Chapter 16

Burst

Team Aquashock and Team Azure crossed the bridge of light together, paws at last hitting the ground of Dovve Fo Uddjo proper.

Before them was a concrete path leading toward a high archway. Spreading before the two teams, towering high above, dominating the horizon, was grand metropolis unlike anything Avery had seen in Arcea.

Massive square panels dominated the sky, displaying information. False blue fire adorned angular torches. Water gently lapped all around the pathway lined with small lights. The city ahead was a grand cacophony of floating islands, fantastical architecture, spires and arches unthinkable. Structures and statues whose only purpose could only be known by the psychics themselves dotted every street corner.

It was, without a doubt, a fitting paradise for the wisest minds in all of Tulaan. And it was here they'd find a psychic powerful enough to track down Xamao.

The teams stood in awe, taking the visage in, stepping forward. The moment they crossed the threshold, more screens appeared in front of each of them. Avery squinted, reading his own.

[Welcome,

AVERY

to Dovve Fo Uddjo! We hope you enjoy your stay! Please feel free to make use of all the city's automated functions including but not limited to: information services, telecommunications, remote shopping, activity searching, and so on! At any time, you can access your panel with a flick of your wrist and dismissing it with the same gesture! Thank you very much for your visit!]

Avery could see each of his teammate had a similar screen, personally addressing them. Flick of the flipper, flick of the paw, each message was personalized to them.

"Wow...what...is this...?" Vizon mutterd, waving his hand through the projection.

"Psycho-holograms. You can do all kinds of amazing things with psychic energy, including mass-illusions like this one." Nivanee explained...though looked no less amazed by the screen in front of her. "Still...no wonder this place is so exclusive. I feel so...blueblood even being here. This place is incredible!"

Jolvia hummed, flicking through the screens with a claw.

"No kidding...I've seen psychic applications similar to this but nothing at this scale...the amount of psychic energy needed to maintain all this must be..." Jolvia clicked her tongue. "...astronomical."

"...Almost makes me wonder if there's better applications for this kind of power," Avery mumbled to himself. "Like these guys are shut away in here...imagine how Arceliaze would look if this sort of technology was used to make that city better...!"

He dismissed the window for now, looking around at the city proper.

"But, uh... We're on business, ha..." Avery recovered from his amazement, facing his team again. "So I don't think we have the time to sightsee. Do we know who we're supposed to go to for help with the Thieves' Guild issue? Is there a mayor, or commissioner or something?"

'How is anyone supposed to find anything in this place? It's almost as if everything is trying to force itself into my eyes at once. I've never felt so...invaded. But everyone else seems so enraptured with it, as far as I can tell. Maybe I'm looking at it the wrong way.

...Maybe I'm still a bit upset about that Mr. Mime.'

"You've got me." Nivanee admitted. "I don't know the first thing about Dovve Fo Uddjo, but I bet it's like any mission or town."

Jolvia side-eyed Nivanee in thought then looked back to her own screen.

"Search: Is there a mayor or commissioner?" Jolvia said aloud. Her screen lit up.

[SEARCHING]

"So that's how this works..." Jolvia mused as options appears on her screen. Vizon and Nivanee leaned in.

[DID YOY MEAN:

1) Psycho Regent | 2) Chancellor of Outer Affairs | 3) Office of Internal Inquiries | 4) Fat Daddy's Big Pot Roasts?]

"Hmm...a psycho Reagent? Is the Poke'mon who's actually in charge out right now?" Vizon asked. Nivanee huffed.

"I dunno..." the Eevee reiterated, seemingly frustrated. It seemed not being the knowing mentor got to her when in unfamiliar territory.

"Why not just search for a psychic that can track a Poke'mon? That'll get us out quicker." Kipuuna suggested, turning to his own screen. "Uh...search: psychic that can track pokemon..."

[SEARCHING...0 results. Tourists please see our information kiosk at the External Affairs Office for further questions]

"Guh...c'mon..." Kipuuna grunted. Ganisus didn't pay attention, looking over at Jolvia's screen instead as the Nidorina flipped through options.

"...the tourist kiosk wouldn't have information about this specifically, right?" Avery said, turning to the others to see if they disagreed. Different viewpoints were important, after all. "Like...they wouldn't just tell any rich aristocrat who rolls up with a question like 'give me a Pokemon that can track Xamao and also the location of the best chili place' where to find both those things, right?"

Avery huffed, crossing his arms.

"I don't exactly know what a Psycho Regent is, but it sounds like they'd be in charge of...powerful psychics, right? And then the Chancellor of Outer Affairs sounds promising too, considering... Xamao probably isn't in here."

Part of him did want to sightsee this city a little. Part of its concept almost rung...familiar, somehow.

"Considering what we've seen so far I wouldn't be surprised if you can get free criminal tracking with a bowl of chili..." Vizon grumbled, Nivanee snickering at the thought.

"Mmm...looks like the Regent is just an upper crust lawmaker." Jolvia informed, swiping at her screen. "Internal Inquiries...I can't even decipher what this is even for, something about the upstanding of psychic fortitude and wellbeing of citizens? Sounds useless..."

"So...uh..." Ganisus began, surprisingly getting involved in the conversation. "...external affairs, then?"

Kipuuna perked up, looking over, seeing Ganisus standing by Jolvia at her screen.

"I think so...the kiosk and the Chancellor are there..." Nivanee agreed. "But I dunno how someone knowing about things on the outside will help..."

"Uh...well..." Ganisus continued. "...I guess, like...since we're guild he'd uhhhh..."

"Yeah?" Vizon urged.

"...get us acquainted with things on the inside..." Ganisus's voice drawled, as though he struggled to force out the words. Yet they spilled out, the most Avery had heard from him. "...so, like...the others might not take to us as well if this...place is Isolated...and stuff..."

Kipuuna only stared, idly dismissing his screen. His face remained unchanged.

But he looked very intently at the group around Jolvia.

"That might be our best bet," Avery said with a nod to Ganisus, giving him a little smile. "I don't know if you guys heard what I was dealing with with that Mr. Mime and Smoochum, but... I get the feeling that if we aren't careful who we talk to here we're...Not exactly going to be welcomed with open arms."

"Yeah, I caught wind of that, what was that guy's damage?" Vizon huffed, shaking his head. "The people are here are kinda..."

"Eccentric, maybe. Let's use that word." Nivanee kindly suggested. "So we can expect them to be a little hard to reach."

"Unless Nivanee just, on a whim, wants to evolve into an Espeon...?" Avery gave her a little grin. "Set your future in stone to give us a leg up on a single mission? Ehh? Ehh?"

"I was thinking more Glaceon, honestly, but I'm keeping my options open." Nivanee giggled, nudging the Plusel with a laugh. Jolvia sighed, dismissing the screen.

"Well, let's make tracks. Look, there." Jolvia pointed to the smooth stone ground, a line of gently strobing dots marking a path leading deep into the city. "It's providing us directions to the Office of External Affairs."

"Holy cow..." Nivanee said in awe. Rikzyod scratched his head, clearly thankful Jolvia was here to work the complicated screens.

Watching all this was Kipuuna, standing a ways from the group, silently staring. Avery glanced back at the silent Piplup, perking up.

"...What's up, Kipuuna...?" The Plusel asked with a little more caution. "What are you thinking?"

Kipuuna only glanced at Avery...and sneered briefly, turning away as the group began to move, Vizon taking the Plusel's hand.

Avery flinched. For a moment he felt that tug of fear and uncertainty. But...Vizon's hand helped ground him. Vizon was here. Everyone was here. Even...Even Ganisus was here.

Kipuuna was the odd one out.

Kipuuna was the weird one.

Kipuuna was-

...

'No. I won't be like him. I don't understand what's going on with him, why he hates me, why he has tensions with Ganisus...Why someone so smart would do something as stupid as throwing his unprotected body in front of an attack directed at his incredibly protected teammate.

As always, there's something going on that I don't understand. But I'm not going to be like him.

...I'm going to act like an adult, and resolve this before it gets worse...all I need to do is hold my composure. All I have to do is keep my cool, and not melt down.'

For now...Avery followed the line.

"You were a great help in the security battle, Rik," Avery said with a little laugh, turning to the Geodude. "You held your own against... What, ten of those things? It was really impressive...!"

"AAUUUGH what a career choice this has been!" Rikzyod roared, slamming Avery on the back. "I still have a splitting headache from all those mind attacks! How REVITALIZING. I would have never faced foes like this doing mercenary work."

He gave Avery a sideways glance, smirking.

"I hope you do not mind if I hog a few of these battles, boss. After all, I feel I am owed after being left out of your fun at River Delta, uh?"

"Yeah...'fun'..." Vizon muttered good-naturedly. Nivanee smiled, pressing against him and Avery.

"Sounds like quite an adventure." Nivanee said merrily. "And to think you'd meet someone like Jolvia there~!"

Jolvia gave a wry smile as the group followed the lit path.

And Ganisus walked among them, between Vizon and Jolvia. Kipuuna, however, hung behind the group, silent.

The streets of the city were brilliant. The same holographic screens they had seen elsewhere dotted the street corners and the front of shops. Arcs of purple psychic energy flowed between buildings. Massive iron containers floated on glowing purple rails high above between monolithic towers that loomed overhead. Eye shaped statues glowed bright.

All around were ponds and streams and water, crisp and clear, lining the pathways and adding to the brilliant aura of the gorgeous city.

They could see hotels and restaurants, they could see brick stands with items and technical machines and orbs and scrolls and books. Very few statues or other such decorations were present, unless they glowed...for some purpose perhaps?

Avery's coin purse, with only 2000p in it felt... heavy. He wanted to spend it, he wanted to buy things that he might never get the chance to buy anywhere else...after all, would he ever be able to come back here? Probably not!

...A small voice in the back of his head was yelling at him that this was how the tourist trap city wanted him to feel.

Soon the path took them under a large gold and purple archway leading to a rather large building with a pointed Dome. The front entryway was a simple Arch with a purple force field.

The group approached, the force field splitting, a disembodied voice greeting them in a peppy tone.

"Good morning! And welcome, travelers, to the office of external affairs! Please find our information kiosk to learn more about historic Dovve Fo Uddjo or schedule an appointment with a professional guide or the external affairs counselor!"

The entry hall inside was absolutely bustling, with Poke'mon of all kinds of sizes and shapes walking to and fro, screens pulled up in front of them and making them look very busy.

Avery looked at the hustle of the large crowd of Poke'mon here. With Kipuuna hanging behind them like he was the Plusel was almost worried they'd lose the Piplup in the crowd.

'Bah, maybe he wants that. He doesn't need us anyways, right, Kipuuna?'

There, in the center of the massive atrium, sitting upon reflective tile flooring, was a small little stand with a screen floating above that said [INFORMATION].

"This place reminds me of-" Avery's voice stopped. Or, his train of thought did. There was...some location in the back of his mind. "...Information seems promising."

Vizon nodded, following Jolvia and Nivanee's lead as they moved up to the kiosk. Ganisus walked close beside, lifting his forepaws on the console to look at the screen with the both of them.

"Appointment...Appointment..." Jolvia muttered.

"There..." Ganisus said quietly.

"Ah, thank you." Jolvia said, tapping the screen. It was faint...but Avery almost saw Ganisus smile.

The trio tapped a few more screens, a line of lights appearing from the kiosk and leading deeper into the building.

"Aha, nobody's ahead of us it looks like! We can just go straight in!" Nivanee cheered, bounding from the kiosk. The group's footsteps tapped on the cool tile, the air feeling very crisp in general. Vizon sighed in relief, leading Avery with the group, Rikzyod floating by the Plusel, taking in the sights.

"Haugh...pencil pushers, it looks..." Rikyzod huffed, staring through the glass windows of the offices, the desk Poke'mon inside awkwardly averting their gaze. "Dull, dull. Need me more of that Psyshock."

"I beg you don't waste reviver seeds, Rik..." Vizon huffed. "They're kind of...expensive."

"No reviver seeds needed if you take the pain like a FIGHTER."

"Shhshh, hang on, this is the one." Nivanee shushed, stepping up to a set of double doors, oval shaped and massive, towering over them in a hallway several times the size of any of them. This part of the hall, it seemed, was rather empty.

"Avery, Kipuuna." Jolvia spoke up, stepping aside. "Maybe best if the team captains take point here?"

"We'll back you up, of course!" Nivanee assured.

Kipuuna said nothing, pausing only a moment before stepping forward nearer the group, standing before the door, sharply glancing back at Avery.

Yet this time Avery felt...better about this. Better about how...everyone was. Save for the deadweight, everyone here...everyone was on the same page. This was good.

Avery stepped up to the door, giving Kipuuna a...similar look.

'I'll solve that problem later.'

Avery reached forward...and knocked.

"I hear you." A muffled, deep and powerful voice came from the other side of the door. "I have the appointment, who am I speaking to?"

The sparks between Avery and Kipuuna flew for a moment longer before the Piplup cleared his throat and spoke.

"Guild of Arceliaze, Team Azure and Team Aquashock, reporting." Kipuuna said in an official voice. "We come on business on behalf of Olstia, Conduit Arceali."

There was a pause, Kipuuna's voice echoing in the hall.

Then, the massive ornate doors opened on their own, as though by magic...or psychic energy, heavily creaking to reveal a massive circular office, a window overlooking the city.

There was a desk...behind it, a chair, turned away from the group.

"Arceali Guild." The Poke'mon in the chair spoke, still obscured. His voice was guttural, thrumming, reverberating as it carried. "I admit I had a premonition you would come. There was a fortune that told me the Arceali Conduit would need us here at Dovve Fo Uddjo..."

'...Okay. He's speaking to us, that's good. Sure there's...a bit of self-aggrandizing, but I can deal with that, that isn't the end of the world. As long as he doesn't just dismiss us.'

"Yes, sir," Avery said with a little nod. "Your premonition was correct, sir."

'I don't know whether he actually did have a premonition or not...if he did, that's impressive though! Maybe that's why we were able to get through so quickly.

...If not it doesn't hurt to stroke his ego a little.'

"We're currently undergoing a crisis that has the possibility of threatening Arcea and perhaps all of..." Avery paused. He was having trouble remembering the continent's name. "...All of Tulaan. We need Dove Fo Uddjo's help in locating Xamao of the Thieves' Guild."

"Hmmm..."

The Poke'mon behind the desk...his hum was long, almost scary.

"...locating Poke'mon...where they are in the world...tracking them." The voice mused, booming. "A power always sought after in times of crisis...and dangerous. You want our help in doing this for you? Against such a prominent figure in the infamous Thieves' Guild?"

Kipuuna furrowed his brow.

"So you already know him. And you know how dangerous he is." Kipuuna put in. "He's going after artifacts that threaten the safety of the world."

The Pokémon in the chair was silent. Unnervingly silent.

"Hmmm..."

Slowly, the chair began to turn, creaking.

At last, the Chancellor faced them.

A lil' Spoink looked at them with beady eyes.

"Ok!" He squeaked. "We'll help you!"

Everyone seemed to sigh with relief...for more than one reason. The Spoink jumped up onto the table cheerily, bouncing rhythmically as he spoke.

"I'm Xonitus! Nice to meetcha!" His voice sounded normal now. Was his booming voice from before just...psychic tricks?

"Psychic types..." Vizon muttered quietly.

"Sooo you just need to know where Xamao is off to?" the Spoink asked.

"Maybe what it is he plans." Kipuuna added.

Avery nodded in agreement, trying to keep his composure up. He didn't want to seem unprofessional!

"Yes, Xonitus, sir. We really appreciate any assistance you can give us...!" Avery said.

"Well, you see...that's kiiinda tricky!" The Spoink explained, hopping off the desk.

"Howso...?" Kipuuna asked.

"Well, searching around here in Dovve Fo Uddjo is easy-squeezy! Look, even I can do it!" Xonitus pulled put a screen to demonstrate, the screen showing [NO PERSON FOUND: XAMAO (THIEVES' GUILD)]. "So you at least know he's not here!"

The Spoink dismissed the screen, tsking.

"But we have SE-towers all over the place, the psychic network is teeming with enough energy to search for anyone on or off our network...but only here." Xonitus looked out the window, bouncing towards it. "Since he's a high profile criminal I doubt he's on Arceliaze's psychic network soooo...it'd be a blind search across the entire continent! He could be anywhere! And that would make any normal psychic Poke'mon's brain have...more than just a severe headache."

Nivanee sighed, thinking hard, Kipuuna folding his arms. Everyone seemed stumped.

But without missing a beat, Ganisus piped up.

"So...uh...what about, like...abnormal psychic Pokémon?" The Shinx asked. The Spoink hopped up, looking at Ganisus.

