Pokemon Mystery Dungeon

Shadows of Ganderosa

Chapter 22

The Guild's Directives


"Dillan." a voice called out. Dillan looked around him. He couldn't see anything.

"What's going on?" Dillan shouted. "Where am I?"

"Relax, human." the voice called out.

"Who are you?" Dillan asked.

"A friend, but we don't have much time. Go to Frost Island Village. There is a pub called Bubba's Fine Dine. Go to the bar and ask for Trinity Fitz. Do you understand?"

"What's going on?" Dillan asked. He had no idea who this voice was or what was going on. All he knew was he felt very unsafe and he didn't like that feeling at all.

"Dillan," the voice said again. "Frost Ice Village. Go to Bubba's Fine Dine and ask for Trinity Fitz. Do you understand?"

"Alright!" Dillan shouted. "Just get me out of here!" Dillan heard a sound like a tuning fork vibrate in his head. He felt like vomiting. The vibrations rattled in his brain. He passed out.


Dillan opened his eyes slowly. He felt exhausted. The gabite tried to stand.

"Dillan, wait." Adelina said as she rushed over to him for support.

"Adelina?" Dillan asked. "Where am I?" Dillan tried to remember what had happened. His mind flashed back to Jake. He looked in the sky fearfully for a black tendril to strike at him. He didn't see anything. The sky was clear and blue. He took a look at his surroundings. He found himself in the middle of the arena at Palando. Bolt, Ryan, Adelina, and Hazel. Everyone other than Hazel was standing. Dillan found Tracey's dad was sprawled out on the ground. "What happened?"

"I was hoping you could tell me." Bolt said.

"Step aside!" a voice demanded. Dillan looked ahead. There was a persian with a white hat. The hat had a red cross on the front. Behind the persian was Dean. Dillan looked at the machoke suspiciously. The doctor ran over to the empoleon.

"Dillan," Adelina said. "What happened?"

"I don't know." Dillan told her. He tried to recall what had happened earlier. "I found Tracey's dad. That's when I started searching Reya's bag-" Dillan stopped himself. He looked around him.

"What's wrong?" Adelina asked.

"Reya's bag!" Dillan shouted frantically. "It's not here!"

"Dillan," Ryan said. He grabbed Dillan's arm. The gabite looked at the pachirisu. "That's not the most important thing right now." He pointed towards Tracey's dad. "He is." Dillan looked at him. The doctor was over his body, checking his vital signs.

"I need to get him to the Guild." the doctor said. He turned to Dean. "Can you carry him?"

"Of course I can." Dean said. He walked over to the empoleon. He grabbed the pokemon like it was nothing. The doctor led the way while Dean followed. Adelina and Bolt followed as well. Dillan stood up and looked for Hazel. She was next to Ryan, but she looked up at the sky with fear.

"Are you ok?" Dillan asked Hazel.

Hazel didn't answer. She looked at the sky with a face of horror.

"Hazel," Ryan said. "Look at me." Hazel turned towards the pachirisu. She looked into his eyes with complete and utter terror. Did Jake really scare Hazel that badly? I mean, I was scared, but she seems petrified. "It's going to be alright."

"That thing-" Hazel said fearfully as she looked back up at the sky.

"Hazel," Ryan interrupted as he snapped his paws at Hazel to draw her attention. "Focus on me.

Tell me what happened."

"Well..." Hazel started slowly, trying to keep calm. "The thing is, I'm not sure what happened. You see, we were in the Lantern Fields."

"Why'd you go there?" Ryan asked.

"You remember that glaceon who attacked the guild a few weeks ago?" Dillan asked.

"Yeah." Ryan said. "What about her?"

"When you left, she came to us for help." Dillan said. "Her father went to Lantern Fields and got lost. We went to rescue him and bring him here."

"Anyways," Hazel started. She seemed to be losing the fear in her voice with each word that she stated. "Out of nowhere, some giant red eyes appeared in the sky above us..." Hazel stopped. A look of shock appeared on her face. She turned to Dillan. "You knew who that was, didn't you?"

Dillan felt his face getting hotter. "W-Well..." Why am I hesitating? It wasn't anything to hide. Just come out with it. "I've seen him in my dreams."

Ryan looked at Dillan with shock. "Really?"

"Yeah." Dillan answered nervously. "Why?"

"Did he do anything?" Ryan asked. "In your dreams?"

Dillan thought about the question. "There was one time." Dillan started. "I was in a field of grass. I saw a town in the distance. Then, out of nowhere, cracks formed in the ground. Fire started shooting up into the air from the cracks. Half of the town fell into a fissure in the ground. That's when I saw Jake."

"Jake." Hazel stated. "That was his name."

"In a different dream, the black creature told me to call him Jake."

"This is too much." Ryan stated. He sat down on the floor.

"Ryan," Hazel started. "What's wrong?"

"You said his name is Jake?" Ryan asked Dillan. The gabite nodded. "Well, I've seen Jake before."

"You have?" Dillan asked.

"Mhm." Ryan responded. "Many times. You see, he comes to me in my dreams, too. He shows me things that I'd rather forget. In the past, Jake tormented me through nightmares. They still happen, but I've grown so desensitized to what I see that I can ignore it."

"What does he show you?" Hazel asked sympathetically.

"I'd rather not talk about it." Ryan said. "So you met the shadow creature. What happened next?"

"Well," Hazel started again, though her attention seemed divided between the topic and what Ryan had said. "Dillan and Jake had a talk. I didn't hear much of it. I was too frightened by Jake. Something about him seemed familiar and at the same time more terrifying than I could have ever imagined."

"Remember Reya?" Dillan said.

"The imaginary pokemon you followed around?" Ryan said. Dillan scowled at him. "Kidding. Yeah, I remember her.

