Chapter 1

Stranger in a Pokémon world

A soft wind brushed lightly across his cheek. The grass danced side to side being forced by the gentlest of gusts. Soft breathing was heard as he opened one eye to a blurred vision. He found himself on his back looking up into the clear blue fog as his vision remained lightly blurred.

He began to slowly lift his arm and try to use a hand to shield his eyes from the suns gaze only to be met with a silver shine reflecting the light back at him. A quick withdrawal was followed by his sudden call out. At the same time, he noticed something odd about his hand as he started to sit upright.

"What the-" He cut himself off as his vision returned while he stared with a confused expression at his hand. Only now it would seem his hand had transformed into a silver-coloured claw of some sort.

A panic and frightful expression appeared on his face as he rushes to his feet still feeling woozy and as he took a step there was an odd thump sound as if metal were dropped onto the grass. He was frozen in place and slowly looked down to find his body had transformed as well as his hands and as he inspected his whole new body, a small smile appeared over the worried face.

"Ha, it worked- It worked!" Sounds of light chuckles echoed in the narrow opening he was in while he moved around in an odd way still getting used to the way he now moved. His stiff joints made it hard to walk the way he was used to and doing so made it feel as if he was walking on iron stilts.

A few moments had passed and with the sudden excitement ending the new form he had taken was empty on the exciting energy. A few hard breaths for air as he was already out of breath and found himself in slight pain in some of his new metal joints. His time to rest ended quickly as the nearby bushes rustled and a mixture of feint voices could be heard carried by the wind.

"Over here, I'm telling you sis' I saw it over here!" A young girls energetic voice was heard just behind a tree that stuck out of the nearby bush and the voices got closer becoming easily recognisable.

"Okay, Okay..." Another female voice responded, this voice sounded as if it was from a young adult that had remnants of care and compassion behind it.

With the bushes now rustling as the approaching voices were just seconds away the steel covered teen quickly looked for any kind of cover that he could use but found himself out of options and decided the good old play dead trick might work.

He waited a few seconds and finally the decisive moment came. The voices stopped and suddenly feint footsteps in the grass could be heard approaching.

"I told you!" The younger voice called out to the other. The iron teen remained motionless while lightly opening his eye to peak at who were standing nearby and noticed one small figure standing behind the taller one.

The tall figure motioned to the other to go towards the bushed area while they stepped closer leaning down taking a close inspection of the pretending to be out cold teen.

"Hey, no fair I want to see-" The young voice called out in frustration however was cut off as the adult hushed her quickly and motioned her again to hide behind something.

"And what do we have here?" The figure in front of him now was as clear as day. She was in fact a Gardevoir who lightly knelt and inspected the teen who got nervous trying to keep his cool. "What is a Pokémon of your type doing here?" She whispered too herself thinking aloud.

It felt as if time had slowed down and the teens patience was running low. He was not known for someone to be overly slow when it came to waiting for others and his frustration quickly boiled.

"Hmm-" He made a light moan as if we were beginning to wake up. His acting was bad and clearing the Pokémon before him paid no attention to him and kept her investigation going. He took a gamble and tried to open his eye lightly to see what was happening and doing so was met eye to eye with the temporary detective.

A few seconds had passed with both staring at one another and finally the Pokémon made the first move reaching her strange green hand out to what at first seemed to be helping him up.

"Who are you?" He faked a slow and wounded voice but clearly, she saw through it and instead of helping him up as he thought she turned her hand into a fist and lightly knocked his head creating a loud metallic sound causing him to jump up right "Hey now, what was that for?" He called out rubbing the spot she had just knocked on.

"What that?" She let loose a small chuckle tilting her head "Oh I just thought I would play along with this whole act thing you were doing." She smiled, and this time offered her hand again for real.

He was hesitant to take her help at first and eventually gave in taking hole and as she helped him to his feet where he spent a few seconds getting used to his new balance spot to remain still and standing straight.

"Cool!" The younger voice called out rushing towards the pair standing and jumping with excitement "what are you!" The other Pokémon was a small Steenee with her long calyx hair and very expressive face.

"I-I... Just need a minute" He held his gauntlets out and looked at them again still amazed at what he was.

