I know it's been a while, but I've been sick lately. And well, I had my Birthday too. I didn't have that much time at all to work on a picture this time. i planned on something a bit more, but this works just fine for this particular chapter.

In case you didn't know this is the third chapter of the story Raider's Steel continuing from where this ( http://www.furaffinity.net/view/13774169 ) left off.

And just in case people had forgotten in the last two weeks here's a recap.

Tony and Damian were exploring in the old castle when they were attacked by the Wild Honedge Torune. While being possessed by Torune, Tony attacked his friend and Pokémon. Tony then sacrificed himself in order to protect his friend. The next thing that Tony knew he hatched from an egg as a Riolu. He quickly found out that the Damian waiting for him was really an Illusion being created by Dimitree the Zorua. Tony tried to escape but was caught by the Zoura's mother. Thinking that Tony was nothing more than a newborn, the Zoroark stuffed a bottle in his mouth. Without being able to figure out anything else about the new world that he was born into, Tony fell back into a deep sleep.

Sadly, however, it doesn't appear that Tony came into this world completely alone. In the nearby shop, one of the living merchandises is wanting the owners to… Return him…

---

Ch. 3 Curiosity

The next thing that Tony knew, it was well into the afternoon. He was left alone in that strange underground room. He had been sleeping on a surprisingly comfortable bed of leaves. And (most importantly), he was still a Riolu. It had to be a trick, but there was no sense worrying about it now. He looked to his right to find that a bottle was waiting for him. He didn't feel as hungry as before, but he figured he should fill up anyway. He didn't want to suck on it like a baby, but there's only so much you can do without thumbs.

Afterwords, Tony decided to explore for a bit. Even if this was all just a dream, he had been stuck in place for way too long. The room had a window to help let light into the room, but it was far too high for him to reach on his own. He couldn’t escape that way. After inspecting the door, it was clear that it had no locks on it to keep him in. So he could try to escape through it. Tony slowly peaked outside the front entrance way. No one on the left. Nothing on the right. As silently as possible, Tony chose to go left. Something about it just felt… right.

The walls of the house appeared to be dug right out of a tree side. The light sources for the halls themselves equally came from small flower like bulbs that protruded from the ceiling. Which was weird as Tony figured that his Dark-Type captors should have been nocturnal creatures. Still, Tony became slightly more cautious as he began to hear voices talking up ahead. One of them he recognized was Mama, but the others were new.

Tony kept close to the walls as he neared the room where he figured the voices to have been coming from. He knew he should have just turned around then and there, but something was drawing him in. He didn't want to go back the other way and that's all it was. He took a peak in the room and could see several Pokémon, including Mama.

There was one Electabuzz standing with his arms crossed as if he were deep in thought about something. He had a scar running up his left eye, but his eyes themselves didn't appear to be damaged at all. Next to him was a small Pokémon that Tony had never seen before. It looked like some kind of white fairy that carried an orange flower. Next were a pair of Kecleon that seemed almost connected by the hip. One of them was colored with the standard red zigzag while the other’s was blue. The last, but certainly not least was a happy looking Grumpig with huge glasses resting on his snout.

Tony quickly noted that the lot of them (excluding Mama and the Kecleon) were wearing some kind of badges on their persons. They were talking about something, but Tony's ears couldn't quite pick it up. No, it wasn't that he couldn't hear anything. He could hear everything, but every sound was jumbled together. It was nearly impossible to hear anything clearly. Even his own breathing was getting louder than it should have been. Wait, that's not his bre-

"Whatcha do'n?"

Tony nearly had a heart attack at the fact that someone had managed to sneak up behind him. More over, that this someone looked an awful lot like another Riolu. Well, exactly like one if it's voice and tail didn't belong to a certain Zorua.

"Dimitree?"

"That's me," the Riolu snickered to himself, "how'd you guess?"

"Why are you disguised as… is that me?"

"Yeah," Dimitree smiled back at the original, "I was going to take your place for a while."

