Not much action on this part, just a prologue to explain everything and all that mushy stuff. The following events take place a few months after the events in

Temporal Tower, and before the events with Darkrai.

Chapter One: Back at the Bluff

CRASH! CACKLE-BOOM!

The night sky lit up as lightning flashed around it. Huge waves crashed against the base of Sharpedo Bluff. However, these things didn't bother the two Pokemon there.

RIOLU'S POV

I went to the opening on our little room in the Bluff. Man, this storm just came out of nowhere, I thought. At this rate, we'll have tons of missions for lost items. But missions weren't my primary concern right now. I looked back at my partner - there she was, sleeping on her little patch of hay. She looked so peaceful now while she slept, but I knew that wouldn't last long. Her fever was getting worse. In the morning she'll be coughing again, and she'll have headache after headache.

Three days ago, on a mission to capture the wanted outlaw Tyranitar, Vulpix suddenly collapsed. We canceled the mission immediately, and used our Escape Orbs. As soon as we got back in Treasure Town, I went to Wigglytuff's Guild to see if anyone knew anything about it. So far, no one knows what happened to her and why she got sick. And now, three days later, she's worse than before...and I don't think it will stop anytime soon. It's gotten so bad to the point that she couldn't do any missions anymore. I was worried about Vulpix. I mean, really worried. Vulpix was important to me. Yeah, I know we're partners as an exploration team and all that, but to me she meant more than that, though I've always been afraid to tell her. Ever since that fateful day I woke up at the beach, she's been there for me, and I hope I can say I for her. I really wanted to tell her how I really felt about her, about how much I liked her, but I was scared of what she might think. What if she doesn't feel the same way to me? Will we stop being friends? Will stop as a team altogether? Maybe she already likes someone else. We have met several Pokemon along our journey worthy of her...Stop it, something inside me said. You're overreacting. I shook my head to clear my thoughts. No use thinking about all this right now...tomorrow I'll see what I can find out about what happened to her. I went back to sleep with silent tears in my eyes...

VULPIX'S POV

*yawn* "...Morning Riolu...", I said, not opening my eyes yet. I coughed a bit, and after a while I noticed no one answered back. "Riolu?" I was a little more alert now, thinking something happened to him, but the headache I had was horrible. I carefully stood up, each movement making the pounding in my head worse. I slowly walked over to his bed, each step a challenge.

When I finally reached it, I saw a note with my name on it. I gingerly opened it.

(Author's Note: it was written in pawprints, much like Grovyle's letter)

Dear Vulpix,

I've gone to Treasure Town to see what I can find out about your fever. I'm worried about you...Stay in the Bluff and rest for today. There are some Big Apples in the cupboard(my personal stash) if you're hungry...Please get well soon.

P.S. Sorry if I scared you by not being there when you woke up.

Love, Riolu

I smiled as I read the letter. He always did have a way with words that made me feel positive again. He'll make sure I'm okay...I'm was sure of it. I could always trust Riolu. He would never let me down. While I was reading the letter, I thought of how he genuinely cared for me. For a moment, I dared to think that maybe, just maybe, he felt about me the same way I felt for him. However, I knew he probably didn't. He was such a great Pokemon, he could have whoever he wanted. Why would he choose me? He probably only sees me as a good friend...He doesn't even know of how much I missed him when he faded away, of how much I cried. I was so depressed then...the only thing I could do was tell any Pokemon I could about him, to make sure his legacy is preserved. When he came back...Nothing could explain how happy I felt. I felt as if a broken part of me was made whole again, like he completed me somehow. I slowly made my way back to my bed, and tried to sleep, unaware of the presence that lurked in the shadows.

RIOLU'S POV

I stood in the spot above our room in the Bluff. I looked down at the ocean, its waves crashing against the bottom. Man, if I just ranted about the sea, I could pass as Dugtrio, I thought. I looked up and watched the sun as it rose above the horizon. I realized how much it reminded me of her, it's fierce heat, and how it gave light to the darkness. I looked away, fearing that I might lose myself in my thoughts again. I headed to the Kecleon Shop.

"Welcome to Kecleon Shop!," the green Kecleon sang. "How may we help you?"

"Hey Kecleon,"I replied, " Do you have anything that could help Vulpix?"

