Interlude Day 002

[Slight warning: I didn't realize until later that the description of a burn treatment could be considered somehow a bit graphic, so I tried to tone it down as much as possible... but please bear with me a little. ^^']

The morning after camping around Lizard's flame arrived quietly, since the Teams and Pikachu were observing with various degrees of stunned horror Fang remove the bandages from a still passed out Ash, propped into a sitting position against the male Fire Type. The mush had been mostly absorbed by the raw skin, leaving behind only a thin dark greenish crust that the Totodile with careful gantleness was removing with the tip of her claws and slowly the scorch was coming in sight.

− Alakazam and Charizard taught me the techniques of taking care of burns without available seeds or of something too big for a bite of Rawst Berry. − she explained to occupy the silence. − I'm going to apply the last bit of the mush, but this time we need to leave his back on the open to let it dry and properly scab afterwards.

− Uhm. − whimpered in empathetic pain Pikachu, the distress evident in both his eyes and voice.

− What about the risk of infection? − Rush asked with a little frown of concern.

− That's what the Pecha Berries will be for. Plum are better, if we'll be lucky enough to find them: they'll lower the burn area too. − the azure crocodile answered, carefully scratching the edges of the last section.

− So you'll treat the infection like a poisoning. − her partner hummed in acknowledgement and she nodded in assent as the last bit of crust came off.

Fang finally released the breath she had been metaphorically holding. The skin didn't appear to be inflamed and in fact looked better than she had been expecting: the edges of the wound looked halfway healed, while the center didn't seem rare meat anymore... there was still room for improvement.

− Not bad, but it could be better. − the blue reptile muttered to herself, retrieving the remaining paste on the Sandshrew scale, then she delicately applied it. There was a relieved sigh from beyond Lizard's shoulder that made Fang grit her namesakes in a slight grimace. She felt concern and hollow relief because, even if the Riolu had showed no reaction from being prodded and practically skinned (probably because he was too unconscious), at least he had regained afterward a level of awareness that had let him feel the relief of pain. That, or he had an high pain tolerance and had hid to be awake all the time. The Totodile really hoped for the former.

The group waited till she had completed the task and the Charmander had lowered his charge down to dare to speak again.

− How do we split now? − Rush inquired, looking at the other four pensively.

− I could survey alone since I just have to climb a tree. − Pikachu proposed, raising a paw.

− You three could go and search for berries in the meanwhile. I'll keep Ash company and defend him in case of danger. Considering that we're out of any dungeon, the number of territorial pokémon is close to none. − Lizard volunteered, pointing at his partner and Team Purplewing.

Poccha rose an eyeridge. − Why you? − the orange reptile just lifted the flaming tip of his tail, making the Penguin Pokémon wince. − Yeah, good point. There's the risk of burning down the forest.

− I'll search a safe path for you to walk on too, if you want to be part of an excursion team later. − Pikachu proposed, gaining a grateful smile from the Lizard Pokémon.

− That'll be great, thanks! − the other nodded in response.

− Then keep the X-Ray Specs with you, even if faint, you'll see the concentration of colors of friendly pokémon and useful items. − Rush bulged the glasses from her forehead (where she had kept them till now) with a snap of her head, throwing them to Pikachu at the same time, who caught them readily. − This way the next expedition will be focused on getting help.

− I'll watch out for yellow and blue then. − he put them on, then looked uneasily at the group for a second, before settling his gaze on his partner. − I'm off.

− See you later. − the Charmander nodded, smiling in a way he hoped to be reassuring. The yellow rodent cracked a small smile of his own, but then hesitated and lowered himself on all fours to gently nuzzle with one of his red electric pouches the Riolu's cheek. The exchange lasted a second, then Pikachu departed in a sprint.

The four watched him go and vanish in the foliage, each of them sighing with various degrees of quietness.

− Time to go for us too. − Fang announced, standing up.

− We can bring the blanket with us to carry along what we find. − Poccha proposed, lifting the folded and still slightly damp cloth.

