Awakening

The the two of them began the trip north as they started on their way to Blaziken's guild. It had been three days since the second rejection and Alina was feeling slightly more prepared to enter into another guild. The trip was surprisingly short, despite the slow traveling speed, and the two of them soon arrived at the jagged edge of the guild grounds. Sharp rocks jutted out of the ground irregularly, a large opening creating the entrance to the pit. The inside of the guild was actually below ground level, warm stones and fires glowing around the circular enclosure. The two rogue Pokemon walked slowly to the front entrance before a Charmeleon stopped them and spoke in a harsh and officious voice.

"What business do you have with Blaziken's guild?"

"We are two rogue Pokemon who want to become a part of a guild again, we were interested in enrolling here."

"You don't look like fire Pokemon to me."

"Well no, I suppose we aren't, but I thought the rumors about Blaziken only accepting fire Pokemon were false."

"No. It's not a rumor," stated the Charmeleon as he puffed out his chest, "it's a fact. We accept no Pokemon that aren't at least half fire type. So get lost!" The Charmeleon waved his flaming tail at them aggressively as the two Pokemon turned and walked back into the field from whence they came. Once they were a reasonable distance away Calis provided an explanation for her puzzled face.

"I had heard rumors about that being the case, but I never imagined they might actually be true. That leaves Zoroark's guild I suppose. Is it worth going and checking?" Calis looked concernedly at Alina who shook her head, shuddering at the idea.

"No I would rather be a rogue Pokemon than join forces with that horrible guild." She shuddered just thinking back to the Zorua. "Definitely not."

The two Pokemon returned to their resting place, taking refuge in the shade of the tree as it cast its shadow over their matted bed.

"What do we do as rogue Pokemon?" Asked Alina, genuinely wondering what there was to do after having lounged around and wallowed in self pity for the past couple of days. She had no goal to achieve anymore, instead of trying to become an adventurer she felt a sort of hole and a lack of purpose.

"Even as a rogue Pokemon," began Calis, "You can complete jobs for others. When you become an adventurer, you're shown the jobs bulletin in Muraha, which is where requests for help as well as bounties are posted. Adventurers often go there in the morning to find a job they want to complete. Each job has a reward bounty for rescuing or eliminating a Pokemon. When adventurers perform jobs they can teleport out of the dungeon, but since we don't have bandanas we can't simply leave after completing a mission and must finish the dungeon. This is the risk of adventuring as a rogue Pokemon and it's how most rescue requests appear. Some of the town's people also get stuck in dungeons due to foolish pursuit of a goal or item. Lets not make the same mistake." The informative lecture sparked a memory in Alina. She could be helpful and appreciated!

Alina's excitement grew as the two Pokemon left for Muraha, finding the path from one of the guilds towards the town and following it as it led to the large Willow at the center. Calis led Alina over to the Jobs board. Various papers in a variety of conditions covered the surface. Many of the papers were ripped and burned while others were crisp and new looking. Two types of notices were posted as well, creating an interesting variety of colors and shapes. On the left there were pictures of normal looking Pokemon with 'Wanted' written above their heads. There were also values below the pictures, which Calis later explained were bounties.

"When you are doing a job for a Pokemon who is stuck in a dungeon, they generally expect someone who is a part of a guild to come and rescue them. When someone shows up without a bandana they have to escort them to the end of the dungeon before they can teleport out. This can often present a sort of awkward situation, and also presents prolonged periods of danger to the Pokemon whom you are escorting. This is still an option, however, as it is possible to assist the Pokemon in need despite the handicap. The best option for us, I assume, is assassination missions, as some outlaws, ranging from thieves to murderers need taking down. When in a dungeon they will not die so they often take shelter inside the rooms of dungeons until their face disappears from the notice boards. When you take one down they will be fainted outside when you return return to the top. This is when you should call the moderators of the area and they will come pick up the outlaw as well as give you a reward. I think this would work well for us, seeing as we would not have to protect an under-experienced Pokemon. This would probably benefit our productivity on more than one front."

Alina looked intensely at the photos posted as Calis had been talking. Each paper had a letter stamped in the top right corner, some had plus signs and other had minuses however each had a letter. When Alina inquired what they were, Calis explained that they represented the difficulty of the mission, D rank being the easiest and S rank being the hardest. Alina studied the outlaw board, a Metang ranked A- standing out in particular.

"Where does it say what these Pokemon have done? I wouldn't want to have someone arrested for something they did on accident." Alina looked worriedly at Calis.

"Pokemon who do things on accident get forgiven and are not considered outlaws. Pokemon that run from the things they did are generally considered outlaws, because it shows they are conscious of the consequences they will have to face." Calis nodded back towards the bulletin. "All of these Pokemon have done something worth being at least investigated for." Alina returned her gaze to the board, looking once again for someone she might be able to take down on her own.

"Come on!" Called Ren as he raced off into the dungeon before him, eager to complete the day's mission. Kori quickly ran up to him from behind as they encountered the first dungeon Pokemon. They were on a B- ranked mission that day, having moved up in the levels of mission over the past couple of months. The dungeon was called the Forest Basin, a water type dungeon which could easily be completed by most adventurers. The two had chosen a rescue mission, having decided to go and save a Charmander who was stuck on one of the levels.

Three Krabby emerged from the tunnel to Ren's right. He wasn't particularly used to fighting three Pokemon at once but he knew he wouldn't have to. Kori jumped to his side as they attacked simultaneously, outmatching the weak dungeon Pokemon after a short battle. The two had been in this dungeon before, the Krabby, Wooper, and Ducklett, which tended to inhabit the area, no longer intimidating them. It was a simple task to move on through the dungeon and they found the Charmander on the sixth floor. They were thanked by the embarrassed Pokemon, who happened to be quite young. Kori figured that was the reason for his inability to pass through the entire dungeon. The three teleported out of the dungeon, gathering back at the surface before returning to Muraha.

The rest of the day was spent enjoying themselves, as they only had to complete one mission a day at most. There were no regulations on how many missions they had to complete in to stay adventurers, but Ren did enjoy trying to do one a day. It was a healthy balance he figured, to do enough, but not too much. Now and then his dream to become the richest adventurer pricked his mind and prodded him, encouraging him to do more than he was. He ignored it for the most part, only letting it compel him to complete the current dungeon, as opposed to going back and choosing a second task for the same day. Life as an adventurer was beginning to seem a little bit less amazing, but he was still yet to experience the thrill of an expedition.

