Chapter 5: A Request From Ernest

In the year 1448, a Celebi shattered the soul orb and scattered the shards across the continent of Eudrox. Each nation ceased the war. After the war, the three nations came to an agreement and made an alliance. Each nation chooses one pokemon to represent and lead its nation. From Fepusa Ernest a Leafeon was chosen.

Edgar's Villa, Olisberg Village, Fepusa Nation, 3rd April Year 1468

Today was just like any other day. Edgar was meditating in the hall. His students were practicing their moves. A visitor enters Edgar's villa. A Bunnelby with a shoulder bag walks in but no one pays attention to him. He opens his mouth to speak but gets interrupted by Edgar.

"What is it, Bunnelby?" Edgar asked.

The Bunnelby gets spooked by the sudden voice. "Um, uhh, ahh." The Bunnelby was nervous about speaking.

"Speak up."

"I'm here on behalf of Sir Ernest. He has a message for you." The rabbit pokemon removes a scrolled letter from his bag and hands it over to Edgar.

Edgar reads it and gives the letter back to Bunnelby. "Tell him that I'm not interested."

"But I can't go empty-handed." The Bunnelby begged.

"Fine then, tell him that I will not come to the capital and I no longer want to do anything with him. Also, don't send any more of your mons for strange requests. You can leave now."

The poor messenger accepts his defeat and leaves the villa.

"What was that all about?" Reid asked.

"A letter from Ernest." Edgar replied.

"Ernest? I've heard that name somewhere but it doesn't ring any bell." Ray said to himself.

"Ernest is the representative of the Fepusa nation." Reina reminded him.

"Yeah, I guess so I'm not much interested in politics anyway." Ray replied.

Edgar cleared his throat. "In the letter, Ernest said that he wanted me to come to the capital. Don't know what he wanted though."

"So, why did you refuse to go?" Ray asked.

"I don't want anything to do with the capital, the politics, and the alliance. I just want to live peacefully in this small town." Edgar replied. "Now if you will excuse me I'm going out to clear my mind." He then walks out of the villa.

The trio looked at each other. They were concerned for their caretaker. Reina went after him but Ray stopped her.

Edgar's Villa, Olisberg Village, Fepusa Nation, 5th April Year 1468

After few a days, Edgar had visitors again. This time there was a Leafeon and a Golduck. That Leafeon was none other than Ernest.

"Edgar, it's been a while since I saw you." The Leafeon said.

"Last time I saw you were just a child who couldn't leave his father's side." Edgar scoffed. "Since, you took a risk of coming alone only with one bodyguard. Might as well tell me why you came here?"

"No small talk? Fine then." The Leafeon sighed. "Since, you refused to come to me. I decided to come to you. I came here to talk about-" He looks at the trio and clears his throat. "If you don't mind, can the kids please leave. I need to talk with Edgar alone."

"Wait!" Edgar stopped the three from leaving. "If you want to talk to me alone then tell your bodyguard to wait outside."

The Golduck got furious. "Are you out of your mind?"

"Easy there Keith it's alright." Ernest tried to calm him down. "If you trust these kids to keep a secret then so do I. Wait! Is that Riolu-"

"Get back to the topic" Edgar interrupted him.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I came here to ask you to do me a favor. We found a location of a soul shard-"

"That's enough! I'm not interested in that anymore."

"Just listen to me." The Leafeon plead.

"No, you listen to me. I don't want anything to do with soul orb. I've moved past it. If that's what you came for then you can leave now." Edgar pointed them towards the exit.

"That soul orb shard is going to end up in the wrong hands. I can't trust anyone else to do the job. The ones I assigned are either dead or lost. So, please you are my last hope. I know that you have moved on from your past life but this is a very serious matter for me. If you accept this, come to the capital in three days. This is my request." The Leafeon stood up. "Come on, we are leaving."

Ernest and his bodyguard prepared to leave. "Before I go you will need this." Ernest hands him a document.

"What's this for?" Edgar asked.

"It's a permit. You'll need it to enter the capital. It's signed by me. No one will quest about its legitimacy. I have also mentioned about your uh… students." He turns around and head for the exit. The two of them left the villa.

