Chapter 6

Observation

The darkness overtook Avery once again...a warm stillness coiling around him...comforting him...

But it didn't last. The warmth slowly faded.

It got colder.

Colder...

Slowly, something came into Avery's view. As consciousness left him once again, the black void was replaced with a soft blue glow...surrounding him.

His muscles burned. He felt tired. Panting.

...this...this was weird. This wasn't the normal way these went...

"H...hello?" He asked. He couldn't see the orb that usually accompanied these dreams. "Hello, is anyone there...?"

There was a deep, low humming all around him. He couldn't see a thing around him. He could actually feel his body this time around, felt his feet planted upon a flat, solid surface.

He was so out of breath. Panting...panting...

All was silent...silent, until

"Congratulations, Y!

You beat your previous record by

FOUR

POINT

TWO

TWO

ONE

seconds!"

"...W...what-?" Avery furrowed his brow, looking around in utter confusion. "What are you people talking about...? W-where am I? Who are you...?"

"State resetting will begin...

NOW.

Please do your best on the next difficulty!"

The blue lights glowed brighter. Brighter. Blinding. The enormous, still and lifeless mound in front of Avery was overtaken by the bright lights.

Green...he was completely submerged in liquid. He see shadows moving in front of the glass-

GONG

"AH!"

"W...what the-" Avery yelped, sitting up suddenly and folding his ears. "A-agh, wh...who rings that thing-?!"

GONG

Vizon lied on the floor by the matress, sheets scattered, dazed and annoyed by the wall-shuddering sounds of the gong. Across the room, Avery lied, several feet from the bed.

"Ughhh...heyaa, Avery! Goodmornihg..."

GONG

"Ow!"

"It's so loud..." Avery whined, squirming on the floor. "Don't half of us have really sensitive hearing or something...?"

Avery reached for a pillow that sat next to him, pulling it over his head. He was wide awake, but he at least wanted to wait out the gongs!

GONG

Vizon did the same, looking equally as aggravated. Especially when there was a knock at the door.

"Hey guys?" A familiar voice said on the other side, muffled. Lahnae. "You up? Avery?"

"... Yeah.." Avery groaned, twice muffled by the door and pillow. "... Yeah, we're up...can't imagine how we wouldn't be..."

GONG

The door creaked open, Lahnae's face peeking in, brightening up at seeing the Plusle.

"You gunna let me BEAT you to the lineup?" She snickered. Vizon grit his teeth at the gong as it CLANGED, unmuffled by the door. "C'mon, C'mon! Let's do our best!"

GONG

Vizon gripped the pillow, getting up on his feet.

"My head's ringing..."

"M...must be nice not having ears bigger than your head..." Avery groaned. He stumbled to his feet, pillow still wrapped around his head. He finally let it drop, replacing his paws where the pillow had been. "A... Alright, Vizon, let's... Let's go."

Avery risked bringing a paw off his ear to tug Vizon up - or, because of his size, suggest to him that he should let me tug him up. Vizon softly held Avery's hand. It wasn't even a conscious thought, he just did it now. Lahnae beamed as they got up to follow her, going down the hall.

"Man, I have SO MUCH stuff planned today." Lahnae began, walking backwards down the hall to face the pair. "There's a bunch of hooligans out by Taeriana apparently and Loshjno and I are TOTALLY-"

A door beside her creaked open, Kipuuna stepping out. He gasped, stopping just short of running into Lahnae. The Torchic's voice caught in her throat as she looked at him. Her brow furrowed.

"Hmph."

Lahnae said no more, turning to walk straight to the guildhall. Kipuuna sighed, letting Avery and Vizon pass, he and Ganisus following closely behind. In the guild hall they could see Lahnae taking her place by Loshjno, Kipuuna and Ganisus moving to file in as well. Nivanee was there at the end, once again standing by herself.

Avery's eyes traced up and down the line of guildmembers, getting lost in thought as he looked at them in a new light.

'...yesterday this roll call had felt so put together. Everyone had been kind - barring administration - and I'd felt like an outsider. Like we didn't belong here.

...but...

Lahnae and Loshjno haven't succeeded in a mission in years. There's something blocking them from succeeding.

Kipunna and Ganisus have...something going on. Lahnae seems to know Ganisus better than I do, but...I've only ever seen the Shinx spaced out, and Kipunna seemed...upset, last night.

...and I still haven't seen Nivanee's sister.'

Avery let go of Vizon's hand and stood at attention.

'...what is this guild...?'

At the front of the Guild Hall Sarfallinus put down the massive ringer on the wall, the gong hanging over his office door now silent. The Infernape turned to face the Guild, hands behind his back and looking very professional.

"Guild!" He began in a loud voice.

All Pokémon in attendance lifting their heads at the ready.

"I received notice back from Olistia regarding the theft of the mysterious map at the hands of Xamao." The Infernape's gaze moved toward Avery and Vizon for a moment. "She extends apologies to our guild and to Team Azure, as the mission to retrieve the map should have been an urgent top priority handled by the elites...but it seems the Arcean Board of Historical Research thought it best to try and handle the kidnapping with an internal request instead of alerting the castle."

Avery's face fell, his hopes that the map wasn't important dashed. Everyone murmured at the information, Vizon sighing deeply as Sarfallinus continued.

"Needless to say that Castle Arceali, the Conduicy, and the elites are all on full alert, all hands on deck...though I've not had the contents of the map disclosed to me as of yet." He paused for a moment, his fist clenching behind his back. "The Arceali Guild, all of you, will be involved in this search and investigation, but Olistia and I are pondering our place in it. I'm opting for information gathering for the most part, any confrontations being handled by senior members only, specifically Team Duskwalker."

Nivanee nodded.

"With that in mind, Aquashock and Spade have the job board today, keep cleaning up those runoffs. Meanwhile, Nivanee has an assigned-"

"Duskwalker, sir." Nivanee interrupted. Sarfallinus clenched his fist again, frowning.

"Of course. Team Duskwalker has an assigned mission forwarded from the Duke of Souljraan. As agreed, Team Azure will shadow you on it."

Nivanee looked over, flashing Avery and Vizon a smile as Estaloni handed Sarfallinus a parchment.

"Expect more in the coming days on this situation with Xamao and the Thieves' Guild." He spoke. "For now...DISMISSED."

"AYE" They all shouted in unison, Avery included this time.

'...Duskwalker.'

Avery made a mental note not to refer to Nivanee as a solo member. Although he had a feeling her little sister, Janus, wouldn't be coming with them today, either.

He was, however, surprised to find they'd be shadowing Team Duskwalker. The way she said it made it sound like she'd be accompanying them. Avery reasoned that perhaps this is what she planned all along.

"...how's your head feeling?" Avery asked, looking up at Vizon. "Are you okay...? Did you get patched up alright...?"

"Oh yeah, no worries!" Vizon assured, patting the spot on his head that had struck the ground yesterday. "Riolus have skulls of pure steel! I think..."

He laughed softly as Nivanee approached, parchment held in her mouth. From here, Avery could read its contents as she set it at their feet.