Sometimes new dungeons would appear and guilds would get to explore them. Alina and Calis had been found training in a new dungeon but apparently nobody had ever been to the bottom of it. They had asked Sakor what the end was like, but he had told them he had only been a couple of floors down when he had seen three white fluffy tails disappearing onto the floor below. Only a select few were going, however there was going to be a minor expedition. Two groups of three would be going into the dungeon, finding the way to the bottom, and meeting in the final room. If there was more to explore after the ending room, they would return later with a larger number of Pokemon, most likely all ten of the guild's adventurers, to explore the remainder.

Ren had caught word of this and was not worried about being chosen. He knew that Kori and himself were two of the most obvious choices, having never been given the opportunity to go on a real expedition before. This was also a minor expedition due to its survivability, proven by Alina's ability to train in the first couple of floors. If Alina could take down the Pokemon there thought Ren I could too. Plus he had been completing other dungeons for months now while she had been training in the same one over and over. He figured he had more dungeon experience, and though he wasn't wrong, he had less experience fighting the Pokemon in the dungeon where the expedition was taking place.

Ren sat up in the grass as he heard the sound of the Aipom dropping from the trees, fruit being piled onto the icy stone. He padded over, Kori in tow, and grabbed a large Razz berry, it's red color seeming faded in the dying light of the sun. The two ate happily together, chatting with Sivant who had come by to deliver the guild's mail. It was peaceful without Alina, and in all honesty a lot of the Pokemon seemed to be pleased she was gone. Calis would be missed by many of the adventurers, but as Ren knew, there were still a lot of negative feelings most Pokemon associated with the unusual Absol. Nobody seemed deeply troubled by it, other than her mother, who had fallen into a slump of sorts, doing her best to hide her unhappiness by continuing to adventure at her husband's side.

Most things were going just as well as before, no activity having been disturbed by the absences. The Meloettas' music drifted over the grass as it often did in the evenings. The Pokemon gathered before the Pinnacle rock, waiting for Virizion to speak.

"Good evening everyone," She said as the melody drifted through the air. "Before we receive reports of today's happenings I would like to announce the date of the expedition to Brindle Mine, the new dungeon recently discovered by Sakor. The date of the group's leaving will be in a week's time. I will announce who'll be going on the expedition three days beforehand. Do your best these next days in order to be picked. Is there anything to report?"

"Alina and Calis were seen trying to enter Blaziken's guild but the sentry, having thought up a quick excuse, turned them away. Blaziken sent someone giving his thanks for the warning and has said he will inform you if any similar situations arise. That is all." The assistant guildmaster bowed his head to Virizion as his report finished.

"Thank you Furfrou. If there is nothing else to report, I would like to wish you the best of luck in your next day's travels. Good night," finished Virizion and the crowd dispersed. The two Pokemon padded anxiously over to the Adventurer's den, conversing when they got there.

"I had no Idea it would be so soon!" Blurted Kori excitedly.

"We have to do extra missions in order to make sure we're picked, ok?" Replied Ren, the shock of its fast approach making him more on edge about the selection process.

"Yeah, let's do our best alright?"

"Sounds like a plan!" And with that the two Adventurers went off to sleep.

Alina carefully walked down the jagged steps, the stones underneath her feet shining purple as she and Calis descended. The wanted paper in Calis's bag glowing and disintegrating as they set foot on the eighth floor. The Metang flung itself at Alina and Calis, catching them off guard. Their reflexes kicked in as Alina jumped out of the way and Calis spun around, kicking it, using the Pokemon's body as a platform to dive to the side. The outlaw was pinned between the two invaders and it growled, fear slowly rising inside it as it saw the unfazed composure of the Liepard before him.

In his time as an outlaw, a couple of Pokemon had come to try and defeat him, all snarling and flinging themselves aggressively in his direction. The Absol was in a fighting stance and was probably the less experienced of the two. The Liepard, however, was simply sitting and cleaning her fur, waiting for a move to be made. He knew she was the one to be feared, confidence flowing from her purple body.

Alina flung herself at the outlaw, catching it unawares as it was busy looking at Calis. Calis sat and watched as Alina bit onto one of the Belrom, which made up the Metang's body. The Metang roared in pain, using Bullet Punch on the attacking Absol. Alina released her grip, the darkness infused with her Bite sinking into the Metang for increased damage. Her side stung as she skidded to a halt, facing her opponent. She knew she had won that trade, her opponent now limping from the damaged limb while she was only going to have a bruised side. She danced around the Metang, moving gracefully from side to side, her fighting stance relaxing and becoming more natural. She jumped above the Metang only to spin and push off of the ceiling, coming down directly on top of him, the tackle pressing him into the ground. Alina quickly used Bite again on the other limb, chomping down harder than before now that she had a proper hold on the enemy. The Metang roared as it focused before using Zen Headbut, knocking Alina into the air above it. She was given no time to move before the next attack came, a Metal Claw. The attack raked across her exposed stomach, flinging her to the side as she landed on the ground. Blood dripped from her abdomen and she growled across the open space. Her composure however, was an act as she focused all of her darkest thoughts and emotions into a Dark Pulse, which she emitted once her Quick Attack had brought her closer to the outlaw. She spun head over heels as she smashed her tails onto the head of the Metang, pressing it into the ground and she landed behind it. As the stunned Pokemon lay on the ground, she used a Quick Attack in its direction once again, slamming into it, her horn cracking the stone, splitting it under the damaging attack. The Metang spun around wildly.

"I will not lose to someone like you!" He roared, "You aren't even an adventurer!" Calis watched as the Metang charged at Alina, another Zen Headbut charging in the top of its body. Alina dodged the attack gracefully, intending for the Metang to smash into the wall like the other Pokemon before her had. He skidded to a halt and launched himself once again at the Absol, intercepting her in mid air.

"I know all your little tricks," he said as he smashed her into the wall beside him. She struggled to get up again as he neared. "I have killed many Pokemon in the past. One more nameless Pokemon means nothing to me." He walked slowly forwards toward Alina knowing her defeat was coming. The sickening laughter filled the dungeon room as a grin spread across his face. The Zorua flashed before Alina's eyes, the image of the horrible pleasure invading her thoughts. She shrunk back from the dark memory, now feeling as if she was the helpless Aron.

The Metang raised one of its arms, ready to smash the body of the white Pokemon before him. Alina closed her eyes, bracing herself for the impact but nothing came. She opened her eyes to see the Pokemon fading into the air and Calis standing by it's side.

"You were close, and I know you can not die in a dungeon, but there is still much room for improvement. You seemed to simply give up in the end, which was unusual for you, however, I am sure you have your reasons. How are you feeling?" Asked Calis as she came over. Alina stumbled forward, falling onto her side again before being fed a couple of Oran berry slices. The fruit instantly refreshed her as her wounds sealed. She quietly marveled at Calis's silent strength as she had quietly taken out the Pokemon before her in an instant. The two completed the dungeon in silence and when they returned to the surface the fainted Metang appeared before them.

