Hello! It's been a long time, hasn't it? :3 Anyway, I wanted to kick off my return with something I've been planning for a while now.

DISCLAIMER: I own nothing but the plot and my team/characters I made up. :3

This story takes place roughly three and a half years after the post-ending of defeating Darkrai. (Which means the levels of the team who did all that saving are in the mid to upper eighties. Just so you know.) Things are normal, and everything is calm…mostly. A new team joined the Guild: Team Treekip, made of Treecko and Mudkip. They work hard, and are keeping up smoothly. But a daily errand turns into something much more exciting.

…~-CHAPTER ONE: Team Who?

"And three! Smiles go for miles!" the Guild members cheered. Another day, another routine. Nothing huge had popped up lately, which was also fitting in the pattern. Ever since Darkrai had been defeated by the now legendary Team Sky, things had been peaceful. Even a storm had the air of calm. The days of calamity were over…

Right?

Treecko was paying less attention to the morning briefing than usual. He was off in his own thoughts again. Surely, after three and a half years, something was bound to happen, right? He shook his head quickly, realizing he seemed to be asking for trouble.

Ah! he exclaimed silently, alarmed by his own train of thought. I don't want something bad to happen! I'm perfectly fine with peace and quiet!

"Hey, Treecko!"

He snapped out of his reverie and looked to his left. There was Mudkip, head tipped to the side, her eyes full of questions and playfulness.

"Did you drift off again?" she asked, amused.

Treecko rubbed the back of his head and grinned sheepishly. "Eh, sorry. What did Chatot assign us today?"

She flicked her tail back and forth a little. "We hafta go to Keckeon Market and see how many Perfect Apples they have."

It was true. The Market had agreed to stock them after Team Sky suggested it just over three years ago, on a calm day not unlike this one. Still, Treecko groaned.

"Another errand?" he complained. "This is the third day in a row."

Mudkip sighed, heading for the ladder. "Yeah, it kinda stinks, but we don't have much of a choice, do we?"

"Mm," Treecko replied, scaling both ladders with no problem at all. He waited at the top for Mudkip, who hauled herself over. They set off down the steps, but as they approached the intersection, voices drifted to them. They weren't any they recognized from the Guild, or town. Maybe bandits? Treecko got excited at this thought, and put a finger to his lips, motioning for Mudkip to join him behind the well.

Peering out from behind it, the duo could spot three shapes. One was much larger than the other two, defying the smaller shapes. Treecko recognized this as Alakazam from the Outlaw Notice Board. He had a large bounty on his head for stealing and threatening many Pokémon. So far, no one had been able to locate him. Mudkip made to open her mouth, but Treecko shushed her.

"Now, where have you hidden the stuff you've stolen?" a male voice asked carefully.

Alakazam sneered. "As if. You two are just a bunch of wimps. You could never take on me." He raised his spoons, intending to strike.

Mudkip turned to Treecko urgently with wide eyes. "They're gonna get hurt!" she whispered fervently. "We hafta do something!"

Treecko agreed with this, and was just about to leap out when the second shape, the one who had spoken, leaped up quicker than he could see and slammed down upon Alakazam's head. The bandit went down, and he leaped neatly away, standing beside his partner.

"Like we said," he repeated slowly, "where have you hidden all the things you stole?"

Alakazam groaned and lifted his head. "I swear, it's atop Mt. Bristle."

"Good," said the other. This time it was the shape who had remained silent the entire time. The voice was female, and it had the tone of someone who didn't talk much, but should be listened to when she chose to. Undoubtedly, she was the leader of the two. "Now you will kindly come with us to Officer Magnazone."

They had nothing to tie the thief up with, but Treecko thought that just the force of that girl's gaze would keep Alakazam from running. Her teammate went around and led the way, while the girl followed behind Alakazam, who was in the middle.

Treecko had no idea who these two were, but he had the feeling that he should know them. As they started moving, the light fell upon them. In front, leading the way, was a Riolu with a determined look on his face. Then, at the back, was a Vulpix. Her brown eyes were calm and focused, but Treecko could later have sworn that she glanced right at them as she passed with the faintest of smiles.

Once they were gone, Treecko and Mudkip came out from their hiding place. He looked at his partner, but from the look on her face, she had no explanation either.

"Wow," he said softly. "Didn't Sunflora go after Alakazam once, and she got sent back."

Mudkip nodded slowly, but the light of adventure was already sparking in her eyes again.

"Come on!" she called over her shoulder, bouncing off towards Treasure Town. "We can still catch them!"

Treecko grinned. "Mudkip, you crazy fool," he said to himself, but set off after her anyway.

…

Magnazone was impressed by the capture of Alakazam. But now the criminal was safely behind bars where he could do no damage. He turned to the team who had helped him so much through the past years.

"ZZT. You have brought Alakazam in for arrest," he stated. "I thank you for your cooperation. ZZT!"

"It's not a problem," the Vulpix replied, smiling. "Have a great day, Officer Magnazone!" She waved her six tails in farewell as she bounded out the door.

"To you as well! ZZT!" he called.

…

Treecko and Mudkip arrived in town, but the mysterious Pokémon were nowhere to be found.

"Aww," Mudkip whined. "This stinks."

