Chapter 30: But We've Been Framed!

-Meowth's POV-

After leaving the Treasure Bag on my bed at the bluff, I headed off to Marowak Dojo. Taking a quick look at the sky, I noticed that it was almost noon. Soon, I got to the dojo, and almost all of James' Pokémon were gathered up in the lobby.

I raised an eyebrow, "What's goin' on?"

Carnivine pointed at the Final Maze entrance, "We couldn't find Cacturne in any of the mazes, so we asked Marowak and he said that Cacturne and Rio went in there, but he won't let us go in to look for them."

I asked Marowak, "What happened?"

Marowak said, "The Cacturne issued a challenge to your partner. They went into the Final Maze to spar."

Putting my paw to my face I said, "Oy vey…" Rio might be level-headed, but he's still a Fighting-type. Just can't say "no" ta a challenge…

I took my paw off and said, "I'll go get 'em…" Marowak let me through, since Rio and I trained in there before. After stepping on the portal, I was warped into the Final Maze and immediately got sand in my eyes.

"Gak! Ptoo! Hey! Who turned on da sand?!"

A full blown sandstorm was swirling around the room. I saw Rio's shadow standing in the center. His eyes were glowing blue, so that meant he was using Foresight. He suddenly turned his head and put up his arms to block as a shadow appeared out of nowhere, punching at him. Rio tried to counter, but the shadow jumped back disappearing into the sandstorm again. (AN: Sand Veil.)

Seeming to have no trouble following with his eyes, Rio ran to the side as a Pin Missile attack came at him. Then his shadow glowed green-yellow as he used Copycat to shoot the attack from his hand, turning to chase after the opponent.

He must be usin' Foresight ta keep track of Cacturne. But dat ain't important; time ta cut in.

I put my paws on the ground and waited for Rio to block another punch and then sent Shadow Claws to grab them both while I could see both of them. Catching them off-guard, I wrapped the arms of the hands around both of them and pulled them back to me.

I looked up and said, "Playtime's over. Everybody's worried 'bout you two."

"Aaaaaawwww…" Cacturne whined, "But this is the best workout I've gotten in a long time… Can't we at least finish the match?"

I grunted as more sand got in my face, "Turn off the sandstorm an' I might let ya."

The wind started dying down and Cacturne grinned sheepishly, "Sorry, I was trying to knock Rio off balance, but he stayed rooted, and the camoflauge didn't even help with his Foresight. Guess I just kept it going to try to tire him out."

I put them down, "We deal wit' sandstorms every otha week. Now let's go, we're findin' an Escape Orb."

Rio said, "But-"

"No buts! An' I said 'might' let ya. Now let's go. Ev'rybody's back in da lobby, so we can meet up an' talk about training partners an' rotation. Sparrin's da best way ta train." We found an Escape Orb two rooms down and used it to warp back to the lobby.

After we were back, we decided that Rio an' I would each take three of James' Pokémon to train. Rio would be training Growlie, Cacturne and Carnivine in the Final Maze, while I trained Weezing, Chimecho and Mime Jr. in the Dragon Maze.

Weezing floated up next to me as we walked toward the entrance and said, "How've things been since you've arrived in this world?"

I turned, "Is dat you or James askin'?"

"I guess both of us."

Shrugging, I said, "Guess I can't complain. Got a roof over my head, earn enough money ta buy food or I can go out an' get some myself from one of da dungeons. All in all, a pretty good life. One downside is dat I can't seem ta catch a break wit' da quests. Not ta be selfish, but I went through a lotta trouble ta figure out how ta save dis world da first time. Gave me a ton o' heartache, but it worked out in da end. I just hope dat it won't come ta dat dis time."

Weezing said, "James remembers seeing Rio alone on the beach once in his last vision before this one. What happened?"

I paused, "…I'll tell ya later. 'S a long story. Let's just focus on trainin' right now."

