On the second floor, Dartrix, Brionne, Pikachu, and Dewott opened the passage door and felt relieved after finding time to escape from the master. Brionne crawled out first, and then the others followed suit.

Brionne: How did we get from down in the basement to all the way up here?!

Dartrix: The master had it done long ago. He said if he ever felt too lazy to take the stairs, he would take the passageway, but we barely see him use it, so now we kinda use it to hide from him. Right, guys?!

Pikachu groaned and popped his head out from the passage with Dewott right below him.

Pikachu: Quit screaming in my ear, you idiot!

Dewott: And here I thought I was the loud one, but operation rescue missy was a huge success!

Pikachu: That wasn't the name we called it.

Dartrix: Ahem! We took way too long down there. Now the master's probably looking for us, so we've got to be quick about this. Follow me all of you!

Dartrix led the way, and Brionne just stared at Pikachu and Dewott in confusion before following along behind them, and they began walking, which seemed to be a long hallway. Pikachu and Dewott were poking each other.

Dartrix: Quit it, you two!

Dewott: He started it?

Dartrix: I don't care! Besides, It's bad mannered considering we're taking care of a guest!

Pikachu: Again. Who made you captain of this crew?

Dewott: Duh! He assigned himself. Are you that stupid?

Pikachu: No, and I'm glad that I'm not. Unlike someone I know.

Dewott: *groans*

Dartrix: I said quit it!

Brionne: *laughs nervously* You know, you really don't have to do this. I'm merely a girl who wandered around looking for shelter, but-

Dartrix: Nonsense! You're our guest! Plus, it kind of acts as us doing the apology on the master's behalf since he wouldn't have the heart to do it.

Brionne: I see...

Dartrix: But whilst we're on the topic. Allow us to introduce ourselves properly. I'm Dartrix. The one on the watchtower pretty much twenty-four seven. The one who keeps the other servants in line and technically assistant to the master-

Pikachu: Okay, okay! There's no need to go overboard. I'm Pikachu, and he's-

Dewott: Dewott! HA! BEAT YOU!

Brionne: I see you two must be very good friends?

Pikachu and Dewott: *angry* FRIENDS?! No way!

Brionne couldn't help but giggle at their little banter. Their sibling like relationship sure was something.

Dartrix: Oh yes, they're very good friends. They just don't want to admit it.

Pikachu and Dewott kept on sticking their tongues out and scoffing each other off.

Dartrix: But it's not like they can help it. I hope you're not threatened by what the master did to you, miss. We know your intention wasn't to steal, but he is what he is.

Brionne: N-No, I don't feel threatened at all! Haha... *mumbles* I'm scared.

Dartrix: In real estate, we just wanted to save you. No thanks is necessary.

Brionne: Heh. Yeah, sure. Uh, quick question. Where exactly are we going?

Dartrix: Why, to your new bedroom, of course!

Brionne: Huh? My bedroom?

Meanwhile, the master wandered around the castle, trying to find them, but he didn't have any luck.

Torracat: *groans* I don't believe this! I told them she wasn't going anywhere, and what do they do? They let her loose! They should be getting my dinner ready!

Storming down an everso distant hall, his ears twitched as a sound of laughter began to echo through the walls.

Torracat: *angry* What are they up to?

In a room just around the corner, Brionne was astonished by the vastness of her new living space. She could still see the snow falling from her window. More importantly, it was warm and toasty. It was enough for her to stay a little longer.

Brionne: Wow! This place is amazing! I feel like a princess!

Dewott: Oh, trust me, miss. You'll feel like one soon.

Pikachu nudged his shoulder, indicating to him that he needed to shut up.

Dewott: Ow! What?

Dartrix: It's really all we could do for you. Besides, a missy wandering so far from home must be tired and kept hospitable! I always seek to treat the ladies well. Don't I, Pikachu?

Pikachu: *cough* Yeah, sure.

Brionne: Well, I appreciate it a lot. Thank you. Is the master okay with this?

The three of them began to talk over themselves, telling her three different answers. Some yes, some no, but eventually they arrived to the same conclusion.

Dartrix: Of course he's fine with it. You're our guest, not a prisoner?

Pikachu: *mumbles* From the way he treated her back there, I don't think so.

Dartrix: ANYWAY! I hope you enjoy your room.

Brionne: I will, thank you! I think I'm gonna like it here.

