15. It Wasn't a Total Loss, So Here's My Old Junk

When they got back to the library, someone was talking to Thesus.

Rio noticed that the Noctowl looked panicked, but his visitor looked more curious than anything: a Medicham, and she looked to be about as old as the bird. She wore a badge around her neck, with a black body and gold wings with a bright blue gemstone right in the middle.

Rio noticed Blue's surprise at the sight of her. There was a bit of fear mixed in as well…

"Calm down," the Medicham said.

"I sent them to their deaths!" Thesus squawked. "Children, Jain!"

"You couldn't have known," Jain said calmly. "That Dungeon was easy when we went in."

"That was thirty years ago! Dungeons are always changing! I should've known."

Jain glanced back at Team Disaster, who were quietly watching the scene unfold. The sight of the team obviously surprised her before she turned back to her friend.

"What did you say they were?" she asked the apparently grieving Noctowl.

"A Bidoof, a Pancham, a Hakamo-o, and a Riolu," he said.

"Like them?" She pointed at the team, still staring at the sight. Thesus looked up, and his Aura instantly shifted from shame and panic to relief. The Noctowl sighed, his scowl returning shortly after.

"Good to see you all," the Noctowl coughed, trying to save face. "This is Jain, the Guildmaster of the local branch."

"Good to meet you," she said, smiling at the team. Rio waved, as did Scales and Pana. Blue looked starstruck, but did his best salute to their superior.

"Polite, aren't you?" the Medicham asked. "Tell me, you were the Bidoof that reported a record number of Dungeons last year, correct?"

Rio could sense his new friend's shock at his work being recognized. "Y-yes!" he stammered.

"Keep up the good work then. I'll expect great things from you."

"O-of course! Thank you!"

She smiled at him, and looked back at Rio. Her eyes seemed to linger on the Riolu, staring into him. Her Aura radiated surprise, and the curiosity that was already there seemed to skyrocket.

Without warning, Rio sneezed again. A small explosion followed, startling the old bird on his perch. The Medicham blinked, but otherwise didn't react.

"Sorry," Rio sniffed. "Got a cold."

"OUT!" Thesus squawked. "This library needs no more damage!"

"Calm down Thesus," Jain said. "That was not his fault."

"But-"

"I will take him to our healer in the tower," Jain interrupted. "You stay here and entertain your still breathing guests. Ask them about what happened in the Dungeon. Why there is a large hole in it. Important questions."

"Wait-" Pana tried to say, but Rio waved her off.

"He already doesn't like me, and the sneezing got old real fast," Rio told his team. "I'll be fine."

"Excellent. Let's go then." With that the Medicham walked past the group, grabbing Rio and taking him with her. He didn't resist, now curious about her intentions.

…

Blue watched Rio go, being led away by the most influential Pokemon in town. Guildmaster Jain helped establish the town itself, a well known explorer in her youth, one who had led so many expeditions.

And she knew who he was! Amazing! Strange even. He'd not even done anything very remarkable, just reporting some dungeons. It was a lot though...

"Blue!" Thesus squawked. Blue snapped out of his musings, looking back at the Noctowl. His scowl was back.

The group followed him down into the bottom wing of the library once again, this time much cleaner than how Rio left it. He noticed the cracks that the Riolu left were gone. In fact, the ones upstairs were gone too.

"Please," Thesus continued, "Could you explain what exactly happened?"

He glanced back at Pana and Scales, who nodded. Pana gave him a slight glare, reminding him to not tell the whole truth. It felt wrong, but it was the best course of action. This wouldn't hurt the Noctowl… right?

So Blue told his mentor. About how they got in, what they found, how they opened the door, and what was waiting inside…

"It destroyed the place," Blue said, slightly twisting the truth. "We managed to drive it off before it killed us, and these were all we could salvage."

Pana and Scales moved forward, placing the strange machine and books on the table. Thesus examined the machine closely.

"Fascinating," he said after a while. "I've never seen such a complex device. I will translate the books later. Now, what did this Pokemon look like?"

