Time skip of four days!

New levels:

Rio: Lv. 65
Meowth: Lv. 64
Siltram: Lv. 52
Hogan: Lv. 56
Savage: Lv. 56
Dash: Lv. 58
Damus: Lv. 60
Rose: Lv. 53
Vlad: Lv. 55
Cathy: Lv. 48
Penny: Lv. 47 (evolved)
Mel: Lv. 59
Levi: Lv. 58

All new moves are from levels, not TMs, so they are not listed. Moves are on Bulbapedia, Generation IV learnsets.

Chapter 24: Better off Buried

-Rio's POV-

A few days have passed since we did the dual missions to retrieve the Icy Flute and retrieve the treasure of Concealed Ruins. At Spinda Café, the recruits who weren't there still asked us to retell the story. The Icy Flute wound up remaining in our possession, since nobody came to claim it. Rose kept it, because we already had an Ice-type, so we didn't need to recruit any more of them. She kept it because she was the only one that could play it well. Cathy always liked listening to Rose's songs, probably because she's an Ice-type.

Another recent development is that there was a change in some of the friendships around that I hadn't noticed until recently.

After evolving, Penny managed to work her way into competing with Hogan and Savage, even though she's a little weaker, making it a three-way rivalry between them. Particularly, her and Savage spit some nasty insults at each other when fighting. Meowth calls it a "blooming bromance-rivalry", even though Penny is a girl.

Cathy and Rose seemed to be a bit closer as well, Rose seeming to gain more confidence from her. I've seen her talking with Hogan more often, so there might be a possibility of something starting between them in the future.

Siltram and Dash were still best buddies, cracking jokes and filled with joy at the idea of going to new places. Vlad would occasionally join in on one of their joke-fests, but he was more into pranks, so it wasn't very often.

Ah, yes, Vlad. He still mainly kept to himself, spooking the other members by appearing in the shadows. He hasn't done it as often, though, since Mel started hanging around him. Whenever he got caught, she would set him straight. I'm not sure how, but then, Vlad was always the best at understanding what she had to say when she wasn't writing. Recently, he's cleaned up his act a bit, not playing as many pranks and not scaring anyone as much (except outlaws).

Levi and Damus eventually bonded over a shared fascination with literature. While Levi preferred adventures and myths and Damus preferred philosophy, it was still something. I even heard that, recently, Levi loaned a book to Damus to read called "Art of Battle" by Shiftry.

Meowth was looking through job letters and looked closer at one, saying, "Say, Levi, what'd ya say ya needed for evolvin'?"

Levi turned, "A Dusk Stone. Why?"

He opened a letter and read it, "Well then, you're in luck. Somebody got robbed by a Starmie, and they're offering up a Dusk Stone as payment. Dis outlaw's all da way in Treeshroud Forest though."

"Ooh! Ooh! Me!" Vlad waved his hand in the air, like a little kid.

I looked at him, "You just want to scare the outlaw."

He shrugged, grinning, "Correct! I won't deny it. I'll get the item, though. Plus, I have an advantage against both the native Pokémon and the outlaw."

Meowth raised an eyebrow, "Fine; I guess ya earned it from what I heard about da Icy Flute mission."

Vlad floated up, "Much obliged." He flew up through the ceiling, leaving the café.

Meowth looked through the other missions, "There's a challenge letter, but it's asking for Rio an' me, specifically."

Hogan and Penny groaned, "Aww…" Savage just crossed his arms and hmphed.

Levi leaned forward, "Is it Team Renegade?"

Meowth shook his head, "Naw, 's from a team named Team Aqua Jet; a two-member team. They want us ta go alone."

Damus's eyes narrowed, "That seems very suspicious. I wouldn't recommend it."

I shook my head, "Two-on-two seems fair enough, and we can't back out, otherwise it'll make our team look bad."

Meowth was reading it, "Big surprise, they're havin' us go ta Miracle Sea, where they got da home-field advantage."

I turned to Meowth, "Do you want to sit this one out? I can probably take them alone, and I know that you don't like water."

