Chapter - 7 The day before the last.

I opened my eyes and for the 1st time since, well a very long time, I actually feel like I've actually slept and not this poor excuse of sleep I've had. I take in a deep breath through my nose, taking note that this fog of fatigue over my mind has lifted. Man what a good night's sleep can do, I feel great! I look, yep it's my room, no clue how I got here though. All I remember is getting my but kicked by Nidoran and firing a beam of sorts? Nah, doubt that happened.

Wait what happened to Vulpix? Is she alright?

I went to move but my right paw was caught on something. I look at the cause and it is said Vulpix who is sleeping while her paw is resting on mine. What is she doing here? And holding my paw nonetheless. I study her, she seems fine. So what happened?

I looked around my room to see if anyone else was here to answer my questions. Alas, no one was here besides Vulpix. I look out the window and it's barely dawn, so Loudred hasn't announced for us to wake up yet. Guess the other 2 wanted an early start.

I looked to Vulpix again, contemplating if I want to wake her up when the door begins to slowly creak open revealing Granbull's face peering in. It was kinda creepy to be honest. He takes notice that I'm awake and makes his way towards me, making an effort to make little noise.

He arrives at the foot of my bed. He takes a look at Vulpix then to me.

"How are you feeling lad?" Granbull whispers to me

"Surprisingly good. Feels like I have slept for the 1st time since ages. What happened after the fight with Nidoran? Did they hurt Vulpix?" I whispered back.

"Hurt Vulpix? Lad you didn't even give them a chance too. I'm told you sent a bolt of energy or something whipping them out before they could approach the little miss here." He informs me.

"As long as she wasn't hurt then."

"I didn't take you for the benevolent kind. Shows that some Pokémon can still surprise you, even for an old timer like me. However you after that fight didn't fare as well as Miss Vulpix, you received one mighty bit of poisoning. To be honest I'm quite surprised with how bad it got, I thought Bulbasaur's were Grass and poison types. Took all day yesterday to just get rid of the poisoning." Granbull carried on.

"Wait so I wasn't asleep for one night but for a whole day too?"

"Yep you sure did. And Little Miss here didn't leave your side unless she absolutely had to." he points to Vulpix.

"Really? Why would she do that?" I asked

"Hm, not too bright are you? It's because she was concerned for you boy. Her saviour fallen ill, gives any Pokémon enough reason to be concerned.

I looked down to the sleeping Vulpix. So she stayed by my side when I was sick? I don't know how I feel about that. I haven't felt this feeling for a long time, what is it? It's not love I know that much.

"Well I should be off now. If you feel any lingering effects let me know and I'll get them looked at." Granbull said while turning to walk away.

Granbull got to the door before turning around to look at me. "She really did seem to care about you, you know? It was because of her, you recovered so quickly. She even comforted you when it seemed you were having quite the night terror. Bye now." And with that he left.

Now that I'm alone I begin to collect and sort my thoughts. If I was to put what I'm feeling into one word, it would be Confusion. I don't get why she was so concerned for me, why she sat with me and even comforted me when I was having a nightmare. Everyone would have just left me to the doctor and left. So why didn't she? The thought that someone would go out of their way to help me was so alien to me.

A short time, maybe 30minutes or so, the morning clock went off. "ATTENTION! IT IS TIME TO WAKE UP!"

I shake off his ear piercing screech. Vulpix meanwhile has begun to wake up so I look towards her. She began to stir around, she fiddled her face with the paw that wasn't on mine, looking extremely adorable in the meantime i might add. She opened her eyes slowly. She stared at me with a half awake expression before her eyes shot open. She retracted her paw quite quickly. however instead of backing away like i thought she would she just kinda…stayed there, looking down in the meantime. She began to fiddle her paws. I think she wanted to say something but was maybe too shy too?

"Um good morning Vulpix. Err, did you um sleep well?" I asked. Aren't I just the smooth talker…

She nodded in response. She opened her mouth to talk but stopped again.

"Is it true you stayed with me while I was recovering?" Vulpix nodded as a response. "Well um thank you then, i don't understand why you would waste your time on me but I appreciate it haha."

Vulpix looked up with a shock to her face. She really looked like she wanted to talk but something was holding her back. I try to think of something to make her talk with me but I'm drawing blanks.

