Well, this is awkward. After 75 chapters of writing between both stories, I didn't realize that it's "James' POV", not "James's POV". My older brother told me while I was writing this chapter. I can't go back and change them, but I'm going to fix it from now on.

Chapter 27: Traveling to Traverse Travail

-Levi's POV-

Siltram and I sparred in the Grass Maze as a warm-up before we used an Escape Orb and went into the Final Maze. Everybody else who was training before going on a mission was already in there. Mel grew up there, so it's understandable that she'd be able to train there right away. As for Penny and Savage, AKA the Hothead Couple, they'll probably spend more time fighting each other to see who's stronger than the other opponents. If those opponents are wise, they'll steer clear of that Voltorb nest.

I dove down to attack Siltram as he had asked me to do, and he concentrated before a hole appeared in his midsection making my attack go right through him. I looked back and saw his face appear on the back of his head and his arms twist in place as they re-oriented to his new forward-facing direction. Suddenly, he was ready to attack while his would-be opponent would have their back turned.

Siltram did a fist pump as the hole in his body closed, "Yes! I've got it down! Took a few weeks, but I've got it."

I landed facing Siltram and said, "Very clever. How do you come up with these? You can stretch, control pieces of yourself not attached, expand parts of your body (at the cost of losing mass elsewhere, but still), dodge by making holes, and now you can do an about-face in under a second. What drives you?"

Gesturing at me, he replied, "I can't fly." Then counting off on his hand, he made nubs rise up as fingers as he continued, "I can't move very fast, I'm not that smart outside of tracking, I only have two types of attack, poison and ground, and if I didn't come up with stuff like this after evolving, I'd lose a lot of fights. I just want to be useful to the team."

I tilted my head, "But you are important to this team. And you may not have much in other aspects, but I'd say you've become a master of what you do have. Many Pokémon never master anything, and you've mastered not one, but two things. Manipulation of your element and, as you said, tracking."

He grinned, "Thanks Levi. Now, let's get on to the Final Maze. I just wanted to make sure I had my new trick ready first."

-Meowth's POV-

After we got to Mt. Travail, Rio and I didn't waste any time talking. We went through the entrance and started climbing the dungeon. Rio was able to handle the heavy hitters, like Ursaring, Onix and Primape, while I handled stuff like Ledian, Fearow and Mr. Mime. The Medicham and Scizor were challenging, but not if we worked together.

Climbing the mountain took longer than I'd like, and for really stupid reasons. We were right in the room where the stairs were, and it was a trap. We were pounced on by a huge group of enemies, and I was out of orbs, except for one. We lost a Reviver Seed, and a Fearow plucked two of our Oran Berries. We lost another when two Ledian confused me and ganged up on Rio with two Mankey. We had another close call when a Fearow nearly finished us both after Drill Pecking Rio and using Mirror Move to return my Shock Wave. Luckily, Rio got to the stairs, warping us to the next floor and giving us time to heal up with some Oran Berries for me and Rest for Rio.

To top it all off, the weather here was screwy, just like Sky Peak. I've just decided that I hate mountains more than I hate water.

Once we finally reached the top, we found Drowzee meditating on top of a raised circle of ground on one of the mountain's flat peaks, overlooking the mountain range.

Rio looked at me and whispered, "Which one of us calls out to him?"

I whispered back, "I tink you should, I got a hunch that he's prob'ly more afraid of me."

Rio nodded and took a deep breath, stepping up onto the circle. He called out, "Drowzee."

Drowzee sat up straighter and got up, turning around. He jumped back out of fear, "Wa-wah! You two?!"

I tried hard to not wince when I saw a few scratch scars on his body, one along his face. Maybe I went a little overboard on paying him back.

Drowzee went on, "What did you come here for?!" He started backing away, glancing at me, "I… I've kept my nose clean! I've stayed out of a life of crime!"

Rio gestured with his hands, "Calm down, Drowzee. We're not here to arrest you. But you are the reason why we're here. We need your help."

Drowzee stopped backing away, "H-huh? Me? You need my help?"

