Chapter 29: Chasing a Myth

Everybody started making plans for where they would gather information and Wigglytuff walked up to me, "I'm sorry that I don't have any information on the Hidden Land… But maybe the wise Torkoal, the town elder, may know something."

I tilted my head, "Torkoal?"

"That would be the wisest and oldest Pokémon of Treasure Town. He loves the Hot Spring, so he's always there. In fact, I'm positive that you'll find him at the Hot Spring!"

Thinking back, I remembered Meowth and I's first exploration, "Oh, right, I remember. He's that nice Pokémon past the Waterfall Cave."

Wigglytuff nodded, "You should put his years of wisdom to use! Go ask Torkoal for advice."

I nodded, "All right. I'll move out right away!"

"But first…" Chimecho cut in, "It is getting late. And besides, you must be hungry!"

"Huh?" Then, on cue, my stomach growled. "Oh! Uh, excuse me…"

"You should have dinner. Then get a good night's sleep. We can all get to work tomorrow!"

My stomach growled again, "He he, sounds like a good plan."

Everyone laughed as I grinned sheepishly. Yeah. It's good to be home…

That night, after dinner, I went into my room and looked around. I briefly thought about how long it seemed since I last slept in here even though it might have only been a week at most. I was glad that everyone believed my story. It filled me with new resolve and gave me hope that I would get Meowth back.

Next time we return, it'll be both of us.

-The Next Day-

"UP AND AT 'EM! IT'S MORNING!"

All possibility of sleep shattered, I sat up and rubbed my head in an effort to soothe the new ache. After a bit, I got up and left to go to the morning address.

Chatot reviewed the day's assignments for everybody, "Ahem! So wrapping up… Everyone's aware of their duties today?" Everyone answered in affirmation. "Good! Those of you investigating the Hidden Land and those of you spreading the word about the true state of affairs… I expect you to organize your teams accordingly and get going. Let's get right to it, everyone!"

"HOORAY!"

I left with everyone else and was about to start getting ready to go to Waterfall Cave. When I reached the crossroads, I turned to go to Treasure Town, but I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned and immediately got punched in the face. Fallen to the ground, I looked up and Savage was glaring down at me. I rubbed the side of my face, "What was that for?!"

"Grr… Both times… Both f***in' times… I had to hear it from somebody else…"

"What?"

"First you two disappear… All of us not there to help. Then you come back… Are back for TWO F***ING DAYS! And you never thought to tell us?!"

Realizing what he meant, I felt pretty guilty, "It's not that I didn't want to tell you. It was that the situation was so unbelievable that-" He punched me again on the top of my head.

"THAT'S NO EXCUSE! You think that we wouldn't believe you? We may not be guild members, but we're still your teammates! Now c'mon, everybody's waiting!" He all but dragged me down the staircase of Spinda Café and everybody was waiting at the usual spot.

Dash ran over and said, "You're really back!" Hogan pulled me into a bone-crushing hug, Siltram went to order me an Apple Juice, and Damus, being a Pokémon of few words, just smiled, and was happy that I was back. Nobody brought up Meowth, having heard it from Bidoof the previous day. We all sat down and everybody turned to me.

"So…" Siltram ventured, "Where do we go from here, boss?"

Realizing that everybody was looking to me for a plan, I took a deep breath, "Well… The plan is to go to the Hot Spring and ask Torkoal about the Hidden Land."

Siltram nodded, "Past Waterfall Cave, right? I remember that place."

"But… I think that I should go alone." Everybody started arguing, but I spoke over them. "Without Meowth, if Grovyle and I get separated on the Hidden Land, I'll be on my own. I need to practice fighting without back-up. I don't know how to use the seeds and orbs that Meowth uses." Everybody quieted down, "I'm sorry to do this, but I think that it's necessary."

"If you're going to go alone…" I turned to Damus, "you're going to need some strategic moves. Meowth hoarded a few TMs over our adventures; look through and find some that hit multiple opponents."

I nodded, "Thanks, Damus."

"All in a day's work, Rio."

I left and continued to Treasure Town, stopping at Kangaskhan Storage to look through the TMs that were in storage. Picking out two, I taught myself Wide Slash and Vacuum-Cut. I also replenished the Oran Berries in the Treasure Bag. Stopping at the watering hole, I wrote in the Adventure Log and then set out for the Waterfall Cave.

-Two hours later-

Fighting through the dungeon wasn't that hard. I was far stronger than any of the Pokémon in here. On the way, I learned how to best use the two new moves that I learned. The hardest part was that I had to intentionally trigger the geyser that blasted me to the Hot Spring. I managed to stay conscious this time and landed on the rim of the spring.

I waded through the waters and walked up to Torkoal. He looked over, "Hm? Ah, my young friend! Come to wash away your exhaustion?"

"Thanks for the offer, but not this time. I'm here to ask you something."

He nodded in understanding, "I see… You seek my wisdom. Well, there's no better place than this to share your story!"

