Well, it's taken over a month, but chapter ten is now finshed! And for those of you who were a bit creeped out by last chapter, don't worry, this one is much more light-hearted.

I would like to thank June Ellie, 2percent, and ShadowDragoon32 for reviewing my story. Hope you enjoy this chapter.

Disclaimer: I've said this before, and I'll say it again-I don't own Pokemon.

A brand new day dawned in Cobalt City, as the sun rose above the horizon. Rays of warmth poured from that star, rousing Pokémon of all kind as it seeped through the windows. However, not all Pokémon were awakened by such a tranquil alarm clock.

"Up and at 'em apprentices! Rise and shine! You don't want to be la for today's briefing, now do you?"

Oh no…"Charcoal moaned internally, rolling on his side on that small bed. "Not that Loudred again! It's been two weeks and I still can't get used to his voice!"

"Well…now that I'm awake, I might as well get ready," the fire-type said to himself, as he eased of the bed.

"Good morning Charcoal!" Timber sauntered over to his partner, a big grin spread across his face. The Charmander looked over the Wood Gecko Pokémon.

"Gee, you look like you're in a good mood," Charcoal remarked.

Timber shrugged, his half-closed eyes looking right at the Lizard Pokémon. "Aren't I always?"

……………………………………………………………………………………………..

Team Comet made their way through the carefully carved hall. Rod was leading the way. Charcoal and Timber looked around at their surroundings. Torches burned with a great brilliance, the flames casting dancing shadows on the wall. Other Pokémon walked up and down that stone corridor, passing the professor and Team Comet. A Combusken scrambled through the hall, obviously in a great rush. On the other side of the spectrum, an Arcanine strolled by, greeting a Wartortle along the way.

"Professor?" Charcoal asked when they stepped into the Mission Chamber. "What's our assignment for today?"

"Today," the Manectric began, "I have an important job for you two."

"Is it full of dangers and risks?" Timber wondered, curious to know what Rod wanted of them.

The Professor of the Beginner's Class shook his head. "Well, not exactly. However, it is a bit more difficult then what you're used to. Ah, he we are," he finished, stopping in front of the E-Rank Board. "Charcoal, would you read the second sheet from the left please?"

The lizard Pokémon gave a quick nod. "I'd be happy to." He began to read.

A friend of mine (A Sandshrew by the name of Digsby), and I were taking a stroll

near the woods a few miles east of Cobalt City, when a flock of wild Staravia

attacked us. In our panic, we sort of lost track of each other. So when the

Staravia left, I went to look for Digsby. I searched for several hours, and did

not find any sign of my friend. Which brings me to my next point. Near the

woods where Digsby and I were, there is a Mystery Dungeon called Perilgren

Forest. I'm worried that my friend might've run into the dungeon by accident.

I am afraid that he might be lost. If anybody reads this, could you find and

rescue him? I would greatly appreciate it!

Kune the Zigzagoon

Charcoal placed a hand behind his head and began to rub his neck. "Oh man, I can't believe something like that happened. Poor guys."

Timber turned his head toward Rod." You're right Professor, that does sound a little tougher."

"What kind of Pokémon live in Perilgren Forest?" Charcoal inquired, his head cocked to one side.

"Ah yes, Perilgren Forest is full of grass-types with a few electric-type Pokémon scattered around. It's common to see some Turtwig, Oddish, Shinx, Sunkern, and Plusle around," the Discharge Pokémon answered. He then proceeded to lower his voice. "Remember, this is an important mission. Those two Pokémon are counting on you. Are you sure you're both up to it?"

"I'm as sure as ever!" Timber cried, his usual air of confidence ever present.

"And you, Charcoal?" the electric-type Pokémon turned to face the Charmander in question.

"Yes. Yes I am," the fire-type replied. "Together, Timber and I will rescue that Sandshrew and reunite two good friends!"

Rod smiled and placed a paw on Charcoal's shoulder. "That's just what I wanted to hear from you! It is the willing that make good explorers, even if there are dangers. Now, you two should get ready for your mission. This time, I'm letting you figure out what items to pack.

……………………………………………………………………………………………

The two members of Team Comet found themselves inside the Camoscure Market. The store, located on the western side of town, was a vast emporium. Items of all kinds, from lustrous orbs to scarves made from the finest cloth, lay neatly on wooden shelves. With all the items available and the sheer size of the stone building, it was surprising that the Camoscure Market was run by two, and only two, Pokemon.

Kerch the Kecleon, and his twin brother, a pink one by the name of Lenox, managed the vast mall. Seasoned business Pokemon, they had created the Camoscure Market over twenty years ago. To this very day, they still sell those much needed and wanted items to any paying Pokémon.

