Chapter 7: Celadon City

Lucario knew they were all in a bad predicament. Sure, they were heading to Celadon City without all the extra walking, but now they were officially prisoners and who knew what awaited them. They were currently in the back of a carriage, not able to see anything except themselves and the wooden interior of the carriage itself.

"Well, I can't say this is the worst predicament I've been in, but I'd say we're in trouble…" Dagran said.

"Gee, you don't say…" Syrenne muttered. "Platinum huh… these hunters are getting smarter…"

"Well, on the bright side, at least we'll still be able to reach Celadon City," Mirania said with a slight smile. The sudden silence caused her to cough slightly in slight embarrassment.

"Until we get out of this net, there's not much we can do," Aaron said thoughtfully. "No doubt they'll have plenty of men to detain us even if we tried to bolt. We'll just have to try to talk to the leader and see what he wants."

"King Hector would not approve of this," Mirania said somewhat bitterly. "I will demand to see this 'leader' and ask him politely to let us go or suffer the wrath of the king himself."

"Might not be such a good idea," Aaron said. "Remember, Viridian is looking for you and if these hunters find out, they'll sell us all out and then we're definitely finished."

It wasn't long before the carriage came to a stop. "Guess we're here already…" Dagran said.

The door opened in the back and they were greeted by the same hunter as before. "Sorry to do this to you, but we don't want to take any chances once we open that net…" He then glanced to someone beside him. "Let them get some much needed rest Chimecho." They then saw the Chimecho appear before them and it wasn't long before they all grew drowsy and unable to fight it they fell asleep.


Once Lucario opened his eyes, he saw they were no longer in the net but now in a prison cell. "Did everyone just wake up?" he asked.

"I was the first," Dagran said. "Seems like our friends didn't want to put up a fight after all. Unfortunately, even if we did get out, other than being unarmed, I don't any of us know our way around this city."

They then looked at Mirania. "I'm sorry," she said. "The last time I was here I was only about fourteen and I didn't really get to look around, so I won't be much help either."

"These bars are pretty strong too," Syrenne said. "I swear, if they lay a finger on Ema…" It was then Lucario realized the small electric-type wasn't with them.

They then heard a door open up front. "I guess now it's time we try bargaining with them," Aaron said.

A man then entered the dungeon, accompanied by two guards. Judging by the clothes he was wearing, he seemed higher up than a regular hunter. "So you are the group I heard so much," he said. "Yes, you may have promise after all."

"So you're the ringleader behind all this?" Syrenne asked. "You know it's a little rude to go around and abduct people."

"Oh, I don't abduct people, at least not ordinary citizens," the man said. "Although I do find it strange that a group of soldiers are on their own heading towards Celadon City."

"I don't suppose there's a way we can bargain out of this situation?" Aaron asked.

The man paused. "…I suppose I can make a fair trade. However, in order to do that, you'll have to win the tournament. Every month in Celadon City there's a large tournament that pits the mightiest against one another. If one of you enters and wins the whole tournament, I may be willing to release you all."

"And if we refuse?" Mirania asked.

The man shrugged. "Then we can find uses for all of you, one way or another. So… what's it going to be?"

"I'll do it," Lucario said.

"Lucario…" Aaron seemed a bit surprised. "Are you sure about this?"

"I can handle it."

The man eyed him slowly. "Hmm… so you are a Lucario? Never seen one before but… yes, this could work well. Very well." He then opened the door and Lucario came out. "I will have to warn you the tournament goes quick and you won't have much time to rest."

"I said I can handle it," Lucario growled.

The man smiled smugly. "Let's hope you can." The two of them then left the dungeon.

"Well… he's a brave one," Dagran said. He then looked at Aaron. "You didn't really attempt to stop him."

"Because I know he already had a plan in mind," Aaron said. "If anyone, I think Lucario can pull it off."

"But depending on how many opponents he faces, it has to wear down on him," Mirania said.

"That's true, but Lucario has a special ability: the more damage he takes, the more powerful his aura grows, meaning that if he's losing against a foe, his attacks become stronger."

"Even so, it'll still take a toll on him," Syrenne said.

"Perhaps… but it's the only chance we have. Meanwhile, we should try to find a way out of here," Aaron said.

