CHAPTER 12

Rylan and the other two turned to face their visitors. "What's going on, you two?" Vulpix asked.

Nidoran and Wingull looked at each other, mouthing a few words before turning toward the others.

"There's a rumor going around," Wingull whispered. "Some of the guild members overheard what happened when Team Tranquility brought you guys back from the canyon."

"Hmm?" asked Buizel. "What kind of rumor?"

"Well, the Guildmaster is a very revered and trusted Pokémon," explained Wingull, "and he's known for his excellent decision-making skills and wisdom. Yet he gave two Starting Rank members a dangerous punishment, and we almost lost you three as a result."

"Slowking told us that he heard that the Guildmaster was under a lot of worry," Rylan said.

"Well, there's more to the story," Wingull said. "It takes a lot, and I mean a whole lot, to worry our Guildmaster. Last night, when Gallade was heading back to his room to get some sleep, he briefly said something about the expedition. Plusle overheard him and told me and Nidoran."

"What did he say?" Vulpix asked.

"He said that the expedition is going to be a trip to ruins atop Mount Maelstrom," Wingull whispered. "According to old folklore, there is a gigantic lake at the top which conceals a treasure used to protect the boundaries separating one world from another. However, the mountain has proved much too treacherous to climb ever since the rumor developed. The Pokémon that live on the mountain are very strong and have been said to do everything in their power to prevent anyone from ascending it. Even Flying-types haven't been able to make the journey."

"What does this have to do with the Guildmaster?" Buizel asked.

"If the Guildmaster is looking for this treasure, a treasure that can restore the borders between worlds, it can only mean one thing," said Nidoran. "Someone is tampering with another world when they shouldn't be."

"You think that's what's worrying Aggron?" Rylan asked.

"Like I said," Wingull reiterated, "it takes a whole lot to worry our Guildmaster. Messing with another world risks the safety of our own."

Rylan looked puzzled. "What other worlds do you mean?" he asked.

Wingull pondered for a bit, then shrugged. "I don't completely know, to be honest. My older brother who works at the Pelipper Post Office told me once about a world concealed in a rift of time, but he never went into too much detail."

Rylan gasped. The Pelipper Post Office! He had completely forgot to send a letter to Wigglytuff! What stopped him from jumping to his feet, however, was a little reminder at the back of his mind that Houndoom and the writer of the note in the conch shell knew something about him already. Perhaps that was worth pursuing for the time being.

"A rift in time?" Vulpix asked. "Sounds otherworldly to me."

A few other Pokémon passed by the table Rylan and the others were sitting at, taking seats close by.

"Maybe we should talk about this later," Wingull whispered. "We're within earshot."

"All right," said Buizel. The five of them finished eating breakfast, then they quietly left the mess hall and gathered with the other Pokémon in the assembly hall for the morning briefing. After every Pokémon had settled themselves in, Gallade made his way to the speaker's area and gazed into a sea of suspicious faces. Something was definitely stirring among the guild members, he realized.

"Attention, please," Gallade addressed firmly. All eyes turned to face him as usual.

"The Guildmaster would like to say a few words before we begin," he said. "I expect you to give him your undivided attention this morning. What he is about to say is very important."

Aggron joined Gallade at his side, nodding down to his second-in-command before looking out at the guild members. His face appeared rather solemn.

"First of all," he said, "I would like to offer my respectful apology to Team StarStruck for my rash decision in assigning you an advanced mission for your punishment."

Team StarStruck? Rylan had never heard the name of his team before now. He felt rather silly for not asking sooner.

"Also, to those I have been unnecessarily hard upon for these past few weeks, I also offer my sincerest apologies," Aggron added. "Something has been troubling me as of late, and I allowed my heart to become clouded with negative emotions. As your Guildmaster and as a friend, I vow never to let this happen again. We all make mistakes, but we can learn from them. I hope you all can forgive me."

The Pokémon throughout the hall wasted no time in shouting "Yes, sir!" and smiling reassuringly at their trusted leader.

