CHAPTER 18
Team StarStruck returned to the guild that day feeling more refreshed than they had ever felt before. Vulpix delivered the parcel to Gallade and the three young explorers retreated to their room upstairs to call it a day.
That evening, as everyone sat down in the dining hall to eat dinner, Buizel continued to glance over at Rylan. He knew that Rylan had changed dramatically over the course of this month, and although he didn't want to admit it, he was actually feeling comfortable having him on the team.
Over the next few days, Rylan began to feel more and more at home, like he was finally finding a place to belong, and it was lifting an enormous weight off of his shoulders. With each mission, he felt even more of a friend to Vulpix and Buizel, his relationship with the latter slowly improving.
With each night that passed, Rylan slept peacefully. His memories disturbed his slumber no more. He was starting to forget about the issue with Houndoom and the outlaw who knew about him. He even forgot all about writing a letter to Wigglytuff. Being part of Aggron's guild had changed him.
One morning, after the guild members woke up and ate breakfast, they gathered together to await the morning's briefing. Rylan could hear several voices chirping excitedly.
"I heard today was the day that the members will be picked for the expedition!" said Plusle.
Minun grinned. "You're never usually wrong with these rumors, sis," he said. "If we get picked for this one, let's do our best!" He bumped fists with his sister.
Wingull and Nidoran were having a bit of a quarrel in whisper, barely audible, but Rylan could make out Nidoran hissing "No, I don't have a crush on him!"
Rylan then looked over to Team Drake. The three Dragon Pokémon each smiled at the young rising star. Gabite and Hakamo-o raised their paws in greeting.
Moments later, Aggron and Gallade entered the room. Gallade was holding a piece of paper. Aggron appeared somewhat tense.
"Good morning, Pokémon!" Aggron called out to his comrades.
"Good morning, sir!" the Pokémon replied.
"I have some unfortunate news and some good news to report," Aggron said. "The unfortunate news will be given first."
The guild members gave Aggron their full attention.
"Our mysterious culprit has struck again. Another peaceful Pokémon town has been stripped clean of its inhabitants," said Aggron. "Like last time, we have nothing to go by. No clues, no leads, nothing at all."
Many guild members who weren't showing much fear the first time news like this was given were now quivering. How could someone do something like this? For what purpose would they be doing it?
"The good news is that we have deliberated and come to a decision," Aggron continued. "The expedition to Mount Maelstrom will soon begin, and we now have a team to explore it. Yes, we are facing a severe problem with these disappearances, but if I am correct, and we find the mountain's hidden treasure, we can bring everyone who was taken from this world back where they belong. We need you all to be strong for them, for each other, and for yourselves. Is that clear?"
"Yes, sir…" Clearly, the guild members were still quite unnerved.
"IS THAT CLEAR?" Aggron bellowed.
"Yes, sir!" the Pokémon responded, this time more strongly.
"All right," Aggron said. "Now, when Gallade calls your name, come stand on either side of him."
Gallade cleared his throat and began to read from the list. "Slowking! Jynx! Bronzong!"
The members of Team Tranquility came forth and stood next to Gallade. Applause rang throughout the guild, as well as cheers of "I knew they'd get in!" from several Pokémon. Slowking smiled and bowed to the guild members.
"Nidoran! Wingull!"
Utterly shocked and surprised, the two of them made their way to Gallade, completely amazed as they stood in the presence of Team Tranquility. Vulpix cheered them on happily.
"Hakamo-o! Gabite! Zweilous!"
The members of Team Drake, who were also pretty popular in the guild, also received some hearty cheers as they made their way up to Gallade. Rylan clapped for them, too.
"And finally we have Vulpix, Buizel, and Rylan!"
The genuine cheers continued as the three of them approached the other expedition recruits.
"Guys, we did it!" exclaimed Vulpix. "We're in! Aren't you excited?"
"Excited and honored," Buizel replied. Rylan nodded his head.
Aggron stepped forward to address the guild once more. "I have one more announcement," he said. "First of all, we will be leaving immediately, so to those who were selected, prepare yourselves accordingly. Also, I cannot guarantee you will be traveling with your normal teammates. Gallade and I will be travelling with you, and we will be split into separate teams. You will most likely be working with different Pokémon partners as we proceed up the mountain. Second, the ones remaining behind will be given the task of protecting our guild from outside dangers. I am entrusting you all with keeping this place, our home, safe from harm while you go about your regular routines. While we are away, I shall place Team Seismic, our dedicated sentries, in charge. Sandshrew and Trapinch, I trust you two can handle this job."
The excited duo saluted their Guildmaster. "Yes, sir!" they said.
"Good. Now, dismissed!" said Aggron.
"Sir!" the guild members responded. The crowd dispersed and everyone remained behind except for the expedition recruits.
"We should all prepare ourselves now and meet back here in the entrance hall when we've finished. If you have any business in town, handle it now," said Gallade.
"We've prepared already," said Slowking.
"That just leaves us, then!" said Wingull. "Let's pack our things!"
Rylan, Vulpix, and Buizel retreated to their room and quickly gathered their supplies. Rylan's bag was surprisingly light upon finishing.
"You're gonna need more than that," Buizel warned Rylan after looking at his bag.
Rylan nodded and proceeded to cram more items into his bag. Once the three of them finished, they ran back down to the entrance hall where everyone else was waiting. It seemed they were the last to finish.
"Shall we be off, then?" asked Gabite.
"One moment. Let's see…" Gallade pulled out a map and pointed to a certain spot near the base of the mountain. "This forest clearing is where we will set up camp. We will split into four teams and cover separate routes."
Everyone watched Gallade attentively as he instructed them.
"Team Drake and Jynx will take the Northwest Route. Vulpix, Buizel, and Bronzong will take the North Route. Rylan, Nidoran, and Wingull will take the Northeast Route. I will traverse the East Route with Aggron and Slowking."
Vulpix seemed disappointed that she and Buizel would not be travelling with Rylan, but Buizel didn't seem to mind. In fact, he seemed very welcoming of Bronzong.
"We rendezvous at the clearing tonight," said Gallade. "Good luck to you all."
The thirteen Pokémon exited the guild hall together. Rylan and his new teammates were about to leave toward the Northeast Route, but a voice stopped them.
"Wait, please," said Slowking. The three turned around.
"Do you need something, Slowking?" Nidoran asked.
Slowking approached the three of them and smiled, extending a hand to them.
"It is a pleasure to be working with you," Slowking said. "and I wish you the best of luck on your journey."
Rylan had not interacted much with Team Tranquility, so this gesture somewhat surprised him, but it didn't stop him from accepting the handshake.
"You too," said Rylan. Nidoran shook next. Wingull, who had nothing to shake with, simply nodded and smiled back at Slowking.
After the friendly gesture, Slowking joined up with Aggron and Gallade, heading to the east with them. Rylan said his goodbyes to Vulpix and Buizel, and he, Nidoran, and Wingull resumed walking up the path to the Northeast Route.