Treecko nodded in agreement. Where could they have gone so quickly? He dropped it from his mind. If they kept thinking about that, they would never get their work done.

"Come on, Mudkip," he said, heading towards the bridge that led to the other part of town, "we have a job to do."

…

The Keckleon brothers were happy to oblige. They delivered the news that five Perfect Apples were in stock and bid the team a fair day. As they were turning to leave, a flash of movement caught Treecko's eye. He turned around and there they were.

They both nodded to Treecko and Mudkip and approached the Keckleon brothers. The brothers beamed.

"Ah, Solay, Shadow!" the younger said warmly. "Welcome back! How was your trip?"

"Exhausting," the Riolu replied. Treecko and Mudkip assumed this was Shadow. "How have things been here?"

"Rather slow and normal," the elder brother replied with a little sigh. Then he caught himself and grinned. "So how can we help you today?"

"We're just stopping by to say hello," Solay replied.

Gosh, she's pretty, Treecko couldn't help thinking. Then he blushed and focused on something other than the Vulpix in front of him. He met Shadow's eyes. There was no hostility in them, just polite curiosity. After a moment, Treecko looked away.

Solay had apparently wrapped up her discussion, and they both turned to leave. Before they had gotten more than three steps away, Mudkip shouted, "Wait!"

They both stopped and turned, watching her.

Mudkip turned slightly pink, and seemed at loss for words. "Who are you?" she finally blurted.

"Oh, my apologies," Solay said softly, turning fully to face them and coming back a step and a half. "My name is Solay. This is my partner, Shadow." He waved good-naturedly. "We're Team Sky."

It took Treecko a minute to process this information. When it clicked, astonishment swept through him. Here was the Team who waved the world not once, but twice, who'd lived mostly in darkness and myth for the past three and a half years, standing before him. Treecko wasn't sure if he should bow or faint.

"Wait a sec," he said slowly, struggling to grasp the concept. He was talking to a legend! Not to mention a pretty one… Gah! Bad Treecko! Bad! "You mean…the Team Sky?"

Shadow nodded. "Yep. The one and only."

Mudkip showed no signs of fear after this. "Cool!" she exclaimed. "You guys are all powerful and famous and stuff! And you graduated from Wigglytuff's Guild, right?" The question was answered with a nod from Shadow. "Double cool!" she squeaked. "You should come and visit soon! Seriously! You should!" Her eyes were round and sincere. Treecko doubted Mudkip had ever told a lie in her life.

Solay and Shadow cast amused half-glances at each other. "All right," Solay said. "We'll tag along now if you'd like. We have time for a while."

"Triple ultra mega cool!" Mudkip exclaimed, jumping up and down with anticipation. "C'mon, c'mon, c'mon!" She turned and promptly raced off, pausing ever ten feet or so, jumping, and waiting for the others to catch up.

Solay made a strange noise, like laughing through her nose, and trotted after the energetic water-type. Shadow waved the Keckleon brothers, who called "Come back soon!" after them, and headed off just behind Treecko.

"Your friend is very energetic," the Riolu pointed out.

Treecko gave a sarcastic laugh. "Yeah, but that gets her into trouble sometimes. And it gets annoying once in a while, but she's cool to be around."

"I imagine," Shadow mused.

Treecko glanced curiously up at the other boy. They weren't scary, they were really nice. He felt himself getting more and more comfortable around these two, and soon they were laughing and joking around like old buddies. But all too soon, the Guild's steps came into view.

"Hey hey hey," Mudkip said quickly, bouncing over. "I have an idea! We'll go in and say we brought guests and then you guys make a surprise entrance!"

Solay nodded. "Sounds good," she said brightly. "We'll wait until you say 'But we did bring a priceless treasure back!' Okay?"

Team Treekip nodded, and said, "Right!" They scurried up the top and down the ladders. Most of the Guild was back and conversing among themselves. Treecko hadn't noticed it had been getting dark. Chatot hurried up to them, squawking in anger.

"Where have you been?" he raged. "The others were back hours ago!"

"Sorry," Treecko muttered. "We were held up."

And now Mudkip added loudly, "But we did bring a priceless treasure back!"

This caught Chatot's attention. "A what? A treasure? Where on Earth did you go?"

Treecko opened his mouth to answer, but was interrupted by Shadow slipping on one of the ladder rungs and plummeting face first into the ground. Everyone stopped and stared, and Solay's laughter drifted down from above.

"Owww," he groaned, standing and glaring up. "Not funny, Solay!"

She hopped down into view, still giggling. "Why, Shadow, I didn't know you could do such a perfect belly flop."

Everything was silent now. Bidoof was the first to speak, his voice hesitant.

"Solay? Shadow? Is that really you?" he asked timidly.

"Bidoof!" Solay said warmly, rushing up and hugging him. Now there was an uproar of noise as everyone was cheering and celebrating their friends' return.

Chatot turned to Treecko, half annoyed, but half rejoicing. He tried to be cross, but was failing miserably.

"What was that you two said about a priceless treasure?" he asked.

Wigglytuff came up behind them, grinning from pink ear to pink ear. "Chatot!" he exclaimed. "What better treasure is there than friends?"

…~-

I rather like Wigglytuff's words at the end here. :'3 I figured if he was gonna show up, he was gonna say something important. I'll work on chapter two soon, I promise!