Chapter 8: Skirmish In Desert
Olisberg Village, Fepusa Nation, 25th April Year 1468
Edgar and his student went to the beach. A Machamp with a row boat was waiting. They got into the boat and the Machamp started rowing them towards Olisberg port. The Machamp was using four oars at the same time.
The Machamp smiles smugly. "Normally it will take four hours to reach but with me, It will only take two hours to reach Olisberg port."
"Is that why you choose to travel by sea?" Reid asked.
Edgar nods. "And so that you can rest a bit. Tell me what happened. I can tell that it didn't go smoothly."
Reina stops Ray and Reid. Reina explains with as much details as she could. She told him about the bandits. About the Sceptile who was going after bounties to kill them. "I want to ask one thing. Is what he is doing right?"
"I don't know how to answer that. Some will say that it is right. Some will not. This Mercer is driven by revenge. From what you told me. He wants to inflict the same pain that he must have endured. We don't know what his full story is. When you seek vengeance, you only hurt yourself more than others." Edgar extends his arm. "Promise me this that none of you will seek vengeance."
Reina places her hand on Edgar's. Reid follows by. Edgars looks at Ray. Ray also places his hand.
Olisberg Port, Slicton District, Fepusa Nation, 25th April Year 1468
Arriving at the port. The group met a Forretress who was the informant Edgar mentioned earlier. The Forretress cleared the area so they can talk in private.
"Is that all you need?" The Forretress asked and Edgar nodded. "Good. I'll explain to you from start and also give more details. We believe there is another soul shard in Dhaschil desert. We have prepared a team who are just near Dhaschil village as we speak. There are ten mons led by Hicklod. Hicklod is the personal bodyguard of Dalonton's representative." He points towards a docked ship. "That ship will take you to Dhaschil village. Also, don't say anything about soul shard they don't have any idea about it. The fewer people know, the more it remains confidential."
"You are not coming?" Reid asked.
"My job was just to deliver the info. Take care all of you" The Forretress wished them good luck and went his way.
The four of them board the ship. The ship's captain a Floatzel greets them.
"Welcome to my ship. I'll take you to your destination safely. We will reach there before dark. I know you are some important people but this is my ship. There are some rules you have to follow while you are on my ship."
Edgar nods. "I understand."
"Good. Your room is down to the left. If you need anything just ask anyone and they will help you."
Dhaschil Village, Dalonton Nation, 25th April Year 1468
The group was dropped at Dhaschil village. They made their way toward the meeting point. There Alakazam and Drilbur were waiting.
"Hey, you're right on time. I am Hicklod personal bodyguard of lord Isrean, representative of Dalonton. This is Noel. He is an archeologist."
"So he is just like Keith." Reid commented.
Hicklod scowled. "Don't compare me with him. I am better than him."
Reina raised her hands in defense. "Noted! Looks like they might have an unfriendly rivalry." Reina whispered.
"Let's go to the inn I'll explain everything." Said Hicklod as he led Edgar and others toward the inn.
Sandy Huntress Inn, Dhaschil Village, Dalonton Nation, 25th April Year 1468
"Innkeeper, I'll need the keys to the rooms I asked for." Hicklod ordered. The innkeeper tossed the key and Hicklod catches with his psychic power. He hands Edgar one and the other to Reina.
"Follow me." Hicklod leads Edgar upstairs. The trio waits behind
Noel looks at the trio. "Hello! I wanted to introduce myself again. I'm Noel and I'm an archaeologist. In training actually."
He shakes his hand with three of them.
"I'm Reina. This is Reid and this is Ray." Reina introduced.
"Hey, nice to meet you." Reid said.
Ray nodded. "Nice to meet you."
"You are from Olisberg village, right? How's life there?" Noel asked.
"It's quiet and peaceful." Reina answered. "Where are you from?"
"I'm from Alreany. I came here a few months ago. There are many historical sites here in the desert. I have been doing lots of research. I'm sure we will find something to excavate."
Reid looks at his comment in confusion. "I don't understand why are we going excavation. Aren't we looking for-"
Ray knew that Reid was going to slip about soul shard. He puts his hand on Reid's shoulder interrupting him. "Of course, we are going excavating." Ray lowered his voice and whispered. "Just play along." Noel resumed his rambling about his work.
Upstairs Edgar and Hicklod were talking in Hicklod's private room
"Do those three know what they are getting into?" He asked.
Edgar looked at him in confusion. "You haven't told the archeologist what he is getting into?"
