The tunnels under Tao’s law firm were as cold and silent as they ever were. It was only if one were to listen carefully, that the ghostly echoes of the tunnels last voices could be heard. Their whispers were unperceivable, and came only as a faint echo.

Through barren and deserted tunnels, a lone Riolu ventured forth. Leon sighed as he descended deeper into the Law Firm’s tunnels. Through the shrouded tunnel, he walked, casting a faint shadow before the dim caress of wall torches. His padded footsteps made scarcely a sound as he plodded along the cold and deserted corridors.

He was alone, and without the company of his fellow teammates. After the fallout caused by Sorbet; his teammates, Noir and Meri ,had since been occupied with the task of finding a new home to live in. He would meet with them later. Leon hoped that they would be able to deliver him good news.

Ahead of him, the tunnel rounded a bend. A bright yellow light shone from around its corner. Leon’s eyes narrowed as he scrutinised the unexpected source of light. To his surprise, a shadow emerged into the light. He watched as its distorted form slid across the illuminated stone. The gradual scuffle of dragged footsteps rang out throughout the deserted tunnel.

For a moment Leon felt pang of insecurity at the sight of shadow before him. Instinctively, he began to back away from the menacing sight. Soon, the scuffling footsteps grew louder, and the shadow ever more ominous. Leon took hold of his instincts, and stopped himself from backing away any further. His heart began to beat at a faster rate as it drew closer.

Before him, a familiar Zangoose stept forth. Leon managed a smile. It was a warm smile. The smile that he always gave and that everyone had come to love. “G-good morning Mr. Dmitri,” he greeted.

The adventurous Zangoose scuffled forth, and greeted him with a smile of his own. A large brown sack was slung over his shoulder. The sack appeared heavy, and seemed to be placing a great burden on Dmitri. Leon could see the exhaustion within the Zangoose’s purple tinted eyes.

“O-oh, Sir. Erm…please let me help you with that.” With swift grace Leon sprang forward to Dmitri. With swift footsteps he made his way over.

Dmitri quickly stopped and raised a clawed hand to signal Leon to stop. “No, no. It’s fine, Leon. No need to worry.” With a grunt he leaned to his left and let the burdening sack slide from his shoulder and onto the floor. He expelled an exhausted sigh as relief came over him.

Leon spared a worried look for Dmitri. He tilted his head to the right with much curiosity and concern. “Are you okay, Sir?”

“Of course. It is no problem, Leon.” Dmitri stood at his full height and fixed his shawl, ensuring it would sit properly around his neck. “The seeds,” he explained. “I was taking them up to the Law Firm. Teams would be able to get to them easier.”

Leon remained silent as he gave an affirming nod. His eyes remained locked on the bag as his thoughts turned to the thousands upon thousands of seeds that it contained. It took a moment for Dmitri to notice what was occupying Leon’s attention. “Ah, yes. I’ll just give you yours now.”

Dmitri hunched down to the large sack and began to fumble with the drawstring that kept the sack drawn shut. His clumsy and unadapted claws struggled with the string. Eventually his attempts became futile. He turned to Leon and chuckled, doing his best to find humour in his lack of his inability. “Leon, would you…help me with this?”

Brushing aside Dmitri’s paw’s, Leon was quick to loosen the drawstring and open the sack’s contents. To his surprise, Leon’s eyes were met by the sight of dozens upon dozens of smaller sacks rather than the millions of seeds that he expected to find. They each appeared to resemble disused money pouches. The sort usually carried by adventurers.

“Take one,” offered Dmitri. “There should be plenty for the rest of the guild in here.”

With an avid sense of curiosity, Leon placed no thought into making his selection. Withdrawing a pouch from the sack, he held it within his soft paws. He remained silent as his curious ruby eyes studied the sack. The temptation to open it and reveal contents tugged at him.

“Ah!” snapped Dmitri suddenly. The sudden burst of his voice echoed around the empty tunnels. Leon flinched as the sudden outburst assailed his ears. He fumbled with the pouch in his hand, and came close to dropping it. “I forgot to grab the shovels.”

“C-can’t you just make two trips, Sir?”

“Well, I guess that I--”Dmitri’s words fell dead in his mouth as a distant roar echoed through the tunnels. Leon felt the blood turn cold in his veins as a shudder rolled down his spine. “T-the Heatrain!” The Zangoose’s eyes winded with horror as he recognised the threat. He shot an angered glance over at Leon. “Didn’t we deal with him?”

After the close call with Meri, Leon had no desire to stick around these tunnels any longer than he had to. “T-that’s what I thought, too!” He threw a glance in the direction of the exit. “Sir, we better get out of here!”

“Smart choice, Leon” agreed, Dmitri. “Forget the shovels!” With haste Dmitri managed to seal his sack’s drawstring without trouble and throw it onto his shoulder. “Go!”

With a burdened, Dmitri lumbering behind him, Leon spirited forward towards the exit. With the care of a parent, he gently cradled his small sack of seeds in his paws. He gazed down at them for a moment and wondered where he should plant them. It didn’t take long for him to decide.

Despite the urgency of the moment and the panic that had gripped him, he smiled. He thought of a place where he could plant this tree. A place where it would stand as a monument of his dearest memories. Memories that he shared with a loving and caring Totodile.

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Written by Team Spartan/The Masked E6 Pt 1 ''Take one'' The tunnels under Tao's law firm were as cold and silent as they ever were.  It was only if one were to listen carefully, that the ghostly echoes of the tunnels last voices could be heard. Their whispers were unperceivable, and came only as a faint echo.

Through barren and deserted tunnels, a lone Riolu ventured forth. Leon sighed as he descended deeper into the Law Firm's tunnels. Through the shrouded tunnel, he walked, casting a faint shadow before the dim caress of wall torches. His padded footsteps made scarcely a sound as he plodded along the cold and deserted corridors.

He was alone, and without the company of his fellow teammates. Af
Art by me