Pokemon Mystery Dungeon

Shadows of Ganderosa

Chapter 41

The Dragon King


Dillan felt a chilly breeze blow against his skin. A salty smell seemed to linger in the air, and what felt like grains of sand were lodged between his toes. The sound of water washing over itself could be heard. He stared out at a blur of blues and greens with splotches of white on the horizon. A beach...? The gabite had no clue why, but here, he felt at peace. He also noticed a sort of lingering desire in the back of his mind. It seemed to puncture the calmness ever so slightly.

In a few seconds, Dillan felt a sort of disturbance in the air itself. A flash of blue light could be seen through the corner of his eyes, but he didn't turn. It was almost like he expected it.

"Hello, Mr. Lambert," the light said. "Enjoying the ocean?"

"Why are you here?" Dillan's body asked harshly.

"I would suggest a change in tone," it stated.

"Don't get your hopes up."

Silence followed. Dillan felt uncomfortable, which was the complete opposite way his body seemed to feel. Why am I being harsh towards... whoever this is? That doesn't feel like me.

"I assume you have considered my proposition," the light said.

"I have," Dillan answered. "And I think you're crazy."

"Don't test my patience, Mr. Lambert."

Dillan turned towards the baby-blue light, his brow-line scrunching together in disbelief. "You expect me to believe that pokemon actually exist? Oh! And not only is there an entire planet filled with them, but that they walk and talk like actual people as well?" He scoffed. "Maybe you didn't realize this, but pokemon were made up by some Japanese dude in an office!"

The light didn't respond. There was no way to tell what it was thinking since there were no facial cues, or even a face. So Dillan waited until it said, "There was once a time when minds were open to the possibility of alternate realities filled with creatures of unimaginable power. People use to grasp at the things that they could never attain, like world peace. In fact, the first human to help save my world was a visionary by the name of Satoshi Tajiri. He believed he could save our world from its first threat; maybe not alone, but he recruited enough help to save an entire world. After that, many other adventures occurred. Humans became the relying force behind saving my world, all because of one man."

"If there are so many people saving your world, then why doesn't anyone ever hear about it?"

"The simple answer is that certain talk would be considered ludicrous among most humans: merely a conspiracy theory," the light said sternly. "There's also the fact that there have only been ten successful humans out of nearly thirty who have saved my world. The reason for there only being ten humans is very simple: laziness.

"You see, over the past few years, people have grown anti-social. No one cares for another pokemon's problems if it does not directly affect their personal lives. Sure, there's the occasional donation to the poor, but most pokemon... or should I say human? Nevertheless, they aren't willing to put in the work to make an impact on another human's life. And whenever someone makes an impact, it is only for personal gain. Take any invention: the Cotton-Gin, the car, even something as simple as a bottle-opener was made in the hopes that they would make a personal profit off of another human's need. Not to say this is a bad thing, only that none of these inventions were made in the hopes to better the entire world. And these contributions are centuries old for your world. Today, there's the internet, video-games, and the Facebook. It makes people lazy. And with all the false support it gives, anyone who has done something legitimate is drowned out by the nonsense of this generation of people."

"Assuming what you're saying is true," Dillan began, "then why even bother with humans? If we're as lazy as you say, why do you need us? Why not just get a pokemon to do the job?"

"It is a very valid point," the light said. "If I am to be brutally honest, I have grown to despise your race. Though our current dilemma requires nothing more than a human to solve. Anyone else would be rendered helpless."

"Come on," Dillan pressed. "Why not give me the whole explanation and not just half of it?"

The light remained silent for a few seconds. "That information, I can't give to you."

"Again, why?"

"It would be unwise to put all of my trust in a person who still hasn't agreed to help me, would it not?"

"Whatever," Dillan said, shaking his head. "But let's say that I believe you. Why are you asking me for help? It's not like I'm the best person for the job. I mean, don't you think you need someone a little more... more..."

"Positive?" the light questioned. "Enthusiastic?"

"Willing?" Dillan said. His head turned away from the light and began staring at the horizon.

"It is my belief that you are almost perfectly suited for the job," the light stated. "Almost."

"Yeah right. My entire life's a wreck. How does that make me more qualified than some straight-A nerd? Or even better, an Olympic Runner?"

"The death of your sister has taken its tole on your mind, correct?" Dillan felt his knuckles pop as his fist clenched from anger. He also felt his eyes squint as though he was in physical and emotional pain.

"Bring her up again-" Dillan warned.

"As I told you before, people today are too wrapped up in personal gain. Humans feel as though they have nothing to gain from helping another person if it puts them in harm's way. There's also the insufferable matter that most care more about a cat on their internet than any problem persisting around them. They feel as though they have everything to lose by leaving the things they're already so involved in, including their o0wn families. So my group had to come up with a new... criteria that our next hero needed to fit. Since people of today feel as though they have everything to lose, we needed to find people that had already lost everything."

"You picked me because my sister is dead?!" Dillan asked in shock and rage. "That's sick!"

"There's nothing for you here but pain, and you realize that. By coming with me, you not only have nothing to lose, but everything to gain."

"There's nothing I want, or can gain, that I haven't already lost!" Dillan snapped.

Dillan felt the world begin to shake around him. The memory vibrated in front of him as a voice called out from all around, "Dillan!" Dang it! Why can't I ever be left alone with my dream?

"Nothing is impossible, Mr. Lambert," the voice said. What does he mean? Is he implying... No... That is impossible.

"Just admit it!" Dillan said, though the entirety of his surroundings were fading away into the distance. "The only thing I want is-... back, and she's..." No! Not now! Not now of all times!

Dillan felt his frustration rising. He was leaving the dream, and the voices were getting too quiet to make out.

As Dillan began to leave, he was barely able to catch the final sentence that the blue light uttered. "Come with me-... promise you this-... give you-... final chance to-"

"Dillan!"


(Ferician Border)

"Dillan!" Hazel shouted into the gabite's ear. Dillan slowly opened his eyes, staring below. Blues and greens of the ocean began to whiz by as the smell of salt water lingered in his nostrils. Am I still asleep? That's when he noticed that the waves were flying by his face.

The gabite jumped from the realization that he was flying. He panicked and began slipping to the right off of Regina the salamence's neck.

The salamence glanced back just in time to notice the gabite's movement. She swerved right, managing to stabilize the gabite. Dillan slammed his chest down on Regina's neck and wrapped his arms around for support.

"What in Ganderosa do you think you're doing back there?!" the salamence snapped. "Are you trying to drown?!"

"Dillan!" Hazel began frantically. "A-are you alright?"

"Yeah!" Dillan shouted over the wind, squinting his eyes from the shock. "Just forgot we weren't on the ground!"

"Sorry. I didn't realize you'd jump from being woken up."

"It's fine," Dillan assured as he looked back at a nervous-looking charmeleon. I'm more shocked by the fact that I fell asleep on a dragon's back... Was I that tired last night.

"Anyways, I thought you'd want to see it before we land." Hazel pointed a claw ahead of the gabite who turned around.

A look of slack-jawed awe came to Dillan. Just on the edge of the blue horizon, peaking just above the sea, was an island as black as ash. At the front was a sort of flat land which contrasted the mountainous back-half. In the middle of the island stood a massive mountain that bellowed smoke into the sky, clouding its blues and whites.

"A volcano..." Dillan said.

"Most pokemon don't realize it's still active," Hazel stated.

"You mean it could explode?" Dillan asked with worry. And we're going right next to the thing?!

"Don't be an idiot!" Regina scolded from the front. "If it was dangerous, don't you think King Judah would have moved the capitol by now? Don't you think that any of the Arvaines would have moved it? No! Jarondai has been our capitol since before the Ganderosan Civil War over one-hundred years ago. And even then, the volcano hadn't erupted for nearly three-hundred years!"

