Revamp notice! "Critical hits", in this story, are defined as hits that cause deep wounds, (i.e. Slash, Leaf Blade, Shadow Claw, Psycho Cut, and Razor Wind) break bones, (i.e. Karate Chop, Cross Chop, Stone Edge, and Crabhammer) target vitals, (i.e. Night Slash, Poison Tail, and Cross Poison) or are decidedly deadly in their own right (i.e Froslass's Frost Breath (BTW I didn't know that that was an actual Gen. V move; I just went off of the Pokédex entry, seriously!)).

They never defined it in the anime, so I'm giving it one. Sue me! Unless you're Nintendo; in which case, PLEASE DON'T SUE ME! D:

Just a friendly reminder to the suits out there, I own nothing.

Chapter 17: For the Best

-Cathy's POV-

I stood with Vlad at the beach and he raised an eyebrow, "Hello, Cathy. Did you have something to say?"

I thought about it. Had I come to say something? "I guess not. My mission went well, even though my tail caught fire for a bit. Good thing there was water everywhere…"

He raised his hands, as if shrugging, "Well, if that's all, then I'll be taking my leave. I need to get back to training and all that. I was merely here on a break; I find the ocean quite soothing." Vlad floated over the water to make a direct flight back to Treasure Town.

I wonder if he'll start at least pretending to walk normally when he evolves. My eyes widened. That's right! I should start thinking about my evolution too. I wonder what I should choose…

-Rose's POV-

After four more floors going through the dungeon, we managed to find another Reviver Seed, bringing our total amount to one. As we continued forward, we walked into a large chamber where a bunch of blue Pokémon were laughing, seeming to be in a conversation. They looked like Manaphy, except they had one antenna and blue eyes and patterns.

Walking up to them, Meowth called out, "'Scuse me. Can one o' ya-"

A fierce roar cut him off and a Gyarados came in through the wall of water, scattering the Pokémon and coming between them and us. They screamed and moved back and the Gyarados laughed, "GRRAH-HA-HA! I FOUND YOU AT LAST! YOU'RE THE PHIONE, RIGHT? YOU MAKE THE CURE-ALL? PHIONE DEW? WELL, REJOICE! FROM NOW ON, YOU ALL ANSWER TO ME! ALL PHIONE DEW BELONGS TO ME FROM NOW ON! GRRAH-HA-HA!"

Meowth yelled, "Hey, bub! Ya can't just make them do that! Get lost!"

Barely noticing us, the Gyarados turned around, "OH? NOW WHO MIGHT YOU BE?" Rio and Meowth glared at him, and he said, "OH? YOU LOOK LIKE YOU HAVE A BONE TO PICK WITH ME…"

Rio leaned forward into his opening stance, "We need some Phione Dew for a sick child. Now get out of our way, before we make you!"

The Gyarados was stunned for all of one second before tilting his head back and laughing, "GRRAH-HA-HA! YOU'RE ABOUT A MILLION YEARS TOO EARLY TO PICK A FIGHT WITH ME! YOU'LL REGRET NOT RUNNING AWAY WHILE YOU COULD!" He coiled up and rested on the ground, his head rearing back, "NO MERCY FOR MEDDLERS!" He let out another roar and the Phione dove into the surrounding waters.

Quick as a thought, Rio threw a Stun Seed and it hit the Gyarados's neck. The seed burrowed in a bit and he was frozen in place. Meowth pointed forward, "Surround 'im!" We scattered and each took a position in the four compass positions. Rio started charging Focus Punch and Meowth called out, "Dash, get ready with Thunderbolt! We'll zap 'im together!"

Dash called back, "When did you learn an electric attack?"

"Three days ago; just do it!" I started preparing to use Psychic, but I watched as blue sparks started buzzing around Meowth's whiskers. At the same time that Dash let loose his Thunderbolt, Meowth fired a Shock Wave out of his charm. The two attacks hit at the same time and the Gyarados roared at the shock, but the Stun Seed fell off and crumbled away. The Gyarados reared up and breathed a mist into the sky, summoning a rainstorm. Rio started charging forward with Focus Punch. The Gyarados uncoiled, whether to move out of the way or counter attack, I don't know, but I used Psychic and slammed the force down on him to keep him still. Rio's attack connected and sent the Gyarados sprawling for a moment.

But he got back up and shook his head, "ENOUGH WARM-UP; GIVE IT YOUR BEST SHOT."

