Jason let out a loud yawn before dropping his head into his folded arms. He felt a nudge on his arm and peeked out from behind them. Percival leaned over, shaking his canteen at him. "Chesto coffee?" he offered.

Jason squinted for a moment, then wordlessly snatched the canteen away. He dipped his head back and gulped down the entirety of the canteen until it was completely empty. He sighed, wiped his mouth, and handed it back.

Percival frowned pointedly and stared into his canteen. "I was offering a sip, but help yourself, I guess."

Jason sighed. "Sorry."

"You're looking worn out."

"Busy day yesterday." He rubbed the crud out of his eyes. "I woke up a half hour ago."

"Were you staying up late again?" Percival asked. He briefly teleported out of the meeting room and returned with a refilled canteen, sipping on it.

"Several nights, actually. With the Winter Moon starting tomorrow, I think now is a good time to…" Jason paused for a moment to yawn. "…to get the Foresters ready for the…you know, stuff."

"Very specific."

Jason shook his head. "I'll explain during the meeting. Besides, I was also up last night trying to revise Melissa's training plans."

"Ah, that reminds me, how are the private lessons going?"

"Surprisingly well. We're still trying to figure out the limits to her Inherited Will, but we've made progress helping her control it. She did fairly well yesterday. I may have some theories to work out with her, but I'm still developing them."

Percival smiled knowingly. "You may act like a tough guy, but you go well and beyond when you set your mind to something. To think, you were so quick to get rid of her when she showed up."

Jason sighed. "I'm glad I was wrong." He looked up as the rest of the higher ups entered the meeting room. "Morning."

"It's noon," Eadwulf pointed out cheekily. Jason huffed in his direction and leaned back in his seat.

Sid plopped herself into her chair and sat Rusty in front of her. "You looked exhausted, Jason. You need, like, a serious vacation."

"She's right," Blitz said as he sat down.

Jason rolled his eyes. "I didn't call a meeting to be lectured on my poor sleep schedule."

"Let's write that in for next week, then," Valentine jokingly suggested, earning a sharp glare from his leader. He raised his hands and shrugged. "Just giving my input."

Zephora pulled out her seat, then asked, "Where's Shade? Isn't he joining in on this meeting, too?"

"He probably fell asleep during an experiment again," Jet grumbled.

Valentine looked down, then said, "Nah, he's coming in about…three paragraphs?"

Percival glanced at him oddly, then raised his canteen to him. "I don't suppose you need a drink as well."

Valentine chuckled and leaned back in his seat, arms crossed behind his head. "Oh, give it a moment."

Right as the elites got themselves seated, they heard hurried footsteps racing outside the meeting hall. Shade burst through the door, arms filled with scrolls, and tripped right in front of the table. The Sableye shakily grabbed the edge of the table and hoisted himself up, panting tiredly. He got to his feet before collapsed against the table.

"I-I'm not late, am I?" he asked while trying to get control of his jiggly legs.

"Haven't started yet," Zephora answered simply.

"Oh, thank goodness." Shade straightened up and wiped his brow. "Sorry, I was teaching Melissa how to make the new foam bombs. She told me they worked well yesterday during Pandora's little…flight experiment."

Eadwulf chuckled. "Oh yeah, I heard about that. She's seriously trying to conquer the skies? That girl never ceases to amaze me."

"And vice versa," Zephora mumbled.

"Hmm?"

"Nothing," she dismissed with a hand wave. "Just pull up a chair." Shade set his stuff on the table and fumbled over to a chair. "So, what's on today's agenda?"

"Quite a bit, actually." Jason sat up and stretched his arms. "Everyone's present, so we can call the meeting to order. First item on the agenda, any and all recent activity regarding Last Autumn."

Valentine held his cheek and said, "Which is basically nothing at the moment. We haven't been able to uncover anymore of their drug rings or anyone distributing Wraith." He closed his eyes. "I have to hand it to Last Autumn, they're doing a damn good job in eliminating their trail. The Dukes may have been a fluke."

Zephora raised her hand. "They may have taken preventative measures now that they know we're on their trail. The grunts guarding the Algus village weren't remotely challenging against our skill, so they may be planning ahead. They know how much of a threat we are. How long until they find guys who can keep up with us?"

Blitz shook his head. "With the rumors about our invasion in Algus, the bounty for Melissa has lost some of its initial value. Bounty hunters aren't so willing to come after us anymore, not for the princess or one random Forester."

"I wouldn't be too sure," Sid brought up. "We've actually been getting more bounties for our capture after that happened, mostly from Algus. Some were even put out by anonymous citizens."

"Could be Last Autumn trying to get more indirect help, only from more experienced forces," Percival suggested. "We're not safe from bounty hunters, but their mindsets may change, for better or worse."

Sid smiled and sat up. "Well, speaking off Last Autumn and no discernable traces, we did find common thugs smuggling Wraith in the Wick Kingdom."

