Chapter 5 - Wake, work, sleep. Repeat.

"ATTENTION! IT IS TIME TO WAKE UP!" Screamed the spawn of Satan. Whoever created mornings really needs to be unmade or something.

I begrudgingly got up out of my bed, body screaming at me to keep resting. Turns out over using your muscles that aren't used to intense manual labour can result in injuries. Who woulda thunked it. I'm feeling pains in muscles I didn't even know existed. I mean I've only been in this new body for a couple of days so all muscles are new but eh, semantics.

Everyone wakes up with a combined groaning call. Guess they feel the same as I do right now. Scorbunny was quick to leave however. He said a quick good morning then left, only glancing towards me very quickly, not looking me in the eyes. I've got no clue what I've done but I don't care. If he isn't going to deal with it then I'm not gonna bother either. I'm sure it will sort itself out. I've got my own crap to deal with.

I then remember that Machoke will be harder on me today. Man, why did I egg on Machoke? As much fun as back breaking labour, made harder, I think I'll pass if possible.

After complaining to no one in particular I leave the room, trod downstairs to the bathroom. I do my dirty deed, I then move on to fill up my now empty tank with some breakfast. I'm going to be needing every single bite I can get. Could really go for a coffee too.

I eat my food then head off to the mine. A song comes to my mind though so with nothing better to do i hum it to myself

'Heigh-ho heigh-ho it's off to work I go.

I don't want to go, oh no no no.

Heigh-ho! heigh-ho heigh-ho heigh-hooo.'

At the mine we are all grouped in front of Zangoose. He's been set as our permanent watcher apparently. Good for you, I don't care.

"Alright 'eres de deal now, yous ars to move rocks today for de others to break open. Yous will go in through de mine with a cart. Head down to where de miners are mining and fill up your cart. When it's filled, bring it back and go for another. Yous will be split of into 2 teams for this. Fluff ball and green yous will team up and ears and tails for the other."

"Did you forget what we are or something? You see, I'm a Bulbasaur. My element is the grass type. "I say slowing the words down like I'm talking to a child. I know it's a bad idea to get on your manager's bad side but I'm not looking to be friends with them either.

He just gave me the slinkiest of stink eyes. "Another of that and I will give yous a strike, ya hear me? green."

"Loud and clear boss." Giving people the shits is truly one of life's pure treasures. Especially if they are scumbags.

We enter the mine. It's…well a mine. It's got a long path forward that dives into other separate paths, some go down while others don't. I wonder how they deal with flooding. There are wooden beams along the hall, making sure the tunnel does not collapse on us. Scattered around are some guards watching us while the other inmates are working. Something I noticed are the red beady eyes of multiple Zubat hanging out on the support beams keeping a watchful gaze on us. Along the walls in a set space are these green rocks encased into the walls. They are small, not bigger than your hand, they are green and they produce quite the green light, illuminating the mine. Apparently they absorb darkness to illuminate their greenish glow. No clue how, they don't either. For all I know they are radioactive. They are called Glow Stones by the way, creative, I know.

We collected our designated cart, ours had a number 3 on it. Guessing so they can keep track for the punishment. We bring it down the tunnel that was designated for us and get to work collecting large rocks. When we arrived the other Pokémon working just gave us glares as they continued to mine. We grab the large chunks they removed, moving into the cart. Pachirisu was told that pebble size rocks don't count. It was slightly amusing watching her flushed expression from being told that.

She really gave it her all though, she was lifting rocks half her size. Me on the other hand were told to only gather the largest of rocks. Today not only am I extremely worn out from yesterday, but I don't get the bonus energy from the sun. At least I can take a short rest from the cart being dumped at the surface where group 1 is now breaking the rocks. can't work if there is nothing to do while waiting after all. It feels like swimming intensely with only a short amount of time to breathe.

After 3 hours of working it seems too much for poor Pachirisu as she has collapsed to her knees panting heavily.

"I-I can't. my body. It hurts." Pachirisu said in between breaths.

I look at her then to the cart. If we don't move enough cart full we will receive a demerit. If I am to get some then I want them near the end of the week.

"Come on, it's nearly lunchtime. Surely you can keep going just for a tiny bit longer."

She goes to get up but falls over. "I'm sorry I'm too tired."

