Hey, did you miss me. After a couple months of summer classes, lawn mowing, and vacations, I have returned. I hope you guys enjoy this as much as I enjoyed writing this.
Arc One: Mystery
Chapter Fifteen: Onward! To Adventure!
"Sure is a bright and sunny day today, isn't Red?" I hear the yellow mouse say as he sits on top of my head.
The only thing I do is nod. In fact, I almost sent Sparks flying off my head because I was quite careless.
Today's the day that I, along with Lucas, Sparks, and Eve, am going to find Xatu...
Hopefully...most likely...probably...maybe...
I shake my head. He'll be real, he has to be. Otherwise we're back to square one. And no one wants to go back to square one. I'm the last person who wants to be there.
Besides the library, yesterday wasn't too eventful. The three of us headed to the board and ended up helping a Vaporeon with a bowtie trying to find his best friend. After that we came back to the Guild and had dinner and Wigglytuff told everyone else about what we had found out.
And that's the part that I can't get out of my head no matter how hard I try.
"A legendary Xatu?" Bolt said. "Are you really sure about this? This could just be a wild Swablu chase."
Wigglytuff sighed. "Well, I'm afraid we don't really have any other choice. The one other way to find out anything is to go back into a Mystery Dungeon, but we've been doing that for a long time and nothing has come out of it."
Team Forever shakes nervously. "Don't say those words." Zack said. "Those places are a nightmare to get through."
"But if we don't solve them soon, then we'll have to keep going through them to get food for the town." Crush stated, "I guess we're going to have to get used to them if that's the case."
Daisy sighs, "Can't we ask Zygarde why this is happening? He is the Order Pokemon after all. He should-"
I'm shocked by this and cut her off right there. "There's no way I'm going with him! Don't you-"
"Yes, I remember, and I never said that we would give him to you." The Gardevoir says with her hand up. "But we may not have a choice soon. I'm not saying we do it now, but if it comes to it and if we can't work something out..." She doesn't finish.
I then looked around and saw the same worried look on everyone's face, besides Lucas, and I can't tell what Eve's thinking about because it looks like she's under the table for some reason, but even Bolt has it, and he was the one who helped us out of that pickle.
Lucas, who seen it all too, came to my defence. "Wait, you don't really think Red is the cause of this, do you? I know I've only been with Red for just over a week, but by being his partner, I know that his aura has only shown kindness toward me and everyone else in Treasure Town." He then turns toward me. "I refuse to believe that Red has anything to do with this. He's just...too kind to do something like that."
"He has amnesia, Lucas." Ray says. "He may have done something wrong that he doesn't remember yet, whether it was on propose or an accident I can't say. However, we have to start thinking about what will happen if we don't stop this soon."
Sweat starts to form on Lucas' head. "W-we can't. We don't even know what he'll do to us if we meet up again. We weren't exactly nice to him. I mean, he wasn't either, but we froze him and then teleported him away. Not to mention he was very demanding." He then looked at Bolt and said. "Come on Bolt, you have to help me out here."
The Luxray looked at Lucas. "Yeah, he wasn't too kind after I told him to leave, but he may be our only hope to stop this mess."
The look on Lucas' face is one that comes when somemon was just stabbed with a dagger. "H-how could you!" Lucas says with tears in his eyes. "You helped us fight him off."
"I'm sorry, Lucas and Red." He started, "That was then, and while I will protect everyone here on this Guild as long as I'm a member, this island is the reason why we're all here. We're going to protect it and do our job. It's not something I want to do, but it may be something that we should do soon." He finishes by saying, "You joined the Guild to protect others, Lucas. Sacrifices will have to be made."
Ray sighed rather loudly, catching our attention. "Look, I know that I haven't been the nicest bird to you two, but that's because I go by the facts, and the fact is that we haven't gotten anywhere with how these Dungeons are forming, but Zygarde may have an answer. Another fact we know is that Mystery Dungeons are spreading to other places." He then took an awkward pause, and then said, "We...got a call from Ocean's Island a few hours ago while all of you were out. They said that a Mystery Dungeon showed up there in the caves where they make their orbs."
