I awoke to an explosion. Shit…

I jumped up and very nearly threw about ten Shuriken at Boheim, who laughed. "Gotcha, bitch!"

I lowered the Shuriken. "You huge jackass."

He tried to shrug best he could, and he said, "Had to get you back."

"True…anyways, do you have anything to tell me?"

He shook his head, which was pretty much his whole self. "Just that Veric's waiting for you in the Great Room."

"Thanks." He rolled out, and I rubbed my temples. It had been nice not waking up to an explosion…

I went down to the large stone room, and sure enough, Veric was waiting for me. I said, "Hey, so it turns out that most Pokémon don't care if different species date."

She blushed a little, and I said, "So it hit me. If I can figure out a branch dungeon for a type you're strong against, we could temporarily split up and get more done. I'll teach you the chant."

She nodded and said, "I think Steel."

"Why not Water?"

"Because Rain Dance will help and hinder that particular type, and Flamethrower'll go a long way."

I nodded, and something occurred to me. "Dialga'll be one of them…be careful. If you run into a Dialga clone, run. Do not confront it."

She nodded and said, "I know a few Steel dungeons around-"

"Jed, come in!"

I picked up a radio Farleen had given me and said, "Yeah, it's Jed."

"It's Borealis, reporting from Altra Plinth. We've found a strange mark…circular, with about eighteen smaller circles overlapping each other in various ways."

"It's Brutis. We're in Pleasant Meadow, and we've found a similar mark."

Now that I thought about it, I had seen that mark in Boreal Peak, but I hadn't given it much thought. "Try touching it."

Silence. Then…"Borealis again. It's glowing…and there's a Tornadus here!"

Uh-oh. "Look at its eyes!"

"Uh…kinda glazed…"

"KO it! Fast! Then get to the top as fast as you can. The evil knows that you're there now, and it will stop at nothing to kill you. Quickly!"

"Got it. Borealis out!"

"It's Brutis. We've teleported somewhere…all I can see is green light and a few Pokémon."

"Check them. If their eyes are glazed, they're fake."

Silence. "Their eyes aren't glazed. They're asleep."

"Who you got?"

"Virizion and Shaymin."

"Go to Virizion." I focused on awakening Virizion, my eyes glowed, and I chanted, "O forest deer, awaken and cross your Sacred Sword with your fellow SwordsPokemon. Awaken, Lady Virizion!"

Brutis said, "She's enveloped in a glow…the glow's gone…she's awake! Should I kneel or something?"

"No, just go over to Shaymin." I focused on awakening Shaymin, my eyes, glowed, and I chanted, "O forest flyer, may the Gracidea meet you once again, and may you rain Seed Flares upon your enemies. Awaken, Lady Shaymin!"

Brutis said, "Same thing…she's awake!"

"Good. Tell them about me, then get back to the guild for your next assignment." I turned the radio off, and Veric said, "Wow, you're taking charge pretty well."

I shrugged. "I'm just trying my best. Those dungeons…they were the resting location of one of the legendaries of that type, so if you pick one, it'll work. I suggest Steel Crevice, location of Registeel. No particular reason, just…you know the drill…" I turned away, and Veric asked, "You okay, Jed?"

I nodded, and she said, "You're silent. That's not quite like you."

I sighed and said, "Well…I'm worried. Dialga's one of those Pokémon, and I'm afraid…I'm afraid that you won't come back."

I looked at her, and I saw she was smiling. "I'll be fine. You'll see me again."

"Sparky…it's a Dialga! Dragon is naturally resistant of Fire, and-"

She kissed me, and I promptly shut up. She broke it, and I said, "How long were you waiting for that?"

"Well, you saved me from Team Breakdown twice. That kinda helped."

I smiled. "Go get 'em, Sparky."

She nodded and walked out, and someone from behind me said, "Bout time."

I turned. "Oh…Horatio, how long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough, lover boy."

I walked out as he cackled mischievously.

Lava Central, Floor One

I looked around this volcanic dungeon, alleged resting place of Heatran. The first Pokémon to discover this apparently had some sense of sarcasm when he was done…I shook my head and moved on.

I combed the walls, searching for the symbol that Sril had found, when I heard a cry from behind me. A cry of utter rage. I turned and saw a Heatran, its eyes glazed over. I pulled my water sabers and threw some Water Shuriken to weaken it. They steamed on impact, and I slashed it several times with my water sabers. It seemed to grow weaker, but it hit me with an Iron Head, and even with my Water typing, it hit hard. I hit the wall, and a voice that I didn't recognize said, "So you're the annoying Jed. Well, might as well kill you now."

Tomorrow's will be longer, I promise.