Pokemon Mystery Dungeon

Shadows of Ganderosa

Chapter 33

Closure


Dillan turned the corner. He was relieved to finally see the end of the seemingly-endless hallways of the Alkan Guild. Ten minutes had gone by since he saw Hank Peterson, and he was ready to collapse. His red bandages around his chest indicated his wound had reopened, though he didn't need blood to tell him that. The stretching pain was more than enough.

As he saw the end was near, Dillan had only one thing on his mind: What happened to everyone else? Are they alright? The last time I saw Ryan, he was being restrained... Did he make it out? Dillan shook his head. Of course Ryan escaped. He's Ryan! He probably jumped those Armageddons the minute they dropped their guard... Even as Dillan tried to assure himself, he had doubts – however small they may be. Though he wouldn't admit it even to himself fear of something bad happening.

The gabite entered the room ahead, seeing it was the main room from earlier with its ice-like pillars and running water under the chilly floor. Dillan saw the two, white desks at the front of the room right next to the exit. So something important is behind one of those desks... Peterson said it was out of sight.

Dillan entered the main hall and slowly made his way to the first desk. When he got to it, he leaned on its paper-filled top to rest. The pain in his chest was starting to throb. I wasn't hit very many times, but Ignitus still got to me... The gabite grimaced. Peterson took more abuse than I did... I shouldn't have left him... I'm hurt, but he's probably even worse... Why did I- Dillan stopped himself mid-thought from a sharp cough coming from the other side of the desk. He held his breath from fear of who might be there. That's when he realized a panting noise he hadn't noticed. Dillan focused on his fins in anticipation of an enemy on the other side. He slowly made his way around the desk and faced the other side. His eyes widened and his heart stopped.

Leaning against the table was Hazel with a blood-stained bandage wrapped across her entire chest, much like the one Dillan had on, but even worse. He was in complete shock at the state she was in. He went over every bruise on the charmeleon's body with his eyes. Every breath she took seemed to indulge in the agony that seemed to spread across her grimacing face.

"H-Hazel?" Dillan asked fearfully. He dropped onto his knees and got close to her. His fins stopped glowing and shrunk back down to their original size. She didn't respond to him. He put his claw to Hazel's arm so he could shake her awake. The moment he touched her, Hazel's eyes darted open and focused on the gabite's arm. Her right paw came up and slapped Dillan's arm away. She then began swiping at Dillan wildly as if fearing for her own safety. Hazel began shouting as if trying to scare off the gabite.

"Hazel!" Dillan shouted frantically. "It's only me!"

Hazel's eyes were set on Dillan's face. Immediately, she stopped flailing and stared at the gabite.

"Dillan?" she stated. Her eyes widened and her paws went to the sides of her head. She slapped her temples and waited before shouting, "Why can't I h-"

Dillan instinctively put his fin to Hazel's mouth, stopping her. She then looked at him worriedly. She pushed Dillan's fin away from her mouth. She moved her paw to her chest and grimaced, sucking air through her teeth.

He was horrified at her state. W-what happened?! Why is she injured?!

"C-can you stand?" Dillan asked. Hazel didn't respond. Can she not hear me? Is that why she shouted? Dillan slowly got to his feet. He held out his claw for Hazel to take. She wasn't looking at him. She seemed lost in her own thoughts. Dillan tapped on her shoulder. She looked up at him. He once again held his claw out, urging her to stand up. Hazel looked away from him as if worried. She then looked back and nodded.

Grabbing Dillan's claw weakly, Hazel attempted to stand. Almost as soon as she started rising, her eyes dilated, and she let go. She fell back down into a sitting position.

"I can't..." she stated wearily without shouting.

Dillan knelt down next to her. "What happened to you?" he asked quietly, not truly expecting Hazel to answer him. He was just in shock.

"Dillan?" a voice asked from behind the gabite. Dillan turned around. He saw Bolt and Adelina walking down the stairs at the back of the room. He was shocked to see a purple blob-like creature between Bolt and Adelina like some sort of captive.

"Oh my gosh, Dillan!" Adelina shouted. She reached the last step and broke into a run towards the gabite. Dillan was surprised to see wet streaks coming off of the lickitung's eyes that trailed down her cheeks. She looked about ready to tackle Dillan with a hug when she stopped in her tracks. Adelina's horror-stricken face was looking straight pass him and at Hazel. She seemed at a loss for words. Her lower lip was trembling, and her jaw was lowered.

"Hazel," Bolt said, sounding terrified. The pikachu moved around his captive and towards the charmeleon. He got down on his knees. Tears fell from the pikachu's face as his eyes darted all over Hazel's battered and scared body. "This is-"

Hazel pressed a claw to the pikachu's quivering lip. "Bolt," she stated as she shook her head. "It isn't your fault."

Bolt looked like he was going to protest. His jaw moved up and down as he tried to find some words, but he just remained silent.

"Dillan," Hazel said a little loudly. Dillan turned towards the charmeleon. "Wh-where's Ryan?"

Dillan grimaced. "I don't know..."

"Try to yell. I'm starting to get my hearing back, but not that much."

"You mean, he's not here?!" Adelina shouted. An expression of worry, fear, and anger washed over her face.

"He's not?" Hazel questioned. She immediately tried, again, to stand. Her eyes dilated once more, and she started leaning to the right. Bolt immediately jumped onto the desk and pulled her backwards, forcing Hazel to lean on the desk for support. "Where's Ryan?"

Adelina completely ignored the question. Fresh tears fell from her eyes as she ran around the desk and darted outside of the Guild.

"What's going on?" Dillan asked, staring out at the exit as he wondered what had gotten into Adelina.

"Did Ryan find you at all?" Bolt asked the gabite. Dillan turned towards him and shook his head. Bolt shut his eyes tightly and turned towards the ground as he stamped his foot on the desk-top.

"Bolt," Hazel shouted as she shakily sat on the desk. "What happened?"

"He did," Bolt stated loudly as he pointed towards the little blob. The ditto smiled as he waved a piece of himself that was smoothly attached to his body.

"Who's that?" Dillan asked. Hazel tapped on the gabite's shoulder.

"Can't hear very well," she stated.

"I asked who he was," Dillan stated again, increasing his volume for the charmeleon. Hazel slowly nodded her head.

"Meet Iris Zinclyde," Bolt said loudly, making sure Hazel could hear him. "Or as he's really called, Bob." Bob waved again.

Hazel looked at Bolt with wide-eyes while Dillan couldn't help but stare at Bob in complete awe. He's Zinclyde?! Dillan then recalled the argument that Ignitus and Peterson had before the infernape stormed out. He remembered Peterson stating he told the Armageddons about 'Bob', and that was the reason they gave up. Is this pokemon who Peterson was talking about?

