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The Divine Chronicles: The Last Heir

Discussion in 'Literature Library' started by Aewynessa, Jan 27, 2017.

  1. Aewynessa

    Pidgey
    (Pidgey)
    Level 1
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    Staff of VerityCrown of ValorBig Nugget ★★★★★
    Fanfiction Link [Ch 1]

    ~ Summary ~
    Ever since she was a kit, Mona had been the school outcast. Her peers constantly bullied her. Despite her treatment, she always dreamed of forming her own exploration team. However, the real world isn't all she's cut it out to be. With dangers threatening to consume her, Mona must struggle the survive the onslaught from her enemies with the help of her friends. [A PMD story]​
    ---==0==---
    Story should be updated roughly biweekly. Chapters will be added in spoiler tags to avoid repetitive posting and long post length. The story does not include Gen 7 Pokémon or mechanics (not because I hate it, but because I started this story before Gen 7 was released). The setting for this story is a modified version of the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky world.​
    **Note: Thoughts and emphasized words are in italics.**​
    ---==0==---
    Ch 1:
    Chapter One: Alone
    Blood rushed through my veins. Sweat glistened on my nose. Exhaustion seared my muscles. This was it: the peak of the battle.
    I narrowed my focus to the Pokémon in front of me. His movements were smooth. They flowed around my attacks, striking at my vulnerabilities quickly before darting out of range. Sweat dripped into my eyes. My body groaned as it tried to match my opponent's pace, but another kick sent me flying.
    Slowly, I pushed myself to my feet. I shook my head, vainly trying to clear it of the approaching fog. I gathered my energy within my body and felt it push at the surface of my skin. With a valiant cry, I charged, white energy forming in a cone around me.
    My opponent stood in the center of the field as I drew closer. Just before my attack connected, he pivoted on his right foot and swung around with his left. His foot slammed into my unprotected back, sending me face-down into the dirt.
    Soil seeped into my mouth, and I laid prone on the ground for a split second. Then, in a spark of intuition, I charged a different kind of energy into my paws and dug into the ground. In the space of a second, I was gone, leaving a hole in my place.
    Down below the surface, I dug a small maze of tunnels to confuse my opponent. The darkness pressed on me, but I ignored the feeling. I sensed no movement on the surface. Thinking that his lack of movement was an opening, I surged upwards and broke apart the ground. I saw that I had emerged behind my opponent. Excitement welled up within me. I could win! I could finally win this!
    Energy gathered into the front of my mouth, manifesting in a ball of shadows. When it fully charged, I shot it down, momentarily slowing my descent with the kickback. The condensed shadows flew at an incredible speed towards my target and exploded when it smashed into him. Dust clouds expanded from the point of impact and wreathed the field in darkness.
    I clumsily landed on four paws, then almost fell over. The fight had taken ample amounts of energy out of me. My legs shook with fatigue, and my lungs wheezed from dust inhalation. I did it! I won! I cheered merrily in my head. I finally beat him! That took so long, and I'm so exhausted! Thank goodness it's-
    Whumph! My breath rushed out, and I soared over the ground. I landed roughly and rolled for several feet before stopping. I tried to move, but my body wouldn't respond; it was too tired.
    In my downed state, I heard footsteps stride over to where I was. A foot crushed into my abdomen, and a glowing, fiery fist entered my vision.
    I looked up to see hardened eyes stare down at me. My opponent pulled back his hand. I closed my eyes in dreaded expectance.
    "ENOUGH!" a voice roared. The heat faded from my face, and the pressure on my stomach lifted. I opened my eyes to see my opponent offering a claw. I turned my body to push my scruff closer to his hand. He grabbed it and pulled me to my paws.
    I nodded in thanks, appearing thankful on the outside. On the inside, I was in turmoil. I had let my guard down for a second, thinking the battle was over, and he took advantage of it to finish me.
    From the far end of the field, a heavily muscled, blue-skinned Pokémon was clapping. The machamp called out, "What an excellent fight, you two! Mona, you made an excellent move with your Dig. Kyle, congratulations for dodging that Shadow Ball! Truly, what a wonderful fight!"
    I sighed in defeat. No matter what the instructor said, the truth was still obvious. I was poorly outmatched against Kyle, especially since he was a combusken, a partially fighting-type Pokémon. His talons moved like the wind, and his tan-feathered arms held more strength than they showed. Not only that, but I barely rose above his knees. Furthermore, he had dodged my Shadow Ball. My spirits sank. He dodged it! I can't believe I had assumed it hit.
    The instructor must have noticed my frustration, because he walked over to me and put a hand on my shoulder. He kneeled, but he still had to look down to my chagrin.
    "Don't be hard on yourself, Mona. You fought excellently for having a type and height disadvantage." At his last two words, I heard a couple of snickers at the sidelines of the field.
    Ignoring the sounds, he continued, "Go get some water. A workout like that deserves a little refreshment."
    I hung my head. "Yes, Mr. Horace," I responded, a similar response to another of his carbon-copy speeches.
    My feet dragged the ground, though not completely from exhaustion. As I passed the crowd on the sidelines, a couple of my classmates jostled me roughly. I snarled, but they just laughed in response. My snarls were high-pitched and sounded like a kit. Not exactly threatening, especially with my one-foot stature.
    A low comment reached my sensitive ears. "Look at her, she's so lame. I mean, she's only won ten fights this whole year, and that was because her opponent was Herold, the haunter who can't even affect her!"
    Instead of retaliating, I ducked my head and ran towards the watering pond. As soon as I reached the edge of the water, I plunged my face into the water. Greedily, I gulped down mouthfuls of the delicious liquid. When my lungs and stomach couldn't take anymore, I emerged for a cool breath of morning air.
    Morning. Great, I thought. I still have the rest of another humiliating day of school to deal with. At least I only have two more days of school. Distractedly, I stared at my reflection in the pond. The face of an eevee stared back, mimicking my saddened expression. I frowned and watched my reflection copy me.
    Various facial expressions passed over my face, and I observed my reflection mirror each one. Ripples distorted the image, and other reflections overlapped and covered my own. Slowly, I pulled away from the pond edge. No matter what, I would always be me. I could at least say that.
    A clashing sound resounded from the field center. Walking back over, I immediately perked up. Kyle was back in the center again, and he was facing a much more worthy opponent: Blade, a bisharp. Bladed hands clashed with feathered ones, and fleet talons were matched with iron boots.
    I briefly noticed Blade use Swords Dance before he struck with Slash. Kyle ducked under the blow and back flipped out of range. In the few seconds he had before the next attack, his body glowed orange.
    Blade jumped close to Kyle and cleaved his glowing white blade downwards. Kyle leaned to side, taking a glancing hit, and retaliated with a super effective Fire Punch.
    Blade shuffled back from the force of the blow, hissing. I nodded in admiration. What a quick use of Bulk Up. I'm surprised he managed to pull off the maneuver, I thought appreciatively.
    With his increased strength, Kyle leapt high into the high air. His right talon pulled back until his knee was protruding. A white-orange glow encased his knee.
    Blade moved his eyes skyward and squinted, trying to spot Kyle through the glaring sun at Kyle's back. The Sword Blade Pokémon only had time to swing up both blades for a dual Slash before Kyle's knee rammed into his chest.

    The resulting dust cloud remained for several seconds. As the dirt settled, I could barely discern two shadows. Both were upright. The finals specks fell to the ground, revealing Kyle and Blade standing off at opposing ends of the field. I waited with baited breath. Neither Pokémon moved.
    Suddenly, with a soft groan, Blade sank to one knee, then fully to the ground. Kyle finally showed a reaction as well, softly sighing as he uncurled his claws. Mr. Horace, clapping once more, said, "Magnificent! The victor is Kyle! Despite the shortness of the battle, both of you gave everything you had. I couldn't have asked for anything better."
    I watched Kyle stride over to the fallen bisharp and extend the same claw he did to me. However, Blade slapped it away with thinly veiled anger. "I don't need pity from you," he grunted.
    Staggering to his feet, Blade turned his back to Kyle and sauntered to the water pond. Unfortunately, that meant he was heading straight to me.
    I hastily scrambled out of his way. The waves of anger that rolled off of him held such a potency that they were almost tangible. Blade has never lost that badly before. He must be having an off-day, I thought.

    "That will be all for today," Mr. Horace called to our class, noticing that the time hourglass had fully drained the sand to the bottom half and was radiating a bright yellow light.
    No further words needed to be spoken. I bolted to my bag, ducking into the nearest Pokémon's shadow. No one wanted to be in the arena for a second longer, including myself. I slipped my head, with minor difficulty, through the strap of my bag, and it settled into its usual place on my right shoulder. Following a lumbering ursaring, I darted into the main school building.
    For a rather recent structure, the building was dingy. There were few window holes, and the storage bags were crammed together with hardly a foot in between. The wooden ceiling hung low enough to cause a few of the taller Pokémon to bang their heads occasionally. Muddy footprints caked the warped wooden floor. The classrooms, thankfully, were spaced decently apart and had solid wooden doors.
    My storage bag hung a few spaces to my left. I swiftly hopped to my bag, hoping to transfer my math workbook and Ancient and Modern History textbook before Blade arrived. His losses always followed up with a tantrum and a beating on one of the smaller Pokémon, like me. The headmaster often sentenced Blade with a week's suspension after each such incident. I was surprised the headmaster did not just expel him already.
    With practiced ease, I balanced on my hind legs, lifted the flap of my magic locker bag with my mouth, and bit the hardened spine my math workbook. Lifting it out of the bag, I spat it on the ground and reached in for my A&M History textbook.
    My mouth had just clamped down on a corner when a pressure settled on my shoulders. Not turning around, I ducked out of my locker bag and shoved the textbook in my personal bag. The math workbook quickly followed.
    I practically ran to my next class. I had almost made it to the door when I heard a crash behind me. Shocked, I turned around and softly gasped. Blade was lying on the ground, rubbing his bottom. In front of him, a luxio stared down at him. His thin tail swished in annoyance, the four-point star at its end twirling.
    Blade growled and stood up to his full height. The other Pokémon seemed to only grow angry at the move. Jabbing his blade in the quadruped's face, Blade growled, "You piece of filth! Who do you think you are, running–"
    He didn't get to finish his sentence. The luxio's left foreleg shot out and swept Blade's legs out from under him. Electricity coursed through his black and blue fur, then jumped onto Blade's body. Blade's body instantly froze. His eyes, somehow free of the paralysis, stared fearfully at the luxio's own yellow ones.
    The luxio lowered himself until his eyes were a mere inch from Blade's. He then spoke in a low growl. "I think I know who I am, and it is not a piece of filth. I am Zane, and I don't appreciate when people accuse me of their mistakes. If you know what's good for you, you'll stay out of my way, you disgraceful wretch."
    Apparently deciding that the confrontation was over, Zane whirled around and calmly strode down the hall. My glance stole to Blade's prone form. He looked like he wanted to pursue Zane, but his muscles would not respond. I grit my teeth in anger at seeing such a strong-willed Pokémon laid low by a dirty move.
    As Zane moved near a group of girls, he flashed them a dashing smile. The girls swooned, and one of them almost fainted.
    I rolled my eyes in disgust. Those girls were delusional and had been for the past few years. I did not know what they saw in that bully, but they obviously did not see his true nature.
    Another gasp came from a separate clique of females. When Zane dashingly smiled and greeted them, two of them actually fainted. Thankfully, their friends caught the two mid-fall.
    When Zane neared me, he stopped. His eyes glinted dangerously, and a low growl formed in the base of his throat. My eyes connected with his. His growl grew slightly louder.
    I only lightly growled in response and flicked my eyes to the door nearest to him. He followed my gaze and his growling immediately halted at the sight of the closed door. He looked at me one last time, snorted, and walked past me without a second glance.
    I sighed in relief when he entered his next classroom. Noticing that I had drawn plenty of uncomfortable stares, I shyly ducked my head down and darted into my classroom, which happened to be right behind me.
    I waited until I heard feet shuffling again before I sighed, then growled in annoyance. He's such a thorn in my side, I thought. He still hasn't forgotten that day so long ago...
    With a huff, I dragged my slightly sore body to my desk in the front of the classroom. As I sat down on my flat wooden seat, my back suddenly cramped. I swallowed the rising yelp of pain and shifted to a more comfortable position. The ache somewhat eased; I still had not recovered. Resignedly, I pulled out my math workbook and waited for second period, my math class, to begin.
    As usual, Mrs. Beatrice was late. At five minutes past when class should have begun, the gothitelle rushed in, hurriedly turned the hourglass, and immediately wrote several algebraic problems on the board.
    "Class, as you may know," she babbled, "tomorrow begins your final assessment days. Your math final is on the first day. I have assembled a packet that reviews the concepts you will need to know for your final. The test will be–"
    I drowned out her monotonous and drawling voice. She had already given this speech three times prior in this week. Frankly, it had become boring. We all knew about the review and the nature of the final. We all knew it was in two days. We all knew that it would be important for our future careers and such.
    Thankfully, her speech was shorter today. She finally handed out the oft-referenced packets to the class using her Psychic. My packet, which oddly already had my name on it, floated over to me, glowing in a bright aqua hue.
    When it centered over the desk, the glow extinguished, and the stack of wood sheets landed with a heavy thump. Pulling my Levi-pen out of my bag, I immediately levitated it over the first problem and began to write.
    I spent the rest of my class period filling out the packet. Math problem after math problem flew by under the steady movement of my Levi-pen. After what felt like a long time, I finally de-levitated my magic pencil from the answer blank of the last problem.
    I'm glad someone invented these Levi-pens. I couldn't have finished my written work without it. Using my claws to scratch out each letter and number would have been taken too much time, I thought.
    Now without something to occupy my attention, my gaze drifted to the other students of the class. Several Pokémon appeared to be struggling, while others were closer towards the end. One kadabra was moving two pens at once; one was actually working out the problems while another was doodling a random drawing in the margins.
    I huffed in irritation. Psychic types can be such show-offs. Then again, he probably finds math to be as easy as I do, I pondered.

