Chapter 2
Exploring Circuit Cavern


I walk through the cavern, with Snivy leading the way. We come across lots of forks in the path, and walk by occasional groups of crystals.

"So Mudkip," Snivy says, "I was wondering something."

"My name's not Mudkip."

"Sure Mudkip. Anyway, how did you get into this dungeon? You seemed pretty confused when I found you. Did you lose your memory?"

"No, I remember everything; that's why I'm sure I'm a human. But now that you ask, I don't know how I got here... I remember waking up in this weird... vortex of colors? And I was falling into it, and my body started turning into light, and I fell unconscious. Then I just... woke up with you poking me."

"Mudkip, that's called a dream."

A dream? Well that would make sense, but it felt so real! And between the talking Snivy and the lightning crystals, I think I can believe in a vortex of colors. Actually, maybe this whole thing is just a really vivid dream. "Well whatever, it's not important. Anyway, what was that thing you said about humans not being real?"

Snivy sighs. "Look, I get it, you're obsessed with those storybooks and you want to be a human, but you need to realize that they're just stories. Explorers have traveled all across the world, if there were humans, they would've been found. They're just fiction! Just like the boogyman, or the Easter bunny, or medieval knights."

"But I- Wait, the Easter Bunny is fake?"

Snivy puts a hand on my shoulder and nods solemnly. "Yes."

"But... But my parents told me-"

"I know. I'm sorry." Snivy lets go and turns to continue walking. "Let's keep moving."

I can't believe my parents lied to me... More importantly, what if Snivy's right? Maybe I hit my head SUPER hard and made up a bunch of fake memories? Snivy even said that pokemon have explored the whole world; they couldn't possibly have not found humans! And humans have explored the whole world too, but talking pokemon and mystery dungeons? I've never heard about this! So many contradictions, it's like I'm on a different planet! "... Snivy, are we on Earth right now?"

"Earth? You mean like, the ground and dirt?"

"No, the planet. Is this planet called Earth?"

"Uh, no, I'm pretty sure the planet is called the planet. Honestly, between 'Earth' and 'Jamie' you sure seem to like giving extra names to things."

Well. On one hand, this answers most of the questions I had, and resolves pretty much all the contradictions. On the other hand, I'M ON A DIFFERENT PLANET?!?! HOW?! WHY?! WHY AM I A POKEMON?! This doesn't- I- how- who- I'm-

"Hey Mudkip, are you okay? I mean, you know, besides your usual weirdness? You look a little... distraught."

"I'm... fine. I'm fine. I just need to... walk." I'll deal with this mess later; right now, just get out of the cavern. Fortunately, I'm getting used to walking in this body that I somehow have while I'm ON A DIFFERENT- No, I'm fine, just walk. Walk and look at the scenery, look at the crystals and lights and- Oh wait actually what's that?

I walk over to the side of the tunnel, which breaks off into a fairly large pool of water. The thought of jumping in and swimming around crosses my mind, and the pool is certainly large enough. With all the electricity in this cave, that might be a bad idea, but for some reason I feel like it's safe. Still, I don't like swimming, and despite my strange intuition, I shouldn't be taking risks in a place this dangerou-

"CANNONBALL!!"

Snivy plunges into the water with a giant splash, totally soaking me. I wipe the water off of my eyes to see Snivy looking up at me with a grin.

"Why would you do that?!" I say.

"Because I like swimming? Duh? Why wouldn't I jump in?"

"We're in a cave with lightning crystals! Didn't you think the water might be electrocuted?!"

Snivy's usual expression of smug cheeriness disappears. "... Oh. I didn't... think of that. Well, the water's fine, and, uh, not electrified. Come on in!"

"Sheesh, you're so immature."

"Hah! That's a good one coming from the one who thinks they're a human!"

"Whatever. And I don't like swimming anyways."

"You... You're a water type."

"Well I used to be a human. I've only been a water type for about 15 minutes."

Snivy sighs. "Sure Mudkip."

"Stop calling me Mudkip! My name is Jamie."

"Of course it is Mudkip~" Snivy turns away and starts aimlessly swimming around, apparently deciding to take a break from wandering the dungeon.

Ignoring the annoying Snivy, I take a look at my surroundings and notice another group of big crystals. There's one of the yellow glowing ones that discharge electricity, and three clear ones, but an opaque orange one catches my eye. They're positioned in a rough sort of line, with the yellow and orange ones on the ends.