He put the letter down, "Heck no. I ain't gonna chicken out cuz of a little water."

After handing out everybody else's jobs (Siltram stayed to look out for other missions), Meowth and I headed out to fill the Treasure Bag. On the way, Meowth said, "If they did research on us, ya can betcha last poké dat they have one that knows fighting moves. We'll need ta watch out for dat."

-Vlad's POV-

I looked around through Treeshroud Forest searching for the outlaw while staying out of sight. Whenever enemies spotted me, I simply knocked them out before they could alert any others to my presence. It wasn't very hard; my strength is a league above theirs.

It felt kind of good to just pull a prank instead of combing the area.

As soon as I find the target…

I continued moving through the forest, heedless of trees right in front of me. As I looked around for the stairs to the next level, I saw some movement out of the corner of my eye.

Turning, I looked at the area where I saw it. Could it have been the outlaw? I shouldn't find him for another few floors… Oh well, might kill some time to track this mysterious adversary.

I flew toward the area that I saw the movement and kept my eyes peeled. Looking around, I saw no signs of a trail. Now, I'm no expert tracker, that's Siltram's turf, but it should be easy for a ghost like me to spot a trail left behind by something physical. To me, footprints seem clumsy to leave behind.

However, I wasn't spotting any. Could it be some sort of floating Pokémon? If that's the case, then it is most definitely not the outlaw. But, can't hurt to continue looking around if I'm still looking for the stairs.

With the thought in mind that the Pokémon moves by flying, I kept my eyes on the branches instead of the ground. Sure enough, I found one of them bent oddly, as if it had been moved out of the way.

Tsk tsk tsk… Ah, the misfortunes of having a tangible form…

I slipped straight through the branch, stirring it no more than if a gentle breeze brushed by. I found other signs that something had gone by. Leaves fallen where there were no others. Twigs on bushes bent. Soon, I was moving faster, actually eager to see what was at the end of this trail.

I started seeing flickers of movement in the shadow. Practically zooming through the brush now, I wound up in a clearing. Looking around, I had lost sight of the fleeing Pokémon, but the stairs were right there. Trying once more to locate the Pokémon, I sighed in disappointment.

"Oh well, nothing I can really do about it. I have an outlaw to spook."

-Rio's POV-

The challenging team stood in front of us; a Floatzel and a Dewgong. They both looked down at us, and the Floatzel chuckled, "You're the leaders of Team Righteous? The legendary pair that saved the world?"

The Dewgong added, "You might be the best land-walkers, but let's see if you can take an Ocean Exploration Team on our home turf!"

Meowth raised an eyebrow, "'Ocean Exploration Team'? Well, guess somebody's gotta find all da sea dungeons. Prob'ly better for it ta be Water-Type Pokémon."

He motioned for me to come closer, "You take on da Floatzel. He's da one dat knows fighting moves."

I whispered back, "How are you so sure?"

"I'm no expert, but I tink ya need hands ta punch somethin'." I looked at the Floatzel and saw small, but very defined fingers.

"Point taken."

We both rushed forward as fast as we could through the water, and the other team swam forward at a rapid pace. I grappled with Floatzel while Meowth scratched Dewgong across the face and waded off, luring him away.

Floatzel and I both punched each other while we were grappling. Eventually we broke apart and he held a bruise on his side while grunting.

I smiled, "Where's your confidence now?"

He looked off to the side and said, "Heh, you might've gotten some lucky punches, but your partner isn't doing so well."

I looked through the corner of my eye and Dewgong's body was glowing light blue as ice grew along the surface. Meowth was frozen over inside of the ice. (AN: Sheer Cold)

I smiled, "I wouldn't be so sure. Meowth is smarter than that." Sure enough, the Meowth inside of the ice vanished and Meowth leaped out of the water behind Dewgong, landing a Night Slash.

He laughed, "Thanks for makin' some solid ground, Frosty."