"Thank you, everyone," Aggron said. "That lifts a heavy burden from my shoulders. However, it is not fully lifted as of yet. Something has been happening lately in our world, something quite terrible."

Rylan and the others looked intently at Aggron.

"Beginning several weeks ago, and to this very day, widespread disappearances of Pokémon across the land have occurred. I don't just mean that the Pokémon got lost. I mean that their very being has completely faded from this world."

Many guild members uttered horrified gasps as this was explained, including Vulpix.

"The cause of this mystery cannot be determined, as there are no witnesses to recount these events," Aggron said. "This leads me to believe that it is not a simple accident, that someone is orchestrating some form of scheme. I've feared this could one day happen to us as well, which is why I've kept this from you since it started. Another mistake I shouldn't have made. I'm terribly sorry."

Rylan looked stunned by this news. Who in the world could be responsible for this? What would motivate them to do it?

"I have reason to believe that the Pokémon are being taken to another world," said Aggron, "which brings me to my next issue. Old legends have mentioned an artifact atop Mount Maelstrom that is said to put objects foreign to a world back in their proper place. This artifact is also believed to have the ability to repair damage done to the boundaries between these worlds, effectively preventing disasters like this from happening again. If we are indeed dealing with someone who controls pathways to alternate worlds, we need to be prepared to stop this and apprehend the ones responsible."

"But, sir, the legend of Mount Maelstrom is just a myth, isn't it?" asked Trapinch.

"Perhaps," Aggron replied, "but it's the only lead we have. I've attempted to scale the heights of Mount Maelstrom before, but the native Pokémon seemed so possessed in their mindset of protecting the mountain from outsiders. I left and have never returned since then, but I feel I need to go back and examine the ruins. That's why I need my best and brightest members of this guild for our expedition...to Mount Maelstrom."

A few guild members looked shocked, though Rylan and Nidoran's teams didn't look as shocked as the others. It was hard to tell what was going through Plusle's mind. She was the one who overheard Gallade and spread the rumor. She looked rather uncomfortable, as though she regretted the possibility of getting other guild members riled up or overly worried.

Aggron felt rather uncomfortable about spreading fear into the hearts of his companions as well, but he knew the truth must come out sooner or later.

"All I ask is that you take extra caution in handling your missions," he said. "If you see anything suspicious while out on a mission, report to me immediately."

"Yes, sir!" the Pokémon responded.

"Gallade, if you would please conclude the briefing," Aggron instructed as he took his leave.

"Sir," Gallade replied. He looked around at the guild members again, seeing many fear-stricken faces. "Look sharp!" he commanded. "It's only natural to be scared in the face of the unknown, but we are proud members of Aggron's Guild, and as such, we will not stand for the injustice plaguing our land. Lives could be at stake, and it is up to all of us to see that the peace is maintained. All of you will go about your normal routines today. Remember, this expedition is very important, so do the best you can! Dismissed!"

"Yes, sir!" the Pokémon responded. Many of them felt renewed confidence and determination after hearing Gallade's speech. They quickly rushed downstairs to the mission boards, to their rooms throughout the guild, and outside to the nearby town to prepare.

Gallade approached Team StarStruck before they left the room. "Mind if I had a word with you three?" he asked.

"No, sir," Vulpix replied. "Not at all."

"No, sir," said Buizel.

Rylan shook his head.

"I know what has just been addressed might come as a big shock to you," Gallade said, "but the fact of the matter is that we're going to need you at your best. Rylan, you've had little practice during your stay with us, and you bailed on training with me yesterday. I cannot excuse any unauthorized wandering away from the guild without permission. Please remember that."

"Yes, sir," Rylan said.

"Now then, before you three head out on a mission today, I would like you two to show Rylan around town so he knows how to prepare outside of the guild," said Gallade. "After all, not everything vital to a successful exploration is supplied here."

"Yes, sir," the two replied. Gallade nodded and left.

"All right, let's do this!" Vulpix said to Rylan. "Next stop, Riverwood Town!"