Chapter 15: Enslavement.

Cloyster Kingdom Arc.

The crew are dragged outside of the castle by the Cloyster guards, being taken to an upper left pathway that leads out of Ster Town. The pathway is linear with some black fences being beside the road. Ahead of the group, there is a gate being guarded by two Cloysters. Sheer floats toward the Cloysters and speaks to them.

"Open the gate. We have new competitors to join in on the hunt." Sheer says firmly.

"Competitors?" Iris and Anna say, looking at each other with raised eyebrows. The Cloysters nod and open the gate door, moving out of the way for the group to enter.

The gang all see that they're entering inside of a forest; The forest containing a wide open area that has a bunch of Cloysters roaming around it within a fast pace. Guards are commanding those Cloysters to search here or there, wielding whips to get their demands in order. The crew sees some guards whipping the Cloysters and winces at the sight. Even Cerise, who is camouflaging within the grass, squints his eyes and flinches.

Jeez, talk about crucial demands. Cerise thinks, shaking his head at the activity going on. The group stop within their tracks as Sheer turns to look at them.

"Alright, you troublemakers. This is what you'll do for the rest of your life: Scavenger hunting." Sheer says, eyeing at the crew.

"Scavenger hunting?" Anna says, blinking while tilting her head slightly. "On what exactly?"

Sheer chuckles softly. "Glad that you asked: You're hunting for rare and unique items."

"You mean like...Marvel Mischief?" Iris asks.

"Marvel Mischiefs, Mega Stones, gold, you name them all." Sheer says with a wink.

"MEGA STONES!?" The gang shouts, Sheer flinches from the sudden outburst.

"Oh will you tone your voices down with that outburst? You scared me half to death by just doing that nonsense!" Sheer glances.

"I mean, you're having us search for extremely rare stones that give specific Pokemon a new form and power. Plus, we're searching for Marvel Mischiefs, too! How are we supposed to act towards that then?" Jimmy says with a firm look on his face.

"So?"

Iris gives Sheer a appalled expression. "So!? Those are items that are close to impossible to find!"

"And? My grandfather had me finding rare and unique items like Marvel Mischiefs all the time when I was a young, naive Shellder." Sheer closes his eyes with a confident smile.

"So your grandfather had you collecting Marvel Mischiefs?" Iris asks sternly.

"Yes." The large barbed Cloyster looks at the Dragonite dead in the eyes. "And had me burn them."

"BURN!?" Iris, Anna and Jimmy shout. Their eyes twitch into nonsensical mayhem.

"Are you out of your mind!? WHY WOULD YOU BURN THEM!? MARVEL MISCHIEF ARE MEANT TO BE CHERISHABLE GIFTS, NOT SOMETHING TO BURN!" Iris grips her fist as Mark, Claire and Natalie look at her.

Sheer laughs. "Gifts? Cherishable? Ha. My grandfather is laughing in his grave right now. Because he sees nothing but a hunk of useless toys from those things. Thinking they're there for styling purposes and nothing more. Can't help but to agree with him on that."

"Then what about Weapon Mischief, huh!?" Anna asks, gritting her teeth furiously. Sheer pulls out an brown bow from behind him.

"You mean this?" Sheer says, staring deviously.

Mark blinks and stares at the bow for a moment. "Wait, isn't that…" The Riolu says before going to stroke his back. He feels nothing but his back and frowns at the Cloyster. "Hey! How did you get my bow!?"

"Oh I just happened to notice it while we were on our way here. So I took it." Sheer laughs. "Along with the bag the Dragonite carried as well…" The Cloyster reveals the bag within his position as well.

Iris snarls. "Hey! Give me back my bag!" The Dragonite shouts, glaring at Sheer.

Sheer shakes his head. "Nah. I think I'll keep these with me for the time being." Sheer then stares at the Ninetales. "And to answer your question earlier: Weapon Mischief aren't special, either. They're not even rare! Anyone can buy a Weapon Mischief at their local weapon store!"