Floatzel growled, "It doesn't matter! I'll defeat you, and then finish off your partner!" His tails started spinning and he submerged into the water, swimming circles around me. Soon the water started spinning as well and I found myself in the center of a whirlpool. Fighting to keep my head above water, the currents slammed against me, trying to pull me down.

I heard a yell, but I had seawater in my eyes, so I couldn't see anything. Using my senses, I pinpointed Floatzel's location by his rage and held my hand behind me catching his punch aimed at the back of my head.

Floatzel was trying to pull away, and I heard him say, "You don't stand a chance! Water Pokémon always have the advantage in the water!"

That's when an idea struck me, and I smiled, eyes still closed, "Well then, how about a change of arena?"

I thrust my hand up. Rock Tomb!

Four massive boulders of seabed sprouted underneath us, and I heard Floatzel yelp in surprise as we were launched into the air. Taking the opportunity to wipe the water out of my eyes with my free hand, I turned to face him. We twisted in the air a few times, and I concentrated on keeping Floatzel on the bottom. Right as we were about to land, I put my hand on his chest and said, "You lose. Force Palm!"

Using the force of the attack in addition to gravity, I sent Floatzel crashing straight into the center of the Rock Tomb trapping him inside. Landing beside the small crater atop the rocks, Floatzel was unconscious in a shallow Floatzel-shaped hole.

Looking over to Meowth's side of the fight, I saw him finish off Dewgong with Shock Wave.

Both Floatzel and Dewgong were warped out of the dungeon by a ray of light. I jumped off the Rock Tomb and waded through the water to Meowth, who stood on top of the ice. Climbing up to join him, our badges started glowing.

"Time to go home?" I asked.

"Yup."

We were warped out of the dungeon and we began the walk back to Treasure Town.

-Mel's POV-

I walked off to the beach where I knew Vlad would be if he was back from his mission.

Sure enough, he stood near the waves and was staring over the seas. Before I could try to get his attention, he said, "Hello, Mel."

I waved and stood next to him. I started writing in the sand, but he held up a hand, "No need for that, I learned a new move. Kindly look over here."

Turning towards him, his eyes glowed briefly. I felt dizzy for a moment but then shook it off. What was that all about?

Looking around, nothing seemed different. I turned back to Vlad and shrugged, shaking my head. I don't see any difference.

"Try speaking."

I raised an eyebrow. Is this some sort of joke? I can't speak.

He waved an arm, "Go on."

I rolled my eyes. Fine, if that's how he wants to play it, then I'll try saying-

"Tauros-sh-" I gasped and put my hands over my mouth.

Vlad fell over laughing, his legs kicking in the air, "AH-HA-HA! An entire language, and that's what you pick to say? Why, I ought to wash your mouth out for such foul words, young lady! AH-HA-HA-HA!"

I yelled, "Well, I didn't think it would actually work! I thought that you were pulling my leg!"

Vlad continued laughing at me until he sat up and floated back to his feet, "Anyway, this will make communication between us much easier for now. At least until we're spotted."

I tilted my head, "Why?"

He sighed, "The new move that I used on you. It put you to sleep and let me enter your dream."

"Wait… So, I'm not actually here. And…"

"I'm sorry, Mel…" He seemed genuinely sad, "You're not actually talking either. You're asleep on the beach and I'm just visiting."

I sat down, "… I see."

Vlad put a hand on my shoulder, "We can still talk, if you want. It will make communication between us easier."

I shrugged, "I guess you're right. So, how was your mission? Did you scare that outlaw good?"

"Ugh, I wish. It was one of those cases where the target is too stupid to get scared by the typical scare tactics. How he stole that stone, I'll never know. But there was something interesting."

I tilted my head, "What, did you find some innocent Ralts to scare?"

He slapped my shoulder, "I'm not that mean! Besides, whatever it was, it was no Ralts. It flew and it managed to lose me when I was almost right on top of it. Me! If it wasn't another Ghost-type, it must've been able to straight-up disappear to be able to lose me."

I laughed, "Maybe you're just not as good as you think you are."

He looked at me, "Oh, that is cold. I did not make this dream conversation so that you could sass me. And I could very easily make this scenery less appealing."