"Well, she's met with Jake before. Reya thinks he's the Enemy."

"The Enemy." Ryan said.

"Arlon works for the Enemy; or Jake." Dillan stated. "That means the whole time Jake was behind what happened to us when we were kidnapped. Jake said I was a stopping point in his plan. He said he should have killed me before, but he didn't. Honestly, I'm not sure what he was talking about."

"That's really strange." Hazel said.

"I don't like the sound of that one bit." Ryan admitted. "What next?"

"Jake started attacking me and Hazel." Dillan said.

"Actually," Hazel interrupted. "I don't think he even noticed me. He was only attacking you."

"Really?" Dillan asked. He was targeting me?

"Anyways," Hazel said. "Tracey's dad started attacking Jake as well. That made Jake attack him and Dillan. Me and Dillan got separated." Hazel looked very scared. "I don't know what was wrong with me. I couldn't move out of fear and when I could, I was too tired to do anything."

"It's fine, Hazel." Dillan assured her. "We ended up being alright in the end. You used the escape orb. You got us out."

"No, I didn't." Hazel said. "I tried to find you, but I was too exhausted. I tripped and blacked out."

"Start over."' Ryan said. "You guys were separated. Then what happened?"

"I found Hazel again." Dillan said. "I told her to use the Escape Orb to get away from Jake. Then, I went to find Tracey's dad so we could escape together. Jake used an attack that split the ground beneath me and Jake. We started falling. Out of nowhere, a green light started shinning from my crystal." Dillan's eyes landed on the green crystal shard that hung below his chin.

"Really?" Ryan asked, obviously intrigued by the talk of his crystal.

"Honestly," Dillan started. "I'm not sure how, but if it wasn't the Escape Orb, then what if it was this crystal that teleported us back here?"

"No way." Ryan exclaimed. "That's not possible."

"I know how it sounds," Dillan said. "But what if that's what happened?"

There was silence flooding the stadium that lasted for a few minutes. Each member of Team Rapture thought about what had been said, trying to make sense of it all. What other explanation is there?

"Alright." Ryan said. "How it happened isn't important. The fact of the matter is that you're here now and you're safe."

"I'm worried about Tracey's dad." Hazel said. She began standing up.

"Are you sure you're ok?" Dillan asked.

"I'm alright, now." Hazel assured him. "Let's get going. I want to tell Tracey her father is here."

Dillan nodded. He wanted to do the same thing. Ever since they saw Tracey last, Dillan was worried about her. He wanted to make her feel better, eventhough she had attacked him earlier.

"Wait a minute." Ryan said. Dillan and Hazel turned to face him. "I'm fine with helping the glaceon-"

"Tracey." Dillan interrupted.

"Whatever." Ryan said dismissively. "But I don't think finding her is a good idea. She's probably with those psycos in Team Armageddon right now, wherever they are. Besides. Who's to say the whole thing wasn't some elaborate trap to get you guys killed?"

"Well," Hazel said. "We did find a pokemon who wasn't ferral inside of the Lantern Fields, so that makes the mission worth it in the end. Also, Tracey might be related to the empoleon through a vaporeon mother."

"Alright." Ryan told them. He seemed to be fine with the explanation, but Dillan could tell something was bothering him. The pachirisu didn't seem too interested in arging his point. He seemed to be dividing his attention between the conversation and something else. What that may be, Dillan couldn't say.

"Are you ok?" Dillan asked Ryan.

"I'm fine." Ryan assured. "Let's just go. I know where we can find Trilly."

"Tracey." Hazel corrected.

"Whatever." Ryan said. "You sure you're going to be alright?" he asked Hazel.

"I should be fine now." Hazel said. She took a step forwards. Dillan noticed she was wobbling slightly.

"Let me help." Dillan said.

"Alright." Hazel went over to Dillan. She slung her arm around the gabite for support. "Guess I'm still warn out from before." I wonder why. "We're ready."

"Alright." Ryan said. "Let's move out." The reunited Team Rapture began walking out of the arena. As they ascended the steps, Dillan looked at Ryan.

"So how did your mission go?" he asked.

"Bolt should be joining the Guild again." Ryan said.

"That's good." Hazel told him. "Though, I have a different question in mind."

"Shoot." Ryan said.

"Where are we going?"

"We're going to a place that might give us a good fight." Ryan said. "Though, it's probably best to remove our badges..." Ryan trailed off.

Dillan looked at the pachirisu with curiosity. He scanned his arm brace and found the issue. "What happened to your badge?" Dillan asked.

"You lost it?" Hazel questioned as the team reached the top of the stairs.

"I didn't loose it." Ryan told Hazel with annoyance. "Addi has it with her."

"Why does she have your badge?" Hazel asked.

"We went into the Red Strip." Ryan said.

"The what?" Dillan asked.

"Palando has a Red Strip?" Hazel asked. "I thought those only existed in the castles."

"Addi seems to think every place in Ganderosa has a Red Strip regardless of where it is you go." Ryan told them

"What's a Red Strip?" Dillan asked. Ryan walked out of the arena and into the street. There were pokemon walking by. Dillan and Hazel followed Ryan as he merged with the crowd.

"A poorly kept part of a castle where poor pokemon go to survive." Hazel said. "Trust me when I say going to one is bad enough. Living in it is unbearable."

"You had to live in a Red Strip?" Dillan asked.

"With a leaky roof." Hazel replied.

"We're moving away from the topic." Ryan said. "My point is that you two can't have your badges in the place that we're going to. Trust me."

Hazel removed her badge from her scarf with her free arm and set it in her bag. Dillan tried to do the same, but yet again his claw was insufficient.

