The Doomed Sprout
Chapter 12
The room they arrived in was filled to the brim with various junk, set up on tables and hung on the walls. Fen could vaguely recognize some of them, a broom there, a hammer here, there even seemed to be some sort of map, engraved on a plank of some sort. As she paused to take a closer look, the sound of a raspy throat brought her focus back to the Zoroark that had guided them here.
« So, before anything, I believe introductions are in order. My name is Cylan, and I am the one in charge of this town », said the Shiny, showing them a view of the place through an opening on the wall. « I'm sure you have a lot of questions, and honestly, so do I, but let me start by explaining what a town is... »
« Can we skip that part ? We kinda know that already », grumbled Fen, surprising the Pokemon.
Cylan's eyes narrowed. « Well then… And how exactly do you know what a word I have created means, I wonder ? »
Fen and Lumin shivered, the feeling of constant danger coming back, exuding from the Zoroark as he patiently waited for an answer. « I heard the group we were with talk about it, so I listened in », muttered Fen, doing her best to appear convincing.
« I see… They did not bring such details to my attention, though I suppose the simple fact that you escaped the cage you were both in shows there's a lot more to learn from you two ». Cylan appeared pensive, before snapping his claws together. « Anyway, I've introduced myself, now can you please tell me how two Commons have managed to get here and why were they worrying about a Shiny ? »
The pair nodded, before explaining their situation. Lumin turned out to have quite a good memory, explaining everything that had happened, from seeing a Nidoran climb a tree to her lack of combat skills, and each part of the last few days.
They ended up staying in Cylan's home for quite a long time, but eventually, the story caught up with the present, leaving only questions for them to answer before… something. Fen wasn't quite sure what they were doing or planning, but they didn't seem dangerous, so she was more than happy to answer them for now. Still, it seemed like the Zoroark was acting rather strange, focusing on small details, like her attempt to carry around berries from the lake, or Lumin trying to burn the illusion tree recently. The discussion was also very one-sided, Cylan barely giving them any information about where they were, if Sera was even coming, and their safety. Still, they had little choice, and it seemed like Lumin was completely fine with the situation, even though he was facing a powerful Outcast. Maybe she shouldn't overthink it.
« And so, you believe your sister may be here ? Lou, is that right ? ». The Zoroark's raspy voice shook Fen out of her thoughts.
« Yes », replied Lumin, looking at him expectantly.
« Hmm… I'm sorry, but the name does not ring a bell. We do have two Shinxes, but neither of them has this name or talked of a brother »
Lumin's gaze didn't change, though Fen noticed his tail falling on the floor, betraying his emotions. « Do you know where she could be ? », he asked.
Cylan appeared surprised by the question, probably because, just like Sera, he isn't used to Commons asking anything. He cleared his throat before answering. « I do not, I apologize. Our little town is hidden from view with my illusions, it's unlikely that she'd just wander around here »
Fen nudged herself closer, curious. « How did this even happen, by the way ? The creation of a town, I mean. How were you able to start something like that, and to even have these search parties like the one for Sera ? »
Cylan coughed, visibly uncomfortable, before answering in a dull voice. « I cannot answer these questions. While it is true that you two are widely different from any Commons we've seen, and even befriended a Shiny, my people are still uncomfortable with your presence. I'm afraid you two will have to leave, and any information I would give you may make things harder for us »
Harder for them… Do they expect us to sneak in and steal stuff or something ? They stole from us first ! Fen muttered under her breath. Suddenly, a detail came to her mind.
« Wait.. us two ? Are you keeping Sera ? »
« Yes. She has shown a clear interest in wanting to stay here. She belongs here, and apparently, she has been in your group only for a short amount of time »
The Nidoran gritted her teeth but said nothing. Lumin looked at her in confusion, not understanding what the problem was.
« A pack only accepts trusted members. We haven't earned their trust yet », he stated.
Both Zoroark and Nidoran stared at him blankly, before Fen turned to the leader.