"Aha! Good question!" Xonitus exclaimed. "You'd be right, it is here psychic Pokémon from all over come to hone their powers! Some beyond that of a normal Poke'mon!"

Avery blinked in surprise, hearing Ganisus speak up like that. He looked back at the Shinx, with a shocked, but impressed look on his face.

"Hey, nice catch, Ganisus...!" Avery said, giving him a smile. He turned back to Xonitus. "I'd have to assume there's some really powerful Psychic Poke'mon here...I've never seen a city close to this before, there's got to be a lot of adept psychics at work around the clock to keep a place like this running."

Avery thought to himself for a moment.

"Though that does make me wonder what it'd take to enlist the help of one of those abnormal Psychic Types..."

"Well...I can certainly tell you that a psychic that powerful wouldn't be doing menial work around here to keep up the city's psychic grid." The Spoink explained. "Psychics powerful enough to scan Tulaan would be masters of the psychic arts, the kind to dedicate their life to the study...and for that they go someplace..."

Xonitus paused, leaning in.

"...special..."

Kipuuna blinked, the rest of the group looking at one another.

"What do you mean 'special'?" Nivanee asked. Xonitus turned away, a thoughtful look on his face.

"There's colleges in Dovve Fo Uddjo, places of learning, places of study and experimentation. But none of these compare to the one true university of Dovve Fo Uddjo..." The Spoink explained. "...it's a realm of thought and strangeness, a realm of non-linear logic and impossible geometry. A place where the foundations of the world crumple and are laid bare...and it is a place our strongest psychics have turned into the finest institution of research..."

Xonitus's face grew serious.

"...we only call it The Deep Dimension." The Spoink said at last.

"The deep dimension...a university you say?" Kipuuna sounded intrigued.

"That's what the Poke'mon that inhabit the Deep Dimension call it...but it's a confusing place of madness, one fit to break the mind. It's a place few would dare to go..." The Spoink perked up, smiling. "Though, ones not as psychically inclined as yourselves might be able to go through it and not go mad...though you might be confused going through it. Make no mistake, it's the domain of powerful psychics, an esoteric space built for themselves...and nobody else."

Kipuuna shuddered, his confidence clearly wavering bit by bit.

"I see..." The Piplup muttered. "Sounds...dangerous."

"It does sound dangerous!" Rikzyod cheerfully called out. The Spoink nodded.

"Very dangerous. Who knows what experiments and holograms and thralls gone made you'll find down there..."

"And who exactly would we be looking for?" Nivanee asked, stepping up to the desk.

"There's a few candidates...perhaps you'll learn more in The Deep Dimension itself? Some information on who to search for in there and where to find them. Rest assured, if anyone is going to track down your Xamao, they're guaranteed to be in the deep dimension." Xonitus said at last.

Avery thought about it, stroking his chin. None in their group was a psychic type, so it sounded like it might be confusing, but not...insanity-inducing. That was good.

"So like a funhouse, maybe," Avery mumbled. "A...dangerous funhouse. Well..."

Avery turned to the rest of his team, and Ganisus.

"What does everyone think...?" Avery asked. "If it isn't us, then someone has to go down there. And if it isn't us, then someone will need to get more vouchers and fight through that...security system again. I think our best and most time-efficient shot at getting closer to stopping Xamao is to strike while the iron's hot. But...how does everyone else feel?"

"Dangerous, sure, but nobody said this would be easy!" Nivanee's voice was cheery and confident. "We're the best qualified here to take care of this. It's been asked of us..so you know what I say...we have to try!"

"Yeah! Of course I'll do down there! Team Azure NEVER gives up!" Vizon cheered, Nivanee cheering with him excitedly. Jolvia smiled, amused, giving a more composed answer.

"After all we went through with the security system it'd be foolish to give up at this point." Jolvia added. "Navigating a confusing University may prove easier than hoards of aggressive holo-Poke'mon."

"Do I even have to answer?" Rikyzod asked. "I have already told you, Avery, I would follow you into any abyss...even this one!"

Kipuuna was quiet, thinking hard, staring intently at the Spoink.

"I don't know...I feel like-"

"I'll do it." Ganisus interrupted, making Kipuuna jump. The Piplup looked over, a shocked look on his face. His eyes fell on Ganisus, the Shinx standing amongst Avery's group, his yellow eyes staring back blankly.

"We...?" Kipuuna began.

"I'm in." Ganisus interrupted again. A deep frown was on the Shinx's otherwise blank look. Kipuuna's face hardened...stony...yet not angry.

Just...hurt.

The Piplup said nothing, only looking away.

"So?" Xonitus asked. "Will you be heading out to the deep dimension?"

There was a little seed of worry planted in the back of Avery's head. Something telling him...that going forward, he had to be careful with Kipuuna. The worry told Avery to be gentle. There was something going on that Avery didn't understand.

'Don't burn any bridges.'

But it was a small voice. And, even ever present, its voice was filtered through a couple of thorns.

"...Well, Kipuuna?" Avery said, turning to the Piplup. "...Are you going to be joining us?"

His tone was expectant. Chiding. Maybe even a hint of smugness to it.

Someone who had been talking down to Avery all morning, today and yesterday, was outnumbered. The entire guild seemed to be against Kipuuna and his viewpoint. The entire guild disagreed with him. The entire guild thought he was wrong.

And with that realization...that quiet seed of worry rooted itself in Avery's chest. A soft, distant wail of sympathetic terror, swirling in a dark pit...that the Plusel disregarded for now.

"I have no definitive assessment at this time." Kipuuna said at last, not even looking at Avery. Nivanee's brow furrowed, glancing at Avery, that tone in the Plusel's voice making her uncomfortable, though Vizon snickered...and Ganisus gave a small smile.

"Well, it sounds like democracy wins out here!" The Spoink cheered, hopping back around the desk, into his chair. "Though we have no official connection to Arcea and Arceliaze, I figure there's no harm assisting you! No reason to not keep friendly with the Conduit!"

He pulled up a screen, Kipuuna grunting quietly as the others in their group leaned to see what the Spoink was doing.

"The Deep Dimension is a hard place to get into...it's not some place one can just walk into, it's a realm beyond the veil, one the other side of the thin fabric of-"

"So...what does that mean?" Nivanee cut in, the spoink perking up.

"Oh! Basically it's going to take a team of psychics to open a doorway to the Deep Dimension for you!" Xonitus explained. "It should be ready by morning! Until then, I'll book you some rooms in one of the finest hotels Dovve Fo Uddjo has to offer!"

"Oh wow...for free?" Nivanee asked.

"For free!"

"Wow...thanks, Chancellor! I could seriously use some rest after what happened on the way here..." Vizon muttered.

"Oh I bet. The security works have been trying to fix that problem all day." Xonitus sighed, dismissing the screen. "There we go! 4 rooms at the Inn of the Farsight! Just give them my name, Xonitus, and they'll get you your keys. Need directions?"

A set of glowing lights appeared under the group's feet, leading out of the office, Xonitus smiling warmly.

"Wow," Avery's eyes went wide.

'We're going to be living it large in one of the best hotels in an exclusive city!? This is amazing-! And then tomorrow, when we come back from the job, I'll be able to go and see Kellixae and her friend for dinner...this is going to be a good few days. I can't believe my luck on how this is going!

I have to wonder what kind of place the Inn of the Farsight will be like...I 'm excited. And four rooms? That was...hm...between 7 guild mates wouldn't...that mean someone is gunna be alone in a bedroom?

Hm. Wonder who that's gonna end up being.'

"We really appreciate your generosity, Xonitus." Avery said, giving a respectful bow, the spiteful schadenfreude delicious. "Thank you so much. Is there anything we can do for you in the meantime...?"

"Nothing but staying out of trouble and having fun!" Xonitus said, bouncing merrily. He was a rather jubilant fellow. If this was just to make a good impression with Arceliaze officials then it sure was a good impression.

That was that. No more to be said.

With parting words and much thanks, Xonitus dismissed them. The group left the office, a palpable excitement in the air as they left.

The Chancellor's office doors closed behind them, leaving the group to their devices.

"Mm...I think I'm starting to love this job." Jolvia chuckled, following the trail on the ground out of the massive atrium. Nivanee giggled excitedly, VIzon almost doing the same.

"Hey, Avery...since we're getting some downtime, you know what that means?" Vizon asked, eyebrows raised. "We might get some time to ourselves in scenic Dovve Fo Uddjo~!"

"Just the two of youuu~?" Nivanee cooed, reading the room quite clearly as Vizon flushed, the Eevee laughing. "It's ok, but we're totally getting team time sometime tonight, alright?"

The group followed the softly lit roads, massive advertising windows looming in the sky above, Poke'mon passing to and fro in all directions. In the distance, they could see a massive squarish building, a large marble eye festooning the front. No doubt that was the inn, the glowing dotted path leading straight towards it.

"I mean we are a team," Avery said, looking at Nivanee with a little smile. "If you want to come, I'd love to have you! And I'm sure Vizon might want to get some alone time with you too, at some point."

"H-hey!" Vizon exclaimed, pulling his ears over his face, Nivanee belting out a hearty laugh. Jolvia snickered quietly with Avery.

The Plusel looked up at the buildings around them, now able to take them in as the group walked around.

"...Boy, though...am I glad I kept some pocket change..." Avery said wistfully. "Hopefully things aren't exorbitantly expensive here...!"

"Mind, Avery, this isn't just a tourist trap...it's a noble's tourist trap, mm?" Jolvia put in, Rikzyod rolling his eyes.

"...finding cheap places for locals should be easy..." Ganisus drawled, Nivanee nodding.

"Maybe in a back alley. Away from big streets?" Nivanee asked.

"Yeah...smaller the stand the better..."

The group idly chattered, walking along the massive smooth stone road. The atmosphere was chipper and warm, the world colorful and bright and hopeful.

Avery looked over at Ganisus as he spoke, a little smile on his face. He was about to ask if the Shinx had any sort of experience in looking for bargains, but...trailed off, looking ahead as they all came upon the inn. Square windows lined the front, massive marble eye sigil far above. And there in the center, the group stood before a massive archway with a glowing purple forcefield that slowly parted to let the group in.

"Oh wow..."

"I..."

"This is..."

Avery's team was dumbstruck, looking inside, slowly stepping into the building, paws tapping on smooth tile once again. Even from here Avery could hear the ripple and splash of water, see the soft blue glowing lights, until at last he stepped inside with his team and saw.

A beautiful purple-colored entryway greeted the guildmembers. A spotless walkway of tile spread before them, with streams of water running beside the shining path. Lights under the water gave it a brilliant blue glow. Up ahead, a desk stood before a mural of a psychic symbol with a flowing waterfall cascading over beautifully displayed rocks. And all of it lit in fake blue flames in angular torches.

Avery could see an Alakazaam standing at the desk at the far end of the entryway. Nivanee was amazed.

"Pretty..."

"What luxury..." Jolvia mused. "...being in the guild has perks."

This was the most opulent place Avery had ever seen in his life. And despite not having any memory of his life previous, he had the distinct feeling that he'd never seen a place more opulent even then.

"...I'm...I'm speechless," Avery whispered, squeezing Vizon's wrist a little as his eyes took in the view.

The group walked down the entryway. The air in here was cool, almost chilled. The water on either side of the walkway gently lapped and sloshed as soft and calm music echoed on the marble walls. The atmosphere was serene and almost magical.

"Good morning." The Alakazaam spoke professionally, trying his best to look kindly. "Party of seven is it?"

"Yes please!" Nivanee said, stepping up to the desk, beckoning Avery over. "We had bookings made by Xonitus, the Chancellor of Outer Affairs? Rooms for the Guild of Arceliaze?"

She nodded toward Avery, Kipuuna stepping up to the counter, the team captains taking point.

The Alakazaam pulled up a screen, clearly checking the reservation list, nodding.

"Aha, here it is! Guild of Arceliaze, 4 rooms, one night paid for in full." He said, lifting another hand to another screen. "The rooms should be all prepared now..."

He displayed the screen at his right hand, showing room assignments, as dictated by Xontius:

Nivanee and Vizon in room 301

Ganisus and Rikzyod in room 302

Jolvia in room 303

and there...at the bottom of the list...

Avery and Kipuuna in room 304.

Kipuuna grimaced.

'...oh.'

Avery's face fell.

'I...suppose it's too late to switch rooms, then...? I was hoping...'

Well, it was two to a room anyway. Avery gave Vizon a worried look, unsure if he should speak up himself.

Vizon, unfortunately...was no longer looking at the assignments. The moment he saw he was paired with Nivanee he covered his face in a flurry of embarrassment. Clearly that tease Avery gave him earlier broke the Riolu. Nivanee was laughing again, just reassuring the silly Riolu. Likewise, Ganisus and Rikzyod only stared at one another, sizing one another up. Jolvia had no reaction, accepting the 'room key' that floated towards her and into her floating screen. The key fused with the screen to give her access to her room.

"Please do enjoy your stay at the inn!" The Alakazaam spoke merrily. "And please, no switches."

"Understood!" Nivanee said, patting Vizon on the back, the Riolu heaving a sigh. "C'mon, everyone! We have the whole day to ourselves in this city! Let's get settled and make the most of it!"

"Yeah...I hear that." Vizon chuckled, Jolvia nodding with him.

"Come, let us hurry. I feel famished. Every battle must be followed up with a hearty meal, uh?" Rikzyod SLAMMED a hand onto his stomach. Ganisus said nothing in reply...but nodded.

"Good. I might browse around what they have around here...might join up with some of you if I find you." Jolvia said.

"Yeah...hey Avery, wanna get lunch once we settle in?" Vizon asked, pulling up a screen in front of himself. "Niv and I are going to look for what's around."

The Riolu and Eevee walked by, padding along toward the hall leading to the rooms. Jolvia followed after, Rikzyod patting Ganisus on the back to lead him along, the Shinx following...looking pretty happy of it.

The group slowly but surely cleared toward the rooms. All but one.

Kipuuna.

The piplup looked over his shoulder to Avery. He heaved a sigh, wiping a flipping down his face, plodding along after the group towards his...their room.

Avery only stood.

'...No switches. No switches?! What kind of policy is that!? Everyone else is going to have a great time with Dove Fo Uddjo and everything it has to offer, and I'm going to be stuck with Team Wet Blanket's one and only representative who happens to hate my guts!'

Avery didn't even have the heart to reply to Vizon. Though the Plusel wasn't even sure Vizon noticed - the Riolu already seemed pretty distracted. Avery just...went to his room.

'Please. Please for the love of Arceus let there be two beds. And a partition. Actually maybe a soundproof wall.'

'Did Xonitus do this because we had come in together? Maybe he thought Kipuuna and I were teammates.'

Avery felt a bad taste in his mouth at that as he walked into the room.

The groups filed into the hall, up the stairs to floor 3. All the while, Kipuuna didn't look at Avery. The two of them passed the others, passing advertising windows lining the wall of the hall.

At last, Kipuuna stepped up to door 304, bringing up a window to let the door unlock and open. The tall, square door swung open with a whir, a gust of cool air rushing out from the room.

"Alright..." Kipuuna huffed, stepping inside. "...let's do this..."

Inside, just behind Kipuuna, Avery saw the room.

A blue torch lit the room. One double bed sat in the room, floating above stone spheres. A notice screen sat at the headboard displaying news and shop prices. The room was pretty, furnished, the false light of the virtual sky shining in the window, a window dimmer slider set beside.

Kipuuna groaned as though he had the same hopes as Avery...the same hopes crushed seeing the room.

He stepped further in, setting his satchel beside the end table, shaking his head.

Behind...the door closed. The atmosphere felt as though it immediately got heavier. The sounds of Avery's friends were muffled.

The room...was very quiet.

Avery's bag dropped at the door, involuntarily slumping off his shoulders in disbelief.

"... Ritzy hotel in Dove Fo Uddjo, and there's only one-" Avery sighed. "... Fine. Got the shittiest mattress this side of anywhere still, back at the guild but I guess I'll sleep on the floor."

Realizing his bag had hit the ground Avery picked it up and went as far to the opposite side of the room from Kipuuna's bag as he could.

No switching, they said. Only one bed.

'If this was a fucking clerical error and Jolvia is chilling in a room alone with two beds I'm going to lose my shit.'

Kipuuna stared at Avery over his shoulder, the both of them sitting at opposite ends of the room.

"Floor?" Kipuuna muttered audibly. "Don't catch a cold sleeping on a dirty floor."

Avery was about to shoot back a reply about not wanting to argue with someone with a head harder, thicker, and denser than spiked molasses, but bit his tongue. It wasn't worth it to bother with him. Avery just began quietly setting up on the floor.

'I'd rather 'catch cold on the dirty floor' than have some snooty bird whine at me about injustice all night.'