"Oh?"

"JoJo sent a message to us that she found something, so I went on ahead to investigate it. They weren't affiliated with Last Autumn, but a gang had a small stock of the stuff on hand. JoJo claimed they were going to dump some into a noblewoman's drink."

Shade glared. "Spike a drink, huh? Well, that lines up with what I've gathered. They clearly know what the Wraith does, or at least the general idea."

"We'll go over what you found in a moment, Shade," Jason assured before turning back to Sid. "Did you dispose of the Wraith?"

"Naturally. Smashed most of it up and brought a sample back for Shade."

"Yes, thank you for that," Shade chirped in.

Jason crossed his arms. "Looks like it was a good idea to trust JoJo with recon."

Jet scoffed. "Trust is a strong word. She could've easily taken the Wraith for herself to sell."

Sid groaned and covered her face. "Oh my Arceus, Jet, you're still on that. Come on!"

"She's a dirty thief!"

Sid held up Rusty toward him. "Rusty thinks you have a serious attitude problem."

"Oh yeah! Listen, you metal piece of junk, I do with my attitude the way that I—why am I yelling at a bucket?!" Jet plopped back into his seat and crossed his arms. Sid stuck her tongue out before sitting down.

Jason sighed as he rubbed his temples. "If we can all refrain from yelling at each other…" He turned to Shade. "With that all out of the way, what have you discovered about the Wraith?"

Shade stood up and fumbled with his scrolls. "Melissa and I ran through various, controlled tests to determine the purpose of Wraith. We've tested about everything from states of matter, effectiveness of plants, and any other test I could come up with at the top of my head. Kind of hard to do with limited samples, but we managed with only one and a half vials."

"So, what did you discover?" Zephora asked.

Shade glared. "We determined what Wraith is, but that might actually be the confusing part. As it turns out, it's a type of poison."

Jason raised his brow. "Poison?"

"Yeah. I've tried isolating as much of the mixture as I could. It's definitely alchemical in nature, but there were ingredients I couldn't determine, save for one curious oddity." He unfurled a scroll and showed them a rough sketch of the vial, with arrows pointing to isolated parts of the serum.

What immediately caught their eye was the arrow indicated as elementium. "Wait, wait, wait!" Jet exclaimed, waving his hands. "There's elementium in that stuff?"

"Very, very tiny pieces of it. Melissa was straining over having to pick them out, but we definitely found some swimming inside."

"What the heck is elementium doing in a poison?" Valentine asked. "Are they trying to induce mercury poisoning?"

Shade rubbed the back of his head. "Unfortunately, that's where my information ends. The fragments are too tiny to properly examine, but I do know they can't cause poisoning on their own. It's no different to iron in the blood, except it literally does nothing."

"So, we have an unknown poison that we don't know the base or origin of, with an added metal that doesn't appear to do anything to help the poison," Eadwulf summarized.

"Swell," Zephora grumbled. "Glad those three months of research did you well."

Shade slammed his hands down. "Hey, I did the best I could! I've literally never seen this kind of poison before, which is really messing me up."

Jason glared. "That is odd. What's so special about this poison that they had to jump over hoops to protect its secret?"

Shade sighed. "Unfortunately, the only way we would know for sure would be to test it on someone."

Zephora shrugged. "Not that big a deal. Get a Poison-Type to—"

"No way," Shade shot down. "I'm not testing this stuff on anyone, not even a Poison-Type. We don't know what this stuff is fully capable of. It might do something not even a Poison-Type can stomach. We can't risk using this stuff on anyone until we know for sure what it's made of."

Jason glared. "Unfortunately, we don't have the formula."

"And it might not even be made from plants native to Virdis," Percival pointed out. "The only way we could know for sure would be to ask Last Autumn ourselves, which is…an obvious issue already."

Zephora raised her brow. "We could test it on some lowlife."

Jason shook his head. "Concussions and serious injury are one thing, but I'm not going to be held responsible for poisoning someone, especially if this stuff turns out to be lethal. The Foresters stand by an oath not to kill."

"Jason, we need to know why they've been so adamant about hiding this junk. There has to be something specific about the poison we don't know. Why else would they mix in tiny fragments of elementium? There has to be a reason."

"We're not testing it on anyone, ally or enemy. We'll just have to find someone who knows about the poison."

Sid shrugged. "Well, JoJo and I tried with the goons selling it, but they don't know what it's made of. Last Autumn is the distributors and the ones responsible for producing it. They'll just sell it off to lowlifes."

Blitz crossed his arms. "So, our next course of action would be to find someone who works for Last Autumn and force them to confess."

Valentine smirked a bit. "Well, not necessarily work for Last Autumn."

Blitz raised his brow. "Explain."

"We do know one group who was responsible for getting the stuff manufactured, remember? Same guys who were directly employed by Last Autumn."

Jason glared. "The Dukes of Buzzard."