Dartrix, Dewott and Pikachu quietly cheered for joy and Brionne kept looking around the room with her eyes looking back at the window.

Brionne: (Although I do hope they aren't worrying about me too much. It's not like I can send a letter.)

Suddenly, a pillow was thrown at her stomach and she became startled at who threw it.

Brionne: Huh? Who-

Dartrix: Dewott! That was uncalled for!

Pikachu: Yeah! What if she doesn't like pillow fights?

Brionne threw the pillow back at Pikachu's face and picked another one up from off her window seat.

Brionne: *smirk* Does that answer your question?

Dartrix, Dewott and Pikachu looked at each other and they each grabbed a pillow, joining in on the pillow fight. As dark as the hall was, the beam of light from Brionne's bedroom was shining on the red carpet.

Hearing the ton of laughs was enough to indicate that they were in there fooling about. Whilst Torracat had no idea what was happening, he wasn't particularly in the mood to be laughing. With a slight grunt in his voice, he approached the bedroom door, and barged in with a loud slam.

He was shocked to see there were pillows everywhere and his servants messing around. Especially Dartrix. But he was even more infuriated at them for setting Brionne free.

Torracat: *angry* TRAITORS!

After hearing the master's wrath, the pillow fight had come to an end and they all looked at him, feeling terrified. The fun had left.

Pikachu: Uh, hey, m-master. We uh...

Dewott: It was all Pikachu's fault!

Pikachu: No, it wasn't! It was all Dartrix' fault that we bailed the girl out in the first place!

Dartrix: Because it was a good idea!

Torracat: *angry* I don't care who started it! All I know is that you three clearly cannot follow orders! Now you're all in here playing childish games with- wait a minute...

He casted his eyes around the room and looked at the girl again, who was hiding behind the sofa.

Torracat: *angry* DID YOU GIVE HER A ROOM?!

Pikachu: Oh boy...

Dewott: Uh. N-Now master! We can explain everything!

Torracat: *angry* No, I don't want to hear it! All of you out!

Dartrix: But master!

Torracat: *angry* I SAID OUT!

Dartrix, Pikachu and Dewott walked out of the bedroom in silence and Dartrix just whistled. The master then glanced at Brionne who was still peeking behind the sofa.

Torracat: Well? Are you coming out or not?

Brionne: Me?

Torracat: Yeah, come on. You too! You're going back to the dungeons where I put you earlier! You're no guest of mine. So, hurry up!

Brionne: Well that's kind of rude? Look, I know what I did was wrong, but don't put the blame on your servants! They were just trying to help me because they felt sorry for me, having to stay in that cell for goodness knows how long!

Torracat: And I specifically told them not to! Like I said, you're no guest! You're my prisoner! Simple as that!

Brionne: Alright. What would you do if you were in my shoes and I was the one holding you captive?

Torracat: Easy! I'd ask my servants to bail me out cause there is no way I'd stay in prison!

Brionne: And I'm sure you would want me to give you the respect that you deserve and give you the validation to... I don't know. Return home?

Torracat: Obviously?

Brionne: Good! Cause honestly, going home sounds really good right about now. So, if you just give me the green light to say bomboyage, then I'd really appreciate that.

Torracat: Yeah, I'd give you the green light, so you can go home and- W-Wait just a minute! You're playing games with me!

Brionne: *sigh* You noticed.

Torracat: *angry* My decision is final! You're going back to your cell where you belong!

Brionne: *angry* Okay, you want me to say that I'm sorry? Is that what you want?! Fine then! I'm sorry!

Torracat: Far too late for that!

Brionne: *sigh* I'm sorry for taking the rose from your table, but all I wanted to do was find a flower, so I can apologise to my father for being so incredibly stupid, but now I can't even do that because some ill-tempered pompous can't seem to let go of the fact that I was trying to do something nice for somebody I care about!
If you let me go, I promise I won't come back! Ever!

The servants who were still listening to the not so friendly conversation, were growing worried that if Brionne left, the hope for breaking the curse would leave also.

Dewott: *mumbles* No! We can't let her leave like this! We've got to stop her!

Pikachu: I told you that plan of yours would cease to function properly!

Dartrix: Both of you quiet! Just give it a moment.

Brionne: Please! You've got to believe me!