"Now, Now let the Pokémon breath sweetie." Gardevoir nodded holding a hand to her mouth covering her laugh. She took a moment to look at him again and inspected him top to bottom changing to a confused expression once more. "Although that does spark the question, what is a Bisharp doing out in these parts. Steel types like yourself are usually never this far south"

"Oh me, err..." He held his armoured head with his hand from behind thinking of a story on the spot until he noticed what Gardevoir had just said again. "Wait a Bisharp?" He looked down towards the ground "So that is the Pokémon I became huh?" He thought to himself taking another look at his body covered in a mixture of coloured iron plates

He looked back up to the pair looking at each other in confusion and shrugging as they looked back at him.

"The fact of the matter is that you are not from around here, so I ask you this simple question" She Gardevoir nods reaching into a small bag that was tied to her waist pulling a small parchment out. "Who are you and why are you here?" Gardevoir's face became serious as she handed the Bisharp the paper.

He took the paper and on further inspection he noticed it was a map. He blanked stared at it for a moment trying to recognise any locations or landmarks it had detailed down but not doing so.

"Oh well, it would seem I'm a bit lost I guess?" He shrugged handing the map back to Gardevoir. She took it back and placed and looked at it herself taking a few glances back at the Bisharp.

"So, you are lost and don't know why you are here?" She raised an eyebrow clearly seeing through him as she did before. Bisharp shifted his steel plated feet as the nerves got the better of him "I know these parts of the forest and no steel types live here nor ever come here. You are a long way from home friend." Her tone was serious and the young Steenee felt the tension raise.

"Sister, what's going on?" Steenee lightly asked while she tugged on Gardevoir's dress appendage.

"It is okay Steen. Our friend here is just lost and confused. He is clearly just suffering from a bit of memory loss. I always tell you kids to stay away from Mago berries" Gardevoir turned to the young Pokémon with a fake smile and pet her head lightly.

"Y-yeah, silly me, right?" Bisharp faked laughed to himself but stopped when Gardevoir glanced at him with a stern look. "Jeez talk about a look" He mumbled.

"let's head back now, the festival will start soon." Gardevoir looked up at the sky as the sun started its decent from its highest point. She took the Steenee's hand and went ahead to start walking away from the Bisharp leaving him confused for a moment.

"Wait a minute, I need to ask you something!" He shouted towards the pair caused Gardevoir to stop which pulled Steenee back lightly and as Gardevoir turned her head she found the Bisharp comically walking towards them as he was getting used to his new pair of legs.

"Oh?" She spoke softly and looked confused by his movements and now wondered if he was just drunk. She wanted to walk away from the stranger, but her caring nature got the better of her and helping a fellow Pokémon is something she was known for. She groaned to herself rolling her eyes and offered aid.

"Alright fine." She huffed offering Bisharp a hand to help him move along. He was not sure to take it but found himself forced to as he almost tripped over his sloppy walk.

"Thanks" He smiled lightly as she helped him stand straight for more than a couple seconds. "Sorry for the mystery, but I have an important mission. Err kind of secret you know?" He chuckled nervously and Gardevoir only responded with rolled eyes.

"Listen I do not really care okay if it does not involve messing with us fellow Pokémon or the festival feel free to do whatever." She shrugged and started to walk again with the young one in hand "And if you really aren't from around here, I'd best either find a place to setup camp or just follow, because things get dark real fast around these parts."

"I don't really have time for tours now..." He thought to himself for a moment wondering if she was messing with him or trying to help. In his moment of thought he got the idea to ask her or others at the festival himself about what he was after. "Alright I'll tag along." He began to follow the pair but doing so caused Gardevoir to stop again only for a moment.

"Listen. I am not really the one to pry on someone's secrecy, but you are acting very shady and that is something us Pokémon around here don't take very kindly, okay?" She nodded and began her walk again. "But I need to know if I can trust you."

"Right yes, well you want to know a bit more about me so I can at least give you that." He quickened his pace matching their speed and now travelled alongside the pair. "Alright here it is, it is true I'm not from around here, I kind of don't know how I got here directly, but It involves some weird purple portals..."

Gardevoir stopped and turned to him the moment he finished and with a worried expression she turned to Steenee again.

"Run along ahead dear, you know the way." She hurried the young grass type along and happily ran along she did. Gardevoir cleared her throat and turned to Bisharp "Things are starting to make more sense now." She slowly continued the walk, and he followed matching her speed.

"I take it that means you know what I'm talking about." He responded "I hope it's a way for me to return home after I finish my-" He cut himself off remembering what he was told before his mission.

