CHAPTER 9

Buizel seemed distressed by something. His attention constantly diverted from Rylan as Rylan confessed his dislike.

"What's wrong?" Rylan asked, noticing Buizel reaching up to touch a spot behind his right ear.

"It's-" Buizel started. "Look, there's a reason I don't like you."

Vulpix had mixed feelings about what Buizel was about to say. She was worried it might upset them both, but she also hoped that Rylan would understand and try to be positive about it.

"I hate humans," Buizel said. "That sums it up, really. I suppose I should tell you why, though."

For the first time since the two met, Rylan looked directly at Buizel, genuinely curious as to what he had to say.

"Some years ago," explained Buizel, "I lived in a world populated by both humans and Pokémon. I had never directly interacted with any humans but I had always been interested. I lived with a few relatives at the time, and Vulpix and her family lived pretty close to mine. We were good friends ever since we were babies, even though our parents initially criticized the friendship between a Water Pokémon and a Fire Pokémon. We eventually showed them that friendship isn't limited to Pokémon of the same type. Ever since then, Vulpix has always looked out for me, as I have for her."

Vulpix smiled. She liked the fact that Buizel was being completely honest with Rylan.

"However," Buizel continued, "my time spent with Vulpix met its end when a group of humans wearing black suits entered our homeland and built a giant base of operations. When they learned that nests of Pokémon populated the area, they sought to capture the strongest among us and drive away the weak ones."

Buizel rubbed across his scar again. Rylan noticed a few tears falling from his cheeks.

"One of the humans saw me and brought a whip down on me," he said. "His allies set my home on fire, and started attacking and capturing my friends and family. Vulpix's family lived a bit further from the humans than mine did, so she was safe for the time being, but she still chose to run down to the lake and help me escape."

Rylan's heart sank. He actually felt bad for Buizel. However, he couldn't help but wonder if Buizel's hatred of humans would continuously impact their relationship as teammates.

"We couldn't make it through the flames," continued Buizel. "Guildmaster Aggron showed up and saved us, risking his life to get us out. It takes a lot of nerve for a Steel Pokémon to wander into a sea of flames. Vulpix and I really admired him for that."

"What happened to Vulpix's home?" Rylan asked. "Is her family all right?"

"I don't know," Buizel said. "I can only hope that they made it out in one piece."

A tear dripped down Rylan's cheek. He stood up and walked over to Buizel, who was wiping his eyes. Buizel looked up at Rylan as he approached, appearing very stunned and afraid since revealing his biggest vulnerability.

Rylan held out his paw to Buizel. "I know I can't help the situation, being a human and all," he said, "but I'm more than willing to start over if you are.

Buizel sniffled softly, just watching Rylan as he extended his paw. Rylan had been all but kind since they first met, and now he was offering camaraderie to Buizel? Vulpix must have been right about humans. They certainly are different.

"I understand that you don't trust me, and I don't blame you anymore," Rylan said, "but if we set aside our differences, I think we can hate each other a lot…um…less."

Buizel chuckled at that statement. He felt a bit better since confessing, and he did want to start over as well.

"What do you say?" Rylan asked.

Buizel slowly extended his own paw and shook Rylan's. "I could certainly benefit from hating you a little less."

"Oh, you boys…" Vulpix laughed.

"Heh, that was cute," said a familiar voice.

Startled, the three of them turned. A Houndoom emerged from the shadows.

"Who are you?" Vulpix asked. "What do you want?"

"Nobody special," Houndoom replied. "Just here on account of some business."

"Business?" Buizel asked. "What kind of business?"

"Apparently the kind that entails having to drag you three all the way out here and heal you up," Houndoom said. "I didn't want you and your lady friend here to get involved," he said to Buizel, "but Boss said it was for the best since you three are a team."

"So you mean to say that you have business with him?" Vulpix asked, looking at Rylan.

Houndoom nodded. "That's right."

Rylan looked surprised. "What do you want with me?" he asked. "How do you even know about me?"

"Oh, I know quite a few things about you," Houndoom replied. "I could tell you, but Boss wanted me to bring you here so he could come tell you himself. He should be here right about now. Perhaps he's late."

"Yeah, sure," Rylan said. "I bet you don't know a single thing about me."

"Well," said Houdoom, "I know that you don't remember a single thing about yourself, Mr. Rylan."

Rylan's eyes widened. "How do you know my name? How do you know about-?"

"I bet he's just a sneaky little spy for his boss," Buizel said. "I wouldn't trust him."

"Heck, Boss knows you pretty well himself," Houndoom said. "He told me that the key fragment you've got around your neck is necessary for getting back to the human-"

"THIS WAY! BZZZT! OVER HERE!" a rather odd voice buzzed in the distance.

"Darn!" Houndoom growled. "They're here! I bet that's why Boss didn't show up. I hope he didn't get apprehended…"

"Human what?" Rylan asked. "What were you saying?" Did this boss of Houndoom know about Rylan's human past?

"No time to explain, kid," Houndoom said. "I gotta go."

Houndoom flexed, preparing to run off, but as he did so, he discreetly slipped something into Rylan's explorer pack, which was on the ground right next to him.

"Catch you later, hopefully," Houndoom said as he took off.

"Wait! What do you know about me?" Rylan called out.

"BZZT! OVER HERE!" the strange voice said. The voice was coming closer to Rylan and the others.

"Who's there?" Vulpix asked.

A few bushes nearby rustled, and a Magnezone hovered out of them a few seconds later. It spotted the three Pokémon and came closer. "BZZT," it said. "I AM OFFICER MAGNEZONE. HAVE YOU THREE SEEN A HOUNDOOM PASS BY HERE?"

Buizel pointed in the direction Houndoom fled. Vulpix looked a bit displeased by this gesture.

"He went that way," Buizel said.

"BZZT. MUCH APPRECIATED," Magnezone said. "HOUNDOOM IS A WANTED OUTLAW. PLEASE NOTIFY US IF YOU SEE HIM AGAIN."

Buizel didn't look surprised, though Vulpix did. Rylan didn't really care what Houndoom was. He had the answers Rylan was seeking.

Vulpix looked disappointed as Magnezone floated off in pursuit of Houndoom. "Outlaw or not," she said, "he healed us. I hope he makes it out okay."

"But he also dragged us out here to goodness knows where," Buizel said, "just so he could speak to Rylan."

"He was about to tell Rylan something about his human self," Vulpix said. "Maybe he wants to help Rylan get back home. He can't be all that bad."

"He's an outlaw for a reason," Buizel said. "He's done some bad things. Anyway, we should find out where we are and get out of here."

Vulpix took a good look at the surrounding scenery. Judging from the Sun's position in the sky, afternoon was turning to evening pretty quickly. They had been unconscious for quite some time. She also noticed that there were several walls of stone surrounding them. Reaching for her backpack, she pulled out a large map and looked at it very closely, then examined the scenery again.

"We're in Oscuro Canyon," she concluded. "No doubt about it."

"Really?" Rylan asked. "That means we might be able to pick up some berries on the way back to the guild."

"I doubt it," said Buizel. "Rumors say that berries are very rare in this area, so finding them is quite the task. That's why Vulpix and I were sent here as punishment instead of a place more suited for berries to grow. Aggron expected us to spend all day looking for them."

"Well, let's just keep our eyes open," Rylan said, picking up his backpack and slipping it on. Buizel did the same with his.

"Right, let's move out," he said. "Hopefully we can get back to the guild before the Sun sets."