I do believe this is the longest chapter I have ever written. This is also the first one ever done from Ren's POV. It may also be the last because he is very hard to write. Hope you like it, and two more chapters will complete the main game.
Dhiren had known from the moment he saw her that Sol was important. Few others would have thought that, unable to see beyond the string of complaints that passed her lips as she massaged her feet scorched by the sand.
When Ren had first laid eyes on Sol, he felt as if the breath had been ripped from his chest. He wanted, no, needed, to speak to her. To discover what brought the Riolu, so full of life and energy to the barren wasteland of the desert. He had been compelled to follow her for reasons that he himself did not know. Despite the dark places that path had led him, Ren did not regret it once.
Sol. Sun. What a fitting name that was. She shined brighter than any star and attracted others like planets to her orbit to bask in her glow. In the cold, vast emptiness that this world could often be, how often does one find a sun? Yet Sol was not even aware of this. She didn't realize just how special she was. In fact, she seemed to have a rather low opinion of herself.
But not even Ren would have been able to guess just how important she was. A wielder of the Dimensional Scream, human from the future, destined to save the entire world. Ren would do whatever he could to help, even though he was much her lesser in strength and might. Ren was fine with that. If all he managed to do was get her an inch closer to her goal, he'd be content with that.
Not that it seemed she would require his aid. They were close to finding the Hidden Land, in large part thanks to Torkoal. The elder
Pokémon had been worthy of much respect, for he had weathered many years, felt the draining march of time pulling at his limbs yet feared not the yawning chasm of decay that he surely knew was not far away. Instead, he savored each moment with a smile on his wizened face, happy to pass along what knowledge and wisdom he had.
While the other Pokémon at the Hotsprings grew nervous at the sight of Grovyle, Torkoal's smile widened slightly. While those with small children herded them away from the feared thief, Torkoal walked to meet them with an unhurried gait. Grovyle appreciated the welcome, Ren was sure. Even after his named had been cleared Grovyle still faced a harsh bias and preconceptions where ever he went.
They had asked Torkoal about the Hidden Land, saying any information he might know would be invaluable. While Ren did his best to distance himself from emotions in all situations, he could not mask his surprise at the unexpected answer.
"Of course!" Torkoal had said. "But I doubt I know much more than you. You must be very dedicated to your research of the Hidden Land to wear the mark around like that."
"What?!" Sol exclaimed. "Are you talking about our bandanas?"
"Yes! I must say you must have been digging around a lot to have been able to recreate such an accurate image of the mark of proof."
And so it was revealed that Sol was not the only special one in their group. Eevee, declared worthy by forces incomprehensible had been gifted with the proof needed to enter the Hidden Land. Eevee's relic fragment was the key to reach Temporal Tower, Torkoal explained, though where the lock was no one knew.
"Ever get the feeling some cosmic force is screwing with you?" Sol asked on the walk back to the guild.
"What do you mean?"
"You're the very first person I met here in the past, and you just happen to the Pokémon with the only way to get to the Hidden Land? This is like that time I found the Drought Stone, only worse.
"Ever heard of the expression 'don't look a gift horse in the mouth'?" Grovyle said.
"That's well and good when you know exactly where the horse came from and who's giving it to you. I don't like convenient coincidences. They make me uneasy."
"The strings of fate are fickle things, shifting and changing like threads of spider silk caught in the winds of our actions," Ren said. "But there are times when the waving strings are replaced by hardened steel beams, when a certain course of events is decided upon and only the most forceful of gales can change them. Our finding of the Hidden Land is one such beam, and fate gives us all we need to achieve that end."
"An interesting perspective," Grovyle said. He was a learned Pokémon, open to new ideas. The dark future had left him adaptable, both to physical changes of environment and alien views. He was like a palm tree, bending in the wind to keep from snapping.
"Just because you stick a bunch of words together that sound impressive doesn't mean it's right, or even that it makes any sense," Sol said. While Grovyle was a palm tree she was solid oak. Her branches may sway with the wind but her trunk, her core, remains steadfast and unmoving.
Sol tilted her head to the side, as if thinking something over. Then she spoke.
"Grovyle, has one of my visions ever been wrong?"
"Hmm?"
"Have I ever had a vision of the future, but was then able to change things so it never happened?"
"Not that I know of."
"..."
"What's this about?"
"Is this about that vision Dusknoir talked about?" Eevee asked in a quiet voice, as if fearing the answer. "About how he knew you would work for him?"