"Fine, you just rest then." I ignored whatever she said in response, I needed to focus on this monstrous ahead of me. I suck in my gut, harden my mind then begin to push the now full cart.

Gotta say though this extreme workout routine I've unwillingly signed up for has drastically improved my control over my body. It's kinda hard to think that a couple of days ago I had a very hard time walking. Walk instead of running? Mate I'm skipping over a lava pit at this point, learn now or get burnt trying to figure it out.

I bring the cart back desperate for a break. I just feel pain but I refuse to show it. I have to play tough, if i give in i reckon i wont get back up. Metaphorically though.

"...Hello? Are you there." I'm snapped out of my thoughts by a confused looking ball of blue and white fluff.

Oh I'm back at the mine area, man time flies when you are trying to figure out your inner motives.

"You should rest if you are tired. I can load up the cart in the meantime." She offered.

"Nah i'll be fine don't worry about it haha." I look down for a moment before propping myself back up. Well time to get back to it.

"Are you sure?"

"Of course I'm sure. Let's rock and roll baby."

She facepalmed after that.

We continued working for 1…2 hours? It's hard to keep track down here, if it wasn't for our trips to the surface I wouldn't be able to tell at all.

"Oi come get ya grub." Zangoose bellowed at the entrance to the tunnel we were in.

"Oh my god, I swear breaktime was never going to come." i said

"God? You mean the big powerful Pokémon of legend? You know they don't exist right?" Pachirisu said.

Oh you sweet summer child, how little you know.

"Uh don't worry about it. Let's go head up, I need all the sunlight I can get."

We head back up to the surface, stomachs rumbling while we are walking up. We arrived at our designated lunch area. It's just in a corner somewhere away from everything in the shade. It has some boxes set up for seating. Vulpix and Scorbunny are here sat apart, I thought they would have sat together at least. Team 1, (man i need to find another name for them) are here also they seem to be keeping the others company as they are currently grouped around Scorbunny.

I moved off to a secluded area in the sun. It feels so refreshing. I thought I was going to sit alone, you know, ponder about things like why I'm here and why the entity that brought me here hates me and the concept of the milk industry. Like who saw a calf drinking then went oh yeah I need some of that. My usual thoughts.

"Can I sit with you please. Nidoran scares me." Pachirisu pleads.

"No, go away." I replied. I mistakenly looked towards her tiny face then. She was putting on the biggest puppy dog eyes imaginable. It was super effective.

"Fine, sit down." I sighed.

She sat down, grabbed her food and absolutely destroyed it. Like it didn't even stand a chance, I kinda felt bad for it. Even after destroying her helpless victim her tummy rumbled again. This caused her to blush with embarrassment.

"Heh sorry, I'm just really hungry." She said.

"Geez with how you destroyed that, I guess so. Want some of mine, I don't need as much food when I'm in the sun. Photosynthesis yo." I offered.

"...Are you eating the sun?"

That comment caught me so off guard I almost choked on the water I was drinking at the time.

"What no no, my plant on my back here uses photosynthesis." With the look on her face I could tell I had to explain a bit better. "Um you see I take in sunlight, water and carbon dioxide, the stuff you breathe out of your mouth, from my environment to create energy I can store in my plant for a later use."

I cut my food in half and gave it to her. She doesn't breathe it in this time, choosing to enjoy it a bit slower.

"Geez, with how much you are eating, I'm starting to think you aren't eating much at all back at the house." I said.

Pachirisu looked down with a sad expression, like she's trying not to say something.

"You aren't eating at the house? You can't do that, you need to keep up your strength after all." I said with some concern.

She looks down with an anxious expression. "Nidoran takes some of our food. In Exchange for protection from the supervisors."

"Ah, I see what's going on." I understandingly said.

"You do?"

"Yeah they want to keep us in line from the inside. If that's what I'm thinking, Nidoran will be able to do terrible things and get away from it as long as it only involves us and he keeps the higher ups informed. A snitch if you will." If it's true, I can't wait for the old saying. Snitches get stitches.

"Why would the higher ups do that?"

"To help put a barrier between us. It's easier to break someone apart if they feel they are truly alone. Then act all nice by being there for them. It's all an elaborate way to make people feel indebted or sympathetic to your cause."

After finishing our food we sit there in silence. It's a bit awkward but I don't care enough to start a new subject.

