Author's Note 1: And after a very long delay, the latest chapter of GoB is finally uploaded. I do apolgise for the delay, as I've had a very busy few weeks between going through a very... err... obsessive art phase, trying to look after a new kitten who is very hyper, work, and trying to prepare a novel for submissions again. All of which took alot of time of working on this chapter. But stuff is happening, both for GoB... and for something else you'll find at the end. Enjoy.

EPISODE II – DARK, WONDEROUS PAST

CHAPTER VII – DEATH, AND A NEW MISSION

Sam and Jack didn't waste a second, rushing for the elevators. "Don't wait for me Jack!" Sam shouted, "I'll catch up!"

"On it!" The Butterfree answered, diving down over the edge and towards the lobby. Unable to follow, Sam resorted to pacing in the elevator car as it descended. His mind raced, what the fucking hell happened in the clinic? Was there an attack? Did something break out? Was everyone in their alright? What if this was launched by pirates or something worse!?

He forced himself to stay calm, rubbing his feet into the wooden deck. There was no point in speculating. What was happening down there was happening right now. Trying to work out all the details could wait.

Before the elevator had even touched the ground floor, Sam bounced out of the elevator and hit the ground running, Jack was already gone, but there was already another dozen members of the Guild sprinting for the entrance from the rampways. The entire town had just gone on alert.

As Sam rushed to join them, Alice emerged from one of those rampways, her eyes locking onto the Scorbunny. "I heard something go off!" she snapped, all evidence of their argument seemingly wiped out in the heat of the moment. "What's going on!?"

He barely slowed, "The clinic's exploded!" he barked, noticing Alice hopping alongside to join him. "Don't know how or why, but we need to help!"

"Shit!" Alice cursed, actually hopping hard enough for her to overtake him and forcing the Scorbunny to lengthen his stride.

It took a matter of seconds for them to race across the town centre and towards the clinic. The wooden cabin that he first awakened in after being rescued himself was now ablaze. Orange flames flashing through the windows as smoke poured out. Dozens of Pokémon surrounded the clinic, many of them regular townsfolk watching in shock and horror at the scene before them. Water-type Pokémon, some of them Sam recognised from the Guild, were already blasting away at the flames with their attacks. A Blastoise led the firefighting effort as he fired his cannons directly into the burning building.

Out of the flames, a red-black furred Pokémon burst out into the opening, an Arcanine of some kind. She jogged away from the burning building, a coughing Sneasel thrown over her back, "There's no one else in there!" she bellowed, "All clear!"

Sam slowed, watching as the water-type attacks intensified and started to douse the flames. A faint flicker of relief in his chest that there seemed to at least be no one left in there. He caught a flicker of movement to his left. Alice was already shooting off past him, heading towards the rear of the building. There, he could just make out fluttering form of Jack ahead of her.

He chased after her, rushing towards the Butterfree and headed round the burning building. There, he could make out the full picture of the devastation. It was like someone had dropped a bomb inside, the walls having been blown clear and leaving a gigantic hole in the side of the clinic. Flames roared with in. The bulky form of Oscar was silhouetted in the flames, water rushing out his mouth in an attempt to douse them. Jack hovered around the crouched form of Esper, her head bowed down towards something at her feet. They must have got here ahead of us!

Sam slowed to a jog as he approached, Alice skidding to a halt next to Esper. "I think the building's clear." He explained, "So what ha-"

As he stepped beside Esper, his gut twisted hard into a ball, sending a wave of nausea flowing over him.

Laid out in front of the Meowstic, was the little shape of a Chingling on her back… only the rope atop her head had been torn free, and there was a gaping, bloody hole where half her jaw should have been, her wide eyes frozen in terror.

Sam couldn't stop the gasp escaping, his legs reduced to jelly as he struggled to hold himself upright. He could feel himself going back in time, to the day he first woke up in the world. Where he come across Greg, and the broken bodies he had left behind-

Only Alice's gagging kept him from flashing back to that moment, the Scorbunny glancing over to find Alice covering her mouth, unable to tear her eyes away from the corpse. Esper leaned forward, and gently closed the Chingling's eyes.

Clenching his hands, Sam felt himself steady, a flash of anger rushing through him like fire. Before him was another victim. Maybe not at Greg or Aidan's hands, but still a victim. Someone who's life had been snuffed out in a terrifying fashion.

I… I can't let them get away with this!

"…who did this?" Sam growled, ears fully erect.

Esper didn't even look his way, narrowed eyes drifting towards the building. "We don't know." She admitted, a flicker of anger present in her tone.

"You don't know?" Alice snarled, tearing her hand clear of her mouth, "Whoever did this woke the entire fucking town, how could they get away?!"

"We don't know." Esper stressed again, "It can't be an external attack, otherwise the guards would have noticed."

Jack touched next to them, eyes a darker red than normal, "What if the guards are hurt too?"

"They all reported in." the Meowstic confirmed, her eyes still not looking back, "Whoever did this had to started their attack from inside the clinic."

"Who would be insane enough to waltz into the clinic and blow it up?" Sam questioned with a snap, earning a glance from the Buneary. "And why here? They could have done it at the Guildtree!"

Unless…

Sam stiffened, his eye drifting towards the collapsed beds he could just make out amongst the flames that Oscar was trying to put out. There were only a handful of people who would definitely be in there.

One of who had tried to kill him once.

