- Chapter 11: Official Assignment -

Surprisingly, their request wasn't so urgent. When Krista asked if they needed to be transferred to his doorstep, Dusk stated that walking would be preferable. It worked out in her favor anyway. The long walk was somewhat more bearable. It was better than feeling nauseous just to save a few minutes of time.

Once they arrived at the large hall and got permission to enter the Headmaster's chamber, they stood side by side. Slowking appeared to be admiring the outside view.

"I've brought Team Retribute as you requested, Headmaster." Dusk dipped his head.

As Slowking turned to address them, he didn't appear angry, or anything of the like. There was deep concern on his face as he took a long look at them. "I do apologize for the scare you had, Team Retribute. It's unfortunate timing. These things usually don't happen."

"It's okay, Headmaster. Krista and I are completely unharmed!" Pineno said. "And it's because Mr. Dusk stepped in to protect us! We have him to thank!"

Krista frowned. (Yeah. Only at the last second…)

Dusk sighed. "Don't give me such praise. But, I suppose you're welcome. I'm just glad to see you are both unharmed."

Slowking sighed. "I've had a good talk with Dusk here, and it's clear that he had zero intention to put you two in danger. It seems that the downside of being an Explorer means lacking self-preservation. What you two have witnessed is an everyday occurrence for Dusk. I don't believe he realized how bad it was until you pointed it out to him."

Krista just looked at them, dumbfounded. (Every day? That's normal for him? What…what kind of jobs does he do? What's worse than that?!)

"That is why, I am asking you two to not hesitate if you feel anything is wrong," Dusk said. "Don't be afraid to speak up next time. I'm all ears."

(The Headmaster is still allowing him to mentor us? I thought he would at least get into some sort of trouble…) Krista didn't understand it. Maybe it was a Pokémon thing? They did a lot of strange things…

Slowking nodded. "Yes, yes. Explorers are not easily swayed by danger. This is something I should have considered when I gave him the approval to train you two."

Krista wasn't impressed. (I know he evolved from a Slowpoke, but he couldn't have forgotten something so important…)

"Now, now. I know that you are upset about this, and you should be." Slowking raised a paw as a smile formed on his face. "And while Dusk's actions were foolish, we were at least able to assess the damage. I can determine that the dojo is far too faulty to be used by amateurs, so I will have to close it down until things settle down."

"So, what do we do?" Pineno asked. "I know we are supposed to be training. Do you have any other things you can help us on? We've already gone to the library…"

"You can't very well learn anything if you remain within these walls with only books to keep you occupied. So, I've decided to give you two a task."

"A…a task?" Pineno repeated. He was handed a roller up paper. All he did was stare at it, unsure if he should see what's written inside or not.

"Dusk and I have carefully reviewed The Revelation Map, and we decided on a location that shouldn't be too hard on you. Dusk has picked out a job request for you two to take that is assigned to that dungeon."

Krista gasped. "A job request?! Already?!"

"Wait!" Pineno realized it as soon as Krista did. "We are doing an actual job?! But we aren't even a Bronze rank team yet! We're still on probation!"

"Your probation simply means you cannot operate as an independent team. That is why I will have someone experienced to travel with you."

Krista remembered Dusk mentioning that before. She didn't think it would happen so soon, especially when they just got a good taste of the dojo training.

"Dusk, can you grab the map for me?" Slowking asked.

Dusk walked over to one end of the room and grabbed a paper cylinder with his jaws. Tilting his head, he carried it over to the group and set it on the ground. Krista could see Pineno bouncing on his feet. He was overjoyed that he would finally see a real dungeon. But Krista wasn't so sure. She didn't feel so ready. She was only beginning to understand her Pokémon body.

Slowking cleared his throat. "Now then…"

Soft, light-blue light illuminated the object as it unraveled, revealing the exact sort of map Krista was given. Only, it was much bigger, almost like a rug. With the same details painted on a larger canvas, Krista could make out things she didn't notice before.

(How convenient,) she thought. Any other map would make an effort to roll back into itself. The psychic energy—Krista didn't know what else to call it—it kept the giant map in place, perfectly flat on the ground. Not even the corners curled. She wondered what it was like to be a psychic. Was it like having an unlimited set of extra hands?

Again, she felt a bit left out to not have a single "special power" any non normal-type would have.

Dusk walked over to the rug before he pointed a single claw on the canvas. He dragged it from where the Riverside Path was located, a little to the east. There was an image of a hole in the ground? It was hard to tell. It was surrounded by shrubs. It was further from the hills. The overgrowth was heavier there.

"This is Blindside Burrow," he said. "It has quite a number of floors, eight to be exact. If you would read the job request…"

Pineno unraveled the rolled paper Slowking pushed towards him. "Let's see… It says; Please help! My big brother was gathering the spring water at the Blindside Burrow's depths when he got, well, blindsided! I can't very well travel through that horrible place on my own! Please, if anyone sees this, please save my big brother! He means the world to me! And…that's it—wait! It's a rescue mission!"

Slowking nodded. "That is correct. And if you look into the details, you'll see the name of your client, and your main objective. In this case, today's client is a Pokémon known to be a Lechonk. Your objective is to look for Oinkologne, who is currently stranded within the depths of Blindside Burrow. Bring him back here, and you two will be rewarded."

Pineno dropped his arms, almost crumpling the paper. "You trust us to do that?!"

The giant map rolled back up under Slowking's command. His eyes faded back to normal as he responded. "As I said before, you won't be doing it alone."

"So Dusk is coming with us?" Krista asked.

Dusk sighed. "I have to go see what's happening with the other dojos to assess how bad things are. Besides, it looks like you need a break from me anyway."

"I never said…" Krista saw her tail whip from the corner of her eye. She almost wanted to hit the thing—it had a mind of its own!

Slowking nodded. "In his place, I'll have one of my other associates tend to you today. Dusk will help you prepare for the trip. After that, you will meet with your companion near the complex plaza—"

"Are you sure this is okay for us to do?"

Krista felt all eyes on her. Pineno appeared half-spooked. His face pleaded for her to not say anything else.

"Do not interrupt our Headmaster when he is talking," Dusk said, his voice almost pressed.

"It's quite alright, Dusk. I'm sure she was merely curious. I understand," Slowking said. "Now, child. I understand your concerns, but allow me to assure you: I wouldn't have given you the job if I didn't see you as capable."

"I know but…we almost got hurt in that dojo," Krista said. "And Pineno…I'm not saying he's not ready, but is it really a good idea to let us go right inside a mystery dungeon after that?"

"You are concerned about your friend. I understand," Slowking said. "Well, this is a first. I've never had a team ponder over their first job request. They usually just take it."

He mulled over it for several seconds.

"Hm… If it concerns you, then I can pass the job to someone else. Although, I can't promise I'll find another job for you two to handle anytime soon. All the delivery requests have been taken due to the circumstances, and you two are not ready to handle an escort."

Krista frowned. They would have to wait longer, then. Just earlier, Pineno raved about wanting to impress the Headmaster enough to finally get a job. At that moment, it was offered, and Krista considered turning it down right in front of his face. She didn't have to look at him to feel his heartbreak.

But she didn't want him to get hurt. The way he just curled up…she hated seeing him so helpless. The air was cloaked with his overwhelming fear, it was something she could never forget. He was still shaken—he had to be. It would be careless to head right out after that experience…

Why would the Headmaster even consider sending them out knowing what happened?

"I'm not helpless, you see."

Pineno's voice broke through her thoughts. He stood strong, paws close to his chest.

