Chapter 3: A Happily Ever After… Right?

There was a silent standoff between the three of us. If we weren't underground, I'd expect a tumble weed to roll by.

Rio and I stood right next to each other and he said, "Why is he just standing there?"

"Dunno. Maybe he's-"

Suddenly, Wigglytuff sprinted forward. He was on us in a second. I gasped and tried to leap back, but he hit us both with Double Slap. We were knocked back and I managed to flip in the air and land.

Damn! I tink he's even faster than Grovyle!

When I looked up, Wigglytuff was charging at me with Double-Edge. I didn't have time to dodge.

Substitute!

The move let me move so fast that I left an afterimage clone and was undetected. And with how fast I can move, I can make any pose that I want at any time I want during the dash and still get away. For a bit of personality, I like to stick my tongue out at the attacker as my usual pose. Only downside is that it burns a good chunk of energy to move that fast.

I looked back and saw Wigglytuff run over my clone. He turned around and started singing a soft song. Recognizing it, I quickly covered my ears.

"Rio! Ya gotta cover your-"

*thud*

"ears…"

Wigglytuff started dashing to Rio while he was out, so I dropped to all fours and tried to get there first. He picked Rio up and was about to start slapping him. But I made the last jump and used Substitute to dash and snatch Rio away, leaving a clone for him to slap. He stopped with a grunt and it disappeared.

I had Rio's arm over my shoulder, but my knees gave out from the drop in energy. I put Rio down on the ground and started rummaging through the Treasure Bag.

"Alright, Rio. Don't worry, I'll hold 'im off." I took an Oran Berry, chomping it to restore my energy.

Alright. Three more Substitutes now. Use them wisely, dodge if I can, and sneak in hits when I can.

"Why do you protect him?"

Eh?

"Whaddya mean? We're a team. We look out for each other."

He snorted, "Teams. Others only exist for your own benefit. You have no chance of beating me. My minions allowed me to observe your fighting style. If they lost, then they obviously didn't have a place as my minions in the first place."

Holy Horsea. Either he's really in character or dis guy really ain't da Guildmaster if he's saying sumpin' like dat.

"I don't buy dat. Teammates help each other. And since you let us take down yours instead of helping them, you're gonna lose." I readied my claws.

"You will try and you will fail."

I snuck a Violent Seed out of the Treasure Bag and put it in my belt pocket. Then I ran forward on all fours, leaping with a Slash attack. Wigglytuff just sidestepped it, but I saw that coming, so I wrapped my tail around his foot and tripped him up. He didn't fall, but that short time where he teetered gave me the opening I needed. I gulped down the Violent Seed and dashed at him, using Fury Swipes. I put everything I had in it and kept on him when he tried to back up. I was cut short when he kicked me in the stomach, sending me flying.

I couldn't land on my feet this time, and before I could get up, I got hit with Double-Edge. I fell to the ground and tried to get up, but I couldn't. Wigglytuff stood over me, "You're finished. YOOOM… TAH!"

Rio dashed in front of me and took the shot, his feet grinding into the ground with the effort to not be sent flying. At first, I thought he was crazy, but then I saw the familiar red aura around him. Wigglytuff kept up the attack, all the rings of sound blasting Rio, but he took most of it to protect me. At some point, he planted one foot forward and his aura changed as he fought the force of the Hyper Voice to put his hands forward. He fired Reversal and the two attacks met in the middle.

The entire chamber was charged with energy as the two attacks were at a standstill.

Dis is bad! Rio will tire out first since the attack needs him to be at low energy to use it best. Wait! We had two of 'em!

Fighting to stand, I reached into the Treasure Bag and fished out the other Violent Seed and fed it to Rio. His eyes widened before he concentrated and the Reversal beam doubled in size, the force making Rio's feet dig even deeper into the ground. It slowly pushed back Wigglytuff's Hyper Voice and blasted Wigglytuff along with the area behind him.