Kerch approached Team Comet. "Could I help you boys with anything else?"

Charcoal was the one to speak. "Do you have any Cheri Berries? My friend and I will be in Perilgren Forest for our mission, and we don't want to get paralyzed or anything."

"Sure thing kid!" The green Kecleon walked over to shelf filled with many colorful pouches. "Now let's see…" Kerch stated, looking the items over. "Cheri Berries, Cheri Berries, Cheri Berries. Ah, here we are!" He exclaimed, grabbing a bright red sack with the words "Cheri Berries" sewn on it.

"Here you go. One pack of six," Kerch said, handing Charcoal the red sack.

"Thanks."

"That'll be ninety Poké for that particular item, please."

"Right here," Charcoal handed several gold coins to the older Pokémon.

Kerch went over the items the Charmander had bought. "Let's see...that's a pack of Cheri Berries, some apples, a few Blast Seeds, and am I forgetting something?" The Color Swap Pokémon racked his brain for the answer. "…Ah yes, I remember! You bought a Petrify Orb too, if I'm not mistaken."

The grinning Lizard Pokémon nodded. "That's right."

"Is there anything else you need?"

"I'll check," Charcoal turned and cupped a hand over his mouth. "Have you got everything?"

The Treecko's voice came from the other side of the shop "An Escape Orb, a sack of five Sleep Seeds, a Switcher Orb. Plus we have those two Pecha Scarves from our last mission in Vineflat Plains."

Charcoal sighed. "Ah yes, the Vineflat mission. We never could find the Luminous Orb we were supposed to. A group of Phanphy had to attack us. That was our second failed mission," the Pokemon thought. "And we have plenty of Oran Berries from the last few missions." He turned and addressed Kerch. "That will be all for today."

The Color Swap Pokemon nodded his head. "Fine by me. Good luck on your mission, you two."

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Dark green grass lightly rustled, as the wind blew over the field. Two shadowy figures made their way across the lea. One of them hiked confidently, her eyes scanning the horizon. The other Pokemon trodden slowly behind, his eyes downcast. Violet the Weavile and Ivan the Ivysaur were searching for Timber. The grass-type Pokemon was the first to speak.

"How long has it been? Two weeks, right? Two whole weeks since Commander Eclipse ordered us to find that Treecko. And have we found him? Noooo, we haven't! Lieutenant Cyphon finds that Wood Gecko Pokemon in a few days flat and we're still searching. It ain't right I tell you! Why can't we-

"Silence!"

"Auck!" Ivan never saw it coming. Quick as a flash, Violet had put a claw to the Ivysaur's throat, nicking it slightly. Clearly irritated, he backed off a bit, a minute strand of blood trickling down his throat.

"What was that for!?" he yelled at the top of his lungs.

"What, you ask? I'll tell you what." The black Weavile slowly circled Ivan, never taking her eyes off him. "For the past several days, you have done nothing but complain. 'Why can't we find the Treecko?' 'We'll never find him even if we search the whole planet,' 'How could Cyphon have found him in record time?' That sort of thing. You've even been doing it at night! A girl could get insomnia with you complaining! I'm sick of it, and you in general."

The villainous Ivysaur blew a leaf frond that had gotten in his eyes. "Sick of me, you say? Well I'm sick of you! You lead us in circles, almost never stop and rest, and you have almost cut my throat open several times! You can't accept the fact that we'll never find the Treecko!"

A malicious sneer crossed Violet's face. "Oh but we will."

"Oh yeah? How?"

"It's really quite simple. Which community is closest to the Overgrown Forest?"

Ivan had to think for a second. "Um…Cobalt City."

"That's exactly right. I think," the Weavile began, "I think that is where the Treecko is hiding, somewhere in Cobalt. Now, here's my plan. I propose we set up an underground camp near the outskirts of the city. That Treecko did not seem scared of us in our first meeting, and I'm sure he won't just hide in a safe building all day and night without going out a few times a day. So when he decides to go exploring, he'll pass us on his way out. Then we'll jump him, give him the initiation test. If he passes, we'll bring him to the Commander."

The grass-type Pokémon raised a eyebrow. "And if he's not in Cobalt City?"

"We'll just have to keep looking then."

The Ivysaur scoffed. "It'll never work......urk!"

Before Ivan could blink, Violet put a claw to his throat again, this time digging a bit deeper into the black skin. Anger was present in the Weavile's eyes.

"Tell me Ivan, who outranks who?"

"You outrank me Violet. Why?"