    I laid my head down on my feet. As I closed my eyes, the fight with Kyle began to replay in my mind. He had started out strong, coming in close with rapid kicks. Being short actually had given me an advantage since Kyle was forced to aim his kicks lower and could not use his punches effectively.
    However, Kyle did not earn his reputation as the school's best fighter for nothing. He had pulled back on his kicks in order to save energy, but they still came at lightning-quick speeds. He knew he could outlast me, and not even my last ditch attempt with the Dig and Shadow Ball combo could faze him.
    For the whole fight, the odds were completely stacked with him. In the end, though I tried to deny it, Kyle would win. He would always win, and he would do it silently.
    Suddenly, the hourglass lit up with a bright purple light. Mrs. Beatrice hurriedly gathered her teaching supplies and whisked out the door before even the back-row students could exit. As the class trickled from the room at a slower pace, I slipped in towards the back of the group, following the crowd to my next class: Ancient and Modern History.
    If the ease of math was a bore, then history class was a nightmare of lethargic repetition. Mr. Spruce, a simisage long past his prime, never changed the class format. He always handed out notes that were mostly filled out and proceeded to go over the entire section of notes like we could not read. If he miraculously finished the notes before class ended, he would tell us to open up our textbooks and read a random section in the current unit.
    Today, he plopped down a giant, almost complete packet, called it the review, and then literally read off the packet to constitute as "teaching" the class.
    I was very tempted to repeatedly bang my head on the desk. At least it would have been more entertaining.

    Before I seriously considered it, another student abruptly slammed his head onto the desk. The entire class, with the exception of Mr. Deaf Bush-head, stared at the student in a mix of horror and admiration. The student had managed to fall asleep in class and actually get away with it. Not wanting to draw attention to his feat, we turned back towards Mr. Spruce as if nothing had gone amiss.
    Another completed review later, I was back in the dark hallways of our school. Walking over to my storage bag, I dropped my workbook and textbook, which I never did use, into the storage bag and transferred my Language Studies textbook into my shoulder bag.
    I started to close my storage bag, but quickly remembered that I had brought my own lunch today. My mouth latched onto the handle of the wooden container and yanked it out. Because my mouth was now occupied, I reached my right paw up to bat down the flap. To my chagrin, I couldn't reach the bag. My claws extended outwards and managed to snag the base of flap and pull it down.
    Suddenly, anger boiled up in me. My throat unconsciously growled. My paws flexed, releasing their claws. Why do I have to be so short? I thought crossly. Can't I just–. No. Mona, calm down. You've beat yourself up over this before. No need to do this now.
    I exhaled, uncurling my paws. I sighed in defeat and dropped back onto all fours. My feet, almost of their own accord, moved the rest of my body towards the cafeteria. I just need some food. Maybe that will clear up my mind a little.
    I could feel eyes upon me. Despite my height, I always attracted stares.
    I quickened my pace, hoping to escape the deluge of pressure and pity. Paws, talons, and tails pulled out of my path like flowing water. In less than a minute, the cafeteria entryway loomed above, full of the aromas of juicy berry cooking.
    Just as I thought I was safe, I heard whispers on the edge of my hearing.
    "Hey, look, there she is."
    "Who? That one, low to the ground?"
    "Yeah. Isn't she...?"
    "The failure? Pretty sure."
    "Have you ever wondered why she never–"
    I stopped listening right then. I did not want to hear the conversation finish. Not when I already knew the ending.
    Nobody saw me. They saw an outcast eevee.
    A line wound out of the cafeteria's double doors, snaking halfway down the corridor. The noise level had climbed considerably, forcing me to pin back my sensitive ears protectively. I pressed myself past an exploud occupying most of the door space into the open space beyond.
    My jaw nearly fell off at seeing the extension of the line inside. Appreciating my sudden desire this morning to bring my own lunch, I joyfully skipped to my usual seat at the back of the cafeteria. When I drew close to my table, my joy abruptly vanished. I stared in shock at the group of Pokémon that had stolen my spot.
    Three girls lounged in my seating area, talking as if they had resided there the entire year. One grovyle shone a brilliant green with smooth leaves sprouting from her wrists, head, and rear end. Her red stomach had not a single blemish and glossed beautifully.
    On her right, a kirlia with stunning mint green locks sat with a ramrod posture. Her white skin naturally blossomed at the hips into an elegant skirt, which draped over her slim green legs.
    Across from her sat perhaps the most dazzling of them all: a glaceon. Her icy blue body was lean from careful dieting. Her wide tail gracefully curved up into the air, matching the gentle sway of her tall ears. The dangles of fur that sprouted from her temples revealed no visible tangles or knots. She possessed a regal air that captured the attention of others, especially males in close proximity.
    The grovyle noticed me first. She prodded the kirlia next to her and whispered something in her ear. The kirlia nodded before motioning to the glacon. All three turned to face me, crafty smiles adorned on their faces.
    "Hello, eevee girl," The glaceon said, initiating a conversation.
    I spat my lunch on the table near the grovyle. She almost seemed repulsed from the container.
    "Lucy," I greeted back. "Gloria. Grace," I added, gesturing to the grovyle and kirla respectively. "What brings you here?" I spat, barely suppressing a growl.
    Lucy seemed to register my bottled resentment. "Why, we were just chatting and catching up on the morning's events," she said, her words dripping with sarcasm. "No need for someone like you to join in."
    I ignored the painful jab she shot me and retaliated. "What are you really doing here? In case you haven't realized, this is my spot. Me, the loner. Just saying." It hurt to say "a loner", but I needed to get my point across to them.
    The three exchanged glances, then broke out laughing. "I don't think you've realized, little Eevee, but this is our spot now. We figured, since it is the end of the year and all, that we would sit somewhere new to get a, let's say, fresh view of the cafeteria. I'm sorry, but you can't sit here anymore. This table is A-list now."
    At her last sentence, she rose her voice so it could be heard over the cafeteria noise. As if on cue, all of the Pokémon at the old "A-list" table rose from their seats at the other end of the cafeteria. They crossed the aisle way before filling in the remaining seats of the old "outcast" table.
    Lucy glanced around at her fellow lackeys, then smiled at me. "See, girl? Everyone else agrees with me. This table is such a nice table. To think that you had this all to yourself. Well, I guess sharing is caring, is it not? You seem to care about us very much, Eevee, for giving us this wonderful table. Now, be a good girl and leave us alone, will you? The sight of riffraff like you is starting to become rather drab."
    I could feel my ears and cheeks heat up from underneath my fur. I now fully realized why Lucy, Gloria, and Grace had taken my seat, then my table: they wanted to publicly shame me.
    The worst fact was that I could not do a thing against them. I was an outcast and resided at the complete opposite end of Lucy and her friends in the school hierarchy. Not only would my words have no effect, but I also could not stand my ground against at least ten other Pokémon. I was powerless, and Lucy knew it.
    I turned my back on Lucy, my head hanging low. As soon as my backside was facing her, Lucy began to laugh, knowing she had won, even though her victory was assured from the beginning.
    The laughter spread like a plague. First the A-list table was laughing at me, then the neighboring tables, and finally the whole lunchroom's raucous mirth filled the whole air with its vibrations.
    I stood there in the middle of the room, alone. Laughter rang in air around me, humiliating me. My legs began to buckle, and my head dipped lower. I heard something whistle through the air and felt an object smash into my side before breaking apart.
    My eyes shot to my side. What appeared to be a Pecha Berry's remains were dripping down my brown fur onto the floor. The idea caught on, and soon various berries and green plants sailed through the air, landing either on me or flying wide.
    I had not been shamed this horribly in over two years. I slowly turned in a full circle, searching for a friendly face in the crowd. Faces were laughing, others were sneering, but none showed sympathy.
    A Tomato Berry smacked into my mouth, leaving behind a red, juicy trail. A barrage of Oran Berries flew at me and showered me in globs of regenerative guts. The food continuously rained down on my tiny frame.
    Voices rang out among the mocking laughter.
    "Runt!"
    "Outcast!"
    "Failure!"
    "You don't deserve to be in this school!"
    Unable to endure the torment any longer, I tensed and bolted, grabbing my lunch container that had fallen to ground near me. The laughter only grew stronger.
    Behind me, I heard Lucy cackling, a sound that was rather unbecoming of her. "Yes, you little runt! Run! Run like the coward and weakling you are! Nobody's here to rescue you! Nobody!"

    I kept running down the hall, almost bumping into a teacher, who I identified as Mr. Horace. I muttered a brief apology as I ran out the back door. I did not stop until I reached the pond. Letting my lunch container clatter to the ground, I dove into the still waters.
    Chunks of half-eaten berries slipped off of my silky fur. A rainbow of juice trails streamed behind me as I swam through the murky depths.
    Feeling my lungs begin to scream for air, I pushed my legs behind me and emerged with a gasp. With my fur cleaner, I swam up to the bank and crawled out. Water and unidentifiable liquids poured from my non-absorptive fur. Only when I had dried out and sat down near my lunch container did I let the tears slip out of my eyes.
    Why?! I screamed in my head. Why did they think they could do that?! Why did they go through all that trouble just to push me down lower than I already was? Am I really that weak?

    The tears started spill faster. My breath hitched in my throat. Who do they think they are? They shouldn't be able to do that! I'm a Pokémon, too, with equal value and emotions! They just played with me like I was some kit's toy! Why can't I fight back? Why am I so weak? How can other Pokémon bring me so low like this?
    I began to pace around my dropped lunch. My feet churned up the mud, caking it on my short legs and belly. The mud only ignited more anger. Memories of Lucy and her friend's bullying surged forth.
    Lucy and her friends cornered me outside after school. Lucy picked on me regularly at my locker bag. Lucy, Gloria, and Grace beat me time and time again at Battle class tournaments. They said ugly comments to me during classes. They always had an incessant air of superiority around me.
    "I can't take it anymore!" I screamed to the sky. "I CAN'T!"
    In rage and distress, I swung my foreleg at my lunch. The container soared through the air, opening up and emptying its contents on the ground below. It smashed into the ground and shattered into irreparable splinters.
    A raw scream tore itself from my throat. The sound echoed into the distance, rebounding back all of the anger and frustration I had vented into it. Another scream bubbled in my throat, ready to release, when I noticed a small piece of paper on the ground.
    I stared at it for a few seconds, knowing that I had not put paper in my lunch container. I quickly strode over to it. I glimpsed the handwriting and paused in recognition. Anger momentarily forgotten, I eagerly devoured the words.
    Mona,
    We miss you. Hope you enjoy your lunch. We added something special just for you. Hugs and kisses!
    - Mom and Dad

    My breathing grew more uneven. My legs crumpled, and my head wedged between my forepaws, my forehead landing in a squishy object. I recoiled from the unexpected touch and gazed down between my forepaws.
    In between my paws nestled what once was a homemade Chilan Berry Poké Puff. The Poké Puff should have been fluffy with a sugary tan cream adorning the top. Now, the cream interior dribbled from the crushed, dirt-covered pastry onto the grass, mixing with the fallen icing.
    Mom and Dad's gift, I realized. A wall around my heart suddenly crumbled. I broke into wracking sobs as I laid by the pond, alone.

    -―==0==―-
    School remained uneventful after the events during lunch period. Mrs. Francesca, a sweet delcatty, taught a wonderful Language Studies class, as per usual, reviewing the Unown and Rebirth, or modern-day, languages.
    Exploration and Rescue class's teacher, Mr. Ace the gruff serperior, threw us into a moderately difficult, non-Mystery dungeon called Pinewood Grove as a solo training exercise.
    He purposely veiled the nature of the final from us under the guise that "an adventurer never knows the threats that lay in dungeons–neither should you." He refused to say anything else when questioned further.
    His words still lingered on my mind as I ventured homewards. His reasoning was solid but cryptic nonetheless. He must be hiding something from us, but I can't tell what, I mused. I guess the nature of final will be revealed the day of the final. Figures.
    Dust flurried in small clouds at each impact of my paws, slightly surprising me. My thoughts had ensnared me so deeply that I did not register my entrance into the Oran Forest. The worn path that I trod wound through magnificent oaks and pines. Berry bushes lined the trail, laden with fruits of various colors. A faint plume of smoke ascended into the sky in the distance. Excited, I quickened my pace and almost tripped over several gray roots.
    A humble abode rose into my view. Grass surrounded the ten-foot high wooden walls, and luscious, vibrant leaves sprung outwards from the roof. A small chimney emerged from the leaves, slowly trickling out smoky wisps into the branches above. Window holes opened on each side of the leaf-curtained entryway. I waded through the tall grass and shouldered past the leaf curtain.
    The smell of forest Berry cooking wafted in the air. Behind a counter, a mix of Berries simmered in a shallow pan, the only metal object in the entire abode. The roar of the fire in the fireplace sounded muffled and tame as if the lax atmosphere calmed it.
    A table resided on the opposite side of the room as the counter. Two curtained-off sections, one smaller than the other, encompassed the far wall. A cushioning mat of woven leaves covered the area in front of the curtain. Painted on it were the words, "Home is where the heart is." A little heart was painted below the words.
    My arrival did not go unnoticed. A lithe leafeon swished around from her spot near the fire. The vivid green leaves adorning her tan body fluttered with the shifting of air. "Hello, Mona! Welcome home! How was your day?" Mom said, smiling.
    I almost grimaced, but quickly hid it under a smile. "It was great," I replied casually. "I brought home a gift!"
    A rustling came from the larger curtain. Sleepily, an umbreon emerged, the rings on his black body glowing faintly. "Ree? Is someone here?" Dad said, half-asleep.
    Mom giggled. "Yes, Umon. Mona is home. She said she brought a gift!"
    Dad perked. "A gift? C'mon, show us, little Chilan!"
    Sighing in what almost felt like regret, I pulled out the gift. The small package thumped onto the counter. "It isn't much, but I hope it's okay... It's for tonight's dessert," I said.
    Mom moved to open the package, but Dad intercepted her with a surprisingly quick bound for just awakening from his afternoon nap. His teeth snatched the box and eagerly tore into the thick wrapping.
    Mom, concerned, said, "Umie, be careful! You might ruin the food inside!" Dad only paused long enough to mumble a low response before continuing.
    Mom and I shook our heads simultaneously. Dad always got excited when I brought home gifts. I supposed it was something interesting in our peaceful lives. Food... Interesting...
    I shook my head harder to clear it. Mom noticed the movement and frowned. Flashing a quick smile at her for reassurance, I watched Dad finish tearing open the gift. His eyes lit up in delight as he viewed the dish inside.
    A small cake rested delicately on the remains of its container. Decorated with swirling white icing and small berries, the cake wafted an invigoratingly sweet fragrance. Dad remained frozen in his stance, his mouth lightly salivating.
    Mom inquisitively sniffed the cake. "Hmm... This smells like a Shuca and Oran Berry mix with some wildberries on top. Very inspirational baking," she remarked with a knowledgeable air.
    I nodded in accord. "Yeah, Mrs. Illimia gave it to me right outside of school. She said it was a thank-you gift to both of you for assisting with the latest community trade festival. You know I can't say 'no' to whatever she bakes for us."
    Mom laughed. "Mrs. Illimia is very adamant about her gift giving, isn't she? Well, I'll just have to give her my regards later. For now, let's have dinner and enjoy this wonderful surprise! Everyone knows Mrs. Illimia's cooking the best around the Oran Forest."
    I loved seeing my parents smile. They looked so carefree as if nothing in the world could ever bring them down.
    Dad eagerly nodded and bolted to the eating table. Mom rolled her eyes and dished the sautéed berry dinner onto the table. Chopped Shuca Berry lined the outside of the platter, while a mix of Copa and Sitrus Berries filled the center. We had hardly finished offering the meal to Arceus before we dug into the delicious fare.
    In what felt like seconds, dinner had finished. In a tacit agreement, I carried the finished platters to the washbasin and dunked them in to clean later. Opening a storage cabinet, I carried out three smaller plates to the counter.
    Mom already stood by the cake, her leafy tail primed with a Leaf Blade. With expert precision, she sliced three portions from the main body of cake and just as deftly slid them onto the plates. I helped her carry them to the table.
    Before his portion had even hit the table, Dad dug into the delectable treat. Mom and I attacked our slices in a more sensible manner but with no less aggression. It was not every day that we tasted one of Mrs. Illimia's prime desserts.
    We devoured the cake faster than we had eaten our dinner. Licking his lips in satisfaction, Dad said, "That has got to be one of the best cakes I have ever had in my lifetime, and I'm old."
    Mom slapped him playfully on the leg. "Umon, you are not old! You are just...in your prime middle years. Besides, if you are old, then that means I'm old, and there's no way that's happening anytime soon."
    I left them to their banter and strode into my section of the house. Pushing past the curtain, I took in the sight that had welcomed me for the past seventeen years.
    A small bed dominated the cramped space. A window opened above the bed's headrest, letting in ample amounts of the late evening light. Small sketches adorned the walls. Some depicted rough copies of a leafeon, an umbreon, and an eevee. Others depicted a Chilan Berry, random Pokémon, or an exploration badge.