"No, the only people that know about this are you, me and your students. In fact, we are using the archeologist as a cover. I brought ten soldiers for this. They have set up a camp outside the village. They don't know the actual reason we are here. We told them that we are here for excavation."
"How do you plan on hiding the truth once they see the shard?" Edgar asked.
"I'll handle that. What about your students can they handle themselves?"
"They will be fine." Edgar assured.
"Okay. We should rest now. I'll see you tomorrow morning."
Dhaschil Desert, Dalonton Nation, 26th April Year 1468
The group along with Noel, Hicklod and his mons walked towards the site. Hicklod's guards were mostly rock and ground type. Four Golem and Six Rydon. Edgar and his students were sweating. The others were used to the Dalonton's hot climate. Reina gave water to her friends.
Hicklod noticed. "You might want to save water and drink only when needed. We are not far away now just one more hour."
After an hour the group reaches the site. Stonefall Barrow. The whole structure is slightly tilted.
Noel examined the sand, the structure and the entrance. "So this is Stonefall Barrow. Fascinating. The sand on one side of this structure must have loosened up. Causing the whole thing to tilt. It will still be safe to explore."
"You heard him. We are going in. I want five of you to stay out. Don't let anyone in or out. If we don't come out in five hours. Report to lord Isrean." He ordered.
Stonefall Barrow, Dhaschil Desert, Dalonton Nation, 26th April Year 1468
The group along with five guards enters Stonefall Barrow. Edgar leads the group. His students walk behind him. Hicklod and Noel follow them. Five Rydon are at last.
The first Rydon hears a click. He looks down and sees that he is standing on a pressure plate. He looks up and sees the ceiling coming down. He quickly jumps backward to safety. Noel also noticed the ceiling falling. He pushes Hicklod and jumps to safety. The ceiling block falls blocking their way.
Hicklod thanks, Noel. "I guess there is no going back."
Noel examines the block. "That must have been a trap, a delayed trap. It usually triggers when enough people have stepped on it. There must be a hidden mechanism to clear our path. I hope none of the Rydon was caught."
"They will be fine. I already told them what to do in such a situation. We should keep moving. We will figure out the switch when we return."
The group continued their path. Then the path splits in three ways.
"What do we do now?" Noel asked.
Edgar scratched his chin. "We should spit up. I'll take the straight path. Ray, Reid and Reina will take the right one. Hicklod and Noel take the left one. Any problem with that?" He asked.
"We want to take the middle path." Reid insisted.
"You are going with Ray and Reina. You'll take the path that's already assigned to you. Understand?"
Reid nods.
"Good, let's meet outside when we are done."
Library, Stonefall Barrow, Dhaschil Desert, Dalonton Nation, 26th April Year 1468
Hicklod and Noel continued on the left path. Noel picked up a stone from a weak wall and examined it. "Judging by the texture of the wall. I'd say this place was built six to seven thousand years ago."
Hicklod thought that this place was built to hide a soul shard. "Are you sure about that?"
"Yes, it's definitely older than five thousand years."
The two of them enter a room. The room was filled with bookshelves and some tables. It was a library. The two examine the room. Noel looks through some books. However, most of them were in poor condition. They were written in a different language. Which would take days to translate. The entrance suddenly shuts close.
Hicklod walks towards the exit and sees the iron door. "Is this supposed to be another trap?"
"No, we are not alone here someone must have closed it from the inside."
"How right you are!" A Garchomp comes out of hiding. He looks at Hicklod. "You are on our elimination list. I came here for soul shard but I'll be satisfied with just crossing you out of the list."
Noel looked at the Garchomp in confusion. Why would he be talking about soul shard? Before he could ask a question Hicklod stood in front of him.
"Run away or hide now. Are you the group that's going around gathering soul shards? How many do you have? What do you plan to do with it?"
The Garchomp's claw glows white and uses Slash. "You talk too much."
Hicklod crosses his arms and a barrier is raised around him. It was Reflect. The Garchomp's attack gets blocked.
"Not bad" The Garchomp commented.
Hicklod fires Psybeam. Garchomp evades and attacks with Dragon Claw. Hicklod's reflect blocks it but is about to wear off. Hicklod fires another Psybeam this time hitting the dragon-type. Garchomp's body glows light blue and flies towards Hicklod. Hicklod tries to stop the Garchomp's attack using Psychic. He struggles to stop the attack so he diverts it instead. The Garchomp crashes into a wall.
Before the Garchomp recovers, Hicklod fires four Psybeam the dragon-type goes still. Hicklod looks at Garchomp's still body. The Garchomp lunges using Dragon Claw wounding the psychic type.
