Chapter 2-3

Cooling Down

Luke yawned as he walked out of the police building, a brooding Kon following him. They'd been in there for the rest of the day and it was already nighttime. Only the barest sliver of the moon and Kon's tail lit their way. "Well, that mission was kind of a failure, given we weren't actually able to get paid for our apples."

"No bounty either." Luke could feel the frustration leaking through Kon's voice. "And bandits are in the woods."

Luke shuddered yet again. "Yeah… at least the officers are calling in extra help from the other continents."

Then he looked to the blood soaked Kon, most of the blood already dried. "And we got to rinse you off… again…And wash your clothes..."

Luke groaned and took off his cape, knowing what would be happening

"I'm not taking my clothes off." The masked charmander droned.

"Would you do it in the privacy of the Guild Room after we rinse you off?" The tired pikachu asked. "Keeping blood on you is not healthy…at all."

Konstantin was quiet for a moment.

"Fine." He acquiesced.

"Good. Let's head down to the beach then before we go back."

[hr]

Kon walked up to the Guild, clothes dripping wet while Luke followed, also dripping wet. "You didn't really have to push me in." The pikachu muttered as they entered, heading down the ladders.

"If I had to get wet, so did you." Konstantin muttered spitefully.

While the two were talking, they really didn't notice the two new pokemon coming up to the guild. "Ah, seems like yesterday we were last here, huh, Swampert?"

"Yeah. I wonder if Luke's in bed already." The water/ground type wondered.

Meanwhile, Luke and Kon had finally entered their room, Luke tossing his cape to Kon. "Go ahead and take off the stuff so it can dry overnight. Shouldn't really be getting any more visitor tonight."

The charmander groaned, though begrudgingly started to remove his armor. He made no effort to remove his mask or hood, however. While he was at it, he threw the pile of Brigand weapons in a corner of the room.

"Still don't know why you kept those…" Luke muttered, laying down on his pile of hay.

"Suck it up, I'm training you to use that pistol tomorrow." Konstantin said in a tone that brokered no argument. He was halfway done with removing his armor.

Luke rolled his eyes, curling up in the hay.

…

"HELLO, WIGGLYTUFF!" Rita yelled, kicking open the doors to the Guildmaster's room despite Chatot's protests.

"Hello, friends!" Wigglytuff cheered, placing a green orb back in it's chest. "It's good to see you two again!"

Chatot looked between the odd goggled alolan raichu and Wigglytuff, a confused look on the avian's face.

Rita floated in, Swampert right behind her. "Let's talk business before I go see my son and his adorable partner!"

"Right." Wigglytuff turned to Chatot. "Can you leave us for now?"

"Ah, yes sir!" Chatot left the room in a hurry, closing the doors behind him.

And with that, the temperature in the room dropped five degrees.

"Something else happened today, didn't it?" Swampert asked, cracking his knuckles. "We saw all the magnemite officers out."

"Yes."Wigglytuff motioned to a stack of papers on a small table. "The Team Skull and Team Crusaders combination encountered a group of what Konstantin describes as in his report, 'merciless and murderous brigands'."

"Ah." Rita had a simple look on her face as she took some of the papers and started reading them.

'Teams Crusaders and Skull encountered three Brigands in the woods while en route to a mission. Two were killed in the skirmish, the last was captured. Their cruel grins and sadistic mannerisms suggest complete lack of mercy, empathy, or basic morality. The enemy attacked with lethal intent from the outset. Suggest placing the Guild and all towns on maximum alert. There are likely many, many more Brigands roving about. As of now, all towns in the region are at risk of being sacked and burned, their inhabitants butchered.

End report.

-Konstantin'

"Ah, one survivor from the brigands." Rita frowned.

Swampert looked over Rita's shoulder. "When do you want me to go interrogate him, Rita?"

"Tomorrow." Rita flipped to another sheet, seeing the reporting magnemite's response. "He should be awake then."

"Good." Swampert clapped his fist. "Then we'll figure out where their leader is and stop it before anything worse can happen."

"Of course, this might extend our vacation by a week or two since the guild can't exactly leave with these thugs out there." Rita muttered.

"Right. Until we stop these Brigands, the trip to Fogbound Lake is postponed." Wigglytuff responded. "But with you two on the job, they'll be stopped in no time!"

"You got that right!" Rita cheered. "Now, before we head off for bed, I'm going to go visit Luke."

"That's fine." Wigglytuff responded with a smile. "Swampert, you can set up your beds in the Dining Room."

"Thanks, Wigglytuff." Swampert walked to the door with Rita. "Goodnight, dude!"

"Goodnight, friends!"

[hr]

Knock Knock Knock!

