As usual, let me know what you think of the story thus far.
Also, in case you don't know who this Decidueye is, check the end of chapter 3 and you'll find where he originated from.
Fun researching fact; did you know that the wallet was invented in the 1300s? I sure as hell didn't until I wrote this chapter lmao.
Two brothers sat back to back to a tree in the middle of a forest. Both tired from recent excursions and battles with ferals. But stress plagued one of their minds, bubbling to the surface as resentment invaded his demeanor.
"Tell me, Luson, can you even remember why we started doing this?" the frustrated Decidueye asked.
The sly Zoroark scoffed, offended that his brother would even insinuate that he forgot such an important moment. "Of course I remember, brother dear. I just don't want it to sit and reflect on it."
"Why not?" the Decidueye asked.
"Because," the Zoroark's form twisted the churned, the form of a Greninja becoming his mask. "Like you drilled into me a thousand times, we tried every other way, and this is the only one that works for us."
Luson's mask smiled, stretching out as he loudly yawned. The Decidueye sighed wearily with his frustration creeping away. "I worry for you... every plan I create has your particular set of skills taken into account, and yet the only constant about it is that you break it-"
"I know where this is going, Fin, and I really don't appreciate it. All these years it has been you and me, you'd really think I'd lose faith in your decision making abilities now?"
Fin's posture slumped. "As of late… I'm not so sure."
"Ouch," Luson's original form revealed itself with a scowl present. "Has this situation been that serious to you? I find it-"
The Decidueye scowled back intensely. "Remember who hired us. Failure this time around isn't just going to mean we miss the opportunity to get paid. No, this whole thing will get us killed if we do not exercise extreme care into our moves."
"I was the one who got us this gig, I know of the consequences for failure. I just don't care. You should try that sometime, it relieves a lot of pent up stress." the Zoroark suggested.
Fin sighed, getting up as he began to walk away. "I'm going into Narkin, do you want anything?"
"Some blast seeds, please." The Zoroark's brother nodded silently, getting further and further away from the still sitting Luson. He slowly rose from his position, his illusions already blending him in with his surroundings.
While Fin's brother watched over him from afar, one silently dreaded the coming storm, while the other could barely wait for it.
My time with this human has taught me something.
That despite having no power over the elements to their name naturally, they'll happily find some other way to get something done. Such is my experiences with his need to create things to substitute for his lack of them. Apparently he didn't like the idea of not having a backup option in close quarters, despite already having two weapons that could outright kill a Pokémon in a single strike.
Mason had just finished eating breakfast, we had discussed what our plan for the day was going to be beforehand. Lloyd and Ronin would go scouting for the relic cache's location while the rest of us went into town and geared up. For some odd reason, Mason immediately went into the brush the very second after Ronin stopped talking.
He came back with a sizable branch and a lot of green foliage. Saying something about 'camouflage' and how it'll be amazing for a later situation. He then gestured to me with the branch and asked me if I could sharpen one end of it.
And at this point, I had no reason to say no. "Sure."
"Thanks." he put the branch down in front of me. I could've sworn he whispered something else after turning away.
There was some shift in his attitude, like he couldn't wait to show something off. Minutes flew past of him and Kira attempting to create something with the copious amount of greenery he pilfered from the forest. Something sparked in his eyes, his creation was nearing completion and the smile he wore was hard to describe.
Mason picked it up, inspecting whatever they just created. "It's finished, and if we created this correctly…" he flew it around himself, donning the odd mix of shrubbery and moss like some kind of cloak. In one motion, he dropped to the ground and laid down flat on his stomach. "Would you be able to tell me apart if I went and hid in the woods?" he asked, his voice muffled by this odd creation.
"Not by eyesight, but some Pokémon don't need that to find you," Kira answered. Eying whatever she helped create with great interest.
"Oh, I know." he rolled over and stretched out. "But if they don't know what they're looking at, it won't matter." Carefully he got up and dusted himself off.
Some part of me was curious again. Whatever this creation was, he seemed very fond of its idea. "Do you humans use these sorts of tricks a lot?"
"Funnily enough that'd be a yes, but this isn't even close to the best sort of wearable camouflage we can create. This would normally be made as a full body suit, but seeing as I can't exactly do that right now… I'll have to settle for this weird mix of a cloak and sweater."
The curious part of me realized that this was human war tactics, or did they just wear this everywhere they went? "Would you normally wear this... 'camouflage' everywhere you go back in your world?"