Sheer continues laughing as Mark pouts and Iris grows ever more furious. "I can't believe what I'm hearing right now!" The Dragonite says, beginning to lash out at the Cloyster with flames forming around her fist. Sheer looks at her just in time to stop her Fire Punch from hitting him, his eyes glowing blue as the flames disappears. Iris stops and grits her teeth. "Dammit!"

The guards goes to grab the Dragonite from Sheer, restraining her. "So like I was saying, you'll be doing this hunt till the end of the day. Then do it again the very next. And so on and so forth."

"And we get no breaks either?" Claire says, tilting her head gradually. Sheer takes his eyes on the Shinx, shaking his head.

"Oh how silly of me to not mention that...Yes, you do take breaks. But only when you find those rare items, first."

"Okay." Claire looks at the gang. "I can see this hunt being pretty simple to do." As Claire says that, an Cloyster approaches Sheer with an small, yellow shell in his possession. The Cloyster looks rather dirty, having dirt and scratch marks all over his blue shell.

"H-Hey s-sir. I f-found a golden shell for y-you." The Cloyster says, handing the shell to Sheer. Sheer takes the shell, examining it for a moment before handing it to one of the guards that has a bag with them. The guard puts the shell in his bag as Sheer looks back at the Cloyster. "D-Do I get to take a b-break now?" The Cloyster asks eagerly.

Sheer sighs. "I suppose so."

"Yes! Haha!" The Cloyster is about to go roam off until Sheer gets in front of him.

"Alright. Your break time is over. Back to work."

The gang gasps shockingly as the Cloyser looks at Sheer confusedly. "Wh-What? B-But I've been searching for over 15 hours!"

"15 hours? That's a world record compared to other scavengers!" Sheer laughs while the gang look at him, raising their brows.

"B-But sir-"

One of the guards pushes the Cloyster to the ground, causing him to yelp. "GET BACK TO WORK, PEASANT!" The guard yells, the Cloyster's eyes widening in fear before he scurries off in a fast pace. Natalie looks at Sheer and snarls.

"Hey! I thought you said we'll take breaks after finding those rare items!" The Zorua says, stomping her paw down in a angry manner.

Sheer chuckles softly. "Of course you do. For one second." The large barbed Cloyster says calmly.

"ONE SECOND!?" Iris forms a fist, her eye beginning to twitch. "How's that a break!?"

"Hey. It's a break when it counts, right?" Sheer winks, causing the Dragonite to become infuriated.

"Why I outta-" Iris starts yapping random insults and slurs at Sheer, trying to move towards him but remaining restrained by the guards. Sheer sighs in relief.

"I think we have our understanding of the interpretation on inquisition scrutiny."

The crew looks at him for a moment, tilting their heads. "What?" They say confusedly.

"That means go hunting. Now start." Sheer says before the guards send the crew to the field. The crew all look at each other, anxiety forming across their faces before they dash off to the exit. Five guards get in front of them, blocking their exit with their spears. The gang tries to use their moves on the guards but their attacks fade, resulting to them being tackle down and restrain by the other five guards. Sheer floats towards them, shaking his head. "Just stop trying already. You're embarrassing yourselves." He laughs humbly before the guards pushes the gang back to the field. The crew brushes themselves off before glaring at the large barbed Cloyster.

Anna grits her teeth. "We gotta find a way out of here...or else, we'll be trapped in this enslavement hunt until we die." The Ninetales says in a worried tone. Ashen and Lucas nod.

"Agree, mate! Just the very thought of doing slave work is just...ugh…" Lucas gasps before passing out to the ground. Ashen grabs him in time.

"Whoa!" The Linoone says, picking the eye-patch Furret up. Lucas lifts his paw up and down towards his face, fanning himself.