Sol closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them again.
"Yes. I saw me and Dusknoir standing on some ruins together with a portal behind us. It looked like we were waiting for something. But... there was something wrong with the vision. The image flickered, Pokémon appeared and disappeared at random, then it was like watching two completely different scenes placed on top of each other."
Grovyle considered this for a moment.
"Celebi spoke quite a bit about the Dimensional Scream ability. I think I remember her mentioning something about how a seer can never see themselves clearly in a vision. 'They know all fates but their own'. The most one could hope for was distorted sounds, so it's odd you received any image at all."
"This one is not worried," Jak said. "Before, perhaps, but not now. You are no longer under his spell and would never serve him."
"You say you saw more than one image on top of each other? Where you in both?" Ren asked.
"I'm not sure. It was confusing to look at... I don't think so..."
"Then is it not inconceivable that you were seeing two different possible outcomes? The future is not set in stone, so it is a wonder your visions deal in absolutes. I would have expected this sort of ambiguity to be much more common."
"So you're saying that I only saw a possibility, and that could very well have already been changed? That... actually makes me feel a lot better. Thanks, Ren."
The Cubone was glowing inside, though it didn't show on his face or stance. It was a rare occurrence for Sol to be grateful for his insight. Usually she just rolled her eyes and passed it off as worse than useless, which hurt more than his calm demeanor would suggest.
"So," Sol said. "We have this 'proof' or whatever but we have no idea where to take it. Maybe if we show the symbol around a bit, someone will know something."
"I don't think so," Eevee said. "I always wondered about my Relic Fragment, but when I tried to figure out where it came from, everyone I asked had a clue. I even took it to the exploration guild apprentices once, long before I joined."
"Jump over one hurdle only to see a mountain on the other side," Ren said. "But nothing is unscalable."
"Maybe, but we don't have the luxury of time. Soon it will be too late to do anything."
"It couldn't hurt to ask again," Grovyle said. "And I can't think of anything else we can do."
...
"What?!" Sol exclaimed. "We've been wearing these around our necks since the expedition and you never once thought to mention that you've seen this symbol before?!"
"I made a promise, and only meanies break promises," Wigglytuff said. "Me and Chatot saw this mark painted on a wall before, remember?"
"Yes, Guildmaster."
"So what are we waiting for? Let's go!"
Ren stood back and watched the verbal exchange. No one had expected any of the guild members to recognize the symbol on the Relic Fragment, yet the Guildmaster claimed to have seen it on the wall of a cave. Ren could see Sol's frustration mounting as Wigglytuff dodged and weaved around telling them just where this cave was.
"We can't go yet," Wigglytuff said. "I have to meet an old friend first."
"I think this is a bit more important!"
"Calm down," Chatot interjected. "The Guilmaster has a reason for doing things the way he does... er, right, Guildmaster?"
"Yep!"
"But we can't afford to wait!"
"We'll head out tomorrow. Just not with me. I have business to attend to. Chatot can lead you there, then you can break into teams to search the cave for the symbol. And Chatot, I want you to stay with Team Wanderers."
"What?!" both Sol and Chatot cried at the same time.
"You remember what happened last time? I want to make sure nothing like that happens again and the Wanderers know how to take care of themselves."
"...Yes, Guildmaster."
"Hold on! We have enough people on our team and we don't need Chatot tagging along!" Sol protested. While the animosity between the two had died down quite a bit, Ren knew Sol would never actually like Chatot. The best they could hope for was no outright dislike.
"You don't want to listen to your Guildmaster? Boo! Booooo!"
"It'll be fine, Sol," Eevee said. "Chatot can come with us. And what was it that happened there last time?"
"Not important right now," Wigglytuff said. "Now, Chatot can handle things from here, and I need to meet with that friend. I can't break a promise! Byeeeeeeee!"
Wigglytuff danced up the stairs out of the guild. There is a fine line between genius and madness, and Ren thought Wigglytuff inhabited both sides at the same time. While others may have thought him childish or mentally incompetent, Ren believed Wigglytuff was able to see the world in much greater clarity than those around him. Ren envied him such clear perspective, even if it did cause him to act oddly, at least in the eyes of this society.
"Are you at least going to tell us the name of the place we're going?" Sol asked Chatot.
"If I thought I could trust you not to run off in the middle of the night, then yes, I would. But as it is you can wait until morning."