The Garchomp smirks. "You're pretty good, not gonna lie."
The Garchomp uses another Dragon Claw. Hicklod again uses Psychic to stop the attack. The Garchomp breaks free and uses Fire Fang on the psychic type's hand. Hicklod winces in pain. Luckily it didn't cause a burn. Garchomp uses another Dragon Rush. Hicklod tries to block using Reflect but it was too late. Hicklod is sent crashing through the bookshelves.
The Garchomp spots Drilbur hiding. "Come out. I know you are hiding behind the bookshelf." The Drilbur doesn't move. The Garchomp losses his patience. He aggressively pushes the bookshelf and steps on the Drilbur. He holds his claw near his prey. "Are you scared? You should be. Don't worry I won't kill you but I might change my mind." He leans over and brings his mouth close. Noel attacks with Metal Claw. The Dragon type was barely phased by that. "Was that supposed to hurt me? I could barely feel a scratch. Now you have really pissed me off." He prepares to attack with Dragon Claw.
"Hey pick someone of your own size." Hicklod interrupted.
The Garchomp kicks Drilbur away. "You still have some fight left in you? Come on and show me what you got."
Hicklod forms an orange orb of energy in front of its hand and fires it at the dragon type.
The Garchomp gets blasted away. The dragon type falls on the ground.
Hicklod helps Noel get up. "Are you alright? I'm sorry I lied about this but I'll explain to you later." He turns his attention to the Garchomp.
The Garchomp slowly gets up. "That was unexpected. Another hit and that will be the end of me." He attacks with Dragon Claw twice. Hicklod is badly wounded.
Hicklod fires Psybeam. The Garchomp attacks with Dragon Rush going through the psybeam and tackling his enemy to the wall. He pins the psychic type by sitting on him. His claw glow light green but is interrupted by Noel's Metal Claw. The Garchomp slams Noel with his fang.
The dragon-type smiled smugly. "Let's play a game. It's been a long since I had a good fight. So I have decided to spare one of you. You Hicklod, you will be the one to decide. Should I kill this little Drilbur or you instead? I'll spare the other one. The clock is ticking."
"Let me die." Noel begged. "You are more important person. I'm just nobody. You lied to me but I forgive you."
Hicklod shakes his head. "It's not fair for you. I lied to you I got you into this mess. This is my punishment. Bodyguards are replaceable but mons like you are not. I have decided that I'll die." He smirks at the Garchomp. "Go ahead do your worst."
"As you wish." The Garchomp kills Noel instead.
Hicklod watched in horror as Noel's lifeless body lies near him. "What have you done? You were supposed to kill me." He yelled.
"I want you to hate me as much as you can. See how you failed to save one little Drilbur and you expect to save your master from me." The Garchomp walked away and pulled a chain. The exit opens. "Wymer, remember my name." Wymer leaves.
Hicklod tried to get up but his body wouldn't move. "Get back here Wymer. Get back." Hicklod's treat echoed through the empty corridor as Wymer left.
The Tombs, Stonefall Barrow, Dhaschil Desert, Dalonton Nation, 26th April Year 1468
Edgar's path led him to a tomb. Many pokemon were buried. There were also statues of various pokemon. They were probably of some important mons. Edgar saw a Feraligatr rummaging through graves.
He sighs in defeat. "How many more graves do I have to dig to find it."
Edgar sneaked closer to know what the Feraligatr was doing. Unknowing to him he stepped on a water puddle making some noise. The Feraligatr turn his attention to where the sound came from.
"Someone there?" He looks around and sees Edgar. "I am glad that I made some water puddles. Wouldn't want someone sneaking on me. Well, look who showed up. Edgar, former captain of the seventh company. What brings you here?"
"The soul shard."
"Straight to the point eh? Well, you see we have a list and-"
"And I'm on it. You will try to kill me I know that. Who are you? No, who are you people? Why do you seek the soul shards.?
"Oh yes, you already met Kane in Grim islands. I am Heinrik. We are new world order. Why we want the soul shard that I won't answer." He fires Water Pulse.
Edgar dodges and attacks with Aura Sphere knocking the water type back. Heinrik keeps firing Water Pulse. Edgar keeps dodging while closing the distance. Heinrik anticipated it and switches to Crunch. Edgar uses Bone Rush as a defense. Heinrik pushes Edgar but he holds up. Edgar attacks with Force Palm sending the water-type flying into one of the graves he was rummaging.
