The Vairfew water park, real name "Water-A-Palooza", was a good mile or so away from the city itself. It was big, at least two fields of space with an open and closed section. On one side you had all the usual water park fixtures like curly wavy slides of various colors, umbrellas, and that weird bucket thing that tips over and splashes Pokemon under it. The closed section was a building that contained eateries and a small arcade. Everything looked extremely colorful, to the point it was actually sickening to look at to anyone not a baby Pokemon.
The Donphan taxi, a lovely lady named Beatrice, parked just outside the entrance. Both teams, Team Hero and Team Trouble, got off.
Thankfully, Team Trouble didn't argue during the trip. Though that might've been because Row kept glaring at them whenever they tried to start.
Row looked up at the big sign out front, seeing the odd name and the gaudy colors it was written in. "This place is for kids right?" He asked Chester.
Chester nodded, "Ma and Pa took me here once. It..." He looked forwards past the big gate barring entrance to the park, "It kinda stinks actually."
Row figured he was being figurative, but he couldn't resist sniffing the air. The scent of what could only be described as rotting onions and moldy cheese hit his nostrils. He gagged and covered his face, "Oh Arceus! What is that?!"
Chester looked confused, until he himself took a whiff. His eyes watered as he nearly fainted, "Aaugh! It didn't smell this bad before!"
Team Trouble both shoved nose plugs into their noses, apparently having predicted this. Row glared at them, "Really?!"
"Excuse me!" A voice called out from the other side of the gate. Row looked over, only to see nothing... Until he looked down. There stood, or rather laid, a Stunfisk wearing a pair of sunglasses. "Are you here to help clean the park?" He said, lifting up his glasses with one of his fins.
"Yes." Row replied simply, hiding his confusion.
"Good!" The Stunfisk said happily, slapping the gate open. "I just need the slides to be cleaned out, there's a bunch of garbage stuffing them. I'll be in the office in that big building over there. Good luck!" He waved, then flopped his way over to the building.
"And we'll be in there watching-" Pepperoni started, only to be interrupted by Cheese.
"I want to try the pizza place."
"You know the place is closed right?"
"No, it's manned by Rotoms. It's never closed."
The Zangoose did a double take, "Really?! Then what are we waiting for?" He nodded towards Team Hero, "Have fun you two!"
They ran off towards the building, leaving a cloud of dust behind.
Row scratched his chin, "I thought Miss Daisy mentioned Staryu, not a Stunfisk." Chester shrugged, "Maybe he's the co-owner." The Chespin cracked his knuckles, "Either way, we got some slides to clean!"
Team Hero made their way over to the slides. As they got closer, the awful smell from before grew stronger. The source couldn't be more obvious. Chester took one for the team and climbed up to the very top of the slides and peered downwards, and saw a foul pile of goop with grass, leaves, and dirt blocking the entire tube. He looked down every slide, of which there were four, and every single one had blocked been blocked up by similar piles. Chester was flabbergasted, "What happened?! Did a grass type Muk dive through these?"
With a deep breath, hampered by the smell, he took a step back. "Ok, I think I know how to clear this..." He rolled his head and flexed his shoulders. With a yell, he dive kicked down one of the slides and busted open the blockage. With a much more frightened yell, he and the free muck slid down the slide before landing into the empty pool. Fortunately the pool was filled with water. Unfortunately, Chester was now coated with dirt and the water wasn't washing it off. He pulled himself out of the water, leaving behind a messy trail. "There, only three more to go!"
Row gagged as his friend got close to him, "U-Um..." He swallowed, "I think I should clear out the rest myself..." He pointed to the showers close by, "P-Please go wash that stuff off."
Chester huffed, but understood and walked over to the showers. Row made his way up to the top bracing the remaining stench all the while. When he got to the top and stared down at the remaining blockages, a much better idea popped into his head. He leaned down into one of the slides, not too far to make sure he didn't fall. He reached forwards to see if his arms could reach the mess inside, and he managed to do so. Confirming he could reach, he pulled his hand back and began to focus. With one icy thrust, he delivered a frozen punch to the pile and instantly froze it.
"YES!" He cheered. He punched again, this time normally, and shattered the pile sending frozen chunks down the slide.
Proud, he went over to the two remaining slides and did the same thing. Both cleared without problems. He stood tall, looking down all the clean slides while grinning.