"Thank you Bulbasaur." Pachirisu spoke up.

"What? What for?" I said with confusion in my voice. I haven't done anything of great importance though.

"For giving me a break earlier today, allowing me to sit with you and explaining these confusing things to me. I know you don't want to but it means a lot to me right now. Thank you."

I choked up from this. "Um you're welcome I guess. Don't expect it to keep happening though." I said with a tough guy voice.

"Hehe. Sure thing Bulbasaur."

"Ace."

What?

"My name. It's Ace."

"You are letting me use your name?" She said, turning her head in confusion.

"I don't see what the big deal is, it's just a name."

"Scorbunny said names are a sign of friendship."

Ah balls he hyper focused on that part alone. I'm sure it won't come back to annoy me later.

"Maybe don't use it then…"

"Too late! Ace, Ace, Aaaaaceeee hehe."

I just roll my eyes. Wait, that sounded a lot like Metal Gear Solid. Snake? Snaaaaake! Heh classic.

"Hello there you 2." I'm snapped out of my daydreams about old school PS1 games by a voice I recognise.

In Front of me is Nidoran with his 3 stooges behind him, Pansage, Helioptile and Machop.

"Hey there, what do you want?" I reply to him in a more venom in my voice than intended.

"I am here to offer you another invitation to join my crew. Even though you did reject my last invitation so very colourfully I might add. I'm kind enough to let bygones be bygones, so what do you say, Friends?" He asks again.

I take a breath pretending to think about it, I already knew my answer. "And if I were to accept what would this entail?" I asked him. I want to know what he's up to.

"Well we would offer you protection from the other inmates, some lineage from the managers and watchers. This could mean more slack for demerits. All for a small percentage of food and any information regarding other inmates. You would have to follow my orders though, after all we need a leader to keep everyone in line."

I actually thought about it for a second. It would be nice to get Machoke off my back, but I'm not going for this pyramid scheme he's trying to establish.

"Yeeeeaaaa, ah no. You remember where to put your invitation right? Or do I need to remind you?" I informed him.

"No need for that. Shame really, oh well some just don't know a good deal when they see it. Now I'm done with you. Pachirisu, we have also come for our percentage from you. It would be a shame if you didn't have it. How else would we have the energy to protect you?" Nidoran asked.

"I…I don't have any left. I forgot. I'm sorry I'll remember next time, I swear." Pachirisu said shrinking herself to seem as small as possible.

"Non left? Well that sucks for you then, we are going to have to show you what happens when you forget. Boys!"

They all move towards Pachirisu. Pachirisu in turn looks around in a panic. She then runs behind me, hugging my back leg.

"Hey don't use me as a shield, I'm not getting involved in your…" I was about to continue my sentence when I heard her little voice.

"Please…I'm scared." she said in a near whisper. Her fear was all present though. The way she said it pierced my heart. Should I get involved? No, no, I promised myself I would stop helping others if it was at my expense. The only exception would be to literally get sent to a new world and guess what happened when I helped others, I'm now stuck in this shit hole as a result. Every World is the same. Everyone wants to use you for something then just to throw you aside . Yep so i'll just move aside.

"Move out of the way Bulbasaur, you don't want me as an enemy." Nidoran warned.

I go to move but I'm latched down. I look back remembering its Pachirisu who is still holding onto my leg. I was about to tell her to get off but that look on her face. Her eyes are tightly shut, pleading to my leg "please please please" and the pure fear that was present on her. The way she was shaking, it reminded me of…well me. Back when I was younger, anyway. But why, why does this situation remind me of those times. Oh I remember, now. It was when I made a promise to myself, back when he saved me. A promise I thought I had long since buried.

(FLASH BACK)

I'm at primary school, the playground section to be particular. It has a set of monkey bars, sand pit, slide, swings and a Seesaw. There was also a large green oval but that was usually closed off due to how easily it would track mud from rain into the classrooms.

I was about 12 years old then, just minding my own business at said seesaw alone. Sad I admit but I didn't have any friends at the time. I would sit on one side, hoping someone would join in to play with me. It never did work as intended, it brought people over…just not the type of people I wanted. Bullies.

I'm approached by some older kids, I'd say 14 year olds, there are 4 of them in total. The bigger of the 3 approaches me.