"Show them," Bolt said to Bob.

"Right," Bob acknowledged. He began glowing white. His body morphed before their very eyes into a serpentine figure with bushy eyebrows. When the light died down, the ditto looked exactly like the milotic Dillan saw back on the balcony.

"B-but..." Hazel stuttered.

"The real Zinclyde's dead," Bolt stated. "Apparently some greninja Bob refers to as 'Boss' killed her."

"Molan?" Dillan asked the pikachu.

Bob's face lit up from merely mentioning the greninja. "That's Boss!" he stated cheerfully.

"B-but..." Hazel stuttered again. She seemed as though she was having a hard time wrapping her head around what was just said, and so was Dillan.

"Why use him?" Dillan asked. "Why lie to the Guild?"

"Maybe they needed a symbol..." Hazel said. "Making it look like Zinclyde joins Team Armageddon gives them a better image in the eyes of Guild supporters. Think about it: if your hero were to join a side you though was morally bad, wouldn't you rethink their position?"

"Besides," Bolt said, "They didn't just lie to the Guild. They lied to their own members as well." Hazel stared at Bolt with a dumbfounded expression. "From what Bob's told me, Ignitus wanted him to act as Guildmaster Zinclyde in order to boost Team Armageddon's moral. Ignitus wanted them to feel like they were winning. Zinclyde becoming a member of Team Armageddon makes it feel like Team Armageddon could win the fight against the Guild."

"So that's how he did it..." Dillan said, realizing exactly what Peterson had done to disband Team Armageddon. Hazel turned to Dillan with confusion. She had obviously regained her hearing, though that wasn't important. Dillan turned to Hazel and said, "Hank Peterson's here."

Hazel looked at Dillan with the same shocked look she had been wearing for the entire conversation. She shook her head and smiled. "Go figure."

"Who?" Bolt asked.

"Hank Peterson," Dillan said. "He is – or was – a Team Armageddon Commander. He took a deep breath and explained exactly what had happened. He told them about Peterson saying that Team Armageddon was finished. "He must have known Bob was acting as Zinclyde and told his followers about him. Once they found out Ignitus had lied to them, they gave up."

"Team Armageddon's finished..." Bolt said in awe.

"What about Ignitus?" Hazel asked.

"He left me and Peterson in that room," Dillan stated. "I don't know why, but he left us alive."

"Ignitus must have fled," Bolt said. "If what you're saying is true – and I have no reason to doubt you – then Ignitus doesn't have any reason left to stay."

Hazel sighed. "Then I guess we failed."

Bolt looked at her with confusion. "Failed? What do you mean 'failed'?"

"We were suppose to bring Ignitus back to the guild alive."

Bolt nodded slowly. "Yeah... I guess that would be a problem-"

"It's more than a problem, Bolt!" Hazel snapped. "This was a mission from King Judah, and we failed! I wouldn't be surprised if he accused us all of joining Team Armageddon!"

"Hey," Bolt said calmly. "It's fine. So we don't know where Ignitus is, now... Unless..." Bolt turned to Bob. Bob stared at Bolt contentedly for a few seconds. "Bob."

"Yes?" Bob asked, obviously not understanding what Bolt wanted.

Bolt rolled his eyes. "Do you know where Ignitus is?"

"No," Bob said.

"Well, do you know where he would go?"

"No." Bob still had a neutral expression on his face as if he was oblivious to what was going on around him.

"Then, we're still screwed..." Hazel said as she buried her face in her paws, though her muzzle poked out between them.

"Hazel," Dillan said. "We're fine. I don't think Judah's going to accuse us of being traitors just because Ignitus got away."

"You don't know that for sure..." Hazel said.

"What makes you say that?" Bolt asked.

Hazel sat there in silence for a few seconds before saying, "I can't tell you, Bolt..."

Bolt raised his eyebrow. "Why not?"

"B-because..." Hazel came up from her paws and stared at the white wall ahead. "Ryan's not here..."

Dillan then remembered how their conversation had started earlier. He couldn't believe they had drifted away from the main point of the whole thing. Dillan quickly looked at Bolt and said, "You were going to tell us what happened to Ryan."

Bolt clenched his teeth as he nervously stared at Dillan. "Right..." he said slowly. Bolt then turned towards Bob. He explained everything that happened to them – from when they met Bob to the point of Ryan running out. "Adelina thought Ryan was going to find you... When we saw you were alone with Hazel, and Ryan wasn't here..."

"He left the Guild..." Hazel finished.

Bolt shook his head sadly. "I shouldn't have said those things..."

"No, you shouldn't have," Hazel stated. She got off of the desk and landed on her feet. She began wobbling like an infant who had just started walking. Dillan immediately got to her side and helped her stand.

"Wait," Bolt said. "What happened to you, Hazel?"

"Titus dropped me into the moat outside the castle," she said quickly as she turned to Dillan. "We need to find Ryan before he gets hurt."

Dillan nodded his head swiftly in agreement.

"Stop!" Bolt shouted frantically. "Hazel, you're injured and bleeding! There's no way you'll be able to find Ryan right now!"

Dillan and Hazel both looked at Bolt with determined gazes. "There's no way we're letting Ryan go," Hazel said.

"He's our teammate, and our friend," Dillan said.

"I'm not saying you should let him go," Bolt said. "I'm only saying you two could do more harm than good in your condition."

"How is finding Ryan bad?" Dillan asked.

"Finding him isn't wrong," Bolt said quickly. "Risking yourselves is. You guys are too injured to do anything right now except put yourselves in more danger." Bolt hopped from the table and looked his friends in the eyes. "C. A.'s most likely looking for Ryan as we speak. I'll join her, but you two need stay here with Bob."

"The Armageddon?" Hazel questioned.

"He's harmless," Bolt stated. "He doesn't attack anyone without being told to do so by 'Boss'. You'll be fine."

"We can help!" Dillan protested. He didn't want to be useless yet again because of his injuries.

"Stay here and watch each other's backs," Bolt said. He got down on all fours, darted around the table, and exited the room.

Hazel gave a groan. "Why would Ryan just run off like that?"

Dillan didn't have an answer for her. He stared out at the exit, wondering the same question. Was Ryan that scared? Was he that ruthless towards Bob? Dillan felt like kicking himself a thousand times over. "This is my fault..."

Hazel looked at Dillan with concern. "You can't blame yourself-"

"But, I can," Dillan said. "Ryan hasn't been himself for so long... I knew something was bothering him. Maybe if I tried hard enough, he would have opened up. I should have tried harder..."

"Dillan," Hazel squeezed his arm. "This isn't your fault. Ryan's been worried about this mission from the start... If anything, it's my fault he ran off..." Dillan looked at Hazel. She had a guilty expression on her face.

