Pokemon Mystery Dungeon
Shadows of Ganderosa
Chapter 13
Battles and Struggles
(Disclaimer)
Hey guys! It's MasterKnight here! Before you start, I just want to apologize for not getting this chapter out last week. I had the worst problem known in the world of writing... WRITER'S BLOCK! (Dun dun DUN!) It was a really bad case of writer's block. I wasn't happy with the start of this chapter and you'll see why. I still couldn't fix it. I just decided to move on. Special thanks to jakeroo123 for giving his input! It helped get this chapter finished. It is a REALLY REALLY LONG chapter. As a result, TADA! I have given you guys book marks in the form of Number's at every break in the paragraphs. For example:
_1
Like that! I would have cut the chapter, but I felt it wouldn't work well. So you have a massive chapter to read! Enjoy guys! And, once again, sorry for the wait!
After the sun went down, Ryan guessed that they were about ten miles away from Palando Town. Because Hazel was the team's only light source, Team Rapture decided it was best for the team to rest for the night. Dillan built the burrow off the path like last time, except better. The motions in which he used to dig had started to become muscle memory.
Dillan finished the burrow in about ten minutes. The walls were smoother and so was the pillar in the middle of the room. Hazel and Ryan walked inside. No one talked to each other. They were all too exhausted for words. Hazel got out three blankets and handed them out. She then took the third and used it as a pillow. She flopped onto the blanket and passed out. Dillan didn't need a blanket. He only took it to be kind to Hazel. He didn't want to turn down the offer. He scrunched the pillow up and used it as a cushion for his head as well. Ryan used his blanket like a blanket. He spread the massive cloth across on the ground and lied down on it. He then took half of the cloth and draped it over him like a cocoon. Ryan fell to sleep just as fast as Hazel did. Dillan yawned and felt the ceiling for movement; a leaf falling from a tree or a drop of rain against the ground. It was a fun game he had just invented in order to use his miracle sense. He closed his eyes and tried to ignore the fiery light of Hazel's tail. Maybe having separate rooms is a good idea... Dillan felt around with his miracle sense. He didn't know what he was looking for, but he searched. He figured that doing something would help him sleep; it usually did. After a while, Dillan fell asleep.
_2
Dillan's eyes opened. He found himself laying on a tile floor. He got up and scanned his surroundings. There were paintings on the walls. He was in the same room from his dreams. Was this a dream?
"Reya!" Dillan yelled. His only reply was the echoing of his own voice in the room. "Reya!" Still no answer. What in arceus' name.
Dillan started scanning the new pictures. There was one of the Kerroshian Guildmaster fighting him. Dillan looked worried; as though he didn't know what he was doing. Probably because I didn't know what I was doing... like now... What's my end-goal? Dillan sat down on the floor. He pointed his back-fin towards the wall so he could view the room he was in. Why did I join this team? I could be looking for clues or answers about my past... but no. I joined a team of pokemon I hardly know... Hazel wanted this team, but did I?
"Did you?" an ominous voice echoed through the dream.
Dillan jumped to his feet. His eyes flew towards every crevice of the room, trying to identify the source of the voice.
"Who's there?" Dillan asked. He tried to sound confident, but it came out as more of a squeak.
"At the moment, that is not your concern." the voice told Dillan. "Your priority is to find your family... to find Grace."
"How do you know about Grace?"
"I know many things, for instance; I know who, or rather what, you really are."
"What do you mean?" Dillan asked cautiously. Something about the voice made Dillan nervous and scared.
"Of course you wouldn't know. You have amnesia, don't you?"
Dillan grimaced. How does he know that? What else does he know?
"Do you know about my past?"
"Of course." The voice sounded smug. "But that is not the reason I am here."
"Than why are you here?"
"I want to teach you about... Yourself."
Dillan was starting to gain some of his courage. "Would you stop avoiding my questions?"
"Not until you stop avoiding the one question you should have been asking the moment you were put into this world."
"Which is?"
"What are you."
What?
"It's time to stop lying to yourself, Dillan. You know something is wrong. When you arrived in this world, nothing seemed familiar, correct?"
Dillan didn't know what to say. He didn't know what this voice was implying.
"Well?"
"I-... Correct..."
"Good. Did you even recognize yourself?"
"No..." He's right. Something has always felt the slightest bit off about his form. He could never tell what it was but he knew something was strange... Different.
"Ask me the question."
"Wh-..." Dillan hesitated. Something felt wrong as if a primal instinct was screaming at him to avoid asking this question.
"Ask it!"
"No!" a voice echoed in the background. It was Ryan's voice. "Stop!" The room began to fluctuate violently
"Ryan?" Dillan shouted as he tried to keep himself from vomiting from motion sickness.
"Do you know what you really are?" the voice shouted. Dillan wasn't paying attention anymore. He was checking the room for some sign of an exit.
"Ryan!" Dillan shouted again.
"Don't do it!" Ryan's voice said. Dillan's vision started turning white. "Leave them alone!"
"Dillan! You are human!"
Dillan's mind darted back towards the voice. Human? Dillan felt like collapsing.
"No!" Ryan shouted. The room became a white blob.
_3
Dillan jolted awake from the yelling. His vision was blurry. He hit the side of his head with his claw to straighten out his sight. When the blotches in his sight cleared, he saw Hazel's tail-flame illuminating the room. She was still asleep, obviously unfazed by the sudden out-burst that filled the burrow. Dillan looked to the exit. He saw a glimpse of Ryan's white and blue-striped tail exiting the hole. Where is he going? Dillan stood up and quietly walked out of the burrow.
There were dew drops across the grass shining like miniature crystals. The sky was pinkish-blue from the rising sun. The road stretched onwards to Dillan's left and ended about five miles down. There was a pretty big town at the end of the road. To Dillan's right, the sun peered feebly from the cracks in the mountains that stretched northward and southward. Ryan was sitting on the grass, panting. He was staring towards the sunrise.
Dillan walked over to the pachirisu's left. Ryan didn't seem to give notice to his friend who sat down next to him.
"What are you looking at?" Dillan said.
