Explorers of the Life Force, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon

A Hooded Visitor

How long has it been? A week? Two weeks? It's hard to tell when you do the same thing every single day. Pokémon battling became my lifestyle, facing all types of opponents in the arena. Through it all I've steadily been growing closer to Crystal. Having to completely and utterly put our trust in the other has made us closer than siblings at this point. Though it also brought some heated arguments as well. Like this morning, "I asked you to cover my right side Chase!"

"Well you also said that you could handle it!"

"You are supposed to have my back!"

"Why does it matter?! You didn't even get hurt!"... It has been silly and stupid arguments lately, but it's still been a bother.

In other news, I haven't had a single dream or nightmare since the one with the floating gear and green Pokémon. Otherwise, I've had time to adapt to the world around me. I had good information on a general population of this region's Pokémon since asking Crystal more about them. I knew every type difference, and most strengths and weaknesses among them; as well as a bit of information on their standing in culture. I've also grown increasingly stronger after each fight, and Crystal explained that it was the process of leveling.

Apparently over time a Pokémon who fights can increase their power and fortitude. My hits get stronger, my injuries get less frequent, and my speed gets faster. She also said that it was the way most Pokémon evolve. There was also certain conditions for others who wanted to evolve.

I asked about how I would normally evolve and she said, "For you it happens during the day time and when you achieve a kind of... happiness I guess. The only thing is that even if you meet the conditions, it doesn't always mean you evolve. Some Pokémon who have tried for years can never achieve it sometimes. Especially more recently." So basically, evolving wasn't something that was a guarantee in this world.

When I asked her about her kind's evolution, she surprised me with her answer. "There are technically two different evolutions for us. There's the midday form or the midnight form. The midday forms are more regal in comparison to the midnight forms, where they look more wild. You need it to be day time to evolve into midday form, or night time for midnight form, but there's a catch. The more you lean to wild or civil, the more it effects the balance on which you evolve to. I've heard though there are a few Rockruff every couple of years or so who will have one that evolve into the dusk form. They are the perfect balance between the two, and share characteristics with the other two forms."

I sigh thinking back on all these things as the cell I've been in starts to feel more like a home than it should. I then look at Crystal's snoozing form, wondering which of the forms she would take... I think it would be the midnight form. Simply because she's been through so much here that a regal form didn't seem likely in my mind.

I felt a thump from something small hitting my head and looked up. It was Nari the Sneasel, looking down on me with cold humor. I was surprised, usually it was Vincent to come here after a... bad day.

She gestured for me to get up and I did so feeling puzzled. She silently opened the grate and I was pulled out with her putting her claw to her lips in a hushed gesture. I then followed her silently.

I didn't resist or try an escape. Mostly because of these bracelets they put on me when I was caught. They sort of drain my energy to where I can do little besides breath barely when activated. Besides that, they also keep me from using any moves from my move set. So trying an escape would lead to being futile.

When we were a good distance away from my cell Nari spoke. "How's the cell? I've heard it's... cozy."

I humored her, "Eh, bit dark and dirty, but otherwise silent if you're into that sort of thing."