"Why would…," Tony shook his head, but then remembered the other room, "You know what? It doesn't matter. Now shush!"

"You know, Mama didn't believe that you could talk," Dimitree leaned over Tony's shoulder.

"Go away…," Tony growled, trying to listen in on what the adult Pokémon were talking about in the other room, “I want to hear what they’re saying”

"It's just a bunch of boring stuff," Dimitree whined, "It always is with the Kecleon brothers around."

"You know them?"

"Kind of," Dimitree (or at least his Riolu image) leaned back and frowned, "They're merchants who speak a bunch of really long sentences that make my head hurt."

"And what about the one's with the badges?"

"Badges," the fake Riolu's ears perked up, "Round one's with wings on them?"

"I guess so. Why?"

Dimitree popped out of his disguise and scurried to take a peak for himself. Tony had to hold him back before the kit blew his cover. Once Dimitree got a good long look he fangasimed, "Oh Arceus… it's an Explorer Team…!"

"A what?"

"You don't know about them," Dimitree tried to stay quiet as he squeaked back at the new baby.

"Well… no."

"They're a group of Pokémon who specialize in Explorations of the Mystery Dungeons."

"The Mystery what?"

Dimitree snickered for a moment, "so there is stuff you don't know."

"Oh shut up," Tony felt flushed for some reason, "can you hear what they're saying?"

"Sure," Dimitree leaned in a bit closer as his ears twitched, "can't you?"

"Well, no," Tony admitted, "not clearly anyway, but… I don't know. It just feels important."

"Really…," Dimitree grinned at Tony, "you want me to tell you?"

Tony was taken aback by the grinning Zorua. It told him that Dimitree wanted something in return. "What do you want?"

"I want…," Dimitree paused for a moment, it was almost as if he saw an opportunity, but didn't know what to do with it. Then he thought of what he desired, "I want you to tell me about humans."

"Humans?"

"You know what they are, right?"

"Of course I do," Tony nodded, "I’m a human."

"I thought you were a Riolu."

Tony nearly fell over, "No, I'm human. I may not look it right now, but I am."

"Oh, so it's like an illusion."

"Actually…," Tony paused to think about his situation. He was supposed to be human, but something told him that he really was a Riolu now. He had no idea how or why he was a Riolu. It was no illusion. He had to ask the question that was on his mind, "you mean, you didn't cause me to be like this?"

"No, you hatched from an egg I found while I was lost in Pilot Forest."

"An egg," Tony thought about it, "well, that does explain where I was, but how did-"

"Ah Dimitree," Mama appeared in the doorway, "it's just you and the baby."

Tony immediately clammed up. The Zoroark was still a monster in his eyes as she towered over him. This didn't stop the Zorua from speaking up.

"Did you see Mama? DId you," Dimitree announced to her, "he can talk!"

"Or you’re getting more skilled with your Illusions and your imagination is getting away with you," Mama pointed out.

"Aye, Mellon my dear," the Electabuzz called from inside, "is that your little bundle of joy, Dimitree?"

"Yes, Liteyeer," Mama stated as she scooped Dimitree up in her arms again, she then took Tony by his paw and gently led him in as well, "and this is his brand new baby brother."

"He seems more skilled than Dimitree if he's able to hold up a perfect illusion like that," the Grumpig snorted. Tony felt uncomfortable about the way the psychic pig was eyeing him.

"No Illusion with this one, Pobon," Mama smiled, "He's a real Riolu."

"No, he isn't," Dimitree tried to argue, but Mama wouldn't hear any of it.

"Of course not dear," she nuzzled her child, smiling as if she knew, "he's one of us now."

Dimitree stayed quiet, which really surprised Tony. He figured that the little fox would put of more of a fight about it. In turn, Tony decided to put up a better act as a babe. You know. Suck at his thumb and look cute. It would have worked better if he had any thumbs, but putting his hand to his mouth was more than enough for the oblivious adult Pokémon.