"Let me help." Hazel said. She moved her head closer to Dillan. Dillan felt uncomfortable. He could feel the heat of her breath like a beam of sunlight on his scales. She touched his bandanna. She attempted to remove his badge with one hand. She then stopped and held Dillan in place. Ryan stopped as well. She removed her arm from Dillan's neck. Now, with both paws, Hazel removed Dillan's badge from his bandanna. She then set the badge in her bag.

"What does this have to do with finding Tracey?" Dillan asked.

"Trust me." Ryan said. "I know where she'll be. Now that you guys have removed your badges, let's go." He started trudging forwards. She smiled to Dillan and walked onwards without him. She seemed slightly wobbly, but it wasn't enough to create a gap between her and Ryan. Dillan followed. He tried to ignore how close Hazel was to him. He focused on the task at hand.


Ryan stopped at the front of a café. Dillan looked up at the sign. It read, "Harley's Diner".

"I didn't know they had a Harley's here!" Hazel exclaimed.

"Don't get your hopes up." Ryan told her. Dillan looked at the front.

The diner was nice on the outside. Its door was a swinging door one would assume belonged in a western. There were two windows sitting in the cobble stone wall on either side of the swinging door. Dillan looked in one of the windows. There was a piece of paper sitting on the window sill. It read, "No Guildmembers Allowed".

"Yeah." Ryan said. He was looking at the sign as well. "This is the place." He motioned for the two to follow. This is a bad idea. Dillan looked to Hazel, pleading to her that they stay away from the café. We're going to get killed.

"It'll be fine." Hazel said. "Odds are that my dad gives this place its berries like the one in Ferricia. How bad can it be?" Hazel followed Ryan inside the cafe. This isn't going to end well. Dillan followed Hazel.

The group stepped through the doors. They were greeted with a blast of chilly air. Dillan involuntarily shuddered. He looked around the room to see a familiar sight. It looked almost exactly like the Harley's at Ferricia. There was the assorted tables containing couples, loners, or card players. There was the pokemon at the bar who served other pokemon who looked drunk or starting the drunken process. A chandelier hung from the wooden ceiling just like the one in Ferricia. There was even the familiar pokemon who greeted those at the front.

"Harley?" Hazel asked with shock. There was an ambipom standing at a desk at the entrance to the café.

"Hazel Prince!" Harley shouted. "What brings you to Palando Town!"

"I could ask the same thing of you." Hazel said. She walked up to the desk.

"Ferricia can get boring from time to time." Harley said. "That's why I travel to the cafes I have all over Ganderosa. Exploring can be fun from time to time, especially when you get to make money doing it."

"Too true." Hazel said. Harley leaned over the desk and began whispering in Hazel's ear. Dillan couldn't make out what she was saying. "We are..." Hazel said slowly and cautiously. "I'm not sure." Hazel turned to Ryan. "Why are we here?" she asked.

"We're here to see a friend." Ryan said.

"Who is it?" Harley asked sympathetically.

Ryan gave a sigh. He then looked at her with annoyance. "Look, I'm sorry for what I said about your hands, but I don't have a mental problem. That was just something my friend," Ryan gave a glare towards Hazel. "Said so I could stay."

"Sure." Harley said skeptically. Dillan could tell Harley was trying not to be annoyed.

"We're here for a pokemon named Tracey." Dillan said slowly, observing Ryan's expressions to see if he was going to say anything wrong. Ryan didn't seem to react to what was said, so Dillan assumed he was safe.

"Tracey, eh?" Harley asked. "She's at the back booth." Harley pointed towards a booth in the corner of the room. Dillan looked at the booth with confusion. It didn't seem like anyone was sitting there, though there were plates all around the table. "Be warned. She doesn't take kindly to... You know."

"We'll be careful." Hazel said. "It was nice seeing you again!"

"Hazel." Harley told Hazel. "You see that table with the cards?" Harley pointed towards a table with a group of four pokemon. "There's someone in that group that you'll want to see." Hazel looked at the table. Dillan watched her expression change into one of shock. Hazel ran off towards the card players. "Take care!" the ambipom called out. Harley looked at Ryan. "You too, shorty." Ryan looked at Harley blankly for a few seconds, processing her insult.

"Shorty?" Ryan asked. His face changed into one of annoyance. "Shorty?" he asked angrily. "Stop judging me by my size, you fat-handed wannabe! Fight me like a mon and I'll crush you so badly, you'll be looking up to me!" Dillan bent over to push Ryan with his claw.

"Let's go." Dillan said.

Ryan looked at Harley with one more glare before moving forwards towards Hazel. He was grumbling something along the lines of, "short my butt". Hazel was standing at the table. She was looking at one of the pokemon who sat there. Dillan looked at the pokemon as well.

It was a green pokemon. Most of its body was covered in a black cloak other than the head, hand and feet, as well as what Dillan could only assume was its tail. It looked like a lizard with its glassy yellow eyes and its lizard-like face. Its chin was red. Dillan noticed a green shrub that stuck out from the back of its cloak. Must be its tail. The pokemon had feet with two toes and a toe-like heel. He also noticed the pokemon was missing its right arm. It had two fingers and a thumb on its hand. It had two leaves that stuck out of its wrist.

The sceptile got up and looked at Hazel. It stood about two feet above the charmeleon. Hazel tackled the sceptile to the floor. Dillan and Ryan ran over to the two pokemon. When they got closer, Dillan realized they weren't fighting. They're hugging?

"Daddy!" Hazel shouted.

"Siggy Berry!" the sceptile shouted. "It's so good to see you again!"

"Siggy Berry?" Ryan asked. With a face of shock and worry.

"What are you doing in Palando?" Hazel asked.

"I came to see how my little girl is doing with her new job!" the sceptile said. Hazel got up and so did the lizard pokemon. The sceptile turned to Dillan and Ryan. He tilted his head and smiled at the two. "Are you two Sig's friends?"