Sol sighed and rubbed her head, thinking. "What are we supposed to do until then? Sit here and twiddle our thumbs?"
"We should ensure we are properly equipped," Grovyle said. "Once we reach the Hidden Land there will be no coming back."
"So to the town, then. The Kecleons will have everything we need. Then to Spinda's."
"I don't think that's a good idea. We'll need to be well rested tomorrow and ready for a fight."
"I know, but I plan on having one Hell of a party when all this is over. I want to give Spinda a heads up of what to expect when we get back."
Ren did not miss the look of extreme guilt on Grovyle's face. Something was weighing on his mind.
"A splinter left in a wound will only fester unless plucked out," Ren told Grovyle, the two staying as Sol and Eevee left for Treasure Town.
Grovyle cast him a glance. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"You do your best to cover a fact in shadows but its outline remains visible, attesting to its existence even if the details are shrouded."
"Nothing good would come of me saying anything," Grovyle said but refused to meet Ren's eyes.
"It concerns Sol, correct? Our shining sun? She does not appreciate when things are kept from her."
"Ironic considering she always loved her secrets," Grovyle said bitterly, then sighed. "But I'm sure she had her reasons. Me, this is out of cowardice and selfishness. I should tell her but I can't."
Ren shook his head. He couldn't force Grovyle to confess whatever was on his mind. He could go to Sol and tell her Grovyle was hiding something, but that would only bring about unnecessary conflict at a time when unity was key. Besides, that wasn't how Ren liked to do things. He offered advice where he believed necessary, but it was up to the individual to decide how to act in the end. He wouldn't force things.
"Think of the reasons why you are not telling Sol, then think of the reasons why you should tell her. Then decide which list is more important."
Grovyle stared down at the floor, then turned to go. "She decided once, there's no reason why'd she choose any different know... but she had nothing then... Is it right to put that burden on her mind?... Is it right not to?..." Grovyle muttered to himself as he walked away.
Ren had done what he could. Now it was up to Grovyle to decide what to do. Ren hoped he would tell Sol. She was strong, stronger than any Ren had met before, and she could take whatever Grovyle was hiding.
...
Wigglytuff had not yet returned when the early morning rays ushered in a new day. An ill omen for the exploration to come. The apprentices were all uneasy as they assembled, eyes desperately searching for any sign of their trusted Guildmaster. Even Chatot was nervous and gave several speeches in an attempt to stall for time, hoping Wigglytuff would appear.
This had to be the most important mission the guild have ever undertaken, and they would have to do it without their leader. Wigglytuff was one of the most famous explorers in the Pokémon world, his guild the most renown, and had lead his apprentices on countless successful expeditions. Despite his many eccentricities, his strength was unquestionable and no one felt comfortable doing this without him. Not when the fate of the world hung in the balance.
Chatot finally had to admit Wigglytuff wasn't going to show and led the apprentices out of the guild. Chatot was no stranger to leadership and enjoyed the power it gave him, but Ren could tell the place they were going scared him. He tried to hide it, and he may have fooled most of the others but Ren was good at reading people. A life watching from the sidelines tended to have that effect.
"The place we are going is called Brine Cave," Chatot announced as they traveled down the road heading around the bay north of Treasure Town. "Our objective is to reach the deepest part of the dungeon where this symbol," he held up a spare Team Wanderers bandana, "is inscribed on the cave wall. But we must be extremely careful within. The last time the Guildmaster and I entered, we were attacked by vicious Pokémon."
"Doesn't that happen in just about every Mystery Dungeon?" Sol snorted.
"If you feel the need to mention it, they must have been pretty bad..." Eevee said. "What were they?"
"Uh... I can't remember..."
"They couldn't have been all that strong then if you can't even remember them. Just another generic wild Pokémon we see in every dungeon."
Jak growled.
"No offense intended," Sol quickly added.
"It wasn't that they weren't worth taking notice of, but that it was over before I even realized what was happening. They attacked all at once, and al I can recall is being slammed with water..."
Sol stopped in her tracks. "Water? Are we talking Bubble level or a full on Hydro Pump?"
"It was enough to knock me out.
"I would just like to point out that Team Wanderers is not very well equipped to face anything dealing with water. A fire type, a ground type and an aquaphobe. A severe aquaphobe. Like, splash me with water and I'll scream."
"You're exaggerating," Eevee said. "You'll be fine as long as you don't have to swim."