6T62/V16

FORWARDED MESSAGE FROM THE BUREAU OF ARCEAN LAW, SOULJREINI DIVISION BY ORDER OF HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF SOULJRAAN JARNIGO

THIS REQUEST IS TO BE IMMEDIATELY FORWARDED TO:

_TEAM DUSKWALKER_

OF THE ARCEALI GUILD AND BE RECIEVED NO LATER THAN MIDNIGHT OF 6T62/V18

ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION: AVAILABLE TEAM URGENTLY NEEDED! THE BORDER ROUTE BETWEEN ILLAMINAMO AND ARCEA HAS BEEN BESET BY BANDITS, SUSPECTED TO BE MEMBERS OF THE THIEVES' GUILD. TEAM REQUIRED TO ENTER THE ROCKY HILLS AND ARREST ALL THIEVES' GUILD MEMBERS STATIONED.

GOODS AND IMMIGRATION TRAFFIC HAS HALTED AS OF 6T62/V14, THE WAIT QUEUE ON THE FAR SIDE OF THE BORDER HAS RISEN TO OVER FOUR HUNDRED.

POSTED BUDGET: 10,000 P

PRIORITY: MAX PRIORITY, STIPEND - 1000 P

TOTAL: 11,000 P

[THIS DOCUMENT IS FOR THE SOLE DISTRIBUTION INTERNALLY BY THE ARCEALI ELITES AND ARCEALI GUILD OF ELITE TRAINING. IF YOU ARE NOT THE INTENDED RECIPIENT OF THIS DOCUMENT OR HAVE NO AFFILIANTION WITH THE ABOVE GROUP YOU ARE REQUIRED BY CONDUICY LAW ~1034.B TO DESTROY THIS DOCUMENT IMMEDIATELY AND REPORT YOUR DISCOVERY TO THE BUREAU OF ARCEAN LAW. DOT: K2/6T60/Y5]

Avery's eyes went wide. That was a lot of reward money...and it seemed like quite a job, too.

"A border job...? Arresting... All of them?" Avery looked up at Nivanee in disbelief. "If they're holding up an entire border checkpoint there's got to be a lot there...! Is that something that four Poke'mon could do...?"

Vizon pressed closer to Avery as Nivanee stepped closer, clearly in no position to be able to answer. Nivanee, meanwhile, took no notice.

"Whether we can or can't, we've been asked, so we have to try!" The Eevee said it in such a matter-of-fact way, as if it didn't even faze her. "I get ones like this all the time, it's no issue! Some Pokémon just get fed up with being delayed until they become a runoff request that they cut out the middle man and request us directly."

She chuckled softly.

"The elites are so busy, there's always something bigger going on..." she mused. "But yes! We just have to go to Souljraan, let them know we're there and get whatever information we can then head to the Rocky hills and go for it! Oh, of course, all that's after we get out items and finances in place!"

"Right-" Avery said with a nod, turning to his partner. "Oh! That reminds me! Vizon, I went out with Lahnae last night, and we both won the jackpot...! I got more than double our money back. So we have... I think over a thousand to work with now, which is good. I'm...not going to frequent there too often, though, I don't want to push my luck too much."

Then, he turned to Nivanee.

"Is Janus going to be joining today...? I've been looking f-"

"WHA-!? How much do you have?" Vizon interrupted, snatching the coin bag from Avery in amazement, laughing. The Plusle huffed as his question was barreled over. "Geez, a few nights in the big city and you're already hitting raffle houses? You and Lahnae must have gone nuts last night...heck, I should go, next...!"

Nivanee giggled...seeming to simply ignore Avery's question about her sister for now as the topic swiftly changed.

"Tsk..." Nivanee tutted, a polite...perhaps cheeky smile on her face. "Raffle houses? How debaucherous...whatd'ya get~?"

"Ha, Lahnae told me you'd say that word...!" Avery laughed. "Budget was fifty coins, not a cent more. But, uh... We went from five hundred to a whopping 1750p...! Oh...and I won an Oran Berry, too."

"Awww, did Lahni say that?" Nivanee beamed, happy to see Avery so proud of his winnings. "She knows me so well...I'm so proud of her for doing her best every day."

Avery smiled a bit, hearing that.

"I'm proud of her too. She's got a lot of determination in her, and she really knows where her values lie. She, ah...well, she knows what she's in the guild for. It's something I kind of envy, heh..." The Plusle said, scratching the back of his head.

"Yes, having such a clear goal of who she wants to be, WHERE she wants to be..." Nivanee hummed, giggling. "...I only wish she'd listen to my counsel more often, but she's a free spirit, I guess!"

She nodded softly, beginning to walk to the exit. She waved a paw, beckoning Team Azure to follow behind her.

"C'mon, team! Let's seize the day and do our best, too! Though, when we get out there I want you to show me your process! I have enough stored in my bank and I only intend to get some items from the Kecleon brothers! You have a bank branch, don't you? You'll want to save any money you don't spend, that way you won't lose it later!"

"Y-yes, Nivanee..." Vizon muttered as the pair follow behind her. He took another look at the job notice in his hands, whispering to Avery.

"Thieves guild...the guys Xamao is with...we're seriously going to tussle with a group of them up in Rocky Hills so soon?"

"I mean, we're just shadowing, right?" Avery whispered back, looking over at Vizon. "So I don't know exactly how much we'll be doing. But... Yeah. It's pretty big, isn't it...?"

The Plusle paused, looking down at the coin bag.

"Oh, do you want to take five hundred and walk through getting some stuff for the mission? I can go and deposit the rest in the bank in the meantime," Avery offered. He knew Vizon was made nervous by the bank teller, Avery figured this would be better for him. Vizon, hearing this, stopped in his tracks, squirming.

"Do you know how to get there...?" The Riolu asked. "I don't want you getting lost, especially if you end up in-"

"Ah, splitting up tasks is the most efficient!" Nivanee interrupted, making Vizon squeak. "Vizon can come with me! Avery, since you're the team leader, you should give your partner an itemized list of things to purchase!"

Vizon was shaken.

"Y'know what, Avery...you'll...you'll figure it out, b-buddy...!" The Riolu gave a weak, wobbling smile, the glint in his eyes both pleading and thankful.

"Okay, well, uh..." Avery wracked his brain, trying to do a solid of Vizon. "...we used some oran berries yesterday...so maybe get another three orans and an apple. And maybe another Reviver Seed too, since...I used that yesterday. Is there anything else important about the journey that might need anything specific...?"

"Blast seeds, always. It's high damage in a pinch that could save your life. I'd recommend budgeting for one." Nivanee replied.

"Okay...! I'll give six hundred just in case, and I'll deposit the rest. I'll meet you guys in the square when we're done?" Avery offered, taking out the money and handing it to his partner.

"Y-yeah..." Vizon said with a wobbling smile...then leaned in as Nivanee was walking off. "Thanks, buddy...and whatever you do, stay away from the high wall in the city, alright? Stay safe."

With that, he bounded after Nivanee, the girl giving him a warm acknowledgment Avery couldn't hear that made Vizon blush immediately.

He was now alone in the street with his money to deposit.

'...Stay away from the high wall.'