Kipuuna's stare was intensive, one that Avery mirrored. The Piplup was clearly considering his next words. The silence was heavy and oppressive.

Slowly, Kipuuna stood, turning to face Avery, his brow knitted.

"Avery." The Piplup addressed Avery at last.

Kipuuna's statement caught Avery off guard. The Plusel had it in his mind that they'd both just be in a silent pact not to acknowledge that the other was even here.

"...What...?" Avery growled.

"Whatever my misgivings I'll at least not make having to room with me miserable for you." Kipuuna said, folding his flippers. "At the end of the day, we're under orders to work together, and while I hoped we'd be in and out and that would be that...if that's not the case then I'll at least agree to stay out of your wheelhouse while we're having to share a space."

Kipuuna shook his head, sighing.

"And neither of us will sleep on the floor. We'll share the bed like guild."

He paused for a moment, his expression unchanging all the while.

"It's clear we both just want this to be over with. So let's just get it over with."

Averu stared him down, unmoving from his place by the door.

Seconds passed in long, slow silence.

"... That's...mature of you," Avery said, crossing his arms.

'I'm surprised you didn't just want to go home at the first sign of unexpected conflict...' Avery thought to himself.

The Plusel let out a short huff, picking his bag back up and walking to the foot of the bed, moving it there.

Avery's eyes wandered to the window, and the odd panel beside it. Part of him wanted to hop on the bed and see what it did, but...he felt like he couldn't really do anything until he was alone in the room.

Avery pulled his money satchel out of his bag, and took a step back towards the door.

"I'm still weighing the options of whether to proceed or not, however."

Kipuuna's voice broke the lapse in conversation.

"The situation in the obscurity fields was a disaster. The Poke'mon out here are strong, which is surely to say nothing of those down in this 'Deep Dimension' university..."

It was like nagging was in his blood.

"You and your team clearly think it's possible. Mind telling me why?'

"..."

Avery let out a deep, beleaguered sigh. He had thought that he'd be able to get out of here without a lecture from Professor Kipuuna, but far be it from Avery to expect to get out of here unscathed. He could feel his blood boiling.

That small voice was back.

'It's not a bad question,' it said.

'What a dumb thought. Of course it was. Of course it was bad faith. He was saying it because he doubts me. He always doubted me. He thinks that I'm charging into this with no thought whatsoever because he thinks I'm a child.'

"... Instead of talking about what's possible and impossible... Let's run through the alternate scenario, yeah?" Avery said, staring him down.

Kipuuna shrugged, waving a flipper as though to let Avery proceed, which the Plusel did.

"Let's say we give up. We decide it's too hard, we leave Dove Fo Uddjo, and go back to Arceliaze. That's a one hundred percent chance of failing the mission. Not only that...but someone is going to have to come back here. Someone is going to have to get the vouchers, someone's going to have to go through the 'disastrous' obscurity fields, someone's going to have to see Xonitus, get his favour, and be granted access to the deep dimension. And do you think he'll be more willing to help after the teams he gave five star lodgings decided to dip?"

Avery was taking steps forward now.

"Not to mention, there's a dangerous criminal out there that we are currently racing against, Kipuuna. If we don't find him before he gets all those orbs, orbs he knows the locations of, by the way, it's all over. For everyone. And if we turn tail now that is days lost while we get more vouchers, more people, more favours."

Avery took a sharp breath. Kipuuna's expression hadn't changed. So Avery continued.

"I don't know what's down there, Kipuuna. I don't know what the Deep Dimension is. But now is the best time we find out. If we go in there, and get defeated, and warp back to the guild, at least we know what's down there. At least we can tell the next group to go. At least we can say we tried if we go in and warp out."

"If..." Kipuuna snorted. "If, hm? If..."

Kipuuna began taking steps forward of his own.

"We had stacks of vouchers. We know the code now to call security to disable the holo-Poke'mon. I have plenty of money to foot the bill to smooth over a pull-out with Xonitus." Kipuuna parried, voice quick. "If this is an elite danger level mission then going out of our depth would be an equal waste of time and resources...and other things."

Kipuuna stared at Avery, clearly seeing the broiling antagonism. His eyes responded in kind.

"Everyone watches what we do. Everyone likes to mimic daring feats of romantic heroism..." Kipuuna's eyes flicked toward the window. "...even fellow guild members can be struck with that inclination. I've tried to wean Lahnae off of it, but now she's committed to it more than ever. And now...even my..."

Kipuuna trailed off, glare shooting back at Avery.

"It'd be easy for me to say that you can run your team however you like. It'd be easy to just wash my flippers and let you do whatever, plunge into any abyss and fire you please..." The Piplup huffed. "But...you're still my guildmate. So is Vizon. So is Nivanee...whatever the reason she's gone abandoning Duskwalker..."

The last part was muttered, but Avery caught it still.

"Romantic-" Avery repeated, his face wrinkling in disgust. "Is this a game to you? Is this all a game that you just think you're too good for? Do you think I'm doing this for the fame? So that the...tabloids, the guildmates, everyone will love me? For...Bringing the light back to the Arceliaze Guild or whatever?"

Averu balled his fists up. Kipuuna responded in kind as the Plusel continued.

"I'm doing this because there is a dangerous criminal out there having the time of his life, following a jolly little scavenger hunt that ends in him controlling living weapons of destruction! I'm doing this because we are all we have! I'm doing this because I was assigned this mission, and I know, for certain, that Vizon, Nivanee, Rikzyod, Jolvia, and Ganisus are all ready and willing to go down there-"

That made Avery stop. His eyes squinted. Though his frowned deepened...some part of him...some cruel part deep inside himself...felt triumphant.

"...Please don't tell me you're...jealous."

Kipuuna's eyes flared.

"Please tell me that you didn't start being such a jerk to me because the tabloids started praising...me as some saviour figure to the guild they've been ragging on for years..."

Kipuuna's flippers clenched harder with every word. His composure broke more with every sentence. Avery's frown curled up ever so...slightly.

"...that Nivanee joined me after seven years of waiting..."

'That Ganisus seems to like me more than you' Avery thought cruelly to himself. He didn't need to say it.

That last sentence cracked Kipuuna at last.

"You want to know why I'm doing this?! You can think I wheedle and nag for fun?! That I'm not taking this seriously?! You think I'm doing it out of, what...jealousy!?" Kipuuna shook his head, up so close his words spat on Avery's face. "That I'd give ONE iota of a care what TABLOIDS thought of my guild performance?! Or what they thought of you for that matter!? You think I believe this is all some big contest?!"

He flared harder, straightening up, eyes afire.

"No! You wanna know why?! It's because one of these days VIZON is going to go down and when that reviver seed goes off HE WON'T OPEN HIS EYES. THEN SEE WHERE ALL THAT TRYING AND 'IFS' AND ALL THAT NEVER-SAY-DIE STUFF GET YOU!"

His voice caught, immediately pushing away from Avery, facing the wall, running a flipper over his head.

"Leave. I've got to consider my options." Kipuuna said at last. "If we pull out I'll accept full responsibility for the call. I'm heavily leaning towards abandoning mission...I'll have to think. Plan."

"... Fine." Avery's voice shook as he said it. He didn't speak another word.

In the silence of the room, Avery just...picked up his money pouch, turned and walked out the door, into the hallway.

And only then, when the door closed, did Avery slump against the wall, putting his head in his hands.

"So what," Avery mumbled silently to myself, so quiet he couldn't even hear himself. Almost rehearsing. "You're afraid Ganisus is going to die? That nearly happened the first mission I was on, Kipunna. But I'm still going."

'Why are you even a guild member?' Avery thought to himself.

He was still angry. He was still...so angry.

...But he was starting to feel drained.

Here in the hall Avery could hear the muffled sound of laughing and chatter from his teammates in the other rooms.

301, Avery could especially hear Vizon and Nivanee talking together.

The music of the hotel quietly played across the hall.

Avery pulled his knees to his chest.

That spike of loneliness was starting to drive itself into his gut again.

'...Don't want to disturb any of them. I'll just...wait until they get settled. Then Vizon and I can go out.

Then...

...

...well...maybe I should go out by myself.'

However, a door ahead clicked, softly swinging open. Out came Vizon and Nivanee, both with screens pulled up.

"So, should we get Avery now?" Nivanee asked, swiping her screen with a paw.

"Yeah, what room was that again?" Vizon asked, perking up.

"Last room, 304, with-" she glanced over, seeing the Plusel huddled by the door. Vizon glanced over, smiling wide and running over, seeming to not notice anything amiss, though Nivanee's worried look was unmistakable.

"Hey, buddy! Was just about to grab you!" Vizon said, looking at his screen before turning it to face Avery. The Plusel jumped a bit from Vizon's sudden appearance. Avery...felt sour, seeing Vizon's good mood.

Avery didn't like that he felt like that...but he couldn't help it. Vizon was having a great time with Nivanee, meanwhile Kipuuna...

"Niv and I found a real nice place for lunch!" Vizon continued, breaking Avery out of his thoughts again. "Thought we could see around town! Whaddya say?"

"Vizon...I..." Nivanee began, but was cut off by Avery speaking up.

"Um...Yeah, sure. Lunch sounds good," Avery said quietly. The Plusel knew they didn't deserve the vitriol. So he held it inside. It was just the way the rooms were divided up. That's all.

'...Luck of the draw.'

"Awesome!" Vizon was clearly giddy, not minding much as he spoke, even as Nivanee bit her lip, clearly seeing something wrong. "This place has everything from potato stuff to Rozhleena Mesa..."

Softly, Vizon took Avery's hand, still staring at his screen, scrolling through it with the other hand. Nivanee quietly stepped up to Avery's other side, as though she were assisting Vizon in carrying the Plusel away from that room.

"Well, whatever they got it's sure to make this the BEST Super Guild Force LUNCH!" Vizon cheered. "Man...I still can't believe we're really here in a place like this..."

Nivanee laughed softly, wrapping her tail around Avery subtly, saying nothing

"Oh hey, they were saying they even have chuckle bars and a festival area..." Vizon kept scrolling in wonder. "Avery, buddy, we're absolutely going to that. The place has games and RIDES for goodness sake! Year-round snow sledding? Somehow?"

"Psychic energy does a lot, huh?" Nivanee said in a soft voice.

"So what, it's like we just THINK we're sledding on ice?" Vizon asked, Nivanee giggling.

"For all we know, we could be alongside millions of pokemon wandering an empty field having a mass hallucination. You never know with psychics!" Nivanee replied.

"Huhh...what do you think, Avery?" Vizon asked.

"Huh?" Avery jolted a bit upon hearing his name at the end of a question. Avery...hadn't really been paying much attention, just sort of...drifting along. "Sorry, um... Think of what?"

Vizon turned his screen to Avery, the Plusel looking up at him.

"Oh. The... The psychic stuff." Avery mumbled. "It's...it's really impressive, I think. There's...there's a lot."

'...Would Vizon be okay down there? Would Jolvia? Could Reviver Seeds fail? That's not a thing, right? And... Even if it is...aren't our badges supposed to help in those cases...Was Ganisus going to go home too?'

"Oh, yeah...!" Vizon nodded. "I guess you'd have no frame of reference-"

Nivanee's tail whipped Vizon slightly at his prod.

"-Ow! Niv, what..?"

"I can say there's certainly nothing like this anywhere in Arceliaze...maybe even Quayoff." Nivanee took over, smiling. "Just totally unrestricted psychic energy manipulation, mhm!"

"I wonder if humans could do psychic stuff like this..." Vizon muttered.

"Well, no need to prod!" Nivanee pivoted the conversation again, Vizon giving a confused look as the three of them exited the inn. The warm false sunlight shined on the trio, the squarish sun hanging immediately overhead.

At their feet was a trail of lights leading to the restaurant Vizon mentioned.

"Boy these treks out to the mission are getting way long..." Vizon sighed. "I get hungry just reaching the mission location.. "

Avery was trying to pay more attention at least. But it was...hard. He didn't feel present. He didn't feel good. He was just...sort of staring off into the middle distance, almost being herded along by Vizon and Nivanee. The lights under his feet helped, but...

'But...'

'What am I thinking about? What am I supposed to be thinking about? Is Vizon even here? Is Nivanee? Am I?'

Mentally...Avery was still back in that room. Still yelling at Kipuuna, still being yelled at. Still thinking about the race, how easily Kipuuna would pass up this mission and further sully the name of the guild. Still thinking about Kipuuna's warning.

'Threat? Something.'

Nivanee and Vizon were quiet a moment. Nivanee's worried look had deepened and even Vizon was beginning to notice something was off.

Slowly, the march came to a halt, the both of them looking at Avery as they all stood in the middle of a massive smooth stone square. No sounds uttered between them for a long time, only the rumble of the crowd and the clatter of floating containers high above.

"...Avery...?" The Plusel heard Vizon's voice. "...you ok?"

"... Huh...?" Avery blinked, snapped out of his thoughts again. "Oh. Um...yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking, is all. We..."

Avery looked down at the line at his feet, leading them to a restaurant. Vizon had mentioned that, right?

"...We should go eat, right...?" Avery sighed softly. "It's...been a long day."

Vizon eyed Avery carefully. Nivanee cast the Riolu a glance but he ignored it...or outright rebuffed it with what he said next.

"Yeaaah, it has been, huh?" Vizon said, stretching as he continued on, Nivanee gently guiding Avery along. "Especially with that jerk sandbagging us, huh?"

"Vizon-..." Nivanee hissed. Vizon paid her no mind, only smiling, casting Avery a cheeky look. Nivanee puffed her cheeks. "Look I know he's a hand-full sometimes but..."

"Hand-full, hah! He's gunna hurt his legs climbing every dirt pile like it's a mountain, huh?" Vizon joked, Nivanee huffing.

Avery shifted sadly.

"...Kipuuna is, um...not coming to the Deep Dimension with us," The Plusel said quietly. "He said he's planning on going home."

Avery looked up at the building the dotted line had brought them to. Pretty big for a restaurant...

'What am I thinking about? What am I supposed to be thinking about? Everything is all muddled in my head...'

Avery found himself slowly wandering to the restaurant. That, at least, was something he remembered they were doing right now. Avery could focus on that instead of just...everything in his head. Everything Kipuuna had said.

"He's...?" Nivanee folded her ears back.

"Hah. Good riddance!" Vizon snorted.

"No, not good news! Sarfallinus determined this to be a two team mission. If Kipuuna's assessment is different then we'd have to pull out, too!" Nivanee explained with a groan. "Ugh, I thought if I maybe just...pushed a bit more he'd..."

Vizob blew a raspberry, clearly annoyed.

"Assessment nothing. What about my assessment? I assess it's perfectly ok!"

"You're also 9 or 10 years his junior in the guild." Nivanee added, cocking an eyebrow. "And Kipuuna's still my friend. Just to remind."

Avery didn't respond for a little while, just going towards the restaurant again. He wasn't really paying too much attention to what the other two were saying...though it seemed like they were pulling out anyway.

That...wasn't good.

"...Are...we going to eat?" Avery said quietly.

'...There were those numbers again. Those...weird numbers. They sounded too big. 9 to 10 years...'

Nivanee blinked worriedly. Vizon sighed, dropping it immediately, patting Avery on the back gently as they all entered the restaurant.

The restaurant sat in a dome building, windows lining the length. Even from here Avery could see multiple Poke'mon sitting inside, basking in the sunlight as it shone in from a skylight above. A gentle rumble of voices surrounded.

"Yeah, it's ok...! We can eat." Vizon assured, Nivanee warmly nodding.

The dotted line continued, bringing them straight to an empty table, already prepared and set with menus. Looks like searching for directions meant they were expecting them.

Cheerily, Nivanee stepped up into a chair, facing the door, Vizon holding Avery's hand as they both stepped up.

Above, metal containers floated along their psychic rails even here, coming in through a massive circular entryway up above, either depositing contents in the kitchen or continuing along the rail back out the building. There was something awing about seeing them clatter and clunk above.

The menus were no mere paper. These too were psychic projections, showing the trio the food and drinks on offer. Totter juice included.

The menu had several highlights. Meat Plant roasts. Fried Cheese. Drizzled bread and meat plant pies. A savory aroma permeated the air.

"Well, this looks good, huh?" Nivanee asked encouragingly. "The place is really cozy...I love these sort-of open air restaurants, don't you, Avery?"

"Like stand restaurants in Arceliaze?" Vizon asked, nudging the Plusel. Avery looked at the menu. He hoped they could afford this stuff.

"...I...might have a totter juice and and...some Meat Plant roast," Avery said quietly.

Avery's eyes looked up to his team.

'Right, we were...at a restaurant. I was supposed to be out with them.'

Avery put on a little smile.

"Yeah, it's...it's a nice atmosphere."

