Cactus Fields - Allure ~ Rememorize

A bonfire burned prominently in the night. Zeta stoked the fire as he resumed to explain his story.

"Two Pokémon appeared, a Nidoking and Rampardos. The Nidoking had a scar on his left eye and the Rampardos looked dimwitted. They approached me and asked me about my name. They had known me beforehand and began attacking me; threw me clean through two aisles of bookshelves. If it weren't for that Drillbur's help, I would be done for."

Luke was seated amongst them along with Rinu,  and his partner, Saku . They were stationed just west of the tavern where they were tasked to guard the west field.

The Buizel pondered on Zeta's story.

"Did you have any idea why they might be after you?" The Rinu wondered.

Zeta shook his head, "Not a clue. They'd known my name beforehand someone must've tipped them to me."

"It seems all too strange." Luke added, "Zeta hasn't done anything to gain a grudge."

"Whoever is sending them to Zeta, they must want him for something." The Growlithe stated.

The atmosphere turned quiet as thoughts fluttered about. Only crackle of the fire was heard to break the silence. Suddenly, Zeta rose up.

"Well, we can't waste the night just pondering on this. We have a task to do. I'll take the first patrol."

Zeta grabbed hold if a burning piece of wood and left them.

The night was clear but the winds could be heard shifting the sands. The moon is out looking bright and stars scattered in the nighy. Looking out into the desert and little could be made out except for a rock formation protruding in the horizon. Looking back to the fields and the tavern was brightly lit. "Thirsty Cacturne" they had called it and tonight was bustling with visitors, many were guild members, to celebrate the Guild's arrival. Zeta patrolled to the north of the tavern where the ruffians may pass through.

He found nothing for a long while; he idled in one spot as he looked out into the desert to contemplate. Then he spotted a strange figure out in the distance. It hovered above the silhouette of the rocks but little could be known to determine how far it was. He tried to make out what the figure could but the clearest detail he could find was just a set of wings and a circular body. He could feel it staring back as it ominously laid still in the air, unflinching.

---

Luke was bored after a few minutes of waiting. The only companion left was the Buizel as his partner had left to do his shift in patrolling.

The Buizel thought of a conversation.

"So how long have you known Zeta? It seems like you two are very good friends."

Luke nodded in agreement.

"I've known him since childhood. I could remember the fun times we were out playing in the snow."

"So you both lived somewhere cold. Where is that?" The Buizel got curious.

"It was cold. Very cold where we came from. It was called…"

Suddenly, Luke paused.

"What is it?" The Buizel pondered.

"I… can't remember. Not only that. My childhood was all I could recall. My memories are a blur, up until… I escaped the fog."

"Sounds like you had amnesia during your time in the fog. It's an uncommon occurrence, don't worry about it." The Buizel assured.

"Your right. Maybe I could ask Zeta about my past when he gets back."

More time passed as the night moved on. Luke has gotten restless as he continues to wait. He decides to walk around for a bit while waiting for Zeta.

"I'll go walk around the fields for a while."

And Luke went off. 

Luke went west of the tavern and into the fields. The crops swayed with the wind making a distinct rustling sound which soothed Luke's mind but he didn't come all this way to the fields to just stare at the crops; he needed time alone to think.

Regarding his lost memories, he thought about it very deeply, piecing together as much of his memories as he can; there weren't that much to begin with. He remembered the time he played hide-and-seek with Zeta. He recalled times where they made an old, cranky Stoutland mad. The rest of his memories were of them playing together and then the memories just stop… flowing. Something must've happened between them. Luke couldn't recall.

His contemplation stopped when he heard rustling in the fields. He went to investigate. The grass was thick but he could barely move through. Soon he came upon a clearing in the crops. Two ruffians were waiting: a houndour and scraggy. Both were startled to see the Absol.

"You kids shouldn't be here." Luke told them.

The duo scuttled out of the fields and back to the desert. Luke watched them flee into the blackness. He sighed.

Luke watched the ruffians flee further into the desert though he could barely make their shapes now. He looked up to the sky. Then he heard another rustle. This time, they revealed themselves.

"Hello there little Absol."

It was a Nidoking, bulky and large. On his left eye was a scar and he bore a grin. He seemed familiar to Luke. Then a Rampardos emerge behind the Nidoking. It was now clear to Luke.

"You're the two Zeta told me about!"

"It's not nice to talk about other people, especially us. Moreover, your friend gave us a beating the last time we met. Now we'll give him the favor, by taking you hostage."

Luke withdrew before they got a chance to grab him. The Nidoking pounded the ground, causing the sand to waver. Luke could barely hold his footing and the quake lowered his stamina. The Rampardos seemed unaffected only because he was under Protect. Once the quivering stop, the Rampardos charged full force. Luke could barely maintain his footing after that last quake and once the Rampardos charged at him right after the quake ended, he had no time to dodge. Luke was hurled back and knocked to the ground, mouth bloodied. His body aching after that last charge, he had barely enough energy to stand let alone counterattack.

The Nidoking approached him. His arm reaching to grab the back of his neck.

"With you on hand, we will get back at the Zoroark. He will have NO chance but to listen to us.

He lifts Luke and turns him towards the general direction of the camp, and by extension Zeta.

"Go on. Call him. Call for help."

With the Nidoking clenching his grip, claws sink deep into Luke's skin. Pain surged throughout his body as his claws sink deeper. Luke yells in pain.

