Chapter 9: Confrontation

Jason woke up and found himself back at the room he stayed at the guild. He sat up and the first thing he noticed was Wilfred, who was asleep by the door with a large leaf as a blanket. Then, he remembered the events that transpired yesterday.

"Since we can't afford another one of Jason's solitary walks, we'll have Wilfred on watch duty," Cindy said as she placed a bunch of books on the small desk.

"Sorry about that," Jason felt guilty about it and apologized. Then, he picked up one of the books and stared at the cover for a moment.

"That book contains the guild's rules and guides. I thought you should read it since someone can use a help or two," Cindy smiled as she dipped a towel in a small basin full of water.

"I heard that!" Wilfred came in with lots of berries on a wooden tray. As soon as Wilfred placed the berries next to the books, Jason grabbed one and ate it.

"I'm not the only one who's going to eat, right?" Jason said as he finished the berry he was eating.

"We better grab some before he eats all of it," Wilfred happily said and grabbed a berry on the tray.

"I guess I'll take you up on that offer," Cindy grabbed a berry with her mouth and joined the others.

Jason grabbed a book nearby and started flipping through the pages. He stopped at the page where he stopped reading yesterday. Then, Cindy came in with a tray full of stuff that she kept balancing on her head.

"Having fun reading books?" Cindy asked as she placed the tray beside Jason's bed.

"I guess so," Jason flipped another page of the book. Cindy noticed Jason's concentration on the book and she glanced at the cover of the book.

"You seem to be interested in that book. The guild master wrote that one," Cindy said and she went by Jason to look at the content of the book.

"Really?" Jason's gaze never left the book as he flipped another page.

"Yeah. He's actually an adventurous Pokémon. He travelled to a lot of places before he got this place built," Cindy said.

"I wonder why he had this guild built," Jason asked as he placed the book down.

"I'm not sure about the exact reason. Now then, let me check those wounds."

Meanwhile, Elaine just went out of the dining hall when she bumped into the guild master.

"S-Sir!" Elaine bowed down as a sign of respect to the guild master.

"Hello, Elaine. Have you seen my son?" the guild master asked.

"He should be guarding Jason in one of the rooms in the ward, sir," Elaine said while still keeping her bowing gesture.

"Can you go and get him? I'll need both of you at the Interrogation Room later. There are things that need to be discussed," the guild master said.

"Y-Yes, sir!" Elaine quickly bolted to the ward. She stopped in front of Jason's room and went inside. Wilfred, who is already awake, is chatting with Cindy and Jason.

"Hey, Wilfred. Your father asked me to come and get you. He needs us at the Interrogation Room," Elaine said.

"What for?"

"I think it's about what happened yesterday."

"Oh," Wilfred stood up from his position.

"See you later!" With a wave, Wilfred left the room with Elaine.

"Looks like I'll be watching you for a while," Cindy let out a sigh.

"Sorry to bother you," Jason said after realizing the situation.

"Don't worry. Besides, I have to ask you something."

"What is it?"

"Do you remember more about yourself?"

Jason gave a negative response.

"I hope you can remember more soon," Cindy said.

Meanwhile, Wilfred and Elaine arrived in front of the interrogation room and entered the door on their left. As they entered, they saw the guild master and Mark, who still has bandages around his arms and torso.

"Dad!" Wilfred said.

"Mark, what are you doing here?" Elaine asked.

"Well, my brother is being interrogated on the other side," Mark said as he pointed at the window.

Elaine and Wilfred looked through the window, which is covered by some sort of barrier, and saw a Pansear and a Zangoose, who is wearing a blue cap.

"For your information, the barrier will let us see and hear the others on the other side but they won't be able to see or hear us," the guild master happily explained to the three.

"That's the Pansear Jason defeated yesterday. I guess Officer Cole will take him away soon," Wilfred said.

"Wait! He's your brother?" Elaine was shocked when she realized what Mark has said. Mark nodded and looked at the guild master.

"I'm sorry for what my brother did," Mark apologized.

"Are you sure you want this to happen to your brother?" the guild master asked Mark, who looked down, not being able to respond.

"I guess we're done here," the Zangoose on the other side of the window stood up, picked his notebook on the desk, and left the room. The Pansear was left sitting on his chair. The guild master asked Elaine and Wilfred a few questions about what happened yesterday. Wilfred and Elaine answered the guild master with accurate information based on what they saw. A few moments later, the door opened in the room where Wilfred and the others are.

"I'll be taking him, along with the Litleo, into our custody soon. Is it okay with you, Guild Master Sigmund?" the Zangoose said as he entered the room.

"Can it wait, officer?" the guild master looked at Mark, who was clenching his fist.

"Why is that?" the officer asked. Then, Mark ran towards the door, which startled the officer as he ran by. A few seconds later, Mark appeared at the room on the other side of the window. Martin looked at him with an intense gaze as Mark approached him.

"I've been worried that you suddenly went missing. Then, when I finally had a lead on you, I learned that you're involved in something like this. Why?" Mark clenched his fists as he looked at Martin, who was also doing the same.

