Episode 4: Marble monopoly

Rune's farewells were surprisingly quick and not very emotional, but that fact didn't linger on his mind. His fondness of the soldiers and servants at the castle had always been shaky, and it wasn't like he was saying goodbye forever.

What took his attention more was the vastness of the outside world surrounding the castle. Having never been far out beyond the training grounds used by the Knight School, he was astonished by the amount of rugged terrain. Mountain after mountain lined the scenery as far as his eyes could see, all of them were made of blackened, charred rock, and each one was sharp enough to split the clouds they poked through.

He was used to the heat of the area, but now that he was trampling up and down these mountains to cross them, he found himself sweating a lot more. He even made sure to stay close to the feet of the mountains so that he didn't have to climb up and down too much, yet a little while into the trek and he already had to stop to take a breather. He wiped his forehead and glanced back, disappointed that the castle was still in sight.

I was told to go straight ahead, but I wish I had asked how long for, he complained in his mind, realising his mistake after looking ahead. There wasn't even a road where he was, just more of these rocky mountains and hills carrying on into the dark distance. He steeled himself and resumed the task, but was quickly stopped by the sound of a sudden shout. He stopped in the middle of a trio of hills to listen in, only getting a few distant, unclear echoes instead.

Great. I'm already being followed, he thought with a sigh, keeping focused. He started walking again, but this time much slower. He kept to the enclosed valley between the three mountains and used that as a path, quickly finding that the shouting got clearer and louder. The Pokémon weren't following him; he was getting closer to them. As he did, the sound of attacks going off could be made out as well, so he began to follow the source.

The noise soon led him to a downhill road, but both sides of the road were occupied by small groups of rough Pokémon. One side was led by a Scrafty, the other a Mightyena, and those two Pokémon were literally butting their heads against each other while their groups rallied them on.

"Okay, that's enough you two. What is—"

"Stay outta this you little squirt! This mutt looked at me funny!" Scrafty shouted at him.

"Mutt? Like your poor ass is any better, tramp!" Mightyena responded, baring his teeth at him.

"You're right! Scum like you doesn't even deserve the title of mutt!"

"Yeah, you're too low on the scale to even title!"

"… Squirt?" Rune said, staring blankly. He shook himself and focused. "Both of you, that's enough! Cease this squabble at once!"

"Who're you to butt in? Oh I see. You seen the little prize I got and want a piece of her, too? Sorry, but wearing a cape doesn't make you a hero," Scrafty backed away and folded his arms.

"Ignore the little kid. Your business is with me! And I don't like the way your mates are lookin' at me," Mightyena growled.

"Are you really upset because you looked at each other badly? Both of you are pathetic, if that's the case," Rune stated, folding his arms. Both groups turned to him now. "Your battle is unnecessary and it blocks the road. Cease and go about your business."

"Pah, the little squirt is right. We ain't got time to waste with you. I got me a date with Dana," Scrafty said, turning away.

"Oh that's even worse! You think you're all high and mighty 'cos you got pretty little Dana, huh? She's just pitying you; I dated her last week!" Mightyena said, baring his teeth.

"My goodness, what'll it take to stop these two?" Rune groaned and smacked his forehead as the two groups went at each other verbally again. He quickly scanned the two gangs, each with Scraggy and Poochyena respectively. However, amongst the Scrafty was a peppy little Oshawott that was dolled up with a ponytail for a hairstyle and a bright pink skirt. "Wait a minute- Diantha? What the heck?"

"Oh, I thought I recognised that voice! Hi big bro," Diantha called out, waving to him amongst the crowd. Both Pokémon stopped bickering once they heard her.

Rune glanced back and forth between the mountains and his sister, starting to sweat awkwardly. "What're you doing here? Scratch that, how the hell did you pass me?"

"I dunno. Maybe you shoulda taken the road instead of mountain climbin'," she said. He made a sound as he gawked at her in disbelief.

"Forget it. You're coming with me back to the castle right now," he demanded.

"Once again squirt, cape or not, brother or not, you're not playin' this little lady's hero!" Scrafty shouted.