Everyone gasps as the Chatot continues. "If this doesn't work out, then we'll have to keep it in mind. It may not be easy to say, but it may be the only way to stop this crisis."
I didn't know how to think about it. It felt scary to just give myself up to Zygarde. My nightmare with him in it was not very comforting, like, at all. But if this doesn't work out, then Mystery Dungeons are going to appear more frequently, putting more Pokemon in trouble. And these things could get worse. What if the Pokemon inside that are all crazy escape? Are they going to calm down or go on a rampage?
"Lucas, Red." Wigglytuff says calmly. "I don't ever wish harm upon you two. You're a great team. But sometimes, we have to make choices. Choices that may not be fun to make. It may come to that, but I hope that there'll be another way around this. Just keep that in mind. But deep down, I know you two are going to find Xatu tomorrow with Sparks and Eve, I just know it."
I try to smile, but the damage had already been done to me.
I lost any reason to be happy.
I couldn't finish dinner that night. I couldn't sleep that night. I couldn't even put a smile on my face after that. Just the fact that I might be delaying my own doom...is a scary thought. If Xatu isn't real, then I may have to go to Zygarde, and let him do whatever he has to do with me.
Would it hurt? Would I die from it? Will it even work at all? All these questions are left swirling in my mind, constantly reminding me that my life may be in deep trouble soon, and keeping me in a constant state that is leaving me feeling pretty depressed.
"Gahhhh...just stop." I think to myself. "I can't even enjoy the scenery."
Anyways, after my sleepless night, Lucas and I had breakfast and now here we are about to get to Flower Hills on our way to Central Mountain with Sparks on my head and Eve walking behind us. Of course because of Green Forest is a Mystery Dungeon, we had to take the long way around. Thankfully, despite the edge of the forest being right next to Shifting Caves, it has been a pretty nice trip, except if someone steps on a stick, Eve might end up having a panic attack.
"Are we going to get to Flower Hills soon?" The White Vulpix asks.
"Let me check." The Emanation Pokemon says as he digs through his bag. He then puts out the folded up map. He then struggles with unfolding it as it turns out to be quite big.
"Here, let me help you with that." Sparks says as he jumps off my head and onto Lucas'. The two of them then unfold it together, with each of them holding one end of the map.
Lucas then says, "So, according to the map, if we keep going on this path, we'll be at Flower Hills in only a matter of minutes."
Eve breathes a sigh of relief, as do I. "That's good, because I really don't want to be ambushed by that Zoroark again."
Lucas then points to his black bags. "As long as we're here, I'm not letting my senses down."
I look at Lucas. I then look at everyone. They all look so happy. So why can't I make myself smile today. I always try to keep one up, but all the weight is just too heavy for me. No matter how hard I try, I just can't do it. It's like there's a seal over my mouth.
I then feel someone patting my back. I turn my head and see Lucas. "Red, come on, lighten up. It's a nice day. I know you're scared about what could happen if he isn't there, but at least you got us."
Sparks then hops back onto my head. "Yeah, we'll find him. Everything will turn up in the end."
I try to smile again, I really do, but I just can't bring myself to do it. It's weird. Normally I am happy. I've been (mostly) happy throughout this entire time I've been a Raboot. But the feeling of impending doom is just...a little too much. I just can't get the clouds to leave. In this situation...I can't really be me.
I start to ignore the three Pokemon and start to walk faster. I'm just not in the mood right now. This makes Sparks jump back to Lucas as I make my way. Even though I'm quite some distance from them, I still hear them talking to each other, wondering what to do. I don't blame them. They just want to make me feel better. It's just not the right time.
"Man, Red's really down today." Sparks says as he climbs on top of Lucas' head.
"I mean, his life does depend if we find this Xatu guy or not." I hear Eve say.
Lucas sighs. "There's got to be a way to make him feel better, but what can we do?"
"How about we play a game?" Sparks says. "Oh! Let's do tag!"
"You're only saying that because you're probably the best one at it, aren't you?" Lucas says.