    My paw briefly grazed the image of the exploration badge. My dream will soon become a reality, I thought longingly.
    Sighing, I jumped onto my bed and loosely curled up. Grabbing a book from under my bed, I immersed myself in the wonderful fiction of Lucan Lorraine. I did not know what species of Pokémon he was, but his prowess in writing rivaled that of a psychic type. His fictional works not only possessed a stunning literary quality but also valuable teachings on the most essential lessons and virtues of life. Every time I opened one of his books, I found it immensely difficult to tear myself away, so I remained entranced in its pages until the last ray of daylight faded.
    I closed my book and slid it back under my bed, unable to decipher any more text under the closing darkness. I leaned back against my fluffy, homemade pillow. I had been so close to finishing it again, but the sunlight dictated that I must wait another day.
    Shifting around, I found a comfortable position. Sleep had almost overtaken me when I heard soft words in the night.
    "Is she asleep?" a light voice asked.
    "Yes. I saw her curl up not too long ago. She's probably fallen asleep earlier for her finals tomorrow," a heavier voice responded.
    "...Umon, is she going to be okay? She hasn't made the choice. When I was her age, I had already become a leafeon. I know that there's a glaceon among her peers. She should have made her choice already like that Pokémon," the light voice said worriedly.
    "Ree, we have to give her some time. I know that she should have made the choice long ago, but she might be waiting for the right moment. We all can't have our minds set from the very beginning. Some need more time, more deliberation, before they choose. We just have to accept that Mona is taking longer to reach a decision," the heavy voice said back.
    "But she can't wait forever. I don't know a single Eon that took this long to make the choice. I don't want to see her grow up with indecision. No eevee should ever be stuck in that position, and I don't want our little Chilan to become that. We need to ask her about it, and soon."
    "We shouldn't pressure her. She's been busy studying for the finals, and the last thing she needs from us is doubt about her future. These tests will decided how well she graduates and how many higher-end guilds she can join. She's always dreamed of forming an exploration team. If us pressuring her denies her the fantastic guilds she's striving to join, we would blame ourselves until the day we passed on to the Halls of Origin and the afterlife. Let's wait for a little while longer."
    A small silence ensued. Then, the light voice broke the silence. "I will wait until she graduates. No longer."
    "Alright, dear. After graduation. We'll both talk to her and see if we can convince her to make the choice."
    Feet padded from the area of the eating table to the second sectioned-off area of the house. The curtains swished and the bed creaked, then all fell silent.
    Despair began to take root in my heart. Even my parents don't believe in me. They shouldn't, anyway. It's not like I don't want to make the choice. I...can't. I never will, I thought sadly.
    My head ducked between my legs, and I struggled to stifle a sob. I don't have the light within me; I would be able to feel it if I did. I can't do it. I will never be able to do it. Unwillingly, tears slid down my cheeks. I will never be able to evolve.
    My chest was heaving, and tears were streaming down my cheeks and dripping onto the bed. They did not stop for a long time; only when they ended did sleep finally overtake me.
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
  2. Aewynessa

    Pidgey
    (Pidgey)
    Level 1
    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2017
    Posts:
    98
    PokéPoints:
    ₽219.4
    Staff of VerityCrown of ValorBig Nugget ★★★★★
    Here's Chapter 2! Hope y'all enjoy!