"Hmm? Oh yes, well I have not seen one myself, you are talking about the rifts that have appeared throughout the area, but I know a few Pokémon that claimed to have seen these rifts you mention. I did not believe it at first, but you are living proof of that they could be real." She placed a hand to her chin and began to remember things she heard.

"Well perhaps you can take me to someone that has." He now was side by side with her as they walked and now several sounds could be heard. The sounds got louder quickly and for a moment he swore he heard music of some kind.

"Ah, well I will take to the elder, she will want to have a talk with you for a few reasons." She nodded and picked up her pace walking faster as she held onto her back to adjust it lightly. "If anyone has answers for you, she will."

Bisharp followed getting used to his new body and noticed Gardevoir seemed to quicken her pace the closer they got while also noticing a happy skip in her step as excitement grew in her. She was clearly happy about the festival taking place.

Minutes had passed and finally he arrived at a large community looking square and he was taking in by surprise at a sight he had never seen before. He was amazed that Pokémon lived like this in another world and never thought to imagine something like this could even exist.

"Wow you really aren't from around here huh, judging by your expression." Gardevoir poked fun at him while she smirked. "Just what kind of Pokémon are you?"

"Oh me, well you see..." He paused for a moment trying to produce a story that she would believe. "Well, err-" Before he even began his story he was cut off as the pair was called for by an unknown voice. It took him a moment to see who or what was calling them, but after a few Pokémon in their path moved to the side he saw a grass type waving to them.

"Hey!" Gardevoir waved back as she called towards the Grass Pokémon and moved towards them quickly. Bisharp followed behind at his normal walking pace avoiding the other Pokémon that he had noticed began to look at him, he felt uncomfortable with so many eyes being directed towards him.

As Bisharp caught up with Gardevoir he could hear whispers behind him that were about him and he felt uneasy about the sudden judgment being directed at him. He was not sure if the other Pokémon knew about who he really was or if there was another reason for the way they stared.

"I was wondering where you left too, Mawile was looking for you and I searched all town, why did you wonder off?" The grass type spoke with a worried tone in her voice. As Bisharp was now with the pair he saw the Pokémon as clear as day. She was a Liligant, her voice was calming, and she radiated with a peaceful atmosphere.

"Well, you see Steenee said she saw something super interesting, her words not mine. And I was dragged off against my will to investigate." Gardevoir sighed to herself before giving a light shrug.

"That's Steenee for you. She always finds accuses to run off into the woods." Liligant giggled to herself covering her mouth. "What was it this time, an odd rock? A relic of the past?" Liligant joked around but came to a sudden stop when she noticed Gardevoir pointing towards Bisharp which made Liligant stare at him for a few seconds blankly. "Oh." She covered her mouth again taking a few steps towards him in a dancing motion.

Bisharp did not say anything when she approached and felt her strange leaf textured hands on his own metal ones. He raised an eye as Liligant danced around him curiously making odd sounds of intentness.

"A Pokémon not from around here! Oh my, Mawile will want to speak with you at once" Liligant nodded turning back to Gardevoir and took her hand. "Hurry, Hurry." She pulled Gardevoir along with her and Bisharp simply watched in confusion before following with curiosity.

The trio moved along to the centre of the Pokémon town and just to the north was a large makeshift house. The doors looked heavy, yet they seemed to open with ease on their own as Liligant approached them with Gardevoir in hand still. As the pair entered Bisharp felt nervous again as he was deep in the heart of unknown territory which no story to hide his true intentions.

Bisharp entered the building and was taking back by shock at what he saw. A makeshift fire was in the centre of the room, and he could have sworn he was in an old western movie set as the room was designed like the native Indian hut but on a large scale.

With the sightseeing over he was called for by an elderly voice he did not recognise. he imagined this was the leader of the community and as Bisharp stepped forward he saw Gardevoir and Liligant side by side next to the Mawile he had heard about.

"Now, let's get a good look at you son." Mawile spoke softly as she walked towards him slowly with Gardevoir and Liligant shifting to the side and watching carefully. Mawile began her inspection the same way as Liligant did earlier with prodding and touching here and there on different areas of Bisharp and when Mawile was finished she gave him a soft smile before turning back to her small chair and taking a seat.