I shook with fear. Those were our best shots…

The rain started coming down harder now, "NO? THEN HOW ABOUT I START?"He leaped into the air, undulating, and a small tremor of power disturbed the water. Still floating on the surface of the water, the Gyarados shot a Hydro Pump across the floor in front of us, sending water flying everywhere. I held up a hand to shield my eyes.

After hearing a swishing sound, I heard Dash cry out. When the water cleared, Gyarados had Dash in his jaws!

The three of us cried out, "Dash!"

The Gyarados bit down harder, "GRRAH-HA-HA! TRY DEFEATING ME WITHOUT YOUR ELECTRIC-TYPE!"

Dash started moving and he talked through grit teeth, "Big… mistake… FISH-FACE!" His body sparked and bolts flew out, shocking the Gyarados.

"GAH! HOW DARE YOU?!" He tossed Dash into the air and water coated his tail as he slammed it into Dash.

No! I held out my hand and used Psychic to try to get a hold of Dash and slow him down. But he still hit the water hard and skipped once before going limp, floating unconscious. The Reviver Seed we had floated out of the bag to Dash.

Another bolt of blue electricity went for Gyarados. He dodged it, but Meowth tilted his head and it curled around and hit Gyarados anyway. But he shook it off and undulated in the air again. This time a larger tremor of power shook the water, creating small waves. He fired another Hydro Pump, sending water flying everywhere.

Oh no! Who's he going for this time?!

I didn't hear anybody cry out this time and when the water cleared, Gyarados was looking around, confused.

"Lookin' for me, bub?" I turned and Meowth was in front of Rio and walking up to Gyarados.

"Or maybe ya lookin' for me?" I jumped and turned around. Another Meowth was beside me! I made eye-contact with Rio and he shrugged. I couldn't see what happened because of the water! And since when could Meowth make talking Substitutes?!

Both Meowths were about 15 feet apart, but they spoke at the same time, "Well? Which is it?"

Gyarados looked between the two of them. The one beside me shrugged, "Well if ya don't know…"

"… ya better guess fast," the other one finished. Both of their claws glowed blue and they ran forward at the same time, keeping their distance from each other. Gyarados hesitated for a moment more before he shot a Hydro Pump at the Meowth near Rio. The Meowth dodged and they both moved closer to the center. The one that dodged the Hydro Pump jumped off of the other one's back and held up his claws, ready to slash.

Gyarados's fangs glowed blue and he intercepted Meowth, biting down and freezing him with Ice Fang. The block of ice fell into the water, "HA!"

But then the Meowth in the ice glowed and disappeared. Everyone was confused for a split-second before Meowth jumped from behind Gyarados and cut a deep wound in Gyarados's skin with Night Slash.

Meowth joined us again and Gyarados stayed floating above the water, growling quietly before his pupils dilated into slits and he undulated again (AN: For those who don't get it, this is Dragon Dance.), then rushed forward at a super high speed. Meowth launched another Shock Wave, but Gyarados dodged to the side and kept advancing. The electricity started circling around, but Gyarados was already too close. I tried using Psychic, but he broke free. Water coated his tail again and Rio readied Endure and grabbed Meowth before both of them were slammed by Gyarados's Aqua Tail. From what I could tell, Rio took the brunt of it.

Gyarados turned to me and sped forward, but I teleported. I arrived at a different part of the room. I looked at Dash and he was trying to get up. But one of his legs was bent awkwardly and the Reviver Seed had a lot of energy focused there. That last blow must have broken a bone.

I turned back and the Gyarados was getting ready to lunge forward. Meowth and Rio were on the ground and in no shape to get away, even if they could outrun Gyarados. No! I'm too far away to do anything! I need to stop him! No, no, no!

Gyarados bared his fangs.

NO!

He lunged.

STOP!

-Meowth's POV-

Even though Rio came between me and Gyarados, I still felt that hit through Rio's body. If he hadn't set up Endure, we both might've been smears on the ocean floor.

Right before Gyarados pounced on us, his eyes glowed purple and he froze; literally. He was hanging in the air mid-flight. I don't know why he stopped, but I knew an opening when I saw one.

"Dash," I called out, as loud as I could without hurting. "Get ready for another double-shocker!"

Dash stood up, limping on one leg as the Reviver Seed's roots were still setting it. He charged up and I got my Shock Wave ready and we fired at the same time. We lit Gyarados up like a lamp and then the purple faded. He shook for a bit, growling weakly.

"GAH! DON'T…! DON'T YOU EVER FORGET THIS!" He swam across the water and through the wall of the dungeon again.

