Factory of Runes Diamond Tormentlocke: Chap 37

“And…checkmate! Your turn!”

My Eevee shakes her head from side to side. She could resign but even I know that isn’t done. She moves her king forward one space, allowing me on my go to capture it with my gold general. Victory feels so good and I give a little squeal in delight, but as dad says, all victories come at a cost. I scope her up into my arms and hug her, before patting her gently between her ears.

“It’s ok. You’re fun to play Shogi with and you’ve only lost…12 times. You’ll win next time for sure!”

I get a little touch to my chin then, I don’t think she minds.

I hear a voice from a little further away. “12 wins? Your father would be proud.”

I get up from the floor and run to the kitchen. There are many women in there, but only one is mother: her long brown hair fluttering to the floor, her apron splotchy and her eyes deep blue with care. She’s one of the gentlest people I know.

I hug her, not caring if I get messy. “I’ll tell father when he gets home!”

She pats me on the head. I’m sure I have sticky rice in it now. “You do that. He should be home any-“

“I’m home!”

“Dad!”

I run over to our small hallway and hug him. He’s dressed in white, as always, so I kind of wince that I’ve made it all dirty. My Eevee follows me in and looks up wide eyed at my strong father with short ruffly black hair and thoughtful grey eyes. Mother comes in a few moments later, pecking him on the cheek. He pecks back.

BLURGH! I stick my tongue out causing a silent giggle from my friend. I quickly snap it back in when they pull away from each other.

“Those ruffians have been dealt with; the farmers are going to bring us some of their produce as thanks later.”

My mother shakes her head. “There is no need to do that, we have enough.”

“I tried to persuade them but they wouldn’t back down. I cannot repay their kindness simply by refusing them now.”

“True…Oh, our little daughter here beat her Eevee again today.”

My father looks down at me, and it’s only now that I see his waddling, short furred Bibarel behind him. The scar across his eye always follows me and makes me scared. I know from stories he’s ferocious, but I’ve never seen that side of him…luckily. He keeps a distance from me, and we back off a little.

“Really? That’s 12 times right?”

I get all embarrassed then. I’m too young to understand how important this moment will be later.

“You’re going to make a fine-“

---

“Oh my gosh! I’m so sorry! Are you ok?”

It takes me a few moments to get up, but I feel rather deflated. That memory…it was going to get to something important, I just know it! Ok, so I learnt that as a child I played Shogi, some sort of board game, that I had a kind mother, a loving father and he had a scary Bibarel, and something about ruffians and farmers, but I understood very little of it. Why was that memory important to me? Why could I not remember anything bar the basic function of our home’s rooms? Why did I still not call the Eevee by a name? Their clothes were blurry too…I have too many questions and I forced myself to look around.

We had made it to the centre. Forte and Aden were a little way away, looking sheepish. I was on the carpeted floor, next to a sofa, and there was a kid standing above me. He had short black hair, glasses and was in a red T-shirt and light brown shorts. He was the one speaking.

I turned to Aden and Forte. Forte just crossed her arms while Aden put a wing behind his head. “Sorry Runa. We were trying to put you on the couch and didn’t see this guy coming from behind so…we kind of dropped you. Not cool I know.”

That explained the sore back. I get up easily enough, even with the badge still in my hand. “It’s ok,” I say to the boy, “I’m just…prone to fainting. I asked my Pokémon to bring me here when I felt myself go. I didn’t mean to trouble you.”

“I’m still sorry though…wait, is that…the Forest badge?”

It was peaking through my fingers so I nodded. He looked back at me with hope. “Then you are a strong trainer right? I kind of need a big favour. If-If you don’t want to do it or it’s too big, it’s fine, but…so far every trainer has turned me down. Either they haven’t beaten Gardenia or they’ve been too focused on their journey to notice me.”

I felt sorry for the kid and, while I don’t feel like a strong trainer despite having two badges, I could at least hear him out.

“What’s the favour?”

He looked down and kicked his foot at the carpet. “I know there are the police, but they say legally they have ‘no evidence’ to go on. It’s just that my Buneary has been missing for a while, and then there’s the bike shop owner and his Clefairy. I have a feeling Team Galactic took them, because my home is close to their place, and I leave the window open at night, and Rydel was the only one to stand up to them. I saw their confrontation myself and the grunt who got a talking down to swore someone stronger would get to him.”

