In case some of you were wondering why I go off on tangents, including the recruits' experiences instead of sticking to the main plot, this is why. A) It helps show that time has passed instead of just writing "'x' hours later". B) The previous story focused on the main plot a lot, so I figured that in this story, I'd have more room to develop on the recruits. After all, unlike in the game, they are not just faces or an amount. They are their own characters in this story.

Chapter 7: Push Through the Challenges

-Rose's POV-

I ran through the Dragon Maze, doing my best to keep up with Damus. I had learned Teleport a while back, but Damus banned me from using it saying that I needed to train my endurance so that I wouldn't be too reliant on my psychic abilities. This segment of training only applied to me because: one, Vlad doesn't have legs and, even if he did, could just as easily slip into the floor or wall and travel any distance he pleased; and two, I get the feeling that it's also a punishment for showing up late.

Despite my best efforts to make it back to the dojo before Damus and Vlad showed up, unfortunately, they were waiting for me in the lobby. After I gave an excuse that I was checking Kecleon Market for useful items to buy and put in storage, I got a lecture from Damus about punctuality. And after that, I had to endure the teasing, wheedling questions that Vlad had about what I was actually doing.

In my mind, it was worth it. I just wanted a moment to talk to Hogan alone. It was very easy to distract Savage. One Fighting-type Pokémon "accidentally" bumps into him and it burns up his short fuse.

I didn't want anybody to find out yet. I had a feeling that Rio already knows (he senses emotions, after all), and I can only hope that he respects my privacy.

I was shaken out of my thoughts by an attack from two Bagon. Concentrating, I readied myself as one of them started charging with a Headbutt. I tried jumping out of the way, but my side got clipped anyway. I was knocked to the ground and I shook off the impact as I tried pulling myself up. Athleticism is not my forte…

I managed to raise one of my hands and used Confusion to launch the Bagon into his companion, buying myself a bit of time. I struggled to my feet and got ready again as the two Bagon started getting up and getting ready to charge again. I tilted my head down as I tried to think of a way out, a loophole to my situation.

I can't teleport. I need to dodge, but I can't move fast enough! If only I could make myself move faster… Wait…

With no more time to think, I just acted on the next thing that crossed my mind.

-Damus' POV-

I watched waiting to see if the new recruit could hold up, yet ready to step in at a moment's notice and holding an Escape Orb in case I couldn't get to her. I gave a "tsk-tsk" when she wasn't able to dodge that first Headbutt, but was pleased that she was able to stand back up and even counterattack. The endurance training was helping after all. I could see that she was having trouble though. Rose seemed to be at a loss for what to do next. The two Bagon charged her simultaneously. I tensed up, ready to intercept them.

It wasn't necessary.

Rose glowed, the telltale sign that she was using Confusion, and then dashed out of the way with a speed that should've been impossible for her to reach. She circled around the two Bagon and used Confusion to use their own momentum against them and slam them full-throttle into the wall across the room. For the first time since I joined Team Righteous, I was legitimately surprised.

The glow faded and I walked up to Rose, "What was that?"

She quivered and fell to her knees, breathing hard, "Something… that I… thought of… on impulse. I used Confusion on myself."

I thought about how Rose glowed the instant before she ran out of the way of the two Bagon. I see… She used telekinesis on her own body to force her legs to move faster. This opens up a whole new level of potential strategies, with some proper control. However…

I cleared my throat, "Very clever. But…" She looked up and I continued, "By doing this, you've, again, relied on your psychic powers instead of your own physical prowess. Also, by doing so, you've taxed your body greatly by pushing it to do something it was incapable of doing. Such a heavy price can be fatal in the field. We will discuss this later, but for now… Good work and very resourceful."

She nodded, "Thank you." I threw the Escape Orb to the ground and we were warped back to the lobby of the dojo. Marowak regarded us and, as I turned back to the maze entrance, I said to Rose, "Rest now. You'll need to recover all the energy that you can until it's time to go back in. I will be checking on Vlad in the Ghost Maze."

She tilted her head, "You sent Vlad into the Ghost Maze? Isn't he weak against other ghosts?"

I looked over my shoulder as I kept walking, "Remember how Vlad had that habit of hiding in the walls when the fights started?" She nodded, and I turned my head back forward to hide my smirk as I continued, "I'm hoping that this will cure him of that habit."

-Rio's POV-

After a short while traveling, Shaymin said, "We're almost to the 1st Station Clearing." We arrived at a rest area where there was a Kangaskhan Rock. Several other Pokémon were here as well; several regulars to Spinda Café, as well as Team Ebony. I didn't know them personally, but I'd seen them from time to time.

