A/N: OH. MY ARCEUS.

It's been MONTHS since I worked on this...I can't believe it! WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME, I KEPT YOU ALL WAITING FOR SO LONG! I'M SO SORRY! DX

I'm not even gonna try to explain this time- there's no excuse for not updating. In the future, I'm gonna do my very best to manage my time better and ACTUALLY UPDATE THIS STORY. I've not forgotten this story, nor have I given up on it. Stuff kinda happened a while back, which I'm not gonna explain here. Thank to anyone and everyone who stuck around to see this new chapter!

Important note: this chapter's gonna be short. I know, I know- 'X, YOU MADE US WAIT TWO MONTHS FOR FILLER!?'. I know it may seem like filler, BUT- you're gonna learn something important! *coughcough*-BACKSTORY-*cough* ;)

So last time, Dune, Clay, and Horizon got to the top of Rainbow Summit, only to find a mysterious black obelisk and a very angry Ho-oh! And it seems like Dune has some suspicions about those Pawniards seen back in Chapter 7. Is he right to be suspicious? And where is the trio going next? Let's see...

Masked Gamer: You bet! She is certainly scary... *nervous laughter*

Imagination is king: *throws a box of Zoroark plushies at you*

Dranicus101: Yeah, I think I made myself a little too obvious with Ho-oh. Then again, I'm not really trying to get anyone to guess which Legendary is gonna be fought next...

Miplets: Huh, I didn't know there were chew toys in here...*picks one up, looks around, then beings chewing on herself*

Chapter 9: Name Your Team

"But how do you know they're heading that way?" Horizon repeated. "There are a bunch of other Dungeons in that same direction- how do you know they didn't go somewhere else?"

"The arrow points to this place!" Dune insisted. "Even if the Pawniards aren't heading there right this minute, there's gotta be a reason it was marked."

Dune, Clay, and Horizon had only gotten down from Rainbow Summit a little while ago and where now sitting around a pile of stones near the entrance. Dune had explained how the paper scrap was actually part of a map of Pokéa. By comparing that piece with his own map, Dune was able to guess the arrow was pointing from Rainbow Summit to a location way out in the ocean.

"I guess..." Clay replied, skeptical. "But why are we worrying so much about a bunch of Pokémon with scary swords for hands?"

"Because I'm a little suspicious that them Pawniards had something to do with Ho-oh showing up," Dune replied. "After all, something broke that obelisk, and it definitely wasn't natural."

Clay shrugged. "I guess..."

"Dune," Horizon spoke up. "Even if you're somehow right, how are we going to get there? We can't swim, and we definitely can't breathe underwater. We're not fish!"

Dune shoved the scrap into his bag. "Well...I might just know someone who can help us."

"Do you now..." Horizon muttered.

"Yes, I do," Dune replied matter-of-factly. He stood up and walked down the dirt path. Horizon strode behind him. Clay sprinted up next to both of them. "Hey, I was thinking..."

"'Bout time..." Dune muttered.

"If we're gonna be exploring places together," Clay continued. "Our team needs to have a name!"

Dune glared at the Excadrill. "We are not a team. This whole exploration thing ain't gonna last, kid. After we get through this next Dungeon, yer gonna be on yer own."

Clay looked down, slightly crestfallen. "But it's a good name..."

"Dune, stop being a stick in the mud," Horizon replied hotly. "Would it kill you to at least listen to his idea?"

Dune didn't stop walking, but he flicked his tail in acknowledgement.

Clay beamed. "How about Team Terra? In heard 'terra' means 'ground' in some other language."

Horizon nodded. "Ah, interesting. Since we're all Ground-types..."

"Uh-huh!"

Dune said nothing. Horizon shot him a small glare, but the Krokorok just kept moving ahead.

After hours of trekking, the three of them arrived at a vast beach, overlooking the shining ocean.

"So, where's this 'someone who can help us'?" Horizon asked, putting air quotes around those last five words.

"Gimme a minute..." Dune grumbled, walking ahead of them. He glanced around the beach, as though searching for something. Finally, he seemed to notice something off in the distance, then sprinted across the beach.

