Story 16 - No Honor Among Thieves, written by: Spectral Absol
Under the murkiness of a moonless night, the dirt road was mostly vacant of travelers. A hefty covered wagon teetered as it approached the next hill. Sabas, a Mudsdale acting as both the coachman and the beast of burden hauling this wagon, called out to his passengers, "Only a few minutes till we reach Galewich. Watch yourselves. We're approaching steep ground!"
On the front passenger's seat, a scowling Pangoro named Tai Wei shoved aside the wagon's canvas behind him. Barrels of local whiskey and crates full of rare berries filled the space. The only source of light inside was one of his own associates, a Graveler decorated with glowing yellow crystals and black stones for eyebrows. His other associate, a skittish Mienfoo named Lei, stared back.
"Both o' ya, keep the cargo steady," Tai Wei commanded. "If any o' those berries tip over, then you'll be meetin' our client in pieces!"
"On it, boss!" Lei howled.
Tai Wei turned his attention to the Graveler. "And Erwin, try not to fall over." His voice deepened into a low growl. "Ya know what happened last time."
The Graveler gulped. "Y-yes, boss. I remember …"
Tai Wei returned to his seat as the covered wagon scaled the hill. Chewing on a sage leaf, relishing its bitter woodlike flavor, he spent the next moment inspecting the mountains and the woodlands. So far, no signs of life. No growls or hisses. No crunching of leaves or flapping of wings. Only the heavy thuds of Sabas's hooves and the grinding of the wagon's wheels.
While Tai Wei preferred his journey to be a quiet one, there was something unnerving about a long trade route being silent throughout the night. Of course, now would be the worst time for diurnal Pokémon to travel, but this was also a perfect time for nocturnal bandits (such as himself) to seize unattended wares. And for some reason, Tai Wei had expected either Peacekeeper soldiers or other bandits to show up. To take his profit.
Erwin the Graveler ambled toward the front passenger's seat, humming a jaunty tune. "How long now, boss? This place is givin' me the creeps."
"Sabas already said it'll be a few minutes," Tai Wei snapped. "You were the one who told me we're meetin' at Galewich. And you don't even know where the damn place is and how long it takes to get there?"
"W-well, boss, I just thought we should hurry up a bit! Impress the client, you know? We should be punctural!"
"That's punctual, Erwin," Sabas corrected.
"Yeah, Sabas! Puncturing's what I meant!" The Graveler's eyes flitted about. "Besides, I don't like the dark."
Tai Wei growled. "Use yer electricity or somethin' to make a light. I don't care. As long as it keeps ya quiet."
"So wait, does Sabas even know where he's going? It's so dark!"
"Of course I do," Sabas answered, trotting along. "I can see the road, clear as day!"
"How!?"
"Cause yer a talkin' piece o' rock, idiot," Tai Wei said. "You don't have eyes like ours. Now, shut up. What if there's a Peacekeeper patrol nearby? Ya want us to get caught?"
Erwin recoiled. "You don't think there's an actual patrol, do ya? I thought the troops had moved further south!"
"They have," Sabas said. "Also, Galewich is a neutral town. They're only interested in profiting off of Sardonyx Road. They have no affiliation with the Peacekeepers, so we're in the clear."
"Well, I'm not takin' any chances!" Tai Wei snarled. "By now, that old merchant had already reported a stolen wagon! If we get caught by a patrol, we lose our pay dirt!" Tai Wei scowled at the Graveler. "Also, get back inside the wagon! I told ya to keep the goods stable, didn't I?"
Erwin gave an awkward salute as he vanished into the canvas. "S-sorry, boss!"
The Pangoro heaved a sigh. "Sabas, move yer ass. Let's get this over with before the client changes their mind."
Sabas snorted in a defiant tone. "Well, if you heavy gents want to take turns hauling the shipment, feel free," he said. "I'm sure hauling a full wagon with a Pangoro and a Graveler on it would leave you a little (italic) weary. While you're at it, why not carry me too?"
Tai Wei clenched his fists. "Don't test my patience, Sabas. We're on borrowed time as it is."
The Mudsdale chortled. "Fine, fine. Look, we're actually here."
