Chapter 24 – The Roadborn (Andrew)
Another clear Sunday morning came as the sun rose over Cloudcroft. The horizon gradually faded from inky-black with a jade-green edge, to a grayish blue hue. As the day began some of the mesa's residents stirred, rising early for breakfast before their usual daily ventures. In one of the adobe houses, a particular Axew stared out the window, as he had for the past two days.
Andrew was used to rising early, it had been ingrained in him for years. But that wasn't what kept him from bed. No, it was the nightmares, still fresh in his mind after escaping the old mineshaft just a couple days ago. On Friday night he dreamed of grasping the ropes that hauled him and the others out of the mine. Andrew's grip slipped and he fell into the depths, howling darkness in his ears. Except this time, no one was there to catch him. No one but the ground.
He had awakened flailing, as if he had crash-landed onto his bed.
That close-call in the mine instilled a lingering dread in the young dragon, strong enough to shut himself in his own home, too afraid to leave. Though the sheriff kept searching, Bisharp was still out there somewhere. The ordeal left Andrew longing for familiar comforts, to take his mind off of it and stop worrying.
Deep within him was a yearning desire to go back to what Andrew knew best, something that ran counter to the self-preservation instincts that kept him inside now. He wanted to travel again, just like he and his dad did before they had moved into Cloudcroft.
Of course, even if he wasn't held back by fear he couldn't go off on his own. All he could do was wait and rest, though given the nightmares, the latter didn't seem possible. In fact, last night's dream left Andrew with only more festering gloom.
The second nightmare had picked up where the first left off. Andrew was down in the mineshaft, surrounded by crumbled rocks and wrecked equipment. The path to the surface and the lifts were both destroyed. There was no way out. At least the first nightmare was kind enough to jolt him awake. But this time Andrew had to endure the darkness until he woke. Even then, his sleep was unrestful.
He sighed, wanting to stop thinking about the nightmare, but unable to think of anything else. As he breathed in again, he picked up the scent of fruit, cinnamon, and honey wafting from the kitchen.
"Andy," his dad called. "Breakfast's almost ready, whenever you are."
"Okay, Pa."
He could at least take comfort in knowing his dad was still here, and well-aware of the trauma he had been enduring. It helped, though Andrew couldn't totally shake off his other problems. So he stared out the window, still longing.
Daydreams filled his thoughts, imagining distant landscapes to be explored. New foods to taste. New people to meet, even if only for a moment. That was the one downside to traveling– saying goodbye to good people too soon.
It would be great if he had friends to travel with, like William. He and Corvo had gone back to the guild not long after escaping the mineshaft. They surely got back home safely… Right? With any luck their guild would be on the case, and they would catch that lunatic Bisharp before he could cause more harm.
"Eheh."
Andrew chucked to himself. He must've been too deep into his imagination, cuz he could've sworn he saw William just now, right outside the window.
He blinked.
The Cubone was still there, walking up the dusty dirt road. And he wasn't alone– at least four others were with him.
Suddenly, Andrew's gloom was wiped away. He leaped away from the window, rushing toward the front door to throw it open.
"William!"
The five mons stopped in their tracks and stared back at him, letting Andrew get a good look at them.
There was a Snivy, that had to be Corvo. Then there was a Totodile– that had to be Leon, right? They met before, but it was a while ago. Finally, there was a Bulbasaur and a Quilava. Andrew had never met either of them.
"Andrew?" William answered. "I almost forgot we would be passing by you."
"I didn't think you'd be back so quick," Andrew said as he stepped outside. Once he got a closer look at them, he could see their hunched postures and heavy eyelids. They looked like they had been on the road for a while.
"To be honest, I didn't think so either," William replied. "But… something came up."
That last detail sounded grim. Whatever was going on, Andrew reckoned that he wouldn't find out with a quick answer. "Well, why don't you guys come on in? Pa's makin' breakfast, y'all can come eat and rest, if you like."
Judging by how their faces lit up, the offer of food was music to their ears. William turned to the other mons and, after some hushed words, he faced Andrew again. "We'd like that. Thank you, Andrew."
The Axew nodded and stepped aside, beckoning them.
The whole group walked in without hesitation, except for the Totodile, who paused before shaking his head and following the group. Andrew couldn't put his finger on it, but something seemed off about that fellow.
Regardless, Andrew shut the door behind him as he came back in. "Pa!" he called. "We've got guests! Hope ya don't mind."
"Eh?" The lumbering Haxorus sauntered into the den, still wearing oven mitts over his hands. Once he saw how many friends Andrew brought in, his eyes lit up. "Well aren't we popular today? If I didn't know better, I'd figure you were hostin' a party, Andy."
"They look like they've been partying all night, don't they?" Andrew said, getting some chuckles out of a few folks. Though the Totodile– Leon– sighed. "Anyway," Andrew continued, "do ya reckon we can fix 'em up some food? I know it's sudden, but…"
"Course!" Pa answered. "Gimme some time, I'll get'cha folks a proper meal ready. Our place is yours, so long ya don't break anythin'."
