Life's been hectic. But I've finally gotten a good, steady job that I'm confident and comfortable with. And I'm feeling up for doing some more fan-fiction. Dunno how long I'll keep this up, but I'll try to keep on a roll, however long I keep it going.

Vines & Briars

Chapter 18: Anger & Sorrow

"What the name of Arceus were you thinking!?"

Rick woke up, quite groggily, to the sound of Rio's voice berating him in this manner.

"Wha- what- what happened?" Rick groaned as he lifted his head and looked around, a bit blearily.

"I stopped you from outright killing the guy you were trying to apprehend," Rio said, incensed, "that's what happened!"

Rick blinked, waking up more at that accusation.

"What- I- I wouldn't- I'd-"

"Don't try to tell me you weren't about to!" Rio snapped.

As he woke up more, Rick looked around. They were still in the chamber where he had fought Denzel. Rio was crouched over Denzel, who seemed to have passed out from shock or perhaps blood-loss. The riolu was treating Denzel's wounds and was just wrapping them up now.

"I saw the tail-end of the fight." Rio said, his anger showing no signs of fading, "I saw that evolution, and you attacking Denzel. You should have stopped when he said to stop. You should have definitely stopped when you had him on the ground."

Rick could only find himself feeling a sense of confusion. He couldn't remember the fight clearly, as if it were in a fog. He couldn't remember why he would've been so aggressive with Denzel.

Did Rio hit me so I lost a bit of what memory I have?

If that were the case, Rio likely hadn't intended to do that, and Rick found himself wondering just how far he'd gone.

Rio finished tending to Denzel and rounded on Rick, who recoiled a little. He hadn't seen a look of such vehement disapproval on his face before.

"I thought you were trying to get Denzel's help. That's what Zoe said anyways. But whether you were trying to do that, or arrest him for the reward, no one ever tries to kill another like that!" Rio said, his gestures only making it clearer how upset he was.

"I- I- I-" Rick was lost for words.

Rio looked as if he would've liked to have slapped Rick, or perhaps leave him there and never speak to him again. Rick's side had a considerable bruise from where Rio had hit him, and he was sore overall from the other injures sustained in the fight. He wasn't in any condition to move anywhere.

However, Rio stopped before Rick and glowered at him.

"You have one chance to explain yourself to me." Rio said harshly, "If I don't get a good explanation for your actions, you're the one who's gonna be facing Chief Magnezone and his deputes."

Rick swallowed, feeling quite intimidated and nervous.

How do I explain myself. Rio's so upset with me... I- I must have done what he's saying I did... but why can't I remember any of it?

He thought about it for a couple minutes, trying to find some reason why he couldn't remember any of it.

I just can't remember. When I really think about it, I can kinda remember what it all looked like... and... I did fight Denzel, I know that. But I can't remember the details. It's- it's like-

Rick's entire body seemed to go cold as his blood as he realized what it was like.

It's like with Croc. He couldn't remember why or the details. And he wasn't acting like his usual self either.

It was quite harrowing, and Rick started to wonder if he was even safe to stay around.

Maybe I should be imprisoned...

Rio saw the horror coming over Rick and his anger subsided a bit, though he still had a glare fixed on him.

"Well?" He prompted.

Rick looked at Rio and breathed in and out, thinking over what he would tell Rio.

Do I tell him the truth? That I'm becoming just as dangerous as everyone else? I still don't know what's causing everyone to get so aggressive and violent with one another.

Rick couldn't ignore the terror he felt though with the knowledge that he was just as vulnerable to this force as everyone else. He was willing to admit to being aggressive with others when angry, but he had never had the heart to try taking someone else's life.

Rio was still waiting for the explanation, though his tension made it clear he would not wait much longer.

Rick finally sighed.

It's Rio. He seems to not be affected right now, so I should be able to trust his judgment.

"I... I can't clearly remember what happened, Rio." Rick answered, "But... I think you are right. I... I tried to kill him. Whatever has been affecting everyone else... I think it got to me as well." he admitted remorsefully, "If you think I should be arrested for it, I would understand."

He then braced himself for the accusation. For Rio to declare that he would bring him in for it.

Rio continued to stare at Rick for a minute more... seemingly judging if Rick was being honest. And when he finally spoke, it was with much more calm and less anger.

"Alright. Well, I guess I punched it out of you here." He smirked a bit "And I got a little payback for what you did back in that cave in Denwood."