"Bingo! If we can track them down, we can force the answers out of one of them."

Jason shook his head. "Althalos won't talk."

"He doesn't have to. I'm sure any one of his colleagues knows something."

"Even so," Eadwulf interjected, "they were all arrested. We don't know where they were hauled off to."

Valentine threw his head back and laughed. "Are you kidding? A master tracker like me can easily find those guys. I'll just figure out where Althalos is being hauled up, do a little deductive work, and try to reason out where the rest of his guys were shipped off to. After all, Jason did say he was adamant about getting them out of jail. He must know where they are."

"He has a point," Percival admitted. "The Dukes would be our only lead." He glanced at Jason, who stared grimly at the table. "Something on your mind?"

Jason gritted his teeth. "Before we dropped Althalos off to the Algus knights, he said something. He sounded like his life was at stake if he lost during the invasion. He was desperate about getting his team free." He dug his fingers into the table. "Petra hasn't heard anything concerning yet, but…I don't know, something's not sitting right with me. I don't want to be held responsible for sending a man to his own execution."

The Foresters looked around the table, then back to Jason sympathetically. "You're pretty soft-hearted," Percival said, waving his canteen around. "Look, I'm sure they're fine. They weren't exactly easy opponents."

Valentine nodded. "How about Sid and I try to find the Dukes? We can get our answers and make sure they're not in danger."

Sid blinked. "Why do I have to come?"

"Well, someone needs to help me break into the prison, obviously," Valentine reminded with a wink.

Sid chuckled awkwardly. "Ah, of course." She held up Rusty. "You hear that, buddy? Looks like we've got a mission ahead of us." The bucket stared back at her lifelessly. "I like that ambition!"

Jason sighed and rubbed his eyes. "Right, right. You're probably right, Percival. I might be overreacting." He glared at Valentine and Sid. "So, I can trust you two to interrogate the Dukes and get some answers?"

They stood up and saluted. "Leave it to us!"

Jason nodded. "Then I guess we have a game plan."

Zephora yawned, then pushed her chair back. "Well, guess that's it for today. I'm getting lunch—"

"Not so fast," Jason halted. "I have one more announcement to make." Zephora pouted, then sat back down. "After everyone's performance during the Algus invasion, I think it's time we take our newer members to the next level."

"Next level?" Jet asked. He squinted curiously. "Wait, you don't mean—"

Jason leaned back in his seat. "I have an idea to celebrate everyone's training with a big raid on the Verde Kingdom, so I want everyone to get some field practice in."

"Another big raid on the kingdom?" Zephora asked. "What made you decide on that?"

Jason looked off to the side, vividly recalling what Althalos told him before being escorted away. Jason didn't want to admit that the Dusknoir's words haunted him since the invasion. He warned him to keep a closer eye on Melissa and her family. Something about that ached Jason, yet filled him with a bubbling rage, enough to involuntarily emit sparks from his cheeks. Melissa was hardly a concern now. She long since proved her trustworthiness. It's her father he had issue with.

"…Just because," Jason answered simply.

Zephora remained unconvinced, but shrugged it off. "Whatever. What did you mean by getting practice in?"

Jason leaned his cheek into his fist. "We still have a handful of Woodland Rangers looking to find their purpose here. Some have already taken up cooking meals, organizing the uniforms, regular cleanup, etc. However, the most important jobs are the defenders and the leaders."

Blitz leaned back in his seat and sighed. "Ah, I see. Weald Rangers and Greenwood Leaders."

Jason nodded. "There's untapped talent in our rookies, and some of them want to figure out how to contribute to the team. We already have plenty of scouts ready for minor missions and raids. We need more guards, and more leaders to work in our stead. Most of all, we need to get them the experience they need and fast. We're running down the hourglass, and we don't know for how long."

"Last Autumn's potential threat," Blitz concluded. He sighed. "Figures. So, what's the plan?"

"Advanced Field Assignments. I still need to set everything up, and get volunteers from the Wealds and Greenwoods, but I plan on having the Woodlands sign up for potential positions. Give them an idea of their duties, what's expected, and what protocols are required. They'll be working under experienced members of the Foresters, so I have high hopes for the outcome."

Zephora smirked. "I don't suppose Basil will be allowed to volunteer."

Jason sighed. "Basil's one of my hardest working Greenwoods, but there's no way in hell I'm trusting him with another group, even if under my orders."

"Wise decision," Jet grumbled.

Blitz smiled. "I think you two are being a bit harsh on Basil. After all, you believed he was qualified to become a Nature Spirit Scout."

Percival sipped his canteen, then sighed. "Ah yeah, I remember that. Didn't he reject the offer when you brought it up? That's a first."

Jason glared. "Wasn't his style, he said." He sighed. "Never could understand him." He shook his head and leaned back. "Doesn't matter. I have plenty of busy work for Basil, anyway. He won't mind."

Zephora snickered. "If you say so."