"Well, I'm a Pichu. I gotta go fast."
"Even if I use Quick Attack, I don't think I'll catch you, and, don't tell Red I said this, but I'm the fastest of the others."
The two continue talking with each other as we keep walking. Nice how Lucas has somemon to talk with on this trip other than me. I'm sad I can't really talk to my friends. I know I keep saying it, but it's true: I'm just-
"Not in the mood?"
I nod. "Yeah, not in the-" I stop and look forward.
"Gahh!" I go as I see Eve sitting on the path in front of me. I then look back behind me and see that Lucas and Sparks are still talking with each other, completely unaware that Eve is right here.
I turn back to Eve and say, "But you were just...how did you know what I was thinking?"
She then starts walking with me and says, "Like you said, I'm a one of a kind Vulpix."
"Yeah, no kidding. How many moves do you even know?" I ask.
She thinks to herself. "I don't really know. Sometimes I feel weak and can barely do anything, while other times I feel like I can do everything...*sigh*"
She starts to shake a little. I wonder if she's scared that she'll say something wrong. "I...I know you're worried, and trust me, we're all worried too."
"And yet that still feels like an understatement." I say.
I then stop. "I...I just don't want to be a monster, Eve...I don't want to be somemon who's evil. I just want me. I feel like I'm so close to finding out the answer to myself, but it still feels so far away. And Zygarde...I didn't like the way he acted. He sounded like he was...lying."
Tears then appear as I continue. I sniff, "I don't want to lose everything, not again. I want to live a happy life. I want to be free from all this weight I'm carrying. I don't want to be the reason that everything is going wrong. I feel like I might be-"
"A curse?" The Alolan Vulpix says.
I then pause as I remember back in Green Forest. She said that. I feel like a curse. Those were the words she said, or something like that.
"Why are you a curse?" I think to myself...but also say it out loud too.
I bite my tongue as I see the Vulpix is not only shocked, but also is trying to hide her tears. She couldn't believe that I said that to her, and nor can I.
She then starts looking around. "Hey look! Flowers!" She says as she runs off, leaving me alone once more.
I then say, "Wait, don't...ugh..." before I stop. I can only watch her as she gets further and further away from me.
Me and my big mouth. Now I'm really not happy.
"You really shouldn't have said that, Red." I hear Sparks say as he jumps onto my head.
"Sorry. I was just putting the dots together. I didn't even mean to say it to her. It slipped out." I say as we both look at Eve, who is ahead of us picking flowers.
"At least we're in Flower Hills." The Emanation Pokemon says behind us. "That means we might be in the clear. And that's good, I'm getting tired from always trying to sense for someone's aura."
He then reaches into his bag and goes to take an apple when he says, "You know, it is about lunch time. Do you guys want an apple?"
I look at the two eyes above me. I then feel my head shake and hear a rumble coming from the Pichu. "Heh, heh." Sparks starts, "I think my stomach would like that."
I sigh. "I guess I'm starting to get hungry too."
"Great, lunch it is then." The Rilo says as he grabs three apples from the bag. He keeps one, tosses me another, but gives the last one to Sparks so he doesn't hit my head with an apple. I got to say, having Sparks on my head isn't that bad. He's small and light, but I hope he doesn't get any apple on my fur.
That felt weird to say, because I'm a human, but at the same time, I'm not one.
"Now that we're here, it should only take a couple more hours before we reach the village at the bottom of Central Mountain. We will get there before sunset for sure." Lucas says, and then takes a bite of his apple.
I can feel Sparks' tail patting my head. He must be getting excited. "I can't wait to see Xatu. I know for a fact that he's real."
"Weally" Lucas says with his mouth full. "What bakes you soldier hat Xatu is wheel?"
Sparks smiles. "Well, Xatu are real Pokemon, and so is Arceus, therefore, this one should be real."
Sweat forms on Lucas' head. "Well, I guess that's a reason to believe it. What do you think Red?"
...
...
...
I then feel something go through my body: Electricity.
"Gah!" I go as it runs around in my body. It barely hurt me, but it did catch me off guard, and that was all that mattered.