"I blame Iris for getting us in this mess." Lucas sighs heavily, putting his other paw against his forehead in a dramatic gesture.

Iris looks at him and rolls her eyes. "Yeah, whatever." The Dragonite says. As the crew walks throughout the field while being followed by five guards, Iris turns around to see Sheer whispering something to Trent before sending him off as well. "Hmm?" The Lucario nods and follows the crew. Iris heads towards him in curiosity. "Hey, what did that Sheer fella whisper to you?" She asks the Lucario, looking down at him.

Trent looks at Iris. "Oh. He just told me to search for Mega Stones specifically. Not sure why." He says, shrugging awkwardly.

"Hmm…" Iris thinks to herself for a moment before she catches up with the crew. Trent just follows along casually.

. . .

Meanwhile at the castle, Norah, Azure and Brook are inside of a huge dining room. The table is about 8 feet long and 6 feet wide, luxurious decoration are on the walls and mini-tables being in the room's corners, and the room itself is brown. It seems as though the three Pokemon has been cleaning the dining room: Norah is wiping the white floors, Azure is shining the decorations, and Brook is rubbing the walls. All with a simple cloth.

In the room with them are Mat and another Cloyster guard socializing with each other. The guard is through chatting with Mat, forming a rather uncomfortable expression on his face. "S-So yeah, uh, watch over these three while I go use the restroom, o-okay?" The guard says to Mat, biting his own lips. Mat raises his brow at him before chuckling.

"Sure I will, pal!" Mat says in a calm yet bold tone.

The Cloyster nods eagerly. "Th-Thanks, Mat!" He then dashes off to the exit, whining throughout the way. "M-Man, I shouldn't have eaten those Icy Supremes for lunch!"

Mat looks at him exiting out of the room, sweatdropping awkwardly. He then directs his eyes towards Norah and floats to her. "Norah!"

The female Cloyster yelps softly and looks at Mat, glancing at him. "Mind keeping your voice down so that the guards won't catch you talking to me?" She says angrily.

"O-Oh, uh, sorry about that. Heh heh." Mat chuckles nervously before Brook stops what he's doing and turns around.

"N-Norah? Are you al-alright?" The old Cloyster asks cautiously.

Norah sticks her head out from the table, allowing Brook to see her. "I'm fine, father. Thanks for your concern." She then notices her daughter is staring at her concernedly. She gives her a warm smile, letting her know that things are fine before the little Shellder nods cutely and returns to her cleaning. Norah looks back at Mat, giving him a stern expression. "Anyway...What do you want?"

Mat stares back at the female Cloyster before shrugging nervously. "I…" He looks down and sighs. "Just wanted to say that I'm sorry that you ended up being arrested."

"And you didn't do anything about it?" Norah glances at Mat.

Mat sweatdrops and whimpers. "I-I mean, if I did, I'll be joining along with you in the dungeon...Heck, even be executed for trying to protect you guys."

Norah continues glaring at the Cloyster before sighing in a depressing manner. "For a best friend that knows how to find ways to fix issues, you sure can't find any for this one."

Mat looks to the side sorrowfully. "I wish to fix this issue, Norah. Honestly." He groans, closing his eyes into grimace. "But I've been striving to get in this position as a royal guard since I was 15. The endless amounts of hard training, the trials and errors. Everything I'd been through to get in this position." He shakes his head. "Again, if I dare to do something now, they'll take away my position and have me executed...It's not me being selfish, Norah. It's me trying to prevent my life from being taken away."

"He's right, you know…" Brook says, having Norah and Mat looking at him as he continues scrubbing the wall. "If I were in his place, I too wouldn't try to save my loved ones while other guards are out in the open."

Mat looks at Norah. "See?" He says to her confidently. "But...I'll do everything in my power to solve this issue. So that you all can be free…"

The elder Cloyster turns slightly to look at Mat, staring at him sternly. "Would you do that, Mat?"

