Chapter 25: Dream a Little Dream

-Damus's POV-

I arrived at Spinda Café at my usual time, before anybody else and ordered myself a Black Gummi Tea while I waited for everyone to arrive. Levi arrived first and let me know that he was going to head out to Luminous Spring right away, so that he would have extra time for training. Nodding, I told him that I would let Rio and Meowth know. Thanking me, he flew up the stairs and left.

The other recruits arrived in sets of one or two. Briefly after Vlad arrived last, Rio and Meowth walked down the stairs into the café.

I raised an eyebrow. Something seemed different about them. For one thing, they weren't walking side-by-side today, Meowth was ahead and Rio was following. Meowth had a full on emotional mask on his face (it's easy to recognize one when you wear one yourself), and Rio, due to his overt nature, had a somewhat hurt look on his face.

What could have happened? Did they have an argument?

While Meowth gave out the assignments, the other recruits seemed to pick up on his terse speech. The mood slightly shifted. Once Rio was given an outlaw mission, I spoke up.

"Excuse me, Meowth?"

"What?"

"I would like to assist Rio in his mission. This outlaw is rumored to have minions."

"Sure." He continued looking through the missions, "I'll-"

Interrupting him, I said, "One more thing. Forgive my insolence, but I think you should take today as a training day. Back-to-back missions aren't good for one's health," Yes, that seems like a plausible justification… "and it would be good for you to get some rest."

I told the entire thing with a perfectly neutral face as Meowth looked at me. Years of self-composure training in Crystal Cave paid off as we stared each other down. Meowth yielded and said, "Fine. Dat actually… sounds good, thanks." He stood up and walked off.

I softly let out a breath I had been holding. That went better than expected. Turning to Rio, I said, "Rio? Care to give the order?"

Rio's attention turned to me, "Uh, right! We all have our jobs for today, so let's go!"

Everybody cheered, but Rio didn't seem all that invested in it. After we stopped at Kangaskhan Storage and switched out the items, we set out for Midnight Forest.

After we were a good distance away, I looked at Rio from the corner of my eye and said, "Rio. I didn't just offer my help on this mission because the outlaw is a Ghost-type. What happened?"

He turned away, continuing to walk, "I can't say."

Turning my focus back forward, I continued, "Rio, I am yours and Meowth's second in command in all but name. Anything you have to say, I can and will carry to my grave, if necessary."

He looked down at his feet while he walked, "It isn't mine to tell."

I raised an eyebrow, "But it is Meowth's, isn't it? Judging from the tension between you two, there must have been some issue you have with this."

Rio said nothing as we continued walking.

Sighing, I said, "I'm not going to pry. That's downright insubordination. If you don't tell me, I can't gauge the gravity of what went on between you two. I can't imagine what could be so bad that Meowth trusts you, and doesn't trust us with it, but it is his and his alone to tell. Personally, I sense that your heart was in the right place, but you didn't approach the situation tactfully. Meowth is a very guarded Pokémon; you and I both know that. If you try pressuring him, he may block you out."

Rio turned to me abruptly, "Block me out?!"

I turned to him, "Not physically, but emotionally."

He seemed worried, "I don't want that! We're best friends!"

"Then, for now, you should probably respect his wishes about whatever it is that you're not telling me about." We walked up to the entrance of Midnight Forest, "Now, if you allow it, I think we should put personal matters aside and focus on the current mission. It won't do to be distracted."

I started forward, and Rio was slightly behind me. We started walking in, and I heard Rio say, "Thanks, Damus."

-Rose's POV-

I had been assigned to help Dash with some item-retrieving missions. We were at Mystifying Forest, and I was helping him out with the Grass-types as well as the Flygon and any Poison-type Pokémon.

After sending a Stunky flying away, I said, "Dash… You're one of the members who were here back when Team Righteous was first starting out, right?"

He zapped a Raticate and said, "Yeah. I'm the fourth of the first gen recruits."

I raised an eyebrow, "'First gen'?"

"It's what I call the five of us who joined before Rio and Meowth saved the world. (Sadly, the name hasn't caught on with the others yet…)" He turned to me with a grin, "We joined Team Righteous before they were cool."

I cleared my throat, "Yes, well, do you think there's any danger of the team disbanding? Rio and Meowth seemed kinda… distant today."