"I thought you said there'd be no visitors!" Konstantin hissed as he began putting his armor back on. By the time Luke reached the door, he was already finished re-arming. It was impressive, actually.

"I'm sorry!" Luke whined, paw on the door handle. "I don't know who-"

As the door was opened, the pikachu was picked up into a loving hug by an alolan pikachu. "Lukey!" She cried, rubbing a cheek on his.

"Mom?!" Luke cried, both in surprise and happiness.

The charmander just stood there, absolutely silent as only the faint sound of breathing came from behind his rather intimidating mask.

"It's so good to see you again!" Rita cheered, halting the hug and placing Luke down before turning to Konstantin. "You must be the infamous human turned charmander I keep hearing about in Luke's letters!" She floated over to him and held out a paw. "I'm Rita, Luke's mom and a former human!"

Konstantin stared at her paw, silent.

He looked her up and down, before speaking.

"So you're the one who's saved the world." He hummed from inside the metal mask. "I thought you'd be taller."

"Ahhhh!" Rita whined, spinning in a circle. "Why does everyone keep saying that! I mean, I'm still taller than when I was a pikachu!"

Luke rubbed the back of his head, already getting the feeling that Kon would probably be underestimating his mom, like with Wigglytuff.

He only gave a huff in return.

"Anyway, your son has been aiding me in gathering funds to commission the building of a Holy Church of the Light."

He pauses, and draws out the very detailed plans for the Church to show the alolan raichu. Where he got them from was the question that Luke would forever question.

"Be proud, for he contributes to a noble cause."

Rita took the plans and looked over them. "Hmmm. Do you have any other plans for what you are going to do with it?" She simply asked. "I mean, you are going to be the only one worshiping the light there since Dialga and Palkia exist."

The charmander took a deep breath.

"I will serve as the Abbot, if needed. I will lead sermons, baptize the newborn..." He trails off, then turns around, mumbling. "Verse LXVIII: Pray to the Light, for it will grant you joy..."

Then he shakes his head, and turns again to face Rita.

"Faith gives hope. And a little hope, however desperate, is never without worth."

Silence… and then. "Okay! Once you get enough money, I'll recommend an Engineer for you." Rita responded with a smile.

"I would be thankful." Konstantin says. "Hurm. You should bring your child to the Church once the egg hatches. I would be honored to lead a sermon commemorating your new addition to the family."

"Oh yes!" Rita gasped. "He'll be here in a few days with the eggs!"

"Well, I can't wait to see Dad again." Luke smiled, remembering sleeping in his dad's mane.

Then the alolan raichu remembered something. "Ah, Konstantin, will you come to Sharpedo Bluff alone tomorrow? It's to talk about something important."

The charmander stared her down for a moment.

"Okay." Was all he said.

"Good!" She leaned down and kissed Luke on the forehead. "Good night you two! See you both at breakfast!"

"Goodnight, Mom!" Luke waved to Rita as she left, closing the door.

For a second, there was silence. Then Luke fell face first into a pile of hay, muffled screaming coming out.

"Stop whining." The charmander chided, laying down on his blanket. "Remember, we have training tomorrow."

Luke turned his head to give Kon a dirty look before going back to screaming into the hay.

[hr]

It was morning and Luke was fidgeting with his cape as Team Crusaders walked into the main room. He could already hear the fascinated whispering from the other apprentices before they even entered the room. "I hope she doesn't announce that we're related. I really really really-" And he was panicking.

The armored charmander smacked Luke across the back of the head as he passed him.

"Stop panicking. It won't solve anything."

Luke whined in pain, slowly following Kon into the main room.

And right at the front, standing and floating next to Chatot, was Swampert and Rita. The one one main difference between last night and this morning was the fact that she was wearing her iconic long yellow ribbon on her right arm.

Swampert himself was wearing a thick red vest, peppered with pockets. On his left arm was some weird armlet thing. And he was twice the height of Rita!

"Hey-hey-hey! I can't believe Rescue Team Excalibur is going on the expedition!"

"Oh my gosh! I wonder if I can get Rita and Swampert's autographs!"

"Gawrsh. I wonder if I can get advice from them."

"Order!" Chatot spoke up, looking pretty nervous. "We have a few important notices to announce today."

Everyone looked to Chatot. "For one, Rescue Team Excalibur is, in fact, going on the Guild Expedition."

Right then, several pokemon started cheering and whooping. Luke covered his ears.

"Settle down! Settle down! For the second notice, Missions outside of town are prohibited due to a danger that has been brought to our attention. You may still, however, do missions in town to assist any refugees than come in."

And confusion abound.