"Um it's kinda hard to talk with one part of the conversation you know?" I said. While looking up at the ceiling while rubbing my neck.

Vulpix in return sniffled. I looked back to Vulpix who was now looking down while crying. I panicked inside not knowing what to do.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to make you cry. You don't have to talk if you don't want to um.'' I tried to reassure her, while waving my paws in front of me.

After frantically trying to make this situation stop I hear a faint noise coming from Vulpix. "I'm scared," she said quietly. I stop my freak out to listen to her. "I've been so scared ever since I can remember. I'm scared of this place, I'm scared of getting hurt, I'm scared of getting sent to the correction zone, I'm scared of never getting to go home…and I'm scared of you. I've been scared of you ever since the 1st day." She sniffles, taking in a shaky breath. "I know it was wrong to be scared of you without giving you a chance and I'm sorry. Even when you were nice to me I was still scared of you, but when Nidoran came to hurt me I was even more scared. Then you came around that corner to save a cowardly Vulpix who never gave you a chance. It filled me with hope that things can get better, that maybe I could be courageous like you. Then you got hurt in your fight and instead of helping you, all I did was hold back because I was scared. If I had helped you instead of being scared you wouldn't have been hurt so badly. Then you fell after beating Nidoran then you coughed that purple stuff. I-I was so scared, I thought you were going to die…and all because I didn't help…I-I thought.. "

She began to break down into big wet tears. "I-I'm so sorry for not helping, for being a coward. Please, please, will you forgive me? I-I-I-I I can.." She blubbered on. The look in her eyes filled my heart with so much pain I couldn't describe it. She was genuinely upset for not helping me.

I stood up, walked up to her who was still blubbering with her eyes shut. And I gave her the biggest hug this small body could muster. She stiffened up from the sudden hug. But after a second she leaned in, hugging me back with all her strength.

She cried into me while hugging. My body was now wet with her tears but I didn't care. I rubbed her back trying to comfort her. "Don't feel bad, most wouldn't have been able to handle a situation like that."

"A hero would have stood up and helped out instead of being a scared chicken." She cried.

"True, but heroes would have a huge amount of training and experience. You can't hold yourself up to a trained professional."

"But if I helped instead of being scared then you wouldn't have been hurt so badly." She started to cry again.

I pulled back from the hug so I could look into her face. "My injuries were caused by my actions and my actions alone. There is a lot I could've done to avoid that but didn't. That's just life, so instead of blaming yourself for my injuries or doing a bunch of what ifs all day, instead be glad we are both alright."

She looked down, still upset.

"Look, you call yourself a coward but when you were cornered instead of doing what most would and simply just sabotaged me, you instead stood up to Nidoran. You stood your ground for what you thought was right. Now that sounds pretty brave to me." I said.

"But I was so scared."

"You seem to have fearlessness mixed up with bravery. Only when you are scared and press on can you truly be brave. Like you with Nidoran, you were scared but stood up to him."

"But I don't want fear to stop me from helping others."

"Hmm maybe you just need a reason to be brave."

"A reason to be brave?" She said looking at me a bit confused.

"Yeah any reason, no matter how small. It could be for yourself or it could be for others it doesn't really matter. One little brave action will eventually grow to a bigger one. You are brave Vulpix, you just need a little nudge is all."

"...How do you not get scared, Bulbasaur?"

"What makes you think I'm not scared? I just push through no matter how scared I get." I say while Vulpix's eyes widen with surprise.

Do you have a reason to be brave?" She asked me.

Yes I do, for a very personal reason. Would you like to know what it is? "I'm brave to help keep my Grandpa's teachings alive, his memory if you will. As long as I continue to follow his advice I can keep his memory alive. He's the one who taught me to be brave to help others and no matter how grim your day is, there is always a silver lining around the corner. You just need to keep going."

"He sounds like a wise Pokémon. Is he.." She shyly asked.

"No, he's not with us anymore." I answered her.

"I'm sorry."

I just shrugged. Vulpix looked down in deep thought before looking at me again.

"So as long as I have a reason, I can learn to be brave again?" She asked.

"Essentially yes, although I would advise against being brave for an evil purpose though. I hear the heroes don't take kindly to evil."