Torracat who just stood there at the door, looked at Brionne who was pleading to go home and then took a glance at his servants who were whispering among themselves, but stopped as soon as they realised the master was looking at them.

Brionne: Please...

Torracat: *sigh* Alright, fine. I won't take you to the dungeons.

Brionne: *gasp* Thank you, thank you! This is great! I promise I won't set foot in this castle ever again!

Torracat: Woah, woah, woah! I said I wouldn't be taking you to the dungeons! I never said anything about you leaving?

Brionne: Ah, sorry. I didn't let you finish. So, can I go?

Torracat: No!

Brionne: Well, why not?

Torracat: Just because! Now listen to me as I say this! Instead, I'm going to offer you a deal! As it looks like you'll be staying here for the rest of your life.

Brionne: F-F-Forever?!

Torracat: Yes! Forever!

Brionne: Oh no, buddy! I'm not sticking around. I've got places to go and a family that's worried about me! My father is running the family business, and he needs help! I can't neglect them like this?!

Torracat: *angry* Well, I'm extremely sorry about that, but you don't have a choice!

Brionne deflated like a balloon after hearing that she wouldn't be able to return home. Now, she had to put up with his bad temper.

Torracat: *sigh* You are going to remain here, and that's that! So, here's the offer I'm giving you. If you promise you'll behave yourself and not get too nosy in any of my affairs, then I'll let you stay in this room.

Brionne: Well if you say-

Torracat: *angry* However, I'm gonna start you off with a warning! If either you set on leaving this castle under any circumstance or consider it, just know that I won't hesitate to take drastic measures! So, stay out of trouble and promise that you will stay in this castle forever! Clear?

Glaring at her, Brionne felt paralysed and didn't feel the urge to move even an inch, but his countenance felt somewhat... familiar to her. She couldn't quite understand why.

Brionne: Y-Yeah, sure. Seems clear enough.

Torracat: Right. The girl is in your care. Happy now?

Dewott: Very much so, master!

Torracat: Now if there are no more problems, I'm going to dinner! And clean this place up while you're at it!

Dartrix: We'll be right there, master! The girls should already be there now!

Dewott: We're so grateful!

Torracat: Yeah, yeah. Sheesh.

They all watched as Torracat stormed down the hall, mumbling under his breath. Dartrix just sighed.

Dartrix: We're terribly sorry for his behaviour, miss. He's always like that. Such an unwelcoming sense of hospitality.

Dewott: Psh. Well, at least my plan partially worked?

Dartrix: Yeah. Partially!

Pikachu: Why do I have a bad feeling about all of this?

Dartrix: You're so pessimistic, Pikachu.

Brionne: Plan? What plan?

Dartrix: Ah! T-The plan to welcome you, of course! You know, being our guest and all that. Haha.

Brionne: I see. Well, thanks for everything, I guess. This room is lovely! Uh, hey. Am I really going to be stuck here forever? Will I... see my family again? Or is your master just trying to scare me?

Dartrix: Uh, well I- that's...

Pikachu: It's a really complicated question for us to answer, lady. I'm not sure if you ever will. Like he said. This could very well be your permanent stay.

Dewott: Yeah! You may never ever see your family again!

Brionne: *mumbles* Oh no...

Dewott: Ah! B-But don't panic! I'm sure you'll grow to like it here? I mean, you've got a nice comfortable room? At least you're not trapped in the dungeons anymore?

Dartrix: *whispers* That's not helping the situation in the slightest!

As Brionne stood there, she took one step back and clenched her fists together, trying to hold back her tears. However, Dartrix could see that she needed time to herself, so he shoved Dewott behind him, giving their queue to leave.

Dartrix: Uh, anyway! I hope you enjoy your stay and uh, please. Ring the bell over there if you need anything, one of us will come running. Have a good night!

Dewott: Oh yeah! And if you want another pillow war, call me!

Dartrix closed the door before Dewott could almost finish his sentence. Now everything was silent, and all Brionne could hear was the wind howling against the glass window.
It's not like she could leave the castle either. She didn't know where she was, and the kingdom was nowhere in sight.

Walking towards the window and climbing up onto her little window seat, she pressed her cold fingers against the glass, and she found herself engulfed in her sorrow that she would never see her family again. All she could do was sob to herself.

