As usual, let me know what you think thus far of the story.


I was beginning to feel my ribbon properly again after some sleep. The chair was comfortable enough to allow me to rest easy, even if I'd prefer something else. Right now, all me and Mason have to do is recover. Thankfully his arm is healing up nicely. I was surprised it isn't scarring given how large it was, he said something about humans having really good healing naturally. Maybe that might be playing a factor.

Mason had left for a while, doing something with Kira and Ronin. I didn't bother to ask. I had assumed that it was private, seeing as I wasn't in their team. They returned not too long later, a tired expression plaguing the Gardevoir and Gallade.

The human however, seemed unamused.

"I was expecting much worse if I'm being honest." Mason said as he walked up the stairs.

Kira slowly came up after him, I could see the exhaustion in her eyes. "Ronin considers that a more intense session."

"Oh..."

Ronin smiled, calling up after him. "Don't feel sorry for her. If she wishes to come with me on those runs, she will feel the wrath they incur on the unprepared."

"You don't have to be so dramatic, dearest." Kira retorted back down.

"So… where do you hail from, Scarlet?" Lloyd's voice snapped me away from the scene. I turned to the Greninja, seeing him getting comfortable in his seat as Ronin took his.

"Up in the northern Etyth mountains, they say steel-types like it up there. I never did."

"So then what brings you down to Narkin of all places?" Lloyd narrowed his eyes. His voice remaining smooth. "It's not every day you see a Honedge in these parts, especially a… uh, Chosen."

I rolled my eye, my color was more of a hindrance than anything. "I wanted to just get away, everything is just so boring up there. Going on an adventure to the frontier sounded nice so long as I could find Pokémon to do it with."

A flash of light permeated around the room briefly, revealing Kira as she sat down beside Ronin. She looked almost frustrated and angry. I was no psychic, so I couldn't really tell beyond just her body language unless I touched her with my ribbon. Her voice was eerily devoid of the emotion I heard in it before.

She looked briefly at me, a mix of frustration and anger washing over it. "There is a new complication that Scarlet had brought to me and Mason while we were at the Guild."

"What may that be?" Lloyd asked.

"Mason wasn't the only one, his… father, is also here." the anger she was feeling seeped into her voice like a stream. "We need to deal with Luson fast, and hopefully get enough information out of him so we can find where these bastards took him."

I felt obligated to help him, they both saved me from this 'Lycoris' group and it's technically my fault that they made off with Mason's father. My blade rustled in its sheath, restless and desperately wanting action. I could never wait for very long, patience just wasn't my thing. I know we need to rest and recover, but I just didn't care at all.

I had no royal guard to call upon, and that suited me just fine. I didn't need protection anymore from my own mistakes. Just the cold iron will to right them.

Lloyd sighed and shook his head. "I know what you're thinking, Scarlet and Kira, but we can't be, uh, aggressive when it's someone who is good with illusions.-"

"What breaks a Zoroark's illusion?" Mason's voice echoed out as he carefully came down the stairs.

"Urm, usually the breaking of their focus, or touching them. Hitting them hard with something does the trick usually… I know from experience."

"Does the person creating the illusion have to be aware of things like walking through light smoke causing it to move in order to hide it?" Mason asked. It sounded like something they'd need to be aware of. Although Zoroarks aren't exactly the most common sight where I'm from, I wouldn't know the specifics.

"Yes they do," Kira answered. "However Luson would know to cover his tracks properly through that sort of obstacle."

"Same thing with mirrors I assume, right?"

Kira sighed heavily. "Yes, he'd have to be aware of everything that can give him away. We can catch him off guard but that's only useful if we're already aware of him."

"What about rain? How hard would that be to get through?"

Ronin leaned out of his seat in deep thought as Lloyd stared through the skylight. A pillow beside Ronin started to slowly rise into the air. "Rain would be hard for him to deal with. Lloyd could create a storm in the area, but he just can't keep it going for very long. He'd need help." the pillow dropped back down to the couch as he ended.

"What if I could help him?" I said with newfound energy. "I too can summon storms, I just need some practice before I can do it again. It has been a while since I have done it properly."

