First of all I wanna apologize for how long it took me to have this chapter finally done. I had a blockade as I had to make decisions and couldn't decide on some of them, until I decided to risk it and... well this chapter came out.
Well that's mostly it, more reasons as to why did I take so long on this are at the feet of the chapter to avoid spoilers.
No comments? Awww Come on guys, don't be scared I won't bite, promise. I just ask that you don't focus on the bad things or the good things, also try not to get it with any character, ok?
Well I won't hold you any longer. Let's get this show on the road!
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Chapter III
Through the veins of Life
``Hey. Oi! Wake up!'' A voice called. Lex started to slowly stir awake, groaning a bit yet the Shinx finally woke up, finding himself face to face with a smiling Eevee.
He yawned a bit and then recognized her as Layla. ``Mornin' Layla. Wha' time's it?'' He asked and then yawned deep while she went to wake Azay up next.
``Early enough.'' She answered and then poked the Riolu on a shoulder. ``Hey. Azay. Azay. Wake up.'' She called gently to him, the Riolu curling a bit more before opening his eyes and looking around. ``Good morning.'' She said, and he groaned and closed his eyes again. The Eevee giggled a bit. ``Wake up before Loudred comes to rip your eardrums with his wake up call.'' She said and started to head for their door.
However, neither of the males moved from their beds, and she pouted a bit. ``Ok, then. I'll tell Arsen that you are not coming for breakfast then.'' She said and turned. Upon hearing about food, Lex stood sitting in a moment.
``Breakfas'? Why didn' ya say tha' from start, girl? Let's go, Cap'n!'' He said and looked at the Riolu, who was now looking at him with a little bit of a stare. ``What? Don' look a' me like tha'!'' Lex added seeing this and came off the bed.
In the end, Azay did the same, standing up and stretching wide as he yawned. He felt great, slightly bad for such comfortable good night sleep ending but great nonetheless and went with the other two rubbing his eyes a bit to get rid of the drowsiness. Once they were in the hallway, Azay closed the door. Layla guided them to the ladder leading up and outside of the guild. It was still closed night, which meant it was still very early in the morning.
``Oh! You are finally up.'' Arsen's voice called their attention as the Vulpix was sitting besides the sentry hole. ``Since we are your mentor team you'll be waking up with us and having breakfast with us.'' He said to them and then stood up. ``Now, let's go before we run out of time.'' And with that, he got to walk, his sister quickly catching up to him, leaving the other two looking at each other before starting to walk with them.
``Uhm... Where are we going?'' Azay asks as they reach the crossroad and turn towards Treasure Town.
``We always have breakfast with daddy. So we are going home.'' Layla answers smiling at them.
``Dad is a great cook and he can tell us a little story while we eat. We like spending time with him whenever we can and we wake up early to be with him. He hasn't had a mate since mom passed away, so we are his only company in the mornings.'' Arsen explained.
``Uh... Ya sure we won' be a bother for yer family breakfas'?'' The Shinx asked, thinking that the presence of two unexpected guests in a family moment would not be right.
``Don't worry.'' Layla reassured him. ``Dad loves to have visit, more so if they are new Pokemon. He'll be happy that he can share his stories with other Pokemon than just ourselves.'' She said.
With no more questions, the four Pokemon walked into town. Some of the locals waving at them as they were getting their posts ready for the day. The only one that didn't need to set up being Dusclops, who was also wide awake taking care of the Poke his clients trusted him with. ``Does he ever sleep?'' Azay asked.
``We don't know. No matter how late we go to bed or how early we wake up he's always there.'' Arsen answered as they stopped to look at the ghost type, who waved at them shaking his body a bit.
After a little while walking on the fresh morning, they got to the residential area of the town. For the population of the Town it was an area of good size, with a few houses around. The vendors had their houses in their stores, the authorities had barracks at the Station, and the Guild members lived within the guild, so that left few Pokemon to live in houses which gave for a nicely sized residential area with a few houses and plenty of space in between.
The siblings took them to one of the houses, Arsen opened the door and Layla called. ``Daddy! We're home!'' She called. ``And we brought our friends.'' She added afterwards, inviting Lex and Azay in. A moment later, a pale amber furred Ninetales, with black tips on his tails and deep blue eyes came from a room where it smelled great. At the moment they were in what looked to be a living room with couches and blankets put in a circle around a wooden low table to offer some place to sit down. The place was nicely decorated and it was clear the fire type fox took good care of his house.
``Come in. Breakfast's almost ready.'' He said with a smile. Arsen and Layla quickly trotted towards their father and nuzzled him as he nuzzled them before disappearing by the door behind him. The adult looked at them with the same smile. ``Welcome. Please come and have breakfast with us. Arsen and Layla said they were bringing two friends for breakfast today. I get you are Azay and Lex, right?'' He asked.
``We are, Mister Ninetales.'' Azay said as Lex nodded.
``Please, just call me Arthur.'' The older fire type introduced himself. ``Wait here for a moment. I'll be right back.'' He said and went back into the room from which he had come out.