"So did you bring it? Did you bring the bottle?" He asked.

"I'm sorry but my mum drank it all, i wasn't able to get any to bring to you. I'm sorry." I said.

"Sorry? oh no don't worry about it. It's fine." He said with a smile.

"Really?"

"Yeah sure man, it's fine. You know what, I'm in such a good mood today I'll even let you play with us anyway." He reaches out a hand to me. I accept his hand, pulling me off the seesaw with glee. 'Someone wants to hang out with me?! No way this has to be a dream!' I remember thinking to myself at the time.

"Thank you! What are we going to pla…." As I was pulled up to my feet I'm just as quickly on the floor. Only with a new burning sensation coming from my left cheek. I rub it looking up at the kid who was looking down at me, not understanding what had happened.

The way he looked down on me still sends me into a rage nowadays thinking about it. His smug face, the way that I could tell he was thinking that he was better than me in every way possible.

"We are going to play punching bag, you are it." Once he said that I'm kicked, punched, slapped and even spat on repeatedly. All I could do was curl up into a ball, trying to defend myself, futile as it was.

After some time of this they begin to slow down until they stop completely.

"Now wasn't that fun? Now don't forget the bottle or else we won't be as fun. Come on guys let's go do something else away from this loser. hahaha." They all left murmuring things I wasn't listening to, I was just on the floor trying to recover from that beating they left me with.

After getting home instead of worrying parents who would get furious at the other kids, mine instead told me to "suck it up" and "you have to deal with it alone". Mind you my face was nearly twice its original size with how swollen it was. Felt like my face was a throbbing wave of fire.

I was only given 2 days off, can't be weak after all, i must deal with this issue sooner than later. But god forbid any advice on how to do so. That time I had wasn't completely spent crying alone in my room, I had to get a bottle of what I thought was a guy named Jack's bottle. Felt weird that mum had Jack's bottle.

No matter how hard I tried, I wasn't able to get a bottle, not even half a bottle full. Fear and anxiety crept into me, "what am I going to do?" I would ask myself "I don't want to get beat up again, it hurts." Looking around I noticed that when mum was drinking Jack's drink, it kinda looked like Ginger Ale…

The next day once again I'm waiting alone at the seesaw, only this time filled with anxiety of hoping they fall for the old switcheroo.

I'm approached by the 4 kids again, when they addressed me it gave me a jump in fright. "So did you bring the bottle this time, or do we have to play punchies?" He said, with a toothfull smile whilst he punched his palm.

"Y-yes Nathan, I-I got it right here." I replied pulling a jack's bottle from my old danky ben ten bag.

"Not a full bottle but still." He said.

He takes the just half filled bottle, staring at it like nothing else mattered at that moment.

"S-so are we g-good?"

"Ye…wait." He takes the lid of the bottle. "Better test it, just in case." He takes a sip of the liquids, his face contorted to one expecting a burn or something. His prepared face turned to one of confusion, to then one of angry-realism. His gaze makes it way from the bottle, over towards me. Staring into my eyes he turns the bottle upside down, emptying the liquids inside.

"This is ginger ale and you are dead."

"No please, I'm sorry mum doesn't let the bottle out of her sights." I pleaded. Nathen then approaches, fists balled up looking for a nice soft face to connect with. "No please, I'm sorry, I'll do better please." I close my eyes bracing for the smackdown I know is coming.

"Pick on someone your own size, cowards." A golden voice said, but I could be slightly misremembering it. It was a voice that could only be described as a hero to those that were in my position.

I opened my eyes to the voice that interrupted the beating I was receiving. It was a kid, he had to be around my age and height only he oozed confidence. He had short brown hair, blue eyes. He was wearing our school uniform, a boring navy blue shirt with the school's logo, grey shorts, with white socks accompanied by black shoes. He stood there with his hands on his hips, like how a superhero would, a pure look of confidence plastered on his face.

"What was that kid? Did you come here to get your butt kicked too?" Nathan said, grabbing the kids collar.

"Nope," His gaze sharpened with a smile expanding to one side of his face. "Like I said, pick on someone your own size." He then takes in a deep breath, the type that tries to take in all the air in the area. "TEACHER THESE ARE THE KIDS TAKING YOUR ALCOHOL!" he shouted.