"So now do we tell the peacekeepers?" Asked Alina, interested in the bounty collecting process.

"That's the plan anyways, I'll be back shortly," Calis dashed off and vanished into the field beyond. Alina waited only a moment before Calis returned, a Heracross at her heels. The Metang was taken away and since they were rogue Pokemon they were given the bounty as soon as they got back to Muraha, instead of their Guild. The Heracross had looked surprised when two new rogue Pokemon had taken down an A- ranked criminal, but nonetheless payed them what they were due.

Back at the resting tree Alina counted the money in the light of the fading star. Only a quarter of the money shown on the bounty had been given to them, the reward having been reduced due to their lack of need for upkeeping a guild. Normally guilds need money to keep functioning properly and pay for the area of land they are occupying, however, as a rogue Pokemon that necessity is negated. Therefore the prize money is reduced to one quarter of its original value. Alina wasn't disappointed however, as she had completed her first mission. Calis had helped, but with a little more experience, she figured she could probably take down targets like that one on her own.

Time passed and the light faded completely from the sky, Alina having been left alone for the time being as Calis went back to Muraha with the money. The melody of singing Meloetta floated over the hills and the daily serenade caressed the Absol's happy thoughts. Maybe being a rogue Pokemon wasn't so bad after all? She wondered as she drifted off to sleep under the Apple tree. The air around her warmed as her body increased the surrounding temperature and Calis soon joined her, the money stored safely in a bank account. Calis had managed to open one just before the stand had closed for the night. She joined Alina in the dream world, as Pokemon all around the continent began to accept the sleep which came so easily after a long day's work, and all was peaceful.

Alina woke to the sound of soft rustling in the grass, Calis's tail poking up out of the tall strands. She slowly pushed herself onto her haunches, the straw bed feeling soft beneath her paws. The rustling continued as Calis slowly approached a large moving patch of grass, her tail dipping below the level of the leaves as she concealed herself. The patch of moving grass drew closer, its sheer size making Alina wonder what the source could possibly be, craning her neck to try and catch a glimpse of the approaching Pokemon. Calis jumped back in surprise as multiple broke through the grass in front of her, their yelps of surprise revealing the careless nature of their voyage.

The large group of Pokemon who were now visible came to a halt and shuffled about curiously, now acutely aware of the Pokemon in front of them. Calis walked slowly back to Alina and sat down in the straw, leaving the path clear for the band of guild Pokemon. The Pokemon passed the duo, not minding their gaze as they brushed the crowd with their perceptive eyes. Alina watched the large and small creatures rustle through the grass, not one of them donning a bandana. The tail of a Poochyena vanished into the grass beyond, the last of them having passed.

"Huh… " commented Alina, having just watched either a large band of random, unaffiliated Pokemon traveling off the beaten path, or a group of some sort. Calis nodded in agreement, continuing to mill about before clambering into the now hardly fruitful apple tree. Two small and slightly unappetizing apples dropped onto the ground and she began her breakfast, the tasteless, mushy fruit providing little sustenance and she quickly cast it aside, deciding it would probably be best to get something more fresh later in the day from Muraha.

"What do you think that could've been?" Asked Alina, as she tried to rinse the taste of the apple from her taste buds.

"That could have been the band of Pokemon I've heard about once or twice. Apparently there is a large group of rogues who stay out of people's way and live on their own. They are said to be a bit scary at times though so I wouldn't want to get involved."

Alina grew curious, the idea of a suspicious rogue tribe catching her interest. Not a whole lot had happened in the past month that she had been a rogue Pokemon. Every day she had gotten up and gone into a dungeon to attempt fairly simple missions. Progress in her fighting was slower now than before, the skills she already knew becoming more refined but no new ones entering her repertoire. The strange occurrence was something she was more than ready for, having grown tired of the repetition by that point, her young mind always yearning for more interesting activities.

She took off into the grass after the band of unaware rogues, their nonchalant saunter not having advanced them very far through the field. Calis didn't bat an eye, knowing the agility of her friend wouldn't allow her to get into any serious trouble. Alina approached the back end of the group, jumping to a low hanging branch of a leafy tree and watching the ongoings from above. The group had paused for some reason, the Pokemon looking gruff but pleasant as they chatted and laughed together.

Alina crept forward through the branches, her claws gripping the soft bark as she shifted her weight and found her balance. The conversations drifted through the field, her ears not catching much, but she heard enough to know that the conversations were nothing out of the ordinary. The idea intrigued her, honestly, the idea of a rogue Pokemon still having a band of others to adventure with. She reassured herself that of course she loved Calis for all that she was. She was, after all, her closest friend, but the pull of a family environment was quite tempting, to say the least.

She wanted to talk more to Calis about them, creeping down from her current spot. She froze and butterflies filled her stomach as a female Ninetales accompanied by a small Vulpix milled about the group of rogue Pokemon. The ninetales looked over in the direction of Alina, the tree providing little cover as she was upside down on the trunk. The Ninetales smiled at her and giggled at the sight of an Absol in such a strange position on a tree. Alina blushed furiously, feeling quite embarrassed and raced off back to the dying apple tree.

"Yes?" Asked Calis as Alina approached, knowing that there would be questions about the mysterious band.

"Who are those Pokemon? And I mean, sure, they look a bit rough around the edges, but they are nice enough… I think."

"And what brought you to that conclusion?"

"Well one of them smiled at me… I suppose…"

"I told you before, I've only heard about them a couple of times, but from what I have heard, they're bad news. Yes, they generally go unnoticed, but they've supposedly been involved in some pretty unpleasant activities. Steer clear of them would be my advice."

"But she seemed so friendly! She smiled just like mother…" Alina trailed off and Calis sighed, having seen the Ninetales as they passed previously.

"We can go talk to them about entering, if you really want. I don't feel good about it, but I'll do it for you. Alina's eyes shone with gratitude and she nodded vigorously at the Liepard, wanting to join in on the warm atmosphere of the rogue Pokemon group once again.

"Come with me then," Alina smiled and dashed off into the grass towards her new potential comrades.

Upon arrival Alina came to a halt and she waited tentatively for Calis to join her. The large band of Pokemon began to stir and murmur before one spoke up.

"You there! Come out, there's no use hiding." Alina crept forward and came into the small clearing where the Pokemon were gathered. Calis walked casually behind her and came to sit behind the Absol.

