Matt now laid on the ground, unconscious. The shroomish stood there, visibly shocked by how quickly his world fell apart. Chen couldn't wrap his mind around the randomness of it all. Why did this have to happen to us? He tried to find a satisfying answer, but all he found was the nothingness staring back at him.
Guts didn't wait before acting; he hurried to Kira's side, leaving the human there. The krokorok quickly tore up the spinarak's web and hurried back to Matt's side, the sticky web in his hands. He wrapped it around the man's wound, which proved to be a challenge, as he had a hard time removing it from his own arms. After that was done, he took his scarf and wrapped it on the web as a secondary measure, to make sure the human would definitively stop bleeding. Looking at the shroomish, Guts snapped his fingers in front of him. The shroomish came out of his stupor.
“Chen, come back to us,” the krokorok said, concerned by Chen's inaction to this event. “We'll need to go look for a cure.”
“A cure?”
“Yes. I've patched Matt's wound, but a spinarak's horn is venomous. So he's probably poisoned, and we'll need a cure for him. We'll have to go search for a pecha berry.”
“Wait. He isn't out of danger yet?” Chen exclaimed, still overwhelmed by what happened in front of his eyes.
“No, we'll have to go find one.”
Kira went to their side. Frowning, she seemed like she was about to go on a rampage.
“We better find this brat and show him what we're made of!” she said with hatred.
“Screw him.” He waved his hand in dismissal. “We'll need someone to take care of Matt, and that'll be you.”
“Why are you leaving me out of this? Chen could stay here.”
No, he thought. I don't wanna stay. I don't want to be alone. Please, don't leave me alone with the predators.
“You're a way better fighter than Chen, and you've got a better eye than me and Chen to spot anyone who would want to get Matt. I also have a good sense of orientation, which would prove better to explore the surroundings. Did I tell you I was an explorer?”
“Fine, go along,” she conceded, “but why would you need Chen to back you up? Wouldn't he be a burden?”
“Don't worry, he might help me find the berry, and I need to talk with him about... something.”
She looked at him with suspicious eyes. “Fine,” she said with some reluctance. “Go ahead and talk behind my back, if that what's you wanna do.”
“I'll make sure to do so,” he replied sarcastically. “Let's go, Chen.”
Guts walked away from them, Chen following him. As they were about to delve deeper into the woods, they heard a distant voice.
“Oh, and if you guys try any kind of tricks on me, I'll make sure you'll regret it.”
The krokorok sighed, irritated by her antagonizing attitude. They went on their way without looking back. As they slowly grew distant from her, Guts looked at the shroomish like he was about to blame him for her misbehaving.
“I told you she was annoying, and now I'm sure she's crazy,” Guts started. “Maybe she'll kill Matt while we're not here. I dunno who's worse: her or the leavanny.”
“Maybe she likes to threaten people, so that she can seem all tough,” the shroomish suggested.
“That's a possibility. Anyways, we're now stuck with her on the team because of your decision.”
That's what I thought. I didn't over-analyze. He wasn't pleased with me backing up Matt's decision.
“I'm sorry, Guts. I was sure Matt wouldn't be wrong about this.”
“It's too late to apologize; it's not like it will change anything,” Guts argued. “Why do you follow this guy blindly ? I can protect you, and I could take care of you.”
Chen went on the defensive. “He doesn't seem like a bad person.”
“Maybe he isn't. After all, he let that croagunk run away, and now that he's bound to Matt's pokéball, no one will be able to capture him. But still, all that drives him is money. He is motivated by his own interest. How can you blindly trust someone in these conditions?”
“I dunno,” he answered. “I just do.”
“Whatever. There seems to be no way I'll be able to reason you. Don't come whine to me when you'll discover that he was using you all along.”
“He doesn't see me as a tool. I'm sure of it.”
He paused for a second, thinking carefully about what he was about to say. “Let's just go find that berry,” he said, ending the conversation.
They walked in the forest, making a path for themselves in between the multiple trees. The sun presented its light through the dense canopy. The rustling of the grass they went by created a harmonious sound that resonated through the bark of the trees. The gentle wind caressed the shroomish's skin; he wished for this moment to last forever. After a while, he forgot why they were here in the first place. He forgot about Matt, about Guts, and about his uncle. That's probably what his young mind craved for all along: something he could latch onto, something that wouldn't break, something that would make his pitiful existence tolerable. He didn't want this feeling of inner blissfulness to stop.
Suddenly, Chen snapped out of his trance and noticed that they were now on the edge of the woods. Down the valley in front of them, there was a gigantic village. Its houses seemed to be made of a material that Chen had never seen. To him, this material looked like the red rocks he had seen near the rivers of his childhood. A flock of flying-type pokémon were travelling in the sky, going in and out of the cities with various supplies. A ground trail lead the others into the city. The krokorok led the way carefully, making sure not to stumble and fall from the steep hill. The shroomish, not wanting to be left behind, did the same.