"It was tall," Scales spoke up. "White and purple. Looked like some kinda cat Pokemon."

The owl was silent for a bit, thinking. Blue knew the look well.

"I want to confirm my suspicions before telling you, but I may know what you saw. Allow me a few days of research and to look over these books. They may hold a clue."

Pana sighed. "Fine. And what about these?" She held up her own Z-ring. "Anything about that at least?"

"Yes, but I am unable to give specifics."

"Oh come on!" Pana shouted, throwing her hands in the air. "We had a deal!"

"From what Blue told me, you all managed to complete the test. At the very least

your explosive friend did. You should expect a message at some point in the future."

"Why can't you tell us anything?" Blue asked.

"A Carbink asked me not to." Blue's eyes widened at the Noctowl's words, remembering Rio's story. "Through those doors no less." Blue glanced back at the large doors that stood inside the bottom floor, still a jarring sight after spending so much time down here.

"So?" Scales asked.

Pana sighed. "The one who told Rio about the rings."

"Oh yeah."

"Anyway," the Noctowl continued. "He asked me to pass on the information about a message. According to him, you will know it when you see it."

"Fine," Pana growled. "Then at least keep us posted on whatever that thing was."

"I will, as long as my library is undamaged by your teammates."

Pana's scowl deepened, but she remained silent. There was nothing more to be said. Without another word she turned and walked up the stairs.

"Thanks," Scales said, following his sister. Blue nodded to his mentor and turned to follow.

"Just a moment, Blue," Thesus asked. "I have something for you."

The Bidoof heard the unintentional rhyme and turned around. Thesus had flapped over to a bookcase in the corner, taking one out of its slot. Strange, Blue was sure he read every book on this floor.

The Noctowl flew back towards the Bidoof, book clutched in his talons. He laid it down and opened it to the middle. A small green disk sat in a hollowed-out bundle of blank pages. Blue was amazed. It was a TM, and an unused one at that!

"I found this in that same Dungeon thirty years ago but had no use for it. You should be able to learn it."

"What move is it?" Blue asked, examining the relic. This was a very generous gift. Why would he bother giving it to someone like Blue?

"Grass Knot. It is your reward for fulfilling my request, and yours alone. Do you know how to use it?"

"Just put it on my head, right?" Blue couldn't hide the grin growing on his face. His entire body was buzzing with excitement. He was desperate to learn more moves, and Grass Knot would be useful in taking down larger enemies. It might even pair well with Water Gun. Blue's mind lit up at the possibilities. He could be less of a burden...

"Correct. Are you ready?"

Blue nodded, watching as the Noctowl picked the disc up with one talon. "Keep still."

The Bidoof struggled to do so, but managed after a minute. The Noctowl gently placed the disc on his head. It seemed so trivial all of a sudden. It was like he knew how to use it since birth. Grass Knot was now as easy as breathing.

Blue snapped out of his trance. The disk clattered to the ground, its green sheen now gone. The now gray disk was empty, its reserve of knowledge drained.

"I don't think I have to tell you to not try it here," Thesus said. Blue snapped to attention.

The Bidoof quickly nodded. "Of course Mr. Thesus! Thank you!"

The Noctowl nodded. "Of course. You earned it."

Blue disagreed, but didn't feel like having that conversation again. "Thank you. Thank you so much."

"Come back in tomorrow. We'll decipher these books together and work on your Unovan."

Blue nodded, and ran after his team, excited to show them what he could now do. He didn't notice the Noctowl's frown, or what he whispered under his breath.

"Be safe."

…

"Well, the cold should clear up in a few days. Eat plenty of sitrus berries and stay out of the water. Oh and-"

Rio's next sneeze almost caught the Audino off guard. Luckily she backed up just in time as his Aura erupted from his body, destroying the chair he sat in. Rio calmly fell to the ground, barely phased by what just happened. The Audino treating him seemed less calm.

The healers wing of the guild tower looked nice blues and whites of the painted walls held some basic hygiene and grooming tips for all kinds of Pokemon. 'Get between your scales!' 'Don't be a Grimer!' 'DON'T USE EKANS OIL, IT MAKES THE BURNING WORSE.' 'Wash your fur often!'