The covered wagon passed a wooden sign, with the name "GALEWICH" scribbled in black paint. Soon after, the wagon shuddered as the wheels passed through rockier terrain. Tai Wei heard a thump from the back of the wagon, as if something tipped over.
"What the hell did I tell ya guys?" Tai Wei shouted. He heard Lei's shrill voice answering back.
"Sorry, boss! Just a barrel. We'll take care of it."
The Pangoro glanced at various spots of the town. The road ahead showed rows of flickering lanterns, and the shoddy stone buildings were built right onto a rock formation overlooking the steppes. Only a few trees and some patches of grass stood out as part of the sparse vegetation. At the corner of his eye, he noticed that the edges of the cliff had no fences to prevent anyone foolish enough to wander from plummeting to their deaths.
Tai Wei grumbled, "We're only here for a minute and I already hate this dumb place. Everythin' looks so half-assed. What kinda idiots would build their town right onto a rock formation?"
"Rock Pokémon," Sabas answered. "We're still in hurricane season after all. The steppes are prone to flooding during this time of the year."
"Well, they can certainly put in better effort into this town and these roads! There are no walls to keep pillagers out! I'd be surprised if there are actual militia here! And what if a small child were to fall off those cliffs?" Tai Wai noticed some of the local Pokémon giving him dirty looks. Tightening his fists, he shouted, "The hell y'all lookin' at!? Mind yer damn business!"
The townspeople scurried away.
Sabas chuckled. "Since when did you care about children, Tai Wei?"
"You mind yer business too, Sabas! Focus on the job."
The Mudsdale sputtered. "Yes, boss."
Grumbling, Tai Wei turned his attention toward the horizon beyond the cliffs. Further to the south past the mountains, there was a thick mass of black and red clouds. That ain't a normal thunderstorm, he thought.
"Hey, Sabas," Tai Wei said.
"Yes, boss?"
Tai Wei pointed in the direction of the strange clouds. "The hell's that over there?"
"Why, that's a Shadow Tempest."
Tai Wei furrowed his brow. "A Shadow what-now?"
"It's a storm created by a Shadow Pokémon. There's a local rumor going on that the landscape under that storm had frozen over. Supposedly, the Shadows are trying to break through the city of Emerald Valley. But to no avail."
"Is Emerald Valley doing anythin' about it?"
"I heard they tried, but that storm's been sitting there for a while. Probably for months!"
Tai Wei's expression slackened. "Typical. For all the riches Emerald Valley gets, the city's military ain't worth its salt. It's so like the Peacekeepers to sit on their paws while there's trouble brewin'. Well, as long as those Shadow freaks don't come all the way out here, I don't care. It's not our problem."
"And what if they do come here?"
Tai Wei gave him a ferocious glare. "Then we'll wreck and trample them like everyone else, numbnuts."
The Mudsdale snorted. "Okay, you don't have to be so crass."
Tai Wei crossed his arms. "Who do ya think yer talkin' to?"
The two fell silent as Sabas continued to haul the covered wagon. Moments later, Lei emerged from the canvas and asked him to stop by a local food service cart. Tai Wei noticed that there were no customers around.
"Finally, dinner!" Lei cried out as skittered toward the food cart.
"Hey, wait up!" Erwin roared, as he chased the much faster Mienfoo.
Tai Wei grumbled as he watched the two order their food from the red, bipedal Lycanroc tending the counter. Likewise, he disembarked the wagon while clutching a small sack of lacquered wooden coins. "What's with those worthless idiots? Why did they stop here? I don't even know why I bothered bringin' them along." A sense of relief washed over him as he stretched out his limbs.
"Hold it, boss," Sabas called behind him. "A moment of your time, if you please."
"What now?" Tai Wei snapped.
A scowl formed on the Mudsdale's face as his normally thunderous voice dropped to a mumble. "I'd be careful with those two if I were you. They were mere petty thieves before they worked for you. And they only joined because you're the real muscle behind this operation."
"The hell does that have to do with anythin'?"
"They never told you who the client was or what they looked like, right?"
Tai Wei snorted. "As long as they pay me for all the cargo, I don't care who they are."
"Just saying, boss. We don't know what Lei or Erwin is getting out of this. I don't think they're all that interested in the money."