When they finally arrived at the bottom of the slope, Guts sat down, taking his time to recover from that descent. He had a much harder time maintaining his balance on such a steep hill than Chen did, as he wasn't that accustomed to these grassy environments. After that pause, he stood up again and they continued on their way.
“Chen, let me do the talking. This place is probably filled with PLF members like the ones we've met before. If we were to tell them the berry we're looking for is for a human, they're gonna think twice before handing it to us.”
“That's okay,” the shroomish assured. “You're more experienced than I am; you should be the one leading and speaking on our behalf.”
Guts took the lead and walked to the village, Chen following behind.
It seems like trusting him was a great idea. He honestly cares a lot about my well-being. Maybe that's because I was there for him at a time where he needed someone he could speak to, someone that would understand him. Getting Kira into our team was a really bad idea; she has already annoyed the krokorok and she'll continue to do so. After all he did to me, that's how I thank him. How selfish can I get?
“We've arrived to the village,” Guts announced. “Remember, no talking. Not a word out of your mouth, unless I ask you to. We wouldn't want to break our cover, right?”
Chen nodded, showing his approval to the krokorok's order.
“Great, let's go.”
They ventured into the crowded village. It seemed like every species of pokémon had decided to give themselves an appointment at that place. Those who were typically enemies in the wild were walking side by side. This unsettled the shroomish, who had been accustomed to the way things worked in the forest, with his parents. When Chen looked closer, he glimpsed at things he hadn't expected to see in civilized pokémon, as they had always seemed better off than the ones in the wild, who were fighting each day to live another one.
Their eyes, they all look tired, as if they hadn't had a good night of sleep in weeks. In the forest, we always have to look for predators, so we have to be alert all the time, even when asleep. That's tiring, but we can't give up like that; they could feast on us anytime. Here, what are they afraid of? What makes them so worn out? These clothes, it seems as if they've decided to dress as humans. From what I can tell, humans seem to dress to protect their fragile body from harm. What do pokémon have to protect themselves from? Why do they mimic the ones they seem to hate so much? Maybe I'm no seeing something here. After all, if we decided not to do something because humans did it, we couldn't even eat berries!
Without warning, Chen collided with another pokémon, which seemed to irk the stranger. He stopped on his track and turned his head to the shroomish.“Watch your step, small fry.”
Chen looked up to see who had talked to him. His face lightened up upon seeing the grovyle. The pokémon wore a bow tie on his neck. “Uncle Ren, is that you?”
“Chen?”
“Yes, it's me.” the shroomish said. “I've been looking for you.”
Guts had stopped on his track when he saw the two of them starting a conversation in the middle of the town. Glancing at the krokorok, Ren motioned to them to follow him. They did, and after walking through a few alleys, the group entered a suspicious-looking building. A candle on a desk showed a sableye writing a letter. A small glimpse of light went through the window, reinforcing the oppressive feeling Chen had as he entered the room.
“I'm back, boss,” the grovyle said.
A sableye turned around and scanned the two newcomers with intensity. The two gems which served as eyes sparkled in the dark, making the two pokémon uneasy. The shroomish gulped as the sableye gazed into his eyes. The shroomish was about to run away in fear, but the pokémon looked away at the last second.
“Who are they?” he inquired.
“This is my nephew, Chen. He was escorted by this krokorok.”
The sableye gave another glance at them, which gave shroomish goosebumps.
“Ren, did you execute the order I gave you?”
“No, boss. I was-”
“Then go do it. You have no excuse.”
The grovyle took a step back. “Sorry, boss.” He stormed out of the room. Chen and Guts were now alone with the creepy sableye. He turned back to them.
“What are you looking for?”
“We're looking for a pecha berry,” Guts said. “Do you have one?”
“I've got one for one gold piece. Not negotiable.”
“Sorry, we've got no money.”
“Then, why are you asking me for one?”
“We thought you would show some kindness.”
“My kindness disappeared long ago, krokorok. Why do you think I became a businessman?”
Guts shut his mouth. He looked at the shroomish for a few seconds before walking towards the door.
“I would like to know something. Why is my uncle under your command?”
The sableye walked up to them, revealing his calm expression to the two pokémon. He wore a red crimson tie on his neck.
“Ren owes me one hundred gold pieces.”
“How's that?” Chen asked with a faint voice.
“Let's say he once asked me for a large amount of money, and the interest ramped up. Now, tell me the truth. Why did you come here?”
Guts gave the shroomish an insistent look.
