Darien followed Serena as she retraced the familiar path back to Hiwaka Refuge. Darien looked up in awe. His village had told him that this place was forbidden. But with girls like Serena living within it, he didn't see the problem.

"We're here! But just a word of warning: my sisters may not be entirely pleased by the arrival of a boy," Serena said.

"What's wrong with boys?" Darien asked.

"Don't know," Serena said. The entrance to the refuge framed a Panpour, who waved at Serena.

"It's Raye," Serena said. She waved back, and Darien was jolted into doing the same.

"Serena! You're back! What happened?" Raye asked.

"I fell into a nest of all sorts of nasty Rattata and the like. But this Riolu, Darien, rescued me!" Serena said. Raye turned to face Darien, and her expression fell.

"One of you…" Raye said.

"One of me, yes. Now what's so bad about me?" Darien asked. Raye looked between Serena and Darien.

"Come in… Amber'll come up with something," Raye said, entering the refuge.

"Who's Amber?" Darien asked.

"The caretaker of the refuge. If Raye's my sister, Amber is our mother," Serena told him.

"Welcome back, Serena! Raye told me about your little… problem," Amber the Mawile said, standing in front of a regal-looking stone. Serena curtsied before Amber, and Darien hurriedly scrambled together a bow. Amber turned away from Darien, her massive back-jaw facing him. Darien quivered.

"You're the little Riolu who's got it in for Serena, aren't you?" Amber asked.

"Got it in? No… I'm just a Riolu who saw a Ralts in danger and stepped in to help!" Darien said. Amber's massive jaw stopped snapping, and Darien relaxed a little.

"You claim to be of noble cause…" Amber said, stepping backwards towards Riolu. "A nasty front… but with a soft core," she followed, passing Riolu and revealing her regular body to punctuate her point.

"Miss Amber, I assure you, I do not want to cause harm to your refuge at all. Were it not for Serena's interesting remarks, I mightn't even be here… I've got a score to settle," Darien said.

"A score?" Amber asked.

"Yes… my village was razed by a Dark-typed team. I want to avenge my fallen brothers and sisters," Darien said.

"Dark Pokémon… I've heard nasty rumours about the current state of the Dark type. Very well… if you think you're going to go up against them, you'll probably need help," Amber said.

"Amber! You're seriously not thinking of helping this guy, are you?" Raye asked. A Fennekin, a Goomy and a Petilil looked out from their resting places, and nervously approached the scene.

"RAYE! The Hiwaka Refuge is meant to help all! Put aside your troubles, at least while we share a just goal!" Amber said. She turned, and noticed the three new observers of the scene.

"…OK… You've seen Raye's adamance. She's not going to let just any boy get help from Hiwaka. How about you prove yourself as worthy?" Amber asked.

"…I really don't want to be a bother…" Darien said.

"Please, Darien? Could you please… accept our help?" Serena asked. Begged would have been more appropriate. The Petilil approached Serena, and placed itself on her shoulder. Serena smiled, still looking at Darien.

"…All right. I'll accept the challenge," Darien said. Amber nodded, and she and the four other residents that had revealed themselves stood before him.

"Let's see if you can defeat all five of us," Amber said. Darien nodded, before looking at Serena.

"And not her?" Darien asked.

"She's… a special case. I don't think we'd convince her to fight against you even if her life depended on it. Odd… well, anyway, it's just us five," Amber said. Darien bowed, and his first opponent jumped forward.

Amy the Fennekin was the first opponent. She curtsied to Darien respectfully, before shooting four bolts of flame. Darien stepped nimbly, managing to avoid all but a slight tail singe. Amy gave an impressed noise, acknowledging the rarity of such a feat, before closing her eyes. Darien charged forward, and used a Force Palm to blast Amy back.

Raye the Panpour was the second opponent. She immediately shot forth a scalding jet of water, such that Darien was blasted full in the face. He shook off the burning sensation, and rushed forward. Raye smirked as Darien charged, not realising that Darien was much stronger than Raye believed. Her initial thrust's failure became apparent as soon as his initial thrust's success did.

Lita the Goomy was the third opponent. She sludged forward, and allowed Darien a strike. Darien's hand got stuck in Lita's goo, and Darien pulled. Lita approached more carefully, encouraging Darien to put his feet into her to pull. He decided against doing so, recognising the folly in that course of action. Darien focused his spirit, and spun a Vacuum Wave attack at Lita with his free paw, blasting her away.

Mina the Petilil was the fourth opponent. Mina began by spewing a spray of spores, which Darien caught in the face. As Darien slept, Mina began dancing, channelling her abilities. Mina prepared a Petal Dance, only for Darien to awaken at the last second and jump up. Mina looked up, not noticing Darien had already landed until Darien's Force Palm struck her in the back.

"Excellent work," Amber said, stepping up as the fifth opponent. Darien turned on the spot to face her. Amber raised her arms, spraying a Fairy's Wind forward onto Darien. Darien was knocked back, and he looked down. Focusing a Force Palm, he pushed down into the ground. The displaced dirt shot forward, shooting under Amber's feet and displacing her.

"You're not just good… you're great! I've never seen anyone do a Bulldoze like that!" Amber said. "We'll help you find those Dark-types, and help you get back at them!"

"Oh, thank you for that!" Darien said.

"So, we'll be helping you out with this problem of yours?" Serena asked Darien. Darien nodded, watching Amber meticulously plan out her next move.

"Psh. I don't care what Amber says. You're just a lucky Riolu with a sob story. I know how men are. You don't fool me," Raye said.

"Raye! That is completely out of line!" Mina said.

"We can't judge him just because he doesn't lay eggs!" Lita added.

"I don't care what you think. He's not worthy of our trust," Raye said.

"Raye… I trust Darien with all my heart. I know what he wants is perfectly within reason. You should do the same," Serena said.

"Same to you, runt!" Raye said, storming from the room.

"Wow… is she like this to everyone?" Darien asked.

"Just boys. By the standards I've seen, this is the softest she's been," Amy told him.