"Hell no, these things are usually only when you need to sneak up on something and not be seen, or a sniper…" he trailed off, another look flashing across his eyes. "Sniper… yeah, I think I know what I want from the 'relic' cache."
"What exactly is a 'sniper'?" a familiar voice inquired. The voice's owner approached, the Gallade marching up with a level of careful curiosity in his eyes.
Mason crossed his arms. "The job? Or the weapon class?"
"The job."
He smirked, making a weird shape that reflected his weapon with his fist and fingers pointing it at Ronin. "Someone who uses guns to kill from concealed locations far away from the enemy." he rocked his hand back like it experienced recoil. "Typically they take out important targets, or cover an area."
"Your enemy doesn't even see you…" Ronin's expression darkened, cringing intensely. Kira got between them. She looked into the Gallade's eyes intently, probably talking to him with her abilities. He took a deep breath. "I'll just go get Lloyd."
The frustrated swordsman walked off, mumbling to himself as he went. Mason squinted. "Did I say something wrong?"
"He takes honor much too seriously for his own good." Kira answered. Sighing a little as she came back towards us.
I would've scowled if I could. Honor only governed those who weren't desperate to win. My blade rustled in its sheath, the metallic clanking drawing me back out of my thoughts. Maybe for the better, I doubted dwelling on such stupid things was good for ones mind.
The human shook his head with an emotion on his face that I couldn't describe. "I see… what about you?"
"Oh- I just do what I feel is right. Whether it be according to how I feel or the law itself is arbitrary." The Gardevoir doctor sighed wearily. "Ronin is just… bitter you could say. Him and Lloyd sometimes butt heads, and it can be annoying. I usually have to be the bearer of reason between the two of them. Guess my morals reflect that to some degree."
Mason softened his look and tone. "Did… uh… something happen to him?"
"We used to be wanderers before we met Lloyd. Mainly by ship and sails, and sometimes the occasional ride on the back of a dragon. It's how we ended up in Narkin." Something crept into her voice. "But what happened to us stays between us alone."
"Sorry," the human blurted.
"No, no, it's fine. Curiosity is natural, especially in your case. And I do have a question for you of equal intrusion."
Mason smiled. "What may it be?"
"What troubles your mind? I can tell that it's more than what happened to you and your father."
He stared into the ground, the smile faded away. Something darker grew on his face, stirring into his thoughts. "Me and my dad didn't always have the… best of relations. And I particularly wasn't exactly the most well behaved kid."
"Our past mistakes haunt us all. All we can do is try to move on from them." Kira sighed.
"Yeah…" Mason uncomfortably shifted. "I guess…"
The human turned his head away, staring into the ground to hide something that was troubling him. He brought up his hand, pulling the weird clothing piece on his head down, trying to veil his face. A part of me wanted to ask what was wrong. I barely held off, seeing his sudden jitteriness as a sign that he wouldn't answer anything I had to ask...
The Gardevoir's crystal briefly glowed a soft pink. A sigh escaped her as she rolled her eyes. "Ronin and Lloyd have already departed, and we should as well."
"Are we teleporting?" I asked.
She shook her head. "I can't teleport us to the inside of the Guild unless it's an emergency. Plus the town is only a short walk away."
"Why would a rule like that need to exist?" Mason asked, now awakened from his stupor.
"The odds of teleporting into someone are low, but never zero." She snapped her fingers for effect. "That risk only goes up with multiple Pokémon and I don't feel like gambling with lives, nor do I feel like invoking Merek's wrath. It's why we use the badges instead."
Mason grimaced. "Guessing you have a few stories to tell about that sort of thing…"
"Not any good ones," she stated in an indignant tone while staring out into the forest. A silence washed over us, one ripe with tension. I had no reason to break it. My questions were best saved for when it was appropriate, and when they were more willing to answer.
The human himself looked quite weirded out by the idea but stayed silent, the grimace from before rearing around once more. Slowly he walked towards the house, turning his head around to say something. "I just gotta put my- whatever I'm gonna call this thing back in the house."
"Make sure you bring ample means to defend yourself. We can't afford to be caught off-guard, especially since we decided to split up." Kira called after him. Eliciting the thumb of his right hand to be pointed upwards towards the sky while he clasped the rest of his fingers into a fist.
What an odd gesture it was, probably yet another human thing I'd have to ask about.
