Who remembers chapter 5? Where we had a series of different POV's for characters other than Sean and Rai? Well I decided to do another one of those, but with different characters of course.
So after the previous chapter which was nothing but battles, tiring, this one has none whatsoever!
Hope you all enjoy.
The day was a beautiful one. Bird pokémon were singing, Grass pokémon were blooming. On days like these, exploration teams looked forward to good times.
"Query: Are we there yet?"
It was also a day where Beheeyem's patience was truly wearing thin.
"No Beldum," the leader of Team Gazer sighed, rubbing his face with the smooth part of his arm. "We are not there yet."
They continued their trek, questing for one place and one place only. There was a growing concern of the three and, based on what was going on around the continent, it was a concern of more than just them.
Every village they passed through had mounting work, very eager for the skills of an exploration team. It was good work, hearty and noble, and filled their coin purse quite well. The fact that there were so many in need of aid was something to feel anxiety over, however.
"Query: How much further to 'Designated Landmark' Treasure Town?"
"I don't know," Beheeyem replied, not bothering to keep the exasperation out of his voice. They had been travelling for weeks once the decision had been made to seek out knowledge of Time Gears. And with no better idea of where to look, Treasure Town and one specific guild was their destination.
"It can't be much further," Electrike barked. "It's been only forever since we left Jaunty Town."
"It has been four days," Beheeyem corrected. "You flirted with everything and we had to leave."
"Yeah…" Electrike sighed, staring off into the distance. "That was fun."
"Query," Beldum begun and Beheeyem felt his frayed nerves snap.
"I don't know!" he yelled, spinning on the floating pokémon. "I don't know how far it is to Treasure Town. I don't know what we're going to find when we get there. I don't know where to find the magnets you get off on. I don't know, I don't know, I. Don't. Know."
Beldum and Electrike stopped to stare at him, letting Beheeyem catch his breath before Beldum continued. "Statement: Noted. Counterpoint: None of those accusations were what I was going to ask."
Beheeyem sighed and scrubbed his face. "What? Then?"
"Statement: We have a dusknoir making considerable haste towards us. Query: What should we do?"
Beheeyem and Electrike started and looked around. "Why didn't you mention…" Beheeyem trailed off, knowing that was a futile thing to ask that would only cause further mental and emotional damage. He'd also spotted a dusknoir trying out for the dusknoir world record of speed.
The dusknoir, having spotted the trio much earlier, slowed in its glide considerably. Even before it wasn't moving particularly fast, but such beings were not known for their speed. Beheeyem could fathom that something was quite wrong for one to be moving so fast.
"Hello?" he called, raising an arm in greeting. "Are you well?"
Dusknoir glided to a shelmet's pace. His wide upper chest was heaving with the force of exertion, even though he didn't have lungs as per the normal standard, air was still very much needed.
"Greetings travellers," he said grandly, floating up to Beheeyem and outstretching his hand. "I am Dusknoir." Beheeyem took his hand with only a moment of hesitation and an expression of surprise, Dusknoir noting only a slight grimace for a Psychic-type to be touching as powerful of a Ghost-type such as himself.
"Beheeyem, the leader of Team Gazer," Beheeyem said before gesturing to his companions. "This is Beldum and Electrike, members of Team Gazer."
"An exploration team?" Dusknoir asked, receiving a nod. His eye fell on Electrike for a moment long, causing the Electric-type to shift uncomfortably. "Very good. I hate to ask something of you so suddenly, but in regard to your question. I am fine; however I have three badly wounded pokémon stored safely and I need to get to Treasure Town as soon as possible. I see you are a Psychic-type, might I trouble you for assistance?"
"There is no question of help Dusknoir," Beheeyem said, blinking rapidly as it really began to dawn on him just who this was. "G-Great Dusknoir, I think… whatever I or my companions can do is yours for the using." He added a bow after a moment.
Dusknoir chuckled and shook his head. "No need to bow," he said as Beheeyem straightened. "I need you to pull me along with Psychic, or anything else you can muster. I have moved as fast as I can from Amp Plains and with no rest and, to my great shame, I find my strength beginning to slacken."
"Yes, very well." Beheeyem nodded and looked around. "Where are they?" To that Dusknoir opened his belly mouth slightly, just enough for Beheeyem's eyes to go wide.
"Fascination: You carry them within you?" Beldum asked, not having the same tact at the other two.
"They are safe there," Dusknoir explained, closing it. "And I cannot take all three with ease in my hands, especially if I have to battle my way out of a dungeon."
Beheeyem swallowed and regained his nerve. "N-no problem Great Dusknoir. How shall I…?"
"Use Psychic on me," Dusknoir said and Beheeyem gave a jerky nod, lifting an arm as the lights on one lit up. Dusknoir didn't make a sound as he was grabbed in the, rather uncomfortable even at its gentlest, mental grip.
"Do not mind my discomfort," Dusknoir grunted. "We need to arrive at Treasure Town sooner than later."
Beheeyem nodded and began to pull Dusknoir along, floating himself as fast as he could.
"Query: Do you know how far it is to Treasure Town?" Beldum asked, and Beheeyem groaned.
"This again?" he hissed, but Dusknoir gave a laugh.
"At my earlier speed I would have estimated four hours. With the noble Team Gazer I would guess just two."
"Two hours of this?" Beheeyem thought, even already he didn't like the pressure on his head. But, as he pulled Dusknoir along, he knew that this was for the best. Three pokémon, he was certain he saw at least three, as well as the Great Dusknoir were depending on this.
Beldum was silent, Beheeyem thanked all the legends, for the rest of the trip, while Electrike ended up running ahead to see if he could warn the guild in advance. Dusknoir thought such an idea was a grand one, Beheeyem simply hoped he wouldn't get lost, or distracted for that matter.
As Dusknoir had predicted, two hours after meeting they began to see the first signs of civilisation. The dirt track became a little more well-worn, more paths began to branch off, even a few pokémon were out and about, although they did nothing more than gawk at them passing by.
Either at Dusknoir, or the fact that someone was dragging Dusknoir along in a floaty grip. Either-or, Beheeyem was too tired to care which.
"Thoughtlight!" Electrike called and Beheeyem found new energy to be exasperated at him with. "Over here!"
He had a chimecho, wigglytuff, and croagunk with him, and Chimecho at least winced at the use of Beheeyem's name.
No one commented on it, however, as the four approached.
"Wigglytuff," Dusknoir gasped, nearly hitting the ground when Beheeyem's grip over him slackened and broke. "Team Ion, plus Litleo, terribly injured." He opened his belly mouth and reached in. Chimecho winced away, as did Team Gazer, along with anyone else looking in. Wigglytuff and Croagunk took it in stride, however.
He pulled out Rai first and Chimecho floated forward, grabbing the battered shinx in a much better trained, far more gentle, psychic grip. "I'll see you there," she said and floated off to the guild, face set and determined.
Dusknoir acquired Litleo next, and Wigglytuff took him in his stubby, strong, but equally gentle arms and ran off. Lastly, Dusknoir pulled out a bedraggled meowth and Croagunk stepped forward.
"This isn't a trouble for you?" Dusknoir asked, continuing to hold Sean. "I may be able to make the rest of the trip, his wounds look bad, he doesn't need any jostling."
"You've done your part," Croagunk replied, continuing forward. "He'll be fine with me." Dusknoir let Croagunk pull Sean out of his hands and he raced off to the guild, gait impressively even and failing to jolt Sean at all.
Dusknoir sighed in relief and nearly toppled back. He fixed himself back up properly and nodded to the pokémon watching before looking to Beheeyem. "Thank you for your assistance Beheeyem," Dusknoir said and the Psychic-type face him a positive gesture with one of the lights on his hands. "I think I will adjourn to the guild, ensure Team Ion are going to be fine."
That caused a twitch in the exhausted Beheeyem. Electrike didn't notice, cosying up to a flustered marill already. Beldum, however.
"Concerned Statement: That was Team Ion. Concerned Query: Beheeyem are you alright?"
Beheeyem pulled himself together, tried to forget about the pounding in his head as it nearly caused his innate control over his floatation to fail, and looked to Dusknoir. "Team Ion? I can't believe it."
This caused Dusknoir to pause. "You know them?" he asked, eye focusing only on Beheeyem.
