Hello everybody, at long last we get the next chapter leading up to the next little 'arc' of this fic. I might take a day later this week to rewrite and fix the typos in this fic as I realize I haven't been able to fix that little bug of mine. Just trying to figure out the easiest way to do it.

Anyway, please enjoy the start of our next little 'arc', starting off with a little bit of ol' bonding. XP

Please review/fav/follow, let me know how the story is going for everyone! I hope you all have a great week and I will see you all next time! :D

Chapter 12

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"And after 850 poke of broken dishes, I finally felt confident enough to move to juggling berries. I tell you, you get the confidence to juggle glass, you really feel like you can take over the world." Erin nodded warily along, giving her companion a bemused look as they walked side by side in the forest. They had made their way to the dark green patch on the edge of the city, traveling through the thick fog that had been born from the day's light rain.

Axl had led her to a dark brown path that snuck its way into the heavy forest they had stood in front of, giving them an easy-to-follow way inside. Sticking true to it, the two didn't have to suffer in silence as the otter very confidently filled the time with chatter, almost as if to distract from the rather serious issue at hand.

"My mom wasn't too happy about it, though. Dunno if it was the mess, or that I blew my whole paycheck on it." He teetered along, pondering his own thoughts.

"Hey, so are we almost there yet?" Erin asked, anxiety for finding Karl and Guildmaster Finnegan's reaction weighing her down for the moment.

Axl gave her a surprised look. "I was about to ask you the same thing." He replied.

A brief silence passed between the two as Erin looked stupefied. "I'M FOLLOWING YOU!" She yelled at the Oshawott, who simply turned and walked with his hands around the back of his head, staring in wonder at the world around them. She calmed herself, before continuing to walk by him. "Aren't you even the least bit worried?"

"Of course, but worrying about it isn't going to get him found faster." He pointed out. "Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if we ran into him on the way there."

Staring at the eerily quiet woods around her, Erin didn't take any comfort in thinking of that. While the city was still, albeit getting fainter, in sight through the foliage they walked through, the mist that had started to take over gave the scenery an ominous feel to it.

"You know, apparently years ago, feral Pokemon used to still live in these woods. I hear some do still on the other island. You think I would've made a fearful, blood-lustrous predator?" He puffed up his chest and squared his shoulders, something that looked quite non-threatening on the small otter. "I definitely could've hunted down a Druddigon or two."

"One could argue there's even more dangerous Pokemon lurking in them now." She muttered, thinking of how Thorn could be realistically nearby.

Axl narrowed his eyes at her. "Every party has a pooper that's why they invited you,"

"Axl…"

"Party Poooooper…"

Erin crossed her arms, making Axl stop. "Party Pooper…" He muttered childishly under his breath, puffing his cheeks out playfully.

Erin huffed, although a smile tugged at her lips as the otter's teasing was easing her anxieties of the rather tense situation at hand. While the thoughts of Thorn hadn't left her yet, she thought of the bright gold glowing eyes that haunted the faces of every newspaper and turned to Axl.

"Wait, even as a child, he should be stronger than the average adult with his curse mark, right?" Erin asked.

"Yeah, if he could, he'd have the physical strength of Liza if he could access it."

"If?"

Axl pointed to the side of his eye. "Yeah, he's unable to, unfortunately. I guess he has a weird shape which is an indicator of whether he's able to control it or not. His mom was telling me that using it would cause a complete psychotic break. Kind of like a feral Pokemon, no coming back either. Once you cross that line, you're lost forever." He pondered for a moment. "Now a wild Karl would be a sight to behold."

Erin was too surprised at the strand of info however, to picture such an image. She had heard of some marks that altered a Pokemon's psyche forever but couldn't believe that Karl had such a mark. "What if he activates it by accident?" He asked.

Axl sweatdropped. "Then some poor restaurant better be stocked up." He replied, more images of his now head canon rampant friend running through his head. "Don't worry, it's actually easier to avoid than others will tell you. His mom said, as long as he keeps a cool head, he's going to be just fine. Hell, apparently there's folklore that you even get a second chance at life if you are marked. So, like, if we screw this up, just know we have one redo."

Erin gave him a look of sheer horror. "Oh, Arceus." She sputtered, appalled at his dark joke.

Axl gave her a sheepish look, seemingly realizing he may have gone a little overboard. Whistling innocently, he returned his hands to the back of his head before his traditional smirk rested back on his face.

"I've got to say though, I'm a little surprised you're as into this as you are." He murmured, making Erin raise a brow. "After all, I did see the look you gave him yesterday."

Erin blushed in embarrassment at her stupidity, cursing herself for being so obvious about her hesitance approaching the Munchlax the other day.

"I know," she said, biting her lip. "That was idiotic of me. I promise you; I sincerely want to help him."