Mat stares back and nods firmly. "Of course I would, sir!" He then takes his eyes back on Norah, staring directly into hers. "I'll talk with the king and persuade him to release you, your father and your daughter from prison."

Norah blinks and smiles slightly at the Cloyster. "I suppose I can thank you for at least trying to fix the situation...but…" Norah pauses, shrugging awkwardly.

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"But what?" Mat tilts his head curiously.

"What about Iris and her friends?"

Mat raises his brow. "Iris and who again?"

Norah sweatdrops. "Oh...I guess you don't know them then. Um...they're the Pokemon that were with us during the arrest."

Mat thinks for a moment before gasping. "Oooh! You mean the Dragonite?"

Norah nods. "Yes. Do you think you can convince the king to release them as well?"

Mat blinks before shrugging awkwardly. "Yeaaah...you see, the problem is: 1) I don't know them at all besides one of their names and 2) They're not our kind."

Norah frowns, puffing her lips. "So?"

"S-So!? Norah, how can I convince someone to spare another if I don't know that person? It's like me having a choice between saving my love one or saving some stranger and I choose the stranger."

Norah sighs. "I know but...Iris and her friends seem like harmless Pokemon. And they're having a bad time right now. With their ship being crashed, ending up stranded in this kingdom, and now they're prisoners of this kingdom. Heck, another Pokemon that isn't our kind, named Trent, is having a harsh time as well. He's a prisoner here, just like Iris and her pals." She then stares into Mat's eyes with sorrow drenching within them. "Please...do it for me."

"But-"

"Please, Mat...They need help. Just like we do."

Mat looks to the side for a moment before sighing heavily, staring back at the female Cloyster. "Alright...I'll try to convince the king to free them as well. Despite not knowing much about them."

Norah smiles and nuzzles Mat. "Thanks, Mat."

Mat nuzzles back and smiles brightly. "No problem, heh heh." He then inhales and exhales, breathing calmly. "Man, this reminds me of the time I had to convince your father that I didn't bully you when we were young, ya know?"

Norah giggles softly. "Yeah. It was rather funny, now thinking about it."

Brook stops scrubbing and chuckles softly. "Well, him and that Shellder looked believable to have messed with you, Norah." He says, turning around to reveal his wrinkling smile.

Mat raises his brow and smirks. "I mean, me and that dude may share the same personality but I could never harm your daughter, sir. She's as delicate as the ice flowers in the Zero Cave." Mat replies, blushing gently from what he said. Norah notices the blush and giggles some more. "And besides, you're so protective for your daughter that it scared me till midnight!"

Brook laughs from the compliment. "I see. And indeed, she is delicate. That's why I'd been so protective towards her. Especially when her mother had passed away..."

Mat and Norah become quiet from what Brook said and nod. "I understood that completely, sir…" Mat says firmly.

Norah sighs in relief. "Anyway, thanks you two for caring so much about me." She says.

Mat looks at her and smiles. "No problem...And by the way, you have such beautiful eyes."

Norah blinks and blushes, looking off to the side with a warm smile. "Oh silly you...All Cloysters have the same eyes, you know?"

"I mean, I know that but something about yours seems more amazing to stare at...Such as yourself."

Norah looks at Mat and has her eyes contact with his, the two blushing deeply. They feel a connection between each other. The type of connection that links their hearts together. A connection that's as bound as chocolate mixed with vanilla. Soon, Exo enters the dining room abruptly.

"What's going on here!?" Exo shouts, staring at the four. Brook resumes back to scrubbing the wall as Exo continues speaking. "I hear a bunch of talking coming from here specifically." Exo then glances at Mat.

Mat looks back and sweatdrops. "Uh. I was yelling at this prisoner. Making sure she's doing as she told." Mat says quickly, poking Norah harshly with his black spear. Norah whimpers from the poke, resulting to her wiping the floors immediately. Brook winces, a grim look forming across his face as he hear his daughter whine. "Yes! You better continue cleaning, peasant!" He says in a somewhat nervous tone. I'm so, so sorry for this, Norah!

