Welcome to chapter four, everyone! I'd just like to give a quick shout-out to my jerk of a sister who keeps whining about how much time I spend doing this crap and that I'll never be able to do anything good for keeping me inspired to prove her little ass wrong. Yep. Thanks a lot, sis.

…Didja catch the sarcasm there?

Oh, yes, and to my readers…WHOOO NICE I HAVE REVIEWS NOW! X3

Team Dasher- They may in conflict with the plot I have in mind. Perhaps you could write your own story about them. I'll read it if you like. ;D Always looking for ways to help others.

…~-CHAPTER FOUR: Shadow Lends a Hand

Treecko woke up the next morning to Loudred's insistent bellow, just like every other day. Mudkip stumbled behind him, yawning loudly and muttering about something or other. The morning briefings were over in a flash, and they climbed up the ladder to the first underground floor. The board wasn't as swarmed as before, but Mudkip had a better idea, and hauled Treecko outside without a chance to protest.

"Hey, what was that for?" he complained as she let go of his bandana.

Mudkip had that look in her eyes. Treecko knew what was coming, and he groaned. A part of him died inside.

"Shopping time!" Mudkip exclaimed, grabbing him again and racing off for the market, Treecko bobbing behind her.

"Mudkip, do we have to?" he asked quietly.

It was like she was fifteen times bigger than him with demonic red eyes and Sharpedo teeth. "Yes, Treecko," she said in a slightly twisted, demonic voice. "We are going shopping now."

"Yes…yes we are," he said, trembling under the force of her rage.

"Good boy!" she replied brightly, skipping off, humming.

Treecko muttered "Girls…" under his breath and followed.

They didn't get far when they ran into Solay, dragging Shadow around not unlike Mudkip was dragging him. Shadow, apparently finally having found a reason to get away from her, came jogging over, waving. Solay spotted them too, and followed, smiling.

"Hey Mudkip, Treecko," Shadow said, nodding to them both. "How've ya been?"

"Good, thanks," Mudkip replied, nodding back. "We're out shopping. Are you?"

"Just looking around," Solay replied. Before long, Mudkip and Solay were chatting about "girl things" as Treecko put it. They walked off, comparing things at random, while leaving their male partners alone.

There was silence for a moment, then Shadow punched the air. "Yes, ditched 'em. Thank goodness you two came along, or Solay would have gone on for hours."

"I know the feeling," Treecko groaned. "Once they start talking, they don't stop."

"Exactly." Shadow looked around. "Well, now that we're alone, what should we do?"

"Uh…you're asking me…why?" Treecko gave the Riolu an incredulous look.

"Good point." Shadow tapped his foot on the ground for a few seconds, then got an idea. "How about we go to the Hot Spring?" he suggested. "Solay and I love that place, although it took me a few tries to get her in the water."

"Hey, Mudkip and I go there in our spare time too!" Treecko said. "Sure, let's go."

…A Few Minutes Later, at the Hot Spring

"Here we are," Shadow said brightly. "The Hot Spring."

It was as warm and comfortable as Treecko remembered. The water washed away all of the anxiousness for the up-and-coming expedition, and soothed all his worries about the world. By Shadow's lax and comfortable face, Treecko could tell he wasn't the only one without a care in the world.

"Ahh, this feels great," the grass-type said.

"Mm, it does," Shadow replied without opening his eyes.

There was a lapse in conversation for a few minutes, then Treecko remembered something. "Oh, hey, I forgot to ask Solay, but perhaps you can tell me, Shadow."

"Mm?" They eyes were still closed.

Treecko tilted his head back and looked at the sky. "I was wondering…yesterday, on our way back from Mt. Bristle…how did we get to the guild? I don't remember walking back."

"Oh, yeah, Solay thought you'd ask that," Shadow replied. "About halfway down, she said you guys fell asleep. She doesn't blame you or anything. It was a nice fight you got yourselves out of. Anyway, she carried you back."

Treecko sat up quickly, looking at him. "Carried us both? All the way back?"

Shadow nodded. "Mmhmm. She explained it to the Guild's crew too, then to me, then overslept and insisted we go to Treasure Town. I asked her why, since while she went to rescue you, I had already stocked up. She just told me she 'had a feeling'." He smiled. "I think she planed this whole thing."

Treecko whistled. "Mudkip's right. She is five steps ahead."

"That's the Solay I know."

"Why, what have we here?"

They both craned their necks backwards. A turtle-like Pokémon stood behind them, looking down with his kind old face. His skin was an orange-red, and his black shell had a few holes in the top where a little bit of white smoke was coming out.