Rio nodded, "Yes. You remember Azurill, right? He's fallen asleep and won't wake up."

Drowzee's eyes widened, "Huh? That Azurill tyke?"

I decided to pick up where Rio left off, "Nobody knows why he won't wake up. Our teammate Vlad tried ta get rid of da dream, but he couldn't. We thought if we went inta da dream, we'd be able ta figure somethin' out. An' we heard that you might be able ta help."

Drowzee looked at both of us, saying nothing.

Rio said, "Drowzee, will you help us, please?"

Drowzee still said nothing, and then turned away, looking off at the mountain range, "…I… I… I did a rotten thing to that Azurill way back when… And, Meowth, I had your words to think on while I was waiting to be punished. I don't know if doing this would ever make up for it, but… If it would help Azurill even a little…"

He turned back to us, "I don't know how useful I can be, but… I'd be glad to help, if you'll let me."

Rio smiled, "Thank you, Drowzee!"

Drowzee nodded, "Lead me back to Azurill. Let's not waste time!"

I nodded back, "You got it. No time ta walk though." I pulled out my last orb, an Escape Orb, and threw it to the ground.

-James' POV-

I followed my Pokémon out of the maze and watched as Growlie said bye to the Marowak (who just looked really happy for us to be there). On our way out, we almost bumped into a towering Machoke.

He turned to us and said "sorry" before talking with Marowak for a bit and going into the hole on the left side of the wall.

Once we were outside, I said to them, "All right, now we need to get outside of town so I can return you to your Poké Balls and get to Meowth in time to stowaway in their dream travel."

I thought about everybody's progress in their training. Cacturne was currently the strongest, having trained under that Grass-type gym leader. He was closely followed by Weezing, who hadn't been slacking in his job of protecting the group of Koffing. Carnivine and Growlie were close in strength in that I mainly had them as companions than fighters. Chimecho and Mime Jr. took up the rear, but I don't want either of them to fight if I can help it. While they had been training, I went over their moves with my flash cards (which whatever sent me here had been kind enough to include) in order to memorize them and which would be most useful.

Moving to a clearing somewhat shielded by trees, I took everyone's Poké Balls, "All right, everyone, retu-"

"Ah, now what have we here?"

Stopping short at the voice, I was worried for a few seconds, before remembering that nobody in this world could see me. But I can't call them back with a witness. I'll just have to wait for him to leave.

I turned to look, and saw a Gengar dropping down from the branches. I relaxed slightly at the sight of the badge. Surely an exploration team member couldn't be all bad, right?

Growlie crouched, "What are you doing here?"

The Gengar let out a loud obnoxious yawn before answering, "Taking a nap in the tree; what are you doing here?" He raised an eyebrow, "I don't think I've heard of a group such as yourself. Care to explain yourselves?"

Cacturne shrugged, "We're just local heroes from a far-off village, here to train after hearing about the great Marowak Dojo; nothing else."

"Oh, really?" He floated forward, looking down at us, "Well, I happen to be well-informed of all the villages, and I've heard nothing of such a group. Now how about a different story, preferably the truth, before I get bored and give you all nightmares?"

Growlie stepped forward, "You wouldn't believe us if we told you. Just know that we're not in the wrong here, and that it's none of your concern."

The Gengar reclined in the air, "Hmm, that's not very exciting, and I'd be hesitant to trust the word of a Fire-type. But, since I'm a nice guy, I'll give you one more chance to explain yourselves. How about your tall friend gives it a try?"

They all looked at each other and Cacturne said, "But I already told you."

"Not you; the blue-haired one." I froze.

He was looking directly at me now, "That's right; I can see you. I'm a ghost too, after all. How about we test if I can hear you, otherwise there's always the alternative."

I stammered, "Uh, l-listen, we didn't come here to make trouble. We were sent here to-"

The Gengar cut me off with a yawn, "Boooooring. How about I just ask what I want to hear, okay? It'll make things go that much faster. First, what are you? I've been all over for decades, but I've never seen a Pokémon like you."

"That's because I'm not a Pokémon. I'm not even from this world."