"We are." Ryan said. He sounded like he was processing what just occurred. "Are you her father?"

"Please, call me Kalen." the sceptile, Kalen, answered. "And your names?"

"I'm Dillan." Dillan answered.

"My name's Ryan." Ryan responded.

"Nice to meet you both." Kalen said. He turned to Hazel. "So how have you been doing?"

"Hazel," Ryan interrupted. Hazel turned towards the pachirisu. She looked overjoyed at seeing her father. I know Hazel said she didn't hate her father, but based on her description of him, I didn't expect her to be this happy about seeing him. "I don't mean to be rude, but we're on a mission right now." Hazel's rapturous expression seemed to drop. No. She get's to see her father again. We can't take that away from her.

"Don't worry about it." Dillan said. "We can handle it."

"I wouldn't want to leave you guys like that." Hazel said.

"Like I said," Dillan told her. "We'll be fine. Spend time with your father."

"Alright." Hazel said, obviously happy by Dillan's response. Hazel turned to Kalen and tackled him again. "There's so much I need to tell you!" Hazel shouted.

"Alright!" Kalen said. He gave a hearty laugh. "Let's sit down." Dillan and Ryan turned away from the two and began walking towards the booth. Dillan caught Kalen asking, "Now what's this about your name being, "Hazel"?" before he was out of earshot.

Dillan and Ryan stopped at the booth. The gabite would have assumed the booth was still empty if the head of a glaceon didn't emerge from behind the table.

Tracey looked at Dillan with a depressed glare. "Come to convince me you can do the job?" she asked. "You guildmembers are more desperate for money than I thought."

"Tracey," Dillan said sympathetically. He then froze. What am I doing? I can't tell her that her father's safe. Not now. It will just make things worse. What am I suppose to say? "Hey Tracey! Good news! Your father's alive! We brought him back from the Lantern Fields! Bad news! He acts like he's going ferral by attacing anyone near him! He also says "die" a lot." I can't tell her that!

"Just leave me alone!" Tracey shouted.

"We came here for a reason." Ryan said with a glare at Tracey.

"Scowl all you like, guildmember!" Tracey snapped. "It won't change the fact that I don't have any money to give you snakes! Just leave me alone!"

"Listen here-" Ryan pushed on.

"No, you listen!" Tracey shouted. She looked like she was on the verge of tears. "Once Team Armageddon gets back, we'll decimate your guild!"

"Gets back?" Dillan asked. "They left?"

"Of course they did!" Tracey said. "And when they get back, you'll suffer the same fate as the Alkan Guild! You'll pay for being cruel to all of us at the bottom!"

Ryan looked at Tracey with shock. "What did you say?" Ryan shouted.

"Alright, shorty!" Ryan turned around to face Harley. "Leave my customers alone."

"Wait a minute!" Ryan said.

"No." Harley said sternly. "I want you to leave here."

"Make me!" Ryan shouted.

"Ryan," Dillan pleaded. "This isn't the time to fight."

Ryan turned to Dillan. "I didn't ask to be judged by this waitress!" Ryan shouted.

"I'm the owner!" Harley snapped. "Now get out!" Harley's fist began glowing. Ryan didn't seem to notice. He turned around to face Tracey.

"As I was saying," Ryan began again. Dillan winced as he saw Harley's fist whack Ryan in the jaw. Ryan fell over onto the ground.

"Would you like one, too?" Harley asked Dillan.

"No, ma'am." Dillan said with a nervous smile. He got down and put his arms under Ryan. Dillan used his claws as an anchor on Ryan's body. He picked Ryan up and faced Tracey. "I'm sorry about your father."

"Just leave me alone." Tracey said. Dillan watched as she sank into the bar behind the plate-filled table.

I'm going to hurt her for this, but she needs to know. "Tracey," Dillan started again. "Your father is-"

"Mr. Gabite." Harley said. Dillan noticed she was thumping her foot on the floor.

"Please let me finish." Dillan asked, trying to sound sincere as though he wouldn't cause any trouble. The ambipom nodded. Dillan turned towards the booth. "We found an empoleon in the Lantern fields." Dillan watched Tracey's ears perk up from the table. He guessed by her interest it was Tracey's father. "I'm sorry to say he's in some bad shape. Right now, he's with the doctor in the guild."

Tracey looked up from the table. "What happened?" she asked.

"We were attacked." Dillan said. "Your father was passed out the last time we saw him."

Tracey got up from the table and rushed around Dillan. She ran out of the café in seconds. Dillan watched as she left.

"Is she going to be alright?" Harley asked.

"I don't know." Dillan admitted sadly. It depends on her father.

Dillan turned around and saw Hazel was looking at him and Ryan. She looked very confused and worried, as if she was going to come over to help. Dillan gave a forced smile, which came off looking more nervous than intended. He turned to Harley who looked about ready to kick Dillan out herself.

"You guildmembers cause too many problems." Harley said. "First you let Team Armageddon run around Palando causing trouble, then you let them leave. It's bad for business and I don't like it."

I thought the Royal Guards took care of them. If they didn't, then where did they go? And what was Tracey talking about, "You'll suffer the same fate as the Alkan Guild"? What happened there?

"Do I need to tell you to leave one more time?" Harley asked with a glare.

"I'm leaving, ma'am." Dillan said. He started carrying Ryan out of the café. I'm going back to the guild. I want to make sure Tracey's alright as well as her father, regardless of whether she wants me there or not. Dillan exited the café with the pachirisu. He began trudging through the cobblestone path towards the Guild.


"What happened?" Ryan asked Dillan. Dillan was walking through the gates when the pachirisu opened his eyes. Dillan set Ryan down on the fountain's base. Ryan stood up and faced Dillan. "We're at the guild?"

"Yeah." Dillan said.

