CHAPTER 31
Rylan and his companions started to pack their bags with everything they believed they would need for their journey. They knew that finding Kyogre and the Province could take days, maybe even weeks, so they needed plenty of items.
"Shame this had to happen so soon after the expedition," said Gallade. Most of our stock items have been used up."
"We should go to Riverwood Town to stock up on supplies," suggested Buizel.
"Good idea," replied Nidoran.
"Buizel, take your teammates with you and gather as many supplies as you can from town," Gallade requested. "The rest of us will gather together what we can find here at the guild."
"Yes, sir," Buizel said. "Let's go, you two."
Buizel headed out the front entrance, motioning for the other two to follow. Rylan and Vulpix left behind him.
"The town is always so peaceful," said Vulpix. "I hate having to come to it in a situation like this."
"Same here," said Buizel. "Though we don't have time to stop and reflect on better days right now. Let's do that after we've stopped Slowking."
"Yes," said Vulpix. "This is serious. We need to focus on the task ahead of us."
The group passed the tree with intertwined branches once more. "I can only imagine how those two Grass Pokémon must feel about this mess," said Vulpix.
"The two who twisted up the branches?" Rylan asked.
"Yeah," Vulpix replied. "They know how strong bonds of friendship can be, and I know they would not approve of Slowking's actions if they were still here."
The three of them continued on their way, eventually reaching the town. What awaited them across the bridge felt most disturbing.
Not a single Pokémon was left in the town. Slowking had abducted everyone here as well.
"No!" yelled Vulpix. "Vaporeon! Leafeon!" She hurried over to the Item Shop, hoping to see the friendly duo there. Buizel and Rylan quickly followed her.
When they arrived at the Item Shop, Vulpixs' fear had been confirmed. Neither of the shop owners were there.
"They were so nice…" Vulpix said, a few tears welling in her eyes. "They didn't deserve this."
"Hey, look at this," said Buizel. "There's a note here."
Buizel picked up the note and started to read it. "Dear guild members, we may be gone, but that does not mean we are not still open for business. Consider today a 100% Discount Day. Your friends, Leafeon and Vaporeon."
"They left their items for us to use?" Vulpix asked. "Oh, now I'm gonna get all emotional over this…" She sniffled softly.
"Well, they're giving us their stuff. Let's use it," said Buizel. He jumped over the service counter and began to cram a bunch of food, gummies, cloth items, and TMs into his bag.
"Hey, there's a note over here as well!" said Rylan, approaching the Synthesis Station.
"To my dear friends at the guild," Rylan read, "you have given me hope that one day, we can all be saved from the Distortion World. Please feel free to enjoy a refreshing beverage in my absence, and please do not give up hope. Sincerely, Tropius."
"Every shop here has a note!" Vulpix said as she looked around.
"Wouldn't this mean that they knew about Slowking before disappearing?" asked Rylan.
"Yeah," said Vulpix. "Perhaps someone warned them, and they wrote their goodbyes just in case."
"They left everything here when they were abducted," Buizel said. "Their lives, their dreams, their smiles… We can't let them down."
"We won't," said Vulpix.
After Buizel filled his bag with as much as he could possibly carry, Rylan and Vulpix took their turns, filling their bags with essentials from the shop until they could fit no more.
"Oh, too heavy!" Vulpix yelped as she struggled with her pack.
"Need some help?" asked Buizel.
"I'll be all right, but thank you," Vulpix replied.
Rylan and his teammates slowly lugged their full bags all the way back to the guild where the others were waiting.
"Goodness," said Nidoran. "Where did you get all that stuff? Your packs are about to burst."
"The shop owners are gone," said Rylan. "They left a note saying we could take as much as we needed."
"I'll bet Aggron warned them," said Gallade. "Here, your bags are too full. We have room in ours for some of your items."
The Pokémon did all the necessary transitioning that was needed until everyone's bags were at a manageable weight, but there were a good few items left over.
"What are we to do with these?" asked Zorian.
Gallade thought for a moment, then walked into Aggron's room and came out moments later with an explorer bag.
"These are only issued to explorers who join the guild," said Gallade, "but we're going to need all the help we can get in this situation. Zorian, this is for you to use."
Gallade handed the bag to Zorian. "Are you sure?" Zorian asked.
"Positive," Gallade replied. "You are going to need it."
The remaining supplies fit nicely inside Zorian's bag, and it was not too heavy for Zorian to carry.
"Thank you, Gallade," Zorian said with a smile.
"My pleasure," said Gallade. "We may not know each other, but any ally of Rylan is an ally of mine."
Rylan was pleased to see the two of them getting along so well.
"So, are we all set?" Gallade asked the others.
Everyone nodded, a few of them saying "Yes, sir."
"All right," said Gallade. "The closest body of water to us is the Dark Sea, which is quite treacherous, but it quickly extends into the Deep Ocean, so it's our fastest way to get out there and start looking for Kyogre."
"If I may, sir," said Buizel. "I'm the only Pokémon here who can dive underwater. Would that not make it difficult for us to find Kyogre?"
"You're right, Buizel," said Gallade. "If we're going to have any luck finding Kyogre, we're going to need your skills. Do you think you can handle this task?"
"I'm honestly quite scared," said Buizel, "but I've never let that stop me. I will do everything I can to help find Kyogre."
"Thank you," said Gallade. "Now then, the Dark Sea is to the south. Remember, the Pokémon down there are particularly nasty when they feel like picking a fight, so, much like the expedition, it's best to fight as little as possible."
"So, when do we leave?" asked Wingull.
"We have not yet slept," said Gallade, "and we're going to need our stamina. We shall sleep in the guild tonight, and set forth tomorrow after breakfast."
The Pokémon retreated to their rooms to try and doze off, but for most of them, it was not easy. Zorian followed Team StarStruck to their room and laid down on the floor next to Rylan's bed.
Rylan looked over at Zorian. "Hey, you're not sleeping in a bed?"
Zorian shook his head. "Nah, I'll be fine," he said. "Hmm… I believe I have yet to apologize to you for sneaking in here and impersonating you."
"No, don't apologize," said Rylan. "I know your intentions were good. You just wanted to see me again, to reunite with me."
"But I put you in danger," said Zorian. "I am sorry for doing it, and I promise you that I won't do it ever again."
Rylan crawled out of his bed and curled up next to Zorian.
"Rylan?" Zorian asked. "Why did you-?"
"I just figured that if you could do it, I could do it," said Rylan.
Zorian chuckled and gently stroked over Rylan's side. Rylan stretched a little and cuddled close to his brother, wrapping his arms around Zorian's middle and feeling the warmth from his body.
They both began to realize just how differently they felt together as Pokémon compared to being together as humans. As Zorian continued to stroke Rylan's side, lulling him to sleep, he could not help but feel more protective over him than he had ever felt before.
"I promise you, Rylan," he spoke softly, "I'm going to build a better life for us when this is over. I'm proud to have you as my brother."