"Er- Dune, wait up!" Clay shouted, running after him. Horizon trailed close behind. Soon, they caught up to the Krokorok, who was investigating what appeared to be a smooth, round, stone platform extending out to the ocean. The violet stone seemed aged, yet still retained some form of beauty to it.

Dune stood at the edge of the platform, looking out at the water. Now, where is she...

Horizon and Clay walked up behind him. Clay frowned at the water. "Um, what's the point of this, exactly?"

"Just wait a sec..." Dune replied, not looking at anyone. His black eyes kept scanning the water endlessly...

...and then a black figure passed by the rocky outlook.

Clay and Horizon jumped in surprise as the round shadow surfaced a couple inches from land. It had a dark blue back with a gray underside, and two large fins. It had two rings on its back, and two long antennae extending from its head. A Mantine.

"Kite," Dune greeted. "It's been a while."

The Mantine, Kite, turned her wide head to look at Dune. "Dune, darling, it's been AGES since we last spoke!"

Clay and Horizon blinked.

"And who are your dazzling friends?" Kite asked, swimming around to examine the two of them.

"Erm...I'm Clay," Clay greeted. He gestured to Horizon. "And that's Horizon."

Horizon waved. So...this is our help? Not what I was expecting, but whatever works... "So, how did you know we were here?"

"Oh, I've lived here my whole life, young one," Kite replied cheerily. "I can sort of...sense when Pokémon are above my home. Why, this stone outlook is actually the roof of the cave in which I reside!"

"No time for small talk, Kite," Dune stated, facing the Mantine. "We need-"

"How are Sandstorm and Pyrite?" Kite suddenly asked, interrupting Dune.

An emotion that neither Clay nor Horizon had seen on Dune's face suddenly appeared- the Krokorok's expression seemed to betray shock, fear, and sadness all at once. Then, as soon as it had arrived, it was gone, and Dune was back to his regular self. "They're..."

"Who are Sandstorm and Pyrite?" Clay asked. Kite answered, "Dune hasn't told you about them, darling? Well then, you should know Sandstorm is Dune's dear brother, and Pyrite was Sandstorm's girlfriend!"

Dune grunted. "Pretty much..."

Kite looked around. "Where are they? It would be SPLENDID to see them again! Oh, I can't remember the last time we-"

"KITE," Dune interrupted angrily. "Not the time! I need you take us to this place-" He pointed to the location on the map.

Kite looked slightly offended at Dune's interruption, but examined the map anyways. "Ah, the Ancient Sea! Beautiful choice, I must say!"

"Yeah yeah, can ya take us there or not?" Dune asked impatiently.

Kite frowned. "Very well. All of you, onto my back you go!"

The Mantine turned to expose her back, which Dune hopped onto. He was soon (reluctantly) followed by Clay and Horizon. As Kite prepared to swim off, she said, "And maybe afterwards you'll actually WANT to speak to me! Oh, Dune, what have you been doing all these years? I seem to remember a time when you would see to ENJOY my stories..."

Kite continued to ramble on, much to the dismay of Dune, Clay, and Horizon, as the Mantine swam to the north, leaving the beach and her rocky home behind.

A/N: AAAAAAAAAAAAAALL THE YES. It's done! Are you satisfied? We learned a bite about Dune's mysterious backstory, so I'd say that's a win! Also, Team Terra is a thing now! I'll be using it more frequently in the future, so don't worry that I only mentioned it once in this chapter. Because, quite honestly, I'm getting tired of writing stuff like "the trio" or "Dune, Clay, and Horizon" (even though I did it again at the end...).

So then, next time, another Mystery Dungeon chapter! First, I need your opinions- for Mystery Dungeon chapters, I'm planning on writing what floor of the Dungeon Team Terra is on. You know, something like-

Random Dungeon- F44

-you know, something like that. Just to prevent any confusion, you know? So, what you guys think? Let me know! Thanks for waiting so patiently! You guys are awesome! STAY awesome! Bye!