Ryan put his paws up to his head. "Why does my head feel like it was used as a target dummy?"

"Harley knocked you out when you decided not to leave." Dillan said.

"Jerk." Ryan said.

"Why were you being so harsh?" Dillan asked.

"She deserved it." Ryan stated. "Pokemon shouldn't underestimate me or treat me poorly. That's their mistake."

"And why were you treating Tracey badly?"

"Do we have to do this now?" Ryan asked. "Personally, I'm exhausted."

"Ryan." Dillan prodded.

"Fine." Ryan said. "She should have been arrested with the rest of the attackers. It doesn't make sense how she can get away with assaulting us."

"She doesn't understand how the guild operates." Dillan said. "She thinks we're corrupted."

"Yeah." Ryan said. "That's her problem. Someone who's that gullible to believe the lies Team Armageddon spews should be put in a looney bin; not left to run around in the world causing trouble for the pokemon who are trying to save others."

"I understand that." Dillan said. "But I don't think she should be treated any less than you or me. She's confused about how we do things at the guild and I want to help her realize that we're the good guys. I also think that now isn't the time to be attacking her. Her father is in bad shape right now. The last time I saw him, the only thing he said was, "Die". I don't think it's cool right now to hurt her while she's probably going to go through something really bad."

Ryan looked at Dillan with confusion. "You do remember this is the same pokemon that stuck you with shards of ice, right?"

"Yes." Dillan said defiantly. "But I want to give her a second chance."

Ryan gave a sigh. "I don't know why," he said. "But I'll go along with it. Although I'm not forgiving her just yet. She has to earn it."

"Ryan," Dillan started with a smile. "Chances are we won't see her after today."

"That makes it easier." Ryan said. "Though, do I have to see her in the guild?"

"Nah." Dillan said. "I'm only going to see if the mission was a success or if we went through all that trouble for nothing-"

"Step aside!" a voice called out. Dillan looked behind him to see Ozzy moving forwards, urging Dillan to move. Dillan sat on the fountain base along side Ryan.

"What's going on?" Ryan asked.

Dillan looked behind Ozzy. There was what looked like the pudgy dragon statue from the Ferrician Guild, only it was colorful. It's wings were teal. It also had butter-colored skin. The only difference between this colored pokemon and the statue was the purple cape that flowed behind him.

"Who are you?" Ryan asked.

The dragonite stopped in front of Dillan and Ryan. He looked at the two, observing their bodies. It made Dillan very uncomfortable.

"These are the guildlings?" the dragonite asked. Guildlings?

"Yes, my liege." Ozzy answered.

"Disgraceful." the dragonite answered. "Why did they let such a small pokemon join the guild?"

"Who are you calling small, fatty?" Ryan said angrily. The dragonite's face became a full-on glare of hate.

"This one has lip." the dragonite said distastefully.

Ozzy walked up to Ryan. "Don't you know who you're dealing with?" he shouted.

"Be silent, Oswald." the dragonite said.

"Yes, King Judah." the rhyperior said. He turned around to face the dragonite and bowed on one knee.

"King Judah?" Ryan said with shock. "As in, King Judah Arvaine the Third, ruler of Ganderosa?"

"Yes." Judah answered. "You would do well to treat your king with honor and respect. Disgraceful. Why are you two peasants here?"

"We aren't peasants!" Ryan shouted. "We're part of the guild!"

"Quiet, Ryan!" Ozzy ordered.

"I am not convinced." Judah stated. "For if you truly are, then where are your badges?"

Ryan was about to answer when he remembered Adelina had his badge. Dillan also remembered he didn't have his badge. He winced. Hazel has it.

"How?" Judah asked Ozzy. "How does Garth expect me to take his guild seriously if his members cannot even keep track of their badges? They do not seem qualified for the job."

"The job?" Dillan asked.

"My liege." the rhyperior said.

"Yes, Ozzy?" the dragonite answered.

"These guildmembers are not the brightest of the bunch. But their fighting skills make up for their lack of wits." Dillan noticed Ryan wince at that statement. Dillan agreed. He didn't know whether to take the comment as a compliment or an insult.

King Judah gave a sigh. "You are probably right; though standing in their very presence makes my scales rattle. Proceed."

Ozzy stood up straight and began leading Judah towards the guild's entrance. Dillan watched at the two entered the guild.

"That's the king?" Ryan asked. "What an-"

"Ryan!" a voice called out. "Dillan!" Dillan looked outside of the gates. He saw Wallace was running towards them, waving his arms in the air.

"Hey Wallace." Dillan said half-heartedly. His mind was still focused on King Judah. That was the king? He seemed pretty rude.

"What's going on?" Ryan asked.

"The King is already here!" he shouted.

"We've met." Ryan said with an eye roll.

Wallace's jaw dropped. "Y-You have?" he stuttered. "Is he inside right now?"

"Yeah." Ryan said. "If you're planning on meeting him, I wouldn't. He doesn't think very highly of us "guildlings"."

"It's probably just you." Wallace said. The watchog ran towards the guild's entrance.

"What's that suppose to mean?" Ryan called out.

"You're not very likeable." Wallace said as he opened the guild doors. He went inside before Ryan could protest.

"Not very likeable?" Ryan asked. He turned towards Dillan. "Am I likeable?"

"Do you know what Judah meant when he said "qualified for the job"?"

"Nope." Ryan said. "Though, as you can see, I don't keep up with the monarchy."

The door to the guild opened up Wallace stuck his head out. "The Guildleader wants us to assemble in the meeting room." He looked around. "Where's Hazel?"

"She's with her father at Harley's Diner." Ryan said. Wallace exited the guild and ran towards the courtyard exit. "Where are you going?" Ryan asked.

"To Harley's." Wallace answered as he exited the gates.