Jason pointed at Blitz. "Blitz, I need you to inform the Wealds and Greenwoods of the plan. Have them meet me on the training deck by nightfall."

Blitz saluted. "Right away, sir."

"Valentine and Sid, look into the Dukes and try to get anything you can out of them. Don't take no for an answer."

Valentine crossed his arms and chuckled. "I never do."

Sid nodded. "You can count on me, boss!"

Jason huffed. "If that's all, we can call an end to this meeting." He stood up and scratched his head. "Now, I've got to get some food in my stomach before I meet up with Melissa. Hopefully she's been studying hard."

Sid smiled. "I think it's kind of cute you're giving her special attention."

Jason glared darkly at her. "The hell does that mean?"

Sid jolted back and turned away sheepishly. "N-Nothing!" Jason sighed, shook his head, then marched out of the meeting room.

"Don't rough her up too badly, bro!" Eadwulf yelled out. Jason gave a simple wave before exiting. Eadwulf sighed. "I wish he'd loosen up more. You hardly ever see the guy crack a genuine smile."

"Guess he's worried about Last Autumn," Blitz assumed. "Whatever Althalos said to him must've rattled him deep." He glanced at Eadwulf. "You're his adopted brother, right? You mind telling us what's got him worked up?"

Eadwulf narrowed his eyes sadly and looked away. "I…rather not say. Don't want to be disrespectful." He sighed and scratched his cheek. "Though, I have to agree with Sid."

"Eh?!" Sid gasped.

"Nothing like that, but…it is nice he's spending time with Melissa. Maybe she can help him loosen up." He stared up at the ceiling with a fond smile. "It's been a long time since I've seen him actually be happy with himself. I think Melissa has the right amount of personal invasiveness to crack that shell open."

"You call that a positive quality?" Jet grumbled.

Eadwulf winked. "Worked on you, didn't it?"

Jet's eyes widened as a huge blush crossed his face. "What?! No! Don't confuse me, you exploding Nuzleaf!" Eadwulf raised his hands in defeat and laughed. Everyone turned away and laughed under their breaths.

At the end of the day, Jason was only doing this to keep his underlings safe. It's for the best of the Foresters. Besides…

What's the worst that could happen, right?

Bitter Chalet, Algus Kingdom

With the many towns and cities built into the side of the mighty Algus mountain, there also existed a number of luxury retreats for wayward travelers to take refuge in. One such place was the Bitter Chalet, a warm cozy cottage that accommodates guests of all kinds. Despite the name, one could find pleasantries to satisfy a long hike up the perilous mountain. All guests were welcomed so long as they behaved.

This doubled for bounty hunters.

Many would be attracted to the chalet's wooden cabin aesthetic, with a roaring fireplace, cozy couches with plaid print, wooly rugs that you could sink your feet into, and a bar station for those looking to wet their whistle. With a request to the staff, a guest could use the many available games to occupy their boredom.

At the moment, the chalet was fairly empty with about seven guests hanging out in the lodge. These guests weren't exactly none for their respectable professions. And soon, those professions will collide.

One table was currently occupied by a female Cinderace and a Hitmonchan, locked in a heated game of cards. The Hitmonchan dressed for the weather, wrapped in a fur cloak over his standard linen shirt and armor pieces covering his body and the left shoulder. He had a light scar on his left cheek. His fists were roughed up, covered in multiple scars. He probably had more hiding under his clothes.

The Cinderace, who was fairly young compared to her opponent, dressed lightly with a short cloak, lightweight armor, and a blue ensemble underneath. However, what stood out with the Cinderace was her fascinating eyes. Every so often, as if the light was playing tricks on the average observer, they would change color. Sometimes they weren't uniform, and each eye would often be two completely different colors.

Currently, they were a bright, beaming yellow as she grinned at her hand. She looked up from her cards and snickered at the Hitmonchan. "Do you fold or what?" she asked, dropping some chips into the middle.

Hitmonchan glared. "Don't screw with me. I'm trying to think."

"Come on, you old geezer~! I don't have all day~!" she sang tauntingly.

Hitmonchan closed his eyes, feeling a vein pulse in his head. "Shale, I'm a whole decade older than you."

"Don't hold it against me. I tease everyone with that."

He sighed, then threw his chips into the pile. "Whatever. Call." He threw his hand down. "Two pair. Queens and nines."

Shale smirked, eyes now sparkling bright green, and threw her cards down. "Straight Flush." She reached over and pulled her winnings over to her. "Guess that makes seven games in a row!"

Hitmonchan glared lightly. "You've been cheating."

"Now what makes you say—" Shale flicked her arms by mistake and spilled out hidden cards from her sleeves. "…Huh, where'd those come from?"

Hitmonchan huffed and scooped up the cards. "Forget it. We're going again. No tricks, no lies, only—"

"I'm bored now!" Shale exclaimed, falling back onto the bench seat.