"Like Mr. Dusk said, if we hide every time something goes wrong, we will never get any better. I know you are worried, Krista, but I am okay. I promise. I can do this. We can do this together. Right?"

(Maybe it's a Pokémon thing,) Krista thought. She was taken aback by how determined he looked. (I'm sure…I'm sure it has to be. I don't think it's normal to want to do something so big right after escaping something dangerous. I really…don't want to put us in any more danger, but…)

Krista looked at her paws.

(There's a weird part of me that's relieved…that he wants to do this. Is it because Pokémon battle every day of their lives? Or is it something else? There's still so much I don't understand…)

"The Headmaster said we won't do it alone. Someone is going to watch over us," Pineno added. "C'mon, Krista. What do you say?"

Even though he wanted to do the job with all his heart, he was still giving her the choice to accept or decline it.

(You're always so nice,) Krista thought. (If you believe you can do it…then alright. We can do it.)

She nodded, and the widest smile formed on Pineno's face.

"Oh, oh thank you! I promise I'll be careful! We'll do our best!" Pineno hopped towards the Headmaster. "We'll do our best!"

Slowking chuckled. "Well, that's settled then. Now all you need to do is choose who you wish to accompany you. You have a choice actually. The three available today would be Frost, Howler, and Grove."

"All three of them are open?!" Pineno and Krista shouted at once.

"That's right. My associates don't work everyday. They can take a day to themselves every now and then. And sometimes, they might be willing to lend their assistance to a waiting team, just so they don't get rusty. Keep in mind that they are all experts in their own things, but since you are beginners, I don't think it matters who you choose to accompany you."

"And they are all okay with helping us? Are you sure?" Krista asked.

"So many concerns, I see. I wouldn't offer them to you if they weren't. Now please, make your decision, and I'll immediately inform them of their summon."

Pineno jumped and tapped both feet on the floor. "This is great, Krista! We get to choose! But since you're our team leader, I think it's fair that you get to make the decision. So, what do you think?"

Krista didn't expect that, but he had a point.

Who would she like to bring with them?

Already, she knew Howler was out of the way. She wanted nothing to do with him. He would criticize her breathing if he could, and it wasn't worth the energy.

That left Grove and Frost.

Krista only heard of Frost. She never met him. All she knew was that he was a trusted associate, nothing else at all. The idea of traveling with a stranger only made her nervous.

It was an easy decision.

"I think I'll ask for Grove," Krista said.

"The Gogoat from the registration office, huh? She does seem nice," Pineno said. "She's really okay with closing off her office today?"

Slowking chuckled. "Her assistants are more than capable of handling the paperwork alone. It wouldn't be the first time. You have nothing to worry about. The job you are tasked with is ranked D. So while it is a bit difficult, I believe you two have the potential to complete it. Of course, if anything does go wrong, Grove will step in and protect you."

"And she will protect you. She doesn't have the explorer spirit like I do. Ahaha…" Dusk forced a smile. He looked as if he could melt at any given moment.

Pineno was overjoyed. "Of course! Thank you so much, Headmaster! Dusk!"

Slowking smiled. "Do be careful. I'm awaiting your return."

Dusk turned to face the pair. "Now then, it's time I prepare you for your mission. We will first make a trip to Kangaskhan Storage to arrange some things. You have so many berries, which means we can make use of them in other ways. We can take them to Scovillian's Trade."

Pineno tilted his head. "Scovillian?"

Krista knew she heard the name. Didn't Midnight mention them?

… … …

Just before Kangaskhan Storage and Reuniclus Skill-shop, was Scovillian's Trade. The stand was built as sturdy as everyone else's, with the roof shaped like a pair of bell peppers—a head red and green each. If anything, the pepper was shaped like a beast. It breathed out what was implied to be fire from the strands of red and yellow ribbons that fluttered from its mouth.

Krista was just a few feet away from the little shop when a horrible sting climbed from up nose and through her skull. She almost covered her face in a frail effort to filter the spicy scent. "What's that strong smell?!"

"That's just Scovillian," Dusk answered, his voice muffled. A single look at him revealed that he had his scarf over his nose. His sense of smell must have gone haywire.

Pineno had his paws pressed against his own nose as he looked at him. "How long do we have to be here…?!"

"Depends on what they have in stock. But what do I recommend? I try to go for the easiest trades that only have the best value!" Dusk walked towards the counter. He slung the bag on the surface and tapped with a single claw. "Scovillian! I have quite a haul for you today! I'm trying to teach some new recruits about the benefits of seeds!"

In an instant, a pair of sinister but jolly voices responded:

"Did somebody say 'seeds'? More berries?! For us?!"

A pair of Pokémon popped up from behind the counter—a pair that shared a body. The potent scent of spices struck the visitors in a wave. Their pepper-like heads were the main source. There were such strong emotions worn on their sharp faces, as if they were about to lunge over the moon. Krista was sure their smiles were genuine, but their hollow black eyes made them look rather evil.

(That's a Scovillian?) Krista could vaguely remember the species. (It looks…weird. Are those leaves its arms? They don't look very useful…)

"Yes. I've brought a variety for you, actually." Dusk shook the bag, and several berries rolled out. It was a colorful display. Scovillian looked overjoyed.

"Ah, do I love the new recruits!" The green-headed one had a pleasant voice as it beamed with excitement. "They always bring us so many offerings!"

"So many, but so common!" The red-headed one looked more grumpy than anything. Despite its mood, its lips twitched into a sinister smile. "But we will entertain this. More ingredients for tonight's dinner."

The green-headed one took a look at each one. "Five oran berries. Four cheri berries! Six rawst berries! My! Two chesto berries, too! What do you desire, Mr. Mightyena?"

"I'll trade two of each berry for two heal seeds," Dusk said. "Two cheri and two rawst berries in exchange for two blast seeds. Three oran berries in exchange for an energy seed."

"Three of our oran berries?!" Pineno gasped.

"The energy seed is quite rare, you see. It's a much stronger oran berry. For that reason…" Dusk turned his attention to Scovillian. "Would you have the energy seed shipped to Team Retribute's storage?"

"If that is what you desire, then it shall be shipped off right away!" Scovillian said in sync.

"Huh? We won't be taking it with us?" Pineno asked.

"No. It won't be necessary now. There will come a time that you will need it. It's just not for amateur missions, such as what you are about to embark on."

Krista and Pineno frowned. (He calls a rescue job an amateur mission?)

Scovillian dipped their heads. "As for the rest of your requests, wait right here. We will take you offers and be right back with you!"

They scooped the berries in their mouths and stomped to the very back of their stand. Their spicy scent trailed behind them. Krista didn't notice it before, but there were curtains there. They vanished behind them. Was there a storage room hidden from the public eye? Was it underground, just as Kangaskhan's was?

"They sure did look happy," Pineno commented.

"Ah, yes. Scovillian takes great pride in their work," Dusk agreed. "Not only do the berries we provide them come back to us in the cafeteria, but they can also be planted in such ways that sprout a seed you otherwise wouldn't find in the wild. You see, sleep seeds, blast seeds, stun seeds…they can't be naturally grown. It requires so many elements and conditions that cannot be found in a stable environment."

"Stable? Does that mean we could find some growing in mystery dungeons?" Krista asked.

"Good. I'm glad you figured it out so quickly. Yes. In certain dungeons, you will find these seeds. It all comes down to the anomaly itself, and the biome it resides in. We used to have to send specialized Pokémon to strictly search for those seeds. While it is still done on occasion today, it's not as daunting as it used to be. Scovillian somehow cracked the code in growing these seeds outside of mystery dungeons, which makes harvesting them so much easier."

Pineno smiled. "That's amazing!"