The four young Pokemon were left alone for a moment. ``So then. Today we are going to go on your first mission.'' Arsen said with a big smile, since this was a big deal. ``As your mentor team we will pick the mission for you and will go to it with you.'' The Vulpix explained calmly. Layla was moving her tail, always excited to go on a new mission.
``What kind of missions are there?'' Azay asked, curious.
``Oh there's a lot of different types!'' Layla beat her brother to answer, the male chuckling a bit and smiling. ``There are recovery missions which consist on going to retrieve lost or stolen items. Then escorting missions, which you go escorting someone to explore a territory of their request. Exploration missions for your team to explore freely new territories or already discovered ones. You don't know what you might find!'' She was clearly excited about this. ``Then there are rescue missions, missions for apprehending outlaws, even Treasure Hunting missions!'' She explained, really excited, even moving to represent each type of mission with what in her opinion was a matching pose.
``Calm down, sis.'' Arsen said with a big smile for that little moment she had and Lex also laughed a bit.
``Yer really cheerful, huh Layla?'' He commented, while Azay nodded and took note in his mind of the different types of missions.
``That she is.'' Her brother said and everyone shared a little laugh, except for Azay, who just smiled at them.
After a bit of waiting, Arthur came back with a bowl of food for each of them. The Ninetales set the bowls down calmly and sat down. ``I hope you like the food. Please, enjoy.'' He said as Arsen and Layla licked their lips.
``Enjoy!'' They both called before diving into what was a fruit and berries salad. Lex looked at it and the Shinx started to eat as well after saying the same as them, while Azay had picked up his bowl and was looking at it deep in thought.
``Not hungry?'' Arthur asked, catching his attention.
The Riolu looked at him with a questioning glance, until his brain processed the question. ``Oh! No. It's not that, Mister-'' He started to talk but the fire type stopped him.
``Please, just Arthur is ok.'' The older Pokemon smiled warmly saying this.
``Uh.. Yeah, sorry. I just... got my head on other things.'' He said.
``Oh. Maybe you want to share those worries with us? Maybe it would make you be more at ease.''
Azay hesitated for a moment. The Riolu thought if to tell the truth or lie. He didn't know this Pokemon that much, He had known Lex for a time while on the ship, the siblings he knew them from just one day, and their father just from that morning. ``I don't want to talk about it, right now.'' He said. ``But thanks for the offer.''
``It's ok, cap'n. Whenever ya feel like sayin' anythin' we'll listen, right guys?'' Lex said to the Riolu, then looked at the other two.
``Sure thing!'' Layla said while Arsen nodded.
``We are friends now, you can share your troubles and we can help you.'' The Vulpix said.
Azay smiled at this and thanked them all for that. `Why do I feel it unfair to involve this Pokemon on my quest? I could just lie to them about finding some legendary treasure or something... Why just thinking on it makes my stomach close so tight?' He thought, and with that in mind he just couldn't bring himself to do that to them at all.
``Oh look at the Sun!'' Layla said to them all as she looked out of a window. ``We have to go back before the morning meeting!'' She said and devoured the rest of her breakfast.
``Thank you for the breakfast dad! Delicious as always!'' Arsen said as he also finished his food. Azay and Lex imitated them in hurrying up their eating, while Arthur just chuckled.
``Whenever you can my darlings. Have a nice day at work. And please be carefull on the missions, ok?'' He asked them nuzzling each in turns. ``And you two. Feel free to come back whenever you want, there will always be a bowl of food for you.'' He smiled at Team Windshear, Lex smiled and thanked him back, while Azay felt overwhelmed by the hospitality, in the end he also thanked the Ninetales before the two teams went back to the guild.
``If we're not back in time, Chatot will make sure we won't hear the end of it.'' Layla said as the four of them ran back.
The four Pokemon ran back to the guild, even running up the steps and Arsen and Layla simply jumped down the ladder holes to the inside of the guild. Lex didn't waste time and did the same as them, while Azay let himself slide down the ladders. They arrived while everyone was gathering in front of the Guildmaster's quarters, Chatot looking at the four of them and directing a hard and mean look to the two new recruits, even then he stood silent as Nala stepped forwards to address everyone.
It was this time when, Azay and Lex could see all the guild members gathered. There were Bidoof, Loudred, Sunflora, Corphis, Chimecho, Diglett, Dugtrio and Croagunk, and now also the four of them lined up with the others. ``Good morning, everyone.'' The mienshao greeted everyone with a smile. ``As a first point of the day and in my position in charge of the guild until the return of the Guildmaster Wigglytuff, I would like to introduce to you all our newest recruits, which I'm sure had made their own introductions already. Team Windshear please step forward.'' She called and Azay and Lex did, walking in front of everyone. ``These are Azay and Lex and they'll be part of the guild as apprentices like the lot of you. I hope you share your experiences with them and teach them all you know about exploring.'' She said to them all. ``And you two. If you need any advice you have the whole guild to ask and everyone here have been newbies so don't be afraid to ask.'' She said. Both Lex and Azay nodded and went back to the line.
