A/n: New story, yes, but the old ones shall not be neglected. Btw I don't own Pokemon.
"There's been another disappearance." The words brought chills to my spine. We didn't know what was taking entire towns and leaving without a trace. It was elusive and sly, very powerful, and was yet to be even seen; at least, by any witnesses who were still around.
Sudowoodo looked grave as he glanced up at the group before him. The citizens of Arbor Town awaited more news from their mayor. He turned his attention back to the letter held by his shaking hands. "The entire village of Flood-Water is completely gone." Gasps filled the area. "Please send a group of pokemon to represent your town in the upcoming meeting we will have. Sincerely, the mayor of Treasure Town, Jellicent."
"Who are you sending?" questioned Donphan right away. He was never one for patience.
Mayor Sudowoodo paused. "Well, if everyone agrees, I think we should send Kecleon, Tauros, and Floatzel." There was an immediate cheer from the townspeople. The three had once been a very successful rescue team known as Team Swift. They lived up to their name, as well. They had rarely failed any missions either. They were truly an excellent choice. The chosen trio affirmed that they would be pleased to go. "Very well," the mayor said, flashing a nervous smile. "Brilliant! The three of you shall leave first thing tomorrow." That being decided, the large crowd began to dissipate.
"What do you think of that, Cora? Pretty neat, huh?"
I turned around. "Oh, Fuzz! It's incredible! They're bringing Team Swift back together... How awesome!"
Fuzz, a minccino, was my best friend. I'd been the one to give him his nickname, too. "Yeah... But Treasure Town is really far. I hope they'll be okay."
I laughed. "You're such a baby! They're professionals, Fuzz. They know what they're doing." He simply shrugged. "I wish I could go. Morgan's there... I haven't seen him since he left."
My brother had the good fortune of being old enough to go and become part of an exploration team in Treasure Town. These days, the town is the major headquarters, so to speak, of all teams, rescue or exploration, many functioning as both. The day Morgan went to Treasure Town was the day I began counting down 'til I'd be old enough to go. I'd been trying to talk Fuzz into coming with me, with no avail.
Really, there are no age limits for becoming a member of a team, so long as you show yourself to be ready for the job. But my parents were somewhat protective, so I had to stall my dreams for the time being.
"I guess it would've been cool if we'd gotten to go, so you could go see your brother. That, and I am a little curious about how they're gonna stop this whole disappearing thing... But it wouldn't work out. You have to surf across Bending-Branch River, and neither of us can learn that move."
I chewed on my blue paw thoughtfully. "Oh, wait! There is a way!"
"What are you-"
"Come with me!" I gripped his paw tightly and dragged him off.
"This is your plan?" Fuzz asked in annoyance. "Really, we're going to ask him if he'll take us across the river? He's afraid of his own shadow! He's nothing like his mom, he'll pass out when he hears a twig break. We'd have better luck asking a Vullaby to try and surf us across."
"Done with your rant?" He nodded a bit. "Good. Look, he's the only swimmer strong enough to take us across the river, and he won't tell our parents that we're trying to go to Treasure Town."
I knocked on the little door and waited patiently. Terrified eyes peeked through the window, then disappeared, and I heard someone fumbling to open several locks. The door cracked open. "H-hello? C-Cora... a-and Fuzz... w-what are you doing here? Don't you know it's dangerous? Th-that thing might," He paused, gulping. "find you!" He hurried us in.
Once inside, I took a good long look at our host. Fuzz was right; Buizel wasn't anything like his mother at all. He shivered in fear from head to toe. "Hey now, don't be nervous." I tried to calm him down. "Fuzz and I are here to ask you for a favor."
He stared in expectation, wide eyes looking like they were about to cry. This was going to be harder than I thought. "Will you surf us across Bending-Branch River? It'll be really quick and easy and then you can come home. Really, it'll be a breeze."
"G-go outside? To Bending-Branch River? Are you mad?" he raved. "You know which village was last taken? Flood-Water. And it's right next to Bending-Branch River!" He was now wailing. Fuzz covered his ears and stared at me pointedly. I rolled my eyes in response.
"Wait just a second; Flood-Water is miles from here, and really far away from the part of Bending-Branch River that we want to cross. Just give us a chance, please!"
Shaking violently, he mumbled, "No! Go ask someone else."
"We can't, though!" I argued. "Look, we need your help! I'll give you something- anything! Just take us across the river, please! We have to go to Treasure Town!" That obviously wasn't working, so I tried something different. "Just think about how proud your mom will be when she hears how well you handled something like this, Buizel!" His ears perked up a bit. I felt Fuzz tap my shoulder.
"But Cora," he whispered. "She won't be proud he helped us disobey our par- Ow!" I elbowed him in the ribs.
"He doesn't know that!" I murmured back. In a more audible tone, I continued. "It'll be a quick, easy, painless trip across the river, and you'll be home in no time. Plus, just imagine how free it'll feel, being outside. Further, you've got nothing to worry about, 'cause Fuzz and I will protect you from anything that comes at us!"
"Huh? Cora, I- Ouch! Stop that!" He was cut short again.
Buizel chewed his bottom lip. "Y-you really think so? I mean... it's so sc-scary... but..." He looked up at me. "She'll be proud of me?"
"I'm sure of it!" I chimed.
He stared at his feet. "Well... okay. Just, let me grab a few things." He tore off to gather some supplies.
"He's fast," marveled Fuzz. "I hope he doesn't run away from us, 'cause if he does, we'll never catch him."