Axl snuck a look at the Snivy who looked genuinely upset at her actions before averting his eyes straight back ahead.

"Why the fear, then?" He asked, level toned. "Dead family member? Brutally attacked when you were younger. Scammed by a smooth talking one out of your boots and have to walk home in minus whatever degree snow from the bowling alley on the other side of town." He grumbled off at this part before breaking off. "Er, you know, could happen to anyone." He said, embarrassed.

Erin smiled slightly and sadly. "No," She answered. "As pathetic as it is, I don't really have a reason. The fear just sorts of…has always been there. I mean, my mom would always pull me away when I was younger and there were always those side comments that I guess it was instilled in me. I honestly feel like a terrible being for even being fearful over it."

Her face heated up again as she realized how stupid her reasoning, or lack of, sounded out loud. She thought of the good-natured child and felt ashamed further as she could understand Axl's disappointment in her. She truly did sound bigoted when talking out loud.

Axl didn't switch from his relaxed demeanor. "Erin, the only thing you're guilty of being terrible at is your inability to laugh at my jokes. But, I don't think you're a terrible Pokemon. Short sighted a little, however I don't think I'd be able to do a mission with someone who truly harbored unwarranted hatred towards Karl. And I know he feels the same."

Erin gave him a grateful look, feeling her chest lighten a little. "Thanks, Axl. That mean-"

"Besides," He cut in hastily. "I'm going to need you to save my butt if Thorn does happen to get the jump on us."

Erin fell back in shock at the otter's mood change, lightening it back up. "If we see Thorn, we call Guildmaster Finnegan immediately. Out of curiosity, can you fight at all?"

"Erin, these paws were made for love, not war." He said proudly, fake tears rolling down his cheek as he raised a fist.

"So not at all?"

"Nope."

Erin sighed at him. "I'm using you as a shield if it means saving Karl, I hope you know that." She said, making his body go white in shock and betrayal.

He gasped loudly. "Do you know how many of my fans will be disappointed if my lovable face is squashed?" He said dramatically, envisioning his female crowd fawning over him then gawking in horror at his squash shaped face. He then grinned as he broke out of it. "Besides, I have Peridot City's best to keep an eye out for me. Heck, how many missions have you knocked out by now?"

"Er-er, I actually haven't completed one yet. I failed my first two." She admitted bashfully, looking away with another blush.

Axl blinked at her in surprise. "So…you've failed two, I'm guessing relatively easy, missions….are on the final straw with the Guildmaster….and are now going into the woods where a Pokemon capable of taking out an entire village is lurking whichever way all for the sake of a kid that may or may not actually be found here."

Erin nodded gravely. "Yep."

Axl returned a nod before pulling a notepad, pen, and a pair of reading glasses from his scarf. Putting on the square shaped rims, he flipped open his notebook and jotted down something quickly. Erin sweat dropped as the concentrated otter was murmuring to himself.

"Do I want to know?" Erin asked.

"Writing my obituary, I want the city to know the real Axl." He said with flair.

Erin rolled her eyes. "I appreciate the faith." She replied sarcastically.

Axl snickered at her expense before taking off the glasses and sticking everything back into his scarf. "That's why I trust you though. I doubt you'd put yourself in this situation if you did truly hate him. As long as you're open to the idea of accepting him, that's a step at least."

Erin felt a wave of surprise at the otter's sudden wave of praise despite her truly not being worthy of it. The shame that was stuck in her chest spread and this time, Erin accepted it with a deep breath, knowing she wouldn't be able to escape it for a long time.

But…she had to try harder to accept it and live with it so she could push herself to be a better role model. She did want a city where Hazaranmon and Pokemon could live peacefully with each other, and if that meant conquering her ridiculous fear, then she would.

"Thanks, Axl. I didn't think you were capable of that type of emotion." She said, teasing him lightly,

He put his hands straight out in front of him and expressed them. "Love. Not war." He reminded her, making her laugh. "Hey, I got you for a laugh, so maybe anything is possible."

"Yeah, yeah." Erin replied with a relaxed smile before raising a determined fist. "We will find Karl no matter what and get him back home to his mother."

"We better." Axl remarked. "I'm a heck of a lot more afraid of Gemma than I am Thorn."

Their path was becoming grayer, and trees were thinning out into dying dark brown ones. Once vibrant leaves now rested on the ground in a disorderly pile, making Erin feel like she just switched entire seasons by entering a different part of the forest. The house had finally come into view and Erin was impressed by the massive size of it.

The main part was made of dark red bricks with multiple ones missing from it, either strewn on the ground around the house or completely missing entirely. A small grass patch with crimson flowers grew on the lower left side of the house, obscuring the view of the window from them. Although the two rows of square windows were certainly visible from their level. On top, a dark brown roof with broken shingles lay with a singular, circular window in the middle looking down on them like a giant eye.

