Chapter XV - Dungeon Crawling and Brawls
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POKÉMON MYSTERY DUNGEON
GUARDIANS OF BALANCE
ALWAYS AUDACITY
CHAPTER XV – DUNGEON CRAWLING AND BRAWLS
GUARDIANS OF BALANCE
ALWAYS AUDACITY
CHAPTER XV – DUNGEON CRAWLING AND BRAWLS
It wasn't exactly the best night. Sam tossed and turned inside the tent, the basic sleeping bag not really doing much to help him out. It wasn't that it was just too warm or cold. It wasn't any noise or anything of the sort. If anything, his mind kept drifting back to that story. About the Guardians and their mysterious disappearance into that cave. He couldn't stop thinking about Alice as well, of how she just pushed him away from even conversing with her. Damn it, she punched me when we first met! Why am I so concerned about her?
The answer was obvious. He was worried about her between the so called 'curse' and her own attitude. But then again, he could have just as easily been worried about anyone.
A faint moan crept over his shoulder, and rolling over, Sam could see Aidan squirming inside his own bag, eyes squeezed tight shut. The Froakie had already started complaining about another headache coming on when he stumbled on into the tent. He couldn't help but frown as Aidan flashed a smirk and brushed off his concern, stressing that he had coped with such things before. But even so, he still couldn't shake off his concern. Headaches may seem innocent, but having them semi-regular wasn't exactly a good thing. Maybe it was just the electric move mucking him over.
Finally giving up, Sam crawled out of the bag and out of the tent. Zog it. He figured, rubbing his feet against the rocky ground and letting his body heat up in the chill of the air. Might as well try and tire myself out with some kind of walk.
And so, he began his lap. The campsite was nearly shrouded in near complete silence, with only the very faint rustle of tent canvas or the occasional crunch of underfoot. The embers of the campfire were beginning to fade away, but it only allowed the stars to shine even more brightly above him. He paused for a moment, looking up at the celestial objects hanging there. He wondered if the human world was up there somewhere, or whatever world he was originally from. He knew stars had planets around them, that basic fact was something he knew at least. He let out a heavy sigh, I still had to get here somehow. I can't have just, upped and teleported away… can't I?
The chill in the air getting to him again, he rubbed his hands together and carried on walking. Hoping against hope that he would tire out enough that he could just pass out.
As he rounded another tent, he caught a flicker of a flame coming from within a larger tent, set further off from the rest. The instructor's tent, if that was an appropriate term for them. Probably still working out the details for tomorrow. He guessed, narrowing his stride as he peered at the shelter with a little smirk, Makes sense.
He half considered listening in, maybe he could get an idea of what would happen for the next dungeon. But with a thin smile, he shook his head at that. Nah… don't want to start cheating if that is even a thing here. He started to widen his stride-
"He still hasn't woken up?" Jack asked.
"Nup. No luck."
Sam slid to a halt. Huh? Zack's not woken up?
With a frown, and a part of him urging him to back off, Sam swallowed and crept a little bit closer to the tent.
"I don't understand it." Oscar said, "Reviver seeds didn't do the trick, and neither is anything else."
"You don't think that rabbit hit him too hard right?" asked the Rhydon.
Sam's chest clenched, fear settling in at the possibility that he might have gone too far. But Jack's voice tore through the canvas like a knife. "Not a chance. Sam wouldn't go that far. Even if he did, he was probably just desperate."
"I concur." Esper said, the flames within the tent flickering. "I could sense some worry and relief, and if Sam really wanted harm Zack, he could have just left him there."
"Aidan was there too."
"True. But I trust my instincts. Besides, he is not too injured."
Sam let out a faint sigh of relief, Good… no lynch mobs or arrests coming my way then… but still… if those Reviver seeds aren't working… if they do what I think they do again…
What was stopping him from waking up?
"Could it a nightmare? Like you described it pal?" Jack asked.
"By golly no!" Oscar quietly cried out, "He's too peaceful for that."
"I have already tried to feel what is happening with his mind." Esper added, "But it's all… clouded… I not going to be able to learn more here."
There was a moment of silence, enough for Sam to half worry that they discovered he was there. But when Esper spoke up again, her tone was relaxed. "Rhys, can you take Zack back to Robinswood tomorrow morning? Maybe Rebecca can rouse him."
A heavy grunt rumbled forth from the tent, "She's not gonna be happy about that."
"She never is, but she cares enough to get the job done. We'll keep an eye on the recruits, Jack, I'm going to need you to fly on ahead to the second camp."