"Wait… it can't have been-"

Esper stiffened, her ears unfolding to reveal a pair of eye shapes on the flaps of those ears. They let out a soft blue glow coming from them. Jack shivered, instinctively taking a step back from the Meowstic, and the Scorbunny was quick to catch the shiver running up Alice's back. It was Esper's eyes widening that encouraged Sam to back off. He had seen what power Esper had, and he didn't-

The ears dropped back down just as suddenly, Esper's pupils narrowing. "Team Battle." She hissed, "They're in trouble!"

Sam's head jerked back by the sudden shout, "W-What?" he uttered, "W-Why-"

"Because they are fighting whoever destroyed the clinic!" Esper barked, "Oscar! Leave it! A team needs help!"

The Bibarel's head snapped round towards them, "But the cl-"

"They are fighting for their lives!" Esper shouted, a faint glow forming around her folded ears, "We need to go! Now!"

That got him aboard, the beaver moving out far faster than his bulk would suggest. Jack was already in the air as Esper spun on the two rabbits so fast, that Sam caught Alice physically jump back, her ears twitching.

"Follow us!" Esper ordered, her tone sharp enough to slice through Sam. Instinct took over, and the Scorbunny immediately fell in behind the leader of Team Spirit along with Alice.

Esper led the way into the surrounding forest, brushing away foliage to reveal a faintly beaten path. Did Team Battle do this? Or was this the attacker? Sam questioned to himself, struggling to keep pace with Esper as she rushed ahead. He had never seen the psychic type move at this kind of pace before, and as much as that was dragging him along, he couldn't shake loose his discomfort.

Esper's never been this snappy… whatever's happening, it's bad!

The crack boomed through the air hard enough for Sam to feel the sound pound against his chest. A faint gasp just registered in his head as the group was brought to a halt. His body seemed to freeze, as if he was just dropped into an ice-cold lake. "W-What was that?" Oscar managed to utter, the big water-type stiff and on edge.

Another crack rang out, and on cue, Esper recovered first. "Trouble." She replied, "Come on!"

Esper shot on ahead again, and once more, Sam scrambled to join the others in pursuit. More cracks started to ring, then a boom… and finally a scream. Each one sent another jolt and shiver running straight up Sam's spine.

It didn't help as just as quickly as they came, they all faded away.

Sam's heart threatened to burst out of his chest, his mind that focused on the danger ahead that he ended up bumping into Oscar's back. The Bibarel frozen like a statue in front of him.

As was Esper and Jack.

Next to him, Alice cast a cold glare, bouncing past Sam and shoving her way past the now grounded Jack. "What on the hell is it…"

Her voice trailed off, the Buneary's arms going limp.

His heart now ready to explode in his throat, Sam more gently slid past Oscar and alongside Esper.

And in that moment, Sam struggled as his throat burned with bile.

They had emerged into a small clearing within the trees. A clearing that wouldn't have been out of place from most. A tree trunk lay across part of the grassy field with a couple of bushes off to the side near one tiny pond.

A clearing that had been turned into a killing field.

Six bodies lay scattered across the ground, blood spattered all around them. Three of them Sam recognised immediately. The nearest bodies were covered in dozens of deep, straight wounds that criss-crossed nearly every inch of their skin. The Breloom's throat had also been torn out, leaving a huge cone-shaped splatter of blood across the grass. A few feet away, the Gallade's head was snapped round a whole 180 degrees, his surprised, blank eyes staring at the still living Pokémon, and mouth dripping with the blood he had clearly vomited up in his last moments. Behind them, their Scyther companion was sprayed out over the trunk, his head impaled on a wooden stake with a look of pure terror.

The… the rescuers who helped Rex save me… Sam realised, his eyes bouncing between the three corpses. Two of them had played a role in rescuing him the first time he encountered Greg and his cronies, taking them down with ease. To see them now-

Someone retched to his side, and the Scorbunny snapped his gaze over to find Alice visibly covering her mouth, trying to tear her gaze away. But it was too late, and the Buneary swivelled away and keeled over, green and yellow gunk rushing from her mouth. Instinct took over, and Sam hurried to her side, gently patting her back as she struggled to recover. Alice didn't resist the help.

The Scorbunny swallowed, forcing the bile in his own throat back down as he turned his attention back towards the scene again, the other corpses were arguably in an even worst state. One Mon's head had practically explo-

Nope. Nope.

Sam stumbled away himself, all the anger and worry dissipating as he pressed a hand against a nearby tree, struggling to stop himself from vomiting himself.

"What…" he managed to gasp, "W-What the hell happened?"

Managing to recover, he turned to find that the members of Team Spirit were already moving into the clearing. Jack had touched down near one of the more distant bodies, inspecting her wounds. Oscar did the same for the dead Gallade, and Esper herself was inspecting the Scyther. Alice was wiping her mouth, still not fully turning to face the devastation.

Sam shakingly walked forward, struggling to tear his gaze away from it all. He barely registered the others speak, Esper giving orders, Jack and Oscar nervously responding to those. Alice finally recovering and barking with anger. Sam just kept walking. He didn't know what they were saying.

The memories of the dead Pikachu and his companions, brutally murdered by Greg, now flashed across his mind too.

Who… who was strong enough to… to do all this?