Mixed with the chilling dark grey sky, Erin felt a shiver run down her at the sight of the rather creepy looking building. It looked like a haunted, stereotypical house you'd see on a ghost show.

Erin gave Axl a look. "So, this is the scouting house?" She asked, almost half expecting for this to be another one of Axl's pranks.

Axl cocked his head. "Yeppers, this is Nolan's house in the flesh. He doesn't usually do his job until later in the day, his partner and his girlfriend usually help out during the day." He told her, unaffected by the old building.

"They must be completely batty to be living here." She muttered at the building.

Axl grinned sheepishly. "Well, I mean, technically you're right…" He replied, not elaborating.

Erin sighed. "If Nolan's asleep, who are we talking to then?" She asked him.

"Well, Ripley is his best friend and usually the one that does most of the routes during the day. Iris, his girlfriend, does some too." He told her, snickering loudly.

"What's so funny?"

Axl's couldn't stifle his laughter. "Her name is just ironic because she's blind."

Erin gaped at him. "Axl, that's terrible." She scolded, making the otter shrug his shoulders innocently.

"She made the joke first to be fair."

Erin paused. "Wait, a blind scout?" She asked, a little surprised.

Axl grunted. "Yup." He said. "Her sense of smell is immaculate though, make no mistake. A bit scary, I don't know how my socially awkward friend managed to land her, but they work." He said half-heartedly. He gave her a mischievous look. "You're not afraid of a spooky little house, are you?"

Erin sniffed crossly. "Of course not, just a little thrown off by the creepy design is all." She replied. Definitely not thinking of literally every horror movie I have ever seen right now….

Axl chuckled as he headed towards the door. "Shall we?" He asked her.

Shaking her head, she once again focused her mind on the mission at hand. Karl was the priority, and she was going to let no bias, Nidoking or spooky ghost get in her way….

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"This is Peter Parkman of PNN, live with Clay Anderson, president of Peridot's City Justice Guild," The voice belonged to a Liepard dressed in a suit, microphone in hand as he stood next to said Pokemon. "Clay, there is a lot of, well let's face it, anger and backlash for how the Guild has handled the Thorn situation. Some are calling this the biggest tragedy since the Amethyst City incident a couple years ago. How can we feel safe as citizens with Peridot City's biggest threat?"

Clay adjusted his blazer, proudly sticking out his stomach. "Let me get one thing straight here, Peter," He began with his drawn-out voice. "We are working without sleep or food trying to track down this demon. The citizens shall worry not, there isn't a Pokemon Guildmaster Finnegan hasn't been able to catch."

"Yes, the stories of his victories are certainly famous throughout our city. In fact, if I'm not mistaken, he is the one that eventually defeated that monster from Amethyst City. That being said, the Guildmaster is getting up there in age, is there any fear that he may just be starting to slow down a little?"

Clay huffed. "Rubbish, why, he's only a few years older than myself." He replied.

Peter raised a brow but continued. "Clay let's cut to the point. Reports are speculating that you are presenting to negotiate with the mayor in order to implement an absolute history changing law. You want every Hazaranmon to have to register themselves in the city?

Clay nodded. "Yes, Peter. I believe that it is crucial for the peace of mind for our citizens that this info is allowed to become public information. Now, this by no means is a consideration of threat towards all Hazaranmon that live in the city and there will be severe penalties for those that target any as a result of this list.

But Peter, we do believe it possible that Thorn is not working alone and a connection to any hypothetical partners do indicate that another Hazaranmon would be the prime suspect. We simply need a list to narrow down any suspects we may need to keep an eye on."

Peter nodded. "Do you believe this list to be an invasion of privacy towards Hazaranmon that are innocent?"

Clay looked dead into the camera; his face as serious as could be. "Peter… if they are innocent, they will have nothing to hide." He said this almost darkly, creating an ominous pause.

Peter looked at the camera. "Well, that's it for this interview. After the break, find out how your toenails could make you some serious cash."

Liza could only stare at the screen in disbelief. Standing in the middle of a busy street, she watched the interview through one of the windows.

What is that moron thinking? It's tense as it is without placing targets on them.

"A rather ominous law, I certainly hope that the mayor doesn't seriously consider it." A voice nearby spoke, making Liza turn her head in its direction.

She was greeted with one of the most beautiful Ninetails she ever met in her life to her right. His luxurious golden-white fur looked like a soft pillow and his red eyes leered at her from rounded spectacles, giving him a mysterious, calm aura about him, yet intense like she had just stepped into a tornado.

She blinked stupidly. "Yeah, er, what?" She stuttered, her brain malfunctioning for a second.

His gaze was pinning her. "I can't imagine that ending well for anyone involved." He continued, shaking his head. "I certainly hope the Guild can find him sooner than later."