The four of us gathered around again and I noticed that Rose had a bloody nose. Rio looked at her and said, "What happened?"

She shook her head, "I'm not sure. I think I used Imprison and my mind was linked with Gyarados's, suppressing his actions. But I got this after you zapped Gyarados. I think it's because I had to separate his pain from my own and some leaked through." (AN: Since Imprison doesn't have an "anime" definition, I'm going with the Mystery Dungeon definition, with a twist. (Cuz it's kinda OP in the game.))

I nodded, "Then ya should save dat move for emergencies only."

The Phione came back from underwater and the one in front said, "Oh! Very good! This is our thank-you!" The leader held out a small box made of seabed that had a sparkling liquid in it. It must have been Phione Dew. I took it and thanked them.

Right as we took one step, Rio passed out. My vision started going blurry, and I quickly handed the box to Rose. "Get it – urk – to Manaphy." (AN: Aqua Tail with three Dragon Dances, Rain Dance, and S.T.A.B.; you do the math.)

I fell over and the last thing I heard was, "Dash, quick! We need to get them back to Treasure Town!"

-Vlad's POV-

I finished off my training for the day learning Dream Eater and Dark Pulse. I loitered in the lobby, closing my eyes while remaining wide awake, thinking about the day's events and cast a quick well-wishing for Rio and Meowth's mission to succeed. However, thinking over the day's events led me to think about that unfortunate thing I was forced to do. In a way, it was my own fault for letting the past leak through.

*Flashback*

I had been at the beach taking time away from training to listen to the waves. The ocean, water, such a soothing element; although, a danger to some.

"Hey, Vlad." I turned and saw Cathy arriving from the path.

"Afternoon. Did you already finish your mission?"

She nodded, but seemed shaken up, "Yeah, it was difficult. That Numel must have stolen a TM; it knew Flamethrower. I already turned him into the police, but… I could've been burnt alive."

I shook, but said, "Well, don't worry, that wretch will face justice now."

She looked up, her nervous demeanor gone, "I knew it!"

I raised an eyebrow, genuinely curious, "Knew what?"

She pointed, "You always tense up whenever fire or Fire-types are mentioned. I noticed it the last time we talked. Do you have something against Fire-types, Vlad? Is that why you shot down my suggestion to evolve into a Flareon?"

I mentally cursed myself for showing any signs, but floated down to sit in the sand and faced the ocean, pretending to be in a huff, "So what if I do? I gave you genuine advice on the type-advantages; a Flareon wouldn't offer anything new to the team." On the sly, I started slipping the hand facing away from Cathy into the ground.

She continued, unhindered by my pretended grousing, "Vlad, if you have a problem like this, you need to tell someone. You can't just keep it in. Why do you not like Fire-types?"

Touching; but she approached this with zero tact and no strategy. From what I could gather, she's told me that she's the only one who knows and that she will not keep quiet about it, should I ask her to. And that would conflict with plans I have for the future. Quite a shame; I thought that, in time, I would be able to hold a semi-candid conversation with her.

My hand floated up behind her and I said, "I don't have to tell you anything. In fact…" I held up my hand in front of her and started using Hypnosis. "I think it would be better if you forgot."

She was confused for a moment, before she realized what I was doing and turned to run away. But my other hand was casting Hypnosis as well. Soon, she fell into a trance.

It was regrettable, but she was too nosy for her own good and she didn't give me any reason to believe that she would keep it a secret.

Having control over her, I said, "Turn around." She did so, and I continued, "After I clap my hands, you will forget this conversation and the previous conversation we shared. Also, after I leave, you will remember that you wish to evolve and are undecided. When you remember, you will believe it to be the first time you considered it."

After finishing my mandate, I clapped my hands and she blinked twice as she woke out of the trance. I raised an eyebrow, as if she just got here, and said, "Hello, Cathy. Did you have something to say?"

"VLAD!"

I was jolted out of my thoughts by Penny's boisterous voice. I opened one eye and said, "What could be so important that you interrupt my post-training nap? Is Sunshine calling in reports?" But when I looked at her, I grew more serious. She looked shocked and slightly afraid. "What is it?"

"Rio and Meowth are in the infirmary!"

-Rio's POV-

Urrrgh…

I looked around. Where am I…? Then I remembered this is where we visited Hogan and Savage once. I'm in the guild infirmary. I looked to my side, and Meowth was in another bed, asleep, bandages wrapped around his chest. I looked down and saw bandages wrapped around my body, legs and left arm. Now I remember; Gyarados hit me and Meowth with his Aqua Tail. Gyarados! The mission!

