I have a new idea for my story that's going to be implemented soon. I want to get to it, so I'm going to put more of my free time into writing.

Chapter 18: When It Rains… It Pours

We made the trip north to Amp Plains without much trouble. As we got closer, storm clouds were above us now. There was thunder and lightning but no rain.

The three of us stopped at the entrance, "Amp Plains, huh?" A lightning bolt struck the ground a ways away. "They hit that nail on the head with the name of the place. Here are your nose plugs, everybody."

After we put our plugs in, I said, "You all ready for the most deadly fetch-quest ever?" They both chuckled and nodded.

"Then let's rock n' roll!"

We got through the first halfa the dungeon without a problem. It helped that Siltram could use mud to counter the shock, Rio was too fast and none of the Pokémon were strong enough to give me more than a tickle wit' their shock attacks.

We saved at the Kangaskhan Rock and Rio asked, "How did you just shrug off all of those electric attacks?"

I chuckled and said, "I've been through twelve seasons of shock therapy. Takes a lotta voltage to get ta me now!"

I looked down further, "Well we're halfway there now guys. We just gotta keep pushing and prepare for trouble. But we'll give double back ta Team Skull!"

-3rd Person POV-

Back at Treasure Town, Marill and Azurill were talking to the Kecleon Brothers about what happened to their Water Float.

"Ah, I see!" said the green brother. "What a mean thing to do! So Rio's team is on the way there right now, yes?"

"Yep!" said Azurill. Marill continued, "They said they would get it back for us."

The Kecleon merchant grinned, "Good for you! You can rest easy knowing Team Righteous is on the case!"

Marill nodded, "Yes, that's true! They once saved Azurill too. We're so grateful for their help!"

Dusknoir floated down the path. Seeing the small crowd, he went up to them, "Good day to you all. Is something the matter?"

The brothers both bowed and the purple brother said, "Hello, Dusknoir, sir! We're talking about Marill's lost item. Do you remember? We discussed that very same thing here not long ago."

"Of course. I believe you're referring to the Water Float? I seem to recall you'd heard it was on the beach."

"Exactly! Exactly! But now there is more to the story…"

After a short explanation, Dusknoir shook his head, "I see. That is terrible indeed. It's hard to imagine why anyone would do something so wretched. It must take some pathetic thugs to stoop so low."

"I couldn't agree more!" the green brother shouted, "To be so mean spirited to children! And to children so young as these brothers! It's utterly unforgivable!" The purple brother calmed his twin's temper with a hand on his shoulder.

"One more thing… Where has Team Righteous gone?"

Marill said, "They went to Amp Plains."

Dusknoir swiftly turned to Marill, "Pardon? Did you say Amp Plains? But in Amp Plains, at this time of year… It's the season for… No! This is ruinous! Team Righteous is in grave danger!"

"What?!" Everyone shouted.

"I must leave for Amp Plains immediately!"

Dusknoir immediately rushed off, ignoring the calls of the Kecleon Brothers for an explanation.

-Meowth's POV-

We managed to recruit an Electrike soon after going into the second half of the dungeon, which was good because now we're surrounded by the rest of the monster house we got him from.

All of us standing back-to-back, Electrike, now named Dash, said, "Maybe I should've joined you after you finished all of the enemies. This badge is practically a bulls-eye." Then he tackled away another Flaafy while Rio grappled a Tauros by the horns.

I grinned as I rummaged through the bag with Siltram covering me, "Aw, don't write us off yet, Dash. I got just the thing for it." I pulled out a Spurn Orb (Red wit' six orange arrows pointing away from the center.) I threw it to the ground and all of the enemies warped away.

"They're all scattered now, so we can pick 'em off while we look for the stairs!"

We made our way to the stairs and continued wit' our new member. He took the lead, being faster than the rest of us on his four legs. He had Lighting Rod, so he absorbed all of the electric attacks without so much as a twitch. Now, we have six members of Team Righteous. 'S a shame that we can only take four to a dungeon.

We finally made it to the end of the dungeon. A clearing with even more lightning striking it than anywhere else. Sure enough, the Water Float was sitting right there at the end of the clearing. I would go over to it, but…

"Smells like a trap, don'tcha think, Rio?"

"Obviously. But we don't really have a choice here. I'll try to grab it as fast as I can."

He ran forward and didn't make it two steps before the area went dark.

A voice came from everywhere around us, "Why did you come here?! This is our territory!"

I moved forward and shouted, "Quick, everyone! Back-to-back!"

We all moved into formation, ready to defend on all fronts. The voice laughed, "How cute… You group together when threatened. At least you recognize the futility in hiding or running."

Rio glared at the darkness, "Show yourselves! This darkness won't do you any good! I can sense your emotions. I already know that there's more than just one of you! Who are you?"