``Fine then. Now that our particular pirates have been officially introduced and involved into the guild and seeing as there are no major news lately, let's end this meeting.'' Chatot spoke and then he smiled, surprising Azay and Lex.
`He can smile!?' The Shinx thought, eyes wide.
``All right! All at once!'' He rose a wing.
And then all the gathered pokemon spoke, with the sole exception of Azay and Lex. ``ONE! DON'T SHIRK WORK!'' Then Chatot rose the other wing.''TWO! RUN AWAY AND PAY!'' And finally the Parrot Pokemon rose into the air. ``AND THREE! SMILES GO FOR MILES!'' Everyone cheered loudly.
``All right Pokemon. Time to get to work!'' Chatot chirped with that happy face as he flew away.
``HOORAY!'' And everyone scattered with Nala going back into the Guildmaster's chambers. Azay and Lex stood looking at everyone.
``Well what you think of the morning meetings?'' Arsen asked with a smile.
``You can't be serious!'' Azay let out looking at them. ``That was embarrassing!'' He says, trying to not say that very loud.
``Heh I thought the same at first.'' Arsen chuckled. ``Until I saw that it helped lift everyone's spirits.'' He added, and Azay sighed, deciding to drop the topic.
``I fin' tha' quite fun.'' Lex says with a smile. ``Dunno why bu' `tis made me laugh.'' He added after that, his tail twisting side to side slightly. ``So then. What we gonna do?'' He asked after a bit.
``Let's go to the boards and pick some missions.'' The Vulpix said and started to walk towards the ladder again, this time climbing it more calmly than how they went down. Once the four in the first level of the Guild, they went to one of the mission boards to pick up some missions. Arsen and Layla had explained them about the boards. The missions were separated in two boards, one for rescue missions, recovering and exploration, and other dedicated solely for Wanted posters. Arsen had said that they like to pick various missions on a same territory each time, so Azay and Lex were wondering if they'll do the same today. Deciding to let the more experienced Team pick their missions this time.
It took them some time and quite a bit of arguing, but in the end, Arsen and Layla decided to pick an Exploration Mission. ``This will be it.'' Arsen said, giving the mission to read. Lex reached to it and picked it up to then leave it down on the floor to read it outloud, since Azay wasn't able to read it.
``The Authorities of Treasure Town ask fer an Exploration Team to investigate the recently discovered Mysterious Cave... Localization... Danger...'' He suddenly stopped reading when he saw the number on the reward. ``Woah!'' He let out. ``So many zeros!'' He said, Azay looking at him stranged and Layla giggled and approached.
``Don't get your hopes too high, this is what you're gonna get'' She said as she stepped on the poster to cover one of the zeros, the reward being much less appetizing now.
``What!?'' The Shinx let out seeing the new thing.
``We told you. The Guild takes most of the money reward of a mission.'' Arsen said with a smile.
``So. Basically, we have to go to this Mysterious Cave and explore it from the beginning to the end?'' Azay asked, getting a nod from the Siblings. ``So, like making a map of it?'' He asked.
``Well. Yes and no.'' Layla says. ``If this place ends up being a Dungeon, mapping it would be meaningless since those places are constantly changing. You go in once and the next time the layout of the place is not even near the same!'' She said. ``So we are going there to check it to know how dangerous it is, to know if it is actually a Dungeon and correct the localization on the map.'' She finished.
``And of course while we are inside all we find is ours to take.'' Her brother added.
``Well... Tha' soun's better than havin' all our money taken.'' Lex said hearing this last detail of the mission.
``Don't worry. You'll forget about the money soon enough.'' Layla giggled for that as she smiled. ``So then. Let's go!'' She added afterwards, heading towards the ladder.
The four of them climbed up and out of the guild. Then they went to the pond at the crossroads and The siblings from Fiery Souls looked at the newbies of Windshear. ``Ok first things first. You have to prepare for a mission. Which means going to the market and getting some supplies. You should divide the work and while one is picking up missions the other goes for them.'' Arsen said, getting a look from the other two males.
``Uhm... Arsen... You know we don't have any Poke.'' Azay said.
``I know. And since this Mysterious Cave doesn't seem to be that far away you won't need much supplies. Maybe it'll be enough with what we find on the way there. But you have to know it's very important to prepare for long missions or missions on far away territories.'' The Vulpix instructed them.
``Like when a ship has to sail fer a lon' trip. Ye hav'ta stock up on food `n' water fer the whole crew.'' Lex compared it to see if he got the point.
``Exactly. But as said. Our destination is near. So come on guys! Let's go exploring!'' Layla cheered, jumping on her back legs and raising a paw as if trying to imitate a bipedal pokemon raising a fist, yet she had to use her tail to hide her belly. Her enthusiasm getting out some chuckles from the boys as she kept on two legs for a moment before going back down on all four paws.
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``See? We told you it wasn't that far away from town.'' Layla said as they arrived at the entrance of the Mysterious Cave, as the place was being called.
It was true, the way there hadn't taken them much time. At least the Sun hadn't moved much from where it was when they left Treasure Town. The place wasn't much, the normal entrance to a cave at the feet of a mountain. The fact brought up the question as to why hadn't anyone found and explored it earlier.