"This day seemed like it was going to be such a good day." Ryan said.

"Who's to say it won't get better from here on out?" Dillan asked.

"My gut." Ryan answered. He jumped down from the fountain. "Come on." he said. Ryan began walking towards the Guild's doors. Dillan followed. The two entered the guild.


Dillan and Ryan walked into the gathering hall to find that the members of Team B. A. K. And Team Force were present. Dillan was surprised to see that Garth and Judah were nowhere to be found.

"You think this is about that job King Judah was talking about?" Dillan asked.

"Probably." Ryan answered.

"There you are!" Adelina said. "What happened to you guys?"

"And where's Hazel?" Bolt asked.

"She's with her father." Dillan said.

"That's cool." Bolt said with a smile.

"We didn't follow because we went to find Tracey and tell her about her father."

"Is that who the empoleon is?" Bolt asked.

"Yeah." Dillan answered. "How is he?"

"Well..." Bolt said.

"He's doing better." Adelina answered. "Right now, he wants to be with that glaceon. I'm assuming that's Tracey. Thanks for bringing her here."

"Settle down!" Garth shouted. Everyone quieted down, got into a line, and faced the stage. Team Rapture was at the very end of the line on the left with Dillan on the end followed by Team B. A. K. And lastly Team Force. Dillan saw Garth enter the room from his quarters followed by Judah. He was surprised to see Garth looked very bothered about something. His tail was swishing back and forth. Garth and Judah stepped onto the stage. When the room was quiet, Garth cleared his throat. "We have a very special guest with us today. King Judah Arvaine the Third."

Dillan noticed Dean straightened his back and stood proudly. Haily did the same. Jess, however, looked bored with the entire situation. Dillan watched as King Judah walked onto the stage. Garth stepped back to join Janette while Judah took to the middle of the stage. Dillan watched as Judah observed the group of guildmembers. His gaze fell on Dillan. He glared at the gabite. Did I make that bad of an impression?

"You all probably have not heard about the events that brought me here today," Judah began. He sounded proud and purposeful. His glare was stern and commanding of everyone's attention. "So allow me to fill you in.

"Team Armageddon took root here in the Alkan Region. It started in Castellum Town and spread to the different towns in the area. Now, you are all aware that weeks ago, Castellum Town was turned into a mystery dungeon, correct?" No one answered. Dillan looked at Adelina who had her head down. Bolt's fist started shaking. He looked stern as though he was trying to keep his emotions in check. "Well, as a result, the division of Team Armageddon in Palando has retaliated. Since Palando was closer to Castellum Town than any other place, it has the second largest population of Team Armageddon sympathizers. This very guild has faced the problem of Team Armageddon before.

"Now you have no doubt been told that the resistance in Palando Town has been crushed. This fact is false." The expressions of the guildmembers changed into that of confusion. "That brings us to our current issue. The Alkan Guild has been assaulted." Gasps shot out from the crowd. Different guildmembers were staring at each other, dumbfounded by King Judah's words. I can say the same for me. Team Armageddon attacked a bigger guild?

"By Team Armageddon?" Dean asked with concern and shock.

"Yes." Judah answered. "But that is not the worst of it."

"What is?" Jess asked enthusiastically. "Ooh! Tell me they're selling ice cream! Ooh! Or snow cones! Tell me there's snow cones!"

"The Alkan Guild has fallen."

"Rioters took down an entire guild?" Haily asked, obviously unconvinced of Judas' claims.

"They were not just rioters." Judah said. "The Guildmaster has joined Team Armageddon." Dillan felt the entire atmosphere in the guild shift. It felt horrible and hot all of the sudden.

"What?" Haily asked. That seemed to break her emotionless wall. Dillan saw she looked confused.

"You jest, sir!" Jess pronounced in a stereotypical high-class voice.

"I do not "jest"." Judah stated.

"Why would a Guildleader join Team Armageddon?" Bolt asked. He sounded unconvinced.

"We do not know. What we do know is that Jarondai received a letter a few days ago. The letter had the same hand-writing as the Guildleader as well as her signature stamped in ink. It stated no motive, only that she, Guildleader Iris Zinclyde, has joined Team Armageddon. Because the Guildleader joined Team Armageddon, the rioters were free to infiltrate the Guild before killing the guildmembers there."

"Team Armageddon killed?" Adelina asked.

"Yes." Judah said. "And they will do it again."

"I don't mean to be rude, sire," Dean stated. "But what does this have to do with your visit?"

"Ever since the Castellum Guild fell, the Palando Guild has had the most experience with Team Armageddon. A rebellion cannot be allowed to plant its seeds. Team Armageddon is a plague waiting to spread. Once that virus takes root inside of Ganderosa, it will be too late."

"Hasn't it already taken root?" Haily asked blatantly.

"No." Judah answered. "We have reason to believe that the head of Team Armageddon is inside of the Alkan Guild as we speak."

"Why is that important?" Jess asked. She flipped upside down.

"You want us to take on Team Armageddon;" Bolt said suddenly. It dawned on Dillan that Bolt was right. "Take back the Alkan Guild."

"I like you." Judah said to Bolt. "You are smart."

"It's suicide!" Bolt shouted.

"Bolt," Garth warned. "You swear allegiance to the King every day. Watch what you say."

"Yes sir." Bolt said. He sounded ashamed of what he had said.

"It is quite fine, Guildleader." Judah said. He closed his eyes. "It is a suicide mission. That is, if you attack the guild directly."

"Your Majesty," Adelina started. "What is it you're suggesting?"

"My generals have discussed the best course of action and have decided to use a sneak attack against the enemy."

"A sneak attack?" Dillan asked.