"What?" Dillan asked.

"There's... something I should have told you and Ryan... something that's been on my mind for a while, now... I think it's the reason we were picked for this mission over Dean and Haily." She thinks she's he reason we're here? Why? Hazel took a deep breath. "Remember when my father came to see us in Palando a few weeks ago?"

"Yeah," Dillan said, remembering the one-armed sceptile. "He met you at Harley's Diner."

Hazel nodded her head. "Well, he didn't come for a friendly visit. He came because he had something to tell me... about my mother..." Hazel seemed very reluctant to open up to the gabite. She sat back on the desk and slouched.

"Hazel," Dillan said. "It's alright if you don't want to tell me-"

"No." Hazel shook her head. "I should have told you and Ryan when I found out. Bolt was right when he said that we needed to trust each other... Keeping it from you guys any longer is just asking for something bad to happen to the team. So here goes nothing...

"I told you that when I was younger, me and my parents use to live in the Red Strip of the Labensia Castle in the south-west part of Ganderosa." Dillan nodded. "Well, my parents created a group with Dean and Haily's parents so me and my friends could be pushed to be better than anyone else. That way, we could get out of the Red Strip and on our feet. We could have a better life. Well, when my father came to Palando, he told me it wasn't that simple..." Hazel paused and took another deep breath before continuing. "They didn't just want to help us have a better life, they wanted that for everyone..."

"What's so bad about that?" Dillan asked. His heart sank as he saw tears starting to form in the corners of Hazel's eyes.

"The parents blamed all of th-their problems on the monarchy..." Hazel sniffled. "They wanted every problem in Ganderosa to e-end, so they pushed us to be the s-strongest so we could lead a rebellion..." Hazel tightly closed her eyes and began sobbing. "King Judah f-found out and k-killed my mom!"

Dillan was speechless. "King Judah... He..."

"That's just it!" Hazel shouted at the floor. "I don't t-truly know f-for sure! Th-that's only what my d-dad thinks..." Dillan put his arm over Hazel's neck for comfort. "It could be that h-he only b-believed it was Judah because he's mad at how he's had to live his life at the bottom c-class, and the king's d-done nothing about it!

"But he th-thinks Judah left us a-alive as a warning to the o-other parents s-so they would stop conspiring..."

"Oh, Hazel," Dillan said out of empathy.

"Everything I've worked towards... Everything I believe in... It's a-all a lie!"

"No, it isn't," Dillan said.

"But it is!" Hazel shouted. "I took an oath every d-day for the p-past month to trust and serve my King to find out h-he's the reason I don't have my mom a-anymore..." Hazel turned to Dillan. Tears were falling down her cheeks at a rapid rate. At the same time, she looked absolutely enraged, as if she was ready to kill someone. "D-do you know what it feels like to have e-everything taken from you? And it wasn't just once, but twice!"

Dillan couldn't help but turn away from Hazel and stare sadly at the ground. "Actually, I know exactly what it's like..." Hazel looked at Dillan with confusion, though she didn't say anything. Other than her sniffling between breaths, the room was deathly silent. "I lost my memories of my family and my sister... When I finally remembered her, I found out that... she's..." Dillan couldn't finish his statement. He knew it would tug at every emotional cord in his chest, but he needed to stay calm for Hazel. He turned to her. "So, yes. I know exactly what it feels like to have everything taken... But you still have me and Ryan... We're real, right?" Hazel nodded. "I know you miss your mother, and that won't ever leave you... but you need to focus on the pokemon who are here for you. Lean on your friends; lean on me. I'll help you find out what's going on."

Hazel began sobbing into her paws. All Dillan could do was be there for her. He couldn't think of anything else that would help. At the same time, Hazel's confession brought up even more questions. First Team Armageddon, now this? No one seems happy with how Judah's running Ganderosa... But why isn't he dealing with Ganderosa's issues? You could say that he's a selfish king, but that's not it either. It would have been in his best interest to arrest Team Armageddon, so why didn't he do anything? Why is he ignoring what could very well take him out of power?

"Dillan..." Hazel said. Dillan looked at his friend. She had stopped crying, and was currently wiping her cheeks dry. "I'm scared... I think... Judah sent me here to die... so I couldn't rebel. And what's worse is you and Ryan got dragged into it... Now that Ignitus is gone, Judah has an excuse to kill me..."

"That won't happen," Dillan assured.

Hazel chuckled softly. "Judah would kill you, too..."

"Hazel," Dillan said defiantly. He stared forwards at the white wall. "I don't think Judah wants to kill you."

"You can't say that for sure."

"Maybe I can. If Judah wanted you to die, why hasn't he done it, yet? Why hasn't Judah tried kill you and your father before now? Things just aren't adding up... We all know that this has felt like a suicide mission from the start, and I can't deny it. But... I don't know... Judah's attitude towards everything that's been happening... It's all wrong; Ryan's been saying so from day one. But setting up this whole mission just to kill you still leaves an inconsistency... It doesn't make any sense, and I don't think this was meant for you... What I'm trying to say, and I don't mean to sound harsh or... insensitive or anything like that, but it feels too convoluted to try and kill you for something that sounds like he's already taken care of..."

"So... I'm not the reason we're here?" Hazel asked with a slight smile. "Judah's not trying to kill me?"

"I don't think so... No, I'm sure of it." Dillan said, still trying to piece everything together. He was sure this was a suicide mission, but he didn't think that it was meant for her. His thoughts were interrupted when he felt the warm embrace of his friend who gripped him around the chest.

"Thank you, Dillan," Hazel began crying again, though Dillan could tell it was because she was relieved.

"That's nice." Dillan jumped from Bob's voice. He looked downwards to see a smiling ditto looking up at them. Oh... right. He's here, too. Dillan looked back to the door, still not satisfied with the lack of information he had on King Judah's motives, though something else came into his mind: something far more sensitive of a topic.

He looked down at Hazel. She trusted me... Guilt began filling his mind as Bolt's words echoed through his head. "Keeping secrets doesn't work on a team because a team needs to trust each other no matter what." Here I am keeping my own secret when Hazel just spilled her greatest fear to me. She trusts me enough for that, but... He took a deep breath, unsure of what he should do. He wanted to tell her everything, but at the same time, his doubts seemed to keep him in silence. I need to tell her... If I don't... what might happen to our friendship?

"Hazel..." Dillan said.

"Yeah?" Hazel asked, wiping the tears from her eyes.

"There's something that... I..." He hesitated. Would she believe me? Would she be able to? Is it too complicated for her to understand? Could she think... I'm crazy: that it's all in my head?

"What is it, Dillan?" Hazel asked.