− Good thinking! − his partner praised, making the Penguin Pokémon swell with pride. − We can plant the Plain Seeds* too then. − she added, crouching down on her bag to search for said items.

− They can be planted? − Team Bitefire asked as one, baffled.

− Yes, but only in certain terrains. It's a trick a friend taught us while we were on the run and we couldn't resupply anywhere. It could be virtually done with any Seed, but Plain ones are usually the only dispensable. − Rush explained and retrieved the items she was looking for by flickering them to the Piplup with her beak. The male Water Type caught them on the air.

− I'll get ours too, then. Al least we'll get free room in our bag too. − Fang agreed and did so, admiring the less experienced Team knowledge. They had discovered during their night time conversations that Team Bitefire had an extra year of experiences more than Purplewing, making them sort of seniorclass-mon/senpai. It was impressive to see that the newer Team level was almost on pair with them, but given what hardships they had gone through (the duo had mentioned something about a time travel) it was understandable.

− See you soon and be careful not to enter in a dungeon! − the male Fire Type recommended as the trio started to leave.

− Don't worry, we don't want to risk meeting another pissed Legendary, given our luck. − Rush snickered at the Piplup's quiet shriek of "Don't jinx it!".

Lizard chuckled as he stayed on the sleeping bag, waiting for the others to come back victorious.

X~OwO~Y

For what felt like ages, Ash's consciousness danced between pain and blissful oblivion, the former accompanied by flashes of foreign emotions like worry, guilt and every now and then excitement and awe. He couldn't remember ever being in pain for this long... not that he really could at the moment anyway.

The next time he felt third-way coherent was because he sensed someone peel the last bit of something from his back and the impression of his skin being exposed (even if painful) was freeing in a twisted way. Like there was less weight on his back.

The warmth he was leaning on was comfortingly anchoring, even more when a scaled paw applied something cool and soothing on his burning back. An involuntary sigh escaped his lips as the boy-turned-pokémon focused on that sensation, unaware of the sounds and voices around him.

After being lowered down to lie on his belly, Ash zoned out completely until a tingling touch united with a familiar scent brought him back enough to weakly nuzzle back Pikachu. A second later he was gone, but his new senses (even with his clouded mind) told him that his aibou wasn't too far away.

Not much later, a frantic cool, a cheery fiery and an amused damp presences seemed to walk away, but still remain within the range, while the same warmth that he had been leaning on had stayed with him, with a wave of hope resonating in it.

Even if concerned, Pikachu still felt calm to his trainer, so for now there was no need to worry. Reassured of this, Ash let himself fall back into unconsciousness.


Pikachu dashed across the forest, searching from below for a tree tall enough to top over the others around.

No, not that one... There! using a root as a leverage, the Electric Type leaped on a thick branch that used as a step to jump on the next one and so on, till he reached the very top of the conifer.

At the light of the dawn, the scenery was breathtaking: the land extended from East-North-East to North, all around there was a seemingly endless ocean, no other landmass in sight... A peninsula, perhaps?, was covered almost entirely by forests till the start of a chain of low peaky mountains that spaced from NE to E-NE. The first mount on the left had a thin column of vapor emerging from the top too. Unfortunately beyond them, the only visible thing (due to the tree he was on wasn't tall enough for the feat) was the cone of a huge active volcano that kind of reminded him of Mt. Chimney because of his smoking peak.

Seeing that there wasn't anything else, he turned around, where the Spiral Dungeon entrance was... and reconsidered his previous thought: this was breathtaking.

even if its shape was not as impressive as the Tree of Beginning, the mount that hosted the cave dungeon was nothing to sneer at: the vegetation that covered it followed a pattern that hugged the flanks as if it was a spiral staircase that ascended to the highest top Pikachu had ever looked up to (not counting Mt. Coronet since it was where it was said that Arceus had created the Universe, so it had to be the highest peak). Though, as impressive as the architecture of the nature was, it was the top that was the cherry on the "rocky cake": the rays of the rising sun were hitting with an angle that was just right what looked like 10 (or even 100) times a Wailord big pure clear pyramidal crystal prism, so they refracted into the biggest rainbow Pikachu had ever seen beyond the mountain.

