Explorers of the Life Force, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon

An Odd Welcome Home

I continued to glance over my shoulder at the three Pokémon. There was Dan the Dwebble, he was mostly quiet. I will say he did seem to be more reserved than the rest. Sally the Skitty, She seems to really want a fight, definitely passionate about how things should get done. Then Blake the Charmeleon, Blake was... interesting. He obviously was the leader of this group and the way he fought against me was daunting. Out of all of them he seemed the kindest and most relaxed.

I turned to see Crystal unable to suppress a grimace. I was almost completely helpless to help her earlier. If these guys weren't guild members and they made off with her... I'd never forgive myself. I felt something tickle my cheek and realized I had started crying. I shook my head trying my best to dry my tears.

"Hey, Chase was it? Mind if I talk with you?" It was Blake looking hopeful towards me.

"Uh, yeah... sure." He quickened his pace walking along side me yet maintained a fair distance per our agreement.

"Hey, I wanted to apologize about earlier. It wasn't fair or right of us to outright attack you like that even if you were the criminal. We were instructed to bring Ace in if possible, and that means we should have told you to surrender first."

I nodded, "I forgive you."

He smiled, "Your Chase though right? I heard there was a Riolu awhile back that mysteriously vanished in the middle of the guild. Was that you?"

I nodded, "It wasn't intentional, I was captured against my will and was imprisoned with Crystal. Only yesterday were we able to escape and... Crystal hasn't been doing too well."

He looked at her with concern, "Like I said earlier, I'm not entirely sure to trust who you are exactly. The resemblances and situation look too closely related to who we were trying to capture. I'm going to warn you, we will need to detain you until we can confirm your story."

I nod, "That's fine, just as long as Crystal can be taken care of."

"Of course." He remained silent before speaking again, "Where did you learn to fight like that? Ace was supposed to be mostly a coward and hardly a fighter so I was taken aback when you actually started fending us off skillfully like that."

"Well I told you me and Crystal were imprisoned, it was also where we were forced to fight in these... arena matches. Crystal was there much longer than me but we had to either fight or die in there. We chose the first option."

"Really? I've never heard of something like that in all of my travels."

"Huh, maybe it was something that they didn't want the general public to know about?"

"Still, if this has been happening for awhile you'd think somebody would have heard about it."

I shrugged, if I told him that I was captured magically because I was human and taken through a portal I'm sure he would think I was lying.

"Where did you get that charm by the way? I haven't seen one in awhile." I looked at the Spirit Stone that was still around my neck.

"Huh, I'd almost forgotten about it. The ones who captured us used these. I'm not sure if it was to mark a target or just a symbol of their order, but they prevent aura or spiritual energy from passing in or out of the wearer."

He frowned slightly in thought, "Yeah... they're Spirit Stones right? I think Lee wore one... I wonder where he's been."

I kept my mouth shut again, I don't want to give too much information away without at least consulting with Crystal first. "If you could do me and Crystal a favor, try to not repeat what I've told you to anyone if you can help it. I'm not sure if whoever caught us might try to find us again."