Nivanee saw the Plusel's smile, smiling back. Vizon sighed, perhaps out of relief, scooching closer.

"Oh man...should I...? Shouldn't I...?" The Riolu mused, running a finger down the list of totter drinks. "I mean if we're going to the fair I doubt they'll have totter stuff."

"Oh now, don't get too dizzy before we get there." Nivanee giggled. "I've seen what totter does to a Poke'mon in public spaces."

"You have? I mean I haven't, really, most of my friends were from work. That's the only time I'd see them." VIzon admitted. Nivanee grinned, letting her eyes wander as she idly keyed in her order on the menu.

"Weeeell...you weren't there for our guild nights out, back when Janus was still around. When Keshiano would hang out with Janus, Kippy, Gani and I...this one night, Equiros and Shantai of Team Ganusi joined us as 'supervisors'..."

"Supervisors?" Vizon blinked, Nivanee nodding with a giggle.

"Well yeah! Bunch of kids like us, they wanted to set the example, like their captain, Vinae, always told them to...guess how that turned out?" Nivanee asked, a nostalgic look in her eye. "Us, the kids, having to supervise two utterly tottered adults. Sarfallinus and Vinae were so disappointed, I thought they were going to lose a whole prong for it!"

Vizon spluttered, laughing in disbelief.

"Team Ganusi!?" Vizon was dumbstruck. "No way...they're, like..hardcore elites! Uptight, professional!"

"Well yeah, they are now~!"

Avery tilted his head.

"I...um...I don't know who any of these names are," The Plusel said quietly as he tapped his menu. He recognized...some of the names. He knew that there were...Ganusi...and Dust or something...

"You've, uh...been with this guild for a while, huh?" Avery continued. There was another thing at play here. Another thing he could focus on. "T...there is...something I was wondering. Was, uh...Was Kipuuna...did he have any partners before Ganisus? Or...alongside him? He...just said something weird, when we were setting up."

Avery paused. Maybe that wasn't the best thing to say. It sounded like a sore spot for the Piplup.

Nivanee frowned, Vizon answering before she did.

"Other members? Not that I know of." Vizon said, drawing on his guild knowledge. "Aquashock joined back in 6T53 as a two-member team, just barely getting in, apparently. The periodicals used to talk about how cute they were as a best-friends sort of team. They'd apparently known each other practically from the cradle."

"Yeah...I remember that..." Nivanee sighed, folding her ears back. "If I remember, their first mission didn't go all that great. Ganisus got hurt pretty bad, I remember Kipuuna being really upset about it."

"Was it that bad?" Avery asked.

"No, not really. A trip to the hospital and he was back on his feet. Janus and I had to comfort Kipuuna all night...he cried a lot back in those days, even when we first met him." Nivanee gave a soft, nostalgic laugh. "Still, they seemed like such close friends. Bouncy and excitable when they first joined."

"Yeah...I noticed that, the periodicals kept saying how they changed their demeanor to a more professional one, particularly Ganisus being more stony." Vizon put in. "Though...now I know he's really just spacey."

Nivanee sighed, shaking her head.

"I just don't know what else could have happened to them...they've been very careful with their missions ever since but it's not doing any good..." Nivanee's voice was somewhat defeated. "...I always wished I could help...and ever since Janus...well...I guess left...it's been worse. Kipuuna's only grown more distant and I can't help him like Janus could."

Avery's mind was wandering again, and another thought struck him.

"...Can reviver seeds fail?" Avery asked, looking over at Nivanee with a serious, thoughtful look. "Kipuuna...he said they could fail. In so many words. He was...he was talking to me, and..."

"Well, yes, they can't revive after a one-hit knockout, you need a..." Nivanee trailed off her teaching, looking at Avery's expression. "...full recover seed..."

The Plusel deflated.

"...Sorry, I shouldn't be talking about this. This is supposed to be...good, you know...?" Avery muttered. "We're supposed to be enjoying a night out."

Vizon shook his head, pulling Avery into a one-armed hug, smiling warmly.

"Yeah, no worries about any of that anymore, yeah?" Vizon insisted, Nivanee sighing. "We're all together, we're a team and we're here to have fun, Azure style!"

Nivanee conceded, backing off.

"...bwuh...I guess it can't be helped. Just so long as it's not driving us apart..." She huffed, putting on another smile of her own. "Ok, let's put that aside for a bit...just be warm for now, ok?"

Avery frowned a little.

'Let's just be warm. Let's just...

Was what Nivanee said true? Would we have to pull out if Kipuuna didn't come?'

Avery dismissed the thought for now. He didn't want to bring the atmosphere down. He figured should at least change the subject.

"So... Here's something I, uh... Obviously don't know." Avery began, pivoting. "Who were the teams that came before me? Ganusi, Dust... I... heard Dust was dismissed. But... What's the guild history?"

Vizon almost immediately brightened up at the question, a near manic glint in his eye as he pressed into Avery.

"Oh oh oh oh! Avery! Avery!" The Riolu stammered out excitedly. "I've been dying to dump about the guild! Can I? Can I!?"

Nivanee snickered, leaning back, letting the nerd of the group take over. Avery smiled, nodding to let him go ahead.

"Okay, okay, so! Guild history. That goes back hundreds of years!" Vizon explained. "Over...500 years ago...0T92, near 100 years after the big Second War of Arcea. Back then so much was broken and the world was so full of wandering outlaws. It was the elite guild's duty to help rebuild Arcea after all the wanton destruction wrought by Jyiniarno."

"Ooo, an exact date. That's impressive~!" Nivanee complimented, Vizon beaming proudly.

"And the guild has done just that for years and years! Going around, helping Poke'mon in Arcea. Back then the guild and its members were a shining and proud example to the hurt and downtrodden in the aftermath of something that would have been otherwise...spirit-breaking." Vizon sighed wistfully, propping his head on his hands. "The guild is so cool..."

"And now today we do much the same, don't we~?" Nivanee put in with a smile. "Almost 600 years later and we're still a shining beacon to the Arcean people...or...well, I suppose-"

"You always were to me." Vizon interrupted. Nivanee smiled warmly at that.

Avery tilted his head, taking all that in. He wasn't surprised that there were wars in this nation's past - of course there were. There were in every country. And considering the tensions between Arcea and Illaminamo he'd seen, he was surprised it seemed there were only two.

Avery didn't recognize the name 'Jyiniarno', but...this all helped put into context why the guild was even here.

'So it had always been a police force, of sorts. But wow... Six hundred years.'

"What about modern history?" Avery asked, sitting back in the chair. "I know when we pulled up to the guild on the first day you were talking about all these teams...I thought we were going to have to fight one of them."

"Well, I got into it at a young age." Vizon clarified. "I mean, like, I was four when I read my first periodical...with my dad's help, obviously."

"Oh wow, so young? What year?" Nivanee asked.

"6T46! The guild was in a temporary downsizing, Sarfallinus had been guild master for only, like, seven years since his dad was KIA, so even back then it was only three teams." Vizon explained. "That first periodical, man, what nostalgia! It was all about Team Dust and Team Ganusi and Team Infinity...this was also when people were starting to complain the guild was too hard to get in to but it quickly died down when a team joined that year, Team Tall Tale."

"Ah, Ganusi...I remember them, they were still in the guild when I joined..." Nivanee mused, closing her eyes and merrily swaying.

"I remember, even back then, with Team Tall Tale, Fandisnou, the Crawdaunt, he was such a romantic." Vizon continued. "Trying to woo the girls of the guild, one or two of the guys. The periodical even said that in his time at the guild he'd been on more dates than missions, much to the annoyance of his teammates, Zinixus and Eundeirno."

"Blech, yeah, 'romantic'. So romantic he just abandoned the guild to elope with a girl. Just left Zinixus and Eundeirno behind!" Nivanee shook her head. "I wasn't there when it happened, nor was I there when Team Tall Tale disbanded. But I heard everyone was kind of upset to see them so discouraged and leave. I hear Team Dust still keeps up with Eundeirno, I hear he was a good guy."

Vizon laughed, looking to Avery.

"Truth be told, Avery? There's tons of teams that came before us, even in Sarfallinus's relatively short 23 year run as guild master. It all seemed so busy and cool from a distance...though, all the dropouts weren't fun to read about..."

"Like Team Slime..." Nivanee sighed sadly. "I really hated seeing them go...hated seeing Team Infinity fall apart, too, when Rikaerd and Kanah eloped and abandoned Quayslaan...then when Ganusi graduated Janus was already gone...the only ones left were just me, Kippy and Ganisus for a while..."

Nivanee frowned, folding her ears.

"That was kinda...lonely..."

"Yeah, that's... Something I've been wondering for a while," Avery said, putting his elbows on the table. "It sounded like there was a really long stretch between Spade and us...there's twelve or so rooms in the guild. But nine of the rooms were empty for years. And... I mean Vizon and I only got in because of Olistia. If it's been that long since people have been saying its impossible to get in...why? What changed?"

"Well, Team Spade joined about three years ago, yeah...and that was kind of it for a while. The guild had garnered a reputation for being so impossible to get into that applications came to a halt." Nivanee sighed. "Back when Janus and I joined there was usually a team trying out every other week...by the time Lahnae was in it was now only every month or so anyone even bothered."

"And honestly, as far as I know?" Nivanee replied. "Nothing about the guild's changed except the leadership. Once Sarfallinus took over...this is just how it was from then on."

"...So what made Team Spade different? " Avery asked. Vizon only shrugged while Nivanee let out a sigh.

"I...don't know." Nivanee said. The Eevee sounded as though she was unsure she should even be saying this. "Though I love them dearly, nothing about Team Spade performance-wise was exceptional...I'd seen teams pass all the 'tests' with flying colors and still get rejected. Frankly...between you and me...I don't know how Sarfallinus decides whether or not to allow a team in...but..."

Vizon perked.

"But what?" He asked. Nivanee squirmed a little, biting her lip.

"His methods don't seem to help...Vizon, you know a lot about the guild, surely you know what I'm getting at?" Nivanee asked, Vizon rubbing the back of his head.

"...ugh...yeah, as if tabloids don't bring it up all the time." Vizon muttered. "...the only teams that have graduated under Sarfallinus were all holdovers from Guild Master Karniqus...none of the ones Sarfallinus himself accepted ever graduated, all either dropped out, disbanded..."

Nivanee smiled sadly.

"...and Duskwalker is the closest he's ever gotten..." She sighed, shaking her head. "...I wonder if that's the only reason he kept pushing to having my team stay intact despite operating solo for seven years..."

Avery's frown deepened at that. No graduates from Sarfallinus?

'Jeez, that...does not reflect well on the guy. And...'

Avery's face darkened at a memory coming to mind. Janus's words, in jail. About age, about...family.

'Was that something Karniqus did, too? Refer to the guild as family? Was he 'friends' with Olistia too?'

Avery wasn't sure if all that was on purpose, still, but...

'...Hm.'

"When you graduate. What happens? Do you...Leave the guild? Become one of those elites?" Avery asked. "Like, when a team graduates, they stop...Interacting with the guild as often, right? Because they're busy doing bigger missions, working with...is it the Conduicy? Something. Do they drop by often, or do they just...kind of drop off, once they go?"

"They visit...sometimes...but yeah, they do end up being so utterly busy, sometimes even being deployed internationally." Nivane explained. "...like, last I heard, Team Ganusi was all the way down in Quayoff to help the local guild there with some mountain bandits. We basically never see them again outside of occasional visits."

"That's kinda why the training guild is more fun to read about." Vizon said, scratching his head. "The Arceliaze guild only operates in Arcea, closer to home, more wild adventures of the young and up-and-coming. Elites are all so much more efficient and professional, so much more...you know...dry."

Nivanee blew a raspberry.

"None of it's done specifically for entertainment." Nivanee snickered, looking back to Avery. None of them had yet noticed that their orders had arrived on floating psychic discs. The clang of metal containers overhead snapped Vizon out of the conversation long enough to dig in, taking a drink of juice to wet his throat.

"But yeah, you got it." Nivanee continued, sipping her own juice. "Graduate the guild and you become an elite, working directly under the Conduit, Olistia. Basically like a change of 'Guild Masters' with a higher cut of the reward money for you...and elites have the expectation to do the really hard jobs the guild members can't do."

Avery took a sip of the trotter juice, digesting the words she was saying.

"... And... Sarfallinus and Olistia both..." Avery began. "To me, they're both really valuing this guild as a family. So like...what if, on some level...people feel that graduating means..."

Avery made a popping sound with his lips.

"Leaving the family?" The Plusel posited. "Going to be an efficient, boring drone? You have to wonder if Olistia is as huggy and affectionate and... Recipe-sharing with the elites as she is with us."

Avery took another drink.

"But then... I haven't seen hide nor hair of Dust, Infinite, or Ganusi." Avery sighed. "If they didn't graduate because they didn't want to be family, you'd think I'd see them hanging around the guild to be around you all. Maybe I'm wrong. I just..."

He shook his head.

"Tabloids be as they may... I think there is something that feels... off. About the guild. And that's about as much of an outsider's perspective as you're ever gonna get, heh..."

Vizon and Nivanee blinked at Avery in silence, looking at the Plusel like he had suddenly grown a second head.

"What's that supposed to mean...?" Nivanee asked, cocking an eyebrow. She didn't sound upset more just...confused. "What do you mean 'off'...? I mean, I know everyone has their issues but we work through them...or do our best to."

Vizon said nothing, quietly humming to himself in thought. Nivanee continued.

"Besides, why wouldn't Olistia be affectionate with her elites...?" Nivanee's brow furrowed. "I mean, yeah...elites enter a new stage in their life...we're always excited to see them when they visit they've just...not, for some time. But I have no reason to believe being an elite is all that different."

"Oh really...?" Vizon asked, poking at his food. "I don't read much about the elites, outside of one or two reports of teams I really liked back in the guild."

"That's what I believe with my heart." Nivanee said. "I'd do anything for any one of you, Sarfallinus...Olistia. Because they'd do the same for me. Because we share a bond. It means everything to me."

She frowned slightly.

"I mean, right? You'd do the same for me? You feel it too, don't you? The bonds that make us close?"

Avery nodded emphatically.

"Of course I do. We're guild." The Plusel assured. "I'm just trying to think about... About why the guild is the way it is, you know...?"

He paused, thinking for a while and taking another drink.

"I like Sarfallinus. But...his really sudden heel-face turn... It bothers me." Avery said. "You saw how he treated Vizon and I before we got ambushed by Xamao. He was downright hostile. I was sure he wanted us to quit. And like... after the mission, after Vizon got hurt he changed his tune, sure, but...why put on the act?"

Vizon and Nivanee only stared.

"And then there's the separate issue that no teams have graduated, and very few have been accepted. Part of me wonders if...if maybe, on a subliminal level, graduating means... Losing your family." Avery took another drink, trying to get all his thoughts out. "I-I dunno. I just..."

He thought of how he wanted to word it.

"...when Vizon talked about the guild and all of you guys it was...he sounded so inspired. And that inspired me too. But...Team Spade is having bad luck streak after bad luck streak. You'd been suffering because Janus...had a problem with the guild so great that she left. And Kipuuna... "

The Plusel grunted.

"I get the distinct impression that Ganisus doesn't like his own team captain. That's...that's all...it's not just me, right? I don't..." Avery put his head in his hands. "I don't know what's normal."

"Heel-turn? Losing your family...?" Nivanee repeated what she had heard.

She squinted...and was sounding more and more...indignant.

"I've been fine." Nivanee retorted with a frown. "There's no problem with Janus, she'll be back before you know it. Things are fine at the guild, Avery. Sarfallinus was just unsure having you in the guild because of the public perception of having someone just forced in by Olistia, that's all. He's just doing his best, even with everything stacked against him. I might not know much about his recruitment methods but...!"

Vizon recoiled a little as she raised her voice.

"You...really should have a little more faith in him, in us." Nivanee said, a tinge of frustration in her voice. "We're going to make things better, it's just a rough patch and we'll work through it. The way you talk it's like you think the whole thing is rotten to the core...!"

She bristled, eyebrows furrowed hard.

"You sound up there with those journalists!"

Avery winced liked he'd just been gut punched, shrinking back in his seat. He cradled the totter juice, but didn't take a drink. He just looked down at it, into his own reflection.

'Up there with those journalists...? The ones calling Spade a sham? The ones calling Aquashock cowards? Am I really like them?'

"Woah, hey, Niv..." Vizon cut in.

Nivanee cut herself off, letting off a breath. Slowly, she rubbed her face with her paw.

"Sorry..." She apologized, taking a bite from her own food. "All this bad air between you and Kipuuna is putting me on edge...can't you two just...make up?"

"...Sorry," Avery murmured, backing down.