Vulpix giggled. She then looked into my eyes for the 1st time since our conversation started. "Thank you Bulbasaur. I think…I can learn to be brave again."

"You are brave, don't you forget that. Also call me Ace."

Vulpix looked down with a small smile on her face. She then looked at me again, her smile growing. "Thank you Ace, for saving me." She tilted her head and said with a big smile.

When we entered the Dining area I was berated by a million questions by Scorbunny and Pachirisu, like are you ok? Are you sure you should be up yet and are you going to eat that?

I reminded them that I didn't really have a choice but to be up and that I was indeed fine. Funny thing though was when Nidoran's crew saw me they were quite to leave, still a bit bruised and limping a tad. Since they started the fight in such a cowardly way, Granbull only healed them to the point where they could work again.

Yeah, favouritism.

So now there was an extra Pokémon sitting with me at the dining tables. From being alone to 3 in total, to now 4. I Have to admit, I do like the company. Even if I don't care about half the things they talk about. Vulpix was still quiet as usual, although she did answer questions directed at her instead of making a whining noise. Seems our conversation earlier is doing something at least.

While ignoring the very boring conversation about tree climbing, someone walked up to me. I turned to look at who it was, Twas Helioptile coming over. "H-hi…..can I sit with you guys?" He spoke up.

"No, go away." I turned away. I don't think he expected such a harsh response since his face looked like someone took a fat one in his cereal.

"ACE! Ignore him, he's just a bit cranky from sleeping too long. Come sit with us." Pachirisu said while giving me the stink eye.

"Yeah, yeah the more the merrier. We were talking about our favourite trees. What's yours? Mine is…."

And so they droned on while Helioptile took a seat away from me.

I also noticed the look Vulpix gave me. Judge me if you will, I don't care.

We finished our food, then made our way to work. I miss being injured, I didn't have to work then.

"Um H-hey Balba-Ace, why did you tell Helioptile to go away like that?" Vulpix quizzed me as we were walking to the mine's entrance for another fun filled day of back breaking work.

"Good question. The simple answer is I didn't want to sit with him." I replied.

"What? There's more to it then that isn't there?"

"Don't know, is there?"

"I see why Pachirisu gets annoyed at you a lot." She huffed.

I just winked at her.

"It's because you don't trust him, isn't it?" Vulpix said.

I stood still for a second but kept going on, not answering her. I don't like being read like that. We didn't say anything to each other until we got to work after that.

"ATTENTION ALL WORKERS, MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE STAGE ASAP!" Loudred boomed at around midday.

We all looked around to each other to confirm what we heard. We made our way over to the stage like asked. Hey man if they are giving me a reason to not work then I'm taking it. I'm just hoping they don't screw us over by not accounting our time at the stage for the demerits. I'm only 1 demerit from going to the oh so fun sounding correction zone. Yep I got a demerit for being injured and taking a day off.

We arrived at the stage area to see what loud face wanted. Machoke and Zoroark are standing on the stage with Loudred being near the middle back area. All the other workers gathered in front of the stage so Loudred began to speak. This kinda reminds me of the 1st day here.

"ATTENTION, THE OVERSEER IS ABOUT TO SPEAK. NOISE IS TO BE KEPT TO A MINIMUM!" Loudred boomed now that all have arrived.

Instead of flying down from directly above us like last time, The Overseer instead came at us from the front, us using the sun as a cover. Her silhouette was quite intimidating while she was hovering in front of the sun for a brief moment. She kinda looked like a demon of sorts. She swooped down and landed on the front of the stage with expert skill, whipping up all sorts of dust. She stood up to her full height, while looking down on us. She scanned the crowd gathered before her, oddly she lingered to me for a time before moving off. I wonder what that was about.

"Greetings everyone. I'm here today to announce that a couple will have the opportunity to ascend higher in the family. Isn't that wonderful." She said with a fake joyous tone. Zoroark nearby clapped her hands giddy from the news. "Who among you, would relish the opportunity to ascend and join a cause that is bigger than yourself, bigger than anything you could think of?"

A numerous Pokémon gathered raised their hands/paws into the air. A couple of others like myself didn't raise our hands/paws. Guess someone Pokémon don't want to work for an evil dictator who tortures and threatens others for fun. However if I could get my hands on Machoke then I might be willing to join hehe. I'm kidding of course…kinda.