    Ch 2:
    The morning was silent. I awoke before both of my parents and prepared a small breakfast of dry berries for the family. Mom rose before Dad did, as always, and joined me at the table. We said nothing, favoring the sounds of the morning birds over idle conversation. Mom stole glances at me as if she wanted to say something, but she turned away whenever I tried to make eye contact.
    Deciding to keep my eavesdropping a secret, I said, "Mom, I'm going to be back earlier today. The teachers broke up the finals into two days this year. All the written work is today and the battle and exploration and rescue exams are tomorrow. I just wanted to let you know, so you don't worry." She already knew the exam schedule, but I wanted to break the ice between us and allow her to speak her mind with some measure of confidence.
    Mom smiled at me. "Thanks for telling me," she said. She then reached a paw across the table and laid it in front of me. "Mona, I've been meaning to say this for a while. Deep inside, I know you are a mature adult. I know you can make the right choices when you need to," she spoke softly.
    After a pause, she continued, "I love you very much, and I want to see you strive to achieve what you desire. Sometimes, though, we have to make choices that we don't like, or feel like we're not ready for. We don't have the time we think we have, and you can't ponder something for forever. You may never have the chance to do so again. I just...wanted you to know that."
    She stretched her paw a little farther towards me.
    I met her paw with my own. "Thanks Mom. I'll be sure to remember that."
    We held the position for a few seconds longer, then sat back down on the ground. "I better get going. I don't want to be late," I said.
    Standing up, I grabbed my platter and dropped it next to the dishes from last night. I'll have to wash these when I come back home, I thought. Shouldering my bag, I exited the curtain entryway as I heard my mom drop her platter in the washbasin.
    The outside forest appeared to be the exact opposite of last afternoon's forest. Gray tones still diluted much of the forest's glory. The path to the main road laid in dark shadow, disguising the bushes and roots that lined its edges. The oaks and pines still held onto the last shreds of their looming, ominous presence from the night.
    The path seemed shorter this morning; maybe it came from my slight anxiety or my prevalent need to be early. All the same, I arrived at the main road and turned left towards the school.
    Even though I deemed myself to be early, Pokémon had already traveled on the road, as I noticed fresh tracks dotting the dirt. I sped up my pace to a light jog. A fair amount of distance still laid between me and the school.
    A peaceful night's rest had still not cured me of the plaguing doubts in my heart. My parents' voices still rang in my head. They tried to trust in me, to have faith, but they could not wait any longer.
    How can I tell them? I thought desperately. How should I tell them? Will they believe me, or will they take it as another attempt to stall for time? I don't know. I don't know. I don't know...
    Hanging my head, I trudged onward. I was not even halfway to the school yet.
    -–==0==–-
    "You'll be in Mrs. Francesca's room. You're early, so don't worry about rushing to the room yet. Take your time to relax and clear your mind. These tests get sent to the guilds as part of your future evaluation process, so make sure to try your hardest!" a clefable instructed.
    "Yes, ma'am," I automatically responded. I debated where to wait out the remaining time before exams. I took one hard look right towards the cafeteria, then immediately went the opposite direction. One of the last situations I wanted to end up in was meeting Lucy and her clique in the cafeteria. That would not end well, I mused.
    I passed several closed doors and assumed the teachers either had not arrived or were preparing for the influx of students. Behind one door, I heard a loud bang, then a soft sizzle. I immediately recognized the classroom and shied away from its entrance.
    The teacher in that classroom, Mrs. Hyria, elevated eccentricity to a whole new level. Her course, Arcane Focus, held little information and much terror, not to mention periodic explosions. Frankly, everybody held some degree of terror towards her. The only one who did not seem to mind her was Mr. Spruce, and I suspected his lack of fear came from his poor hearing and eyesight.
    After passing my umpteenth closed door, I opted to return outside to the fresh air and invigorating sunlight. Instead of exiting through the front entrance, I stole through the back door and into the training field.
    The back of the school faced east, and the sun bathed it with its rays without obstruction. I ambled into the field, grass cushioning my every step. A few Pokémon were sparring in the middle of the dirt training area. Intrigued, I hastened over to watch them.
    The Pokémon appeared to be in a two-on-two, tag team battle. A manectric and gallade team were pitted against an arcanine and his blaziken partner. Both sides heatedly exchanged blows with punches, kicks, or bites.
    As I watched, the manectric suddenly leapt and bit the blaziken's arm with a Thunder Fang. The blaziken cried out in pain, which alerted the arcanine battling the gallade. With a loud cry, he kicked off away from his gallade opponent and grabbed the manectric's scruff with his teeth.
    The manectric, seemingly angered at the double assault, growled heavily. Electricity began coursing through his fur, and his two opponents only had time to give startled cries before the Discharge blasted them. The two skidded for several yards before coming to a complete stop.
    As the manectric and gallade advanced, the blaziken cried out for mercy. The victorious duo relaxed into less intimidating postures and assisted their opponents in standing back up. Many congratulatory handshakes and pats ensued.
    I stood and stretched out my legs. I had only caught the end of the duel, but I could feel the intensity from my distant position. Glancing at the sun, I realized that I needed to be heading to the classroom.
    The walk back only took a few minutes; Mrs. Francesca's room resided one hallway down from the back entrance. Students already lined the hallways, and for a rare moment, I felt glad I had a small body. I could easily pass through crowds that larger Pokémon would struggle to navigate.
    Mrs. Francesca stood outside her door, beckoning to her assigned students. "Class!" she called out. "Come here! Your exams are ready to begin!" She then turned and pushed open the door. Students filed inside behind her.
    Even though I stood at the doorway, I did not immediately follow her. My legs were frozen to the ground.
    This is it, I thought, a sense of finality creeping over me. This will help decide my future. I can only go forward. I stepped into the classroom, prepared to overcome the challenge set before me.
    -–==0==–-
    I sat outside the school again, lounging in the grass behind the school. My posture was not hunched with anxiety this time. Instead, it spoke of self-confidence and collectedness.
    Grinning to myself, I rolled over onto my side and basked in the noonday sun. The sun's warmth had loosened my leg cramps from continuous sitting. Despite the pain, my cramps were a small price to pay for the sake of the exam. I could have cried out in joy for how giddy I felt.
    The exams were wonderful. The difficulty they had surprised me, despite me being an excellent test taker. What made me so overjoyed was that I knew a vast majority of the material.
    At first, I had thought that the vast amounts of studying I did would not help. However, my self-doubt had melted away after the first few questions. The elated feeling that I then gained continued through the rest of that language exam and into the math and history exams.
    With each question that I answered, I could visualize myself walking closer to my goal. It was within reach; it rang in my mind and echoed in my heart.
    For now, I was stretching out in the training field. I did not feel like heading home quite yet. I wanted to enjoy this dreamy euphoria before it faded into the depths of reality.
    Other students laid down in the grass with me. One had fallen asleep, and two others were conversing in low tones. I cast my gaze to the training field. It was blocked off in preparation for the Battle class final tomorrow.
    Gurdurr, conkeldurr, drilbur, and excadrill Pokémon had already begun modifying the field. The drilbur and excadrill churned up the grass and dirt with their adept mining claws, and the gurdurr and conkeldurr would flatten it behind them with a precise use of Hammer Arm. The construction moved along flawlessly. Frankly, their unity impressed me.
    These Pokémon obviously know what they're doing, I thought in admiration. I do have to wonder, though. What could the Battle final for tomorrow possibly be to require large amounts of additional space? Maybe they're going to evaluate everyone at once, and they need more space to do that.
    Mentally shrugging with indifference, I rolled upright and pushed myself to a standing position. I yawned and wondered what the evaluation process for my Exploration and Rescue final could be.
    It could be a search and rescue, I pondered. We might also just explore a dungeon, and multiple Pokémon would evaluate our performance. I wish we could do Mystery dungeons, but only certified explorers are allowed to enter a Mystery dungeon alone. However, they could be treated as escorts and personally supervise the class through the Mystery dungeon. Although, that would take many explorers, and those explorers may not care about our small school enough to want to help.
    Arrgh! I'm killing my mood! Enough deep thinking.
    I shook my head and breathed deeply. I faced left and began to walk around to the front of the school. I jauntily hopped from paw to paw, eager to arrive home and share the news with my parents.
    Upon arriving at the front of the school, I noticed two certain Pokémon and darted back around the corner. I slowly peeked my head from my rudimentary hiding spot, gulping nervously.
    Lucy and Grace stood in the middle of the dirt clearing in front of the school. Gloria was nowhere to be seen. I could only assume they were waiting for Gloria to appear.
    There's no way I can make it to the road without being seen, I thought. Maybe if I wait for some time, Gloria will come and they'll leave, or those two will just leave on their own.
    Five minutes passed, then ten minutes expired. They still had not left, and I was losing patience. Maybe I should risk it. If anything, I don't look at her, she won't look at me, and I'll be none the wiser.
    Gathering my confidence, I marched forward one pace before a claw grabbed my shoulder and yanked me backwards.
    "That would not be a wise idea, Mona," a voice whispered to me.
    Gasping, I wheeled around in shock. "Kyle?!" I practically shouted. What's he doing here, and why is he actually speaking to me?! I mentally screamed.
    He put a claw to my mouth, gesturing for me to be silent. He reach his head over mine and stared across the field at Lucy and Grace. Without looking down, he said, "Follow right behind me. Do not stop walking." With that, he strode out into the open, forcing me to jog to match his pace.
    From the way I was angled related to Lucy and Grace, they would have to stare directly at Kyle's ankles in order to notice me. Even then, it would be difficult, as I fit in Kyle's shadow perfectly. For now, though, they had not noticed either of us. A few Pokémon glanced at us with odd expressions, but a stare from Kyle quashed any inquisitive feelings they may have possessed.
    We arrived at the road without incident. I passed out of his shadow and made eye contact with him. "Kyle, I... I just... Thank you."
    He only nodded silently. He spoke once more. "I do not like her, either."
    Pivoting on talons, he marched back the way we came. I remained frozen for several seconds. I've never seen this side of him. I thought he was apathetic to anything not involving him... He might have some compassion after all.
    Suddenly realizing that I no longer was hidden, I ran down the road to home. Rolling plains sprouted sparse trees. Sparse trees clustered into groves, then into a full forest. I had entered the Oran Forest, and my home resided only pawfuls of minutes away.
    My jog broke into a sprint, and my bag thumped against my shoulder in time to the rhythm of my heart. My feet adeptly jumped over tall roots and swerved around obstructing bushes. A chorus of fletchings sang in their mellifluous calls. Bug Pokémon scuttled low to the ground or darted high above. Grass Pokémon munched on leaves or berries in content. The forest flourished with life, and I felt as if I was a part of its harmony.
    "Mom! Dad! I'm home!" I shouted as I burst into my house.
    I heard a groan from my parents' sleeping area. "Mona? Could you keep it down? I'm trying to rest here."
    "Dad...," I sighed. As an umbreon, he naturally slept more during the day and less at night. Mom, however, thought he took the naps a little too far. "Mom doesn't like it when you sleep all afternoon."
    "I don't like it when she tells me that, but let's keep that fact to ourselves, alright?" he commanded as he parted the curtain and ambled to me. "Now that you woke me up, tell me about your day. Did the finals go well?"
    Eagerly, I recounted the general structure of the final from start to finish. I avoided speaking of the near-incident afterwards. There were events that my parents did not absolutely need to know. It would only give him, and later my mom, unnecessary worry.
    "That sounds–yawn–wonderful, Mona. Now, I think I might go back to sleep. Your mother decided she wanted to visit Mrs. Illimia and thank her for the desert. She won't be–yawn–back until just before sundown, so dinner's going to be later than usual. She told me to tell you that, so for now, I'll go back to sleep," he finished with half-closed eyes.
    Dragging his feet, he hobbled back to his bed and slumped into the woven cover, completely discarding the idea of closing the curtains. Dad's so lazy during the day, I thought in mock disappointment. He gets to sleep all day and only wake up during meals. What a lovely life.
    Shutting Dad's curtain for him, I padded into my own area and shook my bag off of my neck and onto the floor. Instead of plopping onto my bed like I wanted to, I ventured outside and around to the backside of my home.
    A few years ago, my parents and I had cleared out a small area of undergrowth. I was realizing my dream then and had expressed this desire to my parents. They were overjoyed at seeing me filled with such purpose that they eagerly agreed to construct a small training area. Several large rocks, scarred through years of punishment, dotted the edge opposite the abode.
    I inhaled a large breath. Tomorrow was the last day; every second counted. I jogged a few small laps around the perimeter to warm up my muscles. Then, I charged my affinity energy into small spots around my body and released it.
    Shining stars flew into the air, racing towards the heavens. Barely a second had gone by before they plunged back to earth, roughly arcing towards the rocks. They struck, the resulting sound resounding in the closed area.
    I huffed in disappointment. Swift never missed, but that was only when the user's mind was focused. The stars went exactly where the mind was. Obviously, I had a scattered mind; the stars had landed in various spots around the rocks. Sighing, I charged my energy once more, preparing for a long training session.
    -―==0==―-
    "GOOD MORNING, STUDENTS!" an exploud bellowed to us. I flinched, recoiling at the sound of his voice. "YOU ALL MANAGED TO ARRIVE ON TIME TODAY! GOOD! THAT MEANS MORE TO TIME TO WATCH YOU PUMMEL EACH OTHER!"
    He paused for effect, expecting some laughs, but nobody uttered even a snort. I shook my head. This guy always has a terrible sense of humor.
    The exploud awkwardly cleared his throat. "ANYWAY, TODAY, YOU WILL BE COMPLETING YOUR BATTLE AND EXPLORATION AND RESCUE FINALS. FOURTH YEARS WILL BE PERFORMING IN THE EXPLORATION AND RESCUE FINALS FIRST. FIFTH AND SIXTH YEARS WILL BE DOING THEIR BATTLE FINAL NOW. IF YOU ARE A FIFTH OR SIXTH YEAR, STAY HERE. EVERYONE ELSE, GO TO THE FRONT OF THE BUILDING FOR MORE INSTRUCTIONS FROM ME!"
    I flicked my ears upright once the exploud finished his instructions. He just loves to hear himself yell, doesn't he?
    The majority of the gathered Pokémon split from the main body and swarmed the path to the front. Several of the remaining Pokémon began chattering amongst themselves. I picked up a few questions about the final and why the teachers were withholding the information for so long.
    I had been thinking those same questions myself, but I did not feel the need to talk with anyone. Filling the air with pointless chatter did not entertain me in the slightest. I preferred to mentally prepare myself for upcoming trials such as this one.
    A wave of silence flew over the crowd. I drifted my gaze upwards to the figure that had now claimed the spot at the front. I gasped when I recognized the alakazam that stood upon the raised ground.
    He cast his knowing gaze over the crowd, then spoke. "Thank you for giving me your undivided attention. This year, I have decided to give the opening speech. I will not be supervising this final, but as advice from me, the headmaster himself, give it your all.
    "Now, onto the information you've all been expecting. The Battle final for this year will be held in the form of a tournament."
    A large commotion broke out from the students. I wanted to duck my head between my paws. A tournament?! Are these teachers insane? That's practically unequal representation! How will they judge the students?
    The headmaster seemed to read my mind with his next statement. "Yes, yes, this is very new. We have not done a tournament in the history of our school. The workers have been busy with the training field and have completed it on time, as I am sure you have now seen.
    "As a reassurance, the grading process will be very balanced. If you lose in the first round, there will be a losers' bracket that you will enter. However, once the first battle for each Pokémon is decided, there will be no changing brackets. Losing again results in an elimination. That way, every Pokémon will enter at least two battles, and the brackets will have Pokémon of roughly the same skill level.
    "The results of each battle you participate in will be averaged together. Bonus points will be awarded for using strategy, so blindly attacking your opponent is not desirable."
    The headmaster paused for a small breath. "I must apologize for not sharing this information with you earlier. We were still arranging the finer details, among them the finalization of the initial battles. Additionally, some Pokémon have access to resources others do not, and they might have used those resources to gain an unfair advantage. We want to see how you perform under sudden pressure, not how you perform after careful planning. Training the body alone will not bring success in the world. You must be able to think on the fly and react quickly to new problems. This tounament is only a slice of what the world gives you. Adapt well, and you will dominate. Thank you for listening, and may Arceus be with you." He stared at the crowd for a second longer, then vanished, leaving swirling dust in his wake.
    Before the crowd exploded out of control, several teachers immediately called for either the fifth or sixth years to gather around them. The ensuing division consumed several minutes, but everyone sorted themselves out. I stood among the sixth years, the most advanced fighters of the school. I felt out of place, despite being where I should belong.
    Can I even properly belong here? I thought worriedly. Everyone's already... No. Don't do this again, Mona. You need your confidence now.
    From my left, Mr. Horace broke out of the dense crowd. He clapped his two sets of hands for attention, then said in his gravelly voice, "Attention! I need everybody's attention!"
    The crowd immediately fell silent. Mr. Horace continued. "Your tournament will be separate from the fifth year's to keep scoring balanced. Behind me, I have written the first tournament matches on this wooden slate. Find your arena number and opponent and go to your arena. There is a judge at each arena already, so when both you and your opponent are ready, you may begin. The faster we're done, the faster you get to your second final of the day. Now, move!"