'...oh...right...I'll have to go through the city alone. I'm pretty sure I know the way there but... I'm still very short. And there's a lot of very tall Pokemon.'

It was...south. He remembered that. Towering Pokémon walked by Avery, paying no mind as he walked across ornate streets...though each was distinct they also...Looked the same. Statues, pillars, archways. It was a maze of beautiful architecture. But still a maze. Avery could only look for distinct landmarks he remembered on the way to the farming branch yesterday.

Though at the time he'd been staring in awestruck wonder the whole way there. He figured he had to recognize something on the way there, surely. As long as he stayed away from the high wall Vizon mentioned.

Whatever that was.

The stone streets turned to cobblestone with more old looking brick buildings, the Pokemon looking more gruff and burly...still thankfully not paying Avery much mind. The Plusle remembered something like this, so he figured he was on the right track. Ahead, the alley seemed to get a bit tighter and dirtier. To the right the street was wide open but...just over the next few buildings he saw...

...a familiar sight, white stones on a large wall.

Avery swallowed. He was still on the right side of it, right? He didn't remember passing under it or anything...it was a long walk to the farming branch, Avery remembered that, and the town got more rural the further out he went. He just had to keep going. He kept going down the street, looking for the branch.

'I could always ask directions... Right?'

The street became more narrow, getting darker and dingier, with hooks and beams looming overhead. Pokemon walk here as well, and they continued to ignore Avery, busy with whatever it is they were doing and wherever it is they were going. Avery did well to avoid the high white wall, and he could see as it curved away from from, confirming that he was on the correct side of it.

Likewise the brick buildings began to turn to ones made of wood and the cobblestone path has turned to dirt. Thankfully still on the right track. Avery breathed a sigh of relief.

'I'm fine. This is fine. I'll have less to worry about on the way back from the bank anyway, since right now I have over one thousand coins weighing me down.'

At last, the street widened, room made for carriages with cargo and passengers, leading into the wide open area of the farming district. To the right, on another street across a field, Avery could see a tiny stand, his bank. He'd veered a little too far eastward but he could at least see it. Better than that...he made it.

There, sitting at the stand was the banker from before, the same Flaafy woman. Avery sighed in relief, and quickly picked up the pace, cutting through the field and jogging up to the counter.

"Hello again, miss...!" Avery said once he got there. "I'd like to make a deposit, please."

'...Do I need identification? I have the badge, but...'

The woman wasn't looking at Avery, not at first. She stared off to the side before realizing the Plusle was standing there. Her sharp gaze fell upon him, that same glint from yesterday in her eye.

And like yesterday, her small, perhaps forced, smile crossed her face as she stood up straight, eyes occasionally flicking away as she gave Avery her attention.

"Good morrning. May I have yourr name..." she paused. "...please?"

"Sure, it's Avery," He said. "Team Azure. I, uh...I don't know if you remember yesterday but...I wanted to apologize, kind of. It was a little awkward, and I'm sorry for that."

'Was that too forward? Maybe that was too forward. Maybe I shouldn't talk that much.'

She stared at him a moment...stared at him a long time. She seemed to be...considering Avery. Sizing him up.

Yet her faux smile never wavered. Practiced.

"Whateverr do you mean, young Avery?" She asked, her voice friendly enough but laced with...something else. Distrust? Malice? She was hard to read.

"I...Sorry, don't worry about it." Avery pushed the bag of money over the counter. "One thousand one hundred and fifty coins into the account, please."

Avery could tell that she was...uncomfortable. She had a similar accent to that Electabuzz from last night. He debated bringing it up, but decided he didn't want to come on too strongly.

She didn't trust him. And from the way Vizon had acted, she probably had a good reason to.

'...or maybe I should have a reason not to trust her...maybe I'd bring it up next time.'

"Mm...of courrse, rright away." She said, carefully taking the money in a deliberately gentle way, her motions fluid and obsessively non-threatening. In silence she put the money away, nothing breaking the silence but the wind and faint voices of the city until at last she turned towards Avery again.

"Thank you verry much forr yourr desposit. We at the One Trruth Bank arre..." her eyes flicked to the side briefly before returning to the Plusle. "...thrrilled to serrve the Arrceliaze Guild."

"...Thank you very much..." Avery returned, staring at her in confusion. Slowly, he glanced behind himself, where the Flaaffy was looking. "Are..."

His voice trailed off as he noticed something. An Escavelier guard, common in the market district but rare out here in the farming district. The armored Poke'mon leaned against a wood post fence, staring intensely, unblinkingly, at the banker.

The Flaaffy lightly coughed to regain Avery's attention, the Plusle's head whipping back around to look at her. Avery frowned a bit, deciding not to finish his sentence. Not now.

'The guard...why is he watching her...? What was up with the Poke'mon from Illaminamo...?'

Avery stood for a moment, feeling awkward, before something crossed his mind. Gingerly, he opened his bag and pulled out an Oran Berry.

"I, uh...I'm new, so I don't know if...y'know, tipping is appropriate or not, but..." He reached up and placed the berry on the counter. Avery felt like a child doing this - but...he figured it was fine! She could always just toss it if she didn't want it. "I hope you have a good day, Miss Banker."

The Flaaffy paused again, staring at the berry. She reached over, taking it in her hand, staring at it. Her brow furrowed. There was something behind her gaze. This was clear to see. Anger. Fury.

Her hand was shaking. But her smile remained stretched on her face, strained.

"Why thank you, young Avery." She croaked. "I will be surre to cherrish yourr generrous..."

She paused, licking her lips, nearly crushing the berry.

"...pittance."

Avery flinched.

"...Oh, uh...I'm sorry," He said, lowering his voice. "I didn't mean to insult you or anything, I just..."

Avery's heart sunk like a stone.

"...I'm sorry. Have a good day." Avery gave her a quick nod, and turned to leave. She clearly didn't want him there, so...he didn't want to inconvenience her any longer.

"Please do visit us again."

That was the final word for the day. All the while, the guard didn't once take his eyes off her.

Away from the farming district, back to the embrace of brick and stone, away from the banker and her gaze. Avery quickened his pace, head down, making tracks back through the city. His mind was alight with thoughts as he stewed with his hurt feelings.

'Why was the guard watching her so closely? Why did she seem so...angry with me? Was tipping, were...oran berries really pittance...? Maybe I shouldn't have tried to reach out. She probably...she probably hates me now.

More than she already did, anyway.'

Avery sighed, trudging his way back to the square, the familiar sight of bright white marble bringing some comfort, like coming back to safety.

"Avery!"

Nivanee's voice rang from the crowd in the square, breaking Avery out of his thoughts. Both she and Vizon ran up to him from the direction of the guild.

"All done? I went ahead and chipped in for the blast seed, no worry!" the Eevee informed, opening her bag to show everything she had. 3 oran berries, an apple, two reviver seeds and a blast seed. "I worked a bit of bargaining magic...aaand plus I'm a rewards member soooo...it only cost you 700 p total!"

"She haggled for ten straight minutes..." Vizon sighed. "So cool..."

Avery stared for a moment, saying nothing, still lost in his head. But, after a moment, he managed to come back to attention. He needed to perk himself back up.