"Ha ha ha! My name is Manectric! I am the leader of these Electrike!"

Suddenly, the area was lit again and we were totally surrounded. I just glared at the leader, who was right in front of Rio.

"Now, prepare to fight!"

They all closed in and Siltram coughed up a Mud Bomb to scatter a few. Rio used Quick Attack on the leader who met Rio with his own. They all could only use Tackle and Quick Attack since Dash absorbed all of their electric attacks. And between Rio and I's strength, Siltram's Mud Bombs and Dash's ability, the fight didn't last long. I finished off the boss with a Fury Swipes. After that, we mopped up the rest of them, who were just not strong enough. One day, I'll thank Rio for all the times he dragged me to the Dojo. One day, but not today.

The gang picked themselves up, and Manectric started growling and charging up electricity. "You… You dare?!"

I slapped my forehead, "We didn't come looking for trouble! If you would give us one second ta explain ourselves-"

"Enough! Take this!" He fired a Charge Shot with a huge flash of light and it didn't even have a chance to go to Dash. Dusknoir appeared right between us and the gang.

"Stop! Stop this instant! Their words are sincere! They trespass, but they don't intend to make claims on your territory!"

Manectric and his gang backed up, "You! Who are you?!"

"I am the explorer Dusknoir! Manectric! You have every right to be angry! Especially in light of what your tribe has suffered on these grounds… Your hostility toward any that trespass here is natural! This place is your haven! A place where you can find solace! I understand that completely! On behalf of these unwitting trespassers, I offer the sincerest apology! They entered here unbidden, but did so without malice! They mean no harm! We will leave you in peace as soon as our errand is complete! Please, believe me! Manectric!"

"Hmm… You seem to know much about us, Dusknoir. You make the claim… that they mean no harm… So be it! I choose to believe your words, Dusknoir. I will allow you some time. I expect you to be gone by our return." He turned to his group of Electrike, "Come." Then they left.

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. "Thanks, Dusknoir! We really didn't wanna get in another fight. Who were those guys, anyway?"

"They a nomadic tribe that always stays on the move. They roam in constant search of places that are hospitable to them. And Amp Plains is often lashed by thunderstorms this time of year. They find it to their liking, so they dwell in Amp Plains this time of year.

"But, tragically, they were once attacked by enemies here without warning… And I understand that they suffered terrible injuries. Ever since, Manectric's group has been very sensitive about trespassers here. So if anyone trespassed upon these grounds, well… they would strike first, for fear of being stricken! Somehow, at some point, that became a law among Manectric's group."

"So dat's why they wouldn't let us get our two cents in. Oh, right, we still gotta get the Water Float!"

We moved to the end of the clearing and picked up the little item.

"So, I figure we got about three seconds before you-know-who shows up."

"So you knew that it was put there deliberately. They knew that you would eventually get to this spot. Manectric's protection of this area is well known."

"They musta expected that Manectric would fight us… So why don't yous come out, Team Skull!"

Dusknoir added, "It's about time that you came out of hiding and showed yourselves!"

"… Chaw-haw-haw! So you knew all along! No point in hiding, then!" Team Skull walked out from behind one of the large rocks in the clearing. They all laughed.

"So you all set us up to fight with Manectric's gang!"

"Whoa-ho-ho! We were going to wait for you to get stomped by Manectric… Then we were going to step in and mop up afterward!"

"Heh-heh! But we didn't count on this guy meddling!"

I stepped forward and readied my claws while Rio leaned into a fighting stance, "You bozos ready for Round 2?" Even Dusknoir floated forward to get ready.

Skuntank stepped back, "Chaw-haw! Sure, if it was just Team Righteous. You can bet that we'd rough 'em up good!"

Says the guy who lost the last time and tried to wuss out with an item the second time.

"But against the world-famous Dusknoir…? That's a different story! Let's skedaddle, boys!" Then they ran away.

"Chickens!" Rio said.

"They certainly are quick when it comes to… skedaddling. I'm afraid our effort would be wasted if we were to give chase now. I think we should deliver the Water Float to the young brothers."

-Later, at Treasure Town-

The little kids sure were happy to get their water float back. Marill, especially.

"You saved Azurill way back then, and now this! I don't know how we could ever thank you! But really… thank you!"

"Hey, it's cool! If ya want ta thank someone, thank Dusknoir! If he hadn't been there, we wouldn't!"

They both thanked Dusknoir. And he nodded, "No trouble at all. I'm very happy for you. It's wonderful that your Water Float has come back to you."

The green Kecleon merchant laughed, "I must say! It is so like the great Dusknoir to be so modest! And I must say that Team Righteous has also been superb! After all, the team has again completed a difficult job! When rescuing Azurill, you were so fast at pinpointing the child's whereabouts! And so fast at reaching our young friend too!"