Tai Wei walked away, determined to get his next meal. "Whatever."
The Mudsdale whinnied. "By the way, can you get these reins off me? Boss?"
Ignoring Sabas's request, Tai Wei approached the counter of the food cart. His mouth watered as soon as he picked up the aroma of green onion and lemongrass broth. It had been some time since he had a decent meal.
Nearby, Lei and Erwin were already slurping up noodles, leaving a mess on the counter. No table manners whatsoever.
The bipedal Lycanroc tending the food cart walked up to the counter. "How's it going, big guy?" she spoke in a perky feminine voice.
"You operate at this time of night?" Tai Wei asked as he took a seat. "Are you even getting customers?"
"Well, got your friends here. What about you? Wanna order something?"
"Yeah," Tai Wei answered, noticing the boiling pots in the kitchen behind her. "Rice noodles with vegetables, bamboo shoots and Persim sauce."
"Anything else?"
He pointed at Sabas. "Oh, and also, a bowl of porridge for the Mudsdale. He doesn't eat noodles."
"I don't sell porridge, sir," the Lycanroc said.
Tai Wei parroted back to Sabas. "They don't sell porridge!"
The Mudsdale shook his head with a low sputter. "I don't care! Just get these reins off!"
Tai Wei shook his head, to which Sabas responded with an irritated bray.
The Lycanroc gave a shady wink before she vanished into the kitchen. "I'll be back with your food, sir."
A few minutes passed, and Lei and Erwin had already finished their noodles. Tai Wei tapped his three fingers on the counter repeatedly, staring at the two.
"Where's that damn client?" he asked. "We didn't stop here just so you can stuff yer faces, did you?"
"Of course not, boss!" Lei replied. "He's just running late, that's all!"
"It's past midnight! Did he tell you to meet up here? In the middle of freakin' nowhere?"
"No soldiers or nothin'," Erwin said, shrugging. "I don't see why not."
Tai Wei sprung to his feet, glaring down at the Graveler. "Sabas and I risked my neck to get this shipment while you two goofed around! Somebody better pay for this wagon or I'll—"
"Ahem! Excuse me!"
Tai Wei stopped himself as he heard an unfamiliar childlike voice. He looked around, noticing another wagon hauled in by three pink Ponytas. Emerging from the canvas were a thin Lilligant with revealing legs and a bulky Poliwrath. However, Tai Wei still couldn't identify the source of the voice.
"Down here!"
The towering Pangoro looked to the ground. A pudgy, rosy-cheeked rodent waved back at him. "Would you happen to be Tai Wei?"
"Who's askin'?" Tai Wei grumbled.
The rodent jumped to the nearest seat of the food cart. Compared to the Pangoro next to him, he was truly diminutive. His fur patterns were unusual; yellow in the middle, brown and black fur on opposite sides of his body. However, there was a strange tattoo on his belly. Tai Wei had seen something like it before. But where?
"I'm the guy who hired you mooks," the rodent said. "I see they weren't kidding about ya, mountain giant. You seized a whole wagon full of goodies! And not a single bloodstain either. You did good."
Tai Wei furrowed his brow. He noticed that Lei and Erwin had already begun unloading Sabas's covered wagon and transporting the cargo into the other wagon. "Yeah. Thanks. So who are you anyway?"
"Your boys didn't tell you? You can call me Iapapa."
"Like the—?"
"Yes, like the berry," the rodent said, frowning. "You see, I'm from the Asa'i Hara'min clan. We're actually going around the area recruiting more warriors to our cause. The Bandit King himself sent me to find able-bodied Pokémon along Sardonyx Road. To keep us supplied, know what I'm saying?"
Tai Wei nodded, glaring at the approaching Lilligant and Poliwrath.
"Oh, don't mind them," Iapapa said. "They're my bodyguards. You'll never know when there's a Peacekeeper patrol nearby."
Tai Wei gave a subtle grin. "I like yer way of thinking." He glanced at the counter, noticing that the Lycanroc hadn't returned with his food. "Anyway, where's my money? I didn't come all this way to chat."
The nearby Poliwrath stepped in, grasping a small sack and throwing it on the counter. "Here."