"Yeah uh, I sorta have a date already planned out, so I can't go back right now," Diantha said, sweating just as nervously.

"Date?" Rune raised his voice. This is beyond out of hand… what is really going on here?

"Don't you get it, squirt? Buzz off already! I got enough to deal with from this mutt right here," Scrafty said, leaning forward. Rune huffed and took off his scalchop, erecting a Razor Shell from it.

"Okay I don't know exactly what's going on, but call me squirt one more time and you'll regret it. Sis, get over here right now. You're coming home with me," Rune replied.

"So you are tryin' to play the hero? Get 'im, boys!" Scrafty ordered on top of Diantha's response. The Scraggy all cheered in sync with each other and came charging, all of them assuming the same pose as they ran. One hand held up their skin-like trousers whilst the other held a fist.

"This is pitiful," Rune said with a sigh.

He only had time to assume his battle pose for about a second, holding his scalchop with both hands so that it was next to his face with the blade pointing directly forwards. He didn't have to move from the spot like this, he just swung with great force each time one of the foes got close to him to knock them aside. Even though there was a big group of them, they all attacked one at a time with no greater than a straight punch, so not one of them managed to get close. He made sure to put a lot of effort into his last slash so that the last Scraggy was sent rolling down the hill.

"Aw whoa, okay, that's awesome! I underestimated your training," Diantha cheered the battle on from a distance. Rune caught sight of her just as he finished off the Scraggy, having his eyes drawn to the three Poochyena sneaking up on her.

"Don't touch her!" he shouted, lunging forward with his Razor Shell tucked to his left side. Still using both hands, he swung wide enough to take out the three of them in a single slash. All three Poochyena yelled

"Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa, the guys' a knight! Beat it!" Scrafty cried and turned tail. Mightyena's gang copied just as pettily.

"Boss, wait for us!" The Scraggy cried, scrambling after them. Seconds later, it was just Rune and Diantha on an empty road, the former so shocked that his eyes and mouth were wider than watermelons.

"Well, I thought they were tough, but you made them look like real pushovers," Diantha broke the silence, and tucked her arms behind her head.

"They threatened each other and acted very tough, but when an actual fight began, they fled for their own sake. For a first-time experience of outsiders, those Pokémon were awfully pathetic," Rune said blankly, still staring in the direction they ran.

"Yeah, that's sorta what most Marbles are like, I think. Big on the outside, cute and squishy inside!" she giggled.

"Diantha!" Rune made her jump. "What the hell do you think you're doing out here?"

"Waah! Me?" she squeaked, taking a moment to calm down and fix her skirt. Her fang started showing again. "I'm doing what I said I was doing, hanging out with that dude on a date. Nothin' special!"

"How and when did- wait a minute, a date? And they acted as though they knew you," he said.

"Yeah. Okay I'm not gonna be fancy and just level with ya big bro. Did you really think I sat in the castle all those years while you were training and did nothing? I've been in and out more times than I can count," she admitted.

"… Your fang is showing," he said with a straight face.

"Hwa? Oh how long was it- you little guy!" she said, pawing at her face to try and hide it. Rune snickered at her and put a hand on his hip.

"So you're not going to stay at the castle even after I leave, are you? And you've been out here multiple times?" he asked.

"Uh huh. Met all the folks in the town and hung out with all of 'em at least once," she replied cheerfully.

"Show me the way, then," he said. She froze. "Go on. If you know this place so well, take me to the town the shortest way you can."

"Can I? Can I really come with you?" she asked.

"… Only to the town. Once we're there, head back to the castle and stay there," he replied slowly. "And tell me about these 'dates' that you went on in the meantime."

"See, you do need me, hee hee hee. Okay big guy, I'll tell you how a lady like me likes to be treated," she giggled, walking off.

"The princess isn't going to be you. I just need ideas," he groaned and shrugged. He returned his scalchop to his belly and followed.