"Hi everyone… I… I um…" stammered Alina nervously.

"What do you want?" snapped a feisty Bagon, the dragon speaking for the whole group. Calis stepped up beside Alina and kindly spoke in her stead.

"We were wondering if we could maybe join the band that you have. It seems to my friend here that at least some of you are kind, and she wanted to at least try being a part of a larger group again." Calis paused and waited for a response, Alina letting out a huge sigh of relief at not having to vocalize her embarrassing enthusiasm.

"Who are you anyways?" Asked the Bagon, the members of the rogue group staying quiet while the encounter continued.

"I'm Alina, and this is Calis." She piped more confidently than before. "We're rogue Pokemon, but I thought it might be nice to… you know… have a group to be around again." She stopped and grew slightly flustered again, not wanting to admit she had really been drawn to the Pokemon which looked like her mother.

"Well I don't see why not." The Pokemon in the group mumbled agreements and nodded separately. "Then it's settled. Come join us for a while and if you don't like it, then you can go. We don't have rules like a guild, we are just like minded Pokemon who travel together and do as we please. You are free to come and go at your leisure."

Alina looked up from the ground and her expression grew slowly more excited as the information sunk in. She looked back at Calis and the Liepard smiled in return, the conversation picking up again as the Pokemon relaxed and returned to their normal activities. Several Pokemon approached Alina and her friend, asking questions for the next hour or so as the group began to meander further into the wilderness towards the coast.

The Ninetales walked up to Alina, smiling kindly at her as she had before. Alina was shocked only for a moment before smiling back and chirping a happy greeting.

"Hey, what's your name?"

"Hi, I'm Nari, and you're Alina I suppose." She smiled once again at the slightly irregular Absol. "Where'd you get those tails from, little one?" She asked casually, not wanting to seriously delve too far into a subject that may potentially be sensitive.

"Oh these?" She chirped with an unwavering facade as a prick of fear prodded her mind, "I was just born this way, but it doesn't seem to bother anyone. It's just always been that way." Alina knew she was lying to someone who might be a new friend, but she didn't want the other Pokemon to think it was something to judge her for, like her last guild had.

"Well I think they're pretty," she flicked her tails over next to Alina's. "Kinda look like mine, actually." Alina stayed quiet for only a second before resuming casual chatter with the Ninetales. Nari was from the northern part of the continent, much farther North than Alina had ever dreamed of going, or at least that's how Nari made it sound. Alina explained that she had come from the Virizion guild and her family was still there. To her surprise, nobody asked why she had been kicked out, but after asking the Bagon to show her the ropes, she learned that it was common courtesy not to ask about the reason for becoming a rogue Pokemon.

The grass began to thin as the Ninetales laughed with Alina over her position in the tree as their eyes had met earlier. Alina would never admit that the encounter had been the reason for her joining the band of Pokemon, but it was funny all the same. The sun shone low over the large, arcing horizon, the edge of the world bending across Alina's field of vision. From the top of the cliff Alina could watch the expansive ocean stretched far out, without pause or interruptions. Her eyes shone in the orange light of the setting sun as it reflected off the water and continued to illuminate the sky. Pokemon on the beach far below them watched the light as it faded from the sky, and the band of rogues drew their daily traveling to a close.

"Alright everyone time to set up camp." Shouted the Bagon, as the Pokemon around him began to move around. Nari came over to the Absol and walked her to a patch of long grass.

"Setting up camp is easy, just grab some long grass and make yourself a bed near the rest of the band. Sleep near whoever you want, but if you have nobody else I am happy to help keep you warm." The ninetales gave another heartwarming smile and gestured to a small group of Pokemon, the vulpix being one of them.

"I'll ask Calis if she wants to join us, but I'd enjoy that very much." After she responded, Alina managed to get Calis to come sleep with her and the other Pokemon. They gathered enough long grass for the two of them and came over to the others for the evening.

"Hey Nari?" Whispered Alina, as they lay back to back, Calis asleep in Alina's warm presence. "Why do some Pokemon think you guys are dangerous? You don't do anything you aren't supposed to right?"

"Well, no not really," came a soft reply. "It is easy to blame any odd occurrences on our group, simply because it is so unusual to find such a number of rogue Pokemon as this traveling as one. Some of the Pokemon here may have done some really bad things, we're all rogues for a reason, but I don't think we're bad Pokemon."

Alina relaxed and accepted that her mind had already been made up. She wanted to stay with these Pokemon who accepted her and didn't look at her through harsh glares, but were at least neutral in her presence. Sure, some had been skeptical, but nobody had been rude to her about her appearance, nor as far as they knew, had they been rude to Calis in any way. It was a lovely substitute for a guild she though, and with the new confirmation from Nari, she could convince Calis it was ok to stay.

"Thanks Nari. I'm really glad I found you guys today. Sleep well," Alina responded. But her response fell on deaf ears as Nari lay asleep. Alina smiled to herself and as the night grew old; she drifted off, the image of her mother's smile floating through her dreams.

"Morning sleepy head!" Came a cry from above Alina. She opened her eyes to see her mother standing above her smiling, and she spoke up softly.

"Mom? What are you doi-" she said and stopped abruptly as she blushed profusely. "M-Morning Nari," she stammered, "don't mind me, early morning drowsiness." She forced a slight laugh and Nari smiled in return.

"Don't worry little one, I don't look anything like an Absol but I guess you can see anything when you're that tired. It's more like late morning drowsiness." Nari laughed and nodded upwards towards the sun, which sat in the middle of the sky. Calis was no longer at her side and she looked around curiously.

"Where is everyone else? Have they all left?" She asked worriedly, the beds of grass laying matted and flat on the shorter green grass underneath.

"They all went on missions in the Brindle mine. They are working as a team to complete a large number of them so we can head back to Muraha with a good amount of cash." Her smile turned into a pleased grin and she continued. "We'll be able to buy food for everyone once we get back, but for now we should try and catch up to the others in the dungeon. It should still be cleared out if we hurry." Alina nodded and got up out of bed, stretching her limbs and padding off after the Ninetales.

The two wound their way at a slow run through the grass and down the cliff face, the rocky surface providing little traction for Alina's claws. The two ran despite the potential danger as the path looped in and out of the cliff face, sometimes growing dark as the path interrupted the tough stone. When they were close to the bottom they jumped off of the path, Nari having jumped off first, her carefree recklessness pumping a sense of joy and exhilaration through Alina's body as she flung herself from the cliff face. The wind caressed Alina's fur, blowing her top knot away from her eyes. Her tail fur fluttered as she fell to the ground and landed in a crouch, counteracting the impact.