Lloyd got up and walked past us, looking out the front window. "Well… that's great, but right now we need to find him. I can call in a few favors... specifically a Lucario. Aura will be our best bet at locating this guy. Since Mason is his… uh, target, all of us are at risk if we leave this building and he knows who is harboring him. We'll unfortunately have to either split up, or stay together and maybe get some unwanted attention." he turned around, facing Mason with weary eyes. "Look, I doubt you'll make any trouble, however you won't have to. It's already looking for you."

"I'm fine with either, don't let me clog up your decision making. I'm the stranger here." Mason replied dutifully.

Kira smiled. "If anyone was to get hurt, I'd prefer if all of us stuck together. Plus I've got a Zoroark to bind in rope now after what happened in the Guild."

"And bash into the dirt repeatedly." I added.

My blade felt dull in areas, only adding to my feeling of restlessness. I needed to sharpen it if I wanted to return to full health and it needed to happen soon. Waiting around feels like we're wasting time. Precious seconds that Mason's father probably doesn't have.

Time that could be better spent sending this scum straight to Giratina.

Ronin looked just as restless as me, probably wanting revenge for Kira. He flexed his blades as he spoke in a deep voice. "We should stick together. But for now we should try and get Mason entirely accepted into the Guild. Currently all he has to do is a mock-run of a dungeon and everything should be fair as day."

"Dungeon? Am I raiding a castle?" Mason jokingly asked.

Kira rolled her eyes as she pointed to a map on the wall. It depicted the layout of the land, and marked various points, including mystery dungeons. "No, we call them 'dungeons' or 'mystery dungeons'. Places that have been cursed to forever change without exceptions, Pokémon explore them to find treasure or to rescue Pokémon who wander into them. Ferals populate them, and the deeper you go, the more… strange things begin to happen."

"Define strange."

"Visions of the future, past, or locations foreign to this world, voices in your head. Some say that they find curiosities that don't seem to be from this world… and there are more effects and things still discovered to this day. It's a frontier, one that I doubt has an end. Makes me tired just thinking about it."

Mason looked at the map, pulling a weird looking rectangle out of his pocket. It seemed to glow for a moment as he pushed things seemingly on its glowing surface, before it suddenly went black. He put it back in his pocket, what was that? Some sort of human thing?

Curiosity took hold, beating down my restlessness for now. "What did you just do?"

"Oh uh… where would I even begin…" he took whatever it was back out of his pocket. It started to glow again as he seemingly pushed things on its flat surface again, before stopping, and gesturing for me to come over.

I looked confusedly at it, the map on the wall looked to be now on this weird rectangle. Smaller, but still readable. He then turned it around and looked to push something else. My eye hurt for a second as a bright light came from this strange object.

Mason turned it around again, I widened my eye in shock as I stared at what looked to be me. Like a painting, but done instantly in some kind of light. Every detail was perfect, including the area behind me.

"What is that- thing?" I asked in wonder.

"Human technology at some of it's finest, can't explain to you how it works though without confusing you more… I'm only comfortable using it because I found something else in my bag that will be able to charge this thing. Otherwise, know that this thing can run out of energy. And then it becomes useless."

"How does someone even be able to begin to make such a thing?"

He put it back in his pocket, an embarrassed look on his face. "Afraid I don't know, I'm just an average guy. All I can tell you is that it's fragile, and that it costs way more to buy one than what it costs to make them."

"You won't need such a thing," Kira began. "However, you are allowed to bring it and whatever you else want."

"So I'll be doing it alone?"

Lloyd got up, along with Ronin and Kira. "We'll have to ask Ace when we get there. Odds are you'll have a team of three or four though. And I would expect a fight if I were you, should probably bring whatever human-made weaponry you have. Just don't do anything that I can't heal."

"Roger that," Mason started going back up the stairs but stopped short. "Hey wait, Scarlet, have you done this test before?"

I remembered I hadn't, mostly because I had to reason to for most of my life. Better late than never I suppose. "No, perhaps I could try and do it with you. I might need the badge and benefits later."

"Eh, alright. I'll be right back after I decide what I'm bringing along for the ride then." Mason disappeared upstairs, probably wondering which of his human contraptions to attempt to impress us with next.

Kira seemed to notice my growing discomfort judging by the way she was looking at me. A worried expression, hand to chin, and her rapidly approaching stride. She stopped just in front of me. "Are you alright?"

