Gahh! I can't believe I left you guys like that! *Struggles with self* Bad Foxxy! Bad, bad, bad! Okay, let's get this going again~!

…CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: Calling All Bad Guys!

With Solay in the lead, the band of three descended the tree slowly, not trusting themselves to speak. Treecko, thanks to Shadow, had managed to swallow his emotions enough to walk and see clearly. He trailed Solay with the Riolu behind him, and Treecko was thinking of things other than Mudkip. He needed something to keep his mind from the water-type-gone-traitor.

So, instead, he thought of Team Sky. Solay had her own self-control problems, yet she was always there to lend a hand. Treecko was amazed at how much she did for him, hiding her own concerns while she dealt with others. Truly, she was a living legend.

Shadow. His kindness was unrivaled. Shadow thought nothing of himself and put everyone above him. If the two of them were facing destruction which only one could live through, Treecko had no idea who would come out with their live. He figured they would bicker and argue over who would live until either one of them gave in, they stood and faced death together, or they annoyed the enemy so much he just struck them down. With a pang, Treecko found his thoughts drifting to Mudkip. If only one of them could live, Treecko knew he'd tell Mudkip to go, and she probably would.

He shook his head, ridding himself of such thoughts. They'd almost reached the bottom of the tree, and Treecko tried to fix himself up so he didn't appear that, well, he was an emotional wreck. Getting a quick headcount, Treecko noticed that Bidoof's group had yet to return.

"Hey, hey, hey!" Corphish said, scuttling up. "There you are! We were getting worried. Hey, hey, isn't Bidoof with you?"

Shadow shook his head. "We didn't meet up with them on the way down."

Chatot flew up, giving them a twice-over with his shrewd eyes. "And you're missing someone. Where's Mudkip gone off to?"

Treecko bit his tongue and looked down. Solay ducked her head to look into his eyes.

"Do you want to tell them or shall I?"

Treecko knew he was probably being selfish, but he couldn't bear to recount Mudkip's treachery. "You do it," he mumbled in reply. "I can't…"

"It's okay, I understand." She straightened, gaze sweeping the crew. "Well…I'm only saying this once." Taking a deep breath, she summarized the events that took place at the pinnacle as best she could, and when the tale finished, all she got was silence. Solay waited a few moments, then added meekly, "And that's what happened."

Before anyone could comment, there was noise form behind. Screams and shouts… Everyone turned around to see Bidoof and his two accomplishes running down the path at high speeds being chased by…

"BOULDER!" Sunflora screeched. "Quick, run everybody!"

"Scatter!" Solay commanded, darting off. No one had to be told twice. Various Guildmembers scrambled for cover. Treecko, in his state, was frozen to the ground, merely gaping at the giant round rock chasing his friends. They'd reached the bottom and split up.

And he has the dumbest of luck to be standing right in its way.

"Treecko, move!" Chatot squawked from out of sight. "You'll get squished!"

Treecko had a smart remark on the tip of his tongue, but couldn't move his jaw to utter it. The boulder was less than ten feet away when a speedy shape dashed over and tackled Treecko out of the way.

"I've got you," Solay growled. "Shadow!"

"I've got it!" he replied. Not two seconds later and the boulder shattered into a hundred pieces. Shadow had socked it hard with a Focus Punch. The pieces, miraculously, didn't hit anyone. Once the dust had settles somewhat, Solay rolled off of Treecko, getting to her feet and shaking herself like a Growlithe.

"Everybody okay?" she called. When answered with nods and a few mutters, she turned back to Treecko. "You okay?"

He nodded, not trusting himself to speak. That's what, the fifth time she's saved my life? Man, without Solay and Shadow around, I'd be dead and buried by now.

Ahh, but if Solay and Shadow had never come around, maybe this whole thing wouldn't have happened, the voice at the back of his head nagged. It took the voice of Mudkip now, rather than himself.

Shut it, I'm not going to listen to you! Treecko shook his head vehemently and then looked up at Solay. "Thanks for saving me…I owe you."

"Relax, it's in my job description." She took a long breath in through her nose, then let it out her mouth. "Phew. I think we need to go back to Treasure Town. This trip has been way more exhausting than our other ones." She licked a paw, drawing it over her ears. "Wigglytuff, you and your crew seemed to be a magnet for trouble."

"We're magnets for other things, too!" Wigglytuff replied cheerily, leading them out.

"Yeah, let's go hang a neon sign outside that reads 'Look at us, we're begging to be attacked!'" She gave the strangest grin Treecko had ever seen, and he cracked up, nearly falling over.

"'Calling all bad guys,'" Shadow simplified. The others were chuckling along.

Solay nodded. "Mm. So, I propose we head out a daybreak. We're all running on empty, and it's better not to travel in the dark."

Who knows who we might meet, they all finished in their heads. With a few nods, the plan was agreed to.

Treecko, upon reaching camp, didn't want to go into his tent. There would be another, empty bed there, and he didn't think he could cope with that. He hesitated, then scurried over to Shadow, tapping the taller Pokémon on the arm.

Shadow looked down. "What's up?" he asked. "Need something?"

Treecko hesitated again, then nodded. "Well, I was just curious… Can I sleep with you two tonight? I don't want to be alone."

He didn't have to explain why. Shadow's face softened and he nodded. "Sure. I understand."

Treecko looked at the ground. "Sorry for being such a bother…"

"It's no bother," Solay purred, sitting next to him. "No one likes being alone, Treecko, and you're no exception. I'd be asking myself the same thing if I was in your shoes." She nodded him towards the entrance. "Go on in. I'll be there in a minute."

Treecko entered with Shadow just behind him. It was just like his, except there were a few singed strands in the one on the right. He assumed this was Solay's and smiled. Shadow set to work fixing another between them, using some from both his own and Solay's. Treecko helped out, feeling it was the least he could do.

He felt like a coward for not being able to tough it out for one night on his own. Treecko hated to admit it, but he'd never actually been as alone as he was now. Before Mudkip, he had the company of himself. With Mudkip, he'd had her around to cheer him up. Now, without her, Treecko felt empty. There was nothing left of him. He shut his eyes briefly. Solay and Shadow and everyone else were here for him.

He. Was. Not. Alone.

Still, Treecko couldn't help feeling…feeling what? Nothing? Sadness? He didn't even know. Deciding it was better not to dwell on such subjects, he curled up, closing his eyes, blind to the world. As he drifted off, he heard Solay outside.

"Calling all bad guys, I'm coming to kick your tails."

…

Again, I apologize for not updating! Things are really weird at my end. I just got my computer back a few days ago, and I'm working on several things… Anyway, the next chapter should be up soon…

Cross your fingers!