"Now, I know you are all confused and I will inform you why this is. There is a large group of bandits lurking in the land, who are unafraid to kill."

And now there was an air of dread.

"Officer Magnezone and the police are working on finding their leader and any outliers. Right now, we are suspecting that they are the ones who stole the Time Gear and thus, if you have any info on them, inform me, Team Excalibur, or an officer right away."

"To at least brighten today, Miss Rita has made a classic Northern Island breakfast in the Dining Room."

There was a half hearted cheer from the apprentices before they headed for the Dining Room.

"I wonder where the Guildmaster is." Luke muttered.

[hr]

"Good morning! I'm your interrogator for this hour!"

The Brigand laughed cruelly. "Of course you are, Pink thing! You know, we've eaten a few pink things. But nothing but looked like you."

He grinned.

"I wonder how you'll taste. Oh well, we'll find out once VVulf comes for this place, eh?"

"Oh, is VVulf your leader? What is he like? I'm dying to know!"

A low chuckle came from the krokorok.

"So that's what you want to know, huh? Then let me regale you with the tales of the VVulf..."

[hr]

"Probably nowhere important." Kon responded in a dry voice before staring at the plate of pancakes in front of him. Rita had announced the breakfast and had left a few minutes later. Swampert was sitting at the table, eating as well.

"Hrmm." Luke grabbed a pancake and stuffed it in his mouth, ignoring the stares of the nearby pokemon. And the pikachu looked like he was in heaven.

Konstantin's fork clattered onto his empty plate as he finished eating.

Which is strange because no one saw him take off his mask. Or even hear him chewing.

Many of the pokemon decided not to think too hard about it, some of them leaving the Dining Room after eating. Comments about how good the food was floated about.

"Kon, if you wanna go on out to Treasure Town, go on ahead." Luke spoke up after drinking some milk. "I'll be a few minutes."

The armored charmander nodded and walked out.

Soon, he was walking down the steps, towards the crossroads. Of course, there was a strange scene there.

"Oh come on! I can defend myself just fine!" The red hatted oshawott protested to the two magneton officers blocking the exit. "My friends are still out there and one of them's real sick!"

"WE'RE SORRY BUT WE JUST CAN'T LET ANYONE OUT AT THIS TIME, WHEN THESE BANDITS ARE OUT THERE." One of the magneton explained, looking slightly tired.

"EVEN SENDING MESSAGES IS NOT RECOMMENDED DUE TO TO POSSIBILITY THAT THEY WOULD GET INTERCEPTED!"

"Graaaah!" The oshawott took off her hat and threw it to the ground in disgust, not noticing Kon getting closer. "I'll get my own way out, even if I have to sneak past you guys!" Then she picked the hat back up, dusting it off.

"Then you will by caught by the Brigands. And they will kill you, and eat your corpse." The armored charmander says from behind her.

"Eek!" She hopped in surprise before turning around. "Don't do that, Konny! I hate it when you do that!"

And then there was a second of silence before the oshawott started shaking. "Konny? Y-you're-"

Then she outright hugged him. "You're alive! I knew it!" She cheered, tears going down her face.

"Who the hell are you? Get off me before your intestines are no longer inside your body." Konstantin hissed menacingly from behind his metal mask.

"Ah! Good thinking!" She broke the hug and grabbed his hand instead. "We can't talk here! His goons might be watching us! Come on! To the beach!" And she tried to drag him down the path.

He shoved her away, rather violently, and drew his dagger.

"I don't know who the fuck you are, but I am not fool enough to trust a stranger."

The oshawott looked a little heartbroken before something clicked in her mind. "You've got amnesia, don't you?" She asked. "I mean, it would make sense given that's the biggest difference between what happened with you and Baldwin…"

The charmander is shaking from rage. "You know my forgotten memories? You know another?"

He stomps up to the oshawott, and grabs her by the arm hard enough to bruise. "Where!? Where are they!?" He hisses.

"Ow! I'll tell you! I'll tell you! But I can't tell you around these goons!" The oshawott exclaimed in pain before whispering. "Hand me your map, I'll show you where me, Baldwin, and Grovyle are staying."

He growled lowly, before shoving his map into her hands. She turned around, opening it before pointing to a small hilly area past Mt. Bristle. "We have a cave there. You probably won't be able to sneak out right now. Just meet up with me tonight at the entrance to Mt. Bristle and I'll lead the way!"

"Humph." The charmander was silent, before he roughly grabbed the map back.

"I'll be there." He said, walking toward Sharpedo Bluff.

He had Rita to meet.

"See ya there, Konny!" The oshawott waved before rubbing her own eyes.