"Oh, wow, you can...you can haggle with them? I thought they were like...fixed prices...!"

"You can haggle anything, whatever the number they put on it." Nivanee giggled, nestling the items in the team's satchel. "Now! Do you have your map? Did you remember where we're going?"

"Uh...sorry, I've been a bit distracted-" Avery began searching through his satchel for the map. "I know...that it's a border, we're going to be arresting bandits there that are holding up...market caravans, I think...? Maybe I should...look for the notice too-"

Nivanee and Vizon stepped up as Avery pulled out the map, showing it to the group. The Eevee lifted a paw, pointing to the picture of mountains on the west side of the map.

"There it is! Rocky hills!" She moved her paw to down toward what looked like a large tower, one Avery recognized. "...and there's Souljraan. We can take the long way by path or carriage."

"Ok! Let's do tha-"

"Buuut..." Nivanee interrupted without skipping a beat as she moved her paw down to the line of trees just east of the tower.. "We can get there faster by cutting through Tall Woods, here. We can even round up the camp of bandits there on the way!"

"...Hey..." Avery looked at the map, squinting. "That...that place with the Tower, Souljraan...that's close to where I woke up. That's where I was trying to head when the carriage you were on found me, Vizon,"

"Ohh yeeeahh!" Vizon concurred. "We did stop on the edge of the Tall Woods where we found you..."

"Found? Got lost out there, Avery? That's ok! Just follow Windscorch mountain to Arceliaze, you know!" Nivanee offered helpfully as Vizon rolled up the map, rearing to go.

"Well, ah, it's...not quite that simple," Avery said with a little laugh. "I'll...tell you on the way, I think. We should get going for now."

"Yeah..." Vizon agreed, pep entering his voice as he took his partner's hand. "C'mon, heroes don't delay!"

"Right!" Avery nodded, looking ahead. "Let's go...!"

With grand confidence, Team Azure began to march, their destination clear! To another day of adventure!

To Tall Woods!

...

Vizon stopped, noticing something was off. He stood still a moment and looked back. Nivanee hadn't followed either of them on their march. Instead she only stood in the middle of the square, head turned, staring off into the crowd.

Avery furrowed his brow, a little confused. He turned his head to try and see what or who it was Nivanee was looking at. Carefully, he followed her gaze and saw...

...

Nothing.

Nobody. An empty street. Avery glanced back towards the girl.

"...Nivanee? You alright?"

Her ear flicked at Avery's voice. Her sunny expression had fallen. Serious. Focused. Eyes staring deep into that empty road.

Bags under her eyes. Tired. Wavering.

For a long time she only stood there in an icy silence, her focused gaze piercing. Dark.

Then, all at one, it vanished.

Nivanee smiled warmly, that sunny disposition returning suddenly as she merrily trotted over to join Vizon and Avery.

"Mhm! I was just giving my silly little sister a sec to join us but she's probably too busy again. Oh well! I hope it's ok if it's just me today!"

'...Nivanee...'

"Alright, let's head out then." Avery assured, giving a smile of his own, if only to match Nivanee's. "It's alright! I'm sure we'll be able to meet the other side of Duskwalkers soon...!"

"Yeah! I can't wait for you to meet her! She's super friendly to everyone!" She said, walking with the pair. "But that'll be then...for now...let's go! Team Azure! Team Duskwalker! Dual Hearts Intertwined Combo Force!"

Vizon's eyes sparkled. So that's where that came from.

Avery felt worried about Nivanee. But he made a decision not to bring up Janus now that she wasn't...here. He hoped that she was okay. Both Janus...and Nivanee. For now, he just followed along as their team began the first leg of the journey.

The group charged dauntlessly out of the city, following the path up the valley, the trudge, once again, a hardship in of itself. Nivanee pulled ahead, leading the other two to the west, along a familiar dirt path by a familiar tree line. Even if it all looked the same, Avery could tell it was the same place he'd been found all that time ago. They walked on and on, paws splashing in old puddles, crunching in muddy path soil, until at last Nivanee stopped in the middle of the road, turning to face Vizon and Avery.

"Here we are!" She cheered.

Vizon and Avery looked around. The location was unremarkable, it was the same as the rest of the path so far: endless expanse of fields to the east, wall of trees to the west with the dirt path bordering the two.

"...I remember this," Avery said, staring up at the enormous trees that loomed over the path. "This place is...a lot scarier when things get dark, heh..."

"Everything is scarier without friends!" Nivanee assured, leaning to talk to him. "But now with us here, this forest can get as dark as it likes and it won't get scary at all! Just believe in us and you can do anything!"

The line was corny, like all her platitudes, but sweet nonetheless. Vizon was enraptured with being around her.

"Vizon! Look sharp!" Nivanee said, the Riolu straightening up immediately. "I got a notice of a group of bandits attacking travelers. They're apparently hiding out in these woods! I figured we could take care of it on the way! You should never shy away from extra work!"

Vizon nodded, at attention.

In front of them, the trees rustled quietly in the spring breeze. The air was crisp with the scent of pine. Faintly, in the dark tree line...Avery's sensitive ears picked up the creaking of branches, the rush of water, the wind through the nettles and...voices...?

"Ready to go?" Nivanee asked, breaking his concentration. Avery tilted his head, looking around.

"I...hear something," He whispered, creeping forward. He looked back at Nivanee. "Do...you? Is it just me...?"

Nivanee's ears flicked and swiveled toward the depths of the forest, Vizon doing the same. The Eevee smiled.

"Sure do~! That's them." Nivanee stated. "Overconfident criminals don't even try to hide."

"Alright, so...do we get the jump on 'em?" Avery asked.

"Mhm~!" Nivanee whispered, taking a step back. "How about you lead, Avery? Shadowing is all well and good...but I think mentoring is better! Don't worry, I'll guide you if you need any help."

"...A-are you sure...?" Avery cringed, looking at Nivanee. "I-I can count the amount of battles I've been in on both paws...!"

He held up one paw, then the other.

"..T...Two. I've...Oh, god, I've been in only two battles-" Avery stammered. He looked at Vizon, more than a little worried. "H-help me out here-"

"Then let's make it three today!" Nivanee encouraged softly. Vizon blinked, looking between Avery and Nivanee, gritting his teeth in discomfort.

"I mean..." His eyes flicked to Nivanee. "But he..."

His eyes flicked to Avery.

"...well! C'mon, Avery! If the senior guild member believes in you, so do I! Team Azure never gives up!

'...Never loses to never gives up, huh...?'

"...Alright..." Avery sighed. "I'll try."

Carefully, the Plusle began sneaking forward, checking his steps to make sure he wasn't going to tread on any errant twigs. He tried his best to use trees as cover, and attempted to see what, and who, he was up against...

Nivanee and Vizon follow closely behind Avery, the Riolu looking up at the canopy as they walked.

"Now if I know anything about these Woods it's going to get really dark up ahead." Nivanee advised. "The outlaws are at the top of the hill, though there's always ooone or two milling around."

The girl deftly stepped over twigs that Vizon haphazardly snapped. Avery looked back at Vizon, eyes wide.