I tried to sit up, but I grimaced. I heard a familiar voice, "I wouldn't recommend it; Chimecho worked hard to set your bones back in place." I turned my head and saw Chatot in the entrance.

"The Phione Dew-"

"Was administered to Manaphy by your recruit, Rose. Manaphy's fever broke and your recruit is watching over him. He'll be fine, given two or three days of rest."

I let out a sigh of relief, "I'm glad to hear that."

"However…" I turned back to Chatot. "I left your recruit to monitor Manaphy because we need to have a talk. It's about Manaphy's well-being."

I tried sitting up again, but settled for leaning on my good elbow, "Did something happen?"

Chatot shook his head, "As I said, he's fine now. But this isn't about now, this is about the future. Rio, there will always be danger of this happening again, so long as you're keeping Manaphy outside of his natural habitat. He needs to grow up in the sea."

I knew in my heart of hearts that he was right, but… "Manaphy is still so young; he shouldn't be left all alone!"

Chatot nodded, "I'm fully aware of that. The Guildmaster and I have several contacts, and I can spend the next few days searching for someone trustworthy to look after Manaphy."

"But-"

"He's right, Rio."

I turned my head the other way, seeing that Meowth was awake now and staring at the ceiling. "He's right. We looked after him, as long as we could, but now we hafta tink about what's best for Manaphy. He'll wanna stay, but we hafta let 'im go."

I stuttered, "But, but-" Meowth turned to me with a look that said, "You know that it's the right thing to do." I sighed, "All right."

Chatot nodded, "I'll start looking around. If you stay here the rest of the day on bed rest, you'll be able to leave tomorrow morning."

After he left, all of our recruits rushed in, except for Rose. They asked if we were okay and demanded to know what happened.

-Four Days Later-

Meowth smiled as Manaphy flew around, playing around the bluff, "Da lil' tyke's as good as new!"

Manaphy jumped and said, "Good! New!"

Standing nearby, Chatot said, "…Rio… Meowth…"

Meowth's smile fell, "We know… Now dat Manaphy's all better, dat means it's time." He turned to me, "Let's go, Rio."

He said it with a neutral face, but I knew he was taking it hard.

*Flashback*

I turned to Meowth, "Are you really okay with just letting Manaphy go, just like that?"

Meowth didn't turn to me, still looking at the ceiling, "Rio… You're a nice guy. Ya got a good heart and a good head on your shoulders. But, sometimes, followin' your heart an' doin' da right thing don't always go hand-in-hand. Do I want Manaphy ta stay wit' us? Yes. Would I go back ta Miracle Sea, an' fight another Gyarados if Manaphy got sick again? Yes. Do I wanna see Manaphy hurt again, cuz we were selfish? Not in a million years."

He looked at me, his gaze showing how many years he's lived, despite the fact that he was supposedly "reset" when he arrived here under a year ago. "I wish things were different, but they're not. If I'm supposed ta be Manaphy's pretend-mommy, then I'm gonna make sure dat he's safe, even if dat means he's safer away from us."

When we arrived at the beach, there was a Walrein waiting there. We stopped and Manaphy waited in front of us.

Chatot spoke up, "The Guildmaster and I decided to invite Walrein from the Northern Sea. We felt that Walrein would be ideal for looking after Manaphy."

Walrein nodded, "Aye. I've heard all I need to hear from your Wigglytuff. You've my word. I'll take full responsibility for raising Manaphy."

I nodded, "Take good care of the little guy."

Meowth got down on one knee, "Manaphy. From now on, I want ya to be good and listen ta Walrein, 'kay? Grow up ta be big an' strong in da sea…"

Manaphy tilted his head, slightly confused but still smiling.

Meowth smiled, but his voice started shaking slightly, "As you g-get older, don't forget about us, ya hear?"

Manaphy started to look a little uneasy, picking up on the sorrow in Meowth's voice, "…? Meowth?" He turned to me, "…Rio?"

Chatot looked down, "… Prolonging this will only make it worse…" He turned to Walrein, "Walrein, please…"

"Aye." He turned to Manaphy, "We're going, Manaphy."

Manaphy looked confused for a moment, but then looked shocked when Walrein started trying to guide him into the sea.

"… Rio? … Meowth?" Walrein pressed on, taking Manaphy into the sea. Manaphy cried out our names one more time before they went underwater.

I sniffled, "Take care… Manaphy." Meowth just looked down at the sand, hiding his face from my view.