Rick was a little stunned at the fact that Rio was being so friendly again.

Did he... just forgive me for what I did?

Then Rio lightly batted the back of his head. "Just watch yourself better and don't go trying to kill anyone again, alright?" he had a smile on his face now.

Rick was further stunned when Rio lightly slapped his head... and then he couldn't help laughing. It was such a playful and silly action... and Rick was so relieved to still have Rio's trust, that he could only laugh. Rio was smiling with amusement himself as he just watched Rick laugh.

Once Rick had settled down and stopped laughing, Rio spoke up again.

"Like I said before, I got some of the story from Zoe. I saw you waiting up in that tree the day before and I was just coming to check on you again, and I found Zoe out there, looking panicked. She explained to me how you and her had been waiting for Denzel and you had apparently gone running after Denzel, up Mount Corona. She was afraid of getting lost by herself if she tried going after you, so I told her to just wait where she was and that I'd go after you. I wasn't surprised to find you fighting Denzel, but... I never thought I'd have to stop you killing him. Good thing I arrived when I did."

Rick listened to this and he realized with much regret that he had made several mistakes in his haste, starting with leaving Zoe behind.

I got so wrapped up in trying to chase Denzel down, I didn't consider how timid Zoe is. She wouldn't have followed me up here. It must have been Rio I heard trying to call me when I was just entering these caves.

"Is she alright?" Rick asked, a little worry and dread in his tone. Rio shrugged.

"I think so. She seemed to calm down when I told her to stay put while I went after you. So I think she's probably waiting for you," He then chuckled a little "just hope she recognizes you."

Rick blinked, a little puzzled, then it occurred to him that he was eye-level with Rio despite most of his body still lying down, and he looked himself over, quite awed.

"You don't look too different," Rio pointed out, "just bigger, so I think she should be able to tell its you."

Rick would've begged to differ as he felt quite different being bigger. It was like going from being an 8-year-old to 18 in the span of a few minutes.

Am I going to have to relearn how to walk?

Looking himself over, Rick did note that his legs were as short as before and Rio was admittedly right that, apart from size, he didn't look too different from how he did before.

At least I'm less likely to get eaten by anything.

Rick was pretty sure the events from the swamp were going to always haunt him regardless of how he changed.

He refocused on Rio.

"So, Denzel's going to be alright then?" he asked, glancing past Rio at the unconscious floatzel.

"Yeah, he should be. You certainly did a number on him. But given you're grass to his water, I'm not surprised in the least about that. You're planning on getting his help with whatever you want from him when he wakes up?"

Rick nodded.

"That was the idea. Just hope he can swim again soon, because I'm going to be getting a ride with him over the ocean. Assuming he'll cooperate."

Rio looked a bit curious as Rick said this.

"Where are you going exactly?"

Rick winced a bit as he mentally hit that brick wall.

"Honestly... I'm... not sure. I'm hoping Denzel might have an idea of the place I'm thinking of."

Rio understandably looked doubtful when Rick admitted to not knowing.

"I know you just got expelled from the guild, but I think rather than leaving it up to luck like that, you ought to ask Roserade." Rio said, a measure of concern in his tone.

Rick considered that for only a second.

"No... she'd only forbid me from leaving the island and refuse to give me any information at all. If Denzel doesn't know anything, I'll ask around and see if someone around the island knows. Someone besides Roserade." he said firmly.

The riolu gave Rick a mildly exasperated look, but conceded to this.

"At the very least, take me along then. You shouldn't go alone." he said, still a bit concerned.

"I won't be going alone. Denzel will be there of course, and if that's not enough, Zoe can come too. You have guild-duties to attend to along with Quil anyways. Plus even big as he is, I'm not sure if Denzel could hold the three of us." Rick countered.

Rio looked more annoyed this time, but only muttered about Denzel cooperating in the first place.

Rick finally decided to try getting up and experimenting with himself a bit, now that he was so changed. He would see about waking up Denzel afterwards.

-0-

A few minutes of experimentation and Rick had gotten accustomed to the new size and capabilities of his evolved form. He found he was quite a bit faster despite his limbs being no longer than they had been previously. And he felt stronger all-around, his body having more muscle.

Whatever I exactly did to Denzel, it doesn't really surprise me now that I could overpower him. I think I'm just as fast as him now, if not faster.