Back at the very wall of Berron, the guild Hall looked like they were having a party or some kind of merriment. However, as everyone was enjoying themselves, Blastoise was sitting in the corner on his armchair, not feeling up to joining in on the fun. His old friend, Lycanroc, took notice of his behaviour and approached him to see if everything was alright.

Lycanroc: Hey, Blastoise! My man! My good friend!

Blastoise said nothing but grunted to himself.

Lycanroc: So, uh, you want to throw darts?

Again, he said nothing but stared at the wall with his trophies shimmering in gold. Lycanroc went around his chair to see his face.

Lycanroc: You're not going to tell me what happened between you two?

Out of frustration for being reminded of his humiliation, he pushed him away, turning his chair around so he couldn't see him anymore.

Lycanroc: So, I take it that you don't want to talk about it?

Lucario, who was at the counter, cleaning some glass cups, just looked over.

Lucario: Just leave him. It's tough luck he didn't get the girl, but it's not like we didn't expect it.

Magmortar: Yeah! That girl was too good for him anyway.

A dart was thrown at him and shot into some glass, and it shattered into pieces.

Lucario: You gonna pay for that?

Blastoise: Shut up!

Lycanroc just sighed and listened to him ramble on about his misfortune.

Blastoise: Ridiculous. All my plans, all that future, all that Brionne, gone! I feel humiliated.

Lycanroc: Now come on, Blastoise! You've got to pull yourself together! That girl merely made a mistake. You're the best of the best! She just can't see it yet.

Blastoise: Whatever. Leave me be.

Lycanroc immediately turned his armchair around so he was facing him.

Blastoise: *angry* I thought I told you to leave me alone?!

Lycanroc: You need to take your mind off it all. Come on. Join in the merriment!

Blastoise: Okay. How about you join in the merriment in my stead?!

He picked him up by the collar and threw him across the hall, zooming straight towards the table and crashing into the game. Everyone began to laugh.

Magmortar: Haha! Now that was a fine toss!

Lucario: I'll say.

Getting up from off the table, he glided on over to Blastoise again.

Blastoise: How was that for entertainment?

Lycanroc: See? You don't need Brionne? Besides! Would you rather pick a girl up from a farmhouse, or would rather pick a girl right here?

Lopunny, Gardevoir, and Tsareena just giggled with one of them falling off their stools, stricken with love for him.

Lycanroc: Could you imagine what would happen if word got around? Blastoise the husband of some... farm lass? Everyone would laugh at you!

Blastoise: That was the thing! I was trying to get her to move away from the farm! I was trying to save both mine and her reputation!

Lycanroc: Woah, really? So, you don't really like her then?

Blastoise: Oh no, I like her. She's everything I ever wanted. It's just that she doesn't understand what Berron has to offer!Everyone knows that a job says a lot about you, and submitting to what's more important gets you at least somewhere! And she's made the biggest mistake of her life by saying no to me! Nobody says no to me! Nobody!

Soon, the whole guild Hall became quiet as everyone listened to what he had to say.

Blastoise: None of that hard labour stuff, waking up at the crack of dawn. It's unreal!

Lycanroc: What was your plan, then?

Blastoise stood up from his armchair and took Lycanroc by the collar.

Blastoise: Isn't it obvious?! I wanted to marry Brionne for my future, but knowing how hesitant she would be, I simply used her dreams of being free to get her to agree and once I had her father's permission, she'd finally have the guts to move away from the farm and not ever had to worry about that crazy fool.

Lycanroc: Uh.

The whole guild went silent as a mouse after hearing what Blastoise had said, and they all looked at him in shock at first, but it wasn't until he burst out laughing that everyone else followed suit. Blastoise let Lycanroc go by throwing him onto the armchair, and they were both in stitches, wrapping their arms around each other's shoulders.

Lucario wasn't particularly in the mood to be laughing, so he just rolled his eyes.

Lycanroc: Hahaha! You're horrible!

Blastoise: I know!

Soon, the entire guild quietened down and settled, returning to their merriment. Blastoise then sat back down at his armchair and sighed happily.

Blastoise: And this is why we're friends, Lycanroc. You know exactly how to cheer me up.

Lycanroc: Anytime, buddy!

Blastoise: But Brionne will be mine! I'm still gonna get my own back at her for rejecting and humiliating me like this. Unfortunately, nothing is springing to mind this very moment.

Suddenly, the door slammed open with the cold air rushing through the hall, blowing out the fireplace. Everyone in the guild Hall turned to see who it was. It was Brionne's father, Samurott, who looked to be extremely worried about something.