I raised an eyebrow, "And you kept it peaceful, just for me? I'm flattered."

"Then let me give a demonstration." Vlad snapped his fingers and the beach disappeared to be replaced by a grassy plain. Snapping them again, we were on an island. One more time, and we were on the moon. At least, what I assume the moon would look like this close up. He snapped his fingers again, and we were back on the beach, but the water was frozen with a cresting wave about to hit the shore.

"Whoa…" was all that I could say as I stared over the still ocean.

I heard Vlad say, "Despite the pleasant scenery, this move has quite a different intended use, and I somewhat modified it to have these conversations."

Turning back to Vlad I said, "Well, what's this move called?"

"Nightmare." He waved his hand, "Don't worry, though, I'm off-duty."

Suddenly, I'm very glad he's on our side.

Vlad perked up and, for a second, I thought he had read my mind. But he said, "Someone's coming. Time to wake up."

My eyes opened and I got up quickly, brushing sand off of my face. I tried to say something, but no sound came out. Remembering that I was back in the real world now, I sighed. Dash came running up to Vlad and me. He said, "Time to report in. Rio and Meowth just got back."

-Meowth's POV-

After everyone gave their reports, we gave Levi tomorrow off to go evolve and train to get used to his new body. As we headed off to the bluff, Rio said, "Meowth. Something I just thought of… You haven't told the others about your past, have you?"

I stopped and looked over my shoulder to make sure we were alone. I shrugged, "Well, dey never asked." I brushed it off, hoping that Rio would just drop it.

"I was gone for three months… I had assumed you'd told them already."

Going down the stairs, I said, "Well I keep tings on a 'need-ta-know' basis."

He put a hand on my shoulder. I shrugged it off, but he went on anyway, "I told them about my past, once I learned it."

I turned around, facing Rio, "Well dat's not a problem for you. You were a freakin' hero tryin' ta save da world. I'm just some schmuck dat got lucky ta start wit a clean slate."

"Meowth, you've done a lot of good here in this world! Do you think they'll care that you used to be a bad guy? You just have to give them a chance. I'm not asking you to tell the whole world, just our team!"

"Rio, listen ta me. I trust our team, really I do, but I also know dat trust can change on a dime. I've spent a long time tryin' ta hide what I did in my home world, and I tink it'd be better if it stayed hidden."

I shook my head, "Meowth, you can't hide from your past. And you owe it to them to tell it. I'm sorry that you've lived in a place where trust is so inconstant, but this is different. You trusted me with your past, and I haven't told anyone else because it's not mine to tell. Please…"

Before I could say anything, a roll of thunder rumbled. Rio and I looked out and saw a bunch of storm clouds gathering.

A storm…? Does dat mean sumpin's coming?

Deciding to put the argument aside for now, I said, "We'd better get ta sleep now, or we won't be able to later."

Rio didn't seem happy about it, but he nodded and went to his bed.

-? POV-

Rain poured down all around me as I hid in Treeshroud Forest. That blasted ghost almost found me. I wouldn't be able to handle two nuisances tracking me. However, it didn't matter.

"… This is proceeding nicely. This forest's distortion in the very fabric of space is growing. Ah, the distortion of space and dimension itself! If it expands further… My own power will be amplified! I failed to destroy time…"

I growled at the memory. The meddling fool… Bending rules by bringing the Meowth and the blue-haired one.

"But things will be different now…"

A branch snapping caught my attention. "Hm?! Someone's coming! It's Cresselia… That persistent pest! I must not be caught… Not ever!"

-Cresselia's POV-

Flying into the clearing, I tried to continue tracking the trail of darkness, but it faded, just like it always does.

"He got away again… This is the closest that I've ever gotten… But he always slips away. It may be difficult, perhaps impossible, to catch him."

I shook my head, "No. I can't give up. He has to be caught. And the fabric of space being distorted like this must stop! Before it accelerates further! Before the world is thrown back further into turmoil! I've got to do whatever it takes. I must stop Darkrai!"