"Now Lili would you be a dear and help out Machoke with the berries, I am afraid of him gorging himself on a few to many, we do not want last year's incident happening again." Mawile chuckled to herself lightly and Liligant happily nodded and bounced her way out of the room leaving only the three behind. Gardevoir was twiddling with her digits waiting patiently as Mawile turned to her with a smile.

"So, what brings you here my friend?" Mawile turned back to Bisharp tilting her head causing the large maw attached to her head to sway to one side which Bisharp couldn't help but mimic lightly.

"Well to be honest I was hoping you'd know anything about these rifts of somewhat." He snapped back to his normal posture and glanced at Gardevoir who raised her hand.

"Yes, I- well Steenee found him alone, he was close to the deep forest area." Gardevoir nods.

"Ah, what do you know of the rifts you're looking for?" Mawile leaned forward hand on her chin.

"Hmm, I'd would have to say they are related to how I got here that's for certain." Bisharp nodded looking back and forth between Mawile and Gardevoir. There was a moment of silence as Mawile was deep in thought which was broken as Gardevoir stepped forward.

"If you just want to get back home then why didn't you tell me earlier?" Gardevoir shrugged.

"I'm sure he had his reasons." The Mawile responded to her question before he could answer. "I'm not one to pry on your secrets, but if all you want is to go home, then why should we stop you eh?" Mawile stepped forward towards him while signalling gardevoir to also come closer. "Last recorded rift sighting was a few months ago I'm afraid."

"Wow a few months huh?" Bisharp sounded disappointed, the last thing he wanted to hear was the potential of being stuck in the new body for months, considering his mission was vital and had no idea what could go wrong on the other side for him. "That's a bit of a bummer"

"Well good news is that they have been appearing more often than usual this year alone. Who knows maybe you'll find one." Gardevoir sounded interested in the subject and reached into her bag once again handing out the same map as earlier "Here, I remember Passimian mentioning he saw something that fits the description of this rift." Gardevoir pointed to a location while offering the map to her.

"Is that so?" Mawile chuckled as she was handed the map and went ahead to walk behind her chair and began shuffling back there out of eyes reach. "Well then, since you are most likely staying a while, I have a request."

As Mawile kept searching for something Bisharp attempted to peak but still couldn't get the angle right to see what she was doing. Gardevoir also was curious about the ordeal and had a better view and watched curiously.

"Ah found it!" Mawile exclaimed huffing lightly as she clapped her hands to remove some dust that had built up. "Here you go." Mawile offered Bisharp a purple scarf which made Gardevoir's eyes widen as she noticed it.

"Hey now wait a minute that's a team scarf!" Gardevoir reached into her bag and pulled out the same-coloured scarf. "E-Elder?" She stumbled on her words holding her scarf tightly.

"What? You need a new partner and Bisharp here is staying a while. Perfect chance for you to make it up to me for the little incident that involved you and your earlier partner now.

"But that's not fair-" Gardevoir tried to argue but was quickly cut off.

"I've spoken, and plus your friend Bisharp here owes it to us for the hospitality we offer while he searches for his so-called rifts." Mawile smiled devilishly letting out a cocky laugh as the Bisharp and Gardevoir were left dumfounded.

Not being sure what had just happened, Bisharp stared at the scarf blankly while Gardevoir was clearly frustrated mumbling to herself just under her breath while strangling her scarf.

"I hope that won't be a problem now, will it?" Mawile stopped and looked at Bisharp raising an eyebrow.

"Oh er. I guess not. So- what does a team do exactly?" He asked the pair and doing so made Mawile laugh to herself and point to Gardevoir who stopped her assault on the scarf and sighed.

"Are you serious?" Gardevoir whined looking back and forth between the two.

"Of course, better get started now Gardevoir, also he has permission to use the west guest house until he is done." Mawile nodded and pointed to the pair towards the door. Gardevoir wanted to speak out more but seeing Mawile's action she sighed and began to walk towards the exit.

Bisharp followed slowly giving Gardevoir some space as she was clearly not in a good mood from the sudden command. He was at first wondering how long he would stay, but being offered free shelter and something to do in the meanwhile he was staying made him feel more optimistic.

Gardevoir raised her hand, and the doors began to open, Bisharp noticed a thin aura around her hand that made it clear she was using her psychic power to open it. After they passed and exited, she used the same power to slam the door in her angry mood then looked towards Bisharp.

Bisharp gulped and nervously laughed which she did not find amusing. The pair stood in the outdoors for a moment and finally Gardevoir gave a deep sigh while looking at her scarf.