Not for the first time Pikachu wished Ash had purchased a camera.

Recollecting his metaphorical jaw from the branch, the Mouse Pokémon shook vigorously his head and lowered on his nose the Specs that had miraculously not fallen down all this time. Maybe it was one of their features...

On the spirals of the high mountain there were faint clusters of red blurs moving outside the edges of gray areas that hadn't been there before. A quick check confirmed that the latters weren't from dirt on the lens, but probably they coded something different from foe-item-ally. The only noticeable fact was that no color entered the gray areas. Filing that detail for later, the Kanto native scanned the areas around, since the "Spiral Prism Mountain" was out of question, and at last some yellow (other than the blurs he was certain belonged to the Teams and Ash) caught his eyes: at North, beyond another gray area, there was a group a little larger than theirs and it wasn't too far from the camp! ...but still too far for Ash to reach it by himself or for them to carry him.

They really had to spit up again, but this time only two groups would probably do the job... and since he had promised Lizard to look, Pikachu searched for a safe path or a trail to cross the wood. The tree crowns was too thick from above, so the Electric Type stepped down a few branches and went around by using them as roads to move quicker and at the same time have an advantage if anything decided to pop out. Even if he had the Specs on, given what happened with Suicune, he didn't want to take chances. Above all since like in Spiral Dungeon there was apparently nobody around and that was beyond creepy and eerie.

After what felt like five minutes, Pikachu found a path which he backtracked in order to find the shortest distance from their camp (so the Charmander could not set fire to things) by using his and Ash's yellow unmoving blurs like landmarks.

Finally locating the right spot, Pikachu nodded to himself and started climbing down a bit while going back. In the meanwhile it seemed like that the provision trio had already returned to the temporary base.

Good, I won't have to explain it twice... Wait, has it taken me this long to survey?! I have to hurry up! the yellow rodent sped up, still leaping from one branch to another, to join the teams.

P~OwO~W

− We're here! − Fang announced eagerly, as she and Poccha carried the blanket with the food. How something so trivial to the Penguin Pokémon's eyes could make their senpai so excited was beyond him.

− Welcome back! − Lizard greeted, eyes shining in wonder at their loot. Why was he surprised too? − What did you find? − he stood up to help them lower the filled cloth.

− Mostly apples and Oran Berries. − the female Water Type explained as she and her male counterpart unfolded the bundle. − but Rush and Poccha showed me how to find and recognize the plants that produce Seeds! − she pointed at the small pile.

In the Piplup's opinion the results hadn't given the wished results: a couple of Blasts Seeds, a Sleep one, a Totter one and a Quick one; the only saving grace were the three Reviver and three Pure Seeds. The latters in combo with the X-Ray Specs were the ultimate combo when the floor was too much of a maze.

− Awesome! − the Charmander's eyes were now practically sparkling. − Back home we had always to relay on getting lucky in dungeons or on the Kecleon Market™! − Poccha's attention perked at the last mention.

− Wait, you have that chain of markets too? − at the Torchic's question, Team Bitefire nodded in sync and that made the blue avian gape. − If their influence is so spread, I'm not surprised anymore that there's the rumor that they spawn out of nowhere when someone steals! It would be nice to know if it is true though... − Rush paused seeing the raw horror on their new friends' faces.

− Honestly, I hope you'll never see that. Holy Groudon, why did you remind me that? − Lizard shuddered along with his partner.

− You mean that you two actually saw one happen? − Poccha dared to ask.

− We found ourselves in the middle of one! Some moron stole something from one of their carpets during a Monster House, so in all the commotion the Kecleon didn't know who the culprit was, so targeted everyone. They came out the freaking walls!** − the scaled Fire Type answered frantically.

− I'm pretty sure I saw them peel themselves from the rocks while resuming visibility, as if they had been lurking there. I dunno what's more creepy though. − Fang gulped.