"WHAT?!" A staunch older lady, about mid 50s, sweater ankle long skirt, big old glasses and curly hair said as she came from a nearby classroom. She walked with her elbows raised, head hanging low and a long ruler ready to cause some discipline. She looked like a cartoon character with how she did the grumpy walk. When she arrived she noticed the empty bottle in Nathan's hand. Her bottle apparently went missing at the same time. Talk about coincidence.

"Nathan not only did you take my bottle you drank it all too?! Oh no you did it this time, you and your little crew are getting detention for a month for this. Tch. The bottle is empty too."

"No miss, that wasn't us. This isn't your…" Nathan tried to counter .

"I will not have it! Now come or it will be 2 months detention." The teacher interrupted. Now that i think about it she might have been hungover. She probably wanted the bottle for her Hair of the dog treatment. This school had some real issues now that i think about it…

"But..!" Nathan tried to say.

"3 Months."

Grrr Nathan growled but decided to leave, he wasn't going to win at all. He turned his shoulder towards us. "See you next time Ace and new kid, you better watch your back."

"Move it you." Thwack when the longer ruler to Nathan's backside, making him jump ahead.

"HA serves them right.4 on 1 what cowards." He looks over to me, flashing a smile. I look down, his hand has extended. I stare at it. "Names Chriss, what's yours?" He said, I grabbed his hand.

"Ace, my name is Ace." I said

"Hiya there Ace, want to hang out? I'm new here so I don't have many friends."

"Um sure, I don't have many friends either?"

"Well you have one now." He shot another tooth filled smile. "So Seesaw?"

We were instant friends from that point, we would get into so much trouble together. We had the greatest of times together, we even made a promise to each other that if we saw someone in trouble we would help them like how heroes would. Man we got beat up so much, but at least we had each other.

I just wish I didn't get you killed.

(END FLASHBACK)

I'm staring at the floor, confliction runs rampant in my mind. I could ignore Pachirisu, she would get hurt or whatever else Nidoran has in mind, but I would be able to law low, avoiding conflict, maybe able to get on the watcher's good side if I'm lucky. But if I do, I would essentially be betraying everything Chriss stood for. He loved the idea of a hero, someone to stand up for the weak. I don't know what to do!

'Yes you do.' My inner voice said.

"Excuse me Bulbasaur, I'll just take her off your paws now."

As he walks past me I put my right hand…paw on his shoulder. "No." I told him.

"What was that?"

I wrap my vines to Nidoran's shoulders quite tightly, not allowing any moment from him. "I said NO!" I raise up to my hind legs, making Pachirisu fall off as a result. Once standing I go in for a headbutt while also pulling him towards it. I put my all into this mother of all headbutts. One thing I've learnt so far is that Pokémon are tough as balls and if you hold back they will teach you a world of pain. So hit 1st and hit hard.

I recovered quite quickly from this dizziness feeling I got from that headbutt. Machop who was standing idly till now decided to go in to help his boss. He is instead met by a full powered vine whip sending him flying into a wooden box nearby. This resulted with the other 2 to act more timidly.

Looking down at Nidoran he has the X marks over his eyes. 1 hit K.O? Now that's what I'm talking about. Still feeling the adrenaline from that vine whip, I pull my vines in grabbing Nidoran, lifting him from the ground. I then throw Nidoran towards the other 2 knocking them over. Striiiike.

'Don't fight back, don't fight back'. I pleaded with myself.

"Take your "Boss" and leave and if I catch you all harassing Pachirisu again, there will be issues. Understand me?" I threaten them. I cant have them fight me at the moment, so i needed to crank the threatening demeanor to 11. If I didn't one hit K.O Nidoran, I reckon this would have gone differently. I'm honestly surprised Nidoran went down that easily.

They all nod their heads in unisons. They scoop up their boss to make a hasty retreat. It was kinda funny how they scurried away. Like how cartoon villains would scamper away after a vicious beating. I'm just glad they lost faith in combat, that one vine whip took all my juice so i feel very drained at the moment.

Machop got up, looked towards me then to his colleagues before joining them in retreat.

After watching them all leave my sights I let out the breath I was holding. When the adrenaline left my body I was able to calm down. My breathing was quick and my legs were still shaking from that encounter. After some deep breaths I feel something grabbing me from the front. It's Pachirisu who went for a front on hug.