"Sure thing… but… if something went wrong with Zack around here… and with Tracy and Oliver missing still… is it really a good idea?"
"We'll have to be careful. We should be clear of any grave danger now we're past the first dungeon but… we should still be cautious."
Silence fell again for a moment, before Esper finally spoke again. "We'll look into Zack's situation when we get back to town, in the meantime, I suggest you all get some rest."
Feet sliding back, Sam began to back away. His mind slowly churning at the information. What had happened in there? He questioned, Is it to do with the…
He brushed the idea away, a cold weight settling onto his shoulders. Shaking his head, he turned, and marched back to his own tent.
Sam half imagined that he would still struggle to fall asleep, but as he slipped back into his bag, exhaustion finally caught up to him, and he was pulled down to sleep.
*****
Thankfully for Sam's ears, Nia didn't scream for him to wake up and instead it was Aidan who roused him from his slumber. Within a few moments, they already had gathered their gear and were soon lined up outside alongside the other teams. A low, excited murmur spread through the Pokémon, and even Aidan now bared a cheesy grin on his face.
But despite this, Sam didn't feel such joy, his eyes fixed on the cave entrance before them. Not only did he now have the campfire discussions hanging around in a corner of his mind, he now had the word on Zack worrying him. He clenched his fists; he knew that he couldn't afford to let such thoughts cloud his judgement. Not with another dungeon ahead of them.
Esper and Oscar emerged from the tent and strolled towards the front of the team. Seems like Zack is already being carried back.
"Everyone had a good sleep?" Esper asked, earning a few confirmative yeses from the assembled teams. "Good, because you have a different objective this time." She slowly began to walk along the length of the groups. "Some volunteers have gone on ahead into the dungeon. It's your job to find them, and get them out of the dungeon."
Dan frowned, "Err… how are we going to do that without Expedition Badges?"
"All the volunteers have their own badges or an escape orb on hand. As soon as you find them, they'll use that to get out. If for some reason they have lost their item, then it will be up to you to help guide them out." Esper explained.
"Then how will you know that we 'rescued' them?" Edward inquired, clicking a hoof into the ground.
"Badges and orbs normally drop you back off at the dungeon's entrance." Aidan said, leaning forward so the Skiddo could get a better view. "If someone is hanging back here, they'll see who's arrived."
"Exactly." The psychic type confirmed, turning to face the group proper again. "You will need to search the dungeon, but you also have to look for a specific individual. Oscar will give out a specific floor and contact for you. If you cannot find them or are defeated along the way, then that will count as a failure."
The Bibarel moved along the length of the line, passing on a small slip of paper to each team. Sam took theirs and looked over its details. The sketched image of a bird like Pokémon was shown, and although there wasn't any actual colour, Sam noted the bird's resemblance to that of a Corvisquire. Then of course, there was the floor too. BF3.
"Once you have 'rescued' that volunteer, head through the dungeon and the final camp. With a bit of luck, we might be able to clear the third dungeon today, but that depends on how we progress through here." Esper finished, looking across the teams as they inspected their sheets. "Understood?"
With a final call to confirm that, the Meowstic stepped aside, and Sam glanced over towards Aidan. "Hanging back again?"
Aidan shook his head, "Nah, not this time. Let's do it."
Feeling his lips twist up in faint amusement, they jogged on into the dungeon.
*****
Right from the get go, this was a bigger challenge. Before they had even got out of the first room, or rather, clearing owing to the damaged but still living trees that formed an impenetrable wall around them, they started encountering the first feral Pokémon within the dungeon. A few grass types and bug types roamed around the dungeon, snarling and spitting as they leapt forth at him, trying to take him down with some kind of move they had on hand.
At this point though, Sam was now getting the hang of battling. A dodge here and there, an occasional block and careful use of Ember and Quick Attack proved effective in knocking the ferals out or at the very least, sending them scurrying away. The rock types that showed up were more of challenge, but then Aidan would step up and let rip with Bubble Beam, sending them staggering or flying away himself. It was hard work, there was no denying that. Sam would pant, wiping his eyes as a little bit of sweat ran into them. But his stamina was building, and so was his capabilities. It was clear that Aidan could see that improvement too, all thanks to that ever-bigger grin spreading across his face. Infectious was one way to put it, as the memories of the past day faded away as the pair descended into the dungeon, Sam almost getting drunk on the adrenaline that pumped through his body. Every knockout blow, every dodge only added to the exhilaration of the challenge ahead. He only even stopped to check if hadn't accidently hit the feral Pokémon too hard, and thankfully could still see them breathing. That only added to the catharsis of the journey.
