As Ace and Nathan were walking back to the guild, Ace stopped and looked down at his paws. Nathan noticed that Ace stopped and went back to him.
Nathan: - Ace, why did you stop?
Ace: - Nathan, I wanted to know, why did you wipe my memory, but not Ben's or Kenny's?
Nathan: - I-uh... sigh To be honest, I did it because I felt it would've been for the best.
Ace: - For the best? Why?
Nathan: - I thought the situation with Devon would be better if you didn't have your memories from being human, because I thought it would be contained within the Pokémon world, but then after hearing what Ben and Kenny said about Devon ruining your reputation in the human world, I realized that me wiping your memories didn't have an effect on anything, since the fight is also in the human world. Since this was and is the case, when I changed Ben and Kenny into pokémon, that was why I decided not to erase their memories, so they could give that warning to you. And since you got the memories relevant to the situation back so quickly, it hit me that wiping your memory was entirely pointless.
Ace: - You're just realizing this now?!
Nathan: - Ace, I'm sorry
Ace: - Next time, think before you do that to someone!
Nathan: - You're right. I shouldn't have jumped the gun on wiping your memory when I didn't know the full situation.
Ace: - You're a Mew, a psychic pokémon. You should've been able to foresee that Devon would try to ruin my life in the human world after taking me away, and that if that happened and I didn't get my memories, I might not have cared about what Ben and Kenny told me about what's happening in the human world cause I wouldn't have known what they were talking about. I could've easily not recognized Kenny, and possibly even Ben, when they spoke to me, so I would not have remembered that I knew them. Had I not got my memories back when I did, this whole situation could've been completely different.
Nathan: - I know. I see that now. I should've been able to see this result playout, and if I did, I would not have wiped your memories.
Ace: - Ok, I do have another question. Why did you just drop me to the ground?
Nathan: - Again, I wasn't thinking clearly. I thought it would be the least conspicuous action that could've potentially drawn Devon to you, while also having been conspicuous enough that someone willing to take you in would find you and do so, which did happen.
Ace: - Ok, well, you know what would've been even less conspicuous? Just having me be close to a walking trail, ON THE GROUND, or teleporting me to the ground after our talk on that bubble, and I could've just walked to find a mon that would take me in!
Nathan: - I'm sorry. I know I made so many bad or unneeded decisions. I'm just trying so hard to get my brother to stop hurting others that I've been blind to see that I've been doing what I want my brother to stop doing, to you.
Ace: - Even worse, with that fall, I could've lost even more memories if that fall had given any sort of brain damage. Then the situation would've been even worse
Nathan: - On the verge of crying. Has tears forming in his eyes
Ace: - You know what, forget this. I'll just head back to the guild myself.
Nathan: - Ace, I-
Ace: - Don't talk to me! You've done enough already!
Ace starts to walk back to the guild himself, while Nathan stays in place, collapsing to the ground, sulking
Nathan: - Tears start to flow from his eyes. Whispers to himself Why did I get picked to be a Mew?
Ace stops in place after hearing what Nathan said
Nathan, still crying and whispering to himself: - I've been too focused on my own goal that I disregarded what being the Mew of Happiness is really about.
Ace doesn't say anything
Nathan, whispering: - I've been reading the situation wrong so many times, and now I might be losing a friend I helped save from danger years ago
Ace starts to feel concerned about Nathan
Nathan remembers what Devon told him before he flew off after turning into the Mew of Misery
Nathan: - (Memory: Devon: - You think you're so great with how everyone likes you. Well, we'll see how that will change when you have no one left to like you. Get ready to live the miserable life I had to) doesn't say anything
Ace turns his head around to see Nathan stunned in fear
Nathan, whispering: - No. No. This is what Devon meant by those words. I'm losing those that like me, and if I don't change my way of thinking I'll be left with no one.
Ace: - (I didn't know Nathan was scared so much about what his brother said to him in the past. It looks like it's really hurting him now. Not physically, but his morale.)
Nathan, whispering: - I don't want to be the reason I lose my friends
Ace: - (Urggggg, I know I should try to help, but I'm still mad at him for wiping my memory for no reason and for nearly killing me by dropping me from the sky)
Nathan, whispering: - I don't know what to do
Ace: - sighs (I guess I could try to help)
Ace walks back over to Nathan
Ace: - Nathan
Nathan: - jolts his head up to see Ace in front of him Ace? I thought you were walking back to the guild alone
Ace: - I was, but I couldn't help overhearing you beating yourself up
Nathan: - Wait, you heard me?
Ace: - Clear as day
Nathan: - Well, what did you want to tell me?
Ace: - The story you told me about how you and Devon were treated at school sounds similar to how I became the president of the student body of my school
Nathan: - It does?
Ace: - Mhm. When the position was first opened, I worked so hard to try to get the position. I studied and got some of the highest scores seen in the school; I worked hard when I joined the football team to become the team's MVP; and I even did some miscellaneous tasks that others would either be scared or unwilling to do, like defending students against bullying. Everything was going well, until about 2 weeks before voting for the role began. Remember that skirmish I had with Ben before you brought me here?
Nathan: - Yeah? What about it?
Ace: - That wasn't the first time I had a fight with him. 2 weeks before voting, I broke my arm during a football game the Friday night before. Since many of the non-football students were there, word spread quickly about it. When we got back to school the following Monday, with my arm in a sling, there were some people that made fun of me about it.
Nathan: - That sounds bad, but what does this have to do with Ben?
Ace: - I was getting to that. Ben saw that I was the one that needed protection from the bullies, but when he tried to help, he was actually agreeing with what the bullies were saying about my arm. I could tell he was at least trying to stop the bullying, but his wording was instead encouraging the bullying. Because of how poorly he was handling the situation, I just lost it on him, and got a good hit or two on him. I was about to land another one when Sally came over and called me out. I looked at her, and that brought me to my senses, but due to that brawl, I knew that I would have very little hope of being the president of the student body then. However, after the votes were counted, I was surprised to see I was still chosen for the role, and I was a mix of happy and confused. Happy because I was going for the role the whole time but confused because of the fight with Ben somehow not playing much of a factor in students voting for me.
Nathan: - So, you got popular because you got lucky with a high ranked position for students in your school?
Ace: - I was popular before then. It's just that I thought I lost my popularity when I fought Ben about my broken arm
Nathan: - So what was your point of that story?