− How did you manage to escape then? − Poccha asked with bathed breath.

− We battled for a bit, trying to convince them that it wasn't our fault, but in the midlist of that chaos no one could hear one another, really. − Lizard sighed. − We finished nearly all our supplies just by trying to resist, then at the first occasion we managed to slip away and run for the stairs with... how many Kecleon on our tails?

− The only time I dared to look back there were five. − the Totodile shuddered again. − At least they gave up the chase when we changed the floor.

Team Purplewing exhaled in relief at the tale: it went unsaid that their respect for the veteran Team had reached another peak.

− Oy, everything's okay? − a new voice made all the explorers look up and find Pikachu perched on a branch of the tree that hosted their refuge. He still had the Specs on and both ears and tail stood in an attend position.

− Yeah, a bad memory was accidentally summoned, nothing too serious right now. − Lizard dismissed, making Poccha snort at the "too serious" thrown in so lightly. − Welcome back by the way.

− Oh, I'm back. − the Mouse Pokémon greeted back as he descended the bark. − How's Ash?

B~OwO~F

− Apart from when Fang patched him, he didn't stir. He's become a bit a bit warmer though. − at the male Fire Type mention, the Electric one neared his partner and put a paw on his forehead.

Not waiting for any prompt, Fang silently iced the abandoned water bag and reapplied it on the Riolu's forehead, after Pikachu had moved away his paw. This time however the ex-human didn't even twitch. This was a little alarming.

The Totodile met the eyes of her partner, conveying her worries, and, as soon as he understood the message, he nodded and casually turned to Pikachu. − So what did you see?

The Mouse Pokémon perked up, successfully distracted, and shifted the Specs to the top of his head. − If I saw right, we are on a peninsula. Spiral Dungeon is at the base of a huuuge mountain, which I suggest you look at in another moment because it's awesome, and it's the cape of the land. Either we're on a big island or a whole region that extends itself up North, because beyond the forest there's a mountain range and further than that a smoking volcano. − he explained gesturing in each direction. − On Spiral Dungeon mountain there's a lot of red blurs with the Specs, but on the side of the forest there's a little of yellow. − he pointed North, but hesitated as he looked at Team Purplewing questioningly. − Uhh, by the way, do any of you have idea of what gray could mean?

They looked taken aback and shared a blink. − ...To be honest I never saw grey... Though, we've never used the Specs this much outside a dungeon. − Rush at last answered.

− Where did you see gray? − Poccha butted in.

− All over Spiral Dungeon mountain and one area between us and the ally candidates. − Pikachu answered promptly.

The explorers paused, absorbing the information till Fang spoke the only logical conclusion she had come upon. − Maybe gray stands for dungeons.

− It makes sense since you can't perceive it inside a dungeon. Good thinking! − Rush chirped impressed, embarrassing Fang.

The female Water Type chuckled awkwardly till she was saved by Lizard a second later. − Oh, did you search for a safe path for me?

− Yup! There's a dust road that seems to lead to where the yellow is. But the route seems to also point to the mountain... Maybe it's where pokémon walk to reach Spiral Dungeon. − the Electric Type observed.

− Sounds likely if this place has explorations teams too. − Fang agreed and then looked pensively at the pokémon before her. − So you said that the only yellow you saw is beyond that dungeon... − Pikachu nodded, following her reasoning. − Lizard, you wanted to go and explore, but I'm the only who can re-frost the ice-bag, so what if we split up again? − she finally proposed, looking at her teammate.

− You stay and I'll go this time? − Lizard tilted his head and she nodded. − It could work, but I need someone to come with me in case there's really a dungeon to cross. − he crossed his arms pensively, but startled at the mischievous anticipation in his partner's eyes, af is she had been waiting for this.

− Then Poccha's definitely coming with you! − Fang declared cheerfully, looking at the other Water Type. − I'm counting on you to douse his accidental fires! − she did a thumbs up and her namesakes glinted in the rising sun light.