"The sun..." Ryan's voice was filled with worry. His face showed concern and pain. "The sky..." Dillan wanted to ask what was wrong, but he didn't think Ryan would tell him. They sat in silence. A flock of blue birds with yellow beaks flew across the sky followed by a group of majestic, white birds with long necks. Dillan looked at them and thought about how free they were; being able to travel over mountains in seconds while Dillan had to go through them. The idea made him smile.
"Why did you join the team?" Ryan asked.
"Uh..." Dillan said as he thought about the question. "Well, maybe it was because of Hazel."
"How so?"
"I can't stand letting anyone be sad... I don't know. It's like an instinct that gives me the urge to help in any way I can."
Ryan sat in silence, thinking through Dillan's answer.
"Ryan," Dillan began. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." Ryan said almost instantly.
"Nothing?" Dillan asked again.
Ryan thought about it. He continued to look up at the sky. He gave a sigh and than said, "It's my family..."
"What's wrong with your family?"
Ryan gave a half-hearted laugh. "What isn't wrong?" He thought about what to say next. "Before I was born, my parents had my older brother, Isaac. He was a genius... Straight A student... He made my parents very proud. When he left the house, my parents decided they did so well with Isaac, that they would do the same thing with my other siblings and me. They decided to raise three kids at a time. I've seen families with multiple kids before and they turned out to be a great family; but my family was different. We needed to be like Isaac, BE Isaac. My older sister, Carly, did fairly well in school. She was the second-oldest in the family, so she mad it her duty to push me and Luke, the third-oldest in my family, to be as good as she was; so did my parents. I did well; very well. I was getting better and better at learning. While I was succeeding, Luke was failing. He was getting pushed harder and harder until couldn't handle the pressure. He..." Ryan's voice trailed off.
He took a deep breath and said, "He started bullying me... He couldn't stand the thought of his younger sibling being better than he was... I started falling behind in school as a result of the bullying. He told our parents 'it was his duty to make me stronger so I could live in the real world'. They believed him... It wouldn't stop... He wouldn't stop..." Ryan started to tear up. He looked angry.
Dillan felt really bad for the pachirisu. He had no idea that he dealt with that.
Ryan wiped the tear from his eye and said, "I started to teach myself how to fight back. It took a whole year of bullying... By now, I was doing just as poorly in school as Luke; but I could fight. I beat Luke... I hurt him like he hurt me... It hurts to do something like that to someone you're suppose to love; but I did it.
"Eventually, I got involved with a fighting group outside of school; a sort of mixed-martial arts group. I became very good at fighting at the cost of my school. My parents hated it... Then I... They left me."
"I'm so sorry..." Hazel said. Dillan looked around to see Hazel walking towards Ryan. Ryan looked highly embarrassed. He quickly slapped at his face in a hasty attempt to dry his eyes and cheeks of his tears. Hazel sat on Ryan's right.
"How much did you hear?" Ryan asked in a pitch that was a little higher than normal.
"I heard enough..." Hazel sounded pained. "Why didn't you say anything earlier?"
"I didn't want to!" Ryan started sounding defensive. "It isn't any of your or Dillan's business."
"Ryan-" Dillan started sympathetically.
"I don't want to talk about it anymore." Ryan interrupted. "Let's just move on. We're close to Palando anyways." Ryan stood up and headed towards the burrow. Hazel looked sad.
When Ryan was inside of the burrow, the charmelion asked, "Do you think he likes me?"
Dillan was a little shocked by the question. "What?"
"Do you think Ryan likes me?" Hazel asked again. Her eyes were pointed towards the ground. "He always acts a little rude around me; but when he's with you, he seems to be more open..."
Dillan thought about a response to give. "I think he just doesn't trust you as much as me."
Hazel looked at Dillan with an annoyed look. Dillan realized immediately he had said something wrong.
"Thanks, Dillan." Hazel said sarcastically. "You really are someone I can turn to for advice." Hazel got up and walked over towards the burrow.
"Hazel!" Dillan shouted towards her. Hazel kept walking onwards. Dillan internally kicked himself. Why did you say that? Dang it! Now not only is Ryan in a bad mood; but so is Hazel! You really are a bad friend...
_4
It didn't take very long to pack up the supplies. It was the rest of the walk that made Dillan tired. He figured that the sand in Kerroshia had the same effect a cave had on Dillan's senses, and since he wasn't in Kerroshia anymore, he was back to his normal out-of-shape self.
Dillan automatically assumed Palando looked better from a distance than it did up close. The streets were nice enough and so were the buildings. It was the alleys that made Dillan nervous. There were ratty looking pokemon leering at the group as they walked. Ryan didn't seem to notice the dirty looks that were cast in his direction. He was too busy looking for a black roof and so was Hazel. Other than the alley-pokemon, the town seemed vacant.
"Where is everyone?" Dillan asked his team.
"I don't know." Ryan said. "But I do know where the guild is." Ryan pointed towards a small tower that was barely stretching over the other buildings.
"Why do we need to go to the guild?" Dillan asked.
"Because," Hazel began. "we need to let them know we're here so they can give us a place to sleep. Also, they give out free breakfa-" Some shouting from an alley interrupted Hazel.
"Look out!" a pokemon shouted.
Dillan looked towards an alley on his right. There was a small, quadrupedal, yellow mouse with ears that had black tips. The pokemon had red cheeks and a tail like a lightning bolt. It also had white bandages wrapped around its front paws. There was a yellow crystal suspended by a chain that wrapped itself around the pokemon's neck. It was running towards the team at a fast pace. It tried to stop, but its momentum was too great. Dillan stepped out of the way and so did Ryan. Hazel took the full force of the pikachu. They tumbled onto the floor. The pikachu recovered quickly. He looked at Hazel. Dillan couldn't completely tell, but he thought the pikachu's cheeks turned a darker shade of red.
"What's the rush?" Hazel shouted at the pikachu.
"Whoa!" the pikachu said with a grin. "Easy, beautiful! I didn't mean to run into you." He held out his paw to Hazel. "Need some help?"
Hazel swiped the pikachu's hand aside. She looked embarrassed. "Beautiful?!" Hazel shouted. "Who do you think you are?!"
The pikachu took a step back and bowed. He didn't look phased by Hazel's reaction. "I'm Bolt; Bolt Raimi." Bolt looked up and started looking worried. "Sorry to hit and run, but I have something important to do!" Bolt started running off when he turned around and said, "See you around, Sparky!"