Hitmonchan threw the cards into the air and slammed his face into the table. "Of course you are…"

"Hey, hey, hey! Let's get some music up in here!" Shale suggested, sitting back up.

"With what? There aren't any instruments around."

"Oh yeah?" Shale slapped her hands on the table, bopping her head. "Come on, Caz, feel the beat!"

"Please stop using that nickname. I told you to call me Casimir."

Shale stuck her tongue out. "Lame! Your name's Caz, always has, always will, partner! Now come on, drum duet!"

Casimir huffed. "I'm not your partner."

"Then why do you always seem to be following me around~?" Shale teased.

"Unfortunate circumstances, I guess. And will you stop with that awful bang—"

"Annnd, I'm bored!" Casimir faltered forward and groaned. Shale leaned back and stretched her arms. "Yeesh, I was hoping to find something to keep my attention on. No new bounties to profit off of."

"There's plenty on the wall over there," Casimir said, pointing to the small message board beside the front entrance.

Shale pouted. "But they looked so boring! Seriously, hunt some guys down for a princess? Yesterday's news! Plus, everyone else wanted that bounty, so why bother?" She groaned and slumped her chin onto the table. "They probably already cashed it in by now."

"They haven't."

"But it's so faaaaar," Shale groaned.

Casimir sighed and pressed his fist against his cheek. "I swear, if I didn't know you so well, I'd ask why a fifteen-year-old brat like you even became a bounty hunter."

Shale grinned. "Aww, you do care."

"Shut up," Casimir huffed.

"Tch. Noisy peasants."

"Ignore them, they're hardly a bother."

Shale raised her ears to the pointed chatter, then tilted her head back to face the accusers upside-down. She smiled sweetly. "Is there something wrong over there?"

She spotted the other guests at the chalet: a Zangoose and an Accelgor, who were both in the middle of a billiard match. Judging by their fanciful cloaks and the armor pieces they wore underneath, it was a dead giveaway Shale and Casimir weren't the only bounty hunters present.

The Zangoose rubbed chalk on the end of her stick, then glanced at the two indignantly. "Honestly, peasants like you are such a bother. Whining and complaining about nothing. Isn't it well past your bedtime young lady?"

Shale turned herself around and rested her arms on the table. "It's hardly the afternoon."

"Oh, my mistake. It's just that young children need their sleep. You know how toddlers are: always fussy until you put them down for a nap."

Shale closed her eyes and chuckled. "My, my, you sound like the expert. A woman of your advanced age must have experience with many grandchildren. Or…great grandchildren, to be more accurate?"

The Zangoose gritted her teeth, suppressing a snarl. "Bite your tongue, child."

Accelgor sighed. "[Why are you like this?]" he grumbled in his preferred tongue.

Casimir sighed, rubbing his face in secondhand embarrassment. "Alright, break it up, you two. Regardless of our professions, we should remain civilized in this establishment."

"Why don't you do a better job of keeping your friend in check, hon?" the Zangoose waved off. "Honestly, to be so whipped that you can't even keep your own brat in line…"

Casimir's left eye involuntarily twitched. Shale smirked as he stood up. "Ooh, you've done it now~!"

"First of all, she's not my brat," Casimir addressed sharply. "Second, if you want to start something, I'm more than happy to finish it."

The Accelgor set his stick down and stepped in front of the Zangoose. "I'll have to ask you to stand down."

Casimir cracked his knuckles. "Make me."

Nearby, a Machamp on the second floor looked over the railing and observed the tense standoff. He threw his head back and laughed, swinging around his foamy mug and spilling some of his drink onto his thick, fur vest. "Looks like I came at the right time for entertainment!"

"My money's on Caz!" Shale yelled up to him.

"Don't encourage this!" Casimir shouted.

"You're the one offering a fight," she teased back. Casimir shot her a deadpan glare.

Zangoose huffed and flipped some fur hanging over her eyes. "I swear, any old inn will take in the riffraff. Don't you agree, Katsu?"

The Accelgor nodded. "Yes, ma'am."

Casimir scoffed. "And she says I'm whipped…"

Shale snickered. "Prissy women need a yes man to inflate their egos." Casimir hid a soft smirk behind his hand.

Zangoose grunted at the giggling duo and snapped, "Is there something funny you wish to share with all of us?! Do you even know who I am?!"

"An irate bitch ten seconds away from getting the manager?" Shale guessed. The Machamp above laughed even harder, pounding his fists on the table.

Zangoose snarled, then took a second to compose her, taking long, deep breaths. She held her hips and smirked. "Allow me to educate you. I am Regina von Elmnou, heir to the von Elmnou family who oversees the great Echo Bell city, Elm—"

"Never heard of you," Shale and Casimir interrupted. Regina faltered furiously.

"I have!" the Machamp announced before chugging back his beer.