"Excellent. Although don't expect to be given the role immediately, a try-out of sorts is to be done before you have the privilege to ascend. This won't be done here though, as we just don't have the space for it." Corviknight said. "You all who have raised your paws and hands move over to the side where Zoroark is currently standing." I didn't even notice Zoroark had left the stage and was standing now on the side of it. "The others I'm a little disappointed but I'm sure in due time you will see our ways. For now, return to your work."

Only a small percentage returned to work. Nidoran and his crew of course joined right up for Corviknight's opportunity. I thought Helioptile would've joined with his old crew but he didn't want to join in either. So if let's say 25 workers were gathered only 9 did not sign up.

On my way back from work today I noticed that the Pokémon that joined up for the promotion were gathered by the gate with a couple of Taurus nearby. I also picked out Houdoom and her crew, I kinda wondered what happened to them. I never saw them around after all, guess they just dropped me off then left to do other evil things.

Everyone is then loaded up into wagons for the Tauros to carry away. They leave through the front gate. I spied Nidoran however, staring at me. Well staring, more like glaring at me. I have a feeling this isn't our last meeting, but I'm not sure why. Kinda like a thread of fate. Man, I'm so lame. If we ever meet again then it will be too soon.

"What are you staring at?" Vulpix asked from next to me.

"Destiny Vulpix, destiny." I replied as I just walked off, leaving her confused.

(POV - INCINEROAR)

"You sure she was telling you the truth? We've been searching for this hidden entrance for a couple of days now." My companion Greninja complained. It is true that we have been going in circles for a couple of days now. We would be able to track down this hidden entrance easier if the layout of this mystery dungeon would stop changing, but alas for wishful thinking.

"I don't see why she would be lying. Even though that Sneasel had a…let's say rough choice of words. I believe in her sincerity. Did you see the way she looked when she said there was another Pokémon with that group? I know that look anywhere." I replied while still walking around trying to find the entrance.

"Hmm? What look? All I could see was a typical tough girl act."

"Tough girl act? No, I'm talking about that look of leaving someone behind. I swear I could see a look of guilt when she mentioned another Pokémon getting left behind."

"Or you could be reading too much into it. You do tend to overthink those things." He had a point, I tend to go a bit overboard if I think someone is troubled. Even if they are fine.

"Haha, true enough." We continued walking in silence for a time.

How long do you think we should search today? The sun is starting to go down." Greninja pointed out.

I mistakenly looked straight at the sun to see its positioning, slightly blinding myself with it. After blinking the after image away I responded. "I think we can go for a while longer, we are pros after all. Plus the sooner we track down their location, the sooner we can plan to take it down." I replied.

Greninja shrugged. "Fine, let's keep searching then."

We searched for a couple of hours longer. We had to fight off a good amount of Pokémon. Sometimes I wish we could just talk our way out of fighting as it's taking too much of our precious time, but sometimes a Pokémon is just looking for a fight. Our search is interrupted by a rumbly noise.

"Hungry? We ate, not that long ago!" Greninja sighed. "Oh well we should head back now, Incineroar. It's getting late and we are tired and hungry. We can try again tomorrow. Plus the layout should be changing soon and it's always a mess to find a way out without using a teleport orb." Greninja said.

I slump my shoulders forwards. "Yeah I guess you are right, can't fight with an empty stomach after all." In agreement we turn around to head back.

As we started to walk back I tripped over a large branch. Stumbling forward, I tried to find anything to catch myself. I stumble right into a rocky wall with overhanging vines to catch myself. But instead I just fall straight through, landing on my face.

I raise my head in confusion to see what I just fell through when I noticed a very used dirt path. One that looked like it had some wagon carts travel through them. I begin to feel a new surge of energy course through me. WE FOUND IT! We found the hidden entrance! No wonder why it was so hard to find. It was hidden by illusions. That does explain why the Flying type Pokémon couldn't find it from the skies.

"Incineroar? Incineroar!? Where did you go? Come on man, I'm not in the mood for pranks." Greninja called out.

I stood up, dusting the dust of my Pokémon and tread back to the entrance of the illusion. I poked my head through it, giving Greninja a scare but I was too excited to apologize.