"Yes," Beheeyem said tiredly. "We were coming to Treasure Town in the hopes of speaking to Wigglytuff, but also them if given the chance. What chance that it would be them…"
He looked to Beldum and nodded. "Get Volt and come to the guild."
"Statement: Directive understood." Beldum swivelled to float after Electrike but hesitated and swung back to the tired beheeyem. "Concerned Statement: Can you make it without assistance?"
Beheeyem nodded tiredly and shooed Beldum away.
Dusknoir and Beheeyem, one considerably more tired than the other, began to float their way up to the guild. Beheeyem thought it nice, there was a silent form of comradery here now. To make an ally of the Great Dusknoir, even if it was made after using a powerful move on him for two whole hours, could only be a good thing.
The sentry grate didn't seem to be monitored at the time, but the gate was open so the two just floated their way in. There was a distressing amount of loud sounds from below, while a few exploration teams loitered in the middle area awkwardly. Beheeyem just floated to a relatively abandoned corner, it only had a togepi, politoad, and a ledyba in it, and decided now was a good time to fall unconscious.
Dusknoir continued on to the lower floors.
The guild continued to tick while Beheeyem was crashed out, a few pokémon wondering if they should help him and several trying to rouse him. Team Glee sung him happy songs, but he didn't wake up, so they switched to death metal. It also didn't work.
Strangely enough everyone else seemed to leave and the three decided that was for the best, it gave Beheeyem time to rest in quiet.
Four hours later Beldum and Electrike wandered into the guild.
"Seriously though Cobalt, I was working her so well! Why'd you have to ruin it with facts and reason?"
"Declaration: Thoughtlight wanted us here hours ago. Addendum: Marill was male."
"Working HIM so well then," Electrike corrected, then spotted his team leader being drawn on with bits of charcoal. "Hey! What are you doing."
"Colouring him in," Togepi of Team Glee said cheerfully. The immediate, pleasant, response stumped Electrike for a moment.
"I… uh… cool. Can I join?"
"The more the merrier!" Ledyba said, offering a piece of pink charcoal.
Beldum oversaw the graffitiing of Beheeyem and gave final scores to the four.
"Result Announcement: Togepi receives seven points for her skilful emblem of a flower on Beheeyem's chest. However quantity over quality was the goal of this endeavour. Electrike gets six points for enthusiasm, paws and muzzle are not skilful drawing appendages." Electrike huffed at that. "Ledyba received nine points for colouring Beheeyem's entire upper half. Politoad wins at ten points for his mix of colours and quantity of colour."
Politoad clapped happily and Team Glee sung Team Gazer a song before they decided it was time to leave.
Not long after did a chansey left the guild and an apprentice come up and spotted them.
"Oh my gosh," Sunflora gasped and sprinted to them. "Are you the three who helped Dusknoir get Team Ion here sooner?"
"I am," Beheeyem muttered, Sunflora's shrill voice finally waking him up. Rubbing his face, Beheeyem slowly floated upright. His other arm was quickly clasped with leaves as Sunflora shook him with enthusiasm bordering on Wigglytuff levels.
"Thank you so much!" Sunflora said before breaking down into tears. "If you hadn't have helped so much, who knows what might have happened to poor Rai and Sean and Litleo?" She suddenly embraced Beheeyem and cried into his coloured chest.
"Aww…" Electrike whimpered as his hard work was blended with tears. "Ooh." Then the colours really began to mix, and it looked funky.
"Alright," Beheeyem said, trying to push her off. "Yes, yes, I know. I know." With Sunflora not letting go he decided to just pat her back awkwardly until she stopped.
It took the intervention of a loudred even louder than logic would dictate to pry Sunflora from him. The extra harsh scowls weren't appreciated either, but Beheeyem could understand stress.
They were brought down a level to meet with the guild, and as Beheeyem grew more awake, he realised that as terrible of a situation this was, it really was quite beneficial. Wigglytuff was known to be difficult to approach, but in having helped some of his apprentices. Answers may be within their grasp indeed.
Everyone was tense and sleepy.
Wigglytuff stared out to the gathered apprentices, achingly aware of the two missing holes in the tapestry of happiness that his guild was.
"Bidoof should take stock of the larder," Chatot droned on, seemingly unaffected by the lack of enthusiasm the whole guild was showing.
Sunflora yawned, Bidoof began to nod off back to sleep, Croagunk just stared ahead blankly, rather than staring at his swap cauldron.
"Bidoof should take stock of the larder," Chatot droned on, unaware he'd just repeated himself.
Loudred was brimming with building anger and painfully loud sounds. Chimecho swooned in place, eyes glazed over, Dugtrio was staring out the window, looking at the sea. That, at least, was par for the course.
"Bidoof should take… ahem." Chatot cleared his throat. "Corphish take a look over the outlaw notice board today. Croagunk, you will be required to." Wigglytuff's attention slid off Chatot as the bird continued rattling off tasks to be completed.
"Okay pokémon, time to get to work!"
"Hooray."
Chatot blinked and began to build to a wound-up lecture when Wigglytuff fell forward onto his face. The displacement of air ruffled Chatot's feathers and he glanced back warily.
"Oh dear the Guildmaster fell asleep," Sunflora yawned, the rest of the guild made a murmuring sound.
"Go to your tasks immediately!" Chatot snapped, flapping furiously as he tried to shield Wigglytuff from their judging gazes. The apprentices dispersed without complain and Chatot sighed.
"The apprentices appear somewhat exhausted today," he grumbled, pulling Wigglytuff up with his wings. "Such things mean nothing to morale and happiness."
"Yeah," Wigglytuff yawned. "Right."
Chatot blinked and glanced around. Once he ascertained they were alone, he dropped some formality and spoke brazenly, for Chatot at least. "Sir? You seem rather exhausted yourself. You didn't stay up all night in the larder again did you?"
"Just stayed up all night wondering about Team Ion," Wigglytuff admitted, sniffling slightly. "One day is one thing. But they still haven't come back. I think we need to send someone out to look for them."
"I believe Corphish or Croagunk could be fit for the job," Chatot said immediately, working on presentable solutions for Wigglytuff. "Either of their jobs can be put on hold for them to mount a search party."
"No…" Wigglytuff shook his head, or whole body, and gave Chatot a look. "They are my apprentices, I think I should look for them."
"You?" Chatot squawked, doing several flaps. "But Guildmaster! You are needed here for morale and leadership. I can go search for them if it comes down to it, but you are needed here."
"Humph." Wigglytuff huffed and sat down petulantly. "What's so good about being leader anyway if you can't even look for your friends?"
"You're the rock of the guild," Chatot said gently. "And Treasure Town. Who knows where Team Ion is? You can't disappear for an undetermined amount of time."
"Neither can you," Wigglytuff pointed out. "You keep things running more than I do."
"That… that heartens me to hear it Guildmaster." Chatot averted his eyes for a moment to regain his composure. "I will call Corphish and Croagunk back and present them with their new task."
"Mm." Wigglytuff frowned and Chatot hesitated.
"Sir?"
"Maybe we could ask Dusknoir?" he suggested, brightening up. "A friendly friend like him knows so much about current dungeons! And he was in town at the time Team Ion left, wasn't he? He may have an idea, or at least some clue of where to start?"
"A fantastic idea Guildmaster," Chatot said, nodding. "I will go to Treasure Town myself to find the Great Dusknoir! Perhaps he has returned himself." The famous Ghost-type had been spotted leaving town shortly after Team Ion and no one had seen him since either.
"Thank you Chatot." Wigglytuff smiled, not content but at least relieved some effort was being made. "I know you're worried about them as well, but don't worry! Team Ion probably left on some important job and forgot to tell anyone where they were going! That's it."
Chatot opened his beak, before hesitating and nodding instead. "I will go see to locating the Great Dusknoir," he said and flew off.
Wigglytuff hummed to himself as he was left alone. The guild was empty of everyone besides Diglett and Sunflora, who had been given sentry duty, and Chimecho, who was floating around in the medical bar worriedly. He twirled his way towards the larder, all this stress was making him hungry and he knew what the perfect solution to that was.
Wigglytuff wasn't sure how long he was in the larder for. There were many Perfect Apples to sample, even hiding some away so he could take them to Spinda's Café later. He also cleaned out half of the Plain Seeds they had, leaving the rest for Sean as he knew the meowth enjoyed them as well.