"WaaaaaaH!" she cried while holding me.

I'm caught off guard, not sure what to do. I decided to return the hug after sitting down.

"Shh It's ok now. I won't let them hurt you. it's ok." I just said what I would've wanted someone to say to me when I was a kid.

"I was so scared! they wanted to hurt me!" She cried into my chest, leaving it wet with her tears and snot. I'm already filthy so I don't care. It's a wash day after all.

"Yeah, but I won't let them."

She cries for a time before calming down. I could hear her stuttering breathing turn into one long big one.

"You ok now?" I ask.

"Mmmhmm, I'm ok now." She looked up at me, it was hard to see her properly due to my oversized head. "Thank you for saving me. You..you are kinda like a hero. Like from the stories my mum would tell me in bed."

I felt a slight pain inside. like I didn't deserve that praise. I almost left you to deal with them by yourself. I thought to myself. I'm no hero.

She went back in for another hug. "Thank you Ace." She said again.

"Ok that's enough choking me, please hop off." I said.

A little longer." She strengthened her hug. Just sighed letting her choke me out. Not actually but you know.

"Ah there you are Bulbasaur. I almost forgot your extra piece of cake today." A voice called out from behind me.

I turn around and yep its goddamn Machoke. Right between the eyes with the gun, good sir.

So that's essentially the rundown of this place. Wake up, work, earn or don't earn a demerit depending on how hard you worked. Work 6 days a week with Sunday being a day off. Apparently there was a chance for 2 days off but Zoroark said we should be working all the time, so there was a compromise. Oh boy, I would smack the sense into her if I could. So something I've found out can happen. If you work too badly you can receive 2 demerits in one day. So if I was to slack off on Monday and Tuesday earning 2 demerits for each day I would have already burnt my demerits. I would then be sent to the Correction zone for 5 days in a row before getting released!

I just wished Machoke would get off my back, every single task I do is made harder one way or another. I've Done a full 6 days of work now. I've earnt a whopping 2 whole demerits, so yep no punishment for this guy. Machoke was so angry when he saw that he couldn't punish me, small victories I guess. So if today is Sunday, I've done a full week of work meaning I arrived on a Sunday too. Yikes, only 1 week? feels like more to me. Time slows down when it sucks the big one.

"Hey are you listening to me?" Pachirisu said sitting next to me in the lounge room. I go here often now, just to zone out on the couch. I would go to my room but I don't want to deal with Scorbunny and Vulpix. Both are still terrified of me, i don't think that beat down on Nidoran's team helped.

"Gotta say that's a weird way to start a conversation." I replied.

"Argh I was talking to you, but you stopped listening." She huffed.

"Yeah, sounds about right. Now what were you saying?"

"ARGH you are annoying!" She takes a deep breath. "I said, You should go talk with Scorbunny, he's afraid that you hate him."

"Why should I? I mean, he's the one with the issue. I'm perfectly fine as it is."

"So when you are on a team with Scorbunny you don't have any issues at all? No slow downs, no misunderstood instructions or suggestions?"

I just stare forward not saying anything, come on brain what are you doing. I need a quippy come back. I pictured my brain with an "out of order" sign on it. Traitor!

"Thought so, wouldn't it be better for you, if you could work efficiently? Didn't you say it was Scorbunny that got you one of your demerit points?" Pachirisu made yet another good point.

"I may have said that." I said.

Her left eyebrow shot up as a response.

"AH ok fine it would be better if i could talk with him without him freaking out all the time. I would also like Vulpix to stop crying when I talk to her. Any Suggestions for her?"

"One step at a time Ace, if you can get Scorbunny on your side it would help with her nerves. She doesn't even talk much with me after all so I don't know how much good that would do anyways. So for now just talk with Scorbunny."

…

"Well?" She said after about 30 seconds of silence between us.

"What? Now?"

"Yes now"

"But muuuuuum i don't wanna."

Sparks began to erupt from Pachirisu.

"You know I could wipe the floor with you. You aren't scary at al-ZZZZZZZ!" I say as I'm electrocuted. It didn't hurt necessarily, but it hell didn't feel nice either. This lasted for about 2 seconds before she decided that I've had enough.

