Chapter 16: Bargaining

AAAND We're back fellas!

I just have a strange proposal before we carry on.

Would you rather prefer:

1. An upload schedule that only uploads chapters for only one story, which will rotate to a different story every week.

OR

2. An upload schedule that uploads a chapter for a story, which will rotate to a different story the next 2-3 days. (What I currently do.)

OR

3. I will upload erractically. I will choose which chapters to upload but I will switch to another story if I post more than 3 chapters of the same one in consecutive uploads.

It's just a decision that I've made which has been on my mind for a while, due to the fact that once I upload a story, I usually prefer making another because I can't wait any longer, but due to my other stories needing attention too, it tears me in half :(

I'll place a poll on my profile for you to choose, or you can just PM me if you are on mobile.

Other than that, Enjoy the 3rd stage of Bonnie's grief!


"Do you know any gyms?"Rai looked at Lucy.

"I know a gym leader name Gardenia, she seemed real nice when I was there during my travels..."

"Where do you think it is?" Rai said as he showed her his poketch, a map of the Sinnoh region had been shown on it.

Lucy pointed at the location as Rai gave a thoughtful look.

"Hmmm, seems a bit far, but we can make it if we travel in a good speed, thanks Lucy." Rai eventually said.

"WAIT." Kirlia screamed, she was seething with anger.

"YOU NAMED HER LUCY? WHAT ABOUT ME?!"

Gardenia...

If I'm correct, then her gym would be in Eterna city. Which would be where Rai is heading.

But I don't even know where that is, much less where I am.

Oh Arceus...For all I know, this river could be taking me the opposite direction.

Well, I guess there's only one way to find out.

I slowly open my eyes, the sound of water sloshing around me fills my ears (quite literally). I immediately feel the warmth of the river as it encompasses the lower half of my body.

The unbearable pain in my shoulder had lessened to a sting as I felt it with my right claw, my left still holding my home.

I stayed in that position for a while, letting the water drift me along its course. I didn't have to move, it was doing it for me.

My eyes wandered across the sky, observing the afternoon atmosphere.

Truth be told, that was really boring, and that took up what seemed like 3 hours for my entire journey in the water taxi.

At least I had time to think.

But really, all I have been doing up until now was just thinking anyway.

Having enough of being motionless for what was like forever, I flipped myself over, taking a quick wash on my untouched upper half and slowly swimming across the bank.

My fur dragged my body down on the pebbled earth as the water poured out from it. My limbs felt numb and tired at the same time as I tried to wiggle them. Well, I guess that was predictable, since I have been doing nothing but keep still for Arceus-knows how long.

Using an ancient, canine method to dry myself (which often left my fur matted and poofy) , I stood upright and took in my surroundings. I spotted a small, wooden cabin on my side of the river.

It looked...hospitable...

Very hospitable...

It could be my place of rest for tonight.

But alas, if I do so, I might spend too long in there.

Eterna city is my only chance to find Rai, and if he gets there and leaves before I do, then my only hope will be gone.

Forever.

But...

Maybe I can just ask whoever lives there for directions to Eterna city.

Yeah, just directions, nothing else. I mean, what could possibly go wrong?

I really shouldn't say that.

I trudged along the bank towards the cabin, my sights headed towards it. My back slouched forwards as I am unexpectedly overwhelmed with exhaustion. Each step took too much energy for me to use. My short, shallow breaths became slow and deep. My wet, purple ribbon somehow became a freezing chain around my neck as the wind occasionally blew on it.

But I carried on. Powered by my will and my motive.

My eyes kept themselves alert as my state slowly deteriorated. I know for sure, that if I get caught by anyone, even Jack and his 'friends', it would be over.

I'm now in my weakest state, the only things I could do (with great difficulty) are to just walk and look around. I had no strength to even summon a single ember, no matter how small it could be.

My destination slowly neared, a small child exited it's mahogany doors.

"Grandpa! hurry up!"

"Wait a sec sonny! My old bones are too much for me to handle!"

"Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! I wanna eat some Dango!"


A/N: Dango is basically a Japanese term for cooked rice flour balls on a stick which are covered in red bean sauce (I prefer it with honey).


"Not until my shop closes! I don't want you eating my only source of income!"

"What's income?"

"Eh, adult stuff, kid."

My eyes are suddenly met with an elderly man with a young child as they walked onto the wooden outdoor porch. The grandpa had grown a pure white beard and his topmost head is bald and looked as smooth as an egg,a ring of hair surrounded it as he turned his head to close the door.

He wore a Hawaiian shirt, which had a green background which was littered with peach-colored petals. His shorts seemed to have been trousers at some point, due to the noticeable rips on it's ends. I could hear some flips and flops as he walked. He must have been wearing sandals.

The child had his boisterous face give a happy grin while he jumped on the porch. He donned a sleeveless green vest whilst black shorts covered his lower half. His hair was rather spiky and jutted out on every angle. He must have had bed-head or that is his preferred hairstyle.

Either way, I hate it.

"Awww! But I want them now!"

"Hmmm...If you help me sell the Dangos, I'll give you one for every five customers."

"Customers?"

"People who buy the Dangos."

"I don't want them to buy it! I want to have them all to myself!"

"Well, either you help me, or you'll have to wait to eat them until the end of the day."