"Earth to Red. Are you going to answer Lucas' question?" Sparks says.
I just shrug my shoulders. "Sorry. I was just thinking about Eve." I then point to the Vulpix, who is still picking flowers by using Psychic. She, however, kept her face away from us. I'm guessing it's because what I said to her. Why do I have to say everything that comes to my mind?
"You're worried about her, aren't you?" Lucas asks.
I nod my head and take a bite of my apple. "I think I might have ruined her day. Which in turn just makes my day even worse."
"But you're still thinking about it?" Sparks says.
"About what?"
"What happened to her. Do you want to know."
I look at Lucas, who looks at me and then says, "You know about her past? Are you sure she'd be ok with that?"
Sparks nods. "Yes, well, not ALL of it, but enough that it'll give you an idea about her. The more you know, the better, and she's so far away from us that she'll most likely not hear us talking. Just make sure to keep your voices down, and let her pick flowers in peace."
We then sit down on the dirt road besides some flowers. Sparks then asks, "Can you hold my apple for a second?"
"Sure." I say, and he drops his apple down to my hands. He then jumps off and lands on the ground. I then give his apple back to him and he takes a large bite out of it.
He then swallows and says, "Ok, so her past is just like her: A real mystery. Wigglytuff said that Daisy found her washed up on Sharpedo Beach. I think she said she was wearing a pink scarf."
I squint my eyes. "I've never seen her with that on. Does she still have it?"
"Beats me." Sparks says as he shrugs his tiny shoulders.
He then takes another bite, and as soon as it's in his stomach, he continues. "She was unconscious and was taken to the Guild. When she woke up, Wigglytuff said she freaked out and started running all around. But when she saw Wigglytuff, she ran to her and hid behind her."
Lucas laughs. "I guess Wigglytuff was born to be a mother."
"Well, she is a very sweet and kind Pokemon." Sparks says, "Anyways, Eve was really scared of her new surroundings, but she seemed to like the Guildmaster. She said for a long time that she was the only one that Eve would trust and be with."
I then ask, "So what about her powers?"
Sparks then lets out a nervous chuckle. "She has a track record of losing control. Every time she went crazy, it was like she was being haunted by something. The only thing that would stop her was a song that Wigglytuff would sing. It was like a lullaby."
I look at Eve in the distance, who is now tying the flowers up. I turn back to Sparks and say, "Wait, so she's never told you what happened to her?"
"Sorry, that's all I know. She's never told anybody." Sparks says, "Not even Wigglytuff. But I don't care about it. I shouldn't bring anything up that would traumatize her."
I stare at Sparks. Is he trying to insult me? Then again, it was none of my business to ask that question. Now I really feel bad. Even if I didn't mean to say it, I should have watched my mouth better.
I get up and grab a second apple. Lucas notices me and says, "Wait Red, that's Eve's apple."
I turn to him and say, "I know." And walk over to the White Vulpix. I try my best to not scare her. However, as I get closer to her, she sees me out of the corner of her eye and looks the other way.
I sigh. She's going to be like that, isn't she?
I clear my throat and say, "I'm sorry for asking you that question. It slipped off my tongue and I didn't mean to say it out loud. It's probably something that's hard for you to deal with." I stop and take a breath. "We are in a Guild, Eve. I only wanted to get to know you better, and if you don't want to talk about your past, then that's ok with me. I didn't know you never told anyone about it."
I look at the Vulpix, who is still facing away from me. I'm slightly annoyed by that. "Come on, Eve. I really am sorry. Please don't be like this for the rest of the trip." I say to her, but still, no response.
A light bulb goes off in my head. "Eve, if you really think about it, we're kind in the same boat." I see her ears twitch. "We both have pasts that we don't like, except I have no idea what my is. We're afraid who we are."
I sigh and hold out her apple. "But that's in the past, and that shouldn't stop us from enjoying the present." I then start to think that I'm talking to myself now.
"Do you want to forget about all of that and have lunch with us?"
I wait for a response, a movement, anything. I close my eyes. I don't want to let out a tear, but it's getting harder for me to keep it in.