"I'm familiar with your... aversion to water," Grovyle said. "I'll go with you. Grass is very effective against water."
"We will split into several groups to explore the cave, making sure that we don't bunch up types," Chatot said. "As the Guildmaster ordered, I will go with Team Wanderers. Corphish, Sunflora, Chimecho and Diglett will form one team, Bidoof, Loudred, Croagunk and Dugtrio another. Be careful and stick with your team at all times."
It wasn't long before they arrived at Brine Cave. Sol looked out nervously at the ocean a scant few feet from the entrance. Ren was a Cubone, a ground type, but even he did not fear the water like Sol did. For her sake, he hoped they didn't encounter the Pokémon Chatot spoke of.
"It's so cold in here," Eevee said as they entered the cave, the three groups splitting up to cover more ground.
"Says the fluff ball," Sol said. "Try having short fur."
"Or none at all," Grovyle pointed out.
"This is not the time for complaints," Chatot chastised and took the lead. "We must stay constantly vigilant lest we be taken by surprise and our journey ended before it even begins."
"You're like a constant downer, aren't you?"
Chatot harrumphed but made no comment.
Ren questioned the wisdom of putting Sol and Chatot together. They rubbed each other the wrong way at the best of times, but when you added in the stress of the situation, a fallout was inevitable. Ren hoped that that proved not to be the case, but it was a slim hope.
"Something approaches," Jak suddenly hissed. They had been in Brine Cave for a couple of hours and had found nothing. At the moment they stood in a wide but short in length room little bigger than a hallway that cut across the path they followed. Jak stood, body tensed, facing the way they had just came.
"It could be one of the other teams," Sol said. "But it could also be the Pokémon Chatot told us about..."
"We can't continue with potential attackers right behind us. We could end up surrounded," Chatot said. "I propose we set up an ambush here."
"Sounds good," Sol said. "If it's the others, no harm done. If not, it'll be us springing the trap instead of stepping in it for once."
They got into positions. Chatot flew up and found a perch right above where the tunnel emptied out into the room. Ren and Sol stood against the wall at one side of the entrance, Jak and Grovyle the other. Eevee served as the bait, standing with his backed turned in the center of the room. Sol had argued over this, wanting it to be her, but everyone else agreed Eevee was the smarter choice. He wouldn't be as affected by water type attacks as most of the others, and Grovyle was positioned close to where the Pokémon would appear, ready to attack as soon as they showed themselves.
It was a good plan, they had all believed. But the moment they heard the whooshing sound and a thick purple cloud spread out into the room, it was doomed to failure.
The stench was horrendous. Ren fell to his knees, coughing and choking but couldn't expel the noxious fumes. Through watering eyes he saw the others in similar states. Only Chatot was spared, positioned above the cloud's reach.
Three Pokémon charged into the room after the stench, a Skuntank, a Zubat and a Koffing.
"Team... Skull..." Sol coughed. Ren had heard tales of this trio from Sol and Eevee, and knew that a bad situation was about to get worse.
"You three?" Chatot exclaimed. "You disappeared during the expedition! I'm afraid there's been a misunderstanding! It's us! Stop you're attack!"
Chatot glided down from his perch. He didn't know of Team Skull's true nature. He thought this was just an accident, that they didn't know full well what they were doing. When Chatot got close enough, Skuntank lashed out. The attack sent Chatot slamming into the wall and falling to the ground.
"Chaw-haw-haw! Like we'd let weaklings like you be the ones to discover the Hidden Land!"
A signal from Skuntank sent Zubat swooping down to steal the Relic Fragment from an incapacitated Eevee's bag. Ren felt panic rise inside of him but could do nothing to stop them as the three fled the room with their prize in hand.
"I-I don't understand! Why would they do such a thing?!"
"You'd understand if you weren't so blind," Sol growled. "Team Skull has always been a pack of thugs. Everyone else saw it, but not you."
Chatot's eyes narrowed. "Watch your tone. I am your superior."
"You are many things, but superior isn't one of them."
"Conflict-" Ren began but was cut off.
"Yeah, yeah. A house divided blah blah blah."
"Sol! Don't be so mean!" Eevee said. "Wanting to believe someone is good isn't a crime, and how would you feel if someone mocked everything you said?"
Sol glowered. This wasn't good.
"Whatever. I don't need this. Come on, Jak. We've got a mission to complete and you're the only one that doesn't get preachy with me."