Ace: - My point is that even though bad things can happen to ruin your morale, there is always a potential for a silver lining to appear
Nathan: - sigh You're right. I should have more faith that even if things start to go bad, there's always something good that can come out of the situation
Ace: - Yup
Nathan: - Thanks, Ace. I guess I also sometimes need help reclaiming my happiness
Ace: - Well, that's good, but I'm still mad at you for what you did to me when you brought me here
Nathan: - I know, and I'm sorry. I know it may be a while before you forgive me, but at least I know I won't be losing you as a friend for that
Ace: - Alright. We should get back to the guild
Nathan: - wipes his tears Right
Ace and Nathan resume their walk back to the guild
Nathan: - Could I ride on your back?
Ace: - You can fly. NO!
Nathan: - uses baby doll eyes Pleeeeaaaase?
Ace: - NO, I'm not a ride pokémon!
Nathan: - But you let Rocky ride on your back
Ace: - Because he CAN'T fly. YOU can. I would assume flying doesn't take that much out of you, so if you're tired of walking, just fly back.
Nathan: - Alright
Ace: - Good. Also, just because Rocky got a ride doesn't mean I'm just going to allow anyone to ride on my back
Nathan: - Ok
Ace: - Now, shall we continue heading back?
Nathan: - Alright
Ace and Nathan continue walking back to the guild hall
Meanwhile in the guild hall kitchen
Teresa: - This is going to take hours
Splat: - Well, you volunteered to help
Teresa: - I know. I just wonder what the others are doing. It's been years since I last seen my kids, and now Ben and Ace are already going to be on a rescue team
Splat: - I can't tell if you're happy or sad about that.
Teresa: - I'm a mix of both. I'm happy that I get to see them again, but sad that it was only for a little while. I just want to spend more time with them, to make up for lost time.
Splat: - I see. Well, you have the time they aren't going on missions to catch up with them.
Teresa: - I know. I just missed them so much is all
Splat: - I get that. I know what it's like to miss someone close
Teresa: - You do?
Splat: - Mhm
Teresa: - Who did you miss?
Splat: - Well, he came back, but after he got the MOH power, about 2 years after in fact, Nathan moved away from our hometown, because he didn't want the constant reminder of what happened on that day.
Teresa: - What happened that Nathan doesn't want to remember?
Splat: - Sure Nathan, who was a Scorbunny before, got to be the MOH, but shortly after that happened, his brother Devon, a Sprigatito, became the Mew of Misery.
Teresa: - That sounds bad, the role Devon got.
Splat: - Even though the role sounds negative, it doesn't have to be. For example, the Mew of Misery could, instead of causing misery, search it out, and tell the Mew of Happiness that somemon is feeling misery so they can help them out. However, Devon decided to use his power, not to just cause misery, but to also cause a lot of pokémon to suffer by leaving a trail of actual destruction in his path. Yes, for years, Devon has been actively malicious and actually harming other pokémon.
Teresa: - I remember that part. Devon was chasing after me, my husband, and our kids, so we split up to keep them safe, he took 2 of the kids and I took the other 2. He was actively trying to kill my family, but he hasn't managed to succeed yet, and now that Ace and Ben have grown up a lot, and are getting stronger, I'm sure he will be stopped for good the next time they meet.
Splat: - Yeah. I hope Devon can see the error of his ways, and use his Mew power to help rather than hurt
Teresa: - I'm sure Ace and Ben, and even Nathan, can try to knock some sense into Devon
Splat: - You're right. I just hope that happens sooner rather than later. I just worry for the mons he's affected and/or could affect.
Teresa: - Well once Ben, and Kenny, are done with their trial, they'll be able to help Ace defeat him.
They finish washing the dishes
Splat: - Well these are done. Let's go back to the others
Teresa: - Sure
Splat and Teresa walk back to the table. Clover, Citrine, Rocky, Max, and Max's team are all still there.
Clover: - So Rocky, Citrine, how are liking our guild so far
Citrine: - I like it a lot. Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves
Rocky: - I feel the same way. Especially now that I've found my brother and can spend more time with him. I also like that I can have as much fun exploring as I want. In addition to any fun stuff that can be done here.
Jeff: - I'm going to head out for some training, let's go, Citrine and Flynn.
Flynn: - Who are you to boss me! But fine, I will go anyway.
Flynn fled quick over to the training dojo, leaving Jeff behind
Citrine: - Well, I will follow Flynn. I'll see you at the dojo
Jeff: - Okay then. Hey Rocky, you want to come along?
Rocky: - No, I think I'm good. I want to have a conversation with Max about something.
Jeff: - Alright, suit yourself.
Max: - Hey Jeff, make sure to let Flynn go easy on the others! You know what happened last time we trained with another team before.
Jeff: - Yea alright, I will make sure.
Jeff left, leaving the 3 mons to themselves
Clover: - Well, it seems like you guys want to have a nice one on one, so I won't interrupt. Plus, I need to keep an eye on them anyways
Clover flew off among the rest of the group leaving the siblings alone to each other
Rocky: - So Max... tell me
Max: - Yes? What is it, Rocky?
Rocky: - Our parents, what's been happening with them lately.
Max: - Oh that! Yea it's looking rough, I might have been able to source them to a certain area, but there's still a lot of other stuff to cover.
Rocky: - Oh, I see.
Max: - Something wrong?
Rocky: - It's just... I never got to see them once and... every time I see some children with their parents I just...
Rocky teared up a bit, Max gave a hug to comfort him
Max: - Hey don't worry, I promise, my team will find them.
Rocky: - I hope so.
Max: - Speaking of which, you never learned the way of the wott have you?
Rocky: - Huh? Oh yea, you mentioned something like that before, didn't you?
Max: - Yes, and now I think it's time to teach you little bro.
Rocky: - So what is the way of the wott you've been talking about lately.
Max: - Well our parents taught me it. But they wanted me to teach you when you were old enough, and because you are old enough, you get to learn the skill passed down by generations.
Rocky: - Generations? It must've been out for long
Max: - Indeed. Since 2011, us Wott's have been harnessing this skill since.
Rocky: - Really?
Max: - Yea, and now you get to become my apprentice in learning
Rocky: - Apprentice? But I'm your bro-
Max: - Shhhh, let me finish.
Max: - So as we all have been training generation after generation, we find ourselves new apprentices, or in this case Oshawotts, to help train and learn our culture. After all, ...
Max turns to rocky
Max: - The Way of the Wott cannot merely be given away.
Rocky: - I see, so when do we start?
Max: - Right now! Follow me, we need to see where your skill is when it comes to fighting so we can train you from there.
Rocky: - Alright, sounds good.
Rocky and max find an open forest
Max: - Here we are, in the forest.