Regina regained her composure and laughed haughtily. "See? Even the lowest thugs understand my superiority! You should learn from that gentleman's exam—"

"You're that bitch who was cut from her family fortune after getting caught revising your great granddad's will," Machamp continued with a sly grin. "So, this is what you've been doing with your newfound free time."

Regina lost her posture and slumped to her knees in shame. "Don't remind me," she wept.

Shale threw her head back and laughed. "Seriously? That's hilarious!" Casimir facepalmed and shook his head.

Regina snarled and found her footing again, pointing furiously at the young Cinderace. "Oh, like you're one to talk! A lazy rabbit like you can't be bothered with the simplest bounties!"

Shale wiped a tear from her eye and grinned. "Lady, I choose when I want to waste my time with that stuff. I'm free to do whatever I want."

Regina huffed. "You have some nerve. Are you even a bounty hunter? I bet you haven't apprehended a single criminal."

Shale snorted. "Now look who's uneducated." She pressed her hands down on the table, then backflipped onto the surface. She kicked her non-alcoholic drink into the air and caught it without spilling a drop. "Shale the Merry, at your service. My story is one of drama, adventure, and life-changing discovery! There I was, a girl with a dream searching for the grand picture! I started out young, but quickly rose to the top! I knew since the day I could speak, my destiny was to become a bounty hunter! I trained for years honing my craft, driven by a passion for success! Shall I regale you with how I hunted down the Infamous Five?"

"The who?" Katsu interjected.

"Exactly~! No one knows about them thanks to me. You're welcome!" Shale chugged back her drink while Casimir just shook his head.

Regina huffed. "You're full of hot air. There's no way you're that achieved. At best, a mere bit of hired help to stop the local pickpocket. I don't see you hunting the big prize." She smirked. "Especially the Foresters."

Shale shrugged and laughed it off. "Oh ye of little faith, it wouldn't be that hard for me. I just don't care. The old bounty is old news."

Regina turned away and scoffed. "In other words, you're a fraud who can't back up her claims."

Casimir glared and stepped forward. "Lady, why don't you watch your mouth before I deck you off the mountain?"

Regina laughed behind her hand. "Just try it. I'd love to see you fail." Katsu already had a Water Shuriken forming in his hand.

Casimir slammed his fists together. "I've literally dealt with worse."

"Friends, friends! Let's not be so hasty!" The two sides froze as a fifth (or sixth if you counted the onlooking Machamp) individual popped up between them, holding his claws up. "Your passion fills me with glee, but this is hardly the perfect stage to unleash those raw emotions!"

Shale blinked. "Who the hell are you?"

The gentleman was overdressed in a particular get up, though the familiar crest of red feathers on his head pointed to him as a Weavile. He almost appeared like a member of nobility with a white tailcoat suit, red cape with golden trim, golden epaulets on the shoulders. He also wore a peculiar golden mask with beautiful black plant patterns over it. The mask covered his entire face.

The Weavile posed to the bounty hunters. "I am Frediano, the most stylish bounty hunter in the region! You're probably wondering why I wear this mask. Well, it is a complicated and brilliant backstory! You see—"

"Bored!" Shale interrupted, dropping back into her seat.

Frediano staggered and clutched his heart. "Your words wound me! I am faint!" He collapsed to the ground, feigning death.

Casimir crossed his arms and glared at him. "What do you want?"

Frediano jumped back onto his feet and cleared his throat. "I was drawn in by your particular conversation and wish to share my own achievements. You see, I am a seasoned bounty hunter myself, and I am more than capable of taking on the lowliest of scum. Let it be known that I approve healthy competition. I merely wanted to set the record straight that I am the superior bounty hunter."

"The hell?!" Regina yelled, stomping her foot down. "Bastard, where do you come off acting so cocky?"

Frediano wagged his claw at her. "My fair lady, do not spoil your grace with such foul language. I am simply imposing my dominance over this silly argument. After all, no one can come close to my beauty and style!" He flashed more poses at them.

Casimir glared. "We weren't having a competition."

"Even if we were, Katsu and I are far more capable at our jobs, especially compared to you lot," Regina boasted, trying to get things back on track. "The Foresters are merely children pretending to do good. Those who've tried to take them down are literally lesser than dirt. We would succeed no different than a mother reprimanding their misbehaving toddler."

Shale turned away, hiding a mischievous grin. "You would know best, you old hag."

"THE HELL?!"

Katsu glared. "Do not insult my lady!"

Casimir stomped forward, feeling his fists twitching with the urge to fight. "Why don't you cool it, bastard? Besides, I could cripple those Foresters more efficiently than the two of you combined. You have no idea what I've been through."

Katsu huffed and summoned two Water Shuriken. "You'll find my training more refined than your primitive boxing."

"Oh swell, you think being slippery will save you. Let me show you the true potential of a Hitmonchan."

"Why is no one paying attention to me?" Frediano asked as he kept showing off and posing.

The Machamp above kept slamming on his table, laughing up a storm. "Man, this is a laugh riot!"

