Deal with your new friend

13th of March

After having that intense session with Rash, you also have to do a couple of quick rounds with both Midori and Marine.

Once you're sure everyone is satisfied, you and the girls take a refreshing shower before getting dressed.

Afterwards, you head downstairs and order a hearty breakfast before sitting at a rather secluded table, away from the other guests.

A few minutes later, a barmaid brings your food, and you all begin eating.

Rash, in particular, practically devours everything placed in front of her.

"This ish amazing... I've never eaten anything sho tashty" she says happily between bites.

"Really?" Marine asks. "I think it's just a pretty standard breakfast."

"Well..." Rash chuckles awkwardly while scratching the back of her head. "It's not like I had many chances to eat properly in the slums."

You can hear the hint of sadness hidden behind her smile.

"So..." Midori says gently, "what are you planning to do now, Rash?"

"Hey! Didn't you say you'd take care of me?" Rash pouts.

"We did," you reply with a smile. "You could come back to our base with us. I'm sure we can find something you're good at."

"Oh! I'm great at gathering information!" Rash immediately says, raising one hand.

Midori nods. "Actually... having someone who specializes in gathering intel could be really useful."

Marine suddenly perks up.

"So... you should have formed a bond with Rash too, right? Did you unlock another weapon?"

"I think so" you reply. "Maybe we should test it outside. This inn has a small garden in the back."

"Ooooh! Ish it that cool thing where you shummon weaponsh?" Rash whispers excitedly.

"Exactly."

"Then let's finish eating before the food gets cold," Midori says with a smile. "After that, we can test it and then probably start heading home."

Everyone nods before finishing breakfast.

A few minutes later, the four of you reach the inn's small back garden.

Fortunately, nobody else is there.

"Come on! Come on! Let me shee!" Rash says excitedly, almost bouncing in place.

"Alright, alright. Give me a second," you chuckle.

You close your eyes and focus.

Like every previous time, you picture the invisible bond connecting you to Rash.

A violet thread appears before your mind.

You reach for it.

The familiar warmth flows through your body as mana gathers in your hand.

Slowly, a new weapon begins to take shape.

Unlike the previous ones, this one isn't flashy.

It's a sturdy dagger, roughly the length of your forearm. The grip is wrapped in dark purple leather, providing a firm, comfortable hold, while the guard is almost nonexistent to keep the weapon lightweight.

Its most distinctive feature is the blade.

Instead of being perfectly straight, the white blade curves slightly like one of a Rattata's sharp incisors. Fine serrations run along the inner edge near the base, making it particularly effective for quick slashing attacks without compromising its stabbing capability.

The weapon looks simple and practical. Built for speed rather than brute force.

"Mmh..." Rash pouts. "I was hoping for something cooler. It just looks like a fancy little knife. The others were much more impressive."

"Aww, don't worry," Marine says, patting her head. "I bet it'll end up being really useful."

Midori looks at you.

"How do you feel Erik?"

"Pretty good," you reply while casually spinning the dagger between your fingers. "It's definitely not the strongest weapon, but it feels incredibly light. I also feel... faster while holding it, probably one of the effects of having it summoned."

You take a few quick steps across the garden.

Your movements feel smoother and lighter, more agile than usual.

""Ehehe... good," Rash giggles proudly.

Before anyone can continue talking...

A burst of psychic energy appears beside your group.

Amber suddenly teleports next to you.

"Amber?" you ask. "What are you doing here?"

"I bring... emergency message..." she says in her usual sleepy voice.

"What emergency?" Midori asks.

"Near Pallet... Beedrill hive..."

Your eyes widen.

"A Beedrill hive?!" You, Midori and Rash all exclaim at once.

Marine simply blinks.

"...What's a Beedrill hive?"

You immediately turn toward her.

"Beedrills are one of the pokemusu species that never truly adapted to modern society. The ones that spend their entire lives inside a hive develop an extremely dangerous mentality."

Midori continues the explanation.

"They believe the hive is everything. Every outsider is considered an enemy to eliminate. They fight with complete disregard for their own lives until either they—or their target—are dead."

"They're also known for occasionally kidnapping human men to reproduce," you add. "And their venom is incredibly lethal. Without the proper antidote, it can literally destroy someone's organs from the inside."

Marine gulps.

"...That sounds terrifying."

"It doesn't make sense, though" you mutter. "A hive usually has a considerable size, it couldn't have appeared overnight. Someone should've noticed it."

Amber slowly nods.

"Some... of us... are preparing... to reinforce you... They'll arrive... later..."

"Good," you reply. "We'll head there immediately."

Then you look toward Rash.

"Amber... could you take Rash back to the base?"

Amber looks at the rattata musu for a few seconds.

"...If you trust her... I will."

"Eh? B-But..." Rash says nervously. "I don't think I'm ready to go back there without any of you..."

Marine raises one hand.

"Then... maybe I'll go too. I'm still pretty sore from yesterday's fight anyway."

You grin.

"Oh? The great Marine is afraid of the battlefield?"

"O-Obviously not!" Marine immediately puffs out her chest. "The great Marine is simply accompanying her new friend so she doesn't feel lonely!"

You laugh. "Of course."

"Then if there's nothing else, we all know what to do" you say.

Midori smiles.

"Sounds like everything's settled."

Within a few minutes, Marine and Rash gather their belongings.

Amber places a hand on each of their shoulders and uses her magic to teleport all of them away.

You and Midori collect your own luggage before heading outside in search of transportation.... Or at least that was the plan.

A familiar wagon is already waiting in front of the inn.

The driver smiles politely.

"Excuse me... are you Erik Scarlett?"

"Yes, I am."

"Sir Giovanni arranged this transport for you. He instructed me to take you wherever you need to go."

You exchange a surprised glance with Midori.

"He certainly plans ahead" she whispers.

"It seems so."

You turn back toward the driver.

"Can you take us to the main village of the Pallet area?"

"Oh, that's perfect. I was already heading in that direction."

He opens the wagon door.

"Hop in."

The two of you climb aboard.

As the wagon begins rolling through the streets, silence settles between you for a few moments.

"I have a bad feeling about this," Midori quietly admits.

"So do I," you reply while watching the scenery pass by. "A Beedrill hive isn't something that appears by accident."

"You think it's connected to those people from Clan Rocket?"

"...Maybe." You cross your arms.

"Or maybe it's connected to the same mysterious force that corrupted Rash."

Midori nods thoughtfully.

"I just hope we're not too late."

"So do I."

The rest of the journey passes in thoughtful silence

.

A couple of hours later, the wagon finally reaches the Pallet area.

The driver leaves you near the edge of the village, allowing you to walk the remaining distance.

As you make your way through the peaceful streets, the contrast between the calm atmosphere and the emergency awaiting you feels almost unsettling.

Soon, you arrive at the town hall.

You step inside.

Waiting for you is Emma.

She gives you a polite bow as soon as she sees you.

"Lady Delia is waiting for you," she whispers, as quietly as ever.

"Please take us to her," you reply.

Emma silently leads you through the corridors until you reach Delia's office.

She gently opens the door.

You step inside.

Delia is already waiting for you behind her desk.

The concern written across her face tells you immediately that the situation is rather problematic.

Hello everyone, i'm finally back to occasionally write. Also after reading a couple of comments i heard that some people can't see the images, i case i would like you to warn me that i maybe have an idea to solve the problem