"You're really going to go?" Rays asked.

"I'm… I'm not really sure." Edgar replied.

Alranley City, Fepusa Nation, 9th April Year 1468

Alranley city is the capital of Fepusa Nation. It is the biggest and most populated city. On the north lies boundary between Fepusa and Dalonton. On the west to south there is Olisberg Forest. From south to east is Alranley forest. Alranley city is well protected city. There are guards well placed around the city. To enter this city one needs a legal permit proving your identity.

"I knew you would come." Ernest said.

"This is just one-time favor. Whatever makes you stay away from me." Edgar said.

"Sure" Ernest replied with a lazy tone. He motions everyone but his bodyguard to leave the room. "The soul shard is in Grim archipelago."

"What?" Edgar was shocked at the mention of the Grim archipelago. "Are you kidding me?"

"No, I'm serious." Ernest said with a deadpan face.

"Wait! Wait! Wait! What's Grim archipelago?" Ray asked.

"It's an island from east of Eudrox. Not many people know about this as many maps don't mention this. It's also called an island without law. It's the most dangerous place in the whole Eudrox. There are no laws and there is no one to stop criminals. Each person is out for themselves." Edgar answered.

"Why weren't we told about this?" Ray asked.

"Settle down kid. There are millions of people out there who don't know. Even if someone knows they won't talk about it. People want to forget that the island existed." Ernest explained further. "That place is full of barbaric and uncivilized pokemon."

"Not all of them." Edgar added.

"Yeah!" Ernest sighed. "One of my scouts is still there. I have already planned your transport facility. I thought you would come alone but I can make accommodation for these kids here."

"We are going with our Sensei," Reid announced.

"No, you're not. If it was any other place I would have let you come with me." Edgar replied.

"He's right. We should stay here we would only slow him down." Reina said.

"Thank you, Reina. You were always the wise one." Edgar patted her head. "You kids better behave yourself and don't cause any trouble, okay"

"Tell me when you're going to depart?" Ernest asked.

"Right now, I want to be done with this as soon as possible." Edgar replied.

"Right, follow me. And Keith tell Rose to make accommodation for our guests."

"Yes, Sir." Keith replied with a poker face.

Sandy Island Outpost, Grim Archipelago, 10th April Year 1468

Sandy Island was one of the few unhabituated islands in Grim Archipelago. Years ago Fepusa nation took the opportunity to turn it into an outpost. The real reason to set up an outpost was to monitor any activity on these islands that could be a threat to the nation.

Edgar rode a mega Pidgeot for his journey here. The bird pokemon landed safely on the island.

"Thanks for the ride." Edgar said. "Where can I find Captain Brandon?"

"It's that second shack over there he should be there." The Pidgeot pointed. "If you need a ride I will be here."

Edgar turned around to take a good look at the outpost. It was well barricaded with a wooden spike on the walls. At the center, there was a watch tower and a guard was keeping eye on things. Many small shacks and tents were built for sleeping quarters. He entered the shack which he was told.

Inside the shack, it was dimly lighted. A Wartortle was eating food.

Edgar approached him. "You must be Captain Brandon right?"

The Wartortle continued eating. "Depends on who's asking?" He stops eating and stands up. "No, I was just kidding." He laughs loudly. "I was expecting you. I wanted to meet you one day but never thought you would be the one coming to me."

"I'm sorry but do I know you?" Edgar asked as he was confused by why a random soldier would want to meet him.

"Of course you don't. My brother was in your unit. The seventh company was led by Captain Edgar. It's an honor to meet you, Sir." He moves his hand forward for a handshake.

Edgar accepts it. "Drop the honorifics. I'm just a civilian now."

"I respect that. What brings you here? When I got the letter saying that you would be here I was shocked. What's a veteran like you doing here in this hellhole?"

"Trust me you do not want to know that. What I can tell you is that it's a confidential job for Ernest."

Brandon nods. "I won't pry. So, how can I help you?"

"I was supposed to meet a scout named Cody."

"Ahh, it's a problem then. He supposed to return here yesterday but he hasn't come back yet."

"Where is he then he?" Edgar asked.

"He went to Wynmer Island north from here. I have a feeling that something bad must have happened to him. I have assembled a search squad they will be leaving in a few minutes."