``How did they find this place?'' Azay asked out loud looking around.
``Not a clue.'' Arsen answered. ``The inform said that someone saw the cave and approached to take a look inside, but that something made it run back to town. The police think it might be some illusory trap caused by hallucinogenic spores.'' The Vulpix said.
``Could ya use a language we all understan' please?'' Lex asked gently, Azay scratching the back of his head since he also didn't catch what the fire type was referring to.
``Uh, sorry.'' He smiled sheepishly. ``The authorities think that the one that discovered the cave fell for a trap made with Illusion powder. Since it said he had seen some kind of rock monster roaring and chasing it away from the cave.'' The Vulpix repeated.
``Tha's messed up.'' Lex let out for that, looking at the Vulpix, he just shrugged.
``Well that was the declaration of the Pokemon.'' He finished.
``Well I say we go in and explore!'' Layla said. ``With luck we might be able to draw a map of the cave.'' She added with an excited smile and her tail wagging a lot, making her brother smile warmly at her, while Lex smiled for her carefree attitude. Azay meanwhile, was looking into the cave and around the entrance.
``We better be careful then, we might find more traps like that.'' He said, wanting to get into business already and starting to head in.
``Hey! wher' ya thin' ya go withou' light?'' Lex asked as his partner walked into the cave as if nothing.
``We got some light.'' Layla said calmly, catching the Shinx attention and he looked at them, seeing Arsen pull out a lantern from his bag. However, what surprised him wasn't even that it was Layla who lit it up instead of Arsen, what left the Shinx stunned, was seeing the Eevee breathe out a little stream of flames that gave life to the lantern. Saying that his jaw touched the floor would be an understatement.
The siblings noticed him after a bit and both laughed slightly at his face. ``What?'' Layla asked as she tried to suppress her laugh.
``Bu- wha-!? How!? Wha' in the fuckin' seventh abyss did ya do!?'' He asked and they just laughed harder.
``Not now. Azay's gonna get lost in there.'' Arsen said while he also went in, the lantern hanging from one of his tails and over his rump.
``Hehe. I love the face of everyone when they see that.'' Layla said as she went inside as well.
Seeing as he was being left behind, Lex hurried inside and came to walk besides the two siblings.
Meanwhile. Azay was slightly deeper inside the cave. The Riolu having his eyes closed as they wouldn't be of much use in the darkness surrounding him. Even then he could see perfectly. How? Why by using his Aura sense of course. His feelers raised and a little Aura sphere in a paw in front of him to act as a beacon and the aura around him resonated with the sphere, allowing him to see even further away that normal. However, his concentration broke when the other three caught up to him.
``Hey, cap'n!'' Lex called. The Riolu turned and opened his eyes again, seeing them. His move dismissed.
``We better not split up.'' Arsen said calmly, making the Riolu remember that he wasn't alone in this exploration, and also scratch the back of his head a bit.
``Uh... Right. Sorry.'' He said. ``Want me to carry that?'' He asked, pointing at the lantern.
``Don't worry. I can manage.'' The fire fox said with a smile. ``Then, have you found anything?''
``Nothing at all.''
``Then let's go deeper!'' Layla cheered with a squeal.
Azay for once chuckled at her. ``Calm down, Layla. You are going to end up having a heart attack or something.'' He commented as they started moving again.
``I can't help it! I'm just so excited to explore a new place!'' Was her answer. ``And so far this place hasn't showed any signs of being a Dungeon.''
As if on cue. The whole place started to tremble and some pebbles and a bit of dirt fell from the walls. ``You had to open your mouth, didn't you?'' Arsen asked, while Azay and Lex immediately got into a stance, expecting an attack.
``Wha's goin' on?'' Lex asked.
``We are in a Dungeon.'' The Vulpix stated. As he talked the tremors returned with force and the walls started to collapse. ``Stay together!'' he barked.
The four Pokemon stood by each other's side as the entire place shook and threatened to collapse over their heads. But that never happened. Instead, what happened was that their lightsource showed them how the walls around them sunk to the ground while up ahead another rose. Azay and Lex were utterly surprised, contrary to Arsen and Layla, who were trying to predict where the next wall would raise. Fortunately they were safe. And if the light coming in through the tunnel behind them was any indication, the exit was still open and on their sight.
``So... this is a Dungeon, huh?'' Azay asked.
``Yeah. And a cave at that.'' Layla answered him. ``You see this is normal. After a bit of time the place changes, no matter who's inside. Walls raise from the floor or get swallowed by the earth as if there was never one to begin with. New hallways and rooms form. And some rooms can even end up being completely isolated and you are never sure when would they open up again.'' She explained.
``Those changes are the reason behind our inability to map this places. They are constantly changing and unless we can make some kind of map that changes with the layout of the place it's gonna be impossible.'' He said.
``And one more thing. There are a lot of different types of Dungeons. This is a cave, but a forest, a place under the waters of the sea, the clouds up in the skies-''
``Basically. Everywhere we go can be a Dungeon, right?'' The fighting type interrupted her.