-Rio's POV-

Later that evening, after hearing everyone's reports, we met up in the bluff, Meowth and me telling James and his Pokémon what happened since Meowth arrived in this world. I wasn't exactly happy when Meowth got to the part where he pretended to side with Dusknoir, but I couldn't argue with the fact that it saved Grovyle and me from being executed.

After Meowth was done, we decided to turn in for the night. As usual, James recalled all of his Pokémon, and Growlie slept on the third bed.

Suddenly, we were woken up by a massive earthquake. The three of us jumped up and looked around, and Meowth quickly shouldered the Treasure Bag.

"Rio!" Meowth shouted over the trembling. "I tink-!"

In a flash of light, the Pokémon we saw in the book appeared right in front of us. Meowth yelled, "Dang it! I knew it!"

"I HAVE FOUND YOU AT LAST!" Palkia roared, ignoring Growlie right behind him. "THE DEFILERS WHO ARE CAUSING… THE DISTORTION OF SPACE!"

Meowth said, "Wait, it wasn't us, there's been a-"

Not listening, Palkia continued, "I AM PALKIA! I HOLD SWAY OVER SPACE! I HAVE DOMINION OVER DIMENSION! YOU CANNOT ESCAPE NOW! THIS IS THE END OF YOU!"

His shoulder gems glowed and the bluff was bathed in light. I felt myself be condensed and moving really fast, like when I traveled with Celebi, but a hundred times more powerful. For a few seconds, I couldn't see or feel anything. And all I could hear was a high pitched whining noise.

When my feet touched ground again, Meowth and I were standing on a gray-green stone floor with purple walls and a chasm right behind us. Growlie was nowhere to be seen. Palkia was still right in front of us, and I looked around, "Where are we?!"

"THIS IS MY DOMAIN! SPACIAL RIFT!"

The wonder of seeing Spacial Rift in person lasted for about half a second before Palkia's speaking cut it short.

"YOU DARE DISTORT SPACE? WITHOUT MY PERMISSION? I WILL BE RID OF YOU NOW!"

Meowth waved his paws, "But wait a minute! We've been framed! It wasn't-"

Palkia stepped forward, forcing us to back up, "THIS IS THE END!" He swiped with his claws, forcing us to jump back, closer to the chasm. I looked over my shoulder nervously. We were right up to the ledge now. Palkia roared and was about to attack again, so I grabbed Meowth and jumped over the ledge, holding on to him before the attack reached us.

Meowth yelled, "What're ya doin' Rio?!"

I yelled back, "I think our odds of running away are better than trying to explain ourselves!" I saw the ground coming up fast, so I twisted so that I was on the bottom and used Endure.

I briefly reflected on how many times this move has saved both Meowth's and my lives before thinking "This is going to hurt."

We both landed on the ground with a crash, Meowth landing on top of me. As usual, it still hurt, but the move made sure that nothing broke too badly and protected my vitals. And the fall was nothing compared to that Aqua Tail that I got from Gyarados.

Meowth got up first and rifled through the Treasure Bag, handing me an Oran Berry. "You okay, Rio?"

I ate the berry and stood up, popping the joints in my sore back. "I've felt better, but this isn't the worst hit I've gotten. Plus, I used Endure, so the worst I'll get is a nasty bruise."

Meowth dusted himself off and said, "Well, thanks for takin' da fall. Anyway, I told ya dat Palkia'd be after us. We gotta scram, like, now. Wit' a legendary on our tail, I dunno how long we can run, but it's life or death right now."

I nodded, "Right." We ran through a passage that seemed to be an entrance to go into Spacial Rift. With a little luck, maybe we'll find an exit if we go in farther.

-James' POV-

"That was Palkia! As in the Palkia!"

I was pacing the bluff, frustrated that I was left behind and therefore, unable to help Meowth and Rio when they're probably in danger. The Palkia had just ignored Growlie, so he wasn't taken with them.

"This is a disaster! What are we supposed to do?!"

Growlie spoke up, "I'm… sorry that I couldn't help them."