His attention was drawn away from himself when Denzel finally woke up from the beat-down Rick had subjected him to.

"Ergh... wh-where am I?" the floatzel groaned as he sat up.

I wonder...

"Hey there Denzel. Good to see you awake." Rick spoke up, "Can you remember much?"

Denzel didn't look at Rick and spoke, somewhat automatically, not considering who he was talking to.

"Errrrr... no, I can't. Feels like- wait a minute!" He perked up, becoming more aware and looked at Rick, confused. "Who the heck are you- Aaaaaaagh..." He yelled, then he cringed as his wounds apparently flared up with pain.

"Easy there." Rio said, stepping over to Denzel and making him sit down again from having jumped to his feet, "You still need to rest."

Denzel bit back several curses as he tried to adjust to the searing pain across his body.

"Where the hell am I? What's with you two 'round me. Ain't you Kale's kid?" Denzel groaned. Rick couldn't help noting that Denzel's dialect was rather similar to Croc's, though Denzel's was a little less rough. His curiosity was piqued though when Denzel spoke to Rio.

Kale's kid? Denzel knows Rio's dad?

"That doesn't matter right now." Rio said, his tone a bit terse, "You've got some explaining to do and my, er, companion over there apparently has a request for you when we're done." Rio said.

Companion, huh? Guess he's still just a bit sore over my actions.

"Explaining? 'Bout what?" Denzel said, sounding a little annoyed that he was getting interrogated like this. Rick cut-in on the conversation at this point.

"Denzel. What's the last thing you can remember?"

Denzel looked at Rick, looking positively puzzled at seeing him. Rick was used to that look by now. He could tell the Floatzel was trying to tell just what he was. Rick also noted in the back of his mind that he didn't know what he was now either. He may have been a snivy before, but he had clearly evolved and he was something else now.

"Uh... I was out with some of my buddies out on the water... sparrin' with 'em. I... err... what was I doin' after that...?" Denzel's expression steadily went from reflective, to even more confused.

"... Can remember running places... but... why was I goin' there? Was I- did I beat people up? What-?" He shook his head.

I know this reaction. Denzel's like everyone else... myself included. He's been under the effects. I wonder just how long he's been in that state of mind.

"Don't worry about it too much." Rick said, trying to give him some reassurance, "It wasn't you. Not really."

Rick felt like he was talking more to himself. He tried to put aside his feelings of guilt and continue talking.

"Sorry to be asking this out of nowhere... but are you familiar by any chance with the lands away of this island?" Rick asked. Denzel listened to the question and his eyes narrowed a bit.

"Why you askin' that?" He responded, a bit warily. The former human wasn't too surprised at his tone.

"I was hoping you might know something about an area where a shiftry lives and tries to rule over others. Has a bunch of nuzleaf who follow his orders? Sound familiar at all?"

Denzel's expression showed his recognition well before he spoke up.

"Yeah... I been 'round that place. Me and my boys roughed that lot up once when they were getting outta paw. Wasn't easy either. But that beat some humility into that guy. Still... I enjoyed that fight. What? Is he stirrin' up trouble over there again?" Denzel said, sounding a little annoyed... but he actually sounded more happy when asking if Shiftry was stirring up trouble. Rick had a shrewd guess that he was hoping for an excuse to go pummel Shiftry again.

"No... not really him. Though he's not exactly humble. But anyways... I think someone else is stirring up trouble. And I suspect they're somewhere in that area. I... wanted to ask you for a ride there over the ocean." Rick said, feeling a touch nervous. This was the point where he really hoped Denzel would be willing to help.

Denzel took a long minute, looking Rick over, apparently sizing him up.

"... Hm. And why should I give you a ride anywhere? You haven't even introduced yourself." Denzel finally spoke up. Rick cringed, that answer being the sort he had been dreading.

"My name's Rick. Before you say anything about it, I don't know what I am now. All I know is that I was a snivy before. Please, I-"

"That's more like it!" Denzel cut-off Rick mid-sentence, "Now that we're all introduced and ya already know my name, now I'll take ya where ya wanna go. When are we headed out, Ricky?" he said, sounding quite a bit more jolly.

For his part... Rick was stunned on multiple levels. Denzel's personality appeared to have done an about-face. He was suddenly ready and willing to give the former human a ride. And had he just been called "Ricky"?