Andrew nodded. "Thanks, Pa."
"I'mma need some help makin' a bigger breakfast though." Pa beckoned. "Gimme a hand, Andy?"
"Yep!"
"May I come, too?" William asked, stepping closer to Andrew.
"Sure thing," Andrew said.
While the other three settled in at the den, Andy, his dad, and William traversed the corridor between the den and the kitchen. As they stepped into the kitchen, the sweet scent of honey and berries grew stronger, along with a pleasant warmth from the wood stove. Inside the stove was a grate and an iron pan, which Pa was using to make pancakes. On the counter laid a cup of pancake mix, as well as bowls of berries, cottage cheese, and a honey pot.
"Gonna need some more pancake mix," Pa explained. "Stir some up for me, Andy?"
"You've got it." Andrew pulled a stool over to reach the counter, grabbing a large measuring cup and a spoon. He used it to blend wheat flour, water, honey, and a bit of oil.
William stood next to him, watching the process with his usual, endearing curiosity. "That looks delicious," he said. His eyes looked hazy, as if he were imagining how the food might taste.
"Just wait 'til you get a cake with berries and honey on top!" Andrew said, stirring the batter. "I've been meaning to ask. What brings you guys back to Cloudcroft? Don't think I've met those other two friends of yours– the 'saur and the Quilava."
"Well, it's somewhat of a long story." William rested his head upon his bone club. "You remember how, a few days ago, we encountered that strange mon in the mines? And how he said he wanted something from Jacob?"
A chill shot down Andrew's spine. "Yeah… Oh, is that why you guys are here? The sheriff hasn't found him yet, are you guys gonna hunt 'em down?"
William bowed his head. "I wish that were the case, but…" His voice was barely louder than a whisper, and cold like frosted ground. "It's a lot more complicated than that."
"Oh no." Judging by Will's tone, this was gonna be some seriously bad news.
"Somehow," William continued, "those 'Eidolons' did get to Jacob. They wanted his pocket watch, and they've kidnapped him. They're holding him for ransom, in exchange for his pocket watch– Leon has it right now. We're on our way to rescue Jacob ourselves."
Andrew stopped stirring. He stared at William, eyes wide with his mouth hanging open. This was even worse than he could've imagined it. " …Wow. That's downright awful." A drawn-out pause lingered, then Andrew brought the cup of batter over to his dad. "Though, the guild sent you after him, just like that?"
"Not exactly," William shook his head. "We left the guild on our own last night. We camped out at Moonrise Canyon, and made our way here before dawn."
"Well damn," Pa spoke up. "Friend got kidnapped and you're goin' rogue to save 'em? Sounds like one o' those old tales." He tossed his skillet, flipping the pancake inside.
"W-where'd they take Jacob, anyway?" Andrew asked.
"To some place called a 'Mystery Dungeon.' We're not sure who these mons are, nor do we know what we'll find inside this dungeon of theirs. But from what we've heard… I don't think this could get any more dire."
As all of the details were laid out, Andrew's head spun with the news. They were going up against not just that Bisharp, but all of the other crazies like him? Going to a 'Mystery Dungeon' didn't make it sound any better, either. It was like all the bad-luck in the world funneled down and poured onto Will, Leon, and their friends. Especially Jacob, since he was the main victim in all this. Now they were throwing themselves in harm's way, the kind of which they might not walk away from. An old, familiar feeling welled up inside Andrew.
"Well whatever ya do," Pa spoke up, "you're gonna need a full belly to get it done. Why don'tchu boys get the table set? I'll bring the fixin's over when they're ready."
Andrew led William to the cupboard and drawers, where they pulled out wood plates and metal forks. While they were on the far end of the kitchen, with Andrew laying down the plates, he asked his friend a burning question.
"William…" He met the Cubone's eyes. "Will you come back from this?"
William was setting down the silverware, but he promptly stopped. Even with that skull over his head, Andrew could tell that his question sparked a shock within him. His mouth hung open slightly, like he was stringing his words together before he spoke.
"Andrew, I…" A deep sigh escaped his mouth. "…I honestly don't know. I like to think that we're prepared, yet I have no way of knowing until we get there."
Andrew formed a sour face. "You don't sound all that confident."
"There aren't many things I can be confident in. But I made a promise to help save Jacob, and I'm going to see it through." He lifted his head up, offering a small smile. "I appreciate the hospitality you're giving us, you and your father. With any luck, we might see you again on the return trip."
The two remained quiet for a bit, neither having anything to add. They resumed moving the plates and forks to the kitchen table, and Andrew's thoughts stirred like a duststorm. The idea that William would be putting himself in harm's way, and he might not come back… Well, Andrew had to wonder if he was still in a nightmare. Though a quick pinch on his arm told him he wasn't.
"Food's on!" Pa called, bringing plates of fruit and pancakes. The others shuffled from the den into the kitchen, gathering around the table.