"Shh, careful where you step, bud-" The Plusle hissed. "I'm trying to get in quietly...! Remember what happened last time we went in guns blazing..."

'We did end up winning, but... It could have gone a lot smoother if we were quiet.'

"Eep, sorry...!" Vizon whispered, stepping over a twig carefully onto another, different twig and snapping it. "Erf...!"

Avery's heart dropped, his ears swiveling to try and listen into the forest, checking if they'd been heard. Nothing yet, no changes. Vizon breathed a sigh of relief, continuing on carefully, Nivanee trailing up behind him.

"It's ok, just keep trying, Vizon...!" Nivanee whispered, making the Riolu lose even more focus before she turned her attention to Avery again, rattling off more advice. "Oh, and Avery, don't forget to be on the lookout for any potential recruits if someone catches your eye. Lots of criminals with no loyalty would take honest work over banditry. The conduicy pardon for guild labor helps, too~!"

Avery paused, looking back at her with a quizzical look.

"... Recruit? What do you mean...? We can... We can just add people to our team? "

"Yup! They aren't proper guild members, just subordinates you contract for jobs. Kipuuna has a few...Lahnae wants one or two but can't get anyone to follow. Me? I don't really need any other teammates, but you could always get some subordinates, yourself, if you think you need them!"

"Wait...working with...criminals?" Vizon hissed indignantly. "Bad guys? On Team Azure? In the guild?"

"Some Pokémon can be reformed, Vizon." Nivanee softly replied, making the Riolu huff. "Bad Poke'mon don't have to be bad forever. They can become good guys, too!"

"Maybe," Avery said. "I'll... Be on the lookout. Just in case."

He kept moving forward, looking at his paws to make sure he wasn't stepping on everything. Vizon was a little more unwieldly, but... Avery hoped that'd get better with time. All the while the Plusle tried to keep his ears open, but with his attention split between that and watching his step he became less aware with where it was he was even going. Deeper and deeper they went into the forest, the area steadily growing more dark as the canopy blotted out the sun, broken only by a single clearing where the sunlight was able to shine in.

Nivanee didn't seem to be worried at all, as if she already knew exactly where she was going.

Avery froze. There was a sound. Ahead he heard something like a shuffle, leaves being rustled by something other than the wind.

Avery whirled his head around, ears twitching - that was a new sensation for him - to look for where it came from. They were out in the open, wandering into a small clearing away from the cover of trees. If there was someone here...Avery knew they could get the drop on them.

"Up ahead..."

Nivanee's voice was serious as she stared over Avery's shoulder.

"I see it..." Vizon whispered. "...it's aura is glowing...neutral. Whatever it is, it doesn't see us."

"Has to be those bandits." Nivanee patted Avery's back. "Don't be scared, I have your back if anything happens. From the sounds of it they're..."

Her ears flicked and swiveled.

"30 paces north, in the dark. 31 paces. 32. We're behind them. You should strike now."

Avery nodded.

Paces...

He started to creep forward. Less attention on the twigs, more attention on closing the gap.

The element of surprise was ours. Just get the visual and it'd be time to strike-!

"20..." Nivanee breathily whispered, so quiet only they could hear.

"19"

"18"

"17"

"16"

"15"

The light of the sun had abandoned them. The canopy hung thick overhead and a dark shadow enveloped them all.

"14"

"13"

"12"

"11"

There's another shuffle, something ahead of them broke a twig.

"9"

"8"

"7"

Something moved. A faint shadow writhing on the ground.

"6"

"5"

"4"

It stopped, starting to notice something.

The Caterpie fearfully looked behind itself.

"Now."

Avery's heart leapt out of his chest as he jumped out of cover, sparking up his fists, ready to attack! His fists crackled with electricity, jumping from finger to finger!

The caterpie SHRIEKED, eyes bulging as Avery lunged with an electrical fist!

Avery stopped himself mid-strike as the Caterpie recoiled in terror. He couldn't help but hesitate just a bit.

'This little thing? There's no way it could be a bandit, right? Maybe if it tries something I'll attack but I wouldn't want to go after a bystander!'

Capitalizing on the opening, the Caterpie quickly shot a spool of string at the Plusle. Avery yelped, his left fist getting covered in the stuff.

"Ack-!"

Vizon rushed forward as Nivanee backed him up, coming up from behind. Avery still couldn't tell whether that was self-defense or not.

"A-are you a bandit-?" Avery said quickly, trying to pry the stuff off. It was so sticky...

"W-w-who's asking?" The Caterpie stammered.

"I didn't hear 'no'!" Vizon yelled, bounding over Avery towards the Caterpie.

"TWO?!" The Caterpie screamed, firing another volley of string, totally encapsulating Vizon, making him tumble to the ground, face in the dirt! The Caterpie lifted its head. Against the light at the far end of the thicket he saw Nivanee's dark silhouette.

"H-how many of you are there?!" He yelled fearfully, flopping to turn and skitter off. "I gotta get out of here!"

Avery jolted, quickly moving to help Vizon with his free arm.

"N-Nivanee what do we do-? I don't want to attack a bystander-!"

"And good of you to hesitate!" Nivanee encouraged, trotting over, whipping at Avery's bindings with an iron tail to slice through them. "But go after him! Either he's a criminal or a nature walker about to run into bandits!"

"Right-" Avery nodded, dispelling the sparks in his fists. Better to be safe than sorry. He charged forward after the Caterpie, no longer paying attention to stealth. He didn't want to attract too much attention by yelling, but if he could just catch up to him...! "There's bandit activity up here, it's dangerous! W-we're with the guild-!"

"I'm sorry I'm sorry!" The Caterpie squealed, throwing himself to the ground and giving up. "I swear I'm just in over my head! I told them we shouldn't! I just want my mom!"

Nivanee hummed, seeing the surrendering Caterpie.

"Mid teenager. Guess our 'bandits' are a bunch of rowdy kids." Nivanee mused, running behind Avery. "The reports DID sound odd. Light robbery, never took much, these kids are just experimenting with it but we gotta set them straight..."

Avery nodded, looking ahead at the Caterpie, approaching slowly.

"Okay, okay, calm down-" Avery called, raising his arms up. "We don't have to get into a fight if we don't have to. But...being a bandit is going to bring you up against me or people like me pretty soon. You know that... Right...?"

The Caterpie was crying, tears dribbling down its face.

"Y-yes..." he sniffled, shaking. Nivanee smiled warmly, watching Avery work, holding a paw down on Vizon's foot to make the Riolu hold his tongue. He looked like he wanted to launch into a speech that'd surely just scare the kid further. "I don't...I don't like stealing. It feels gross but but I don't want to leave my friends to be b-bandits."

Nivanee giggled.

"So you put in the notice, right?" She asked, the Caterpie giving a shaky nod.

Avery's expression softened.

"It's noble that you don't want to leave your friends to something like this. It... It can be scary when it feels like you're the only one who wants to do what's right. It was good of you to let people know."

He looked back at Nivanee, then back at the Caterpie.

"If we can convince your friends to stand down, there's a pardon for them if they'd like to work with the guild. They won't be punished. Is...that how it works, Nivanee?"

Nivanee nodded, stepping forward. Vizon was speechless.

