Chapter Text
Well, we’re officially screwed, Raihan thought. The pair had been wandering around the cave system for about three days, with no end in sight, blindly following Sableye. Raihan was beginning to feel like trusting a random wild Pokemon was not the best idea to be had. Especially considering the circumstance the small group had found themselves in. Surrounded on all sides by a gang of Salandits and what looked like their leader: a Salazzle. Raihan looked down at their oh so fearless guide current cowering behind his leg as it shakily called out to the gang trying to negotiate with them. Or so Raihan assumed. He was never very good at picking up what Pokemon meant to say.
“S-s-s-sab sableye… bleye…”
Whatever Sableye had said to them was met with the sound of rambunctious hissing laughter from the gang. Raihan was able to pick up on the mocking tone of the Pokemon this time. All this time in the wild had him getting a lot better at interpreting Poke-speak intonations.
“Well, now what?” Raihan muttered, posing his question to Gloria who was looking at the gang of Pokemon with disturbing excitement.
“What do you mean?” She didn’t even bother to look at him, instead choosing to make eye contact with the lead Salazzle.
Raihan balked, “What do you mean what do I mean?! How are we bloody dealing with this?” He gestured wildly with both hands at the gang.
“Why would we deal with this? This is fascinating, look they’re obviously an organized group in the wild, they’re way more coordinated than a random Salazzle reverse harem.” Gloria exclaimed. With no inflection to her voice either, how in the world does she do that?
Salazzle, keeping its eyes on the trainers, hissed to the gang, who in response tightened their ranks, closing in further on the group of trainers and Pokemon. Even though it kept its eyes glued on them, Raihan had a feeling, it was the cocky grin the damn lizard wore, the Salazzle did not consider him and Gloria threats.
“I don’t know maybe because it looks like they’re threatening us? Are we in their territory or something?”
“Of course not. Salandits would never claim this as their territory. They live in usually arid or volcanic areas, not caves. I’d say this is more akin to railroad robbery then it is territory protection,” Gloria stated her assessment of the scene calmly. Sableye cried out shakily in confirmation.
Gloria continued with her unwanted commentary, “This is pretty strange of Salandits though, they’re usually known to be more stealthy in their approach. What with all the reports of people and Pokemon being immobilized by by their poison before being robbed blind. Well, whatever it is, I like it. It’s bold. Ballsy. Fresh.” The gang all howled in appreciation.
“You’re bloody insane.”
“ ‘Sides the point, let’s see what they want.” Gloria grinned, waving Raihan’s comments off. Looked like her previous ire towards him was abandoned in favour of her excitement over the Pokemon robbery gang. She then looked towards the Salazzle, “So, what do you want?”
The Salazzle laughed its hissing laugh before stepping forwards, “Salazzle sal sal lazzle laz,” it gestured towards Gloria’s bag, then mimed taking it off and rummaging through it, placing all the imaginary items on the ground. Raihan was slightly impressed by its acting abilities. Blimey, its Opal’s spirit animal. Just as scaly too… he shuddered at the image that conjured.
“Well, I guess that answers that,” Raihan sighed. He looked at Gloria in an almost defeated tone, “Please tell me we aren’t going to actually comply with them.”
Salazzle hissed, menacingly stepping forwards as the surrounding Salandits went into a frenzy, some howling with laughter, others baring their teeth, and a few dragging their claws across their necks, the threat universal apparently.
Gloria shrugged her bag off her shoulder, carelessly dropping it to the ground, “No, I suppose we shouldn’t. Though it would be fun,” she muttered, dropping her voice low, before continuing, “I’m going to hazard a guess and say they’re after food. We don’t have enough food to spare considering we don’t know how long we’re going to be stuck in this cave system and we’ve been in here long enough…” she trailed off.
Raihan shot her a confused look, “So, what are we going to offer them? I am assuming we’re offering something because so far it looks like you’re complying.”