Eventually, he grew bored of stacking Plain Seeds, Oran Berry's, Life Seeds, and Perfect Apples and wandered out into the rest of the guild. Feeling restless, Wigglytuff decided not to stay cooped up in the guild and take a walk outside.
It'd be fine. He wasn't leaving or anything. And if he happened to have a collection of apples and Oran Berry's stored in his favourite Treasure Bag, that was pure coincidence.
Wigglytuff went south, then further south, wandering down to the beach area. It was midday now, no krabby were out blowing beautiful bubbles, but the area was still very pleasant.
The Balloon Pokémon stared out across the waves, to where the horizon kissed the sea, and breathed in the salty air. Brought back some memories, he could almost see the bobbing of a smooth blue head cresting across the waves.
The Fairy-type wandered further in, staring into the Beach Cave for three minutes and thirty-three seconds before moving on.
He walked up, finding what appeared to be a path in the sharp hill and followed it, taking a few hops and inflating his body to get over the hill easier.
"Lalala," Wigglytuff sang as he wandered into the abundant green. Trees, ferns, grasses, and all sorts of plants that tickled his fur as he passed by. "So pretty!" Wigglytuff squealed as he saw a big yellow sunflower, he gave it a smell and sneezes with enough force to blow the tree behind it away. "Oops."
He decided not to attempt to fix the damage, history had proven that to only cause further damage, and continued wandering a path of his choosing.
He tapped trees as he went, noticing that several of them had grooves in them. It made a fun game to close one eye and flail randomly, hitting the target every time.
Wigglytuff wandered through a neat clearing and stopped. "Ooh," he gasped, trotting over to where a small ring of stones were left. "An ancient ruin?" He took a closer look, admiring the neat way they had been placed, and the ash contained within. "Or a fireplace? Both exciting!" He beamed and rolled away, inflating and floating above the trees for as long as he could.
About twelve seconds.
"Lalala," he sang, loosing the inflation and falling back down to bounce between the trees. He nearly hit a surprised Riolu, but didn't, and waved as he bounced by. "Lalala."
Wigglytuff continued to float and bounce until he was back at the crossroads. Brushing all the leaves and dirt off him, he'd picked up a lot after crashing through an ariados' web, Wigglytuff twirled to the waterhole and took a drink.
"Hmm…" he looked back and considered Spinda's Café, but it was too early, and he didn't like the idea of having too much fun while Team Ion was unaccounted for. Nodding to himself and deciding to invite them to the café with him when the time came, Wigglytuff turned around to marvel at the path that would take him away from Treasure Town.
He took one step forward, before he was interrupted. "Guildmaster?" Chatot squawked, flapping up to him a flurry of feathers. "What are you doing?" He spotted the bag and narrowed his eyes. "Where are you going?"
"N-nowhere?" Wigglytuff said, cringing under Chatot's imperious gaze. "To Team Ion."
Chatot sighed and gestured with a wing, pointing up to where Wigglytuff's face was looming over the sky. "We should return to the guild."
Wigglytuff sighed dramatically but dragged himself along anyway. There wasn't much point in arguing with Chatot. The bird would get very flustered and stressed but would rarely budge his point.
"I'm afraid I have bad news," Chatot said as they walked. "Dusknoir is not in town. I cannot find him anywhere, and no one has seen him since he left."
"Maybe he already went after Team Ion?" Wigglytuff suggested and Chatot gave a slow nod.
"Perhaps," Chatot allowed. "He did leave not long after them, but I do not think we should count on that chance."
"Then we need to go off to find them! Both of us, exploring together again. Wouldn't it be grand Chatot?" The Balloon Pokémon beamed and Chatot did hesitate for a long moment as the idea of possibility flooded his mind.
"The idea is… tempting," Chatot said, cringing as he pulled the feeling of want back. "But we cannot both leave! Such an idea would send the guild into chaos, anarchy would run in the streets, bandits would descend upon Treasure Town in a wave never seen before! No. No-no-no, we cannot BOTH leave."
Wigglytuff giggled, he did enjoy when Chatot would begin rambling, and Chatot calmed himself. "Then just me?" Wigglytuff suggested, only to be disappointed again.
"Don't you remember what we discussed earlier?" Chatot sighed before straightening up. "I will go. My network of intelligence must be able to gleam a clue of their location."
"Aww, why do YOU get to go?" Wigglytuff whined, Chatot cringing again. He didn't like it when Wigglytuff was difficult, which was distressingly often.
"Because-" Whatever Chatot was to say was lost when an electrike zoomed right past them. He reached the grate just as the dust was beginning to settle and began to talk panickily.
"Hello? HELLO?" He stuck his face in the grate and yelled, voice echoing back easily. "I need some help! Thoughtlight is getting exhausted and Dusknoir is tired and pokémon are hurt and Amp Plains is stupid, and we need to see Wigglytuff, and Time Gears, and-and-and-and."
Wigglytuff and Chatot came to his side in an instant. "Calm down," the bird demanded, pulling Electrike up. "I am Chatot. Speak clearly."
"Didn't you hear him?" Wigglytuff asked, kneeling down by the panting Electric-type. "He said Dusknoir is tired, Thoughtlight is tired, someone is hurt, Amp Plains is stupid, and a lot, and Time Gears."
Chatot stared at him in blinking confusion, even now Wigglytuff could still surprise him, and Electrike latched onto Wigglytuff.
"YOU are Wigglytuff!" he shouted.
"YES!" Wigglytuff shouted back, equally enthusiastic. "TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER!"
"HE'S THIS WAY!" Electrike burst off running again and Wigglytuff rolled after him, matching pace while bouncing down the stairs.
"CHATOT GET CHIMECHO!" Wigglytuff called back and Chatot nodded, he had taken in the fact that someone, potentially multiple, where injured.
Chatot flew into the Guild as Croagunk poked his head out curiously. "Go after the Guildmaster," he ordered as he flew past.
Electrike was badly panting for breath by the time they reached the crossroads and Wigglytuff found it appropriate to stop here. "Take a drink friendly friend," he said, picking Electrike up and carrying him to the water well.
Croagunk drifted down and took stock of the setting. "Meh-heh-heh, not trying to drown your enemies Guildmaster?" he asked, after staring at the electrike with his head underwater for a moment.
"Nope!" Wigglytuff said brightly and pulled Electrike up.
"Again," he gasped and Wigglytuff dunked him back down.
"He needs it," Wigglytuff said, pulling Electrike up.
"Heck yeah I do," Electrike said before getting dunked again.
"Sure, whatever floats your floatzel."
Eventually Electrike drank his body weight in water and wasn't able to run off in a mad dash, causing the three to wait as Chimecho also joined them.
Wigglytuff hummed a simple song as Electrike's companions came into sight. A Beheeyem, Beldum, and Dusknoir appeared moving as fast as they could, which wasn't much to be honest. All three seemed to perk up upon seeing them.
"Thoughtlight!" Electrike called and, causing Chimecho to wince. "Over here!"
Wigglytuff continued to hum. Chimecho gasped and Croagunk continued to wait as the four approached.
"Wigglytuff," Dusknoir rasped, nearly hitting the ground when Beheeyem's grip over him slackened and broke. "Team Ion, plus Litleo, terribly injured." He opened his belly mouth and reached in.
Wigglytuff's eyes widened and he leaned in. It was a rare treasure to see a Dusknoir open their belly mouth, truly something meant only for friends.
From the void within him, Dusknoir pulled out an unconscious shinx first and Wigglytuff hesitated. Chimecho floated forward, grabbed the battered shinx her gentle psychic hold. "I'll see you there," she said. Wigglytuff knew she was in her element now; any fears and concerns would be shelved until after she had helped the badly injured Rai.
Dusknoir pulled a surprise out next. Wigglytuff tended to like surprises, but more pokémon hurt was never good. It was Litleo, the known troublemaker of town, and Wigglytuff stepped forward. He felt he should have stepped forward first, seeing timid Rai in such a state had caused him to pause though.
Cradling the Fire-type to his soft fur, Wigglytuff immediately ran off to the guild. Unlike before, his bounces weren't random and chaotic, but a controlled jump with all the shock being put on his legs. Litleo wouldn't have even felt the bounce, if he was awake to feel it.
Croagunk came running after him quickly, holding mysterious Sean carefully, and entered just a second after Wigglytuff did.
The nurses station was not often used to such a capacity. Chimecho kept the small room neat and orderly, as was her nature, but it wasn't a common time for her to have three patients at once.
