Chapter 11: The Great Departure

Excerpt of Page 72 of the Explorer's Guide: Berries

Berries have been in existence as long as Pokemon have. While there are many different varieties of berry, the predominant types involve recovering from statues conditions, to provide healing abilities to Exploration teams. Some kinds are developed for flavor in cooking. Both types can be found on the ground in Mystery Dungeons or on bushes outside of them.

Matheus' Notes:

Berries are a fantastic creation of our beloved Arceus. Oran berries are sweet, Cheri tart, Pecha sweet, Chesto a strange mix. One I tried just the other day was so spicy I had to take a swim and let off steam. What was it called…ah yes, a Tamato berry! Never again.

Evening stretched to night, and after their day of council, all returned to their homes. Students enjoyed their talks of the day, Chimecho enjoyed their day off, and healers were relieved that there were no injuries. The council members started to set straight their places of work, and the five expeditioners returned to their homes to get ready for their journey.

Ren slammed the door to his room, running to his closet and pulling open the door. A flood of various goods poured from it, burying the young Lucario in items. A muffled voice came from it, then a cry of exclamation, a black fist thrusting out a knapsack. He pulled himself out of the pile, looking inside the sack.

Inside was an inscription, written in spidery letters. 'For a Riolu who wants to see the world, from a mother who wishes to fulfill his dreams.' He sighed, looking up to the ceiling with a longing smile.

"I'll do this…for you and dad," he said to himself. His smile quickly turned to a frown as he added, "And not for that Sion. I'm not doing this just so I can be friends with someone related to a monster. He'll turn out just as bad as him, even if he's a nice guy right now." He began to pull items from the pile, ranging from Orbs to Seeds to Wands all necessities for a journey through the Forgotten Isles.

Gaiden entered his room, saying to his teammates, "Get a pack ready; I'll be leaving by tomorrow."

Wilson stared incredulously at him, asking, "Are you serious? That soon?"

Gaiden nodded. "Lukas will be sending word to Frederick to come to the shore, and we don't want to keep him waiting; we want to make it across the ocean to the Forgotten Isles as quickly as possible," he explained.

George got up from his couch and saluted, pulling on a rope connected to the floor. He descended the ladder within, his fiery beard lighting his way down. "I'll make sure to pack extra food; ocean journeys like that are long, tiring, and tasteless."

On the other side of the wall, Ekon hung on the ceiling and turned a key, pushing open a trapdoor. He crawled inside, chuckling to himself. "Good thing we signed up the room above as 'Team Landscape—Out until blue moon.' We have everything we'd ever need up there!"

Aaron yawned in his nest, scratching his tail feathers. "Do you really have to do this now? It's time for sleep." Rix Skarmory snored contentedly in her own nest, being careful not to scratch her metallic frame.

Ekon hung from above with a bundle of wands in his claw, glaring at his companion. "Two things: First, I'm so full of energy I hardly get sleep, at least that's what my mama said. Second, if I'm leaving tomorrow then I need to get everything ready for the trip; I'm going to need plenty of supplies if I'm going to a distant island." He crawled back inside, throwing down a backpack specially designed for his winged arms. The elastic straps stretched across his arms, then tightened snugly across his back, making it perfect for the Noivern.

Aaron yawned again and tucked his head into his wings, saying, "Whatever. I'll see ya in the morning." Ekon and Gaiden continued through the night preparing their bags, knowing that unexplored territory can bring unexpected dangers, and that one should always be ready for them.

Cosma sat on top of the Master's Tower, looking to the east. She knew nothing about exploring; the Kommo-o Tribe made sure that she never needed to do it. She expected her four guardians to help her with such matters, and so she waited for her favorite sight to return to the night sky.

Gradually, the moon came once more, and Cosma sighed longingly. "How I'd love to be the moon, watching everything from the sky. I'd love that so much." She continued watching the moon through the night, gazing at the whiteness of the moon enveloping her and the rest of Lucario Guild.

Harold handed a rolled-up piece of paper to a Zubat, who nodded and screeched agreeably. He flew out the window, and Harold closed it after him, rubbing his head. "Why do we have to have so many bats around this place? Ekon is enough on his own!" He finished soothing his pained head. He ascended the stairwell, seeing Lukas once again standing with his arms cross behind his back, the master watching vigilantly over his people.

Harold stood next to him, his head just under Lukas' shoulder. "I sent the message to Frederick. Klee should be able to find him within Cretea, and he should be on the coast within a few days or so," Harold announced. His Guildmaster nodded slightly, continuing to watch whatever was on the ground.

Harold looked down and saw Sion Zoroark standing outside the Inn, looking up at the Tower. He left soon after, entering the Azure Inn. Harold sighed, shaking his head. "I still don't think it was the best idea to be sending two students instead of full-fledged team members. They could be killed on the Isles!"

"They will do just fine. Both are good in their own right, and I am confident that they will do better than Pokemon who are set in their ways," Lukas replied.