“I’m going to negotiate with them. I think I have something that’ll be of far greater value to them.” The look on Gloria’s face was downright frightening. She’s far too pleased with this situation…
“Pikachu, can you translate for me? I want them to explicitly know that I’m bringing out Grimmsnarl for demonstration purposes only and not to fight.”
Pikachu nodded confidently, saluting Gloria, before turning towards Salazzle, “Pi pikachu…”
Raihan turned his focus away from the electric mouse and back to its his, wayward trainer, who was currently crouched on the ground, Pokeball in one hand and what looked like a TM in the other. “Grimmsnarl, let’s go!”
The large hairy fairy type was let out, just as ugly as Raihan remembered it to be. Pikachu appeared to have successfully communicated Gloria’s message to Salazzle’s gang as they stood still, only taking cautious stances instead of attacking. Salazzle gestured with its head for Gloria to get on with her demonstration.
Gloria stood up proud and tall, “Alright, Pikachu, take this,” tossing him a Sitrus berry.
Pikachu caught the berry easily, nodding to both Grimmsnarl and Gloria. It held the berry up in its paws, showing it around to the surrounding gang, “Pi pika pi! Pikachu!” Before storing it back where it was that Pokemon kept held items. How does that actually work? Raihan couldn’t recall seeing any of the items he’d given to his Pokemon ever being actually held.
“Grimmsnarl, Pikachu, places please,” Gloria gestured towards two opposing sides of the ring of space surrounding them.
The two Pokemon confidently shuffled into place, as the Salandit gang watched in tense curiosity.
“Alright, now, I’m going to demonstrate the move held on this TM. This is a move that can only be taught by a trainer, so this is a fantastic deal for you. If you’re satisfied with it, I’ll teach it to you, Salazzle, in exchange for not taking our stuff.” Gloria stated firmly, eyes locked onto Salazzle.
The Salazzle nodded and flicked its clawed hand in a ‘get on with it’ motion.
“Right, let’s not waste any time then. Grimmsnarl, use thief!”
Oh bloody hell, she doesn’t mean to teach Salazzle thief does she?! Of course she does…
The second the command left Gloria’s lips, Grimmsnarl blurred into action, rushing towards Pikachu. Its arm reared back and with a force greater then a Machamp’s, swung down on Pikachu. The electric mouse slid back a bit but held its ground. Grimmsnarl triumphantly held up the Sitrus Berry Gloria had given to Pikachu.
The Salandit gang whooped in excitement, and even Salazzle was looking interested in the potential of learning thief, or so Raihan assumed. It was a still little difficult to parse the lizard’s expressions.
“Do you think it worked?” Raihan asked. Gloria looked at him from the corner of her eye,
“Hopefully, or else we’re shit out of luck.”
“Wow. I think that’s the first time I’ve heard you admit that something may go wrong.”
“She’s a wild Pokemon, I can’t predict how she’ll react,” Gloria huffed, “Anyways, shush now, Salazzle looks like she’s decided what to do.”
“Sal salazzle sal sal,” the lizard got up and slowly, but confidently, moved towards Gloria. Grimmsnarl and Pikachu slowly moved back, demonstrating they would not attack unless the gang of bandits did so first. Once Salazzle had reached Gloria, it lowered its head, and waited. Gloria gently placed the TM thief onto the Salazzle’s head,
“Do you wish to learn Thief?”
The Salazzle nodded.
“Alright, if you know four moves, pick one to forget in place of Thief.”
“Salaz.”
“Ok. One, two, three… Done! You now know Thief!”
“Salazzle. Salaz,” the Salazzle said, looking at Grimmsnarl pointedly.
“Now what?” Raihan asked, throwing a worried look at the Salazzle and hairy imp Pokemon.
“I think she wants to test out Thief… Makes sense I guess,” Gloria surveyed the scene, a calculating look upon her face. I think this is the first time I’ve seen her look calculating. You’d think you’d see it in battle but nope, Gloria’s always battled with a straight face. Its a weird look on her… kind of sexy though… wait. No. Nope. Nope nope nope nope nope. Did not just think that. Undo! Control z!