"AAAAAARRGHHHHHH!!!"

---

At the camp, Saku had just returned from his patrol.

"Where's Luke?" He asked Rinu.

"He went to the fields sometime ago. He should be back by n-"

Suddenly, a cry echoed out. It was calling for help. It sounded very familiar.

"Luke?!" Rinu exclaimed and darted to where the cry was heard from. Saku tailed behind him.

---

Zeta couldn't tell how much time had passed since he stared at the silhouette. The figure hovered at the distance unwaveringly. Zeta felt compelled to approach it, but before he made his first step, a familiar voice called out. Zeta snapped to his senses. He turned to the direction of the call as if it called to him.

"Luke?" Zeta asked.

Zeta turned his gaze back at the silhouette but when he looked back, the silhouette had disappeared. Zeta was confused but eventually shrugged it off. He proceeded to where the shout was heard from.

As he arrived, he found Rinu and Saku in position. There was a stand off with two others ahead of him.

"Guys! What happened?" Zeta asked as he arrived.

"These ruffians have Luke as hostage." Saku stated.

Zeta half expected this group to just be some desert ruffians. He didn't notice the two figures when he arrived but now that he's had a clear look, he was certain who they were.

"The mercenaries?! They're back?"

Rinu and Saku felt a beat skip. Rinu and Saku were only half-aware of who they were facing and expected them to only be petty ruffians trying to sneak into the tavern but now that Zeta confirmed it, the situation became dire as the two are now more dangerous than anticipated.

"These are the mercenaries?!" Saku couldn't hold back his surprise.

"This is bad." Rinu stated.

The Nidoking grinned upon seeing the despair in their faces.

"That's right. Any misstep and the Absol pays the price." The Nidoking has the Absol by the neck, who was half-conscious; his sharp claws are close to cutting the Absol with just one move.

Zeta gritted his teeth. The Nidoking is making this very hard for him to come up with a plan.

"What do you want?"

The Nidoking could see Zeta's defeat.

"I'll say this right now. You have quite a bounty on your head, dead or alive, and though it be easier to just kill you all right now, bringing you alive would warrant us a higher pay. Come with us and your friends will walk away unscathed."

"No way!" Saku yelled out.

"You can't do this, Zeta. There has to be away." Rinu insisted, but Zeta just stood there, his head hanging in shame. Even if he rebelled against them, he could barely survive against them. Despite the numbers, three to two, the odds are still in their favor.

Zeta detested the fact but… he is out of options. He must surrender or risk Luke's and everyone else's life. He stepped forward; no sign of hostilities; no struggle.

"Zeta!" Rinu yelled out, but the Rampardos is quick to react. Rinu laid silent. Saku grew restless.

"That's right." *In a few moments we'll have our pay. Like I cared less about his "friends". After his surrenders, I'm planning to bury them all in the sand.*

The Absol, half awake, could do nothing to stop this.

*No... Zeta... This can't... be... this is all... my fault... My Fault... not again... NOT NOW!!!*

Luke sprung awake; his eyes glowing; then a large thunderbolt fell down onto the Rampardos, knocking it out. Shortly after, a strong blizzard gusted past the area. Zeta stood his ground against the cold gust. Rinu and Saku did as well. The Nidoking felt the coldest of it and froze to the blizzard, releasing his grip on the Absol. Luke collapsed and the Blizzard ceased. 

Zeta rushed to Luke's safety, but as all seemed alright, the Nidoking moved persistently until he freed himself from the frozen state.

"N-No! You're not escaping us this time!"

As the Nidoking got ready to use Hammer Arm, Rinu interrupted with an Aqua Jet. Saku followed with a Flamethrower and finally knocking the Nidoking out cold.

They were both relieved.

"Don't ever do that, again." Saku cried out but Zeta was too focused on Luke's condition to notice.

"Is he alright?" Rinu asked, also concerned for Luke's condition.

"He's alright, just passed out." Zeta stated, "I didn't realize Luke had SO much power."

"Power, whatever. He's still in bad shape. We should send him to the paramedics first." Saku suggested. Zeta nodded in agreement and prepared to lift Luke.

"What about these two?" Rinu asked as he pointed at the two fainted mercenaries.

"We'll let the guild handle that. Please report it to them." Zeta suggested as he walked off.

---

It was already on the middle of the day and Zeta laid tired on his chair. Luke was rested on the floor, blankets and bandages all over. They rested in a white tent that served as the guild's medic station for the expedition. Zeta opened his eyes and believed what had happened was all just a dream, but the sight of Luke reassured him it was very real. The nurse had stated to him last night, "He'll be alright. He wasn't too injured but it seems what happened to him left him comatose. He will need a few days of rest."

Zeta pondered awhile about what happened to Luke. His sudden outburst. To think Luke held so much power. It wasn't like the Luke he remembered… years ago.

"Zeta, you in there?" A familiar voice called from behind the curtain. Who emerged was only Rinu.

"Yes, Rinu. You need something?" 

"No. I just came to visit. I heard he'll be out for a few days. I hope he's alright."

"He just needs rest. After that ordeal, he wont be expected to wake up anytime soon."

Zeta looked one more time at the resting Absol before leaving the tent. Rinu trailed behind.

Zeta observed the fields and he saw everyone busy. Guild members rushing to finish their task and locals tending to their fields. He caught a glimpse of the two mercenaries in chains and under guild custody. It gave him relief knowing he won't be bothered by them again.