Heinrik slowly gets up from the grave. "Kane wasn't exaggerating you." He releases a powerful blast of water from his mouth. It was Hydro Pump. Edgar dives into another grave. The hydro pump destroys the tombstone.
Edgar looks at the skeleton of Dewott. "Sorry about this." He apologizes.
Heinrick runs towards Edgar's location. He looks down and only sees the skeleton of Dewott. Edgar sneak attacks with Force Palm which connects. He switches to Bone Rush and makes three successful hits. Heinrik stops the fourth with his hand and head-butts Edgar. He switches to Crunch. Edgar was dazed but he recovered and blocks by holding his bone between the water type's jaw.
Heinrick chuckled while still trying to bite through the bone. Heinrik fangs glows light blue. Edgar's conjured bone slowly turns into ice and breaks. Heinrik switches to Water Pulse sending Edgar crashing into a tombstone and breaking it in many parts.
Edgar recovers and uses Aura Sphere. The Feraligatr dodges and fires water pulse. Edgar moves out of the way. Heinrik smirked and fire Hydro Pump. The jet of water sends Edgar flying toward a wall.
Heinrik looked at Edgar's body which wasn't moving. He turns around to leave.
"Where do you think you are going?" Edgar got up.
Heinrik smirks and uses Water Pulse and Edgar answers with Aura Sphere. The two attack crashes making a shockwave, sending both pokemon flying.
Heinrik is still on the ground and looks around for Edgar. He sees no sign of his opponent. "Looks like I won."
Henrik is suddenly stricken by a Bone Rush. Edgar hits him five times. He charges Aura Sphere and strikes the water-type sending him flying.
Edgar pants and drops to his knees. He sees a skeleton of a Pangoro. The Pangoro skeleton was in a sitting position which Edgar thought was odd.
Henrik saw that Edgar was distracted. He limped to the exit.
He investigates the area around the skeleton. He found a journal that he assumed to be the Pangoro's. He flips the journal to the last entry.
"I have become old and I can feel getting weaker day by day. I have protected this shard for years. I have decided this to be my final resting place. If you want the shard, it's all yours. I have kept it in Treasury. For whatever reason you need, good or bad. When all shards are again you will only find misery."
Edgar puts back the journal where he found it. "Rest in peace. I'll never let the shards come together."
Treasury, Stonefall Barrow, Dhaschil Desert, Dalonton Nation, 26th April Year 1468
The trio's path led to the treasury. The room was filled with ancient coins, old antiques jeweled crowns. Most importantly at the center were stairs leading to an elevated platform.
The trio climbed the stairs. There they saw three stones. Each stone's upper part had three sides. It also had a different symbol engraved on each side. A Book, a coffin and a coin. There was a stone button in front of the three stones.
Reina examined the stones and the symbol. "Obviously, this is a puzzle. We need to align it in the right order." She looks at a black stone slab behind the three stones. "Then this thing will come up."
Ray scratched his chin. "But we don't know the right combination."
"I say we try every combination till we get the right one." Reid suggested.
"We are not doing that. We don't know what would happen if we get the wrong one." Ray shouted.
"Let's see. Since this is a treasury and we took the right path I say the right one should have the coin symbol." Reina turns the right stone till the coin symbol is facing the front.
"That's logical." Reid thought. "I say we flip a coin for the rest."
"You want to leave our fate to a flip of a coin?"
"We should check the other paths then." Reina suggested.
"We are not going back." Ray stopped her.
"Why not?"
"Did you ever think why sensei insist that we take this path? Even when Reid wanted to take the center path." The other two shook their head. "Because someone is here before us. He sensed it. I also sensed it and they were fresh tracks. So, unless you want to get in their way you are free to go."
Reina sighs. "So, what do we do now?"
"As much as hate it. We have to with Reid's idea."
Reid smirks. "I told you." He grabs one coin from the sea of coins. "The first one will be a book symbol if its heads. Alright, let's do it." He flips the coin and it's a heads.
Reid spins the first one to the book symbol. Ray spins the center one till the coffin symbol.
"Since it was my idea, I'll do it. You can stay back." Reid suggested.
"We are in this together." Ray hovered his hand above the button and smiled.
"Whatever happens we face it together." Reina also hovered her hand above the button and smiled.
The trio were nervous. They gulped and pushed the button. The stone slab slides upwards revealing a soul shard in a glass container. The trio waited for something to happen. Luckily it was nothing.
"Let's get it and go." Reid said.
Ray grabbed the container and gave it to Reina. They leave the treasury.
