Chapter 5
The day was supposed to be normal. Get groceries, talk to the townsfolk, do a few missions, and talk to the rest of the team. Heck, right now Malachi wasn’t even focused on the whole ‘raising the rank’ thing, because they all just went through an incredibly extraneous experience (try saying that five times fast), and were just focused on recovery, both physical and mental. Malachi was concerned about something though. One of the newer members of the team, having came a few days ago (oh, how time flies), V. There wasn’t anything particularly wrong with her, Malachi actually quite enjoyed her company, she was just… off. There was something just… weird? Off? Wrong…? Strange! With V. She had a few weird habits, but that wasn’t the issue. The issue was presenting itself right in front of him, as V had a sword duel with Techno. Both were clearly good fighters, with V’s higher agility making up for the skill gap, while Techno was significantly more skilled, but unable to do anything other than block and occasionally retaliate. However, the issue with V is that Malachi didn’t the see the face of a warrior facing an equal, as he did Techno. No, he saw a predator, and an Apex predator at that, hunting and toying with it’s prey. But… that contrasted with the look of joy -genuine joy, not sadistic joy- on her face, a face that flipped between predator and friend as easy as breathing. In short, V disturbed Malachi, but he wasn’t sure what he could do about it. While he could confront V about it, he was unlikely to get sufficient answers, or answers at all.
Malachi’s gaze slid over to the warrior dueling with the beast, and the friend having a spar with an equal. Techno. Something about Techno was weird, but in the same way that had Rune had been before she got her aura back. Initially, that was Malachi’s theory, that Techno somehow lost part of his aura, and that’s what was causing the feeling. That is, until Techno started using moves. Automatically, this disproved, or at least somewhat dismissed his theory. But, he knew that the theory was on the right track… but it wasn’t the full picture. Malachi wasn’t sure how Rune got her Aura back, but he was sure that if could just go get some Aura cloths… he’d find at least a clue, if not the answers he’s been seeking. If he was able to get V and Techno to touch some Aura cloths, then there might be an answer, or a clue, or… something at least! Malachi mentally threw his paws in the air as he pondered. How to do it…? Wait- Aura cloths are sold at Kecleon Market! If he could talk to Matt… yes, that might just work! Hold on, how’s he going to get them out of their fight-?
Malachi’s thoughts were interrupted by a crash, causing him to whip around from where he’d been pacing and muttering, to see Techno pinning V against the floor with his sword, both clearly exhausted. Malachi ran over to them, worry clear on his face. No matter what his thoughts were, they were still his friends!
“Hey, you guys alright? I heard a crash!” Malachi said, looking concerned for both of them. Chuckling, Techno sheathed his sword and stepped off of V, who then began to pick herself up. V then looked at Malachi, predator expression gone, it was just his friend. Wait… had she said something?
“Sorry, could you repeat that? I got a little lost in my thoughts.” Malachi said, chuckling slightly.
V rolled her eyes, before speaking again, “Don’t worry, we’re fine. Also, the crash was from me getting thrown into the floor. Was a mix of my own weight and Techno’s strength.”
Malachi chuckled slightly, and asked, “Hey, do you want to go to Kecleon Market with me today? I’ve got some errands to run.”
V made a weird chirping sound, before coughing and saying -behing a yellow blush, how odd-, “Yeah, I’ve got nothing better to do. Techno, you want to come with?”
Techno, who was cleaning himself off, looked up at being addressed. He then nodded and responded, “Sure. Just give me a moment to clean myself up.”
~~~This timeskip was brought to you by Rune shouting at Inigo during a game of Uno~~~
Eventually, all three were ready to go, and went down the short path to the town, and then to the Market. The three chatted the entire time, Malachi giving helpful insights into the local culture, money, and other useful things. Things seemed to have prices and such, but it was confusing as to where the money was, where it came from, or how to earn it. V was clearly puzzling it over, while Techno just chuffed and didn’t question it. Regardless, they got to Kecleon Market, and then they had to buy stuff. Hoo boy.
“Heya Malachi! How’re ya doing? Hey, I’ve noticed Maelstrom isn’t with you today, did something happen? Oh, and who are the two of you?” Matt, the local shop owner, -who happened to be a Raichu- asked.
“I’m doing good, Maelstrom and I had an argument, and these are Techno and V.” As Malachi said their names, he gestured to each one.
“Say, do you have any aura cloth on stock? I just want to check something.” Malachi asked.
“Yep! Got some right here.” Matt answered, and Malachi could hear Techno and V bickering nearby, but he ignored it.