'This isn't worth it. I'm an outsider. Maybe she's right, maybe there isn't anything wrong with the guild. Maybe I'm just being unreasonable.

Have a little more faith in him, she says. In you, Nivanee.

But...I barely know you. I barely know any of you...'

"...sorry," Avery said again, quieter, into his drink.

"Aw, Avery..." Vizon sighed, hugging the Plusel close, frowning at Nivanee who immediately looked guilty at her outburst, holding her paws up to her mouth.

"Oh...oh no no, Avery, I..." Nivanee grunted, worry all over her face. "No no no, I'm sorry. I know you care...you've shown it plenty. Look, it's just me it's just...you know, in all this time I've been in the guild I've have so many friends, my family, ditch the guild...ditch us so I guess I just get...defensive?"

"Yeah, no kidding..." Vizon huffed, protectively holding Avery. Nivanee looked miserable, seeing the Plusel so sad.

"Oh Avery, nevemind, I shouldn't have said anything, that was out of line." Nivanee kept backtracking. "You're always one of us. I promise I always have your back...ok?"

'...I felt like a child.'

"...Vizon and the guild are the only things I've ever known." Avery's voice was quiet. He took another sip of the juice...then reconsidered, placing it back on the table. "I don't have a family. I don't have a home to go back to. I don't have siblings or parents or hometown friends. Even Arceus, the one who...who sent me here...he only talks to me in the dreams. And those are getting worse. I just have Vizon...and the guild."

Avery looked up at Nivanee, seeing her pain, seeing her worry. Maybe she could see his own.

"Sarfallinus is trying. I know he is." He said, his voice sad and quiet. "A-and it's not that I don't think he's trying hard enough, or he's trying to poison us. If he's doing something wrong it's...I-I don't think it's on purpose. He loves you guys, I know that. I've...seen that."

He squirmed. After such a reaction last time, running his mouth felt more dangerous.

"But as an outsider looking in...I saw a team that, despite an indomitable spirit, and a drive to succeed, they just...keep failing in ways they never could have predicted; I see a team with a captain scarred by some past experience so badly that his own teammate resents him; I saw a team that..."

Avery wilted.

"...I saw a Poke'mon that was so convinced something was wrong with the guild she left and joined the antithesis. And...and all of this, all of this, you're all weathering, while being mercilessly attacked by people obsessed with the shadow of a past guild you used to be. I don't..."

Avery squinted his eyes shut. They were starting to sting. His voice was cracking.

"I hate seeing you all hurting...!" Avery spoke softer, trying to hold himself together. "I hate seeing the p-pain and the resentment and... I just... don't want the guild to go. I don't want the guild to die, I don't...I-I don't want it to hurt me too..."

'It's all I have. The guild is all I have.'

"And...! And...!" Nivanee stammered back, putting a smile on her face. "We're gunna fix it! We're going to make it all better and we'll all be together again."

Vizon sighed, giving his own smile, squeezing the Plusel.

"Don't worry about Janus...she's just confused...maybe brainwashed or...something. I don't know..." Nivanee grunted. "I hope she didn't put any bad thoughts in your head...everything's going to be ok. We'll help Lahnae and Loshjno...we'll...figure something out with Kipuuna and Ganisus. And the tabloids...we've ignored them for years. We'll be ok. Everything will be ok."

Vizon looked unsure but said nothing.

Soon, after so much poking and talking, the food was now reduced to empty plates and depleted glasses, a floating window with a coin slot asking for 30 p each, which Nivanee and Vizon deposited. Avery paid for his food as well - though he hadn't touched as much of it as he had wanted to.

"C'mon..." Vizon said, hopping down from his chair. "Why don't we try to have fun...?"

"Yeah, yeah! You seem stressed out, Avery...this should be a warm time, shouldn't it?"

As Nivanee hopped off her chair, Avery noticed something, like a glow coming from underneath him. He looked at the ground and noticed a trail of lights at his feet...but it wasn't summoned by Nivanee or Vizon, it led to himself. The light trail followed Avery as he moved around the table, leading to him.

"Um..." Avery looked down at them, brow furrowing. "What is...What's this...? Is this like... Directions somewhere else? Did one of you guys do this...?"

Nivanee and Vizon looked down at the lights at Avery's feet. Both of them shook their heads, confused. Curious, the group followed the trail outside, passing through the archway and back onto the street. A soft ringing cascaded over the city as they all exited the restaurant, signaling that it was noon.

Their eyes traced the light trail. It led down the road, under an archway surrounded by tall glowing structures and devices. There, under the archway, a figure walked. Approached.

"Someone looking for you, Avery...?" Vizon asked.

They all squinted, looking close at the approaching figure, until Nivanee perked up, excitedly waving.

"Oh hey Ganisus!"

Indeed, there was the Shinx, coming into view. His eyes were half lidded as he slowly approached...

...and he waved back.

'... What?

What?'

"Uh...Hey there, Ganisus...!" Avery said, wiping at his eyes quickly to clean himself up. Avery didn't want the Shinx to see him like this. "What's... What's up? What brings you here?"

"Uhh..." Ganisus stared at Avery as he finally reached the group, yellow eyes burrowing into his.

There was a long pause.

"...I dunno." Ganisus said at last, despite the fact the trail of lights flashed between him...and Avery.

"You don't know?" Vizon prodded, tilting his head.

"...I mean..." Ganisus's voice drawled, like he was searching hard for the right words, even as his voice remained unchanged. Slowly, a smile...meek? smile crossed his lips. "...Avery...do you guys want to..."

He paused for a long time. Awkwardly. But he regained his verbal footing.

"...hang out? Or something?"

'... What?'

"U-uh... Yeah, sure...!" Avery said, obviously taken aback. The Plusel gave Nivanee a quick look, checking to see if this was... normal. but...he knew better than to bring up Kipuuna with Ganisus. "We just finished eating, so... I'm down to do something else."

Nivanee, meanwhile, look excited. Extremely excited, eyes sparkling, a wide smile on her face...bouncing.

"Yes! Oh my gosh, it's been so long, Gani! We'd love to hang out!" Her mood was immediately brightened, Vizon smiling as well. Ganisus's own smile gave off a...strangely warm vibe.

"...cool..." He said, tone entirely flat. Yet Avery could still...hear something in that voice. Something happy.

"We were going to search around and see what the city has!" Vizon offered, stepping up beside the Shinx. "They got a games area...like it looked like a road with stands by an artificial canal."

"...that sounds neat..." Ganisus drawled, perking up. "...do you like...games...and stuff?"

"Yeah, I do! Looked like they had targets and canal rides...uhhh...a psycho-rail coaster!" Vizon brought up a screen, showing Ganisus. The Shinx's dull eyes glimmered, even as his face didn't change even a little.

"...cool..."

Nivanee stood beside Avery, tippy-tapping her paws excitedly.

"... Games? A roller coaster?" Avery tilted his head. Even if he'd never really seen one before...the concepts sounded familiar to him. "You mean like an amusement park? That could be fun to go to while we wait for tomorrow."

'...and to be honest I might need the distraction. Being able to spend time with Ganisus, away from Kipuuna, would be good too...!'

Nivanee stepped up, holding Avery and Ganisus close into the group, once of three now a group of four, bouncing with glee.

"Then come on, come on! Let's go see it! Oh my gosh, I'm excited!" Nivanee cheered. Vizon smiled back, tapping at the window to bring up the trail of lights again.

"...yeah...me too..." Ganisus said, almost quietly, pressing into Avery.

With a cheer (or a silent nod in Ganisus's case), the group bounded forward, following the line, chattering lightly as they all made their way to the amusement park on the far end of a grand gold and purple archway.

Their vouchers flashed, confirming their identity as they crossed, seeing the wide array of rides and games spread around a large square. The sights were as awe-ing as the rest of Dovve Fo Uddjo. Purple rails of energy now ferried carts of squealing poke'mon at high speed instead of cargo. Stands for snacks and carnival games surrounded a large open-air stone building with a stage where they could hear music and a speaker's voice echoing across the park.

"Wow, this doesn't even feel like a mission anymore." Nivanee sighed wistfully. "It's like a long-needed vacation..."

"You guys ready to have fun?" Vizon nudged Avery and Ganisus, the Shinx lighting up.

"...yeah..." Ganisus said, slowly.

"Maybe I was a savant at these games and I just can't remember," Avery said with a little laugh. "Okay...Okay. Yeah!"

He had to psyche himself up a little more. He wanted this to be good. Fun. A vacation.

'Maybe things are broken. But...We can fix them.

And we can't fix them if morale is low. So...'

Despite his previous turmoil, Avery laughed a bit. It was his duty, as captain of Team Azure, to have a good time.

The energy was palpable between the four of them, an excitement and joy filled the air and banished all the bad feelings that had poisoned Avery naught moments before.

"So, whatcha wanna do first?" Vizon asked Ganisus. "I wanna see what you'd be into."

Ganisus looked surprised.

"Me...?"

"Yeah!"

Ganisus looked deep in thought, eyes wandering upward. Slowly, he pulled up a screen, looking down at it.

Without hesitation he tapped on 'roller coasters'. At once, multiple different rides showed upon his screen.

'The G-Force'.

'The Lunch Loser'.

'The Unregulated'.

'The Engineering Miscalculation'.

'The Condemned By 47 International Safety Audit Boards'.

"..." There was a sort of fluttering in Avery's chest as the Shinx pressed through the roller coasters.

'Did...I like these too?'

Finally, Ganisus pointed at the last coaster on the list.

Quadruple Platinum Star thrill rating. A rollercoaster called 'The You Will Actually Die For Real', aka 'THE YWADFR'.

Vizon gulped.

"That one..." Ganisus said, peering up at Vizon. Nivanee padded over, looking it over, her smile not even faltering.

"Y-You think you can handle it?" Vizon stammered.

Ganisus perked up at that and immediately sagged his shoulders, looking defeated.

"...I don't know..." Ganisus said immediately, as though backing down. Vizon, surprised and looking sorry, wrung his hands together, deep in thought..but soon the Riolu straightened.

"...because I think you can..." Vizon said, looking toward Avery.

"I mean I'll try it. The... Yuh-wad-fer." Avery said. "If Ganisus wants to go on it...I'll go with him. Try everything once... Right?"

Ganisus lifted his head hearing Avery say that.

Though his expression was totally neutral, his eyes...

...adoringly sparkled, staring at the Plusel.

"...cool..." he muttered, stepping forward, standing close...very close to Avery, his tail swishing gently behind him. Nivanee beamed widely.

"I'm iiin~!" Nivanee cheered, bounding beside Avery and Ganisus, beckoning Vizon.

"Come on," Avery chuckled a little, trying to channel some of himself back. He elbowed Vizon jokingly. "What, you scared of some kid's ride or something? I'm sure the 'You Will Actually Die For Real' is tame as can be...!"

Avery knew what was coming out of his mouth was sarcasm. But looking at the thing soaring above...he had his doubts that he was going to be able to withstand it.

But, if anything...he'd stand in solidarity with Ganisus. When in Dove Fo Uddjo...do as the mass hallucinations do...!

"I uh...I...!" Vizon sucked in a breath, puffing out his chest. "WELL...T-TEAM AZURE NEVER GIVES UP!"

With that, he pressed really tight against Nivanee who laughed heartily. Ganisus nestled in with the group comfortably. Avery could feel the joy radiating off of the Shinx, even as he didn't emote a bit of it. Quietly, Ganisus lifted a paw, tapping the roller coaster, a light trail forming under all of them, leading straight to the tallest, twistiest, fastest, lurchiest coaster in the park.

It towered over all the buildings, the other coasters. Like a beacon, practically the grandest landmark of the park.

And dauntlessly, the group moved straight for it.

Vizon gulped, scrunching his face, keeping brave as they moved to the coaster.

It loomed above, the cashier at the front of it smirking at their group. Nivanee was as excited as could be. Vizon pressed into Avery in terror, trying to look brave. Ganisus only stared up at the coaster, face blank...but something about him told Avery that he was excited.

They were let on the coaster, luckily a four seater. The anticipation in Ganisus's eyes radiated more and more as they all were seated. There was a loud buzz, psychic straps snaking around their bodies to hold them in place.

"Oh Arceus..." Vizon whined.

Music blared, the coaster FIRING OFF LIKE A ROCKET into the air! The G-Force HIT Avery like a sucker punch. Vizon let out a high-pitched SCREAM. Nivanee cheered and laughed!

Ganisus made no expression.

The coaster WHIPPED and TURNED and SPUN and LOOPED. Vizon screamed he was going to hurl multiple times, only for a sudden shot upward to make him swallow with a "NEVERMIND".

The last stretch gave the group a grand view of Dovve Fo Uddjo, towering high above, a vast landscape of strange towers and buildings stretching amid a field of land slices. Strange. Exciting. Adventurous.

"Cool..." Ganisus muttered next to Avery, a twinkle in his eye.

At last, the coaster plummeted.

At the end of it all, the group stumbled out the cart, back onto solid ground. Nivanee was laughing, loopy. Vizon was equally dizzy but just felt nauseous. Ganisus calmly stepped out of the coaster, looking to a device that printed something off for the four of them:

A photo, taken mid-ride during one of the drops. There was shown Nivanee laughing merrily, Avery waving to the camera, Ganisus with a neutral expression and the none too flattering sight of Vizon in the middle of a shriek.

"...heh..." Ganisus's voice was completely unchanged. "...that was...fun. Really fun."

"Bwaugh..." Vizon huffed, holding against a wall. "I need a second..."

"C'mon, c'mon, what's next?" Nivanee asked, bouncing. Ganisus looked to the three of them, particularly at Vizon.

"...targets..." Ganisus suggested kindly, Vizon breathing a sigh of deep relief.

The walk to the target gallery was short. This was something Vizon was clearly more comfortable with, seeing the spooky, evil looking targets pop out amid sweet looking cute targets to avoid. Poke'mon young and old took pop-shots at the targets.

"Alright, guys, let's see if I'm still good at this." Vizon said, rolling his shoulder to get ready. Nivanee stepped up beside him, both of them setting some coins on the counter, the operator telling them to get ready.

Ganisus and Avery stood by, watching Nivanee and Vizon fire aura spheres and shadow balls at the targets. Vizon was quicker but Nivanee was far more accurate...though Nivanee would twitch-fire the targets she wasn't supposed to which lost her points, the both of them laughing and grunting at the game.

"...hey..." Avery heard Ganisus's voice. The Shinx's attention was taken from the game the other two played, now looking at the Plusel with a hard to read expression.

Avery had been watching Nivanee and Vizon closely, but his ears pricked when he heard Ganisus's soft voice. The Plusel turned to look at him, prying his own eyes away from Nivanee hitting another negative target.

"Hm? What's up, Ganisus...?"

"...thanks for...hanging out with me, man..." Ganisus said softly, pawing at the ground. "...and...I don't know...it means a lot to me...I guess."

He was quiet for a moment, averting his eyes.

"...it's nice to...just...be with some friends that..." Ganisus said, blinking. His face was totally neutral. "...just...have fun...friends that're happy...just...do stuff..."

Avery's smile softened a little.

"Of course, dude. You're guild." The Plusel said. "I'm just... Glad to see you around, you know? I'm glad to see you smiling. It's a good smile!"

"I...like being with you guys..." the Shinx said softly.

A small ghost of a smile crossed Ganisus's face as Vizon started cheering.

"YES! I can't believe I pulled that off!" Vizon shouted, pumping his fists. Nivanee giggled, stepping away from the game.

"I'm too twitchy..." She laughed. Ganisus sighed quietly, looking more comfortable amongst them all that Avery had ever seen him.

"No way you beat her!" Avery laughed. "Niv, you gotta avoid the cute looking targets!"

"I'm tryiiiiiing!" Nivanee fake-whined. Vizon lifted a massive stuffed miltank prize in a tight hug. Meanwhile, Nivanee sported a cone-shaped hat on her head by now, her own prize. Ganisus has a fake wooden eyepatch. Avery had an oversized drink container. It just had water in it at the moment but he'd gotten is from a giant spinning wheel game.

They were all the spitting image of a group of friends just...enjoying the day, enjoying each other. Avery laughed to himself, looking back over to Ganisus as Nivanee and Vizon rushed ahead to look at something.

"Yknow..." The Plusel began with a wide smile. "If you want to hang out more when we get back to Arceliaze, I'd be down for that too."

"Yeah...yeah I'd like to hang out in Arceliaze more...with you...all you guys..." Ganisus's smile grew more...and more... "...maybe go on missions together some more?"

He was quiet a moment, watching Vizon and Nivanee as they took turns acting silly by a statue.

"...I just wish..." Ganisus began, stopping himself. Avery glanced at him. "...I just...wish...that K-..."

He stopped again, his brow furrowing.

"...you know what? Nevermind..."