Dillan opened his mouth. He wanted to say it. He wanted to tell her that he didn't belong here: that he was from another world entirely. But the words clumped up in his throat as if he was swallowing a rock.

"Dillan?" Hazel questioned. She broke away from the hug and looked Dillan in the eyes. He could see the fear that was still present in her slightly-opened mouth as well as concern in her urging gaze. He wondered, were those feelings for him?

"I..." The guild built up in his chest and exploded through his body like a volcano. Even after all that, he felt his own doubt hold him back. Dillan shook his head, saying the next-best thing. "I'm really worried about Ryan..."

"Bolt and Adelina are going to find him," Hazel said. "Have faith in them."

Dillan felt like his heart was going to collapse on itself. Have faith because they're my friends, right? He wanted to strangle himself. He didn't know why he wouldn't just come out and tell Hazel. Maybe it was because when it came down to making a decision, it became the most terrifying thing he'd ever had to do. It felt like he'd be putting every bit of trust he'd ever had into one person. How could he expect his friend to believe in him when he couldn't even believe in himself? It felt like the impossible task. I'll tell her when Ryan's here... That way I'll be able to tell them both... Now it felt like Dillan's entire body would explode from guilt. Yeah... Just tell yourself that...


(Alkan Guild, Main Room)

Dillan had been sitting on the desk in the Alkan Guild for over an hour. Hazel was so exhausted that she began sleeping on the desk, though that wasn't his concern. He was worried about his friends. Where are Bolt and Adelina? It's already dark outside... Shouldn't they have-

Dillan's thoughts were interrupted by the doors to the Alkan Guild bursting open, revealing a shaking Bolt who was accompanied by Adelina. The lickitung was wobbling unsteadily. Dillan was shocked to see her fall forwards onto her face.

"Bob, I need help!" Bolt shouted.

"Okay!" Bob shouted from Dillan's feet. Hazel's eyes shot open and she took a deep breath. She blinked twice and stared at Bolt and Adelina.

"Oh, no," Hazel said. She jumped to her feet, but immediately shouted as her left paw clutched her injured chest. She started leaning on the desk for support.

"Hazel, stay there!" Bolt shouted, only taking his eyes off of Adelina for a second.

"What do I do?" Bob asked as though nothing was wrong.

"I need you to pick Adelina up and set her on the second desk," Bolt stated. Bob nodded and began glowing white. He morphed before their eyes into a big, grey, bipedal pokemon with four arms, big lips, and black underwear. Bob also had some sort of short, brown mohawk on his head.

The newly-transformed machamp picked up Adelina with two of his arms and set her on the second desk.

"What happened?" Dillan asked frantically.

"I-I don't know," Bolt stuttered nervously. "I found her outside the castle in the snow, barely conscious. She kept saying to herself, 'He's gone'."

Hazel and Dillan both looked at Bolt with worry. "You don't think she means-" Dillan began.

"Ryan?" Bolt asked. He nodded slowly.

"She needs to wake up," Hazel said. She began rummaging through her bag on her shoulder until she pulled out three, green stalks. She began crushing them in her hands as she walked over to Adelina. Hazel opened the lickitung's mouth and set the crumbled greens inside. Almost immediately, Adelina jumped into a sitting position and shouted, "Ry!" Panting, she began searching her surroundings frantically.

"Hey hey hey!" Bolt said quickly. "C. A, it's fine. Take a deep breath."

"He's gone!" Adelina shouted. She jumped onto her feet and was about to race towards the door until Bolt grabbed her by the ankle in an attempt at holding her. Instead, he looked like a child clinging to his mother's ankle as she continued walking.

"Wait a minute!" Bolt pleaded. "What happened? What are you talking about?"

"She took Ryan!" Adelina shouted. "She zapped me and took him!"

"What?" Dillan asked frantically. "Someone took Ryan?"

"Who?" Hazel asked.

Adelina continued to walk towards the door. She was about to exit when Bolt shouted, "Would someone help me?!"

Bob took big, long strides towards them and picked Adelina up once again, this time with all four arms.

Adelina began screaming, "Put me down!" She sounded on the verge of breaking down into uncontrollable sobs. Bob looked at Bolt for an answer.

"Adelina!" Hazel shouted. "Who took Ryan?"

"That nidoqueen!" Adelina shouted. Nidoqueen? Dillan looked towards Hazel for an explanation, but her face was white. He then looked at Bolt who was wearing the same expression. Adelina just began sobbing.

"Wh-what's a... nidoqueen?" Dillan asked, unsure of if he really wanted to know.

"That blue pokemon we fought this morning..." Bolt stated with shock. Dillan felt his heart sink.

"Y-you mean... Th-Thalia..."

"If she touches him..." Adelina sobbed.

"Put her down, Bob," Bolt said. Bob did as he was told. He glanced around the room at all the sad and shocked looks. Bob turned back into his usual blob-like self and slumped down in sadness.

Dillan was horrified. She was after me... She was after me... Why did she take Ryan instead of me? She should have tried to attack me... Is she trying to get me to come out? Is that it?

Dillan ran towards the exit. He felt the pain in his chest, but that could wait. Right now, he only wanted to save his friend.

"Dillan," Bolt said. "Where are you going?"

"To find him!" Dillan shouted back.

"How?" Bolt yelled as Dillan exited the Guild. "Dillan!"

He ran though the gates and into the castle. He didn't find any protestors, and he didn't care why. It only meant he could get out of the Alkan Castle faster. Thalia was after me... If she's there, maybe she'll take me instead of Ryan! Dillan found the gates to the outside were open, so he tore over the stone bridge and into the snowy lands ahead.

"Thalia!" Dillan shouted as he ignored the numbing effect the snow had on his feet. "I'm the one you want! Leave Ryan alone! Take me, just let him go!"

Dillan's foot was sucked into a massive dip in the ground. He found snow that was up to his waist, but that didn't matter to him. He tried futilely to get out of the snow while shouting Thalia's name. He continued to shout for a few minutes before thinking, This isn't working! There has to be another way! Think, Dillan! Dillan recalled what had happened with the Sapphire Star before it was stolen. He remembered how it had led him back to Poltress Town and to his friends. It worked then! It has to work, now! Dillan pressed his claw to his chest where he expected to find his green crystal. Instead, he only found his scales. With fear and desperation, he looked down at his chest. The normal green glint of the crystal on his chest was absent, leaving his scales. No... Dillan dragged his claw across his neck to catch the green crystal's string. He didn't feel anything. No no no! It was there! Where's- His heart stopped beating, and he stopped breathing. He recalled Ignitus yanking the crystal from his neck and pressing it to Dillan's chest. He also remembered a string hanging off of Ignitus' hand during his and Peterson's fight. That was the last time he saw the crystal. Ignitus took it... He has my crystal... He looked out across the massive, white expanse. The stars littered the sky in a beautiful display. The only thing it reminded Dillan of was Ryan's poem.