Rocky: - An open one too. What do we do over here?
Max: - well we're going to fight first
Rocky: - Alright then ma- Wait wott!?
Max would take out both his shells, preparing to fight
Max: - Well you want to learn the way of the wott? We need to know your skill first, like I said, it cannot be merely given away.
Rocky: - Great, why did I think this would be easy.
Rocky would take out his own shell and activate razor shell, Max does the same with the two shells and they would duke it out
Rocky: - Haah! Yaah!
Max: - Heh, too slow!
Rocky: - Haah! Just you wait bro!
Max: - Keep dreaming!
After a couple more clashing with Razor Shell, Rocky would be the first to barely fall.
Max: - Well well, looks like you still have much to learn little one. But you got great potential
Rocky: - Hey!
Max: - Hehe, only joking, but hey, I can see you're pretty good with your blade, but it needs more work on how you wield said blade.
Rocky: - Hmm, I felt like I have done a pretty good amount, but still feel a little rough with my blade
Max: - And that's where I come in to help teach you the Way of the Wott Rocky, while you got potential, lasting well against me, you could have done better yourself.
Rocky: - Yea, so when do we get this training going?
Max: - Patience my little apprentice. We are just getting started with your training, let's start with your razor shell, then we will work towards your special attack moves.
Rocky: - well how do we work on that? I think I can use Razor Shell just fine.
Max: - Oh really? Well break that giant rock over there.
Rocky: - T-that one? That seems impossible to do
Max: - you really are one to cower, aren't you?
Max would prove Rocky wrong by breaking the giant rock on his own
Rocky: - Staring in amazement Woahhh
Max: - There, now try that shorter one, it's still big, but it is definitely easier for a small apprentice like you.
Rocky: - Alright then, here goes!
Rocky would do the same, only to barely leave a scratch
Max: - See what I mean? You haven't sharpened your skill to be precise on slicing the rock fully, if you want to destroy the rock, you must have patience little one, only the perfect level of precision is presented with enough patience set.
Rocky: - You don't have to tell me twice.
Rocky would try to slice it a couple of times, with Max watching, every slice bringing nothing, until one was able to crack a dent
Rocky: - panting well... I managed to make a dent in there
Max: - well done, however I think that part of training will stop there, let's see if we can focus on your Water Gun next and improve that skill.
Rocky: - well it feels well improved, there's no reason to do any work for it
Max: - Not so fast, see there is a better way to improve your special attack move, in fact you can learn a more powerful move, Scald.
Rocky: - Scald? What's that supposed to be?
Max: - Well, Scald gives a much powerful move that is like water gun, but instead burns your enemies if you're lucky enough, of course it has less uses, but it will be a life saver in the future battles ahead.
Rocky: - Really? So how can I learn that move
Max: - Like I said, takes a lot of patience little one, soon enough, you'll be able to pull the move off, like this!
Max uses his Scald onto a tree, which manages to withstand the move well
Rocky: - Woah...that looked powerful
Max: - Powerful indeed. Now try to focus and use the move, you may get Water Gun most of the time, but it will come eventually over time.
Rocky: - Alright, here goes nothing then
Rocky shoots his water gun out a couple of times, but to no avail did each one help improve his skill
Rocky: - Ack- It's no use, it is so hard to pull such a move off.
Max: - Now don't think like that, it will come over time. But for now, I think this is where we should stop for the time being. It looks like it's getting late, so we should get back to the group before we get lost.
Rocky: - Alright, Hey max?
Max: - Yea?
Rocky: - Thank you... For trying to find our parents... even if you haven't found them... I want to help you and your team...they are mine as well you know
Max caught in surprise, nods at him and pats his head
Max: - Don't worry about it, I'm sure we will find them soon, in due time little bro.
Rocky and Max head back to the guild
Meanwhile, at the guild hall
Splat and Teresa are still chatting with each other
Splat: - So, was there anything else you wanted to tell me about, regarding your past?
Teresa: - At the moment, not that I can think of that I haven't told yet
Splat: - Alright. Looks outside to see Ace and Nathan walk in. Oh, Ace, Nathan, you're back.
Ace: - Yup. Now, if you'll excuse me, could you point me to the restrooms?
Splat: - Points to the hallway behind him Down the hall, to the right.
Ace: - Thanks. Storms off
Teresa: - Looks at Ace as he walks away (Ace has changed so much since he was a young Yamper)
Nathan sits down at the table
Splat: - Looks in Ace's direction So... Turns to Nathan ...What happened between you and Ace while you were out?
Nathan: - When we left, we started talking about stuff relating to Devon, which led to me telling Ace about my past on how Devon and I both became Mews.
Teresa: - Your past?
Splat: - Well that's a surprise, considering you've been intentionally keeping your side to yourself since that day.
Teresa: - Wait what? Splat, you know about Nathan's past?
Nathan: - Yup. He was there with me, though he only showed up for some of that moment.
Splat: - I was there the whole time, I was just in the crowd at the beginning, when Derek first showed up to give you his Mew power.
Nathan: - You were, were you? Probably blended in with your silver coat.
Splat: - Yeah. I was surprised no one really saw me to make fun of me, even with my split tail at the time, though the focus was on Derek, and you.
Teresa: - Made fun of? What? What happened that day?
Nathan: - Long story short, once I got the MOH power, Devon got angry at me because he wanted it to help change his situation with bullies at school. He got so mad to the point where he managed to enter Rage Mode and was about to attack me.
Splat: - That was when I launched out of the crowd to block Devon from hurting Nathan, with an incomplete version of rage mode. I tried to reassure Devon that he wasn't the only mon having problems with others picking on him, by telling him I was in his situation in my own way with my split tail as I just said. We then got into talking about evolution when I told him, Nathan, and Derek that I wanted to be a Shiny Umbreon, aka the dark type eeveelution.
Nathan: - I was wondering out loud if Sprigatitos evolved into a dark type, which Splat confirmed, but once he did and described what the evolution is, Devon got even more angry and scared, though more scared because he thought of how others may react to seeing him in his evolved state, which lead to him becoming the Mew of Misery.
Splat: - After that happened, Devon started getting ideas of how to use his power to get revenge against the mons who picked on him, then he left. Nathan realized what Mew Devon turned into, then I tried to reassure him that I, and everyone who would, help him get Devon back to his cheerful self. That's what triggered my evolution into the Umbreon you see me as today, though it happened during the daytime, which is a whole other mystery on its own of how that was possible.