When I open them, I see the apple floating in the air. In most cases I would try to grab it, but I let it sit in the air. Sure enough, the apple then goes over in front of Eve. I then hear a crunch as Eve turns her head towards me.
"Thanks." She says with a mouth full of her apple. I almost freak out, but then I remember who I'm talking to. It's just that she's a Vulpix, and she shouldn't be able to do all of these things.
I smile and say, "I only wanted to be your friend, and to try and help you out, but I guess I messed up a little. Once again, I'm sorry."
Eve then swallows and takes another bite. "Well, it's not entirely your fault. I have been very quiet. I never told you anything, and you just wanted to know something about me, even if that question was quite rude. But I am glad that Sparks told you about how I got into the Guild."
I then look back at Sparks and Lucas, who are both staring at us. "Let me guess, you read our minds."
"I'm sorry." The Alolan Vulpix says, "I was stressed out and when I saw that you and the others were talking, so I decided to hear what you were talking about."
I then look on the ground and see a ring of flowers. "So, what are you making?" I ask.
Eve grins. "It's for Mom. It's going to be a Flower Crown. I only hope that it doesn't break before I can give it to her."
"Well, maybe you can just pick the flowers, then when we get to Central Mountain, we can buy something like a ring, then tie the flowers onto it." I say.
This makes Eve light up and soon she starts to wag her six tails. "That sounds great."
She then looks at the Pichu and the Rilo, both of which are finishing up with their lunch. "You know, we should go head back to the others. Having lunch with them does sound nice."
"I agree." I say, and the two of us then start walking to the rest of us.
"You know, it's nice to see you smile again, Red. It really does brighten up the day." The Fox Pokemon says.
Upon hearing this, I put my hand on my face. I feel my mouth and it is indeed smiling. I then really start to smile. Finally, I'm so happy to be happy again. Sure, my hand is sticky because of the apple that I was eating, but I'm still going to stay happy.
"Hey, you two." Sparks says as he finishes his apple. "Nice to see you both in a good mood."
"What can I say? It's good to be happy again." I say. "Sure, my back is against the wall, and this is kind of a crazy idea, but I as long as I'm here, I should look at the bright side."
Sparks then giggles. "You almost sound like Wigglytuff. She'd say something like that." He then stops and says, "What was the chant again? It's been a long time since we've said it."
"One, don't shirk work! Two, run away and pay! And three, smiles go for miles!" Eve says as she chews her piece of food.
"Huh, I never heard that before." Lucas says. He then starts to laugh. "That's actually kind of funny. What is that, the Guild motto?" Eve swallows and nods. "I think that's the whole point. Just saying it out loud will put a smile on everyone's face, at least that's what she says."
"Then let's try it and see what happens." Lucas says. He gets up on his two feet and clears his throat.
The rest of us just look at each other, but then nod, as if we're saying, "Sure, why not."
"Everyone ready?" He says. We all nod and say, "Ready.".
"Let's do it on three." Sparks says. "One, two, three."
"One, don't shirk work! Two, run away and pay! And three, smiles go for miles!" We all go.
We then look at each other, and finally...drop to the ground and start laughing. It really does put on smile on your face, and it's even better when you say it out loud with others.
"Ha, ha, ha, ha. That was so funny-ha, ha, ha." Lucas says as he holds his chest.
After a good long laugh, we finally calm down. "Well, that was fun." Sparks says. He then looks into the sky and at the sun. "We should probably get going. We don't want to arrive there at the last minute."
"I guess so." I say. "Are you guys ready to go?"
"Sure." Eve says.
"Let's find Xatu." Lucas says with his fist in the air.
Something then jumps onto Eve's head, though I know perfectly well who it is. "Then onward, TO ADVENTURE!" It says.
"..." "..."
"Sorry, Eve, do you mind if I ride on your head for a while." Sparks says with a nervous chuckle.
The Vulpix sighs, but then smiles. "Ok, sure."
"Yaaaa!" The Pichu goes as the two make their way on the dirt path.
"Hey Red. Can I ask you something?" Lucas says.