"Ryan..." Dillan said, mortified by the realization. He's-... He's gone... "Thalia!"


(Thirty Minutes Ago: Alkan Islands, Alkan Region)

Ryan kept on running. He couldn't stop thinking about how he was leaving his friends to fight Team Armageddon alone, but at the same time he couldn't bring himself to go back. I can't go back. I'd kill someone... I'd hurt Dillan... The images of his reduced-to-rubble home flashed through his mind once more. "Get out of my head..." he said to himself. "Leave me alone..."

"Ry!" a feminine voice called from behind he pachirisu.

Ryan looked backwards to see a lickitung was charging through the white grounds like a snow-plow, tongue trailing behind her as she ran. She was heading straight towards the pachirisu. Ryan turned away from Adelina. He wanted to walk onward – leave the lickitung chasing – but at the same time he wanted her to catch up. His friend, the only one who was here for him when he was feeling lost and alone. Still... He gave a sigh as Adelina came to a stop in front of him. Ryan could see streaks of water trailing down her cheeks

"So, that's it?" Adelina asked. "You're giving up?"

"I'm dealing with my problems," Ryan said. He looked at the snow, not having the courage to face his friend. "And I'm doing it alone."

"I'm sorry for what I said, Ry!" she said through sobs. That made him feel even worse than before.

"Why are you sorry for me?" Ryan shouted. "Bolt was right! I almost killed someone, and I didn't even give a second's thought as to why! I was too angry with myself, and scared for my friends that I let it control me!" He turned towards Adelina, tears in his own eyes. "I need to fix myself before I hurt someone I care about!"

"Let me help this time!" Adelina shouted. "Let me help you!"

"You can't help," Ryan said. "If you try, you'll be in danger, and I can't let you get hurt..."

"Let me make that decision!" Adelina pleaded. "This isn't like last time! I joined the Guild to get stronger! I joined so I could find you when you were missing!" Adelina put her paw under her tongue and yanked something. Ryan saw the string around her neck give way. Adelina moved her paw into visibility, revealing a golden locket on the end of the snapped string. Ryan grimaced. "You remember what this is?" She threw it towards Ryan. The golden locket landed in the snow at his feet. "You gave that to me as a sign of friendship. Was that just an act?"

"No," Ryan said flatly.

"Then as your friend, let me help you!"

"This is exactly like last time," Ryan said. He desperately wanted her to let him go. She can't get involved...

"Then help me understand." Adelina got closer to Ryan. "What happened to you?"

"You could never understand!" Ryan shouted. "It isn't possible!"

"I-" Adelina stopped herself. Ryan looked at the lickitung; her eyes seemed to drift over him: behind him.

"She's very persistent, isn't she?" Ryan felt his heart stop. He quickly turned around and found himself looking upwards at a blue, bipedal lizard he recognized. Thalia was glaring at Adelina.

"Why are you here?" Ryan asked sharply, shocked to see the nidoqueen.

"the Master's tired of your running," Thalia stated. "He wants-" Ryan jumped towards Adelina, turned around, and sent stars towards the nidoqueen. Thalia moved quickly around the "swift" attack and sighed heavily as she came to a stop. "Don't make this take longer than it has to."

"Addi, get out of here!" Ryan ordered.

"No!" Adelina shouted back. Ryan looked at her through the corner of his eye. She had her usual orange swords in her hands as she stared angrily at Thalia. "Why are you interested in Ryan?" she asked her opponent.

Thalia shook her head. "You're one of the pests from this morning," she stated. "Don't get involved in things beyond you. I'm only here for Ryan."

"You're going to tell me what I want to know!" Adelina's tongue came out of her mouth and straight towards Thalia. The nidoqueen put her arm up, letting Adelina's tongue wrap itself around her. Thalia then yanked Adelina by her tongue. She flew onto the ground on top of Ryan who sunk into the snow. Thalia started sparking as she pulled Adelina towards her. Ryan jumped out of the snow and darted towards the nidoqueen.

"I told you not to get involved."

"Thalia!" Ryan shouted as he leaped into the air. "Don't you hurt her!"

Adelina planted her feet and spun around. Thalia was shocked to find her feet come off the ground as she flew into the air. Adelina swung her upwards and back down, forcing Thalia into the ground. Snow flew into the air from the impact. The lickitung continued to lift Thalia into the air only to throw her back into the ground. Then Adelina gave a shriek of pain as electricity shot out of Thalia and into the lickitung's body. She let Thalia go, cutting their connection. Thalia landed on the floor and began glowing. Her body was consumed in a massive light. She immediately threw her body into the lickitung's chest. Adelina was thrown away from Thalia and into the snow. She laid there for a few seconds before struggling to her feet.

"Leave my friend alo-" Another surge of electricity jolted Adelina. She gave one more shriek of pain before landing on the floor, unconscious.

Thalia looked at Adelina with a raised eyebrow before turning to a scowling Ryan. "You attacked your own friend?" she asked with a bit of surprise in her voice.

"Leave her out of this!" Ryan blared. "She doesn't know what she's getting herself into!"

Thalia lost her confused expression and went back to a scowl. "Where was I?" she asked.

"Good question," Ryan said with a snarl. "I have a better one: why are you here?"

"I'm here for you," Thalia stated.

"I thought you were after Dillan."

"The Master's had a change in plans since then. At present, he wants to speak with you."

"And what would he want with me?"

"Don't play the fool," Thalia sighed. "You know what he wants with you. It's what he's always wanted."

"I'm done with him!" Ryan shouted.

"Well, he isn't done with you." Ryan stood there, only scowling at Thalia. He had no reason to attack her now. The only reason he jumped in before was to keep the nidoqueen's mouth shut. "You aren't going to ask why?" Ryan remained silent. "Are you truly going to make me spell it out?" Ryan still didn't answer. Thalia shook her head out of annoyance before stating, "He wants to talk about your shifting loyalties."

"Shifting loyalties?" Ryan shouted confusedly.

"He's sensed your sentimental attitudes towards the gabite. You're getting too close to him, and you know it."

"What makes you think-"

"Stop playing, Ryan," Thalia snapped. "You never really left Team Rebirth, did you? I mean, why join the Guild if not to travel around to search for the 'Amber Amulet'?" Ryan grimaced. "Stop trying to run like a coward. Get back on the path to your destiny."

"Don't you think you're being a little too straight-forward?" Ryan questioned.

"You're still treating this like a game, Ryan: as if you haven't already decided on a course of action! We both know you've been on this path for too long to quit now!"

"I can still refuse!"

"You very well could," Thalia stated. "Although, I doubt you will."

"What makes you say that?"