“Gah…” Raihan let out involuntarily.
Gloria shot him a look, eye brow raised, “You ok there?” Even the Salazzle threw him a pointed look.
With a final shiver down his spine, Raihan mustered up enough composure to eloquently answer, “…yeah.”
“Right… anyways, Grimmsnarl, you ready?” With a nod of consent from Grimmsnarl, the Salazzle sprung into action, making quick work of stealing the Sitrus Berry.
It held up the Sitrus Berry to its brethren proudly, “Salzzle!”
The Salandit gang broke into celebratory howling and yelling. Their teeth and claws clicked in excitement.
The Salazzle turned towards the two trainers, a devious gleam in its eyes, “Salazzle salazzle.” It clicked its claws in snapping motion twice and gestured its head towards Gloria and Raihan, before walking off towards its gang. Grimmsnarl and Pikachu tensed up, each taking a step forward. Before they could do anything though, Gloria held up her hand, motioning for the two to stop.
The Salandit gang surged in response to their leaders’ orders. Surrounding Gloria, Raihan, and the cowardly Sableye, the little lizard bastards began to bind the trainers and Pokemon’s hands behind their backs, with rope that came from Arceus knows where.
Why are they so good at tying knots? Raihan was impressed with the quality of the knots, very firm and tight, but not uncomfortable… wait what am I thinking. This is no time to be impressed! We’re being held hostage by an Arceus damned Pokemon gang!
“Wow, they’re pretty good at this.” Gloria’s sudden deadpan comment startled Raihan into speaking his mind,
“I know right!”
“I wonder where they learned…?”
“Beats me,” Raihan answered flippantly. Raihan watched passively as the Salandit gang, finished up the touches on the knots and returned Grimmsnarl and Pikachu to their Pokeballs. A few Salandits on the outer edge of the group let out Embers to light up the surrounding cave.
Once the Salazzle had deemed everything was ready, or so Raihan assumed, it called for its gang to start heading further into the cave. Fan-bloody-tastic. I’m going to get murdered by wild Pokemon in an uncharted cave, and I can’t even post about it!
“You’re being strangely calm about this,” Gloria stated, looking directly at him.
“Yeah, well, I’ve just accepted it at this point. Honestly, this is not the worst situation. Sure the gang is wild, but they’re organized, unlike the groups you’ve been setting off on me this whole trip. We’ve also got our stuff so at least we won’t starve to death yet, as long as we don’t get offed by this lot,” Raihan was feeling a lot of things about this situation, but panic was not one of them. He felt that nothing could surprise him anymore. If only Raihan had learnt his lesson.
The Salandit gang had led them to a large cavern, with a large hole in the ceiling. Raihan could see the navy of the night sky through it. The whole cavern was covered in in glittering moonstone and other crystal stalagmites, reflecting the light of the stars and moon, casting a sparkling imitation of the night sky upon the walls of the cavern.
Raihan was unfortunately unable to admire or even really notice the beauty of the caves his attention was instead pulled to a gang of Happiny led by a very large, very gruff looking Chancy with what looked like a Choice Scarf wrapped around its neck? Raihan wasn’t too sure. Do Chancy have necks? They’re kind of blob shaped…
The Chancy in charge looked the Salazzle up and down in a mocking manner, and laughed. It then proceeded to say something to the Salazzle and its gang. Raihan assumed it was something offensive, judging by the snickering of the Happinies and the angry growls of the Salandits. One of the Salandits stepped forwards menacingly. The Happinies snickering immediately died down and from their pouched they each pulled out pointed rocks shaped like little daggers.
Bloody hell, they’ve made shanks! Why would they even need those…? Raihan felt Sabaleye’s claws dig into his leg as it clung onto him in fear.
The Salazzle held out a hand, and the Salandit stepped back. The Happiny kept out their rock knives.
“I thought Chancy were supposed to be kind!?” Raihan whisper yelled at Gloria.
