes shut tightly. Dillan saw a lone tear fall from his face. "He said his mother was the reason his father was killed... He said he watched it... The kid tries to look past that, but every now and then, he..." Borris stopped for a minute or two. Dillan didn't know what to believe. The child seemed so happy when they saw him, surely he would be more traumatized; but those scars weren't recent, they looked unhealable. He had to have gotten them before now.
"When did you guys come into the picture?" Dillan asked sympathetically. He may not have been completely convinced of their story, but judging by the way Jeremy treats them, they have to be good pokemon.
"When Jeremy's father died, his mother wanted to move to Palando. Jeremy tried to run when he was in the pass. My team was just returning from Palando with some supplies. When we found Jeremy, he was running. He told us to help him. He had scratch marks on his back. It was a horrific sight. He was in tears. When his mother came, she demanded we return Jeremy to her. We didn't know what to do. Jeremy told us of his mother's abusive nature. She had blood on her claws... We couldn't leave Jeremy to her.
"Understand, we would have gone to the guild with the information, but she may have pinned the abuse on us; not to mention the duration of time it would have taken to process the report. I wouldn't let Jeremy go back to that witch. We took him in. It may have been illegal, but we had no other option; not one where Jeremy doesn't end up hurt."
Dillan processed the information that had been told to them. What little suspicions he had left evaporated. You could say it was irrational for him to let go of his suspicions and that there was still a chance that these pokemon might have been lying; yet Dillan believed what Borris said because of his tone, demeanor, and also because Dillan wanted to believe there was a hint of good in every pokemon. He couldn't stand the thought that these pokemon were this deceptive to the point of deceiving not only him, but Jeremy as well to the point of the little poplio calling them, "his guardians".
"I believe you;" Dillan said as he lowered his guard. Borris looked at him with a thankful look in his eyes. "but you need to take this to the authorities."
"I told you we can't do that." Borris said flatly.
"Yes you can." Dillan insisted. "If you bring it to them, you can help Jeremy. Pokemon believe he's a captive; that his mother is the victim. Bring Jeremy to the guild in Kerroshia Castle. Tell them you're on official business from Team Rapture; that it's an emergency concerning the package that was delivered. That should bring you the Guildmaster. Tell her the situation. Show her Jeremy's scars. That would bring the situation to the top of the guild instead of starting from the bottom. Jeremy's mother might not be charged with the death of her husband; but for the assault on her own child. She'll be taken out of the picture and your team can take Jeremy in without it being illegal. You need to do this."
"Why?" the alakazam asked sternly. "Why is this needed?"
"Because we're a team that just started. This is our first mission." with those words, the alakazam looked astonished. "If we found you this easily, chances are that another team more powerful than us will find you as well. Next time, they may take Jeremy back to his mother and then you're at square negative five because your team will then be arrested for kidnapping a child."
Borris stared at the gabite with a mixture of acknowledgement and fear. He walked towards the gabite. "I could tell there was something different about you from the beginning; your wits prove this fact to me."
Now Dillan was confused. "Different?" he asked. "Different how?"
Before Borris could answer, there was a shout coming from outside the window.
"Hay Borras!" Leon called out. Borris walked over to the window. "Bring Dillan down here so whe can talk!"
Borris gave a wave and moved towards the door. He grasped the handle and openned the wooden door. "Come." the alakazam said. Dillan wanted to know more; yet he forgot about his questions quickly when he realized Hazel would be with Leon. He wanted to see if his plan had hurt her.
Team Rapture was facing Team K. P. (Leon, Bart, Borris, and Jeremy). Dillan explained to his team what was going on with K. P. and vice-versa. Dillan spoke in a whisper when he talked about Jeremy's past. Ryan looked angry and Hazel looked horrified.
"No offense," Ryan said. "but I still have my doubts."
"It is a fantastical story," Hazel said. "in a bad way; but I think it's possible."
"Why's that?" Ryan asked.
"Well, when I was fighting Leon, he had the chance to kill me; but he didn't..."
"True..." Ryan said. "When I fought Borris, he gave me a fighting chance. Also, he got emotional when I talked about Jeremy. They seem to care for the kid."