Kira chuckled. "Your confusion and curiosity is almost as potent as his, though at least Mason tries to hide it under layers of wariness-"
"Silence, empath," I demanded. Waving around the tip of my sheathed blade towards her. "Without your powers, I would remain an emotional enigma. Stay out of my mind."
A loud sigh came from the Gardevoir. "For a Chosen… you're rather brash and undisciplined."
"I did not ask for my role, and I do not want it either. I will act how I wish." I retorted while my ribbon waved in the light wind.
Kira shook her head. "You've come all this way, for what? To dodge your responsibilities? You can say it's not your problem all you want, it eventually will be. And nobody will be there to help you."
"The responsibilities I choose to take on I will follow until the end, if you are saying that I will abandon this quest. And what did I say about going into my mind?"
"I never did," the doctor replied coldly. "Just an educated guess on something I've seen before. You've confirmed my suspicions, through your own words."
My blade rustled in its sheath, a part of me begrudgingly in respect. "Tch, you psychics and your mind games." I mumbled.
Kira looked to loosen up again, a smile grew back from the glare beforehand. She stayed silent, turning her gaze back to the house. My pride was laid low and with it my thoughts drifted back to her questions.
No, I will remain steadfast in what I set out to do. I will not succumb to the comments of a snarky Gardevoir that doesn't know the half of my struggles. I will not doubt my decisions. I will not waste any more of my time thinking about it...
I noticed the human was walking back, donning some new pieces of clothing. He didn't have the blue thing on his head, a light-grey hood took its place. What had stayed the same was the black clothing covering his legs and beneath the light-grey hood.
The metallic sheen of his weapon caught my attention, it was kept rigorously clean like some kind of religious object. Other things adorned his hip, including the 'stun-gun' he got Ace with.
Kira's smile brightened, "Let's get going, if you're lucky I might even be able to give you both a tour of Narkin."
"Do you sell blast seeds by any chance?" I asked. Trying my best to ignore the bumbling shopkeeper's clumsiness.
The Wobbuffet shook its head as it got off the floor from tripping on a crate full of berries. "Sorry, 'fraid someone came and bought the rest I had 'n stock."
Just wonderful, Luson wouldn't get off my back if I didn't come back with some. I went to exit the quaint building, stopping at the door when I heard the shopkeeper call out. "But someone 'n the square might be selling some, if you need 'em that bad."
"Thank you." I waved back to him as I made my way out. Pushing past a few Pokémon as I got onto the main road and took a deep breath. Hopefully that moron was telling me the truth, I'd rather not go on some chase around this town for damned blast seeds.
The heavy smell of salt was in the air, I'd expect nothing less from Narkin. The harbor-town known for its lucrative materials and upcoming arts. Most of the buildings were made of wood, others had more stone in the design. I couldn't have cared any less. My attention was drawn to the crowd of Pokémon around me, the noises all starting to blur together.
I barely noticed that I was in the town center, the only difference being the density of the crowd being distributed along the edges of the area. Temptation and muscle memory almost hand my talons grabbing at a nearby 'mon's loose wallet. I mentally reprimanded myself for the temporal lack of self-control.
I went stand to stand, tent to tent, building to building, finding absolutely nothing. Shame that despite the reputation this place had, I couldn't find any blast seeds. In my disappointment I found myself just behind the square, where the main docking area was. I sat on a bench and observed everything around me.
The afternoon sun was bearing down upon us all from a cloudless sky. The blue abyss of the ocean was in sight, ships from far off regions docking and leaving to who knew where. The salty air blew around me and ruffled my feathers in a light breeze, a little cold despite the rising temperature.
Four boats were currently docked. The two largest boats had the insignia of the Narkin Guild on them, used for exploration of water-based mystery dungeons or the transportation of Guild valuables. The other two were smaller, and from the way they looked, they seemed to be merchant ships.
Frustration crept through me, the moron at the store gave me information that led to nothing and now I have no blast seeds for Luson. He probably was observing me sit here, brooding, wasting time, collecting myself. I wouldn't give up the search that easily.
"And this here are the docks," a Gardevoir came around the corner, flanked by a Chosen Honedge and a- human.
I didn't dare look at them from anywhere other than the corner of my eyes. A chill went up my spine, subsiding after I remembered that they won't know who I am. Lloyd was absent. But I didn't know if it would stay like that for long.
The human stepped past her and gazed out across the busy area. "Pokémon use a lot of boats?"
"Not everything can be transported in bulk on the back of another Pokémon." the Gardevoir answered.