As Kon walked through town, there was a sense of dread floating about. Many of the pokemon were barricading their houses with wood and stone in some cases. The more child-like pokemon were assisting with the barricades, a solemn look on their faces.

In all honesty, it was oddly familiar, this dampened, fearful atmosphere. He didn't know why. But, perhaps that blue otter could provide the answers he was seeking.

But soon, he was walking out of town onto the weirdly shaped bluff. Floating at the tip, was Rita. She turned around. "Hey, Konstantin!"

"You wanted to see me, Rita?" He replied gruffly.

"Yeah. Just to talk, really."

He just sat on the edge of the cliff silently.

After a minute or so, he spoke.

"This town is at risk of burning, the Guild too." He grumbles cynically. "No one will be spared if the Brigands come, not even the children."

"Yeah, figured as much. There's risk with everything." Rita replied, looking at the sea. "Humans can be pretty evil sometimes. They'll be stopped though." She smiled. "I have a few aces up my sleeve coming this way."

"We'll need all the help we can get." The charmander says.

Then he turns to look at Rita. "I'll take care of your son. Be certain that he'll outlive me."

"Thank you, but you really shouldn't look so down on your own life." Rita reached out and rubbed his head. "Your life is just as precious as Luke's or Chatot's or Swampert's."

He doesn't offer a response.

Rita hugged him. "I don't care who or what you were in the past. What is important now is that you are saving others."

Konstantin shrugged her touch off. "I'll keep it in mind."

Then he stood. "I should go. The church won't build itself."

"Talk with Machamp." Rita spoke up, still sitting on the tip of the bluff. "He's a good Engineer."

"Thank you." He said, then turned and walked back to town.

He needed to raise money, then he'd talk to this machamp.

As soon as Kon had walked away, she rubbed at her eyes, fighting the tears. "Heh. I didn't even get to tell him about how I came to have amnesia."

[hr]

Darkrai was not having a good time. The girl had met Konstantin and opened the way for him to meet Baldwin.

And the fusion was not ready!

Even kidnapping those humans and throwing them in would probably only delay him.

The nightmare pokemon was hissing in rage before floating into the temporary base for VVulf's gang. One of those foolish humans forgot what happened the last time, attempting to attack him. With just one hand, he hit the idiot with a Dark Void, forcing him into a deep nightmare.

And then, like the flick of a switch, the human took control. "VVulf!" The unmistakable voice of the Ancestor boomed through the camp, as the many, many Brigands about sneered and scowled at Darkrai. "I have need of you."

Not a moment later, a monstrous figure stepped out of a tent. A towering rhyperior stomped forth, even larger than most of its kind. Clad in green scraps of clothing and scaled metal armor, he bore a massive tower shield with the blood red emblem of the Brigand Brigade painted on it.

As well, the pelt of a midday lycanroc was draped over one shoulder, it looked freshly skinned.

"Ye called, Ancestor?" The Brigand leader sneered, unafraid. "What is it you wan' this time?"

Darkrai took control before the Ancestor could say another word. "The former human! The charmander! Attack Treasure Town tonight! You need to kill the charmander named Konstantin tonight!" The dark type hissed out. "Do this and we will get you anything you want!"

VVulf let out a great, bellowing laugh. "Treasure town, eh? Now that certainly seems like a nice suggestion."

He gives a sickly grin. "You'll have his head, nice and fresh."

"Hear that boys!?" He boomed, the trees shaking as he addressed the assembled Brigands. "We've got us a contract!"

The crooks, murderers, and other assembled criminals gave a howl in return.

And so they began to busy themselves, loading guns, sharpening blades...

And in one end of the clearing... They polished and readied a war machine of terrible implication...

"If you need assistance, use this and I will send a minion to help." Darkrai held up a small golden ring for the rock type pokemon to take.

VVulf only laughed mockingly.

"Keep your little pet!" He said, brushing past Darkrai as he moved to organize the Brigand Brigade, still laughing.

The legendary fumed before using the ring to go back to the Ancestor's world. He needed to check on Hoopa after all. He had sensed something weird but had pushed it off due to the stress of seeing that girl meeting that gods forsaken man again!

As he faded into Hoopa's holding cell, he lost control, slashing the wall and screaming in rage. In the center of the room, the chains and manacles meant to keep the greedy legend there were open and empty. The runes he was using to drain any power he produced were gone. And the secret door was open.

His screams of rage were cut off abruptly by the Ancestor once again taking control.

And he laughed. The Ancestor only laughed.

[hr]

A/N

Whelp. Good bye rails. It was nice being close to you.

And yes, Rita is loosely based on Rita from Tales of Vesperia.

Zara?

zaravan : The wolves are at the door!