“Hey guys! Would you mind touching this, one at a time? It’s called Aura Cloth. It’s said to show your aura.” Malachi asked his friends.
Techno walked forward, and obligingly put his hand-paw on it, looking surprised at the whte-pinkish color it turned into. V, after waiting for Techno to let go of it -and for Techno to stop asking Malachi about Aura Cloth, and aura in general-, walked forward and put her hand on it. The Cloth promptly turned silver-black-yellow, and V was not very surprised, though she was confused as to why hers was multiple colors while Techno’s was only one. V turned a questioning gaze onto Malachi, who looked equally confused. Techno was also confused, but hid it better than Malachi.
“Usually, the amount of colors and… deepness, for lack of a better term, in an Aura Cloth relates to how strong your Aura is. Lightly colored Auras are, as a whole, weaker than darkly colored Auras. White Aura Cloth means that you have almost no Aura, meaning you’re frail and unable to use moves.” Malachi rattled, seeing the twin puzzled looks on the robot and pig’s faces.
… There was a brief silence, as they both digested that. V, now knowing this, felt more confident; after all, she had a powerful Aura. She paused, then looked at Techno, thinking that if Techno had a weakened Aura, then why? They were both connected to Hands, and should have their full abilities at their disposal. But Techno didn’t, for some reason. V, thought it over, before her eyes widened in realization: Techno was connected to a human turned God (Hand), while V was connected to an actual Pokémon: Ho-Oh. Since Techno was connected to a former human, his Aura was damaged, or at least different than normal. Which means that either Techno’s Hand will need to repair his Aura (at some cost, most likely), or Techno needs to get a new Hand, preferably one that can stay close by without drawing too much attention.
While V was pondering about all of this and the implications of what to do with it, Techno just shrugged and decided to go along with it. V was better at playing the long game, he preferred to jump into the action. That’s not to say Techno was dumb, nor that he couldn’t play the long game -he had done both, after all-, just that he preferred to leave it to the people who specialized in it. Anyway, Techno cleared his throat, just loudly enough to get the attention of his friends.
“So, is there anything else you wanted to show us, Malachi?” Techno asked.
Malachi, who had been muttering to himself, shook his head. He cleared his throat, thinking of what to say.
“No, there’s nothing I can think of. Anyway, do you guys know where Rune and Dielle went? I know Inigo is at the Dojo training, but I don’t remember if either of them said anything about where they were going.” Malachi said to V and Techno.
Techno shook his head, not having heard either of them say where they were going.
“I… think one of them said something about a ‘beach-side view’?” V questioned.
Malachi hummed, but decided to think about that later. He then realized that they probably should go on a dungeon mission, preferably to get V and Techno adjusted to Dungeoning.
~~~Some time later~~~
“-So that’s why I think you guys should go to a Dungeon, preferably with me and maybe Rune or Inigo.” Malachi explained to V and Techno on the way home (they had bought quite a lot of food and other things), hoping they would understand.
“Why not Dielle?” Techno questioned, raising an eyebrow.
“A-Ah, well, someone needs to hold down the fort, while there isn’t anything worrying or bad about Dielle, Inigo and Rune are just better combatants.” Malachi explained quickly, feeling uncomfortable.
V nodded, following that logic. Techno, while still slightly suspicious, nodded as well. After a bit of time, they had gotten home. Techno kicked the door open, shouting/singing loudly.
“WE’RE HOOOOOOOOME!” Techno hollered.
There was a lot of noise following that, and Rune ran up to them, looking worried.
“So, we might be done for. Dielle and I spotted Julius on our way back from our date. Any ideas, oh so wise leader?” Rune snarked, although she was clearly worried.
“…I don’t know. If he isn’t harming anybody, then we can just leave him be.” Malachi said, unsure of himself.
V narrowed her eyes, but Malachi thought she agreed with him… hopefully. Anyway, while Julius could be a threat… it didn’t seem likely, especially if he hadn’t attacked either Rune or Dielle. It would be unfair to attack someone who wasn’t doing anything, after all… regardless of any bad blood.
Malachi hummed in thought, thinking of what he could do… and decided that asking Rune if she was alright with taking V and Techno (and Malachi himself) on another Dungeon.
“Hey Rune, do you think it would be a good idea if you took V and Techno on their first Dungeon? I’ll join to make sure things don’t go too crazy, hehe.” Malachi asked, chuckling a little.
Rune seemed to think it over, before finally nodding and giving her assent.
“Sure. It’s been a bit since we’ve gone on a training Dungeon anyway.” Rune commented.
And so, with the plans in place, the friends went off to a Dungeon.