"Ah, Elder Torkoal," Shadow said. "Nice to see you today."

"Ah, young Shadow, is it? I thought I'd find you here."

"You did, did you?" Shadow asked, mildly amused.

Torkoal nodded. "Mm, indeed. But who is this with you?"

"Oh, this is Treecko. He's an apprentice at the Guild," Shadow explained.

"Hi, nice to meet you," Treecko said.

"Good to meet you too, young'un. I remember when Shadow here was in your position."

Shadow blinked twice, and then nodded. "That's right. Wasn't the first time we met when we dropped in?"

"Dropped in?" Treecko questioned, confused.

"Aye," Torkoal said, making his was around the rocks to the other side of the Hot Spring where the warmest rock was. "Those two dropped right down from the sky, they did."

"How'd you manage that?" Treecko was doubtful this story was true. Since when did Riolu and Vulpix fly? Torkoal may not be the only elder around here.

"We triggered a trap in Waterfall Cave that sent a huge wave of water at us, which shot us out the top of the cave and straight here." Shadow grinned sheepishly. "Well, I triggered the trap. I think it's still there, in fact."

"Seems a little far-fetched to me," Treecko said, still not quite believing it. "But, okay, if you say so."

"Where is young Solay now?" Torkoal asked.

"In town, chatting away with Mudkip." Shadow rolled his eyes. "Girl things."

Torkoal nodded in understanding, smiling despite himself.

Treecko remembered something else. "Oh, wait a sec. You said yesterday you were stocking up. But Solay had the Treasure Bag. How did you do that?"

"You misunderstood," Shadow replied. "I just went around and made a list of things we need. We'll pick them up in the morning."

"Oh, now I get it," he replied. They lapsed into silence once again. However, not a few minutes later came the pounding of feet, a shout of "CANNONBALL!" and a spray of water.

Mudkip had arrived.

"Found you two!" came another female voice. A brown paw dipped itself into the water, then Solay made her way in slowly. She did have a relative fear of water, as all fire-types did, but she could swim and didn't mind it if it was still and smooth and warm. "Wassup?"

"Oh, h-hi," Treecko said shyly.

"Morning, Treecko," she replied. "Ready for the explanation? Oh, sorry, I mean expedition." She shook her head furiously, then dunked it under the water. "Whew! Needed that. I've been a little frazzled lately. No idea why."

"Stress?" Shadow offered. He tossed her a berry, and she caught it in her mouth and swallowed it whole.

"Mm." She swiped her tongue around her muzzle and cast them both a glance. "Should you two be getting out soon?" she asked, giving them an incredulous look.

Shadow nodded, snickering. "Yeah, I'm getting out. We should get going, anyway."

They both stepped out. Solay shook herself dry and they started on their way. Treecko scrambled out and ran in front of Solay, shouting, "Wait!"

She stopped, blinking. "Yes? What do you need?"

Treecko got nervous again. "Um, well, I just wanted to say thanks for yesterday," he mumbled. "And…you know…you're my hero."

Solay was staring at him with almost a horrified expression. Her eyes were slightly wider than normal, and the light had died in them. Shadow's face fell as he'd heard Treecko's words. Solay recovered, and tilted her head down so her face was hidden in shadow. She started walking again, going around him until they were side by side.

"You know, Treecko," she said quietly, "I'm not a hero. I…can never be a hero. Look up to Shadow, not me. He's the hero." And she walked away. Treecko didn't turn around until she was too far away to make a difference.

"But…" His shoulders sagged. "What…was that?" He turned to Shadow. "Shadow…?"

The Riolu shook his head. "Lately, Solay's been feeling down. She doesn't have any confidence in herself anymore. She feels she's not good enough, and every mistake she makes brings her down. She reminds me…of me, before I met her."

Treecko looked up into his face, but Shadow went on. "But it's all right. She bounces back quickly. I'll go talk to her, and she'll be fine tomorrow."

Treecko was still worried, but he had faith in Shadow, and he nodded. As he started leaving, Treecko remembered his final question. "Shadow, wait!" he called. Shadow turned around. "I just remembered…why are you called 'Shadow'?"

He smiled. "Oh, that's because the first thing Solay saw when she woke up was my shadow. It stuck, and now I'm Shadow. It's fine, though, I really like it now." He waved and started trotting. Soon, he was out of earshot, and then was gone.

…~-

Next chapter is the expedition! I hope you're looking forward to it!