``Exactly.'' She nodded.
``Heh. No time to get bored, then.'' He said with a smile that made her laugh.
``Nope. But we better keep exploring and see if we find something at the end of this Dungeon that we can report back.'' Arsen was the one to answer this time.
``Come on bro! Don't be such a buzzkill.''
``Me? Buzzkill? Oh I'm the heart of the party, sis. You should know that already.''
Everyone laughed at that, even Azay let out a hearty laugh and the four kept walking through that place.
After the tremors that had changed the layout of the place everything seemed to be calm. they didn't find any Pokemon in there which was strange to them. ```Tis strange.'' Lex commented. ``One woul' thin' tha' if someone troubled `emselv's to set up an illusion powder trap it woul' be to `ide somethin'. An' so far we've foun' nothin' an' no one at all.'' He said.
``Maybe they are not around?'' Layla suggested.
``But we would've found signs of someone using this place as a hideout.'' Arsen retorted.
``Well, yeah but...''
As they got to discuss about whether this place was completely deserted or if someone was using it as a hideout, Azay had decided to think about it, a paw crossed over his torso and the other being support for his head as he thought. "I'm not liking this one bit... This place is too calm and I haven't seen a single pawprint on the floor besides our own." The Riolu thought as he looked around again. The entire place was quiet, there wasn't any sign of anyone having set foot or paw into this place. The lantern that illuminated their way revealed no pawprints nor any traces at all that floating Pokemon might have left behind to guide themselves. It was, at best, unsettling.
The four kept moving forwards, further and further into the Dungeon cave, looking for the end of it. ```Tis startin' to get borin'!'' Lex said as so far they had found nothing at all.
``Yeah. I thought an exploration would've be more exciting. Like... Finding some hidden treasure or... something!'' Layla admitted, her ears low on her head.
``Well we won't know unless we reach the end of this place.'' Arsen tried to cheer up the other two. Looking at Azay for some help he saw the Riolu on edge, looking around and on high guard, and he chuckled. Thinking that he was nervous from his first exploration and that was the reason why he was like that.
After a little while more, the two teams reached a tunnel that led them to a huge room of the cave where they found quite a view: A medium sized lake fed by a waterfall that came from the ceiling right on the center of it; surrounding the lake, vegetation grew wildly and free, creating an underground oasis. The water was crystal clear and the surface shone with the sunlight that came in through a hole on a side of the room. There were even some trees growing around in the most sunny area, their branches trying to reach for the source of the light as deep green leaves sprouted to dress up the top of them. The view was astonishing and left everyone with open eyes and mouth. ``Woah!'' Layla said as her eyes sparkled at the scenery before her eyes. ``Now this is what I was talking about!'' She declared about to step forth to go explore the little oasis.
However, the moment she tried to move forwards, the ground started to shake. The four of them tumbled for the violent shake and fell over on their bellies and rear end. After that they rolled down the rock they were on and fell on the grass. Azay was quick to react and turned to see something that left him speechless. Lex had almost as quick reflexes and both members of Team Windshear were stunned paralyzed as the rock rose on top of a mountain formed of a few rocks and one of the bigger ones rolled up to float above the big rock they've been on the whole time. Then more grass covered rocks rose and formed arms at both sides of the creature as well as cracks appeared on the rock on top of them all. In just a moment they had a rock monster roaring at their faces. Lex backed away as Azay stood up and approached the siblings who had also turned to see the monster the moment it roared at them and were just as paralyzed by the surprise as Lex had been.
``Outta the way!'' He barked at them, snapping them out of their stupor right in time to see the monster raising an arm and slamming it down on the ground where they had been standing an instant before.
``We gotta ge' tha `ell outta `ere!'' Lex called, making a dash for the hill that led to the tunnel they had just come through. The other three did the same.
``What the hell is that thing!?'' Azay asked.
``Just run!'' Arsen said back.
The Riolu looked back for a moment to see if the creature was coming. And sure it was there, the rocks that had supported the lower part of its body rolling over like a cart's wheel as the main body floated above them, acting as way of movement. ``Fuck!'' He barked and accelerated even more, passing his three companions as he ran. ``You just need to be faster than them and you'll be safe!'' Was what his mind and instincts were screaming at the Riolu, who obeyed not caring for anything. Until a thought crossed his mind: ``But they're you comrades.'' That thought hasn't been on his mind in a long time and it made his pace lower a bit as he doubted his actions. And he looked back again.
The other three were in between him and the rock monster. Looking at the siblings he remembered that they had helped him and Lex when they needed it. And looking at Lex he remembered the time on the ship and the impulse to help the Shinx when he needed it. Also he remembered his face at the beach, and his own words. ``Did I lie to him?'' Azay asked himself and thought for a moment until he made up his mind. ``Argh! Fuck this shit!'' He barked and turned, skidding to a stop with all four paws before launching towards the monster. ``You three keep running!'' He said as he passed them and then slammed shoulder first into the creature, making a booming sound as the Extreme speed move connected and made the creature stagger. Immediately, the Riolu used his other arm to pass over the creature, kicking its head and then flipping over it and landing behind it, managing to get its attention.
