CHAPTER 13
The sun was beginning to set in the sky. The guild members had spent most of their day in Blistering Borough.
Rylan, Nidorina, and Wingull all cast worried looks at Zorian after he spoke his realization. Vulpix looked quite taken aback, but soon mustered up the strength to respond.
"What do you mean?" she asked. "Why would anyone want us?"
Zorian looked over at Vulpix. "Not you," he replied, "and not you two, either," he added, turning to face Team Earth-Sky.
"So you're saying…" Rylan started.
"Think back," Zorian said to Rylan. "Steenee didn't ask for just anyone to carry out her task. She specifically requested you and me."
"That's right," Rylan confirmed.
"And after we came to Blistering Borough, Buizel got taken from us," Zorian continued. "This could only mean we were followed."
"But why Buizel, specifically?" asked Wingull. "If whoever is doing this is after you and Rylan, wouldn't it make more sense for them to take someone you're on better terms with, like Nidorina or Vulpix?"
"I don't know," Zorian replied. "They may have just decided to snatch someone up indiscriminately."
"I don't care if Buizel still hates me," said Rylan. "We need to rescue him. I owe him more than I can ever be able to repay."
The group of flustered Pokémon stopped talking for a moment to take everything in. After a few deep breaths, they all sat down on the ground together.
Rylan looked around at the faces of his friends. They all seemed to be losing confidence rather quickly. He then turned toward his big brother.
"So, what do we do now?" he asked, breaking the silence.
Zorian rubbed his forehead and sighed. "One thing's for certain," he responded. "We can't go back to the guild now."
"But—" Nidorina started, but quickly realized why Zorian said what he said.
"I see," she conceded. "If we go back to the guild, we'd only be bringing trouble along with us."
"The last thing we need is for our stalker to sew more seeds of doubt and distrust in Aggron's guild," said Zorian. "And since they're not above kidnapping, we'd be putting our friends at risk, too."
"But shouldn't Aggron know?" asked Rylan. "If we don't return, he'll worry about us."
"You and I can't go back," Zorian replied, "but perhaps they could." He looked over at Vulpix, Wingull, and Nidorina. "The three of you could travel together. If anything suspicious happened, you'd have each other."
"I'm not leaving," said Vulpix. "I'm going to find Buizel."
Nidorina and Wingull looked at each other. They both knew there was no way Vulpix could be talked out of staying with Team Shell Bell. To everyone's surprise, Wingull began to shed a few tears.
"I see the way you two look at each other," she said to her teammate. "The way you two get along. There's no way you could leave him."
"What are you saying?" Nidorina asked.
"I'm going back to the guild by myself," Wingull responded.
"No," Zorian immediately interjected. "No way. Not with everything that's been happening. If you're by yourself—"
"Then I could be kidnapped as well," Wingull finished. "The thought frightens me more than I can describe with words. I have to do it, though. The four of you have gotten so strong, so close to each other. I'm just the informant who catches wind of all the gossip. What you'll be facing is probably worse than what could happen to me."
"Wingull—" Nidorina started.
"No," Wingull replied. "I know you would come with me, but I feel I have to do this. I may not be as proficient in battle as the rest of you, but I know my strengths. I carry the resolve of my family who have served in the Pelipper Post Office for generations, the resolve to fly, to get where I need to be in time."
Wingull wiped some tears from her eyes, then looked upward and began to shout to the encroaching dusk.
"I know you can hear me!" she exclaimed. "Wherever you are, I know you're trying to mess with us! I know you heard what I just said! Go ahead and try to stop me from going back to the guild! You can do whatever you want with me! I believe in my friends, and they will defeat you!"
Nidorina began to shed tears of her own after hearing Wingull's warning. Before she could say anything, however, a bright light began to shine nearby, drawing everyone's attention.
"Wait, is that…?" Rylan asked.
Wingull sniffled. "It's a luminous star."
Without another word, Wingull flew further into the alley they were hiding in, toward the star that had just appeared. She stopped underneath the soothing light and closed her eyes.
"Please," she said, "give me the strength I need to see this through."
Everyone watched, surprised, as a bright glow began to engulf Wingull's body. The wind started to pick up, swirling around her as the mysterious glow brightened.
"What's happening?" Zorian asked.
"Her wish is being granted," Nidorina replied, watching on.
Moments later, the swirling wind died down and the glow began to fade. Where Wingull once stood now stood a Pelipper. She opened her eyes and looked down at herself.
"I've…I've evolved," she gasped.
"Incredible," Zorian said.
Nidorina stepped forward. "Wing—I mean, Pelipper, please wait."
Pelipper smiled at Nidorina. "Thank you," she said. "Thank you for being concerned about me. As I said, though, this is something I have to do. Aggron has to know what happened."
"But…!" Nidorina cried.
Rylan put a paw on Nidorina's back. "It's okay," he said. "I think she can do this."
Nidorina paused for a moment, then wiped away her tears. Pelipper's resolve was just like Vulpix's; Nidorina realized there was no stopping her.
"Be safe," she said.
"I will," Pelipper replied. She spread her wings, pushed herself up into the air, then set off back toward the guild. The others watched from below as she flew into the night.
Rylan's gaze turned back toward the shining luminous star.
"I wonder…" he said. He turned to look at Nidorina. She noticed his glance, looked back at him, and nodded her head.
Rylan slowly walked toward the luminous star. He started to feel doubtful since the last time he tried to evolve, it didn't work. Then again, perhaps things would be different this time. He knew the situation was urgent, and he needed to become stronger.
Like Wingull had done moments prior, Rylan stepped under the light of the star. He lowered his head and closed his eyes.
"I need the strength to see this through," he said, hoping that speaking similarly to Wingull would help.
Unfortunately, once again, the star began to dim above Rylan until it completely vanished. Once Rylan realized what happened, he sank down and angrily pounded his fist on the ground, feeling very dispirited.