Andrew took a seat next to William, while Leon, Corvo, and the others claimed the extra seats at the small table. Their faces were bright with admiration as they laid eyes on their warm, home-cooked meals.
"Dig in," Pa said, and their guests happily obliged.
There wasn't much talking as everyone enjoyed their fruity pancakes.
Still, Andrew ate slowly as his thoughts wandered. The way William said they'd see him again on their 'return trip.' Somehow, that didn't sit right with him, either. The idea that they'd leave again, while Andrew did… what? Sit around? He had already done nothing for more than long enough. If he stayed put, knowing that his friends were in danger…
"Thank you for the meal," William spoke up.
"Yeah! Vees er famtashic!" the Bulbasaur said with a mouthful of food.
"I don't think I got your name though," Leon ventured, looking at the Haxorus. "Mister…?"
Pa let out a hearty chuckle. "Henry, just Henry. An' don't worry 'bout it, any friend o' Andy is welcome here."
"Right," Leon rested his fork on his plate. "I hope you don't mind, but we don't plan on staying long. We'll have to get back on the road as soon as we can."
"Yeah, I overheard a few details 'bout your problem," Pa said solemnly. "Won't harp on ya much, do what ya gotta do. But I gotta ask, what direction ya headin' in?"
"Northeast," Corvo answered. "To the Silver Shore. Gonna take the tunnels at Rimehorn."
Rimehorn. That was a name familiar to Andrew– he had been there before. It was a sprawling town of log cabins built along the south side of a snowy mountain. Home to plenty of ice types, with slopes for sledding and boarding, and warm, chocolate drinks in every house. And like Corvo had mentioned, they had tunnels drilled through the mountains so travelers didn't have to take the long way. A sense of nostalgia welled within him, and his urge to travel surged.
"Ah, ya might wanna rethink that," Pa said. "Those tunnels are a no-go. They've collapsed."
Suddenly the whole room froze as everyone stopped eating. They looked towards Pa with collective shock, though no one was more shaken than Leon.
"W-what?" he rasped. "How do you know that?"
"Heard about it at the market last night," Pa explained. "Big buzz o' news like that travels quick. Hate to break it to ya, but better than lettin' ya find out the hard way."
The guests all glanced at each other. Leon planted his hands on the table.
"Corvo," he began. "You've gotta find us another way to the shore. We can't be heading down a dead-end."
The Snivy slinked back in his chair, uncomfortable with having all the room's attention on him.
But the attention wouldn't be on him for long.
Andrew stood up in his chair. "I know a way," he proclaimed.
All the heads in the room turned toward him, looking on with expectant gazes.
"If you can't take the tunnels," Andrew explained, "then the second quickest way is northwest. Through the Sunfall Desert. You'd pass through a town or two, then Chronovania's capital, Caldera. It's got plenty o' rivers and canals, one of 'em leads to Harvest and the Silver Shore."
The group paused for a moment, pondering over Andrew's proposal. Corvo pulled out and unrolled a map, tracing his finger over the roads. "Yeah, looks like that's our next best bet. But it'll take us another two days. Maybe longer, since there's no roads through the desert."
Leon put his head in his hands. "Is that really our only choice? If we get lost…"
"You won't," Andrew assured. "Cuz I know the way. I can join your team and lead you through the desert myself."
Andrew's mood soared at his own words. The chance to travel again, and not just for himself. It was a chance to be there for someone, to do something that mattered.
The faces staring at him changed. Leon's turned from concern to hope, and the Bulbasaur's from worry to amazement. Corvo put a hand to his chin, looking intrigued. William and Pa, however, looked anxious.
"Andrew, that's very selfless of you," William said. "But are you sure about this? I wouldn't want you to endanger yourself–"
"And I can say the same about you," Andrew countered. "If I was out risking myself somewhere, wouldn't you wanna be there for me? Wouldn't you feel bad if you sat it out when you could've had my back?"
William seemed to recoil, caught off-guard by Andrew reversing his argument. After a momentary pause, he nodded. "I hadn't considered that. But… you make a fair point."
Andrew smiled. "So, you guys will let me come along?"
William and his friends shared glances across the table. Though they didn't say anything, their subtle nods didn't go unnoticed.
They weren't the next to speak, however.
"Hey, Andy?" Pa spoke up. "I'd like a word with ya." He turned his head toward the den. "In private, ya hear?"
It was almost funny, how asking for a private conversation brought on the tension it was trying to avoid. Andrew could feel all their eyes on the back of his head as he followed Pa out of the kitchen. They traversed the corridor towards the den, putting some distance between themselves and their guests. The Haxorus took a seat on the couch, inviting Andrew to sit next to him, which he did.
"So," Pa began in a deep, clear voice. "This is a pretty big commitment, what'chure gettin' into."
"Yeah, it is," Andrew replied, tensing his muscles.
"I know your friend asked already, but I wanna be certain. Are ya sure you wanna do this?" Pa's eyes met Andy's, his expression glowing with that seldom-seen fatherly concern, saved for only the most important talks. "These guys are guild folks, Andy. They can handle themselves, even when it's tough."