He turned to me incredulously, "Whaaaaat? No way. The two of them are inseparable. And I don't think Meowth would let one little thing to push them apart. After all, he almost lost-" Dash suddenly clamped his mouth shut.

I gestured for him to continue, "What? Lost what?"

Dash shook his head, "I've said too much." He turned to continue through the dungeon, but I sped up and blocked him.

"Dash, what happened?"

He looked away, "The five of us agreed to never talk about it again, especially to the new recruits. Drop it."

I held up my hand, "Dash, you can trust me to not tell anyone. If this will help reassure me, then I want to hear it."

He looked down. After sitting, he said, "It's not a time that I like thinking about. I learned this later, but… apparently, when Rio and Meowth went to save the world from the planet's paralysis, they knew. They knew that, even if they won, they wouldn't both make it."

"What are you talking about?"

Sighing, he went on, "Rio is a Pokémon from the future where the planet is paralyzed. Changing history would erase his timeline and everyone in it. They both knew this, and they did it anyway. Rio disappeared. And I don't mean he went missing; he literally vanished in front of Meowth's eyes."

I gasped, "But how could that be? He's right here; we saw him earlier this morning."

Dash shook his head, "He vanished… for three months. The aftermath was horrible. We had lost one of our leaders, and the other was torn up with grief, but Meowth pressed on anyways. He picked us up while we were down when he was probably hurting ten times worse."

I looked down, guilty that I had brought up such a painful subject.

Suddenly, Dash chuckled, "When Rio finally came back, Meowth refused to let him out of his sight for half a month. It was pretty funny. Rio told us once that he had to draw the line when he woke up to find Meowth watching him while he was sleeping."

Dash turned to me, "That's why I know that everything will be worked out. Those two have been through too much together to let something small drive them apart."

I nodded, "Thank you, Dash. That makes me feel better."

He nodded and smiled, "You're welcome. You didn't hear it from me."

"Right. Let's get back to the mission."

-Rio's POV-

With the mission done, I headed back to the bluff. I thought about what Damus said as I walked down the stairs.

I guess it wasn't fair of me to try pressuring him into telling everybody else. Damus was right; it's his decision whether or not he tells them. I just want to be friends again. That settles it! I'm apologizing right now.

I walked in and opened my mouth to do just that, but Meowth was already snoring. Well, I guess the morning is fine too. I lay down on my bed and started trying to go to sleep.

Once I fell asleep, I opened my eyes and was surrounded by a rainbow blend of colors. Confused, I looked around. After a while, I noticed a shape in front of me.

I stepped away slightly, "Who are you…?"

"I am… I am Cresselia."

I tilted my head, "C-Cresselia…?!"

Cresselia continued, "Your… your very existence is… pushing the world toward ruin."

I gasped, "The world… to ruin? How am I doing that?!"

"Because you are in this world." There was a flash as Cresselia continued, "Because you… exist here. If you remain…" Another flash, "The world will be destroyed!"

There was a blinding flash and I sat up in my bed. After a few deep breaths, I said to myself, "…Wh-what was that?"

I looked at Meowth. He's still asleep… I crossed my arms. Was it just a dream…? Sure was a strange one.

Looking out over the still dark sky, I sighed, "Well, there's nothing I can do about that… It's not even dawn… I'll get more sleep."

I rearranged my bed (evidently, I had been tossing and turning) and laid back down on it, falling back asleep.

-The Next Morning-

The morning sun shining on my face woke me up, and Meowth stretched out before turning to look out the mouth of the bluff.

"Ah, what a great day!"

I raised my hand, "Meowth, listen, about what I said-"

He turned around and smiled, "Nah, s'okay, Rio. You were right; 's all about trust. Tell ya what, I'll tell them soon. Not right now, but I will. So let's put it behind us an' keep up da good work."

I raised an eyebrow, shocked that he acquiesced so easily, "You're in a good mood."

He put his hands on his hips, "Is dat supposed ta mean dat I'm not usually?"

Looking down, I said, "It's just… I thought you'd still be mad at me."

He smiled, "Well, I blew off a ton o' steam at da dojo, now, c'mon, da weather's been nuttin but awesome after dat storm blew over, so let's enjoy it an' go explorin'!"

