Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Twisted Space

7: In Due Time

Fallen and Vigil ambled curiously behind Azure. Vigil's eyes wandered throughout the Base, admiring the Pokémon that passed by. Fallen could not keep his eyes off the mysterious symbol that was now engraved on his hand. He only occasionally glanced up to make sure he was still following the Alliance leader. The moments he did, however, he was filled with dread as an array of Pokémon were caught in his periphery.

Even after Auris retrieved his memories of pokémon, Fallen still walked the halls warily. In fact, he was even more terrified now that he knew what some of them were capable of. He wanted to hug the wall in horror as an electivire's tail inched dangerously close to his face, and a chill shot up his spine as a banette sent him a wicked smile. Fallen couldn't wrap his head around a world where humans and pokémon once lived in harmony.

The trio reached the end of the corridor that led to the foyer of the base. There, Azure paused and turned to Team Inferno. He patiently waited for them to arrive before beginning his explanation.

"All of the hallways in the base connect to these four passageways, which in turn lead to this spot. You should not have that much difficulty traversing the base. The layout is rather simple, as these four hallways can take you anywhere in the base you please. I will be showing you all of the corridors, aside from the one we just came from, because all that is there are our offices. Follow me, if you will."

Azure led Team Inferno down the hallway farthest from the staircase. They strolled down the uniform path until introduced by a wide opening at the end. A clamor of chatting pokémon reverberated louder and louder as they approached the room. When they reached their destination, Fallen and Vigil were welcomed by the delectable aromas of berries and fruit, as well as the enticing scents of fresh meat.

"This is the mess hall. Whenever you are not on a job, feel free to come here and enjoy a meal. I would recommend stopping by before leaving on your daily job so that you can preserve as much food as possible for your journey."

Fallen's stomach roared from within him. He was hungry, but didn't want to say anything about it.

"Fallen? Are you hungry?" Vigil chuckled, but was silenced by the rumbling coming from his own stomach. "We haven't eaten since breakfast at Waver's, huh?"

"If you would like, we may eat first, then resume the tour when you are satisfied."

"Well Fallen? Do you want to?"

Fallen hesitated for a moment. Sure, he was hungry, but the mess hall was brimming with all kinds of pokémon. Tables were lined with eating pokémon, socializing and attacking their meals.

It can't be that bad, right? No one will hurt around here, the treecko did his best to put his mind at ease.

"Yeah...I could use a quick meal," the words escaped his tongue. He closed his mouth abruptly because of how shocked he was.

"Well, let me take you to the line," Azure offered. "I will admit, though, there is a reason I brought you two here first."

"What's the reason?" Vigil wondered.

"I had not eaten all day. In fact, your little incident in Laurel's office interrupted my lunch time."

"Oh, hehe," Vigil chuckled awkwardly. "Sorry about that."

"Do not worry. What matters now is that we can all eat."

Azure took them into line, allowing Vigil and Fallen to go ahead of him. Fallen squeezed in between the two pokémon, creating a barrier for himself from any strangers. Vigil turned around and saw the nervous glances his friend took and decided to calm him down.