"Yes." Judah said. He began staring at Dillan, talking to him. "A sneak attack would be the best course of action. A team of three would infiltrate the guild and make their way to the Guildmaster's quarters. We believe the Guildmaster will be there with the leader of Team Armageddon."

"You want us to capture the Guildmaster and the leader of Team Armageddon?" Bolt asked.

"No." Judah said. "I want you to kill." Dillan felt his heart begin to pound at his chest. He looked to Ryan. The pachirisu seemed very confused. "The Guildmaster is a pokemon known as milotic. This specific pokemon is also known in the seas as a siren. Milotic are known for their ways with a pokemon's emotions. Normally, milotic use their abilities to persuade others to become passive. However, the Guildmaster in the Alkan Guild is known for forcing others to let down their guard with her words and then knocking them out. You will not listen to the Guildmaster. It will get you killed."

"Sir," Ryan began. "I know you said we have the most experience with this sort of thing, but why send a Guildmember? Isn't this something that a Royal Guard would be more suited for?"

"We have reason to believe Team Armageddon is going to attack another town in a week's time." Judah stated. "This group is no longer a few rioters who want their way with the world. It is now a group of terrorists who will kill anyone in their way to get what they want. They are the enemy." They're the enemy? Dillan thought about it. Is that why that greninja took an interest in me? "Now then," he said. "The Guildleader is going to recommend a group for the job-"

"Your Majesty," Bolt interrupted.

"I do not enjoy being interrupted, Mr. Raimi." Judah stated.

"You know me?" Bolt asked.

"I fund the fights." Judah stated. "Of course I know the fan favorite. Now, if that was your question."

"Sir," Bolt said. "Who is the leader of Team Armageddon? We've never seen him before."

"His name is Ignitus." Judah stated. "He is a dangerous individual. Very convincing. His lies fill the hearts of pokemon, deceiving them in an attempt to get them to join his cause."

"What kind of pokemon is he?" Bolt asked. "If we're going to fight him, that information could b valuable."

"Ignitus is an infernape." Judah stated.

"Infernape?" Dillan whispered.

"It's a fire-fighting type." Ryan whispered back. "It's like a big monkey with fiery hair that flows from the top of its head."

That description sounds familiar. A pokemon with fiery hair. A switch clicked in Dillan's head. Like the pokemon from the list of the Enemy's generals. There was a pokemon like that. Does Team Armageddon work with the Enemy? If Ignitus was on the list, then it seems like that's it. Then again, is Team Armageddon all bad or is it just the leader? There are pokemon who are fighting for what they believe is right. Are they being used?

"As I was saying before." Judah stated. "The Guildleader is going to recommend a group for the job. If he thinks there are multiple groups for the job, then that will be seen as a tie. If there is a tie at all between two groups, then a tie breaker will follow. Do you understand?"

All of the Guildmembers nodded. Dillan heard a door slam into a wall from behind him. Dillan looked back and saw Wallace rushing into the room. He went over to Team Force and stood on the end. Hazel was there as well. Dillan looked at the charmeleon. He was shocked to see her face looked wet. Dillan also noticed she was breathing more rapidly as if her heart was racing. Hazel looked very stern. She walked up to Dillan's left and joined the group.

"Are you alright?" Dillan whispered to Hazel. She didn't respond. She just stared at the stage with a forced expression.

"Guildleader." Judah said.

Garth stepped up to the end of the stage. "Guildmembers," he stated proudly. "I have full confidence that each and every one o you are fit for the task at hand, but I feel as though Team Rapture is more suited for this job than anyone else."

"What?" Ryan and Dean stated.

"You should be honored." the Guildleader said, though he didn't sound very happy. "At the very least you would be giving your life for the king."

"That's not a mission." Ryan stated.

"Ryan-" Bolt warned.

"You've got to be insane to expect me to throw away what I've worked for; to sacrifice my life for this."

"You would not be sacrificing your life." Garth said. "I have full confidence that you will succeed."

Judah turned to Garth. "You say that Team Rapture is suited for the job?"

"Yes, sire." Garth said.

"Good." Judah said. He turned to the group. "Team Rapture. Step forwards.

Dillan looked at Ryan to see what he would do. Hazel stepped forwards without question. Ryan reluctantly followed her example. Dillan stepped forwards.

"We're going to die." Ryan said quietly.

"You," Judah said. "Pachirisu. Recite the Guild Directives."

Ryan stood up straight. "My king is my duty. To serve is what I deserve."

"Stop right there." Judah said. "Tell me, how many times have you recited that line?"

Ryan looked down. "Too many times." he stated quietly.

"Too many." Judah repeated. "You serve your king. You signed up for this job. It was not forced upon you. You volunteered. Now recite the rest."

Ryan glared at Judah. "My guild is my home." Ryan stated. "My fellow members are my family. Trust between us is a must. The pokemon I will help. To not save is grave. I will work to help the kingdom, not laze around. Fight, not might."

"All of that," Judah started. "It all applies to this situation. Does it not? The guild is your home and family. Team Armageddon killed guildmembers of the Alkan Guild; your family members. Trust between you and your king is a must. Pokemon in the Alkan Castle are being persecuted by Team Armageddon. To not save them is a grave sin. You will work to help the kingdom. You will not abandon your cause because of the challenge. Fight, not might." Ryan looked at the king with a scowl, but he didn't seem like he was going to protest.

"What's going on?" Hazel whispered to Dillan. She sounded stern, like she was trying to hide her emotions.

"Team Armageddon invaded the Alkan Guild." Dillan whispered to Hazel. "Are you alright?" Hazel didn't answer.

"The last line, Ryan." Judah stated.

"All hail the Arvaines." Ryan said. He sounded proud, but Dillan knew he was faking it.