We headed over to Spinda Café and Meowth and I gave out the day's assignments. Everyone seemed visibly relieved that we were all right. Meowth and I got a mission together, a rescue at Shimmer Hill. Hogan, Savage and Penny jumped at the chance of another challenge letter, since we got the last one and Cathy and Rose got an escort mission.

Damus, Levi (who was now an Honchkrow and remembered Swagger, Nasty Plot, Dark Pulse, and Night Slash), Siltram and Dash got the secret mission to retrieve the Rock Horn from World Abyss. Levi didn't seem too keen on going back, but both Siltram and Dash assured him that it was the absolute last business that we had there, except for normal missions which other members could handle.

He agreed reluctantly, "All right, but if you leave me down there, I'll escape again and Night Slash all of you."

Damus nodded, "That will most certainly not happen."

I looked through and found a wanted poster of a Magneton. An officer who defected? That's a bit unsettling. Wow, they're offering a high reward, and a bonus for confidentiality. I guess they don't want people thinking that any officer can turn at any time.

I looked up, "Mel, do you think you can handle this one by yourself? Word is that he's hiding out in the Concealed Ruins. If you're going, you should pick out a Rock-type TM to use." She took the wanted poster and looked at it before putting it down and nodding.

Meowth clapped his paws, "Alright, everyone, that's all da-"

"Ahem." Meowth looked and Vlad had an eyebrow raised, "You forgot about me."

Meowth rubbed the back of his head, "Ta be honest, we don't really got a good mission fa you. There's no new locations ta scout, no good outlaws dat ya'd be able ta beat, and ya've even been keepin' up wit' your trainin'. How about ya take da day off? Train if ya want, but ya don't hafta. Just don't go scarin' da locals."

Vlad slumped, "Well then what's the point of having a day off?"

Meowth shrugged, "I dunno. Figure sumpin' out."

All of us went our separate ways to do our jobs. Vlad continued moping about until we left.

-Vlad's POV-

After they left, I floated up through the ceiling, "Hmph, leaving me behind and giving me a vacation without any fun. What am I supposed to do while everyone is out?" Flying up into the sky, I continued my soliloquy, "Perhaps I could investigate that mysterious Pokémon? Nah, it's probably long gone from Treeshroud Forest by now…" I reclined in the air, hovering above Treasure Town, "Hmmm… What to do, what to do…?"

My thoughts turned to one of my old pastimes, but I had already searched every dungeon we know from top to bottom at least twice. "Conducting a search would be pointless without a new place to search or a definitive lead. If he was abroad, there would be a wanted poster, unless he was being absolutely invisible, which is impossible, given his form, so he must still be in hiding. Perhaps I could just take a nap…?"

Before I could think about a good place to get some sleep, something pelted the side of my head. I looked down and saw Mel looking up at me. She motioned for me to come down, so I did. "What is it Mel? Do you need something?"

She gestured to the ground, and I saw that she had already written out a message, "You look bored. Do you want to come along on my mission?"

My eyebrows raised, "You know, I won't be much help." She waved her finger "no" and then did a punch. Realizing what she was talking about, I said, "Well, that's true, I do have Drain Punch." Thinking it over, I shrugged and said, "Sure, why not?"

She nodded and wiped away the message before motioning to come along and we both left for the Concealed Ruins.

-Levi's POV-

Ugh… I never wanted to wind up here again… It's just as dark as I remember.

Our badges glowed, allowing us to see a few feet in front and behind us in corridors and lighting up the room when we were in one. Damus was taking the lead, I was walking behind him with Dash and Siltram took the rear guard position.

I looked around at the walls, noticing that they were getting oddly colored. I don't think I've ever gone this deep before… It's getting creepy.

I heard wings beating and took flight, following the sound and intercepting a Pidgeot. The edge of my wing glowed purple and I used Night Slash on it, cutting across its chest. As it turned around to attack me, it got zapped by electricity, lighting up the area around us even more. I took a look around and saw the outline of stairs in the next room.

Landing on the ground, I told this to Damus. He nodded, "That's good. We must be nearing the end by now."

As we moved down the stairs, I briefly wondered what the bottom would look like. One of those seven treasures was there, so, obviously, there would be a guardian there. I thought through my books on mythology, mentally paging through the legendary Pokémon.

Which one would be suited to a dark place like this?