"I get that, Pa. But this ain't some run-o'-the-mill mission they're goin' on. Hell, they even had to break ranks to come on out like this. And Will…" He lowered his head. "…He's one of the few friends I've actually got to keep, ya know? I never got to keep any cuz we've always been movin' around."
Pa's face fell. "Aye. If there's a reason for me to feel guilt, that's one o' them. Woulda settled down sooner if we could, but… We just couldn't. There's another concern I've got, though."
Andrew lifted his head up again. "Is it what I think it is?"
"Andy… You mean the world to me. We put in a lotta work to finally plant our feet someplace. If I lost ya, like we lost…" He turned his head away. When he spoke again, his voice cracked. "…Like we lost Ma?"
Even though he knew it was coming, Andrew's heart seized. "I-I know," he said solemnly. "We… couldn't do anything."
"I don't mean to guilt-trip ya," Pa said quietly. "But… What do ya think she'd say, if she knew you were riskin' yourself like this, after the risks she took for us?"
A sense of sorrow washed over Andrew, like cold rain. If she was here, what would Ma think of all this? He tapped his fingers together. "I think…" As the words came to him, a fire kindled in his voice. "I think she'd say I'm being just like her."
Pa's eyes widened in surprise.
"This is exactly the kind of thing she'd do," Andy went on. "She'd put herself on the line for the folks she cares about. I know it cuz she–" He stopped, as if the wind was taken from his chest. "…She's done it before."
Pa lowered his head, as well as his voice. "She did it hoping you wouldn't have to, someday."
"But I still want to," Andrew insisted, his voice rising. "No, I need to. Back then, I couldn't do anything to help. But now?" He closed his glistening eyes. "…I'm gonna make a difference this time." Though try as he might, he couldn't stop a pair of tears sliding down his cheeks.
A weight on the couch shifted closer to him. A warm arm rested on Andy's shoulder, holding him gently.
"She'd be very proud of you," Pa said softly.
The two sat together for some time, sharing their warmth. As they did, Andrew's resolve grew like a blooming campfire. His own words echoed in his head. "I'm gonna make a difference this time." For a moment, he could've sworn that it wasn't just his dad holding him close.
"I'd still rather keep you safe," Pa continued. "But you're a grown-mon now. Evolvin' is just around the corner. You're strong and brave and selfless, just like her."
Andy blinked away another pair of tears. Slowly, he turned his head up, meeting Pa's eyes. He looked back at him, still beaming with that same fatherly glow he offered when Andy needed it most. "And I'm proud of you, too."
At those words, Andrew pulled himself in, wrapping his arms around his dad and burying his face in his chest. Pa hugged him back, holding him close.
"You'll take good care of 'em. Andy. I know you will."
"I love you, dad."
"I love you, too."
A vast wasteland laid before Andrew and the team, with rolling mounds of windswept sand stretching beyond the horizon. The sky was empty, save for the afternoon sun, bearing heat down and sizzling the sand. Bits of vegetation were sparsely scattered across the landscape: a few ferns and prickly cacti. In the shadow of one of the sand dunes was the skull of a Tauros, nestled among small ferns and loose rocks.
Andrew led the team, and all six of them left a trail of footprints in the sand as they trekked through the desert. The land was vast, with no signposts or paths to guide any travelers. But the Axew's confidence was unwavering, as if he was following a route that he had made with own two feet.
"So Andrew," William spoke up. "You've been through this desert before?"
Andrew nodded. "This would be my third trip through Sunfall. There's an oasis not far from here, we can camp there tonight and arrive at the next town in the morning."
"And after that," Corvo chimed in, "Caldera will be the next stop." The Snivy had unrolled his map, studying it as they walked.
William leaned in for a closer look. "So the capital is like a terminal for an aquatic highway, stretching to the corners of the continent…"
At the mention of water, the others clicked their lips.
"Thirsty again…" the Quilava, Enzo, spoke.
"Me too," said Chase, the Bulbasaur.
William held up a canteen, but grimaced. "Mine is nearly empty."
"It's okay, look over there," Andrew pointed toward a towering cactus just ahead. "That has fresh water in it. We can fill up there."
"Uh, it's covered in spikes…" Chase said. "I'm not putting my mouth on that."
Enzo remained silent, though he looked like he was suppressing a laugh.
"You won't have to," Andrew approached the prickly plant. He tilted his head, carefully aligning his tusks at just the right angle. Once he was ready, he thrusted into the cactus– its sharp spines a few inches from his face. Nonetheless, he moved his tusk and carved a crescent into the desert plant.
Once he finished, pinched the cactus and pulled up, opening a makeshift flap. From that flap, water flowed from the plant into his canteen.
"Line up here," Andrew said. "There's enough for everyone."
They did so, taking turns refilling their canteens, as well as drinking straight from the natural tap. Once everyone had gotten their fill, the flow's pressure had slowed down a fair bit. Andrew closed the cactus again, pushing the flap back into place and sealing it shut.