Rio pressed the attack for about two seconds before he stopped and dropped to his knees. He panted as he recovered from the effort. He looked at his hands and I saw that they were burned pretty badly. He looked up and screamed, pointing forward before wincing and cradling the hand he used.

I looked forward and Wigglytuff was still standing. He hadn't even budged. The ground and wall right behind him were completely untouched. He was burned from the attack, but he was still standing.

"Muah-ha-ha-ha… Strong… Too strong… Muah-ha… haaaa…"

He fell forward with a thud.

Chatot pulled himself out of the hole I left him in, still with an injured wing, "The grandmaster… Th-They beat him…"

Everybody started getting up, but they were shaking. Loudred said, "Everybody! RUN!"

They all climbed out of the pit, pushing the cover out of the way. Chimecho used her psychic powers to lift Wigglytuff out. I heard their footsteps fade as they ran away. With them gone, I deactivated Flash and Rio and I sat down to regain our energy for a bit with some Oran Berries.

I let out a breath, "Thanks for covering me, Rio. I owe you one."

"I think I'll need to use that favor now." I looked and Rio was holding his burnt hands up, "I don't think I can make the climb right now."

"No prob." I had Rio lock his arms over my shoulders and I used my claws to dig into the dirt and climb out of the pit. After we got out, Rio climbed off me and said, "What do you think that was all about? I mean, I'm glad that we made it out of there, but…"

"Meh, I wouldn't try ta tink about it too hard. Let's move on to Luminous Spring."

We walked around the pit and moved forward. When we left the clearing, we ran into Teddiursa and Ursaring. They were looking at a yellow box. I called out to them.

They both turned and Ursaring said, "Oh, it's you! What happened to you two? I thought you two were tagging along right behind us."

Rio hid his burned hands behind his back and we both said, "Something came up."

Changing the subject, I said, "What's dat?" pointing to the box between the two of them.

"A treasure box."

Teddiursa tilted his head, "There wasn't a treasure box here before. I want to open it, but I'm also getting a creepy feeling from it."

Ursaring crossed his arms and nodded, "You know, it'd be nasty if it's a booby trap or something. So we've been debating whether we should open it or leave it be."

"'S probably for us. We're here because it's the guild's graduation exam. They told us ta bring back the treasure of dis place."

"That's it! That box must have something to do with your exam. You guys should open it."

"Wait." I turned to Rio and he went on, "I should probably check to make sure it isn't a trap. I think I might be able to see something."

He stepped forward and cringed as he put his hand on the box. After a bit, his head suddenly bent down and then took his hand off. He shook his head to clear it, then said, "Yeah, Wifflytuff set this box here. It should be safe."

He opened the treasure box and reached in, pulling out a Perfect Apple.

I stared at it, "Dis is the treasure of Luminous Spring?"

Rio sighed and put it in the Treasure Bag, "It suits Wigglytuff, I guess. There's no better treasure than his favorite food."

Then there was a flash of light. Everybody looked around and then there was a bright flash from up ahead. When it cleared, a ray of light was shining on the lake.

Ursaring said, "Light… Light is shining down!"

Teddiursa added, "Oh, then maybe…! Did Luminous Spring regain its power?" We shuffled forward and stepped into the shallow water. A voice rang out of nowhere.

Those that seek awakening…

Rio looked around, "Where's that voice coming from?"

The resumption of time… has brought light here again. If you seek evolution, step forward.

Teddiursa jumped up, "I knew it! I knew that Luminous Spring would be revived!"

Ursaring pat him on the back, "Good for you, Teddiursa! You've been looking forward to evolution for a long time!"

"Yup!"

Rio tilted his head, "Evolution? Wigglytuff mentioned it, but what is evolution?"

Ursaring's eyebrows raised, "Oh, you don't know what evolution is? What it means to evolve?"

Teddiursa explained, "Some kinds of Pokémon can evolve if specific conditions are first met. When a Pokémon evolves, its appearance changes, sometimes dramatically."

Ursaring went on, "And it may not just be how you look that changes, either. When you evolve, sometimes your form and abilities can even change. How about that?"