He doesn't believe us. What should I say? I have to say something, or else he'll be suspecting something shady.
“Well...hmm...w-we came here to,” Chen stuttered. “W-we came here t-to visit m-my uncle.”
The sableye remained silent for a few seconds. He then walked up to the krokorok.
“The two of you seem to be pretty bad liars. I don't like liars. Now, answer me; what are you two doing here?”
Guts stared at the sableye. With his clenched fists, he seemed ready to take him on.
“We came here to visit Chen's family,” he lied. “Do you have an idea where they are?”
“Well, his parents aren't there at the moment. They've come here two days ago, inciting me to run away from here. I've told them I still have things to do in here.”
The shroomish's eyes widened, taking a step back from the sableye. Unable to understand what was going on, sweat dropped from his tiny body.
This can't be real. How would my parents still be alive? I've seen them die with my very own eyes.
“That's why I don't trust any of you two. If you really were Solin's son, you would've asked me where your parents were first. That would've been the most best thing for you to do, as you would've been looking for them after having paralyzed them. Instead, you've tricked me into believing that you were Chen. You should be ashamed of trying to impersonate the dead. Why would you ask me for a pecha berry? You two do not seem poisoned in the slightest. I now know this man here isn't your bodyguard, because he would've let you speak if it had been the case. You know my answer is still no. I, Shade, won't join the PLF, no matter what tricks you may try on me. I've already told you our goals were conflicting. Your organization wanna kill the humans; I wanna find one of them. Rather than trying to force me into it, you should be happy that I'm still supplying you. I would want you to refrain from trying to force me to adhere to the PLF principle, or else, we might have to cease all interactions. Now, please leave my house.”
Finally, I had actually paralyzed my parents? How come I never became aware of that? We can't do anything now. He'll never believe I really am Chen. There's no point in staying here anymore.
Guts and Chen quietly left the room, leaving the sableye alone. The shroomish glanced back, and he saw that the poor sableye had returned to his desk. A feeling of guilt waved over Chen. If only he had been more assertive, he would have shown Shade who he really was. Maybe they could have even helped him find the man he was looking for.
I wonder who Shade is looking for. He must be someone really important to him, if he is willing to do that much effort to find him. Maybe he feels just like I do with Matthew, or maybe it is someone who he really wants to talk to.
They walked out of the building into the alleys. Guts went back to where they once were. Leaving an eye on Chen, he looked around him for any shops or place that could give them what they needed to save Matt's life.
What he told us... that does mean that my parents really believed that I died in the wild. This mean that they probably won't believe me once I find them.
When Chen snapped out of his thoughts, he saw that they had arrived in the center of the village. There were a horde of armband-wearing pokémon, which gave the shroomish the impression that they were PLF sympathizers. One of them stood out of the crowd, as she was on her own. It was a gardevoir who appeared worried by what she was reading about. Her armband was of a different than that of the others. Raising her head, she quickly noticed them. Walking to them, she gave a genuine smile to the shroomish, which warmed Chen's heart. He was glad of seeing someone happy, after all the bad things that had happened to him and his friends. For the moment, it didn't matter to him who she was working with. All that mattered was that she was there, smiling to him.
“What lead you to this wonderful place, travellers?” she asked affectionately.
“We are looking for a pecha berry. Do you have one?” Guts asked dryly.
“Sadly, those berries are meant to our freedom fighters. Maybe you could go to the Temple and see what they have there. But, before that, I would like to introduce myself. I am Serah, proud leader of the PLF in this region.”
She seems quite nice. I can totally see why people would be compelled to join her cause.
“I'm Guts of Vastwood,” he lied. “And before you ask, I haven't really planned on joining the PLF. I have other plans for now.”
“I see,” the gardevoir said simply before shifting her interest to the shroomish. “And you, little one, what is your name?”
“I-I am Chen of Vastwood.”
“That's a wonderful name!”
“Thank you,” he said, blushing.
“Have you considered joining our fight against slavery, our fight for every pokémon's right to be free?”
“I-I dunno,” the shroomish said, intimidated by her insistence.
“It would be in your best interest to know. By not choosing to take side, you are actually making a choice; the one of condoning their behaviors. They can't stay unpunished. That is why I do everything I can to fight their despotism. In our world, the human society is at the core of everything. For that reason, it is entirely responsible for these monsters that it creates. They have to pay for every injustice they have given upon us. We will protect all pokémon.”
“You protect all pokémon?” Guts questioned with harshness. “Then how come the people of Thornor were slaughtered by your organization?”
Serah turned back to the krokorok, surprised by his remark. Her smile slowly faded and she looked at him sternly.
Guts… what have you done? She doesn't seem very happy to talk about this. We could've gone on our way. Why did you ask her about it?