"Yup, that's right! The criminal record wiped clean for a little bit of good under a guild member. And it probably pays better than banditry, too!" Nivanee explained, bouncing softly, her tail swishing. "Though I don't take permanent employees I absolutely take temporary rehabilitation recruits from time to time!"

"Y-you promise to go easy on them?" The Caterpie begged. "Lasae, she...it's not her f-fault, she's just..."

"I understand." Nivanee assured. "If they attack we will have to defend ourselves, but we'll pull our punches and be sure they're ok. Riiight, Vizon?"

Vizon folded his arms, looking away with his cheeks puffed.

"Bad guys should get jail time..." he muttered to himself, but Caterpie didn't hear.

"We might be able to take you in too if you would like," Avery said. "There's some more dangerous things happening near the border we're investigating, and if you get too close to that you could have ended up in a lot of trouble."

The Plusle looked back at the other two, then bent down to Caterpie's level.

"I'm Avery. This is Vizon, my partner, of Team Azure. And that's Nivanee from Team Duskwalker. Things will be alright... Okay?"

"Ok..." the Caterpie sniffed, slowly calming down. "I'm...I'm Salo..."

"Mmm..." Vizon hummed, hearing the name.

"It's very nice to meet you, Salo." Nivanee offered. "Can you please take us to your friends so we might stop all this?"

The Caterpie nodded, turning to lead them deeper in.

"They're...just ahead..." Salo said, gesturing up the hill.

Nivanee nodded, letting Avery take the lead. He nodded back and moved forward, following the Caterpie. There was still a chance this was a trick or an ambush, so he kept on my guard. But from Salo's reaction it seemed like going in guns blazing might scare them off, which would surely just continue the problem later.

They trudged up the hill, through a thick underbrush before finally cresting the top. The sun shone on their faces as the canopy split, the team standing in a large clearing overlooking a vast valley beyond.

This must have been where they were hiding.

'...okay how do I say this, what words-'

"Attention, bandits - under the jurisdiction of the Arceliaze guild, you are ordered to reveal yourselves...!"

'That... Sounded official, right?'

There was a shuffle, frantic whispers.

"We're not here to hurt you! We offer forgiveness for your crimes but only if you follow our instructions!" Nivanee called out.

"EPFEVI E DEBBU WOE!" A young voice cried out.

A Weedle crawled out of the bushes, looking sad.

"Fiwo atdosi, Lasaeali..." He said in a weak voice.

The first voice from the bush called again, shrill and angry.

"WEGGEPDAMU, EMMUSE! WEO E QSIHU E RAIMME GUVVAVE HOMFE!"

Salo winced, looking back at Avery, worried, then crawling forward.

"Lasaeali..." Salo began. "...fiwo essipfisvo...vo addofiseppu..."

The Weedle and the Caterpie were shaking, the Weedle looking down and crying his eyes out.

"Okay... A little too strong," Avery said quietly to himself. "... I'm sorry, I don't speak that language, but...as long as you don't attack us, we won't hurt you or anything, okay? Do you have a name?"

Avery looked around, up at the trees surrounding them.

"Is there anyone else?" He asked.

The Caterpie beckoned the Weedle over who complied at once, running to press into the Salo.

"Lasae, she's..." Salo stammered, glancing back at Avery. "...she's really angry..."

"PUP NO OPVISITTE TI NO ADDOFUPU!" The shrill voice from the bush screamed, the Weedle and Salo wincing.

"No...don't say that..." Salo pleaded to the voice, apparently Lasae. "Jeppu qsunittu..."

A Poke'mon shot out of the bush, fluttering in front of the group.

"I va dsifo e ap Arceali?" The Butterfree growled, a wild look in her eye.

The Weedle and Caterpie shook in fear. Avery looked back at the other two.

"D... Do either of you speak this language-" Avery began. The Caterpie backed up, looking up at him.

"Sh-she doesn't believe you..." Salo stammered. "S-sorry, I'm the only one of us that speaks Arcean..."

"They're Illaminian kids..." Vizon huffed, Nivanee nodding softly. "Probably from Souljraan..."

"Is there anything you can say?" Nivanee asked Salo. "Anything so she'd believe us? We don't want to hurt anyon-"

A shriek pierced the air.

"GET DOWN."

Avery gasped, Vizon slammed him down. Lasae soared past, going right for Nivanee!

"N-Nivanee look out-!" Avery shouted! Nivanee simply side stepped the wild charge. Her face was saddened but firm, watching the Butterfree as she double backed, gliding above as she prepared for another strike.

Avery looked towards Salo, eyes wide.

"If this keeps up we're going to need to defend ourselves. I'm...I'm not from here either. I don't know much about what Illaminamo is going through with Arcea, but...I'm not going to lie to you or your friends. B-but if they don't listen to us, they might get someone else sent after them, and I don't know how they're going to act...!"

"I...I tried to explain that...!" Salo pleaded. "But she-"

"NIVANNEEALIIIII" Lasae's voice roared, practically shaking the trees. Avery winced, hearing the anger, the hate in the young Butterfree's voice.

"Stop! Gisnesi!" Salo cried out. "Lasae!"

"HOASU DJI VO ENNEBBU, NIVANNEALI!" Lasae bellowed.

Avery's eyes widened. That sounded like...

"N...Nivanee, do you know them-!?" Avery stood up quickly. Nivanee shook her head sadly, her eyes never leaving the Butterfree, watching as Lasae began to swoop.

Nivanee's eyes darkened. For a brief moment the soft and warm eevee vanished.

She opened her mouth, a ball of energy forming.

"No!" Salo screamed.

The energy SHOT out. Lasae screamed! The energy slammed into her. Put her in a spin! A spiral!

The Butterfree crashed into the dirt. Tumbled. Slid and skidded.

And lied there. Breathing, but haggard.

Nivanee stared down at the girl, her eyes with that same look before she removed her badge and simply tapped it on the child, Lasae vanishing in a flash.

The Weedle blubbered and sobbed, the Caterpie pressed into him comfortingly.

Nivanee replaced the badge on her chest, softly brushing the dust from her fur with a paw.

Her eyes were normal again. Radiant and sunny.

"Never met them before in my life!" She answered simply. "Good job team! We did it!"

'I was...'

Avery stared.

'That...

What is going on with Illaminamo?'

Avery turned to face Salo and the Weedle, kneeling down, trying to show sympathy. Trying to...save face somehow.

"I...I'm sorry it came to that. They're..." Avery hesitated. He was trying to keep himself from shaking. "Lasae is okay, they're just...warped back to the guild. I..."

He looked back at Vizon and Nivanee. There was something going unsaid. And it was making Avery nervous. He felt he needed to talk to Salo alone later, if he got the opportunity...though even asking the Caterpie to join Azure's team at this point felt...almost coercive.

For a while Avery was unable to say anything. He shifted his kneeling to a seated position, and just sat with the kids for a few moments. The Weedle couldn't speak...whatever language Avery and his team were was speaking. So anything Avery said to him would mean nothing. He laid a paw close to the Weedle - not touching - and just sat for a while.