Sam found himself standing over the corpse of the Breloom, struggling not to gag at the sight. His eyes were closed, but it didn't help seeing he wounds cutting deeply into the grass-type's flesh, that gaping tear in his throat, still glistening-

That was what finally snapped Sam out of his trance. He blinked, focusing more closely on the wound, Something's off… like he's-

The Breloom's eyes snapped open, desperately gasping for air. Sam recoiled back with a yelp, "W-Whatthe- Guys!" he screamed, "Someone's still alive over here!"

Esper and Alice sprinted over as Jack and Oscar quickly moved to double check the other bodies. Sam dropped down to one knee, eyes locking back onto the struggling Breloom. He leaned forward, moving to put pressure on the wound.

W-Wait! Sam pulled them back a touch, staring at the gigantic, pulsing wound in the survivor's throat. I could end up choking him trying to stop the bleeding!

Alice slid to a halt opposite Sam, "What are you waiting for!?" she hissed, moving to try and press the wound herself.

"You could end up killing him!" Sam barked back, enough for Alice to freeze in surprise.

"He's right!" Esper shouted, coming in by her side. "The wound's too large, we need more than that!"

Alice grinded her teeth, "Does any here have any healing moves?"

The psychic-type narrowed her eyes. "No." She snapped her attention over towards something behind him, "Get back to the town, find someone with healing moves! Now!"

A Houndour shakingly turned towards them, mouth stained green and yellow. He must have followed them from the town. And the poor guy barely responded, clearly in a daze.

Esper's eyes flashed blue, "NOW!"

With that, the Houndour snapped to attention, "G-I'll be back!"

As he ran, Oscar and Jack were now by their sides. The beaver's eyes widened, "By gol- Jack, I'm going to need you to fly up into the trees. Find as many berries as you can, I'm going to try and find herbs!"

Fingers digging into the soil, Sam glared at him. "How's that going to help!?" he howled.

"Keeping him alive!" Oscar countered, starting to run for the forest.

"We'll be right back!" Jack added, taking to the air.

Sam couldn't argue with them as Esper pulled an Oran Berry out of her satchel. "Sam, hold his head!" She said, mashing the berry up in her paws. "I'll apply this, then you put the pressure on. Alice, raise his legs!"

Sam scrambled into action, holding the Breloom's head still as Esper started spreading the Oran paste across the neck wound. As soon as she pulled her hands away, Sam pressed his paws in, wincing at the squishing noise jabbing at his ear.

Esper was beginning to pull something else out of her satchel when the grass-type's paw grasped her arm. Glancing up, the Scorbunny could see her trying to push the hand away, only to freeze. The Breloom's eyes were slightly closed now, wet streaks running down his face as he looked over at the feline.

His lips were faintly moving, but something squirted underneath Sam's paws, dragging his attention away.

Sam let out a faint hiss, the blue paste that had been the oran berry was quickly turning red. Gritting his teeth, he pressed his paws harder against the wound, wincing as the Breloom groaned. "I'm sorry! Alice! Can you give me a hand!"

Out of his sight, came a faint grunt. "Just getting his legs propped up!" Alice replied.

"Alright, Esper, do you have another-"

He looked up to find Esper leaning forward, her hands resting against the Breloom's head. "E-Esper? What you doing?"

Esper closed her eyes, head dipping down as if focusing on something. The wounded Mon's eyes remained fixed on her, as were Sam's. He almost felt his paws peel away from the neck, his chest tightening as he pressed them back in. What did he say to her? Or… is he saying some-

The Meowstic screamed, yanking her hands away and grasping her head. Blue lights flashed underneath her ears as she stumbled away, eyes squeezed shut. Sam jerked back, the Breloom gasping faintly underneath his paws. The fuck!?

"Esper!" Alice shouted, eyes widening as she stepped towards her.

The feline's eye snapped open, the air rippling as the scream amplified. Now the Buneary was screaming too, grasping her ears. Hot knives stabbed at Sam's own, but with little choice, he could only tuck his head in, squeezing his eyes shut as his ears burned.

The psychic scream ceased, but Esper was on her knees, still clutching her head and crying out with pain. Alice had fallen onto her back next to Sam and the Breloom, grinding her teeth. "What the fuck happened!?" she barked, weakly trying to push herself up.

Shit! Alice is in no state to push back towards Esper again! But we can't just leave her or this guy in trouble!

Violently shaking his head, Sam reached across and grabbed Alice's shoulder, tight. "Take over! I've got this!"

Alice half froze, even as her paw drifted towards the Breloom's neck. "W-Don't be stupid!"

But it was too late, Sam was already running for Esper. "Sam! Stop!" Alice roared, already applying pressure to the wound, unable to pursue.

It took him only two seconds to close the distance.

Just enough to time for Oscar to emerge from the trees, and enough for Sam to catch his cry.

"W-Sam! Don't to-"

Sam's hand grasped onto her shoulder, "Es-"

Esper's eyes flashed open, glowing a dark blue. He tried to recover, to pull away. But it was too late, the light from the psychic's eyes engulfing him.

Blue light and black shadows streaked around him, all sense of his body gone as he rushed through the space. Figures formed across his vision, emerging from the stream of colours. The Scyther appeared before him, an ethereal blue in place of the typical green. His eyes wide in panic as he flew through the air. A dark shadow grasped him from behind, yanking him back before whipping him down towards the faint form of the trunk.

In a flash of green light, the Scyther's head slammed through the spike.