“We did that with the best intentions. They were a thieves' guild, an enemy of Vastwood. We had to help the population in getting rid of them.”
So, it wasn't an explorers' guild, after all?
Guts glared at her with intensity, ready to attack her. Slowly, his anger slowly turned into sadness, as he acknowledged there was nothing he could do about it. If he decided to attack her, they would be helpless against the army of PLF sympathizers in the city.
“Fine,” the krokorok said bitterly. “It's simply that I had friends in that guild, you see.”
“I can understand that,” she said. “Some guild's members decided to join the PLF. Maybe you should too.”
“I'll think about that.” He glimpsed at the shroomish with sorrow. “Let's go, Chen.”
As Serah examined them, they both went on their way. Going through the piazza, they saw a temple with an enormous door on the front. A picture above the gate depicted Ho-Oh in all of its majesty. His wings were spread wide, and a beautiful rainbow had been painted as a background. Chen watched the picture with awe.
“Let's go inside,” Guts told the shroomish.
He nodded in approval, and they entered the Temple. The hall was deserted; the chairs intended for pokémon to sit on were empty. Candles were lit on the sides of the gigantic room they found themselves in. Several statues depicting multiple pokémon were scattered all around the hall. Suddenly, a quilava rushed inside the hall from the left door. There seemed to be something worrying him profoundly.
“Have you seen a fennekin, by any chance?”
As soon as the krokorok shook his head, the quilava ran to the right door on all fours and disappeared. The krokorok continued his exploration of the temple, Chen following behind.
This place is so beautiful. I wonder why there isn't anyone in here. Maybe it has to do with the PLF. I wonder who the pokémon depicted at the entrance was. I have never seen such a pokémon.
Chen bumped into Guts, who had stopped on his way. The krokorok looked at him with a serious expression.
“Why haven't you kept your mouth shut earlier? We could've simply walked away, but now, they'll suspect something.”
“Sorry,” he apologized.
Yet you're the one who provoked Serah, the shroomish thought to himself.
“I don't want you interrupting me from now on. The people living in this temple could be the one lending us what we need to save Matt. We might indirectly kill Matt by rubbing them the wrong way.”
“That's alright, Guts,” he said, unconvinced by the krokorok's reasoning. “Go ahead, I totally believe in you.”
He smiled. “Thanks. I knew I could always count on you,” he said with a hint of sarcasm.
They walked to the back of the wall and entered in a room. A xatu stood at a corner of the chamber, seemingly pondering. As the two pokémon stepped inside, the xatu turned around and opened his tired eyes.
There seems to be something bothering him. I wonder what that is.
“Welcome, travelers. I am the great priest of this temple. What are you two looking for?”
The krokorok spoke up. “The brother of this shroomish is ill. We would need a pecha berry to cure his poisoning.”
The xatu used his kinetic powers to grab a pecha berry on a shelf and he gave it to Guts.
“May Ho-Oh bless you,” he said with a weak smile before returning to his thoughts.
The two pokémon looked at each other. Not knowing what to say, they returned into the hall. As they were about to leave the temple, two pokémon stepped out of the door. One of them smiled playfully at them. Chen stepped back as he recognized instantly who they both were.
“I knew I could count on you, Guts~,” Diana said cheerfully. “Now, give me what I want.”
The krokorok glanced at his partner for a second. “I dunno what you're talking about.”
The zoroark stood there, hearing their conversation without interrupting. He smirked at the shroomish, which frightened him.
“You know full well we had a deal, didn't you? You gave me Matt, and we released your best friend. That way, we have a better hostage to negotiate with the humans.”
He was with the PLF this whole time? He had tricked me and Matt this whole time. I can't believe it.
Chen stood there in shock. He stared into the krokorok's eyes deeply.
“Guts, how could you do this? That doesn't make any sense. Why would you make such effort when you could have simply captured him earlier?”
“We didn't want to attract unwanted attention,” she explained. “If we had captured him earlier, most rangers would have been on them. But instead, Guts worked with us to create a scenario in which he would put you and Matt into a trap. Since Matt is now close to the village, the rangers won't be able to save him. We had already outsmarted both of you from the very beginning.”
The shroomish looked into Guts' eyes. He tried to calm himself up, despite being tricked by someone he had trusted from the get-go.
“Guts, listen to me. You don't have to do this. Matt did nothing wrong, and yet you stab him in the back. What makes you think that they'll release your friend? Why wouldn't they kill you once you gave out Matt's position? I've been there for you. I've been there when you were at your lowest. I know Matt doesn't deserve this, and you do know that too. You can't let your past consume you, Guts.”
The krokorok looked back and forth between Diana and Chen, biting his lips.