Chapter 4: Divide and Conquer

The sun shone in through the mouth of the bluff and I jumped to my feet, stretching out (both normal and cat-stretches), then took a deep breath and said, "What a bee-yootiful first day ta our adventures as a real exploration team!" Not being woken up by Loudred really made a difference in my morning attitude.

Rio grumbled and turned away from the sunlight.

I snickered and said "C'mon Rio, just look at dat pretty sunlight!"

He growled like a grumpy caveman, "Don't want to. And could you be less cheery? My senses are tied to my headache too."

I crossed my arms and grinned, "S'not my fault ya can't hold your juice. C'mon, just shake it off. We got missions ta do." I had a small headache too, but Rio had really put away the juice last night. I pretty much had to carry him back to the bluff.

Rio grumbled a bit, but got up and washed his face at the little freshwater fountain in the corner of the room. After that, we started crossing Treasure Town when we heard a huge rumbling come from Marowak Dojo. Rio looked at me and we both nodded before going to check it out.

When we got inside, we saw Marowak staring at a huge hole in the wall. Rio looked at the hole and then Marowak and I said, "Uh, hey, Marowak… Ya gonna tell us what dat is?"

He turned to us, "The wall just gave way! And that big hole appeared where it was. Come to think of it… My grandpa mentioned this a long time ago…"

Rio tilted his head, "Your grandpa?"

"Yeah. You see, my grandpa built this dojo originally. And that same grandpa told me there was a very dangerous cave here. It was so dangerous… he had the hole sealed up so no one could get in. I remember that now. Back then, my grandpa used to tell me about that hole. And he'd never once fail to scare me silly…" Then Marowak's eyes widened. "Y-you two… You're not… You're not seriously considering going into that hole, are you? Don't do it. Don't even think about it. I… I can't guarantee that you'll ever come out of there…"

I shook my head, "Don't worry. I would want a plan first and my partner's a bit too tired to think about it right now."

On the way to Spinda Café, to meet with the recruits, we ran into Chimecho. She said that, since we graduated and were an official team of the guild now, we could change the leader of our team now. Even one of our recruits could act as a rep of our team now. It gave me some ideas about how we could divvy up the jobs depending on the strength of the recruits and even send a squad to train at the dojo. But she also explained that there were dungeons that only let us in if Rio and I were leading the team.

After that, we met up with the recruits at the café. They all waited for a plan. I took a breath and began.

"Alright, everybody. We got some catching up ta do. First on da agenda, now dat we can change leaders and divide da team inta squads, y'all need ta train up ta Rio and my level. Since we don't have dat large a team, one of ya might hafta go alone. For now, we'll be swapping out who goes into the dojo for da day while da rest of us handle missions. Right now we got seven-"

Someone cleared their throat. We all turned and a Skiploom was standing a little bit away from the table. Rio asked, "Can we help you?"

"Are you Team Righteous?"

I raised an eyebrow, "Who wants ta know?"

"Apparently, the guy who shoved this in my hand, told me to deliver it to Team Righteous, and then ran off to Craggy Coast. I'm a big fan of your work, by the way." The Skiploom hopped up and slipped an envelope onto the table, then scurried away.

I picked up the letter and opened it with one claw, then pulled out the paper. After reading over it, I put it down and said, "Well, seems we already made a name in da world. Dis is a challenge letter from a Luxio to us. He wants ta fight ta see who's better."

"Dibs. I get to kick his ass."

I looked at Savage and he already had the letter in his hands, reading the location. I held up a hand, "Hold it, Savage, don'tcha think we should send Siltram? He does know Mud Bomb."

Savage scoffed, "I can handle this f***er. All I need is a Cheri Berry or two, case he tries to pansy out and uses Thunder Wave. Plus; Craggy Coast? The f*** do you think that says about his strength? I got this. 'Bout f***ing time I got a good fight."

I raised my eyebrows, "Wow, Savage. That was surprisingly well thought out for you."

"F*** off." He folded up the letter then got up, "I'm heading out."

I sighed, "Well, I guess Savage is taking care of the challenge letter. We got two outlaws for Brine Cave; Siltram, you and I are going since you're da best tracker here and I'm coming ta lend some muscle."

"Can do, boss!"

"We got two fetch quests and a Probopass outlaw in Crystal Crossing; can ya handle it on your own, Hogan?"

"You bet! I've been to Crystal Crossing before, and I've only gotten stronger!"

"We got a Shedinja on da run in Foggy Forest; Rio and Damus, you two are on dat one. Rio can sense where Shedinja is, and Damus, you can use a Mobile Scarf ta chase dat ghost through the walls and over da water and it should be easy pickings."

They both nodded.

"Dash, you train first for today, and then you got this mission. It's a fetch quest ta Beach Cave. I know it ain't excitin', but after today, it'll be someone else's turn ta train."