I told him about the situation of the world and what I needed to know.

"Ah, I see… The Hidden Land, you say? I have heard of it."

"Really?!" I felt another spark of hope.

"The Hidden Land is truly a place of legend… It is tattered lore at best, handed down by oral tradition."

"Any information will help! Please tell me!"

He nodded, "Of course. I can tell you only what I have heard. The Hidden Land lies beyond the sea… in a hidden place, so the story goes. The Hidden Land allows only the chosen to find it. To go there, one must possess certain qualities."

"Hmm… That's not very encouraging. Well, what are those qualities, Torkoal?"

"They are…" He paused and then turned away a moment mumbling, "Er… Now what were they?" Then he turned back to me. "I'm sorry. It's slipped my mind."

"Huh? You forgot? Please, please try to remember! It's really important."

He tilted his head, "Easy for you to say… Er… um… Oh! That's it! You need proof! You needed proof of some sort… Yes, that was it. Proof."

"Proof? Of what kind?"

"That would be… Er... Um? Forgive me. I've forgotten again."

"Huh? You can't remember?!"

He sweat a bit, "I… I'm sorry to disappoint you."

I sighed, "That's okay. Is there anything else you can tell me?"

"…No. That's all. Forgive me, youngster. If I recall what proof you need, I'll be sure to let you know."

"Please do. Thank you, Torkoal." I left the Hot Spring and returned to the guild. When I got back, I reported in to Chatot and he thought about it.

"Hmmm… So Torkoal couldn't provide us with many answers. That's too bad…"

"Oh! That's not entirely true!" Wigglytuff chimed in, "We know that we need proof! And knowing that is a step forward! Right?"

"Hey, hey!" Corphish added, "We're searching too."

Loudred sighed, "Yeah, but we didn't find anything."

"But…" Bidoof spoke up, "there's no giving up! We have to keep trying, by golly!"

"I'll keep trying too!" Diglett said.

Sunflora nodded, "We should have dinner and rest up for the night. We'll resume our efforts tomorrow!"

That night, after dinner, I thought about today's progress in finding the Hidden Land. It's not going as quickly as I'd like… I really thought that Torkoal would have a solid lead. I wonder how Grovyle's mission is going. Has he already finished? I can't let this slow me down! I need to do my part too!

I let out a sigh, "No point in getting bothered by it, huh Meowth? You'd probably say that… I have everyone's help and I just need to go to sleep and start fresh tomorrow."

Ignoring the fact that I was talking to myself now, I laid down and went to sleep.

-The Next Day-

"Ahem! So in short… The Hidden Land remains shrouded in mystery… But we're not giving up! Let's get out there and investigate again today! Let's go, everyone!"

"HOORAY!"

Everyone left to their posts and I thought about where to go next, even though I didn't have any new leads.

"Pokémon detected! Pokémon detected!"

I turned to the sentry post, seeing Loudred saying, "Whose footprint? Whose footprint?"

"The footprint belongs to… Torkoal, the town elder! The footprint belongs to Torkoal, the town elder!"

Huh? Why's Torkoal here?

Soon, Torkoal puttered down the ladder, out of breath, "Huff-huff… Finally, I caught up with -huff… Climbing up to this guild is hard on these old bones."

I tilted my head, "So what brings you here, Torkoal? Did you remember something?"

He nodded, "Indeed, I did. But I've recalled only one more tiny thing, sorry to say… Yesterday, I contemplated the waters of the Hot Spring for a long time. Finally, one recollection surfaced. But… it really is something small. I worry if it would be even worthwhile sharing it with you."

"Not a worry!" Wigglytuff chimed in, "Every little bit of information helps! However small! Please, say it!"

"When we spoke of travel to the Hidden Land yesterday… I said that you needed proof of your qualification to go there. I remembered a bit more about that proof. The proof… bears an inscription of a certain pattern."

I raised an eyebrow, "A certain pattern?"

"Hey, hey! So what kind of pattern would that be?"

Torkoal tilted his head, "Er… How can I describe it? It's difficult to describe it… But I can tell you that the pattern is quite intricate and odd. It's a peculiar pattern. The kind of pattern you rarely see."

"A pattern you rarely see…" Bidoof wondered aloud, "Golly!"

"You'd think I could think of something!" Loudred said.

Sunflora added, "But trying to think of such a thing! It's not easy when one tries!"

"Hmm… what could it be…?" Chimecho pondered.

"The kind of pattern you rarely see…" What could a pattern like that look like…? A peculiar pattern… Why does it feel like I should know that? Wait!

I glanced down at the Relic Fragment tied to the Treasure Bag. Could we really be so lucky?

"Uh, Torkoal, could you take a look at this for me?" I untied the Relic Fragment and held it for him to see.

He looked at it and gasped, "Oh! Th-this is it! It's a pattern exactly like this!"

"WHAT?!" Everyone shouted.

Torkoal continued, "Where… where did you get this?"