Soon enough, they were on the third floor and began their sweep. But it didn't take long to find their contact. Not by sight anyway, but by sound. A faint, fruity tune that fluttered through the 'corridors' flanked by trees. Ears perked up, Sam led the way, following the song with ease and the odd flick of the rabbit ears.
The Corvisquire sat atop of a boulder at the centre of one clearing, a bored look on his face as with one wing, he somehow was managing to read from a bound book in his grasp. A satchel hung from his side under his free wing as one eye flicked over to the approaching pair. "About time you two showed up! Been busy huh?"
Taken aback, the Scorbunny raised an eyebrow. "Huh? We've not been here that long!"
Aidan rubbed the back of his head, "I can only guess that it's been around say… twenty minutes at least since we came in. Now we've took a couple of knocks on the way but…"
The Corvisquire laughed, rising up to his feet as he somehow managed to slip the book back into the satchel. "I guess to be fair, I have waited for longer than you lot have been in here."
He hopped off the boulder and landed in front of them, bringing himself to his full height. He was actually taller than the both Sam and Aidan, but despite that, the grey-blue bird Pokémon didn't seem that intimidating at all. "That, and I'm normally flying around a lot more."
Sam started rubbing the back of his head, "You are a… well… a bird. But why would you say that in particular? Where do you fly to?"
He chuckled again, flicking a wing to one side. "Everywhere! Can't you tell by these dashing good looks?"
"Err…"
"Bull…" Aidan stuttered, shaking his head but stabbing a finger at the Corvisquire, "I've heard of you. You're Perry. You're the Liaison for Pelipper and TalonKnight Offices."
Perry somehow managed to flash a grin despite the beak. But when he spoke, it was with a somewhat wounded tone. "Just a liaison? Come on, I'm only the quickest post bird around, delivering the most important mail on time!"
It was the Froakie's turn to laugh. "Swellow say's hi. Amongst other things."
"And yet Corviknights are still flying at the Post Office." Perry pointed out, tapping the side of his head with a wing tip, "Raw speed ain't anything, yet I'm still the quickest to get around."
Sam glanced over at Aidan with a sly smirk on his face, the frog Pokémon glowering back before letting out a defeated sigh. "Ok. I get it."
"Don't worry Aidan." Sam replied with a grin, patting his friend on the back. "So, Perry. Why did you volunteer for this then? Don't you have… you know… post to deliver?"
"I'm the quickest post bird around!" Perry exclaimed again, "I'm allowed a day off once in a while. Besides, I like getting a look at… interesting rookies."
"Huh? Interesting rookies?"
The bird hopped up alongside the Scorbunny, resting one wing around him as if wrapping an arm round his shoulder. "Come on, young looking Pokémon waking up in pretty places without the foggiest idea of how he or she got there, inevitably settling down in a town and buddying up with a friendly companion to go on some epic adventures!"
Sam was half frozen in place, stiffening under the bird's wing. Wait… why is he-
"Then again, I've heard of plenty of parents letting their kids run off on their own little adventures with nothing more than a bag full of balls without a care in the world." Perry stated, "Folks are weird."
The Scorbunny blinked, his body easing up. Only a touch though. "N-No offense, but… you're weird…"
"Ha! I'll take that as a compliment. Oh, by the way, that Paras is about to clamp down on your partner's mane."
Sam spun round to find Aidan's eyes widening, the Froakie leaping away as the clawed bug tried to grasp onto him. Sam tried to kick an Ember out, but his foot only hit mid-air as the frog accidently caught his arm instead, causing the Scorbunny to stumble back. Gritting his teeth, he regained his footing, ready to-
The white blade of light cut across the feral Paras like a knife through hot butter. The Paras' eyes widened as was shoved back by the Air Slash, pupils dilating wildly for a second before it finally slumped the ground in a heap.
Barely hiding his gasp, Sam spun on his heel to find the Corvisquire pulling his wing back up and puffing out a breath. That… feels very familiar… a… gun?
"Err… thanks." Aidan sheepishly said, pushing himself back up to his feet. "By the way… you're not going to-"
"Nah, I won't tell that I also just rescued you." Perry whistled with a sly grin, beating his wings to bring himself into the air. "Now, if you excuse me, I better go and report your success. I'll probably see you again when you bugger off to another continent or deal with some cartoonishly bad grunts."
