CHAPTER 14

Team StarStruck checked their supplies carefully to make sure they were all set to leave for Stone Overpass.

"I'm ready," said Buizel.

"Likewise," said Rylan.

"All right!" Vulpix cheered. "Onward!"

Buizel pulled a map out of his backpack and looked over it. "The Overpass is to the north," he said. "Let's get going."

The three of them followed the path through the town until they reached the north exit. From there, they wandered through the woods a bit more until they arrived near the base of a mountain.

"See that mountain just up ahead?" Vulpix asked Rylan. "Supposedly, the continent Pokémon , Groudon, accidentally split the mountain during a battle with the ocean Pokémon, Kyogre. Stone Overpass was built to prevent Pokémon from falling into a massive crack in the mountain. Lately, though, there have been frequent rockslides around the area, and many Pokémon fear passing through the Overpass. Not to mention the fact that the rocks obstruct passage. That's why Graveler fled there. Magnezone and his team can't clear the rocks by themselves to find him, so they'll need our help."

Rylan and Buizel nodded, though the only thing that was on Rylan's mind was the possibility of Graveler being the Pokémon who was seeking him. If he was, he would surely recognize Rylan.

"Something on your mind?" Vulpix asked, noticing Rylan's face.

"Hmm?" Rylan asked. "Oh, no. Nothing."

"Well, if it's nothing, let's get moving," said Buizel.

Rylan and his partners resumed their steady pace toward the mountain. Upon arriving at the base, they discovered the path leading up the mountain and began the journey upwards.

Taking the path certainly wasn't easy. There were native Pokémon everywhere who seemed very defensive of their territory and attempted to fight Team StarStruck as they passed by. Buizel and Vulpix put up a pretty good defense, but Rylan had to slowly adjust to his new fighting prowess. After a few encounters, he began to get a grasp on his Pokémon abilities.

Along the way, they consumed their edible supplies as needed to keep their health high and their bellies full. The team soon arrived about halfway up the mountain and spotted a small area where they could sit down and take a break. Vulpix removed her backpack and sighed exhaustedly.

"I'm bushed," she said. "Let's rest over there."

Rylan and Buizel nodded in approval and walked over to the ideal-looking spot. There were a few rocks there which the team could sit down upon and a couple of berry bushes nearby full of Oran Berries.

"Good, we can restock here," said Buizel. "I'm almost out of berries. The Pokémon here are tough."

Buizel began to collect berries from the bushes. He slipped a few to Vulpix and placed some in his own bag as well. Rylan noticed that Buizel didn't give him any berries, but he didn't really care. He walked over to the bushes and picked a few berries for himself, then set his backpack down and sat down on a large rock.

"Hanging in there, Rylan?" Vulpix asked. "What do you think of your first mission?"

"It's…different, that's for sure," Rylan replied. "What amazes me more at the moment is how well I've been handling myself in battle. I've helped you fight off several enemies so far and haven't so much as broken a sweat."

"Well, you are a Fighting-type," said Buizel. "Stamina is one of your best qualities."

"I suppose," Rylan said. He looked down at his paws. Despite him feeling rather tired from the trip up the mountain and from fighting off aggressive Pokémon, his body didn't feel weakened. He yawned and started munching slowly on an Oran Berry, watching Vulpix and Buizel, who had started talking to each other. He couldn't hear what they were saying, but seeing the smile on Vulpix's face made it evident that the two of them were very close.

After a few minutes of rest, the three of them got to their feet and stretched.

"That was a much-needed break," Buizel said. "I'm ready to get going now."

"Same here," said Vulpix. "Can you keep going, Rylan?"

Rylan nodded his head. "Yeah, I'm ready."

"Awesome," said Vulpix. "The Overpass should be just a bit farther up the mountain. If we keep following this path, we should reach it very soon."

The three of them resumed following the pathway up the mountain, which became increasingly more obstructed by rocks as they ascended. Using his new skills, Rylan was able to break through the large rocks that completely blocked the passage.

Rylan continued to shatter the rocks that hindered their progress until the group finally arrived at the overpass. It was a rather impressive sight; a huge bridge made of stone had been built across a large gap in the mountain. The gap itself was quite scary to look down at.

"Graveler!" Buizel called out. "Come out! We know you're here, so don't bother running away!"

"Hmph," said a voice. "Even up here I can't get away…"

The large Rock Pokémon emerged from behind a massive boulder nearby. "What do you want?" he asked. "Come here to arrest me, I expect?"

"You catch on fast," said Vulpix.

Rylan said nothing. He just stood there and stared at Graveler.

"What are you looking at, punk?" Graveler snapped, noticing Rylan looking at him.

Rylan understood based on Graveler's irate reaction that this wasn't the Pokémon who was looking for him. He readied his fists as his teammates similarly prepared to fight.

"Shall we?" asked Buizel.

The three charged toward their target.