"Been a while. Better get things started." She wrapped the scarf around her neck and pointed to the one in his hands. "Well?"

Bisharp looked at how she wore it and copied her as he lazily wrapped it around himself trying to avoid it getting caught on a few of his sharp edges. Gardevoir waited for him and after he had finished she led him further through the town being greeted by fellow Pokémon of all kinds. It didn't take long for them to arrive at the guest house Mawile told him about.

"She did this on purpose." Gardevoir spoke to herself as she used her psychic powers to open the door lightly. The pair stepped inside the small hut and Bisharp felt rather at home intuitively knowing this was his temporary home for the future.

"What did she do?" Bisharp responded while taking a short look around the place.

"Next to my house of course, I get the feeling she planned this the moment I brought you in to meet her." She shrugged peeking around the home herself. "Not bad though, haven't seen anyone use this place in a while, try not to break anything." She says as she picked a few objects up and dusting them.

"Oh sure, er thanks, I guess. This is all a bit fast for me, so you know I'd like to take a moment to adjust." Bisharp nods and opened a pair of old curtains letting light reach the inside for the first time in a while.

"Don't thank me, thank the crazy old coot." She clearly was poking fun at everything that had happened to cheer herself up. Her anger seemed to have died down and she began to walk towards the door. "Come, we got a lot to do today."

He followed her willingly and as the left they began to leave town through the west side. As they kept travelling, he looked up and noticed a great many amounts of Wingull and Pelipper flying overhead with what seemed to be letters in their beaks.

"So where are we heading?" He asked and was met with an instant reply.

"Team office..." She seemed agitated as she stopped to face him. "You don't know where you are from, were you are and you know nothing about these teams, are you from another world or something?" She questioned him taking a step towards him getting into his face. "I mean really."

Before Bisharp could answer another voice was heard from behind the pair and laughter followed.

"Well, well, well." A strange voice hummed. "If it isn't Gardevoir and..." The stranger stopped and looked Bisharp up and down letting loose a chuckle "A Bisharp? How and when?" He stopped next to the two and another Pokémon followed from behind him.

Standing in behind the Bisharp and Gardevoir was an Electivire and following him was a Cinderace both wearing a dark green scarf around their necks.

"Today just can't get any worse huh." Gardevoir rolled her eyes backing away from Bisharp but towards the electric type. "Let me guess, another failed mission report?" Gardevoir smirked staring at the new pair that had arrived.

"Oh please, I'm not partners with you anymore. we complete missions now unlike when we worked together." He chuckled which caused an electrical humming sound as well. Bisharp backed away and watched the argument unfold.

"Yeah, you and your overgrown feather sharpener here best leave the rescuing to teams that can actually... you know, rescue." The fire type chuckled moving past and the Electivire moved with him both laughing towards Gardevoir and Bisharp.

It took a moment for Bisharp to work out that the fire type insulted him and tried to come up with a retort. His anger brewed deep, and he wanted nothing more than to give them a fight.

"Let it go." Gardevoir raised her arm to block Bisharp from moving. She sighed and seemed upset as she stared down at the ground and held her scarf.

"What was that about, do you know them?" Bisharp asked curiously.

"It's nothing, past mistakes. We need to keep moving and get to the office, it will close soon." She grabbed him by the hand and began to walk at a quick pace. part of him felt sorry for her at this point and he wanted to ask more, but kept it to himself since she already seemed ticked of. More minutes passed and they finally arrived at the unique office Gardevoir had mentioned. They were at a cliffs edge and close by was a large building with a large opening on the roof. Several flying type Pokémon came from the opening and a number left from it.

"Wow." Bisharp uttered being stunned by the building. Gardevoir hurried him along inside and once there he was met with a strange green creature at a makeshift counter.

"Next please." It spoke out not paying attention to the pair until Gardevoir cleared her throat and as the creature took notice its eyes widened. "Oh, now that's a sight I'd never thought I would see again." The Pokémon was in fact a Grovyle and his voice was a little hard to understand as he also had a twig in his mouth altering his speech.

"If I remember correctly, you told us you'd never work the rescue teams again-" Grovyle stopped himself when he noticed Gardevoir's expression change to a frustrated look. "S-so what can I do for you two then!" He nervously chuckled.

"Well, I happen to have decided to branch out as it was." She lied to him. "Plus, I never said anything about joining a different type of team" She shrugged looking back and forth between Bisharp and him.