Hazel got up and gave a confused scowl in Bolt's direction. She then looked to Dillan and Ryan and asked, "Sparky?"
"Don't ask me." Ryan said with as much confusion as Hazel. Dillan gave a shrug. Hazel dusted herself off and then proceeded to do the same with her bag.
"What a jerk!" Hazel said.
"Maybe he had something important?" Dillan suggested. Ryan and Hazel both looked in his direction. "Just a thought."
"Oh well." Hazel said with a sigh.
"Let's move on." Ryan said as Team Rapture made their way to the guild.
_5
The court yard, in Dillan's opinion, was lacking. It wasn't very big. There was a small fountain in the middle of the courtyard that had two sea horses squirting water into the basin below. There was a dirt path leading to the fountain, around the fountain, and to the stone structure at the back. A field of grass surrounded the path. The door to the tower was made of metal. It had dents all over it. To the left of the door was the job bulletin.
Dillan looked at the bulletin. Jeremy's poster was on it. It made Dillan a little worried about Team K. P. He wondered how they were fairing at the moment. Ryan walked up to the board. He seemed to notice the poster as well. He jumped up and grabbed the poster. He ripped it from the board and crumpled it up. Hazel looked worried by the sudden attack against poster-kind.
Ryan looked at her before saying, "What?"
"Nothing." Hazel said.
"Alright." Ryan walked towards the door and pushed it open. Dillan guessed the door was light judging by the lack of stress on Ryan's face. He opened it like a letter; quick and easy. Team Rapture walked into the guild. Dillan looked around.
The floor was made of stone. There was a lone desk to the immediate right of the door. There was a chandelier hanging from the wooden roof. There were four pictures along the left wall. Each one had a plaque underneath. There was a pokemon at the desk. It was an eight-legged, bug pokemon. All of its legs were yellow with a black stripe in the middle. The pokemon had antennae on its abdomen and pincers on its face. The pokemon's base color was red. Its eyes were purple and glassy. The ariados was working on paperwork with a ferocious speed.
"Excuse me," Hazel began.
The ariados looked up from its paperwork and said, "Do you wish to schedule an appointment?" Dillan felt a weird vibe from her.
"No." Ryan said. "We're the new guildmembers."
"So you're Team Rapture?" the arachnid questioned.
"Yes, ma'am." Dillan put in.
"Please, call me Janette."
"We just wanted to check in with you guys and let you know we're ready for duty." Hazel said enthusiastically.
"Alrighty." Janette said with a cheery voice. "I just need you to answer a simple question each."
"And what's the question?" Ryan asked. Hazel gave him a quick look of annoyance.
"It's fine." Janette said in response to Hazel's glare. "I like it when a pokemon gets to the point. Makes my job easier. Not that I don't mind the work or anything; it's just I appreciate it when people make my job easier..." Janette added a nervous laugh. "Anyways, I need you to give your birth dates."
"Don't listen to her." a voice came from Dillan's left. It was disturbingly familiar. Dillan looked out the doorway to see a staravia looking at him. "She just wants to use her astrological whatchamacallit."
"Haily?!" Hazel said with worry. She sounded as though she was about to shriek. Ryan took an instinctual step back. Dillan looked n with worry.
"Relax Sig." Haily said with a neutral tone. "I'm not here to talk to you or your team."
"Than why are you here?" Ryan said angrily.
"I live here." Haily said.
"L-live here?" Dillan said feebly.
"She sure does." Janette said. "You guys know each other?"
"Yes." Haily said flatly. She then started walking towards a doorway at the east side of the room.
"D-does that mean your whole team works here?" Dillan asked.
Haily stopped, turned towards Team Rapture, said, "Yes", and walked through the doorway.
"Small world." Ryan said with annoyance. "Really small freakin world."
"Yeah." Janette said. "You guys are gonna get along."
"What makes you say that?" Hazel asked.
"Haily's a cancer."
"No joke." Ryan said sarcastically with a smirk.
"Oh!" Janette exclaimed. "You're into signs too?"
"Signs?" Dillan asked. He hated feeling like the only one to ask questions, but he wanted to know everything he could.
"Astrological signs!" Janette reached under her desk and pulled out a massive book. He set it onto the table with a "thud". "Like cancer! Tell them!" She pointed to Ryan. Hazel gave a look of interest.
Ryan perked his head up confidently. "I'm sorry to say this, Janette," Ryan started. "but I don't believe in these signs. I only know what they are and what they stand for personality-wise."
Janette gave a look of shock. She contemplated what Ryan had just said and what was said earlier. "Oh..." she said with sad-eyes. "I guess I assumed you... Alright... I was only joking about the whole birth dates thing... You guys don't really have to give it... Just go see the Guildleader to let him know you are here..."
Ryan gave a frown of compassion.
"Do you know where the Guildleader is?" Hazel asked with a sympathetic tone.
"Yeah... He's probably at the arena..."
"He is." Haily said from the doorway. A new figure was standing next to her. It was the haunter, Jess. Dillan looked at Hazel. She gave a shudder. Her pupils dilated and her laps tightened. Jess had the opposite look. She looked overjoyed at the arrival of the new team.
"Hey guys!" Jess shouted crazily. She floated over to Janette's side. "You guys figure out your signs yet?"
Hazel looked about ready to throw up from fear. She started swaying eerily. Dillan was starting to get paranoid. What did she do to Hazel? She needs to leave.
"We need to be going-" Dillan said before he was interrupted by Hazel running out of the building. Dillan looked on with shock.
"What's with her?" Jess asked. "She looks as though she's seen a ghost. Oh wait!" Jess started cackling crazily. It unnerved Dillan.
"Yeah." Ryan put in. "We really need to go see the guild... guy... before it gets even weirder in here." Ryan gave a wave and pushed on Dillan's ankle, urging him to move out.
"Alright, then!" Jess said. "See ya Skitty and Pipsqueak!"
Ryan's grip tightened on Dillan's leg. He started breathing heavily as he and Dillan exited the building.
_6
Hazel was staring at the fountain. Ryan let go of Dillan and ran to Hazel's left. Dillan closed the doors and walked to Hazel's right. Hazel was scowling at the water in the fountain. She seemed to be lost in a memory.