"And you shall by taking part in this mission." Judah stated. "This needs to happen. It is not an option. My advisor has informed me of the suffering that has occured at the hands of pokemon like Arlon." Dillan felt his heart sink. He knew that name was hard to hear for more than half of the pokemon in the guild, some more than others. "Team Armageddon will not show mercy. Their goal is to cause corruption within the citizens of Ganderosa. They wish to take the throne."

"Sire," Adelina jumped in. "I thought that Team Armageddon wanted to help the pokemon."

"Do you truly believe that?" Judah asked. "That is a front for their true goal; to do whatever they want. Team Armageddon wants control."

"And what do you want?" Dillan asked.

"Dillan." Garth intervened. "That is out of line."

"It's fine." Judah said. "My goal is to serve my people. I wish to cleanse the world of evils like Team Armageddon. That is my goal."Judah looked at Ryan. "Your name is Ryan?" Ryan nodded. "I don't like you, but you Guildleader seems to think you are an asset to the guild. I am giving your team two days to prepare for the mission. Then, you will go to Alka. Do we have an understanding?"

"Yes, sire." Ryan said.

"And you two?"

"We understand." Hazel said.

"Good." Judah turned to Garth. "Now then. I wish to be escorted to my quarters."

"Right this way, sire." Garth said. He led Judah off of the stage and into the Guildleader's Quarters. Dillan gave a sigh.

"Dang it!" Ryan said.

"What's wrong with you, pipsqueak?" Dean said. He sounded frustrated. "You got chosen by the Guildleader as the best here. Why aren't you honored?"

"Yeah." Ryan said. "I'm totally honored to be part of a suicide mission. This entire thing is wrong."

"Whatever."" Haily said nonchalantly. "I don't usually care about this sort of thing, but your attitude needs an adjustment."

"Look who's talking." Ryan said.

"Most guildmembers would give their left wing for a chance to prove themselves to the king. A mission of this scale could get you two ranks higher in one swoop. That lets you take missions from all over Ganderosa. And here you are complaining about its difficulty. Ryan, I've never been one to judge others, but right now you sicken me."

Dillan heard Hazel sniffle. He turned over to her. "Hazel," Dillan said. "Something's bothering you, I know it."

"I don't want to talk about it right now." Hazel said. She sounded on the verge of tears. Hazel walked out of the room towards the guildmember's quarters.

"I agree with Haily." Dean said. "Come on, guys. Let's go." Dean began walking out of the room followed by Haily and Jess, who was still upside-down.

"Chillax." Bolt said to Ryan. "It shouldn't be so bad."

"Not so bad?" Ryan said. "This is horrible."

"Ry, stop it." Adelina said sternly. "Don't fall apart here."

"Fine." Ryan snapped. "But I'm telling you that something feels really off about this whole thing."

"What's wrong?" Dillan asked Ryan.

"What do you mean?" Ryan asked.

"You've been really rude and angry ever since me and Hazel got back."

"How do you figure?" Ryan said.

"Think about it. You've snapped at both Harley and Tracey and now the King himself. This isn't like you. What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Ryan stated. "Nothing's wrong."

"He's right, Ry." Adelina said.

"Come on, Sparky." Bolt said. "We're all friends here."

"I don't want to talk about it." Ryan said.

"So something is bothering you." Bolt stated.

"Drop it." Ryan ordered. "I don't need to take this from you guys." Ryan began walking towards the Guild's lobby.

"Where are you going?" Adelina asked.

"To clear my head." Ryan said.

"Ry!" Adelina called out. Ryan ignored her. She turned to Bolt and Dillan. "Wonder what's bugging him."

"Whatever it is," Bolt said. "I'm working too hard to get over my problems to have Sparky kill the mood right now."

"Yeah." Dillan said. "But I'm worried about him."

"Me too," Adelina said. "But sometimes Ryan just needs some space. Trust me. Now then, who wants some lunch."

"It's only lunch time?" Bolt asked. "It feels like it's been longer than that."

"Dillan, do you want to join us?" Dillan didn't hear her. He was lost in his own thoughts.

Ryan said this felt wrong and I agree with him. It feels off. And what's Team Armageddon's deal? I've heard so many explanations for their actions that I don't know what to believe. What's their true goal? Are they working with the Enemy? Reya seemed to think Ignitus was, but what about the other members?

"Slash?" Bolt asked. Dillan came back to reality.

"What?" Dillan asked.

"Do you want to eat with us?" Adelina asked.

"Alright." Dillan said.

"So what's on the menu?" Bolt asked.

"Berry stew with a side of Crème brulee." Adelina said.

"Any berries with my berries?" Bolt asked.

Adelina scoffed jokingly. Her and Bolt started laughing together.

Thinking about these things isn't going to give me any answers. I might as well let this mission happen. Besides, I don't think the king is going to take no for an answer. This could give me some answers to why I'm here... Somehow. At the very least, I might find out what drives Team Armageddon. Dillan followed Adelina and Bolt into the dining room, wondering what is to come.


(Author's Notes)

Hey guys! Masterknight here! Remember when I said I was going to have a two-part-chapter-release-special... thing? Well, that happens this week! I'm currently going over the next chapter one last time before I release it, but it should be out by tomorrow evening (3/2/18 (American Time-zones (Sorry Europe))).

Special thanks to Jakeroo123 who has been posting reviews to this story! He has a story called, "Distorted Worlds". Basic plot is Luigi getting trapped in the pokemon world with Ash (Who has gone back in time). Not exactly sure why or what's going on, but then again, I haven't had much time to read it because of personal reasons (Good ones, mind you). If you're into Mario-Pokemon cross-overs, go check that out!

Anyways, thanks to everyone who's stuck around with the story thus far; whether you be a fan who's favorited/followed, a guest on the site, or an unnamed viewer (You know who you are). Hope you guys liked this chapter! I'll see you guys in the next chapter!