Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Quenched Torch

Chapter 6: Setting Out

"Alright, kid, rise and shine."

Rye shifted in his bed, blinking the drowsiness out of his eyes. As he gained his composure, he realized that he and Beck were not alone in the room. The three Pokémon of Team Apex stood at the door, seemingly fully equipped for a long journey.

"Wh-what are you...?", Rye groaned.

"The Bewilder Forest dive's today.", May said. "Don't you remember?"

As Rye blinked, he remembered the team's plans. He had been so eager to go on that trip before he had found Beck, but he had put that aside once this had all started. Even if he were planning on going anymore, it seemed like any hope of that had been snuffed out once the two of them had formed Team Reach.

Rye cocked his head confusedly. "W-why are you..."

A small murmur sounded from beside him. Beck had seemingly not been affected by the wake-up call and was still soundly sleeping, shifting occasionally in his dreams. Rye nudged the Oshawott, but to no avail. He turned to Team Apex for help, but noticed Arden and May now whispering to one another, mischievous grins growing on their faces as Pike shrunk back and watched interestedly, obviously knowing something Rye didn't. The two pulled a small seed out of their bag, then as Arden aimed to throw it at the room's center, May apologetically looked to Rye.

"I advise you step back and cover your ears. Even a Blast Seed this small can get pretty loud."

---

...

W-wait... this place again...

I am glad to see you at least remember that much.

Y-you?

I do not have much time, child. Continue as usual, but when the time comes, the signs will show themselves. When they do, be ready to stand for what you believe in, no matter the cost.

What? What does that even mean? Who are you? Why am I here? Why did you-

I cannot remain. Farewell.

No, don't-

---

BANG!

I shot out of my bed like a startled Pidgey, screaming as I landed on the floor and scampered backwards into the wall. As my head cleared, the sound of uproarious laughter made itself known. Looking up from my fetal position, I found three things: one, Arden, May, and Pike all busting a gut at me; two, Rye looking horrified at whatever had just happened; and three, a smoking crater in the middle of the wooden floor.

"D-did you see his face?" Arden wheezed. I shakily stood up, putting on as angry of a face as I could make. Unfortunately, this didn't seem to come across as very intimidating, as it only made the three laugh harder.

As they settled down, Rye cleared his throat, questioningly pointing at the hole in the floor. Stamping out the small fire started by the explosion, May began staring intently at the crater. As she focused, several thick vines burst from the sides of the hole, eventually weaving together to fill it, replacing the blown-away wood.

'Well, that's convenient.'

Arden turned to us, still looking quite amused.

"Sorry, it's just that now that you're officially on this Guild, you've gotta go by our schedule," he said. "Besides, it's good nature to mess with guildmates. You'll understand soon enough."