Dash smiled, "That's okay! I heard about Luminous Spring and I want to be ready to evolve soon, anyway!"

I nodded, "We'll meet back at da guild later tonight ta meet wit' da clients and claim rewards."

I dealt the job letters and wanted posters to each of them and we all set out and split up, Rio waiting at the crossroads while Damus went to get the Mobile Scarf from storage, Dash heading back into Treasure Town to the Marowak Dojo, and the rest of us fanning out to our assigned dungeons. (AN: I know that this isn't how it actually works, but, unlike in the game, Pokémon can direct themselves, so it's not limited to controlling one team.)

-Savage's POV-

I used Brick Break on a Gastrodon, sending it into the wall. Heh, too easy. Feels fan-f***ing-tastic to be in the field again. No orders, no rush, just fighting as much as I want 'til I get to the one with the balls to challenge our team.

I found the stairs again and went up, being bored with this floor. While I walked up, I looked at the letter again. Lessee here, says that the challenger is on the fifth floor. Pokémon named Luxio. Sounds prissy.

I finished climbing the stairs and looked to find a blue and black Pokémon about half my height. Wow, I almost don't wanna fight him. It'd be like kicking a puppy.

The challenger scowled, "Who are you? Only Team Righteous should be able to find me!"

I held up the letter, "Well we got your letter, and for your f***ing information, I am a member of Team Righteous." I tapped the badge I kept stuck to the right side of my chest.

The punk snorted, "A recruit? Ridiculous! I wanted the leaders! You're not even worth fighting! I asked for the ones that allegedly saved the world! Can you understand that, or should I use smaller words?"

I was getting more pissed by the second. "Well, f*** you too. I asked for this mission, cuz I wanted the chance to kick some ass. Besides, they're miles ahead of anywhere you'll ever be, f***-tard!"

"Heh, if they sent a recruit, they must be too cowardly to face me themselves."

Okay, f*** it. He's getting put in his place right f***ing now.

I charged forward, being much faster, and knocked him in the air with Brick Break. I lined up and caught him with Vice Grip so I could look at him while I crushed him. "Before I finish you, know this. I'm the only one allowed to say s*** about my leaders, so f*** off." I crushed harder and he fainted. He fell over when I let go.

I looked down at the unconscious prick. Great, now I need to carry him to the guild for the reward.

-Hogan's POV-

I dodged another of Probopass's mini-noses, and batted away the rocks he threw at me. I could only fight with one hand, and I liked the challenge, and I was still winning.

There was just one problem.

I held my other arm underneath me as I took the rocks with my back before breaking loose, making sure that they were still all right.

I glared at the outlaw, "Watch it, will you?! It took me an hour to find these gummis for my other missions and I will not fail it because they got crushed!"

I rushed over and dodged between his shots, and slid across the ground using Low Kick. He fell to the ground and rocked back and forth trying to get back up.

I smirked. The bigger they are, the harder they fall!

-Rio's POV-

44… 45… 46… Can he even breathe in there…? 48…

I ran along as best as I could, trying to keep track of Damus and the outlaw. I occasionally caught glimpses of them when the area widened to show water, but mostly, they were in the walls. I was following in case Damus ever flushed the Shedinja out of the walls. We both know Bite, so we can get through his defenses. It has been quite a long process, so I started counting how long they stay in the walls to pass the time.

62… 63… Oh, they stopped. I ran over to the wall where I sensed them nearest and Damus phased out of the wall, holding Shedinja by the wing in his mouth. The Mobile Scarf glimmered as he phased out, but faded once he was out of the wall and he was solid again.

I smiled, "Great job, Damus! Now we can take him back to Officer Magnezone!"

Damus nodded, "Thank you, Rio."

-Dash's POV-

Okay, Dashie-boy, that's enough for today. Time to do that mission.

I pulled the letter out and read it. "Find a Purple Gummi? Easy." I walked down to Beach Cave and found the item in less than an hour. I used my badge to escape the dungeon. I found that it wasn't even close to sunset yet.

Huh, probably have some time before the others show up. Think I'll grab a drink at the café before they show up.

I padded through the town again, dropping the gummi off in storage to pick up later, once it was time to meet up. I went to the café and was surprised to see Savage already sitting at the table.

Then again, he did get a head start. Oh well, guess I'll have some company.

I ordered a drink and went to sit at the table. When I got closer, I saw that a Pokémon was unconscious on the ground next to Savage.

I sat down, "Hey. Who's your friend?"

Savage, being Savage, glared at me and said, "He's not my f***ing friend. He's the challenger. I had to carry him all the way back, just to have to f***ing wait for everyone else."

"Shouldn't we wake him up? It can't be healthy for him to sleep on the floor."