Samurott: Someone help me, please!

Lucario: It's Samurott.

Machamp: What's he doing here?

As Blastoise was drinking his jug of his favourite beverage, he looked on over and watched as Samurott pleaded on the floor in front of him.

Samurott: Please, Blastoise! You've got to help me! I beg you!

Lycanroc: Woah, woah! Easy there, Samurott. What seems to be the issue?

Samurott: It's horrible! Horrible, I tell you!

Blastoise: Hey, look, if this is about what happened at the dinner, then I probably should've mentioned this before I'm so amazing. I'm only a one-time offer, and your daughter has rejected me for the last time!

Samurott: It's my daughter! She's missing!

Blastoise immediately spat out his drink and arose from his chair, looking down at Samurott, who was still pleading on the floor.

Blastoise: Wait, what?!

Magmortar: Missing? For how long?

Samurott: I don't know! We got into an argument, and then all of a sudden, she disappeared! I wouldn't be surprised if she left for the hills!

Decidueye: What makes you say that?

Samurott: I'm just speculating, but she hasn't returned home, and I fear something terrible must've happened! Maybe she was kidnapped, I don't know!

Lopunny: A k-k-kidnapper?

Cinderace: We haven't heard any kidnappers? At least not that I know of, but if she's missing...

Samurott: She could be in danger! You've got to help me please!

Everyone began mumbling to themselves about who could've done such a thing, and Blastoise silenced everyone by grabbing one of his arrows and darting it across the hall, hitting the target in the centre.

Blastoise: Alas, if she's been gone for a while, she would've perished by now. It's snowy up there.

Samurott: Perished?!

Blastoise: But then again. She's a strong girl. A very pretty one of that!

Samurott: You know those hills like the back of your hand, and you're not going to assist? If you help me find my daughter and bring her back safely, I'll give you half of my farm's fortune!

Blastoise: Half of your farm's fortune, huh?

Samurott: Or better yet! I'll give you ten times as much!

Blastoise: Ten times as much?

Samurott: Fifty times then!

There was a long pause, and Blastoise knew this was a golden opportunity coming through. He then smirked and agreed to help him with the situation.

Blastoise: You drive a hard bargain, old man. Fine, I'll help you.

Samurott: Oh, thank you, thank you!

Everyone watched as he left the guild Hall, and he closed the door behind him. They all went quiet, trying to process what had been said.

Decidueye: He's kidding, right?

Machamp: How can one girl go missing in one day?

Cinderace: You would be surprised.

Lycanroc turned around to see Blastoise, who had his back turned and was admiring his trophies.

Lycanroc: Something's not right here. This town has been barricaded and protected by the wall for years!

Blastoise: He put his own farm at risk for the sake of his daughter?

Lycanroc: Huh? Blastoise?

Blastoise: If he can give up his farm just like that, all that profit made just by hard-earned labour, imagine how much he'd appreciate me for bringing her back? He'll give me his daughter’s hand in marriage and all that fortune along with it! I'd be rich!

Lycanroc: So, you're not going to help him?

Blastoise placed his long coat over him, puffing up his collar as well as his hunting gear and turning around to face his friend with a rather devilish smirk.

Blastoise: Of course I'm going to help him! I'll just simply use this to my advantage. All of you continue your business! I have a mission. Lycanroc, let's go.

Lycanroc: Coming!

After they both had left, everyone resumed to their merriment, and Lucario, who was putting the glass away as he was done cleaning it, just sighed.

Magmortar: Well, that was indeed something? Who knew, right? A girl going missing like this could only mean one thing. That there really is a kidnapper on the loose!

Cinderace: Hey! I heard nothing?

Magmortar: You don't have to. Besides. They work in silence until they've been breached. Another top up, Lucky!

Lucario: It's Lucario, and sure. Just a second.

Tsareena: Blastoise sure is strong. I have every confidence that he'll succeed!

Gardevoir: Yeah! I believe in him?

Magmortar: Eh. You're right. That guy's been through wars compared to us. Counteracting with a kidnapper will feel like a picnic for him. Things will get better.

Cinderace: Yeah.

Lopunny: Oh, do hurry back soon, Blastoise! I'll be waiting for you!

Lucario: *sigh* I don't know. I fear things will only get a lot worse.