Treating cuts and scrapes, injuries that just needed time, with some berries was simple. Chimecho knew she was the only one in the guild properly qualified to do this, but she realised she was somewhat out of practise when this landed in her room.
Still, she was still a consummate professional, and she quickly had Wigglytuff and Croagunk place Litleo and Sean down on thatched straw covered with a sheet and then out of her way.
With her Psychic control, she didn't need hands or helpers for her work, and any distractions was not acceptable. No one would bother her unless she explicitly requested help. Which she did. Twice she sent someone out to fetch something she needed.
The first time Chatot flew out, being the fastest due to his flight, to go straight to Chansey and bring her to the guild. The Egg Pokémon was more a nurturer than a healer, but she had a few natural abilities that Chimecho knew would be a boon in this situation.
The next time Chansey had Chatot go out to her home to acquire some bitter herbs. The three were unconscious, for once that was a mercy. No one enjoyed those herbs, even being ground into a paste as it stung like nothing else.
Once things began to wind down, Wigglytuff had time to think again.
"Where did they go?" he wondered out loud. No one responded, the whole guild had arrived now and was loitering around worriedly. Chatot snapped at them all multiple times, and was pacing an actual hole in the ground, but no one left. Dusknoir himself eventually came down, but he insisted he was fine. He didn't turn down Sunflora going off to get him some food, however.
"How did they get so hurt?" he said out loud. Again no one replied. It wasn't uncommon for Wigglytuff to speak his thoughts out loud, not even realising he was doing it. Dusknoir moved to speak, but Chatot quietly told him that it was best to save the story until later.
Some time passed before the door to the nurses room opened up. A tired Chansey yawning her way out as a frazzled Chimecho floated on behind her.
"They're okay," Chimecho said, taking it as her responsibility to explain the situation. "Lacerations, as in long cuts, are abundant over Sean and Litleo. Rai has multiple burns from what doesn't seem to be fire. All three of unconscious, but stable. All we need to do now is keep them comfortable and wait for them to wake up."
"Is there any risk of that… not happening?" Chatot asked, speaking immediately as soon as Chimecho stopped.
"It's…" Chimecho tried to gather the words, causing the guild to clench up in worry as it looked like she was hesitating. "With any injury bad enough to keep someone unconscious for… however long they have been like this?" She turned to Dusknoir who replied.
"Over a day. 28 hours? I'm not sure, the time began to blend together."
"That long." Chimecho nodded her thanks. "Means that you can never give a one hundred percent assured answer. I believe they will wake up. These wounds are serious, but they should not be life threatening thanks to Chansey and I's treatment."
"I think it's exhaustion over anything else," Chansey added. "Whatever they've been through, it's sapped them. They just need time to recharge, literally in Shinx's case."
"Very well, thank you to you both," Chatot said, ruffling his feathers as the guild relaxed. "Now." He turned to Dusknoir. "I believe now is a good time to discuss how this happened? Dusknoir, do you know?"
"I know in part," Dusknoir explained as the guild, plus Chansey, all focused on him. He shifted uncomfortably, he didn't enjoy being the focus of this much keen attention. "Young Shinx and I were discussing matters in relation to an old treasure he used to own before a pokémon approached him, believing to have seen something resembling Shinx's treasure."
Dusknoir looked back and forth among the guild, noting everyone's drooping eyes and several pokémon shifting around on tired muscles. "He quickly left to find his partner, the meowth I believe, and then the two left. Or three it seems," he added, considering Litleo in the equation.
"Why would HE of all pokémon have joined them?" Corphish muttered.
"Right, he's a troublemaker. Did he do this maybe?" Sunflora growled. "Revenge maybe?"
Even impartial Chimecho was looking a bit mutinous at the idea that this was caused by Litleo. Only Wigglytuff didn't.
"Now-now everyone," Wigglytuff said. "Let us not jump to conclusions. What if he was there to help?"
A few skeptical looks were shot Wigglytuff's way until Dusknoir nodded. "Indeed. Litleo does appear to have joined Team Ion in their trek through Amp Plains."
"Amp Plains!?" Sunflora squeaked, covering her mouth as all attention shifted to her. "I, uh… sorry."
"Golly," Bidoof gasped. "Wasn't that the place that fella Riolu said they'd ran off too?"
"Y-yeah." Sunflora nodded, looking incredibly guilty. More so when Chatot turned furious eyes on her.
"You KNEW where they were?" he screeched, flapping furiously.
"N-no," Sunflora said, trying to gird herself. "Someone said that they'd gone to Amp Plains, but that's ridiculous. Rai would NEVER go there, just… you know he wouldn't."
Chatot did stop flapping for a moment before shaking his head. "But it appears he did." He gave Sunflora a deeply disappointed look. "You should have said something Sunflora. You as well Bidoof," he added, causing the Normal-type to cringe.
"Regardless of that," Dusknoir said, continuing his explanation. "I followed them, feeling something off about the situation. I only managed to catch the trio once they had beaten the dungeon and entered the final area. A terrible place before a charred field of lightning strikes. At the time Team Ion plus Litleo had been overwhelmed by a pride of electrike, led by a Shadow Manectric."
At that mention, everyone in the room stiffened.
"Sh-Shadow?"
"I… dealt with the manectric and carried the battered pokémon out of the dungeon and moved as fast as I could towards Treasure Town. The only place that could help them in that situation. I met a Team Gazer on the way and the beheeyem helped carry me along in Psychic when my energy was fading. I owe them for getting me here hours quicker. Yet… I wish I could have done more, bring some items to help them, anything more."
"You went above and beyond," Wigglytuff said gently, stepping forward with tears brimming in his eyes. "To have gone to save our friends without asking, bringing them back within you, saving them from a Shadow Pokémon. Thank you so much Dusknoir, the Wigglytuff Guild and I myself am honoured to count you as a friend."
Dusknoir stared at Wigglytuff for a moment, unmoving and quiet for a moment of silence. "Thank you Wigglytuff. I am honoured to count you as a friend myself."
Wigglytuff smiled and then grabbed Dusknoir in a tight hug. Dusknoir stiffened but relaxed partially as Wigglytuff bawled into his chest for a moment. Thankfully, blessedly, Wigglytuff pulled back quickly and wiped his face.
"Let us all get ready to support Team Ion when they wake up," Wigglytuff said, still sniffling. "Litleo too. He went to help them himself it seems, we should make sure they all know they are loved."
The guild gave a quiet cheer and everyone, finally, moved away.
With that Chansey bade her goodbyes and left the guild, Sunflora seeing her out.
The Sun Pokémon returned quickly with three new pokémon.
"Guildmaster," Sunflora announced as she gestured them forward. "This is Team Gazer. The ones who helped Dusknoir get here."
"Yes!" Wigglytuff beamed. "I remember. You weren't as colourful as before… friendly friend are you feeling alright?" He gave all three of them a quick hug, steadying Beheeyem as he nearly dropped to the ground.
"I am fine, just exhausted with a headache," Beheeyem said, speaking for the three. He still hadn't noticed the drawings over his body.
"Thank you for helping Dusknoir here sooner," Wigglytuff said, smiling and waving to where Dusknoir was resting. He raised an arm in greeting.
"Indeed, thank you Beheeyem."
The Cerebral Pokémon blushed, but soaked in the praise. "There was no question of helping, as an exploration team it was our honour, and as leader of Team Gazer there was no greater work."
Then Beheeyem sagged. "Are they alright?" he asked. "We've met Team Ion before, we were actually heading to Treasure Town in the hopes to see them. And to speak to you Guildmaster Wigglytuff."
"Me?" Wigglytuff asked, pointing. "Why me?"
"We've been noticing some… growing concern about Time Gears recently," Beheeyem explained as Dusknoir left the room. "Time going haywire, pokémon getting scared. We recently heard that the Time Gear of Boulder Quarry went missing, we discovered it alongside Team Ion. And also heard that you yourself had discovered it years prior. So we came this way hoping there was anything we could do, or anything you knew about the situation."
Wigglytuff frowned and rubbed his head. "…No. Nothing I can think of. I only found the one Time Gear in my exploring days and knew to stay away from it. No point in learning about treasure that has to stay where it is!"
"That's… disappointing." Beheeyem frowned and decided to go for broke. "Nothing in your recorded information? Any old tomes or scrolls that you can think of? With the situation as it is becoming, any effort can only help."