"Send the message. We found it!" My face now with a beaming smile. It's only a matter of time now.

(Me)

Mining for the 4th time this week? Ever since the other workers left they have really been hounding mining. They must really want those weird crystals. Bet they power some evil contraption. But man i don't know how to explain it but the guards seem on edge. Like something is going to happen and it's just a matter of time. Maybe they can sense a storm coming or something, I don't know.

Bored with that train of thought and the mundane task of thwacking a wall over and over. I decided to go for a walk. The guards here are strange, as long as I don't leave the mine and get my work done by the end of the day, they don't care if you slack off all day. Just as long as you fill your quota. To be honest they are more like robots than actual guards. Our team today was split into different areas to cover as much as possible. Vulpix and I were on mining duty, Scorbunny was pushing smaller carts since pushing a normal one for only 1 Pokémon is insane and Pachirisu was breaking the clumps down to find the crystals.

When I arrived at the sedition where Vulpix was, I couldn't help but notice that Vulpix was way behind the amount of rocks she needed to break off.

I decided I can offer a hand since I'm really far in front. Strange though Machoke hasn't done anything to make work harder today. Guess it is my lucky day.

"Hey Vulpix, would you like a hand? I'm really far ahead and bored." I asked.

"AH! Who?!" Vulpix screamed "Oh it's you Ace, you scared me. But um are you sure? What about your task?" She said still a bit timid.

"As I said, I'm way far ahead. For some reason that I'm not complaining about, Machoke hasn't made my work harder today. So I was able to really get in front. Besides, aren't you only one demerit from 4? You don't want to get sent to the correction zone do you?"

"N-no I…I don't want that. Especially since the stories I've heard from Granbull. That place changes Pokémon for the worse."

"Say no more than. Let's get to it."

'Oh you're approaching me? Instead of running away, you're coming to challenge me?' The wall challenging me totally said to me.

"I can't mine the shit out of you without getting closer." I countered

"What?" the red, fluffy side character asked.

'Oh really, then get as close as you need to.'

"Hmph your funeral." I walked up to the wall with my weapon by my side. I approached right upon it, then I swung my powerful weapon! It collided with the wall with a powerful CLANG noise. "Oh ho, stubborn are you? Well I don't mind, but I think it's time you crumbled to the situation."

"Are you feeling well? Should I go get some water or something?" The fluffy red side character said again.

'Crumble? With an attack like that? Ha pathetic, it's going to take more than that to make me fall.' The wall taunted.

"Fine then, you asked for it. Let's see how you stand after I give you one of these killer combos." I countered again. I swung my weapon down from above, not as hard this time though. I then pulled it back, then swung from the bottom. I hit it in this pattern over and over. Gradually speeding up.

"ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA!" I shouted as I went full ham on this villain before me.

After a while and some help from my sidekick we managed to take down this mighty foe of a villain. The mine can rest safe knowing that it has been defeated. Now Vulpix won't have to worry about getting a demerit. My good deed is done for the day.

"T-thanks for the help Ace. Um, why were you talking to the wall a while ago?" Vulpix inquisitively asked.

"Don't you worry about it jojo. Well id love to stay but i should be getting back to my work now. Chow chow." I said.

"Jojo, Chow chow? What?" Vulpix asked as I walked off to return to my work.

When I was walking back I couldn't help but overhear a distressing sounding Pokémon. I went to investigate to find that Scorbunny was looking quite concerned at his wagon that seemed to have lost one of its wheels. I walked up to him, he turned when he noticed that someone was walking up to him.

"Oh hi Ace!" Scorbunny said while waving at me.

"Hey Scorbunny. I couldn't help but notice that your wagon is missing a wheel." I pointed out.

"Yeah the wheel fell off. I cant get it back on and i tried to push it but it won't budge without that wheel. It must not want to leave without it."

"Yep Carts tend to want all their wheels. Why haven't you gotten some help yep?" I asked.

"I tried to ask the guards for help but they wouldn't budge. I don't think they even noticed me talking to them. I think something is wrong with them, or they are playing the quiet game very well." Scorbunny replied.

"Yep I don't think they are all right in the head either. Well I'm here so let's get this wheel back on. I reckon we will have it done in a jiffy.