“That’s what we all thought… guess not?” Gloria looked thoughtful, “Maybe it’s a survival of the fittest type of thing or just personality?”
“Disregarding that,” Gloria whispered, taking notice of their surroundings, “Isn’t this such a romantic spot?”
Raihan could only shoot Gloria a disbelieving look, “Sure, gorgeous really, the glimmering lights really bring out the fact that WE’RE BEING HELD HOSTAGE!” He wildly eyed the two gangs surrounding them and shook his bound hands at her.
“But the ambiance is wonderful, hostage situation aside. Plus we’re more than capable of battling our way out or have you forgotten our strength? It’d be the perfect time to test out how strong you’ve gotten from all our training.”
“Training?! They’re holding us at knife point! They’re somehow more threatening than Team Rocket or Galactic or…or whichever other lunatic groups have plagued the regions!”
“Oh please, the Happiny barely reach your knees and they’re holding blunt rocks. You’ll be fine. I wonder… maybe I can incorporate this with Inteleon? He does have that knife tail…thingy…” Gloria trailed off, deep in thought, “Anyways, enjoy the opportunity while it lasts, I think we’re in some sort of gang territory dispute. It’ll be fun to watch.”
Raihan could only look in disbelief at Gloria’s small smile. Arceus, she’s having a blast! I can’t believe I actually wish we were back swarm training!
“Raihan, look, they’re starting to fight!” Gloria’s exclaimed. Raihan was surprisingly able to detect a little inflection in her voice.
The two rival gangs had begun to creep towards each other, calling out taunts trying to goad the other side into attacking first. What followed afterwards, Raihan wasn’t sure he could even describe despite witnessing it. The Pokemon, despite being, well, Pokemon, did not fight much with moves. The Salandits stuck to hand to hand combat mainly while the Happiny used their little rock knife things. The few moves they did use were low on the destruction and flashy scale.
“Why are they fighting like that?” Raihan asked, not particularly looking for an answer.
“Not sure, maybe they’re aware of their surroundings? Wouldn’t want to cause a cave in with a misplaced Pound or Flamethrower I guess.”
“Yeah… that actually makes sense. Wonder why they’re fighting though.”
“No clue. Can’t say I’ve had much experience with Pokemon gangs,” Gloria replied blandly. Geez, I get it, no need to lay on the sarcasm…
After letting their grunts skirmish for a bit, the two leaders of the gangs began circling one another. All members of both gangs stopped fighting, and formed a circle around the leaders, cheering and jeering.
“Chancy chance!” The Chancy called out, letting out a decidedly not kind laugh. It rubbed the Choice Scarf wrapped around smugly.
The Salazzle snarled in response. A cool look settled over its features before it launched itself into action. Raihan immediately recognized the move Salazzle was gearing up. Raihan chanced a look at Gloria, who was watching the scene unfolding proudly. Salazzle whipped towards Chancy, striking it as it stole Chancy’s Choice Scarf. Salazzle slithered away as quick as it had jumped towards Chancy, and wrapped the Choice Scarf proudly around its neck.
“Salazzle!” It sent a tauntingly smug grin towards the Chancy and its gang. The Chancy and its Happiny gang glowered towards the Salandit gang, but appeared to be conceding. The group reluctantly bowed and started to back out of the cavern. The Salandit gang cheered. One of the Happiny made sure to hit Raihan’s shin on the way out. Ow! Watch it little bugger, I could kick you like a football!
The two trainers stood there, no words exchanged between them.
“Well. That was anticlimactic.” Raihan broke the silence, “Why were they even fighting over a Choice Scarf? Better yet, where did they even get it?”
“Yeah, I have to agree, that was a pretty boring conclusion. But it looks like it was big deal to those gangs, I guess,” Gloria shrugged.
Raihan could practically feel the apathy rolling off her in waves. Wow, she looks really disappointed by that. Guess she wanted more action. Can’t say I disagree this time…
The Salazzle ambled up towards the two trainers, its smug aura twice as large as before, “Sal salazzle sal,” it bowed its head towards Gloria, and clicked its claws. Two Salandits immediately stepped forwards. The Salazzle gestured to the cave systems behind it and the two Salandits nodded in response. Picking up the rope bounding Raihan and Gloria’s hands, the two Salandit began leading them throughout the cave.