Liza paused and had to jumpstart herself to bring herself back to reality. "U-um, yeah we are." Arceus, why am I turning into Erin right now?

The Ninetails chuckled as he smirked at her. "Sorry about that, I didn't mean to bother you." He replied, starting to turn. "My apologies."

That brought her back. "Ah, wait." She said suddenly, making him stop. "I'm sorry if I came off rude, I was just trying to process the stupidity coming out of his mouth." Nice save.

The Ninetails had turned back to her. "So, you do speak. No offense taken, ma'am." He said. "I do beg your pardon, though, but did you say 'we'?"

Liza grinned. "Yeah, I'm a member of the Justice Guild." Turning it into a smug smile, she continued. "You're actually speaking to the Deputy."

"Oh my, an honor. I almost feel foolish not having any flowers ready." He teased at her prideful tone.

Liza was able to meet his gaze now, feeling more relaxed. "There's a bouquet down the street, never too late." Their gaze met for a moment, and she narrowed her eyes playfully. "I'll take your disrespect of our customs as a sign you're new to the city?"

The Ninetails laughed. "I just moved from Amethyst City where unfortunately this ignoramus also holds a pretty powerful position. To think I was going to be able to escape him." He sighed, grumbling at the television.

Liza sweatdropped. "Be grateful you're not female. Actually," She broke off, eying him. "You honestly might just be pretty enough for him to make his move."

The Ninetails shuddered. "I don't even want to imagine that." He replied before returning with a smile. "My name's Max, charmed to meet you."

Liza had forgotten completely about the television now, turning her shoulders to completely face the Ninetails. Looking better at him, he looked to be around her age and still just as beautiful as from the quick glance she was able to capture earlier.

She smiled. "Liza." She returned the gesture, feeling a little more confident now.

Max looked interested. "There doesn't happen to be a chance you're Liza Levin, are you?" When she nodded, he smiled so brightly Liza thought she was going to melt. "I was living in Amethyst City during the time that the monster that killed our deputy and crippled our Guildmaster was rampant. Your Guild saved us, and while Guildmaster Finnegan was the one who stopped him, there was only one other who survived the battle without a scratch. A rookie at that."

Liza blushed at the praise from him. "It's only because the old guy wouldn't let me do anything other than support. He did most of the battling, greedy bastard." She murmured humbly.

"It doesn't stop the fact that you're a hero in our city as much as your own." He continued. "I do apologize that you had to become the deputy under…. Unfortunate circumstance, but everyone knows you're as capable as anyone to help take down your current situation."

Liza looked away for a moment, thinking about the situation at hand and cursing herself for getting distracted for a moment. She thought back to the battle from a couple years ago.

He had called himself Scourge and shared a very similar blood lusted path as Thorn, although Scourge wasn't afraid to kill Pokemon and Hazaranmon alike. To call him powerful was an understatement. Two Guildmasters and Deputies as well as nine combined members from both Guilds is what it took to finally take him down, with three dying and four heavily injured.

Although…... Thorn was a complete wild card as Scourge didn't carry the mark and thus never received the power boost that came with it. Truth be told, there may be the chance that Thorn was even more powerful than Scourge.

Thinking of Guildmaster Finnegan's trip to Amethyst City, she wondered how many Pokemon they'd be able to spare. They had done a rough job rebuilding since the fight, and while their current deputy was about as powerful as she was, their once powerful Guildmaster was never the same fighter again. He would almost certainly not be able to participate in a fight with a five star level threat.

Her nails instinctively drew out as it wasn't just the strength that worried her, but Thorn's surprising amount of intelligence and resources. Ambushes? Equipment that could stop stones from working? Not even Scourge showed that level of intelligence.

The situation truly did feel overwhelming.

Max seemed to pick up on the mood change and decided to change the subject. "You know, my new house is located near your Guild I believe. If you're on your way back, perhaps we could go together for a bit, and I could learn a little more about you?"

Liza felt foggy for a moment as she blinked herself back to reality. She wanted nothing more than to tell him no so she could focus on the situation at hand. This city was in a state of emergency, Pokemon were dying, and she was the only guild member in the city in the case Thorn did decide to do an all-out blitz.

She why did she feel so compelled that she let out an easy "yes" to the Ninetails?

She picked up herself and her bag of supplies off, allowing herself to walk at an even pace with Max. Maybe it was for the best. Her head was getting so cloudy that she couldn't think straight and that was going to be an issue if she wanted a chance to figure out how to handle the situation at hand.

Perhaps….just perhaps these five minutes of talking with this stranger was what she needed to relax her for a moment. Caving into these protruding thoughts, she allowed herself to start chatting with the Ninetails, feeling a little bit more peaceful than she had in weeks.