"What's wrong?" Ryan asked with concern.
Hazel didn't look at him. She stared at her reflection as it rippled in the water's surface.
"What type of pokemon is Jess?" Dillan asked.
"Ghost." Ryan said. "Why?"
"Hazel." Dillan said. "Talk to us. Why are you afraid of ghost types?"
Hazel didn't say anything. She just stared. She was starting to worry Dillan.
"I can't ignore it all the time." Hazel finally said.
"Ignore what?" Ryan asked.
"The memories..."
"Hazel..." Dillan urged.
"I-..." hazel started. She started squinting her eyes. "I can't tell you..."
"Why not?" Ryan asked.
Hazel reared on Ryan. "Why not? Why not? You can't seriously expect me to open up when you won't do the same. I can understand Dillan not opening up because he doesn't have any memories; but you?" Dillan's heart sunk. He felt as though Hazel had just personally attacked him. Yeah, it wasn't intentional and Dillan knew that; but it still hurt. Hazel looked at him and her expression softened.
"Dillan-"
"You two need to stop." Dillan interrupted with as calm of a voice he could muster up. Hazel and Ryan looked as him. "Both of you lash out at each other for the dumbest things. You know what? Maybe you guys got off on the wrong foot. You two didn't understand what kind of baggage you may carry with you guys and that would have been fine if you two tried to resolve your differences, but you didn't. You fought. Hazel, Ryan overreacted at the diner... What was it called?"
"Harley's." Ryan said.
"Thank you." Dillan said sincerely. He directed his attention back to Hazel. "Even though he overreacted, it doesn't excuse your attitude towards him."
"Dillan-" Hazel tried to argue.
"Hazel," Dillan cut her off. "Please let me finish." Hazel stopped protesting. "Thanks. Now then, Ryan. You told me first-hand how much baggage you have; but that can't be used as an excuse to take it out on Hazel. You guys need to start over; wipe the slate clean of all your past mistakes." They just sat there, staring at Dillan in awe. "Slate clean... Start over... Guys?"
Ryan gave a sigh and faced Hazel. "Hazel... Prince?"
Hazel looked at him and chuckled a little. "Yeah. It's 'Prince'."
"Hazel Prince," Ryan started again. "I'm sorry for being rude and arrogant and for insulting your friend... My name is Ryan Simon." Ryan stuck out his paw.
Hazel gave another chuckle. "I don't think he meant start over that..." She looked at Dillan. He was nodding his head in agreement. "Oh. Well then," She turned towards Ryan. "I'm sorry for being rude and cold to you. I'm Sigourney Prince; but you can call me Hazel."
They both shook hands. They looked a little embarrassed. Dillan gave a sigh of relief.
Ryan started to smile. "Sigourney?"
"That's what my parents named me." Hazel proclaimed.
"Why change it?" Ryan asked.
"A new beginning. Hazel said. "After Haily and Dean left, I wanted a new beginning with a new team; hence the new name."
"That's why Haily and Dean keep calling you Sig." Dillan realized aloud.
"Yep."
"Well then, Sig," Ryan said with a smirk. "Wanna find the Guildleader?"
Dillan realized he had yet another question. "Guildleader?"
Hazel answered immediately. "The chain of command in Ganderosa is King, Guildmaster, Guildleader, guildmember. The guildmembers report to the Guildleaders, which report to the Guildmasters, which report to the King." That answered Dillan's question. "I would love to meet the Guildleader." Dillan heard a door closing. He turned to the guild's door. It was shut. He could have sworn the door had shut. He assumed it must have been his imagination.
"I hate asking questions," Dillan said. He was thoroughly annoyed with his lack of information. "But we don't know where to go. Janette said the arena, but I don't know where that is."
"I do." Ryan said with a smile. Dillan seemed to notice a fire burn in his eyes.
"Really?" Hazel asked.
"See that neon green tower?" Ryan pointed to a tower Dillan hadn't noticed before. Now that he saw it, it did look odd. "By process of elimination, that is the only roof that stands out."
"Cool." Hazel said.
"Let's get going." Dillan said. Team Rapture made their way to their next objective.
_7
As Dillan got closer to the tower, a roar of approval started growing. At first, it was like a mere whisper; but after a while, it became a roar.
After a few minutes, Team Rapture found themselves at the top of a massive pit. The arena was more like a coliseum. There was a podium suspended above the arena where a massive, purple pokemon sat. It had a huge mouth and round, disc ears. The pokemon was chanting commentary. A ring of fans of multiple colors was chanting, cheering, and booing all at the same time. In the middle of the coliseum, two pokemon were engaged in battle. Dillan was feeling a little overwhelmed from the energy that seemed to pulse through the stadium as one of the pokemon either landed a hit or took one head on.
One of the pokemon had the same body-type as Jeremy. The difference between the two was the white fur that fluffed outwards on the pokemon's head. Its body was light blue and its face was white. It had massive white tusks at the front of its face. The pokemon looked about six feet tall. The second pokemon looked like a midget to the walrein. It looked like the pikachu from before. Wait a minute…
Dillan pointed out the smaller pokemon to Ryan and Hazel.
"Is that…" Ryan tried to state. "What did he say his name was?"
The walrein took a blast of electricity that arced from the pikachu's small body. The walrein passed out. Ryan looked at the end of the fight with a smile of excitement.
A massive voice boomed out from the loudred above the stadium. "Winner by knock out! It's your very own fan favorite, E. B.!" The crowd cheered in approval at the outcome. Dillan and Hazel looked onwards as Ryan cheered with the crowd.
"I hate this sport." Hazel said over the crowd.
"What's to hate?" Ryan proclaimed.
"I don't believe my eyes!" a burly voice called out from behind Dillan. The gabite cursed internally as his teeth gritted together. Team Rapture turned around to face Dean the machoke. "If it isn't the team of idiots."
"You know," Ryan started. "I was hoping your team realized they didn't need to act like losers; sadly, they obviously didn't realize this fact."
Dean smiled. "Big words for such a small pokemon."
"You want to fight?" Ryan said. Dillan looked at his friend. Ryan didn't look ready to fight, he looked ready to run. His tail was shaking. Ryan looked very worried which Dillan knew was not how he wanted to look.