"Basically, it won't erupt unless someone forces it to do so. And even then, it would take a massive amount of energy concentrated into a single explosion, and only pokemon from other country's legends have that kind of raw power, like a creature called Primal Groudon for instance."

"And before you go blabbing a question like 'isn't that a really big risk to be taking', no it isn't. The mountains surrounding the castle make for a real pain to cross into Jarondai Castle. No sweaty tooth-pick for a pokemon has a chance at beating Ganderosa's royal guard, not after wasting most of their energy crossing the mountains."

"There's also the fact that the volcano has its own passage that takes you to the castle, but the heat alone is too much for most pokemon. Jarondai Castle is really just a massive fortress within a fortress."

"Wow..." Dillan said in awe. "So it's nearly impossible to get in."

"And did I mention the Royal Guard is always watching the skies for aerial attackers? They'll blow almost any group of pokemon out of the sky. Though we're a different case. Since we're alone up here, they'll wait for us to land before confronting us. After that, they'll realize I'm on Garth's good-side, they'll let you two in and you'll get to meet with King Judah."

"Sounds good to me," Dillan said. If I'm being honest, the ground's more my speed... I'm actually surprised I fell asleep up here. Dillan took a breath of the salty air and felt his muscles loosen. Then, he was met with realization. Never mind. The sea's too soothing...

"Woah..." Hazel said wearily.

Dillan looked behind and saw his charmeleon friend pressing her left paw against the side of her head. She looked slightly dizzy. "Hazel?" Dillan asked. "Are you alright?"

"Uh... Yeah," she said hesitantly. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"You sure you're fine, kid?" Regina asked. "You don't sound it."

"Yeah. I'm fine. Just feeling a little dizzy all of the sudden."

"Alright..." Dillan said. He shook the thought of something wrong out of his head and continued to look ahead, thinking to himself.

I wonder why I'm so attracted to the ocean. That light said it had to do with me wanting to run away from my problems back when I was human. Maybe it... made me... Dillan's mind drifted to his previous dream: to the light and what it said to him.

"Nothing is impossible, Mr. Lambert."

Was he lying to me? I mean, there are plenty of things that are impossible... But what if he was being serious? What if... What if he could... Dillan gritted his teeth and shook his head. No. That's just wishful thinking... Thinking things like that is only going to depress me, and I can't do that to Hazel today. Too much is riding on me, and I need to make sure I'm at my best for King Judah. Besides, no amount of hope can save someone from death. It just isn't possible.

Staring off into the sea, Dillan listened to the wind. He felt the cold breeze whiz by his face. As he sat there, he felt the peace was still around him. It seemed to sap the negative emotions from him, leaving behind a soothing nostalgia. Maybe a distant memory was left behind in his brain that allowed him to feel this way. Whatever it was, he knew that he loved the feeling. Perhaps this was why he use to love the sea.


Flying over the final waves, Regina rode the air over the shore, crossing into Jarondai's borders. A few minutes later, ash filled the air, though he was shocked to find it didn't seem to affect his breathing. Looking around, he found the ash didn't seem to affect Regina or Hazel, as well. Maybe it's because I'm a dragon-type and Hazel's a fire-type?

Dillan pushed that thought from his mind as the three pokemon passed around the volcano in the middle of the island. Hazel gave a gasp of awe as a massive, white castle came into view. There were two, massive tapestries of the Ganderosan symbol along the front of the walls. The tapestries were on either side of a massive, iron gate. Turrets along the walls topped with grey, ash-ridden roofs shot up into the sky. There was a massive courtyard at the front of the castle with a wide assortment of plants, all covered in the volcano's ash. Behind the courtyard, near the back of the walls, sat a massive structure that looked like its own miniature castle, only this castle was an entire building with spires and everything. There was also a wide-assortment of armored pokemon traipsing the castle walls and grounds, probably on the watch for trouble. They were up so high, all the guards looked like tiny flashes of metal. It looked like something out of a fairy tail.

"I can't believe we made it!" Hazel squealed with joy. "That's Jarondai Castle! It looks even cooler up close!"

"Wait until you're inside," Regina said as she began descending to the front gates. Just then, a massive horn sounded a low rumbling noise through the air. The flashes below stopped moving for a few seconds, then began scrambling about the castle. Regina gave a hearty laugh. "Those idiots are always so wound-up."

"What's that suppose to mean?" Hazel asked halfheartedly. She still seemed to be enamored with the castle below.

"It means you'll both have a welcoming party. Hope you both have your invitations ready, otherwise you'll be going nowhere."

"There in my bag," Hazel assured.

After a few minutes, the group reached the ground. Dillan and Hazel made their way off of her back and onto the ground. The moment the charmeleon collided with the ground, she seemed to stumble, though she seemed to regain her balance quickly.

"I'll be off then," Regina said as she raised her wings.

"Already?" Dillan asked. She's not coming in the castle with us?

"Sorry kids, but paperwork is a menace, and waiting here for the Royal Guards to question me means tons of it." Almost immediately after finishing her sentence, she flapped her broad wings and was off the ground, racing towards the volcano.

Dillan was left speechless. "What... just happened?"

"Hey," Hazel said. She tapped Dillan's arm and pointed towards the castle. "The Royal Guard's going to be here any minute."

"So I shouldn't be concerned with our ride leaving us?" he asked genuinely.

"Not now. At the moment, we need to talk about Lawrence."

Dillan's expression softened into a look of concern. "What about him?"

"I don't know..." Hazel said as she rubbed the back of her neck underneath her purple scarf. "He just seemed weird when we were there, you know? I mean... He obviously knew more than he was telling us... And how he brushed you off after you asked about the lycanroc tribe... It just feels... off."

I noticed all of that, too... Dillan took a deep breath and shook his head. "Lawrence is a good pokemon, right? I mean, you said so yourself. We can trust him."

"But still..." Hazel stood there for a few seconds before smiling. "You're right. I'm letting my emotions get the better of me. Or I'm overthinking things. I mean, he did say King Judah would explain more to us. I'm sure Lawrence thought the King himself would be better suited for the job... or something like that."

Dillan looked ahead and saw the castle gates open. Three guards started marching towards Team Rapture, spears in-hand. Dillan looked over at Hazel and said, "You have the letters, right?"

"Like I said before," Hazel said as she pulled out two pieces of paper from her bag. "I have them. They should let us inside the moment they see the Armadine Seal."

"Alri-," Then, a flash of blue encroached upon his vision, blurring the world around him.

"Paladin," an ominous voice called from all around the gabite. "I urge you to turn around. There is nothing here for you but lies and treachery!"

Wh-... Who...

"Please, I beg of you to leave this accursed place before it is too late!"

Dillan felt his knees give out from under him and he fell forwards.

"Dillan!" Hazel shouted from beside the gabite. He felt a paw clutch is shoulder. Almost as fast as it occurred, the blue light dispersed, leaving the world around him.

"What in Ganderosa..." Dillan said to himself. He looked downwards towards the Sapphire Star. Did you show that to me? Dillan waited for an answer from the object around his neck, but none came. Who are you?

"Dillan," Hazel urged worriedly. "Talk to me."

"I'm..." Dillan started, but stopped himself to think for a second. Leave...? Accursed? What did it mean by "accursed place"? Better yet, what was that?

"Are you two alright?" a voice asked with a demanding tone. Dillan looked upwards to see what looked like a four-armed, turquoise pokemon who wore armor with the Ganderosan symbol imprinted all over it. The pokemon also had a purple, flowing cape that was tinged with ash. There was no doubt in Dillan's mind that this was a Royal Guard.

"I'm fine," Dillan assured. He turned to Hazel and said, "Really."

Before Hazel could talk, the guard gave a huff and shouted. "What in Ganderosa are you two doing on the King's door step?!"