I stopped pacing, "It's not your fault, Growlie. I'm just worried. From Meowth's story, legendary Pokémon are either really helpful or really dangerous, sometimes both. And I don't think that Palkia was here to offer his help."

A new, feminine voice said "Call back your Pokémon and follow me."

Growlie and I looked around, not seeing anyone. But I could've sworn that I'd heard that voice before. She knows about me? And she can hear me? A shadow appeared at the mouth of the bluff, silhouetted by the setting moon.

I stepped back, "You!" Growlie leaped in front of me and growled, getting ready to defend.

"Please, I understand how this must look, but I am not here to fight. I was told of your coming to assist Rio and Meowth. It's a shame that I couldn't get to them first. Please trust me, and I'll take you to them."

Growlie turned to me, and I thought hard about it. If it was the same as before, I don't think she'd be helping me find them. If anything, she wouldn't be here at all, and I would have no clue how to get to them.

I took Growlie's Poké Ball off my belt, "Growlie, return." Once he was back in his ball, the shadow turned around as I floated up next to her.

"We need to hurry! There's been a grave misunderstanding!"

-Meowth's POV-

Going through Spacial Rift was not easy. We had to watch our step around the gaps in the floor and there were a ton of heavy hitters that neither of us had an advantage over, like Charizard, Electivire, and Toxicroak. But they weren't much of a problem if we worked together. If Palkia were smart, he'd have tried separating us, not bringing us here together.

There was also the threat hanging over our heads that Palkia could catch up at any time. It would be a pain if we got surrounded by the enemies and Palkia at the same time.

If we hafta fight him, we need him alone. It's da only way that "dat" will be really effective at tippin' da fight in our favor.

After about ten floors, we started getting fog in the dungeon. We had to be extra careful about watching our step, so we didn't fall into a hole.

After a few more floors, we got to a rest area, where there was a Kangaskhan Rock. We didn't have much time for rest, so I wrote in the journal and then put it back in the statue's mouth. Rio and I nodded to each other and we continued on.

Our luck was clearly taking a turn for the worse. On the second floor of the lower half, we ran into a monster house in the room where the stairs were. It was a good thing that I had re-stocked after our last exploration. I used a Petrify Orb and we weaved past, making sure not to touch any of them as we moved on. (AN: To dodge the comments, yes I know that there is a Kangaskhan Rock at the entrance of Spacial Rift. But Meowth would've prepared before that since he saw it coming, so I didn't make note of it in the story.)

We managed to make it through the rest without much trouble. But when we got to the last room of the dungeon, we looked around. It was just a large dead end; emphasis on "dead."

"Looks like we can't run anymore, Rio," I said. The ground started shaking as I continued, "Ready ta make a last stand?"

He shakily nodded, "I guess it's our last option…"

As there was a flash, I whispered, "Don't worry I got a plan."

Palkia thudded to the ground in front of us, "YOUR RESISTANCE IS USELESS! YOU WILL NEVER ESCAPE FROM THIS PLACE!"

Since we couldn't run anymore, I decided to play it cool as I slowly slipped my hand into the Treasure Bag, "We noticed."

"I WILL REVEAL WHY! IT IS YOUR FATE… TO BE OBLITERATED BY ME!" I gripped the item that I took special care to put in the side slot with the Wonder Map for quick access.

"Come on…" I muttered to myself, "Roar… Ya know ya want ta…" I'm not as good a shot as Rio, but he's got a big mouth for a target.

"THIS IS IT!" He roared as he leapt forward to attack and I quickly chucked the item at his big mouth. It was a perfect shot, nothing but net. Palkia faltered as he was forced to gulp and suddenly he doubled over holding his stomach.

Rio said, "What was that? I only saw something black; what was it you just threw in his mouth?"

A huge growling noise came from Palkia's stomach while I answered, "A Hunger Seed. Hard ta get a hold of 'em, but we had three or four in storage from our times explorin'. Completely empties an opponent's belly. Ya ever fight on an empty stomach, Palkia? Lemme tell ya, it really stinks. Rio, this oughta even things up. Let's do this!" I readied my claws and Rio leaned into his opening stance.