"You know that would mean denying everything you've been trying to achieve for the last three years."

"And if I don't want that anymore?"

"Liar," Thalia flatly stated. Ryan turned away from Thalia. The nidoqueen gave a sigh. "You've abandoned her once before, so what makes it so hard for you to do it again?" He looked at Adelina, then back to the Alkan Castle where his friends were. "Cut your sentiments towards your so called friends. It's pure weakness, and you know there's no room for weakness in Team Rebirth."

Ryan took a deep breath. "It isn't weakness..." Ryan said harshly. "Weakness is toying with pokemon's emotions by putting images in their heads."

"You know the Master only showed you those images to remind you of what you continue to deny."

"And what's that?" Ryan asked sharply. "What am I denying?"

"Closure," Thalia said.

Ryan didn't say anything else. That single word felt like a dagger in his heart, yet at the same time, it felt soothing. Closure... Merely thinking the word felt like a double-edged sword. Ryan looked out on the horizon. The sun was setting, sending the last streaks of light onto the icy plateau. Ryan watched as a glacier floated in front of the sun, casting its on shadow on him and Thalia.

"Closure..." Ryan stated aloud, without anger. "You have no idea what that means. I left my friends for closure... I thought running from you guys before would bring me closure..."

"There was no running from the Master, traitor. You had to have known that he'd come for you like he's come for every deserter before."

Ryan looked into the snow and found Adelina's gold locket. He shook his head sadly as he reached into the snow and grabbed the locket. I ran, but you still found me... "Guess I was an idiot for thinking I could escape." He laced the locket around his neck and tied it in the back. Ryan then faced Thalia. "Even if I wanted to come back, what makes you think I'd be accepted?"

"Don't be foolish, Mr. Simon." a dark, ominous voice stated. Ryan's eyes widened upon hearing the voice in his head. It had been so long since it was there that in this single moment, it frightened him more than anything. "We both know that I desire what you will acquire, and you desire what I will give. Let's not play anymore games and get down to business. Come and see me."

"So, you still want to see me?" Ryan asked the voice. There was no answer. So, he looked at Thalia for an answer. She just stared at him with a neutral expression. Guess I forgot how much you hate to repeat yourself. "So you're still willing to keep up your end of the deal?"

"Of course, Mr. Simon. Provided you follow through with your end. So, what is your answer? Do you choose closure, or your weakness?"

"Closure... or friendship..." Ryan thought aloud. The choice was fairly obvious to him. He knew this was his only chance at, how Thalia put it, closure. He thought of Dillan and Hazel, Adelina and Bolt, and all the other members of the Palando Guild. He gave a sigh. "For closure, then..." He slowly nodded. "Take me to the Master."


(Alkan Region: Outskirts of Palando Town)

Team Rapture and Team B. A. K. walked down a gravel path. A town could be seen in the distance. Dillan would have smiled, but he couldn't bring himself to accept his mission was coming to a close: not when Ryan was gone.

Leaving the Alkan islands was probably the most unbearable thing he had ever done. He recalled the arguments from both sides. The first time Bolt proposed to leave the Alkan islands, everyone else was horrified.

"Listen to me," Bolt's words echoed in Dillan's mind. "You and Hazel are both too injured to properly search without getting hurt. Me and Adelina are the only ones who would be able to, and that means leaving you both behind waiting for that nidoqueen – who was hunting Dillan. As much as I hate to say it, we have to go back to Palando..." Dillan remembered all of the turmoil that Bolt had put their teams in. As a compromise, they all agreed that they would search for the next few days as one group in order to avoid Thalia being a threat to Dillan. They searched for nearly three days. Bolt had then pointed out that Hazel was worn out, and her wounds weren't getting any better. The massive amounts of yelling and fighting that had occurred put even more stress on the gabite's mind. On top of losing his friend, now he had to worry about losing friendships. After nearly a day of arguing, they had decided that it would be best for them to return to Palando.

Dillan recalled the outrage Adelina had been in. Leaving Ryan behind hit her the hardest out of anyone. She didn't seem to understand why they were leaving him. Bolt had tried on countless occasions to explain, but she didn't want to hear a word.

Adelina's shouts echoed in Dillan's brain. "We're abandoning him!" It made Dillan want to collapse where he stood. At the same time, he couldn't help but blame himself. If I was stronger, I wouldn't have been so injured! We could have searched for Ryan longer than we did... If I was stronger, Molan wouldn't have separated us... If I was stronger...

No one interrupted Dillan's doubts. Everyone continued walking, entering Palando in silence. The bustling of the town, the voices greeting each other cheerfully, all of the music flowing out of bars and diners accompanied by the sweet smells – none of it affected any of them. They just continued walking, passing the arena and through the gates of Palando's Guild as they entered the building.

Dillan looked to his left, seeing Janette the ariados working on a stack of paper. She looked up and said cheerfully, "Welcome to the Palando-" She stopped mid-sentence and stared at the group in shock. Her mandibles moved back and forth as her jaw quivered. She was at a loss for words.

"Hi!" Bob stated cheerfully.

"You're back!" Janette shouted gleefully. She leapt over the table, knocking over all of her paperwork, and stopped in front of Dillan and Hazel. Her eyes went up and down the two pokemon quickly. "And you're both injured!" She immediately darted towards the left side of the Guild, calling, "Doctor Valentine!"

"We're back..." Bolt said drearily. Adelina immediately broke from the group and darted towards the hallway on the left side, assumedly towards the girl's dormitory. She turned a corner and out of sight. Bolt gave a sigh. He turned to Dillan and Hazel. "You two see Doctor Valentine. I need to take care of him." He motioned towards Bob who was looking at the guild's room with amazement, looking over every inch.

Bolt tapped Bob on the head and motioned for the blob to follow him. Without question, the ditto followed Bolt as he led the way towards the north.

"Come on..." Hazel said sadly, pulling on Dillan. The two began walking into the same room Janette had entered.


"Are they going to be alright?" Janette asked. "My astrology book said they are to be in mortal peril next month! It could have been off by a month!"

"Janette," Doctor Valentine sighed. "I haven't even removed their bandages."

"W-well, do you need any help?"

"What I need is for you to leave. Now."

Janette looked at Dillan and Hazel who were both sitting in their own respective beds of hay. Doctor Valentine was in the middle of the room, urging with his paw for Janette to leave. The ariados gave one final look at the remaining members of Team Rapture before exiting the room. Doctor Valentine gave a sigh of relief and turned his attention to his patients.

"How are you feeling, Ms. Prince?" Valentine asked.