"Relax pipsqueak." Dean said. "You aren't worth my time; too weak and small. Besides, right now I'm on guild business."
"What kind of business is that?" Hazel asked cautiously.
"The Guildleader wanted me to find some real guildmembers today; although, it doesn't look like there are any in sight. Guess you three will have to do."
Dillan wanted to defend himself; yet at the same time, he couldn't bring himself to say anything. He just stared at the muscular pokemon that stood in front of him.
"Dean," Hazel said. "What is wrong with you? Can't you be civil?"
"I don't know, Sig," Dean responded. "Can I?" Dean started walking away. He made a wave to the team to follow him. Dillan and Hazel started walking.
_8
Dean led them between pokemon. Dillan looked at them all as the announcer said something about an intermission. The gabite was in awe of all the different kinds of pokemon that filled the stadium, waiting for a form of entertainment. He walked to a box that Dillan hadn't noticed before. There was a plaque above the door. It said, "Guildmembers Only". Hazel looked at the stadium with disgust as they entered the box.
It was pretty big. There were chairs that were sloped down like the stadium so pokemon could see over each other. Other than the group, there were two pokemon sitting in the chairs.
One was easily identified as Haily. The other one was a pokemon Dillan hadn't seen before.
It was a big, yellow pokemon with a yellow orb on its forehead. It had cone-shaped ears that were striped black and yellow. The pokemon looked like a bipedal pokemon. It had a long, black and yellow striped tail that ended at an orange orb. The pokemon's stomach was big. Dillan wondered if that was normal or if the pokemon needed a diet.
The ampharos turned in it's chair to face the entering pokemon. He smiled at the team.
"Thank you Dean!" the ampharos said in a cheery voice.
"Anytime, Guildleader." Dean said smugly as he sat in the chair next to Haily.
"Now then, let me introduce myself. I am Guildleader Garth Amoux, but Guildleader is how you two can address me. Now then, what are your names?" Did he say "you two"?
Dillan started looking around while Hazel introduced herself. "My name is Hazel Prince." She then looked at Dillan to introduce himself. He didn't pay attention. "Dillan, what's wrong?"
"Where did Ryan go?" Dillan asked.
Dean started laughing heartily. "That pipsqueak did NOT." He continued to laugh.
"What's the matter with you, Dean?" Hazel asked.
"Your friend has a death-wish; that's what!"
"What do you mean?" Hazel asked.
Dillan looked out upon the stadium. He started listening to the announcer. "In the left corner is the tough, the rough, the small but powerful, E. B.!" The crowd started erupting in cheers. "And in the right corner, we have a new-comer! Go on and introduce yourself!" The crowd quieted so the new-comer could talk. Hazel and Dillan looked on in shock.
"My name is Ryan Simon!" Ryan proclaimed. The crowd started whispering and murmuring.
"Ryan!" Hazel yelled from the box. "What do you think you're doing?!"
Bolt looked over at Hazel. He gave a wink in her direction. Some of the girls on the box's side of the arena started swooning. Hazel wasn't impressed.
"Hey beautiful!" Bolt shouted to the box.
"Hey, pretty boy!" Ryan shouted to Bolt. Bolt looked towards Ryan. "Eyes over here."
Dillan didn't like how calm he was about fighting Ryan. Does he underestimate Ryan, or does he think he's more skilled?
Bolt raised his hand for silence. The crowd obliged. Bolt walked up to Ryan. He extended his paw in a friendly gesture. Ryan looked at it cautiously.
"I'm the Electric Blur;" Bolt said. "but everyone here knows me as E. B." He looked to the crowd for confirmation. The crowd started cheering.
"That's just like him." Garth said. He gave a laugh.
"Is he well-known?" Dillan said.
"Pay attention, Skitty!" Dean said from his seat. "He's the fan-favorite. Everyone loves him; well, almost everyone." Dean looked to Haily. She just stared at the field.
"What's his win-lose ratio?" Hazel asked.
"Your friend has no chance." Haily said. "If Dean can beat him, anyone can."
"I'm not sure if I should laugh or punch you." Dean said.
"Quiet you two." Garth said.
Dillan turned his attention back to the field. Ryan had just finished shaking hands with Bolt.
"Tell me something, Ryan Simon." Bolt said. "What's your reason for fighting?"
"Do you need one?" Ryan asked.
Bolt gave a laugh. "Ooh. I like your spirit. Do you have a nick name?"
Ryan looked at him like he was crazy. "We're about to fight and you want to know my nick name?"
"Why not, feisty?"
"Don't call me that." Ryan said flatly.
"How about fluffy? To be honest, you don't look like you can hurt a magikarp."
Dillan could feel his addrenaline start to pump. The crowd started saying things like "Ooh!" and "Burn!" with a hint of "Snap!" mixed into one blur.
Garth laughed at the comment. "Who is that pachirisu?"
"He's your new guildmember." Hazel said sharply.
"What a twist!" Garth exclaimed. "Guildmember V. Guildmember!"
"You've got to be kidding." Hazel said.
"I wish he was." Dillan said. "Both pipsqueak and butter fingers make bad guildmembers."
Dillan looked at Haily. She didn't seem amused by Dean's wise-cracks. Come to think of it, she didn't seem to ever laugh at Dean's comments. They seemed like polar opposites. Dean talks way too much while Haily didn't talk at all.
"Dillan!" Hazel yelled over the crowd. Dillan snapped back into reality. "Did you hear me?"
"Sorry," Dillan said. "I didn't."
"I said you should help Ryan out."
"You can't do that." Haily stated. She was still looking at the stadium.
"Why not?" Dillan asked.
"Because the rules say so. You can't interfere with a battle or the participants when they volunteer for a fight."
"Here's a question." Dillan said. "How can Ryan just walk into the stadium and say, 'I want to fight'?"
Haily gave a sigh like, "Why me?". "Because you can. Bolt made it that way. He wanted anyone to be able to fight him while he's in the stadium. It's his way of getting money fast. No one minded the rule when Bolt proposed it a month ago; so it's been a specialty rule that is specific to Bolt's battles."
Dillan was terrified for Ryan. "He's going to lose." Dean laughed while Hazel nudged Dillan in the side. "Bolt. Bolt's going to lose."