"Erm." Sam started, "That's… great! Wait… what are you saying about cartoons-"
"Too busy to chat now, take care!" Perry exclaimed, before the bird was consumed with a brief flash of light. When the rabbit blinked, the light was gone and so too was Perry.
Sam and Aidan could only stare at that spot of air where the bird had once been flying. The Scorbunny's mouth hung agape, trying to process what the ever-living hell Perry had been talking about. Adventures? Cartoon teams? What? His entire body slumped, as if his muscles had melted not from relief, but more as if they had quite literally deflated. "Aidan… what… was that all about?"
"I… don't have the foggiest idea and I really don't think about it. All I know is… Perry is just… weird."
Sam drummed his fingers into his fur, "I… can agree with that…"
He finally turned away, "Come on… let's get out of here."
*****
There were less ferals to get through on the way out of the dungeon, and it didn't take long for the two to clear the remaining floors. Enough that it was mid-day by the time they emerged from the dungeon.
Jack was already waiting for them, a little flutter of his wings confirming his delight. "You guys were quick! Esper already contacted me, you found Perry?"
"We did." Sam sighed, the adrenaline beginning to run dry in his now sore body. "That was… quite the encounter."
"Has anyone else got through yet?" Aidan asked, neatening up his bubbly mane.
"Not yet." Jack confirmed, "You're the first team that made it."
"Alright! Two down!" Bruce declared from over Sam's shoulder, the Bulbasaur leading Team Forest out of the exit tunnel. "One more to-"
And right on cue, the dinosaur slumped, "Not again…"
"If it's any consolation." Aidan said with a wink, "Alice isn't here."
Sam narrowed his eyes, giving the Froakie a sidelong glance, his own concerns for the Buneary's wellbeing now returning to the surface. Come on Aidan… maybe she won't be so bad if folks didn't automatically just put her down.
Regardless, Bruce let out an enormous sigh, perking up a little bit. "Glad we could beat her then."
"Ahem."
The group turned to find Jack pointing over his shoulder, "Might want to clear the entrance, the next camp is already set up."
It became plainly obvious when the next team arrived. Sam, Aidan and Bruce's team were beginning to settle into the smaller second camp when a sharp cry pieced the air, coming in from the direction of the preceding dungeon. So loud that Sam's ears automatically flinched, a soft ache returning to his ear drums. "Not ag-"
Nia burst into the camp just as Sam yanked his ears down to protect himself, but she wasn't cheerful or happy. No, she was hyperventilating, her movements too erratic to hint at a successful clearing of the dungeon. And most of all, her voice, whilst still loud, was not ear-destructively loud either.
"Please! We need help!"
Sam didn't hesitate, bounding across to her. "Nia! What's going on!?"
The bat Pokémon bobbled up and down frantically, "We found our contact, but we need to wake him up, then Alice got mad with Dan, Dan started getting really mad, all of our stuff ended up all over the place-"
What is she-
He shook his head, "Whoa whoa!" he barked, raising her hands, "Slow down! Take a breath!"
Quite literally, the Noibat took a deep breath, and her body stabilised. "Okay… we found the contact, but he had nearly fainted when we found him. We had an apple to spare… but… err…"
She hesitated, feet twitching before she continued, "Dan had started getting spooked and was… halfway through eating it… Alice got angry with him at that, snatched the apple away and used it to rouse our contact so he could leave… but Dan then got really mad… he was starting to get hungry."
"Hold up." Sam stressed, folding his arms, "You're telling me that you guys have got into an argument… over an apple?"
"You don't want a Morpeko complaining about being hungry." Aidan stressed, finally hopping up to his side.
Nia dipped her head, eyelids drooping, "Actually… I was kind hoping you can help calm them down…"
A gigantic bang echoed from behind her, a faint shudder running through his chest as his ears just picked up the angry, yet familiar voice of Alice. "Why won't you stay down you little shit!"
Fists tightening, Sam sprung forward and back down the path, ignoring the calls of the other Pokémon behind him. This wasn't something for fun anymore, this was something that he needed to break up.
He found them outside the exit of the second dungeon, Alice backflipping away from a yellow bolt of energy that struck the ground where she once stood. Dan stood off to oneside, and yet… it didn't look much like Dan at all. His body was the same shape, but his fur was now purple and black, and his eyes were a dark, angry red. The hairs on Sam's neck rose up, it was as if the meek and nervous Pokémon that was at the campfire had completely transformed into some kind of demon. Geez – this is what happens when he gets hungry!?