"Strained," Hazel stated. The doctor walked up to Hazel and began removing the bandages around her chest. Hazel sucked in some air through her teeth and tightened her eyes. Once the bandages were removed, Doctor Valentine took a closer look at three, massive slashes. They looked as though they were just starting to scab over. Valentine ran his paw over the edges of the scabs. He began humming to himself as he looked. Hazel's tail began swishing back and forth quickly.

"Your wound is infected, . You've been eating plenty of Oran berries I assume?"

"Sitrus, actually," Hazel corrected.

"Than the wound was bad." Valentine walked away from Hazel and towards Dillan. "And what about you, Mr. Gabite?"

"I'm alright," Dillan lied out of guilt.

"Really?" Valentine questioned. He began removing the bandages. Dillan felt a sharp pain in his chest. He gave a grimace and Valentine stopped. "Are you sure you're alright?"

"U-uh..." Dillan hesitated.

"That's what I thought." Valentine removed the rest of the bandages from Dillan's chest and began his evaluation. "Your wound doesn't look too recent... though it hasn't been given any time to heal." He looked Dillan in the eyes. "How exactly did you acquire these wounds?"

"A 'Dragon Claw' attack," Dillan explained. Dillan looked down at his own scabbing wound. "It isn't bad, is it?"

"Well, I assume you haven't been pushing yourself as hard as Ms. Prince," Valentine stated. "Unlike hers, your wounds have scabbed over. There's also the fact that you have no infection."

"So, are we alright," Hazel jumped in, sounding hopeful.

Doctor Valentine took a few steps back so he could face both pokemon. "I wouldn't say that," the persian stated. "You need some rest, Mr. Gabite. As a result, I want you off of exploring and rescuing for the time being. As for you, Ms. Prince, I suggest a more... tender approach."

Dillan didn't like the sound of that. "Tender?" he asked.

Doctor Valentine looked at Hazel specifically. "I want you to stay here for the next few days so I can treat your slashes and keep an eye on them."

"I'll be fine, right?" Hazel asked.

"I have no doubt," Valentine stated. "Although, the best you can hope for is a scar, and unlike Mr. Simon, you don't have fur to cover that up."

"Alright," Hazel said, sounding a little more depressed. Dillan hung his head at the mere mention of Ryan's last name.

Doctor Valentine's eyes went from both pokemon as if confused. "Am I missing something?"

Before Dillan could say anything, a new voice had taken his thoughts. "It's alright, Doctor."

Dillan looked up from the bed to see Garth standing in the doorway. His eyebrows were knitted together and his tail was swishing.

"Guildleader!" Hazel said quickly.

"It's fine, Hazel," Garth stated sadly. He looked over every wound, every bruise, every scratch. "Can you leave us alone, Doctor Valentine?"

Doctor Valentine raised his head to Garth before stating, "I would like to wrap Hazel's wounds f-"

"Valentine," Garth interrupted swiftly. "I need to speak with these two in private."

Valentine shook his head, but didn't argue. He reluctantly left the room. Garth looked behind and stated, "Janette, make sure no one listens in." He then entered the room and shut the door.

"Guildleader-" Hazel began. Garth held up his paw. Hazel immediately stopped to let the ampharos speak.

"Ryan is gone, then?" Garth asked. Both Hazel and Dillan looked at Garth with sadness. The ampharos didn't say another word. He just walked up to Valentine's desk and pulled the chair out in front of Dillan and Hazel with the back faced towards them. He sat down and rested his head on the chair's back. "Bolt told me about it, incase you were wondering. But... let's change the subject.

"What about Ignitus?"

"He got away..." Dillan stated.

Garth shook his head. "Then you failed in your mission, and Team Armageddon is still out there."

"That's not entirely true," Hazel protested. Dillan looked at her with shock. It wasn't like her to speak out against her superior officer. Garth looked at Hazel for a few seconds with confusion. Hazel seemed to realize her outburst and stated, "Sir..."

Garth gave a light smirk. "Go on, then."

Hazel took a deep breath and sat up straight. "Hank Peterson told the Armageddons at the Frost Island Guild about a ditto named Bob."

"I was meaning to ask Bolt who he was," Garth said. "Maybe you can explain."

Hazel did just that. She told Garth about Bob's role in Team Armageddon as a fake Zinclyde, and how the members of Team Armageddon were kept oblivious. Dillan explained his part with Ignitus, though he left out the part about the infernape trying to recruit him, as well as how his crystal had some sort of power; that part still confused him.

"So Team Armageddon collapsed when this 'Hank Peterson' fellow told his members about the ditto named Bob?" Garth asked.

"Yes," Hazel and Dillan both stated.

"But what about the other members?" Garth questioned.

"There are no other members," Hazel stated. "Every Team Armageddon member from across Ganderosa was called upon to invade the Alkan Islands. All of the radicals who wanted to fight were there, and they gave up when they found out Ignitus had been lying to them. Team Armageddon doesn't have any more members. All that's left is Ignitus... and Titus, a black charizard..."

"And Molan," Dillan added. He shuddered just thinking about the greninja.

"So what you're saying is Team Armageddon is finished except for the leader and two lackeys," Garth said. Dillan was surprised to see Garth was smiling. "In that case, congratulations are in order!"

"Wh-what?" Hazel asked.

"But Ignitus got away!" Dillan said.

"He'll be easy to deal with," Garth stated cheerfully. "The only thing that needs to happen is to issue 'wanted' posters all over Ganderosa. Some one will eventually turn up a lead, and the Royal Guardsmen can take it from there." He gave a hearty laugh. "I'm astounded by both of your actions in this endeavor."

"But it wasn't just us," Dillan stated. "Bolt and Adelina were a big help-"

"Dillan," Garth interrupted. "Hazel, I need you both to promise me something."

"What is it?" Dillan asked.

"I need you to take all of the credit for the mission."

Hazel almost fell off of her bed from pure shock. Dillan was astounded by what he was just asked.

"Wh-why?" Dillan stuttered.

"Bolt and Adelina were never there," Garth stated. He sounded very serious. "If King Judah ever found out that they were, I would lose my job."

"But Judah sent... them..." Hazel trailed off. "You sent Team B. A. K?"

"I did," Garth stated.

"But Judah said he'd send help!" Dillan shouted in disbelief. "He said that Bolt and Adelina would be there to help us!"

Garth's eyes widened. He stared at Dillan in disbelief. "King... Judah told you that?" Dillan nodded. Garth stood up from the chair, tail swishing wildly as he paced the room.

"Guildleader?" Hazel asked.

"It's fine," Garth stated half-heartedly. "Just... don't say anything about Team B. A. K, alright? Bolt and Adelina weren't involved in any of this."

"A-alright," Dillan said, though he was very worried about whatever was going through Garth's head.