Hazel gave one last worried glance towards Dillan before a nervous smile crept across her face while she handed the guards Judah's invitations. What was that voice? And why did it sound so urgent? It was like it was warning me about something... Dillan looked towards a nervous-looking Hazel. No. As weird as that was, you can't analyze it too much at the moment. Hazel's probably terrified about seeing Judah, and worrying about that voice isn't going to help. We need to talk with him about the Enemy, or we won't be able to get any help. After the guards scanned the invitation, they gave smiles towards the group and beckoned them onward. Hazel needs me to be brave. It's time to stop your worrying and get this over with... I need to do this to save Ganderosa... to save Ryan. The guards began their march towards the castle, followed by Team Rapture.


(Jarondai Castle: Jarondai Territory)

The guards took the guildmembers through the gates, escorting them through a garden of ash-covered flowers and trees, shielding their beauty. Even with the ash, it seemed to ease Hazel's worries. She looked on all around her with wonder at the different aspects of this fortress, and so did Dillan. Seeing the mass amount of guards at Ganderosa's capital filled him with hope: hope that not even Jake would be able to take the Sapphire Star while Judah backed him up. It was reassuring.

The guards led them to the front of the building and opened the doors. Inside, there were walls of white, smoothed stone. It didn't surprise Dillan at all to see the purple carpet under-foot that seemingly traced the entirety of the castle, though it did lead to a point of interest. In the center of the room, a plump dragonite stood tall and proudly before the guildmembers The dragonite wore a long, purple cape that draped itself across the floor behind the dragonite. The pokemon wore purple pauldrons, with golden vines spiraling around in a beautiful design, strapped to his arms. On top of his head was a golden crown encrusted with a wide assortment of beautiful jewels.

King Judah scowled at the Royal Guards, then Team Rapture. His fixed expression demanded respect of the guildmembers, just like it had in Palando. "Leave us," he ordered. The Royal Guards bowed to the King and left Team Rapture with King Judah.

"Your Majesty," Hazel said as she bowed to the King. Dillan followed the charmeleon's example.

"Stand up," Judah commanded. "I will not have Ganderosa's heroes bow to me on their day of celebration." Team Rapture watched as Judah's expression softened, and a light smile escaped the corner of his mouth. The guildmembers didn't share his joy. It wasn't about Team Armageddon, or their accomplishment in the Alkan Islands. This was about something much more urgent.

Upon seeing the worried expressions on Team Rapture's face, King Judah's expression hardened. "If you both wish to enjoy my company, I would suggest you lighten up. I am, after all, taking a massive time away from my duties to show my support to Palando's guildmembers."

"And we appreciate that, sir," Dillan said. "But... there's something important we need to ask of you."

"And would this have to do with the gem-stone currently rested around your neck?"

Dillan grimaced from shock. He caught on surprisingly quickly, almost as if...

"Do you know what this is?" Dillan asked urgently as he held the Sapphire Star out by its string.

"You insult me by insinuating that I would not recognize the Sapphire Star."

"What do you mean by that?" Hazel asked.

King Judah stared at the Sapphire Star with a sort of want in his eyes. It offset Dillan's trust in the dragonite.

"First, I would like to know why you are truly here." Judah turned away from Team Rapture and began walking down the hallway. "Follow me, and explain everything you need to."

"A-alright..." Dillan said. He and Hazel stood up and followed the dragonite.


"So you know about them," Judah stated as he came to a stop near a turn in the corridor.

"Like Dillan said," Hazel went on. "They're hunting the Sapphire Star, and they want to use it to destroy Ganderosa."

Judah stood there for a few seconds, contemplating. "What did Lawrence tell you?" he questioned.

Hazel and Dillan looked at Judah with awe. He... He knows we saw Lawrence?!

"I would not be so surprised if I were in your position. After all, would the King not know about all in his country?"

"Then you've known about the Enemy?" Hazel questioned a little forcefully.

"I do not wish to repeat myself, Ms. Prince," Judah said in irritation. "But I would like you to answer my questions."

"Uh..." Dillan began nervously, but he tried to shake those feeling away. "He didn't really tell us much, only that you wanted to do it yourself."

"Then you know this is not a simple celebration?" he asked.

"Of course," Hazel stated. Dillan looked towards the charmeleon and was shocked to see a scowl on her face. "Lawrence told us that much, as well."

Judah looked towards Dillan, then towards the Sapphire Star around his neck. A smile crept across his face. "You both feel as though you deserve the truth, correct?"

"It would be nice," Hazel said.

Judah looked back towards Dillan. "Then follow me, guildmembers."

The King turned away from Team Rapture and walked down the hall, turning the corner. Hazel and Dillan followed.

Upon reaching the other end, Dillan found he was in a hallway filled with paintings on either side. Some seemed to be filled with beautiful valleys of plants and pokemon, while others were portraits of Kings, probably that of Ganderosa's past.

"Wow..." Hazel said in starry-eyed awe.

"I assumed you would enjoy this room more than your partner," Judah said to Hazel. "After all, you do have an appreciation for Ganderosa's history."

Hazel's joy drained from her face as soon as Judah reminded her of just how much he knew about her. She straightened her back and fixed her expression into one like a body-guard: void of all emotion.

"What is it all for?" Dillan asked as he walked ahead to the first painting, one of a plant-filled valley that, on either side, rested two creatures: one a bipedal, pink one and the other a blue, quadruped.

"If you cannot tell, the pictures filling the halls all depict Ganderosa's history," Judah said. "This one specifically depicts the pokemon Dialga and Palkia creating the world." Dillan turned to Judah with a bit of shock. Was it just him, or did the King sound almost disgusted?

"Sir?" Hazel began. "Why did you bring us here?"

"You both know that today, you remaining members of Team Rapture are not here to celebrate," Judah said. "Seeing how I gave you the Alkan Guild mission, it only makes sense that I would recognize your accomplishments. And I must say that I am impressed with both of your roles in this said mission. That being said, Ms. Prince, I brought you here to learn."

"Learn what?" Hazel questioned. "I already know about Ganderosa's History, and so does Dillan."

"If you have not yet noticed, there are some things that cannot be found inside of books," Judah started. "Some knowledge can only be acquired from personal experience, or passed on from those who have lived to tell the tail. Generation after generation, these experiences are not contained through words written on paper or colors on paintings, but through words of wisdom and experience. For instance: do either of you know about the world before the Guild System was invented: before the Great King Maxamillian Armadine?"

Silence filled the air. Dillan's eyes widened as he turned to a nervous-looking Hazel. Naturally he wouldn't be able to answer such a question. He hadn't grown up in this world, he never bothered to ask, and no one ever seemed intent on teaching him such a fact. But for Hazel to be out of the know? It was shocking.

"I-It isn't something they teach us, sir," Hazel acknowledged nervously.

"Then allow me to pass the knowledge on through words," Judah said. "It is in every pokemon's nature to rob and steal from each other. Taking or manipulating someone's basic rights as a living being is a horrid thing to do, but it has always been in this disgraceful world. The Great King, Maxamillian Armadine, created the Guild System which served to help ease pokemon's worries about the Mystery Dungeons. Another way to put it is the Guild gave hope to those who had lost so much. Would you agree that hope is a basic right for pokemon?"

"Hope is a good thing," Dillan stated. "So yeah. I'd say everyone deserves hope."

"What if I were to tell you that in Ganderosa, most hope was an illusion sought after by fools and dreamers: all of which are slaughtered by those who would seek to use them to get ahead in the world?"

"It couldn't have been that bad," Hazel said. "I mean, King Maxamillian hoped, right?"

"He did, but against all odds," Judah said coldly. "For instance: did either of you know that Maxamillian's mother was slaughtered in the riots following the Mystery Dungeon outbreak?"

"No..." Dillan said in horror.

"And he was not the only one who suffered. Multiple families lost their fathers, mothers, and even children because pokemon everywhere wanted to be animals when things began looking bad: when their life was threatened by something that pokemon see today as a simple occurrence. And when we look at life today, pokemon are still no better off.