The mouth of a jagged cave lay before her, carved directly into the side of the cliff face. Her friend walked in headfirst, not fearing the potentially dangerous location, though once she considered that the entire group was already inside, it eased her racing heart. The crimson surroundings expanded around her, each menacing barb holding a warning for anyone who wanted to use the walls to maneuver. She took note of her limited mobility in the enclosure and continued after the Ninetales, Nari's tails swaying casually back and forth.

The echoing chatter and short lived cries of battle could be heard from deeper within the dungeon, each floor resonating the sound until it was barely an audible whisper. Nari's footstep were gentle, as her paws had no claws which stood out on them, and she was elegant in her nature. Alina walked behind her, having begun to walk silently due to the familiar presence of the dungeon around her. Nari began to crouch and creep up on the next room, voices more clear than the ones from the floors below finding the duo's ears. Alina followed closely behind Nari, her three tails coming to lay beside Nari's nine as she peeked carefully around the next corner.

A Hitmonchan spoke with two other hooded Pokemon and it took Alina no time to recognize the voice of her former mentor. Sakor sat on a small ledge, which jutted out of the rocky wall, which would have come up to just above the Pokemon's knees. He spoke in a hushed tone and the others listened casually, not seeming to think much of the conversation, despite Sakor's urgent tone.

Nari, not sensing Alina's emotional distress over seeing the Pokemon, decided to continue walking past, quietly ignoring the three before her. Slowly Alina began to shake herself of the shock and she sprung into the room.

"Sakor!" She shouted. "Hey! It's been a while!" The Pokemon whirled around and looked at the she-Absol. She stood tall and proud, despite Sakor's expectation of seeing a crushed Pokemon with no heart or pride. He growled at her and barked out an aggressive response.

"Don't greet me so casually, rogue scum. I, no, we were blessed when you left the guild, but now I have to see you again." Alina stood shocked on the cold stone floor, Nari listening worriedly from behind her friend.

"Y-you what?" She stammered, her past mentor who had been so helpful and often kind, showing signs of complete disgust with her even being there.

"You heard me," he spat, "get out of here before I get even angrier, don't talk to me or come here ever again." Alina watched as a small hint of fear worked its way into Sakor's glare. His confident aggressive facade began to slip as she walked away defeated, the Hitmonchan turning worriedly back to the other Pokemon. As Nari led Alina away comforting her, one of the hooded Pokemon began to speak in a casual tone.

"Don't come to us again for your petty requests. This is the last job we will do for you." The rest of the conversation was lost as the duo continued into another hallway. Small tears welled up inside Alina and she felt them pushing behind her eyes. One of the people she had looked up to for so many years, hated her guts, and never wanted to see her again. Maybe the other guild members felt the same way. Maybe she really could never go back to the guild.

"I don't know what just happened, but he didn't look like a good Pokemon. You shouldn't worry about what Pokemon like him say, they're all bark and no bite." Alina thanked her friend with a nod and she batted her friend's tails with hers. She was probably right after all, Alina thought. Sakor might have just been trying to be cool for his friends, putting her down to show them how much better he was. He probably didn't actually hate her. That had to be it.

They reached the next floors with no trouble, the Pokemon still having been defeated by the larger rogue group. Soon the voices of many Pokemon were upon the two, and they turned the corner to see all of the rogue Pokemon sitting in one of the rooms, eating whatever food they had brought with them to restore health. All looked like they were in fairly good shape, a couple having obviously taken some minor, but not serious damage. Alina perked up at the sight of the Liepard, who was sitting alone on the edge of the group.

"Calis how have things been going? Have you been getting along with everyone?" She asked excitedly, hoping her friend had made some more friends of her own.

"Yes a few of them are very kind, though there are a few others who have been glaring at me all day." Calis flicked her tails annoyedly, turning to point her head in the direction of the obvious offenders. A group of 6 rougher looking Pokemon looked back with clear distaste for the newcomers.

"I'm sure they just don't know what to think of us yet Calis."

"Oh yes," chimed in Nari, "they're always like that, don't take it personally. There are only a couple more like that in the group, most are quite kind, or at least tolerant." She laughed at her own little joke, Calis smiling in response.

"Thank you for the reassurance, though it doesn't bother me much. I know what it's like to be cautious, I was once just like them." She licked her paw and began to clean her ears, more relaxed than she was previously. Alina smiled and nudged the feline, the memory of Sakor flashing through her mind briefly before she shook it off and decided to pretend as if it had never happened. Whatever Sakor had asked them to do was none of her business, and if he was going to be mean, she wanted nothing to do with him either.

The group continued deeper into the cliffside, psychic and rock Pokemon attacking in insignificant numbers. The rogue group easily overpowered the weaker and less numerous Pokemon. There were Pokemon on a couple of the floors which joined the group as they descended through the levels. Now and then, an outlaw would show up and the stronger members of the group would help bring them down before continuing on through the floors. By what Alina estimated to be midday, the group had reached the end of the dungeon.

The final room was a beautiful array of white and red glass, formed by molten sand which had dripped from the ceiling, creating glass stalagmites and stalactites, a blue swirling stone resting in a stalagmite on the floor of the dungeon. It couldn't be moved but, as Alina was soon told, it could help some Pokemon evolve if they used water moves. The Absol watched intently as the swirling colors darted back and forth inside the large transparent glass structure.

One by one the Pokemon teleported out of the dungeon, the sun shining above them, the sky still brightly illuminated as they arrived on the peaceful beach. A group of guards was already waiting for them as they surfaced, having been informed that there was going to be a large scale completion of the dungeon where multiple outlaws would be taken down. The Heracross thanked the Rogue group and took the four outlaws back to Muraha to be taken into custody while the group returned to their resting place from the previous night.

The trip back up the cliff was easiest for the flying Pokemon, who simply took off into the air and soared towards their camp, however Alina's endurance made the trip less treacherous than it could have been. She made a game out of jumping from one ledge to another, instead of walking the path, and she reached a small inlet which provided little shade from the high sun, but allowed for a comfortable resting place. She was alone for the first time since she joined the rogues and it was peaceful to not have the chatter or noise of others around her.

The peaceful air brought swift sleep for her as the ocean breeze ruffled her fur, the day turning to night as she dozed through the afternoon to the early morning.

"What on earth?" Pondered Virizion. Her deputy, the Furfrou, lying dead in front of her den. Sakor walked up from the side, speaking in a hushed tone.

"This is terrible…" He said with feigned shock. "Who would do something like this?" One of the hooded Pokemon fell to the ground next to the two guild members.