"Call them off. I'll find him myself."

"But-"

"No buts, I have a better chance of finding him quicker than you do. No offense though."

"None taken."

"Can I get something that belongs to Cody?" Edgar requested.

"Wait here." He goes into sleeping quarters and brings a cloth with him. "Here, will this do?"

Edgar takes the cloth and sniffs it and hands it back to him. "Thanks, I'll be back." Edgar leaves the shack. He then approaches the Pidgeot.

"I need a lift." Edgar requested.

"Where to?" He asked.

"To Wynmer Island."

Wynmer Island, Grim Archipelago, 10th April Year 1468

The Pidgeot dropped Edgar by the shore of the island. He sniffs the air and heads in the direction of the scent.

"I smell blood. This is bad I might be too late."

He comes across a hut guarded by two Mightyena. He then hides in the bushes.

"Two, Three...no, Definitely five. The other three must be inside."

Edgar pops out from hiding. The two Mightyena noticed him and charged at him. Edgar quickly knocked them out using a double Aura Sphere.

A Lombre and a Frillish come out of the hut followed by a Heliolisk.

"What's going on here? Who are you? Kill him, boys." The Heliolisk ordered.

The Lombre and the Frillish fired Bubble Beam and Water Pulse respectively. Edgar dodged the water pulse and used Bone Rush to block the bubble beam. He then rushed in and used Force Palm on Frillish sending him flying. Edgar turned his attention to Lombre to use force palm but was zapped by Heliolisk's discharge. The Lombre used the opportunity to use Fury Swipe.

"Coward!" Edgar scoffed. He grabbed the Lombre's hand before he could do another swipe. Then he uses Force Palm to send him flying.

The Heliolisk was frustrated. "Just you and me though guy." He taunted. He uses another Discharged attack.

This time Edgar was prepared. He evades the discharge and uses Bone Rush. After multiple successful hit from the bone rush, the Heliolisk get knocked out cold.

Edgar enters the hut where he finds a Combusken badly injured. His Captivators were ruthless to him. Cuts and bruises were all over his body. He was bleeding were badly and unconscious.

"He needs medical attention quickly. The least I can do is heal him a little."

Edgar uses Heal Pulse on him but he is still in bad shape. The Combusken coughs and wakes up.

"Don't move you're badly injured." Edgar said.

"Who are you? You saved me." The Combusken said in a faint voice.

"I'm Edgar. You must be Cody?" Edgar asked.

"Yes, I was supposed to meet you today. I didn't think it would be in this condition."

"Calm down, I'll get you out of here." Edgar carries him and walks towards the shore he came from.

"Who were those pokemon? Why did they do this to you?" Edgar asked.

"They were bandits, Vile bandits" Cody replied.

"Vile bandits? Here?"

"They have a soul shard in their possession. I was snooping around then they caught me. Then this happened."

"Do you know where the shard might be?" Edgar asked.

"They have their hideout from northeast of that hut. It's dangerous it's well protected almost like a fortress." Cody warned him.

"Thank you for the info. I can manage them on my own. You should just rest for now." Edgar assured him.

On the shore, Edgar met up with the bird pokemon again.

"What happened to him?" The bird pokemon asked in concern.

"No time to explain, just take him to the outpost."

"Yes sir, and when are you going to come back for pickup?" He asked.

Edgar turned around and headed towards the bandit hideout. "It's going to be a long day."

Edgar walked towards the bandit hideout. He had this feeling for a while. A feeling that someone is following him. He turned his direction towards the stalkers. "I know you are there you can come out now."

A Shiftry comes out from hiding. "Alright, alright you got me. I mean no harm."

"That I can tell. You were watching me since I came near that bandit hut."

"I can explain. The truth is I am a treasure hunter. Those bandits took something valuable from me."

"I want to see your badge?" Edgar asked.

"Unfortunately, they took it. I'm sorry but I overheard that you were after those bandits"

"More like eavesdropping" Edgar corrected him.

The Shiftry shrugged. "Look I want something from the bandits, you want something from the bandits, and together we can do this easily. Interested?"