"He's f***ing annoying. I'll wake him when it's time for him to pay up for losing."

I laughed, "Well, I'm sure that they won't be much longer."

-Meowth's POV-

Siltram and I were back-to-back.

Behind me, Siltram said, "Two outlaws, huh? Never said one of those outlaws had a gang…"

I looked over my shoulder, "Look on da bright side. At least ya weren't sent here alone."

The first outlaw we were after was a Bonsly and it had a gang of Sudowoodo. Seemed like it should be the other way around to me.

"Whelp, we're not gonna bag the outlaw standin' here." I used Flash to stun the enemies around us and moved around using Faint Attack on 'em while they were stunned. Siltram stayed in the center and shot Mud Bombs. While he was keeping the grunts busy, I made a beeline for the boss. He got ready to fight, but I pulled a Sleep Seed out and shoved it into his mouth.

"Shh… Just gonna take you to da nice police officer," I said with a smile.

He fell asleep and I picked him up, after some effort. "Siltram, I got the boss! Let's am-scray!" We got to the stairs and, after going to the next floor, Siltram tied up the outlaw with slime and we moved on to the other mission.

-Later, that evening-

We all got back from our missions and lined up, holding our items and/or outlaws to meet our clients on the Mission floor. Well, Savage seemed to have his client already here. He slapped him awake and the Luxio yelped and backed away from Savage. He looked around and saw Rio and me.

"Oh! Uh, you must be the leaders of Team Righteous. I've heard good things about you! Uh…" He seemed to be nervously glancing at Savage. "Anyway! You're recruit; he won the fight in your stead. Here is the reward; 4,500 Poké (450) and a Weather Band. Good fight andeverythingokaythanksbye!" He practically ran away up the ladder.

Next, Officer Magnezone came to claim the outlaws and gave Hogan, Damus, Rio, Siltram and me the bounties and item rewards. In one of them, we got a Shiny Stone. I remembered that it helps some Pokémon evolve. I made a note in my mind to put it in storage.

Hogan's other clients came next; Gloom came to claim the Silver Gummi, thanking Hogan with a Reviver Seed. His second client, a Ralts, came down and thanked him as he handed over the Gold Gummi. Turning to Rio and I, she asked to join our team as thanks for helping her out. Mulling it over, we didn't have a Psychic-type, so we agreed and gave her the nickname Rose. (AN: After the Street Fighter character.) She thanked us and went off to sign up at Chimecho's desk. Odd thing, I noticed that she seemed to be sneaking glances at Hogan while we were thinking it over.

After she left, Dash was looking around and he checked the letter again. "My client doesn't seem to be here."

I walked over to him, "Well, what's da name on da letter? Maybe he's here and ya just don't know what he looks like."

He balanced the gummi on his head and pulled up the letter to get a closer look, "I'm not 100% sure how to pronounce it. Guh- Gah-"

"Gastly."

"Thanks, Meowth."

I raised an eyebrow, "I didn't say dat. I thought you did." Suddenly, I felt the air get colder. I could feel something blow across my shoulder. I slowly turned my head…

"BLAAAAH!"

"WAAAAAH!" I jumped away from the terrifying face in front of me. It was a Gastly. Why did it have to be a Gastly?! I got flashbacks of the Pokémon Tower. A carousel… spinning… and spinning… and spinning!

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha!" The Gastly tilted his head down as he laughed, "You should have seen the look on your face! Ha ha ha ha ha!" He turned to Dash, "Thank you for retrieving my favorite snack." He reached out with his tongue and snatched it right off of Dash's head before eating it and going on, "I'd like to offer my services in exchange. You grant applications liberally, correct?"

I shook my head frantically, "No, no, no! I don't think dat we'll have a use for you."

The Gastly narrowed his eyes and grinned, "Come now, don't let this opportunity slip from your paws on the account of some harmless fun." He floated closer, "Think of what I just did. Even your emotion-sensing friend didn't detect me. I've observed your team for awhile, and I'll surely make a great reconnaissance agent."

I looked at Rio and he shrugged his shoulders. I hated that his words made too much sense. I took a deep breath, "Alright, but dat means you hafta-" I turned back and Gastly was gone.

"Have to what?" I screamed and jumped forward as Gastly floated out of the wall behind me.

I shouted, "It means ya hafta stop doin' that!"

He chuckled, "No promises. I'll stop when it stops being fun. So, what's my nickname? I want it to be something classy."

"Fine," I deadpanned. "You're nickname is Vlad."

He raised an eyebrow and thought about it, "I could've come up with something better, but I suppose it shall grow on me. I'm off to go sign up!" He flew over to Chimecho's desk just as Rose was leaving.

I sighed and pinched between my eyes. Two new recruits in one day? Sure is gettin' interesting…