Rio rubbed the back of his head, "Well, it sounds really cool when you put it like that, but that's not really how it worked. We didn't track where Azurill was when we rescued him. I just so happened to see it in a dream."

Dusknoir perked up behind us, "Excuse me? A dream, you say? By dream, what do you mean?"

I raised an eyebrow. Why's he so interested?

Rio was already talking though, "Oh, maybe you can explain it! You see, I occasionally get dizzy spells when touching something or someone. Then I see or hear something in the future or past, having to do with that object or something related to it."

"What?! Well that's… that's… The Dimensional Scream!"

Now I was interested. I walked up next to Rio, "What's that mean?"

Rio leaned over to me, "Meowth, if he knows about this, then he might know more about me, my own forgotten past. I think we should ask him!"

I whispered back, "I dunno, Rio. I think we should be careful about how much information we share. I mean, I'm grateful that he saved us, but we barely know 'im."

"There can't be any harm in it. Dusknoir, sir, I'd like to ask your advice on something."

I tried to say something, but Rio was already talking up a storm on how he had amnesia and how I found him near Treasure Town. Dusknoir asked to be led to the exact spot. So we showed him. At the beach, he started talking.

"I see… So your friend found you unconscious right here. Then when you woke up and had none of your memories."

Rio nodded, "Yeah, only remembering my name… and remembering that I was-"

"LOST!" I said, "He was very lost and I decided to help him. After he helped me with a problem involving Team Skull, we formed an exploration team." Rio has given way too much information! I need to get 'im to put a cork in it!

"Anyway, we need to report to the guild for dinner and all that, so see ya!"

"Wait! I may not know anything about your friend's memory loss … However, I do know about the ability he possesses. I should at least give you that information."

I really wanted to get outta here, but I decided to stay and just make sure that Rio doesn't give away anything else. "Alright, what is it?"

"The ability to see the future or the past by touching something… That ability is known as the Dimensional Scream."

"Dat's it's name? (Kinda a mouthful.)"

"Indeed. How such an ability is learned, that is unknown. But sounds and images slice across the boundaries of time, breaching objects and reaching into Pokémon… To manifest as visions. And that is all I know about the extraordinary ability."

"Really? So Rio has a one-of-a kind ability? That's awesome! Now, if you'll excuse us…"

"However…" Dusknoir said. Gee! How many times is he gonna hold us up?! I gotta get Rio outta here before he gives anyfing else away!

Dusknoir continued, "I still wish to help your friend with his memory loss. I will offer you my full cooperation. To be perfectly candid… I can't stand knowing that there's something that I don't know! Quite honestly, that is the full truth of it! Ha-ha-ha!"

Rio beamed, "Thanks, Dusknoir, sir! It's great to know that we'll have your help! Because, I'd like to find out why-"

I quickly found something to change the subject, "Huh? Look at all the Pelipper!" I found out that it actually was weird how they were flying around in circles. And there were a ton of 'em.

Rio noticed, "There are a lot more of them than usual."

Dusknoir added, "Could something be the matter?"

"Hey!"

We looked over and Bidoof was huffing along down the beach.

I realized why he was running, "Bidoof, is something wrong?"

He huffed, catching his breath, "I f-finally… f-found you all…"

Realizing that it was major, I asked again, "Bidoof… What happened?"

He jumped up, "The call has been put out! All the apprentices are to report to the guild immediately!"

"Oh no! Quick let's go, Rio!"

"I will go with you!" Dusknoir said.

Bidoof jumped up again, "Hurry, everyone!"

He led us back to the guild and everyone was on the Mission Floor, gathered in front of the Outlaw Notice Board.

Bidoof called out, "Everyone's here, yup yup!"

We gathered in front of the board with everyone else. After Rio apologized for us holding things up, I asked, "What happened? What's the emergency?"

Chatot looked like he was about to be sick, "Another Time Gear was stolen!"

"What?! Not another one!" Bidoof shouted.

I didn't want the answer but I asked anyway, "Where from…?"

Chatot started shaking, "W-well, it…"

Bidoof asked, "Uh… what's the problem? Did it happen somewhere you don't want to talk about?"

I jumped to the worst possibility, "No! It can't 'ave been from…!"

"Yes… it was!" Sunflora said, for once not smiling, "This time… the Time Gear from Fogbound Lake was stolen."

Sorry to end things now, but I started this chapter with this point in mind to stop. It wouldn't be the first time that I ended things on a dark cliff hanger. I'll try to post the next chapter ASAP. Thank you, everyone who's sticking through this! And thank you again, Antex, for faithfully following and reviewing my story!