Exo stares at him then at Norah and now back to him, thinking thoughtfully to himself. "Hmm...alright then. I see that you got things under control." He lifts his body up firmly and sighs. "Now excuse me while I go and chat with some ladies in Ster Town." He floats off to the exit in an elegant manner. "I'm willing to bet those lovely ladies will join me in the king's feast tonight." He laughs humbly. "Ohoho!"

Mat sees him go and chuckles softly. "Yeah right. I'm willing to bet the ladies will join in a Onix's party rather than to join a feast with you."

Exo stops and turns around immediately. "What was that!?"

"I mean, get back to cleaning, you!" Mat yells at Norah, poking her with his spear again.

Exo glances at them for a moment. "Hmph." He then floats out of the dining room, no longer to be seen. Mat sighs in relief and looks at the female Cloyster.

"Sorry for poking you too hard…"

"It's okay...You did what you had to do." Norah says, smiling at Mat. Mat smiles back softly before floating next to the exit of the dining room. He then sees the Cloyster guard from earlier returning back to the dining room, panting nonstop.

"Phew. That...was quite the bomb I had to take." The guard says, chuckling softly to himself. "You know them Icy Supremes. They taste so good, but have your body feel some type of way later on, and then it's off to the restroom!"

Mat laughs awkwardly at the guard, forming a bead of sweat by the side of his face. "Right…" Mat says, shrugging. The guard then looks at him, curiosity forming on his face.

"By the way, did I miss anything while I was gone?"

Mat shakes his head. "Nah, you're good."

"Sweet!"

The two Cloysters then guard the exit of the dining room as the other three Pokemon continue their cleaning duty.

. . .

Returning to the outside of the castle, the crew seems to be struggling on maintaining their energy and finding rare, unique items in the forest. They all pant heavily, Lucas and Ashen barely able to move forward.

The guards behind the group yell at them. "Hey! Get to hunting, you slugs!" One of the guards shouts, wielding out his brown whip and hitting Ashen with it. Ashen yelps and rushes next to Anna, Lucas following along in fear.

"C-Crud, that hurts!" Ashen whimpers, rubbing his back. Anna growls deeply at the group of guards as she and the others continue walking. Lucas looks at the Linoone worriedly.

"Are you alright, bro?" Lucas asks, concerned about his brother's back.

"E-Erm, in a bit of pain because of that whip b-but I sh-should be fine." Ashen groans, continuing to rub his back. Natalie and Mark look around the area and see other guards treating other prisoners the same way. The two Pokemon then frown at the sight.

"Jeez, do they have to be so rough on us!?" Natalie says in a upsetting manner.

"Yeah! Th-This is just out of control and abusive." Mark agrees. "And on top of that...We're still walking!"

Anna smacks her lips into frustration. "Hold up." The Ninetales says before facing towards the guards. "Hey sirs, I think we found a spot that may have a chance of containing rare items. Can we search there?"

The guards look at each other for a moment before one of them nods. "Sure. But don't take too long in that spot. Got it?" One of them says firmly.

Anna nods with a bland expression. "Got it."

"We'll be watching you. In case you try anything funny."

Anna turns around and mumbles. "As if any of this is funny."

The guard glances at Anna. "What was that?"

"I said we're going to the spot right now." Anna sticks her tongue out playfully before Natalie snickers at her stunt. The guards watch them walk toward a corner containing a bunch of trees and bushes surrounding it. The gang stops and sighs in relief. "Alright. We should be good to rest here, for now."

Natalie looks at the Ninetales. "But we're being watched." The Zorua confirms, slightly looking at the guards behind her.

Claire stares at the ground and seeks her claws into it, digging it. "We just pretend that we're searching." Claire says, grinning.