"Why close it?" Enzo asked.
"It'll help the plant recover," Andrew answered. "In time it will fill up with water again, and be usable to whoever passes through here after us."
The group continued onward through the sands. William walked alongside Andrew, staying close to him. "That was fascinating," he said. "So, before you and your father moved in to Cloudcroft, you two were travelers?"
"Pretty much," Andrew answered. "Just us and our bags. We took up odd jobs wherever we went, saving up 'til we had enough to put our roots down somewhere."
"Sounds neat!" Chase beamed.
"You ever miss it?" Corvo said. "Travelin' around, I mean."
Andrew glanced at him over his shoulder. "Yeah, I do. I mean, the road's rough sometimes, and you don't always know when the next time you can eat or sleep will be."
Corvo's mouth formed a bittersweet smile. "Yeah…"
"But seein' the world is worth it," Andrew continued. "The sights, the stories, and the mons you meet. Like you guys."
At those words, Leon's expression softened. "…That sounds like something Jake would say."
"Well I've got an idea!" Chase beamed. "After we get Jake, we can take another road trip! One that's all fun instead of, you know, 'go go go!'"
Leon let out a soft chuckle. "Maybe. But let's stay focused." He turned to Andrew again. "How much further until the oasis?"
"I'd say another thirty minutes to an hour," Andrew said. "Once we get there we can set up our tents, and put down the firewood you and Enzo are carrying. Should have enough to last us the night."
"Mmmm. Nice, toasty fire~" Chase hummed. "Did we pack marshmallows? We could make–"
"Wait, stop!" Andrew held up his arms. A subtle rumble pulsed beneath his feet. Within seconds, the sand shifted and the ground quaked, forcing everyone to stumble.
"What's happening?!" Leon yelped.
"Desert ferals," Andrew said. "Somewhere under the sand!"
His eyes darted around, scanning the ground for any kind of motion. Though the sand bounced and rolled, he spotted something else lurking underneath. It looked like a pockmarked rock, moving around with a pair of red orbs behind them…
"Back back back!"
Andrew leaped away, narrowly avoiding an erupting geyser of sand. He shielded his face with his arms, blocking a wave of dust. Once the sandy assault dissipated he lowered his arms, spotting the monstrous feral before him.
"Hippowdon!" Andrew hollered.
"Not just one," William said, stepping forward with his club raised. "Two of them."
To the right of the first one, a second Hippowdon poked its face out of the ground. The two ferals rose from the debris like monsters out of a sea of sand. The brown and gray hippos roared together, expelling plumes of sand out of the holes on their backs.
"Watch out for their sand streams!" Corvo cautioned, keeping a safe distance.
"Chase, Enzo, flank them!" Leon ordered as he rushed ahead.
"Yeah, just like we practiced!" Chase said as he ran left, and Enzo ran right with his vents flaring.
While the guild members made their formation, the desert hippos conjured sandy cyclones from the ground around them– earthen typhoons lashed out in every direction with scorching razor sand.
The oncoming Sand Tombs shifted them around, but their semi-circle formation held. A combination of Water Gun, Flame Burst, and Razor Leaf all pelted the ferals. Meanwhile, Corvo conjured his own Twister to dilute the dust tornadoes.
Andrew's heart thumped against his chest. He expected running into Skorupi or Gligar, but not behemoths like these two. The guild apprentices seemed to be handling it well, but shouldn't he do something to help?
"Andrew," William said, catching his attention. He held up his odd bone club. "Dragon Rage, like last time?"
He recalled their escape from the forest last Wednesday, and nodded. Heat welled up in his chest, and he blew a purple fireball out of his mouth.
William hurled his bone club into it, scattering flames as they once again created a flaming Bonemerang. The whirling club showered violet sparks over the Hippowdon duo, its embers smoking in the sand. Between that and the elemental trio of attacks, the hippos were swiftly battered.
They both turned their attention to William and Andrew, uttering earsplitting roars that rattled their heads. The Bonemerang whirled back toward them–
Conk!
The impact silenced the hippo for a moment as the bone club flew back into William's grasp.
"Good work," William said, instilling a sense of warmth in Andrew.
"Don't let up!" Leon called, and he and the others continued their ranged attacks.
The gray Hippowdon turned and charged toward Leon, opening and closing his mouth with a ferocious snap! Leon had just barely rolled out of the way.
Meanwhile, the brown Hippowdon ran straight towards William with staggering speed. The feral blasted sand out of the craters on its shell, boosting its momentum. William planted his feet and raised his club–
"Look out!" Andrew pushed William out of the way– and Hippowdon crashed into him instead, lifting its head and launching him. Sand and sky spun around as he soared.
Thud!
Even as he landed the world kept spinning as he tumbled over the unforgiving wasteland. When he came to a stop, Andrew could see stars even though it wasn't night. Someone shouted his name, though it was drowned out by all the racket of the battle. He shook his rattled head, propping himself on his arms to sit upright.