Agony rushed through Sam's skull, the Scorbunny desperately trying to scream as something punched straight through, but nothing escaped his mouth – if it was even there. Instead, he was thrown aside, the blue lines a blur as he was dragged towards another figure. This time a Medicham, a shadowy blade sinking into her chest, and sending another spike rushing through him and Sam into another silent scream as the world flashed green.

He was thrown from figure to figure, torturing him with their dying moments. The Gallade's neck being snapped, limbs being torn off, a head exploding as a whip flew through it. Each kill sending Sam teetering beyond agony, in a bathing green light.

In a sea of darkness and emerald specks of lights, a new shape began to take form. A shape Sam realised he was retreating from.

It was quadrupedal, a dark shape which seemed to be set ablaze in green energy. The shape of an Electrike.

No! No!

Zeke rushed forward, teeth glistening as his teeth sank into his throat.

Only then did Sam's scream finally reach his ears, feeling his flesh rip and tear before after what felt like an eternity, he was tossed aside.

Choking on his own blood, Sam could only watch as Zeke strolled away from the killing field, the limp form of a Trumbeak wrapped in a green tendril that hung behind him.

Kalian-

The water gun slammed into his chest, the air rushing out of his lungs as he was flung back and landed with a thud. He gasped, panting for breath. A hand squeezed his arm. "FUCK FUCK FUCK!" Sam shrieked, trying to bounce away from-

"It's just me!" Oscar bellowed, eyes wide as he tightened his grip on Sam's squirming arm.

Sam blinked, his skin clammy and fur drenched in sweat. "F-w-what?"

"You're okay." The big beaver stressed, "I broke the link."

"L-L-Link…"

Across the way, Jack had touched down next to Esper, helping the feline to her feet.

Something thumped behind him, and glancing over his shoulder, he could see the Breloom staring blankly at him, his chest no longer moving as Alice pulled her bloody paws away, softly panting herself.

W-What the hell was that… no… Zeke… Zeke can't have done all this… And I… I…

He turned towards Esper, the Meowstic's own fur soggy and her ears hanging limply. She seemed to look right past him, as if staring at some now distant place far away with cloudy eyes.

"E-Esper…" Sam managed to stutter, "W-What was that?"

Her eyes cleared, focusing back onto the Scorbunny. Her breathing rapid, as if she was about ready to faint.

And when she finally spoke, it became all too clear that she was terrified.

"Something I haven't felt in a long time…"

The following couple of hours seemed to last for an eternity. The flames had quickly been doused in the clinic, although it had been rendered uninhabitable between that and the explosion. An explosion that seemed to have been caused by none other than Zeke himself.

The corpses had to be carried back to the Guildtree too, to be stored in the morgue until they can be sent back home, or given a proper funeral in Robinswood. And that was on top of the Guild sweeping through the town like a wave, scouring the place for any signs of other intruders or just shoring up its defences. Others rushed towards the port, and towards the scarred remains of Broken Wood, to warn them and make sure those locations were secure.

Sam had kept himself busy in those hours. As had Alice. The still shaken Esper had swiftly retreated into the Guildtree, with Oscar in hot pursuit. Jack himself broke off very quickly, if only to check to see his family was safely out of the way before he'd rush to help his teammates.

He didn't blame Esper for her withdrawal though. As Sam assisted his fellow Guild members, he secretly wished that the work in securing the town didn't end. His mind remained almost completely fixed on that… that vision. The deaths of Team Battle, and the team that came to help them – Team Talisman. The scene was bad enough, but seeing their deaths? Feeling how they died. Every last second of it.

The work was the only thing keeping him from letting that vision consume him entirely.

But soon enough, another member of the guild was tapping his shoulder. He was to report to the Guildmaster's office immediately.

With a heavy sigh, Sam made his way up the Guildtree alone, now effectively emptied of its inhabitants. He tried to focus his attention on what Rex would want him for, and the answer became all too clear. No doubt Esper had to report to him about what had happened.

Esper must have seen the same thing I did, somekind of psychic… what? Feedback?

It didn't matter. Either way, Sam must have been as much a witness as Esper was. No doubt Rex would want to get every last bit of information he could. Including from him.

He was dragged out of his thoughts by the sound of arguing coming down the corridors, and soon enough, he found Alice waiting outside the door, her eyes fixed on the door. The voices were now clear now. He could hear the high shrill of Brooks' voice on the other side, as well as Triss' grumpy tone.

Of course the Representatives would be here. Sam moaned mentally to himself as he stepped alongside Alice. "How bad is it?" he asked.

"Bad." She replied curtly, her eyes staying fixed on the doors.

Sam shuffled his feet, looking at the Buneary by the corner of his eye. She was stoic, paws clenched into fists. It didn't take a genius to see she was angry. Either from the events of the night, the reveal of his human identity, or perhaps both.

Probably both.

'BECAUSE I THOUGHT YOU WERE MY FRIEND!'

Trembling with his arms limp by his side, Sam turned towards her, "Alice. I'm-"

"We better get in there." She interrupted coldly, planting her paws on one of the doors to push it open. Sam flinched, the words sending a tremor running through his body. But he didn't have time to think about it, rushing to follow Alice inside.