    Pokémon began to rush forward towards the wooden slate behind Mr. Horace. I immediately darted out of the crowd's way. I knew I would be crushed underfoot, so waiting until the Pokémon dispersed some would be a wiser idea than attempting to bunch together with them.
    Various Pokémon shouted out the names of others and their arenas, beckoning their opponents to the field. After the crowds had mostly cleared, I strode up to the board and scanned it for my name. I found it after a minute of searching, but the name made me want to simultaneously scream and cry.
    My opponent was Gloria. How lovely.
    I searched for Gloria among the thinning crowd. She stood at the edge of crowd, stroking her leaves into a perfectly curved shape. While my face and body stance spoke of nothing, I was inwardly groaning. She's going to get dirty, yet she tries to appear flawless anyway. Ever the perfectionist, I thought in disgust.
    Gritting my teeth, I slowly walked until I stood three feet in front of her. Gloria ignored me, preferring to polish her image. Unsure of how to start to conversation, I choose to cough roughly.
    She continued to ignore me. I took a deep breath and uttered, "Gloria."
    She rolled her eyes and dropped her gaze down to meet mine. "What is it, runt? Can't you see I'm busy?"
    I squashed the urge to bite her for her snob. "You're my opponent. We're battling in arena twenty-one," I said, almost in a whisper.
    Her reaction almost set me off laughing; her mouth and eyes were wide in astonishment. She seemed to realize that she was donning unseemly expression and changed her face back to a blank slate of apathy. In a bored tone, she said, "Fine, let's go. Don't expect any mercy, runt. Unlike Grace, I don't toy with my opponents."
    Gloria began to leisurely walk to our court. I followed, having to lightly jog to keep up. As we passed by the courts, I witnessed spectacular match-ups with evenly skilled Pokémon and one-handed dominations in other matches.
    Some Pokémon are just gifted with natural fighting ability, I reflected. I wish I could be just as gifted as Blade or Kyle; then I would achieve my dream for sure.
    I was startled out of my musings when Gloria halted in front of me, almost causing me to smack into her. I stepped around her and gazed out into the arena. The total area was rather small, but it would suffice for our battle.
    Gloria strode up to the closer end of the arena. She turned around and pointed at the far end. "What are you waiting for? Get to the other end. I'm not a patient Pokémon," she commanded.
    Huffing, I walked past her, tempted to Tackle her for being insufferable. Just wait a little longer, I told myself. You can take her down then.
    When I arrived at my end of the arena, the judge called out the start of the battle. "The rules of the battle are simple. You must get your opponent to submit. Knocking out your opponent results in an immediate disqualification."
    I heard Gloria give a small sigh. The judge continued as if he did not notice her tacit remark. "If you exit the arena for longer than fifteen seconds, you forfeit the match. Do you both understand?"
    We nodded. "Now, begin!" he concluded with a shout.
    Gloria immediately vanished. A wall of air slammed into me, followed by a glowing, leafy arm. My body flew backwards, skidding out of the arena. I hacked, trying to suck in air. I heard the judge begin to count down.
    No! I can't go out so early! Not like this! I pushed myself to my paws and charged back over the border. A nasty look contorted Gloria's face. "You should've stayed down, runt! Now you're going to get it!"
    Double Leaf Blades flashed into existence along her arms. As we were still along the edge of the arena, I launched a Swift to press her backwards. The honing stars zipped towards her glossy form. A few stars flew into the ground below Gloria due to my slight lack of focus, but the majority crashed into her front, launching her backwards into the center of the arena.
    This is where I had to keep Gloria. She had to stay far enough away that she could not make effective use of her moves. During all of my battles over the years with her, she preferred a close combat style, as was typical of her species. She knew no ranged moves, leaving her vulnerable when she could not close the distance between her and her opponent. The only way I could win would be to eliminate her with Shadow Ball and Swift while staying out of her range.
    Gloria vanished again. Expecting another crushing wall of air and Leaf Blade, I simultaneously leapt to the side and fired a Swift. A small air current tickled my nostrils, and a glowing green arm sliced within an inch of my ear.
    A cry, strikingly harsh in tone, resounded through the air. I bounced backwards to create more space between me and Gloria.
    Another wail split the air, higher in pitch than the last. Gloria was staring agape at her left arm leaves. One leaf had a large cut at tip, presumably from where a Swift star had struck it.
    Gloria flashed her eyes down to meet mine. "You...you ruined my leaf. After I had painstakingly perfected its gentle curve, you mar it? How dare you? How dare you?!" she screamed at me.
    Blinded by rage, she charged at me, her arms shining with a lime green glow and crossed diagonally with each other. I rolled to the side and quickly pivoted while standing. Gloria's momentum had carried her past me, exposing her back. I exploited the opening with a Swift, sending her crashing to the ground.
    Charging a ghostly energy in my mouth, I gathered a Shadow Ball and hovered it over her prone form. I pressed my forepaws into her back to threaten her more, though I knew I could not hold her down if she decided to surge upwards.
    Gloria gave me one long look from her position on the ground. Instead of giving up, she began to growl. "You little runt. You took advantage of me. You purposely tarnished my image to infuriate me, and I won't stand for it! Get off of me this instant! This instant!"
    However, she did not press upwards to attempt to dislodge me. Gloria knew she was in a disadvantageous position. I was the one who held the outcome of the match in my paws. The Shadow Ball writhed in my mouth, its energy eager to be released.
    Making my decision, I pushed my paws down harder and moved the Shadow Ball closer to her head. I could not speak with the Shadow Ball in my mouth, but Gloria appeared to understand the message.
    She allowed her head to thump to the ground. "Alright. You win, runt. You win." Her expression held a mixture of surprise and anger.
    Frankly, I was surprised myself. Through some stroke of luck, I had cut the edge of one of Gloria's treasured leaves and angered her, allowing me to gain the upper paw and win. I'm moving on. I'm actually moving on!
    The judge whistled sharply. "That match was very...interesting. You both fought very well. Both of your scores for this match have been calculated. Gloria will be continuing in the loser's bracket. Mona–that's your name, correct?–will be moving on to the winner's bracket. Mona, stay here to wait for your next opponent. Gloria, go to arena thirty-nine for your next match. Your opponent, I believe, is waiting for you."
    Gloria, already having risen to her feet, began to stagger off the arena. She was about to cross the border when she turned her head slightly back. "I won't forget this, runt. Mark my words. This little episode will not be forgotten."
    I slightly shuddered. Out of the threesome she was in, Gloria was by far the most vengeful of them. She kept her word and would always find a means to exact her promises. I need to keep my guard up. At least, more so than I do already, I observed with apprehension.
    Carefully watching Gloria limp away, I paced in the middle of the arena to prevent my muscles from cooling down. I did not know how long I would be forced to wait for my opponent to arrive. I need to be ready for anyone, even Lucy, however low the odds are.
    I reflected on my battle. I had come out with a victory against Gloria, something that I had never done before today. Have I finally improved enough to beat her, or did I win through pure luck? I never knew Gloria cared that much about her leaves, after all... My mood slightly dampened.
    My opponent did not keep me waiting for long. I noticed him when he first stepped into the arena. I almost uttered a curse when I saw him. Zane. My day keeps getting worse, I pondered in exasperation. First Gloria, now him. What more can I get?
    He appeared rather angry to see me. "Well, well, look what the purrloin dragged in. I have to battle you? What a bore. Let's get this over with, judge."
    I grit my teeth in anger. He thinks he can just push me over? He has another thing coming!
    The judge recited the battle rules once more, and the battle commenced. Unlike Gloria, who rushed straight into battle, Zane began to circle around me. I matched his movements with quick steps.
    Zane was another close range attacker, but he knew Charge Beam. Where he managed to obtain a Charge Beam TM, I did not know. The luxio species did not typically learn Charge Beam in their lifetime, as the move did not fit their general physiology. Combined with his Charge move, he could give devastating attacks from a distance or strike heavily up close.
    Winning this battle will be difficult, and I've never beaten Zane, I thought in steadily declining hope.
    Zane and I still paced in circles, facing each other with concentrated looks on our faces. When I stared into Zane's eyes, I glimpsed a large amount of arrogance and coldness. His tail swished, the star tip flowing with the wind.
    His pace picked up; I followed suit. Sensing the beginning of the true battle, I moved my affinity energy to the edge of my skin. My focus narrowed until I only noticed Zane and his movements. I distinguished a slight change in his gait. I tensed and launched my Swift at the same moment he discharged his Charge Beam.
    The two attacks collided, and the resulting collision exploded the attacks outwards. Dust soared into the air and obscured my vision. I quickly backed away to leave the cloud. As I just exited the dust, a lightning-coated set of teeth clenched my scruff. Electricity coursed through my fur and into my body, almost making me black out.
    The teeth suddenly let go, but a paw slammed into my side. My body sailed through the air and landed roughly on the dirt. As I struggled to stand, another jolt of electricity entered into my body. Yellow colors consumed my vision.
    After painful moments of being electrocuted, the blinding yellow slowly died away. I slumped onto the ground, drained from the electricity flowing through my body. Teeth once again latched onto my scruff and tossed me several feet. My breath flew out of my lungs, leaving me gasping and huddling on the ground.
    I have...to get...up, I slowly thought past my pain. I can't...go down here...
    Gathering my strength, I shakily stood on one forepaw. My other forepaw followed, then my hind legs pushed the rest of my body off of the ground. I searched the arena for Zane, but a rough slam interrupted my search. A paw pressed into my backside, holding me down.
    A smooth voice whispered, "Do you submit?"
    Furiously, I responded, "No! I will not submit!"
    The voice lightly tisked. "Wrong answer."
    A sudden pain exploded on the back of my neck. Jaws grabbed my scruff, picked up my head, and slammed it into the ground.
    "I will ask you again," Zane mumbled past my fur. "Do you submit?"
    "No! I won't! You won't make me do it!"
    "Then I'll just have to prove you wrong."
    He pressed down onto my back harder, squeezing the air out of my lungs and constricting my breathing. Another blow smacked into the back of my head. I stifled a groan and tried to roll out from under Zane's paw. He noticed my move and dragged me back under him.
    Electricity once again blazed through me. I involuntarily screamed. I desperately wanted the pain to end, but for it to end, I would have to submit. I must...keep fighting. I must do it for my...dream...
    The electricity increased in strength. "I grow impatient. I will be forced to take more drastic measures if you do not yield. I will ask this only one more time. Do you submit?" Zane impatiently posed.
    I could not speak; I was in too much pain. My only response was a slight shake of my head. I thought I heard him sigh, but the electricity had begun to dim my hearing.
    "Your fortitude and determination are admirable. Despite receiving such punishment, you still choose to pursue a forsaken victory. I will finish this myself. If you cannot fight, then you cannot win. I did not want to do this, but I have no other choice," he said, a false regretful tone filling his voice.
    Compared to the past treatment I had been receiving, the weak wave of electricity that entered into me felt like a love tap. Thinking he had let me off easy so he could prepare for a final attack, I tried to surge upwards and dart out of his range. However, my muscles would not respond. Then, the meaning of his words clicked in my head.
    He used Thunder Wave, the same move he used on Blade two days ago! I realized in shock. I can't believe he just used that move on me! I don't care if he said he didn't want to use it originally! He still pulled a dirty trick!
    I heard a shuffle of footsteps behind me. "Judge, if my opponent is unable to make any move against me, does that mean I win by default?"
    Silence reigned for several moments. Then, the judge spoke in an unsure tone. "I don't know any rules that specifically rule out a competitor like that, but by the way she can't even talk and verbally announce her submission, I will declare this match over. The victor is Zane. He will advance to the next round. Mona, you are eliminated and can no longer compete in any matches."
    The judge called out for a nurse. After several minutes, I heard light footsteps come into my auditory range.
    "Did someone call for a nurse?" a soft voice inquired. "Oh, dear! This one needs help right away!" A pair of surprisingly strong arms gripped my stomach and hauled me up into their grasp. "She's paralyzed! Holly, I need a Cheri and Sitrus Berry mixture! Don't worry, little one, you'll be just fine." She spoke the last sentence to me.
    The arms curled me into a loose ball. The nurse, who I identified to be a wigglytuff, carried me out of the arena. Using her authority as a medical specialist, she cleared a path through the traffic of Pokémon milling about the arenas. I tried to crane my neck around to discern where we were going, but my body still would not respond.
    I can't do anything. I'm helpless. Completely helpless. This feels horrible, I thought despairingly. The nurse cuddled me closer as if she sensed my depression and anxiety.
    Finally, the nurse stopped walking and lowered me down. Soft leaves wrapped around my body, and shade fell onto my head. "There, there, dear, you'll be fine now. Nurse Holly will bring you a mixture that she will have to force you to drink. Don't worry; she'll dribble it down slowly," she gently explained.
    The nurse moved out of my field of view. The leaves' comforting embrace lulled me into a comatose state. Now that my adrenaline had worn off, my muscles seared with pain and dulled my mind. My body still felt wired from the continuous electricity that had flowed through it. I had managed to remain conscious despite the agony I endured.
    Despite my tenacity, Zane's fighting prowess had still overpowered me. My defeat only served to remind me of the reality that my fighting ability was far below average. My thoughts began to reflect my dying hope. I only beat Gloria because she lost control and couldn't attack properly. Can't I just beat someone with only my own strength? Is that too much to ask for?
    The sound of cheers from the tournament reached my ears. My spirits sank further. Everyone sounds like they are enjoying participating or competing. Here I am, stuck in a medical area, ruining the enjoyment of anyone that comes near me. I really am a misery magnet, I mused. How will I form an exploration team if I can't even win a battle?
    "Hello, Mona. I have your medicine," a sweet voice said. My eyes instinctively flicked towards the source of the voice. In the corner of my eye, I saw an audino, who I assumed to be Nurse Holly, peering down at me. She held a tiny bowl and spoon in her hands.
    Setting the bowl onto the ground, she scooped a small amount of the medicine with one hand and tilted my head up with the other hand. "This is going to feel awkward," she warned. "Your body won't be able to reflexively swallow, so the medicine will dribble into your stomach. When the medicine begins working, signal me, and I'll stop feeding you."
    Without further warning, she stuck the spoon into my mouth. I felt my body try to gag, but my muscles would not respond. The slightly sweet liquid dripped past my throat and down into my stomach. When the spoon had emptied of medicine, the nurse pulled her hand out and spooned some more medicine.
    She repeated the process several times. Each time, I tested out my muscles to see if they would elicit a response. The bowl was two-thirds empty when my left foreleg twitched. Holly detected the slightly movement and smiled.
    "It looks like the medicine has finally begun its work. You should be right as rain by the time the tournament ends," she explained. After a pause, she added, "If it helps, I looked into your opponent while I was obtaining your medicine. Zane defeated a prima donna glaceon but lost to a talented combusken. That combusken is currently fighting an arbok. The winner will face a spirited gallade in the finals. I'll tell you the result of the matches when they finish."
    I slowly blinked to express my acknowledgement. Holly nodded and stood, grabbing the bowl from its place on the ground.
    Concentrating, I shifted my left foreleg underneath me. As I was laying on my right side, I slipped my right foreleg out from underneath me. I rotated my hips until they laid parallel to the ground.
    Grunting, I attempted to push myself upright. However, my legs gave out before I could properly stand, causing me to crash back onto my right side. Not ready yet, I told myself. I sighed and tried again.
    "Did you get paralyzed too?" a deep voice asked behind me. I tilted my head to the left to glimpse who was speaking to me. The Pokémon was a gurdurr. He sat upon a significantly larger cot, using his impressive steel beam as a support.
    "Yes," I curtly responded, still touchy about my paralysis. "Did Zane paralyze you too?"
    He nodded, then spat, "Yes. One of his electric attacks happened to paralyze my muscles, and the judge was forced to call the match. That bastard didn't even look sorry. He left as soon as he heard his next court number. Guess it was yours, huh?"
    I shakily laughed. "I guess it was. Downright poor luck we had. I should've fought better, though. I wouldn't have been paralyzed and would still be fighting in the tournament." I ducked my head down under the weight of shame. Zane had stomped me into the ground, and I could not even touch him.
    The gurdurr seemed to pause for a moment. "Hey," he tentatively spoke. I perked my ears at his change in tone. "I'm not the best fighter."
    I felt my jaw begin to drop but held it back. Fighting types never admitted when they fought terribly or could not fight at all. For them, it was a disgrace to their honor and heritage.
    The gurdurr continued, undeterred by my reaction. "My talents are more gifted for building. I use my strength not to pummel and destroy, but to construct and create. I have heard word of a skilled gurdurr carpenter in a distant region whose designs are rumored to be incredibly awe-inspiring, yet practical at the same time. I someday hope to be able to journey to this distant region and learn from him if he chooses to accept me. Losing this tournament does not change a thing for me.
    "I do not know what your dreams and goals are. What I do know is that whatever happens right now does not always dictate the future. I have learned many lessons from watching and waiting. If something terrible happens to you now, only something good can come after. Maybe losing the tournament will bring about an event that could not have happened otherwise." He stopped and cast his gaze to the ground. "I hope what I said helps," he ended.
    I sat in silence, processing his words. His wisdom is very profound, I pondered. Still, what happened out there is irreparable, and the guilds will know that I am a terrible fighter. My chances of success have dramatically lowered, but maybe there is still hope.
    "Thank you," I muttered. The gurdurr only nodded and reclined on his steel bar. I too reclined on my bed, eager to rest a little longer. I stared upwards at the roof of the medical area. Closing my eyes, I thought, The future still holds promise for me.
     