"Oh this?" He said in a calm tone. "You have the Zoroark guild to thank for this one." He dodged up into the air as a Leaf Blade cut across the ground in his direction. The Pokemon landed gracefully on the ground, a little farther away this time. "Tsk tsk, so quick to be violent. Have fun playing the calm and collected guildmaster, oh powerful one." He said sarcastically. Before Virizion could react, the Pokemon was gone, into the early morning air just as quickly as he had arrived.

Sakor looked over at Virizion who stood with a harsh grimace on her face. She looked back at Sakor and spoke softly, but firmly.

"We are going to the Zoroark guild, bring all able bodied Pokemon with us. This will not be tolerated." The animosity of the angry guildmaster resonated through the air and made it crack with tension.

"M-maybe we should ask them if it was really them before we go and do anything. Maybe it was Alina and she is plotting against us!"

"She may have been kicked out, but Alina isn't that kind of Pokemon. Don't make ridiculous accusations when they obviously aren't true. I've been on the lookout for Zoroark members ever since the incident with the Lairon. They have been hanging around recently, and last night Sivant said he had seen them around The Grove. I'm sure it was them. We aren't going to take this sitting down."

On his morning shift, an Altaira flew across the coast, scanning for those who he was supposed to deliver messages to. He spotted Alina on the cliff, swooping down before her. His wing beats woke up the sleeping Pokemon, her head lifting slowly from her paws.

"I have a letter for you from one of the Virizion guild members. It seems urgent, so I'm glad I found you." He dropped a letter ungracefully on the ground. "Nice doing business with you," he squawked and fluttered away quickly, continuing with his work for the day.

"Bye Sivant!" Shouted Alina after the large bird Pokemon. She looked at the letter which had been dropped off at her feet, the neat writing creeping around the page, which was sealed with a bit of string. She opened the letter and read the neat print which, upon seeing the signature at the bottom, she realized that the letter was from her mother. The letter read:

My lovely daughter,

I'm worried about things here. There is something very unusual going on between the guilds right now. Virizion has become infuriated after her second in command was killed by an assassin sent by Zoroark's guild. She isn't herself Alina. I'm afraid we are going to go into battle against the Zoroark guild. I hope I can see you again soon.

Love,

Mom

Alina looked puzzledly at the letter, rereading it before coming to understand the meaning behind the written words. All of the guild members were going to go to battle with Zoroark's guild? Alina grew increasingly worried as the childhood memory of the ferocity of the Zoroark guild members flooding her mind. She dashed up the cliff face, her bounds increasing in distance as she raced for the top. She leapt over the rocks edge and landed swiftly on top of the overlook. Calis was sitting cold on the edge of the group, evidently still not wanting to be involved with the other Pokemon.

"Calis," whispered Alina, and she nudged her friend, the sun slowly rising higher into the sky. "Calis something bad is going on in the Virizion guild. We have to go and see what is going on." Calis woke slowly and sat up without making a sound.

"How do you know for sure?" She asked, "I don't want to return there because you have a hunch about-" She stopped as Alina nudged the letter towards her. Calis opened the letter and read it silently, taking in the information before making a decision.

"I've known your mother a long time and she wouldn't say something like this if she didn't think it was very serious. There must be something very important going on, not to mention that the second in command was killed. I do think we should go." She got up and gave the letter back to Alina. A couple of the Rogue Pokemon began to stir and Nari looked up before Alina could walk off.

"Where are you going Alina?" She asked innocently.

"I'm sorry but there is something I have to do."

"Is it about yesterday?" She asked worriedly. Alina thought for a moment. Sakor was talking to someone just the other day about having them do a job for him. That same evening assassins had come to kill the second in command of the Virizion guild. But her mother had said that the assassin was sent by the Zoroark guild, so surely it had nothing to do with Sakor. He wasn't that bad of a Pokemon, was he?

"N-no I'm sure it doesn't have anything to do with that. I'll be back, ok?"

"Alright, be careful," came a soft response as she dashed away after her feline friend. Alina came to run beside Calis as they wound their way North towards the Grove. The passing minutes felt like years as they pelted in the direction of their old home. The sun rose increasingly farther into the sky as time went on. The landscape began to change from the normally grassy fields, to a more dense forest. The ground became hard and rough under Alina's pounding paws as she continued to race towards her former guild.

By the time they reached The Grove, it was just past midday, Pokemon of all kinds milling frantically around the clearing, which Alina could see through the foliage of her current hiding place. An aerial view of The Grove showed that all of the adventurers, including her parents, were moving back and forth, gathering supplies and items.

"Well it's a good thing they haven't left yet, I suppose," said Calis, "but it does look like they are preparing for battle."

"If it really was the Zoroark guild, then they will be ready for them. You know how big the Zoroark guild is! They have no chance!"

"Our guild has very strong fighters in it, and though you and I are gone, there are still many capable adventurers in the group." Alina watched as her graceful mother moved back and forth, brushing up against her harsher and colder father as they continued to assist in the preparations.

"We should go try and talk them out of it. I'm sure Virizion knows that they don't have much of a chance of teaching them a lesson, plus…" She trailed off. "Plus they might kill our guild members! Our friends!" She looked hopefully at Calis, knowing that there was probably nothing they could do after being told to stay out.

"There is nothing we could do to dissuade them. You know that." She replied, sadly. "All we can do is wait and see what happens. If there is an opportunity for us to help, I will gladly take it, but until then we have to wait."

The next hours passed slowly, the time of night drawing nearer. The evening grew cold, as it had been doing for the past couple of days. Alina and Calis concluded that they were going to go on a night raid to allow for more of a surprise tactic, however when they left prematurely, as the sun was about to set, they wondered if that was really the case. The two of them jumped down from their resting place in the tree and waited for the adventurers to leave The Grove before following from far behind them.

The sun sank lower in the sky, the clouds turning a reddish hue as time ticked by. The guild members moved quickly, heading northeast towards the Zoroark guild's tree. The large, natural growth rose high up into the sky and the Virizion guild members gathered around the perimeter of the base in the brush, just outside the visible range of those belonging to the other guild.

"Hey," one of them said nervously. "Did you just see something move over there?"

"Don't be ridiculous, Aren," responded his friend, who was far more lax. "Nobody would be there at this time of night. What are you even worried about?" After the Pokemon had finished speaking, Virizion lept out of the brush, followed by her guild members. The Pokemon roared as they fell upon the defending guild, knocking down the surprised guild members with ease. Cries rang out across the ground as all of the Zoroark Pokemon began descending from higher in the tree. Quickly, the Virizion guild members became outnumbered.