The first thing he saw was William, scurrying over towards him. "Andrew!" he called. "Are you alright?"
"I-I'll live," Andrew replied as he pushed himself up. Though there was no denying it– those guys hit hard. They were rampaging, breaking up that flanking formation as they charged and made more sandstorms. Wearing them down over time wasn't gonna work– they needed a new plan, and fast.
Luckily, an idea flashed through Andrew's head. It was just crazy enough that it might work.
"Will, cover me!" he said, and ran ahead.
"Wait, what are you doing?" William called after him.
Andrew ran straight at the gray Hippowdon, who was running after Chase in circles, much to the Bulbasaur's distress.
"Chuck your Bonemerang!" Andrew hollered. "Now!"
A moment later, he heard the telltale whirr of a flying bone club spinning past his head. Just as the Hippowdon turned toward the noise–
Conk!
As soon as it hit, Andrew was upon the feral. He hacked at it with Dual Chop, hitting it with his tusks twice in a row. The beast reeled, and Andrew took his chance– he leaped onto Hippowdon's back.
The world rocked up and down as the desert hippo bucked, trying to throw Andrew off of their back.
"Yee-haw!" Andrew grasped the black shell, bouncing up and down with the beast's flailing.
Nearby the other Hippowdon launched a cascade of sandy waves after the other three, eclipsing their water, fire, and leaves, threatening to bury them.
Even as he struggled to hang on, Andrew built up another fireball in his throat and shot it at the other hippo. Purple fire washed over the brown beast, who turned toward the source. As he locked eyes with Andrew, the Axew grabbed the gray hippo's head, turning them toward the other feral.
"Come get me, I'm right here!" he taunted.
Just as he hoped, the brown Hippowdon charged straight at him– and the gray Hippowdon he sat upon. He smacked his hippo's back.
"Yah!"
And the gray hippo stormed forth, straight toward their brown counterpart.
William and the others shouted after him, but Andrew couldn't hear them over the powerful roars and sand-stomping clatter. The Hippowdons lowered their heads–
BAM!
Skulls collided, and Andrew's momentum launched him off his hippo. He flew towards one of the dunes, and skidded off the sand like a stone over water. The hot, grainy surface stung his scales, and once again the world spun around him.
He heard more shouting, and it sounded like mons were running toward him. But Andrew couldn't lift his head. The desert heat, the strain from the battle, and his own injuries all clawed at his consciousness.
Someone kneeled next to him, but before he could make out any details, Andrew's eyes slid shut.
A dull pain lingered throughout. Sore arms, legs, back, and head. A fresh breath as his chest rose… then fell. There was something soft below. A subtle warmth. The scent of burning wood. His senses slowly caught up as his awareness returned.
Andrew's eyes creaked open. Around him were slanted walls made of fabric– he was inside a large tent. The front flap was peeled back, letting him see outside. A short distance from the tent was a campfire. Beyond that was a dark pool of water reflecting the night sky, with vegetation along its rim. It was the oasis.
Though his limbs protested, Andrew pushed himself upright, getting a better view. Someone was sitting right outside the tent.
"W-William?" he uttered.
The Cubone spun around, almost alarmed to hear Andrew's voice. He then crawled into the tent. "Andrew, are you alright?"
"I've been better."
"Hey, is he awake?" Another voice sounded off outside. Footsteps shuffled across the sand, and soon everyone was poking their faces in. Leon, Corvo, Chase, and Enzo stood between the tent and the campfire.
"I guess that means we beat back those hippos?" Andrew asked.
"Yeah," Leon nodded. "They didn't get up again after they rammed each other."
"Gotta say," Corvo added. "You've got some moves, brother."
"Yoooo, you should've seen yourself!" Chase beamed. "Climbing up that Hippowdon all like, 'yee-haw!' Then you were all like, 'come at me!' Then bam!"
"Let's not overwhelm him," William said. "He still needs to rest."
"No, I think I've got plenty." Despite William's objections, Andrew rose to his feet. In the campfire's light he checked himself for injuries. His scales had a few scratches and bruises, but nothing permanent.
Enzo cocked an eye at him. "Tough guy," he commented.
Andrew strode his way out of the tent, closer to the campfire. A skyward glance confirmed it was nighttime, as a sea of stars spanned from one horizon to the other.
"We can spend the night here," he said. "If we leave at first light we'll make it to the nearest town early in the morning."
Leon nodded. "Sounds good. The sooner we get there, the better."
"Are ya hungry at all?" Corvo asked. "Got some trail mix if you're feelin' peckish." He offered a small bag of nuts, berries, and bits of chocolate.
"Thanks," Andrew accepted it.
Leon stood to the side, giving Corvo a strange look that Andrew couldn't read.
"I think I'll take a seat by the fire," Andrew said, sensing tension. "You guys should get some rest."
Thankfully that seemed to work. Leon, Chase, Corvo, and Enzo all crawled into the tent, with the Bulbasaur making a comment about having a "heated pillow." As Andrew brought out a small blanket to sit upon, William remained outside.