The entire chalet erupted into a storm of insults and swears going back and forth with no give on either side. The lone Kricketune bartender manning the bar cowered behind the counter, sensing that a fight would burst out any second. His eyes widened to the last guest currently sitting at the bar, who slowly reached into his jacket and pulled out a revolver. The stranger aimed at the ceiling and pulled the trigger.

A loud, powerful boom silenced the chalet as a silvery beam shot out of the gun and pierced through the ceiling. The flash was brief, yet intense. Their eyes fell on the stranger, who kept his gun aimed in the air. They gasped as the gun started cracking before shattering apart in his hand, raining bits over his wide-brimmed hat and shoulders.

"Y'all won't get anywhere arguing like that. Y'all need…a new type of motivation." The figure swiveled around and rested back against the bar counter, arms laying on top.

This man was a shiny Lucario, with glistening yellow fur and everything. He wore a thick, leathery coat that traveled down to his legs. Underneath was a white-buttoned shirt cover in ammo belts, but these belts were holding an absurd number of revolvers similar to the one he just destroyed. He even had guns strapped to his dark brown slacks and some showing from inside his coat.

He wore a typical cowboy hat, one with a wide bowl-shaped brim. This one appeared to be a bit big for him, though, as the hat sat over his eyes as well, yet he didn't seem to mind. He held a piece of wheat in his teeth like a cigar or a toothpick. And, for some unexplainable reason, a tumbleweed rolled past him, moving gently against an unknown wind.

To the six guests at the chalet, they collectively agreed this man radiated with an unparalleled coolness.

The shiny Lucario tilted his head down and said, "Get me a drink, bartender."

The Kricketune shakily stood up and poured the man a mug. He slid it down the counter to the jackal, who lifted his hand to catch it.

…It completely slid past his hand and fell off the other side of the counter, spilling out onto the floor.

The bounty hunters blinked blankly between him and the fresh spill, giving it a few seconds to settle in. "…Huh?!" they yelled utterly perplexed.

As if nothing happened, the Lucario adjusted his posture and said, "I hear y'all saying you've got what it takes to be a true bounty hunter. While y'all have been busy running your mouths and trading blows with words, you have yet to prove where your mettle shines. I dare say, pardon my language, that your bark is all bite and no shed."

Everyone awkwardly looked at each other, unsure what this strange man was even saying. "Uh, don't you mean 'all bark and no bite'?" Regina asked.

"That's what I said."

"N-No, you said—"

"What I see here is a group of well-known bounty hunters looking to prove their worth. Mighty respectable, if you ask me. I appreciate that kind of resolve. Y'all got guts."

Frediano held his hips and laughed. "Yes, the great Frediano has that effect on people! It must be my miraculous charm!"

"If y'all wish to prove your worth, settle it with merciless action and a dash of civility." He raised his hand. "Bartender, a drink."

The Kricketune cautiously filled another mug and slid it down to him. The jackal reached for it…three seconds after it slid past him, crashing onto the first spill. Again, not a shred of reaction from the Lucario even when the bartender physically shook with irritation.

Shale squinted with suspicious, purple eyes. "Who exactly are you?"

"I am a wanderer who seeks only redemption, a man who travels the open roads in search of his destiny. Then and there, not a sound in the wind. I am…The Ghost."

"…" One could hear a pin drop from how quiet it was. Shale raised her hand. "Alright, but what's your actual name, not your moniker?"

"The Ghost."

"First and last name?"

"The Ghost."

"Is it just Ghost or The Ghost?"

"The Ghost."

"…Imma call you TG. You cool with that? I'm cool with that. We cool? Cool."

Casimir sighed and crossed his arms. "Alright, Mr. The Ghost, what are you suggesting?"

The Ghost reached into his coat and pulled out a wanted poster. "I have a mighty big bounty for the capture of some reputable folk. Escaped convicts, you could say. Their capture is of the utmost importance. Dead only."

Regina raised her brow. "Is that all?"

"There's more. While there's not a specific group tied to this here bounty, I bet the one who sent it also sent out this other one." He pulled out a second poster and held it up to them. "The complete annihilation of the Foresters."

Katsu raised his brow. "Someone else wants the Foresters gone, huh?"

Regina whistled. "Five hundred thousand bits, too. Yeesh, that's way higher than the bounty sent by Verde Kingdom."

The Ghost nodded. "Two bounties, both for a high price. Someone clearly wants them gone. I dare say cashing in on these rewards is a mark toward the great." He stashed the bounties away. "Instead of clashing heads like uncivilized folk, why not settle things with an old fashion wager? A bet to end all bets to decide…the true bounty hunter." A tumbleweed rolled dramatically by him.

While Casimir seemed to be the only one wondering where the tumbleweed came from, the others were muttering The Ghost's proposal aloud. "A bet to end all bets, you say?" Regina muttered. She smirked. "With that kind of money, I could pay back my numerous debts."