Nathan: - Well regardless, after that happened, I went about my day for the rest of the day, as well as spent some time learning my new abilities. Then the next day, I started learning how to fulfill my role as the new MOH, which had been mostly uneventful until Devon came to attack you and your family the first time, as you already know.
Teresa: - I see. Well, that was an interesting story. It certainly answered a lot of my biggest questions regarding your past together.
Nathan: - That's good to hear.
Teresa: - Yeah. I mean, I figured Splat must've had a strange evolution experience, since I'm sure Eevees have a difficult time trying to control when they evolve due to being able to evolve in so many ways, but I would've never guessed that you evolved into an Umbreon in a way that shouldn't be possible. But more importantly, I'm glad to know that Devon wasn't always evil and was a sweet and kind mon as a kid. Though, that's sad that he was treated so poorly and that his anger from that time was what caused him to turn evil.
Nathan: - I know. I just hope I can find some way to change him back or at least get him to see that not everymon would bully others. As we said, when both of us first met Splat, Devon didn't know that his situation was being shared by others elsewhere. I knew that Devon was being bullied, but I didn't know the full extent of how bad it was until Splat came out saying that he was bullied just as much for his appearance. At first, we didn't believe him until he showed us the proof.
Teresa: - Maybe if you remind Devon that he wasn't and isn't the only one that has issues with other mons, he'll come to his senses and stop becoming the thing that he resented as a kid.
Nathan: - I wish it were that simple, but I've already tried that many times and that's failed every time.
Teresa: - Hmmm... Tries to think of something new Nathan could try to get Devon to listen. Why not try showing Devon the good times you two used to have before becoming Mews?
Nathan: - That could help. Maybe also convincing him to revisit some of those old memories. To see how things have changed since we were kids.
Teresa: - Yes, exactly.
Splat: - I don't know how well that would work, if it even would at all. Devon might not be willing to listen to you after all these years, even if you try to tell him that things are completely different, and you can prove so.
Nathan: - I get your concern, but I'll never know if that method will work if I don't try.
Splat: - Alright, but you should come up with a plan b in case it doesn't work.
Nathan: - Alright.
Teresa: - By the way...
Nathan: - Yeah?
Teresa: - While you two were explaining your history, you never said what Pokémon Derek actually was.
Nathan: - Oh. Well to tell you the truth with that, I never actually saw what he looked like for real.
Splat: - I can tell you.
Nathan: - Wait, what? How?
Splat: - Remember in school when the whole school had that competition to hunt down a bunch of training targets?
Nathan: - Yeah...
Splat: - You remember which class won, right?
Nathan: - Yes, it was the 9th grade Normal type class. That was your class?
Splat: - Yes
Nathan: - And what does that competition have to do with Derek?
Splat: - Do you remember what the prize was?
Nathan: - Yes. It was a special field trip to an exclusive magic show with Derek the Terrific. The poster on the walls of the school had a picture of him as a Dark Grey Espeon.
Splat: - smirks
Nathan: - Thinks for a moment, then sees Splat's smirk. That's when it hits him, and his expression turns to a shocked face. THAT WAS NOT HIM, WAS IT?!
Splat: - Mmmmhhhmmmmmm nods while keeping his smirk
Nathan: - When did he reveal that to you? Does the rest of your class know about this?
Splat: - Second question first, no. He only told me. At the end of the show, he said that one of us would get the chance to go backstage to meet him up close. He summoned a hat in front of each of us and told us to reach inside and take out a pokeball. There were many different types of pokeballs in the hat, but he told us the mon who would get the chance to meet him would be the one who pulled out a Master Ball. Everyone closed their eyes. Derek used some of his psychic to make sure we didn't cheat.
Flashback to the magic show
Derek: - Everyone ready?
Audience: - Ready!
Derek: - Take out what you got.
Everyone pulls out a random pokeball
Derek: - Sees that everyone has a pokeball. Undoes his psychic over their eyes. You may look now.
Everyone looks around to see who got the Master Ball
Female Raticate: - Welp, it's not me. Shows a Safari Ball to her friend
Male Jigglypuff: - Not me either. Has a Great Ball
Male Azurill: - Matches my tail ball, but not the right one Holding a Quick Ball
Female Castform: - Hey, I got one too Also holding a Quick Ball
Female Audino: - I also got one that matches my appearance Holding a Love Ball
Male Heliolisk: - I got a rock Holds a Heavy Ball
Many others also chat about what they got
Derek: - Did no one get the Master Ball? Aw well, it looks like I may have to hold off on meeting you for-
Derek gets interrupted by an angry voice
Male Cyclizar: - HOW DID THE ESPEON TRY-HARD GET IT?!
Everyone looks at the Cyclizar, then at Splat, who has a face of shock and disbelief, which slowly turns to excitement
Splat (Shiny Eevee): - Jumps up in excitement YES!
Derek: - Well, it seems we have our winner.
Most of the other students cheer in congratulations, but some give boos instead
Derek: - Well, young mon, come on down here.
Splat: - Thank you.
Splat starts moving past the other students sitting in his row, and heads down the stairs towards the stage, when he is stopped by a male Grafaiai
Male Grafaiai: - How did a mon like you get the chance to meet one of the best magicians ever?
Splat: - Luck of the draw.
Male Grafaiai: - You don't deserve to meet Derek.
Splat: - And why would that be?
Male Grafaiai: - You should know, you freak. Points at Splat's tail
Splat: - What does my tail have to do with me getting to meet Derek?
Male Grafaiai: - He wouldn't want to meet a mon with strange appendages like that.
Splat: - You do know that Derek isn't a normal Espeon.
Male Grafaiai: - He is famous. You are nothing.
Splat: - Looking visibly annoyed
Male Grafaiai: - Now give me the Master Ball.
Splat: - Stores the Master Ball in his fluff
Male Grafaiai: - Rrrrr, that wasn't a request, freak!
The male Grafaiai charges in to try and steal the Master Ball from Splat, but the Shiny Eevee catches it in his paw with ease, and grips it
Male Grafaiai: - Tries to pull away Hey. Let go of me, freak!
Splat: - Doesn't look at the Grafaiai at all
Male Grafaiai: - Are you even listening to me?! LET GO!
Splat: - Stares at the Grafaiai with glowing red eyes
Male Grafaiai: - Looks surprised
Splat: - A dark aura flares up around him, then quickly suppresses to a steady flow, with his fur looking dark gray
Male Grafaiai: - Turns his head to Derek You see, Derek, he's nothing but a freak. This monster doesn't deserve to be anywhere near somemon as terrific as you. Tell him he has to give the Master Ball to somemon else.