Suddenly, the door opened again. "Now what?" Dagran asked.

"Now look here, you have to understand, when the woman said she was dating a prison guard, who takes that seriously? Of course, I didn't realize she was serious and you just happened to be her-"

"Oh shut up!" Suddenly, the guard, who was carrying a young man with blonde hair who was wearing dark clothing and a brown scarf around his neck, tossed him into the opposite cell facing them before locking it.

"Oh come on, this is a bit excessive don't you think!?" The man then sighed and looked out. "Oh well… at least I'll have some company here…wait… Syrenne?"

"…Zachary?"

"Wait a minute, you two know each other?" Dagran asked.

"You could say that…" Syrenne said.

"Well, isn't this quite the coincidence?" Zachary said with a grin. "I'm actually surprised to find you here."

"I'm not," Syrenne said with slight annoyance. "You just can't keep your hands off of other women can you?"

"In my defense, I really did think she was joking," Zachary said. "I mean, she's a nice-looking woman but she obviously has poor taste in men."

"So… how do you two know each other again?" Mirania asked.

"It's nothing-"

"Well, my friend, since you're so curious, Syrenne and I used to have a thing going on," Zachary said. "Of course, that was years ago but I don't let it bring me down. Other fish in the sea, as they always say."

"And look where that's gotten you," Syrenne said. "And for the record, there was no 'thing', there was no flare or anything." She then groaned. "Can this day get any worse?"

"As a matter of fact, I think it's about to get better," Zachary said. He then looked down to his scarf. "You can come out now Fi."

What was then a scarf was now what appeared to be a Furret which had been wrapped around his neck. "I have to give her credit," Syrenne said. "The fact that she is the only female that hasn't left you is quite the feat."

"Hey, that's a bit harsh don't you think?" Zachary said, petting the Furret. "Fiona is the one getting us out of here." He then showed them a key. "Swiped this from one of the other guards when he wasn't looking and luckily they didn't consider Fi too valuable to keep, but I know better." He then opened his door. "Of course, if you want to stay in there that's fine with me too."

Syrenne gritted her teeth slightly. "…Much appreciated."

"There we go," Zachary said as he opened their door. "Now then, anyone else we need to get before we take off?"

"There's one, but he was taken somewhere else," Aaron said.

"Ah, the coliseum no doubt," Zachary said. "Once we find our gear and break out, we'll have to be quick. The place will be crawling with guards. Luckily, I've been around the city a few times…"


Meanwhile, Lucario was in a large room where a large door stood in front of him. He could hear an announcer behind them but couldn't pick out all the words. He knew his time was coming soon.

There were two reasons he volunteered himself for this tournament. One, he knew he stood the best chance of winning. Not that he thought himself better than his human counterparts, but he was an unknown to these people, and he could use that to his advantage. The second was that he hoped to last long enough to give Aaron and the others a chance of finding a way to escape, however that may be. He soon heard the announcer's voice grow in volume and the audience started to cheer. The doors then started to open and Lucario quietly stepped outside.

The coliseum was larger than he expected, and the crowd even more so. Everyone was cheering and Lucario couldn't help but feel disgusted. Is this how humans really thought of fighting and violence; as entertainment? He knew not all humans were good, the hunters of before as proof of that, but these were regular citizens. Or at least, most of them were.

"And now our newest challenger, Lucario, shall begin his journey through this tournament, but will he make it to the end? His first challengers approach!"

Challengers? So, it wouldn't be one on one after all. This didn't surprise Lucario but that suddenly changed when his opponents first appeared. The first was a man clad in full armor, almost like a gladiator, and carrying a large sword and shield. That wasn't what concerned him. It was the Arcanine that came in afterwards.

Lucario flinched slightly. He did not do well with fire, but perhaps they knew that? It didn't matter; it was now a fight for survival. "I hope you can get here soon Sir Aaron…"


(A/N: First of all, I apologize for the long wait. As I said before, school just started again for me and I've been crazy busy so unfortunately I may not be able to upload as frequently, and unfortunately this chapter is a little bit shorter than I wanted but what can you do? I'll do my best to find free time but it won't be often. Anyway, hope you enjoyed the chapter and stay tuned!)

FoxMcCloud7921