As Darren sat in the empty room engulfed in silence with his eyes closed, he thought back to a time before his parent's disappearance. They brought him on his first quest and got trapped in a cave after a cave-in caused the entrance to be blocked, so the trio had to camp out there. The minutes passed by the young scornbunny started to wonder if anyone would come for them, looking at his mother with a worried stare.
"M-Mom....." The scared child spoke, fear evident in his voice. "Is...is anyone gonna come for us.....I'm scared."
The cinderace, who was starting a fire, turned to the young mon with a smile. "Don't worry, honey, I'm sure someone will come for us, all we need is a little hope, and things will be ok."
Her voice was soft and soothing enough to put Darren at slight ease one question was still on his mind "But..... But what if no one is coming at all? Then what?"
"Well, we keep our hope alive." Replied his mother kneeling down to rub her child's head. "Even if things seem bleak, even if it seems like there's no way out, have hope it'll work out. The tiniest bit of hope can work wonders. Remember that."
Those words echoed in the raboot's head as he opened his eyes again, rising to his feet with a determined look on his face.
"Even if things seem bleak, even if it seems like there's no way out, have hope it'll work out. The tiniest bit of hope can work wonders. Remember that."
"That was the advice she gave me all those years ago... I can't forget them now, not here when there is a chance." Darren muttered to himself as he slowly walked over to the door. "I'll keep the hope alive just like you said. I'll find both of you, so we can be a family again!"
After what seemed like hours, the office door opened, and Darren stormed out in the direction he came from. His resolve renewed, and his heart set ablaze. It was clear he had found the strength to carry on.
"Darren! You came back!” Buttermilk had a look of pure joy as his boyfriend finally appeared after so long, almost tackling the raboot as he gave him a hug which made Darren giggle
“Calm down! You make it seem like I went somewhere far away hehe.” Darren replied, gently pushing the houndour off as Brynn walked over
“So, have you made a decision?” The glaceon asks, a worried look on her face
“Yes, I have. We’re going with you to help my parents.” Darren replied smiling as he faced Brynn
““We’re”?” Odin chimes in, tilting his head in confusion
“That’s right.” Darren looked left to right at his teammates and boyfriend before continuing. “If I’m doing this, I’m not going in without my best guild members or my best friends.”
This caused the houndour and two hybrid’s eyes to widen in surprise, a smiling Solblitz jumping up in the air.
“Darren, are you sure? This isn’t our fight.” A worried Ninjara asks, arms crossed
“Yes, it is,” Darren replies. “You three are as close to family as anyone else in this place. Not only that, who knows what sort of dangers could be lurking once we get there? I want the people I trust the most there with me when push comes to shove. I’m not just asking as a guildmaster; I’m asking as a friend”.
“I know I’m definitely going!” Solblitz suddenly exclaims, startling Ninjara. “We’ve been waiting for this chance for so long! No way I’m missing out!”
Buttermilk gets close to his boyfriend once again, nuzzling him slowly. “You already know I’m on board, hun. Can’t have my boyfriend dying, not if I have anything to say about it.”
Looking at both his friend and co-guildmaster, the dragonic frog shakes his head, smirking. “Then I guess I can’t say no, can’t have you lot getting into trouble with no one to bail you out.”
The glaceon smirks turning away from the group walking towards the exit. “Then it’s settled. Let’s hurry. We have to go somewhere and prepare as well as meet someone to can help us.”
“W-Wait, are you sure we should be taking everyone with us?” A worried Odin inquired to his partner
Brynn nods. “Darren has a point; it has been quite some time since our last visit who know what matter of enemy could be lying in wait to attack us. We need all the help we can get.”
The Dragonair sighs, chasing after Brynn. “I guess it can’t be helped. Come along now you four. Brynn is right; we have to gather some items and meet up with our contact.”
Darren looked at each of his friends with a resolute grin receiving one in turn from all three and running off to catch up with the pair ahead of them.