"... No, I... I think I wish that too," Avery said, a sad smile on his face. "...I know that you guys...used to go out and enjoy yourselves a lot. I... I don't know what's happening right now, but... I hope that can come back."

Avery smiled encouragingly.

"I think...going on more missions with you would be really good, Ganisus...!" Avery gave Ganisus a pat on the back, making the Shinx look up at him. "You're cool. And...I'd love to see more of what you can do."

Ganisus was quiet, silently brooding as he stared down at the ground.

"You know what...I kind of..." Ganisus let out a breath. "...don't care if it comes back...I feel...good here."

He averted his eyes, quiet as Nivanee approached with packs of roasted caramel popcorn for everyone, Vizon with a tall wood thermos of berry smoothie with a silly straw.

"Anyone hungry?" Nivanee asked, passing the treats out. Vizon nodded, taking a bag, Ganisus doing the same.

A chime sounded across Dovve Fo Uddjo, the bright blue fake sky above taking an orange hue as the day became evening.

"Oh that's good, I was worried it'd just stay noon forever..." Vizon admitted with a laugh, holding armfulls of stuff. "Man, though...I wonder what we'll be having for dinner."

"Oh, well!" Nivanee began, with a smile. "I think it'd be nice to have a big dinner in the hotel. All of us together...as a team, you know?"

Ganisus grimaced. Nivanee either didn't notice or didn't care.

"Oh, that reminds me," Avery said, quickly changing the subject, trying to avoid making Ganisus feel awkward. The Plusel knew what Nivanee was trying to do...

But...right now, Kipuuna was...very possibly a liability to this relationship. And Ganisus wasn't in any mood to spend time with the guy.

"You're staying with Rik, right?" Avery turned to the Shinx. "How's that? He's, uh...I mean I have no idea what it's like living with the guy, but I have a few guesses based on working with him...!"

Nivanee pouted, picking up on Avery's topic swerve, but said nothing as Ganisus went along with it. Seemed as though the Shinx picked up on it as well.

"...he's quiet..." Ganisus replied with a small smile. "...really nice...wasn't...forceful."

"Quiet?" Avery repeated the word.

Vizon blinked, totally missing the fact the topic was so deliberately changed.

"Rikzyod...?" Vizon asked. "That-"

A window popped, frightening Vizon and Avery both.

"You CALLED?!" Rikzyod's voice roared from the window, a video feed of the geodude shown on the screen. Vizon yelled, taking a step back, Rikzyod laughing heartily.

"Rikzyod-?! Where'd you come from?!"

"Where else! Right here! I got a call on this window!" Rikzyod chuckled. "Is it not amazing, these windows and magic? To talk from so far away? What are you doing now? I am here with the Nidorina woman!"

The video panned to the side, showing Jolvia at a bar, sipping at the straw of a fancy looking drink. She perked up, glancing over, surprised, waving with a soft smile. Avery tilted his head, seeing Jolvia there. Seemed like they were having their own...more low key relaxation time. Interesting for Rikzyod, but Avery supposed even juggernauts needed R&R.

From behind, the Plusel could hear Ganisus sigh with relief at the distraction. Nivanee, however, puffed her cheeks. Avery smiled, deciding to keep the distraction going.

"Hey, Rik! I'm just here with, uh...With Viz, Niv, and Ganisus. We went on a thrill ride!" Avery said, hooking an arm around Vizon. "The, uh, You Will Actually Die For Real! I think you'd like it!"

Rikzyod lit up.

"Do you hear that, Jolvia?" Rikzyod asked, the Nidorina scooting closer. "A ride! That promises to kill us for real!"

"I can't say I'm much interested." Jolvia snickered, stirring her drink with the straw.

"Do not be so afraid of the dying part!" Rikzyod protested with a laugh. "Look at Avery and Vizon and Nivanee. They have gotten better from dying so quickly!"

"Come on, Rikzyod, you're not being serious are you?" Jolvia asked. Rikzyod only smiled cheekily and Avery couldn't help but laugh.

"We're about to go for dinner, I think." The Plusel continued. "But if you get the chance, come and try some of those roller coasters! They're... Definitely exhilarating, huh, Viz~? *

Ganisus leaned in closer with Vizon to peek at the screen. Jolvia's eyebrows raised.

"Is that Ganisus there? Is he with you?" She asked.

"...mhm..." Ganisus nodded quietly, Vizon putting an arm around the Shinx.

"Yeah, he came with us to hang out at the amusement park!" Vizon exclaimed, squeezing Ganisus, Rikzyod's eyes lighting up.

"Haugh! Look at all of you! I am glad you are having fun." Rikzyod pointed to the 'camera', a determined glint in his eye "But do not let the rest soften you up! We still have much fighting on the way! So we must be sure to eat PLENTY tonight! The hearty meal shall carry us to the darkest depths and farthest horizons, uh?"

Jolvia cocked an eyebrow at Rikzyod's speech, idly sipping her drink.

"So, yes, we'll see you at dinner, Avery." The Nidorina confirmed with a smirk. "Where is it at?"

"I think there's a restaurant in the hotel?" Avery said, tilting his head. "We can meet there, if you'd like...! I kind of filled up on popcorn, but...I think having a heartier meal than that is probably important if...if we're going to the Deep Dimension tomorrow."

Avery gave Nivanee a quick look, as if to ask if they were still doing that.

'...And should we invite Kipuuna? It'd shut Ganisus down again, and Vizon and I wouldn't really benefit from him being there. But...I know ousting him like we've been doing is upsetting Nivanee. If I'm going to try to get along with Kipuuna for anyone, it'll be for her.'

Nivanee nodded firmly, a serious look on her face.

"We're all going to be there and we'll eat like a guild..." Nivanee eyed Avery with a hard stare, a firm smile on her face. "...everyone...~"

Ganisus frowned, seeming to deflate.

"Ah! Good! Then we will head back, too!" Rikzyod promised, closing the video at once. Nivanee turned to the group, giving her strongest sunny smile.

"Shall we~?" She urged, gesturing toward the direction of the inn.

Vizon nodded, not picking up on the issue yet, Ganisus following him silently. The group set out to return to the Inn of the Farsight just as the orange hue of the fake sky began to deepen.

...Nobody else noticed the deflated Shinx...but Avery noticed.

The Plusel moved next to Ganisus as they began to walk, lagging back just a little bit.

"Hey, uh...If you want...I can sit next to you at dinner." Avery offered. "I don't know if that'd make things better but..."

The Plusel looked up at the blocky sky.

"... I dunno. Just thought I'd make the offer."

"...yeah..." Ganisus replied after a while, trodding down the road with the Plusel. "...I like being around you, Avery...hanging with you is...like...you know, the old days...before you-know-who started...acting all different out of nowhere."

"Yeah..." Avery said with a little sigh. "He, uh... I mean from what he was..."

He shot a quick look at Nivanee. She could probably hear what they were saying.

"From what he was...talking to me about in our room...He just seems really scared. I mean..." Avery huffed, crossing his arms. "Back in the Obscurity Fields he spent fifteen minutes pumping you full of drugs and then threw himself in front of you when you were about to be attacked. I didn't see him drink any of that stuff..."

"...everyone says he's 'just scared'..." Ganisus grumbled flatly, blankly staring ahead. "...what's he even scared of...the kipuuna I know...my friend was like...nothing like this. Kipuuna is supposed to be hardy...and brave...and bouncy and stuff..."

Ganisus frowned.

"...then we join this guild and...all of a sudden, overnight he's...this..." Ganisus grit his teeth. "...my Kipuuna is long gone...I dunno, like...who this guy is but..."

His words died off, his stony face unchanging...but his gaze slowly turned to Avery, a sad glint in his eye.

"...I dunno what I did wrong, man..." Ganisus muttered.

"...Hey, hey, I don't think you did anything wrong," Avery said, bumping the Shinx with an arm. "I don't know what's...weird about him, but...I dunno. If he's your team leader, it's his responsibility to listen to you, you know?"

Up ahead, the Inn of the Farsight was coming up, the group approaching the doors.

All the while, Nivanee seemed to say nothing...paying their conversation no mind

The hotel rose up in front of them. Avery knew...he was in there. And Nivanee wouldn't let neither him nor they get away from avoiding each other.

'...Chances were Ganisus snuck away from him and Kipuuna's worried sick.'

"I really wish that I could have seen Kipuuna back in those old days though," Avery said at last. "...Maybe someday he'll come back to visit."

Ganisus looked...unsure, vaguely, but said nothing in reply.

Avery put a hand on Ganisus's back, giving the Shinx a few encouraging pats.

'We'd...we'd get through this.'

Nivanee pulled ahead of the group, approaching the Inn of the Farsight, the forcefield door opening. She stood by, smiling as the rest of them passed, shooting Avery a look...one that seemed almost pleading.

They entered the familiar, ornate entry hall, the beautiful waterfalls inside splashing merrily, the music echoing a quiet tune as night approached.

Inside, Avery could see Rikzyod and Jolvia, the latter looking toward the room hallway with her arms folded.

Ganisus cringed, and Avery could hear why. Down the hall, they could hear a knocking...a nasally voice incessantly calling for...Ganisus. Avery's ears twitched. Even if Ganisus heard it before him, there was no mistaking that sound.

Avery's guess had been right - Ganisus, as far as Kipuuna was concerned, had skipped town.

Nivanee audibly sighed, but kept her composure, a friendly smile on her face.

"Heya Rikzyod! Jolvia! Didja have fun~?" She asked, the Nidorrina looking at her, nodding.

"We did...truth be told I really needed a little relaxation in a place like this." Jolvia looked quite pleased, perhaps even a mite buzzed. "The only places I've been able to enjoy are much more dingy...this pace feels well above my pay grade."

The group continued talking amongst themselves. Off to the other side of the entry hall, Avery could see a long table being telekinetically set with food and silverware. Nivanee began directing the others towards the table.

"I requested a big banquet for everyone. I thought it'd be a healthy and fun and warm experience for everyone, since we're all friends and a guild...family." Nivanee said, side-eying the Plusel. "Avery, if you would...? Get Kipuuna?"

Vizon perked up, looking at Nivanee.

"What? Why Avery?" The Riolu asked. "Can't Ganisus or...heck, I can-"

"No no no..." Nivanee insisted. "There'd be no problem with Avery going, surely?"

Vizon squinted, but Nivanee only forced a smile. A...desperate, pleading, sad smile.

Ganisus looked down, pawing the ground. Avery was already getting up to fetch the Piplup, giving Nivanee a resigned nod...but paused when Ganisus spoke up suddenly.

"...I can go with him..."

"Huh...?" Nivanee asked.

"I...can go with him." Ganisus insisted, looking up. Avery stared a moment before jolting and replying.

"Oh, um...yeah, sure, we can go together, I don't mind." Avery's gaze was questioning, but he didn't want to call Ganisus on it.

'...Even though it might end with me being scolded. Again.'

Ganisus nodded, keeping close to Avery as they both moved to the hallway, Nivanee watching them closely before moving to join the others at the table...putting her faith in Avery.

The two moved slowly through the quiet halls of the inn, padding up the stairs. Ganisus looked worried, frowning. The knocking got louder, louder.

"Ganisus? Buddy?" Kipuuna's voice echoed down the hall...sounding worried. "Hey, buddy? Where'ya at?"

The pair crested the stairs, reaching the third floor hall. There, knocking on room 302, was Kipuuna, looking haggard and worried.

"...Kipuuna..."

The Piplup perked up, surprised, looking toward the both of them at Ganisus's voice.

"O-oh..." Kipuuna stammered, straightening, his eyes glancing toward them. "...Ganisus..."

He was quiet, staring...staring at how close Ganisus and Avery stood by one another. The Shinx sighed.

"...you wanted me again..." Ganisus furrowed his brow as he spoke, Kipuuna nodding softly, approaching.

"Yeah...I've been thinking..." Kipuuna sighed, folding his flippers. "...about the mission."

"...Is this something the entire team should hear, Kipuuna?" Avery asked. "We're...we're going to have dinner in the hotel's restaurant. Nivanee wanted everyone to be there. If...you have information about the mission, I think it'd be best if everyone hears it...right?"

"Uh, excuse me, it's something I'll discuss with my team, first." Kipuuna cut in. "Ganisus, mind if we go over it in your room-"

"...oh no, why not say it right here..." Ganisus said coldly, making Kipuuna pause...almost freeze.

"what-"

"I already...know what you're going to say." Ganisus spoke again, Kipuuna squirming. "...go ahead. Say it out here, in the open...show the kind of guildmember you are."

"I-I...I just think..." Kipuuna's demeanor seemed to deflate talking to Ganisus. "...it's too dangerous...we need to back out-"

"Of course you'd say that. You always say that. Every time something gets a little too hard you always say that and pull us out." Ganisus rumbled, eyes squinting. Kipuuna frowned...sweating. "...when's the last time I've thrown out an attack? That thunderbolt I shot back at Obscurity Fields feels like the first I've done in forever. When's the last time I've even taken a hit? Months? Years?"

Kipuuna was speechless...despite how he spoke to Avery, he offered no speeches or lectures to Ganisus.

The Shinx's voice was flat yet so...icy.

"...you don't trust me, do you...?"

"Ganisus, every time you ask that I always tell you the truth, I just..." Kipuuna hesitated. "...buddy, I just try to look out for you. Is it wrong trying to keep my friend safe?"

"...maybe I don't want to be." Ganisus said, standing tall. "...guess where I've been?"

Kipuuna perked up, watching as Ganisus stepped closer to Avery.

"What's going on...?" Kipuuna growled. Now it was his turn to squint. "Where...have you been all day...?"

Avery shifted on his feet.

He knew it wasn't...the only reason Ganisus hung out today, but...at the moment Avery almost felt like he was leverage in their feud.

Once again, the Plusel felt the tugging urge to be a neutral party. But...he couldn't do that. Kipuuna wasn't being a good leader. And he had to know that. If this was what it took to give the guy a wake-up call, then Avery would do it.

"After Nivanee, Vizon and I went for lunch, Ganisus found us. We spent the day at the Fun Park. Playing games, going on the thrill rides, eating junk food...it was a really nice break after the Obscurity Fields." Avery looked at Ganisus, then back to the Piplup. "Ganisus encouraged us all to go on the...uh...'You Will Actually Die For Real', it's called. I was considering the Safety Policy Violation, but...we went all out...!"

Kipuuna looked at Avery...hard. Fiery...but he said nothing.

"...yeah. We had fun." Ganisus growled. "...you know what Avery said to me? Huh, Kipuuna...?"

Kipuuna's breathing was getting heavier.

"Wh-what..?"

"...they said they'd take a chance with me." Ganisus said. Kipuuna sucked in a breath. "...remember when you'd say that to me? When I wanted to go in the guild...you said you'd take that chance with me. When I was unsure about going on that first mission you said you'd take the chance...then when morning came...it was all gone."

Kipuuna clenched his flipper.

"...you lied to me. You said you'd take a chance, but the next day right after we joined you just took some stupid mission moving boxes. And that's all we ever did." Ganisus's voice raised, a shock from the otherwise flat shinx.

More and more Avery was starting to feel like a bystander. At first it was...just how Ganisus spoke about Avery. Taking a chance with him. As if Avery was a key to unlock this argument with Kipuuna.

Kipuuna shook. Shook...and stared hatefully at Avery...before pleadingly at Ganisus.

"Ganisus you...look I understand how you feel but-"

"No...you don't-"

"I can't take any more chances! I can't...! I just can't, please, I-"

"You can't trust me!"

Ganisus's voice ROARED across the hall! Kipuuna flinched.

A hush fell between the three...and Ganisus continued.

"...a few days ago..." Ganisus said, heaving. "...I thought you were right. Hard missions were for Nivanee only...Lahnae was the living proof that it was for naught...but Avery...Vizon...Team Azure changes everything. You thought they'd fail at Windscorch and they came back with the cartographer. You thought something like River Delta would be impossible but you read the report and now you've seen the impossible happen."

Avery's eyes flashed with...hurt and betrayal hearing what Kipuuna thought of him. Of Vizon, too.

"Ganisus-"

"They even brought back Janus when you couldn't."

"GANISUS!" Kipuuna yelled, but Ganisus only stamped his foot.

"You've been wrong! Your wheedling and nannying are...they're lies! You're just...holding me back!" Ganisus yelled. Kipuuna's eyes FLARED more and MORE.

'...This is getting worse. N...Nivanee had to have heard this, right? Is anyone else coming? I don't...'

Avery's heart was hurting. Everything was hurting. He'd never heard Ganisus say so much, and all of it was so...vitriolic. Like Avery was almost giving him strength to say what he'd wanted to say to Kipuuna for a long time. The...problem with that was that it seemed Kipuuna was blaming Avery for this, from the look in his eye.