Hazel whispered in Dillan's ear hole, "Keep hope."
The announcer started talking again in his big, booming voice. "Ladies and gentlmon! The fight will begin shortly! First, a word from our sponsors! King Judah gladly funds this arena for your entertainment! All hail the Arvain Empire! Ken's Emporium is a proud sponsor of the arena! Ken's Emporium For all of your wears "wear" ever you need them! Also, a special "thanks" to E. B. and the Guildleader, Garth for the entertainment they provide everyday! Now then, let's get down to the rules! No hits to the eyes, ears, or throat. Since you are both smaller pokemon," Dillan noticed Ryan plant his feet. "you can use any attack you have. Restricted items are mega stones, berries,, evolution items, and stat-lowering items. Everything else is fair game. You may not exit the arena. Tap the ground three times with your paws, fins, feet, and/or tail at any point to surrender. I know that most of that doesn't cunt for you guys, but I am obligated to say it anyways. All attacks MUST not leave the arena under any circumstances. The fighters may not draw blood unless it is from the mouth or nose. Everything else is fair. Failure to follow any of these rules will result in an automatic loss and ejection from the arena. The battle will be over when the opposing pokemon is knocked to the ground five times or until the opponent can no longer fight. For any new comers, there is no need to worry. We have pokemon using protect in order to stop any attacks from hitting you. Do the contenders understand the rules?"
"You know me, Pete." Bolt said with a nod to the announcer.
"That I do; and so do your fans."
"I understand that bolt-for-brains is going to get served-" Ryan started to say.
"A very nice victory!" Bolt finished.
Before Ryan could even think of a comeback, the announcer shouted, "Fight!"
Bolt put his paw up and motioned for Ryan to attack first. Ryan gritted his teeth and rushed forwards. He openned his mouth and attempted a super fang attack. Bolt moved quickly. Ryan looked around for his opponent. By the time he saw Bolt, a ball of electricity was hurdling towards him at a great speed. If it wasn't for Ryan's buff, he would have been jolted with electricity. Ryan swished his tail through the air and flung a swift towards Bolt. Bolt grimaced at the sight of the stars. Ryan gave a smirk.
"He knows swift?!" Dean shouted in surprise.
"Yep." Dillan said proudly, yet he didn't know exactly what it meant. Thankfully, the announcer answered why swift was such an important move.
"For all of those who aren't masters of the art of fighting, Swift is a move that never misses."
Ryan sat there smugly as Bolt took the full force of the stars. Bolt was fazed, but it wasn't enough to knock him down. The crowd gasped with worry.
When the attack finished, Bolt gave a hearty laugh. "Nice one!" he complimented.
"Not bad yourself. You almost had me with your electro ball."
"I have to say," Bolt started with a smirk. "if this is the best you can do, you need to get some more practice in. Let's raise the stakes."
"What did you have in mind?" Ryan asked.
"You can't use the move swift for the rest of the battle. If you can still beat me, you can have this." Bolt grabbed at the crystal around his neck. The crowd gasped in horror at the bet. Whispers erupted through the crowd. Dean and Garth gasped as well.
"What does he think he's doing?!" Dean asked. "Is he crazy?!"
"He's evening the odds!" Garth exclaimed with glee. "He knows that the pachirisu can win easily by spamming the attack!"
Dillan looked on with hope. Ryan can win this! Hazel met his eyes and they both nodded.
"Ryan!" Hazel shouted down to the stadium. Ryan raised his hand in recognition. They both knew that Ryan couldn't take his eys off of the enemy; otherwise he would give Bolt an opening. "Don't take the deal!"
The crowd erupted in disapproval of Hazel's advice. They started chanting, "Take the deal!".
Ryan thought about the options.
"What's it gonna be, Ryan?" Bolt asked.
"I'm not stupid." Ryan stated. "You're afraid of my attack. No deal." The crowd hurled boo's and profanity at Ryan.
Bolt shrugged. "If that's what you want. That was your second mistake."
Ryan swished his tail through the air, flinging stars at Bolt. Bolt grinned. He ran towards the stars and leaped above them. The stars did a U-turn and flew towards Bolt. Bolt started charging Ryan on all fours. He started to grin confidently as his body became bathed with electricity. Ryan dodged to the left, but Bolt saw it coming. He leaped over Ryan and started running. Ryan looked at him with surprise.
"Ryan! Look out!" Dillan shouted feebly. Ryan looked around to see his swift hit his body. As Ryan tried to recover, Bolt Volt-tackled him head-on. Ryan slammed into one of the walls. The crowd cheered. Hazel looked away. Dillan couldn't take his eyes off of the fight.
"This looks bad for the pachirisu." The announcer said. "Does the little warrior have enough left in him to stand let alone fight?"
Ryan struggled to get up. Dillan couldn't help but count the time it took for his friend to recover. He didn't know how much longer Ryan could fight. He wanted to do something to help. Standing there seemed wrong while watching seemed even worse.
Ryan started to laugh. The crowd quieted from their confusion.
"What's so funny?" Bolt asked confidently.
"It's just that when we met, I didn't expect you to be so tough; I mean, you couldn't stop yourself from running into my friend."
The crowd began to boo. Ryan didn't seem to care; but Bolt did. He raised his paw for silence.
"What's your game here?" Bolt asked with a smile.
"I just wanted to say that I'm impressed by your skills; though I'm not surrendering. This fight is too fun to end." Ryan started laughing harder. "Bolt, I want you to give me your best shot."
Bolt was no longer smiling. He looked concerned. "You want me to hit you with my best shot?"
"Yep."
"Sorry, but you have to earn it." The crowd cheered at this remark. "Hit me two more times and I'll show you my best shot. Deal?"
Ryan smirked. "Deal." The crowd started going crazy with cheers and applause. Ryan planted his feet. "You first."
Bolt smirked. He started vibrating.
Dillan was confused. He didn't know a pokemon could do that. "What's he doing?" Dillan asked.
"Agility, duh." Dean said. "It raises butter fingers' speed."
"Bolt." Haily said.
"Hey, he deserves that name." Dean said with a smirk.