"Umm." I look over to Eve and Sparks. They're a little ways from us and I doubt that Eve will read our minds again. "Sure."
"I thought you said that you couldn't start a conversion?" He says.
My train of thought comes to a hard start. "Yeah...I guess I did say that."
He then looks at me and points to the White Vulpix. "And yet you just spoke to Eve. Like, you did really well. Look at her, her aura is really happy now, and it's because of you."
I think for a moment, trying to figure out what to say. "I guess it's because we're almost the same. We both are surprisingly powerful, but also have a past that haunts us, except I can't remember it, while she definitely does."
Lucas sighs. "I really wish she'd be more open. She seems hurt inside. She's said that she never wanted to be like this and that bad things always happen to her back at Apple Woods, remember?"
"How could I forget?" I say. "She went crazy back that day, but she did end up saving us."
"I wish that she would tell us more about herself." Lucas says. "But we shouldn't force her to. If she doesn't want to say it, then we'll just have to deal with it."
"Same here." I say.
"RED! LUCAS! ARE YOU COMING?!" I hear a Pichu scream. Both Lucas and I realize that we weren't walking, leaving us way behind.
"YEAH, WE ARE! WAIT UP!" Lucas yells and we both bolt to our other Guild members.
"Any threes?" A Gengar asks.
The Sableye shakes his head. "Nope. Go Magikarp."
"Are you kidding me?! That's the fourth time in a row I have to do that."
"Well then, maybe you should ask for a different card."
"WHAT DO YOU THINK I'M DOING?!"
The Gengar throws his cards down and lunges at the Stableye. Soon, the two are caught up in a dust cloud while having a slap fight with each other.
It's safe to say that after getting arrested by Team Adventure, Fang and Shard haven't been having the best of times. Regularly they would be fighting over the last apple or who was the smartest, strongest, and other things that they couldn't get along with. Now it has all been reduced to cards.
Just cards...
Only cards...
It hasn't been a fun two days in the prison, for the two goons or the other prisoners, who would constantly tell the two to shut up once they got into a fight.
"Hey, ow! Let go of me!"
"Admit that you're cheating!"
"I'm not cheating! You're just bad!"
"Tell that to my fist!"
"STOP RIGHT NOW, YOU TWO!" A third voice called, except this one came from a very angry Arcanine, who was growling at the two Ghost-Types.
He had scars over his body, along with a claw mark over both of his eyes. The two stopped in their tracks as they both stared eye to eye with the mad officer, who was not only showing his fangs, but little bits of fire was coming out from his mouth. They both immediately got off one another and stood up, facing the Fire-Type.
"Geez, you two are such a pain in the neck to keep here. Thankfully, you two are going to be deported today, so you two better get ready."
Shard panics. "D-deported!? When?!"
The Arcanine opens the cell door. "Right now. So, if you know what's good for you, hold still, and let me get the cuffs hooked on."
Both Shard and Fang groaned. They could try and make a run for it, but they already tried doing that, and they couldn't even get off the prison floor before they got piled up.
Once the cuffs were on, the Arcanine opened the door again and said, "Alright, follow me."
As the two Ghosts made their way, the Arcanine continued, "Once we get outside, there will be a cart with Sergeant Mudsdale in front of the building. Once you two get on it, he and I will be taking you two to your new destination."
"Great." Fang said in an angry tone as they went up the stairs. "Where is it anyways?"
"Icicle Cove."
"W-w-what!? You can't be serious. We'll freeze to death over there." Shard says on the brink of tears. "We're not that bad, are we?."
Arcanine tries to keep his cool. "No, but you are Dark-Types, which makes you B-rank, and B-ranks are sent to controlled areas once they have been caught outside of their areas."
This doesn't help, as the Stableye goes to hug the Gengar, only to fall face first on the floor because you know...cuffs.
The Arcanine sighs. "Don't worry. It's not the end of the world. If you are lucky, after a couple months, you two could be out of there and start to live AWAY from us Regular-Types."