"Alright, then. I... I need to write a letter to King Judah telling him about your accomplishments..." Garth walked towards the exit of Valentine's office. He stopped at the door and turned to Team Rapture. He had a small smile on his face. "Just..." He stopped himself. Dillan couldn't help but notice Garth's tail was still swishing back and forth, even when the Guildleader was trying to look calm. "Good job, Team Rapture." Garth opened the door and exited the room.

"That... was weird..." Hazel said slowly.

"What do you think he was thinking about?" Dillan asked.

"How Judah wanted us dead," Hazel stated. "What else was he be thinking about?"

"Good point..." Dillan said. Yeah... That has to be it...

Doctor Valentine came into the room with a roll of what appeared to be silk in his teeth. He walked up to Hazel and set the silk on the bed. "Blasted Guildleader... interrupting my job like he's Arceus himself..." Valentine began wrapping he silk around Hazel's chest with his paws. Valentine sliced the remaining silk and moved on to Dillan. "So where's Mr. Simon?"

"Long story..." Dillan said, heart sinking.

Doctor Valentine finished the bandages and walked over to the chair in the middle of the room. "You'd think he'd at least put my office back in order, but no." Valentine moved the chair back to his desk and sat down. "You may leave, Mr.-"

"Bolt Raimi!" Adelina's voice roared from the next room.

"What in Ganderosa is it this time?" Valentine began. He stopped when he saw Hazel was about to leap off of her bed. "Ms. Prince!"

"I can't leave?" Hazel questioned.

"Not unless you want a piece of your chest surgically removed because yu wouldn't let your chest heal!" Valentine shouted. Hazel went pale and sat down, still as a leaf.

"I'll check for you," Dillan told Hazel. He looked at Dr. Valentine for permission to leave.

"I said you'd be fine if you didn't push yourself, didn't I?" Valentine questioned.

Dillan took that as his permission slip. He stood up from his bed and walked out of the room.


"C. A," Bolt pleaded. Dillan walked into the Guild's main room to see Adelina storming out from the right hall followed by Bolt.

"I'm done with you!" Adelina barked.

"What did I do?" Bolt asked worriedly.

"You left Ryan to die, that's what!"

"I didn't leave him!" Bolt demanded. "Hazel and Dillan needed medical help that we couldn't get in the Alkan Islands due to Team Armageddon, and Port Town is too new of a place to have a doctor! We needed to come back to-"

"I don't want to hear another word!" Adelina was about to leave the building when she looked at Dillan. She stopped in her tracks and stared.

"What's happening?" Dillan asked his friends frantically.

"I'm going to find Ryan," Adelina said sharply. She turned back towards Bolt with a scowl, adding, "And I'll do it with r without you!"

"We have duties as guildmembers to the entire country!" Bolt argued. "I can't let pokemon suffer for nothing!"

"So finding Ryan is nothing now?" Adelina asked.

"That's n-not what I meant!"

"Then what did you mean, Bolt?"

"We don't even have a lead as to where Ryan is!" Bolt said. "Abandoning other pokemon to look now would be wrong!"

"I'm done!" Adelina shouted. She rummaged through her bag and pulled out a round badge with wings on the side and threw it to the ground. "If you'll excuse me, I have a friend to rescue!" Adelina stormed out of the building.

"Adelina!" Bolt shouted. He ran towards the Guild's exit and stared out at the lickitung sadly. The pikachu looked down at his feet, his ears drooping as he picked up the "Exploration Team" badge.

Dillan was at a loss for words. It felt like the world was falling on top of him. He stared at the sad pikachu with horror.

"Bolt..." Dillan said.

"Fine..." Bolt said softly, clenching his teeth. "Guess losing Koa wasn't enough pain... Now I lost two other friendships and my Exploration Team..." The pikachu threw the explorers badge out of the building. Dillan watched as the small object left his sight.

"Bolt-" Dillan said.

"What Dillan?" Bolt snapped, turning towards Dillan with a snarl. "You want to tell me this isn't my fault? You want to tell me it's all going to be fine and dandy in jolly ol' Ganderosa? Newsflash: it isn't!" Bolt turned away from Dillan. "Ganderosa wants me to suffer, so fine!" He stood there for a few seconds. Dillan felt mortified. One part of him felt sad for Bolt's loss while the other felt confused with the pikachu's outburst. Bolt shook his head slowly. "I'm going to the arena to kick someone's butt..." With that, Bolt slowly exited the guild.

Dillan looked down at the ground sadly. The entire world seemed to be collapsing around him as his latest fears seemed to be coming true. Ryan was gone, and he had no way to know where, Adelina just seemingly left the Guild and Bolt as a friend, and Bolt was mad at him. With everything seemingly collapsing on top of him, one single thought gnawed at every feeling inside of him: Is it all my fault?


(Author's notes)

Hey guys! MasterKnight2142 here!

First off, I am currently posting from my public library because the internet at my house is Ker flunky or something like that. I'll spare you the boing details...

I'm still doing shout-outs to reviews, so there's a lot of that below (if you want to read. If not, eh). The only thing have to say is that I'm sorry for how short this chapter was compared to my other ones. I wanted this one to be a sort of "resolution" chapter for the "Team Armageddon" story arc. Everything else I was trying to add felt like it should have been its own separate chapter, so that's what I'm going to do. Anyways, we're going to be getting back into the swing of things in the next chapter, which should release shortly. Anyways, onto the shout-outs!

Shout-out to "Person55", "Galieo Figaro", and "Shoz999" for following/favoriting the story! Like I said above, I can't thank you three enough for that simple gesture, but I can sure try! Thanks so much, guys!

(Reviews)

Special "Thanks" to "Shoz999" for the reviews! Glad you like the characters and conversations! Tbh, I was worried about what you would say about "Chapter 3", but you seemed to enjoy it, as well!

Another special "Thanks" to "Jakeroo123" for his continued support of the story! So... um... I know you like Ryan, but... yeah... At least... he has more... character?

A final "Shout-Out" to "TropicalCyclone" (not really sure of a gender, but I'll call you a 'Him' based on how I view Zoroark, your profile picture) for his *coughs* honest review. The reason I state that is because I asked him through a PM to elaborate on what he meant by, "to much easy 'embarrassment'" but I didn't get a response, so I have no clue what he means. The reason I don't agree with this review is because he state, "why does Lily just GAVE the necklace for no reason AT ALL. It's like Lily isn't even a part of the main story". If I'm being honest, he literally stopped on Chapter 2, so I don't think he has enough information to make the assumption that Lily has "no reason AT ALL". So, for the record, I try and have a reason for everything I do in this story (literally everything), so it is safe to assume that Lily gave Dillan the "Sapphire Star" for a reason (one I will share in a few chapters).

Alright! That's all for now! Thanks again to everyone who has read the story up 'till now! I'll see all of you in the next chapter!