…

Sticking to the road made things far easier than anticipated. Even though the area was still hot, the air felt clean and didn't smell as hot as it actually was. There wasn't nearly as much climbing to do. The mountains in the background remained in the background as well, and the duo never ran into much more trouble than a few steep hills.

About an hour passed before the town came into view, and during that time, all they did was talk about Diantha's secret path out of the castle and her activities in the town. No other Pokémon came into sight the whole time, which although kept Rune calm, remained as a concern to him.

"Here we are! Marble Rock. It's the town that's the capital of the Magma Heel region or something," Diantha announced with enthusiastic hand movements. "It's called a town, but really it's just this dingy little thing here. Everyone makes the most of it, so they live."

"I… see," Rune mouthed, unable to believe what he was taking in. The town looked big, but really it was just because it was nestled in a clear section of the valleys they had been walking through. The 'houses' were all caves that had been roughly built into the sides of the hills. There was a well and a few poles with ropes and wires that Pokémon used to hang clothing and tools from. A few Pokémon managed tiny gardens as well and were currently working on them, but none of them seemed to be growing much more than tiny plants that hadn't sprouted yet. The soil they had to work with was all in small, square patches that could barely fit a Snorlax.

"Not very lively, is it? I thought commoners were supposed to be busier than royalty?" Rune wondered. The area was about as quiet, dark, and dull as the mountain road leading up to it.

"It's just a quiet day. But to be honest, things have been getting quieter lately," Diantha replied, rubbing her belly. "I was actually supposed to have dinner with that guy. I'm starving."

"Food isn't a bad call, actually. I got up too early to have breakfast," Rune agreed, feeling his own belly rumble. It didn't take long to locate what cave was used as the inn here, as it was marked out by a painted wooden sign. Said sign was quite poorly hung up above the entrance.

Inside was just as unimpressive as outside. The inn was only three rooms large: the entryway, a kitchen area for staff only, and the actual bedroom, a circular space with four hay beds. Two candles were all that kept it lit up. There weren't even any windows or a door, so it stunk of the recent cleaning efforts.

"What're you in the mood for? This place is…" Rune commented. He was quiet as he scanned the place in search of the food menu. He didn't want to be rude and offend the Furret behind the counter who patiently walked over to greet them.

"Oh, Lady Dana! I wasn't expecting you today," he greeted with a cheerful grin. Rune gave him an awkward look. "I trust you've been well?"

"Yup, as smooth as ever, Corey! I don't have any donations today though; I wasn't expecting to pass through, but plans changed, so here I am with big bro," Diantha replied.

"Your brother… oh! Forgive me, Your Highness! Welcome to the Marble Rock Inn," The Furret gasped, and then bowed. Rune put a hand on his hip.

"Donations? You've been giving them donations?" Rune asked.

"Only those yucky veggies I don't eat. The Pokémon here love 'em," she said, showing a fang again.

"It saves us a lot of work when it comes to the Breeding Grounds, and it gives us a lot to cook with. The Sitrus Berries are a favourite," Corey remarked. "It's fine, Your Highness. What can I do for you?"

"Breeding Grounds? I'm completely confused here. Why do you need…?" Rune went quiet. He flinched once he saw the board painted above the makeshift stone counter that had the prices and food menu on it. "Three thousand Dragon Power for a single meal? And that's without staying the night? That's daylight robbery, even for me!"

"Okay, whoa. I never saw that price increase coming. What's happening?" Diantha gasped.

"I worked it out. With the current taxes, it's the only way I'll be able to keep running this place and continue making a profit. Naturally, Pokémon have started walking out, so I was considering closing up for good and migrating myself. But it'd be tough on the family if I went back to them, you know?" Corey explained.

"Of course it is. You're charging extortion for some pretty shoddy quality," Rune said in agreement.

"Uh, big bro?" Diantha mumbled. The Furret froze and went into a thought pose. "It'd be better not to fight over something like this."

"Perhaps Your Highness being here means you're going to do something about this?" Corey replied. "When our landlord starts requesting fair amounts again, I can lower my prices. For now, they stay as they are."

"So the landlord is a problem with money right now. Is that why this place is so empty?" Rune asked.