Tai Wei rummaged through the bag and poured out a few lacquered coins onto the counter. No, that couldn't be the actual pay. Not enough to even fit in his massive hand, let alone barely fitting a cub's hand. He shook the bag once more. Only a single coin dropped out.
"What the hell is this?" he growled, baring his teeth. "2,000 lucitas!? Are you fuckin' kiddin' me!?"
"To pay for your meal and inn stay," Iapapa said. "Good job, champ. You earned it."
Tai Wei slammed his fist against the wooden counter, leaving behind a splintered mess. "No! No way in hell I'm accepting this!" He called out to Lei and Erwin. "Both o' ya, seize the cargo! We're not letting these freeloaders take off with our loot!"
Iapapa gave an unsettling grin. "Who's a freeloader now?"
"No can do," Erwin called out, as he loaded the Ponyta wagon with another whiskey barrel.
Tai Wei bared his fangs, muscles tightening. "The hell did you just say?"
"Lei and me? We're now officially Asa'i Hara'min! Sorry, but we serve a new boss now!"
"You craven bastards! Do as I say! NOW!"
Iapapa chuckled darkly as his two bodyguards drew closer. "Don't waste your breath, mountain giant. They work for me now. But I'll make you a deal. Pledge your loyalty to the Asa'i Hara'min and help us rob the caravans headed to Emerald Valley. You'll be fed and given a nice bed. Once the Bandit King hears of your accomplishments, he may even grant you the honor of being part of his personal guard. Sounds like a good deal to me, don't you think?"
Tai Wei's arm muscles tightened even further, unable to stop himself from shaking with raw fury.
Nobody screws over Tai Wei!
At the corner of his eye, Tai Wei spotted one of the food cart's wooden seats. "A great deal, huh? I'll show ya a great deal."
He snatched the seat and swung it at the Poliwrath bodyguard as fast as he could. The Poliwrath fell to the ground, crying out in pain.
Tai Wei tossed away the shattered seat, rooted his fighting stance and raised his fists. "I got yer deal right here! Bloody bodies and broken bones! How's that sound, ya fat rodent!?"
Iapapa jumped back and scurried back to his wagon, grinding his teeth. The ends of his fur rose up as the color of his yellow fur shifted into a ghastly purple. His eyes glowed a sinister red.
"So it's gonna be like that, huh!?" he shouted in a deepened voice. "Everyone, take the loot! Now!"
The Lilligant charged forward, hollering at the top of her lungs. She spun around with her razor-sharp, leaf-like arms stretched out, and leapt high into the air. Aiming for her opponent's neck, she swiped in a long arc.
Tai Wei raised his fists, covering the sides of his face. The Lilligant's blade-like attack sliced his right fist. Blood splashed out. With his other arm, Tai Wei snatched the Lilligant's diminutive body in mid-air. Using the strength of his powerful legs, Tai Wei rotated his body around and tossed the Lilligant across town, right into a wheelbarrow. The wheelbarrow gave away and collapsed.
"Pathetic, Iapapa!" Tai Wei shouted. "You call those bodyguards? Gimme a real challenge!"
"Hey there!"
Tai Wei turned around to see that the Lycanroc from before had returned, holding a steaming hot bowl.
"Your order's ready, sir," she said. "But I'm afraid this food stand is actually not mine and I just boiled some hot water, so …"
She threw the bowl at the Pangoro, dowsing him with the steaming hot water. Tai Wei felt an intense burn through his body and his eyes.
"I will kill you!" he screamed as he furiously rubbed his eyes. After several seconds, his vision began to return and he saw a red blur moving toward the Ponyta wagon. He heard Iapapa screeching, "Why is the wagon not moving!? He's coming back!"
Tai Wei, seething in pain and murderous rage, trudged toward the wagon. He was ready to kill the rest of them: Iapapa, his two backstabbing "friends," the Ponytas and whoever else unfortunate enough to stand in his way. His heavy legs picked up speed.
The red Lycanroc popped out of the wagon's canvas and shoved Erwin the Graveler out. "You're too heavy!" she said. "Distract him for us!"
Lei the Mienfoo emerged from the canvas of the wagon. "Sorry, Erwin!" he shouted as he waved goodbye. "And sorry, Tai Wei! I found better opportunities!"