"W...We'll figure something out, okay?" Avery looked back towards his team. "I know this must be really scary, but...we'll figure something out. I promise."

"No worries!" Nivanee assured. "Lasae should only have a day or two in the local Souljreini prison and be out before you know it!"

The Weedle and Salo hugged close as Nivanee approached, footsteps crunching down the grass. Avery instinctively shifted closer to the kids.

"For now, you can join Team Duskwalker as subordinates to absolve yourself of all crimes!" Nivanee offered. Vizon trailed behind her, looking exhausted. "You'll make lots of money...!"

The Caterpie whispered to the Weedle, the Weedle shaking his head.

"We...we don't want to..." Salo said softly. "...we won't go..."

"Nivanee, hold on, just...slow your roll for a second," Avery said, raising a paw. "They're scared. Salo told us that he felt in over his head, and he just watched us knock out one of his friends in a single hit. I think...I think right now, talking about money and crimes is..."

He paused, looking back at the two of them on the ground.

"I can't leave you two here alone," Avery said softly. "I wouldn't feel good about that. But...I can stay here with you guys, help you calm down. Here, uh-"

He was about to reach into his bag, but stopped. He remembered the Flaaffy's reaction to being given a gift. He tried asking first.

"...Would eating something help?" He offered, trying to take an Oran berry out. But just before he could get a reply, the Eevee stepped in again.

"Avery, c'mon now...! We've got another mission to attend to you know..." Nivanee pursed her lips. "I'm trying to help them here, but if they don't join the guild then they're still marked by the guild as crimin-"

"No." Avery interrupted. There was a shake in his voice. Both Vizon and Nivanee looked taken aback by the Plusle...standing his ground. "We...Nivanee, we can't...we...I don't know what the law says. I know you told us how it works but...this isn't right, is it? Those...can't be our only options, right? We're guild, we..."

"Catch the criminals." Nivanee finished.

"But that can't be all there is, right?" Avery stammered, looking between Nivanee and Vizon, his frown deepening, heart sinking. "There can't...we can't do this, Nivanee. Right? We...we..."

His voice tapered off. He shrank and recoiled under the gaze of his team. Vizon only stood by, looking almost split between Nivanee and Avery, looking between the both of them slowly.

A silence now cut through the group of Poke'mon.

Nivanee stared long at Avery.

Hard at Avery.

Before she sighed, defeated.

"...alright..." She said at last. Avery's ears perked as the Eevee sighed.

She was quiet a moment, Avery waiting with bated breath what came next. She looked as though she were choosing her words carefully.

"...I admit, I'm not very good with children." She said, stepping forward and walking around the Plusle, making her way down the hill. Vizon sighed, rubbing his neck as she left. "I'll trust both of you to handle them, I'll make my way to Souljraan in the meantime...to handle the rest."

Avery nodded, feeling unsure, watching the Eevee as she disappeared past the brush. A chilled wind blew through the trees of Tall Woods that made Avery shiver.

"Hungry..." Salo hiccupped quietly now that Nivanee was gone, bringing Avery's attention back to the kids. The Plusle nodded, pulling out an apple from his bag. It took a bit of straining, but he was able to pull it into rough halves, giving one to each of them. All the while, Vizon only stood by awkwardly.

"Tell me if you need more, okay?" He offered, looking back at Vizon, then where Nivanee went.

The Riolu was quiet, staring down the hill, eyes tracing the valley beyond. Avery lifted his head, staring at the Riolu for a moment.

"...you didn't say anything..." Avery sighed, looking up at his partner. "...why?"

Vizon shuddered, shaking his head.

"...I was scared. She's our senior, Avery. What she says...that's what we should do, isn't it? She wouldn't steer us wrong, would she...?" Vizon said, a bit of finality to his voice.

Avery was quiet, unsure what to say. Salo sniffed as the he and the Weedle finished their food, looking up at Avery. The Plusle turned back to face the kids.

"C-can we g-go home?" Salo stammered.

"I-" Avery frowned. "I don't know. I'm...I'm new to...a lot of things. I'd like to get you two home, though. And your friend, too. Where is home for you two?"

"Soul...souljrei...ni..." Salo squeaked, pointing to the tower. Vizon's assumption was right.

"Can you two, uh...get home by yourself if we take you back to town?" Avery asked.

Salo nodded softly, whispering to the Weedle in Illaminian, the Weedle nodding.

"I don't...really know what the policy is about this sort of thing," Avery said slowly. "If you just want to go back home, then we can do that, and I'll try and get your friend back to you as soon as I can."

Avery stood up, leaving the kids for a moment to move over to Vizon, whispering closely, trying to keep his voice down.

"Hey...If these guys go home without being pardoned, what happens?"

Vizon was sweating, squirming, uncomfortable.

"They'd still be criminals..."

He swallowed. Avery wiped his forehead.

"But Lasae should be jailed in Souljraan right now..." Vizon continued. "They have a local cell..."

"...This...isn't great," Avery huffed quietly. "It...you heard it too, right? Lasae, she...she was saying Nivanee's name, almost. Right? That wasn't just me...?"

"Y-yeah...I heard it." Vizon admitted, side-eying the kids. There seemed a tinge of...distrust in his eyes. His trust clearly lie solely in Avery. "I think...she was probably just mad. I mean, Nivanee is fairly famous among guildmembers...right?"

Avery sighed, pinching between his eyes, sadness and aggravation mounting. He looked back at the kids, both of them looking up as he spoke. Options and ways out kept flashing in his head, one by one quashed the more he thought.

"I don't think we can trick the guild into thinking we arrested them when we didn't...If it gets out that we did that, then we all could get into a lot of trouble. It wouldn't even be that hard to verify. But...what we could do, is...we could get to Souljraan, talk to Lasae without Nivanee there, and..." Avery wilted a bit, biting his lip. The kids squirmed at his hesitation. "...We'll see what we can do about this."

The pair of kids nodded softly, shivering, not letting go from one another.

"O-okay..." Salo muttered sadly, looking up at Avery. "Just so long as I can go home to mom..."

Vizon sighed, stepping away.

"Avery, they're more comfortable with you, you lead them." He said, making tracks after Nivanee. "Shall we get to Souljraan?"

"...Mom..." The Plusle grimaced, waving the children over. "...Oh jeez- Yeah...yeah. We'll go to Souljraan for now. We don't need to talk about this any more for now if you don't want to, okay? Come on, let's get you home."

The two nodded, unfurling from one another, trailing behind as Avery followed Vizon down the hill. The thick foliage changed to high yellowed grass across a sun-bleached valley, strong and cool spring wind rolling over the grass. After passing by a berry farm they found the path leading up to the city itself. All the while, that mind-bogglingly massive tower loomed on the hill above, the same Avery had seen from so far away when he first dropped in.

Nobody said a word the whole walk.

As they crossed the valley, the path turned from a dirt color to a greyish color. Gravel and stone adorned the landscape betwixt tree and bush, no doubt the land turning more and more into the "Rocky Hills" with every step.

And soon...they entered the city.