Once the three Pokemon get to the top of the stairs, they head start from the door. As they do so, another Arcanine, a clean looking female who works at the desk by the front door, stops them.
Her eyes are glued to her papers as she says, "Name?"
The other Arcanine responds with, "Blitz Arcanine."
"State your business."
"I'm taking Fang Gengar and Shard Stableye to Sergeant Mudsdale to be sent to Icicle Cove today." And he goes to walk out the door.
"Hold it." The female Arcanine says as she takes off her glasses. "Did you say today?"
"Yes Ma'am. Is there a problem with that?" Blitz says.
The Arcanine looks through her papers. "Let's see, where is it? Found it." She says as she pulls out a piece of paper with a photo of Fang and Shard along with it.
"Oh come on, they used the one where I blinked?" Fang says.
Shard then starts to laugh. "Hahaha, you look like a-"
The Gengar gives his little buddy a death stare. "You want to finish that sentence?"
Sweat then appears on Shard's head as the Arcanine continues. "It says right here that those two are getting deported TOMORROW! The conditions are not good today, so we're waiting. Also, I don't think Icicle Cove has any room yet."
Blitz's eyes then sparkle. "No, it says today, can't you read?"
The female Arcanine gets angry and says, "Of course I can, and it DOES says..." She pauses as she looks at the paper again. She twists her head in confusion. "Hmm, I could have sworn that it said the ninth and not the eighth. My mistake."
Blitz smiles. "Don't worry, we all make mistakes. I'll see you later." He then takes the prisoners outside. They then go by a Mudsdale, who is connected to a cart.
"There you are, what took you so long?" The horse asks as the Gengar and Stableye (who is crying) get on the cart.
Blitz sighs. "There was Arcanine at the front desk, said that Shard and Fang were supposed to leave tomorrow." He then lets out a chuckle. "Lucky, she thought that she made a mistake."
Fang then panics. "W-wait, that chuckle?!" The Arcanine then hops into the cart, but as he does so, the light around him twists and turns until the Gengar and Stableye are left looking at an angry Zoroark, who's just as scared as his illusion, expect now they can see that his left eye has a mark on it, which just makes the two sick.
Shard then quietly says, "H-hey, Scar...how you doing?"
He snaps his claws and the cuffs disappear from Shard and Fang's arms, leaving them to freely move around. He then puts his hand over his head. "The things I have to do for you two. You should have been able to do that. You two may be stupid, but your battling is anything but that. The one time I trust you to do something and you failed me."
Shard then says, "Well, you couldn't take them down yourself, sooooooooooo..."
"Shut up." Scar says, which sends the Stableye behind the Gengar. "Let us remember that we had no idea how strong they'd be when I went to grab that Vulpix last week. And it's not like that I was in the best shape either. You two, on the other hand, knew what we were dealing with, and yet you still failed."
Shard then says, "W-well that Vulpix-"
"I DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT!" Scar yells. He then puts his claw over his head again. "Sorry, I'm just in a bad mood. I thought for sure we'd get her." He then sighs as he sits down.
Fang then asks, "Wait a minute, if you're here, then who's driving this thing?!"
"Don't worry" Scar says, "It's just Axel. He'll be taking us to the hideout in the woods." The two then sigh a breath of relief. The Zoroark then snaps at them, sending them back into reality.
"You two better be more careful next time. Because you escaped, that'll make you A-ranks, and A-ranks leave the island forever when they get caught."
The Gengar and Stableye, however, get a sparkle in their eyes. "You mean we're just as good as you?!"
Scar sweats. "Absolutely not. Besides, I'm S-ranked."
"Then how do we get an S-rank?" Shard asks.
Scar looks at him and says, "You just have to be the one that never gets caught, no matter what."
The two Ghosts then sit down. "So, what's the plan now?" Fang asks.
"Once we get to our hideout, we can have some apples I managed to snag from the station.
"So you don't have a plan?" Fang says, "That's not like you."
"No, I do, and it's to wait for Blade to come back."
This surprises the two Ghost-Types. "What?! Where did he go?"
The Zoroark then smiles as he sits down. "To try and...get some answers."