As soon as I said this, the cheer went out of him. His face darkend "Ah yes, Miss Vulpix is quite ill, isn't she? It seems like the whole town is worried."

"Yeah...Do you know anything about it? Everyone says they haven't seen anything like it before."

"No, I don't...I'm sorry," he said. But he then quickly looked away, and pretended to sort out items in a nearby chest. I had a feeling he wasn't telling me something.

"Kecleon? Do you know something about it? Please Kecleon, you must tell me! What happened to Vulpix?"

Kecleon sighed. He dropped the things he was sorting out, and looked at me.

He said, "I didn't want to tell you this now, but here goes. In my younger years before I settled down in Treasure Town with my brother, I traveled to many places and explored countless dungeons myself, setting up shop inside so that exploration teams like you could replenish your supplies and maybe get rid of a few things. Anyways, throughout these travels, I have seen and heard of many strange things. One of them was the Incuratus virus."

"Incuratus virus?"

"Yes...it was said to strike suddenly and randomly at certain Pokemon. Whoever who caught it at first immediately fainted, as Miss Vulpix did. Then, they develop a fever, along with headaches. Then, a couple weeks later..." He looked at me, and then did the thing I feared most he would do - he looked down and shook his head.

"Oh no..."

I could hardly breathe now, my mind swirling with the possibility of losing her...forever.

"Kecleon", I managed to say, "did any of those Pokemon make it?"

"Sadly no...well, there were rumors that a certain Roserade was able to heal some of them. I've heard that she now lives in a place called Fiore Island."

"Fiore Island..."I frowned. "I haven't heard of it before...Kecleon, do you know where it is?"

Kecleon thought hard. Suddenly, his face lit up."Wait a moment", he said, and went to the back of his shop. However, I wasn't going anywhere, if he could show me where Fiore Island was. I was terribly worried of Vulpix right now.

"Where is...Maybe it's in...Then again..." Kecleon was mumbling to himself while he rummaged through his things.

"Ah! Here it is!" he shouted delightfully. he brought out an old-looking Wonder Map, half-eaten by Dustox and the edges jagged from use.

"This was an old Wonder Map an exploration team long ago gave me shortly before they retired. I believe it was from a Luxray and an Espeon...Ah, they were such a good couple."

I cringed as he said this. "Kecleon...the map?"

"Ah yes I'm sorry. It's just, you guys remind me so much of them." I blushed at this, but quickly looked down at the Wonder Map to hide my face.

"Okay, this is Treasure Town..." He pointed to the map where we were "...and this is Fiore Island." I looked at the Map and quickly copied the location to mine just as the clouds in it parted. I could now go to Fiore Island!

"Yes! Thank you Kecleon!" I was full of energy now, ready and willing to do anything to save my dear Vulpix.

Kecleon then grinned like a kid. "You know...", he said. "I'll let you keep the original map...for a price."

But by now I didn't care if it cost my entire savings in Duskull Bank...Vulpix meant more to me than life itself. I would never forgive myself if anything happened to her because of my own selfishness.

I ran back to Sharpedo Bluff, anxious to tell Vulpix that I might be able to get her cured.

"Vulpix!" I called out, but I got no answer. Hmm, she might still be sleeping, I thought. I quickly went inside, but all I found in her bed was a letter, saying:

"I have Vulpix. She is unharmed, but not for long. You will pay for all your meddling. We will be waiting for you on top of Mt. Mistral."

I looked around, hoping that whoever left it was still there. But of course, no one was to be found. I looked at the letter again, and gazed outside as the sun was setting.

"Don't worry Vulpix...I'm coming for you.", I said, just as the last rays of the sun died out and darkness covered the land once more for the night.

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon or anything affiliated with it, nor do I intend to. If I did I'll be too busy thinking of a reason why Ash is still 10 to write any of this.

Yes, I know...Needs more action. Don't worry, I'll get to that part really soon. For now though, whether or not I will be able to write new chapters depends entirely on school -.- Just hope that there'll be plenty of boring classes...Fanfic Friday FTW! XD

Review if you wish. Liked it? Say a simple thanks and I'll be happy you enjoyed it :) Didn't like it? Now's your chance to tell me what I did so I can fix future updates ;) Neutral? Meh, at least it helped pass some time :P

Good day(or night) to all! XD