"It is, isn't it? Unfortunately, they aren't so keen on sharing their secrets with us. Even The Kecleon Brothers are dying to know how they do it, but as it seems, we will never know. They value their work so much. This shop is also the only place where you can obtain Awakening seeds."

"Awakening seeds?!" Pineno exclaimed. "You mean the ones that help some Pokémon reach their highest potential?! But those seeds are so rare! You only find them in the most hazardous dungeons!"

"Exactly. You'll scarcely find them in a Kecleon shop. But what you won't find there? Life seeds! Joy seeds! Scovillian's business is very important to us. So we always, always make sure to treat them with utmost care! What will we do without them and The Kecleon Brothers! Two birds of a feather!"

(Wow. Scovillian sounds amazing,) Krista thought. (And they decided to work here? I guess it's because of all the Pokémon that can give them so many berries…but they could have easily worked with The Sorcerers, too.)

With that in mind, it was no wonder everyone treated them so well. Who would want to lose a business like that?

They didn't have to wait long for Scovillian to return. They carried a small bag in their jaws that they eagerly dropped on the countertop. Dusk granted them his thanks and carried it along as he and Team Retribute departed. It was a cheerful exchange.

And now, their bag smelled like spicy peppers.

… … …

"Two heal seeds, two blast seeds…I guess these are the most important items Dusk picked out for us, huh?" Pineno looked over their supplies as they walked towards the Stoneridge square. "Two apples. Five oran berries—wow that's a lot of oran berries. A chesto berry, huh? Oh! And there's an escape orb in this! Wow! He prepared for everything!"

"I hope we don't have to use the escape orb." Krista was honest. She hated how it disoriented her senses. The Headmaster said she would eventually get used to it, but it didn't feel like she would anytime soon.

What else she couldn't get used to, was how itchy the defense scarf around her neck felt. No matter how much she adjusted it, her skin didn't enjoy how the material rubbed against her fur. What was it supposed to do again? Heighten her defenses? How could a simple cloth do that?

"I don't think we will have to since Grove is coming with us. We should be fine!" Pineno secured the backpack and slung it to his back. He adjusted the power band around his arm before he marched and pumped a fist in the air. "We are going to ace this mission! So don't you worry, Lechonk! Team Retribute is on the way to save your older brother!"

"Really? That's what you've been assigned to do first? A rescue mission?"

They both spun towards the source of the voice.

There they stood: Midnight and her gang. She wore the most mocking grin a Pokémon could muster. There was a low laugh behind her teeth. Magma took one quick look at his leader and adjusted his posture. His beak curled into what could be a smile as he laughed in a similar manner. Axe stood at the other side of Midnight. Their bag was slung against his back. He was stiff and awkward, as if he was left out on something.

"Team Slasher!" Pineno clenched a paw and held it close to his face. "What could you want?"

Midnight clicked her teeth. "Easy, Chespin. I haven't done anything yet. But to answer your question, you aren't the only ones heading off for a mission."

Magma puffed out his chest. "We are headed to Mount Ember!"

"M-Mount Ember?!" Pineno almost looked sick as he took a step back. "Why would you want to go there?! That place is like an active volcano!"

"Because Mr. Howler believes we can handle it!" Midnight said, her grin never faltering. "Besides, it's not actually a mountain. It used to be a pretty mound a long time ago, did you know? It was covered with grass and everything, like it was part of Riverside Path. But then it got hit with the distortion, and nearly all the plant life died. Now there's nothing there but rocks and dirt. Sounds pretty neat, doesn't it?"

"It will be our first real dungeon. Not any silly place you are going!" Magma huffed a small cloud of smoke. "Our dungeon is a C-tier!"

"C-tier?!" Pineno gasped.

Krista huffed. It had to be a joke.

"That's right," Midnight chuckled. "And there's plenty of fire Pokémon to worry about. Sounds scary, doesn't it?"

Krista didn't miss the emphasis. That time, she felt it, how her tail flicked like a whip.

"You—I wouldn't run away! Fire doesn't scare me!" Pineno shouted.

"A sad bluff. It's not working."

"W-well! What about you?!" Pineno countered. "Aren't you weak to fire?! Don't lie to me and say it doesn't at least make you a little nervous!"

Midnight's smile dropped. She checked her claws, and a scowl formed on her face. "Fire…I have no reason to be afraid of fire."

"Liar!" Pineno blurted out. "You're the one who's really bluffing!"

"Oh? Then tell me how your meeting with the Slugma went?"

Krista almost saw the mob flash before her eyes. She could never forget how frightened Pineno looked. "How do you know about that?"

"Oh, we saw it for ourselves, actually," Midnight answered. "But we beat them. It wasn't that hard. That's why we got the clearance to go to Mount Ember. Mr. Howler was impressed with us. We decided to be generous and let you have fun with it, too. It's too bad the outcome wasn't so nice, huh Spiny-nut?."

Krista felt a growl rise in her throat. She had to swallow it down just to find her words. "You knew! You knew it was faulty and you said nothing! What if we got hurt?!"

"Relax. Dusk saved your tail, didn't he?" Midnight wore a knowing smile, as if she knew how the Mightyena operated.

She couldn't…have been betting on…!

"You fiends!" Pineno stomped a foot on the ground. "This was all a set up, wasn't it?!"

"Whaaaat? Nooooo. We had nothing to do with the dojo acting up," Midnight said.

"But it sure was funny seeing the looks on your faces when you got out!" Magma chuckled. "You were paler than a Cursola!"

The two broke into a laugh. Axe rolled his eyes with a sigh.

"Why you…!" Pineno almost marched forward, but he was restrained by a clawed paw. He looked back and met Krista's eyes.

Once she was sure he got the message, Krista returned her glare to the Sneasel. "Wait until Grove finds out about this!"

Midnight crouched down and pouted her face. The tone she switched to was as if Krista was a small child. "Aww, but is Grove going to believe you? You can try to tell Dusk if you want, but everyone knows he's already biased towards you. They won't take his word for it. So what are you gonna do, Scratch-cat?"

"Nothing!" Magma blurted out, before Krista could respond. "Not unless you want to look bad in front of everyone again!"

Midnight stood upright and crossed her arms. "You might as well stick to your chores. You're still newbies, so you're probably going to rescue some idiot in Pine Forest, aren't you? Probably passed out from starvation or something?"

"No! You're wrong!" Pineno yelled, almost furious. "We are going to Blindside Burrow! The Headmaster assigned it to us himself!"

The smiles on their faces dropped. Their stunned expressions brought satisfaction to Pineno.

Axe scratched the side of his head. "Huh. Looks like you were wrong, Midnight. They are stronger than they look."

Midnight sent him a glare. "Shut it. So what if they are going to that place? Doesn't mean they are special or anything. Stupid dungeon is a D-tier anyway."

There was a long pause between the two teams. Team Slasher exchanged looks. Midnight wore a sinister grin. Magma seemed to have caught on, because he started to laugh. Axe hung his head with a sigh.

Krista had a feeling it wasn't over.

Midnight turned back to them as she placed her claws on her hips. "So, you're going to Blindside Burrow, huh? I don't know why the Headmaster gave you the clearance to do that mission. I just hope you are aware of the dangers surrounding that place. Especially since there's supposedly an alien at the very depths."

"What?! An alien?!" Pineno shouted.

Krista huffed. "Everyone knows that aliens aren't real. If you're trying to discourage us, it's not going to work."