"We have places like Giratina's Isle that contain enough scum to wipe away Ganderosa's inhabitants in months, should they be allowed to run rampant throughout the country. And when you consider the richest of pokemon, you can witness that even they prey on the helpless, making life worse for them."

The popping of knuckles could be heard from the right of Dillan. Turning, he saw the noise came from an irritated-looking charmeleon, but she immediately traded it in for a calm - yet still stern – expression that, disturbingly to Dillan, reminded him of Thalia.

"I am not one of those pokemon," Judah stated in response to Hazel's expression. "In all my years as King, I have never stepped on a pokemon to acquire power. But feel free to state whatever you wish."

"If it's alright with you, I'd rather not," Hazel said.

"Suit yourself," Judah said, paying no more attention to Hazel's not-very-well-hidden frustration. "As I was saying, the pokemon of today are just as cruel and as angry as they were before the Guild."

"No," Hazel said as she shook her head defiantly. "The Guild helps pokemon! They help them so they don't have to feel abandoned! It's made things better!"

"But is it all truly enough?" Judah asked.

"It can b-" Hazel stopped for no apparent reason. Her eyes widened as she fell onto the right wall, where she began to lean unsteadily.

"Hazel?!" Dillan asked worriedly as he ran to her side, but she held up a paw.

"I'm... fine," she said, though she sounded a little stressed. Why is she acting like this? Is it just nerves from being around Judah?

"Are you sure you are fine?" Judah asked. "I have doctors in the castle if you acquire assistance."

"I said I'm fine," Hazel stated forcefully. The King looked at Hazel with a deep scowl that made Dillan nervous. Looking at Hazel, he noticed the same unease in her eyes that he had in his. She immediately turned towards the left wall and added a respectful, "Sir".

"Better," Judah said. "But I want you to tell me if you are feeling off in any way. Castle Jarondai has the three of the top doctors in Ganderosa. As such, if you ever need assistance with even a minor cold whilst staying here, I do not wish for you to hesitate."

"I'll keep that in mind," Hazel said with a nod. "But really, I'm fine. Can we come back to what you were saying, King Judah, sir?"

"Of course," Judah stated, turning back to the painting. Dillan shot Hazel a suspicious glance to which she gave a reassuring smile. Obviously, it wasn't enough to convince him that nothing was going on with her, but it was enough to get him to move on. Maybe it's just something she's not comfortable talking about around Judah. I'll talk to her later.

"As I was saying, the Guild is not enough to grant Ganderosa hope for the future, not anymore. Using Team Armageddon as an example, pokemon are no longer trusting of the Guild or its mission. They think I am simply using it as a way to hide my laziness."

"Uh..." Dillan began, not really sure what to say, but positive he wanted to ask the question. "I don't mean to sound rude or anything, sir... but what is it you're doing? We tried asking Lawrence, but he wouldn't tell us."

"I am organizing a better future, Mr. Gabite," Judah stated. "Something that I need the both of you to understand is that I am not a war monger or a slothful pokemon. I care deeply for the pokemon of today, and I worry greatly for the future generation of this entire world: not just Ganderosa. Pokemon fight and kill each other over the simplest things, do they not? Pokes, houses, even something as simple and as inexpensive as a loaf of bread. They are cold, greedy, and unforgiving. Yet I know first-hand that there are pokemon like the two of you: pokemon who would give up their entire lives for a cause they believe is good and just. It is why you both fought Team Armageddon."

"I hate to say it, but did we really have a choice?" Hazel asked. "You wouldn't have called us deserters if we decided not to go through with it? I mean, Ryan even... said so..." Hazel's voice trailed off sadly at Ryan's name.

Even so, Dillan wouldn't let it stop there. He agreed with what Hazel was saying in its entirety. "Ryan said it was suicide to go, yet he went because we didn't have a choice."

"I like to consider the mission a test rather than suicide," Judah stated.

"A test?" Hazel asked. "You put us through all of that because you wanted to test us?"

"That is not entirely true," Judah said.

"What's that suppose to mean?" Dillan asked.

"Let me ask you this:" Judah began, ignoring Dillan's question. "Had either of you not considered why I did not send in the Ganderosan Army or the Royal Guard to take out Team Armageddon the moment I received word of their rebellion? It was all to test the loyalty of a certain group within my own Guild.

"What?" Dillan and Hazel both asked in pure shock.

"Another thing you can say about me is that I test all of my potential followers to make sure they will not stab me in the back, should the chance be given to them. You see, Ganderosa was built upon bettering the pokemon who serve it. As such, I wanted to test your strength and your loyalty to Ganderosa: to the Arvaine Crown." But... Dillan thought. Why send us on a mission like that? It's not like we stood out above Team Force in missions or anything... so why test us?

"Did you know Hank Peterson was in Team Armageddon?" Hazel accused.

"Peterson was there to test you members of Team Rapture on whether or you would choose the easy option and betray the Guild in order to join Team Armageddon and preserve your own lives."

"But why?" Dillan questioned. "Why did you test us specifically?"

Judah stared at the group for a few seconds before a grin escaped from the corner of his mouth. "Before I show and tell you all there is, I need you to understand that I am trying to save the inhabitants of the world from annihilation."

"From the Enemy?" Dillan asked.

"That is another thing you must understand. The only enemy to Ganderosa is Ganderosa itself.."

"Are you being serious?" Hazel asked. "Thalia and Arlon weren't enemies to Ganderosa?"

"I am most certainly not joking," Judah stated harshly. "The pokemon of Ganderosa are bringing their own destruction through every sin they commit. Greed, gluttony, sloth, lust, envy, wrath, and pride are all sins that are inside of us all: some more than others. It is these sins and all of the pokemon that commit them on a daily basis that will destroy the world: not some small murderer who acts of his own free will."

"They aren't simple serial killers that need to be locked up!" Dillan shouted. "They're a group dead-set on using the Sapphire Star to end Ganderosa!" He held up the Sapphire Star for Judah to see.

Dillan expected the dragonite to stare intensely, to let the words sink in. He wasn't prepared at all for a short, forceful "Ha!"

"That isn't their intention, gabite," Judah shouted smugly, a sneer stretching across his face. "It never was."

Dillan was stunned. He didn't know what to say. Out of everything the dragonite could have stated, this, to the gabite, was an improbability. Did he mishear? Did he not believe him? And what drove him to sneer like that? Was he that pompous, or was it something else?

"How do you know their intentions?" Hazel questioned. "How much do you know about them that you aren't telling us?"

Judah said nothing. He just continued to sneer at the two pokemon. Then, his eyes widened and he sucked air through his teeth as he doubled over, shouting in pain. His left paw slapped itself on his chest, right where the heart was suppose to be as he began panting harshly. Dillan watched as what looked like every muscle in Judah's body tensed up from the pain.

"King Judah?!" Dillan shouted.

"Stop!" Judah shouted. He sounded as though he was in agony, but also as though he was terrified. "I never wanted this! Not any of it! Why are you doing this to me?! Father, why?! Why can't you leave me alone?!"

Dillan couldn't take his eyes off of the horror that unfolded before him. "What's happening to him?" he asked Hazel.

Hazel grabbed Dillan's arm and tore him away from the scene. When he was facing her, she shouted, "You need to go find a doctor!"

"W-what?" Dillan asked, caught off guard by the sudden order.

"Judah said that he has doctors in the castle! I need you to go find one!"

"What are you going to do?" he asked worriedly.

"I'll stay here and try to help him, but you need to find someone-"

"No!" Judah shouted, still panting. Turning towards the King, Dillan found his eyes were on Dillan and Hazel, staring at them with anger and gritted teeth. "He can't do anything for me!"

"But you're obviously in pain-" Hazel began.

"It will pass, Ms. Prince," Judah insisted. He closed his eyes and forced his face into a calm scowl. His panting grew shorter, and Dillan watched his muscles relax. Pretty soon, Judah was taking deep, seemingly relaxing breaths. He stood and faced Team Rapture. "As I said, it passed."