"Indeed, Lady von Elmnou," Katsu concurred.

Frediano laughed boisterously. "Incredible! Finally a chance to show who I truly am to the people! I shall dazzle the world with my grand debut!"

Shale closed her eyes and chuckled. "You've piqued my curiosity, TG, but I'm not totally convinced. What's on the table? What are we betting?"

The Ghost pulled on the brim of his hat. "Is there no greater reward than recognition? An opportunity like this could boost the reputation of any bounty hunter. It is a reward in of itself."

"…I mean, I wouldn't mind something tangible, too."

"Aye. An understandable request. Bartender, a drink." The Kricketune marched up to the shiny Lucario and placed the mug down irritably before walking away to find a mop. The Ghost picked it up and took a sip. "Then perhaps I may offer the prize."

Shale smirked. "Ooh, you got something juicy for us?"

"This seems like a trick," Casimir pointed out.

"No trick. Honest love of competition only," The Ghost assured. "I am not a man who plays tricks. I settle matters by the honor of the high noon."

The bounty hunters jumped with a start as the Machamp hopped down from the second floor. "I don't know what crap you're saying, but I want in. The name's Armant. Rush Force Armant."

Regina crossed her arms and huffed. "Alright, what's your proposal, stranger?"

The Ghost set his drink down and reached into his coat. The drink sat too far over the edge and slipped off, spilling beer all over the floor. The Kricketune, upon returning with a mop, threw it down in frustration and marched away. The Ghost pulled a scroll out and unfurled it. "Will this suffice?"

The bounty hunters huddled closer and squinted at the scroll. Their eyes lit up with delight and shock. "No way!" Regina exclaimed. "This is…!"

"The deed to a plot of land?!" Shale exclaimed.

The Ghost nodded. "The wager will be simple. First to cash in on one of the bounties wins. To make things fair given the scale of our targets, some rules will be set. Automatic victory to whoever captures the runaway convicts, and victory to whoever captures a Forester with the higher bounty. If you win, you get the deed."

Regina rubbed her hands together greedily. "My own land and at least five hundred thousand bits? Katsu, we're set for life!" Katsu nodded in agreement.

Shale looked the deed over, then chuckled. "Eh, why not? Could be fun."

"The great Frediano accepts your challenge, stranger!" Frediano announced.

"I'm game!" Armant exclaimed, booming with laughter.

Casimir squinted. "Hold on a moment, if you already have the deed, what are you getting out of this?"

The Ghost stashed the deed away and stood up. "Partner, I don't seek tangible reward. My journey…is one paved by justice."

The bounty hunters blinked at him in silence. Shale sucked her lips in. "…Cool story, bro!"

The Ghost slid his hands inside his pockets and marched toward the front door. "I look forward to seeing how you achieve victory. The road ahead is harsh, but the golden streets are paved in silver. Until our paths cross once again. Be the first to return to this here chalet with proof of your claim, and the deed is yours."

The Ghost tipped his hat to them in one final gesture, then left the chalet. A tumbleweed rolled by them and followed the Lucario out the door.

Everyone stood around in silenced for a moment, then Shale clapped her hands together and said, "Welp, hope you losers are ready to get your asses kicked! That deed is mine! Come on, Caz, you're helping me out!" She grabbed the Hitmonchan's wrist and dragged him away.

"So, no one's going to ask where the tumbleweed came from?!" Casimir yelled before disappearing out the door.

Regina raised her claws and laughed haughtily. "Quickly Katsu, it is time for us to reclaim my honor! Away!" She rushed out the door with her Accelgor companion rushing after her.

"Lady von Elmnou, slow down!" he called out to her.

Armant cracked his knuckles. "I picked a good time to come here. I could use the extra money, anyway. Away I go!" He bolted out the door, kicking out the floorboards behind him.

Frediano remained in the chalet, deep in thought. "Oh dear, they'll be far ahead of me, but I can't go rushing in so soon. How can the great Frediano make his grand debut without the proper entrance? No, I must stay strong and trust my instincts! I will compose an entrance so grand that the world will know my name! Frediano will win this competition with style and pizzazz! This, I swear!"

The Weavile threw himself onto a bar seat and waved down the bartender, who was huddled in the corner of the counter. "Bartender, I request a drink—"

"NO MORE DRINKS!" he yelled, pointing furiously at the Weavile. "NO MORE, I SAY!"

Frediano tilted his head. "But I—"

"OUT!"

"I am off!" Frediano jumped off the seat and dashed out into the snow.

The bartender picked himself up shakily. "Father was right. I should've become a teacher." He slashed open a bottle of whiskey and guzzled it down vigorously.

Satshale "Shale" Hakatress: Submitted by AvalonArrival

I did say OC Submissions were done, though I wouldn't necessarily mind a minor side character or the like to flesh out the story. I won't do this often, though, and only if I can find a good use for the character. Anyway, take care.