"My blade is dull because of what happened in the Guild… I just need a smooth rock or something to sharpen it myself."

She nodded before going into the kitchen area. The closest I could compare would be having dead skin for fleshy types, except it couldn't be removed without a fight. And it would preferably be done by someone else…

"Here," she handed me a decently large decorative rock. "Will this work?"

I bowed slightly as I unsheathed my blade. "Yes, thank you."

I held the rock in my ribbon, not the most heavy thing, nor the most tedious thing to keep around for later should I need it. I'll ask later if I could have one like it, or to keep it. I put the rock to my blade-

"Alright, I'm ready." Mason announced as he jumped off the staircase and landed next to me. I nearly dropped the rock in surprise, kept only in my ribbon because of its weight. Relief flowed through me as I sighed, now I'll have to do this on the move…

Ronin and Lloyd touched their badges, a glow started to permeate from them. Ronin flashed a smile to Kira. "See you in a flash." their words barely made it to us before they disappeared.

"We should be going as well, who knows what they'll get themselves into without us." Kira giggled as my vision faded. The air became colder and less claustrophobic, the noises of the Guild's lobby coming in full force.

"Ah, who do we have here?" a Malamar behind the counter asked.

Kira glanced at me and Mason. "Two fine Pokémon hoping to do the test today."

"Righto, can I get your name?"

"Scarlet of the Etyth Mountain Fortress." I mumbled.

He seemed rather shocked for a moment before writing something down on some sort of board. "So you're… ah, I see. No matter, you both can make your way to the training area where Ace will be. He'll handle the rest."

The Guild wasn't busy, few Pokémon darted through the hallways or were taking their time with whatever they had on their hands. We passed by a team that came inside from the training area, looking rather tired with whatever they were doing. I still needed to sharpen myself. The feeling was becoming unbearable.

Whatever notion I could've had about the training area being underdeveloped vanished as we entered. The sounds of power wrapped around us from those that were currently training or battling, occasional yelling piercing through it.

An Inteleon with a Guild Leader badge stood amongst the organized chaos, he saw Mason and smiled. "Back on your feet I see, perfect. I also see you have a new friend, there is just one thing we need to make sure of first…"

"And what would that be, Ace?" Mason asked defensively.

Ace gestured to the various training Pokémon around us. "Why the combat test of course! We can't just throw people into the mystery dungeon without at least testing their basic abilities."

"So… uh... who would we be fighting then?"

"Me, but I'll be going easy on you both. It's only a combat awareness test, the real stuff will be during the actual run of the mystery dungeon."

Mason stared at him, mouth slightly agape. "Uh where are we doing this?"

"Here," Ace glanced at Kira and pointed to the side. "I'd recommend you stand clear just in case."

She nodded and walked over, leaving me and Mason standing side by side. Facing this town's Guild Leader in a two on one battle was not something I expected from this…

Except I was STILL BLUNTED.

"Mason, can you do something for me please?"

He glanced at me, seeing the rock in my sash. "Yea?"

"Look, you don't have any powers, and I'm currently blunted and can't cut through anything. Can you just hit him real hard with me please and get this over with?"

He looked at me with a confused expression. "You want me to… oh, wield you like an actual sword?"

"Please do, just spare me the embarrassment." I was getting even more impatient, at least I can guide his hand should I need to.

Mason took hold of the handle, I could tell he didn't have a tight enough grip. "You don't have to be afraid of hurting me unless an attack hits the area around where your hand currently is… you know what, let me help."

I tossed the rock to Kira and gripped Mason's right arm with my ribbon. It glowed briefly as I lent him some knowledge on how to swing a sword a little better than a rookie. Hopefully it'll be enough, on my own I can barely do anything with a blunted blade. All Honedge are and should be taught that.

"Begin." Ace said as he pointed a finger at us.

Mason started circling around our opponent slowly, probably waiting for Ace to make a move. He jabbed me forward at Ace's chest as his finger began to glow bright blue. I pulled Mason out of the way of the water pulse, scrambling forward to make some pressure.

[Get this over with, just hit him in the head or something.] I impatiently said to him.

Mason shook his head. [Nearly got hit by playing aggressive, be patient, I'm waiting for an opening.] He started circling around again, keeping some kind of stance at the ready. Ace narrowed his eyes and pointed at us again. Mason charged at him but kept me to the side. What was he doing?