"What was that?" Hazel asked.

"I am truly sorry you had to witness such a thing," Judah said. "But what you saw is a hereditary disease I have in my family."

"I didn't know the Arvaines had a disease," Hazel stated.

"And I would appreciate it if it remains a secret," Judah stated.

"R-right," Hazel stuttered.

"How long has it been in your family?" Dillan asked.

"That, I cannot say. What I can tell you is that my father had it, and so do I, and my daughter probably has it, as well."

"You have a daughter?" Dillan asked.

"Of course," Judah said with annoyance. "How else do you expect Ganderosa's royalty to continue, if not with a successor?"

"I guess that would make sense..." Dillan said with a nervous smile.

"But that is all beside the point," Judah stated. "You both have one final secret to learn about before I tell you the reason you are here in Jarondai. If you would both follow me, I will show you to the throne room where we can finish our discussion properly." The king turned away from the two pokemon and began walking down the hallway, leaving them behind.

When Judah was out of ear-shot, Dillan turned to Hazel and said, "What happened with you? Why did you collapse back there?"

"Shouldn't we be more concerned with Judah?" Hazel asked with a look of great concern. "Obviously not with whatever that... collapsing and rambling was, but... I didn't expect him to be this deceptive."

"I thought the same thing," Dillan admitted. "I mean, why was he so interested in us that he'd send us on a dangerous mission all to test our loyalty? It seems kind of... over the top." The two sat in silence, considering what the other had said. But that was all Dillan needed before he shook his head vigorously. "None of it matters."

Hazel looked at Dillan like he was rambling some foreign sentence. "What?" she asked.

"This is too important," Dillan said as he tapped the Sapphire Star. "He needs to help us."

"I don't think he's interested in that anymore," Hazel said apprehensively. "He's more interested in us for some reason."

"But it doesn't matter!" the gabite shouted, squinting from frustration. "He has to help! Ganderosa hinges on him helping us!"

"Being desperate won't convince him," Hazel said. "It's only going to lead to him using us!"

"If using us is what it takes," Dillan began. "No one might realize this or know that something is trying to destroy the country, but we do. And King Judah's the only one who can help."

Hazel stood there for a few seconds before she sighed. "I'm not on-board with this, Dillan... Not anymore... But you're right... No one else is going to help us." She nodded slowly and looked Dillan in the eyes. In that moment, it was as if all their worries and fears were communicated solely through a connection of sight. Dillan felt all of Hazel's worries, fears, frustrations: all of it. And she felt all of his emotions, too.

Then and there, they both realized this was the last option that either of them could see. In minutes, they would either convince Judah of aiding them, or Ganderosa would face destruction. It was a final play: a last swing that they hoped would lead into a home-run. As they walked down the hallway to confront Judah as their final hope, neither of them realized they were walking straight into a hell unlike any other.


Walking became more and more of an annoyance. Multiple times, Dillan felt a chilly breeze waft in through the halls of the castle, brushing against his scales. It was strange, considering the volcano on the other side of the castle walls, that it would get colder inside. Nevertheless, they continued walking until they found the dragonite was standing in the middle of the hallway who wore a look of irritation.

"It is rude to keep your King waiting," he announced.

"Sorry, your majesty," Hazel said with respect, though Dillan could still see the worry present in her tensed brow-line.

"King Judah," Dillan began. "We really need your help."

"As do I, Mr. Gabite," Judah stated. "But before either of us stat, I must tell you one final thing about Ganderosa."

"And that would be?" Hazel questioned.

Judah gestured towards a flight of stairs on his left. Team Rapture walked closer and peered down the stairs. At the bottom was a massive hallway. At the end of the hallway stood a set of gigantic, iron doors. Dillan shuddered involuntarily as he stared at what looked like frost covering the door.

"I don't believe it..." Hazel said in awe. "How cold is it in that room?"

"Behind those doors is a secret that has been, and will be, kept a secret to all of Ganderosa. Do I make myself clear?"

"What are you so secretive about?" Hazel asked.

Judah responded to her question with a grin before descending the stairs. Dillan and Hazel started to follow. Just then, Dillan heard a grunt from behind. That's when he noticed the charmeleon was holding her head with her left paw as if she had a head ache.

"Something's wrong," Dillan said to the charmeleon.

"I'm fine," Hazel assured through gritted teeth. That's when she put her other paw to her forehead. Then she fell backwards into a sitting position on the stairs.

"Hazel?" Dillan asked worriedly.

"No!" she shouted. That's when she began hollering from the pain.

"Hazel!"

"Is something wrong?" Judah asked as he turned to face the two pokemon. "Ms. Prince?"

"Daddy!" she shrieked in what seemed like fear. She held up her arms as if she was covering her eyes in a vain attempt at hiding herself. "Daddy, no! Daddy!"

Dillan's heart was thumping at a million miles an hour. He felt like panicking. He'd never seen Hazel like this before. She looked like a child, cowering in the face of danger.

"Hazel!" Dillan called out. He ran over to his friend and knelt down next to her. He had no idea what to do.

"I will find a doctor!" Judah said urgently. He darted back up the stairs and disappeared down the corner.

"Hazel?!" Dillan shouted desperately as he put his claw on her shoulder, trying to assure her. "Hazel, Judah's finding a doctor. You'll be alright."

Hazel's paws ripped from her face and grabbed Dillan by the arms. She grabbed him so tightly, it was as though he was a final life-line. She looked at him with fear-stricken eyes.

"Dillan?" she asked fearfully. "I can't see anything... but..."

"It's me," Dillan said. "What's wrong?"

"He's in my head, Dillan!" she shouted. "He's coming for me! He'll kill me!"

In her head?! It left Dillan even more confused and worried than before. "Who's in your head?"

"Do you understand?" Judah's voice called from around the corner. Dillan looked behind him to see the dragonite running into sight followed by a chansey pushing a stretcher.

"The doctor's here. He'll take care of you."

Hazel's head turned towards Judah and she started screaming. She let go of Dillan and covered her head again. "Leave me alone!" she roared.

The chansey stopped the stretcher and descended the stairs towards Hazel. "Sweetie, it's going to be fine," it reassured Hazel, though she didn't even seem to realize the chansey was talking. Hazel seemed too busy shrieking. The doctor tried to touch Hazel, but she started swinging her arms wildly at the pokemon, all the while Dillan knelt there in a mixture of worry, fear, and shock. What's happening to her? Why is she freaking out like this?

The chansey took a step back and began singing. Dillan had no clue what it was doing. How would a tune help his terrified friend? Then, he realized Hazel's screams got quieter. Looking at the charmeleon, he realized she was looking drowsier as the singing continued. When the singing stopped, so did Hazel's struggling as she fell asleep. She sang Hazel to sleep? Wow...

"You know what to do," Judah said.

The chansey nodded and reached down towards Hazel.

"Wait!" Dillan shouted. "Where are you taking her?"

"My doctor is taking Ms. Prince to be looked at in my private infirmary," Judah assured. "As I said before, this castle supplies the best doctors in Ganderosa. You have nothing to worry about."

Dillan looked at Judah like he was insane. "Nothing to worry about?" he asked harshly as he watched the chansey lift Hazel up and carry her towards the stretcher. "My friend... just... had a nervous break-down or something! She was terrified of something in her head, and I'm not even sure what it was! How can you tell me I have nothing to worry about?"

"Because we both have more pressing concerns, do we not?" Dillan's expression softened as his claw drifted down to the Sapphire Star. "You know exactly what I am speaking of." Judah walked passed the doctor and towards Dillan. "Or do you no longer believe the world is in danger?"

"I can't just leave her," Dillan said. "She's my partner, and she needs help!"

"Dillan," Judah said. "Ms. Wicker will be just fine."

"Wicker?" Dillan asked. Is he talking about Hazel?