Pwooof.'' I exhale a puff of smoke. "Shocking revelation, but I don't like you anymore."

"If you don't want another one I suggest moving." she threatens with another spark from her cheeks.

"Fine, fine, geez I got the memo, loud and clear." I hoped the couch mumbling to myself on how this sucks and why I have to do this now.

"But I will need your help, I can't talk to him if he keeps running off and no matter how many times I get zapped, I'm not chasing after him. My feet already hate me enough as it is.

"Fair enough. So what did you want me to do?"

I'm sitting on my bed back in my room, bored. Man i need to get a book or something…ah yep, couldn't read it anyway. I really need to learn to read. So much I still need to learn about this world. I stop daydreaming, to a murmuring noise coming from outside the room. Ok me, show time.

"...so what did you want to show me that you found?" He enters the room, once fully inside he notices me. "Oh yeah wait, I'm supposed to do a thing with Erm err. Anyway..I-I should..should get to it. Yeah." He turns back to the door which has been closed suddenly with Bouncer Pachirisu standing guard. She just shakes her head towards Scorbunny, all dead serious like. It's extremely cute.

"Hi, how are you? Why don't you have a seat over there?" I say to him with my best Chris Hensen impersonation.

He sighs in defeat. He moves over to a bed next to mine, sits down facing me and twiddles his thumbs.

I think of something to say but I kinda just sit there. Look I'm not good at this stuff alright. Usually it's the other people who do the emotional talk stuff, i'm just there for the ride with some quips of encouragement.

I look over to Pachirisu, then to Scorbunny, then back to her once again.

There we engaged in our silent conversation.

She raises her eyebrow (well say something)

I look at him then back to her with a tired look. (do I have to?)

She then punches her palm with her other hand. (I will hurt you if you don't.)

I drag my head up to the roof rolling my eyes (Fiiiiiine)

"So uh, hey. How are you doing there….buddy?" kill me.

"I…I'm fine…" He said, clearly very uncomfortable being here.

Ah screw it.

"Alright look dude I don't know what I did to upset you like this but I'm sorry. I don't know what I did to make you fear me like this, but I don't want it to be like this anymore. So let's put it there and put this whole mess behind us."

"You..you don't hate me?"

"No, why would I hate you? If I can deal with Pachirisu's consistent badgering i can deal with nearly anything"

"HEY!" Pachirisu shouted in anger over that comment.

"Hey now, this isn't about you. We can deal with the issue another time." I reply to her outburst. I think she was going to yell again but decided not to. So she just grumbled.

I returned my attention back to Scorbunny. "So what do you say, Scorbunny?"

He thinks to himself before answering. "What was that wave of anger I felt from you then?"

This catches me off guard. "Who and what now?"

"When you yelled at me, I felt this…wave of anger come from you. That's why I thought you hated me."

Wave of anger? What? Great another thing I need some answers for, just add it to the tab of things I need to find out later.

"I have literally no idea what you're talking about. I'm sorry about snapping at you but it wasn't because of you specifically. Just some bad timing is all"

"…so you don't hate me? You aren't mad at me?"

"Nah man we cool."

"Then…could we be friends?"

I wanted to say no but I could tell from Pachirisu's gaze I would get smothered in my sleep if I did.

"Uh sure." I say unsurely.

"Can I use your name then?" He asked.

"You know names aren't just to signify friendships, most people just use names if they are present to help tell each other apart and…" I sigh "Forget it. Yes, feel free to use my name all you want."

He jumps up from his bed yelling at the top of his lungs.

"YAY! Thank you Ace! I feel much better now, knowing you don't hate me. So do you all want to hang out, play ball, tag, hide and seek. Oh wait before that."

I'm unable to react fast enough from the orange blur that has decided to charge at me. I'm knocked to the floor in a death grip of a hug.

"I didn't say you could hug me. Pachirisu, sick him!" I yelled towards her. "Quick, It's touching me."

She runs over to my rescue, only instead of helping me, she joins in the hug.

"Traitor!"

I lean my head back, giving in to their hugging duo attack. It's not that bad to be honest. So week 1 done, at least this issue with Pachirisu is resolved. I just caaaaaaaaaaant wait to find out what awaits me on next week's episode of the miners club. Wait, that sounds bad, scratch that. On the next week's episode off, ah forget it.

End Chapter 5