Author's Note

Before I get stuck into this story, I would like to thank all of you who have supported me by reviewing me and even subscribing to my fic.

Now this chapter happens a few days after the meeting with Team Gamma, if this were a Mystery Dungeon game, these days would be filled by random missions...

Frenchii

After Absol, Oddish and I were reunited, it took me a couple of days to get over the fact that I had a run-in with an extremely dangerous outlaw by the name of Lucario. But, as I always say, you have to put your past behind you. And we spent a day of rest and relaxation, sitting within our home. Our "base", if you will.

"Hey," I said, "why don't we have a team name?"

Absol opened one eye. He was having a nap. "We're not a high enough rank yet. Only bronze rank teams may name themselves."

"Oh," I said. I was disappointed. I wanted to be told apart from others, not just to be known as "that Riolu from the Great Forest Council".

I was just about to lie down for a nap when there was a knock on the door.

"Coming," I said.

There stood Farfetch'd, leek held high.

"About time," he said. "The Heads of Council are calling a full-Council meeting at the clearing. Please follow me."

The clearing was full of Pokémon of different sizes and shapes. In the centre of the crowd were Gallade and Gardevoir.

"Attention," soothed Gardevoir. Attention please."

"OI!" roared Gallade, "SHUT UP!"

Everyone fell silent immediately.

"Thank you," said Gardevoir. "We have called a meeting about the happenings at the Circle of Beginnings. Those senior agents that were there may have noticed that the HUGE gang were lead by a Pokémon named Lucario."

There were Pokémon nodding.

"We have received word from the Bounty Hunters' Legion that this gang call themselves the Aura Masters," said Gallade "named so after their leader, Lucario, who has the power to sense and control aura. Now, the Legion has agreed to send two of their elite teams. Team Gamma, who is already at the Circle of Beginnings interviewing Chansey, is made up of Linoone and Mightyena and Team Beta is made up of Vulpix and Ninetails."

"So what does that mean to us?" asked a Togepi, who was next to a Cleffa and an Igglybuff.

"That means," said Gardevoir, "that we are in serious danger. Everyone within the Great Forest is. So, we will be moving from the Forest."

There was an uproar of argument as Farfetch'd flew high.

"Quit it!" he hollered. "One at a time!"

A Grumpig stepped forward. "Why do we have to leave? I don't know about the rest of you, but I have everything here. I don't want to leave."

A murmur of agreement swells within the crowd.

"We shall be choosing some teams to stay behind to protect," said Ralts, who obviously teleported. "The move will only be temporary."

"So," Gallade growled, "the plan is to choose a team to run the infirmary, find a team to co-ordinate the move and, finally, find teams brave enough and good enough to stay. So, the infirmary candidates?"

Forward stepped Roselia and Blissey.

"We of Team Sweet," said the Roselia, "will use our skills to help heal Pokémon in need. Like with my Aromatherapy Attack and Blissey's Softboiled."

"Agreed," said Gardevoir.

Next came a Xatu. "I am Xatu, a solo explorer. I can plan a path to a safe place. And tell you through telepathy, which is much faster than communicating through Badges."

"Yes," said Gallade.

The applicants kept coming. Rescue teams from near and far received their roles until it was finally our turn.

"I'm sorry," said Gardevoir. "I don't think you are trained well enough, you would not be able to hold yourself against that gang."

"But," said Oddish, "Jay ran into Lucario AND survived. We were there."

"But," said Gallade, "you had help. I don't think even Jay with his Aura Sphere would be able to help."

Absol frowned. "But, surely, after Mothim's training, Jay would be more than capable," he said. "Even Mothim said that he couldn't teach Jay any more than he has."

"My decision is final!" boomed Gallade. "This insubordination will NOT do! You are NORMAL RANK. If you were Bronze, then I might have thought about it. Know your place rookies. Now leave."

"But-" I started.

"LEAVE!"

We did as we were told. We followed Gardevoir to the group that were leaving, which were all much smaller and weaker-looking than us. Suddenly, Machamp, followed by Mothim, ran into the clearing.

"Mistress Gardevoir, Master Gallade," Machamp puffed, "we have not enough defenders. All the ones you sent aren't very reliable."

"Exactly," said Mothim. "And where are Jay and his team?"

"With the others who are leaving," said Gallade.

"Leaving?" Mothim looked horrified. "Gallade, Gardevoir, with all due respect, they are the only team that I actually believe will do this job properly."

I was overcome with happiness. I could feel his pride in us very strongly.

"Just what are you insinuating?" asked Gallade, stepping forward so his face was barely inches away from Mothim's.

"I am not insinuating anything," Mothim said, quite calmly, "I am merely informing you of your incorrect decision."

"But they're rookies," growled Gallade.

"Oh rookies, schmookies!" snapped Mothim. "I do believe that you two were only normal rank when I gave you my position as Head of Council."

"What?" exclaimed Oddish. "Mothim was Head of Council?"

"It was before your time," said Ralts.

"STOP DOING THAT!" I hollered.

Ralts looked puzzled. "Doing what?"

"Teleporting! It freaks me out."

"Yes, continued Gallade, "I do remember. But that was different. We were exceptional. We had faced a BLAZIKEN!"

"What's going on here?"

Into the clearing walked a Ninetales, followed by a Vulpix. A rather cuteVulpix. Her coat was gleaming in the sun, her six beautiful tails waving softly in the air. She had the look of someone who held herself in high regard. Not prissy, just proper.

"You are two fully-evolved Pokémon and yet," Ninetales continues, "you bicker like children."

Gallade turned to us. "Oi!" He growled. "You three! Come here!" He turned to Ninetales. "Mothim here thinks that these two rookies have what it takes to guard the Forest. And I told him that it was impossible, after all, they're just Normal Rank."

"I agree," said Ninetales, "with Mothim."

Gallade looked like he had just been slapped in the face. "Why?"

"Why?" said Ninetales. "Because Mothim is an excellent judge of character. He believed in you when no-one else would. And now look what you've become."

Gallade was speechless. Mothim looked happy, then he frowned.

"Hey Mothim," I said. "What's up?"

"Oh, I've been thinking," he said. "Maybe you shouldn't defend the Forest." Gallade laughed. Mothim glared at him. "But instead, go seek Celebi, the Guardian of Spring Lake. He might be able to help, he might be able to go back in time and tell us why Lucario did this."

"Fair enough," Gardevoir said. "But it is a long journey and I do not wish anything to happen to you on that journey. Maybe we should find someone to accompany you."

"I'll do it," said a voice, clear as crystal. Into the clearing bounded Suicune. "Celebi and I go way back."

I was excited. We had a LEGENDARY on our side. I thought the journey would be easy.