Judah had a look of realization before saying, "My apologies. I meant Ms. Prince."

"But you said Wicker," Dillan stated. "Why?"

"If you must know," Judah sighed. "Wicker was a pokemon I use to know. But you must learn how to prioritize things in your life."

Dillan looked away nervously. He's right... "A-anyway, you're positive Hazel's going to be alright?" Dillan watched as Hazel was strapped into the stretcher and wheeled down the hall. As she grew further away, Dillan felt his conscience twisting his insides.

"She will be taken care of," Judah stated.

"But shouldn't hazel hear what you have to say?" Dillan asked.

"There is no doubt in my mind that you will tell her everything you learn," Judah stated.

Silence filled the room as Dillan thought. Ever since we landed in Jarondai, Hazel had been acting funny. But to break down like she did? What happened to her? Was she that terrified? And of what? Dillan looked at Judah who stared at him with a mixture of patience and annoyance. He was waiting for the gabite to make a decision. He's right about priorities. As much as I care about Hazel, Ganderosa comes first.

"Alright," Dillan said with a nod.

"Come with me," the dragonite said. Judah turned away and began descending the stairs, growing closer to the icy door with the gabite following. With every step, Dillan felt the pit in his stomach growing. Am I that worried about Hazel? He took a few more steps, feeling the pit growing as the gap between the two started to dissipate. Maybe it's just nerves... but... He was inches away now. This feeling... in my chest... it's...

Dillan stopped walking. There was a new pit in his chest: one of dread and fear. As his breathing became unsteady, he looked towards the chilly door in front of him.

"Gabite?" Judah asked. "Is something the matter?"

Dillan opened his mouth to speak, but couldn't say a thing. His body was petrified with fear as realization came to him. Questions he hadn't had answers to seemed to answer themselves as he realized exactly who he was talking to.

"Tell me, Mr. Lambert," Judah started with a wicked smile. "Have you figured it out, yet?"

"You're the Enemy..." Dillan said in a barely audible whisper.

"Yes," Judah stated. "And also no." Dillan couldn't find the courage to say anything more. All he could do was mouth words while fear held his voice at bay. "As I told you before, the true enemy to Ganderosa is Ganderosa itself."

"You're lying," Dillan managed to say.

"I've told you nothing but the truth, Mr. Lambert, on everything, including Ms. Prince."

Dillan's heart stopped. Hazel... No! Courage seemed to find itself back in the gabite's chest. He focused on his fins and they extended into glowing, blue blades. Dillan slashed at Judah. Inches away from the dragonite's face, what felt like a vice threatening to snap Dillan's arm in half grabbed him by the arm, stopping the attack. He was shocked how quickly Judah had moved his arm, catching Dillan's arm mid-swing.

"She'll be fine, Mr. Lambert," Judah assured with a smile whilst still crushing Dillan's arm.

"Leave her out of this!" Dillan roared through gritted teeth of pain. "I'm the one you want!"

"I'm sorry," Judah stated coldly. "But her ancestor brought her into this fight when she fled, allowing her spawn interrupt Ganderosa's future." Judah released Dillan's arm.

The gabite took a step away from Judah, cradling his arm. "I don't know what you're talking about, but that wasn't her!"

"You are correct, but it doesn't matter whether she was brought into this of her own volition or by an other's. She is still a part of this war whether she likes it or not, and so are you."

Dillan slammed his foot on the floor, and a boulder rose from the floor into a resting position before him. Hitting the boulders at Judah, he created another before sending that one as well. A spiraling cloud of red, black, and blue formed around Judah. Seconds before the boulder made contact, the dragonite spun on his heels, avoiding the boulder. He then leaped above the second, spreading his small wings from under his cape. With amazing speed and acceleration, Judah was on top of Dillan in seconds, grabbing the gabite tightly and choking him by his bandanna.

"I don't wish to fight you, Gabite," Judah said. "I only want you to listen to what I have to say."

"You killed... Koa," Dillan managed to get out through gasps.

"Death is a tragic part of life," Judah said. "But it's one that no one can avoid."

"That doesn't... justify murder!"

"No," Judah said. "I know it doesn't. But saving millions more does." Judah released Dillan's bandanna. The gabite fell to Judah's feet, gasping. "I know Ignitus told you about Team Rebirth. But did he tell you our mission?"

Dillan looked up at Ganderosa's King, towering above him. "He said... you wanted to kill everyone."

The dragonite gave a snort of enjoyment. "And you believed him?" he questioned.

"What else was I suppose to do?" Dillan asked. "He's the only one who would tell me anything."

"Then, as humans put it, allow me to fill in some of the blanks." Judah strode towards the door and grasped the handle. Pulling the door backwards, he revealed the icy interior. The entire room was a hallway covered in ice that led to a flight of frosty stairs. On the other side of the stairs was a thin sheet of ice that was used for a wall. On the other side of the ice stood layers upon layers of thick, black smoke. For some inexplicable reason, the smoke felt unnatural, and it made the gabite fearful.

"Take a closer look," Judah told Dillan.

"Why should I trust you? You've tried to kill me before. What's changed?"

"Plenty has," Judah stated. "Back then, I thought you were here to set me back, and that I didn't need you. But now, I see things from a different perspective. But we can discuss specifics later. For now, walk towards the smoke."

Dillan hesitated. Why should he trust him now that he knows exactly who he is? But... isn't that why I should do what he says? He might kill Hazel if I don't go through with what he says... Dillan gave one final look at Judah. He nodded once again towards the smoke. There's no other choice. I'll have to go along with what he says, but cautiously.

"What is it?" Dillan asked as he stood up. The gabite began walking towards the smoke. Every step seemed to decrease the temperature of the room.

"Do you know what a Mystery Dungeon is, Mr. Lambert?"

"Uh..." Dillan didn't really know how to answer the question. "Someone once told me it was a where time and space are distorted."

"But do you know why?" Judah asked. "Of course not. Most have no clue, or why they were created."

Dillan stopped in his tracks at Judah's comment. "Created?" he asked.

"Yes," Judah stated. He walked passed the gabite and towards the icy wall. "But they weren't on purpose, nor were they meant to incite terror in Ganderosa. But first, allow me to explain the Sapphire Star."

Judah softly placed a paw on the icy wall. "The Sapphire Star is a crystal shrouded in mystery and is bursting with power and potential. Very few pokemon know what it is or what it was used to do."

"And you do?" Dillan asked.

"I'm sure you recall the pokemon Dialga created the flow and rules of time in our world. But have you ever considered where he derives the power to do such things?"

"The Sapphire Star?" Dillan asked, now in complete awe at what was strung around his neck.

"Not entirely," Judah stated. "When Arceus created Dialga and Palkia as ruler of time and space, he embedded crystals in their bodies. These crystals stored the power to warp time or space, depending on which crystal we refer to. The Sapphire Star is merely a chunk of Dialga's crystal shaped into a tool."

"You say 'tool', but a tool for what?"

Judah turned to Dillan and smiled. "Peace. Ganderosa is flawed, and it has been from the moment it was created. Pokemon have it in their very nature to steal and kill in an attempt at grabbing what was never theirs to begin with. It's in their very nature to do so. Some might keep that nature caged better than others, but it still exists, can't be erased, and is flawed."

"You want to do something about it?"

"Exactly!" Judah stated with a grin. "I want to start the world with a clean state: rid everyone of the bad in pokemon and replace it with the good. But this world and the rules that were used to create it are too inhibiting. They allow pokemon to have evil inside of them, whether they act upon those feelings or not. In the end, this nature is temptation. It's a burden no pokemon should have to live with. But it isn't changeable because of a world's rules. So I thought to myself, 'What if the rules weren't here to tempt pokemon? What if there was a new world created with even better rules? What if pokemon could be free from the evils in their hearts?' And that's when it hit me. The best way to be rid of the old world and its rules was to create another with my own set of laws."