The child gave a small pout before facing away from him, staring at my direction.

Oh no.

His eyes widened to saucers as he saw my bedraggled sight.

"Grampa! Grampa! A large chicken!"

My attention was caught by the two, I froze as the elder one observed my being. Somehow knowing my condition, he ran back into the house.

"Grampa?" The kid questioned.

Seconds later, he came back with a blocky device. He blew on it, spreading away the dust that it had collected as he asked me a question.

"Do you need help, creature?" He asked with worry.

"P-please...I don't need your help." I groaned as I looked away from them.

"You don't sound like you don't need our help." He eyed the pokeball that I weakly clutched in my left arm.

"Did you get separated by your trainer?" He asked.

"..." I nodded.

Please, don't be a baddie for once.

Please...

"I'll take that as a yes."

"Just...take me to the pokecenter, and I'll be on my way." I mumbled my voice was barely audible to the duo that were 30 feet away.

Needing no more information from me, he dashed out from the porch and headed towards me. I took a moment of rest as my knees gave way.

My vision became hazy as I heard the rustle of pebbles from the rushing grandfather.

"Grampa! Is it going to be alright?"

The old man kneeled in front of me as he held my lurching body.

"Do you prefer being carried there? Or do you want me to put you in your ball?" He asked.

"Ball, please. I've had enough of walking for today." I mumbled.

"Very well."

I barely felt his hands cup my left hand/claws as he gently took the pokeball from me.

"Old man."

"Yeah?"

"Are you..kind?"

I watched him give a gentle smile.

"Well, you know old people. They are always kind." He chuckled.

I did too.

"Time to rest now, kiddo." He gently held my head up to his face. "I'll help any creature in need." He smiled once more as my eyes slowly closed.

Thanks, old man.

The all-too familiar red light covered me once more as I'm sent back to the prison that I love.

"Grampa! is it okay?"

"It will be."

Hello darkness.

Looks like I'll be sleeping with you for a while.

My shift is done for the time being.

It's time to let someone else carry me this time.

I think I'll rest for a bit.


My vision is fully restored as a blinding white light flashed on my open eyes.

I felt a sudden rush of relief as all my aches and pains melted away in an instant. I gave a hefty sigh of relief as I listened to the hustle and bustle of area around me.

My surroundings slowly came into view as I looked around me.

I was...

I was outside the pokecenter, looking around like a madman as my two brief companions smiled at me.

"W-where am I?" I asked nervously.

"Eterna city." The old man grinned.

Eterna city?!

No, you must be joking.

You have to.

Fate wouldn't be that kind to me, would it?

WOULD IT?

"A-are you sure? You're not pulling my claw?" I was incredulous with my words.

"Why would we be pulling your claw? That would be mean!" The child spoke up.

I guess kids can't take a joke.

"It's an expression." I replied.

"What's an expression?" The child tilted his head.

I groaned, both mentally and in reality. The old man chuckled at my exasperated state.

"Well, thank you. But I must be going." I began to move.

"W-wait!" The grandfather called out as I separated myself from them

I peeked back at them.

And I saw a terrifying sight.

He had my pokeball.

I quickly returned to them, a grim expression on my face as I took out my left claw for him to place my beloved home in.

"Give. It. Back." I hissed.

"Woah, woah, missy. We helped you, you know." He said with a calm voice.

"So what?" I retorted.

"It's only fair for you to help us."

My eyes narrowed.

"Tread carefully on what you're about to say, because right now you are sending off the wrong signals." I spoke with my teeth closed.

Seemingly, as if he knew what I meant, he shook his free hand.

"No, no, not like that. I was only asking for you to help us with our shop." He replied as he gave a reassuring smile.

"Grampa, what did she mean by that?"

"You don't need to understand, Rai."

RAI!?

"Did you say...Rai?" I snapped out of my angered stupor and questioned the old man, my eyes widened by the sudden speech.

"No...Kai." The old man furrowed his brow in confusion as he slightly tilted his head.

My eyelids drooped low as I averted their gazes.

Great.

Now I'm delusional.

"...I'm guessing that the name of your trainer is Rai." The old man solemnly said.

"As if it could be any clearer." I mumbled.

He placed his wrinkly hand on my head.

"Tell you what. You be the grill for the Dangos on our shop for the day, and we'll do what we can to help you out."

"We'll help you! My grampa's a great detective!"

"Great? I prefer, awesome." He chuckled.

I looked up at the two beings in front of my eyes.

They look so happy.

I wish I could be like that.

To have such a strong bond with someone I know.

And here I am, being softly blackmailed by an old man and his kid.

Yeah, I know it's blackmail. He could easily trap me inside my own home if I tried to say no.

His kindness can only go so far.

As I sighed mentally for the (?)th time. I begrudgingly accepted their proposal.

"Fine...I'll help."

"Yay!"

"Who knows, maybe your trainer might visit our shop someday."

Yeah.

I hope he does.


It's a rather short one, but the next will be longer, I pwomiiisee.

Also, I just realised that this was the halfway point, not the previous one.

I'm such a dunce.

Anyways, I hope you liked this short and yet bittersweet chapter!

We're almost at the end of the arc folks!

Also, place your vote on my poll about the uploading schedule that I should do!

Or PM me if you are on the mobile!

Stay tuned,

Baibai