To Lizard's horror the other seemed to catch up fast, because they joined their right paw and wing in a firm reverse handshake. − Water Types united! − they chanted in unison, pimped up way too much for the Charmander's tastes, making him sigh bone deep. He looked at the Torchic for support, but her expression deepened his dread.

− Then I'll stay with Fang to give her some cover fire in case someone attacks the camp. − she puffed her feathers, proud of her own joke.

Why do I have to deal with these things? Lizard muzzlepawed as the Water Types laughed and then he glanced desperately at Pikachu, as if he was his remaining saving grace. − You'll lead us there, right?

Still smiling for Rush's pun, the Mouse Pokémon nodded, but didn't add any two pokéyen of his own, so for now the orange reptile was safe.

The five had a quick Apples-Oran Berries based breakfast (somehow they even managed to make Ash drink water mixed with Oran juice) then divided the seeds and the remaining berries evenly between the two bags, so at least they had 4 Reviver Seeds and 3 Oran Berries each, counting what they had beforepaw too. Two Pure Seeds went into Team Purplewing's bag (since that was the one the search party was going to use) along with the Sleep and Totter ones, while one of the Pure, the Quick and both Blast ones were given to Bitefire for safekeeping.

− Off we go then. Don't run in any trouble. − the Piplup admonished his teammate who snorted.

− We're on guard duty Poccha, where would we go? − she asked sardonically, making him flinch on some sort of reflex.

What a curious reaction.

− Stop asking things rhetorically or you'll jinx it! Again! Almost as always! − the Penguin Pokémon shook his wings frantically. Ah, that explained the flinch. The Torchic huffed and shrugged, apparently unconcerned.

On the other side of the sleeping bag, Pikachu wasn't paying attention to the commotion, because he was scratching Ash comfortingly behind the ear. − Hold on just a little but more, okay? We'll be back in a flash!

The impromptu three-member Team departed soon after, waving once, then the two hurried behind Pikachu across the trees.

It was only when they reached the dirt road that Lizard realized that the Mouse Pokémon had unintentionally done an Electric Type pun.


Do you wanna save the game?

►YES

NO

...φ

SAVED.


* Forget the game mechanichs for a while: the Seeds have to come from somewhere, right? And since Grovyle and the main character from PMD D/T/S came from a future in ruins, they had to make do without Keckleon Markets™.

** Sorry, this is one of my favourite quote and it fitted quite nicely here, so I couldn't resist... xP


A/N. Here it comes the anime anniversary update! Why did they decide to air the first episode on April Fools is still beyond me, even if it happened in Japan the holiday is spread enough to be known... Oh, well, enough digressing! xD

Finally the plot stats to unwind itself, but the real progress will be seen next time for sure! So stay tuned and type ya soon!

[Guest1 (Jul 26 2017) and jackeroo123: thanks for your constructive criticism!

Guest2 (Nov 17 2017): sorry but this is NOT set in SMD, as you saw already from the initial peek at part of the landscape. Anyway, thanks for the compliments and I liked too the cameo/Easter Eggs from the previous games, dunno though if it was in a separate timeline or just for fanservice.

Rockster: 10'000'000 Volt Thunderbolt? Mmmmhhh... I could have... plans for it... Muhuhuhuhuhahahahah! (ops, sorry, my hidden evil side lipped xD).

The motive behind not using Wild Charge as an example is exactly what you wrote: well spotted!

Oh no, I do like more the Mega Charizard Y too (and I was extremely disappointed when they didn't give it to Ash's one in order to keep Greninja), but "unfortunately" Lizard had to be a Dragon fanboy due to reasons, so sorry... ^^'

Thanks for the term correction (i.e. art style), I didn't know what to write so I tried for the closest thing.]


Oh, by the way, my April Fools comes in form of a hidden delayed continuation of the chapter so... To all the ones who read my A/N. and/or noticed that the page was longer than what they imagined, please enjoy


P~OwO~W

Poccha, Pikachu and Lizard kept a pace that was progressively and unconsciously adjusted to be comfortable for everyone, given the shape differences, but none less slow. As a matter of fact in less than 15 minutes the Electric Type on the lead slowed down and called a halt since they had reached a sudden impenetrable wall of dense vegetation.