As we reached a room at the end of the stairs, I noticed it was slightly brighter up ahead. When we entered the room, I took a good look at our surroundings.

Okay. It's gone from creepy to freakish…

The room was dimly illuminated by orange stars dotting the ground and the walls appeared to be made out of dark blue, purple and bright green vines. It would've been pretty under a bright day, but it was still very dark, so it made the sight look haunting instead of appealing.

A flash out of nowhere briefly disoriented us, and when our eyes readjusted, there was a massive Pokémon that matched the theme of World Abyss to a "T". It towered over all of us, and it looked down at us with glowing red eyes.

"Seekers of the seven treasures! I am Giratina! The guardian of World Abyss! If it is the treasure that you seek… I challenge you to surpass your limits… Demonstrate your power to me!" Its wings beat, sending a chilling tremor of power our way. "Now it begins!"

I quickly took flight, zooming forward to Damus. As I passed, I said, "It's a part Ghost-type! Don't use Razor Wind!"

I heard Damus call out behind me, "Siltram, Dash! Stay out of danger and try to land hits when you can!"

As I continued advancing on Giratina, I saw movement out of the corner of my eye, and was surprised to see Damus flying next to me, surrounded by white streaks. He cast me a sideways glance and said, "I won't get anything done attacking its ankles. Stay focused; here it comes!"

I turned forward and saw Giratina raise its wings and beat them once, sending an Ominous Wind our way. Used to flying, I changed direction and let it skirt by without damage, but Damus wasn't so lucky. He was hit and sent spinning off balance in his flight for a moment. Giratina started moving forward, but Damus swept his head sideways while he was spinning and a purple crescent blade flew at Giratina, hitting it in the face, making a cut across it. (AN: Psycho Cut) While Giratina was stunned, I flew forward as well and used Night Slash, making sure to hit in the same area where it would be tender.

Giratina growled angrily and started charging an Aura Sphere, but several bolts of blue electricity hit his neck, making him stop and groan in pain. Following it to the source, I saw Dash all the way on the ground, glaring up at Giratina while using Discharge.

I took the opportunity to fly over to Damus and said, "You should stay on the ground if he has Ominous Wind. You're not used to flying; I am. I'll be sure to distract him plenty. Just keep using what you just did and tell Dash not to shock me."

He nodded and began his descent to the ground. I took a quick survey of the battle field and saw Siltram latching onto Giratina's legs, stretching to try to tangle them up. Dash dodged one of Giratina's stomps and used Charge to build up power for another electric attack.

For now, I was out of sight. But that also meant I wasn't doing my job. I thought about the best way to hinder Giratina; distraction only worked so long, and I'm pretty much just an insect to him.

Then I got an idea and grinned. I flew in, making sure to keep out of Giratina's sight and then circled around the right side of its head and used Night Slash on its eye. It roared angrily and I flew away as fast as I could to try to avoid getting hit by a counter attack. Staying in its new blind spot, I got ready to hit the other eye and saw the others on the ground taking advantage of it as well, moving to stay at Giratina's right, except for Siltram. He was still trying to reach a third leg to tangle himself up in.

I tried using Night Slash again, but Giratina moved its head out of the way and kept adjusting to keep everyone in its sight. Deciding that I had done enough to try and disadvantage Giratina, I used Dark Pulse to attack its neck, along with the others who were still bombarding its giant form with their attacks.

It was an arduous battle, even with one eye out. Despite Siltram's best efforts, Giratina broke out of his hold, snapping Siltram in two and leaving him to pull himself together. After that, its claws glowed blue and extended. However, since its attention was on the others, I took the opportunity to use Night Slash on its other eye, completely blinding it. It groaned in pain and trembled from its other injuries. Giratina took a step back and melted into the shadows at the back of the room.

An orb of light appeared after Giratina disappeared, and a gray treasure box with rocky nubs on it appeared. Damus walked forward and opened it, pulling out a gray and red striped, cone-shaped horn with rocks on it.

Dash looked at it with a raised eyebrow, "I know that this is supposed to be really rare, but it won't win any prizes for looks…"

Damus put it in the Treasure Bag, "Regardless of its appearance, we've completed the mission. Let's go back now." The gems of our badges glowed and we were warped out of the dungeon with our new treasure.