Dillan put his focus back into the fight. Bolt started charging Ryan with incredible speed. He had no idea a pokemon could move that fast. Dillan lost track of Bolt. The crowd started chanting, "E. B.!". Ryan kept his feet planted. Bolt reappeared in the air. His paw started glowing as he used a chopping motion at Ryan. Ryan smirked, side-stepped quickly, grabbed Bolt's paw, and threw him to the ground. Bolt skidded in the dirt until he stopped three feet from Ryan. Ryan put his paws up in a fighting position.
"What was that?!" the announcer asked. "A pachirisu using reversal?! Ladies and gentlemon, is this pachirisu more than he lets on?" The crowd was silent. Hazel turned back to the battle to see what had happened. They looked on at Bolt who started to get up.
Ryan took the opportunity to rush the pikachu. Bolt stood up before he felt Ryan slam into him. Ryan began to rub his cheeks against the pikachu. Bolt began to yell as paralysis took it's hold. Ryan backed off. Bolt made a shaky attempt to stand. Sparks flew off of the pikachu's body.
"Yeah!" Dillan shouted. "Go Ryan!"
"YES!" Bolt shouted with excitement. "Finally! A pokemon who's worth fighting! You know, at first I wasn't too sure about you, Ryan; but now, WOW! I mean, dang! This is so cool! I wish the fight could-" Bolt stumbled due to the paralysis. He went onto one knee. The crowd gasped. "Sorry, but this needs to end... Right... Now." Bolt grabbed his crystal. He stood up. When he removed his hand from his crystal, it was glowing. Bolt started doing a strange dance. He swayed his hands back and forth until he put them up and stood on one paw. Beams of energy immerged from thin air and filled Bolt's body. A light started irradiating from Bolt. The pikachu smirked. Dillan looked to Hazel for an answer. Hazel looked at the battlefield with horror. Dillan decided he was going to see what this move had in store. Ryan took a step back and grimaced. Bolt ran towards a wall, jumped at it, and pushed off of it. He was about seven feet in the air. Bolt somehow stopped moving, levitating in the air. He crouched into a ball and started rolling in the air. Electricity formed a ball of light around Bolt.
"This is it, ladies and gentlemon! The moment you have all been waiting for! The Catastropika!"
It happened in a literal second. Bolt broke free of his floating state. He darted forwards, flying at a speed that was unnatural. He became a beam of electrical light pointed straight at Ryan. Ryan had no time top react. The force of the blast flung Ryan into the ground. A bright electric pulse surrounded the two pokemon. Dillan looked away for about ten seconds. When he looked back at the carnage Bolt had caused in the stadium, he saw Ryan and Bolt on the ground, passed out. The ground around the two pokemon was charred. The crowd was silent.
"Both pokemon are down." the announcer stated. "Because each opponent is no longer able to battle, the rules state that the first pokemon to get up will be proclaimed as the winner."
"That was destructive." Dean said with a smirk.
"What's wrong with everyone?" Dillan asked. "Isn't anyone going to see if they need help?"
"They aren't allowed." Garth said gravely. "No one is allowed to help or else the match is forfeit. Judging by how fierce the battle was, I highly doubt that any pokemon is willing to-"
"Wait a minute!" The announcer said. Bolt was starting to move. He started to stand. Sparks jolted off of his body. He was shaking.
"Come on, Ryan." Dillan said hopefully. "Get up."
"He won't be getting up." Haily stated. "Not after Bolt's signature move. No one ever does."
Bolt stood on his feet. He stuck his wrapped paws in the air, telling the crowd he was alright.
"That's it!" The announcer said. "It's all over! Ryan Simon is unable to battle! E. B. is the winner!" The crowd cheered for the winner of the fight. That's when Bolt collapsed onto the ground. Everyone gasped. Dillan had enough of this fight. He left the box and made his way quickly down to the arena. Hazel followed him. They both went straight to Ryan. A new pokemon entered the field from the first row of fans. Hazel and Ryan didn't take notice of the new pokemon. Hazel got down on her knees and searched her bag. Dillan put his claw on Ryan's chest. He was breathing. He was bleeding slightly from his skin being rubbed raw.
"He's not hurt that badly." Hazel said calmly. She pulled out a revival herb from her bag and began crushing it in her hand. "Open his mouth." Dillan obliged. Hazel put the flakes into Ryan's mouth. It took a few seconds, but Ryan jumped up and began to cough up the bitter herb.
"How are you feeling?" Dillan asked.
Ryan coughed up the last of the herb and said, "Energized, disgusted, happy, take your pick."
Hazel went over to Bolt. That's when Dillan got a look at the pokemon that was next to him. It was a pokemon with massive blades for hands. Judging by th fact it had an abdomen and a thorax, Dillan guessed it was a bug pokemon. The pokemon was green. It had thin, see-through wings. It was about four feet tall. It was a bipedal pokemon.
"Move aside, please." Hazel said to the scyther.
"What are you gonna do?" the scyther asked.
"Help." Hazel said flatly as she pushed the scyther away from Bolt. His cheeks were sparking. She rummaged around for another revival herb. She then crushed it and gave it to Bolt. The pikachu didn't respond to the herb like Bolt.
"Stop." Ryan said to Hazel.. "With my nuzzle attack as well as his move, he's got too much electricity in his body. A revival herb won't do much."
"Then what do you suggest?" the scyther asked.
Ryan inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly. "Stand back. I'm not sure what this will do." Everyone stood back. Ryan put his paws on Bolt's cheeks. Electricity started arcing out of Bolt's cheeks, along Ryan's arm, and into Ryan's body. Ryan started grimacing. Dillan wanted to do something, anything. If Ryan was taking Bolt's electricity, then wouldn't he have the same effects? There has to be something I can do! I won't stand around and do nothing... Again... Dillan thought about what he could do. He thought about himself and his potential abilities. That's it!
He put his claw on Ryan's shoulder. The electricity started moving through Dillan's arm and dissipated. Ryan looked around quickly to see who was on his shoulder. When he saw it was Dillan, he smirked.
"Nice one!" Ryan complemented. "Keep going!"
Dillan thought it would feel worse than it actually was. It seemed to tingle his insides. He felt the electricity in his body being dispersed through the ground. They kept at it for about thirty seconds. Bolt started opening his eyes. That's when Ryan stopped. Dillan took his claw off of Ryan.