"Nothing I can remember," Wigglytuff said, screwing his face up in concentration. "…Nope. Nothing."
"We couldn't take a look? Beheeyem pressed. "It would, if nothing else, be a great relief to feel like we are being useful. Nothing would make me happier." Beheeyem carefully didn't try and claim it was a reward for helping, he had helped even without knowing just who they were helping, it wasn't underhanded to try and benefit from the situation though.
"…I suppose that'd be alright," Wigglytuff said after some thought. "Alright, but tomorrow. Everyone is so tired, you worked so hard to get here. You are welcome to stay at the guild tonight, tomorrow we can look."
Beheeyem seemed to sag in mid-air, relief and victory flooding him. Even with his hours-long nap he was still exhausted, right now seemed to be a fine time to sleep.
Wigglytuff decided Beheeyem's choice of bed was a fine one and went and fell asleep on his feet. With his eyes open. Making Beldum uncomfortable, as Electrike had also toppled over and gone to sleep.
"Statement: This makes me uncomfortable."
With nothing else to do, Beldum also went to sleep.
There was something off in the air.
Not that Duskull had a sense of smell that would make any amount of sense to a non-ghost.
With the recent boon of Ghost-type pokémon entering Treasure Town it wouldn't be difficult to find an individual who would understand, if such a thing was desired.
"What is desire?" Duskull said to himself, floating in place in his bank. "But a fleeting impulse?"
No, there was no current need for company. The day was for banking, bringing in the precious Poké and guarding it in regimented locations. It would be foolish to keep it all in the one place, even disregarding the folly of someone trying to steal from a Ghost.
Someone approached, so Duskull moved his attention away from his own matters. "Welcome to Duskull Bank," he crooned, enjoying the shiver that passed over the treecko. "How may I help? Hee-hee…"
The transaction was quick. To Duskull's delight, Treecko wished to store money rather than take some out. More money was wonderful, even if it was others. "I look forward to your next visit, hee-hee…" he gave once they were finished, letting Treecko scampered off.
The day continued to flow and flux until the sun began to set and bathe the land in darkness. Duskull enjoyed the darkness, he had no issues seeing in the night and pokémon were often easily startled when they could see him coming.
Duskull chuckled as he thought of a few good scares. The rush of fear fed him even better than the earthy berries, but he had been told to dial it back a bit. No one liked a gluttonous duskull after all. Despite that, no one could take the thrill of memory from him.
Some pokémon had better reactions than others. It was always an accomplishment in getting a tough or intimidating pokémon to squeal, but the various faces a certain local shinx made would hold a special place in his core.
"Little Shinx, where do you play?" he hummed as he closed up shop and began to drift along. "Little Shinx, where do you rest?"
Before he knew it, Duskull had arrived at Spinda's Café. A delightful little place, even for a spook like him. There was no debate, the wind pushed him along and Duskull felt no obligation to resist. He floated down the dug-out pathway and entered the charming building.
It was amusing how the energy of the area seemed to drop upon his entering, but equally as amusing as when Spinda tripped over his own feet and dropped two shakes, giving everyone a chuckle.
"Need a hand?" Duskull asked, floating to Spinda. He had already picked himself up, Mr. Mime had helped.
"All… of my… thanks," Spinda slurred, wobbling on his feet. Mr. Mime had a concerned hand raised to steady him, but Spinda didn't actually fall over again. "I'll… I'll remake these drinks… okay? They were only… just average anyway. My apologies Altaria… my apologies Linoone."
They didn't mind the extra wait and Duskull floated serenely to the counter. "Knock-knock," he said as Spinda danced around to make the shake's.
"You have no hands to knock," Spinda replied, giving an easy smile.
"Heh, alright then. What has four legs but can't walk?"
"What?"
"Half an octillery."
Spinda giggled and Octillery edged closer to Mr. Mime at their table.
Duskull moved off, ending his period of taking Spinda's time for himself, and drifted to a table. He hadn't come in with any direction, it simply seemed right at the time. Spinda was good company.
It was interesting enough to be worthwhile to lurk in a corner and watch the comings and goings of the café. Pokémon came in, pokémon went out. Some stayed to drink and be merry, others just popped in to speak to someone. Several explorer groups would bunch together for a few minutes and discuss things before breaking up and going off elsewhere.
The pokémon known as Dusknoir was brought up in several conversations. Apparently, the powerful Ghost had arrived back in Treasure Town, exhausted and wounded. There was some debate over if he was actually wounded, or just winded.
Duskull heard Team Ion come up alongside Dusknoir along with, curiously enough, Litleo. Team Ion was in a bad shape and Duskull tittered quietly to himself. Shinx would be most jumpy once he woke up, Duskull was sure, or perhaps a good scare would bring him to the realm of the conscious sooner? He considered trying, phasing through the guild wouldn't be difficult.
It worked for hiccups, why not extended sleep?
Dusknoir continued to come up, and even Duskull himself once or twice. He was intrigued, not many spoke of him freely. Perhaps they didn't see him? Perhaps they didn't care.
Duskull was not blind to the fact that a dusknoir was the final step in his evolution, if he ever sought out that path of strength. Perhaps, perhaps not. He was currently content in the building he had built over the course of many months, his home and place of business. Duskull Bank was his pride, he did not need power to fulfil him.
Not as of his current self at least.
Dusknoir was a strange one though. So wrapped up in his own thoughts and feelings. He was very grand, very friendly, very sociable with an almost cloying pleasantness.
Such a way of behaving was most unlike a Ghost, this Duskull knew. If Dusknoir wished to place a façade on himself though, better to be accepted that way, that was his business and not Duskull's. That was the way things were.
The Ghost's mind began to wander back to Team Ion and he grew more acclimated to the idea of invading the medical ward to frighten Shinx awake. Until his attention was returned to those around him, he had seen Wigglytuff enter and he never missed the exuberant joy that radiated near-constantly from the Fairy-type.
Wigglytuff was tired, yes that was clear, and rubbing an eye like he had just woken up. Still, he was smiling brightly, almost as bright as the cheer that emanated from him, and he danced up to Spinda.
The two held a conversation only the mad and mysterious could understand before Spinda began to do what he loved best and turn food into drink.
Such an odd aspiration in life. Yet such a thing was too Spinda to ever be argued with. His passion, Duskull more than respected that.
Once he was given what was undoubtably a sweet and fruity beverage made from the Perfect Apples Spinda stored for Wigglytuff.
Wigglytuff's eyes scanned the room before settling on Duskull. Beaming he rolled over to him without spilling a drop and sat down in Duskull's dusty corner. "Good evening Duskull!"
"Hee-hee," Duskull giggled, not saying anything more.
"It's a good night isn't it?" Wigglytuff asked, but not really. Duskull could see it was a statement.
"Indeed it is," he said. Just because it was a statement didn't mean he was barred from responding too it. "Are you enjoying the moon tonight?"
"Very pretty." Wigglytuff nodded. "There's too much cloud too see it though."
"Always beautiful," Duskull agreed. It didn't matter if the moon could not be seen this night. They had seen it before, they knew it to be there, knew it to be beautiful. Still, another view of the moon would be welcome, one could never grow tired of such a fixture of the sky.
"Team Ion returned today!" Wigglytuff beamed, seemingly trying to irradiate Duskull with cheer. "Chimecho and Chansey did great work in helping them."
Duskull detected Wigglytuff's wish to speak, so he prodded. "How do they fare?" He had heard they were unconscious, Chansey had spoken about it on her way past his bank, but it was what Wigglytuff was waiting for.
"They are alright." Wigglytuff's cheer almost faded, it was mixed with pride in another now. "They are strong, Litleo too. Going to Amp Plains like that."
"Amp Plains?" That was curious. For Shinx to return there. "What drove Shinx to return to his hatchland?"
"I don't know yet." Wigglytuff shrugged. "When they wake up I'll see if he will tell me. Until then." He remembered his drink and drank deeply, smacking his lips once it was drained. "Delicious. Spinda!" He danced off without so much as a second glance, returning to Spinda to get more of the cider he craved so much.
Duskull watched as Wigglytuff went around talking to everyone and sharing the good news before a red-eyed Chatot staggered in and dragged him off.
Time was winding down now and Duskull felt it was nearing his time to move on. He wanted to stay a little longer, however, and remained in place until he was satisfied.