``Wha!?'' Lex let out as he stopped his running and turned. ``Cap'n!'' He called and was about to run back to his team mate.
``Lex, go with them! Keep them safe!'' The Riolu said as he backed slowly from the creature, which rose an arm and threw it down. Azay didn't waste more time and started to run in the other direction. Lex was left with the words in his mouth as he saw this and turned, looking at the siblings that had stopped just a bit further away from him.
``Le's get tha hell outta `ere!'' He said to them and, not wanting to risk more of those things surprising them, the three started to run towards the exit.
Meanwhile, Azay had ran all the way back to the Underground Oasis before turning and getting the hit of the stone arm that sent him all the way back to the lake spitting blood. The Riolu stood up after a bit, his fur all wet and he looked at the creature. ``Fine.'' He said as he spat some blood. ``The harder way it'll be then.''
At this, Azay charged up an Aura sphere on each paw and threw them at the creature in a way that both spheres of energy where rotating around the other. The attack flew into the main body of the creature and the following explosion made it fall deformed. The Riolu looked at it for a moment, allowing himself to relax. He turned around to see himself in the water. He saw the blood dripping down from his mouth and washed his face to get rid of it. While at the same time his mind went back a few moments, to when he almost ran away leaving the others behind. ``Why?'' He asked himself. ``Have I been alone so much time that I care more for myself than for those with me?'' He couldn't shake off the feeling of disgust that overcame him at that moment. ``Have I grown so selfish? Then why did I save Lex on the ship?''
Deep in his thoughts, he missed the sound of the creature reforming once more behind him. Once it was fully formed again it approached the Riolu with haste, stone arm raised as it was ready to attack. Azay saw it in the reflection of the water and turned around just in time to see the attack starting to come down on him. There was no time to dodge and such a hit was meant to crush him completely. He wouldn't be able to form an Aura sphere in time, and not even Extreme speed would take him out of there without a scratch.
However, before the creature managed to land the blow, something hit it and blew it up. ``What are you doing, kiddo!? Run!'' A voice called and the fighting type looked around until he saw someone in the hole that opened to the outside. It was a Decidueye with dark red wings, black body and dark brown head. The owl Pokemon was holding one of his veins with an arm while holding this curved like a bow. It was a strange sight, more so seeing him take a feather out of his wing and use it like an arrow that he shot again. The feather was covered in what the Riolu recognized to be ghost type energy. The Grass type shot his arrow and this flew straight to the creature that had risen again. The moment the feather-arrow landed, it blew up and the creature backed away, with a crack on its main body. The Decidueye took the moment to fly towards Azay and landed by his side. ``Don't stay there gawking! Either fight or flight!'' He said, those golden eyes fixed on the Riolu for a moment, until the creature roared out again and threw a big rock at them. Both Pokemon jumped to the sides and the grass type shouted a Shadow ball while Azay sent an Aura sphere.
Both attacks hit their target and the creature was deformed again. At that moment the Decidueye went to Azay and looked at him. ``You don't have much time. Go away now!'' He said pointing at the tunnel.
``What about you?'' The Riolu asked.
As the owl answered, the creature started to form again. ``Just get the hell out!'' The flying Grass type was starting to sound annoyed, and after that response, the Riolu thought better and made a dash for the tunnel.
He didn't look back this time, he just ran all the way. The cave started to tremble again and he saw the walls sinking. ``Shit!'' He thought as he kept running. After running trying to keep his balance, and turning a few times, he finally see the exit, and his companions just outside. The Riolu felt something inside seeing them safe and this spurred him to go full out with extreme speed. Seeing the exit he forgot about the place reshaping and just went straight. He jumped over collapsing or raising walls and even slid down the walls that came from the ceiling, thanking his reflexes.
Thanks to the combination of speed and reaction he managed to make a straight line for it, and exited the cave sliding under one of the walls and out of it, skidding to a stop and letting himself relax on the ground with a hard sigh of relief.
``Ya made it!'' Lex said, clearly excited.
``We were starting to get worried.'' Layla said and Arsen nodded with a smile. Azay looked at the siblings and seeing their expressions of relief he managed to smile and fist bumped at them to then look up and find himself with the face of his team mate, who had also the same smile as he looked down at him.
However, after a moment, he saw Lex tense up and blush hard. At first he didn't know why that was or why he felt shame emanating from the electric type, until the Riolu looked down and saw that he had stopped right under the Shinx, between his four legs, and he himself blushed quickly and kicked himself out, while Lex jumped to a side as the Riolu stood up.
``Why were you just standing there?'' The Riolu asked as he looked away.
``Well.. I was worried an'... `s good to see ya fine.'' Was the answer. ``How did ya get rid o' tha' thin'?'' He asked after.
``I got help and could lose it while running out here.'' He was about to start explaining the fight with the creature but Arsen stopped him.
``Tell us on the way back. We have to inform of this place to the Sheriff and Nala, and tell them that the witness wasn't under any illu... illusi- hallucinogenic trap.'' The Vulpix said.