Rio nodded, "Really? That's interesting."

Teddiursa nodded, "I've wanted to get stronger. So I've been hoping to evolve for a long time." He turned to Ursaring, "I'll try it out right away." He stepped under the ray of light.

Those that seek awakening… This is Luminous Spring. Do you seek to evolve?

"Yup! Please!"

Do you need an item to do so?

"Nope! I don't need one!"

So be it… Seeker of awakening… Let us begin.

The light shone brighter and Teddiursa (or, what I could still see of him) started to grow. After a bit, the light flashed then faded and Teddiursa evolved into an Ursaring.

Rio stared at the two of them. I had seen evolution before, so I wasn't too surprised.

Ursaring let out a cheer, "Yay! Hey, Ursaring! I've evolved!"

Ursaring nodded, "Congratulations! All the training you went through finally paid off!" Then he looked at himself. Looking back at Ursaring, he said, "Now it's hard to tell us apart… But good for you!"

Rio elbowed me, "What do you think, Meowth? Should we try evolving?"

I thought about it. Maybe. If I really did start over like dat voice said, then I should be able to.

"Sure, Rio, I'll give it a whirl."

I stepped under the light and the voice spoke again.

Those that seek awakening… This is Luminous Spring. Do you seek to evolve?

"Yeah."

Do you need an item to do so?

"Nah, don't tink so."

So be it…Seeker of awakening… Let us begin.

I waited for a few seconds, but nothing happened. I took a look at my paws. Still the same. After a bit longer the voice spoke again.

No. Impossible… You may not evolve.

I sighed. Well, wasn't dat important to me anyway. Still…

"Ya gonna give me a reason why? Is there sumpin' I'm missing?"

No. That is not it… It is not merely a problem of not meeting requirements…

"Well don't keep me in suspense. Teddiursa could evolve, what's different 'bout me?"

Why can you not evolve…? It may be influenced by a distortion in the fabric of space…

"What da heck is dat supposed ta mean?"

Why that should be, I do not know… But your presence… is somehow related to the distortion of space itself. And as a result of that, you cannot evolve…

In my mind, I was trying to work out what that meant. A distortion in space caused by me being here? Could it be… dat since I was warped here… is dat da reason?

No. It is not only you… There is yet another… The one behind you… is also forbidden its evolution.

I turned around and Rio's eyes had widened. Rio too?! Hey, he may be from da future, but dat's time, not space! There's a difference!

That is all I can tell… This is Luminous Spring. If you seek new evolution, then you shall return…

The light faded and I walked back to Rio. "Well, Rio, looks like neither of us can evolve. Bummer. Well, we got da Perfect Apple dat was in da treasure box. Let's head back to da guild."

On our way out of Mystifying Forest, I took the fabric wrappings out of the Kangaskhan Rock and wrapped Rio's burns.

-Back at Wigglytuff's Guild-

When we got back, everyone gathered around and Rio handed Wigglytuff the Perfect Apple.

Wigglytuff raised his arms, "You've passed the graduation exam! Congratulations! You two have passed the guild's graduation exam! You did it!" Everyone cheered for us, but I stared at Wigglytuff.

He said, "Oh? Not celebrating? Are you maybe not happy?"

I tilted my head, "Well, yeah, I'm happy, but… we didn't do anyfin' dat special." Rio looked at me with his eyebrow raised.

Wigglytuff shook his head, "That's not true at all! Don't you understand that what you two did was incredible? You went and brought back a fantastic treasure in a Perfect Apple. But even better than that… You defeated that horrifying grandmaster of all things bad, didn't you?"

Gotcha.

I raised an eyebrow, "Dat's weird. How'd ya know we defeated da grandmaster? We didn't tell ya we ran into him…"

Wigglytuff paused, his face unchanging, "Um… We heard it somewhere?"

"And sumpin' else… Da grandmaster… Dat was you, wasn't it?"