"Oh, but I'm not!" Midnight said. "Well, I am. But I'm also trying to give you two idiots a warning. It would be funny to see you shake like a leaf at the idea of an existing alien, but those stories are real. And I bet you're wondering why the Headmaster would send you there if there is some kind of alien there. Well, maybe it's because nobody wants to believe that aliens are real, especially all the adults. If I mention this to Howler, he'll just yell at me for wasting his time."

"They say that this alien has the intelligence that goes beyond what we will ever understand!" Magma said. He wiggled his claws in a menacing fashion. "It has a massive brain! It can read your mind! It hides in the depths and waits for an unfortunate soul to wander close to it, and then, it turns them into a puppet! A servant forced to do its bidding for the rest of their lives!"

"That's a load of nonsense!" Krista yelled.

"Then why is your friend looking so scared? He's smart enough to believe it," Midnight said.

Krista took one look at Pineno. He was trembling, but he stood his ground.

"S-s-so what?" Pineno jumped on his feet. "Even if there was an alien down there…it's not going to stop us from saving Oinkologne! He needs us! If we have to beat up the alien to help him, then we will!"

"Hm. Brave, aren't you?" Axe was more curious than anything. He nudged Midnight. "C'mon. We've wasted enough time being here. The Arcanine is waiting on us, and I really don't feel like being scolded."

Midnight shrugged. "I was just trying to help out fellow Pokémon here. Buuuuut, since the Chespin is so determined to throw away his free-will, I guess I should say goodbye."

Krista opened her mouth to speak, but she backed off the moment she heard heavy footsteps.

Howler had arrived. He looked down at the small Pokémon before he scoffed. His eyes were fixed on Krista the longest. "We depart now. There is no time for pointless small-talk."

"Right!" Team Slasher hurried to his side, and they followed him further down like tiny ants.

Magma looked back one last time, wearing a face that mocked tears.

"Ugh!" Pineno stomped his foot. "They are really trying to go out of their way to ruin everything! They can say whatever they want! Aliens, monsters, ghosts, I don't care! Nothing is going to stop me from saving Oinkologne! I'm not going to let them make us look bad!"

"We can't mess this mission up either way," Krista agreed. "I don't need to give Howler one more reason to want to get rid of me."

"We'll show them. We are just as good as them! Even better!" Pineno took a look around. "Isn't Grove supposed to meet us here? We've been standing around for a while—"

A bright blue vortex of light shot down before them. The pair jumped back in time to witness it burst apart. Standing in its place was Grove!

"Yow! She came from nowhere!" Pineno exclaimed.

Grove took a look at them both as she fixed her scarf with her sprouted vines. They were recalled back inside her shrub before she spoke. "I could hear your screaming from all the way down my office. I can assume that you two are ready to go, then? I'm sure Dusk has prepared you well?"

Krista nodded. The idea of telling Grove everything that went down almost surfaced on her lips, but she had second thoughts. Midnight had a point.

Grove wouldn't exactly listen to them about it. It was pointless.

"Well, let's depart, shall we?" Grove lead them down towards the main entrance.

As they passed the last few shops and entered the tunnel, nearby Pokémon stepped out of the way out of respect. Others looked surprised, staring at Grove as she passed. It seemed that more eyes were on her instead of the smaller Pokémon that trailed behind her. What was strange is through all the different reactions, they all did the same thing; They dipped their heads as she walked past. Krista had seen the same thing with Howler.

And just like Howler, Grove dipped her head low in response.

"Hey, Ms. Grove?" Pineno called.

Grove looked over her shoulder.

"When was the last time you got to go inside of a dungeon? With your job being as important as it is, I guess you don't get to leave often, huh?"

Grove turned her focus straight ahead again. "You are right. It's been quite some time since I left these walls. It would be nice to feel the sunlight that doesn't come from the library. So sometimes, I do offer my assistance to newer teams just to have a stroll."

(She calls a dungeon-crawl a stroll?) The two smaller Pokémon were unnerved.

"Unfortunately, I don't consider myself a strong battler. I never was, truly. It's why I don't trouble myself with dungeons that are far too hazardous for common ranks to handle. At first, I wasn't interested in helping any of you, but Dusk convinced me to at least consider it. He likes you two."

"He does?" Pineno was a bit surprised. "But he seems nice. You're making it sound like he doesn't get along with anyone."

"Dusk is very reclusive, even if it doesn't seem that way. If he finds your company pleasing, then perhaps I've misjudged you."

Krista at first, didn't understand what Grove was talking about. But then, her mind clicked when Grove walked in the middle of her argument with Team Slasher. (She believed their story back then. Did she change her mind? All because of Dusk?)

"Also, I don't exactly trust him to guide you through your first mission."

(Or…or it could be that.)

They reached the main entrance and made the long walk across. They passed the massive stone pillar where the morning briefings were held.

Krista stopped. Grove continued onward, but Pineno noticed her hesitation.

"Krista? What's wrong?" Pineno asked.

Everything around her seemed normal. Nothing was out of place…but she couldn't shake the feeling…

(There it goes again. Someone is watching me. I'm sure of it.)

"Children! I shouldn't be walking faster than you!" Grove's voice called from ahead.

Krista and Pineno noticed. They hurried after her.

… … …

Although they had only been there for a few days, it felt like ages since Krista last saw the gigantic double doors. It was the same pair of doors that brought Pineno the sanctuary he was looking for. It was the same pair of doors that gave Krista a place to stay.

There was no time to dwell on that day. They weren't the only ones there. As they arrived, Krista could hear Pineno clicking his teeth in an unpleasant chatter. It was a strange sound, nothing a human could make. The source for his reaction was clear.

Team Slasher was just several steps ahead. The Arcanine that accompanied them was ready to remove his badge when he noticed the group. He greeted Grove with a dip of his head. His judgemental eyes fell on the children, but only for a second.

"So we leave the same way." The tone of his voice was similar to how he addressed Slowking. He respected Grove, clearly.

"It seems we do," Grove answered.

Krista glanced at the members of Team Slasher, who stared back in return. Midnight wore her signature grin while Magma hid behind her. The Sneasel shook him off the moment he touched her.

That Magby was an enigma himself.

Not wanting her mood to sour any further, she faced the door. Her reflection stared back at her, far more vibrant under the light. It was still strange, but it wasn't as jarring as it was before. Next to her, Pineno smiled at her, taking notice of her brief study. And finally, Grove stood in the middle, summoning her vines to unclip her badge from her scarf.

Just as the Headmaster did, she pressed the flat side against the indent. The doors opened, and the large group of Pokémon entered the long, cool hall.

Darkness flooded the room as the doors closed behind them. In an instant, they stood in pitch-darkness, with no torch to light the way. The realization made Krista decide that she hated the dark. It wasn't that she was afraid of it, but she grew so accustomed to having the ability to see even in the night. Every part of the space they stood in felt wrong.

There was only the collection of breathing that assured Krista that she wasn't alone. It was the vast variety of scents—Krista almost batted at her own nose. It wasn't a pleasant mix.

A soft hiss almost made her jump, but she called herself in an instant. Vines. She knew the sound of summoned vines— She hated not being able to see what was going on.

"Just a moment…it should be…" Grove's voice bounced in the tunnel walls.

Click-click.

Click.

ZRRRRRRRT!

Pineno and Krista jumped back as bolts of blue electricity shot across the high ceiling, illuminating the wide tunnel a soft cyan. Every detail that was hidden behind the dark cloak was vibrant before their eyes. The damp walls glistened under the light as sprays of mist escaped from the cracks. It explained why the tunnel stayed so cool, of course there would be mist—

Water.

Fur prickled and lifted from her skin. It wasn't just out of the great wave of fear that crossed her, no. Her eyes hadn't left the bolts high above her head ever since they were summoned. The realization of the two elements present in the same space almost convinced her to turn back.