"I'll be the first sentry tonight," William said. "I'd like to sit with you, if that's okay."
"It is," Andrew nodded.
The duo settled around the campfire, sitting close to each other on the blanket. The flames were comfortably warm, and the sand was pleasantly cool. Andrew opened the bag Corvo had given him and began snacking on the nuts and berries within.
"So Andrew," William spoke. "Are you sure you're feeling well enough to travel?"
"I'm good," Andrew answered. "I know I'm roughed-up, but I've had worse." He popped some raisins in his mouth.
"I don't doubt it," William said. "Though I wouldn't want you to push yourself too hard."
"I'll be okay, really." He glanced over William's form, checking for injuries. "How about you? Did you guys get hurt?"
"Only lightly," William said. "We treated our injuries as we set up camp here. I appreciate you asking, though."
"Anytime."
Andrew busied himself with his trail mix, glancing between the campfire and the stars as he ate. Neither he nor William spoke as they basked in the calm of night. Andrew knew the desert would be rough, but he hoped that the following days would be kinder. More like his old days on the road. Of course, it wouldn't be quite the same since he was traveling with guild members instead of Pa. But that wasn't a bad thing, it was just different.
As he finished the remainder of his berries, Andrew turned to William.
"So, Will. Since you're sitting out here with me, I was wondering. Was there something you wanted to talk about?"
"Yes, actually," William said, taking his eyes off the sky. "I hope this doesn't make you upset, but… Before we left Cloudcroft, I overheard some of what you and your father discussed."
Andrew was biting into his last berry, though he stopped. "Oh," he uttered. Their house was kind of small, to be fair. "Well, what about it?"
"I had wondered how we managed to grow close in such a short time. Obviously it's never because of only one reason but…" William shrugged. "I suppose I wanted to ask, am I really the first friend you've had?"
Andrew blinked. "Well, no. I haven't been that lonely. I've made a few friends over the years, but since Pa and I have always been moving around, they've all been here and gone. You know?"
"I see." William leaned forward. "So your old friends, they're mons you haven't seen in years?"
"Yep. We'd stop someplace for a bit and mingle with folks there, migrants like us. Sometimes I'd meet someone my age and we'd get along." Andrew smiled, recalling the memories. "Playing games, staying up late, talking and joking about whatever." His smile faded. "Until it was time to move again. We'd say goodbye and hope we'd see each other again. But… That never happened. It's hard to send letters to someone without a home."
They both went quiet for a time. The only sound was the crackling campfire keeping them warm.
"…Sending letters," William spoke up. "I remember the one you had sent to me. Was that the first one you had ever sent?"
"Well, it was the first one I sent to someone besides family," Andrew said. "Only other mon I've written to is my cousin, Caesar. He lives far away, on some islands southwest of the continent."
"An islander?" William remarked. He glanced at his bone club. "I've heard that islanders like me can use fire-type moves. I wonder if your cousin would know anything about that?"
"Maybe we can ask him sometime. It's been a while since Caesar and I wrote to each other."
"I'm sure he'd be happy to hear from you. I sure was, your letter made my day."
Andrew wagged his tail. "Thanks. I'm glad we didn't split up for good at Moonrise."
"Me too," William said, mimicking him.
The two sat together quietly for a bit, the only sounds being the fire and their tails wagging on the blanket. Andrew thought of his cousin. He last sent a letter to Caesar after he and Pa settled in at Cloudcroft. Of course, Caesar was the only one to get a letter because there weren't any other family members to write to.
William spoke again.
"I assume you learned how to write from your father?"
"Er, a little bit." Andrew's tail stopped. "Most school stuff I know, I learned from… someone else."
"Ah." William paused, like he was thinking through what he was about to say. "Since we've been talking about family… I think I can guess who. It's something else I wanted to ask about."
A stone dropped in Andrew's belly. He should've seen this coming, though he felt more prepared for the Hippowdon attack than this.
William was going to ask about Ma.
"I've been afraid to bring this up," William continued. "I know it's likely a sensitive subject. If you'd rather not–"
"No, no," Andrew interrupted. "It's okay. It's a story Pa and I already know cuz, well…" He turned his head away. "…But someone like you got only a few bits an' piece o' the whole picture. I reckon you'd like the rest of it, right?"
William nodded. "Only if you're comfortable with it."
With a heavy breath, Andrew leaned back and stared up at the night sky. It looked an awful lot like that one night, when the story he was about to tell took place.
"The three of us were up north. Near the border between Chronovania and the Frontier. It was us and some other migrant folks. Another family o' three, electric-types. Luxio, Manectric, and Shinx. We got ambushed at night. Not by ferals, but by bandits. Dunno about you, but I'll take ferals over road-lurkers any day."
As the details of the old memory came into focus, Andrew shivered. "We were… riding along in a wagon. Pulled by some Ponytas. Bandits were waitin' in the hills nearby. I never saw their faces, but they all rushed us, trying to ram us off the road."
