Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Retaliation Corporation

Chapter 5: The Stoneridge Complex

- Chapter 5: The Stoneridge Complex -

"You…you're THE Central Headmaster?! Why didn't you tell us sooner?! I…I was so careless and rude! I didn't…I didn't mean…!" Pineno was tripping over his own words. He pulled his quills down to his shoulders as he tried everything in his power to not melt through the ground.

After what Pineno told Krista about the Headmaster, a wave of guilt washed over her as she remembered how her claws sunk into him. She hoped she wasn't impolite the entire time they spoke. At their first meeting, there was absolutely no class.

Slowking laughed, amused by the looks on their faces. "If I had said anything, I would have never seen your true actions. Many tend to act differently when they are aware of who they are up against. So, because of that, I said nothing. I've made my judgment. And now, I am allowing you inside."

Incredible. It was the only way to describe it. Maybe it was why he looked different from other Slowking. That alone should have been obvious, but he carried herself in such a relaxed manner. Krista would expect someone with such a high status to be a pompous person. Were Pokémon royals any different from the likeness of humans?

"I do apologize, Chespin," Slowking said. "I've read your request and knew to answer immediately, but I also didn't wish to give myself away after I heard your story. I was trying to assure that I wasn't being led into some sort of trap. But as it seems, you were being cautious yourself. There's clearly some information you wish to reach my ears and my ears alone. You didn't feel quite comfortable in that mystery dungeon, and I completely understand."

Pineno nodded, his mouth still halfway open.

"Then we should hurry inside."

With the waterfall redirected, it almost felt like they were transported to a different area. The closer they got to the giant slab of rock, the more it grew. Krista realized that it had to be as tall as a house…perhaps even more. She had to crane her neck just for a better look.

The cool feeling of smooth stone under her feet stopped Krista in her tracks. As she looked down, there was a round flat surface of stone that was built into the ground. It had to be five feet all around.

"Yes, yes. Stay there. Do not panic. What you are about to witness is normal." Slowking stood in front of her. Pineno stepped on next to her.

Not even a second later, the platform they stood on was glowing. A translucent, blue cylinder wall enclosed around the edges. The sound of the waterfall muted around them. Krista almost stepped off in fear of being trapped. She looked at Pineno, but he was far more impressed than she was startled.

'B-bADge SigNAl detECTED…'

Krista jumped at the loud and distorted voice inside her thoughts. She didn't think thoughts had a volume—were they supposed to have a volume? It sounded glitchy and broken, so Krista could only assume the communication system had a fault somewhere. The range of pitch would go from being low to high like a wave. It was almost unbearable to listen to.

'InDigO of CenTrAl. BaDge CorEsPondS wiTh FooTpRinT. WElLcOmE bA-aCk, HEAdmAsTeR?'

Pineno squealed in excitement.

'The TwO BEhInd YoU,' the glitchy voice said.

"I am bringing them in, Zee," Slowking said. There was a long pause of silence, so he laughed. "You judge. I understand. Unfortunately, my badge still lacks the energy for multi-transport. It's charged enough for only two. There are three of us, as you can see."

The strange voice hummed in a tone that couldn't be identified.

'IN aLl d-DuE resPECT… YoURRR job sTA-ated a Si-ilnGuLar cLient?'