Derek: - Also looking mad Young Shiny Eevee.
Splat: - Shifts his stare to Derek
Derek: - Let go of that Grafaiai.
Splat: - Releases his grip
Male Grafaiai: - Pulls back his paw
Derek: - Now come up and get your reward
Male Grafaiai: - With pleasure Turns around, about to walk to the stage
Derek: - I wasn't talking to you, Grafaiai.
Male Grafaiai: - Pauses in shock
Splat: - His face goes to a neutral expression, but his appearance is still the same
Derek: - Shiny Eevee, would you still like to come up here to meet me?
Splat: - Smiles Yes, I would.
Derek: - Then, come up here.
Splat: - Thank you. Goes up onto the stage
Male Grafaiai: - Oh come on! Look at him! He's an absolute mess of a Pokémon, and you still allow him to be near you?!
Derek: - Why can't I meet this Eevee?
Male Grafaiai: He has a freaky split tail, and do you not see his evil aura?
Derek: - I don't feel any evil coming from him. And his split tail makes me even more intrigued to meet him.
Male Grafaiai: - But-but..., you have an image to maintain.
Derek: - I can choose to meet whoever I please. Say more, and I will ban you from my venue.
Male Grafaiai: - Stutters incoherently, then storms back to his seat
Derek: - Focuses on the audience as whole That was it for the show. While you wait for your classmate here to rejoin you- points in a specific direction. -there are battlefields on the side of the venue if you want to kill time, with medics on staff if you decide to battle each other.
Everyone: - Ok
Derek: - Turns to Splat As for you, follow me
Splat: - Goes back to normal Ok
Derek leads Splat to a special room
Both enter
Splat: - It's an honor to meet you, Derek.
Derek: - Thank you. I'm glad I'm getting to meet you too.
Splat: - Thanks. So, what's it like to be a famous magician?
Derek: - It's a lot of fun. You get to do a lot of cool tricks, and being an Espeon, I have access to a wider range of potential tricks I can perform.
Splat: - That's awesome.
Derek: - Thank you.
Splat: - Oh, I still have the Master Ball in case you want it back. Takes the Master Ball out of his fluff
Derek: - You can keep it. It's not a real Master Ball anyway, just a prop.
Splat: - Really? Opens it up. Sees it's filled with jelly beans Oh yay, jelly beans.
Derek: - Participation prize. All of the pokeballs you and your classmates got have something inside like that.
Splat: - Thank you. Closes the Master Ball and puts back in his fluff
Derek: - One other thing about the pokeballs you were given.
Splat: - What about them?
Derek: - While everyone else got random pokeballs, I actually chose you myself.
Splat: - Wait, what?
Derek: - I wasn't lying on stage when I said I was intrigued by your special features to want to meet you.
Splat: - You think my split tail is cool?
Derek: - Yes, I do. You see, being a Grey Espeon, I was actually in a similar boat to you with how other mons treated me. Before I became a famous magician, I was brought down by others as a worthless nobody.
Splat: - I'm sorry to hear that.
Derek: - Don't be. It's all in the past now.
Splat: - Your life must've had a big turning point to get to where you are now. How did you manage to bounce back from that?
Derek: - I was given a special gift from someone.
Splat: - What sort of gift?
Derek: - Floats up in the air, then a white aura grows from under his feet and engulfs him. Soon the aura goes away, leaving a white Pokémon floating in place of the Espeon.
Splat: - Surprised You're a Mew?!
Derek: - That's right. I am the current Mew of Happiness.
Splat: - I thought just coming back here to meet you as a magician was amazing, but this is incredible.
Derek: - I'm glad you think that, but I am curious.
Splat: - Huh? About what?
Derek: - That power you used when you trapped that Grafaiai. What was that? I haven't seen it before.
Splat: - That? That was an ability called Rage Mode. Essentially, if I have a lot of anger built up, like with what you saw with me and the Grafaiai, I can use that rage for a power boost. The power gives a 20% boost, but there is a downside. If you use Rage Mode, your rage can easily take control over you, and you could potentially do some major damage to your surroundings without even realizing it. Every Pokémon can enter Rage Mode. Some mons have tried to control their Rage Mode, with a few of them succeeding, but most of the others failed and got consumed by their rage, then eventually killed.
Derek: - You must be one of the ones who can control that mode then.
Splat: - Not exactly. The state you saw me in was not the full power. When a mon enters true Rage Mode, their fur becomes completely black, they have a thick black aura, and their eyes glow red with no pupils. What I entered was a pseudo version of Rage Mode. With that, my fur darkens, but doesn't go completely black, my aura is thinner, and I just have my irises glowing red, and my power boost is only 5%.
Derek: - Could you show me?
Splat: - Alright then. Concentrates. A dark aura forms around him and engulfs him. After a bit the aura thins out and he appears just as he described pseudo Rage Mode
Derek: - Amazing.
Splat: - You like it?
Derek: - Yeah. I may be a famous magician, but I've always had an interest in studying strange Pokémon. And I don't mean like rare Pokémon that are almost never seen, I mean like you with your strange body and abilities.
Splat: - Really?
Derek: - Yup. Strange Pokémon properties have always been a deep passion for me. I love discovering Pokémon who have weird mutations like your tail, and rare powers that barely anyone knows about.
Splat: - I see. And you're right about the fact that not a lot of mons know about this power. Though here's a little fact that I discovered recently about this power.
Derek: - What is it?
Splat: - All Pokémon have this power. Even if you've never experienced it yourself, it's there, lying dormant.
Derek: - Really?
Splat: - Yes. The method for bringing it out is different for everymon, but anymon can do this.
Derek: - Do you think you teach me how?
Splat: - Hmm... thinks for a moment …We'll need to find someplace where we can't bother anymon, at least until you can control it without somemon needing to snap you out of it, but I'd be willing to try.
Derek: - Ok. How about I offer you something in exchange?
Splat: - What do you have in mind?
Derek tells Splat his offer
Splat agrees
Derek: - Let's go back to the others
Splat: - Sure, though you may want to change first.
Derek: - Sees he's still a Mew Oh, right. Changes back to a Grey Espeon There, now let's go.
Splat: - Right
Derek: - Oh, btw, I never got your name.
Splat: - It's Splat
Derek: - Cool name
Splat: - Thanks
Derek and Splat head to the battlefields
Male Cyclizar: - Sees Splat approaching the fields Oh look, the Espeon try-hard is back. Notices Derek next to him. And he is walking with Derek?
