CHAPTER 23

The expedition had started with thirteen brave explorers selected to scale Mount Maelstrom and help retrieve the treasure which could have brought back all the Pokémon that were snatched away by Giratina.

Ten disappointed and exhausted explorers walked back to the guild together after their mission resulted in a disheartening failure. Nidoran, Wingull, and Gallade were gone, and the treasure was nowhere to be found.

Of all the remaining Pokémon, Aggron and Rylan seemed to be the most emotionally hurt. All of Aggron's time and effort was wasted on an empty room, and coupled with the disappearance of Gallade, Aggron felt terrible.

Rylan, of course, was the only one who sensed the presence of Giratina, and was the only one not to be taken away by him as well. Questions were plaguing his mind, and he did not know who he should turn to.

Buizel had not said a word to Rylan since they arrived at the peak of the mountain. Rylan did not notice this, nor did he care.

"We're almost there," said Vulpix. "There's the safe zone just ahead."

The Pokémon had reached the outskirts of Riverwood Town.

"Bronzong, if you would, please?" Aggron asked.

Rylan looked at Vulpix. "Safe zone?" he asked.

"Many aggressive Psychic Pokémon around here can sense when another Psychic Pokémon is about to Teleport," Vulpix explained. "Let's just say that the clash of psychic power can get pretty nasty, and it's not something we want right now. The safe zone is where it's safe to Teleport back home."

"My team and I will head back on foot since I can't be teleported," said Zweilous.

"Okay, good luck," said Aggron.

Bronzong hummed softly, the gentle sound resonating through the minds of everyone except Team Drake. Seconds later, they all felt the familiar pulling sensation of being teleported. A mere second later, they were back at the entrance of the guild. Night had fallen, and the torches on the guild exterior were burning brightly.

"Everyone, it's time to get some much needed sleep," Aggron said. "The journey has been taxing on us all."

"Yes, sir," replied the Pokémon.

Aggron stepped onto the entrance grating.

"I-It's the Guildmaster!" yelled Trapinch from down below. "I knew he'd come back safely!"

"Sandshrew, Trapinch, go inform the others that we're back, and tell them that it's time for bed. You are dismissed from sentry duty as of now. Also, I have an important announcement to make tomorrow morning," said Aggron.

"We have something to inform you of as well!" yelled Sandshrew happily. "But we'll save it for tomorrow, too!"

"Right," said Aggron. "Thank you for taking charge in my absence."

The Pokémon entered the guild, and all of them headed back to their respective rooms. Rylan felt somewhat relieved. The guild was starting to feel more like home to him every day, and it felt like home now more than ever. It felt safe.

"So much for that," said Buizel sleepily.

"Perhaps there's another way to get everyone back," said Vulpix. "I don't plan on quitting until we find one. What say you, Rylan?"

"Hmm? Oh, right," Rylan said. "Yeah, we've come too far to quit now. The Pokémon need our help."

The three of them entered their room, put away their belongings, and climbed into their beds. Rylan never knew how wonderful it felt to be back in bed after being away for so long.

"Hey, Buizel," Rylan asked, "how are you feeling?"

Buizel curled up in his bed. He didn't utter a word to Rylan.

"Buizel?" Rylan asked once more. Buizel still did not so much as budge to give Rylan his attention.

"Whatever," Rylan sighed. He curled up himself and closed his eyes.

"Rylan?" asked a voice. "Rylan!" Someone was gently prodding him.

"Hmm?" Rylan murmured. He opened his eyes and saw Sandshrew standing in front of him.

"Sandshrew? What is it?" he asked.

Sandshrew looked excited. "You know that Pokémon who has been on the loose, even before he evolved? Houndoom? We found him and apprehended him while you guys were gone!"

"Houndoom…apprehended?" Rylan asked.

"Yup!" Sandshrew whispered. "Sorry if you were asleep. I was just too excited and had to tell someone! …By the way, love the bedroom!"

"It's okay," Rylan chuckled. "Thanks."

Sandshrew smiled and quietly left the room.