Ace jumped in the air again, Mason's arm flexed, oh now I see… I let him go with my ribbon as he threw me at him. Ace's tail grabbed me, I seized his arm with my ribbon and siphoned some energy. Bits of my blade seemed to sharpen back up, maybe I won't need the rock after all-

The glow of a water pulse hit me, I grunted in pain and landed on the ground with a thud. I readied myself again, seeing Mason take something off his own waist with one arm as he pulled Ace towards him with the other.

Ace's tail swung around towards Mason's feet. He hunkered down in his stance, a grunt escaping him as it collided. Mason pulled him closer, his other hand with the weird rectangle on collision course with Ace's chest.

A cackling filled the air as Ace started to convulse with electricity. He grunted in intense pain before the cackling stopped falling over. Arceus above this took FAR too long. The effects seemed to go somewhat away, though I could tell he would be feeling that for the rest of the day.

"What in blazes was that?" Ace croaked out as Kira healed him.

Mason had some sort of black rectangle in his hand again, though it didn't look quite like the other one he has. "A stun-gun, one of my… tools." the cackling of electricity came from it before he attached it back to his waist. "I have some basic hand-to-hand training, though I doubt it would've worked on you."

"So I take it you're familiar with this sort of thing, chap?"

He nervously smiled. "Well I do- did, deal with criminals as my job. I try to be efficient like my dad taught me."

"I wasn't expecting that, so you got me there." he stood back up and dusted himself off. "I say it's time to get this party started, what about you two chaps?"

"Not before I ask Mason to help me with something after." I took the rock back, Kira had put it on the ground to treat Ace's injuries. "Do you see blunted bits on my blade?" I nearly whispered to him.

"What about them?"

"Can you scrape at them with that after we get to the mystery dungeon?" I gestured to the rock he now held in his hand.

He had an unsure look on his face. What wasn't straightforward about that? "Uh, sure I guess… am I allowed to ask why you can't do it yourself and right now?"

"Because it's muckin' embarrassing, that's why." I hissed quietly. "It's like an itch you can't scratch, every second is making me more irritable and I swear now couldn't have been a worse time for this-"

I must've struck a nerve, his tone blackened in tone like mine. "Alright I get it, calm down. Stop being so damn aggressive and learn some bloody patience. I'm still new to this whole thing." With a sigh, I slid my sheath back on as he frustratedly tossed the rock between his hands.

"Sorry," I blurted out.

"Just promise me you'll try to keep a cool head at the very least. Trust me when I say people die when they don't." I nodded, earning a tentative smile from him. He put the rock in some pouch on his waist clothing. "Remind me to uh… 'sharpen' you later."

"And you can trust me when I say that you will never hear the end of it." I sarcastically answered. He snickered as he sat on some sort of seat.

I noticed that the Malamar was here, talking with Ace and Kira about something. I could only guess it had to do with the test, maybe Mason surprised him more than he initially thought. A voice appeared in my mind, giving me the instruction of meeting in the center of the area.

"That felt weird…" Mason muttered as he rose from the seat. The Malamar must've given everyone the announcement.

"As psychic powers usually do."

Ace now had a small crowd of Pokémon around him, he stepped up onto something and spoke as we approached. "Gather around chaps, we're heading out to the mystery dungeon now. Remember who you're with. Rules are simple; get to the end and collect your badges and get out as fast as possible. If I or anyone else catch any of you cheating by taking another team's badges or being general nuisances then you'll be removed. Understand?"

Some raised their hands, some hollered, others kept silent and nodded. Ace carefully looked over everyone. "Good luck, see you chaps on the other side."

A brilliant glow briefly took my vision. My sight returning to find ourselves on the side of a cliff overlooking a large swath of land that had ruins all over it.

Mason stared in shock at them. "Those are…"

"Those are what?"

He shook his head, looking a little on edge suddenly. "It's nothing, they reminded me of something."

Whatever was bothering him clearly stayed, Ace was talking, though I didn't quite care. I stared more at the ruins that dotted the landscape, seeing a tall building that looked to have been created of metal and some sort of rock that was grey, covered now in vines and moss.

Mason seemed to snap himself out of his stupor, returning to the crowd. Something still was off, and it was more than just my blunted blade.