"D...did...did you really think that Vizon and I would...fail every mission we tried...?" Avery said, in almost a whisper compared to Ganisus's raised voice - a reversal that might have been seen as funny in different circumstances. "Th...that's not true, right? You haven't been...you haven't just been waiting for us to fail...right?"

"No I have not been WAITING for you to 'fail'!" Kipuuna roared. "The fact is you shouldn't have been succeeding at missions so far out of your depth! It's just common sense, Avery! Your exploits are MESSY and LUCK DEPENDENT and always so BORDERLINE-"

"But they still manage to do it!" Ganisus yelled. "They trust each other! They try, even if they might fail-"

"I won't do that to you, Ganisus!" Kipuuna yelled, stepping up.

"Why not?!"

"I just won't let you get hurt anymore!"

"Why can't you trust me? Huh!? Like Avery trusts me! Avery treats me like a...competent member. Like a-"

"Avery, Avery, Avery, Avery this and Avery that," Kipuuna turned his burning gaze on the Plusel. "You, you've been lucky, you realize?"

"Look, I have worked hard at what I'm doing!" Avery said, a twinge of anger in his own voice from Kipuuna's assertions. "Don't insult me by saying that all the work Vizon and I have put into this guild is luck. Getting help is not luck. I wasn't carried, Vizon and I are not useless, and Nivanee, the one you seem to think can handle this stuff, actually believes that we can too, so-"

"You have been at the guild barely a week! WHAT hard work, huh?!" Kipuuna shouted back. "You...you...! Do have ANY idea how many are watching you and following in your dangerous stead?!"

"Like me?" Ganisus cut in.

"Yes, like you, Ganisus!"

"Well maybe..!" Ganisus snapped. "I like being around Avery better, huh? Ever think of that?!"

Time seemed to jolt to a stop for a moment when Avery heard those words.

'He likes...being around me better?'

"W...wait, what...what are you saying...?" Avery stammered, looking at Ganisus cautiously.

'...He doesn't mean what I think he means, right?'

Ganisus sneered, stepping forward, eyes burrowing harshly into the Piplup.

"You're a jerk." Ganisus rumbled, Kipuuna hyperventilating hearing those words. The Piplup clutched his head, tears forming in his eyes, unmatched fury on his face. "...I though you were my friend."

"I am...everything I've ever done was for my friend..."

"Whatever." Ganisus cut Kipuuna off. "You know what? If Nivanee can join Team Azure..."

A silence stabbed through the three.

"...maybe I can too." Ganisus finished.

Kipuuna was shaking. But was silent. Silent for a long time.

'...oh no.

Oh no.'

Avery was speechless. His mouth hung open, helplessly, trying to find words, find something.

'I...I can't do that, right? This is different from Nivanee, so different...! Janus had no intention of continuing her work with Duskwalker- Nivanee joined us because of that! But...but Ganisus would be abandoning his team for ours. And...

And what would happen to Kipuuna? Teams have to be at least teams of two, Sarfallinus had said as much to Nivanee way back when. At least then she'd claimed that Janus was still a part of it. But if Ganisus joined us...Kipuuna would be solo. And that'd mean...

Kipuuna is a jerk. Ever since we got back from the River Delta, he's been absolutely vile to me. I don't want to work with him, and I don't want to room with him.

But...can I really...go that far?'

"...T...the others are waiting-" Avery offered weakly. "...W...we should...go to dinner-"

"...yeah...yeah..." Ganisus said, his face blank yet a glint of cruelty in his eye. "...we should go eat with our friends...new buddy."

"New..." Kipuuna's eyebrows knitted. "...new..."

Tears were streaming down his face.

"I just...I just..." Kipuuna stammered, trying to hold his composure.

"Hey Avery..." Ganisus said, turning away from the Piplup. "...think I can take point down in the Deep Dimension? I'm real strong, I can take it...excited to see what missions we go on next."

Avery felt sick.

"...Ganisus, I...Can I...can I catch up with you down there, with the others?" Avery kept his voice kind of low. The things Ganisus was saying...they were made to hurt Kipuuna. And jerk or not, Avery didn't want that. "I'll...um...I'll be right down."

Even as Avery tried to play it off...his eyes kept darting back to Kipuuna. Avery's gears were grinding against each other in his head, trying to think of something to say. Avery wanted to scold the Piplup, to tell him off for not trusting Ganisus, for not believing in his guildmates, for...

'But...Kipuuna is guild.'

Ganisus snorted, nodding, turning away to step down the stairs.

"...alright. I'll trust I'll see you down there...buddy." The Shinx said, flatly, padding away from Avery and Kipuuna. The Piplup had staggered away, leaning against the wall, running a flipper through the hair on his head as Ganisus disappeared.

The footsteps faded. The hall was silent.

Kipuuna...said nothing.

Avery stood there, trying to stave off the shock. Figure out something to say.

His feet took him a little closer to the Piplup, standing in front of him as he leaned against the wall.

"...Kipuuna, I..."

Words failed.

Kipuuna lifted his head, his body shaking. He sniffled.

His voice was filled...with hate.

"You're going to kill him."

Avery didn't understand.

"..W...what? I...I wouldn't...I'm not going to kill anyone-"

"You...you..."

Kipuuna's body shuddered. He let out a sobbing breath.

"...you're going to kill my buddy...you're going to kill Vizon. You're going to kill Nivanee." Kipuuna shuddered. "...I don't...I don't want to lose anyone. Anyone. Anyone!"

Kipuuna pushed from the wall. Heaving deep breaths. His chest puffing. He turned, body shuddering, eyes feral and wild.

Puffs of impossibly cold air fell from his beak as he slowly turned toward Avery. The ground around his feet began to turn to ice.

Avery's heart sunk like a stone.

"W...what?" Avery stammered. "K...Kipuuna, what are you talking about...? I...I don't know what you're talking about-"

Avery brought his hands up, backing away from Kipuuna slowly.

'What...is he doing...?'

Avery couldn't retaliate in time.

Kipuuna SHOT FORWARD, grabbing Avery by the scruff of his chest! He SCREAMED in Avery's face, arctic wind billowing across every word.

His composure broken. His status as senior evaporated. All he was now was a single Poke'mon, whose every fiber was filled with defensive anger.

"YOU WILL NOT KILL MY BUDDY!"

Kipuuna spun! THREW Avery behind himself! Avery was thrown up against the wall, crashing against it, slumping against the ground.

Avery desperately tried to pull himself up. An ice beam SLAMMED into him, square in the chest! The Plusel to let out a short cry of pain - arrested, freezing air sucking the energy from him.

"You having fun yet?! We having fun at the guild NOW, Avery?!" Kipuuna screamed.

Avery's body was wracked with trembling shivers. He hadn't expected any sort of attack from Kipuuna.

'He...he's my guildmate, he isn't supposed to-'

Despite the cold in his chest...a heat radiated out of Avery.

An anger.

Kipuuna hurt Ganisus. He'd hurt Nivanee. He'd hurt Avery. And the Plusel wasn't going to stand it anymore.

Avery stood up, bracing himself against the wall.

"You...You never believed in me. You never believed in me. You never even believed in Ganisus!"

Bolts materialized in Avery's hands, unsteady and crackling.

"Let's see how far nine years of moving boxes has gotten you."

"Let's see how far one week of lucky streaks has gotten you!" Kipuuna shrieked, making a mad dash! His feet THUMPED against the floor, beak GLOWING with ice energy! "Come on! Show me all that 'hard work', yeah?! COME ON!"

Another ice beam SHOT from his mouth, down at the ground. The beam rocketed across the floor toward Avery, ice spike SHOOTING up!

The Plusel jumped away, sidestepping the bursting spikes.

"Wow, Kipuuna, leader of Aquashock, whiffing an attack on a newbie of a week. I must be real lucky, huh?"

One. Two! Bolts flew from Avery's hands, headed directly for the Piplup!

One. Two! Bolts STRUCK Kipuuna, ARCs and SMOKE billowing from him as he took a step back.

The type advantage was clear, electricity on water. Any other Poke'mon would have fainted on the spot.

But Kipuuna was guild.

"Wow, Avery, leader of Azure, having a type advantage and still only tickling me. I thought you were supposed to be the hotshot that freed River Delta. Or was that just the antidote group you HAPPENED to find, ey?"

Kipuuna SHOT an ice beam at his feet, freezing the ground, ROCKETING into the air! Right towards Avery! Kipuuna SPUN rapidly, aiming a drill peck, careening downward!

Avery narrowed his eyes, darting out of the way. The attack SHUDDERED the wall. Avery could feel shrapnel peppering at his back.

"Man, a lot of good that decade of training you have on me is doing, huh?" Avery spat. "I should expect as much from Kipuuna, the one who...who...huh. I can't think of a single remarkable thing you've done!"

Avery backpedaled, putting distance between them.

"Unless you're somehow liberating countrysides by being the best package pusher the world's ever seen."

"Better a package pusher than DEAD ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD." Kipuuna impudently shrieked as he pulled himself from the wall. The light fixtures SHUDDERED and SWAYED.

He grunted, slowly strafing, fists clenched.

"Whatcha gunna do when your boyfriend takes his last fall? When he's shacked up in a hospital 'cuz you chased fame and tabloid clout? We'll see if you don't end up like me then!" Kipuuna shot back, his mouth already steaming with more cold air, waiting for your move.

They circled one another in the hallway, paws crunching on ice and debris.

"Face it Avery, I don't trust you because you're a second-rate leader with a third-rate team throwing yourself at first-rate jobs! Who could trust you?!" His words shot like spears of ice. "It's not a matter of waiting for if you fail, it's waiting for WHEN you fail!"

"You know who can trust me?" Avery taunted. "Nivanee. Nivanee trusts me. The one you seem to idolize as the only competent member of this guild trusts me so much that she joined my team."

Avery sneered, taking a step closer.

Adrenaline pumped through the Plusel's veins like fire, sweat and heat burning away the ice.

"Funny that Ganisus trusts me too, huh? Seems like you're the odd one out, Kippy. Who. Trusts. You?"

Kipuuna's eyes flared!

He SNORTED, air BILLOWING from his nostrils.

"You keep away FROM MY BUDDY!" Kipuuna roared, LUNGING for Avery, flippers OUTSTRETCHED to GRAPPLE him.

Avery squared his feet.

"Buddy!?" Avery scoffed. "Buddy!? You're treating him like your precious little pet-"

Kipuuna SLAMMED into Avery, the Plusel desperately holding his arms. They skidded down the hallway, grimacing, tumblign.

"He can hate me! They can all hate me!" Kipuuna yelled! He was PANTING. STRUGGLING. ROARING. "But YOU will NOT drag Ganisus down with you! I'LL FIGHT YOU TO MY LAST BREATH IF I HAVE TO, AVERYYYYY!"

Avery's hands sparked against his flippers. The two wrestled and struggled against each other, trying to push the other over. The ice was slick, the both of them skidding across the floor!

"Poor little Ganisus, precious, fragile little Ganisus gets hit one time and all your faith in him dies." Avery spat in Kipuuna's face, pushed against it with a free hand. "Why are you even a team!? Why are you even at the guild, Kipuuna!? You don't believe in me, you don't believe in Nivanee, you don't believe in Sarfallinus or Olistia or Lahnae - you don't even believe in your own teammate! What do you believe?! Why are you even here?!"

Kipuuna UNLATCHED his arm, PUNCHED at Avery's head! Avery SWUNG and SLAMMED his fist into Kipuuna's cheek. The Piplup POUNDED Avery in the nose!

With a shout, Avery HEAVED Kipuuna away. They both SLIPPED on the iced floor, SLAMMING into walls, ping-ponging around the hall!

Kipuuna snorted, SMOKING from the electricity COURSING through him. By one flipper he held fast to Avery as they skated and slid uncontrollably!

"It was HIS dream before he died!" Kipuuna spat on Avery's face right back, awkwardly jabbing at the Plusel as they wrestled awkwardly. No more moves or trained attacks, just frenzied and wild struggling.

"What do YOU believe in, huh!? Poor Avery, the stupid amnesiac plusle, come in to ruin lives and coast on letters from the conduit!" Kipuuna spluttered, SLAMMING his head into Avery. "You've not earned a THING in your life! CALL YOURSELF KING OF THE GUILD? EVERYONE FOLLOW YOU INTO THE FIRE?! THEN GO ON! SHOW ME HOW AMAZING YOU ARE, THEN? WHERE'S ? WHERE'S MISTER CHOSEN?! YOU GOT NO RIGHT ENDANGERING MY FRIENDS!"

He STRUCK at Avery's cheek.

"COME ON!"

Kipuuna SLAMMED his head into Avery's again.

"COME ON, COME ON, COME-"

Avery PARRIED another fist, gripping the Piplup's chest, SLAMMING him into a wall! They rebounded backwards, sliding back, Avery hitting the opposite wall! They rocketed towards each other again, grappling and struggling, unable to even stand.

"Your friends? Your friends?" Avery laughed, his voice filled with venom that he hoped he was pumping into his bloodstream more than the watts of electricity. "What friends? You've pushed everyone away! Ganisus can hate you? They can all hate you? News flash, asshole, they DO! And it's not changing a DAMN TH-"

Kipuuna yelped! The both of them slid right towards the stairs, FLEW towards them, unable to stop!

Avery felt it first. No ground below him. He was starting to fall backwards.

And so, with more instinct than thought, Avery yanked Kipuuna down with him.

The two of them, clawing, biting, slashing at each other, tipped over. Avery's shoulder screamed in pain when he hit the stairs, but he pulled the Piplup down, slamming him into the surface. The force carried them both, tumbling down! Slamming upon the steps! Twisting, contorting, screaming until-!

Nothing.

Out cold.

Black...

black...

dizzy...

Avery's ears were ringing but...he could hear voices.

Thumping.

Shuffling.

"Avery. Wake up." A voice spoke. Firmly.

Behind his closed eyes...lights were on. The haze of the last few moments swirled.

And so he did. His eyes were still closed...but he responded, even non-verbally, to the voice. His eyes squinted.

He could hear...shuffling. Multiple people.

Everything hurt...

"Rikzyod." Avery heard Nivanee's voice. "Would you please pass the mashed potatoes?"

Avery heard the clink of plates. But no verbal response.

'...That's not good.'

Avery tried to open his eyes. Everything hurt.

He supposed they were at the table.

The lights were blinding, though that may have just been because of his recent awakening...how long had it been?

"Ah, you're awake." Avery heard Nivanee again.

Through bleary eyes Avery could see her. Ganisus sat by him, Vizon by Nivanee, Rikyzod and Jolvia at the table as well. Each of them had plates before them with food.

And beside Avery sat...Kipuuna. He was also coming to, bleary-eyed.

Avery squinted and noticed...ropes around Kipuuna's body. Avery tried to move his arms...and found he couldn't. Looking down, Avery saw his bound tied and bound with ropes as well.

As the scene became clearer, Avery could see they were still in the Inn of the Farsight, sitting at the table of the restaurant in the entry hall. Everyone sat at the table, looking awkward. Nivanee sat across from Avery...with a firm, flat look on her face...almost angry.

"Glad you could join us." She said, her voice almost kind...mostly cold.

...Avery felt...sober.

He tried to move his arms again, just...out of instinct. But upon feeling the rope there, he just...stopped, and sighed in defeat.

Everything hurt. He felt sober. Disappointed.

'How could I have snapped like that...? How could I have attacked a guildmate? And the things I'd said...Even if nobody but Kipuuna had heard them...'

Avery just hung his head. He didn't say anything in response. Everything hurt.

"Vizon, could you pass Avery some veggies?" Nivanee side-eyed Vizon, the Riolu averting his gaze and shuffling for a plate of vegetables, leaning over the table to deposit some of the food on the plate in front of Avery that the Plusel had no hope of actually eating anything off of, bound as he was.

"Avery, what do we say?" Nivanee asked, firmly, Vizon shuffling back into his spot. Even Rikzyod was quiet, Jolvia silently poking at her food with a smile.

"Whuh...?" Kipuuna slowly came to, blinking. Avery looked to him and saw the fruit of their battle: a closed eye, bruises and scratches all over his face...Avery noted similar damage on his own face, scars from the scuffle.

"Kipuuna, hello." Nivanee said.

"What...time is it...?" Kipuuna muttered, sounding out of breath.

"It's midnight." the Eevee replied, the smile on her face extremely forced. "But...better late than never for us to eat...as a guild, right?"

Her harsh gaze slowly moved in Avery's direction.

"Right?"

Avery didn't look up. Avery didn't say anything. Not for a while. He didn't look at Nivanee. Or Vizon. Or even Kipuuna.

He didn't like this charade they were doing. He didn't like this game Nivanee was making everyone play.