Shaymin turned around, "Sky Peak has resting areas, labeled 1st Station through 9th Station. The 10th Station is, of course, the summit."

I looked around, but Dash didn't seem to be anywhere. Meowth, Siltram and I decided to split up, asking the Pokémon standing around if they had seen him. I talked to Sneasel and Heracross, but neither of them had seen Dash. Sneasel had nothing to say except that he would be the one to find the legendary treasure. Heracross seemed troubled that he had forgotten an Oran Berry, so I gave him one of ours from the Treasure Bag (we had packed, like, four or five of them anyway). He thanked me with an Escape Orb and said that he wouldn't forget the kindness.

We met back up in the center of the clearing. Meowth came up empty, but Siltram said that he managed to learn something from Team Ebony.

"Murkrow just ranted on and on about gold, but Shuppet said that he saw a Manectric wearing an odd necklace and an Oran Berry in his mouth go through this clearing about 10 minutes ago." (AN: In the game, Pokémon can only ever have one item with them without a bag, but realistically, they can have an equip item and hold an item.)

Meowth nodded, "Sounds like Dash. We'll need ta pick it up if he has dat big a gap 'tween us and him. Great job, Siltram!"

Siltram beamed, "Always glad to help, Boss! Info-gathering's my specialty."

Meowth went up to the statue and wrote in the Adventure Log. After that, he turned back to us, "Alright, everybody, we should move on. We gotta try ta catch up ta Dash 'fore he gets too far ahead. From da sound of it, he got a lucky first segment, cuz he got through really fast."

Siltram and I nodded and Meowth turned to Shaymin, "We'll keep goin' and hope we get lucky enough to catch up ta him. Lead da way, Shaymin."

We made it to the 2nd Station Clearing with little difficulty. The 2nd Station Pass was even shorter than the first one. I looked around at the facilities in the clearing and we were approached by a Breloom. We met the survey team, Team Frontier, and they explained how they built a base at the 2nd Station Clearing, since the mountain is so vast that rescue missions can't be done. They set up a Kangaskhan Rock for storage as well as writing in the Adventure Log and the Drifblim Gondola service.

When we asked around about Dash, Zigzagoon, another regular at the Spinda Café, said that he saw him charge straight through here. "Didn't even stop to say hello or to check out the new facilities. Guy needs to learn to not rush through life; passed through about 8 minutes ago."

After we reorganized our items, we got ready to move further up the mountain. The path forward led into a cave now instead of open space.

-Hogan's POV-

"S***! S***! S***! S***!" Savage tried to put the fire on his arm out, but he pointed at me, "Don't you f***ing dare interrupt!" He was facing off against two Arcanine and he refused to let me help him out. He had said, and these were his exact words: "I can handle these f***ers. Besides, I live for these kinda fights, so back the f*** off."

I respect his reasoning (I'm a fighter too after all), but this isn't a challenge, this is borderline suicide. Not only are Arcanine faster, they also have Fire-type moves. Savage's armor-skin can't stand up to that, it burns like kindling. But I had to stay with the escort because, not only was it the mission, Savage would never forgive me for trying to save his foul-tempered ass.

Savage crouched and took a Flamethrower, and then charged forward through it, using Revenge. He used it to tackle into one of the Arcanine, snuffing out the fire attack, then used Seismic Toss to throw him into the wall. Leaping forward, Savage finished him with a Brick Break to the stomach. The Arcanine slumped and fainted.

Dang, he's holding his own alright. But then I noticed the other Arcanine charging, "Savage! Behind you!" He turned around just in time to get pounced on and the Arcanine blew a Flamethrower directly on Savage's face. After he was done, the Arcanine jumped back. I rushed forward, but a shout stopped me.

"Okay! Now I'm f***ing pissed!" Savage jumped to his feet, parts of the skin around his face burned off, revealing soft tissue, "Do you have ANY f***ing idea how long it takes for stuff like this to heal?!" He charged forward, "Congratuf***inglations! You just became the guinea pig for my new move!" Arcanine flinched and tried to back away, but Savage closed the distance and kicked his leg, forcing Arcanine to take a knee, and Savage continued the assault, punching and kicking whatever he could reach, even pulling the Arcanine back towards him when he tried to run away. I knew I had seen that move somewhere. I imagined a Primeape there instead of Savage.

Thrash. The move that makes the user lose all restraint and attack without a single thought… It suits him.