"Y-YOU INSOLENT…! NO MATTER! I WILL STILL DESTROY YOU!"

He stood up straight, with some effort, and breathed out a cloud of Dragon Breath, but it was only a small stream. It wisped by us, not doing much damage. I couldn't help but laugh, "Seems you're not half da legend you're said ta be, Palkia."

I slapped my paws on the ground and slashed him with two Shadow Claws. Rio started charging Focus Punch. Palkia put his hands together and formed a small sphere of water. He shot the Water Pulse, but it fell apart as it went through the air, splashing our feet.

Rio paused and said, "This is just sad…"

"Ta be fair, he is tryin' ta kill us," I said back.

Rio started charging forward, and Palkia couldn't move much because of his stomach pain, so the attack connected solid, and Palkia staggered, trying to stay on his feet. He growled and said, "THIS ISN'T…! I CANNOT- WILL NOT BE DEFEATED!"

The pearl on his shoulder started glowing, before his entire arm started glowing pink.

"Uh-oh," I said. "Rio, I tink dat's his ultimate attack, like Dialga's."

Rio nodded, "I'll set up Endure."

I nodded back and put a Substitute clone in front of me while Rio crossed his arms and called up the red aura. Palkia swung with his arm and a blade of pink energy came at us. There was a huge explosion, but when I could see again, both of us were still okay, and there was barely a mark on the floor. Heck, even my Substitute was still fine. Rio ran forward and used Force Palm on Palkia's side while he couldn't move. I sent another Shadow Claw and slashed him again.

Palkia roared, shaking the ground, "GROOO-OOOOH… AAAAAAHHH!" Then he froze mid-roar.

"Eh?" I took a step forward and looked closer, "He's frozen… Why…?"

A voice spoke from nowhere, "Palkia has been… Palkia has been enveloped by the nightmare. Just as Azurill has."

I looked around, "What da?! Who's there? Whaddya mean by dat?"

"It means that the power of darkness has spread so much farther. If its growth remains unchecked, the world will become drowned in darkness. But you two… Would you two enter Palkia's nightmare?"

Rio said, "Palkia's nightmare…?"

"Yes. By entering his nightmare… You will learn why Palkia attacked you. So? What will you do?"

I turned to Rio, "Smells like a trap ta me Rio."

Rio nodded, "It may be, but we're at a dead end. Without trying, we may never get back to Treasure Town. We have no choice."

I sighed, "Not much choice; we could live here, but I've had enough of dark and gloomy for one life."

Rio raised his voice, "We'll enter the nightmare."

The voice spoke, "Fine! You've decided! I will send you into Palkia's nightmare." The same purple tunnel that we saw last time formed, but this time, it didn't feel like we were going to sleep.

We landed in front of Palkia. It still looked like Spacial Rift inside Palkia's nightmare. Guess he's not too creative, or maybe the nightmare hasn't taken full control yet.

Rio stepped back, "Palkia!"

Palkia said in surprise, "YOU TWO?! WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MY DREAMS?!" Then he glared, "NO! I REMEMBER! WE BATTLED! SO WHY AM I… DREAMING?"

I said, "Ya've been caught in a nightmare, Palkia."

"WHAT… WHAT DID YOU SAY?! I'M… IN A NIGHTMARE…?"

He roared and Rio and I jumped back. He glared at us again and said, "THIS PROVES IT! YOU BOTH SHOULD NOT EXIST!" He lifted his arm to attack as he roared.

I shouted, "Enough wit' da shootin' first an' askin' questions later an' LISTEN TO US!" Palkia paused, as if shocked that someone had the guts to shout at him. I pressed my advantage, "We got a question. Why're ya tryin' ta get rid of us?"

Palkia lowered his arm, but didn't stop glaring, "YOU DARE PRETEND THAT YOU DON'T KNOW?! YOU ARE DISTORTING SPACE WITH RECKLESS ABANDON! IF THE DISTORTION SPREADS, THE POWER OF DARKNESS WILL GROW! THE WORLD WILL BE DROWNED IN THIS NIGHTMARE OF DARKNESS! TO PREVENT IT… YOU MUST BE WIPED FROM THIS EXISTENCE!"