Male Grafaiai: - And he still has that evil looking aura
Male Cyclizar: - Sees Derek chuckling at something Splat said to him. And Derek isn't concerned by his appearance.
The Grafaiai and Cyclizar look at each other, then laugh
Male Grafaiai: - Don't tell me Derek actually likes that monster.
Male Cyclizar: - Exactly. Who would want to be friends with a complete mess of a Pokémon like that Espeon try-hard.
Splat: Oh my Arceus, Henry, can you really not come up with other names to insult me with?
Both the Cyclizar and Grafaiai turn back to Splat and Derek
Henry (Male Cyclizar): - Why should I try to give you any other designations when what I call you is mostly true?
Splat: - Dan can at least come up with 2 things to call me by as insults
Dan: - What's it to you, freak? And why do you still have that evil aura?
Splat: - Maybe I like the dark look and I want to stay in this form for a while. Anyway, Derek has something to say.
Derek: -To Splat Thank you. To everyone I have an important announcement to make.
Everyone looks up at Derek
Derek: - I, Derek the Terrific, have chosen somemon to be my assistant.
Male Heliolisk: - Who did you choose?
Derek: - It's somemon from your class.
Henry: - Is it me?
Dan: - Or me?
Derek: - Both nope.
Female Castform: - Is it somemon we all know?
Derek: - I think you can already guess motions his paw towards Splat
Dan: - THE FREAK?!
Splat: - Winks and bleps
Derek: - Yes. This "freak" as you call him, Grafaiai, has special attributes specific to him. And these special attributes are why I chose him to be my assistant. I can see that with his unique body features and powers, we can come up with so many new tricks and illusions together. His times with me will of course be after his normal studies at your school, but he will become a star alongside me, and his special attributes will make sure of that.
Everyone except for Henry and Dan cheered
Back to the present
Splat (Orange/Green Umbreon): - And so I performed with Derek for the rest of my school years. We had a blast performing, and the many crowds admired the new tricks Derek came up with using my special attributes. We continued up until about a month after I finished school, which just so happened to line with it being 1 year after Derek gave Nathan the Mew of Happiness power. At that point he told me that he was going to retire from doing magic shows. He still does magic, just not professionally anymore. Right now, he's traveling the world with what Mew energy he has left, which, if my math is correct, should still be at least 2 years before he runs out of it, and that's based on if he's using his Mew form the entire time. But anyway, he's traveling the world, looking for more Pokémon like me. Pokémon that have special features that make them uniquely stand out from the rest of their species.
Nathan: - That's amazing. I never thought the magician we had a chance to see while we were kids was also a Mew.
?: - Well believe it, kid.
Nathan: - No way! Turns to see Derek as an Espeon sitting on the other side of the table
Derek: - We meet again, Nathan.
Nathan: - Glad to see you again, Derek.
Derek: - I heard somemon was talking about me, so I came to see who
Splat: - That was me. Teresa here was curious about what you were for real, so I explained our story to them.
Derek: - I see
Teresa: - Nice to meet you, Derek. I'm Teresa.
Derek: - Nice to meet you, Teresa.
Nathan: - Oh, Derek. I passed down the MOH role to somemon.
Derek: - I see. Who would that be?
Nathan: - You'll meet him soon. Before you ask, no, it's not Devon.
Derek: - Alright then.
Everyone waits patiently for Nathan's successor to show themselves
Meanwhile, in the bathroom
Ace was looking at himself in the mirror for an hour.
Ace took a deep breath
Ace: - (Why did this have to happen to me? I have had so many questions in my mind ever since I woke up as a boltund.)
Ace: - (Well I guess I'll have to answer these questions one by one with my own mind I guess)
Ace went to the sink and turned the water on
Ace: - I guess I'll dunk my head in water to cool off, just like I used to do when I had bad days at football practice or after a game.
Turns off the water, takes a deep breath, and dunks his head in the water.
Ace: - (Man, this feels so much colder than the last time I did this. I guess a dog feels cold a lot more than a human does, but at least I can enjoy some cold water when I need to cool off.)
Meanwhile with Nathan and the others
Nathan: - Ace has been in the bathroom for a long time now.
Splat: - Yeah, it's been like over an hour since he went in there
Teresa: - We should go check on him then.
Derek: - Who's Ace?
Teresa: - He's one of my sons. He's a Boltund like me.
As they were heading in the direction of where Ace was, Rocky and Max decided to join as they heard that Ace had not come back yet.
When they all got there, Nathan saw Rocky and Max
Nathan: - Max, Rocky, what are you both doing here?
Max: - We heard that Ace didn't come back from the restroom, so me and Rocky decided to come with you guys.
Rocky: - Plus, Ace is my teammate, so I want to see if there is anything I can do to help him out.
Nathan: - thank you both for the kind words. I am sure Ace would be grateful that you both are there.
Nathan went to the door and told everyone to wait.
As Nathan walked into the bathroom and saw Ace's head was dunked in the water and that his tail was not moving, Nathan screamed so loud that he could be heard all over the guild.
In the training dojo
Red: - What was that?
Citrine: - Was that Nathan?
Jeff: - Let's go then. 'Cause that scream didn't sound good.
Flynn: - Come on Jeff, we are inside the guild. I am sure some other team will check it out. Plus, that scream was so loud that Dr whoever can just go over check it himself.
Jeff: - Red and Citrine. You go on ahead. I need to talk to Flynn first.
Red: - Ah, ok then?
Citrine: - Well don't be too late, you two.
Red and Citrine dashed off leaving Jeff and Flynn and the GuildMaster, who was watching from a distance
Jeff: - What the heck, Flynn! We are a gold rank team in the guild. That means that we still need to help others when they are in trouble. Even if it's a small task. So, let's get a move on, or so help me I'm going to tell Max and the GuildMaster about how you're acting just now. On top of that, I'm writing a bad review about you on paper.
Flynn: - No not that. Anything but that, Jeff. Please
Jeff: - Then let's go and help out then.
Flynn: - Right
As they were about to go, they saw the GuildMaster who was spying on them.
Flynn: - GuildMaster I…. I am sorry. I shouldn't have said that. Please don't take me off the team.
Clover: - I won't do that Flynn, but you need to learn not to be so arrogant. So, until you learn your lesson, you will not be going on any more missions and instead stay here inside helping the other teams who are struggling and training them.
Flynn: - But GuildMaster …
Clover: - No buts, Flynn. We need to go see why Nathan screamed.
So, the 3 left the training dojo and headed to the main hallway inside the guild. Meanwhile, outside in the hallway, everyone got jumpscared from Nathan screaming that Splat and Max rushed inside to see what happened. They both saw the same thing. Ace's head was underwater, and his tail was not moving.