She heard Midnight chuckling at her reaction. She would had said something in response, but Howler's eyes were fixed on her. It was as if he was waiting for her to do something.

"You have no reason to experience fear," Howler said. His strong voice bounced through the tunnel, leaving a strong ring that made everyone flinch. "You are hardly a threat, so everything remains fixed in place."

It took a moment for Krista to register what he said. She couldn't decide if she liked the answer or not. "Wh…what? What do you mean? Fixed in place? You mean these walls can move?"

"Not exactly," Grove answered. "Although, the water can be manipulated. In any normal setting, the lightning above us acts as a light source. It comes from the chargestones that provide light within the complex. In the case of an invasion, Zee will pressurize the water, flooding the halls within minutes."

"Wha…" Krista turned to her friend, but he looked mortified. If he wasn't impressed, then that couldn't be good.

Howler looked towards the ceiling. Even his great height was far from reaching it. "If the fear of losing air fails to convince them to leave, then perhaps the electric surge would give them second-thoughts."

Krista gulped as she took one more look at the ceiling. They stood in a death trap. It was so morbid. Maybe she was overthinking it. Maybe the invaders would walk away soaked and stunned. If that didn't encourage them to never try again, what would?

"How do you two enjoy the library?" Grove asked.

The question seemed random, but Krista realized it was her way of distracting them from horrible thoughts. She somewhat appreciated it.

"Oh! It was incredible!" Pineno said. "I've never seen anything like it!"

Grove nodded. "The library was built within the cave, as you have seen. The sunlight allows plant life to thrive. It's the perfect place to sun and relax, a good way to feel refreshed, good for the mind. Being cooped inside tunnel walls all the time isn't very ideal. We don't want Pokémon to feel like they are stuck in a sunless place all the time."

"It is a very nice place," Krista agreed. "But what I don't get, is why is the library there? I can see the place being a small park or something, but a library? Won't the books get soiled?"

Grove didn't answer. Her face twisted for a brief second, she gave Krista a puzzled look.

Howler huffed. It almost sounded like a laugh. Krista was sure she also heard Team Slasher giggling.

She said something foolish.

"A…park?" Grove finally asked. "What do you mean by a 'park'?"

Krista almost froze. (She doesn't know what a park is! They built a library, but not a park?)

"Uhh…nevermind." Krista didn't want to look at her too long. Her eyes made her nervous.

"And why would our books soil? The paper is coated with wax to prevent that from happening. You can read it under the rain if your heart desires it. Our job requests and the very map you use to navigate this region is made of the same tough material. Can't very well go anywhere if either are destroyed by a petty shower."

"Yeah, that's pretty much common sense, Meowth." Midnight wore a mocking smile. "Although I guess this is what happens when a Pokémon can't read."

Krista bit her tongue. She didn't want to say anything that would give Howler an excuse to lecture her, and that made her swell with anger. She hated how Midnight made her look like a fool. Magma behind her was on the verge of bursting into laughter.

"Not every Pokémon is so fortunate to have that luxury," Grove said. "Perhaps there were circumstances beyond their control. It's only going to get worse from here as The Corruption becomes more rampant. You have to consider those things."

Midnight huffed. She turned her gaze straight ahead.

"And as for your curiosity, Meowth, maybe a petty crook would try to scam you with flimsy paper, but you can usually feel the quality right away. We want our books to be reusable, because producing copies is such a pain to do. Although I can see the argument that flimsy paper would be much easier to mass produce and sell, it wouldn't last longer than a few months. You would have to keep coming back to buy the same thing, and it's incredibly inconvenient for your pockets and our security. It would increase the risk of the unwanted from getting their hands on our more reclusive books. Limited copies are far easier to manage. That's why they stay in the library."

"Try as you might to keep hold of those books, bring them to your quarters if you dare, but the Thorn-pod librarian will know of your location," Howler said. "He values those scribes over his own life. If you wish not to test his fury, do not let yourself neglect turning them in before your departure."

"We will…keep that in mind," Pineno said.

"As you should. Do not let your ignorance consume you, unless you desire an untimely demise."

It was difficult to tell if the Arcanine was trying to help them or not. Or maybe he just liked to hear himself talk. Either way, Krista knew he had a point.

But how was she supposed to know what was the same, and what was different between the Pokémon and human world? Every time she asked a question to try to learn about it, she would get strange looks instead. It was discouraging.

The approaching roar was the only thing that kept her from mulling over her thoughts. The exit was close. The waterfall was on the other side.

Riverside Path: Eastern road

As soon as they stepped out into Riverside Falls, Krista's eyes were assaulted by the angry rays of the sun. With one arm over her face, she squinted her burning eyes. The world was bright, far too bright, almost blinding. It reminded her of how she felt when she first woke up in that cursed tree.

(Is it because a Meowth prefers the night, or are my eyes just that bad?)

No matter how much she blinked, her vision didn't get any better. Every distant object was unfocused and bright.

She caught Grove's movement from nearby. She tilted her head, a signal for her to follow. They were lead east. Howler led his team west.

"It seems we go out separate ways, here!" Grove shouted over the roaring waterfall.

"As it seems," Howler agreed. He did not need to shout. "While I cannot comprehend our Headmaster's decision to allow these green leaves to perform a rescue outside of familiar territory…I would like to see how it fares. They are under your watch, Grove. Do not let them falter."

"You know I wouldn't, Howler! The same can be said to you! Mount Ember is not merciful to anyone! You out of all Pokémon should know!"

Howler huffed before he led his team further away.

"Good luck, Team Retribute!" Midnight called them with a wave of a claw. "Don't forget what we talked about!"

Krista spat out heated air before she turned away. With her face scrunched against the light, there was no telling how long it would take for her eyes to adjust again.

Grove was already on the move. Once Team Retribute realized they were being left behind, they ran after her to catch up. They walked alongside the lower waterfall instead of descending. They weren't heading back towards the forested area, after all.

"How long will it take for us to get to where we need to be?" Pineno asked as they stepped into a slanted dirt path.

"Blindside Burrow is quite a distance away. It will take us until near midday to travel there by foot," Grove answered.

"Until mid-day? It could be dark by the time we finish!" Krista said. Perhaps the idea of no sun blinding her was nice, but she didn't like the idea of being out in the middle of the night, either.

"Your main focus should be on rescuing Oinkologne, who is currently under the mercy of a mystery dungeon. Time is essential. While it may be a long walk for us, Oinkologne may feel as if he has been trapped there for days, perhaps weeks if he's unlucky. Remember that mystery dungeons are cruel with our sense of time. We have no right to complain when trapped Pokémon are in a far worse position than us."

"Ah…sorry…" Krista lowered her gaze. (She has a point, but I wasn't actually complaining.)

Krista didn't know why she was concerned about the dark when she could navigate just fine. It couldn't have been the senseless alien talk. Aliens, as far as Krista knew, didn't pick a time of day when they wanted to make themselves known—

(Ugh! Why am I thinking about that now?!)

"In any case, your journey back should be the least of your worries. That has already been arranged. We will look over that later. Besides, the walk is good for you. It will help strengthen your legs. Although, I should warn you; the walk is long. I recommend you don't put so much pressure on two legs."

(This is getting really old. But I know that she's right. I wouldn't be any help if I was too tired to actually move by the time we get there. And if I learned anything, running on two legs is a lot more tiring.)

Reluctantly, Krista dropped down to all fours. She waited for Grove to make a comment, but the Gogoat said nothing. Her gaze was still straight ahead.