"Probably. It costs so much to settle here that many Pokémon that used to live here have migrated already. To tell the truth, I'm a bit pissed off since the collectors from Castle Eris aren't exactly helping matters, either," Corey turned away. "They come and collect their hunts and royalties and then just leave, not listening or giving a crap about us at all. At least Dana there helps us out like the princess she is."

"You can call me Diantha now, by the way," Diantha snickered, earning a rude glance from Rune.

"This is my first time meeting you, so I'm being as honest as can be. It's not going to be more of the same with you, is it? You're not just here to claim free stuff and then leave, are you?" Corey asked. Rune paused.

"Tell me about these 'Breeding Grounds' you have," he asked. Corey paused this time, going a bit flat faced.

"Dana, is your brother being serious right now?" he replied. Rune's face tightened.

"To be honest, I dunno exactly what the breeding Grounds are, either," Diantha admitted. "I stay outta the complex business. I just wanna have some fun."

"The Breeding Grounds are the main reason our town is even still on the map. It feeds us. The Pokémon there are bred, fattened up, and then hunted for their meat, which we sell to you royals or eat. We don't get fruits or berries here because sod all grows in the climate," the Furret explained. Rune's mouth hit the floor. "But it's getting pretty tough dealing with the hunts. Most of the Pokémon that have already left were our fighters, so there's not as many Pokémon that can hunt anymore. Things get violent, and well… We deal with it, somehow. But it won't stay this way forever if things keep going the way they are."

"The food we eat… don't you have anything nice to say about the royal family?" Rune asked.

"Why would I? It's that current king that even came up with the idea of the Breeding Grounds and put them in every major town on Eris. I'm lucky I don't have to sit through the horror of hunting," Corey raised his voice. "I bet if it were up to you, you sickening savages would eat each other or some—"

Rune silenced him by pointing a Razor Shell at his neck, causing both Diantha and the Furret to stretch up and raise their hands. "We're not savages. But if that's really how you think, maybe I should."

"… You know what? Go right ahead. My life's not worth living, anyway. You'd just make things easy for me by killing me," he replied. Rune coughed and his face dropped in shock, but no words came out. He just stood there with the blade pointed at the Furret's neck, struggling to keep eye contact.

"Whoa there, now this isn't a fun scenario to walk in on!" an old voice interrupted the scene, making everyone jump. Before Rune could retract his attack, the leafy arms of a Sunflora wrapped around him and his sister, squeezing them both together. "Scoundrels! Bring harm to a member of the public, and I shall see you to justice for it!"

"You… darn it- this 'scoundrel' you're strangling is the prince! Unhand me at once!" Rune demanded, not liking how close to his sister he was being squeezed. The Sunflora dropped them immediately.

"The prince? My goodness!" Sunflora gasped. Both Oshawott stomped off and brushed themselves off, Diantha over exaggerating with her breathing. "You're pulling my tail, if I had one, aren't you?"

"Gah- how dare you!" Rune raised his voice.

"Believe them. The lady is the princess, and that is her brother," Furret said, calming him down. "You're here to pick up the collection, Galen?"

"I'm afraid so, little innkeeper! But if you don't have it, I'll just have to put it on a tab for you. Bear in mind that tab is already five times the first pay!" the Sunflora reported with a peppy salute. His voice was old and grainy, but it fitted his appearance. He was very tall and smooth despite the age of his voice, colourful and young like any Sunflora should have been. He wore an elaborate, dark blue cape shaped like two triangles with large white shoulder pads on it.

Wait, he's already had to delay paying five times? How much is he getting charged? Rune realised quickly.

"I'm sorry, Galen. But I'll be able to start paying soon. Please, I beg of you to let the landlord know I'll be able to pay soon," Corey slumped.

"Don't sweat it young man, you're not the only one that hasn't paid yet. As long as that's not an empty promise, we'll all be smiling in the end," Sunflora said with a bow. "Forgive me for my interruption earlier then, your highnesses! You may call me Galen. If you'll excuse me."