"Also," Dillan jumped in. "Jeremy seems to like them. They have to be good, right?"
The group looked at each other. They came to a unanimous decision. The two groups faced each other.
"We've decided that you are not a threat to Jeremy's safety." Bart said with his usual tone.
"We've come to the conclusion that you aren't kidnappers." Dillan said.
"Good," Leon said sarcastically. "'cause that takes a load off of my rhocky chest." Borris hit the back of Leon's head with his spoon. "Kidding." he told Borris.
"We've also considered your proposition, Dillan." Borris said. "and we've decided it would be in Jeremy's best interest to take his issues to the Guildmaster."
"That's great news!" Hazel said enthusiastically; though a part of her tone showed sympathy for Jeremy as well as fear. Hazel seemed to glance at Bart now and then for an unknown reason. Dillan guessed she was still a little shaken up from their encounter at Poltress Town.
Jeremy stood on his tail in a proud manner. He put his fins to his hips and stuck his snout into the air.
"Let me help you bhring your ego a little higher!" Leon said as he grabbed the poplio and lifted him into the air. Jeremy laughed from the excitement it brought him. Dillan could have been seeing things; but for a brief second, it looked as though Bart smiled.
"We need to be off." Bart announced. "It'll take us a few hours to pack the supplies for the journey; then the rest of the day to arrive in Kerroshia." With that, Bart turned towards the structure and floated into it, leaving Leon to scowl at the mismagius.
Borris walked up to the team and said, "I am sorry you came all this way for nothing-"
"Nothing?" Hazel interrupted with a smile. "In my mind, we came here to help a child. In think my team would agree with me when I say we accomplished just that! I wouldn't call that nothing."
"Me neither." Ryan added with a grin. "Hazel's right. Helping Jeremy is better than any reward money."
"I agree as well." Dillan said with a light smile.
"Thank you, friends!" Jeremy shouted from atop Leon's shoulder.
Leon gave a hearty laugh. "Yes! Thank you, indeed!"
"We should be off." Ryan said. "We have a long walk to go in order to reach Palando."
"Hey shorty!" Leon shouted to Ryan. Ryan's cheeks sparked a little and Ryan gave a half-hearted smile. "If you see mother Jehremy, give her a message!"
"Yeah?" Ryan asked with a fake smile.
"Thell her that we want to mheet at Kehrroshia infront of the Ghild in fhive-days time."
"Yeah!" Jeremy shouted.
"We'll try..." Dillan said, though he had no intention of doing such a thing. He didn't think getting the mother involved at this time would be a very good idea.
"Until our paths cross again, I will say this, 'Though we may greet at one point and leave at the next; know that if fate allows, everyone meets again at one point or another'."
"Did you come up with that?" Hazel asked.
"No." Leon said. "It whas his grandfhather's words. Whise man."
With their final waves good bye, Team Rapture and Team K. P. parted.
It took about two hours to reach the other side of the Palando Mountain Pass, but they finally found a beam of light come into the cave. Dillan squinted when he exited the cave. His miracle sense turned off and he found himself on a cliff. The sun was about to set over the horizon; but Dillan could see for miles. There were patches of trees stretched all over the plains. The mountains were to Dillan's back. Dillan could make out a small town off in the distance.
"That's Palando Town." Ryan pronounced as he looked from his map to the horizon.
"It looks so small from here." Dillan said as he squinted his eyes in an attempt at enlarging the town.
"That's because it's about thirty miles away." Hazel said. "We won't be able to reach the town by nightfall."
"Then we should get going." Dillan said. Team Rapture moved onwards, down the mountain path. They walked onwards to their destination of Palando Town.
(Author's Notes)
Hey guys! MasterKnight here! I just wanted to apologize for how short the chapter is. As I stated in chapter 10 (Or maybe I didn't. I don't remember), these three chapters in the Palando Mountain Pass were originally going to be one whole chapter, but it seemed WAY too long, so I cut it into different chapters. I would have included this one into chapter 11, but it felt weird for some reason and honestly, I trust my gut when it comes to writing and it hasn't led me wrong (as far as I know). So, I made this part it's own chapter. Hope you guys enjoyed it! (even though it wasn't very long) I'll see you all in the next chapter!