There were six comfortable chairs to go along with the beds, but Rio had destroyed three in his time there. The Medicham, Jain, sat in one, suppressing a grin. Rio didn't need to sense Aura to know the Audino was getting sick of it.

"AND," she continued. "there's that exploding issue."

"That just happens," Rio assured the healer. "Should stop with the cold."

"May I ask what causes it?"

"Masters said I lack control."

"Masters?"

Rio waved the question off. "Thanks. Sorry about the furniture."

"I'll send someone to replace it later," Guildmaster Jain said, still grinning. "Thank you Trucy."

"Of course Guildmaster. And you-" she pointed at Rio. "Take it easy. No jobs or Dungeons until that clears up."

"What?" Rio said, his annoyance evident.

"You are way too dangerous to be around right now," Trucy continued. "I'll inform the job officer that you are not to take any jobs until that clears up."

"But-"

Jain suddenly sat up and clapped. "Listen to the medic, young mon. She's right."

Rio was about to protest further when the Medicham waved him over. "I do have something for you, for a job well done."

That caught the Riolu's attention. He waved the Audino a quick goodbye and followed her to the top floor, the Guildmaster's quarters. It was large, taking up the entire story. Treasures from her many adventures lined every wall, and the floor was littered with random trinkets. Her desk sat at the end of the room, right behind a large window overlooking the town. It was quite the view.

A clay pot sat on the desk, filled with multicolored gummis. The sweet smell of the candy captivated Rio as he sat down.

"Please, take some," Jain said, sitting down behind the deck. "I made them myself. Not as good as the Dungeon ones, but-"

He snatched the jar as soon as she gave him the go-ahead, grabbing a handful of the small candies and popping them into his mouth. They were sweet, just the way he liked them. The Medicham's eyes widened at that. Why? She had just given him the OK.

"You like all of them?" she asked.

"Why wouldn't I?" Rio asked back, mouth still full. She didn't answer immediately, and Rio felt her curiosity strengthen.

"Nevermind. Now, do you know why I went to visit Thesus today?"

"We just got back, so…"

"He called me to take a look at the Dungeon you found. The one underneath town."

Rio had nearly forgotten about that place. In his defense, it had been a long few days. Jain went on after a brief pause.

"Excellent work on your end, and you should be rewarded for your part."

"Can I have the rest of these?" Rio asked, pointing at the pot of gummis.

"...Is that all you want?"

"Could I get some for my friends too?"

"...You know what? Sure. Take them all." The Medicham's eyes flashed Blue, and more jars floated from under her desk, these with lids. Rio flinched at the display of Psychic, reminded of that giant cat creature. They assembled themselves on the desk, stacking on top of eachother. Soon, Rio's vision of his boss was completely cut off by the quantity of candy he asked for.

"I should have an extra bag for all of these," Jain said from behind the candy. "But before you go, I have another job for you. After you recover, of course."

Rio couldn't tear his eyes away from his prize, but he had enough sense to respond. "What you got?"

"I'd like you to lead an expedition into that Dungeon. You found it, so you should explore it fully first. If you succeed you will be rewarded-"

"Sounds like fun," Rio cut her off. "I'm game."

She smiled. "I thought you might say that. I'll explain more when you recover. Let me find that bag…"

A large bag floated next to the Riolu, making him flinch once again. He cursed under his breath, his recent fight still fresh on his mind. The Guildmaster noticed this time.

"Are you alright?"

"Probably," Rio answered, grabbing the sack out of the air. "Just gotta recover…"

He started shoving the candy into the bag without another word. The Riolu only paused to sneeze (and explode). When all was said and done the now full bag was bigger than Rio himself. He hoisted the unwieldy bag with both arms, and stumbled towards the door.

"I look forward to your work," Jain said as Rio stumbled out the door. He grunted something back, and took his leave.

The explosive sneeze that followed the Riolu's exit, along with the smashing of pots that accompanied it, made her judgment waiver just a bit.