He wondered why he felt unsatisfied, Wigglytuff was always a treat, but understood when Riolu entered.
Such a tense member of that species. Riolu and lucario were often tense, their aura skills often giving more stress than calm, but this one was impressively wound up.
Even as he spoke casually with others near his bank, Duskull could see the stress clouding him. For someone so young as well, to be under such stress.
Duskull wondered, as he often did, but didn't ask, as he often wouldn't, and simply watched as Riolu released some of his tension with a drink of his own.
He felt similar to what he had seen from Dusknoir, beyond that cloying pleasantness, he wondered what stresses they were under that connected them in such a way.
Duskull wouldn't ask. It wasn't his place.
There were a great many things shared in the safe confines of Spinda's Café.
Absentmindedly wiping down a table from where some tea had been spilled, Spinda considered what needed to be prepared for the day.
He'd need to see Glalie soon, top off the ice that was stored for cool drinks as he was running low. He also needed to see Charmander, or maybe send someone out to get him. Two nights ago Mr. Mime had arrived back in town, and he knew Recycle. Charmander would finally be able to use his TM.
There was still plenty of water in the tank, no need to bother Marill. But he'd ask regardless, Spinda always paid handsomely for the help he received and Marill could use the income.
It may be time to ask Beedrill or Gulpin to go out to a dungeon soon. There were plenty of regular food items remaining to be turned into drinks, Gummi's were running dangerously low however. Easily the most popular drink.
"Good morning Spinda!"
Spinda glanced up sharply, the sudden movement causing vertigo and he fell back. "Woah." He crashed to the ground in a very underwhelming bump.
"Oh dear," his startler giggled. "Thought I'd pop my head in, sorry for that."
"It's no problem Wynaut," Spinda said, pulling himself back up. Wynaut stretched out one of their ear-arms and Spinda took it gratefully.
"What brings… you in so early?" Spinda asked, picking his rag up from the ground and nearly falling again. Wynaut steadied him though.
"Wobbuffet is out at Kecleon Market," Wynaut explained as Spinda continued wiping down the tables. "Since she is an excellent haggler, I thought I'd see if you need any help with anything?"
"Nothing as of right now," Spinda said, smiling widely. He continued a little slurred, as was his way. "I've figured out the next few… hours before opening up. If you see Charmander before… you leave point him this way."
"Will do." Wynaut nodded. "You hold down the fort for us alright? Do you think you'll be able to manage for a few days?"
"Why not?" Spinda asked and Wynaut giggled again at him. "I can manage," Spinda replied, not wanting Wynaut to feel guilty or undervalued. "You'll be missed, but Project… P is of great importance."
"I swear we'll find lots of treasures!" Wynaut declared. "Serenity River won't elude us for long! If the rumours of the Gummi's are true…"
"Imagine how happy everyone… will be?" Spinda finished and Wynaut beamed.
"We'll make you proud Spinda!"
"Already have," Spinda assured and Wynaut waved before leaving. Spinda hummed as he worked, finishing cleaning and finally taking a proper look at the stock.
Hours later he was a bit filthy himself, but everything was ready for the night. Clasping his hands together he did a few dizzy twirls. "Tonight will be wonderful!" he said to the empty room. There was nothing special on, except the departure of a few pokémon for Project P. It was simply Spinda's goal to make every night wonderful for his patrons.
The grand opening to today, each day being open had already made opening Spinda's Café his greatest achievement.
Pokémon smiled happily upon seeing him now, it was enjoyable to be liked Spinda found.
Gradually and steadily, Spinda's Café began to fill up once the door was opened and the residents of Treasure Town, and any curious explorer, received word.
Already Spinda wondered if expansion was possible. There was certainly going to be flux of patronage, but the idea of having not enough space over too much space was horrifying. Having to turn someone away, thankfully that hadn't happened yet, but the mere thought gave him a sick feeling.
But for now, Spinda mixed drinks, and beamed as pokémon's faces lit up in surprise and joy. The low rumble of many voices began to fill his ear and his coordination improved.
He didn't trip as often while on the job, that was nice.
Right now for instance. Balancing three drinks on a flat and handy piece of wood Wynaut had found for him. It made carrying drinks much quicker, and his reputation as a clutz receded a little bit each time.
There were a few concerned eyes on him, waiting for him to trip and fall, but such an event never came and Spinda slid the wooden plate onto the table.
"Your… Oran Juice," he said, passing the cup to Drampa. "Your Sitrus… Tea." He slid the drink to Hitmonchan. "Your Mix… Elixir… Twist," he said, Linoone took it gleefully.
With his deed done he picked up the plate and began walking back, not before the trio continued their chat. "Poor kids, and after Boulder Quarry too…"
Spinda didn't hear anymore. He didn't intend on eavesdropping on anyone, apparently pokémon felt confident to talk in his presence.
Sunflora had already began using his café as a place to give and receive gossip, but she never asked him. It would have been a pity. He could tell her who was thinking about courting who in four different cases. Who had already mated, but no one besides friends knew. He knew why Dugtrio loved the sea, and what Chatot thought of Wigglytuff. That was an interesting evening.
But he wouldn't have told her even had she asked. Such secrets weren't intrusted to him, he was not under any oath to never tell. It was a much politer thing to hold onto such secrets, however.
As the night carried on a few shopkeepers stumbled tiredly, but happily, in and Spinda was delighted to see them. Everyone was polite, and they soon had their drinks to enjoy. Duskull entered, for the second night in a row, and Spinda grinned as the spectre floated up to him.
"Why did the duskull fall of the swing?" he asked, Duskull pausing for a moment. Nodding as the thinness of pleasantries was avoided, he asked.
"Why?"
"Because it had no arms!" Spinda grinned and Duskull chuckled, a wet and raspy sound that would be of great concern to come out of a pokémon of flesh and blood. A few heads were turned, but no one approached Duskull.
"Heh." Duskull shook his head, which was basically his whole body. "Good one."
"Thanks." Spinda grinned. "I was thinking… over a few jokes… all day. Knock, knock?"
"Who's there?" Now Duskull looked intrigued.
"Not the duskull."
There was a moment of silence as Duskull's eye stopped bobbing back and forth before he positively shrieked with laughter.
The sound wasn't a pleasant one. And as much as Spinda liked Duskull, damage control needed to be had.
"Hey Ludicolo?" he called out loud, to where Ludicolo was sitting with his bellossom friends. "Want to dance?"
Ludicolo, the crazy passionate pokémon he was, burst into immediate dance and the bellossom joined in before the room fell into a chaotic mess of various terrible dancing.
Spinda himself joined in a bit before finding himself bumping into too many pokémon. Charmander and Mr. Mime were both nearly knocked clean. He retreated to his counter and waited out the dance. Duskull floated up to him.
"Some clever jokes you have companion," he tittered and Spinda smiled.
"I'm glad you enjoyed… them."
Duskull giggled before retreating to his favourite corner to watch the festivities.
Spinda noticed Riolu, also returning again from the previous night, weave skilfully through the crowd and up to the counter and stood at the read.
"Good evening!" Riolu yelled, needing to as the noise was quite loud. Loudred had joined in and was giving a beat for the pokémon to dance too.
"Good… evening," Spinda said wobbly. "What… can I do… for you?"
Riolu placed down an Orange Gummi with a hopeful look and Spinda nodded. Words weren't always needed.
Riolu was soon off with his drink and Spinda smiled after him. There were a few odd pokémon around, Spinda himself knew he was one of them, the café was a safe place to be though.
He remained behind the counter, only exiting when drinks needed to be ferried. The dancing died down and the chatter started up again. Spinda continued doing what he loved, until the last pokémon was satisfied.
A blue furred paw rubbed a weary eye. The riolu known as Sean wasn't having the best couple days.
Approaching the meowth known as Sean wasn't the worst idea he had. It was probably breaking some imagined addition to his promise to Grovyle, but he had to speak to him. Such a thing was perfectly safe.
Don't tell him his own name. It was funny to Sean, thinking back on the bizarreness of it. Sean met Sean, only Sean didn't know that Sean was Sean, even though Sean knew that Sean calls himself Sean.
Don't bring up Grovyle in any capacity. That would just spell trouble.
All would be swell.
He did want to know what Grovyle had found out, if anything, during the time he said he'd try and approach Team Ion, but he assumed nothing particularly important.