"Awe, what are you going to call him," the flying flower holder zipped closer to Tony. This resulted in him hiding behind Mama's leg. Not as an act, that thing really scared him. Even her voice gave him the willies, being all full of sweet sugary cheer.

"I'm not sure yet," Mama stated, "If he were a Zorua, then he'd be easy to name."

"Don't be so overbearing Zephyr," Liteyeer chuckled at his little friend she zipped her way back over his shoulder and just hovered there again.

"Awe, but it's not everyday I get to see a baby," Zephyr giggled oh so sweetly.

The Electabuzz moved a finger to pat his comrade on the head, "business first sweetheart."

"Yes please," the pair of Kecleon stated and nodded together. Mama placed Dimitree down next to Tony (after he decided to come out of hiding), while she and the rest of the adults moved to the table. It was too high for Tony to see what they were looking at. His curiosity was getting the better of him, but at least now he could hear what they were saying.

"Well, at first glance it appears to be completely lifeless," Pobon's foot bounced as he spoke, "every time I scan it's mind, all I find is an empty void."

"We're telling you it was awake and alive," the blue Kecleon shouted.

"Well, it's dead now," Pobon shrugged.

"That's what we thought too the first time," the red Kecleon pointed out.

"Then it gone and woke up again," the blue Kecleon followed.

"And kept shouting about how it had to return," the pair stated together.

"Return where I wonder," Pobon thought out loud, "there was no sheath when your youngling found it, was there Mellon?"

"No, there wasn't," Mama stated. Tony laughed as apparently "Mellon" was her actual name.

"What's so funny," Dimitree growled.

"Sorry," Tony apologized as explaining would only get him yelled at by the fox. He decided to try to climb Mama's leg. It would be the best way for him to see what was atop of the high table as quickly as possible. Of course, she picked up on the gesture right away.

"Hey," Dimitree shouted as Tony was lifted up into the air by Mama.

"Now Dimitree," Mama bent down before Tony had a chance to see anything, and continued to obstruct his view, "You're the one that wanted a little brother, remember?"

"I know, it's just not fair!"

"Alright fine," Mama caved, honestly not wanting to argue in front of the others. She let Dimitree climb up her other arm and rose back up. Dimitree smirked at Tony as if he had won some unspoken contest. Tony rolled his eyes before turning his head to the table top. And gasp.

There, on the table, sat the very blade that had taken his life. Time seemed to have stopped entirely for Tony. Why was it here? How can it still be alive? Heck, why was he still alive wasn't clearly answered yet. Tony was sure of one thing, this sword was what was calling him in. Whatever the other Pokémon were talking about didn't matter anymore. And yet, Tony couldn't move as he was staring into the crystal eye. Then it twitched.

Time restarted itself as everyone shouted from the shock of seeing the blade come to life so suddenly. Tony could swear that it was looking directly at him, but something was off. Before Tony could see the ill intentions of Sir Torune. Now though… it was sad. Sad about something. Sad as if it was lonely.

"No, don't touch it," Mama pulled Tony back into reality. Tony blinked, reflexively retracting his limbs into the fetal position. He didn’t even realize that he had reached out his paw to the eye.

The sword tried to lift itself up, but only managed to shake itself a couple centimeters closer. Still, the cloth raised ever so slightly. It's pupil moved back to the center and… what could be best described as closed. At the last moment, it dropped it’s arm, "…please…"

That voice was familiar to Tony. He couldn't remember where he heard it before, but one thing was certain. It did not belong to Torune.

"Do you think that…," Mama thought about her next few words, "he's mad that we disturbed his resting place?"

"Honedge don't hold grudges on Pokémon for disturbing their graves," Pobon stated as-matter-a-factly, "even if he did, he would have no reason to go after you, Mellon."

"What about…" Mama's eyes rolled down onto her newborn Riolu, he wasn't paying attention to her, "taking their treasure?"

"I'd say it depends on the treasure," the red Kecleon stated.