Rylan looked up at the ceiling. "Houndoom…" he murmured. It had been a long time since he last spoke to Houndoom, or even thought about him, for that matter. The desire he once had to find out more about himself had been overshadowed by the good times he was having here at the guild. Still, he was curious about the mysterious Pokémon who knew him.

Then it hit him. Now was the perfect time to ask Houndoom. Rylan had learned once that guild members were permitted to enter the Magnezone Prison and interrogate criminals whenever necessary. He would be breaking curfew by sneaking out at this hour, but everyone was fast asleep, including Aggron. What they didn't know wouldn't hurt him.

Rylan silently slipped out of the room, down the stairs, through the entrance hall and out of the guild. The Magnezone Prison was not far from there, and he would not have to enter any dangerous Pokémon territory either.

Rylan walked along the outskirts of the forest for a short while until he arrived at a rather odd-looking facility. The Magnezone Prison looked like a solid steel box from the outside. There were few windows and only one door. An electric fence surrounded the entire facility.

Rylan approached the door, which was being guarded by a Magneton.

"BZZT. HALT, PLEASE," it said as Rylan approached.

Rylan presented his Explorer Badge to Magneton. "I am Rylan, Bronze Rank explorer under Guildmaster Aggron. Please let me pass. I need to interrogate the criminal Houndoom."

"BZZT. EXPLORER RECOGNIZED. ACCESS PERMITTED. YOU HAVE TWENTY MINUTES TO SETTLE YOUR BUSINESS," said Magneton.

"Thanks," said Rylan. Magneton opened the door and Rylan walked in. The interior of the facility looked just as basic as the exterior. Everything was cold, gray steel, right down to the bars of each cell. Many of the prisoners were sleeping.

"So, we meet again, short stuff," said a familiar voice.

Rylan turned around and saw Houndoom in a cell close by. Rylan approached the cell and sat down.

"I take it you wanted to see me?" asked Houndoom.

"You helped us," Rylan said. "That day, when you took us to Oscuro Canyon, you healed us. How can someone like you be a criminal?" he asked.

Houndoom yawned and stretched. "Oh, just fell victim to impulse a few times," he said. "Sad truth is that it happens to all of us at least once in our lives. I'm not afraid to admit I've done some bad things, but I made it worse by avoiding arrest for so long."

"And why exactly did you heal us? I recall you saying that someone asked you to do it."

"Oh, yes, I thought this would crop up in our little chat," said Houndoom. "He did not want me telling you anything…"

"Please, I really need to know this," said Rylan.

"As I was saying," said Houndoom, "his deal was that I would handle business for him as long as he kept the police off my tail. But since I'm here now, I might as well tell you what I know."

Rylan gave Houndoom his undivided attention, wanting to hear every word.

"Truth is that he didn't tell me much, but what I do know is that you and he knew each other together in the human world."

"He was human as well?" Rylan asked.

"Right," replied Houndoom. "He also told me that that little thing you carry around your neck will help you get back to the human world, but it'll only work when the two of you meet each other. I wish I could tell you why, but he didn't spill that many beans with me."

"Are you sure that's all he told you?" Rylan asked.

"That's all," Houndoom replied with a short nod. "Sorry I can't be of more help to ya, kid. You seem like a nice guy."

"You've told me enough," said Rylan. "Thanks, Houndoom." He turned to leave.

"Good luck, kid," said Houndoom, letting out another yawn and laying down to sleep.

Rylan left the facility with more questions rolling around in his head. He and this mysterious Pokémon knew each other from the human world? And by meeting up with this Pokémon, he could use his key piece to go home? He sighed and decided to shove the thoughts aside for now. He had to focus on tomorrow's events at the guild.

Rylan arrived at the entrance to the guild to find someone else standing there. A Pokémon hidden in the shadows was barring Rylan's path and staring right down at him.

"Rylan," he said. "It's been too long. I apologize for confusing you further, but I'm afraid I'm taking you with me now. You are not going back inside."

Before Rylan could utter a syllable, everything went black.