"Huh." The human pointed to a larger ship currently sailing out near the horizon. "Where do you think that ship set off to?"
"If I had to guess... a waterbound mystery dungeon."
The human's gaze briefly came over me, I kept silent as they continued. "Those exist? How do they work?"
"They are an extremely recent find, it's one of the reasons why Guild Teams are coming around from all over the world to check them out. Thus far, there have been reports of two of these sorts of dungeons, and Narkin is the closest port to them." the Gardevoir happily answered as she gestured for the both of them to follow her.
"Ah, so you're still researching them?" The human followed after her, the Honedge stared into my eyes.
I leaned back in my seat while I returned the glare. I kept my beak shut, saying anything right now would bring unwanted attention to me. The wind lapped at us while the Honedge continued its stare. Paranoia in my mind wondered if it knew something about me, or suspected anything. It's ribbon fluttered in the air, but still was it's body like it was a statue.
"Scarlet, hurry up," the human called to it's still companion. Scarlet finally decided to move along, leaving me alone to wonder where to go from here.
I deflated in my seat, I could very well just find some blast seeds somewhere else... but the temptation was there…
With a quiet groan I got up and kept them in view as they slowly made their way around the square. Quite a lot of Pokémon took notice of the human, their expressions ranging from fearful to shocked at its sight. I could see it shy away from them, trying to hide its own face by pulling the hood on its head more down.
A small part of me pitied it's situation. But the rest of me knew it was only a matter of time before me and Luson would get to it, then its misery would finally be at an end. I didn't care what our employer wanted of this human, only that my brother and I would get safe passage out of this region.
I remembered Luson joking around throughout the whole meeting like he didn't care at all. I was stuck there, frozen, praying to Arceus that it was some cruel dream. I was thankful that our employer didn't care at all, so long as we dealt with this otherworldly stranger as fast as possible.
That damned 'mon, I didn't even get to see what it was… only the name it used… Arwin.
"These scarfs and bands do different things while you're in mystery dungeons," Kira began as she picked up a purple scarf. "The energy in the mystery dungeons is hard to understand, but it is able to be harnessed through these runes imbued onto objects you hold or wear."
I pointed to the one she was holding. "So what does that one do?"
"Oh, this? Absolutely nothing. But that band right there lets the holder teleport short distances, and from the face you just made, I'd wait before you ask for one. There are plenty of things that you could use. From looplets and emera, to wands and throwable equipment with more inbetween."
I noticed Scarlet was staring at something that'd looked to go around your bicep, but with four indents on it that looked to be for something. With a shrug, I looked around at all the possibilities that surrounded me. "What would be your opinion on something that'd work best for me?"
"Probably what you first thought was good, ironically. Along with a blast wand, with maybe a few iron thorns and blast seeds for good measure. And as for you, Scarlet, a shield band will go a long way." Kira said as she picked up a purple scarf and a red band before making her way to where a bunch of sticks with weird glowing bits on them were.
Teleportation sounded like it'd make me extremely efficient at surprising would-be assailants. And there wasn't much reason for me to oppose anything she said, I knew nothing about this sort of thing after all.
Kira sighed annoyedly. "There aren't any blast seeds, ugh. I think I know somewhere we can get them."
"Are they usually a scarcity?"
"Only when you don't want them to be," she mumbled as she paid for everything. The Wobbuffet shopkeeper nodded at the amount she gave before she led us outside once more. "There is one place I can think of that might have them- you both should put these on as well."
She handed me the purple 'scarf' that looked more akin to a bandana if anything. It had a weird insignia on it, sewn into the 'scarf' itself. I tied it around my neck, where my skin touched this new clothing piece… felt… odd.
I couldn't dwell on the feeling, snapped out of my stupor by her handing me a small pouch made of… leather I think. Inside were four 'iron thorns' that looked like stakes. One side looked incredibly sharp, guess this solved a few things.
Kira fasted the red band around Scarlet's hilt, the 'blast wand' floating ominously beside her. "Thanks for that," the red sentient sword said with a nod.
"It's no problem- oh, Mason, take the wand. It's not as effective as your weapon but is still a force to be reckoned with if your opponent is not careful. It can be used outside of a mystery dungeon." She outstretched her hand as it levitated over to me. I held it firmly in my right hand.
I felt power flowing around inside this odd stick. A smile broke out on me as I stifled some laughter. I was a wizard now technically.