William rested his chin on his bone club, listening intently.
"There was lots of noise and shouting. Heard things like, 'take out the wheel,' and 'flip 'em over.' The Ponytas started runnin' faster, but it's not like they could go full speed, carrying a wagon full o' passengers and their stuff. Wasn't long 'fore we heard this deep, mad voice barking orders." Andrew gulped. "He said, 'yank the kids out. Drag them to camp.'"
William's grip on his club tightened.
"That's when Ma pulled me in close," Andrew's voice went quiet. "She said… said that she loved me. And that she'd be right back." He bowed his head, taking a deep breath. "She jumped out the back o' the wagon, and I heard more noise. Shouting. Banging. The rest of the night was a blur. I… I think you can fill in the rest o' the gaps."
"Andrew…" William said in a soft voice. "I'm so sorry."
"I-It's fine," Andrew lied. He couldn't stop the inevitable flood of thoughts that always poured when he remembered that night. He, Pa, and the others made it out safe, the bandits didn't chase them anymore. But What happened to Ma? Did she fight off the bandits, only to get lost in the wilderness? Did she get captured, taken as a prisoner by those savages? Or… did she…?
Just then, an arm rested on Andrew's shoulder, grounding him back to reality. William held him close, and for the second time that day Andrew leaned in for a hug.
"Thank you for telling me," William said.
Tears welled-up in Andrew's eyes. "…I'm gonna make a difference this time," he repeated.
"You already have," William assured.
A sense of warmth kindled within Andrew, and it wasn't just from the campfire. Even though this trip was off to a rough start, between feral attacks and not-so-happy memories, he felt even more confident that joining Will's team for this trip was the right choice.
"She taught me a lot of what I know about traveling," Andrew said as they separated. "Like, using constellations when you don't have a map."
"The stars?"
"Yeah. My favorite's always been the Water-Bearer. Look," he pointed skyward. "See that cluster of stars?"
William squinted. "I believe so. It looks somewhat like… a turtle's shell?"
"Yeah, that's right. It's a Squirtle."
"Oh, I see it now!" Andrew could hear William's smile. "Fascinating."
Andrew laughed, though it petered out as his fatigue caught up with him. His eyes were heavy and he almost slumped over.
William reached over and held him steady, wrapping an arm around his back.
"Maybe you should get more rest," he offered.
"I probably should. But…" Andrew leaned in closer, resting his head on William's shoulder.
Andrew didn't say anything. Neither did William. The two merely sat there, basking in their surroundings. The blanket beneath them was soft. The fire burned with a healthy glow. The oasis pool was still, reflecting the water-bearer above. And the two shared their warmth, comforting each other.
"…We'll have more time tomorrow," William said quietly.
"True, true." Andrew turned his head toward the tent. Sleep sounded wonderful right now. But… he had one more idea to share. "Say, before we leave tomorrow, do you think we could get some practice in? Fighting practice, I mean. So I'm on the same page as you guys, using tactics and the like."
"That sounds wise," William said. "We could all practice together. But for now, go ahead and rest. I'll keep watch for a bit longer, then have someone else take their turn."
"Okay." He took his time moving away from William. The Cubone didn't seem to mind. "Goodnight, Will."
Andrew walked toward the tent, though before he stepped inside he gave one last look at William. The Cubone leaned back, his head turned toward the stars. Looking for new constellations, no doubt. The Axew smiled, then finally re-entered the tent.
Morning came sooner than expected, though maybe that was because Andrew slept pretty well. As promised, William invited him to train alongside the rest of the team. They all took turns sparring and sharing tactical advice, while the others packed up their camp. Although Leon seemed eager to start traveling again, he didn't rush them too much, as the Totodile took some time to go swimming in the oasis pool.
By the time they had finished rolling up the tent, and trading some practice blows, the morning sun was hanging low in the sky. Once again they set off through the sprawling sand dunes, Andrew leading them northwest through the desert. About two hours had passed, and thankfully, they hadn't run into any more ferals. Or at least, ferals who were willing to attack a team of six on sight.
The sand dunes gradually morphed into rolling grass hills, with plant life becoming more abundant the further they traveled. Soon they found refuge in the shade of towering trees– a welcome respite from the desert heat.
"Nice to see some green again," Corvo said.
"Hopefully the next sand we see is the beach," Leon said.
"What's our next stop, Andrew?" William asked.
Andrew reached for his map, unrolling it as they walked. "Caldera is still a fair distance away. If we keep pace, we should be able to get there by nightfall. But we should stop and resupply at the next town between here and there."
"And what town would that be?"
Andrew traced his eyes over their route. "It's called 'Amber Heights.'"
"Wait what?" Chase spoke up. "We're going to Amber?!"
Andrew looked over his shoulder. "Yeah…? Is there a–"
"That's my hometown!" Chase proclaimed, bouncing up and down. "Let's go!" And he bolted ahead, rapidly outpacing the group.