Standing on opposite sides to the table on the lower level, Brooks and Triss were arguing with each other, furious looks written across their faces. Calvin stood as best as he could between them, the dragon stretching his arms between them. Further back, Mary was sat on one of the couches next to Esper, a comforting hand on the latter's shoulder as her head was buried in her hands. Rex leaned against the railing between the two offices, rubbing his forehead whilst his beak was clenched. He almost missed Damon, one hand resting on the bookcases and his eyes flicking between the contents and the argument at the centre of the room.

"You can't just be thinking about the damage to the clinic!" Triss hissed, stomping her foot into the wooden floor.

The fat Kricketune merely waved one of his bladed arms away, whistling as he did so. "I'm not blind to circumstances of those affected. But without a functioning clinic, the entire community become less efficient and less able to receive-"

"Seven Pokémon are dead!" She snapped back, "Two of whom are from Mist. Nevermind those grieving. You should treat them with some more respect before considering your 'profits'!"

A deep growl rumbled from Calvin, a faint hint of smoke blowing out of the Charizard's nostrils. "I'm not a politician, but whenever you both have a point or not doesn't matter. We've got people to try and help!"

Sam stood half frozen at the edge of the office, his chest tight as he surveyed the whole scene. He had never felt tension like it.

"Perhaps so." Brooks started, "As long-"

"Not another of your damn conditions!" Triss countered, "You outsiders wou-"

A feathered fist slammed onto the table, everyone's head spinning towards Rex. The Blaziken seemed to darken physically before them, his eyes like ice. Under his fur, Sam felt himself pale, he had never seen the Guildmaster looking this angry before.

"This debate will have to wait until another time. My first priority is making sure Robinwood and it's people are safe. After that, my second priority will be finding the culprit behind this attack."

He almost snarled the last few words, only making Sam's body tighten further. Damn…

The representatives from Grass and Mist seemed to stiffen too, internally debating wherever or not counter the words of the Guildmaster. But the fire-type's dark expression seemed to shut those plans down, Brooks shying away, and Triss backing up, fur erect.

"Then do tell me how you intend to… apprehend this individual, or group of individuals." Damon questioned, turning to face the avian with a narrowed gaze. "As representative Triss pointed out, they had already dispatched two of your teams in brutal fashion." The frog crossed his arms. "How would you even fight such a foe? Never mind finding someone who will fight them?"

Rex focused his cold gaze on the Greninja, "We'll gather as much intelligence as we can, then we can plan out the best plan of attack."

"Rex is right." Calvin said, clenching his fist. "This bastard has to have a weakness, once we've got that, we can take him down." The Charizard bared his fangs, "Hell, I'll lead the Teams myself!"

Unfazed, Damon merely tilted his head, "I don't doubt your own abilities Calvin, as a former Rescuer yourself. And I am sure the Guildmaster here has the means to investigate, but that still doesn't solve the core problem. Who is skilled enough to go, and who would be willing to risk their lives against such an opponent?"

He turned towards Rex. "And don't say you'd volunteer yourself, Rex. I know of your reputation. But you can't simply punch the problem away yourself. If you disappear, I doubt your Guild would hold together. Likewise I doubt it'll help if you do the same Calvin."

Sam could almost feel the scowl Rex showed. Damon is a right prick. Sam thought to himself with a tightening chest, But he's not wrong. I… I felt how those guys died. Whatever Zeke is… he's dangerous. Who would be brave enough to try? And if Rex vanished trying to deal with this… who knows what would happen to Robinwood? I think Rex knows it too.

"That won't matter if we don't know what we are dealing with." Mary finally said, turning her attention away from Esper. "Unfortunately, the only hints that we have to the perpetrators identity is Esper here, and via psychic feedback… our young friend here."

The Mawile bowed her head towards the Scorbunny.

Sam's heart fluttered as everyone in the room sans Esper turned towards him. Not just the Guildmaster, but all five representatives. It was almost as if the whole world had suddenly turned an eye onto him.

"P-Psychic feedback?" Sam asked weakly.

Mary rested her hands across her lap, focusing her gaze on him and seemingly satisfied Esper would be okay for now. "Yes. Psychic abilities do involve the mind after all. Sometimes if a psychic type is under strain, others around them might receive echoes, even if they aren't psychic themselves. By touching Esper, and from what I've heard from the others in Team Spirit, you tapped into what Esper actually saw. Am I right?"

Brooks and Triss seemed to settle into their seats, whilst Calvin withdrew to join Rex. The Scorbunny gulped, not comfortable with the sudden interest. Alice wasn't exactly any help either, he could feel her gaze staring into the back of his head.

"Take your time." Mary softly said.

Can't just stand here like a stick in the mud. Sam weakly admitted to himself.

Rubbing his hands, Sam stepped forward towards the table. "I… I saw them getting killed by Zeke." He explained.

"Zeke?" Brooks asked quizzingly.

"A Rescuer from the Guild. I rescued him a while ago, but he had only just woken up like… yesterday."

Rex stepped towards the table himself, eyes narrowed again, "He didn't show any signs that he was planning on doing this when we spoke to him. And that was hours ago."

"I know." Sam stressed, "But he did try to kill me back when I found him… maybe it is tied with that?"

The representatives shared a glance between themselves, as if trying to process this information. Rex himself seemed to finally relax somewhat, if only by having a new problem to chew on as he scratched his beak.

"Was there anything in this vision abut Zeke you've noticed?" Mary gently pressed.