"What's a jiffy?" Scorbunny asked

"It's an expression, it means really quick." I told him.

"Ooooh"

Let me tell you that it did not take a jiffy to fix, in fact it took many jiffy's. It would've been fine if the wagon was empty but it was too heavy to simply lift. I even burnt a lot of energy trying to tough it and lift. But instead we had to unload the entire waggon full of rocks, put the wheel on that took longer then it should since Dumb Dumb didn't understand you have to put the nut on to stop the wheel from falling out again. Then we had to put all those rocks back onto the dam mine cart.

"Thanks Ace! If you hadn't helped I might've gotten a demerit. I only need 1 more to be sent to the Correction zone." Scorbunny jumped in place saying. Got to give it to him, he's got more energy than a hyperactive kid sculling a whole coffee with 10 sugars.

"Any time. Well I need to get back to my work now. Catch you later Scorbunny." I said.

"Bye bye"

After Waving to Scorbunny I sighed, making my way back to my area. I'm behind now but if I power through I'll be back on track. Jeez, I must be in a good mood or something, since when do I go out of my way to help others? Maybe it's because I'm sleeping much better than I used to. Who knows.

"Oi it's break time, of ye go now." Zangoose said from out of nowhere, scarring the life out of me and interrupting my thoughts.

"Gah don't jump out of nowhere like that!" I said, trying to catch my breath.

"Shut it, move!"

"Geez ok ok grouchy." With that I left to go take my beak. The day is half over already? Man time flies when you are enslaved and working for the man.

Oh well a good break and a soak in the sun will give me all the energy i need to power though. I was ahead with my work but now I'm starting to fall behind. Well with Machoke not harassing me it will be an easy task.

After our break I began to walk back before I noticed that Pachirisu, who was breaking the rocks today, had done nowhere near enough work to fill her quota. The big container was nowhere near full enough for one small Pokémon.

Thinking about it, as long as I use my reserve energy I should be easily able to destroy my work. So I should be able to lend a hand. Just as long as I stay for only an hour.

"Hey Pachirisu, want some help?" I offered.

It took a bit to convince her that I'm ahead of schedule and that I could afford to offer my assistance. She would have said no but she too only needed 1 demerit to be sent to the correction zone. Man everyone has been racking them up. So with some reluctance my help was accepted.

So 1 hour turned into 2 and a half. The ladder that is used to get up to the bin was broken so it took poor Pachirisu so much more effort to place the rocks in it. Since I had my long reaching vines we were able to really coordinate, she broke the rocks quickly and I gathered the gens to be placed in the container. Can't throw them in, in-case of an explosive reaction of breaking the blue crystals. I'm still curious as to what purpose they will serve.

But it's a bit odd that everyone is falling behind. Vulpix had the wall that was way too tough for her, Scorbunny with the faulty wheel and Scorbunny with the broken ladder.

CRASH! "Ah not again! Stupid wheel stay on!" Scorbunny scolded the now sad wheel as I was walking back from helping Scorbunny. "Argh I'm only one more trip to cover my quota! What am I going to do? I can't ask Ace for help again." He didn't notice me watching since he was walking back and forth trying to figure out how to fix this efficiently.

"Hey there Scorbunny." I said startling Scorbunny.

"Ah Ace! Where did you come from?" The startled Scorbunny asked.

"Outside, I was getting some sunlight. Need that energy boost, am i right?" I lied, kinda the sunlight is appreciated. "well since I'm here want a hand, or vine again?"

"Are you sure? Will you be fine if you help me again?" He asked, not sure about the situation.

"Of course I'm sure. Now let's get you fixed up"

This time it was done much quicker but it still took too long. As soon as I finished helping him I rushed off.

"Thanks ACE!" Scorbunny thanked me. But I had no time to talk any further. I'm a man on a mission. Pokémon whatever.

I arrived back at my work station. But I can't tell but it looks like the rocks I've gathered have…shrunk in size? I think I'm imagining but with everything going on with the others I'm not too sure. I think Mr Machoke might have something to do with it.

I crack my neck, stretch my vine and grab 2 pickaxes. I turned my energy reserves on and I went full serial killer on the wall. Whack Whack Whack, no mercy.