− This is where the edge of the gray starts. − the yellow rodent stated as he carefully sniffed the ivy wrapped around a tall tree.

− Fang may have been right, this does feel like a dungeon. − the Charmander instead brushed the leaves, trying to push them away, without having any effect.

Poccha on the other wing wandered along the green wall, still staying on the path, searching for an opening: if the road was so defined, it had to be frequently used... and so the entrance to be on the border between the two.

As the Piplup walked, something shined at the corner of his eye, so he turned around and observed closely. Almost completely hidden by the foliage there was a crystal similar to the ones of Spiral Dungeon.

What is it doing here? the Water Type wondered as he moved some creeper branches to expose the prism. It was a little taller and wider than him, so even bigger pokémon could spot it if it had been in the open... Does this mean that the dungeon is abandoned? I never knew it could be possible! Just to prove his hypothesis, he tried to split the vegetation on the left of the crystal and the plant gave a bit, making him glimpse the other side.

The light as dimmer than the forest they had just crossed and the bark of the trees that defined the corridor inside was darker, as if the sun rarely shined inside. The terrain was mainly barren, but there were some mushrooms among the roots.

− Guys, I found it! − Poccha called and the two hurried to look inside the tear.

− Seems a nice place. − Lizard observed with a hum.

− How did you find it? − Pikachu inquired, cautiously peeking through the Specs and sniffing the air coming from beyond the separation, wrinkling his nose soon after. Probably because it smelled stale.

− The crystal marked the spot. − the avian pointed at the white glowing gem, making the other pokémon do a double take.

− It's like the ones in Spiral Dungeon! − the reptile gasped. − Why is it here?

− Dunno, maybe someone moved it here to find more easily the dungeon entrance... − the Piplup shrugged and was about to voice the primary concern he had had since finding the path shut, but Pikachu unknowingly interrupted him.

− It could be like the Tree of Beginning... − he patted the gem, but the glow inside didn't waver.

− The what now? − Poccha blinked, momentarily casting aside his matter.

− It's an odd mountain back home, shaped like a tree that has some weird cyan crystals that run through all of it and the kingdom nearby. From what Ash explained to me, after the adventure we had there, it somehow really worked like a plant and was in symbiosis with a Mew. − the Mouse Pokémon explained, still deep in thought, so he missed Lizard's and Poccha's expression of bewilderment. −I think that he mentioned once that a Lucario had been able to communicate with an Aura user human through those crystals too.

− So you really weren't pulling our leg when you said that you have probably met the whole lore, were you? − Poccha managed to ask, shaking Pikachu from his musings.

− Not at all, why? − he asked obliviously, genuine innocent face to testify so.

− N-never mind. − Lizard dismissed quickly, catching on the general cluelessness. − How do we get in? I don't think setting it on fire would help.

− Only if you want to destroy the whole forest. − Pikachu chuckled. − Besides Fang asked you not to. Anyway, do you have any slicing moves among the storage Poccha?

− Not really, but I have an objection now that I see the condition of the dungeon: do we have to go through it? − the other males frowned questioningly. − I mean, if it's abandoned and the entrance sealed, maybe it's not safe to cross anymore.

− I've never seen or heard about an occurrence like this. − the senpai scratched his chin, thinking. − But put like that, this dungeon doesn't sound promising.

− ...How about searching for a different path? The smell inside doesn't convince me either. − Pikachu, Raikou bless his soul, supported his opinion.

Seeing that two out of three agreed, Lizard nodded too. − While time consuming, it would be safe to find other ways in order to bring along whoever is able to heal Ash without putting them at risk. Let's check if there are traces around.