Another bolt of electricity shot out again from the hamster, and Alice once more evaded the attack, the Buneary wincing as she stumbled on her landing. That snapped Sam out of it, and he once more sprinted forward. I've got to try and break this up! But how?!
Alice was already coiling up, teeth bared as if ready to lunge for the Morpeko. Sparks flowed around the latter's body, prepared to fire another bolt off. Sod it!
The two opponents took one step forward, but one step too late as Sam skidded in between them. "Cut it out!" he barked; arms outstretched. Both Pokémon jerked back for a moment, a flicker of confusion running across their faces. Alice recovered first, her face somehow reddening under her fur. "What the hell are you doing you idiot!?" she raged.
"Trying to break up a fight!" Sam snapped, "All this over a bloody apple?! What are you two thinking!?"
"You don't break up a fight with a hangry Morpeko!" Alice snapped, "Unless you've brought something for him to eat!"
"To eat? Why would-"
He nearly kicked himself as the truth finally kicked in. Hangry. Morpeko had one hell of an appetite. And when they got hungry…
Crap.
That was when Dan's teeth chowed down onto his arm.
The pain rushed up his arm like wildfire, an agonised yell rang through the air as he tried to yank his arm away from the Morpeko, his teeth sinking deeper into his arm until a faint flicker of blood began to rise to the surface. "Hungry… meat!" Dan growled, gnawing on the flesh of his arm. "G-Get off me!" Sam bellowed, slamming his free hand down onto the hamster's head, the creature barely flinching as his eyes brightened, biting down even further. Desperate, Sam kept trying to pull away, hitting Dan again but to no avail. The pain was all he could think about, and how to get free of it all.
That was when Dan's eyes widened.
Promptly followed by a pair of kicks straight into Morpeko's head. With a yelp, the teeth were released and Sam hit the ground, clutching his bloodied arm. The pain pulsing through his flesh, he managed to look back up to find the Morepko trying to push himself back up. Alice had placed herself in between the Scorbunny and the hangry hamster, teeth bared. "Think you can eat us big boy?" she snarled, her ears now glowing white. "Why don't you choke on this!"
Dan's eyes widened as one ear, then the next sprung forward across Dan's body. The first blow staggered him back, the second punched him away with a crack into a nearby boulder.
"Dan!" Nia cried, the bat flying in close to Dan's side. Sam shoved himself upright, his heart racing at the danger. "Nia! Don't get close to him."
The hamster shook his head, eyes glowing brighter as they locked onto Nia. Teeth bared, he leaned forward, arm outstretched-
A green vine flicked in front of him, a red orb held in its grasp. Dan's mouth immediately snapped open, eyes wide as he leapt forward and grasped onto the apple. The vine released its grip, letting the Morpeko pull the fruit clear as it staggered. With one fell swoop, Dan swallowed the apple whole before sliding back down the rock, eyes slipping shut as he began to chew. Nia touched down next to the Morpeko, a little winged hand resting on his shoulder as Aidan, Jack and Bruce's Team walked into the clearing.
Groaning, Sam pushed himself back up and onto his feet. Huh… you can calm him down just like that? One apple? I guess it starts small.
Nia spun round to Alice, pupils turning to slits. "Why did you have to keep pushing him so hard!?" she snapped.
Alice snarled back, "What? You're blaming me for this!?"
"I could have kept him calm enough to get here!" Nia shouted, holding out another apple for the Morpeko to chew on. "If you explained things through to him before you ripped that apple off him…"
"And leave that contact to rot? Didn't you want to help him?"
"Of course I do, but did you also have to be such a jerk about it?! Especially with how he was struggling in there! Worrying about what was coming up next!"
"What else would you expect me to do?" Alice growled, jabbing a finger at the distracted Morpeko, "And if he can't handle some kind of tension, then he shouldn't be here!"
Nia looked away, focusing on Dan, who's fur was slowly beginning to return to normal. Unable to answer. The Buneary looked across the gathered group. Jack looked on with concern, but the others glowered at her with dark looks. Aidan's own glare was so sharp, it felt like it was cutting straight through her.
Slowly, he pulled a thin smirk, one so venomous that it could poison Sam just from looking at. "Once again, all you do is just get people hurt, don't you? You can put on the tough girl act, but hurting people is all you are really good at."
Aidan… Sam thought, his body stiffening and shuddering. What the hell are you doing!?