Sam hesitated, not wanting to recall how each person died under that attack, "I… Zeke was attacking them with some kind of… green moves. Not electric. A whip of some kind… and some kind of shadow…"

Calvin's eyes narrowed, "A shadow?"

Nodding back, Sam continued, "Aye… that shadow was holding Kaliani, she was recovering in the clinic too… I think that Shadow… it was killing the guildmembers." He let out a faint sigh, "It was… all around Zeke. Like a cloak."

A few concerned glances formed around him, Calvin's brow drawing together, Rex's beak scratching intensifying, Damon… merely raising his eyes.

"Almost sounds as if he's being empowered by something." Mary noted.

"Empowered?" Calvin grunted, "I've seen some fucked up shit, but nothing 'bout some kind of shadow power."

Finally ceasing his scratching, Rex's fist clenched. "Shadow… almost sounds like-"

"Dark Matter."

The air seemed to freeze around him, his eyes immediately flashing towards the source. Esper had finally raised her face, wiping it clean with one paw. The entire room seemed to shudder at the two words. Calvin's lip curled back, Mary's eyes widened. Triss slowly shook her head, as if trying to deny it. Brooks started to hyperventilate, his chest rising and falling rapidly. Alice!

When he turned to look at her, the Buneary was frozen. Her eyes blankly staring into space, her arms limp by her side.

Dark Matter… the same thing that helped kill her family… that nearly destroyed the world… how it still scares everyone now…

Only Rex and Damon seemed almost unfazed, the former's brow wrinkling, deep in thought. Damon merely tightened his crossed arms, eyes narrowing even more.

"Nonsense." Damon finally said, tone deepening, "Dark Matter was destroyed six years ago."

Esper shook her head, softly sighing. "I was there." She stressed, "I felt Dark Matter die. But I also felt what was going on with those it enslaved… and I felt something similar here."

Sam tilted a ear, trying to process what exactly Esper was saying. "So… what you and I felt wasn't Dark Matter? Or was it?"

"It wasn't." Esper replied.

"Oh thank Arceus." Brooks uttered, wiping his forehead with a sigh of relief. "We didn't need anything like that happening again."

Esper's frown deepened, "That wasn't a positive. Because whatever was in that vision wasn't Zeke."

The silence cut through the room again, Sam's body starting to shiver as Rex motioned for himself and Alice to approach the table. "How so then?" Triss finally asked, "You make it sound like Dark Matter's control and what happened here are two different things."

The Meowstic narrowed her eyes, "People tend to think that Dark Matter possessed Pokémon. But in practice it's more like it… corrupts them, manipulates them. It's more like puppetry. They possess elements of their personality, but that corruption is subtle. They found themselves slowly following it's whims until they lose themselves along the way. You can sense they are still there, but they aren't really themselves anymore."

Off to his side, Sam barely just caught Alice audibly scoff at the words. Disbelieving even.

"Makes sense." Calvin admitted, "And what of Zeke?"

Sighing, Esper shook her head, "I never felt that at all. That's the problem. I sensed a dark presence in the vision… but I felt no sign of Zeke either. Or if he is there, I can barely sense him. It's like someone – or something – shoved his mind aside and took control of him entirely. That's why his abilities seem different."

Shivering, she scanned the entire group, "Something else killed those Pokémon. Something dark and very powerful. It makes what Dark Matter pulled look like child's play, or at the very least, is very focused on one individual."

Sam's eyes flicked across the group, he never went through the Dark Matter Crisis. And if he somehow did, he didn't remember it. But he had heard about it, how it affected the whole world. It was how all the Continents formed countries in the first place. And this thing… whatever Zeke is… is worst?

The words of that star in his dreams crept back into his mind, Is… is this it? Is this what I'm meant to stop? Or just the first step to something more?

Rex sighed, "Then we need to find Zeke – or whoever is inhabiting his body – and stop him. The risk to the rest of the Sea of Wonders and the continents is too great to ignore."

"All the more reason for your teams to refuse to go." Damon said, rubbing his fingers together. "I could call upon troops from Sand Continent to… deal with this individual."

Calvin's eyes flashed red. "That violates every treaty we've made regarding the continents. We can get teams ready her-"

"I highly doubt that." Damon countered, "Nor are Guildmaster's Rex's teams… particularly highly ranked? Diamond at most? That used to be your humble Gold Rank after all. I'm offering-"

"I'll go."

For the first time, Damon stiffened, his eyes flicking towards the source, along with the gaze of every single other person in the room.

Aimed directly at Sam.

Fffuck. Sam thought, I've lost my mind… but… I can't just sit back with a threat like this. And I… I brought Zeke here…

Alice hissed in his ear, "Sam, what the fuck are you doing?"

"Doing the right thing." Sam countered with a hiss of his own, stepping forward towards the table again, straightening his back and narrowing his eyes. "I rescued Zeke in the first place. Those deaths are on me, and it's my responsibility to bring him down."

Damon seemed to darken before him, "You can't be serious. You are barely a novice, you are no match for this entity."

"You said it yourself." Sam quipped, shrugging, "Not many people will want to go, you've got yourself a volunteer here and now."

The Greninja's eyes merely narrowed further.

"No Sam!" Esper barked, trying to rise to her feet, "This is a threat far beyond anything you've ever faced. I'll go with Team Spirit, we're the most-"

She suddenly cried out, grasping her head as she slumped back to her seat. Mary swiftly rested a hand on her shoulder, "You're not in any state to go into a fight Esper." She turned towards Sam, directly making eye contact. "But she is also right, you aren't ready for this."