It still felt awkward. But her body naturally adapted to the angle, at least. From this perspective, Krista realized she could see the ground with fine detail. She didn't pay it much mind before. From the corner of her eye, she could see the road split again. Where it led seemed to be back around, but it didn't matter. It wasn't where they were headed.

Pineno smiled as he remained by her side. He took longer steps and marched in an upbeat rhythm. Once again, he hummed that same melody he always did.

"Be mindful of the rivers," Grove warned them. "Stay far from the edges. We don't want to disturb the elder Pokémon who patrols the currents. She's been on high guard lately, I won't be able to save you."

"Huh?" Krista just looked at her. Where was that information before?

"Don't worry, Ms. Grove! We'll be careful!" Pineno promised.

Krista glanced at the nearby river. Grove didn't have to worry. Krista had no plans on getting anywhere near any river.

But what Grove said did concern her.

"Elder? She?"

Grove nodded. "The oldest living Pokémon in this country. Elder Gyra claims these rivers as her home. When she isn't guarding the rivers, she's sleeping in the mud. But because of all the sky-rifts…she's been unable to slumber as she would like, and that makes her understandably moody. She's not taking any chances with strangers entering her waters. Far too many Sorcerers tried to use the routes to their advantage."

"So she would just attack anyone?" Krista frowned. "I understand why, but isn't that a bit much?"

"Elder Gyra wasn't always like this," Grove said. "But due to the ongoing Corruption, you have many kind-hearted Pokémon falling victim to the cruel actions of others. As a result, they become more distant, or they strike first as a means to protect themselves. So many have lost their homes, lost their friends…then you have those who refuse to take those chances."

"I see." Pineno nodded. "Good Pokémon are becoming cruel because of the sky-rifts…it's terrible."

"After a while, you grow tired of the world pushing against you. This is nothing new," Grove said. "But it's escalating in a concerning rate, to the point Pokémon are being blamed for something they had nothing to do with."

Pineno turned his focus to the ground. "Yeah…"

Krista frowned. So it wasn't just Pineno. There were others like him…

"That's why we work every single day," Grove said, as if she sensed their sadness. "We repel the dark forces that try to darken the hearts of many Pokémon. Our main priority is to protect them, and to make everyone smile again. As Dusk always likes to say: Never abandon hope! We will keep fighting every single day until that terrible blight is gone."

Pineno looked at her. "And rescuing Oinkologne is one way to do it, huh?"

Grove nodded.

"Then we'll do our best! We can help end that blight!" Pineno clenched his paws tight. "Let's hurry then! Hurry!"

"Not so fast. If you run now, you will be too exhausted to fight through our destination," Grove said. "So just relax for a while. Ease yourselves. Weren't you singing a song earlier? Why not do that to kill the time?"

"Huh?" Pineno blinked. "Um…okay! If you say so, Ms. Grove!"

Krista had a thought that perhaps Grove was fond of music, because it was the first time she saw a real smile on her face. Curiosity was quite strong. Krista wanted to know what song the melody belonged to.

So, the trio of Pokémon continued their way down the path. Pineno rocked his body side to side before he burst into a song:

Everybody gather 'round, now everybody,

Stomp, stomp!

Everybody come around, now come around and sing your song!

Sing your song now everyone, now everyone shall,

Stomp, stomp!

Thump goes your heart, thump goes your heart, goes your heart,

Thump, thump!

Krista recognized those words. That was it. The very thing he always muttered to himself.

A quick look at Grove told her she recognized it as well.

Everybody gather 'round, now everybody,

Stomp, stomp!

Everybody come around, now come around, dance as one mind!

Dance as one mind everyone, just watch the dance go,

Stump, stump!

Stomp with your feet, thump with your heart, dance as one!

Stump, stump!

Finally, the sun didn't hurt her eyes much anymore. Krista could see him twirl and stomp on the ground. His claws would kick small clumps into the air. She knew he was built to dig, but she grew uneasy that he would decorate the ground with holes.

But after the scare he had in the maze before, she decided to let him dance his heart out.

Fear won't cross me, I am not alone!

Determination, all we've ever known!

Hope will hold me, it will be my light!

We as one mind, shall conquer our own strife!

Rage won't blind me, I am my own life!

Within our darkness, we are our own guide!

Joy will move me, I'll share everywhere!

For as long as we keep fighting, none will restrain me!

March forward! March forward!

Gather 'round and spread the song!

To the peak! To the peak!

The entire world will hear it sung!

Stomp onward! Stomp onward!

Never forget, never discreet!

To the sky! To the sky!

The entire world hears the melody!

Fear will never hold me, instead it will be turned to strength!

Rage will never blind me, instead it's fuel to keep me strong!

Everybody come around, now come around, combine your song!

Everybody come along, now come along, the day's still young!

Everybody come unite, now come unite and share your might!

Everybody come around, now come around and shine your light!

He continued humming the rest of the way, skipping over a log bridge that took them across a small river. It didn't take long for him to sing again. Krista started to understand why he always muttered the words.

Pineno was just as nervous as she was, but he was far better at hiding it. The upbeat attitude did well to distract them. Already, Krista could hear the stomp-stomp bounce inside her head.

"I wonder how he picked this up," Grove said, watching as the Chespin continued to march. "It's an old song that originated from the Ivory region. I didn't think anyone sang it anymore."

"They say that music never dies," Krista said. "I guess that's one of them."

And perhaps it was one of Pineno's ways of feeling closer to home, wherever it was.

… … …

"Are we nearly there, Ms Grove?" Pineno asked. "We've been walking for a while."

"Just a bit longer. Hold on to your patience," Grove said.

They had left the Riverside Path some time ago, and the dirt path they were taking was less managed due to the lack of clean edges. It didn't take long until the dirt road was completely taken over. The grass tickled Krista's feet. It looked like they were walking a blind path, but Grove knew exactly where to go.

What surrounded them were grasslands that never seemed to end. The hills had flattened into plains that stretched for miles, decorated with scattered trees. Krista knew The Central were mainly hills and flatlands with a few forests, but she didn't think it was so massive. The burrow wasn't even close to the border.

Perhaps the walk felt so long due to the rare change of the environment. It felt like they traveled for hours in the vast space. There were only the occasional black-furred Rattata that scurried about. The sky was filled with small flocks of Spearow and Taillow. They passed a tree where a Mankey watched them with curious eyes. It held an apple between its hands.

An apple sounded wonderful then. Krista didn't want to annoy Grove with a request that was likely to be turned down, but to her surprise, Grove offered her an apple that was wrapped around her vine.

"I have a bit of an intuition." It was Grove's answer to how she knew.

As Krista took it with thanks, she noticed how deep the shade of green her vines were compared to Pineno's. In fact, the vines looked bruised, but otherwise healthy. The shrub leaves it would retreat were the color of a late summer, on the verge of changing color for the next season. Grove's fur, despite how it was thinning into grays, held a brilliant sheen. The horns that sprouted from her head were worn down and coated with endless scratches from years of battles. Krista wondered if it would be a lot more jagged if Grove was more of a battler in her prime.

Grove had to be the oldest among the associates, perhaps the oldest in the entire complex. It was a wonder how she became on of the Headmaster's most trusted associates in the first place.

It would be rude to ask.

Instead, Krista glanced at the blue sky above. The sun looked like it was nearing its peak. If Grove was right, they had to be close to their destination. It was so strange, how just earlier in the day, she and Pineno were in the fire dojo running from Slugma. Were the days slow, or did they wake up incredibly early?

Krista was sure it was still morning when she entered the library. But how early did they wake? Did Howler wake the teams at the first crack of dawn? Somehow, the events of the morning felt so long ago. She knew the moment she got to return home she would desire nothing more than a good night's rest.