Splat: - Ace?
Ace does not answer
Max: - What should we do?
Splat: - Let's take him back to the med bay to check his vitals.
Just then, Rocky came and went over to Ace
Rocky: - Max and I will get Ace to the med bay.
Max went over to Rocky and gave him playful head rub
Max: - Thanks little bro, but I think I can handle this
Max went to Ace and by mistake stepped onto his tail, which causes Ace to open his eyes underwater and shocked Max. Pulling his face out looking pissed
Ace: - ROCKY!
Rocky: - That was not me. It was Max who stepped on your tail
Ace turned his angry face to Max
Max: - I am sorry, Ace. I didn't mean to step on your tail, but you were not moving, and we were all worried that you passed out underwater.
Ace: - Looking more content I don't usually pass out underwater. I was just trying to cool off and think about stuff. So, I did what I normally do, dunk my head in water, but I guess I must have passed out since I was underwater much longer than I normally submerge.
Max gave an angry look at Ace
Ace: - Hehe, Sorry
Max: - it's ok, but I don't think your mom would be happy about that.
Ace: - What do you mean?
Max pointed outside to the hallway. Where Teresa was waiting.
Ace walked outside to the hallway to see Teresa looking worried. She went over to him and started to hug him and started to cry.
Ace: - Mom. It's ok now. I am fine
Teresa: - DON'T EVER SCARE ME LIKE THAT!
Ace: - But mom
Teresa: - NO BUTS, ACE!
Teresa walks away
Ace: - (Great going, Ace. You made your mother upset, but then again, she didn't know that I did that stuff when I was human. I hope I can fix things up when Ben gets back from the trial)
Max: - Ace, you ok?
Rocky: - I guess your mom doesn't know you do stuff differently in the human world
Ace: - Yeah, I'm ok, but I hope my mom can understand that in the human world, I did stuff differently.
Max: - I'm sure she will understand that, Ace. Just give your mom some time
Rocky: - Yeah Ace, just give her some time. You just came back here to the Pokémon world, so it's natural for your mom to worry about you.
Ace: - I guess you're right.
Ace: - took a deep breath. Alright let's just get out of here
Everyone leaves the bathroom, but as they were leaving, they saw Clover, Jeff, Flynn, Citrine, and Red coming
Jeff: - Nathan?
Red: - Is everything ok? We heard you screaming all the way from the training dojo
Nathan: - Oh that, hehe
Flynn: - Nathan? Care to explain? Cause of you, I can't go on any more missions
Clover: - Flynn, it's not 'cause of Nathan. I've been watching you for the past few months, and it was clear that you need to stop being self-centered and learn to help others out with your team. So, I remind you again, until you learn how to work with others, you are not allowed to go on any missions, and you must work inside the guild. So, Jeff and Max, will you both be ok working without Flynn?
Max: - Yes, GuildMaster. Me and Jeff will be alright without Flynn.
Clover: - Alright then. As for Nathan, why did you scream?
Nathan: - Well the reason for that is...
After few minutes of explaining
Nathan: - And that's what happened
Jeff: - Really, Ace?
Ace: - Hey, it's been a while since I was Pokémon. Give me a break
Jeff: - Just kidding man. Take a chill pill
Ace: - Took a deep breath. Sorry, it's just been a long day. I feel like I need some coffee.
Kenny: - You want coffee at this hour?
Ben: - I guess some things don't change.
Ben and Kenny return from their trial
Ace: - What's wrong with having coffee now?
Kenny: - Rocky, what time is it?
Rocky: - 10 pm, why?
Ben: - Guess it's time for Ace's gamer cup o' Joe
Ace: - Oh shut it, Ben
Ben: - Points at Ace and does a circle motion with his paw. And there's one reason why you shouldn't have coffee this late
Max: - Why is this a problem?
Ben: - Whenever Ace drinks coffee during one of his gaming sessions, he tends to get irritated more easily whenever he fails
Ace: - How would you know what my gaming sessions are like?
Ben: - Our bedrooms share a wall, and it isn't exactly soundproof. Which results in me not getting enough sleep, and thus waking up late for school.
Ace: - Oh sure, blame your bad sleep schedule on me. As if I'm the only factor. You still sleep with that jumbo Pikachu plush, that you haven't let mom wash since you got it in kindergarten.
Kenny: - I guess Ben was right. Some things don't change.
Ace: - Oh butt out, Ken
Ben: - Who asked you?
Ace: - You still draw those weird Pokémon fusions
Kenny: - Hey, I get good views from those pieces
Ben: - Doesn't mean they're still weird
Kenny: - You mean like your brotherly handshake that lasts like 10 minutes?
Ace and Ben: - IT LASTS 5!
Kenny: - Oh sure it did pulls out a piece of paper from his tail
Ben: - What is that?
Kenny: - A little record I made of how long each of your handshakes lasts.
Ace: - How long have you been keeping those logs?
Kenny: - Over the past year
Ace: - And you've been doing this behind our backs?
Kenny: - Is there any problem with that?
Ace: - Our handshakes are secret
Kenny: - You do it in front of everyone after each game we win
Ace: - Ok, you got that one, but why even make a log of how long our handshakes are in the first place?
Kenny: - Because sometimes you also do it between grand plays, and it slows down the games.
Ace: - We take breaks between touchdowns anyway
Kenny: - Yeah, but it shouldn't take 10 minutes, and the coach keeps asking me to get you two back over to the rest of the team to plan our next play. He's getting very irritated by how it takes you and Ben to regroup with the others, and I've noticed that some of the referees at the venues we play at were getting just as irritated.
Ace: - I'm the star of our team. You wouldn't be able to score even a third of the points we get when I'm in play.
Kenny: - You wanna go, bloodhound?! A black aura starts to form
Ace: - Wow, even your fighting words are weak, Psycho Kitty. Smirks at Kenny
Kenny: - OK, YOU'RE NOW A DEADHOUND! Black aura engulfs his whole body. You think that just because you're the star player, you're the only one that's allowed to be in the spotlight?!
Ace: - And why shouldn't I be the only one in the spotlight? What could you do that would even give you a chance to be the center of attention?
Kenny: - Black aura lightens, revealing a black Meowstic with red, pupil-less eyes and red highlights where there normally is white. You want to find out?!
Ace: - Well, it looks like Nathan's theory was correct. You can achieve Rage mode.
Kenny: - IT'S MY TURN TO BE IN TH- wait, what?