``Ya know how ta say `hallucinogenic', bu' mess up tryin ta say `illusory'?'' Lex teased a bit.
``Hey! I would appreciate it if you leave me alone with my vocabulary.'' The fire type protested, earning a few laughs for his reaction.
``Well then! Let's go back!'' Layla said. ``We have to report this to the Sheriff and the Guild.''
Everyone nodded and started to walk back to Treasure town.
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After informing Sheriff and Nala about the cave and the monster they encountered there. Azay mentioned that a Decidueye had helped him and even gave a brief description. Sheriff Moll asked the Riolu and Arsen to write down a full report of the mission, as they were the leaders of the teams involved, but Nala directed the petition to Lex, who nodded yet she got a funny look from the officer. After that, the four decided to go have lunch with the siblings' father once more. The siblings didn't want to leave him alone for long and whenever they had free time they spared some to go visit him. However. Contrary to that morning, instead of heading to his house, they went to the central plaza of Treasure Town and came into a library.
The place was big, packed with stands from floor to ceiling that if anyone had to guess they also supported the roof of the place. And all of them were packed with books of all kinds, ranging from easy, light books for those that were starting to learn to read, to really complex books like specialized encyclopedias and history books. The two siblings approached the center of the building where a desk was placed in a ring like formation and various Pokemon were attending to the ones that came and asked.
``Good afternoon you two!'' Came the voice of a Sceptile that approached to attend them. ``Looking for something in particular today?'' She asked. The Sceptile was mostly average, the only difference being that the bulbs on her back were brown and her eyes red like rubies.
``We would like to request that Lorekeeper Arthur takes some free time to have lunch with his offspring and their friends.'' Arsen answered, the joke sounding loud enough to disturb the peace of the place.
``Oh Arsen. How many times have I told you?'' The Ninetales asked as he approached with a warm smile to the desk, the Sceptile going away to keep attending other Pokemon. ``Do not speak so loud in the library.'' He said with a half stern tone.
The Vulpix chuckled slightly. ``Yeah I know. And I've lost the count.'' He answered.
``A hundred and thirty... one.'' Layla answered, getting the same raised eyebrow from both her brother and her father and funny looks from their friends. ``What? I thought you wanted to know.'' She said, her ears low.
``I'm just surprised you can remember the exact number, my princess, that's all.''
``Oh well. Shall we get going then? We got to write a report for the officer and Nala this afternoon.'' The Vulpix said.
``Speaking of the topic. Azay, I hope you didn't mind me sharing about your lack of knowledge about reading and writing with a friend of mine. You see she comes day after day to teach those that don't know. And you'd be surprised if you saw her students. She said she would be glad if you could come in your spare time so she can teach you too.'' He said.
The Riolu looked at the Ninetales for his words and listened to them, feeling still slightly ashamed but he swallowed it up and nodded.
``I'll accept the offer.'' He said.
``Fabulous. She's gonna be here all day. Her name is Noemi, and she's over there, teaching the youngest kits right now.'' Arthur said and with one of his tails pointed to the west area of the library.
Everyone looked and they saw an Umbreon with pale grey fur and blue rings and silver eyes. The Umbreon patiently teaching a few kits of various species how to read the different letters. ``Ok. I'll come by later.'' The Riolu said with a smile. ``Thank you, Mister Arthur.'' He bowed respectfully.
``Please, just Arthur is fine. I'm not that old yet.'' The older fire type laughed a bit for that. ``Lara, dear. Would you mind taking care of the Library while I'm out?'' He asked to the Sceptile that had greeted them earlier.
``Sure, Arthur. Enjoy your meal with the children.'' She answered with a smile.
After that, the five Pokemon went out of the place and went back to the family's house. There was still leftover steak from breakfast and Arthur had kept it warm by leaving it with a bunch of hot stones he had heated up with his own fire. It was a good way to keep the food warm through the day.
On their way to the house they talked about the mission. Each of them sharing how the experience had been for them. The conversation going on until they reached the house.
```Tis was an excitin' mornin' to be honest. Yet I cannot stop thinkin' on how `tis possible for a place to jus'... change like tha' so suddenly.'' Lex said.
``Well it is really easy.'' Arthur said, making Azay and his partner look at the older Pokemon.
``How's tha'?''
``Well you see. Every living being has certain... powers to call it in some way, within them. The plants, the Pokemon. The world is no different. Except that it doesn't use its powers, it lets it roam freely all over itself, and thus as living beings come and go, those powers have been accumulating as long as the world has existed. Being such an ancient World, these powers have grown more presence and palpable. In the air and the ground. Again, these powers are free and it seems like they have a mind of their own, some kind of conscience. In a dungeon, these powers are much stronger than anywhere else. For example, in a Dungeon Cave, the Earth element is very strong, as so it changes the place to its very whim.'' The Lorekeeper of the town explained to them.
``So... If I got it righ'. Ye're sayin' tha som' kindda elemental power is wha' makes tha Dungeons be in constan' change, right?'' Lex asked after the explanation.