"You want to create another world?" It seemed impossible. Wasn't that something that only God could do?

"I already did," Judah said.

"What?!" the gabite exclaimed with shock. "How?!"

"The crystal around your neck comes from one piece of reality: time. Yet there is also another crystal that warps space. This crystal is called the Amber Amulet. Both crystals allow the wielders to manipulate their respective piece of reality. It means you, Mr. Lambert, could control the flow of time itself with that crystal. Imagine being faster than anyone can see when in reality, time is moving so slow around you, you only appear to be moving fast. Imagine being able to see the future, or even the past. The uses are only limited to temporal manipulation and whatever the wielder thinks he can do with it, and it's all hung nicely on a string around your neck."

Calling this power impressive was an understatement. It seemed to Dillan as though words alone couldn't describe the level of power that hung around his neck, and he was suppose to guard it against evil. He felt unworthy to even have it around his neck.

"But that crystal is not the only one of it's kind, so to speak. There is another with the ability to warp space. The user could use it to warp himself anywhere he could think of. Distortions in reality could open up in front of anyone, transporting them anywhere the wielder could think. The crystal I'm speaking of is known as the Amber Amulet.

"As you can guess, both of these crystals alone have the potential to make any wielder untouchable, yet still limited in what they can do. But what if a wielder gained the ability to control both the Sapphire Star and the Amber Amulet? The ability to manipulate time and space – the two pieces of reality that makes a universe operate – means complete control over creation itself. With such unlimited power, you could create your own world where your rule is law."

"You used the Sapphire Star to create your own world," Dillan said. "But... you still want it. Why? Did it not work?"

Judah stared into the smoke ahead for a good while, leaving Dillan in the cold silence. Then, the dragonite sighed. "It did everything I wanted it to," he said sadly. "But this damn world got in the way.

"As I was trying to create my own world, I realized it's impossible to make one completely different than another. Rules like cause and effect still need to exist and be followed, otherwise the world collapses. So I was forced to use this world as a sort of template for my own.

"It was perfect!" Judah said, though Dillan couldn't tell if it was from excitement or anger. "My new world looked almost identical to the old one, yet I had the ability to change and manipulate the very basic nature of a pokemon. I had the ability to remove the inherent evils that everyone was born with, making world peace a possibility." The dragonite slammed his closed fist into the ice, startling Dillan. "But I made a mistake. It was a one that I didn't see until it was too late. Because I made a separate reality based on one that already existed – one that was too similar my latest world – both of the worlds tried to merge together and become one. Two entirely different times and spaces attempted to merge, causing unnatural pockets in the world. Eventually, the merging was stopped, but not before the damage had been done. The unnatural pockets I am referring to exist throughout the entire world, as they have ever since my mistake. These pockets are a part of this world that managed to merge with my own before the process could be stopped. The pockets are places where both realities create a sort of battle between these two worlds as they fight to occupy the same piece of reality. This conflict made time inside of the pockets slow down or speed up, while space warped and changed the landscape itself. To summarize it all, these pockets are a distortion in both time and space where both realities exist, yet they fight with themselves in an attempt at occupying the world."

Recognition hit Dillan like a train. "You're talking about mystery dungeons... But that happened generations ago. You couldn't have created them."

"But I did," Judah said forcefully. "And ever since then, life for me has been a cold, unforgiving hell devoid of light!" Judah straightened his back and took a few deep breaths. "Although, there was what you might call a looking-glass that showed me a future.

"Take a look at this wall of ice and tell me what you see."

"Um... ice?" Dillan said.

"What else?" Judah asked.

Dillan continued to stare. Uh... smoke? "I'm not sure what you want me to say."

"What if I were to tell you that there was a looking glass into my world – or rather four of them – that keeps our world separate, yet thin enough to see through?"

"That's your world..." Dillan said slowly.

"Yes, Mr. Lambert. But you've already seen it, haven't you? You've already met me?" Dillan turned to Judah with surprise.

"Why are you shocked, Human?" a voice echoed from all around. It sounded different from Judah, yet too familiar. Dillan began looking all around for the source of the voice. Jake? Then, he saw it.

Through the fog was a creature unlike anything Dillan had ever seen before. Giant, red eyes stared through the ice at the gabite. The eyes were rested in between what appeared to be an edged, golden face-plate with golden mandibles where the mouth should have been. The pokemon's body was like a gigantic, grey snake with red stripes that were inside of black ones. Golden pincers like open ribs jutted out from the neck. On the back of these ribs were six, black tendrils with red tips. Making their way down the sides of the pokemon were grey spikes that jutted out along the red stripes. The spikes were tipped with gold and looked pointy enough to impale anything the creature wanted to. The worst part was the aura the pokemon seemed to radiate. Even though they were separated by a sheet of ice, the aura made Dillan fear for his life.

"J-Jake?!" Dillan squeaked in fear.

"Please," Jake stated. "Now that we've met face-to-face, I should you not call me by my real name?" The creature snaked itself so close to the ice, its breath started to fog the sheet. "You may refer to me as Giratina."

"Like the island?" Dillan asked. His eyes drifted towards Judah. To the gabite's surprise, the pokemon merely stood there, gawking at Giratina.

"A foolish name, but one that was chosen far before I came into power. But enough about that. Now we should discuss why exactly you're here."

"You... want the Sapphire Star, right?"

"It isn't such as simple as that," Giratina said calmly. "I want you."

"Uh... what?"

"Allies are a great source of power in this world, are they not? If you could do everything yourself, why have guildmembers organize themselves into a team?"

"Why do you need a human?"

"I assume Ignitus told you I needed one," Giratina questioned. "But I already have a human."

Dillan gasped. He has... another human? I thought... I thought they died... and that's why I'm here.

"But... then why do you need me?"

"As of now, it isn't vital information. All you need to know is that you will co-operate with me."

"And what... makes you think th-that?" Dillan asked worriedly.

"There's more than enough evidence to support what I'm claiming. You should be able to decide who's the villain all by yourself."

"It's not that simple," Dillan said. You've killed and kidnapped pokemon who aren't even involved!"

"Everyone is involved in this fight, gabite," Giratina said sternly. "So long as temptation exists in their hearts. But this isn't the point of this conversation. Answer me this: do you believe in my cause?"

Dillan didn't need to think of an answer. Everything Giratina was saying sounded fantastical, but after everything he had seen over the past few months, it was clear what needed to be said. "If you're really trying to do something right for the world, you're doing it in the wrong way! Kidnapping and murdering others isn't right, and you can't justify it! It's wrong, and I won't support it."

Giratia floated there for a few seconds, scowling at the gabite. "Did you truly think that same thing when you threw yourself at Ignitus? Did you think throwing your life away for a cause wasn't justified?"

"That was my life to g-give," Dillan said, stuttering at the end. He noticed the deadly look in Giratina's red, unforgiving eyes. It made him lose some of his nerve.

"And is Hazel Prince's life yours to throw away, as well?"

The grimacing gabite's heart thumped against his rib cage. "What are you talking about?"

"Do you not understand the kind of position you are in? Have you not taken a good enough look around to see that you are in my stronghold? What makes you think you have the opportunity and power to disagree when Ms. Prince is still under my... supervision."

"You said y-you wouldn't hurt her!" Dillan shouted.

"Should you co-operate, Hazel Prince will remain untouched. "

Dillan grimaced. I shouldn't have come here... Hazel shouldn't he here, and it's my fault she's in danger...

"I find most pokemon co-operate better when they do so of their own free will, though I am not afraid to threaten your friend to get what I seek."

A large, club-like object collided with the back of Dillan's head. In seconds, the world around him became lost to an all-consuming void. The gabite caught one final glimpse of Giratina before blacking out.


What... What happened? The gabite seemed to feel every beat of his heart as blood poured through his throbbing head. As he opened his eyes, he took a look around the cold room.