Harold turned away, putting his arms in the air irritably. "But the Ultra Beasts! We haven't even seen them! How can we know that they won't rid us of two bright minds?" Harold exclaimed.

Lukas swiftly spun around and thrust a finger at the Heliolisk, glaring at him. "I have already decided Harold. Ever since I have been Guildmaster, and ever since you've been my assistant, have I ever disappointed you with my leadership?" He inquired.

Harold looked up, avoiding the gaze of his superior, and shook his head, stepping away. "No…no you haven't. But Ultra Beasts aside, Sion and Ren hardly get along with each other, almost for no reason…and it's all focused on Ren's view of Sion," Harold replied.

Lukas stepped back, looking to the ground, the Arc of Arceus glowing in the moonlight. "It's because of Sion's lineage. I have done some research on his ancestors, and aside from Erik, all of them have turned for the worse in some way, his father included. I don't know the full reason for their turnings, or why Corinne may have come here, but I do know that Ren senses that sort of future in Sion. Lucarios are wielders of Aura, and through it we can know the thoughts of others, and in some cases, their futures."

Lukas turned to the window, closing his eyes. "I sense a young Pokemon with great desires, one of the utmost ones being a want for acceptance. I have tried to create an atmosphere where he can be welcome, but still other Pokemon fear him for who he has come from. Ren may be arrogant, stubborn, and unfit to be Guildmaster, but he may be right in being distrustful of Sion…partly. No future is set, and none more so than Sion's. Aura can only tell part of the story, and I believe that while Sion has the potential to be no better than his relatives, he has the potential to be one of the greatest Pokemon we have ever seen, rivalling even Laryon Lucario in the good works he does." He stopped, watching his Guild in silence.

Harold stood still, his eyes closed and his breathing quiet. He took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly. "I will not argue with you Lukas. Sion may be a wild card, and Ren may be worse for wear, but they are both great students, and I dearly hope they can last out there." He chuckled slightly and added, "Who knows? Maybe Ren will finally change his ways out there, just as you did on Harmonia."

Lukas turned away from the window, moving to his bedside. He looked up, and with a smile he said, "I expect it."

Sion looked within his closet, sighing. His mother stood alongside him, setting her claws on his shoulders, smiling softly.

"I know we don't have much, but it's better than nothing right?" Corinne stated. Alongside the two bags and the bundle of Petrify Wands was a new stash of berries and a bag of assorted Seeds, the latest additions of her daily shopping.

Sion shrugged, walking inside the closet. "I wasn't really sure what to expect. To think that my birthday would end up like this…" Corinne took his arm and turned him to her, looking kindly into his eyes.

"Just be grateful you're even going! I'm so proud that you'll be helping a Pokemon in need, and so many more with her!" She said. She took back her claw and set it to her lips, saying, "I wonder how that Cosma will look like when she's older? She's cute now, but you can't help but wonder."

Sion took the empty bag, leaving the other with the dust on the shelf. He began stuffing what supplies he had in the satchel, saying to Corinne, "Are you sure I'll be fine out there? All on my own? I haven't been outside the guild for twelve years!"

Corinne stepped aside as Sion came out of the closet, taking a backwards step into it. "You won't be by yourself. You'll have cute little Cosma, and two of the greatest explorers we have, Gaiden Greninja and Ekonmer Noivern!"

Sion added with a frown, "And Ren Lucario, the one Pokemon who truly hates me. Yeah, great company."

Corinne stepped farther into the closet, picking up the second bag. "You can't say that one rotten apple will spoil the whole barrel of fun! Imagine! Four islands in the middle of the ocean, with crowds of good wild Pokemon and welcoming natives! What a dream!"

Sion closed the bag with the buttons attached, looking at his mother incredulously. "With many of them wanting to kill me, and a group of aliens that want to take their islands into their own dimension! Why are you not worried for me?" he stated, feeling a tinge of lightheartedness in Corinne.

She opened the bag in her claws and stepped out of the closet, saying, "Because I know that you will do great out there, just as your distant great uncle did." She pulled out a square of brown fabric, holding it by the corner. Sion looked up, seeing a strange piece of clothing.

It was a long brown cloak, complete with a hood and clasp. It extended to the ground to the top of Corinne's head, being able to envelop her whole body. Below the hood was a metal clip, designed to keep he cloak in place around the neck of the wearer. Inside the cloak was a series of pockets, able to be easily reached when needed. The outside was pressed with a variety of faded designs, and at the bottom the fabric had notches through it.

Sion set the satchel on the ground, the buttons unclasped. Corinne held it out to him, letting him pull it from her claws. He traced his fingers over the cloak, marveling at the workmanship.

"The last time I wore it was twelve years ago, when I brought you here. It was a cold, stormy night, and your father, Sevo, had left it behind when he went to his next job, where he passed away. I took it, knowing that the cloak of Ferrick Zoroark, brother of Arthus, would be of great use…to you when you were grown," Corinne explained. Sion looked at her thankfully, and quickly embraced her, the cloak in his claws. She smiled, and after a moment she pushed her away, pointing at the cloak. "Put it on, and let's see how it fits."