They split, Lizard on the left, Pikachu on the right and Poccha shuffled back the ivy the best he could in order to cover the traces of their passage. The Fire Type soon found a lead from snapped twigs and Pikachu (after being called along with the Piplup) also found the faint scent of pollen and flowers that weren't typical of the forest. Maybe they belonged to a Grass Type if they were lucky.

More confident in their choice, the trio left behind the "Abandoned Dungeon", filing the oddity for later discussion with their respective teammates.

What they didn't see was a tendril of sparkling black dust reach out from the tear, but pop out like a soap bubble once it crossed the edge of the dungeon, leaving nothing behind...

X~OwO~Y

Something was very very wrong.

Ash was woken up with a jolt from his feverish slumber by the sudden sensation and in an instant his battle ready years long built reflexes tapped into all his available and/or useful senses and searched for the source of the disruption: whatever it was, it run deep inside the earth, but its hotspots on the surface were actually two, diametrically opposite from where he was laying, one neared than the other.

It took precious seconds for Ash's fuzzed mind to place this sense of wrongness as "hungry and greedy and needy" and not too soon a "beacon of light" (in comparison to the previous "darkness") flared up, defiant and proud at first, then more and more panicked and desperate, calling for anybody's help, starting from the North Wind's.

...

...

SUICUNE!

B~OwO~F

Fang and Rush waved goodbye as the healthy males left for the search, then plopped back down on the sleeping bag, careful not to jostle the Fighting Type.

− Your partner doesn't like puns, does he? − the Torchic chirped quietly, making her snicker.

− Not really, he's happy-go-lucky enough, but he doesn't pun. − a deep sigh. − Yours instead seemed willing to tag along in a joke. − the Totodile smirked. Rush just shrugged in response with a smile on her face.

− He's a little superstitious, but he doesn't pass the occasion to have fun. Oh, by the way, since our fussing partners are away, I wanted to ask a thing about human-turning-pokémon-aftermath. − the Fire Type became resolute.

The reptile blinked, but nodded curious. − Shot as you please.

− How was your first day and/or week? − the avian asked.

Fang hummed, looking back at her experience. That was a good question if she wanted to compare the differences.

− During the first week I tripped on my tail at least three times a day outside a dungeon. I dunno if it's a pokémon thing that your body is more self-conscious in battle situations, because in those the tail had never been a bother. − she looked at Rush, who pondered it a bit and shrugged in a "it could work" way. − Different number of limbs aside, I had trouble at keeping my body temperature at check at first. One of the few things I still know from before becoming a pokémon is how a human works and there's a huge temperature difference between aquatic reptiles and mammals. My body warmth now is lower than the one I had before, so I was cold almost every time. The only thing that solved the problem was munching on bits of Blast Seeds. − she told Rush, making her whistle a low chirp.

− I had the reverse problem. I'm now way warmer than I was, literal inner fire and all, so I solved it by regularly rolling on cold surfaces. − the Torchic shared her own tactics. − To let my body heat up more slowly, you know? − Fang nodded at her reasoning. − The major loss was having these stubby wings. − she fluttered them. − You have no idea how many times I tried to reach to grab something then have nothing to actually do so.

− Then why didn't you evolve? Combusken have arms at least. − the Water Type pointed out, curious. − Your level is high enough from what I saw.

− Poccha and I can't at the moment because we time-travelled: the disruption messed with our chances of evolution. I think there was something about Space too, but I didn't really understood at when it was mentioned. Anyway, a rumor about collecting the Seven Treasures, i.e. seven musical instruments linked to certain Types, suggested that it gave the potentiality of unlocking blocked evolutions.* − the Torchic sighed deeply. − We were about to go and try to achieve the last from Lord Giratina, but the Creepy voice ambushed us.

Fang blinked at the unfamiliar name. − From who now? − the other gaped at her.

− You don't know about the Lord of the Spirit World? − a shake of head. − Lord Arceus at least?

The Totodile thought hard, brain almost overheating from the strain. Eeeeeeeeeh... A frustrated huff. − If I did while I was human, it had to have been wiped. Afterwards, I've never heard of them. Who are they?