Edgar was skeptical about his proposal but with someone by his side, things would get a lot easy. "First I need your name."

"The name is Kane."

"Edgar."

"So, what do you know about these bandits?" Edgar asked.

"The Vile bandits operate from one of these islands. I don't know where their headquarters is. But one of their hideouts is on this island. Harlbert a Magmar is the leader of the base. He commands around thirty bandits. Don't worry some of them should be away from base looting and stealing from whoever they see. Not to mention you took down five of them already." Kane added.

"Magmar? That puts both of us at disadvantage. What moves do you know?" Edgar asked.

"Leaf blade, leaf storm, rock smash, and furry swipes. What about you?" Kane asked

"Aura sphere, bone rush. Heal pulse and meditate." Edgar replied.

After thirty minutes they found the vile bandit hideout. Both of them took cover and scouted enemies.

"I see ten of them there is probably more inside the hideout." Kane guessed.

"There are sixteen of them outside. Probably five more inside the hideout." Edgar corrected. "They call this hideout?" Edgar asked.

"If we rush out without plan it won't end well for us. I say we divide and conquer. I'll go to the opposite side and bait some of them away from you."

Edgar nodded. "Sounds like a plan."

Kane sneaked around the opposite side from where Edgar. He removed a leaf from a tree and whistled.

"What was that?" One of the Scyther turned in the direction of the whistle. "Looks like we have an intruder." He took three other guards with him.

The Scyther and his friends were unprepared. Kane used the element of surprise and took them out. A Darmanitan bandit noticed something was odd. He also took three others with him to investigate. Now there were only eight more of them. Once the Darmanitan was far away. Edgar took the chance.

Edgar rushed in and quickly took out two unsuspecting bandits. The remaining six were alerted. But they were too slow to react. Edgar knocked out two more using Bone Rush.

"Stop him, boys." A Sandslash yelled. A Venomoth and a Watchhog charged at the aura pokemon. The Watchhog went for Super Fang but Edgar answered it with Force Palm on his face. The Force Palm knocked out the Watchhog while also breaking some of his teeth. The Venomoth fired Psybeam. Edgar evades and hits him with a Bone Rush five times.

A Graveler charges in with a Rollout. Edgar evades it.

"Ha, fool you have fallen into my trap." The Sandslash uses Sand Tomb to trap distracted Edgar.

Edgar's legs were stuck in the sands. The Graveler charges again with a Rollout stronger than before. Edgar uses Aura Sphere on the Graveler before he could get crushed. The Graveler goes unconscious.

"Damn, you really are scary. It doesn't matter I'll just watch you get buried in the sands." The Sandslash laughs maniacally. Then he suddenly goes cold and hits the ground. The Sandslash was stabbed by multiple razor-sharp leaves killing him instantly.

Kane looks down on trapped Edgar. "Need a hand?"

Edgar got furious. He escapes the trap by himself. "Why did you kill him?"

"Relax no need to get all angry over some low life. No one will probably miss him."

"You do realize that you just killed someone. It doesn't matter who he was."

"I am well aware of that. This is a land of no laws. Nobody cares what happens to anyone. As we are speaking there are other pokemon who are getting killed or worse."

"Our partnership is over. I no longer need your help."

"You do realize that I just saved your life." Kane said.

"I had it under control."

"I had it under control." Kane said in a mocking tone. "Says the man who was going to be buried in the sands. Look, let's finish this and then we go our separate way."

"Under one condition that you don't kill anyone."

"Fine I won't."

"At least sound a bit convincing."

The duo enters the hideout and quickly defeats four bodyguards. Now the only one remaining was Halbert the Magmar.

"How dare you come into my hideout and make a mockery of me." The Magmar was furious. He fires a Flamethrower at the duo. They both move out of the way. Kane uses Rock smash on the Magmar but he evades and uses Fire punch in return. Edgar uses Aura Sphere but the spitfire pokemon evades. Edgar quickly switches to Bone Rush and lands some hits.

The fire pokemon falls but quickly gets up. "You are good. Even better than that tree guy. Come fight me." He taunts. He uses Fire Punch but Edgar Blocks with his bone staff. Kane sneaks up and uses a Faint attack. Harlbert loses his balance. Edgar then uses his Aura Sphere point-blank sending him crashing on his chair.