"Hey Row! You done?" Chester called from below.
Row looked down and gave a thumbs up, only to realize his hand now stunk... With another gag, he made his way down.
"Well I cleaned the rest." He said, going up to his friend who was now much cleaner. "We should clean up the stuff the got in the pool though, especially the frozen stuff..." He looked over at the pool, seeing the stuff Chester dislodged as well as the ice shards.
"Oh, don't worry about that. They flush the pools." Chester said.
"...Flush?" Row was baffled. He didn't know any pools that flushed. ...Or any pools for that matter. Did he?
"Row, you're getting that face again. That 'I'm thinking about me' face."
"Ah... right sorry." Row sighed, "Really hope Messa has the answers I need."
Chester crossed his arms and nodded, "I'm sure he'll have something. Now come on, go wash your hands and let's go tell the others we finished up."
After a quick wash down, Row and Chester made their way into the building. They navigated through the halls and entered the food court inside. Indeed, Rotoms where everywhere and were either relaxing or making food for themselves. Pepperoni and Cheese were in very back of the court, next to the pizza place. They had ordered a large pizza as indicated by the very large empty plate in front of them. Next to them was two Staryu, one wearing a baseball cap and the other a swimmers cap. How they were able to wear them on their legs without them falling off was a mystery.
"We're done!" Chester said.
"You know, I thought you two were going to help a little." Row added.
The Zangoose weakly waved, clearly too full to make more of an effort. "Oh you two did fine on your own," he said. He looked over at the Staryu, "Job's done."
They both nodded. "Good." Said the baseball cap wearing one, "We'll tell Jimothy that we can reopen the park tomorrow."
"Is that the Stunfisk?" Row asked.
"Yeah, he owns half the park." The swimmer cap wearing Staryu said rather sadly. Odd.
Well whatever was going on, it was time for the teams to leave. After much thanks for the pizza, they all left on the Donphan who was waiting outside. Patient lady she was.
LB
"Good job you two. Here's your reward." Miss Daisy passed on a small pouch Chester.
"Thanks!" Chester smiled.
"Now... Row." She looked over at the Ralts, "Mister Messa wants to see you in his office."
Row nodded. This was it... it had to be. He made his way upstairs towards his office. He went up to that door and knocked, "Mister Messa?"
"Come in." The Palafin responded instantly.
Row entered, taking note of the office in all its glory. In front of him was a small chair in front of the Palafin's desk.
"Take a seat please."
Row complied, sitting down. He could barely see over the table...
"Sorry," Messa chuckled, "Couldn't find a bigger seat." With a sigh, his voice became more serious sounding. "So, your friend told me about your problem." He said, "I'm sorry to hear about your memories. I've heard of amnesia before, but not even having any hidden away... I can only imagine how that would feel."
"Thanks..." Row gripped his knees tight, wondering what he was going to say.
"Now, I told Chester I would try and see if anyone I knew knows who you are. And I know a lot of people. Powerful people even." His gaze lowered, a sad expression formed on his face, "It's with a heavy heart that I must say that none of them has heard of you."
"N-None?" Row said sadly.
"I'm sorry, I really am. But there's no Ralts named Row listed or known anywhere around the region." Mister Messa sounded disappointed in himself. "With that said, I'll try and see if I can find something. I can't promise anything however."
Row gave a weak smile, "It's fine. I'm just... happy you're going through all that trouble."
"It's nothing." Messa grinned, "It's what I do." He then placed his flippers under his chin, "I'm curious though... do you mind telling me how you... arrived?"
Row shrugged, "I... woke up in a field of flowers." The image of the light in darkness flashed in his mind, but he didn't mention it.
"...Hmm..." Mister Messa nodded, "Well, that'll be all for today. I wish you the best."
"Thank you sir." Row got off his chair. With his gaze aimed at the ground, he left the office.
And with his gaze lowered and his mind wandering... he completely missed Team Buster standing next to the door, each holding a written report intended to be delivered to Mister Messa.
Ferdand looked at the Ralts with sadness in his eyes, "Poor guy. Sounds like he's having it rough."
Samuel however, looked with interest.
"...Ralts don't normally know Ice Punch do they?" He asked.
"Huh?" Ferdand looked down at his partner.
"Nothing." Samuel shook his head. "Just... thinking."