"Ah, that means you want to take up the position of another type of team." Grovyle jumped off up towards a cupboard on the wall and began to sift through them quickly. When he jumped back down, he had a disappointed look. "Looks like all the common teams are full. Although looking at your current company how about a more, interesting role?"

Bisharp looked at Gardevoir who thought to herself for a moment. She looked to the corner of her eye thinking about the choice and finally nods without saying a word.

"Oh, interesting, I take it our sharp friend here is your new partner." Grovyle bent under his counter and rustled about as the sound of papers and boxes shifted. "Ah, here you go" He placed a piece of paper of the counter followed by a feather with ink. "Sign here please."

She picked it up the paper up with her hand but used her psychic ability to take hold of the feather and wrote down a signature. She turned to Bisharp and then looked at his metal claws

"Well, I can do it for you." Gardevoir spoke and wrote down another signature that he couldn't see at first and as the paper fell to the counter, all three looked over and checked it out.

After a moment of conformation, the grass type picked up the paper clearing his throat and began to speed read the whole thing aloud towards Gardevoir who only rolled her eyes. During the whole time Bisharp was simply keeping quiet and letting it play out, he knew her feelings towards him already are on thin ices and not wanting to push her over the top was harder than he knew how to make things better.

"It's done." Grovyle happily nodded and called over a Wingull placing the paper into a cylinder and into the Pokémon's beak. It flew away and like that everything seemed done. "Oh, and welcome back!" He waved them goodbye as the pair made their way out of the building and as they left Gardevoir let out another sigh.

"Hey, listen." Gardevoir stepped closer to Bisharp. "Sorry about everything that's happened today. I've been met with one terrible thing after another." She held her arm comforting herself.

"Well, I know how that feels. I'm not sure what to make of everything either, I've been just going with the flow as of now." He gave her a soft smile and the pair began their journey back to the town. "Say, what was it we are doing now? I mean like if we aren't this rescue team then what are we?"

"Investigation Team" Gardevoir responded. "We got the gruesome task of wondering off into the world and investigating problems around the world." She rolled her eyes and sighed. "Only one job available and good reason, it's very dangerous, and usually Pokémon don't last long during it."

"Oh, you mean..." Bisharp stopped for a moment and saw her smirking.

"Oh yeah, Pokémon die all the time." She looked him up and down and laughed. "You wouldn't last a few days without someone like me to keep you tied on a leash and point where to go with a stick."

"Oh ha-ha." He faked a laugh her.

"I only jest." She stopped and looked over towards an old dead tree. She randomly raised her hand and used her power to pick up a few rocks nearby and with impressive force the rocks shot off into the tree leaving dents and with a few going straight through. She turned back to him and pointed to the tree.

"Although it is a dangerous career though." She knelt and picked up more rocks when she lowered her hand. "How strong are you?" She continued to fondle and play with the small rocks now throwing them towards the tree instead of using her psychic ability. "Can you even fight?"

"Pff, I got into fights all the time back at- home..." He chuckled taking a few rocks himself and with decent accuracy throw one simply hard enough to reach the tree.

"I mean battle. You're most likely going to get into real battles you know." Gardevoir's whole body began to glow and emit a feint aura. The last rock had in her hand raised higher and with the sound of a gun blasting it went straight through the tree with a loud bang. Bisharp gulped knowing she was talking about Pokémon battles, and with him being human still made the matchup rather unfair.

"Y-yeah, I know that. Geez just look at me, you think I got this by being a pacifist?" He let his ego get the better of him as he scoffed at her performance and walked up towards the tree. As left her eye contact and faced away he sighed lightly. "Shit."

"What's the matter, going to give me a little show?" She winked from behind him.

"Yeah. I err." He raised his right arm looking at his metal gauntlet for a hand. He thought of several ways he could try striking the tree and decided to go the classic way taking a step back and a deep breath. A few seconds later he took a quick lunge forward aiming his metal claw towards the tree and as it struck his whole body ringed causing slight pain all over.

Gardevoir laughed at his attempt to attack the tree so much she was now holding her mouth trying to stop herself. Bisharp grit his teeth in anger and using the pain as the fuel for his next attempt felt something deep inside. Energy flooded his body, and he noticed his arm glowing a bright white colour, taking this chance he struck at the tree again and with a loud bang part of the tree broke off.