Wigglytuff looked around and everybody started to get nervous. He said, "Uh? I… I don't know? I don't know what you're talking about. G-Grandmaster of all things bad?"

"Me too!" Chatot added. "I know nothing! The grandmaster's minions? What are they?"

"Hey, hey! Me too!"

"Eek! I don't know any minions!"

Everyone laughed nervously.

I sighed and muttered, "Alright, but if ya happen ta meet him, tell him ta get some disguises for his group."

"Anyway!" Chatot cut in, "You two have now officially graduated from the guild! From now on, you will no longer be bound by the guild's strict regulations. You'll be free to operate as an exploration team totally on your own!"

One thought instantly leaped to the front of my mind. "Awesome! So dat means we'll get to keep all da reward money for missions?" I asked, hopefully.

"No." Then my hopes deflated. "Unfortunately for you, that aspect doesn't change at all. As before, you will still have to give most of that money to the guild. Graduation from the guild means you're still affiliated with us. Your team, Team Righteous, can operate only because of this guild. So you'll need to accept that as part of being an exploration team."

"Aww. If dat's true, then what's different?"

Sunflora spoke up, "You don't understand! Graduating from the guild is extraordinary!"

"That's right!" Loudred added. "I should know! Even I couldn't pass the graduation exam!" Then he seemed to be laughing and crying.

Wigglytuff said, "Anyway, you two have passed the exam with flying colors! I hope you'll keep up your great work as explorers!"

Chimecho added, "Congratulations, Meowth and Rio!"

"Oh my gosh! How wonderful!"

"Hey, hey, hey!"

Bidoof sniffled, "I'm so happy for you all… I'm… I'm…"

"Drop in on your old friends now and then!" Loudred added.

I smiled, "Thanks, everyone!"

"Congratulations, Team Righteous!" Wigglytuff cheered.

I held back a sniffle and just said, "Thank you, guys. Really, thank you!"

That evening, we celebrated with the other members of the guild. Right before we left, we got 10,000 Poké as start-up funds for our new team.

With a place to stay in mind, I led Rio to Sharpedo Bluff. I flipped the fake bush and untied the fabric strings tying it to the rocks. Then I kicked it off over the cliff.

"Why did you do that?"

"Dis ain't a hideout anymore, it's our base. Any schmuck messes wit' it, they answer ta us."

And later, we celebrated with our recruits at Spinda Café. This time, Rio didn't stick to water, and he was getting a little giddy after almost two drinks. Turns out he was a real lightweight. One thought kept me sober though.

Distortion in space… Why do I get da feelin' it'll be our problem and not some other team's?

"Hey." A slightly tipsy Savage said, "You said you used something called a Violent Seed to raise your strength? I wanna try one!"

Rio responded slurred, "Nah, I read the label in the book~ It said 'Not for short-tempered'."

Savage stood up, "And what does that mean?!"

Rio just leaned back in his chair and smirked, "It means what it sounds like…"

Savage looked ready to jump across the table, but Hogan draped an arm around his shoulder, the other holding an Orange Gummi drink "Hey~ Don't be a party pooper, it's time to celebrate!" Savage angrily sat back down and just gulped his drink in silence. Everybody chatted with each other and I slid next to Damus. He was looking over his Black Gummi Tea at Rio.

The quietest of the group, he said, "Rio seems to be having fun trading verbal blows with the others. He's usually more reserved."

I just chuckled and shook my head, "Yeah, but in the morning, he'll wake up with the mother of all hangovers."

Damus lightly laughed, another rare thing, and said, "I suppose so. Such is life." Then he took another sip of his tea.

Looking around, I saw Siltram (he had learned his lesson from the last time and got Pink Gummi soda instead) and Dash cracking jokes to each other, Rio, Hogan and Savage arguing over which of them would win in a fight against outrageous opponents. Heck, even Damus was getting into the spirit. Made me feel like a downer to be worrying now.

Guess I shouldn't worry 'bout it now. Like Hogan said, 's time ta celebrate!