Chapter 4: Hero Time
Lance's Point of View
You know, I've always dreamed of this moment. Battling a dragon, saving someone from a tower, being heroic. But now, actually being in the situation, I'm absolutely petrified! The Dragonite's voice turns my legs to jelly and my mind blank. "U-Um." I stutter, trying to find the courage to even just speak.
"Well, heroes," the Gardevoir says impatiently. "Get to the saving!"
"R-Right," I reply. I take a deep breath before looking the Dragonite dead in the eyes. "Listen here! Release me, my partner, and this Gardevoir or face the consequences!"
The Dragon type raises an eyebrow. "And what would those consequences be," he asks. I raise my fist, cold mist coming off it.
"An Ice Punch," I inform him. Dragonite laughs at this.
"That's funny," he tells me, taking a step forward that shakes the whole tower. "You really think that will work!"
"Well duh," I respond, trying to sound tough but a shake in my voice betrays me. "It does four times damage."
The enemy is now right in front of me and let me tell you, the dude is huge! I have to push my head straight up to see his face. I'll be honest, it is VERY intimidating! It takes all I have not to shrink away with fear.
"Try it," Dragonite taunts, bending down to put his face in mine. "Hit me with the hardest Ice Punch you got!"
I gulp, my confidence practically gone. "I-I don't think you understand," I tell him weakly. "That would be EXTREMELY EFFECTIVE!"
"I know," the kidnapper replies, smirking at me with amusement. "I also know you're not strong enough to actually hurt me."
"Listen, you're probably right," Homare says. Me and Dragonite look over at him, both of us forgetting he was here. "I doubt Lance could do anything to you. Which is why I want to talk this out."
I'm kind of offended that he doubts me, but I can't say he's wrong. At this point I don't even believe in myself. Dragonite turns his attention to my partner, stepping away from me, much to my relief.
"And what do you want to talk about," he questions.
"About how irrational this is," the Armarouge states. "I want you to understand, Mister…" Homare thinks for a second. "We never got your name."
"I don't have one," the dragon replies.
"Oh, well that isn't important," the Fire type states. "You see, forcing people to stay here against their will is wrong. I'm begging you to please realize the error of your ways and let the three of us go."
"No," Dragonite responds simply, glaring at my companion.
"Then let me and the Gardevoir go and you can keep Lance," Homare amends.
"HEY," I exclaim. "You can't just volunteer me like that!'
"It doesn't matter," the kidnapper shouts, shutting us up. "I'm keeping all of y'all!"
I glance around the room. Our only chance is grabbing the Gardevoir and bolting. Unfortunately, one of us must be left behind. As much as it pains me to do it (well, honestly it doesn't hurt much), I'll have to leave Homare.
I grab Gardevoir by the wrist and run straight for the exit. "Sorry, Homare," I yell over my shoulder as I dash. Me and Gardevoir are almost to the stairs but then Dragonite flies into our path at blinding speed.
"I said you're not leaving," he screams. He then pulls his arm back, claw covered in blue energy. As he swings the Dragon Claw at me and the only thing I can do is brace for impact.
The attack is mere inches away from me, but at least second Homare shoves me out of the way. I fall to the ground as my partner is sent soaring across the room, crashing into a bookshelf behind us. Dragonite stares at the unconscious Armarouge for a bit before focusing back on me. He storms towards me as I crawl backwards away from him.
"L-Look, man! I've got an Ice Punch and I'm not afraid to use it," I tell the Dragonite again. He just scoffs and continues to approach me.
"You've been saying that but never actually do it," he tells me as he backs me into a wall. With a cruel smirk, he readies another Dragon Claw. I send a silent prayer to Arceus as I mentally prepare myself to meet my end.
Suddenly, a Lucario bursts through the window, doing a flip before landing with a soft thud. "Release your prisoners willingly or else I'll make you," he says, glaring at the Dragonite.
"That's not the first time I've heard that today," the Dragon type replies with a chuckle. He then continues his advance on me, paying the Lucario very little attention.
"You leave me no choice," the dog mutters.