He waved his hand, "If you're about to say that you're from the future, hoping that it'll shock me, that's yesterday's news."

"I'm a human."

The Gengar stopped and then looked at me, saying, "So that's what a human looks like? Goodness, you're weird looking. Rio's much better looking as a Pokémon."

I took a step forward, "You know Rio? That's who I'm-" A Shadow Ball struck the area in front of my feet. My Pokémon moved forward, but the Gengar just looked at us, his finger pointing where he fired the attack, "I'm the one asking questions here. Second question, to you all behind him, why do you follow him? He's clearly too weak to even defend himself."

Weezing huffed and floated forward, "It's not a matter of strength. He's our friend! That's all that matters."

Chimecho added, "He needs us now, and so we are here."

Chuckling, the Gengar said, "Cute. Now, final question, what are you doing here if you're not from this world? You have one last chance to tell me the truth, and the whole truth, or you'll find I can be quite ruthless."

I sighed at the situation I was in, "You may want to sit down; this will take a while."

-Rio's POV-

After we got back to Treasure Town, we led Drowzee to the guild infirmary, where Marill was still waiting. He took a look at Azurill. After a few minutes, I couldn't take the silence and said, "How does it look, Drowzee? Are you seeing anything?"

After a moment, he said, "Oh, you two! I want you to get stocked up for an exploration. When you're all ready, I'll send you on an exploration of Azurill's dream."

I balked, "Huh? So that means…!"

He nodded, "You guessed it. It is possible to get into Azurill's dream."

I smiled, "All right!" I turned to Marill, "Marill! We can figure out this nightmare and fix it!"

Marill smiled, "Yes!"

Drowzee raised a finger, "But I want you to be extra careful when you're inside this kid's dream. There's something rotten about this dream… I have a feeling that something has gone bad or gone wrong."

Meowth raised an eyebrow, "Dat a fact? Alright, then. We'll be careful."

Drowzee nodded, "One more thing. I want only you two to enter the dream. I'd prefer to go as well, but… In all honesty, at my skill level, I think I'd slow you down too much. I'm sorry I couldn't do more for you, but…"

I waved my hand, "Don't be silly. You're doing plenty, sending us into the dream. Thank you, Drowzee. We'll go get ready." I turned to leave, but then I heard Meowth say, "Drowzee."

I turned around and Meowth was still looking at Drowzee. I thought he was going to say something bad, but he smiled and said, "After this is over, how 'bout we get a drink at Spinda Café? Us reformed guys gotta stick together."

Drowzee smiled and nodded, while Marill just looked confused.

I patted Meowth on the shoulder while we walked, "That was really nice of you."

Meowth shook his head, "You saw nothin'."

"Riiiiiight."

We made a quick trip to Kangaskhan Storage to replenish our items. Mt. Travail had really drained us. On our way back, we stopped at Spinda Café and saw that Damus, Dash, Rose and Cathy were back from their missions. They said that Hogan went for more training, and Damus said that the others left for other missions at "approximately two, three and three-and-a-half hours past noon". Nobody knew where Vlad was, though.

Meowth shrugged, "Probably still asleep."

We left the café, and headed back to the guild. Drowzee was there waiting, and he asked us if we were ready.

We both nodded, and Meowth said, "We're good."

"Good, then get over here." He led us beside Azurill and set up another straw bed. "I'm going to send you into Azurill's dream."

I raised my hand, "I've been meaning to ask, but how exactly will this work?"

"You two will enter a trance-like state, and a 'dream body' will be created, sort of like an astral projection, and sent into the dream. You'll retain the same strength and moves, but be careful, you can still get hurt."

Meowth nodded, "Got it."

Drowzee motioned with his hands, "Here goes!"

I felt my eyes grow heavy, and the last thing I saw was a purple tunnel.

Sorry for the abrupt cut-off, but I want the dream to be a chapter all its own. See you next time.

BTW, James' Pokémon Levels:

Growlie: Lv. 47
Weezing: Lv. 58
Cacturne: Lv. 62
Chimecho: Lv. 39
Mime Jr.: Lv. 24
Carnivine: Lv. 45