« Think that's possible ? »
« I think it is. Wait here ». Cylan promptly jumped towards the door, walking on all four, surprising the pair. It seemed like he was quite excited over the idea as a bell's chime could be heard.
« Wait… did he forget to guard us ? », she noticed, laughing at the mishap. Still, she had no intention to cause trouble and simply laid down on a wooden bench next to the savior of the day, Lumin, and plugged the iPad left by the forgetful leader. It wouldn't charge until Lumin started walking again, of course, but it was a nice habit to have.
After a while, Fen opened her eyes, seeing Lumin's usual expressionless face staring right back at her, before pointing out his fur. Apparently, she had fallen asleep on his side and drooled on him, which made her face red in shame. She tried to stand up but then noticed the strange weight pushing on her back, something she'd grown used to with time, which could only mean one thing…
« Sera, please get off of me », the Nidoran sighed.
The weight suddenly lifted as a small thumping sound could be heard. « Oh, sorry ! I thought you'd sleep for longer... »
As Fen looked at the cream Eevee, she sighed, motioning with a paw that it was fine. « Why are you even here, didn't you want to stay with them ? »
Sera pouted, swooshing her tail in frustration. « I just wanted to check on you two before you left ! I tried hard to get you two accepted, but these guys are so stubborn ! ». She stomped the ground, before calming down. « Whatever. So, I'm also here because they want you two to work with them. I think they want you to live near the Se… sorry, the town. For some reason I can't even tell you guys the name »
« The Seed? », asked Fen nonchalantly. « It's written on the sign right there », she said, pointing at a wooden signpost with a small map and ''The Seed'' written in big bold red letters above it.
Sera and Lumin both stared at her for a few seconds, before Sera pointed out that neither of them knew what a sign even was, nor the meaning of the red botches. Fen's habit of keeping the knowledge to herself was getting on the Eevee's nerves, while Lumin simply tilted his head, thinking about asking later about it.
Once Sera calmed down, she escorted them outside the city gate, which Fen deemed pretty pointless given the illusion over the field, but decided not to point it out and anger their guide again. The Eevee lead them towards a small shack, barely still in view from the wooden walls surrounding the town. The house was small, and was clearly never meant to be a permanent construction judging by the lack of polish in its contraptions, with jagged stones on the walls and a small pond on the inside, probably from a leak accumulating water. Sera proudly presented them with this place as their new home for the time being, appearing ecstatic over it and explaining the entire building process of the house, Fen didn't have the heart to stop her and had to wait it out, hoping the incoming sunset would clue her in.
Later on, Lumin arrived with a mouthful of berries, having apparently left prior without either of them noticing, tapping on the ground to grab their attention.
« Oh, hey Lumin, it's good to have you », sighed Fen in relief, happy to interrupt Sera's rambling about the creation of doors. « Didn't notice you slipping out, how did you find these so quickly ? », she said, pointing out the berries.
« No Pokemon nearby makes the search easier », he retorted, dropping the berries on the ground. « The Zoroark's aura is very noticeable and it scares them off, even if they can't figure out why »
« And that's why you guys have this spot, where it's safe ! » Sera straightened herself, looking proud. At this point, Fen was wondering if them being here was her idea. Just how long had they been out for in that cage ?
...speaking of…
« Hey, Sera, do you know if there's anything made out of metal in the Sprout ? »
The Eevee paused. « I remember hearing about this stuff.. Oh yeah ! It was part of some of the houses, but they couldn't make them and were using some ruins. A ruin is something suuuuper old made by other Pokemon before us, by the way ! ». Judging by the sparkles in her eyes, Fen decided not to correct her on whom the ruins belonged to. She's had enough of listening to her ramblings already.
« So they didn't make the cage, then… Probably for the better, honesty. And what of the water, do they... ». Before being able to finish the question, Fen flopped onto the floor, hunger finally taking its toll. Sera giggled, grabbing a berry and pushing it against the Nidoran's face.