Natalie blinks at Claire before gasping. "Oooh! I should've thought of that!" She giggles before digging herself. Ashen and Lucas look at each other for a moment before they shrug and claw at the ground. Anna joins along the digging spree as well. And the others decide to search through the bushes, Jimmy being the only one remaining still and grits his teeth.

"Those poor, poor prisoners…" The Heracross says, gripping his fist. "They're being treated so poorly. So abused." Jimmy groans, shaking his head. "I cannot allow such brutal action!"

Claire blinks and looks at the tired, harassed Cloysters from the bushes. "Well, I admire the way they handle their prisoners. So aggressive and tyrannical, I'd say." Claire giggles at the sight. Natalie and the others stop what they're doing and stare at the Shinx, raising their brow at her.

"Okay. The heck, Claire?" Natalie says shockingly. Claire shrugs.

"I mean, of course that's bad and we need to do something about it." Claire chuckles nervously, scratching the back of her head with her paw.

Natalie blinks at her before sighing. "You're strange, Claire. Not gonna lie."

"Well you'd understand me if you regain your memories...mistress…" Claire smiles at her calmly. Her yellow eyes seem to be soulless to the Zorua, sending her chills down her spine.

"U-Uh, sure. And don't look at me like that!" Natalie frowns as Claire snickers softly. Iris stares at the Shinx for a moment, thinking deeply while the others resume to their search. Natalie then looks at Anna. "By the way Anna, you didn't quite elaborate on what your Mythical Power does…"

Anna blinks, continuing digging softly and looks at the Zorua. "I didn't?" The Ninetales says, tilting her head confusedly.

"No you didn't. All you did was ramble about you being corrupted or something and Iris had to stop you…" Natalie shrugs.

"Oh. Well, apologies for that, Natalie...Went sidetracked on my...terrible past there for a moment." Anna looks down and sighs.

Natalie smiles warmly. "It's fine."

Anna looks back at her and smiles softly. "Thanks...So about my Mythical Power…" Anna takes a deep breath for a moment then exhales. "It allows me to survive a fatal blow from my opponent and powers up my moves…hence me surviving the stab from Fumeiyo's Weapon Mischief a few days ago."

"I see. Guess that explains the bandages around your stomach…" Natalie shrugs as Anna nods at her. "So can you even survive being crushed, too?"

Anna shakes her head immediately. "Oh nooo. I can't. I can only survive certain blows such as being stabbed in the chest, falling from the sky, and even being shot by multiple bullets." Anna shrugs awkwardly. "Although, that doesn't mean I don't feel pain from them because...jeez, does the pain hurt so much. To the point where I WISH I was dead from feeling that much pain." The Ninetales whimpers, forming a grim expression from the thought.

Natalie winces from the thought as well. "Yikes. Sounds like it is painful to bare with."

Anna nods. "Yes...And to make matters worse, my Mythical Power also allows me to heal the injuries I receive but it takes awhile to heal. And I mean, awhile. There was a time where I was thrown off of a tall cliff and landed onto the ground harshly. I remain there for a solid 16 hours before being able to crawl my way out of the spot while I was still healing myself."

Natalie blinks in surprise. "Oh jeez. And when did that happen?"

Anna looks to the side. "When I was a young Vulpix…" The Ninetales sighs. "My parents led me to the cliff. I thought it was something special they wanted to show me. But instead, they pushed me off of the cliff...leading me into a forest that was constantly on fire for some reason." Anna then looks at the sky. "I didn't understand why they would do such a thing to their daughter. It...left me so confused as I tried to find them. But after finding a cave to stay in, I'd come to a realization that they no longer cared about me anymore. Heck, even those that visited the cave were scared by my appearance and how I tend to terrified them with my furious brown eyes…" Natalie lowers her ears while Anna stares at the sun. "I was referred to as the 'Corrupted Vulpix', with the cave being my only home that no one dared to enter…"

"I-I see...Sorry that you'd went through such a harsh past, Anna."

