Ch. 4: An Unexpected Lead
"We have a lead?" I asked. We were at base and eating our breakfast.
"Yep!"-Bolt. He then took a huge bite out of his Tamato Danish.
"Where are we going?" I asked after swallowing a bite of my Mago Muffin.
"We are going to Confined Forest which is toward the east, past the dojo."
"Anything about the forest I should know?"
"There are many tales that talk a place unlike any other in an area isolated from everyone."
"Do these stories specify the forest?"
"There are many Pokémon who think it's in there. Many have tried to find it but they haven't gone very far."
"Why?"
"It's a thick forest in the middle of an island on a huge lake. There are a lot of dead ends in that maze. I know that if we try hard, we may find something. What could go wrong?" Just about everything…
We walked toward the dojo to report where we were going when I tripped a trip wire. The result: five rotten Tamato berries in my face. The spiciness burned my eyes. I then heard an all too familiar sound.
"Hehehe!" Kagoni laughed. I wiped the berries off my face.
"Fefefe." I couldn't help but laugh. I got the strangest looks from Bolt and Kagoni which made me laugh more. "I'm very laidback when I'm not tired so these things don't bug me. They're even funny." I then dragged Bolt forward.
Kagoni just smirked. 'This is going to be fun!' He thought to himself.
When we came into the dojo, we saw a lone Zorua training. He had an Icy blue scarf around his neck. Instead of gray fur, he had brown. There was blue (same color as scarf) where red should be.
"Joker, I got all we need. It's time to go." Jolt reappeared behind us. Blaze, once again, blushed.
"Right." Joker just glared with his fierce, red eyes. He then left with Jolt.
"Why don't we sign in," I suggested.
"Uh…sure." –Blaze, shaking off her blush.
The four of us signed in but before Bolt and I could leave…
"Wait one more thing!" –Kay. She pulled out a brown, cloth bag.
"You'll need this." We took the sack and opened it. Inside was a map, two badges, and an extra bag.
"That is your Exploration Kit. You get an extra bag and badge in case you go Exploring and you have three or more members. You can have one or two stay at base and do the jobs on the boards while you are gone."
"Quite Interesting!" –Bolt.
"I wonder if we get will get a third member."
"That is a possibility but I don't know for sure." –Bolt.
"Good luck." –Blaze and Kay.
"Thanks, we'll need it. Bye!"
"Bye." –Bolt.
"See you guys soon." - Kay.
"Ok." –Bolt.
The lake was huge! I could barely make out the island on the lake. Rock formations poked out of the water. The lake glistened as sunlight shone on its waters. One question popped into my mind.
"How do we get across?"
"Good Question." –Bolt.
"You mean you don't know!"
"I was kidding, we use the rock formations."
"Ok?" I looked at how slippery the rocks were and how cold the water must be.
It was harder than it looked, jumping from rock to rock. Harder still to not look down.
"Be careful, the lake is about forty some feet deep."
"Thanks and that helps," I said sarcastically.
"It could be worse!" I didn't realize how good of a point that was.
We finally made it to the beach of the island. In front of us were gigantic trees, it was more of a jungle than a forest. A couple of trees formed a round circle.
"Let me guess, a mystery dungeon?"
"Yup." –Bolt.
"This is going to be a long day."
"You could say again."
Confined Forest 1F
The first floor was the easiest. We just had to beat an Oddish, walk to the next clearing, and go up the stairs. This time, the steps went up to nowhere.
"One down, many floors to go."-Bolt.
Confined Forest 4F
The stairs were a bit hard to find and the Pokémon seemed to rise in level. The Exploration bag began to fill; we had found lots of items.
Confined Forest 8F
We had begun to slow down. There were quite a few Pokémon and the bag was heavy. Bolt had to drag it behind him.
I took out two Oran Berries and gave one to Bolt. He seemed to have needed it. I ate the other.
Confined Forest 12F
We ran into numerous dead ends and it was making me irritated. This fudging place Bolt was talking about better be worth it!
"Don't worry, we have to be close."
"I hope your right Bolt."
Confined Forest 16F
We were finally at the last floor; the exit was right in front of us. The worse was behind us!
…literally.
Before I could step one foot outside, a razor sharp wind cut my shoulder. Bolt and I turned around to see a wild Absol who looked angry.
Bolt began with Quick Attack and I followed with Doupleslap. The Absol countered with Shadow Ball, it was a good thing I was a Normal Type. For Bolt, not so much.
I decided to use Pound and Bolt launched a Thundershock. We were then blown back with another Razor Wind. I thought that it was over when the Absol pounced toward us but Bolt Thunderwaved it and the Pokémon was down for the count.
I found out that the stupid Exploration Badge only teleports Pokémon when one of them is fainted. I was so tempted to have Bolt Thundershock me but that meant losing all the items we found. I did want to know something.
"Why didn't you use Thunderwave earlier?'
"Pokémon can still move when paralyzed. Absol would still be chasing us."
"Point taken."
"Let's go to the First Aid Center."
The First Aid Center was a square building made of stone blocks; some were painted red to make a cross. We climbed the few steps leading to the door. Bolt tried to reach the handle but failed. We decided to knock.
"Coming," a familiar voice sung.
"Herupa works here?"
"Yep, she's the nurse." –Bolt.
"Oh dear, you two must've had a rough day."
"You could say that," I said.
Bolt and I lay in straw beds as a Sewaddle wrapped our cuts and scratches with String Shot. We both started to feel better.
"Yukio, can you get me Oran berries please."
"They're right here," Yukio said. "Kate and Bolt, today wasn't a good day for you two. This reminds me of when I faced an outlaw that put me in the same condition. He was tough, I nearly got out alive. Though, justice did prevail. It was five, no, six years ago…" He droned on about the outlaw even though he never mentioned what Pokémon it was.
Later that night…
"Sorry for jinxing the mission."
"Never again," I said as we walked into the dojo. "If you say 'what could go wrong' again, it won't be pretty." Every Pokémons' attention turned towards us.
"What happened?" –Blaze.
"It's a long story." Bolt then told the tale of today.
After a few minutes, I noticed a dark figure heading towards the dojo. 'Is that the same Absol?' I picked up the Exploration Bag Bolt put down and ran outside, I may need it.
Cliffhanger! Plz don't be mad!
Phycro4, thanks for the heads up. Just don't mention words spelt backwards (such as is becomes si) or there is an extra letter. I don't know why, but it happens. (-_-)
R&R!