With that he walked out, leaving the prince even more dumbfounded than when he came in. Rune dared to glance at the innkeeper, finding him still hanging his head in dismay. He glanced back at the inn's surroundings, then the doorway.

"Forget it. I've lost my appetite," Rune said, and stormed off.

"Wait huh, really? Rune—" Diantha cried, going quiet as he walked off without her. "Wait a minute, I'm still hungry though."

For some reason, there was a small hope that upon leaving the inn, things wouldn't look as barren as they did. But they were, and if anything, there were less Pokémon outside than there was when they got there. That allowed Rune to spot the Sunflora that had just left however, and he dashed over.

"You there, Galen! Stop!" Rune called out, getting its attention. "You are connected to the landlord here, aren't you?"

"Sharp ears you have, Your Highness! Indeed I am. And I just finished making my rounds to report back to them. Are you in need of a funding report yourself?" Galen informed. Rune paused.

"No. I need to see them myself. Take me to see the landlord," he requested.

"Wait, why're we doing this? What about food?" Diantha moaned.

"You saw those prices; we're not getting anything until we get to the bottom of why they're so high. And this Breeding Ground situation, too. It sounds like the problems of this town are sourcing from that landlord, so I'll just have to meet them," Rune stated.

"Can't we do it after food? I really am hungry," she whined.

"I'm carrying apples. You can have some of those," he said, turning back to Galen. "Can you take us?"

"Pfft, yucky fruit, really? You really don't know how to eat like a king," Diantha said, accepting an apple anyway.

"Of course I can escort you. But do know that if you start trouble, I will step in to prevent it. Keeping happiness and contentness is a life goal of mine," Sunflora agreed, leading the way.

"Pretty certain most of the Pokémon here aren't happy, even with you around," Rune sighed again. There was another moment of quiet, disturbed only by Galen's decision to dance along the road while humming to himself Rune exchanged a glance with Diantha, raising an eyebrow. "Pardon me for asking, but Galen, who exactly are you? You're skipping along like a little girl."

"Me? I'm Galen, the beacon of happiness, that's who! The whole purpose of my being is to cheer Pokémon up for the coming days. Eris is seeing a lot gloom and doom after all, so it needs a hero to bring smiles to everyone's faces," the Sunflora introduced. He stopped to bow like a butler.

"By collecting Pokémon's taxes and debts? I don't think anyone would smile about that even if they had the money," Rune said, even more concerned.

Galen raised a leafy hand. "Ah, you know only of my first front. Debt collecting is but a temporary second job."

"Whoa, you work two jobs?" Diantha remarked, her fang showing from a goofy smile.

"All for the efforts of spreading happiness!" Galen cheered, raising his leaves high. "My first and main goal is but a wandering bard, a musician whose mastery with music is unmatched. I'm known far and wide for the variety of musical talents I can perform!"

"So you're just a musician, really," Rune folded his arms.

"Not quite. My performances can take place anywhere and anytime I feel like it, and anywhere Pokémon request it! Parties, port towns, even alleyways or street corners. I'll perform for anyone, anywhere to generate smiles and happiness!" Galen said, going back to skipping along.

"Wait, so you're more of a busker?" Rune cocked his head.

"Buskers perform for profit and practice. I need neither of such! I just want the smiles of others. Happiness makes the world go round!" Galen clarified.

"Can't argue with that. Your kids must love you," Diantha smiled.

Rune unfurled his arms, a little annoyed. "So let me get this straight. You just travel the world playing music to make Pokémon smile, but then stopped in this town to become a debt collector? That's not making Pokémon very happy. If anything, that's doing the opposite!"

Galen slowed down and laid a leaf on his chest. "When you meet this landlord, you will understand just how happy my efforts are making them. Once the money is collected, I will perform for these Pokémon and brighten their days. Give them directions to aid their migration from the town! Generate smiles that will last a lifetime."

Diantha leaned in to her brother and started whispering. "Rune… are you sure about this? This guy's weird as a pickle."

"If he can really take us to the landlord, he can generate as many smiles as he wants," he mumbled back.