"Remember the plan!" Shouted Sakor, who was decimating a dark Pokemon with his fighting type moves. Alina watched as her mother and father fought three Pokemon, side by side. They wound around each other, twisting and turning, working together in perfect harmony. Alina watched in awe as the couple fought in tandem, knowing how the other moved and how to coordinate, thanks to years of experience.

Tens of Zoroark guild Pokemon fell from the tree above, some dive bombing the Virizion guild with flying type moves, while others fought hard on the ground. Virizion's grass moves were ripping through the ranks of defending Pokemon, her Leaf Blade dancing around her as she used other moves simultaneously. Zoroark, seeing the chaos below him, jumped out of the tree and fell gracefully to the forest floor in front of Virizion, catching her Leaf Blade in his clawed fist and ripping it in half he spoke to her.

"I never did like you much Virizion, but this is really crossing the line." He turned away from her and roared to his guild members. "Stand for none of this! Take them down! Show no mercy!"

"You are a merciless ruler over a toxic group of Pokemon. I'm glad I'm the someone who is finally standing up to you." She slammed her head into the Pokemon, but he grabbed on, raking her neck with his claws before pushing her away and skidding across the ground on his feet. Zoroark breathed heavily as Virizion stared him down, blood dripping down her green pelt.

Zoroark roared as he dashed in the direction of Virizion, only to side step and sweep her legs out from underneath her. A swift kick upwards set the green Pokemon spinning sideways. Virizion skidded to a stop near the base of the tree, charging towards her adversary, using Giga Drain on the unsuspecting Pokemon, as he didn't anticipate the speed of her Quick Attack being so high after being kicked like that. The health of Zoroark diminished greatly as that of Virizion increased. Her liveliness returned as her wounds healed themselves, due to the new found energy she had sapped.

The battle of the adventurers roared around them, the number of adventurers in the Virizion guild outnumbered by those of Zoroarks guild two to one, at least.

"Virizion we can't hold out much longer. There are just too many!" Yelled one of the guild members, backing up slightly as the two Pokemon in front of it slashed at it's face aggressively. Alina began to feel fear rise in her chest as one of her former Guild members fell to the ground unconscious, their breathing obviously raged and laboured. She didn't want to see anyone die. It sounded like one had died already, there should be no more.

"Fall back!" Yelled Virizion as she slashed at Zoroark with multiple Leaf Blades, inflicting heavy damage on the Pokemon as it tried to fend off the onslaught.

"Don't let them escape!" Roared Zoroark in response, and the chase began. The Virizion guild members having lost their confident composure raced back towards their own guild, the Zoroark members following close behind them. Alina and Calis raced after the shifting battle, Virizion knocking Zoroark to the side before bounding swiftly after the duo.

"I need your help," she shouted as the three of them ran through the forest, "I don't know what difference it will make, but we need all the help we can get. I can't promise anything, but our thanks for the time being."

"That is enough to help out an old friend" replied Calis happily and she dashed past the larger Pokemon. Alina followed her friend's lead and jumped into the battle, coming in behind the Zoroark members, which separated them from the rest of their previous guild. Calis jumped elegantly onto the back of one of the Zoroark guild members and dug in her claws, raking down the back of the defendant. The Pokemon fell to the ground and writhed in pain as it skidded to a stop. Calis moved on to the next Pokemon as Alina arrived on the scene. Rain began to fall heavily from the sky as the battle continued.

Alina's mother and father were continuing to fight, slowly being overwhelmed as the Zoroark guild's Pokemon enclosed on them. Alina watched in horror as a Pokemon's claw dug deep into her father's eye and he roared in pain, biting the attacker with such force that it flinched and ran yelping behind the other guild members. Angrily the attackers grew increasingly intense with their attacks and began doing serious damage to her parents.

Alina felt the claws of a Pokemon on her back and she fell to the ground. A Zorua rolled off of her and looked into her blue eyes with a gaze full of absolute contempt.

"I thought you got kicked out of this guild you freak. What brings you back? Enjoy ruining other people's fun so much?" He lashed out at her with his claws, but she dodged over him, twisting in the air so she landed facing his back. He whirled around, doubt glimmering in his red eyes before he attacked once again, using Feint Attack against the agile Absol. She dodged upwards, but was met with a swift blow to her head which, sent her careening back towards the ground. She struggled off the ground and used Quick Attack on the smaller Zorua. As expected, he dodged to the side and she caught him with her horn.

The breath flew out of the Zorua's lungs as he fell to the ground and Alina bit onto the body of the smaller Pokemon. She infused darkness into the bite, treating him like a dungeon Pokemon, and throwing him to the side as he bounced along the ground. Alina growled at the now heavily wounded black Pokemon before her. He grinned back at her through the pain.

"You think you're so hot, huh? Getting lucky and catching me with your horn? It won't happen again!" He lunged at Alina, preparing for a Fury Swipe, but she sidestepped him and pinned him to the ground with her clawed foot, the long black talons digging into the creature's side.

"Don't confuse me with the same Pokemon you met years ago. While you were busy being cocky in your strength, I was actually getting stronger." The Zorua tried to push itself up off the ground, but she pressed it back down harder than before. "Don't ever face me again." She spat and spun, smashing her tails into the Pokemon. The Zorua squealed and ran off into the woods back towards his Guild.

Fear gripped Alina as she spun back around to see her parents on the ground, bloodied and being torn at by various Pokemon. The guild members were falling one by one, her mother and father already lifeless on the ground. Alina cried out in horror and ran headfirst into the three Pokemon tearing at her family. In a blind rage she slammed her horn into the first poochyena. The hard appendage dug into the tough pelt down to its base before she threw the creature roughly to the ground, taking her horn out of the bleeding Pokemon. The two others turned on her, a Marowak brandishing its bone and a Sableye lashing out with its claws.

In fear for her mother, anger over the battle, and rage of the battle she cried out desperately for her mother. The feeling of helpless overflowing emotion consumed her body as she flailed about angrily, her elegant fighting style falling away as she attempted to slash at the two Pokemon. The Marowak smashed her to the ground with his bone and held her down as the Sableye raked her back with his claws. Alina cried out in emotional and physical pain as her mind faded and went black.

Pokemon turned as the unusual Absol on the ground burst into an undying source of powerful flames, which leapt high into the sky. The wailing of the she-Absol could be heard over the crack of the flames as they sparked around her. She launched herself blindly at the Sableye and flames leapt in her jaws as she bit down, fire and darkness flowing into the Pokemon before it erupted into screams of its own. Alina shook it back and forth, it's body no more than a small doll in her powerful jaws. She threw it to the ground in a cascade of flames.