Alice took one step forward, eyes flashing red whilst she shuddered before them. "If you really think I'm like that, then why don't you put me down? If you really think I'm nothing than a monster, then come on! Finish me off already!" she screamed, her entire body tensioning.
Jack fluttered in, "Hey guys… this isn't cool, can we just-"
"Come on then!" Bruce snapped, vines rising from his back, "I'm looking for some payb-"
"ENOUGH!"
Everyone froze, staring with utter shock. Sam had stepped in front of Alice, blocking Bruce' own attempt to come forward and attack. His chest burned, overwhelming the now distant warmth of his blood dripping down his arm. His foot rested on a single pebble, a faint wisp of smoke slowly rising from the heated stone. "Can we stop having ago at each of other because of curses or any bloody pointless bullshit!" he barked.
"Sam…" Aidan started, but Sam swivelled on him, his fist tightening. "No! You and Bruce have been just as big a pair of assholes yourselves!"
Bruce could only blink in confusion and shock, whilst Aidan looked genuinely pained at the statement, eyes flicking away. Sam took a glance behind him, to find even Alice was stunned and speechless, her mouth hanging ajar as she was frozen in place. "If we keep fighting each other like this, then we might as well pack our things and go home! Because at this rate, none of us are worthy of joining the Guild! People made some mistakes, so just take it on the chin and move the bloody hell on rather than picking at each other over it!"
The clearing fell into silence, every pair of eyes fixed onto the panting Sam. A part of him screamed at this madness, calling everyone a jerk for having ago at other jerks. But it had to be said, he was just tired of all this antagonism. All this word-shiving.
The ache began to return the front of his mind, and the Scorbunny slumped as he grasped onto his bleeding arm. The Yanma, part of Bruce's team, fluttered forward and tapped on the Bulbasaur's side, whispering something to him. Faint enough that even Sam couldn't hear it. Bruce's features softened for a moment, before shaking his head and backing away. "Fine." He growled, "I don't need to prove myself to you anyway."
Together, he and his team turned and made their way back up towards the camp.
"Oh no no no… I-I'm so sorry, I just couldn't-"
The Scorbunny turned to find that Dan's fur colour had returned to normal and his eyes wide in horror, staring down at his bloodied arm.
"It's fine." Sam said woodenly, waving his unwounded arm loosely in reply, "It happens."
Dan could only look away, eyes squeezed shut.
Nia helped the Morpeko to his feet, before looking back to Buneary, her tone surprisingly soft, "Sorry." She said, "We'll leave a seat for you at the camp.". Tearing her eyes away, Nia and Dan set off to follow Team Forest. Jack taking one final look at the remaining Pokémon, his eyes sparkling for a moment as he looked towards Sam, before finally setting off to follow.
When Sam turned back to Alice, she was still half frozen, shoulders slumped. As if struggling to process the whole scene. All her original malice was now gone. Now she looked… actually rather sad. "A-Alice?" he asked quietly, his next words failing to materialise.
She blinked once, her clouded eyes clearing as she looked back over him. She took a breath, as if ready to say something, a hand resting on her chest… but then the deep scrawl returned. "I told you." She finally said, "Stop trying to help me."
Sam felt a pang of grief as the Buneary shook her head, and hopped back down the path after the others. Alice…
He went to turn after her, only to stumble forward – and into the supporting blue arm. "I've got you partner." Aidan said quietly, pushing the Scorbunny back up. Sam could only blink, "You… you're not angry?"
"Not really." Aidan bluntly admitted, "I think we all needed that drilled in our heads, me included. Thanks for reminding me about that."
His limbs heavy, Sam could only return a shaky nod. A-Aidan doesn't mind? Even after that?
"Trust me, you'll still my mate." Aidan stressed, "We all have bad moments. Now come on, let's get that arm checked out."
Sam blew out a bemused wheeze. "Huh… I didn't think I would have someone try and eat me today…"
Aidan let out a quiet chuckle, "It'll make a good story later. Either way, nothing a good oran berry can fix."
The two shared a steadier, more relaxed laugh as they made their way back towards the camp.
Once again, I'm plagued with word count creep. This chapter ended up being far, far bigger than I was originally planning so it took such a long time to write. I'm starting to get more of an idea of how these characters are starting to shape for down the line too. So hopefully we can see more of this develop further in time.
Hopefully the next chapter won't be anywhere near as long as this. Hope you guys enjoy it!
Hopefully the next chapter won't be anywhere near as long as this. Hope you guys enjoy it!
;