The dark/ice-type Pokémon calmly began to speak. "It's really quite simple," she raised her voice to a shrieking tone. "Because since I outrank you, you must, and will do as I say!" Finally, she lowered her voice to a monotone whisper and spoke through tightly clenched teeth. "Do I make myself clear?"

"Very clear," Ivan replied in a hoarse voice. "Very clear indeed."

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Perilgren Forest was a rather anomalous place-a typical Mystery Dungeon. The tree were not of the norm. Roots of a milky tan hue wrapped and contorted around the base of the trunk. The thick shaft itself was not the usual brown color, but a gray midtone, with the occasional stripe of black bark running down. The stems of asymmetrical leaves were attached to gnarled branches, the chlorophyll in them converging only around the edges, making the rest of the leaves a pale, sickly yellow color.

The grass underneath the feet of Charcoal and Timber felt stiff and strangely synthetic. The blades were the same height all throughout, with naught any variations between them at all. The dirt trail was about the only thing that was normal about Perilgren Forest.

"Digsby! Hey Digsby!" Charcoal called out as he and Timber hiked through the woods.

"Are you around?" the adolescent Treecko cried out.

"You don't have to be afraid, we just want to help!"

"I don't think he's in this part of the forest buddy."

Charcoal sighed in resignation. "You're right about that, pal. We've been searching this part of the forest for half of the morning, and have not found a single sign of that Sandshrew.

Timber paused to grab an orb from the bag. He tossed it up in the air, caught it with one hand, threw it up, caught it with the other, and repeated this process several times, all while walking. "Ah yes, that's true. But we did teach a good lesson to that Oddish we fought back there, didn't we?"

"Yeah, that we did," the Charmander said with a smile.

"Heh, that'll teach it not to mess with Team Comet!"

"But remember, finding that Sandshrew is our top priority," Charcoal reminded the Treecko.

Timber nodded in agreement. "You're right Charcoal. And I'm sure we'll find him very soon." With that, the young Treecko resumed calling out for that lost Pokémon. "Digsby! If you're around here, say so! You have a friend whose very worried about you!"

"Hmmm…I don't see anything yet…

"Charcoal, check that out!"

The Charmander turned his head in the direction his partner was pointing. Not too far away from where the two Pokémon were located, was a tree not unlike that of Perilgren's norm. The differing aspect of this particular tree was that its canopy was full of the reddish, largest, juiciest apples Team Comet had ever seen.

"Say Charcoal, are you as hungry as I am?" Timber inquired, rubbing his chin. "Maybe we should have a little snack. We could even eat the apples from that tree. We could save food that way."

Charcoal had to agree with him. "I could use a bite to eat. And saving food is a good idea."

"Alright then." Timber began sprinting toward the apple tree. "I'll get those apples down and we can have a nice meal." The Treecko scaled the trunk with every bit of skill his species possessed. Upon reaching a limb, he aimed a Bullet Seed at the stem connecting an apple to a branch. A barrage of seeds flew out of his mouth, and several knocked the red fruit off the tree.

Below, Charcoal dashed toward the falling apple. He caught the fruit with both hands and set it down against the tree trunk. The Pokémon then looked up at Timber and called out, "Okay buddy, once more!"

Timber flashed a thumbs up. He made his way over to another branch and fired a Bullet Seed at the second apple, knocking it clear off the tree. Charcoal ran to catch it, his arms outstretched in front of him. However, he was only a mere three feet away when the fruit landed on the ground, and began rolling down the hill.

"Darn! I missed!" the fire-type shouted, snapping his fingers in frustration.

Timber leaped down the tree and scampered towards the rolling apple. "Don't worry, I'll get it!" the Treecko called out, catching up to the fruit.

Just then, the bright red apple stopped rolling, as it bumped into the side of something black. Timber snatched the fruit off the ground, and began bouncing it up and down his hand. "Heh, heh, heh, gotcha, ya little rascal! And now," the Wood Gecko Pokémon brought the apple up to his face. "You're all-yoowww!!"

A wave of pain coursed through Timber's body. Flashes of yellow filled his vision and all he could hear were crackling screeches all around him. His eyes forced shut from the attack, the Pokémon turned his head toward his tail, where he had felt something sharply piece the skin. Blindly, he fired a salvo of glowing seed. Timber heard a small scream behind him and his pain began to ease.

The grass-type's tone was sharp. "What's the idea attacking a Pokémon like that!? You oughta be ashamed-" the Treecko turned to face his assailant. "-pal!"

In front of Timber was a wild Shinx. The electric-type Pokémon let out a growl as he circled the Treecko. Still moving, the Shinx crouched down, his eyes never leaving Timber's a fog of tension rolled across the two Pokémon as they stared each other down.

And then, then, the Shinx leapt.