Daichi: Alas, travel is hard for our young hero, as Dark Crater is far away, on an island...

Verity: We own nothing here

122121221

Treecko looked at the fallen branches he had bound together. It was a poor attempt at a raft, but it should get him to his destination... he hoped. Okay, he was bad a this sort of thing.

He carefully pushed the makeshift raft into the river. With any luck, it should at least hold up until he reached the ocean. Maybe. Oh, well.

It wasn't like it would be difficult to replicate.

2112122121

Five hours later, he was seriously regretting his decision. Why? Well, for one thing, the river was extremely fast. Twigs fell away as he swirled downstream.

And the ocean wasn't much better. He'd been swept out to sea before he could stop himself. He was seasick, and tired, and scared. He just wanted to go home.

Looking up, he spotted a single apple floating in the water. Was he nearing a Dungeon in the sea? Still, he was rather hungry... reaching out from what little remained of his raft, he maneuvered it carefully until it was close enough to pick up. Biting into it, it was rather salty, but edible. Which was good. He couldn't remember the last time he ate.

Well, that wasn't entirely true. He knew he had had dinner the day before, but excused himself halfway through because he wasn't that hungry. Oh, how he regretted that now.

The sun had set, and he had to try not to cry. He was an Explorer. More than that, he belonged to the most prestigious team in the world. He wouldn't cry.

"Are you alright?"

He turned to see a large Pokemon that he recognized from seeing Heather and Mikey go off to do something or other. Apparently they couldn't bring anyone else with them.

"You... you're Lapras, right?"

"And you're Treecko. Imagine my surprise to find a member of Team Mirai floating here."

"It's not my fault. I was trying to reach Dark Crater."

"Dark Crater? Why would you go there?"

Treecko shook his head. He wouldn't tell anyone.

"Well, any friend of Michael's is a friend of mine. I can carry you as far as the island."

"Thanks."

1221212121121

Lapras looked at the little Pokemon curled up on his back and sighed. He was so young, he shouldn't have gotten himself into this. Seriously, what was Palkia thinking, sending a Grass Type to Dark Crater, of all places!?

Still, he wouldn't be alone. Dialga could be rather pushy when it came to that.

Spotting Treasure Town in the distance, Lapras mentally debated the merits of stopping by and explaining. Still, Treecko needed to learn, not just to stand on his own, but that asking for help was good. And this was the only way to do it.

2112212121

It was dark. Very dark. Not that he minded. He liked the dark. The fact that it was night just made it all the better. Still, he was alone. He didn't much mind that either, given his Type, but it was a minor annoyance.

He'd woken up a month before with no memory. All he had was a name. The wild Pokemon of the Crater avoided him, which suited him just fine for a week or so. He had no interest in battle. At least, not unnecessary fighting. If needed, he was rather powerful.

Still, his life was stagnant, and he wanted excitement. Not really an adventure, just... something different.

But if that failed, all he wanted was a friend.

2112121221

At sunset, Heather looked out of the bluff to see a very familiar silhouette sailing past.

"Hey, Mikey, where do you think Lapras' going?"

"Does anyone really know where he goes when he's not ferrying us around?"

"No, really, look out."

"Oh, it is Lapras! Wait... I can barely make it out from this distance, but there's something on his back."

"Your eyesight is better than mine. Say, what is in that direction, anyway?"

"Nothing much. Zero Isle, Blizzard Isle, Volcano Isle... and not much else, except for a few sea Dungeons."

"Odd. Say, how do you think Treecko's doing right now?"

"And you're the one who said not to worry about him."

"I'm not worried! Just a little concerned about the fact he's alone. And no one's seen him since this morning."

"Hey, if he's who you think, the wild Pokemon should be running in fear. Still, if it's him, maybe we'll find..."

"I doubt it. Treecko's about six months old, and he was two years older than me. An Egg alone in the wilderness for several years can be excused, but... I hope you realized we changed history seven years ago."

"It's still possible."

"Yes, but the odds are approximately one in..."

"-Heather, please, don't give out the odds."

2121122112

Dialga glanced at the entrance to Destiny Tower warily. It had been well over a century since he last climbed it in order to wake up Arceus and ask his help. Mainly because last time he had been told not to wake him up again unless it was important. And his tower was important!

Thinking back, when Temporal Tower started collapsing, this might have been a better idea than Primal Reversion. Of course, most Legendaries were revered for power, not intelligence. The Creation Trio was one of them. Which, for gods, was probably not a good thing, but there you have it.

Sighing, he started on his way. Ninety-nine floors was no picnic, and he wondered why this was necessary.

2121212112

The next morning, Treecko was woken up by the sunrise. Looking ahead, he saw an island with a huge volcano, and a hole in the ground.

"The hole is the Dark Crater. Good luck."

Treecko nodded, grabbed the remains of his raft, and started to steer himself over to the island, which wasn't that hard, given the currents. He'd do it. He'd do what the voice had asked of him, and then he would evolve. After that, he'd head. home.

After all, how hard could it be?

1221121212

Vee-Vee: He just jinxed himself, didn't he?

Daichi: What told you that? *sniffs*

Verity: We told you not to stay up all night, and you got us both sick. Thanks a lot.