Avery looked around at the rustic place, and the tower's silhouette dominating the horizon in the background. Behind it were jagged hills of rock and stone, rising over the rolling hills of farmland and smaller buildings. It was a lot quieter, a lot more quaint than Arceliaze. It was...a nice contrast. Thinking of these kids in a city like Arceliaze all alone was scary. Really scary.

But Avery knew what that was like. He was new to Arceliaze too.

"How are you two doing?" Avery asked, looking back at the two of them. "You been kind of quiet...are you two and Lasae siblings?"

Salo shook his head.

"No...Lasae is just a friend..." the Caterpie replied, looking down, clearly still feeling guilty. "...she's...really nice and she kept us safe from mean Poke'mon but..."

Vizon pulled ahead, craning his head as if looking at something.

"She started talking and making new friends and just got...angrier and angrier. Her mom is really nice but Lasae ran away from home and we went after her and..."

"...I'm sorry," Avery said softly. "We'll-"

"What is that...?" Vizon muttered, making Avery pause. He looked up at Vizon, jogging up to him.

"What is what...?" Avery asked. Vizon pointed up the road.

"Who is Nivanee with...?" the Riolu asked, stopping in his tracks to let his partner catch up.

Just ahead, by a modest wood building with a few carriages beside, Nivanee stood. With her were three other Poke'mon that she seemed to be talking to...they were what looked to be a Shiny Butterfree, a Beedrill and...a very cross looking Jynx.

Standing by the Jynx, staring at the ground, was...Lasae.

"Mom...?" Salo whispered. Avery's eyes widened.

"...Oh no-" He looked at the two of them. "Come on, let's go see what's happening."

Avery waved them to follow, keeping close to Vizon as they approached. A pit was forming in the Plusle's stomach; he was expecting them to be angry with him. As they got closer Nivanee's ear flicked, looking back at the both of them, a wizened expression on her face as they approached.

The Butterfree and the Beedrill fluttered up, looking seriously at the kids, the both of them breaking away from Avery and Vizon, jumping at each of their parents. The Beedrill spoke Illaminian to his son, the Jynx following close behind with Lasae in tow.

The Beedrill and Butterfree hugged their children, even as they spoke firmly in their native tongues, but the kids looked too relieved to see their parents again to care.

The Jynx, meanwhile, pushed Lasae forward, hissing a command.

"Tdate." The Jynx said. Lasae looked away, her brow furrowed.

"...No Fotqoedi." Lasae muttered, unenthusiastically. Almost bitterly.

"And now frrom me." The Jynx spoke, her Illaminian accent thick. She looked very seriously at Avery and Vizon. "I apologize. Verry much. Forr all this trrouble. Please...please do forgive my daughter, Arceali guild."

Avery looked to Vizon, and back to the Jynx.

"I'm just glad that Lasae is alright, and we were able to get everyone home safe...they're good kids." He rubbed his arm awkwardly, looking to the Beedrill and Butterfree. "There's...some things we might need to discuss, but for now, I'm just glad everyone is..."

He gave a quick glance to Lasae.

"...mostly alright."

"I assurre this excurrsion will warrrent...much talking to." The Jynx put in, glancing down at Lasae...the woman seemed to be Lasae's mother.

"Thank you for brringing sweet Salo back..." Salo's mother spoke kindly, hugging her child close. She, too, had a thick accent like the Jynx. "I was terrified...terrified what might happen. When miss Nivanee told me what it was they werre doing..."

She sighed as the Beedrill scolded the Weedle. Nivanee stepped aside and approached Avery and Vizon, tail swishing merrily.

"What would you need to discuss, Avery?" Nivanee asked, smiling as she stepped up. The Plusle eyed her suspiciously before he spoke.

"...It's...well...I guess I haven't myself seen the report," He sighed. "What, uh...penalties are they facing? I'm not sure if they've...actually done any bandit stuff themselves."

He looked at the two of them, feeling worried. But in response, Nivanee's smile was...small. Even humble. She looked softly at the parents as they held their children then back to Avery.

"After a few pulled strings? Scolding and a week's grounding at most." the Eevee admitted, shaking her head. "They're...children, Avery. All the stolen items were on Lasae and have already been put into circulation for returns."

Her tail swished again and she shook her head sadly, shamefully.

"I'm sorry, to the both of you. I didn't conduct myself like a guild member back there, did I? I was...acting like some kind of mindless zombie or something, thinking more about mentoring you than just...common decency. I wasn't even considering..." Nivanee's voice tapered off as she swallowed, looking away. "I've...always been bad with children."

She laughed.

"I was meant to be mentoring you, you know. Yet look who's learning the lesson...to always be mindful, no matter what. I'm sorry. I swear I'll not let either of you down again."

Vizon blinked, disbelief across his face. Nivanee stepped closer, nuzzling softly into the pair.

"You two...will no doubt be shining paragons for this guild."

Avery put his hand on his chest, letting out a deep sigh of relief. He almost didn't hear her apology from the sheer wave of relief that washed over him. It was strong enough that the nuzzle Nivanee gave him actually tipped him over onto his rump, jolting him out of his daze.

"Oh thank goodness-" Avery breathed, getting back up to his feet. "It...I was stressed. I didn't really know whether we were being tricked...and when you got attacked, I was...I hesitated. If they'd been hardened criminals and not kids, all three of us could have gotten really hurt. I don't...I'm sorry, too."

"Don't apologize. You did the right thing. Throughout the whole thing, you did what was right." Nivanee smiled. "Not by the letter...but by the spirit. I remember...a certain someone else that was like that..."

She smiled wistfully...nostalgic...but then frowned at once, realizing she's slipped up.

"Is. is like that." She hastily corrected her statement, shaking her head. Vizon could help but glance back at Avery.

'...Janus?'

Avery gave Vizon a little shrug, turning his attention back to Nivanee.

"Just...give me a little bit, and then we can continue the mission," He said, breaking from the group and walking forward to Salo. The Caterpie softly pulled away from his mom, the Butterfree holding him in her arms so that he could look at Avery as he approached.

He smiled warmly, which the Caterpie returned.

"Are you going to be okay? You and your friend?" The Plusle asked.

"Mhm...thank you so much, A-Avery..." The little Caterpie squeaked. "...T-Team Azure is the coolest..."

Vizon was beaming.

"Well...hey," Avery said, giving the Caterpie a little grin. "When you get older, and you get stronger...and your parents say it's okay...maybe you could join us sometime for a mission or two. Until then, keep an eye on each other and Lasae for me, alright?"

Salo's eyes watered, but the look he gave was joyous...and determined.

"I'll keep them safe." He promised, voice firm and sure. His mother smiled, snuggling him close again as Vizon walked up and put a paw on Avery's shoulder, watching as the parents took their kids off.

"...huh..." He mused quietly.

Avery gave him a little pat on the back, smiling as the trio of families disappeared down the road.

"...What's up?" Avery asked, looking over at Vizon. The Riolu was quiet, his red eyes glimmering in the soft afternoon sunlight. The strangest mix of shame for his inaction and inspiration at what he'd seen mixed in his expression.

"...so that's what it means to be a guild team."

[[ MISSION COMPLETE ]]

Results: Team Azure Successfully Cleared Tall Woods!

Recruits: None

Rewards: 0 p

Chapter 6

Observation