Chapter 11: Retrospective

Everyone gathered around a whiteboard Oranguru and Toucannon had set up. Oranguru had written a location on the whiteboard.

(Oranguru) "It's time to go for the Dawn Wings. Me and Toucannon haven't located the Dusk Mane yet, but we are hard at work on it. So, we will stay here for the time being. The rest of you will be headed to the location of the Dawn Wings."

Oranguru pointed to an "X" on the whiteboard. The "X" was located on a volcano.

(Oranguru) "This is the location of the Dawn Wings. This is a place called Twilight Volcano. Toucannon has marked the location on the map we will be giving you. The Dawn Wings are guarded by the legendary Pokémon; Lunala. Owen...you will be leading this trip."

Oranguru tossed Owen a map and a few walkie-talkies.

(Oranguru) "The Twilight Volcano should be within range of the walkie-talkies. When you get the Dawn Wings, let us know. If we discover the location of the Dusk Mane, we'll communicate it over the walkie-talkie so you can head immediately there."

(Toucannon) "Please, remain safe and together as much as possible. However in case you do become separated, we have provided you with multiple walkie-talkies."

(Oranguru) "We will do everything in our power to find the locations of the Dusk Mane and the Temple of Light. Until then, we expect you to do the same going after the Dawn Wings. Get ready, and you will be heading out within the hour. Good luck."

Oranguru and Toucannon got back to researching. Owen, Eli, Tristan, and Grimsnarl started gathering supplies for the trip. Pawmo and Charcadet were about to join them when they were pulled asside by Barnaby.

(Barnaby) "Hey."

(Pawmo) "What do you want?"

(Charcadet) "If you're going to pick a fight with us or something, we don't have the time for it."

(Barnaby) "That's not what I want. I have a question."

(Pawmo) "Is the question, 'Why are you 2 so stupid?'"

(Barnaby) "Can I just speak?"

(Charcadet) "Fine. What is it?"

(Barnaby) "How do you know if you feel bad about something you did in the past?"

(Pawmo) "You? Feel bad about something? Don't make us laugh."

(Barnaby) "I'm being serious. This morning, Eli told me that even after I hurt him he still cared about me for 3 years. I don't understand. I'm supposed to be a tough member of Team Strength. So why am I being affected by what he told me?"

Pawmo and Charcadet looked at each other, and laughed.

(Charcadet) "Yeah right. You feeling bad about being a jerk? Like that'd ever happen."

(Pawmo) "We aren't falling for any of your tricks. We're going to pack for the trip. You can try to fool someone else."

(Charcadet) "Bye! Ha ha ha!"

Pawmo and Charcadet walked away. Barnaby growled in frustration, and walked outside. He punched a nearby tree in anger.

(Barnaby) "What's their problem?!? I try to be genuine and ask a question and they just laugh at me. Why can't they just stop being stupid for once, and believe me?"

(Past Barnaby) "Why do you think they won't listen to you?"

Barnaby froze. He turned to see...himself. However, the version of him he saw was him back as a Rockruff.

(Barnaby) "Wh-who are you?"

(Past Barnaby) "I'm you dummy. I'm the remaining part of your past."

(Barnaby) "What are you doing here? "

(Past Barnaby) "Why do you think the others won't listen to you? In the past 3 years, you've become this cruel jerk who got corrupted by the promise of power. You hurt Eli, your friends tried to hurt Pawmo and Charcadet, and you threatened Owen. And you think the others are going to trust what you say?"

(Barnaby) "Well...when you put it that way..."

(Past Barnaby) "What happened to you? You used to care. You used to be nice. You used to run races with Eli across town. Now look at you. What happened?"

(Barnaby) "I just wanted to get stronger."

(Past Barnaby) "Why? Because that Krookodile hurt you? You didn't want to get hurt like that again, right? Well all you've done is pass that hurt to everyone else. Especially Eli."

(Barnaby) "I don't need to hear this from you. You're just a small, weak, and helpless Rockruff."

(Past Barnaby) "Wow. And to think I thought you had a change of heart. You think strength is all that matters. Well look at Eli. He's not as strong as you. But his life seems to be going well. He has lots of friends, a home, and a good heart. He doing good for himself despite not being strong like you. You think you need to be strong to have a good life. But I remember you were happy back in the good old days when it was you and Eli."

Past Barnaby started to walk away. However, he stopped and looked back at Barnaby.

(Past Barnaby) "One day you're going to be alone. No amount of strength is going to help with that."

Past Barnaby faded away as he walked away.

(Barnaby) "Whatever! I don't need you. And I certainly don't need Eli. I don't know what I was thinking."

Barnaby headed back to the shelter. However, he stopped just outside the doorway. He peered in to see everyone gathwring supplies for the trip. Eli was chatting away with Owen, Tristan, Pawmo, and Charcadet. Owen told some sort of joke, and Eli laughed. Barnaby looked at Eli's scar. He never thought about it before, but he was the one who gave Eli the scar. Barnaby left the doorway, and headed back into the forest. A memory flashed in Barnaby's mind. It was of him about to be attacked by Krookodile. Suddenly, the memory changed. Krookodile was replaced by Barnaby and the small Rockruff Barnaby was reppaced with Eli. Barnaby watched as he saw himself attack Eli. Eli was scared. Barnaby couldn't do anything to stop it.

(Barnaby) "I...I..."

Something touched Barnaby's shoulder. He was snapped back into reality. He turned around to see Grimsnarl.

(Grimsnarl) "Hey."

(Barnaby) "What?"

(Grimsnarl) "Everyone's ready to go. You coming or what?"

(Barnaby) "Yeah yeah. Give me a minute."

(Grimsnarl) "Okay. See you inside."

Grimsnarl left. Barnaby turned away. A tear fell from his face.

(Barnaby) "What have I become?"

End Of Chapter 11