Sounds like another hostage situation. It could be true that, with lack of evidence, this would be a wild Pokémon chase or that the kid may be lying. Given what Team Galactic has done so far I don’t doubt it though.

“So I’m guessing you need a strong trainer to go to the headquarters and see what’s up?”

“Yeah! I mean, you have the Forest Badge so you can get a Pokémon of yours to cut down the trees barring the way. They regrow quick though so you’ll have to be fast. Also you don’t have to fight them. Just get some sort of proof that they’re there and then you can take it to the police and me.”

Depends how much control Gardenia has over the police (I presume she is the leader of the city too?). I nodded and he said he’d come back to the centre daily to see how I was doing. As he left I considered. Despite feeling righteous with what I was about to do, it didn’t make this any more terrifying. This was a BUILDING filled with grunts, not just a small group on a mission. It meant going into enemy territory, just me and my team.

Forte touched me. “We’ll see it through. They cannot get away with this.”

Aden nodded. “Yeah, we’ll kick their butts…after I’m healed.”

“Oh yes!”

Everyone was healed and then I got them out to tell them of my new memory. I think everyone noticed my disappointed look.

“But you learnt much, eyup!” Raguna said, “You have parents, your Eevee was still with you, you have a home-“

“Where though? Why can’t I remember any features that well? Even my parents were hazy in what they looked like, the Eevee being the only clear thing! How can I use that information to help?”

“By remembering you’re not alone, eyup. Either in the past, or now.”

I know they’re trying, I really do, but I can’t help it. I feel so frustrated that I can’t remember anything that would give me a lead.

At least one Pokémon was happy. “At least my theory was right. Touching badges after winning them is giving you a memory each time. Although I really do wish the centre would stop playing this song about Magikarps. I don’t know whether to be highly offended or highly appreciated.”

Centres sometimes played music, and it was only now I heard the song. It was…kind of crazy.

Mei nodded at Julia. “So…could that mean that the next gym gives you another new memory, one that might clear things up?”

“I suppose…” I considered before nodding, “Actually, you’re right. I can’t keep looking back when a new memory might be around the corner. We’ll have to wait though, Team Galactic first, which means I have to box one of you.”

“What? Why?” Forte said in a sudden rush.

I took out my dex. “I’ve been looking to see who can learn cut, and the only real choice is Lest. He did say he can help the team, but we’re full.”

Aden looked snarky at Selphy. “Then box the bug. She can bury herself in books.”

“If that’s supposed to be funny, it isn’t,” Selphy huffed.

“Actually I was thinking of you Aden.”

The bird erupted, almost in a literal way. “Whatever do you mean?! I’m the leader!”

“Ha!”

I gave Selphy as much of a withering look as I could, before turning back to Aden. “You’re the one at the highest level. The grunts will at least give us experience points which everyone else bar you needs. Plus, this is a building. While you could fly up and scan the area, I have a feeling not everyone there is that stupid. If they are holding hostages, they aren’t going to have them near windows without shutters or something. The corridors could be crowded and difficult for you. Plus even leaders need a rest.”

Aden sighed, deflating a little. “You’re going to stick to your guns aren’t ya?”

“Well…”

Forte patted him. “It won’t be long. You’ll be missed though.” 

Raguna nodded. “Eyup, missing out on all the fun.”

“Oh come on! Not you too Raguna, taking the mick out of me!”

Julia, thank goodness, calmed things down. “Look at it this way: there are still others in the box who haven’t had the glory of your leadership. Remind them you lead the team. If we need your help, we can always come back to get you.”

“Fine,” Aden said, puffing rather than sighing, “But as soon as you need me, straight out I come!”

I can get behind that compromise. Shortly after Lest and Aden were switched. Lest was a little surprised to be summoned, but once I explained things to him, he was more than happy to help. He’s also informed me that he and Arthur have big plans now, which James is apparently creating marketing for already. Alicia predicts success, but only when the weather’s good, and Violet hasn’t found her niche yet but is interested in other forest like areas in Sinnoh. She’s currently reading on the subject.

Lest himself is watching the cut tutorial before we tackle the building. Everyone else is getting pumped. I don’t feel pumped, apprehensive more like. I only hope this works out alright in the end. Maybe Gardenia and the lack of substantial memory are getting to me…Lest has just nodded, seems he’s ready. I’m not, but let’s go.