  3. Aewynessa

    Pidgey
    (Pidgey)
    Level 1
    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2017
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    Staff of VerityCrown of ValorBig Nugget ★★★★★
    Hello again, fellow fan fiction lovers at LV! I bring to you Chapter 3 of my humble book. It's good to be back on the site, especially after recovering from a devastating computer malfunction. Nevertheless, I hope you enjoy the chapter!

    Ch 3:
    "STUDENTS, I AM PROUD TO PRESENT TO YOU THE WINNER OF THE SIXTH YEARS' BATTLE FINAL TOURNAMENT! GIVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE TO...KYLE!" the announcer exploud cheered, stomping his feet on the ground.
    [SIZE=12pt] Shouts of congratulations and excitement rang from the assembled fifth and sixth years. Several students released Thunderbolts or Flamethrowers into the sky. Pokémon who possessed hands clapped merrily, and those who did not have hands used their feet or paws to create thunderous rumbles.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] An ambipom next to me slammed her dexterous tails into the ground while she slapped her hands against her belly. Her primal performance invigorated a nearby primeape, who began jumping up and down while yelling furiously. I quickly backed away, not wanting to be involved with any unfortunate event that might occur.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] The teachers spent several minutes placating the crowd. They were forced to carry one particularly belligerent croconaw to the side and subdue him with a weak Hypnosis.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Once the students had calmed, the exploud then coughed, gathering everyone's attention with its booming sound. "THAT'S BETTER!" he shouted. "NOW THAT YOU HAVE CALMED DOWN, I CAN FINALLY GIVE YOU YOUR INSTRUCTIONS! YOU MUST HEAD TO THE FRONT OF THE SCHOOL! THERE, YOU WILL BEGIN YOUR LAST FINAL, EXPLORATION AND RESCUE! THE SIXTH YEAR INSTRUCTOR, ACE, WILL BE THE MAIN PROCTOR OF THE TEST AND WILL ALSO GIVE YOU MORE INSTRUCTIONS! NOW GO! YOU ARE ALMOST LATE!"[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I was already hastening to the front of the school before the exploud even finished his speech. Excitement rushed through my veins; this was the final I had been anticipating since the start of my final school year. There's no chance in the world that I'd be late for this! I determinedly thought.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I had just passed the backside of the school when I heard the crowd begin to swarm behind me. My pace subconsciously increased, reacting to my need to distance myself from the relentless feet and paws. I arrived at the front, heavily panting and hanging my head, before the crowd even passed the front corner.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] A slithering sound came from in front of me. Swallowing a large gulp of air, I lifted my head up and saw a leafy, sinuous body stretching up out of my sight. I moved my gaze further upwards and met daunting, deep red-orange eyes.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] "It would not behoove you to waste your stamina before you begin your final," Mr. Ace said imposingly.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I felt myself wither from the force of his stare and tone of voice. "Yes, sir. Sorry, sir," I replied, hanging my head again.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] He huffed, then said, "Chin up. An explorer needs confidence, not deference." He slithered away before I could respond.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I'll never understand him. He's critical for one second, but reassuring for the next, I wondered. Odd as he is, I should take his advice. I can't doubt myself for even a second right now. Thank goodness that medicine Nurse Holly gave me worked perfectly, or else I'd...I don't even want to think about what would have happened.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Between my arrival and the end of my small chat with Mr. Ace, the crowd had roughly assembled around me. I stood at the front, allowing me a full view of Mr. Ace and the array of teachers behind him.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Currently, Mr. Ace was speaking with a blastoise and a meinshao sporting a blue scarf. Their words hung just on the edge of my hearing, preventing me from eavesdropping on their conversation. The meinshao's face expressed vivid frustration, and the blastoise held an air of reserved anger. Mr. Ace himself did not appear calm; his glare emanated anger at the two Pokémon before him.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Exasperatedly, the meishao waved her arms into the air and whispered something indistinguishable. Mr. Ace's tail twitched, but he did not retaliate. He continued to endure the ranting of the meinshao with little movement or reaction.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Eventually, she huffed and stomped away, the blastoise trailing close behind her. The shelled, blue Pokémon turned his head back for a long glance, then continued walking away.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] The heated exchange confused me. I didn't know Mr. Ace had friends. They sure seemed angry at him for just being friends, though. I would not want to be in Mr. Ace's place right now. That conversation looked awful.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] "Everyone! Give me your attention!" Mr. Ace called to the students. A few students ceased their chatter, but most of them continued talking amongst themselves.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] A dark look passed over Mr. Ace's face at the sign of disrespect. His tail lit up with a bright green energy, and a wind began to blow around him. "SILENCE!" he roared, slamming his tail into the ground while unleashing a Leaf Storm into the skies.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] The gale-force winds whipped skywards, carrying leaves created with his affinity energy. The crowd hushed at the display of power. Mr. Ace pulled his tail up from the earth and let his Leaf Storm die down. [/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Coldly staring at everyone, he said, "Now that I have your attention, I will explain the nature of the final you are about to take and the necessary rules that you must follow.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] "This final, since it is for your Exploration and Rescue class, will take place in a dungeon. For your safety, this dungeon will not be a Mystery dungeon. Instead, the dungeon is a dungeon that is known to possess no traces of mysteriousness, colloquially known as a 'normal' dungeon .[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] "Your goal is to comb through the dungeon as quickly as you can to reach an objective item. The item symbolizes a Pokémon, and this final represents a rescue mission. I will be timing you and judging your performance as a team in this dungeon. Rescues take coordinated effort and fast action to reach your target before any more danger befalls the Pokémon.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] "Your headmaster said earlier that success in the world cannot be achieved through careful planning alone and that you must be able to quickly decide a course of action. I am here to say the exact opposite. Blindly running through a dungeon will not accomplish anything more than disorient your team and exhaust you. You must err on the side of caution.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] "Even though you should not be attacked in this dungeon, you should treat the final as if a dungeon Pokémon could spring out at you at any moment. That is all I have to say. Mrs. Celeste will divide you into your predetermined groups, so listen to her!" Mr. Ace finished.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] As he slithered to the side, a small, white-and-black furred meowstic waved her paws for attention. "Students!" she shouted to the assembly. "As Mr. Ace said to you, I will separate you into your groups! As I call your name, please stand next to your assigned teammates! Yvonne, Rose, Ivy,..."[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Her listing continued on for half an hour, dispersing the crowd into teams of around ten Pokémon. When I was called, I moved to stand behind her with the other students she called. The students steadfastly ignored me as if I did not exist. I huffed and scuffed the ground with a forepaw, even though I had grown used to the treatment.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Mr. Ace commanded our attention once more. "Students! You are now in your assigned groups. I shall take two groups at a time with me into the dungeon. I will be using Entercards, as you all should know, to enter this dungeon, so do not be surprised when we warp to the dungeon. I have manipulated the ley lines to send each group to entrance of the school upon exiting the dungeon. Now, for our first groups...you! And you over there! Come here!"[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] My anticipation slightly sunk. My group was not among the first pick. Who knows how long I'll have to wait, I thought. We could be the next group or the last![/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt]I laid down on the ground and rested my head on my paws. All I can do is wait.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt]-―==0==―-[/SIZE]​
    [SIZE=12pt] "You two groups! Come here! It's your turn!"[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] My pacing halted. I stretched my neck and shook my fur. Finally! It's our turn! We're the last freaking turn! I thought in relief. It only took two hours. Ugh. Maybe for once in my life I'll get something–oh no. [/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt]A certain someone was staring at me with a devilish look in her eyes.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] No, no, no.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] To my horror, another special Pokémon noticed the other one's glance and followed it to me. He snickered and glared at me. I groaned in exasperation.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Not them. Why them? Why does life do this to me?[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Lucy and Zane were in the other group.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Mrs. Celeste shepherded us near a swirl mark on the ground. A container and a set of six cards laid on top of the mark. Each rectangular card had a simplistic, orange design. Only one card rested outside of the container; the other five were set in a peculiar pattern. Entercards, I thought in awe. [/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Entercards were a mysterious new invention from the dungeon researchers of a distant continent. They were difficult to use, but when used properly, they allowed the user to connect any two locations using ley lines.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Ley lines ran below the earth, and if they were bent into a new shape, they created new pathways, often in the form of Mystery dungeons, from one location to another. The shift was not permanent, but it lasted as long as the user resided in the newly-formed dungeon.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Originally, all Entercards could form were Mystery dungeons, but dungeon researchers on our continent began to perfect Entercards. They eventually discovered the means to construct a dungeon without any mysteriousness–a completely normal dungeon. Our school had been using this new aspect of Entercards since it first became widespread to teach the students about dungeon exploration.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I held a deep fascination for Entercards. They utilized forces that I did not fully comprehend to adjust massive ley lines that were a natural part of the world. When I form my team, I hope to learn how to properly use these. We could use them to cross long distances in hours instead of days. That would be amazing![/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] "–and here he comes! Everyone, please step back!"[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I started, realizing that I had spaced out and neglected whatever Mrs. Celeste had said. I stepped back with the other students just in the nick of time. A green blur flashed in front of my vision, and a buffet of wind broke against my forehead and chest, ripping the breath out of my lungs. A granbull next to me rubbed his forehead in mild confusion.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I turned my head to my right and saw Mr. Ace suddenly standing over the cards. For proctoring finals all day, he appeared fresh and vitalized.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] "Is everyone ready?" he asked, staring down the bridge of his nose. We nodded in assent. "Very well. Let me open the Magnagate."[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Fully expecting what was to happen next, I backed up several feet. A rough semi-circle formed behind Mr. Ace. Focusing on his task, he lifted the outlying card with his tail and gently set it in an empty area in the center of the pattern. He then pressed the cards down in a specific order and slithered back. [/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Light abruptly poured from the cards. A whooshing sound reverberated around me. Three yellow rings of incrementing sizes exploded from the base of the container, settling on the ground and slowly rotating. The cards emitted a blinding flash, forcing me to close my eyes.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] When I opened them, the cards were gone. A white light shone in the container's place. Above the rings and white light, small yellow wisps floated in the air about the center. The entire gate soared at least twenty feet into the air and immersed us with its waves of power.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Small gasps rose from the crowd, including myself. Seeing the majesty of a Magnagate never ceases to amaze me, I admired. [/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Mr. Ace seemed unfazed at the sight of the Magnagate. He pivoted his head towards my group and gestured towards the Magnagate. "Come on. We don't have all day to stand here. Get into the Magnagate. It will close soon."[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I slowly walked up to the Magnagate and entered it. When the last person of my group entered, the farthest ring on the ground faded with a whirring sound.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Sounding rushed, Mr. Ace called out, "Hurry! We are running out of time!" The other group hustled into the gate. However, before Mr. Ace could enter, he was blasted backwards by a wave of energy.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] A collective gasp flew from the two groups. I gaped in shock. What?! How did the Magnagate do that? I've never seen it do that before![/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] To my horror, the gate discharged another powerful wave, sending Mr. Ace flying again along with Mrs. Celeste and the other teachers. Groans came from the fallen Pokémon, instilling terror in me. Another ring disappeared from the earth. The yellow color of the gate began to bleed down, and in its place came a horrid, blood red color.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I gasped and pressed away from the edge of the gate, anxious to avoid the red wisps darting around the gate's sides. When the red reached the white, a boom resounded from the gate, and the final ring vanished.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] "Noooo!" I heard a voice shout. I whipped my head around and witnessed Mr. Ace speeding towards the gate. Before I could see more, a white light obscured my vision. I felt my body shift without any conscious movement. I heard an indistinguishable yell, then all sense of matter and motion faded in oblivion.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt]-―==0==―-[/SIZE]​
    [SIZE=12pt] When I first opened my eyes, I only saw darkness. Then, various small lights swam into view.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] With a moan, I rolled onto my paws and staggered to my feet. Other Pokémon near me were groaning, and a few had either managed to sit up or stand like me. I slightly swooned, feeling suddenly light-headed. I grimaced and fell to one knee.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Breathing heavily, I thought, What happened to us? That Magnagate... Did Mr. Ace set this up? Then, why would he try to save us like he did? Arrgh, my head is starting to ache...[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] "Oh great, this is just what I needed: something that ruins my fur!" an annoyingly familiar voice called out.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] "Stop complaining. You're being childish," another voice reprimanded.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I shakily raised back onto four paws. Zane and Lucy were squared against with each other. Rage had twisted Lucy's face into an ugly scowl, while Zane's face had an irked appearance.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] "I didn't ask for your opinion, Zane. Unlike some other ruffians, I actually care about how I look," Lucy retorted venomously.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I noticed Zane's hackles slightly rise. "I say what I want when I want, so don't tell me what to do," he said.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] "You don't have any right to command me, either. This is a very disgusting place that we are in. It's almost as disgusting as you. I would prefer not to interact with you, so just go," she twittered, fluttering her paw in a dismissing manner.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] She faced away from him and began to converse with some of the A-list Pokémon that were with her. Zane rolled his eyes and stalked a fair distance from her. He laid down and held his head high as if his conversation never happened.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Sighing, I scanned the area into which we landed. A large cavern stretched above and to the sides of me. Lumpy red rock coated all open surfaces. I scraped a paw pad along the floor; the rock felt slightly abrasive. I noted that what I originally thought were normal lights were actually bioluminescent mushrooms. Their yellow color struck me as odd.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] In fact, the entire area seemed odd. Normal dungeons were supposed to reflect the area from which they originated. That was when I finally realized what had happened to us. The only dungeons that did not share attributes were... "Oh my Arceus," I gasped under my breath. "We're in a Mystery Dungeon."[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Slowly, I turned my head to the far end of the cavern. My eyes widened. A hallway cut into the face of the rock. Strange pillars, composed of a dull white marble, lined the sides as if the hallway led to an ornate palace. Several glowing mushrooms adorned the opening, forming a misshapen arch.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] My forepaws shuffled a few inches backwards. That...That's the entrance to the Mystery dungeon. I remember now...red Magnagates lead to the entrances of Mystery Dungeons. Why, though? Our Magnagate was yellow, the color that leads to a normal dungeon. Well, until it turned red. How could someone reroute a Magnagate that was already open? That's like trying to pick up lava! You can't! Then how?![/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] A breloom started, turning her head towards me. "Hey...," she whispered, gesturing to the hallway. "Isn't that place...the entrance to a Mystery dungeon? It looks just like how Mr. Ace described it to us."[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I nodded. Her face paled, and she hugged her thick tail close to her. "I've heard how dangerous Mystery dungeons are. There are savage Pokémon who can't tell right from wrong and attack people. They also say you can easily lose your mind in places like these with their winding corridors and dark shadows. We...we can't handle it. We'll just keep coming back here. We'll be stuck. We're doomed. We're doomed. WE'RE DOOMED!"[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] The breloom began to hyperventilate and chew on her tail. Her despair and outcry attracted everyone's attention. When some students noticed the ominous entrance at the end of the cavern, they too cried out in anguish. [/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] "Ah! It's a Mystery dungeon!"[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] "How did that happen?! I thought this was just a normal dungeon!"[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] "This can't be happening!"[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] "There are feral Pokémon in there!"[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] "Is this real? Am I dreaming?"[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] "It's all a nightmare! Darkrai has returned!"[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] "We're doomed! We're doomed!" the breloom chanted.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] "ENOUGH!" Zane, who had been silent until now, roared. He paced around the breloom, his tail flicking. "We are not doomed," he seethed. He snapped his teeth at the breloom. She flinched and hugged her tail tighter.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Zane moved his attention to the crowd of students near him. "I am strong. I am not afraid of this Mystery Dungeon, and I know some of you aren't as well. I will enter this dungeon and escape. For those who wish to join me, meet me by the entrance of the dungeon. I will wait for five minutes for everyone to reach a decision. Then, I and whoever is with me will leave." He stalked to the end of the cavern and sat near the pillar to the left of the yawning opening.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I stared at my paws, lost in thought. Should I go? I pondered. I know the Pokémon that are strong will side with Zane. That breloom definitely won't go. I don't want to leave anybody behind. If I stay, I could provide a measure of protection if those who don't go now decide to leave. However, what if they never want to leave? I'd be forced to go through a Mystery dungeon by myself. We could never be rescued. What do I do? I clenched my teeth, my head throbbing once more. [/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I suddenly felt a strong pull come from my conscience. I...I can't leave anybody here. I have to convince them to go. We are a team, and no teammate gets left behind.