Sol ran off down after Team Skull with the ever loyal Charmander close behind.
"Stop!" Eevee cried. The rest of the Pokémon chased after them, but in the twisting maze of Brine Cave the two were quickly lost.
"Damn it, Sol," Grovyle muttered.
"This isn't like her!" Unshed tears filled Eevee's eyes. "She wouldn't just leave us like this!"
"Sol wouldn't, but this isn't Sol."
Everyone stared at Ren. He sighed.
"Do you remember that night in the desert? The fight? Remember the stress you felt then, the frustration? So you lashed out. Now think of how Sol feels right now. First it was guilt that fell upon her, for she blames herself for what happened in the future. Then an identity crisis of sorts, when her past was revealed. Then there is the responsibility of preventing the planet's paralysis and saving the lives of everyone alive now and all who will be born. Add also the fear this place brings, the thought of being thrown into the water. All of this and more weigh down upon her to the point where she can't handle those closest to her seemingly turning upon her, even if in her normal state she would clearly see that that is not what is happening."
Eevee paled and Grovyle cursed. They hadn't seen this coming and Ren couldn't blame them. It had taken Ren a while to see it himself. Not until the day before on the beach, and even then he only saw a hint of what Sol was truly feeling. Only when Ren saw her run off he realized how deep her troubles went.
"So there's little hope of her returning on her own," Grovyle said. "We need to move quickly before she does something stupid."
"I agree," Chatot said. "If Team Skull is looking for the Hidden Land as well, then they would be heading downwards. As we go, and I need a full account of just what to expect from Team Skull."
Eevee told them about their encounters with the crooked team as they delved farther into Brine Cave. He started with how Koffing and Zubat first stole the Relic Fragment back when Sol first became a Pokémon, then about the incident in Apple Woods, the almost fight during the expedition, and then finally them luring Team Wanderers to Amp Plains. Chatot's expression didn't change during the time Eevee spoke, but Ren saw him growing tense and mad.
But that anger quickly dried up to be replaced by horror when they came across the members of Team Skull. The three of them were scattered about a small room with horrendous injuries.
Koffing lay on his back, half deflated. A horrific slash severed the crossbones image on his chest in two and odd star-shaped punctures decorated various other parts of his body. Zubat looked even worse off, one wing a mutilated and shredded mess. Ren doubted he'd ever lift off the ground again, and for a flying type Pokémon, that was a fate worse than death. Fur hid the details of Skuntank's injuries, but the purple was quickly being stained red.
For one horrible instant, Ren pictured Sol and Jak catching up to Team Skull and venting their rage upon them. But that couldn't be. The injuries weren't right.
"Did- did Sol..." Eevee said, but couldn't finish the thought.
There was a rustling and a groan as Skuntank labored to face them. "Don't insult us," he said through gritted teeth. "That wimp would never have been able to defeat us like this. She barely had enough courage to take back the Relic Fragment."
"Then they just left us here like this," Zubat spat. "Not even so much as an apologetic glance. But the fossils will get them back for that. The thought of that smug Riolu getting the same treatment as us is enough to get me through this. Heh-heh."
"Whoa-ho-ho. I know what you mean. I'll keep going just to see the state they leave her in. Her and that Charmander."
Grovyle's look of sympathy turned to one of anger. "You disgust me," he growled. "Come on, we've got to find Sol and Jak before something bad happens."
"We can't leave them like this!" Eevee cried. "Look at them! They need help!"
"Would you let that same thing happen to Sol and Jak? We need to go."
Eevee looked at Team Skull then back at Grovyle. "You guys go ahead. I'll stay here and help them. I'm not much of a fighter anyways."
Grovyle hesitated. This was not the time to be splitting up.
"We are more than capable of handling ourselves," Chatot said, making the decision for him. "Eevee can stay here."
They left Eevee along with the bandages and Oran berries they could afford to leave behind. As worried as Eevee was about Sol and Jak, he couldn't leave any Pokémon, no matter how wicked, to suffer alone like this.
Ren, Grovyle and Chatot continued deeper into the cave. It wasn't long before they heard the sound of heavy fighting and broke into a sprint.
Jak was already heavily injured by the time they arrived. The fire on her tail was shrunken to little more than candle flame and her front was one giant bruise from where she was hit with a forceful water attack. She favored one leg and Ren saw a thin trail of blood on the ground from where it dripped out from a gash on her thigh.