I approach the clear crystal next to the glowing one, getting that weird feeling again. The glowing one zaps the surrounding area when it's touched, but what about the clear ones? Cautiously, I reach out and touch it, and it starts shining with a gentle white glow. I take a few steps back, but nothing happens. I step towards the yellow crystal. Maybe...

I touch the yellow crystal and immediately step back. The glow intensifies as before, but instead of a wide discharge, it fires a bolt of lightning at the white crystal next to it! The electricity remains for a second, connecting the crystals, before disappearing, and the white crystal loses its glow.

"What was that?!" Snivy shouts from across the tunnel.

I turn to see them climbing out of the water. "I'm checking out the crystals."

"Wha- And you said I'M immature! Why are you messing with those dangerous things?"

Once again ignoring the annoying Snivy, I walk over to the orange crystal and give it a tap. Nothing happens. I walk down the line, touching all three clear crystals and making them glow.

Snivy watches, confused. "What are you..."

With a final tap to the yellow crystal, I step back to observe. After a moment, an electrical current instantly connects the five crystals, and the orange crystal starts glowing. As the electricity fades, the orange crystal's glow intensifies before it seemingly melts away, revealing a pile of... berries?

"Whoa, how'd you know that would happen?" Snivy asks.

"I didn't, I was just experimenting."

"Really? Well you figured it out pretty quick for aimless testing."

"Whatever, why were there berries in the crystal?"

"Didn't you hear me before? Mystery dungeons can create special berries that do cool stuff like heal you or boost your strength. C'mon Mudkip, I get that you're totally ignorant, but could you at least listen to my explanation the first time?"

I don't like Snivy. "Well I'm kinda dealing with a lot of new info right now, so I'm sorry if I can't perfectly remember every little detail you mention."

"Not my fault you have a bad memory. But anyway, nice find! Those'll be pretty useful if you wanna explore more dungeons, and if not, you can always sell them."

Suddenly, I feel something strange in my body, and I hear a mysterious growling noise! I'm scared for a second before I recognize the feeling of a grumbling tummy. Whether human or pokemon, I guess some things are universal. "Hey, do any of these berries make good food?"

Snivy giggles. "Well they'd certainly work, but it'd be a total waste to just use them for lunch! Let's stop for a snack break; I'm getting hungry too, and I've got enough food for both of us."

And so we snacked. After putting the berries away in a bag, Snivy and I sit at a small picnic blanket and eat. Our meal is just a few fruits, which I have some trouble eating due to this body's teeth being very small and dull. I can barely chew, and soon a large piece accidentally slips down my throat. I panic for a second, but I actually feel fine. Maybe Mudkip are supposed to swallow things whole?

Snivy has no such trouble eating, though they don't look like they're chewing their food much either. As I watch, I start to wonder... "Hey Snivy, what are you doing in this mystery dungeon?"

"Me? Well, I'm glad you asked! You see, it all started many months ago. All my life I had lived in a small village, with my parents and older siblings. It was a dull, ordinary life, but little did I know I was destined for something greater! One day, a team of mystery dungeon explorers stopped in my village to rest and gather information on nearby dungeons.

"While they were there, they shared thrilling stories of their many adventures, fighting powerful enemies and discovering amazing things! I listened intently to each and every one of their stories. I asked endless questions about the wondrous dungeons, my curiosity insatiable. Eventually, the day came when they set out on their next journey, and the stories came to a close. I begged them to stay, to keep telling me their stories forever, but they couldn't. I wanted to know more about mystery dungeons, so... so one of them..."

Snivy touches the pink scarf around their neck, suddenly calm. "One of them, a Sceptile, told me, 'If you want to know more about mystery dungeons, go out and make your own stories. Don't settle for mere tales, see the wonder and excitement out there for yourself, and don't let anyone hold you back.' They gave me this scarf, and then... left.

"SO! I pondered for days, weeks, months about what to do, if I really wanted to leave my home to wander an unknown world. Eventually, I chose to leave everything behind, and I set out on the ultimate quest: To find the Guardians' Gate, said to rest inside of a legendary mystery dungeon! And that, Mudkip, is why I am here; to seek adventure and to search for the Gate!"

By the time Snivy finishes their speech, I'm done with my food. "I didn't ask for your whole life's story."

"Too bad!" Snivy says, gulping down the last of their own food. "Now lets get moving, we've got a dungeon to explore!"




Thanks for reading! Comments, questions, and criticisms are encouraged and appreciated!