Anna sighs depressingly, looking back at the ground. "Yeah. I'd rather not remember that past again. Though, I still see myself as corrupted because of it…"

Natalie pouts. "Well, you're not corrupted to me!" Anna blinks and looks at the Zorua. "You're a good person, Anna. Always willing to protect your friends and stick by their side no matter what!" The Zorua smiles at her cutely.

The Ninetales smiles back. "Thanks...Though, I'm debating on that for a certain someone but...we'll see about that in time."

Natalie nods before she and Anna resume their digging. While they continue the search, Iris takes her eyes on the Lucario.

"So why were you lost exactly?" The Dragonite asks curiously. Trent looks at her calmly and sighs.

"Well...I was in search for someone named Saya. She's a Lucario just like me, and my girlfriend that I adore being with so much." Trent looks at the sky calmly. "With her serene singing, the astounding performance she did on her show."

"A show, huh?"

"Yes." Trent smiles warmly. "She did an excellent job in it, too. And even an amazing job as my lovely girlfriend. Being there for me when I needed it the most, telling me that everything is going to be fine. And most importantly, seeing me as her knight in shining armor."

"D'aww, how sweet." Iris puts her arms against her chest.

"...But then one day…" The Lucario looks down. "We got separated by natural disaster. A hurricane, to be exact...Which led me to be in the forest I mentioned before." He grips his fist, tearing up a bit. "I became so terrified that she was no longer with me, and I began my search for her. After awhile, I encountered this kingdom and asked numerous of citizens if they'd seen her before being captured and ended up...here."

Iris blinks at Trent and sighs heavily. "I see. Sorry that you got separated from your love…" Trent looks at Iris calmly.

"I know...but maybe someday, I'll get out of this imprisonment and find her. Hopefully, Saya is still alive out there…" Trent sighs, nodding confidently.

Iris smiles gently at him. "I see...I hope that you do find her too, Trent."

Trent smiles warmly. "Thanks."

Iris nods. "You're welcome."

Soon, the group hear someone whimpering behind them. They turn to see a male Cloyster on the ground, tearing up as he looks at the guards.

"Please I'm begging you, let me take a break! At least a 1 minute break! I've been searching for so long, and haven't encountered even a single rare item yet!" The male Cloyster cries.

The first guard next to him glares. "Then keep searching. You'll find something, eventually." The first guard says firmly.

"But I can't continue under this dreadful heat condition any longer. It's killing me, for crying out loud!" The Cloyster continues to plead, grasping onto the guard. "Just give me a break, please!"

"No! Now get off of me, you filth!" The first guard angrily pushes the Cloyster off from him and whacks him with his spear, causing the poor Pokemon to wince from the attack.

Jimmy glances at the situation, gripping his fist and shouts, "Alright! I can't sit around and watch this any longer!".

Trent looks at Jimmy, sweatdropping awkwardly. "Uh, I don't think that's a good i-" The Heracross then rushes towards the guard as Trent is interrupted by him. "...dea…"

"Wait Jimmy, hold up!" Iris yells, seeing the heroic Heracross dash off. Jimmy tackles the guard down and starts jabbing him.

"What the!?" The first guard yelps from the many attacks he's receiving from the Heracross, having his shell beginning to break from the massive jabs. "SOMEONE, HELP! GET THIS CRAZED HERACROSS OFF FROM ME!" The guard yells, trying to push Jimmy off from him.

The harmless Cloyster stares at the Heracross in amazement. "H-Holy smokes…" He says, speechless at the brave Heracross thrashing the guard nonstop. Jimmy winds up one last punch and begins to throw it towards the helpless guard. However, he is stopped by the other Cloyster guards grabbing hold of him, forcing the Heracross off from the guard, and holding him down.

"Gah! Unhand me, you heartless shells!" Jimmy yells, struggling to get out of their grasp. Sheer appears at the scene, raising his brow.