Sol stood in front of Jak, acting as a shield. She was largely unhurt, whirling her staff staff around in attempt to distract her attackers and present an opportunity to strike.
Zubat's words came back to Ren. But the fossils will get them back for that. Ren hadn't thought much of it then. But now he saw what was meant by fossils.
A Kabutops faced off against Sol while two Omastars attempted to sneak around and flank her. It was only a matter of time before she was overwhelmed.
Then, in an unexpected move, all three struck at once. There was no way Sol would be able to defend against all of them.
"Squawk!"
Faster then Ren would have thought possible, Chatot took to the air and was gone. He dropped down in front of Sol and took the blows meant for her. Scythe like arms slashed is torso while tentacled arms grabbed onto his wings.
"They are the last hope for the Pokémon world! I won't let you harm them!"
With a roar that would make a Charizard proud, Chatot pressed forwards. It was enough to startle the Kabutops back a few steps, but the weight of the Omastars clinging to his wings soon dragged him to the ground.
"Shielding another with your own body? Stupid move," the Kabutops cackled. He rose one foot high then stomped it down hard on Chatot's body. Even from where he stood Ren could hear the snapping of the bird Pokémon's hollow bones.
"You bastard!" Sol screamed. Yellow light rippled across her body, her eyes consumed by the glow. But, instead of releasing the Focus Blast attack as Ren expected, Sol kept it contained. The light gathered around her hands and she let her staff drop to the ground and leapt at the fossil Pokémon.
The light added more force to her punches, the energy pulsing where ever contact was made. Sol unleashed a barrage of lightning fast strikes. Her opponents skin blackened as if badly burned where she hit and they scrambled back to get away from her. An Omastar aimed a blast of water her way but she simply raised her hands. The stream exploded in all directions when it reached the light, leaving Sol completely unharmed.
Ren was left with his mouth hanging open. He had never seen Focus Blast used in such a way. He didn't even think it was possible!
"Snap out of it!" Grovyle hissed. "She needs our help."
Grovyle ran forwards to join the fight. Ren shook away his shock and readied his bone. He was never good a close combat but his aim was second to none.
One of the Omastar saw Grovyle coming and moved to intercept him. Jak, injured but refusing to give up, blasted flames at the second. While Grovyle could handle himself, Ren wasn't so sure about Jak. At least not in the state she was in. Ren focused his attacks on the Charmander's opponents.
This left Sol facing the Kabutops by herself. Over the initial surprise at the tenacity of her attack he was quick to go on the offensive. Powered by her rage, however, Sol was having no difficulty keeping up. Bladed arms slashed through the air but were batted aside by yellow glowing hands.
The Kabutops saw that physical attacks against the Riolu were pointless. He switched tactics, taking a step back and unleashing a torrent of water.
Sol was too close to dodge. It hit her in the chest and the force picked her off her feet and threw her back. She fell to the ground heavily and skidded back several feet, the rough stone floor scraping bleeding wounds into her back.
Her rage only increased. Sol shook as she got back up to her feet. The Kabutops, so sure that his attack would have ended things, felt fear as he looked into the Riolu's glowing eyes. There was something wrong about her, something unnatural.
With a roar Sol brought her hands together, releasing the contained energy. The Focus Blast ripped across the cave room and hit the Kabutops dead center. Completely spent, Sol fell to her knees.
Anyone wondering what's with Sol's Focus Blast? I'll give you a hint. It's not Focus Blast. Not entirely.
Also, to anyone who's interested, I've written a little thing about Grovyle when he first goes to the past, entitled The Lonely Road.
Speaking of other stories, PMD: And Then There Were Fewer has one more chapter to go, so last chance to read it and post who you think the killer is.
On to comments.
Unnamed Generic Guest: I'm glad my ramblings can brighten your day. And if you ever decide to make an account in the future, please think about using "Unnamed Generic Guest" as your profile name. I don't know why, but the thought makes me laugh.
CallmeEevee: Don't get used to Ren talking normally!
BHawksFan01: I hope doing Ren's POV keeps him interesting.
darkrai6543: Formality is broken! I never thought I'd see the day where you didn't end a review with your name. Thanks for the review and I hope you enjoyed the chapter.
silver rosebud: I'm happy to be found worthy of your favourite's list.
Mister L: Danger! Danger! *Thwack* Sorry. I have the same reaction to unexpected hugs as I do to getting woken up. Here's a cookie to apologize. Please don't sue.