"Wh-" Bolt tried to say. "What happened?"
"These two helped you." the scyther said.
"You did?" Ryan asked.
"It was nothing." Dillan tried to said.
"Nothing short of awesome." Bolt finished. He smirked and began to stand up. The crowd cheered as Bolt stood on his feet. Bolt put his paw out to Ryan. Put 'er there, Sparky."
"Sparky?" Ryan asked with a smirk.
"I like to give pokemon nick-names that suit their personalities."
Ryan grabbed Bolt's hand. Bolt raised it into the air and said to the crowd, "Ladies and gentemon, Ryan Simon! This pokemon gave me and you a great battle! Give it up for Ryan!" The crowd started chanting Ryan's name. Even the announcer was cheering. Ryan took a bow. Bolt dropped Ryan's hand and went over to the scyther. He said something that Dillan couldn't hear. The scyther shook his head sadly. Bolt's smile faltered. He began to walk off of the field leaving Dillan wondering what he said.
_9
"Ryan!" Hazel shouted at the pachirisu. It had been twenty minutes since they were in the arena. They were in the box. Dean, Haily, and Garth had already left and headed back to the guild. "What were you thinking?"
"I wanted to compete." Ryan stated. "What's wrong with that?"
"The competition is about beating the other pokemon into submission." Hazel said.
"I don't think the competition was a bad idea." Dillan said calmly. "I think that you should have at least told us instead of going off on your own."
"What's wrong with wanting to prove myself?" Ryan asked Hazel.
"Prove yourself to who?"
"Everyone!" Ryan stated. "People think that because I'm a pachirisu, I'm small and weak! It get's on my nerves! Why can't I be someone who others respect?"
"Why does it matter what other's think?" Dillan asked calmly
"Because if pokemon think you're small and weak, they bully you for being better!" Ryan looked mad.
"This isn't about Dean, is it?" Dillan asked. "This is about your brother."
Ryan didn't respond.
"Ryan, please open up to Hazel. She's your friend just as much as I am." Hazel looked at him, trying to convince him to let her into his life.
"Fine." Ryan said. "On one condition."
"Name it." Hazel said.
"You open up as well. Tell us why you're afraid of ghosts."
"Anything but that."
"No. It has to be that. You want me to open up about my past, you have to as well."
Hazel looked ready to break down from emotions.
"Hazel," Dillan said. "Please. We're a team. No secrets."
Hazel looked at Dillan, then Ryan. She looked very sad. She gave a sigh and said, "Fine."
"Alrighty." Dillan said. "Who's going first?"
"I might as well start." Ryan said. He told hazel about his family. He told her about his parent's expectations and about Leo. "Dean reminds me of Leo..." Ryan stated sadly. "He would fight me because I wasn't intimidating... it took a while to get him to stop bullying me, but eventually, I literally beat sense into him. Let me tell you, it was not a fun month... I fought in the arena because I wanted to show Dean that I am NOT someone he can simply push around; someone he can bully to have fun. If we're going to be guildmembers, then we need to respect each other; otherwise we can't work together. Before you ask, I'm positive that we're going to need to work together eventually. When that happens, Dean needs to know he can't mess with me." Ryan gave a sigh of relief.
"Ryan," Dillan said. "It's fine."
"He's right." Hazel stated. "I don't know if I could handle pokemon ridiculing me for my flame; let alone have someone bully me for it. I get that you went into the arena to prove yourself, but I don't think you needed to."
"What makes you say that?" Ryan asked Hazel.
"Well... We respect you and I know that anyone who will get to know you will respect you as well; plus, Dean doesn't respect anyone. He's bad news to begin with. I think you need to relax just a little. It's not like Dean makes up everyone in Ganderosa."
"Thanks Hazel." Ryan said with a smile. Hazel smiled back. "Now then. It's your turn to reveal your past." Hazel looked at the ground. She did not seem ready to tell them about her past. That's when a color flashed in Dillan's peripheral vision. He looked out the box's window onto the arena. Fear took hold of him as he glanced down at a figure he seemed to recognize. There was a pokemon with a white mane. It looked like it was made of wood. It's brown arms ended with leaves for fingers. Its feet looked like a puppet's. Its yellow eyes seemed to gaze at Dillan evilly with hatred. The one thing that made this pokemon look truly unnatural was the burns. Oh the burns. They were all over its body. Its leaves were charred as well as its mane. Scorch marks were all over the pokemon. Its mane seemed chopped by fire. It was short and frizzled.
His ankle seemed to ache again. Dillan breath was shaky and shallow. He felt his body start to shake. He recalled the abuse he had endured a week ago. He remembered the pain on his chest as it was rubbed raw in the gravel. He remembered his ankle and how it had buckled from underneath him.
The pokemon grinned wickedly, unnaturally.
"Kieth..." Dillan said. it was the only thing he could say. He didn't know how he could tell it was Kieth. Maybe it was his evil eyes that had looked at him with hatred. Maybe the evil grin that echoed in his mind like a reminder of his torture.
"What did you say?" Ryan asked with urgency.
Dillan thought about his pain. He then thought about the pokemon that had endured the same pain that were missing. He had left them behind. Now, he looked upon the pokemon that had the information he needed to correct his mistake and he was standing there, shaking. Dillan called all of his courage to his body and forced it to move. He ran out the door and looked at Kieth. Kieth laughed and started running away. He made his way up the stairs, swiftly and disappeared in an alley. Dillan rushed to pursue him. His friends called out his name from behind, but he didn't care. Kieth was his key to redemption. He needed to catch Kieth. He needed to save the pokemon that had suffered. He needed to.
(Author's Notes)
Hey guys! MasterKnight here! Shout out to the new fans! (Leugium2002, Sky Hooves, TheOrangeLatias, TheTophattedCreeper1, OhMyGevalt, and nicopop) Hope everyone liked this chapter! One second. Let me get my announcer-voice on. Ehem. "With Kieth on the run and Dillan in pursuit, the fans are left to wonder if Dillan can capture Kieth or if Kieth is leading Dillan into a trap! Find out in the next chapter of Pokemon Mystery Dungeon! Shadows of Ganderosa!"
Thanks for reading! See you guys in the next chapter!