"Looks like we've arrived right on schedule," Grove announced.

They stopped. Nothing appeared to be any different. There was just more grass.

Krista stood upright and took a few steps forward on two legs. There was still no change. She couldn't understand how anyone would know where they were going in a confusing place.

"It's easy to miss because it's hidden in the grass. But if you look over here…" Grove took a few steps forward. She stopped and tilted her head towards the ground.

Krista and Pineno rushed to her side. She was right. The grass did a great job at hiding it.

"Th-that's a burrow?" Pineno gasped. "It's huge!"

There was a massive hole in the ground, one that looked as if it was formed by a Steelix. It was dug in an angle that didn't look still too stable, as if the burrow would cave in at any moment. But if Krista knew anything about burrows, they were always bigger than they looked on the outside.

"It looks terribly dark in there. How are we supposed to see?" Pineno asked. "I mean, I guess Krista might be able to know where she's going but…"

"Now you understand why it earned its name," Grove said. "Although it's not just because of the darkness. The tunnels are said to have such sharp twists and turns, that you wouldn't know what you may run into until it's too late. It's why the dungeon is ranked the way it is. It's safe for any average Pokémon to navigate. Luckily for you two, you've received enough training to understand the nature of mystery dungeons."

"The poor Oinkologne. He must be terrified in there," Pineno said.

Krista shared his anticipation, but she saw a new problem. What good would they be if they couldn't see where they were going? "Do you have a scepter or something to light the way? Like the Headmaster does?"

Grove frowned at them both. "I have nothing of the sort. Instead of assuming we are blindly walking into darkness, why not allow me to demonstrate the tools that you already have with you. Come."

She turned and made her way down inside the borrow before anyone could stop her. Krista feared that she would take a tumble, but there were no signs of struggle. One reason could be the simple fact that Grove was a Gogoat, a creature built to climb. But, she wouldn't purposely lead them into unstable terrain. She had to trust her.

Krista met Pineno's gaze. He gave her an assuring nod. She offered her paw, and he extended a vine. They both followed Grove's footsteps inside the darkness of the old burrow that was like the mouth of a ground cave.

With every step, Krista could feel the blades of grass less and less until none existed. The ground came close to their eye-level until it overshadowed them. The strong scent of earth flooded Krista's nose. They were underground. There was no turning back. An Oinkologne was counting on them.

Just as Pineno guessed, from the bit of light outside, Krista could still make out the shapes of her surroundings. It didn't take very long for her eyes to adjust. She could make out earthy walls of the tunnel they've entered. The ceiling was held together by roots. As she looked further ahead, the filtered light became more scarce. She could see nothing beyond that point.

Grove was ahead of them. She had stopped, but her ears were constantly on the move. "Up ahead is the entrance to the mystery dungeon. Once we enter, we must be vigilant. The wild creatures who inhabit this distortion are not as merciful as what you've seen within Rocky Riverside."

"What kind of creatures even live there?" Pineno asked.

"You have not done your research. It seems Dusk has left out an important detail about exploration basics. But so be it. I'll answer your question." Grove started to move forward. "You'll encounter plenty of grounded and bug Pokémon. Rock may be an occasion."

"Ground and rock Pokémon. I can handle them well," Pineno said before he shivered. "Bug Pokémon. I don't like bugs. It's a good thing Grove is here, right, Krista?"

"I am not so fond of bugs myself, but that is not my reason for me standing back. I will not hold you. This is your mission. I am merely here as your guide," Grove said. "However, since the dojo has failed you before you could get an understanding of those elements, I will teach you how to handle them. But I will not fight your battles unless it is absolutely necessary, which it should not be, since the Headmaster has faith in your capabilities. Do not be so careless, and you should be just fine. Do you understand?"

"Yes." Krista and Pineno nodded, although she wouldn't be able to see it.

"Then, enter we shall."

Blindside Burrow - B1F

Krista couldn't see anymore.

The darkness was just like the damp tunnel entrance of The Stoneridge Complex. Within the Blindside Burrow, there was a layer on top of that darkness that made Krista's heart race. The pressure in the air was making it harder for her to focus on her breathing. She squeezed her eyes shut, but it made no difference.

"Relax. Do not let this dungeon take hold of you." Grove's voice startled Krista from her thoughts. "Remember what I told you. We have the tools to navigate this place. Allow me to show you, and then you shall do the same."

Krista heard what sounded like a hissing vine. At first, she believed her eyes were playing tricks on her, there was the faintest light. It was so dim, that it almost strained her eyes just to focus on it.

A gasp escaped her as the light tripped in size. She could see Grove's face. Then, she could see Grove's entire figure. She could see the twisted ground around her hooves. She could see the root-coated ceiling above.

Her badge.

Her badge was glowing!

"How are you doing that?" Pineno pointed his paw towards the badge. "How come you didn't use that light in…"

"The complex? The badges behave differently outside of mystery dungeons. They work the way they do inside in the complex because of Zee's influence. But inside of a dungeon, the badge only serves three purposes. It provides a light for us to navigate dark dungeons. It sends us to safety in the event we ever faint inside a dungeon. And finally, well, I will save that one for later for you to see for yourselves. Now, go on. Activate the light on your badges. I promise, it's not hot."

Krista reached her paw towards it. "Do you just…?" She tapped the centerpiece as she had seen the associates do several times. It took a few seconds for her to notice the light growing. She almost stepped back as it became just as bright as Grove's.

Next to her, Pineno was awestruck at the sight of his own badge glowing. "It's like magic!"

"Precisely," Grove said. "Now that we can see, we can proceed. But first, be sure to observe your surroundings. Understand your environment. Keep your eyes open for wild Pokémon. Remember everything that Dusk has taught you so far."

Even with the provided light, Krista could tell that it was unable to illuminate the entire cave. The light only stretched so far, like a giant torch inside of a dark cavern. The ground was just as twisted as she noticed. It had patches of grass that wasn't supposed to grow there—grass that had no reason to survive. It was brown and thin, curling into itself like giant hairs. Droopy flowers tried and failed to sprout within them, joining the miserable tangle.

The walls couldn't decide if it wanted to be dirt or clay. Perhaps it was both at the same time. The texture just seemed…strange. It was loose while it wasn't. It couldn't hold itself together, but it could. There were a few roots that broke the surface, but the roots appeared to be made of stone. Was it petrified? It didn't appear to be rotting, but it wasn't alive, either. As for the ceiling…

Krista almost forgot how to breathe.

A hundred snakes.

The roots were tangled, looping, and constricting. They reached and curled like fingers. As she took a step back, the roots followed her. Roots at the light's edge were more sluggish, less enthusiastic. Beyond that, if Krista focused hard enough, she could make out their still shapes. They did not move in the darkness.

"That's…that's not terrifying at all…" Krista lied.

Pineno was just as transfixed to the sight. Grove was indifferent, studying the shift of the roots.

"They react to light," Grove explained. "They are desperate for it, as you can see. Unfortunately, our badges do not provide it the kind of light the sun offers, so all of their efforts are for nothing."

"They are starving," Pineno said, with sympathy in his tone. "I'm sure that a long time ago, sunlight used to seep throughout this burrow. But ever since the distortion happened, the roots had died. Or at least…they should be. Is this another result of the time-space anomaly?"

"You are learning fast."

Krista shivered before she started to move forward. She already wanted out of the burrow.

Grove took notice of her eagerness and nodded. "Yes. It's only appropriate for you to lead since you are the team leader. I will be behind the both of you. Worry not about ambushes from behind."