Ace: - Just look at yourself.
Kenny: - Looks over himself. Summons a mirror. Well, what do you know, Nathan was right. Feels his power. I could get used to this.
Ace: - Well, it looks like my plan worked.
Kenny: - What are you talking about?
Ace: - Yeah, I wanted to put Nathan's theory to the test, about you being able to achieve Rage mode.
Kenny: - But weren't you just boasting about why anyone but you can't be in the spotlight?
Ace: - Hey, if you want a chance to be in the spotlight, go for it.
Kenny: - So you don't really care about whether it's you or not?
Ace: - No, I let others have a chance when they score points.
Kenny: - Wait a minute. Ace, did you really want coffee this late?
Ace: - Pulls out an empty, used mug from under his fur. Oh, I had a cup before I dunked my head in the bathroom sink.
Ben: - Where did you get that?
Ace: - There's a vending machine down the hall, just before the restrooms
Ben: - We have no money we can use here. How did you pay for it?
Ace: - I found Splat's credit card on the floor. Shows them the card, then tosses it at Splat
Splat: - I'm sorry, what?! Catches his card. Glad you found it, but I'll be billing you for the money you used after you receive your first mission's reward.
Ace: - Aw man
Splat: - It's stealing. You're lucky I'm letting it slide since you have no money right now.
Ace: - Ok, I'll pay you back after the first mission.
Splat: - Speaking of which, what will you choose for your first mission?
Ace: - Let's check the board tomorrow. It's getting late.
Splat: - You can pick the request you want to do at any time, then just hold onto it.
Ace: - Is there a time limit for when I have to complete the mission after I pick it?
Splat: - If it's not completed within a week, a new flyer for the request gets put up. If you still want to attempt the request, you'll have to grab the new flyer. The one you already had would be invalid once the new flyer goes up.
Ace: - What would happen if we did complete the mission within the week?
Splat: - You would bring the flyer, and proof of completion to Clover or Marie, and they would give you the reward listed on the flyer.
Ace: - Do we have to give the proof before the week is up?
Splat: - Typically yes, but you can be granted extensions on the time limit if travel time is a challenge. Usually, for every day it would normally take to get to the location of the request, you'd get an extra week to complete the mission. Some requests may also state a time limit, but it usually isn't given, so we have the 1-week rule for such requests.
Ace: - I see
Splat: - So do you want to pick one out now?
Ace: - Sure
Splat: - Follow me. And Kenny, you may want to power down now.
Kenny: - Alright then Calms himself. Returns to normal.
Ace follows Splat to the request board
Splat: - Pick out one you like.
Ace: - Looks at the requests. I'll choose...this one. Chooses a rescue mission.
Splat: - Let me see.
Ace: - Gives Splat the request
Splat: - Looks at the location. Ok, this is a 2-day journey, so I can put in a request for a 2-week extension.
Ace: - Great. Is there more I need to do?
Splat: - For now, no, but since you're a new member, part of a new team, you will not start with items like in the trial dungeon. You will need to find stuff in the dungeon yourself, including rations; however, when going to your first dungeon, you will be given a temporary bag with enough rations for everyone with you to last the length of the first dungeon, actual amount varies based on how many are going on the first mission with you. You will also be given an empty bag when leaving for your first dungeon, though it won't be able to hold much. And even though you'll have 2 bags, you are not allowed to move the contents from the temporary bag to your empty bag. You may store items from the dungeon in your new bag, but not in your temporary bag, and any rations you use must come from the temporary bag first. You will get to keep the temporary bag after the first dungeon if there's still stuff inside, but once it's completely empty, you will be forced to return it to the guild at the end of the dungeon that happens in, but you will get to keep your other bag.
Ace: - I see. How much food would we be given?
Splat: - There's a simple system to determine that. 1 perfect apple per floor per mon. For instance, if you were going by yourself into a 5-floor dungeon, you would be given 5 perfect apples. But if you were going to a dungeon with 50 floors with 11 other mons, you'd instead be given 600 perfect apples.
Ace: - Why perfect apples? What's the difference between those and normal apples?
Splat: - There are 4 types of apples you can find: tiny, normal, big, and perfect. Every time you eat a certain type of apple, you get more, but they are one size smaller than the one you just ate. How many more depends on the size you ate. If it's a perfect apple, you get 5 big apples; if you ate a big apple, you get 3 normal apples; and if you ate a normal apple, you get 2 tiny apples; but if you eat a tiny apple, you get nothing back since they're the smallest apples.
Ace: - How can that even be possible?
Splat: - That's just a special property of apples here.
Ace: - From the games I've played, if a Pokémon on the team has a certain quality, if any apple, that isn't a tiny apple, is eaten, a tiny apple is always what is left.
Splat: - Well, this world works differently from what you're used to from those games. And that property that apples here have doesn't only apply to being eaten, it applies to if they've been used at all. For example, if you bake an apple pie. Depending on the types of apples used, you get some back after putting the pie in the oven.
Ace: - Do trees here always give perfect apples?
Splat: - The type of apple that is grown depends on how long it's been growing for before being picked or falling off the tree. Each larger size is more difficult to grow than the next size smaller. Perfect apples are therefore the hardest to grow, but not impossible as you're probably thinking. Tiny apples take about 2 weeks to grow, then about an additional week for every size up, meaning perfect apples take 5 weeks to grow. Then, new ones grow after the previous ones were picked. The best part is that apples, and really all berries, never rot. You could have an apple that's a year old and it would still be as fresh as the one you picked an hour ago.
Ace: - Thanks for all that info. Yawns. I think we should get some sleep before tackling that mission.
Splat: - Right. See you in the morning.
Ace: - Oh yeah, where would Kenny, Ben, and I be sleeping?
Splat: - Didn't Rocky take you in?
Ace: - Yeah. I guess I could ask if he has room to accommodate them as well.
Splat: - Then you shouldn't have a problem. Well, good night.
Ace: - Good night.
Splat went to his house and went to sleep. Meanwhile, Ace brought Ben and Kenny to Rocky's house. Rocky allowed everyone to sleep there as Max decided to sleep at the guild like he's been doing.
Ace: - Good night, everyone.
Ben, Kenny, Rocky: - Good night, Ace.
Kenny: - We have a big day tomorrow.
Ben: - Yup, our first mission starts tomorrow.
Rocky: - By the way, what mission are we doing tomorrow?
Ace: - I picked out one already. It's a rescue mission. We can discuss the details tomorrow.
Kenny: - Alright then.
Everyone falls asleep
End of Chapter 11