'But...turnabout is fair play, I suppose.'

...

The more Avery thought about this, the worse he felt.

He'd hurt Kipuuna. He'd tried to inflict pain on Kipuuna. He'd done the exact same thing he felt Ganisus shouldn't have done - Avery said things to hurt the Piplup. Maybe there were some real concerns in what Avery had said, too. But...that wasn't why he'd said them.

Avery's eyes started to sting. His throat bunched up. And still, he said nothing.

Kipuuna, likewise, said nothing. Nivanee squinted at Avery's silence as well as Kipuuna's, clearly displeased, but at least not pressing for now.

She looked down, frowning, poking at her food. None of it steamed. Avery's drink had no froth. Everything was room temperature and dull.

"We had a lovely time at the park today." Nivanee made conversation to herself, her voice echoing dully off walls of the large room.

The music wasn't even playing.

It was just deathly silent.

"Do you remember the photo we had taken? That was nice, wasn't it? A nice affirmation of what good friends we all are."

Kipuuna struggled, looking away from Avery, furrowing his brow.

'Why is she doing this? Why is she saying these things?'

...

'She was the only one of us who'd really been trying.

Vizon had been against Kipuuna from the beginning.

Ganisus, possibly even before that.

And Kipuuna and I...'

Tears formed at the corners of Avery's eyes. His face screwed up.

"..."

He felt alone.

"...I-I'm sorry." Avery's voice shook. "I s...I should have kept...I should have kept control, and...and I didn't. I...I let all the stress get to me. I'm sorry, I didn't...I don't..."

He wanted to rip his badge off. He wanted to rip his badge off and run. He didn't want to face these Poke'mon.

And the tears started falling.

"Hm? What's that, Avery?" Nivanee asked, flicking her head. The sight of the Plusel sad did not disarm her this time as it did back in the restaurant. "What do you have to apologize to me for? All I wanted was one dinner where I could pretend my family wasn't utterly broken. And though it took some doing, I'm getting it. But it's not me you should apologize to...is it?"

Kipuuna blinked, glancing over at Avery, a frown crossing his face. Nivanee looked over at him.

"What about you, Kipuuna? Anything you'd like to say?"

Kipuuna squirmed, looking miserable.

"Anything...?"

Kipuuna sighed deeply, lowering his head. Avery could see it, tears forming in the Piplup's own eyes. Even Ganisus leaned over to look at Kipuuna, a sad look in the Shinx's eyes.

"...I'm...I'm..." Kipuuna began.

"Yes?"

"I was wrong, Avery." He forced out. "I shouldn't...have hit you."

Ganisus sighed, sounding defeated. Nivanee nodded, satisfied...even as it was obvious absolutely nothing about the situation was actually resolved.

"About time you apologize for something..." Ganisus muttered.

"Hm? Something to share with everyone, Ganisus?" Nivanee said, clamming the Shinx up quick.

...Even here. Even now, Avery felt a little bubble of rage form in his gut.

'Hitting me? That's what you apologize for? Nothing else?'

But it died just as quickly. All the things Kipuuna had done. Everything he'd done, Avery couldn't take responsibility for any of it. The Plusel could only take accountability for his own actions..

'...However.'

Avery did look up. His eyes felt red, stinging...but he looked to Ganisus. Through the sorrow, the grief...there was...an expectation. Almost pleading.

Ganisus furrowed his brow.

"...is that all, though?"

Nivanee's ear twitched, her gaze stony.

"What do you mean?"

"...Kipuuna has plenty to apologize for." Ganisus growled. Vizon and Rikzyod looked to one another uncomfortably. Kipuuna shut his eyes, screwed them shut, looking fit to cry again. "...he's been a jerk this whole trip."

"He's still your captain."

"Tch...not anymore." Ganisus sneered, looking away. Nivanee squinted her eyes, frustrated. "...I quit Team Aquashock. I want a team captain that will actually trust me."

"You have not quit Aquashock." Nivanee said firmly, as though it were a fact. "Stop this. Stop all of this, for once in this miserable trip, stop fighting."

"...psh...you're not the boss of me..." Ganisus huffed.

Nivanee SLAMMED a paw on the table. The plates and silverware RATTLED and fell off the table.

"Stop. Destroying. This. Family." Her voice cracked. "Haven't we all suffered enough, huh? Can we not just get along? Why?"

She took a deep breath.

Ganisus took one, too.

"...when this is all over...Aquashock is done." Ganisus grumbles.

"Just one night. One stupid, stupid night..." Nivanee growled. Ganisus paid her no mind, pushing away from the table. "Ganisus!"

The Shinx plopped down on the floor, stepping away, walking towards the rooms. Nivanee looked furious...but her face twisted...contorted, her mouth wobbling, tears forming in her eyes.

"Not even a night...not one...single...night." Nivanee sniffed, her body shuddering, rubbing her paw down her face. "Why...why are you all doing this to me? To us? Aren't...we supposed to be family?"

Kipuuna beside Avery, sobbed silently, watching as Ganisus disappeared into the hall.

Avery's lip quivered as he looked to Kipuuna.

"...You...did you mean what he said...?" Avery asked, voice cracking. "...Did Ganisus...did he mean that? D...did you really...really think...that...that we were going to fail everything we tried...? D...did you really think...that S-Sarfallinus would give us missions that...that we'd fail?"

Even tied up, Avery looked at him.

"...Is that why you hate me...? Is...is that why you think I'm...I-I'm...going to..."

Avery wilted.

"...Did...you really mean...everything...you said...?"

Kipuuna looked as though he'd flare again...but instead he just deflated, sagging.

"...yes. I did." Kipuuna said, looking deeply at the Plusel. "I didn't want you to fail, only that I thought you would...and the more dangerous missions you take where you don't fail...I'm so...I'm so scared that you're going to run up against something you're not ready for and something awful is going to happen...like it did to...us."

Nivanee grit her teeth, lifting her head, sniffling.

"When? What could have possibly happened?" Nivanee asked, forcefully. Kipuuna sighed, miserable.

"It's...it's just hard to talk about our first mission..." Kipuuna stammered. "...Ganisus says I promised to trust him...that the next day I just turned into a coward overnight? Morning came and I was a coward?"

Kipuuna shook his head, Nivanee looking confused.

"That's not it. That's not it at all. It's an entire day wiped from his memory..." Kipuuna choked. "Our first mission wasn't moving boxes. It was at Steeljag Bluff, to take down an outlaw, the leader of the pickpocket gang."

Avery continued to look, silent and listening.

Kipuuna paused, as though gathering himself, finding the words.

"Do you know what Ganisus was like when we joined? When we were kids?" Kipuuna asked.

Nivanee shook her head.

"I...figured he was the same as he's always been."

"Always been...always been..." Kipuuna chuckled quietly, the other Poke'mon listening close. "...we were the same. We were excited. Bubbly. Adventurous. Ganisus matched my brashness in equal measure, prancing around, the life of our team."

"Ganisus was...?" Vizon asked, quietly. "Ganisus?"

"Yes...Ganisus. Loud, proud, boisterous...he was my inspiration to be as brave as I was as a kid. It was his dream to be in the guild and I went for it because he was so...powerfully amazing."

Kipuuna's eyes sparkled with nostalgia, sad nostalgia. He closed his eyes, looking away.

"That...was a very long time ago. When we went on that first mission we were so full of...hope...and heroism...we were going to be heroes, Avery. We were going to be the big saviors of Arcea that would save the world..." Kipuuna paused, trying to hold himself together. "...and when I next woke up, there was Ganisus. On the stone of Steeljag bluff, bleeding, pickpocket gang gone. None of our reviver seeds had helped, no oran berry healed him."

He opened his eyes, looking at Avery.

"I don't know how long it took to bring him back...to get him to the hospital...how he was out for days...how I sat by him feeling like my buddy was just...gone. After one mission just gone..."

Kipuuna's gaze was intense on Avery.

"...but he did wake up. Somehow, he came back...but was dead. Just...dead. He regained his cognition a few days later, waking up in the guild as though only a night had passed. But now...all that energy was gone. All that fun and bounciness was absent. Nothing was there but..."

Kipuuna looked to the hall.

"...when I talked to my buddy...I didn't recognize him. Do you get it, Avery? I looked at my childhood friend and couldn't tell who he was. A stranger in my friend's skin." Kipuuna's brow furrowed. "But it didn't matter. I didn't care who this person was. I'd still keep them safe, they'd still be my buddy, whoever they were...and I would never lose them...never lose anyone again."

He leaned in.

"That...includes you, Avery." He said. "Hate me if you want...but I will not lose you, too."

'...His whole personality changed? Just like that...? I don't want to believe it, but...I have to. If anything would make Kipuuna so dogged about all this...that'd have to be it. But...'

Avery looked at Nivanee.

"...Is...that true...?" The Plusel asked. "Do you...do you remember what they were like on their first day? Did you...did you know about this...?"

"No...no I though...Ganisus was always like that, I...they didn't let Janus and I in the hospital, wouldn't tell us what happened, I-"

"It's alright..." Kipuuna sighed, shaking his head. "You hadn't gotten to know us before it all happened...I think those nights you and Janus comforted me in our room was the most we talked...ever up to that point."

"I swear I didn't...think it was that bad." Nivanee said, horrified, paws over her mouth. "He got back and we thought...everything was ok."

Avery tugged at his arms. Still bound.

"And you didn't tell Ganisus...?" Avery asked, looking to the Piplup. Kipuuna hissed, looking away.

"I...couldn't." He admitted. That shocked Avery even more.

"Kipuuna...Ganisus still thinks your first mission was moving boxes. He really doesn't know anything about this mission at Steeljag?"

"I just can't tell him...! I...he..." Kipuuna shook his head. "Avery...he wanted to be in the guild so bad. To tell him all that, to tell him our first mission so utterly wrecked him that he was hospitalized...I was scared, myself, I couldn't imagine how much that'd scare him, too."

"So what...? You kept him in the dark instead."

"Yes. Despite how badly I wanted to quit, to run away and never look at the guild again, to take Ganisus far away from this dangerous work...when he woke up he still wanted to be in the guild so badly. The dream was alive in him as ever." Kipuuna huffed, shuddering. "But I couldn't...ever...ever do any mission like that at Steeljag. Never. And I could never tell him...I..."

"That's kind of a big lie, Kipuuna..." Avery muttered, squirming. "...he thinks something happened to you overnight, out of nowhere."

"Maybe, but...I have to keep this secret. And now that I've kept it...I worry more what it'd do to him if he found out after all this time."

Everyone at the table looked to one another, fear in their eyes at the idea.

"...I...I'm really sorry that happened to you and Ganisus, Kipuuna." Avery looked back down at himself. He wasn't sure...how something like this could happen. And a twinge of fear entered his mind.

'Could...this happen to Vizon too? To me?'

'...maybe it already has. Everyone seems convinced that humans are horrible warmongering monsters. When Olistia and Arceus had... reconstructed me, maybe...maybe they changed who I am, too.'

"I think... On some level I can...relate to Ganisus." Avery chose his words carefully. "...I...I don't know what I did before I ended up in that field. I don't have much to cling to but being here. Knowing that I can fight for people who need it, try to make a difference...this guild is the one bit of stability I have."

Avery tore his gaze away from the floor. Back to Kipuuna's eyes.

"...maybe Ganisus doesn't feel...the exact same way. But changed personality or not...he still remembers you. He still wants you back. And...and I think he still wants to be a hero. That's...that's what he's clinging to. His... His stability is his friend Kipuuna...and why you joined the guild in the first place."

Kipuuna stared at Avery...and listened.

This time he listened to Avery.

Nivanee looked between them both, Vizon squirming as Avery finished. It was as though everyone braced for another fight.

But Kipuuna only sighed, speaking softly.

"I don't want to lose my buddy...didn't want to see him hurt..." Kipuuna began. "Avery...when you would go off with Vizon doing amazing adventures it would inspire Ganisus. I saw that old glint he had back when we first joined and nothing scared me more. That I might wake up one day and he'd just be gone. That I wouldn't be there to drag my buddy to a hospital this time...that this time he would just bleed and die on those cold stones of Steeljag bluff...that I couldn't be there to save you...or Vizon...or Nivanee..."

He let out a shuddering sigh.

"...but after everything it's obvious that this all just made me lose him faster. It's no wonder he wants to ditch Aquashock." Kipuuna closed his eyes. "...this was his dream...now it must be like a nightmare...but I just...I just...I can't do that again, Avery."

"...I understand that," Avery said. "...I can't imagine how scary that was for you. How...scary it must have been to see the rest of us go out like that. To..."

His expression darkened.

"...To hear that our first mission was to take down the Pickpocket Gang, too."

Avery was silent for a few moments, deep in thought. But he spoke up again.

"...But you're right. This...this isn't sustainable for you two. Being...scared isn't going to work long-term. You've been scared for a decade, Kipuuna. It's...that's got to be draining on both of you." Avery gave him a little, sad smile. "...I'm not saying you have to go back into dangerous missions. But...I think it'd be a worthwhile idea to...listen to Ganisus and figure things out with him."

Kipuuna looked unsure, squirming in his chair. Just as he opened his beak to talk a chime echoed through the inn, a voice speaking in a merry tone.

"Guests, it is now lights out! Sanshiyad is high in the sky and..."

"Oh..." Nivanee perked up as the announcement continued. "I guess I should, um...untie you both..."

Kipuuna silently nodded, his gaze towards the hall where Ganisus disappeared.

"I guess..." Kipuuna muttered. "...there's no way Ganisus is backing out of the deep dimension now..."

Vizon raised his eyebrows.

"...I got to go with him. If only to be sure he's ok..."

Tomorrow would be the big day.

It was a silent walk back to the room. Avery had said his goodnights to Nivanee and Vizon, Rikzyod and Jolvia.

He still...felt a lot of shame from the way he'd acted. Even if Kipuuna had been pushing him closer and closer to the edge this whole trip...Avery was the one who jumped off with Kipuuna. That wasn't the way the leader of a team was supposed to act.

'...Given, tying others to chairs while they're unconscious and playing dollhouse isn't really a way to act either.'

But soon Kipuuna and Avery were back in their room. Neither of them had said anything since they had left the table. But Avery held the door open for Kipuuna.

"...I'm sorry for the things I said, Kipuuna," Avery said after the door was shut. "...I was trying to be cruel. I...I snapped. I should have held myself better."

Kipuuna was quiet, stepping into the room, watching the lights as they dimmed.

Then he looked to Avery.

"...I'm sorry, too...for everything. For the whole trip...even before then." The Piplup said, his voice quiet. "Maybe what you said is partly right...maybe I am jealous...jealous how easily you can put your trust in those around you...the strength that gives you."

He paused, stepping forward...and hugging Avery.

"Please be careful. Please, please be careful, Avery..." he sighed, squeezing.

Avery laughed wryly at his words as he embraced him.

"...It's...surprisingly easy to put your trust in people when you don't have any other options. But...Kipuuna, you're...you're strong. You're really strong. I saw what you could do in the Obscurity Fields, even if it was just one attack. You've...you've been preparing, and preparing and preparing for years."

Avery separated, holding the Piplup at arms' length.

"...I know I'm nine years your junior. But...I think Team Aquashock...after all that preparation...I think you're ready."

Kipuuna took a deep, long breath, holding Avery, his guildmate. He squeezed tight.

"I may be..." Kipuuna said, pulling away sadly. "...but solo teams aren't allowed, huh?"

He let out a sigh, turning towards the bed, clambering onto it, the lights dimming more and more.

"I don't even care about the missions or the fighting right now, I...I just want my buddy back."

"...Hm." Avery thought a moment...and climbed up onto the bed with the Piplup, onto the other side. "...Tensions are high between you and him. I think they have been for a long time. He's...hit a breaking point. So have you, I think. There's...no way that the status quo won't change one way or the other."

Avery pulled the blankets up around himself. It...was a really comfy bed.

"...The way I see it, Kipuuna, you've been balancing on the tip of a fence for a decade. But you're losing your grip. And...all that you can do now is decide where you're going to fall."

Avery looked over at him on the other side of the bed, and smiled softly.

"...But...I'm not going to take Ganisus away from you. I think...if tomorrow goes well...Team Aquashock's best days are going to be ahead of them."

Kipuuna was silent, nestling under the covers. He didn't reply as Avery spoke, instead only letting the lights dim fully until the room was dark.

Everything was still. Everything was silent.

Everything save for nigh silent sobs coming from beside Avery.

He had a lot to think about before tomorrow...

Avery hoped he'd be okay. He hoped Ganisus...Aquashock would be okay.

...And he hoped his own team would all be okay, too.

With that...Avery closed his eyes...and drifted off.

He didn't dream that night.

Chapter 16

Burst