Arcanine opened his mouth to try another Flamethrower, but Savage punched his jaw, closing his mouth and forcing the fire to shoot out his nostrils and sending him reeling back. Arcanine fell to the ground unconscious, coughing out a fireball. Savage crossed his arms and hmphed before turning back to Torterra and me, "Told you I didn't need your help."

I pulled an Oran Berry out of the bag, "Here."

He glared, "Don't need it."

"Yeah, you do. While you were getting your ass burned, you might've forgotten we still have a mission."

"… Just gimme the f***ing berry."

-Rio's POV-

When we got to the 4th Station Clearing, we barely finished organizing our items before a shout cut through the general conversation in the area.

"HELP!"

Everybody turned as Octillery ran into the clearing, gasping for breath. Mawile stepped forward, "What's wrong?!"

Octillery turned and shouted, "The explorer Sneasel's getting picked on by this strange group near the 5th Station Clearing! I'm not much help by myself, so please, someone come with me to help!"

Machoke called to the rest of Team Frontier, "Move out!"

Breloom saluted, "Roger! Let's go!" Then they ran out through the exit.

Shaymin looked worried, "The 5th Station Clearing… Oh! Don't tell me…!" He turned around, "Rio! Meowth! Siltram! We should hurry too!"

We nodded and decided to skip on the information gathering this time. We ran through the 5th Station Pass as quickly as we could, but it proved to be significantly more difficult with other Fighting-types included as opponents now. But we got through and Shaymin called out, "I can see the 5th Station Clearing! Let's hurry!"

We arrived at the clearing and Team Frontier was facing down a gang of Carnivine, Sneasel at the center of them. Shaymin said, "Aha! I knew it!"

The lead Carnivine tilted its head, "H-huh? You came to h-help? What do you think you're doing?!"

Mawile snapped at them, "We're Team Frontier! Only cowards would gang up on one Pokémon! This time we're your opponents!"

The Carnivine ignored Sneasel and turned to face Team Frontier, "Oh! That sounds good!"

Shaymin stepped forward, "Hey! Wait a minute!"

Unhindered by Shaymin's words, Team Frontier and the Carnivine began battling one another. Machoke opened with a Dynamic Punch and Breloom rushed forward to tackle another one. Mawile hung back for a moment before beginning to move forward. We got ready to move forward as well.

"Everyone wait a second!" Shaymin called out. He dashed forward into the center of the group. Everyone stopped mostly out of surprise. The lead Carnivine looked at Shaymin, "Huh? You… Oh! A Shaymin from the village! It's been a while!"

Shaymin looked down, "We owe you…" Then Shaymin said, angrily, "You haven't changed a bit, Carnivine! We've asked you before to stop bothering the explorers, haven't we?!"

The lead Carnivine backed away, "Yeah, but, that Sneasel started it! We found some treasure earlier, and he snatched it right out from under our noses!" One of the other Carnivine looked around, "Where'd he go?! That…! He ran off in the confusion!" Surprised, I looked around for myself and saw that Sneasel was indeed long gone.

Team Frontier was shocked, "Huh…? Really?" "We all thought you were the bad guys…" Machoke just stood in stunned silence.

Shaymin turned to them, "Well, you can't exactly say they're the good guys, either…"

The lead Carnivine huffed, "Hey! We haven't seen you in so long, Shaymin, and this is how you treat us?! Meh, it's fine. Since it's Shaymin, we'll let it go. The decision to climb the mountain is your own. But I don't like to let Pokémon just do as they please. See you!" They turned to leave.

"Oy!" Meowth called, "Hold up, guys!"

The leader turned around and Meowth walked up to continue, "Ya've been hangin' around dis here clearing a while now, right?" The lead Carnivine nodded and Meowth asked, "Didja happen ta see a Manectric pass through here? Should be wearing a necklace; ain't hard ta miss." My eyes widened. In all the commotion, I had forgotten that we were also looking for Dash on this mountain!

The Carnivine all looked at each other, then one of them stepped from the end, "Actually, I did. He came in here pretty beaten up, sat down and rested for a few minutes and then left. He had a Reviver Seed held in his mouth, so I wouldn't worry too much. He actually left a few minutes before that Sneasel showed up. Why? He a friend of yours?"

I stepped forward, "Something like that. About how long ago did he leave? 5 minutes? 6?"

"Actually, about 9 minutes."

I mentally slapped myself. Drat! Of course he got further ahead! We got tied up with fighting these Carnivine…

"'Kay, thanks."

Sorry that I've been gone so long! But it's still busy here so I've only managed to write this one chapter for now. I will continue to try to write whenever I can, but I can't make any promises of updates in the near future.