After about 30 minutes straight of dual wielding madness I began to tire. I've only got an hour to complete 40 percent of a day's work. I groan at this improbable task. I take a deep breath and deliver a good smack, revealing a little small box imbedded in the wall.

Confused at this little container of mystery, I freed it from its wall imprisonment. Once free, it falls to the ground with a clunk sound. The little thing looked like a small jewellery box. It was made of a darkened wood. Its edges were outlined with a black smooth metal or sorts. It had an image on the top of it. It was an outline of something, Darkrai? Examining further there wasn't a keyhole but instead a small, silver, oval shaped bit of metal.

I looked at the box. Would I open it? Hell no, it's a mysterious box with a picture of Darkrai on it. That screams a bad time. So like a smart person I push the box away with my pickaxe. With that distraction out of the way, I went back to mining. But before I can even get one hit off, I can feel something. A desire of sorts. A desire to open the box that I don't think is mine. I tried to ignore it but the longer i did the more the desire built inside me.

After the desire became unbearable I returned to where I pushed the box off. I place my paw on the silver oval thing. The same urge told me to do so. The silver oval faded away into nothing. The box then opened with a Ca-Chink noise. I pulled the lid open to gaze at its contents.

It's a sphere, a tiny black sphere with a thin red ring around the middle. Now that I was staring at the sphere, all I could think of was to touch it. I was consumed by the thought. I had to touch it. It felt like it was made specifically for me to touch it. It was destiny.

I moved my paw out to touch the sphere. It's oddly cold and smooth. However when I pulled my paw up, the sphere came with it. It was stuck to me, the creepy sphere was stuck and it wasn't letting go. No matter how much I swung it, trying to get it off me. Well I've done it now.

After a frantic shaking I look to the sphere again. It pulsed before it began to move up my leg. My brain went into full panic mode. "GAH What the fuck get of me! No no, I don't want to be that guy from the Mummy!"

It continued to crawl up my leg until it got to my right shoulder. Instead of moving to take over my brains it instead went to my back area…no wait take my brain instead I beg of you. My worst fear wasn't met however since it decided that my back plant was a good place to call home. It entered through my leaf, which feels weird by the way, and it settled on my plant's inner unbloomed flower. Still in full panic mode I contemplated going to the sphere with a pickaxe when I could feel…something wet there. Was it melting on my back flower? Or was I melting?

I was too pins from digging into my back plant when I could hear running footsteps.

"Ace, Ace! Are you alright, I could hear you screaming!" Vulpix came running from around the corner.

"Black orb, box, up my leg, in my plant, wet." I bumbled on. "Get it off, get it off!"

"Where is it?" she asked.

"In my back plant, get it off. It feels so wet and gross."

"O-oh u-u-um ok. O-only if you are sure."

"Yes, I'm sure. Hurry!"

Vulpix hurried over and took a look at my plant. It felt oddly invasive for some reason. She gently moved the leaf aside to gaze at my inner sanction. This feels wrong.

"I don't see anything like that ace. No orb of wetness. j-just your flower." Vulpix told me "U-um I don't mean to doubt you but are you sure it happened." She shied away. I think she might have been blushing, but it's hard to tell with her red fur.

"No, it did happen. If my eyes start to change colour, please call an exorcist." I replied.

"What's an exorcist?"

"Someone who dispels ghosts."

"O-ok i can do that."

After a time making sure I was indeed not possessed by a spooky ghost or demon, I finally began to calm down.

"See, the box is still here. I'm telling you there was a black orb with a red ring on it." I told her.

"Well you seem fine for now at least." She reassured.

"Well that's good at least, please keep an eye on me for any spookiness. I'd really not get haunted."

"Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on you."

"Wait, what time is it?" I asked. I just realized I never finished my work, since I was distracted by the Box. Stupid potentially haunted treasure box.

"Um, I'm not sure, why?"

"Crap crap crap, if I put my back into it I can finish my quota."

"Wait, you didn't fill your quota? I thought you said you were ahead?!"

"I was then, but i got side tracked, I've still got some time left."

"Oi yous lot, jobs done for de day. Now let's have a look see if yous got a demerit or nots." My doom spoke up.

Ah fuuuuuuu

End Chapter 7