Gardevoir whistled and clapped for him. She approached him with a smile, but notice he wasn't moving. Bisharp remained in his pose with his metallic arm reaching out and found himself in more pain. A few seconds passed and the pain began to fade away with his breathing returning to normal.

"What was that about. Striking a little pose, eh?" She joked knocking lightly on his head.

"Huh? Oh, I felt this burning sensation rise in me and then when I hit the tree, I was filled with so much pain that I couldn't move for a moment." He stretched out his arm. Gardevoir moved towards his arm taking a hold for herself and inspected it.

"That's strange, been a while since your last battle?" She kept inspecting his arm.

"Eh, well I guess in a way yes, got in trouble with... the wrong crowd you could say." He sighed as he took his arm out of her grasp causing Gardevoir to blink twice and give him a blank stare. "Oh sorry, just a touchy subject."

"Well, I guess I have asked enough questions for one day." She hummed holding her hands behind her back and skipped forward in the direction back to the town. "I imagine we'll get a mission soon anyways considering almost no Pokémon does this kind of work." She continued to hop and skip relatively excited still humming to herself.

"This festival seems to have you on high energy, eh?" He chuckled being amused by her playful nature suddenly. "Here I thought you were in a bad mood about this whole team thing."

"Don't get me wrong, I'm still not happy about it." She stopped her movements and began walking backwards while facing him and continuing to walk towards the town. "But the town festival is a once-a-year thing, and this time Xatu will be there to tell me my future." She smiled to herself spinning around.

"Oh really, what are you hoping to find out?" He curiously asked her.

"Maybe that my luck will change, or better yet, maybe I'll find out what happened to my-" She stopped herself. "Never mind that, maybe I'll ask when I rid of you, you know." She chuckled to herself.

"Yeah sure, laugh it up. Perhaps this is a good chance for me to ask this Xatu something." He pondered on the idea. He knew this could be a good chance of getting what he was pursuing.

"That is true, you could ask him about these rifts. I'm sure a Pokémon like him could easily help you out there."

"That's the plan, although-" He went into a deeper thought of not letting the chance to know something more personal go to waste. He went into a debate with himself about asking about the rifts, or something more important to him. "Yeah, the rifts."

"Could be months though you know, sheesh stuck a few months doing this, I hope it's not as bad as it is rumoured to be." She groaned

"How bad can it be, we are just investigating problems right?" He asked her worryingly

"I wasn't kidding about the death part you know, some missions we'll get can be extremely dangerous." She went into her bag pulling out her trusty map. "Look here, this mountain ridge that goes off the map." She pointed towards said ridge as Bisharp stepped up looking himself.

"Now between you and me, I heard about a tale of an investigation team that was sent to find new ways past these mountains." She went into her bag again and this time pulled out a second map that was incomplete showing past the mountains. "They say there is a large town deep in the snow regions that hosts a vast number of Pokémon, but we have never made it through and flying types can't make the flight since it's so high and cold for them."

"What about a tunnel of sorts?" He asked her.

"Now that's where the investigation team comes in. They were meant to find out the truth about a tunnel that was built by rock types a long time ago, however when they found a tunnel a monster attacked them." She pointed towards the incomplete parts of the map.

"A monster? Like a Pokémon of sorts?"

"No, this was something never seen or heard of before. it was said to be a huge creature that could eat the very mountains themselves." She raised her arms to emphasise the story. "I'll spare further details, but they never made it back, no one had ever dared to journey beyond the borders of the raging ridgeline."

"The raging ridgeline?"

"It's a place no Pokémon goes anymore. Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions happen so often there." Gardevoir looks up for an opening in the forest and points towards some tall rocky hills on the horizon. "Way past them. A dark toxic place. So much destruction."

"Makes me wonder if the rifts have anything to do with that." He suggested.

"Who knows, but it's like I said, only rumours and speculation." She shrugged moving on and eventually the pair found themselves close to the small-town gate. "I'll keep us safe from any monsters now don't you worry." She laughed to herself taking steps inside the gate and turned to him one last time. "Let's go, partner." She giggled to herself being waving for him to enter. Bisharp stood before her staring up at the gate and eventually looking down at the scarf around his neck. He smiled then turned to face her. With a nod he moved forward, and the duo returned to the town centre. The teen knew he had to only wait for a chance to finish his task and get what he wanted, but during that wait, he might as well humour the Pokémon.