Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon, nor do I own Pokémon Mystery Dungeon. The rights belong to Nintendo, Game Freak, and Spike Chunsoft. This is a nonprofit fanfiction written for entertainment purposes only.

CHAPTER 1

A few years ago, two humans entered the Pokémon world to escape from their miserable lives back in a world they had no place in. The two brothers, Rylan and Zorian, transformed into Pokémon as they arrived, and unfortunate circumstances forced them apart. After reuniting, they helped stop a misguided Pokémon and protected this world from his plans. Having decided to remain in this world, the world they now call home, they now work as a team in an Explorer's Guild. Proudly adorning their namesake around their necks, the two members of Team Shell Bell spend each day helping Pokémon in need and exploring new areas of the continent.

The two of them had just finished a mission to find a missing item for their client, and they were heading back to the guild to hand it in. As they walked toward the large fortress illuminated by torches in the dense forest, Zorian wiped some sweat off his brow.

"Man, the missions feel like they just get harder each day," he said to his younger brother.

"Welcome to Aggron's Guild," Rylan responded.

"I'm sure you can handle it no problem," said Zorian. "You've been here for longer than I have."

"You're still strong and dependable," said Rylan. "And it didn't take us very long to get to Silver Rank."

"Or just lucky," Zorian replied. "You've had time to gain your natural Pokémon instinct. I've mostly spent my days here running away and disguising myself."

"Hmm. Maybe you just need some training," Rylan suggested.

"Maybe," said Zorian. "Know any strong Dark types I could ask?"

"I'm acquainted with a Moon Rank Zweilous," Rylan said. "Perhaps you could ask him."

"Sounds good," said Zorian.

The two of them ascended the steps leading up to the guild entrance. Before they got to the door, they stopped on a metal grating covering a hole.

"Rylan!" said a voice. "And Zorian!"

"Come on in!" said a second voice.

"Thanks, Vibrava, Sandslash!" Rylan called out down the hole. Having been recognized by the sentries, the door of the guild opened up.

Rylan and Zorian looked around, seeing various guild members walking about the assembly hall. Some were looking over the notice board, some were talking to clients they had finished their business with. Others were heading down to the mess hall to get ready for dinner.

"Who was our client, again?" asked Rylan.

"Let's see… It's that Steenee over there," Zorian replied, pointing toward a Steenee standing near the notice board.

As they walked toward Steenee, Zorian pulled a green stone tablet out of his bag. They stopped in front of their client, who greeted them with a smile.

"I really appreciate your efforts," said Steenee. "Thank you."

"No problem," said Zorian, handing the tablet to Steenee. "I am curious about your item, though. It looks like an ancient relic of sorts."

"Oh, it is," Steenee replied. "You see, I'm quite fascinated with relics and such. It's interesting to look back on past cultures and see how they lived."

"Yeah," Rylan agreed. "It can be interesting sometimes."

"If I'm not mistaken," said Steenee, "you two have found one, yourselves, did you not?"

Rylan and Zorian looked at each other, then looked back at Steenee.

"I guess others would know by now," said Zorian. "We happened across the Key of Renewal a long time ago. It's a relic that can restore worlds to how they were, including their inhabitants."

"Oh, interesting!" said Steenee.

"If you wanted, you could join our guild," Rylan suggested. "We visit different places all the time and find interesting treasures."

"No, no," said Steenee rather hastily. "Something like that wouldn't be for me."

"Alright…" said Zorian. "Well, be careful heading home."

"I will," Steenee replied, putting away her tablet and heading out.

Zorian watched her as she left, then whispered to Rylan, "Did she seem a little…odd to you?"

"I don't think so," Rylan responded. "But let's talk about it later. I'm starving."

"Right…" Zorian said.

The two of them walked into the mess hall and got in line. They knew dinner would start being served once a certain member of the guild gave everyone a friendly reminder. Zorian and Rylan covered their ears in advance.

"DINNERTIME!" screeched a voice.

Rylan and Zorian waited until it was their turn, picked up their trays, then allowed the kind Lilligant who was serving the guild members to load the trays with their food for the night—a large apple and an assortment of small, colorful berries.

Rylan looked over at the table where Teams StarStruck and Earth-Sky usually sat together. He saw everyone present, so he walked over there to join them, signaling Zorian to follow.

"Rylan! Zorian! Hey!" Vulpix chirped, noticing them coming.

"Hey, everyone," Rylan said, taking a seat near the others. Zorian sat down next to him.

Once Vulpix's teammate Buizel noticed Rylan, he turned to face the other way and resumed eating without facing anyone. Rylan noticed him do it, but even though it hurt a little, he didn't mind. Given the history he had with Buizel, he didn't blame the Water-type for wanting to avoid him.

"Notice anything different, Rylan?" asked Wingull of Team Earth-Sky.

Rylan looked at Wingull. "What do you mean?"

"Over here, silly," said a voice from the other side. Rylan turned his head and saw a Nidorina sitting nearby.

"Wait… Nidoran?" he asked. "Did you evolve?"

"Sure did!" Nidorina said cheerfully. "I can't believe it actually worked!"

"Remind me next time to visit that spot," Wingull said.

What worked? What spot? Rylan and Zorian looked confused.

"I can see an explanation is in order," said Vulpix, noticing the perplexed faces of Team Shell Bell.

"Perhaps we should save such a large discussion topic for later, though," said Nidorina. "It's been a long day, and Zorian in particular looks quite tired."

Zorian chuckled. "It's amazing how Pokémon can tell certain things so effortlessly."

"Can't you?" Nidorina asked.

"Nah, I still need to awaken my inner Zoroark," said Zorian. "I hear there's a Zweilous here. I need to ask if he can help me."

"You called?" asked a voice from behind.

Zorian wheeled around. Zweilous was standing right behind him.

"Oh!" Zorian exclaimed, startled. "Pleasure to meet you, Zweilous."

The two heads looked Zorian over, then smiled. "So this is your brother?" the right head asked Rylan.

"Yup," Rylan replied.

"Hmm," said the left head, looking over Zorian again. "Good form. Agile. Might need a bit more muscle on those arms."

Zorian chuckled nervously.

"It's amazing how Pokémon can tell certain things so effortlessly," Rylan said with a smirk. Zorian groaned and lowered his head, embarrassed.

"It's no problem at all," said Zweilous's right head. "Should the two of us happen to find some spare time, I'd be happy to provide you some training."

"Thanks," Zorian replied.

Zweilous walked off to rejoin his team at their table.

"Man, Team Drake are just the nicest guys, aren't they?" Rylan asked.

"Yeah," Vulpix replied. "You wouldn't think as much, given their tough appearance."

The sound of thudding footsteps could be heard in the direction of the entrance to the mess hall. Rylan looked over and saw Guilmaster Aggron coming in. To his surprise, he looked right at Rylan and Zorian, waving his hand to beckon them over.

"Rylan, Zorian," he called. "A word please, if you would."

The brothers left their seats and followed their Guildmaster out of the mess hall.