``More or less yes.''
```Kay then. Now I know from whom did ya learn har' words, Arsen.'' He said out of the blue, causing the Vulpix to laugh a bit for the comment.
``From what you have said, I get Layla has Fire Type Hidden Power?'' Azay asked calmly.
``Yup! I'm the fire of the team!'' The Eevee answered with a big, proud smile.
``Are you now? Why's that?''
``You see. I got a little problem. While I can control any fire I come in contact with. Breathing my own fire burns. I don't know why but it's like that and I've learned to life with that.'' Arsen explained. ``Besides. I got my sis here to help me with her own fire!'' He added with the same smile as his sister.
``You're just saying that to be nice.'' She said, mostly teasing her brother but still nuzzled him with a purr and he did the same to her.
``Of course not! I wouldn't be able to do much without you.'' He said.
``Well you have your psychic powers.'' She retorted and he snorted and laughed a bit.
``You mean those that I mess up with everytime I use them?''
``Yup!''
``Oh you little witch!''
The two siblings had forgotten about everyone as they were about to start a play fight. However, their father interrupted them by clearing his throat as he left them their food. Meanwhile, Lex had a big grin on his muzzle, same with Azay, though the Riolu was just smiling calmly at them, both of them already having their food and just waiting for Arthur to have his so they all could start.
As they ate, they talked about the day and some family and work anecdotes, Lex and Azay laughing as they were so funny that they couldn't hold back. After a little while of conversation Arthur started to talk about how he met his mate.
``I was just a storyteller back then. I would just sit on the plaza minding my own business until some kit would come and ask me to tell them a story. And as I talked more Pokemon would gather to hear it. Amongst them was who would be my mate: a Flareon whose beauty no one could dream of shadowing. Once I was done with the story she approached me and we got to talk. I shared a couple more stories with her and the rest of the Pokemon that had gathered, and when I was done I offered to accompany her home. From that day there wasn't one morning or afternoon that she wasn't there to listen to my stories, whether I repeated them or not, and we'd get to talk a bit after I was done on the way back home and little by little we fell for each other and became mates. And after some time this two little trouble seekers were made and hatched.'' He said, talking about his children. ``Now that wasn't as long as this book where the parents tell their children how they met and made a story long enough to get ten books out.'' The older fire fox laughed.
Azay had noticed something. As the Ninetales talked about his mate, he could see the warm smile on his muzzle, and also he could feel it in his aura, a feeling he recognised as longing. He dearly missed his mate and it was revealed to the Riolu's ability to feel others emotions. He caught himself shedding a tear. Pawing his face, the Riolu noticed it and then rubbed his face to try and get his composure back. Wanting to change the topic he decided to ask.
``So how did you become Lorekeeper?'' He said.
``Because the Pokemon around town wanted me to be, since I knew most of the stories and legends of the town, which where what I shared with the kits and those that gathered at the plaza. They started calling me Lorekeeper. And then I was offered to work at the Library. Some time later I was in charge of it.'' The Ninetales said calmly.
The information made the Riolu wonder and he decided to ask. ``Then... Maybe you know about this creature we found at the cave?'' He asked. ``It was a creature made out of rock. The main body was a big rock and the rest of it were also rocks that formed around it.'' He said, not having a better way to describe the creature himself.
``You found an elemental in that cave?'' The Ninetales asked, shocked. Everyone showing him a confused look. ``An elemental is a living being, born of the elemental power of an area. A manifestation of sorts. There has to be a lot of Earth elemental power in that place for an elemental to be born.'' The Lorekeeper explained.
```Tis dangerous for Town?'' Lex asked.
Arthur stopped for a moment, trying to remember. ``No. It shouldn't be. If an elemental gets away from the place it was born then the power that formed it would disperse and it would most likely die. Even then these creatures are really dangerous since they won't hesitate to kill anyone that disturbs them or their birthplace.'' He finished.
``Well. `Tis good ta `ear tha' thin' won' go outta that place.'' The Shinx said as he finished his meal.
The rest of the group finished their meals with more trivial conversations and anecdotes and then it was time to go back to work and to the Guild, since there was work to still be done. Team Windshear went with Arthur, as the offer for Azay was still up and the Riolu had the afternoon free in a way, and Lex thought that the Library would be a good place to write down the report he had to turn in at the Guild that night.
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And it's done! Finally it's done! -crying in front of the laptop-
Lex: wha's with tha crybaby?
Azay: He just finished the chapter...
Lex: woah! Took `im lon' enough!
Me: well sorry for having to think on a mission appropiated for the two of you and having to think on the dangers you might find in the future, and that's to name a few things.
Azay: Don't forget that you spent most of the Summer playing console and writing the cowork, that luckily is finally done.
Me: oh you! -sigh- Yeah... true. But hey better late than anytime, right? I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. It was a pain to write having to set up a lot of things that I forgot to plan out and I'll try to not take so fregging long as 5 or 6 months to release the next one.
Hope to see ya on the next, leave a review or a comment if you please, don't be afraid :)
Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