There would be some sort of indication to that, he was certain.
Getting interrupted by Litleo though. That, of all things, gave him something to focus on. The pattern the feline pokémon had drawn was unmistakable, if a bit wobbly. The Relic Fragment.
The Relic Fragment stolen, possibly. After watching Team Ion plus their 'friend' leave Treasure Town in a mad scramble, Sean decided to take a look around the living areas of Treasure Town. He didn't want to ask anyone where Litleo lived, such a thing could potentially get back to Dusknoir and being as bland as possible in the eyes of the dangerous Ghost was imperative.
Grovyle was right in that there lies a risk of him doing stupid things without thinking of the consequences, but he wouldn't be quite so reckless regarding that old friend.
So he looked around, had to feel like he was doing something, and found absolutely nothing. That day ended with that feeling of swell joy in his heart.
The next day only caused frustration. It was painful in how limited he felt. Grovyle was relying on him to find the Relic Fragment. They needed it if any chance was to get to the Hidden Land in time, or at all probably.
Whoever had it now, Sean didn't even want to think about it.
So all he could do was keep an eye on the situation. Seeing a few of the friendly guild members out and about looking grave caused some interest. They were loitering near Duskull Bank, the creepy spectre thankfully not reminding him much of Dusknoir. Still, it paid to be careful around him.
He hadn't seen Team Ion yet, so he had a small idea as to why. Couldn't hurt to be polite and ease some worries though.
"Good morning Wigglytuff Apprentices!" Sean said in a way he knew to be cheerful and open, just the way pokémon responded well too.
"O-oh, good morning Riolu," Bidoof mumbled, giving a yawn. "By golly, my apologies. I'm still tuckered out from yesterday." He did look tired, like he hadn't slept at all.
"Oh please," Sunflora sniffed, sounding alarmingly close to either yelling or crying. "You just didn't sleep last night. I know because I didn't hear you talking in your sleep."
"How could you tell over Loudred's snoring?" Bidoof said pithily. Sean hadn't spoken much at all to Bidoof, but even he was surprised with the abrupt tone. Bidoof noticed too and cringed. "U'm so sorry Miss Sunflora. You're right, I didn't sleep. I couldn't without knowing what was going on with poor Shinx and Meowth, yup-yup."
Sunflora's surprise and irritation faded and she wrapped Bidoof up in a hug with her leafy arms. "It's okay Bidoof. They'll be back. Just wish I knew where they were."
Sean cleared his throat, having felt a little discluded from this conversation. They broke apart and he decided to make friends. "I was talking to a shinx and meowth of Team Ion yesterday. You're guildmates right?"
Right away, to Sean's amusement, they were almost glaring at him in hope. "Do you know where they went?" Sunflora demanded, breathy and shrill.
Ow on his sharp riolu ears. "I think, yes." He raised a paw to discretely massage an ear.
"Spit it out by golly!" Bidoof gasped, unable to wait.
"Amp Plains," Sean said, smiling earnestly. "I heard they were going to Amp Plains." It was true, and he knew they would be happy to at least know. It seems Team Ion really did just run out of the place. He could understand why.
Sunflora's expression was as withering as her going into a volcano. "That isn't funny," she said, voice unusually low. Turning away from him, even Bidoof was frowning heavily at him, she said. "Let's go Bidoof, we've got supplies to get."
Bidoof was giving him a searching look, he didn't seem to have completely disbelieved him like Sunflora. He still turned to her. "Yup-yup." And scuttled off.
"What did I…?" Sean began before sighing. There was still a lot he didn't know about pokémon it seemed. Sean glanced the way towards the crossroads and wondered how Team Ion was faring.
Sighing, he looked around and noticed a few townsfolk giving him unpleasant glares. Feeling rather unsafe now, he rubbed an arm and decided to leave. "I can get supplies tomorrow." He decided and quickly left town, returning to his hideout after pretending to enter Beach Cave.
He wasn't sure if the paranoia was justified, if Dusknoir wasn't around then he wouldn't bother. Grovyle would probably know if he hadn't regardless.
Damn reptile seemed to know everything nowadays.
After the first day coming with stress and the second day feeling very unwelcome in town, Sean hoped the third day would be nicer. It wasn't.
He was discovered.
Bouncing and crashing and tapping threw him off for a moment before he realised someone was going to happen upon his encampment and soon. He rolled everything up like he was used to, quick enough that even Grovyle would be proud, and dashed off.
When Wigglytuff had nearly flattened him with a bounce, for a painful moment he feared that Wigglytuff had been convinced by Dusknoir and he was being hunted by some of the strongest pokémon on the continent.
Wigglytuff waved as he bounced by, singing as he went.
"Well…" Sean said, staring up as Wigglytuff floated away. "That happened."
Even if Wigglytuff was relatively harmless, he didn't like the idea of remaining where someone knew he was. So Sean moved his camp in a different direction. He skirted around the edges of town and went along the road. Quickly, of course. He didn't need curious questions about why he was carrying his entire life on his back out of town.
To calm his nerves, Sean decided upon Spinda's Café to relax.
He brought some Poké just in case he wanted to buy something premade, rather than using the apple he brought with him.
The place was nearly empty when he poked his head in. Only Spinda, Linoone, Wynaut remained. He spotted Duskull shortly after entering, the Ghost-type nearly blending into the wall he floated near. No one else was inside. No one by the entrances or trying to look discrete.
"Good… evening Riolu," Spinda greeted as he walked up as casually as possible. He sounded woozy, but Spinda always sounded woozy.
"Good evening am I a bit late?" Sean asked, looking around.
"No-no my friend," Spinda insisted. "Spinda's Café is… always open to the last customer."
Sean smiled, Spinda was a good sort. You'd never find such generosity in the future. "Could I get a quick Apple Juice made up?" he asked, passing over the apple. Spinda took it carefully and skilfully shook up a drink.
It was a curious thing, to watch an uncoordinated pokémon make drinks. Reminded him of better times.
Still, Spinda made some fine drinks. Much nicer than the water he had gotten used to.
"Thank you Spinda." Sean smiled and took a seat. He didn't plan on staying long but the café had a nice atmosphere. Especially quieter like this. He didn't intend on nursing the drink, but it was almost too pleasant here and he loitered.
The time did come, however, to leave. "Thank you." He waved and Spinda gave him a cheery wave himself. He wasn't sure, but Duskull looked to give some sort of goodbye as well.
It wasn't hard to hear the news the next day.
Injuries among exploration teams were the farthest thing from rare. Every day pokémon would be limping in, even dragging along unconscious fellows, or dealing with some sort of injury. Such injuries to be inflicted upon a Wigglytuff Apprentice, however, were far rarer.
The quality of teaching that was had there apparently boasted an excellent rate of non-serious injury.
The fact that any apprentice of the guild could be injured to the extent Chansey was claiming was a surprise. Even more so when it happened to be Team Ion.
The residents of Treasure Town were relatively ambivalent over Sean, the meowth that is. No one expressed any dislike or distrust, but no one had the same history with him as they had with Shinx.
Kangaskhan was in tears upon hearing the news, as was Electivire. The mood of the town was somewhat muted and Sean himself felt it hard.
"Damn aura thingies," he grumbled, flicking one of the tassels with his paw. He normally didn't get much off those things, he attributed it to never being taught or even growing up with them. But occasionally he'd feel something more from any random pokémon.
The unification of concern tingled along his spine like an itch in his brain. It may have been due to the townsfolk.
"Or it's just me," he thought, exasperated at himself. "Striker will be maad." He couldn't quite bring himself to care about that, however, as he made his way to the guild.
"Pokémon detected! Pokémon detected?" Diglett cried from below the grate he stood on.
"Who's footprint? Who's footprint?" Loudred boomed from beyond the guild.
"The footprint is Riolu! The footprint is Riolu!"
The grate slowly opened while Sean wondered if they really did that for every single visitor. The idea brought a bemused smile to his face.
Sean had entered the guild twice already, so he knew which way to go. With no need to stop on the middle level, he went all the way to the bottom. Here he hadn't actually stepped foot as it was supposed to be for guests and guildmembers.
There was little point in standing around in the middle level, however.
The brightly-coloured bird pokémon that could only be Chatot spotted him quickly after entering. "Hm? Excuse me but this is a guild-only area."
"My apologies sir," Sean said and came to a stop. "I didn't know if I should just wait up above. I was hoping to visit Team Ion."