« We should eat and rest. The night has already started », pointed out Lumin, appearing at the entrance again, this time carrying leaves inside the shack and neatly arranging them on the floor. He turned towards the duo. « Why is Fen lying in the dirt ? That's not how she usually sleeps ».
Fen only groaned in response.
The night passed on quickly, with everyone being exhausted. Lumin had made his leaf bed again, much like the one Fen had done in the past. She would have done another last night if it wasn't for the exhaustion, or heck, even now, in the morning, since she was already awake, but a certain ball of fluff was trapping her for the time being. Fen chuckled, realizing that Sera was a much better hindrance than a cage to her. Maybe they should've sent her instead of using ancient technology !
Joke aside, though… what now ? She just went from being in a cozy home to living in the woods and needing to piggyback off a native to survive, to finding some semblance of civilization again. So… can she just come back to how she lived before ? Earn their trust over time, then settle into one of these shelters, make friends, and just.. hang out for the rest of time, maybe. There really wasn't anything even hinting at how she came here, or how she came back, and even if there was a civilization… they didn't know what the ''music box'' really was. They're not humans, just Pokemon that for some reason became smarter than most. Could they really get along the same way ? To be fair, their first impression went about the same way as Ethan's, she chuckled. Oh, how I miss your complaining. I never had to talk much with you…
Fen sighed, a feeling of longing welling up in her despite her mind trying to rationalize her situation. Sera's tail wiggled around, poking her snout, momentarily taking her out of her train of thought. How are you two still here, honestly ?
A loud thud suddenly shook the room, jolting everyone on their paws. Sera's ears went up, trying to figure out where the sound was coming from despite the echo from the walls, while Lumin took a fighting stance. The door opened shortly after, with a disgruntled shiny Gurdurr standing in the entrance, its arms crossed.
« When someone knocks, you answer. First lesson in here. UNDERSTOOD ? », he growled, before noticing Sera hiding in the corner, shivering over all the noise. « Ah. Sorry, miss, I'm not used to working with Eevees. Even less so with Commons, but if we have fighters, we may as well use 'em». While saying that, his gaze shifted towards Lumin, who was still preparing for a fight.
« Name's Cedric, and I'm the training instructor 'round here. Also the carpenter, so you better treat this house well, it's the first one I ever built ». He waved at them to come outside, before laughing loudly. « 'Course, it's also the worst one ! »
Fen held back her frustration from being so abruptly called away, deciding to just figure out what was going on. All three of them left the house, where the Nidoran was once again amazed by how quickly waking up fully happened in this form. Cedric turned around, picking up a freshly cut tree trunk and carrying it on its shoulder, before going towards the town and slamming the trunk into the gate's entrance while they followed.
« Cmon, you two, OPEN UP! », he yelled.
« Quit doing that ! Just use the bell like everyone else, Ced ! », shouted a voice from the other side, before the gate slowly opened, letting all of them see the town once more. As they walked past, a Patrat at the gate shot Fen and Lumin a glare, staring at them from afar, making Fen sigh. Considering they had no plans whatsoever, she was starting to doubt if she even wanted to be here.
« Here we go.. The training grounds are close to the walls, for safety reasons. Because of that, I want you two to be very careful with your attacks and not breach it, wouldn't want folks to hate you more, now, would ya ? ». Cedric smiled wildly, almost as if he was hoping to see the chaos that would cause.
As Fen slowly grew to understand why they were here, she started to slowly back away, trying to hide behind Lumin. The Gurdurr laughed, before shouting at her.
« Hey, you've all gotta do it. We gotta see what y'all are good at, so how about you start first, Nidoran ! Come at me ! »
Lumin confusedly looked at Fen, pushing her so that she'd look straight toward her opponent before walking away, sitting near Sera on a discarded log.
« You need to fight », the Shinx pointed out. That was all Fen could hear before the boulder hit her.