In the morning, the citizens of Lucario Guild stood in front of the front gate, waiting for the adventurers to the Forgotten Isles. The five Council members had announced that the expedition would begin today, and all Pokemon wanted to say their farewells to the lucky Pokemon who went; they had no idea who they would be.

The door to the Master's Tower swung open, and the distinct creak caught the attention of all Pokemon who lay in wait. Harold stepped down the stairs, wearing his newly polished silver necklace of office. He looked at the crowd, then at the door, then back at the crowd.

"I know the squeak is bad, but we don't need all of you to tell us about it!" He yelled. He stepped off the stairs, a small grin on his face, allowing Guildmaster Lukas Lucario to step down the stairs after him, wearing his cloak, hat and pendant, the latter still glowing a soft blue. In his paws was his third symbol of office, the staff of Matheus Lucario, the ancient length of wood hardened with age.

He looked across the crowd, seeing that many wanted to see their adventurers go. He held his staff in the air and exclaimed, "Pokemon of Lucario Guild! You have come here today to watch the expedition to the Forgotten Isles begin, and so it shall! Our first Pokemon is new to our Guild, a foreigner from a distant land: Cosma Cosmog, representative of the Tapu Islands." Cosma hovered out from the tower, yawning and rubbing her eyes with her arms.

"I want to sleep some more. Can this wait till tomorrow?" She asked. Lukas smiled to himself, a roar of approval coming from the crowd. He strode across the ground, marching through the crowd to the front gate. Harold followed behind him, carrying the drowsy Cosmog along with him.

The three now stood in front of the gate, and the crowd fell silent once more as Lukas held his staff up. He looked past the tower, seeing two Pokemon approaching, each with two Pokemon following behind them. Lukas then announced, "Two of Cosma's companions will be Pokemon who are beloved by their teammates and by the Guild, for their heroic deeds and their kind works. Please thank Gaiden Greninja and Ekonmer Noivern for accepting this honor!" The crowd cheered as Team Tri-Attack pushed their way through, with Gaiden wearing a backpack across his back. Team Aerospace flew over them and landed next to Team Tri-Attack in the center, Ekon wearing his special elastic pack. Their teammates saluted, then meshed into the crowd, joining their cheers.

Ekon waved his claws, saying, "Thank you, thank you, and thank you, for always being there for me!" He let out an excited screech, then quickly shut his mouth, sheepishly waving to the crowd. Gaiden only looked on, making a satisfied smile as the Pokemon of Lucario Guild praised him.

They stood next to Cosma as Lukas held up his staff once more, seeing another shape coming from the Expedition Hall. He began to run, and Lukas said, "Our next Pokemon is well-liked by the guild for his impressive fighting abilities and his great pride in being the next Guildmaster. My son, Auren Lucario, is going as well!" The Lucario leaped over the crowd and landed in front of the three other adventurers, holding out his paws in a dramatic pose. He grinned, then the crowd cheered once more, for the beloved descendant of Laryon Lucario, who wore the knapsack of his favored origin.

Lukas looked in surprise at the sack as Ren stood alongside Cosma and the others, recognizing the craftsmanship. He quickly corrected himself as the faded view of the last journeyer came from the inn, alongside another wishing farewell. He held his staff for the final time, causing the crowd to go silent once again.

He set it on the ground, leaning on it with a darkened expression. "Your last adventurer is one who I am disappointed to see not gain respect in our Guild. His lineage sets him apart from others, yet whenever he speaks to those few who welcome him, he is nothing but a ray of light. He is the best in his class despite these disadvantages, and I'm sure that our founders would have welcomed him alongside them had he been there with them. Please, say a welcoming good-bye to our final Pokemon, Illusion Zoroark, descendant of Erik!" The air next to him shimmered, and a brown-cloaked Zoroark appeared, smiling weakly and holding his claw up in hello. At the fringe of the crowd Corinne Zoroark appeared, holding her paws to her chest as she saw her son go. Molly Lopunny and Victor Mienshao stood in front as well, standing alongside Corinne and waving to Sion. Otherwise, the crowd made an uncomfortable silence.

Sion, while glad to see his few friends there for him, was saddened by the lack of support from the rest of the Guild. After twelve years, he expected more, at the very least a goodbye for a journey that he may not come back from. And he received nothing.

He lowered his head and pulled his hood over him, looking to Lukas and nodding. Lukas then announced, "These five shall go to the Forgotten Isles, otherwise known as the Tapu Islands, and assist Cosma in her quest to ascend Mount Lune. We say farewell to you all, and may the light of Arceus ever guide you." Gaiden and Ekon began to push the gates, and the five adventurers began their exit through them. The crowd cheered for them once more, for all but Sion, the gate now swinging closed.

Before the gate shut, Sion saw the comforting face of his mother through the crack, seeing her say one last thing before it shut:

"I love you."