Saliva flew from her mouth as she roared and sprang at the next Pokemon who came into view. The Marowak turned and evaded the blind lunge as fear rose in all of the attacking Pokemon's hearts. A demon had appeared on the battlefield before them.

"Attack her!" Shouted Zoroark, who had just left Virizion on the side of the battlefield. He flew through the air and intercepted Alina head on, his claws digging into her sides as he raked the skin off of her body. Her cries rang out as she sank down in pain, the lack of control of her actions growing more intense as she jumped into the air, blood and fire leaping out in all directions. She was met again with a harsh blow, this time from behind, as Zoroark slashed her to the ground. Alina's flames sputtered in the rain and went out as she lay on the wet bloodied ground.

"We are done here," roared Zoroark. "We have won this battle!" Cheers and whooping could be heard as the Zoroark Pokemon raced off back towards their Guild's building, the Pokemon grabbing their fallen comrade and leaving those who were still standing at The Grove to clean up the mess that had been made. Virizion limped back to The Grove's center and laid down next to the fallen parents of Alina, as well as the Zigzagoon, an Aipom, and Floatzel.

Alina's conscience fluttered and she looked over at her fallen mother. The tears running down her face were masked by the pouring rain, as her body igniting briefly before sputtering out again. She crawled over and rested her head on her mother's side, crying into her cold fur as steam rose off her body. Alina continued to ignite and go out again in the rain, periodically lighting the tragic scene as everyone sat in shock. Unable to believe what had happened.

Alina woke up to the sound of Pokemon walking around the clearing of The Grove. The fresh morning air filled her lungs as she picked her head up off of her mother's side. The rain and tears matted her fur and she rested sleekly on her haunches, waking up groggily from the emotional and tumultuous evening before.

"Alina, you're up," came a voice, Virizion calling out to her from her position on the Pinnacle Rock. She lept down to stand beside Alina and the Absol looked up at her with worry in her eyes.

"How did this happen? Why would you attack them?" Alina began to cry. "If you hadn't been out of control and angry my mom would still be alive!" She looked down at the ground, Calis coming to rub up against Alina as she shook with sobs. Small balls of flame leapt from Alina's fur as she shook, the uncontrollable warmth inside her finding its way out through her emotion.

"Alina, you might not remember this," said Virizion, "but you killed a Pokemon last night." Alina stopped crying and looked in shock back up at Virizion. "I watched as you lost control of yourself and bit the life out of him. I know this may be shocking. Zoroark guild members, as you know, also killed many. They killed your parents, but Zoroark has been covering up murders for years. He will make the knowledge public that you killed someone and you will probably be considered an official outlaw in the land." Alina was taken aback by the information but, the feeling of having to turn away from her friends and family was not new to her.

"W-where are Ren and Kori?" Alina asked worriedly, not having seen them since she arrived.

"They were out on an expedition, they are supposed to be back around now, but they won't have known anything more than rumors, which have inevitably spread to Muraha. Please let them know what happened if you could. I would rather you tell Ren than anyone else." Virizion looked at the ground. "Sorry this is so sudden," she said quietly, her stoic composure fading for a moment before she sprang back up onto the rock above.

Alina rested against Calis, her friend supporting her, the warm Absol permeating the cold morning. Alina's breath sparkled in the early light as it drifted from her mouth, up into the air. The water crystals swirled and danced in the air before dispersing into the sky. The two Pokemon waited there as the dew on the grass turned to ice, the morning growing even colder as clouds covered the sky. Two small Pokemon poked their heads cheerfully over the hill and upon seeing Alina with Calis, sitting beneath the Pinnacle rock they ran over.

"Alina!" Shouted Kori, her uncontained joy showing in the excited tone. "What are you doing here? It's been so long! Oh, how good it is to see you again." The Eevee pressed up against Alina, who wrapped her tails around her friend in response. Kori felt the unbelievable warmth of her friend and stepped back to look at her friend again. "Come to think of it, your fur has changed hasn't it? Your tails didn't used to be gray like that, did they?" Alina looked down at her tails, wondering what her friend had meant. The three tails had grown a dark grey at the tip, fading back into the pure white of her body about a third of the way up.

"It's lovely to see you too," she said in response, "I guess my fur is just changing as I'm getting older." She laughed nervously, noting that she should go wash off the burnt look later when she had the chance. "I'm here because a lot has happened in the last day. While you were gone, Zoroark's guild sent an assassin to kill the second in command here in Virizion's guild. When Virizion found out, she ordered everyone to go to battle, and that's when it went downhill." Ren looked around at The Grove, noticing the marred ground and bloody stains on the surrounding scenery.

"What happened here?" He asked worriedly, "is everyone alright?" He looked back to his sister who was gazing down at the ground, her eyes giving away the sadness in her heart.

"Ren, they-" she paused to try and regain her composure, to no avail, "they killed mom and dad," she sobbed, letting her tears fall to the ground beneath her nose. Ren looked down, his cheery attitude erased completely by the information. "I tried to save them. I wasn't strong enough. I was helpless." Her tears grew more numerous as she let the blame for her parent's death fall on her shoulders.

"Hey now…" said Ren, looking over at his distraught sister. "If there was nothing you could have done, don't blame yourself," he looked down at the ground, "it's not what they would have wanted." Kori looked at her two friends with concern, each of their pained and emotional minds touching hers. She nuzzled both of them and the three sat together in the shallow sunlight, though it did little to break the freezing cold which had lingered since the night before. Virizion came over to the group, knowing the information that had just been given out, and kindly nudged the Absol.

"I suggest you gather what you need while you still can. The day is still fresh, and wanted posters will not be updated until midday. Hurry and go to Muraha, find out what you can, and grab what you will want. It can't say it'll be easy." Virizion paused for an answer and the Absol nodded.

"Thanks Virizion, for everything. I guess this is goodbye." She looked over at Ren and Kori, who were confused by the idea of Alina being on a wanted poster. She decided it would be better if they didn't know and she gave each of them a hug before starting on her way to Muraha.

"Take care!" Yelled Kori, as she looked back at The Grove for what might be the last time. Calis was approaching her but Alina shook her head. She walked back to Calis and spoke kindly to her.

"Calis, you are the best friend I have ever had. I hate to leave you like this, but I have caused you enough trouble."

"Is this really what you want?" She replied.

"It doesn't have to be what I want," said Alina, "it's best for everyone. Thank you for being there for me."

"You're welcome. You were a beautiful student and an even better friend. I'm sorry you had to go through this." She hugged her friend tightly. "Come back sometime, won't you?"

"Of course." Alina turned and with a smile, she continued on the path, leaving her old life behind.