"You know why!" Martin slammed his fist on the table. "Ever since you and Marx left me behind, everyone thinks I'm too weak to start on my own journey!"

"You know that's not true. You know that you have to stay because…."

"Mom's not around anymore."

"I know." Mark sighed and his gaze was fixed on the table for a moment before he looked back to Martin. "Marx sent me a letter about it."

There was a moment of silence before Martin spoke again.

"Then, why didn't you came home that day?"

"I wanted to but there was an emergency back then. I stayed here because I need to. I already sent you a letter about it too! But when I was able to come home a few days after, Marx is the only one who greeted me and told me what happened."

"About how he knocked me out easily because he had the type advantage?"

"No! Marx told me that you went into a rampage because I wasn't there. He had to knock you out to stop you."

"That Panpour is a liar," Martin crossed his hands.

"Marx is not the only one there, Martin!" Mark shouted. "I don't believe this. Why did you do all of this? Did that Litleo convinced you to do all of this?"

"No! Ken didn't do that!" Martin stood and he swung his arm. "When I met Ken, he was being bullied by other Pokémon. He kinda reminded me of myself that's why I helped him."

Martin sat down on his chair and crossed his arms again. Mark looked at him seriously but Martin just averted the Pansage's gaze.

"That's when I had this crazy idea to get strong. I thought back then that if Ken and I battle a lot of Pokémon, we'll get stronger in no time." Martin said.

"But why only grass-types?"

"Because of the type advantage. If we can easily beat a lot of Pokémon, we'll quickly grow stronger. I even forced them to fight us."

"That's not fair, Martin!" Mark shouted.

"I know. Ken even tried to talk me about it but I told him it's the only way we'll get stronger."

"That's not true. While working here in the guild, I've learned that there are many ways to reach your goal. We dedicate ourselves and we train hard so that we can be strong so that others can rely on our help." Mark proudly said. "Besides, I know I can rely on others because I know they have my back."

Martin looked at Mark for a second before he looked at the side. He crossed his arms and said "I guess so. I must've realized that somehow when that Snivy took both of us down."

"You mean Jason?"

"Jason, huh." Martin said as he seemingly memorized that name. "Anyway, I guess I'll be in the slammer for a long time."

Just then, Mark went near Martin and hugged him briefly.

"When you get out, how about I train you and Ken during my spare time? It's the least I can do for you." Mark said.

"You don't have to go that far. Anyway, I'm sorry for what I did to you."

"It's nothing. I must say, you've improved since the last time." Mark said and smiled.

"You don't have to flatter me." Martin said as he slowly raised his hand before curling it into a fist. "A little fist bump for old time's sake?"

"Sure, brother. Why not?" Mark said as he raised his own fist and bumped it with Martin's fist. Martin smiled, which made Mark smile even more.

Meanwhile, Wilfred and the others witnessed everything on the other side of the window.

"I guess that's family for you. I guess I miss my own family," Officer Cole mentioned.

Elaine and Wilfred noticed that the guild master was smiling. After a few moments, the guild master faced the officer.

"How about I take them under my care, Officer Cole?" the guild master said, which shocked everyone else in the room.

"Sir, are you sure about that?" the Zangoose asked.

The guild master nodded and said "I know they did a lot, officer, but I can tell that they can change for the better. They'll be my responsibility and I'll guide them under my watch."

Officer Cole thought about it for a while before he said "I guess that's fine. Your reputation precedes you, Guild Master Sigmund."

"It's nothing. Besides, our goal was to set an example and guide other Pokémon, isn't it?" the guild master smiled.

"I guess so. I'd better go back to report and do the paperwork," the Zangoose said as he reached for the door.

"Your father is amazing, Wilfred! I can't believe he's willing to take some outlaws under his care," Elaine said as she smiled at Wilfred. "I guess I'd better tell them."

Elaine went to the door and left the room, leaving Wilfred and his father behind. The two of them watched as Elaine entered the room on the other side of the window and explained the guild master's decision to Mark and Martin. Both Mark and Martin jumped in joy as they celebrated together.

"I can still remember the things you told me, dad. You told me how circumstances can change someone. You told me that I should place myself in their shoes so that I could understand them," Wilfred said as he looked to his father, who looked back with a smile.

"There are many things to learn in this world, Wilfred. Still, there are some things you can only learn by experiencing it by yourself. That's how we grow," the guild master said.

"I'll try to remember that, dad!" Wilfred happily exclaimed as he proudly raised his hand.

"Anyway, how is Jason?" the guild master asked.

"He's fine. He's getting some rest and I hope he doesn't go out again without permission."

"Just keep an eye out for him."

"I will, dad. He is my partner, after all. I need to go, dad." Wilfred said as he approached the door.

"I'll see you later."

Wilfred left the room. The guild master stood by the window for a while before he looked at the window.

"After hearing several statements, I wonder if Jason is even new to this stuff," the guild master muttered to himself.