I tied it back to the bag, "It's not actually mine. It was my partner's. While we were… in the field, he was… detained. For one reason or another, he entrusted the Relic Fragment to me before his capture."

Sunflora cheered, "Yippee! This is fabulous! Since Rio has this… Does it mean that Rio is qualified to go to the Hidden Land?"

Torkoal shook his head, "That, I wouldn't know. Maybe yes, maybe no. To go to the Hidden Land, one must surely possess that proof. But that doesn't necessarily mean that the bearer of the proof really possesses the qualifications to be… chosen. That proof may be merely the physical key to the Hidden Land. Even before that, though, this shares the same inscribed pattern… There's no sure connection between this Relic Fragment and the Hidden Land."

"Oh!" Wigglytuff shouted, "But…! There's no question that this pattern has something to do with the Hidden Land? Knowing only that is a lot!"

"I suppose so…" Then Torkoal perked up, "Wait… You do realize that the Hidden Land is only a spoken legend, right? You're surely not trying to find the Hidden Land?"

"Yes! We are." Wigglytuff nodded.

"My goodness! What a surprise!"

Wigglytuff turned to Chatot, "Chatot! This pattern… We've seen this somewhere. Haven't we?"

Everyone, including myself, shouted, "WHAT?!"

"Y-yes…" Chatot said, "The sea inlet to the northwest… Inside Brine Cave…" Then he cringed, "But, Guildmaster! That place…!"

Wigglytuff nodded, "Yes, I know. That vicious bandit was there."

Everyone was unsettled at the sound of that, but Wigglytuff calmed them down, "Everyone, please listen. I once saw this same pattern deep inside a place called Brine Cave. I think we can discover more by taking the Relic Fragment there. However, there is one problem. A Pokémon lurks there who is a vicious bandit."

Corphish spoke up, "Hey, hey! We're not about to let that scare us!"

"Aren't we explorers?" Loudred added.

"We all need to be brave!" Sunflora shouted.

Wigglytuff smiled, "Thanks, everyone! But that place is challenging. Everyone should take time today to get ready. We'll set off for Brine Cave tomorrow!"

"HOORAY!"

Everyone else was making plans and Torkoal got my attention and said, "Ho-ho-ho… I thought that the Hidden Land was nothing more than folklore! Getting old has made my thinking so inflexible. That's very sad. This all makes me remember the days when I dreamt of romance and adventure! Help me see my dreams again! Do your best! Ho-ho-ho!"

He turned to leave and I said, "You can count on it, Torkoal!"

"Thank you, Torkoal!" Wigglytuff said.

Torkoal looked over his shoulder, "Oh, it was nothing. Ho-ho-ho!" Then he moved up the ladder and left.

"All right, everyone!" Wigglytuff called out, "Spend the rest of today getting ready! Okay! Dismissed!"

"HOORAY!"

Everyone left to get ready, but before I could leave, I heard Wigglytuff say, "Chatot, you stay at the guild tomorrow on standby."

Chatot flapped his wings, "G-Guildmaster! Forgive me if I'm out of line, but… Please, let me go to Brine Cave!"

"Nope! I can't let you face danger like that ever again."

"But that's why! That's why I must go! Please, take me to Brine Cave!"

"…Okay. Then I want you to go with Rio tomorrow. Guide him to the place where we saw that strange pattern. But I want you to be careful."

"Thank you! I won't let you down!"

"Another thing… I have something I need to do, so I have to go out. You're in charge while I'm gone."

"As you wish." Wigglytuff left and Chatot walked up to me. "So that's where it stands. You will be with me tomorrow. As such, Team Righteous's nonguild members may not come along. Brine cave has a vicious foe lying in wait. You mustn't let down your guard! And don't do anything that keeps me from succeeding there!"

"Okay." Sheesh. A little more condescension please?

-3rd Person POV-

Torkoal slowly made his way down the stairs, at last reaching the crossroads. "Oh, to be young again! If I was younger, I'd certainly join the challenge to find the Hidden Land."

"Whoa-ho-ho! Hold it there, old-timer!" A voice called out.

Torkoal looked around shocked, "Wh-who is it?"

From the outskirts of town, Team Skull ran up to Torkoal and surrounded him.

"Wh-what is it? What do you want?"

"Chaw-haw-haw! Well, we're Team Skull!"

"Heh-heh! Did you have business with Wigglytuff's Guild, old-timer?"

"Whoa-ho-ho! I overheard you say something that sounded fun!"

"Something about the Hidden Land. Chaw-haw-haw!"

Trapped, Torkoal tried to talk his way out of danger, "I… I was only…"

Hearing footsteps, Zubat said "Huh? Someone's coming!"

"Whoa-ho-ho! Guild chumps?"

Skuntank motioned down the path to the beach, "Old-timer… Why don't we take this chat somewhere we won't be disturbed? Chaw-haw!"

"Hey…!" Unable to stop them, Torkoal was led away from the crossroads.

I'm back! Now I can write at regular pace again!