“Makes sense to me,” the blue nodded, "so what didja take?"

Mama didn't answer as she continued to look at her new child. Tony looked as if he was about to cry. He didn't know why, only that he was. While the other Pokémon got the message loud and clear, Dimitree still wondered why everyone was quiet.

"What treasure Mama?"

This innocent act was enough to lighten the mood of the room. Liteyeer was the first to let out a laugh about it. Zephyr was the next to start, but more so because the Electabuzz's laugh was entirely out of character for him. Pobon and the Kecleon uneasily followed suit.

"That really can't be it," Pobon reached out for the sword's handle and Tony snapped to life.

"No," Tony pushed off of Mama and leaped for the Grumpig's arm. He barely missed, but still prevented the Pokémon from touching the blade. Tony huffed from the exertion of reacting so quickly. Now he felt so weak. He turned his head to see that the tip of his foot had landed on the cloth. He turned his head back around, too weak to do much else before blacking out, "crap…"

---

Once the Riolu was asleep, the Honedge awoke. This time he felt stronger than before. He looked directly at the Riolu again. He slowly looked back up at the ceiling, there wasn't much more he could do. Pobon quickly placed a hand on the Riolu's head.

"What happened," Mellon asked, about to reach for the baby herself.

"Don't," Liteyeer warned the new mother. He knew what Pobon looked like when he was concerned, this was not one of those times.

"Don't worry, he's fine," Pobon stated, rubbing the Riolu's soft newborn fur, "he's just asleep."

"…thank… you…," the Honedge spoke up, the adults could feel him smiling to himself.

"… I guess that can be it," Pobon thought about it a bit. He probed a bit deeper into the Riolu's mind, just out of habit really. Still, it was more than enough for the Psychic to see that the baby's mind was not right.

"Something wrong," Liteyeer's eyes narrowed.

The ghost sword's eye turned once more, this time to the Grumpig, "You can see it… can't you?"

"See what," the Floette asked the sword, but it couldn't answer as it's power was fading again, "What is he talking about Pobon?"

"They're connected," Pobon stated as he placed another hand on the eye of the blade, "I don't know how it happened, but their souls just connected. They seem to be… sharing their life-force with each other."

"Can you make that thing stop it," Mellon held her own child tightly.

"I don't want him to die," Dimitree cried.

"That's not what I'm concerned about," Pobon looked between the two Pokémon, "they're actually stabilizing each other. Working together like a Bulbasaur and it's bud."

"…yes," the Honedge grew back to consciousness, "…now we are one… Myrin…"

"Who's Myrin?"

"It's not you," the Honedge appeared confused at best, "…I don't… remember…"

"Does… this half," Pobon asked, "does he know?"

"…No… not half…," the Honedge stated, "…he is… more than me… always more… than me…"

"Damian…," the Riolu mumbled in his sleep, everyone thought it was nonsense until he spoke again, "…I'm sorry."

The adults slowly traded glances about this. None of them could make out what was going on. The Grumpig looked to the merchants who turned to Liteyeer, who glanced up at Zephyr, who then turned her head to Mellon. As all eyes were about to fall onto the two in the center of it all, Dimitree spoke up.

"I told you he could talk!"

"I'm sorry that I didn't believe you," Mellon licked his head.

"I guess the only question now is," Liteyeer sighed, "what should we do about this?"

"Let me…," the Honedge's arm wrapped itself around the Riolu and pulled him closer, "I must… protect my… my…"

The Honedge's eye faded away once more. This time it seemed to be the last time. The arm fell limp still wrapped around the newborn. The Riolu subconsciously pulled the cloth up like covers to a bed. He bear hugged the sword’s hilt as his dreams started to take off.

---

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All characters presented belong to either me  TrickyChimera or  Cobalt_Raccoon.

and last but not least: Pokémon © 2002-2014 Pokémon. © 1995-2014 Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc. TM, ® and Pokémon character names are trademarks of Nintendo.