In the blink of an eye, the Lucario lands an Ice Punch on the Dragonite. The kidnapper only has time to widen his eyes with shock before he is completely encased in ice. Then, Lucario pulls his arms back, blue and purple energy gathering at his fists. When he pushes them outward, a giant dragon is created, blasting Dragonite back and shattering the ice. Lucario steps onto the fallen dragon, pointing a bone made of aura at his throat.
"Release you prisoners and never capture a Pokémon again," Lucario growls, pushing the bone harder against his foe.
"A-Alright, alright," the Dragonite exclaims. "Get out of here already!"
The dog nods, taking his foot off of the dragon and unsummoning his bone. I'm in so much awe by what I witnessed that I had temporarily forgotten about my partner. "Wh-Who are they," the Armarouge groans as he comes back to consciousness.
"Homare," I say with relief, rushing to him (Oh no! Have I grown fond of him!?).
"My apologies! I haven't properly introduced myself," our savior states, giving a small bow. "I am Luca, a wandering adventuring who gives aid to those in need."
Homare nods, looking around the room. His eyes lock onto the shattered glass. "What happened to the window?"
"That's how I got in," Luca answers. The Armarouge tilts his head.
"What do you mean," he inquires.
"He jumped in," I tell my partner with much excitement.
Switching over to Homare!
So I'm just gonna give you a quick run down of what happened after all that. We took the Gardevoir home and he tried to pay Luca the money for saving him. The Lucario declined, though, saying he only saves because it's right. He insisted Gardevoir gave us the money. I don't feel we deserve it, but we need it, so we accepted and left the Gardevoir.
Luca walked with us back to Forrest Village, giving us some advice on how to be a better hero. For starters, we can't let fear stop us from taking action (Lance says that's easier said than done). He also said that if someone doesn't show signs of wanting to co-operate, take action (that will be something I need to work on). Lastly, and most importantly, we need training. Lots of it. Me and Lance soaked in every bit of information Luca told us, eager to learn how to become better.
We got to the town, told Luca good-bye, and made our way back to the Never Leaf Hotel. We were silent almost the entire time, only speaking when we argued over if we should pay Grimmsnarl for last night's stay as well (Lance didn't want to but I felt it was only right that we did. He eventually gave in). We are currently laying in our room, neither of us able to sleep but unsure of what to say. With a deep breath, I finally speak.
"We aren't ready to take on that Charizard," I say into the darkness. Lance doesn't immediately respond, but I know he heard me. "Today has shown us how weak we really are and that we would get slaughtered by the wanna be dragon in our current state."
After a bit of silence, Lance sighs. "I hate to say it, but you're right," he responds. "We were utterly pathetic today and would probably be dead if it weren't for Luca."
I nod and hum with agreement. "I know. I've been thinking, and what if we use this town for our training," I ask him. "Think about it. We'd be able to train using the quests on the Help Wanted board and we would also get consistent money from completing these quests. It would build us up for the journey ahead."
"That's not a bad idea," Lance replies. Hearing him say that makes me want to smile. Unfortunately, I don't have a mouth so I can't. "Plus, we'd have a place that we know is safe to sleep at," he adds.
"Exactly," I agree. "So we stay here for about a week before hitting the road again?"
"Sounds like a plan," my partner says. I look over at him, and even though it's dark I can see him looking back at me, a soft twinkle of hope in his eyes. I then turn over onto my side and drift off to sleep, looking forward to becoming a better hero tomorrow.
So I considered adding something else to Homare's part to give it a bit more length, but I didn't know if it would be too random so I'll just do it next chapter
Anyways, this took me all day to write (mostly because I've been busy)
I really like how this turned out and I hope y'all do, as well!
@Thur55555555555 @UnovanZorua @fineasmatei @Dragonfly102024
Sorry if I'm forgetting anyone
Enjoy!
Comments
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So I do want to say that I didn't find a spot to put this in, but the reason Gardevoir was able to put the message out but not escape is because Dragonite is actually the one that delivered it
He wanted to collect more people by luring them in with the quest
It would have been an awesome thing to put in there, but I didn't find a good place for it
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I like it!!!!! Yep, side quest time 😁. Good idea with Luca too.
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