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Feeling resolute, I marched over to the breloom and butted her shoulder with my head. She stopped her muttered chanting and flicked her gaze towards me. I almost shrank back from the near hysteric look in her eyes, but I summoned my courage and spoke.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] "Listen. If you stay here, you won't be rescued." I ignored her stifled gasp. "If most of us leave, you'll be stuck here with less help than you would have if you had just gone now." Other forlorn students were leaning closer to me, drinking in my words. "I may be an outcast, but that doesn't matter. All of us have to work together to get out of this. Nobody can or should be left behind." I took a small breath. [/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] The breloom stared up at me, her eyes filled with hope. "Bu-but what if we get attacked? Do you promise to protect me?"[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I practically gaped at her. She did not care that I was the outcast or that I was even under-evolved compared to her. She wanted a pillar of stability to lean on. If she needs someone to lean on, I'll be that someone for her.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] "I promise. Now, we have to go. Zane is about to leave." I faced the other Pokémon, who in turn looked at me. "What I said applies to all of you. We need to go, and we need to do it together. We'll have a greater chance of making through the dungeon if we all go." [/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] They continued to stare. Suddenly feeling uncomfortable with their attentiveness, I shuffled my paws and lowered my head. I felt a paw grasp my shoulder and craned my neck to see that the breloom was holding my shoulder. "Th-thank you. I don't know what to say... Let's just go before I lose my courage again."[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] A muttered assent rose from the remaining fearful students. The breloom really was the heart of the problem, I thought. [/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I nodded in response and helped the breloom to her feet. I heard more scrabbling, then the rest of the students followed me to Luxio and the others.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] As we drew near, he huffed at the display before him. "Looks like the rest of you finally made up your mind. Here I thought that I was going to actually not have to worry about all of you weaklings dragging the us stronger ones down. That's a shame," he sighed in mock defeat.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] No sooner had he finished his small monologue did he stand up and walk into the dungeon. Hastily, we followed him deep into the darkness of the tunnel.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] As the eerily lit darkness encircled us, a loud slamming resounded from behind. Startled, I whirled around and froze. My eyes only met with more black and glowing mushrooms. The opening had vanished. We're trapped. The Mystery dungeon has finally ensnared us, I anxiously concluded.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] The breloom's paw gripped onto my shoulder, and a whimper came out from her mouth. I rubbed her leg with my head for reassurance. "Hey, we'll be fine. We'll be just fine." I hope...[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] "Keep up! Don't gawk at the rock like it's something undiscovered!" Zane barked. The breloom squeaked and darted ahead, dragging me with her. I bit down a yelp at the sudden movement. [/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] She better not drag me around like this through the entire...whatever this dungeon is called. This rock looks like some kind of...granite? I don't really know rocks... I shrugged off the thought and concentrated my focus on the dungeon. This is my second chance. Even though no teachers are here to see me, I still have something to prove. I can't ruin it here.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] The breloom slowed down when she had caught up with the main body of students. I sighed in relief and relaxed my bushy tail. As I passed by a pillar, I paused and studied it. Its white, square design seemed at odds with the pale red stone behind it. Curious, I brushed a paw against its surface. My paw connected with smooth, dense rock. I rapped my paw on its side and only heard a thump. I wonder how this formed. It's just so odd, I wondered.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I made a move to bat it again. Just before my paw reached it, the pillar vanished, and my paw sailed through empty air. I gasped and leapt backwards. Another startled cry came from the back, then another from the front. I looked left and right and cried out in shock. More pillars were disappearing, and the walls behind them were fading away. Darkness consumed us when the ceiling finally vanished, leaving only the floor beneath us.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I huddled next to the breloom, who was holding my neck fluff in a vice grip, and a ledian. Both Pokémon remained frozen in shock. I gulped in fear. What is going on?! Is the Mystery dungeon trying to pull us away somewhere? Nobody told us anything about Entercard-created Mystery Dungeons![/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Without warning, a ground of rock rippled and expanded through the darkness like a current of water washing away grime. At certain places, the rock jutted upwards, then back into the center from higher up. Bioluminescent mushrooms sprouted just behind the wave of new rock, emitting their odd yellow glow.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] In the space of five seconds, a square-like room had formed around us with three corridors leading outwards. We occupied the center of the room. Each shuffle and breath echoed off of the rock.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] For a few minutes, we stood rooted to the ground. I nervously scanned the corridor to the front and right of me for any sign of hostile Pokémon. Feeling hesistant, I took a small step forward. Nothing happened. The breloom next to me gave me a crazed stare. She reached to pull me back towards her and relative safety. I shook my head silently in refusal.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Confused, she retracted her hand and tilted her head. I gestured towards the corridor across from me and her. She started to rapidly shake her head. Saddened at her cowardice, I moved to continue alone, but a paw shoved me to the left roughly.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Angrily, I wheeled towards my right and prepared a retort, but seeing the paw's owner stilled my tongue. Zane glared at me and stalked ahead. "Stay where you belong, Eevee. I don't like outcasts in the lead, especially those who I hate. Don't cross me again. A repeat of that day would not benefit you."[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I growled in annoyance. However, I still backed down. You're not mentioning that misfortune happened to you that day as well. Knowledge is power. I can't forget your weakness, no matter how much I do or don't want to. [/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Pokémon swarmed around me, following Zane's lead. I shuffled into line in the middle of the group. Zane would not be able to see me from here, but I could clearly view him from my lower vantage point. If Zane was preparing to full any fast moves, I would be ready.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] My head panged again, causing me to flinch and suck in a tight breath. The breloom, who had somehow managed to slide in next to me, asked, "Are you okay? Is something bothering you?"[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Eager to dodge the question, I only replied, "Yeah, but it's nothing important." She still seemed suspicious, but she did not push me harder. [/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Her inquiry raised some questions of my own. What is wrong with me? I wondered. I'm starting to think that the transfer to the Mystery dungeon messed with my head. Then, why don't others look like their heads hurt? Maybe they're just better at hiding it than me. The throbbing feeling started again, and I tried to breathe steadily and ignore it.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] We wound through corridors and rooms, encountering no enemies. Zane, still in the lead, found a scarf lying on the floor and claimed it because "the strong deserve to be rewarded for their efforts for the good of many". I thought it was a load of tauros crap, but I was not in a position to argue, nor was anyone else. Zane had us all under his iron fist.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I was hanging my head, focused on my headache, when I suddenly crashed into the Pokémon in front of me. I rebounded backwards and onto my hind. The student who I bumped into said, "Watch it!" without looking back.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I frowned and stood, wondering why he was still facing forward. Legs obscured my vision, however, forcing me to wait for word of mouth to travel down the group. I felt a tap on my shoulder and heard a voice in my long left ear. "We've stopped because we found a staircase going down. We're funneling down it," the breloom whispered.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I nodded in gratitude and patiently waited for my turn. The group inched forward bit by bit until I stood before the staircase. I peered over the edge, but I only perceived utter darkness at the stair's bottom. Not wanting to force everyone to wait, I tentatively descended, my breloom charge tailing close behind.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Darkness once again consumed my vision. For a brief second, I became weightless. Then, I landed immediately in a small room. I shook out my fur and stole a quick glance around me. The other students who arrived before me were already leaving the room.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] A thump sounded behind me as I jogged out of the room. I heard a disoriented cry, followed by rapid steps. I almost sighed when the breloom caught up to me. Why does she think I can protect her? The first threat that comes our way will probably only have to step on me, I thought.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I looked up at her, and she returned my gaze with a scared expression. Her stare pulled at my heartstrings, causing me to smile for reassurance. Her eyes lit up with a new hope, and a slight skip entered her step. When she was not looking, I let my smile fade. I can't have doubt. She's depending on me, and I have to support her emotionally.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] The next few seconds passed in a blur of motion. One second I saw a dimly lit tunnel, the next the rocky floor. My face dug painfully into the rock, cutting my nose and jarring my teeth. A gravely snarl filled my ears. Paws pressed into my back. Hot, smelly breath brushed past my nose.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I struggled, trying to breathe and escape at the same time. A set of jaws clamped onto my stomach and began to shake me. My spine wrenched painfully from the aggressive treatment, causing me to cry out in agony.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] After a few seconds, the jaws suddenly released me, and my attacker emitted a sharp whine. I thumped to the ground, groaning. I rolled onto my side and strained my head up.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] A mightyena laid on the ground, unconscious. His coat was matted on his sides, and his tongue lolled on the floor. The breloom stood above him, her fists glowing a bright orange.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] For several seconds, I stared shocked. The breloom, who was a coward and a scaredy-cat, had saved me from the mightyena. Her posture spoke of aggression, and her face was adorned with a nasty scowl.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] While both of us stared, the mightyena's body grew transparent until he fully faded away. Astonished, I scooted as far away as I could. The breloom remained frozen where she stood. I almost felt fear from her sudden emotional transformation.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] A rush of pawsteps came from behind me, and several students crowded around me and the breloom. Several questions about the attacker flew my way. I ignored them and focused on the breloom. Almost as if she noticed my glance, she turned my way and walked over to me, her body suddenly hunched and timid.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] "I...," she started. The other Pokémon stopped interrogating me and stared at her. She gave an odd squeal and quickly chirped, "I'm sorry! I'm sorry for intruding. I didn't mean to get in anyone's way. I just wanted to talk to the eevee!"[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I cocked my head. What's up with her? She's so mercurial, I thought.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] The students lost interest in me and moved forward towards the rest of the group. The breloom inched closer to me and extended a hand. "Hey, um, I didn't mean to get angry. I just didn't want to see my...protector get hurt. I really am sorry."[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I stared at her. Something isn't right about her... Oh well. I can't judge her if she's got some sort of emotional problem. I nodded and proffered my scruff. Her hand gripped it and pulled me upright. She demurely gestured forward. "Let's go catch up, um... Do you have a name?"[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I internally flinched at her bluntness but responded, "Yeah. It's Mona."[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] "Nice to officially meet you, I guess," she said. "We might need to really catch up. They're leaving us." I noticed how far away the group was and nodded in agreement.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] We raced to the back of the group and slowed down again. When we emerged into another room, one with several corridors, an argument started between Zane and some idiotic hawlucha who wanted to go in a different direction. I sighed with disinterest and scanned the room.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] In the corner, I spied an oddly shaped item between two rocks. Intrigued, I quietly sneaked in the shadows towards the item. Upon reaching the item, I gasped. There, sitting in a small crevice, was a Sitrus Berry.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I pawed it out and reached to pick it up, but I halted upon a saddening realization. If I took it with me, everyone would see it and would want the precious berry for themselves. In the end, Zane would most likely steal it from me, claim something about leader privileges, and be excused from any extra scrutiny.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Sighing, I pushed the berry back into its hiding spot. It'd be better if no one saw this but me, I thought dejectedly.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] "What're you doing, Mona?" a voice whispered, startling me. The breloom leaned over my frozen form and peered into the hole. "Oh!" she softly exclaimed. "What a find! Let's grab it!"[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] She reached over me and snatched it from the crevice. Finally coming out of my shocked state, I said, "Wait! Everyone will find out about it!"[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] She paused and contemplated. After several seconds, her face lit up with inspiration, and she abruptly stuck the berry into the underside of her mushroom hat. "What are you...?" I said, gaping.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] She turned to me with a small smile. Her hand moved from her hat to her side, but the berry stayed up where she stuck it. "I don't really tell anyone this, but...brelooms can control the lining under their hats to contract or expand. I just told them to clench around this berry and hide it! No one will know," she giggled.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I slowly blinked. Brelooms can do that? Who knew, I wondered. The breloom giggled again, probably at her own cleverness. And now she's having another mood swing.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I nudged her leg to attract her attention. Still giggling, she asked, "Yes?"[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I sighed and shook my head. "Let's go back to the group. It looks like they made a...decision," I said, noticing Zane standing over the hawlucha, who was lying on the ground with a submissive expression. Zane proudly moved towards the corridor farthest from us. The rest of the group and I tailed him closely, still alert for more dangers. [/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] The corridor ended rather quickly into another room, the smallest one yet. The staircase sat in the center of the room, ominously opening into the rocky floor. Zane turned towards the hawlucha and growled, "I was right. Next time, listen to me. You may not get hurt that way."[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Zane puffed out his chest and strode down the stairs. As the group followed, several tougher Pokémon roughly brushed past the hawlucha. He visibly crumbled under their oppressiveness, apparently unused to such demeaning treatment.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] My heart lurched at observing such ludicrous actions. I wanted so badly to reach out to the hawlucha, but he had already rushed down the stairs. His face had contained a mix of anger and depression, which was practically a Seed Bomb just waiting to explode. [/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] As I approached the stairs, the breloom poked me on the shoulder. Without looking behind me, I said, "What?"[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I heard a small gulp, then she asked, "Is this how a team works? Is there someone who declares himself or herself leader, and everyone has to follow and listen to them? Maybe we should listen to Zane. He won't hurt us that way."[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I almost growled in anger and barely restrained myself from whipping around and telling her off. "No," I eeked out. "This is not how a team works. Everyone should rely on each other's strengths and defend each other's weaknesses. What we have become is a pack, where the strong dominate over the weak. How we came to this in the blink of eye...I can't begin to fathom if we were ever ready for the real world.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] "Unlike that mightyena from earlier, we have intelligence, passion, sympathy, and determination. We aren't feral; we're something higher. We can have unity, but it's just that some Pokémon are too arrogant and elitist for their own good. They bring others down only to lift themselves up. Teams symbolize what we can achieve when we disregard types, physiology, and mental aptitude. That's how I know this isn't a team. We aren't united, and we won't be united until something or someone brings us together."[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I blinked in surprise at my impromptu speech. I don't usually dump my opinions onto people I don't know, I thought. Either this dungeon is making me crazy, or I'm making myself crazy with this headache.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] The breloom seemed oddly satisfied with my answer. "I see now. This isn't a team. I hope this turns around, too."[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] She surged ahead of me and skipped down the stairs. Another pang flashed through my skull. I flattened my ears and hissed softly. The discord that we have is driving me mad, I thought. I hope this scenario is as bad as it gets. I slowly pattered down the stairs and into heightening uncertainty.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt]-―==0==―-[/SIZE]​