"This way." Kira motioned for us to follow. I could feel the stares from the Pokémon around me as we walked. I felt much more confident this time, but I still reflexively pulled down my hood over my face.
We eventually ended up at a more… run-down looking place. We were on the outskirts of Narkin, very close to a beach. The wood that kept its structure looked cracked in places, and the glass windows were either shattered or incredibly dirty. Just before the front door was a balcony with a rocking chair off to the side, rocking slightly.
The Gardevoir approached, her bag lazily hung on her shoulder. A wind chime sounded out as the breeze briefly picked up.
"Is there something we should know about this place?" Scarlet asked worriedly.
Kira snapped her fingers. "Yes actually, the owner is another Zoroark."
"Oh," I muttered with a hint of disdain present.
"It's rude to talk about someone that's right in front of ya," a voice called out from the rocking chair. I turned my head, seeing a Zoroark with a weird white band on its right arm that had four indents.
Kira rolled her eyes and gave a friendly smile. "Mason, Scarlet, meet Salem. One of Ace's team members."
"Aye, that's me," she looked me and Scarlet up and down with a toothy grin present. "If I don't look as shocked as you've probably come to expect, it's because Ace already told me what the last couple of days brought in."
I chuckled. "I'm honestly glad someone isn't speechless at the sight of me for once."
"Heh, well before Kira tells ya, I sell things. That can be anything from relics to more trivial stuff. Depends on how I'm feelin' to be honest." she motioned for the door. "So what brings you three here anyway?'
Kira followed after her. "Blast seeds, Narkin at large is having trouble keeping supply of them recently."
I looked to Scarlet as she turned to me, I shrugged and followed after them both. The inside was not as run-down as I was expecting. The floors were relatively fine, and the walls, save for only a few planks, were completely okay.
For some odd reason, it gave off a homey feeling I couldn't shake.
"Alrighty, how many did ya need?"
Kira brought out a few coins. "Twenty, and a pouch to put them in."
I noticed an odd black case behind them, rectangular and rather slim. It didn't look anything like what I've seen Pokémon make thus far. Maybe it was a 'relic' that Salem found, and she hasn't figured out what it was yet. There looked to be a keyhole on it, one that I knew I recognized in design from modern day.
"Think fast."
My hand shot and caught the thrown object. The Zoroark chuckled at my unamusement, leaving me to wonder how they get leather for stuff like this pouch. A small lid kept the odd looking seeds inside, I made sure it was on right before tying it to my belt.
Kira waved to Salem as we left. "Thanks."
"It's no problem," Salem waved back, her grin ever present. "Stay safe you three, and human- er, Mason. If you ever want to come by and see what I got in terms of relics you might recognize, you're more than welcome to stop by again."
I flashed her a casual salute. "I'll keep that in mind, thanks."
We slowly left the outskirts behind, the sea still in sight and the salty air and slight breeze not changing. The hood on my head was becoming a nuisance to fix, so I took it off and slightly unbuttoned my sweater from the bottom up. The wind billowed in it as we walked.
Kira took us back to the square, the crowd from before still just as big as when we left. The stares were starting to annoy me instead of making me wish I was invisible. I was just minding my own business, couldn't they just continue about their day instead of making mine that much harder?
I slowly realized not all of everyone that was staring was doing so at me. Some were staring at Scarlet… maybe I should ask her what this whole 'Chosen' thing is later. I was oddly satisfied that I wasn't the only person getting this odd treatment.
"NOBODY MOVE."
I spun around in an instant, my revolver in hand and cocked. A Sableye had an iron thorn to the neck of a Oshawott, deathly scared for its life.
The Sableye's voice boomed again. "ROLL TO ME A WARP ORB OR THIS THORN IS GETTING BURIED IN THIS ONE'S SKULL."
My gun was raised, but the angle I had wouldn't work. With a deep breath… I knew what I needed to do. I'd have to either talk him down, or take the shot.
The Oshawott's young voice cracked as he spoke. "P- ple- please just let me go-"
"Shut up," The Sableye held him tighter. The cries of its hostage drowning down to nothing but faint whimpers.
My voice boomed out in a steady tone. "Let him go." The Sableye turned to me, an expression I couldn't read present. I had my angle.
"Aw, the thing wants to play hero with the Guild. What is that tiny metal thing even going to-"
The crack and boom of my weapon ripped around the entire square. Pokémon stepped back in fear and shock at the noise, I was surprised there wasn't mass panic or shouting.
Could I please just have a normal day?