I winced, "But somethin' doesn't add up… There has ta be anotha way, or some piece of information missin'! You're da head honcho of space, can'tcha fix it?"

Palkia looked down, like he was thinking, "IT IS TRUE THAT I CAN BEND SPACE TO MY WILL… BUT… FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, I AM UNABLE TO CONTROL A PART OF SPACE! WORSE STILL, THE DISTORTION OF SPACE IS AMPLIFYING! THIS IS ALL YOUR DOING! THERE IS BUT ONE WAY TO SAVE THE WORLD… AND THAT IS FOR YOU TO BE ERASED FROM THIS WORLD FOREVER!"

Rio winced and said, "Palkia is saying exactly what Cresselia said…" He turned to me, "Could what Cresselia told us have been the truth after all? Could they be right?"

Palkia shook his head, "I FEEL SORRY FOR YOU. BUT THIS MUST BE DONE TO PRESERVE PEACE. PLEASE UNDERSTAND."

I gulped. But then a female voice said, "Ah, here you are… I've found you at last." A light shone and Cresselia appeared behind Palkia.

She looked around and said, "The spreading darkness engulfs even this place!" Palkia moved to the side as she moved toward us, "You must be eliminated as soon as possible…" We backed up as she moved closer, "Before we finally pass the point of no return."

We were being backed against the wall now. I gulped, "Well, Rio. We've done all we can, but after everythin' we did… I ain't goin' down wit'out a fight!" I readied my Shadow Claws around my hands and Rio looked at me shocked.

Cresselia said, "You would put the world at risk?"

I glared, "I never do anythin' wit'out all da facts, an' all you've all been givin' me are assumptions. An' you know what they say 'bout assumin'."

"Cresselia…" Rio said, "answer one question. If we disappear… will the world really and truly be saved?"

Cresselia said, "Yes. It absolutely will. The world will be saved. It's beyond a shadow of a doubt."

I turned to Rio, shocked, "You're actually believin' dis total load?! After everythin' we've gone through, you're just givin' up?!"

Rio looked at me sadly, "Meowth, if we really are endangering the world, then it might be best to just save it by disappearing… We had a good run, but if this will really remove the threat, then I'm willing to make that sacrifice. I have before, so what's once more?"

Cresselia said, "Are you finally satisfied?"

I looked between Rio an' Cresselia an' Palkia. Even if I survived, I wouldn't be the same without Rio. If he's willing to do this, and it really will save the world, then I guess I have to show that same resolve. I can't just chicken out. I'd never be able to live with myself.

Maybe… I was wrong… Or maybe James misheard what da voice said…

I sighed and got rid of my Shadow Claws, "Yeah. If we really hafta… then I won't let Rio do it alone. If it's for da world…"

"WAIT, CRESSELIA." I looked up, and Palkia said, "BLINDED BY FURY, I ATTACKED THEM EARLIER… BUT, UPON SEEING THEM NOW… THEY DO NOT SEEM DRIVEN BY MALICE OR WICKEDNESS. IN MY DREAMS, CRESSELIA, YOU INSISTED THAT THEY WERE BAD… BUT ARE THEY TRULY BAD?"

Rio and I gasped, and I looked up, "Cresselia said what, now?"

Cresselia didn't break eye-contact with us, "Don't be fooled by appearances, Palkia. If we get rid of them now… all will be saved."

My eyes narrowed. So just like us, Palkia got a dream message from Cresselia… Now dis is smellin' fishy again… All of da information on us came from Cresselia! I started gathering shadow energy around my paws again, and Rio even started changing his stance, looking ready to fight.

Cresselia glared, noticing our change, "Enough! I will be rid of you now!"

"Rio! It ain't over yet!"

"Right!"

Cresselia started charging to attack, "Now take this!"