Stonefall Barrow, Dhaschil Desert, Dalonton Nation, 26th April Year 1468
The five Rydon were still waiting. For their boss to come out.
"This is boring. I can't wait to eat something" Said one Rydon.
"That's all you think about. It's been an hour and still no sign of them. We should start drilling this wall." The second Rydon said.
"Don't do that. We already know what to do in this situation. We wait two more hours then go back home." The third Rydon said.
The first Rydon tapped his chin. "I always had this question since I joined but I never questioned it since the pay was good. Why would Lord Isrean's bodyguard accompany an archaeologist? When he should be near him protecting all the time."
The second Rydon thought about it. "Now that I think about it. You are right. They are defiantly hiding something from us. Also, there is that former captain of the seventh company of Fepusa nation. Why would he be here?"
The five of them hear a sharp click as the block blocking their path is lifted up.
"Well speak of the devil. I'm going to ask them about all this."
Edgar meets his students in the corridor. "Hey, you three alright?"
The three of them nod. Reina shows him the soul shard.
"Good, keep it with you for now."
"Are you alright? Weary and injured. Who was it?" Ray asked.
"A Feraligatr. Don't worry about me. Those guards outside are in danger."
They arrive at the area where they were separated from the guards. They saw now dead guards in the corridor. Edgar checked for their pulse. Unfortunately, no one lived.
Dhaschil Desert, Dalonton Nation, 26th April Year 1468
They exit Stonefall Barrow. They saw more dead guards. Edgar clenched his fist. "I shouldn't have let him escape."
They saw Hicklod come out holding Noel's dead body in his arms.
"No, no, no it can't be." Reina was in denial.
Hicklod lays Noel's body on the ground. "He is dead. It was a Garchomp."
"I encountered a Feraligatr."
"You knew about this, didn't you? Look at me and answer you knew about it, didn't you? That is why you sent your students to the right." He pushes Edgar. "You could have stopped this. We could have taken them one by one. Instead, you send us to our doom. My guards and Noel's blood is on your hands"
Edgar was patient with Hicklod but the last line made him lose his patience. He pushes the psychic type onto the ground. "You think you and Isrean are innocent? You brought this on yourself. In fact, you used them. I don't know what happened with you and that Garchomp but you failed to protect him. You used him as your cover story for soul shard hunting. Now not only you got him killed but ten others as well. So don't talk to me about whose blood is on whose hands.
Edgar grabs the soul shard from Reina and shoves it into Hicklod's hands. "You got what you came for. Congratulations!". He snarled. "I told you already to leave the shards as it is but you won't listen. Tell those three when there is a meeting again. Leave me out of this.
Edgar reluctantly exchanges the info about the new world order. He and his students head back toward the village.
"Sensei, why did you agree to help them in the first place.?" Ray asked.
"I'm sorry, I didn't tell you before. Isrean blackmailed me." Edgar answered.
The three gasped.
"Is it true?" Reid asked.
Edgar nods. "He said that he will seize my house. I said that I don't care. Then he threatens to me that he will frame me and separate you three."
Ray clenched his fist. "What did Ernest have a say in this? Doesn't he have the power in Fepusa? Why is this Isrean using his power in Fepusa?"
"Ernest was in this too."
Reina and Reid were shocked.
"I knew that Leafeon wasn't a goody two shoes." Ray commented.
"Sensei. How about we spend our time here? We don't know if we will get a chance to visit this place again." Reina suggested.
"You know what? You are right let's spend our time here."
The group continued towards the village.
AN: Characters
Edgar, Male Lucario, Ability: ? ?
Move set: Bone Rush, Heal Pulse, Aura Sphere, Force Palm.
Ray, Male Riolu, Ability: ? ?
Move set: Force Palm, Quick Attack, ? ?, ? ?
Reid, Male Machop, Ability: ? ?
Move set: Low Sweep, Karate Chop, ? ?, ? ?
Reina, Female Medittite, Ability: ? ?
Move set: Confusion, Bide, Brick Break, ? ?
Hicklod, Male Alakazam, Ability: ? ?
Move set: Reflect, Psybeam, Psychic, Focus Blast
Noel, Male Drilbur, Ability: ? ?
Move set: Metal Claw, ? ?, ? ?, ? ?
Wymer, Male Garchomp, Ability: ? ?
Move set: Slash, Dragon Claw, Fire Fang, Dragon Rush
Heinrik, Male Feraligatr, Ability: ? ?
Move set: Crunch, Water Pulse, Ice Fang, Hydro Pump