"RRGGGHOOOOOOH, WHEN I GET MY CLAWS ON THAT FREAK, I'M GONNA TEAR HIM LIMB FROM LIMB WITH MY BARE HANDS AND BURN HIM TO ASHES! NO MERCY!" King roared in fury as he clenched his fists and threw punches.

We were still standing right where Leon had left us and what he just said about everyone of us left bad tastes in the mouths of our team. I probably was the one who felt the least upset, for he really didn't say anything negative about myself, but more of that fact I was still trying to regain composure from getting the wind knocked out of me. But I could tell you from just visual looks and body language, they all were upset.

"You're not the only one who wants to rip that guy to shreds," Zev said, angrily and folding his arms, "If he has a set of guts to even joke about Sorren getting hurt, I got a lot to say to his face."

"Indeed. A coward only comes to trash-talk others and then leaves before the others can retort," Batsu said, obviously upset at the insults he was named.

"Am... Am I really not a good rescue member?" Naruto whimpered, looking down with a lowered ears head.

I looked at Sasuke and we both walked over to him. Standing by each side of his, we pet his head and rubbed his face. Soon, the whimpering and negative emotions that dwelt inside of him were gone and the little smile and tail wagging returned once again. It was kind of funny how just a little reassurance was all the little guy needed to feel optimistic again.

"Hey, I get that he stepped on our toes and we all would like a word with him, but right now, he's not the important thing we need to do is rescue Elek," Sasuke said, trying to get all of us to calm down.

"But don't you feel a tad confused and intrigued on why this guy just came to us for no reason?" Naruto asked, as I was continuing to regain myself and holding my chest still.

"Yeah, what kind of guy just attacks us, mocks each one of us, and then proceeds to help us out?" Zev asked, seeming to want an answer.

"It doesn't make sense, but he did refer to others besides himself," Sasuke placing a paw on his chin and thinking aloud, now getting into the discussion, "I wonder if he's the spokesperson or maybe a part of this group who's watching us."

"But if that's the case, then why attempt to hurt us in any way? Didn't he say that they wanted us to pass specifically?" Naruto wondered, "Maybe he was just testing us to see what we could do."

I slowly rubbed my arm as I hesitated to ask a question, but soon was brave enough to do so, "I... really wanna know why he said that I was the one to especially keep alive and pass the exam."

"Ahh, yes, that's correct," Batsu replied, looking at me with that curiosity stare of his again, "Leon instructed us to specifically make sure that you ended up being victorious."

"Hey, in fact, Leon never really said anything bad about you, Thomas," Naruto added, "Maybe you're special in some way?"

"If that's true, then what exactly is it about Thomas that is so worth saving? Not to be rude or say he's nothing, but he's a normal Pikachu, isn't he? Does he have some certain power to him that we don't?" Zev asked, thinking aloud as well.

This is where red flags started to go up in the heads of me and my brothers. The only special thing that I had besides any Pokémon was that I was truthfully a human. Did that Bagon and the group he was a part of already know that I was? How did it slip out that I was a human? And if it didn't, how could this group figure it out? I just silently hoped that Leon and whatever he worked for didn't squeal at all.

"Maybe there's something that he was before the monster attack," Sasuke lied, suggesting an idea, "Maybe Thomas is something critical or important."

"Hmmm... This is very interesting..." Batsu said, looking at me with a stare that was fully attentive.

"RRRGH, ENOUGH!" King yelled, growling and snapping our attention with fear like twigs, "JUST THINKING ABOUT THAT BAGON MAKES ME FURIOUS!"

"Hey, King, he said your problem was anger; keep raging, and he's going to be right, you know," Zev said, slyly countering his roar.

When the Charmeleon heard this, instead of his increase of angered emotion, he widened his eyes in response and looked down, slowly loosening his fists and snorting a breath of calmness. We all gathered near him as he sighed.

"I know... it's just, I can't stand punks like him who act all high-and-mighty," he groaned.

"Hey, trust me; we'd like to wring his neck too," I said, with the rest nodding (even Batsu surprisingly), "and we can have special sharing time later about what just went down and what Leon was after."

"Thomas is right; we need to get moving, and we are left with only one question," Sasuke said as we all turned our heads to the "short-cut" that Leon said would get us there in no time.

"Yeah, and that is do we trust Leon and go through the short-cut?" Naruto asked, slowly sniffing near it and peeking in.

"Even though he was a big jerk, I feel that what he said was legit. It seemed he knew a lot about the layout of Crystal Cavern, more than us for sure," King actually agreed with the Bagon that gave us hassle.

"Oh? Does this mean he lives in Pokémon Square?" I asked, looking at my brothers, as they gave a shrug.

"If that's the case, first time I've ever seen him," Zev said with a shrug as the others all nodded in agreement, "In my whole time of living here, never laid eyes or heard of a Bagon who lived in the Square."

"So, do you think he purposely came to the cavern ahead of time and prepared for us?" I asked, rather suspicious of this guy.

"It seems that way. For this guy to know the layout of the dungeon we're in, to know all of us, and to admit that this group of his is rooting for us to pass this exam, there's no doubt he's trying to help us," Sasuke said, starting to smile, "I guess then we can trust him and try this short-cut."

"But is this really acceptable?" Batsu asked, upset feelings shown on his eyes, "This Leon is not official apart of the team, and this just seems as if this is completely going against the rules of this stage. We're supposed to be doing this as a team, and most likely alone."

"Pfft, again with the rules?" King groaned, "Look, it's not like the guy is actually going to help us fight Gabite, you know. And note for you to remember; we cheated in order to pass the last stage, remember? Geez, take a chill pill..."

"Besides," Sasuke added, being a bit more polite and positive, "Sometimes, Pokémon from dungeons will help us or we may bump into friends who can give us a hand. It's okay, Batsu, really."

"Yeah, in other words, let's all shut our yaps and get moving pronto," King said, as the Buizel went in first, followed by King, then Naruto.

As Zev began to go into the short-cut, I could see the disappointment and frustrated look on the Riolu's face. It seemed to really bother him whenever the rules were bent. It seemed rather flustering to him to see his leader and team be willing to go against what he holds so sacred than anyone I've ever known and just be forced to 'go with the flow.' Feeling sorry for him, I struggled to decide whether to comfort him, but knowing I had a past of rule-breaking already with him, I felt useless.

"Hey... Thomas?"

I perked my ears up and looked at him, as his body turned to me and looked me in the eyes. It was rare for him to talk to me, but I couldn't seem to choose if I felt honored or suspicious.

"What... are your feelings on this? Do you think this is right for us to do?" he popped his question, looking down, awaiting for my answer.

Wow... this was very ground-breaking for him to talk to me about. I never thought that he would ask something like that, and to me of all people. Maybe it was because his father wasn't around and he didn't know who to ask, but anyways, it was very strange that coming completely out of the blue was him asking that. But nevertheless, I walked right to his side and then stopped.

"To be honest... I really don't know if this is right... but what I do know is this," I said, as he turned his head to look at me, "When we pass, we're going to be doing this a lot in our career and thus, we can use all the help we can get. After all, it's really all about rescuing the one in need, right?"

Batsu gave me a surprised blinked and looked down, saying aloud, "Yes... it appears you are right... I don't feel comfortable in doing this yet," quickly then looking back at me with his determination back on his face, "But I am ready to tackle any situation we must face. Let us hurry and go after Elek."

With that, he slowly came into the passageway and then began to follow the rest of them. I felt kind of happy that I was able to help him, and in hope, maybe that could have possibly been the opening to a future friendship. But for now, I decided to take a breath and slowly make my way after Batsu into the passageway.

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