"What business do you have with them?" Chatot asked, not unfriendly just stern. "They are still unconscious." He paused and looked Sean up and down as the riolu digested that. "Hm. Are you the same riolu that spoke with Sunflora and Bidoof about Team Ion's location?" he asked suddenly, and Sean blinked.
"I," he quickly recalled the incident. "Yes I am. I had chatted with Meowth earlier and was present when they decided to journey to Amp Plains."
Chatot nodded and gestured with a wing to step forward. "Very well. Sunflora and Bidoof have been reprimanded, heavily, for failing to report that. I do have to ask; however, do you know why they went there?" Chatot hopped along, Sean following. "For Rai, ahem Shinx, to step foot in Amp Plains again. I had known S, ahem Meowth, was making him bolder, but such a step is sudden and somewhat alarming."
Chatot led him into a room and Sean entered expecting some unconscious pokémon. Instead he saw the back of a large, round, pokémon.
"Hiya!" Wigglytuff said, spinning on Sean so suddenly he jumped back and nearly bolted for the exit.
"U-uh," he stammered, but Wigglytuff didn't notice.
"So you are Riolu?" Wigglytuff asked, then continued as the answer was obvious. "It is so good to meet you. So good to meet you."
"…You too?" Sean's mind had gone a bit wild, but Wigglytuff didn't even seem to remember spotting him before. He wasn't foolish enough to accept that so easily, however. Why Chatot had led him here instead of to Team Ion made him uneasy.
Sean turned to breach the question and noticed Chatot was gone. "Wha?"
He turned back to Wigglytuff, not taking his eyes off him for too long. "Did you want to see me?" he asked.
"Team Ion and Litleo are in a bad shape," Wigglytuff said, enthusiasm dampening. "Chatot normally sends visitors away, even Kangaskhan wasn't allowed to see them. But since you came all the way here, and knew where they were, I think Chatot's gone to get someone who can explain a little better."
Wigglytuff was correct and Chatot returned with a floating pokémon very similar to a wind chime.
"Good afternoon," Chimecho said. "You also have arrived with questions of Team Ion?"
Sean hesitated. He was not used to such friendliness and some vague form of generosity. He shrugged the feeling off as a problem that technically hadn't happened yet. "I just had a friendly conversation with Meowth and heard that he and his friend were badly injured. I thought I'd see if there was anything I can do."
"You are a kind pokémon." Chimecho smiled but shook her head anyway. "All they need now is rest. With any luck they'll be awake soon.
Sean nodded, he wasn't sure what else he could have gotten out of this. It was at least comforting to know they were alright. "No worries then."
"I'll see you out," Chatot said, gesturing with his wing. Wigglytuff waved him off and Chimecho floated back off to the medical bay.
"They are a strong duo," Chatot said as they walked, Sean giving him an attentive look. He hadn't expected Chatot to start talking. "Brave and hardworking. They'll be fine. Just need to wake up first."
Sean couldn't help but feel like Chatot was saying that more to himself then him but nodded anyway. "That's reassuring to hear." Chatot's attitude was not, however.
After exiting the guild, Sean found his feet wandering to Spinda's Café. The place had only just opened for the day and there were already a fair number of pokémon. Not wanting to blend into that crowd, he stayed back and instead paced a few laps around the town.
Night fell, and the stars came out. Sean breathed in the night air, enjoying the life, enjoying the breeze, before deciding to go to his encampment.
Loud sounds almost qualifying as music pounded out from Spinda's Café and Sean felt himself drawn into it. Loud sounds, pounding of feet as monsters danced, he couldn't help himself.
His aura tassels shivered with Loudred's beat as the pokémon partied away. The sounds were loud enough to blur his thoughts and the sheer emotion from the crowd gave him something resembling a buzz. Everyone was happy, and he relaxed a few tensed muscles, letting himself be drawn in with the flow.
He gave a loud greeting to Spinda and dug an Orange Gummi out of his daypack and Spinda turned it into a delicious shake without question, letting Sean take his own time to find a place.
Sean closed his eyes with the idea of meditating through the charming chaos and when he opened his eyes the place was almost empty.
Was empty for everyone besides himself and Spinda.
"Oh shoot," he said, blinking the sleep out of his eyes. "How long have I been here?"
"A few hours," Spinda replied, easy and level. It almost made Sean worried that he didn't sound bothered, knowing for certain would make him calmer.
"I am so sorry, you could have woken me up and kicked me out. You've probably been waiting for me, haven't you?" He winced, being a burden on anyone was repugnant to him.
Spinda laughed him off though. "No-no, don't apologise," Spinda said and Sean noticed that despite the raucousness of the evening, things were mostly clean and in order. Spinda had been cleaning while he was asleep, not his area though.
He winced again and stood up. "I'm sure I've wasted enough of your time. I'm so sorry, again."
"It's of… no… concern," Spinda insisted, stopping cleaning and beginning to stack stools. "It is the motto of… the café. The night only ends when everyone is satisfied. I'm… proud to claim a space so safe as to sleep in. Thank you Riolu."
Blushing slightly at the praise he was getting thrown at for sleeping, rather than being thrown out, Sean decided to start stacking stools himself. Best to be helpful.
Spinda didn't say anything against it and the two fell into an easy silence. Sean wasn't sure why, but Spinda really didn't seem to mind.
"How is Project P going?" Sean said suddenly, remembering that specific ambition of the café. Spinda beamed from where he was neatening a pile.
"Fantastic. Tremendously successful. Wonderfully exciting! The recycle effort has gone… wonderfully… Treasure Town has truly… embraced Spinda's Café. It makes me really excited, and so… happy, to know so many pokémon feel favourable towards us."
"It's a wonderful place," Sean said, smiling as Spinda wobbled in glee.
"Thank you Riolu. To have such a place… this was an ambition of mine I… never knew I had un…til recently."
"Incredible in what you've done in that time," Sean said and Spinda grinned proudly.
"All thanks… to Treasure Town," he said, nodding firmly. "A true team… effort. Project P has already discovered… two… new dungeons, but what more might exist out there?"
"Who knows?" Sean smiled, looking up to the roof.
"Imagine a dungeon beyond the sky?" Spinda said excitedly, voice barely drawing out at all. "Or one in a dream? Even imagine… imagine exploring a place held between the split of a second?"
Sean paused and gave Spinda a searching look, but the Spot Panda pokémon had already moved onto other things.
"I thank… everyone for giving me this… chance. It has been truly splendid, exciting, amazing, glorious, astonishing…" he yawned. "Heartening, to make so many pokémon happy. To get… smiles for you rather than at you. So nice…" he yawned again, and Sean yawned too.
"Contagious," he joked and shook his head slowly. "I think I should go now. Sleep in till lunch time tomorrow."
"Are you satisfied?" Spinda asked and Sean nodded. "Come… back… any time."
"I think I will," Sean said and waved as he left, mind whirring. He was a little too tired to do a lot of deep thinking, but Spinda had said something that tickled an old memory and got his mind churning along. Maybe he had a place to finally start looking?
Rocks fell from deep gouges in the ceiling, splashing loudly in the frothy water.
Cerulean light flickered.
Eyes unseeing flicked back and forth. A wall began to crack, more rubble fell from the sky.
Things stopped and started. Minds came and went. Heart's thumped during the time between.
Sand began to trickle down. Beginning to bury its secrets and suffocate those within. One grain at a time.
So I know that Dusknoir is actually faster then Beheeyem, but he was both exhausted from doing his version of sprinting for an entire night, on top of fighting through Amp Plains to begin with, plus Psychic movement was just easier by that point.
Wigglytuff's section went a lot longer than I had thought! But I rather enjoyed writing him, I couldn't stop at first.
Duskull was a weird one to write. Bet no one expected him to get a POV. Ghost's in general are interesting to write, his friendship with Spinda surprised me but it went so perfectly as I was writing it.
Spinda, however, was really quite fun. Everyone sees him as a bit of a ditz, and he is, but he does see and hear a bit more than pokémon think. Good and bad.
And so we got our first proper POV of Riolu!Sean. How exciting! His one also ran away with me a bit, but I hope no one minds. Thanks, or sorry for stealing, to jakeroo123 for that crazy Sean line ^^
This has been a fun chapter to write. But I'm tired now, as I usually am since I write at terrible times. Tell me what you think!