After some time walking, Raihan noticed a light up ahead. The Salandits were leading them out of the caves!
“Raihan, look, an exit!” Gloria exclaimed monotonously.
“Damned if I be… We’ll actually make it out.”
The two Salandits stopped a few meters away from the exit, and began to untie their prisoners.
“Salandit sal salan,” one of the Salandits gestured towards the exit. It raised its hands up by its head and made a bit of a growling noise while shaking its head. Are those supposed to be ears? Raihan honestly wasn’t sure what the lizard was on about. With its strange explanation out of the way and everyone untied, the Salandits went back into the cave, muttering to each other the entire way. Raihan had the distinct feeling they were being pitied.
Raihan felt a tap on his shoulder, “What is it?” He turned towards Gloria.
“What are you going to do about her?”
“Who?”
“Your new friend,” Gloria gestured downwards with her chin. Raihan looked down and saw that the cowardly Sableye was still clinging onto his leg.
“Blimey, I’d forgotten it was even there!”
The Sableye looked heartbroken.
“Look at that, you’ve hurt her feelings now,” Gloria deadpanned.
“What? I just said the truth. It’s so bloody quiet and that whole mess back there was so strange you can hardly fault me!”
“Doesn’t change the fact that you hurt her feelings.”
“And what do you propose I do? Hm?!”
“Apologize.”
“Apologize,” Raihan repeated flatly.
“Yes,” Gloria huffed.
“But-“ Gloria glared and wisely Raihan cut off the rest of his sentence, “Fine. I’m sorry I forgot you were with us. You’re very quiet so you’re easy to miss.”
The Sableye seemed to accept Raihan’s forced apology, judging by its small smile.
“Oh! Stealth! That’s a good point. Raihan, catch her, if she wants that is,” Gloria exclaimed, pointing at Raihan and the bejewelled Pokemon.
“Why would I do that?”
“You just said the reason! A stealthy Pokemon! You can totally incorporate that into your style, you’re crafty enough I think. It’ll make up for what you lack in strength.” Gloria declared, authority in her voice.
“Excuse me?! What I lack in strength?! I’m the most powerful gym leader in Galar!”
“Sure, sure,” Gloria waved her hand off handedly at him, “But you haven’t beaten me or Leon yet.”
Raihan could only let out a small growl, at a loss for words.
“Listen, Sableye, do you want to go with Raihan?” Gloria asked the purple Pokemon.
The Sableye shyly nodded yes.
“See, look, she wants to go with you. We’re here for training too, Raihan. Getting new Pokemon and incorporating them into your style is how you’re going to improve. It’s not like you don’t have room either, you only brought four Pokemon with you.”
Raihan let out a sigh, and pulled out a Pokeball, “Fine. You have a point. You ready?” He aimed the last question at Sableye, who stepped forwards tapping the ball with its head. The Pokeball’s red light engulfed it. With one shake, the Pokeball clicked and Raihan had acquired a brand new, bedazzled imp. Fantastic.
“This is good, now you can train Sableye with my methods right from the start,” Gloria declared. Raihan suddenly felt sympathy for his newly acquired team member and himself. It’s going to be a rough road buddy. I’m sorry the training demon found you…Oh well.
“Whatever, let’s just get out of here. I’m sick of this cave,” Raihan said, trying to keep his voice neutral.
“Agreed. I’m tired of cave air,” Gloria muttered as she fell into step with him, exiting the cave.
Stepping outside for the first time in days, Raihan suddenly wished they were back in the cave lost, for the area outside of the cave was riddled with sleeping Bewares.
Of bloody course.
“Well, this’ll be fun,” Gloria whispered. Raihan did not like the look in her eye. Not one bit. He could see his demise in those big brown eyes.