Kane steps on the fire type. "Where is the soul shard?"

"Go to hell. I'll never tell." Harlbert refused to say it.

Kane uses Rock Smash on his leg. Harlbert screams in pain. "How many bones do I have to break to get that answer?"

"I surrender. Please spare me. It's in the box over there."

"See that wasn't so hard."

Edgar looks into the box to find out the shard. "He is telling the truth. What about the thing you want."

Kane uses Leaf Blade slashing Harlbert killing him instantly. "The thing I was after was this soul shard. Now I do not need to hide my true self. Hand over the shard and I will let you go. You know I have taken a liking to you."

"I knew you were up to no good."

"I should have left you in the trap. But I wasn't sure what was up ahead. So, I needed you. But now I will have to kill you. Maybe this turned out to be a good thing. You see we keep a list of pokemon who needs to be eliminated or those who could possess a threat to us. Those three leaders their bodyguards, nobles, politician military generals and you are on that list. Now I get to do two jobs at once."

"Enough talk." Edgar fires Aura Sphere. Kane dodges and uses a Faint Attack.

Kane uses Razor leaves on his staggering opponent. Edgar crashes into the wall.

"You are so careless. Time to finish you off." Kane prepares to do a Leaf Blade. However, Edgar uses Force Palm sending the Shiftry crashing into another room through the wall.

Edgar gets up and looks over at his unconscious body of Kane.

"He's out cold. Good riddance."

After a few hours, an Electravire walks around the bandit hideout. He looks at the unconscious body of the Shiftry. "Hey wake up." The Shiftry doesn't respond. "Hey!" He kicks him lightly. The Electravire sighs. He then wraps his two tails around and zaps him. The Shift try wakes up b.

"Did you really need to zap me?" Kane got frustrated.

"I thought you were dead so I thought about jump stating your heart." The Electravire laughs.

"Yeah, that's not how it works." Kane scoffed.

"What happened here? Tell me you got the shard."

"No, I don't."

"What's the matter with you? It's not like you to fail a job." The Electravire asked in concern.

"I had it just in my grasp. I worked with Edgar former captain of the seventh company of Fepusa. I underestimated him. I thought I could kill him. I lied and told him some fake moves to catch him off-guard. But he outsmarted me by telling me his fake moves. Just when I thought I had him. He hit me with a Force Palm and then I ended up here."

The Electivire laughs loudly "You're pathetic."

"Yeah, whatever let's get out of here. I need to report what happened here."

Alranley City, Fepusa Nation, 11th April Year 1468

Edgar comes back to Alranley city as soon as he can. He hands over the box containing the soul shard. Ernest opens and examines it.

"Impressive! Thank you. The Alliance thanks you for your help."

"Why would the alliance thank me?" Edgar was confused.

"I think you deserve to know. The alliance is gathering the soul shards. We already have four shards. Two we have here. One in Dalonton and the other one in Trallanea."

"It doesn't make sense. Why are you keeping all the shards in one place? There are some groups out there that are after these shards."

"All the more reason too."

"There was this Shiftry who is after these shards. He also said that they have some kind of hit list and you are in that."

"Wait! A Shiftry. I saw a wanted poster of his. In Olisberg city. I think it might be the same Shiftry." Ray said

"Is that so?" Ernest asked. "Keith, notify the update to that bounty hunter office."

"Let's go kids we are getting out of here." Edgar leaves but before leaving. "Ernest, be careful around soul shards."

Keith waits for their visitors to leave. "Sir, are you sure we trust them to keep all the details secret."

Ernest chuckled. "They will have to keep their mouth shut for their own good."

AN: From now on text in italic are character's inner thoughts. Pokemon moves are in capital when they are used.

AN:Characters

Edgar, Male Lucario, Ability:? ?

Move set: Bone Rush, Heal Pulse, Force Palm, Aura Sphere

Kane, Male Shiftry, Ability: ? ?

Move set: Razor Leaf, Rock Smash, Faint Attack, Leaf Blade

Harlbert, Male Magmar, Ability: ? ?

Move set: Flamethrower, Fire Punch, ? ?, ? ?