CHAPTER 49
The morning Sun was shining brightly in the sky as the tired guild Pokémon walked through the forest towards the guild.
"We're here…" Gallade said. "It feels like it's been an eternity since I last saw this place."
"Yeah," said Nidoran. "Though I'm a little disappointed in myself."
"Same here," said Wingull. "I feel useless."
"Come now," said Gallade. "Sure, you two may have been caught off guard by Jynx, but look at me. I have the most experience out of any of us here." He chuckled a little.
"What's so funny, sir?" asked Nidoran.
"We all experience failure sometimes," Gallade said. "But I just thought of something else. I believe our failures helped make way for Team StarStruck's shining moment. They had a reason to fight, and they were able to stop Jynx and save us."
"Oh, sir, you're too kind," said Vulpix. "Jynx was still powerful. I'd have to blame dumb luck on our victory. If we hadn't saved Zorian…"
"But you did it," said Gallade. "I don't call two rookies toppling an ex-Star Rank explorer dumb luck. I call it the result of tenacity and determination."
"Speaking of whom," said Buizel, "What's to become of Jynx?"
"Starmie is helping Officer Magnezone and the police force get past the territorial Pokémon of Mount Maelstrom as we speak," said Gallade. "Jynx is on her way to prison."
"And Slowking?" asked Wingull.
"I can't say…" said Gallade. "He fell from the north ledge, but we couldn't find him. He probably fled somewhere to recover. After Jynx is taken to prison, Officer Magnezone is going to dispatch a squad to patrol the region."
"Sounds good," said Vulpix.
"Now, let's go inside," said Gallade. "There are a ton of friends waiting for us."
As soon as the five of them entered the guild, a burst of cheering and applause greeted their ears. Every Pokémon in the guild was waiting for them in the assembly hall, and they were ecstatic to see their friends return safely.
Aggron smiled as he saw Gallade approach. He was relieved to know that his lifelong friend was safe.
"Settle down, everyone. Settle down," said Gallade as he made his way to the front of the crowd.
"Before we begin our breakfast," he said, "I would like to tell each and every one of you what happened these past few days. Myself, Vulpix, Buizel, Wingull, Nidoran, Rylan, and Zorian… Together we embarked on one of the most perilous journeys any Pokémon could take. Slowking released us from the Distortion World because he wanted to pit his views against ours. Kyogre brought us to the Province of Balance, where we were forced to endure challenging trials that affected us both physically and emotionally. Rylan and Slowking sought counsel with the two legendary dragons, Reshiram and Zekrom, who immediately told Slowking that his views were wrong. Slowking made Giratina send Reshiram to the Distortion World, and it seemed we would be next, but before we could lose hope, Bronzong stepped up and helped us return to our world."
There were several whispers and murmurs following the message about Bronzong.
"Bronzong later informed us that Slowking was atop Mount Maelstrom, which is where we decided to go in the first place due to some clever thinking from Zorian," Gallade continued. "One way or another, we knew it was the place where we would confront Slowking and Jynx. Jynx managed to capture us, and Slowking had Mount Maelstrom's treasure in his grasp. It was because of the courage of Team StarStruck that we were able to strike him where he was vulnerable and use the power of the Key of Renewal, the treasure of the mountain, to undo what Slowking had done. Unfortunately, our dear friend Rylan is no longer with us. He came to us from another world, and so when he used the power of the Key of Renewal, he himself was sent back to where he came from."
Several Pokémon seemed disappointed by this news. Others nodded their heads, accepting the fact that Rylan was gone.
"But let us not be depressed over the departure of one of our shining stars," said Gallade. "Let us honor his memory by resuming our duties as explorers and doing better than before."
"Yes, sir!" exclaimed the guild Pokémon.
"One more thing I would like to address," said Gallade. "I would like teams StarStruck and Earth-Sky to come forward."
Vulpix, Buizel, Nidoran, and Wingull stepped up to join Gallade at the front.
"It is my honor and privilege," Gallade said, "to promote these two teams to Silver Rank for all they've done for us. Congratulations."
Nidoran and Wingull covered their faces. Vulpix and Buizel smiled happily.
The rest of the guild resumed applauding and cheering as Gallade handed out shiny Silver Rank badges to the four of them and took their Bronze badges.
"NOW LET'S EAT!" hollered Electrode.
Everyone rushed down to the mess hall excitedly except for Aggron, Gallade, Vulpix, and Buizel.
"It is indeed curious why the two of you did not return to Rylan's world with him," said Gallade. Vulpix and Buizel looked at each other.
"If I had to guess," said Aggron, "maybe the Key of Renewal has a different impact on Pokémon than it does on humans."
"That would make some sense," said Buizel. "Pokémon exist in both worlds, but we never see any humans here."
"I'm sure we'll unravel the mystery in due time," said Gallade. "You two had best run along now. You'll miss breakfast if you stay here. Oh, and speaking of Rylan and Zorian, I have quite a story to tell you, Guildmaster. You see, Zorian…"
Gallade and Aggron walked off together into Aggron's room.
"I bet he's gonna tell Aggron that Zorian was the one who rescued him and sent us here," said Buizel.
"I guess sometimes destiny brings us together in ways we don't expect," said Vulpix. "Look at all that's happened. You encountered Rylan when he was human, Zorian saved Aggron and brought us to this wonderful world, Slowking was the one who saved Rylan's life the day that he and Zorian came here…"
"What are the odds, eh?," asked Buizel. "Let's go eat. We need to pick out a room on the third floor soon."
"Oh, right!" Vulpix said. "I nearly forgot! Nidoran and Wingull get rooms up there as well! Let's have neighboring rooms!"
"Sounds fun," said Buizel.
The two of them joined their allies in the mess hall and sat down for breakfast. Several Pokémon asked them about their journey while they ate. Vulpix cheerily shared everything she could remember. She told them about the raft trip across the Dark Sea, the trials of the Province, Aerodactyl, Zorian's story, and the return to the mountain.
Vulpix had attracted quite a crowd before breakfast was over. After she and Buizel left the mess hall, they went upstairs to the second floor to check their Bronze Rank room for anything they may have left behind.
As they packed, Vulpix noticed a conch shell on the floor with a message inside it. She cried a little as she read the message, realizing what its significance was. She packed it into her bag and left to the third floor with Buizel. Wingull and Nidoran were already up there.
The two teams picked adjacent rooms with a nice view of the forest from the windows. They all settled in to their new rooms, then made their way down to the assembly hall to choose a mission for the day. Most of the available missions were minor since many Pokémon had just returned from the Distortion World. But a mission was a mission, and as proud members of Aggron's Guild, the Pokémon were always eager and willing to go forth.