The dimly-lit room had grey, stone-brick wall with a single torch used to bring light. At the back of the wall stood a wooden door that was reinforced with iron bars. Dillan found himself sitting in the back of the room on some of the stray straws of hay which littered the floor. All around him were iron bars that looked more like a rusted piece of Swiss-cheese which separated him from the rest of the room. He was in a cage, like an animal. The cell had a lock attached to a bolt, keeping the door from opening. Along the back wall, right next to the door, was a set of keys presumably to this dungeon. Next to his cell were others: each of which had their own dried blood along the floor. Otherwise, the cages were empty. Though the one thing that terrified the gabite more than anything was the fact that there was no sign of Hazel.

The gabite stood up in a wobbly manner. It took him a few tries to not fall over, but he eventually stood up and made his way towards the bars. Finding he could only fit his arm through the slots for so far before his fins obstructed him.

"Hello?" Dillan shouted. "Is anyone there?"

A clank could be heard from above, through the ceiling. Instinctively, Dillan looked up towards the noise just in time for a jagged piece of rubble to pelt his forehead. The gabite winced and fell backwards, rubbing the red mark to be rid of the pain. I don't think they use this place very often... Or they just don't care about what state it's... That's when Dillan noticed something was very wrong. His claw drifted from his head down to his bandanna. No... The Sapphire Star was gone. It's gone again. I was suppose to be it's guardian... But now it's in the hands of the Enemy. Some Paladin I turned out to-

There was another 'clank' sound, this time from in front of Dillan. It came from the door ahead. The gabite watched as the door swung open, leaving nothing in the doorway. Instead, a small ball of white fluff clung to the door's handle.

A massive surge of overwhelming emotions flowed throughout Dillan's body, all at the same time. Fear, worry, anger, sadness: none of it mattered now. Rescue had come for the gabite.

"Ryan!" Dillan whispered excitedly as the pachirisu dropped to the floor. "Is it really you?!"

The pachirisu quickly turned towards Dillan and ran towards the iron cage. He stopped at the grate, staring at the gabite in front of him with a slacken jaw.

"It is!" Dillan exclaimed. "I was so worried I'd never see you again!"

"Dillan," Ryan said with an urgency in his voice. "Calm down."

"But you're here!" Dillan said, not calming down one bit. "How did you even break in? There are guards all over the place?"

"You shouldn't have come here!" Ryan said with a grimace. "Why are you here?!"

Dillan's grin started to dissipate, leaving a small smile. "Me and Hazel came here to get Judah's help."

"You did what?!" Ryan shouted. "What in Ganderosa made you think that fatso would-" Before Ryan finished his thought, he shook his head vigorously, whispering 'focus' to himself as he did so. "I don't have a lot of time, alright? So I need you to listen to me!"

"What are you talking about?" Dillan asked, losing his smile completely. Wait a minute... "You... You were taken by the Enemy..."

"Just listen to me, alright?!" Ryan shouted. "He won't give me a lot of time, alright? So I need you to listen to me very carefully!"

"You should be on the other side of the bars," Dillan said. "Ryan, what's going on?"

"You aren't listening, Dillan!" Ryan stated. "Jake's not who you think he is, alright? He's some kind of freaky creature from another dimension or something!"

"I know," Dillan began. "Just let me out of the cell. We can talk once we find Hazel."

"I..." the pachirisu hesitated, wearing a look of worry. "Just listen to me! You need to find the Amb-"

"Ryan, just try to open the cell door."

"I can't. Not right now! Would you please just listen to me?"

"What?" Dillan asked with confusion. "What do you mean you can't? Just grab the keys and unlock the cell!"

"What do you think you're doing?!" a voice demanded. Dillan looked up from the pachirisu towards the dungeon's entrance, finding a nidoqueen standing there, obstructing the entrance.

"Ryan!" Dillan exclaimed. "Look out!"

"You think you can turn traitor on us again?!" Thalia roared. "How dare you! And after the Master put so much faith in you!"

Dillan watched in horror as the nidoqueen began advancing towards Ryan. He could do nothing but watch the annoyed-looking pachirisu stand there in contemplation.

"Ryan!" Dillan shouted desperately. "Get out of the way!"

"What was that?!" Ryan snarled. He whipped around towards the nidoqueen in rage. "Are you serious right now?!"

Thalia continued to snarl at Ryan, though she did nothing. It confused Dillan beyond anything he had heard today. Wh... what?

"What are you talking about?!" Thalia asked with an angry snarl.

"I can't walk away for thirty minutes without you being all over my back, huh? Even after what the Master told you in Howling Plains? I guess it still wasn't good enough, was it?"

"Seeing as you've been telling the gabite what you know about us-"

"I was only telling him things the Master's already said!" The... Master? "Why can't I interrogate the prisoner without you breathing down my neck?!"

"P... Prisoner?" Suddenly, everything around the gabite seemed to shatter. "No..." It was as if he'd been thrown through glass and impaled several times on stray shards. "It isn't true..." A feeling of fear overtook the gabite's entire body.

Thalia looked passed Ryan towards Dillan. "What were you interrogating him about?"

"I was trying to get him to tell me about the Sapphire Star," Ryan said, turning around to face Dillan. "I thought it was a smart call considering he had no clue. But I guess it doesn't matter now that you've called me traitor, does it?"

"Ryan..." Dillan said. "You didn't..."

"Why are you even here?" the pachirisu questioned. Thalia said nothing. She merely scowled at Ryan. "It's pathetic you still can't trust me."

"Give me a reason to, traitor," Thalia said calmly, still scowling at Ryan.

"Ryan!" Dillan shouted. "You're not with her! You can't be!"

"Well since you've ruined what I was doing down here, I guess there's no real reason for me to stay, is there, you skeptical hag?"

Thalia grunted at the pachirisu before she walked out of the room. The pachirisu waited a few seconds before sighing heavily and cursing under his breath.

"Ryan!" Dillan shouted. "We were teammates! We saved lives together: fought to keep each other safe! Tell me you're not with the Enemy!"

Ryan scowled deeply at the ground, then looked at Dillan through the corner of his eye. "It's my fault you're here, Dillan. And I'm sorry I dragged you into this fight." The pachirisu turned his back on Dillan and began walking away.

"Ryan!" Dillan shouted as he jammed his claws into the grate in an attempt at reaching out and grasping the pachirisu. "Once you told me we were like brothers! What happened to my brother?"

Ryan stopped In his tracks, not showing his face to the gabite. "You know this better than anyone, Dillan," Ryan said sadly. "All of my brothers hate me. And I hate them." With that, the pachirisu grasped the bottom of the door and swung it shut.

As the final glimpses of the pachirisu disappeared behind the door, tears escaped from Dillan's face, as well as one final shout for the friend he once knew.

"Ryan!"


(Author's Notes)

So real quick, I know this chapter had the mother load of all dialogue and exposition with very little to almost no action what-so-ever, but I wanted this chapter to be a chapter of hopelessness: where struggle seemed futile. It's why I had Dillan try to fight Judah once he figures out who he is, but submits before he can actually be crushed (which is what would have happened (don't fight the final boss without enough experience)). Fighting would have seemed A. like the chapter would have dragged out even longer than it needed to, and B. like it would have taken away from the true purpose of this chapter, which was explaining and establishing the villain, who he is, and what he truly wants. Whether or not I did it effectively doesn't currently matter to me. All that matters is that I got it done and that people understand (for the most part) what I just stated.

Shout-out to "KadenCatDude", "Epicat2241", and "DocofDoom" for following/favoriting the story! Writing for all of you guys has been a blast, and I hope to keep you all interested until the story ends!

So if you haven't noticed yet, I edited Ganderosa's description. Wasn't entirely happy with what it was originally. It felt like it was lacking something adventurous or poetic: something people would be drawn in by. Now, I'm happy with how it turned out! Just thought I'd let those who are interested know! Enjoy!

That's all for now! Thanks so much for reading! I'll see you guys in the next chapter!