The mention of erased memory seemed to quell the other's shock. − It's said that Lord Arceus is the Creator of the Universe. He also created the Ruler of: Time, Dialga; Space, Palkia and Antimatter, Giratina. All of Them shaped the universe and, while no one knows which Type is Lord Arceus, it's known that the primary one of all the Creation Trio is Dragon.

− ...Primary? They're dual types? − the reptile asked warily. She had some dreadful experiences with Dragon Type Legendaries.

− Lord Dialga has Steel, Lord Palkia has Water and Lord Giratina has Ghost. I trained Shadow Claws just for Him before going to World Abyss. − the Chick Pokémon ruffled her feathers.

Fang frowned. − Then why didn't you use that against Suicune? − Rush froze like a Stantler in a Flash.

− ...Can you believe that it's so new and it didn't have the direct Type advantage that I forgot I had it in me? − the bird gaped.

The Big Jaw Pokémon snorted, ready to blow in full laughter, when Ash suddenly startled in his sleep. The girls whirled around in time to see him tense and the black appendages on his head rise from the ground and vibrate. What in Kyogre's name...

Suicune! − the Riolu abruptly gasped, jolting so badly that he dislodged the icepack, letting him open his eyes. Even if clouded with pain and exhaustion, they were rightfully trained where the entrance of Spiral Dungeon was. And they were laced with fear.

− Ash! Calm down, he's not here! Ha hasn't followed us! − the Bitefire team member tried to reassure him, but he shook his head.

− No, he's... the one... in danger... there's... something w-...wrong in... t-the dungeons! − Ash gritted his fangs and tried to push himself up, in vain since his paws were still too weak to support him.

What?! − the explorers shouted in unison.

− Something's... attacking him... he's gonna... − the Fighting Type whimpered in pain as he tried one more time to stand on all fours. Fang attempted to stop him and pitifully it wasn't that hard. − You have... to help him! − he growled, a bit out of it.

− But what about you?! We can't leave you alone! − Rush seemed seriously taken aback by that guttural sound, not that Fang was feeling any better.

He's not gonna make it if you don't!− Ash was so driven by dismay that managed to say cry so in a single strangled yell. He panted hard after that outburst, but successfully glared at them through half-lidded eyes. − I'll... be fine... I can't... move, so... it's up... to you. − his following breath was hitched. − Please.

That final plea struck a chord inside Fang, who threw a glance at the other ex-human that seemed to share the feeling.

− Well, since we have an official Request from a Client, we can't say no, can we? − Fang scooped up her bag and put it on. This whole situation was pure madness, but Ash's new senses had saved her from becoming a Totod-icicle, so at least she owned him the benefit of the doubt.

− Yessir, consider your Mission accepted! − Rush agreed readily. − But you won't try to do anything stupid or reckless while we're away, it's a deal? − she fussed with a scolding tone.

Ash nodded shakily, paws gripping the cloth of the sleeping bag hard.

− Good, off we go! − Fang declared, sparing a second to put on his forehead the icepack again, then the female duo impromptu team dashed to the entrance of Spiral Dungeon.

− Just a Fire and a Water Type running towards an unknown danger... It feels like the good old times! − Rush laughed a bit hysterically as she started to take the lead due to higher Speed base stat.

− You betcha! Above all since it's to save someone who tried to kill or maim you! − Fang added just as overwrought breathless.

− That's always the best part! − the Chick Pokémon agreed as they busted out the foliage and sighted the dungeon entrance.

Never breaking from their run, they sprinted as the sound of brawl and panicked shrieks reached their ears. The "Ash was right" thought was soon forgotten when the girls finally came in sight of what was happening.

The scene would haunt their nightmares for a few nights almost certainly.


Do you wanna save the game?

►YES

NO

...φ

SAVED.


* This is really a totally made up rumor in order to justify the in game possibility of unlocking the evolution of the maincharacter and their partner. Just for you to know...


2nd A/N. Here's the real April Fool: the cliffhanger of DOOM!

See ya next time!