"I concur." Triss added, bowing her head towards him, "I admire your bravery, but this is a job for someone more experienced than yourself."

Come on! You've got someone willing to get involved! And I'm not letting anyone else die on my watch!

Snarling, Sam turned towards Rex. "Guildmaster, I have to do this. I don't see many others volunteering and I've beaten the odds before."

Rex's features softened, his eyes flicking away, a talon scraping the bottom of his beak.

The Scorbunny leaned on the table, eyes fixed on the Blaziken, "Please Rex, let me do this."

Calvin looked over the Scorbunny, a brow raised, "You could die on this mission. Is that something you're prepared for?"

This is my chance. I could opt out here. Right now. No one would blame me.

But at the same time, he only felt the fire in his chest intensify.

He nodded back, "I'm positive."

Over his shoulder, he felt a deep sigh, and a brown shape appear at the edge of his vision. "I'll go as well. Make sure he doesn't get himself killed."

Alice…

Calvin's eyes flicked between the two rabbits, as if peering into their very hearts before turning his gaze towards Rex. "It's your call Rex."

The guildmaster barely reacted, his eyes staring at some distant point on the ground. Deep in thought. Sam resisted the urge to shout, or to tap his foot impatiently. Begging for Rex to decide.

"Team Audacity…" He finally started, raising his head. "…I'm clearing you to go after Zeke and Kaliani."

Esper's eyes widened, "Guildmaster! Y-You can't-"

"I've made my decision Esper." He replied sternly, not even looking her way. "As soon as we have a lead, Team Audacity will handle this."

Sam let out a faint sigh of relief, Thanks Rex.

Damon's eyes seemed to burn, "Then I leverage my authority as Representative of Sand Continent." He declared, "I'm putting an end to this act of suicide."

"Then I'm leveraging my authority as Air's Representative to allow this to go ahead." The Charizard growled, turning towards the Greninja, "Rex trusts these two to get the job done." He nodded towards the two rabbits, "So, I'll trust his judgement. Besides, I've got a good feeling about these two."

The Greninja didn't even quiver, but his voice had clearly deepened, "Then their deaths are on your conscience then." He turned towards Triss, the Zebstrika taking a moment to look round at him.

She quietly shook her head.

Damon didn't reply.

Brooks motioned with one of his bladed arms, "I do believe there is one small problem… where Master Zeke and Miss Kaliani are now?"

A faint knock came forward from the doors, and Rex merely bowed his head towards them. "I believe this is your answer Representative. Come in!"

The door swung open, revealing a red and grey falcon leaning through the door, "Monsieur Rex?" he asked in a rather strong accent that seemed… oddly familiar to the Scorbunny.

"Ah, Jean." Rex said warmly, "Do you have anything to report?"

The Talonflame pushed his way through into the room with far more ease than Perry had, "One of our fliers has returned, she spotted the Electrike dragging a flying type, towards the mountains west of here."

"Any mountain in particular?"

Jean bowed his head, "Qui. It was Waterfall Mountain."

Alice's uncoiled ear twitched, "Waterfall Mountain?" she asked.

Esper sat back up again, a hand from Mary holding her in place, "It's a mountain on the coast, as you can probably imagine, it's covered in waterfalls running from the upper slopes, which are covered in thick mist."

The picture of a mountain mostly made of water flashed across Sam's mind, Sounds rather… pretty.

She narrowed her eyes, "It also happens to be a Mystery Dungeon."

And of course it is. Sam groaned.

Alice frowned, "Is it at risk of collapse? Broken Wood was bad enough."

"The most recent expedition to the Mountain reported that the Dungeon was in extremely good condition." Rex replied, "Whatever is afflicting the other dungeons clearly hasn't affected Waterfall Mountain yet, but that is not what you should be worried about."

The Dungeon isn't the problem? Sam tilted his head, "How come?"

Rex hesitated, "It is split into two dungeons, the first half is fairly straight forward. But the second half… is more difficult to traverse. Only myself and Esper have made it through, and the mist was so thick we couldn't navigate. We had to retreat out of the Dungeon proper."

Sam tapped his foot, trying to imagine the state of the dungeon in his head, Maybe Zeke will only go through the first half? But… but I've got a feeling that he'll make a run for the second. And if he gets through there… would we ever be able to find him and Kaliani?

Come on Sam, focus. Don't start doubting yourself now!

He instead turned his attention back to Rex, "Then we'll need to be careful then, and make sure we've got kit on hand."

Rex slowly nodded back in approval. "Very well. Team Audacity, get yourselves ready, I'll make some final preparations before you depart. Once you are ready, go to Waterfall Mountain. Try and save Kaliani. And if you can, Zeke as well."

Feeling a new found strength, Sam sharply nodded back, "We'll get it done."

"We will." Alice confirmed.

Rex turned his gaze across the room, "Then it's settled. We all have a lot of work to do."

Most of the gathered Pokémon flooded out of the office, Sam and Alice leading the way, whilst Esper, Mary, Triss, Brooks and Jean set off after them, leaving Rex alone with the remaining two representatives.

Damon uncrossed his arms, "This is a bold move guildmaster."

Rex's muscles tightened, "It is an unorthodox plan to be sure, but I will be making sure they do have support in reserve."