    [SIZE=12pt] "How much longer?" a voice cried out. Others chorused in accord and began creating a raucous din. I shuffled my feet and hunched my body closer to itself. We're losing ourselves, I fearfully reflected. It's already been nine floors, by what I can judge. The tenth better be the last. We can't hold out much longer.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] The breloom appeared very anxious. Her head pivoted rapidly about her neck as she peered at every nook and cranny. I could feel the fear rolling off of her in waves.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I lightly jogged up to her and nudged her leg. "Hey, we're fine," I whispered. "We'll make it through. We're near the end. I can just feel it."[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] In truth, I did not know when the dungeon would end. My headache had grown worse with each floor we had descended. It thundered in my head with the fury of a dragonite. I could hardly think straight, much less fight any more Pokémon.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] We had already encountered several other mightyenas, a graveler, and a couple sandslashes, much to our collective dismay. I kept telling myself that it could have been worse and that we will escape. The words, along with keeping the breloom safe, were my only motivation.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] She gave me a nervous smile but continued to scan the walls. Sighing at her lack of faith, I pressed forward until I stood in front of her. I could not bear to see her face when my mental state laid as low as currently did. Settling into my new position, I trudged onwards in a weary haze. I did not count the number of rooms we passed through. The floor seemed infinite and daunting, seeking to trap us in its dark embrace.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I was beginning to count my steps when the Pokémon in front of me abruptly stopped. A cry of joy resounded from the head of the pack and traveled down to the end. "A staircase! We found the staircase!" came the voice of a suddenly energetic student.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Enthusiasm spread through us like wildfire. The group rushed towards the stairs, eager to leave this dreadful floor. Pinning my ears back from the loud shouts, I filed down the welcoming stairs, which before had seemed so uninviting. [/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] As I transferred to the next floor, two things happened at once. First, I noticed that the floor was just one large room, and the next manifested in a head throb that was so painful, I almost blacked out. I swooned on my paws and ducked my head.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Ow! Just stop and go away! I yelled at my headache.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I felt a set of paws on my shoulder stabilize me. "Are you alright? Does your head hurt? You're dangling it strangely," the breloom inquired.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I curtly responded, "It's nothing. Don't worry about me." I stared at what I could see of the far end through people's legs. "I think we're at the end! I can see blue and white in the distance!" I said.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Other students must have noticed the light as well because they rushed towards the hole with blind eagerness. Seeing them running sent another stab of pain into my skull. When I glanced towards the opening, I thought I saw a cloaked silhouette standing there. As I watched, its head slowly turned towards me.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Out of surprise, I blinked, and the figure vanished. A horrible premonition washed over me, and I weakly called out, "Wait! Don't go."[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] However, they did not hear nor heed me. One student had almost exited the cavern when a large tail flashed from the shadows and slammed into her abdomen. She sailed backwards several yards and landed roughly on the rocky floor.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] We gasped in unison. The Pokémon that lingered close to exit backpedaled until they had positioned themselves a long distance from the origin of the thick tail.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] A gravely roar echoed off of the cavern walls. More roars flew from behind us, urging us forward and to the center of the cavern. The roars stopped when we stood roughly in the middle.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Then, figures slowly crept from hidden recesses and crevices in the walls. A graveler and two nidorinos emerged to my right, while two gravelers and two nidorinas materialized to my left. With another loud roar, a nidoking and a nidoqueen appeared before the exit, partially blotting out the light. They held their heads held high and glowered at us.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] The nidoking leaned forward and bellowed, "Who are you cretins? What right do you have to trespass onto our territory?!"[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Zane growled challengingly. "I do not like lesser creatures insulting me. Move aside. My patience is very low."[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Zane's brazen words only seemed to infuriate the nidoking further. He stomped his feet on the ground and bashed his enormous fists together. "You challenge me in my own territory?! You are an arrogant fool!"[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] The nidoking's words hardly fazed Zane. "You are a fool for obstructing my way. Your pitiful pride for this droll cavern is starting to grate on my nerves. I could not care less whose territory this is. Move. Aside."[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Instead of stepping out of Zane's way, the nidoking tromped closer and angled his horn towards Zane's eyes. "Not only do you insult me," he snarled, "but you also insult my mate, my family, and my friends!"[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] He pulled his left fist behind him. "For that, you will pay! Attack, my family!" He swung his fist straight into Zane's face and slammed him into the ground. [/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] The hostile Pokémon yelled savagely and charged into our ranks. Two gravelers from both sides curled up into misshapen balls and rolled into the nearest students. I barely managed to avoid their unstoppable, rocky momentum only to have a rock smack into my side.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] The pure force behind the projectile crashed me into a nearby wall. Sharp edges penetrated my fur and dug into my skin. Another rock sailed into the wall above me, raining loosened grit on my upturned face. I groaned and rolled away from my exposed position and into the crowd.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I tried to see where the rocks were originating amidst the chaos of whirling legs and wayward moves. A stray foot clipped my ear, and a lone paw scratched my side. Desperate to escape the fray, I charged ground energy in my paws and dug rapidly into the ground.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] While I dug under the earth, tremors vibrated above me. The slight lapse in combat gave me a small amount of thinking time. I quickly decided that the best course of action would be to dig where there were little to no tremors and assess the battlefield from the surface.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I paused, judging the severity of the tremors. Eventually choosing an opportune location, I tunneled towards it and emerged safely into the dim cavern. I saw that I had surfaced right before the exit, which surprised me. Rays of sun warmed my fur, a welcome change from the chilled darkness of the caves. [/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I turned towards the exit, deep in thought. I could leave right now, I contemplated. I could see where we are. I could go get help. We definitely aren't at the school, where the dungeon should have dumped us, but I could find someone.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] However, I found myself looking back to the battle in the cavern. If I leave, though, I wouldn't be able to help out here. I'm small. People have a harder time seeing me, especially in close-quarter fights like this. I could really be an asset.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I winced as my head pounded even harder. Arrgh! I can't think right with this headache! Those tremors didn't help, either. [/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I noticed Zane pounce on a graveler that was throwing the rocks from earlier. With an amazing display of strength, he grabbed onto one of the graveler's upper hands with a Crunch and flipped the rocky Pokémon over his shoulder. The graveler flailed briefly before he was struck with the weight of four Water Pulses. His flailing stilled, and the energized water dripped off of his form. I wanted to cheer at the sight of it, but that would give away my location.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I surveyed the rest of the battlefield. Other than that small victory, we were losing terribly. The rolling gravelers still had not been stopped, and they continued to bounce into students without knocking down any of their own. The nidorinas and nidorinos were teaming on helpless students who either had a major type disadvantage or were too weak-willed to fight back.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] The nidoking and nidoqueen themselves were using Poison Jab and Poison Fang, respectively, to tear through the group. Their ferocious display of power, as well as the unity the nidoking's clan had, awed me.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] We can't win this fight. We're too disorganized, I observed. I need to go get help. That's our only chance of getting out of this mess.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I faced the outside once more and prepared to kick off, charging my affinity energy in my legs. I had just taken a step when I heard heavy footsteps behind me. A large weight slammed into my back, launching me out of the cavern mouth and down a small slope.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I rolled to a stop near the edge of a tall cliff. I groaned and turned onto my right side, spitting out dirt and grass from my mouth. I wiped my nose with a forepaw and stood.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Lumbering down the incline was none other than the nidoking himself, anger scrawled on his face. I noticed a long scar running from the horn on his forehead down to below his left eye. The line was only a few shades lighter than the rest of his purple skin, which denoted the longevity of the scar.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] He halted ten yards from me. "You," he growled. "You are a coward! How could you even think of running away while your friends fought my family? That act is despicable, and I shall punish you severely for it!"[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] He lunged at me, his paws extended. I barely saw the attack coming. I quickly ducked and rolled under his leap, escaping by a hairsbreadth.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] The nidoking landed roughly on all fours where I had stood moments before. "So now, when you are cornered, you fight back? Your cowardice makes me want to hurl!" he said. [/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I need to get out of here, I thought. I can't face this Pokémon; he's way out of my league! I must get help![/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I turned towards a path that led down the cliff. I kicked off quickly and engaged in a Quick Attack to increase my speed. "Oh, no, you don't, coward! You will face me!" the nidoking yelled.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] He slammed both of his fists into the ground, creating a small wave of earth. The wave quickly expanded and rapidly traveled down the path and passed under me, throwing me off balance. The wave suddenly surged up farther down the path and solidified into a dirt-and-rock wall. I skidded into the newly formed obstruction and landed awkwardly on my left hind leg. I screamed from the acute pain. Did I break it? I thought.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] More tremors came from up the path. I stared up and watched the nidoking advance on me. I could do nothing as he picked me up by the neck and snarled in my face.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] "You have nowhere to go now. Face my wrath like a true warrior, not a coward." He pulled his open hand back and curled it into a fist. A light purple glow enveloped his fist. I shut my eyes and lowered my head, expecting a harsh blow.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I heard a whoosh, then I was suddenly falling to the earth. I landed painfully on the ground. Moaning, I opened my eyes. The nidoking laid prone before me, sparkling leaves dancing in the air above him. Shocked, I glanced towards the top of the wall behind me.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] There, standing on top of the wall in all his leafy glory, was Mr. Ace. He glared at the nidoking with leaves swirling around his form. He jumped down from the wall and landed next to me as if he did not see me. After scanning the area several times, he called out, "Clear! Let's move!"[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I heard light huffing and grunting, then many Pokémon landed around me. Who are these people? I thought. One particularly large, blue-footed Pokémon landed right next to me. Startled, I glanced up at the Pokémon and recognized him immediately. It's that blastoise from before![/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] My mind whirling, I peered at all of the other Pokémon gathered around me. Each of them either wore scarves, bags, or capes, but one feature dominated them all. They each wore a gold-winged, white badge inlaid with gems of various colors. I noted that Mr. Ace's badge, with its black body and black gem, was the only exception. I gasped in complete and utter shock. These are explorers! Real, living explorers![/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Mr. Ace faced the gathered explorers with a solemn expression. "Listen up," he said. "We have found the students that went through the corrupted Magnagate. I can only assume that they are in cave above. They must have encountered a hostile group of Pokémon, who are most likely defending their territory. We must go in, stop the hostile group from doing any more damage, and rescue the students. It is critical that this operation goes as quickly as possible to avoid further injury. Now, move out!"[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] The explorers swarmed past him in a controlled rush. The meinshao from earlier, who I only just noticed, gave Mr. Ace a short glance before moving past him. The blastoise completely ignored him and lumbered up the slope. I observed that the meinshao and the blastoise's badges matched Mr. Ace's. Are they on the same exploration team? I wondered.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Mr. Ace watched them vanish into the cavern, then slithered over to me. He leaned down and prodded my injured leg with his nose. I hissed in pain and shrunk back against the wall. He huffed and said, "It's not broken, but it's sprained at the knee. Can you walk?"[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I shook my head. "I can't even move it without feeling pain, sir," I responded.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Mr. Ace righted himself. Without warning, he swung his tail around and wrapped me in its embrace. "Then I'll just have to carry you back myself," he said.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I grunted, too winded to make a sarcastic rebuttal. Mr. Ace gathered his body underneath him and surged up and over the wall. The landing jarred my leg, sending pain up it. I held back a whimper and took deep, steady breaths. Mr. Ace remained silent and immediately wound down the path. His tail gripped me strongly, absorbing the majority of the shock from any impacts.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] We both were quiet as he would down the hill, as I had come to realize where I was. It took ten minutes for him to fully descend from the hill and onto a rolling plain. In the distance, I could spy a line of trees. [/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Feeling brave enough, I broke the silence. "Mr. Ace?" I asked. He glanced back at me in a tacit response. I continued. "How did you manage to find us so quickly?"[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] He faced forward and did not answer. For several minutes, he slithered across the plain as if he did not hear me. I opened my mouth to ask again when he said, "I heard you the first time. No need to ask me again."[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I closed my mouth and waited. After another minute, he said, "I found all of you by tracking your exit point using the Magnagate's swirl mark and the rearranged Entercards. When I reached the hill and saw you come flying from a crevice, I and the rest of my gathered team climbed up to your point. You know the rest."[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I blinked in surprise. "You tracked us using only marked dirt and a container of cards? How long did it take you? How long were we gone?"[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Mr. Ace sighed. "So many questions. Yes, I did track you using only 'marked dirt and a container of cards'. It took me one hour to locate you and another three to find you since the location I discovered was not overly specific. That means you've been gone four hours and that it's almost evening. To be honest, I'd say that you were lucky. That Mystery dungeon could have been longer and much more dangerous."[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I gulped upon hearing his last statement. It could have been worse? Sure, we didn't encounter hordes of feral Pokémon, but the loners were still mean and ruthless. How much more terrible could it have been?[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I had only one question left, and I was almost afraid to ask it. However, my curiosity overtook my caution. I hesitantly asked, "Mr. Ace, why did that Magnagate transport us to a Mystery dungeon and not a normal dungeon?" [/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] He took in a sharp breath and only said, "I don't know."[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt]-―==0==―-[/SIZE]​
    [SIZE=12pt] We arrived at the school in less than an hour. As Mr. Ace slithered to the front door, Nurse Holly burst out of the school. She hustled up to him and said, "Oh my Arceus! Do you have any news on the students that were sent to a Mystery dungeon?"[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] He nodded in reply. "We found them. I actually have a student with me. She is injured in her leg and needs attention immediately."[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] The nurse gasped and looked behind Mr. Ace. She saw me wrapped up in his tail and gasped again. "You poor dear! Oh, and I treated you during the tournament for paralysis! You must be exhausted! I'll treat you right away."[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Mr. Ace uncoiled his tail and dropped me into Holly's arms. I whimpered from the sudden change in position. The nurse sensed my pain and rushed me back into the school. I saw Mr. Ace slithering back to where we came from before the doors shut.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] The nurse curved right and jogged past the cafeteria, turned left, and entered the medical wing at the end of the hall. She entered the injured ward and slipped me under a woven cover on a leaf cot.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] She left the ward and returned moments later with a bowl of blue medicine. She kneeled down next to me and dipped a spoon into the mixture. Pulling my head up with her free hand, she fed me the medicine until she drained the bowl.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Nurse Holly laid me back down and said, "Now, be good and don't try to get up just because you might feel energized. The medicine has to work on that leg of yours, which will take some time that you need to spend in bed. The other explorers should be returning with your classmates soon, so you won't be alone for long." She took her bowl and spoon and left the room, most likely to prepare for the influx of patients.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] She was right; I did not have to wait long. Explorers trickled into the room, each carrying one or more students. Some students walked in by themselves, but they were still instructed to lie on a cot and wait for further medical attention.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I cringed at some of the injuries on the students. No one escaped unscathed. Some had bruises, other had scratches, and the majority was cradling one limb or another. I wanted to ask about how the explorers defeated the nidoking's clan, but I held back my tongue. That's too sensitive to ask about right now, I thought.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Nurse Holly and the other nurse, whose name was Teresa, were constantly darting about the medical wing, either nursing the students or mixing more medicine to use. Groans came from some of the more severely injured students. I felt my heart lurch with each moan. I was lucky to only have my leg injured. Very lucky.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] The light had already faded from the windows by the time all the students' injuries were addressed. Candles burned between the cots, casting a soothing orange glow about the room.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Nurse Teresa was making one last check around the room when Nurse Holly walked up to me, kneeled down, and asked, "Hello, dear. I'm sorry I didn't give you much of my attention. I forgot to ask this: do you have any other ailments that I need to know?"[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] "Yes, I ha–," I started to say, but then stopped. I was stumped for a second. I don't have a headache anymore, I thought with curiosity. That's...weird, but in a good way, I guess. "Sorry, I mean no. I don't have anything else."[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Holly smiled. "That's good to hear, honey." She gently stroked my head before standing and leaving the room. Teresa followed her, and they both conversed in low tones before snuffing out each of the candles and shutting the door to our room.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I relaxed against my cot, staring up at the ceiling. Why is my headache gone? It was so painful in that Mystery dungeon and in the cavern. Maybe it just faded when I wasn't paying attention to it. Not only did I not notice that, but I completely forgot about the figure that stood at the cavern entrance. Who was that person? That Pokémon appeared and vanished so suddenly, I'm starting to think I just imagined it. After all, why would any sensible Pokémon wear a black cloak? No one else even reacted when it appeared, too.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] I softly sighed and turned on my side. My thoughts turned to another topic. I wonder how my parents are doing. Have they heard the news? Did they come to the school today, expecting to see their daughter but only being told that she was trapped in a Mystery dungeon? Maybe they didn't come because they heard the news too late and are waiting until tomorrow. I hope they aren't too worried... Oh, what am I thinking? Of course they would be worried. I just hope I'll see them tomorrow.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] A strange smell interrupted my thoughts. I sat up in my cot and scanned the room. I could not discern any plausible cause of the smell. I sniffed again, the odor tickling my nostrils. It seemed familiar, and it made me think of being home, eating dinner, sitting by the...[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] Oh no. Oh no, no, no, I thought desperately, finally remembering the smell. I noticed an orange glow radiating from underneath the door. This is bad! We need help![/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] A furret woke up beside me, his nose sniffing crazily. He lazily blinked and shook his head. He noticed that I sat wide awake on my cot and moved his gaze to where I was looking. His face donned a crazed expression, and he shook awake the student next to him.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] All around me, the class was stirring awake. Pokémon with keen noses began to panic. Other Pokémon realized the situation much later, but by then, chaos had engulfed us. Several had started banging on the walls, while others began shouting for help. I still had not taken my gaze off of the orange glow, which was growing brighter. All of us had faced the same horrifying reality.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=12pt] The school was on fire.[/SIZE]

    I'd love to hear your comments about the story. Feel free to reply to this thread about how you feel! I always appreciate feedback and constructive criticism. Have a great day!
     

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