The Ponytas jolted forward and raced through the town. Tai Wei broke off into a dash, but his target was much faster. He came to a stop, watching Iapapa staring back at him from the rear of the wagon.
The rodent had returned to his original form. He stuck his tongue out. Turning around, he slapped his rear. "See ya, chump!" he laughed.
Tai Wei clenched his fists, still feeling the sting of hot water on his body. He turned his attention toward Erwin, who was rolling on his back, unable to stand back up.
"You traitor," Tai Wei said as he looked down on the Graveler. "You should've done as you're told!"
The Graveler shook. "B-boss! I'm sorry, boss! Please! Spare me!"
The Pangoro smiled. "Oh, I'll spare you alright."
Erwin sighed. "Whew. For a moment, I thought you're about to—"
Before he could finish his sentence, Tai Wei lifted the Graveler's heavy body with ease.
"W-w-what are you doing!?" Erwin shouted.
"I'll spare you from my wrath! Let's see how high of a fall you'll survive!"
Tai Wei chucked Erwin toward the direction of the town's cliff. The Graveler screamed as he fell into the depths. After a few seconds, the town was silent. A few more after, Tai Wei heard a distant thud.
"Ruthless as always!" Sabas called out nearby.
Tai Wei glared at him. "They were right there, Sabas! Why didn't you stop them!?"
"Because you ignored me and didn't take off my reins like I asked! You expect me to fight back with a wagon on my ass?"
Tai Wei roared and swung one of his fists at a nearby boulder, splitting it open. "That conniving rodent! If I ever see him again, I'll … I'll … I'll grind his skull into dust!"
Sabas cleared his throat. "Still forgetting something?"
Tai Wei extended his sharp claws and sliced off Sabas's reins. No longer bound to the covered wagon, the Mudsdale walked free.
"Now get outta my sight," Tai Wei ordered. "Don't show yer face around me again."
Sabas shook his head. "Very well, boss. But why don't you take a moment and think things through next time? Happy trails, you dense bastard. See if I help you again." The Mudsdale gave him one last irritated look and trotted away.
With a grumpy sigh, Tai Wei kicked the dirt, contemplating what he'll do next. "Guess I gotta go forage again. Shit …"
Nearby, he could hear a low cackle. And what sounded like … applause? Tai Wei traced the noise back to a nearby Pokémon; a shady, gangly creature with what appeared to be gems for eyes.
Tai Wei crossed his arms. "Do I amuse ya or somethin'? Do I look like a Mr. Mime to ya?"
The creature grinned. "Oh, nothing like that. I saw how you fought those Asa'i Hara'min thugs, friendo. Truly, you're like a mountain. Unwavering to no one. And those who defy you will get crushed."
The Pangoro grimaced. "Well, I'm glad that me getting screwed over is entertainin' to you. Get outta my face before I throw ya off a mountain too."
"Not so fast, friendo! As it happens, I'm in the market for a bodyguard. And you fit the bill, my tall friend. I have a job that needs to be done. High risk, high return. If you're interested."
"And why should I trust you?"
The dark creature threw a satchel on the ground, which jingled upon impact. Tai Wei kneeled down and opened it. Lucitas. Lots of them.
There were 5,000 … no, 10,000… wait, it's …
"30,000 lucitas …" Tai Wei's scowl faded.
"Consider that a payment in advance, friendo," the creature said. "I'll treat you better than those good-for-nothing Asa'i Hara'min ever will."
Tai Wei gave him a skeptical glance, then stared at the coins again. "Okay, I'm listenin'."
"The name's Benny, friendo. From now on, we're partners. Right now, Emerald Valley is in disarray because of the ongoing war. So you might say that a few business opportunities have opened up. And we're gonna exploit the hell outta them!"
Benny offered his gangly hand. "Keep me safe and I'll pay you handsomely. Do we have a deal?"
Tai Wei hesitantly grasped his hand with his much larger hand, and shook. He had no idea what kind of plans this little gremlin may have.
But one thing's for certain. This partnership would be temporary. And as long as the pay's good, Tai Wei had no reason to deny this job. After all, he's the fearsome mountain bandit. A thief with no regret or remorse.