"A wise approach." He replied, "I must admit, I'm surprised Sam would even do this, or his companion for that matter, Alice, I believe?"

"They have done a lot in their short time here." Rex explained, feeling a hint of pride swell within him. "If any team can get the job done. It'll be them."

"Perhaps." Damon replied coldly, "They might be riding high now, but such highs always come to an end eventually. Sometimes… brutally."

He turned away, "I hope you do understand the costs if they fail."

The Greninja strolled out of the office, leaving Rex alone with only Calvin. The Charizard growled as the door slipped shut, "Manipulative bastard."

Rex sighed as he slowly climbed the steps to the upper level. "And yet you still entered politics."

"Mainly as a favour to Abraham." Calvin grunted as he followed him, "Besides, I can't dive into rescues all the time anymore. Got other responsibilities nowadays."

As Rex sat down behind his desk, Calvin placed his claws on his waist. "Being a dick aside, Damon's got a point. Sending a Bronze Rank team against someone who took out Gold Ranks? It's a big risk, what exactly do you see in them to let them try it?"

The Blaziken slumped in his seat, "That would be… complicated to explain."

Narrowing his eyes, the Charizard puffed out another bit of smoke, "I don't have Abraham's powers, but I'm not stupid. I know you too well Rex. I'm speaking as your friend here, not a fucking representative, I know you think those two are going to be important down the line. World changing levels of important."

Clicking his beak, the Blaziken merely nodded, "You can say that."

"I figured as much. I thought I saw a bit of Tobias in him."

He flashed a small smirk, "And to be honest, a little bit of you."

Rex huffed, bemused at the comment, "Perhaps from a long time ago."

"Come on Rex." Calvin replied, plopping himself into one of the seats, "The way he carries himself, you've definitely rubbed off on him. He's definitely more like you then you realise."

Closing his eyes, Rex leaned back in his seat, "Yes. He's going to be important. But… he does remind me of a young Pokémon many years ago…"

Twenty Five Years Ago

The Azumarill slowly backed up, panting desperately as her eyes flicked left to right, desperate for an escape route. The group of five Pokémon crept towards her, forming an arched line before her. The bandits were trying to box her in.

She felt cold rock bump into her back, a quick glance behind her revealing the cliff rising up above her. Definitely cornered now, she had already managed to get one good hit in but-

The water type winced, feeling the spike of pain running down her arm. She glanced over, seeing the flicker of blood coming out of the wound.

At the head of the bandit group, a Golduck rubbed his hands together, his red eyes glowing with barely concealed humour. "Come on lady… pass us the key to that chest you traders were carrying, and we probably won't have too much fun…"

Hissing back, the Azumarill tried to find a way out. Could she blow one away? No, the formation was too tight, she wouldn't get through in time.

The Golduck shrugged, "Up to you then. Boys, let's get her."

The bandits took a step forward.

The Azumarill clenched her fist.

A shadow formed over the bandits. "I wouldn't do that if I were you!"

The five bandits snapped their gazes up, wincing as the sun shone in their face.

An orange-yellow Pokémon dropped down between the Azumarill and the bandits. It was avian in shape, standing on two grey legs and had arms ending in long claws.

The Combusken flashed a grin, "Because trust me, it ain't worth it."

The Golduck snarled at him, eyes burning, "Who the fuck are you, punk?!"

Rolling his shoulders, the Combusken started to pace before them. "The name's Rex." He declared, "Just your friendly neighbourhood mercenary. I tend to get paid for protecting traders but… well… after seeing what you guys were doing, I'd figured I'd go in and help out."

Rex glanced back towards the Azumarill, the humour disappearing from his face, "Alright?" he said quietly and sincerely.

Nervously, the Azumarill managed to muster a small smile before nodding back.

Turning back towards the bandits, Rex scraped his claws against each other, narrowing his orange eyes on them. "So, walk away now, or you'll get what's coming."

The bandits turned towards the Golduck, who's fists clenched, "You think you can boss us around?! Come on boys!" The gem on his head glowed, "Let's teach him a lesson!"

Raising his claws, Rex settled into a combat stance, "Gonna be honest here…"

The Combusken flashed a grin, "Was kinda hoping you'd say that."

And with that, the mercenary jumped forward into the fray.

The Story Continues In

POKÉMON MYSTERY DUNGEON

GUARDIANS OF BALANCE

And

POKÉMON MYSTERY DUNGEON

MERCENARIES OF DAWN

Author's Note 2: I hoped you enjoyed that chapter! And I'm also very happy to announce not just the continuation of GoB, but an additional story that will run alongside it. I'd like to confirm a new fan-fic, Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Mercenaries of Dawn.

Mercenaries of Dawn (MoD) is set in the same canon as Guardians of Balance (GoB), but takes place twenty five years before the events of GoB... which also happens to be nine years before the events of Rescue Team. Yes, MoD is a prequel to the wider GoB/Canon-verse. It'll feature Rex as the protagonist in his younger days, where Rescue Teams and Explorer Teams and the like weren't around, instead, there are only mercenaries. But when one job goes wrong, Rex finds himself on a new journey across the Air Continent with new companions. A journey of vengence... that will lead him to shape things to come.

I don't know when I'll start MoD, given how slow I am doing posts at the moment and how many things I'm trying to do, but I do hope to start MoD sooner rather than later, especially as the events in MoD will ultimately tie heavily to the events of GoB.