"Well call me Sheer Cold when there's an hailstorm, what on Solark is going on here?" The large barbed Cloyster says, glancing at the Heracross. The pierced shell Cloyster slowly gets up, shaking in fear.

"Th-That Heracross needs to go, sir! H-He tackled me down and broke my shell while I was telling this goofball to get back to work!" The first guard says shakingly, pointing his spear at the harmless Cloyster.

Sheer looks at the guard and grimaces at his appearance. "Oh dear Arceus, that's brutal!" He then looks at the other guards. "One of you, take this gentleman to the medic room in the castle at once!" One of the guards nods and aids the pierced shell Cloyster. "As for the rest of you guards, take the Heracross and the Cloyster to a special dungeon."

"Yes sir." The guards say, grabbing Jimmy and the harmless Cloyster.

"Wh-What!? M-Me!?" The Cloyster says. "B-But I only asked for a simple break! I-I don't want to go to the special dungeon!" The Cloyster looks at the guards, whimpering in discomfort. "Please don't take me to the special dungeon!"

The guards ignore the Cloyster as they take the two away. Jimmy is restrained from the grasp, gritting his teeth into frustration. "Let me go right now! I don't deserve this! NO ONE HERE DOES!"

The crew all gasp as they see their friend being taken away. "J-Jimmy!" Mark and Natalie both yell, worried for the Heracross. Anna takes her eyes on Sheer, seeing him forming a smirk before she snarls at him.

"Hey!" The Ninetales shouts, grabbing Sheer's attention. "Where are they taking those two!?"

Sheer smiles at the Ninetales. "Glad that you asked, prisoner: They're being executed tomorrow."

"EXECUTED!?" The crew yells shockingly, horror forming within their eyes.

"Yes. I'll be sure to notify the king about their misbehaviors." Sheer then sighs in relief. "Anywho, back to hunting you maniacs go. I need me some Icy Supremes after witnessing that fiasco."

The large barbed Cloyster notifies more guards to watch the group for him while he's gone. As those six guards watch them, Natalie begins to tear up, seeing Sheer following the other five guards. "J-Jimmy saved me and Mark from those evil Malamars." She says, sniffling.

"A-And now he's about to get killed tomorrow." Mark follows along, tearing up as well. The two hug each other while weeping in sorrow. The rest of the group all stare at the two worriedly before Ashen and Lucas look at Anna.

"Wh-What should we do about this, mate!?" Lucas asks, his eyes widening in fear.

"I-I'm seriously worried about Jimmy right now." Ashen says, anxiety spreading throughout his body.

Anna remains still, stun beyond belief before shaking her head slowly. "I...I don't know." Anna says, gritting her teeth.

"Wh-What do you mean you don't know!?" Ashen and Lucas both yell at her. Anna winces from the yelling, closing her eyes due to frustration.

"I just…don't..." Anna becomes speechless and looks at Iris, seeing her being in the same state of pure anxiety as everyone else. Besides Claire and Trent, who are just shocked from what they're witnessing.

Lucas whimpers. "M-Maybe I could stopped them with my Mythical Power!" He says shakingly. Ashen pats him on the back.

"No, bro...You can't control yours, yet. It's too risky to even try it." Ashen replies.

"Ooh…" Lucas looks down, his ears following along. Iris glances at Jimmy being further away from her view.

We definitely need to get the hell out of here! Iris thinks while feeling frustrated by the situation. Within the bushes far from the gang, lies Cerise. His eyes widen from what he heard as well.

So we went from harsh demands to execution on one of my buds! Cerise thinks, sighing to himself. This journey gets crazier and crazier for me...Time to go save him then! Cerise then slithers off from one bush to another, staying hidden as he does so. I'm sorry everyone. But I'll mainly be focusing on saving Jimmy for the time being. I hope for you all to stay safe!

End of Chapter 15.