Krista wished that was the most of her worries. She found herself checking the ceiling every few steps. It was confirmed that the roots wouldn't come alive and attack them, but it certainly didn't feel that way, not with their constant shifting. It didn't help that the room they were in was so massive compared to any dungeon chamber they traveled through before. Searching for the corridors was going to take more effort, especially with the limited light.

Dusk said the dungeon had eight floors.

Krista decided it was best to get as close to the ground as possible. Despite knowing, and being reminded that the roots were harmless, she couldn't shake the unease that tried to pin her in place. Perhaps walking on four legs wasn't a bad idea.

"Why would a Pokémon want to go into a place like this to search for spring water?" Krista wondered aloud.

"Blindside Burrow was once known to be Keeneye Burrow," Grove explained. "Those who ventured to the depths would find an underwater spring. There were rumors that anyone who drank the spring water would be cured of any illness, and be granted aliments that would last them a lifetime. Some stories claim that it would expand your lifespan."

Pineno couldn't believe what he just heard. "Wait. You mean it would grant them immortality?!"

"It depends on who you ask. The story is never the same," Grove says. "No one knows for sure if the spring water actually exists. Many have come to this burrow, but they would always return with little to no recollection of coming here. It has grown only worse ever since this place became a mystery dungeon. There were tales of Pokémon losing their memories in more ways."

Krista felt her body lock up.

"Losing their memories…?" Pineno glanced at his friend before he continued. "Has anyone ever figured out how that happened?"

"As I said. These are merely rumors that vary from who tells the tale. I can't confirm or deny if this information is true. It could be fables that one Pokémon made up to frighten everyone else."

Fables…it couldn't just be fables. Krista was left to her thoughts to try to sort out everything she just learned.

(Pokémon went into the depths of the burrow, and lost their memories? Could I have done that? It still doesn't explain how I got transformed into a Pokémon, though. But this place could be a key to my past. It's possible I've been here before. Maybe that's why I don't recognize this place too? Maybe that's why this place makes me so nervous. Maybe…)

She had to check for one more thing.

"Is there a chance the Pokémon who lost their memories here were corrupted?" she asked.

"The Corruption? It's another possibility," Grove said. "But no. I can confirm that despite all the rumors and tales this dungeon has, not a single one spoke of The Corruption. I have my doubts that The Corruption could breach this place, either."

"Why is that?" Pineno asked.

"Because, The Corruption always traced back to the sky," Grove said. "We believe it has much to do with the sky-rifts. Once you see it first hand…you don't forget what it looks like. You don't forget the signs. If I ever sense something amiss, I will send us back home immediately. That, I can assure you. The Corruption being here should be the least of your worries."

On one hand, Krista felt relieved that once again, she was reminded that she didn't suffer any form of The Corruption. But on the other hand, she was sure that she came to the burrow before. A quick glance at Pineno, and he probably felt the same way.

At the depths of the burrow, there were many tales of what was at the bottom. The spring water, the memory spell…

…aliens.

Krista shook the thought out of her head. (There's no such thing.)

They reached a dead-end of the room. After taking a quick look around, Krista found that the walls caved further ahead. A corridor. It seemed that no matter the environment, mystery dungeons all followed the same maze-like layout.

She was wrong about the corridors being any better. They were much worse.

She could hear the roots snaking above her head. If she could press her body against the ground, she would. Just as Grove warned them, there was no telling what was behind every twist and turn. Every sharp snap made her jerk. Her claws unsheathed and sunk into the earth.

"It's okay, Krista. They won't hurt us," Pineno reminded her. He decided to stick closer to her after that, something Krista silently appreciated.

(It's okay. It's fine. There are dungeons far worse than this one. The roots just want sunlight. That's why they are moving. The turns are just sharp. That's how the dungeon got its name. It's fine. It's fine. It's fine.) Krista kept cycling the thoughts. It was the only thing that kept her moving.

Pineno pressed a paw against her back. "Wait."

She stopped. "What? What do you see?"

"Shhh. No. I don't see anything," Pineno whispered. "But can't you feel it? The ground, it doesn't feel right?"

"Th…the ground?" Krista lifted one paw. She didn't sense anything strange. All she heard was Grove slowing down behind her.

"Of course. Chespin live in places similar to this. He would be quite sensitive to any subtle changes," Grove whispered. "What do you sense, child?"

"There's someone here," he answered. "I think…they might be coming this way."

"Here?! In this narrow space?!" Krista almost hissed. "How are we supposed to fight them?!"

Before anyone could answer, the sound of rapid footsteps silenced everyone. It didn't take long for Krista to see the pair of red eyes. As it came closer, she could make out its shape. It froze once it saw them.

A Rattata. The black-coated one.

"Oh, it's just a Rattata," Pineno breathed.

The wild Rattata hissed at them as it dropped to all fours, ready to attack. It lunged without any further warning.

Krista leaped out the way in time to avoid the tackle. Her backside hit the wall, and she nearly sprung again as she felt the slightest tickle of a moving root.

Pineno struck the rodent with one of his vines. It moved back and hissed again.

Krista batted it away with a claw strike. She watched it tumble on the earth. It stood, stepped back, and it hissed in anger. She didn't see it leave the ground. A heavy force slammed against her stomach and knocked her off balance. She tumbled and groaned.

A sharp squeal from the Rattata told her that it got hit with something heavy. It fell next to her, twitching on the ground. Krista caught the blur of a vine as it coiled around her body and helped her stand.

"Thanks, Pineno," Krista wheezed.

"Uh-huh." Pineno nodded.

She dusted off the stings of pain that throbbed on her flank. "I didn't see that coming. What was that?"

"Quick Attack," Grove answered. "It's a technique that requires you to use all of your energy in a short but single burst. Makes you reach your top speed in an instant."

That explained the blow. That Rattata was determined to keep her on the ground.

"But I don't get it," Krista said. "Since when does a Rattata get angry when it's injured? Don't they usually run away?"

Grove smiled.

"And…I thought Rattata were purple," Krista added.

"Most Rattata are, yes," Grove answered. "But not on this continent. What you saw was a subspecies. It dwells well just about anywhere, just like its cousin. It's also good to know that these Rattata are not cowards. They will fight until they can't fight anymore."

"When there is one, there are many. We will only see more," Pineno said.

"Oh, that's just great," Krista grumbled.

"You sound just like Dusk," Grove chuckled. "He had quite a strong distaste towards the Rattata of this land once he realized they never liked running."

Another subspecies with such a contrasting personality. Krista wondered how many more she would encounter.

They were on the move again, and she was relieved as they stepped foot inside another vast space. She felt like she could breathe again.

Unfortunately, that relief was short-lived. Sprinting towards her were a pair of Rattata, probably to defend their friend. Krista stood on her feet, and they both stopped. They didn't expect her to stand over them.

They sprung forward.

Krista attacked one of them with her claws. Pineno attacked the other using his vines. The rodents were nimble compared to the one they faced before. They easily stepped out of the way and attacked using their bodies, knocking them both to the ground. Using the fall to her advantage, Krista rolled to all fours and turned her body in time to connect her claws against a Rattata's body. She lunged after it as it fell, striking it once more.

Once Pineno defeated the other one, they crossed the room and scanned the area for more Rattata. What Krista took notice of instead was a strange spot in the ground.

As she got closer, she realized it wasn't a spot. The ground caved in.

No. Upon closer inspection, the ground dipped in the hole, almost solid like stone. It was carved into a spiraling shape that faded into the darkness deep below.

It was a staircase.

"The staircase goes downward? I thought they only went up," Krista said.

"We are hardly underground," Grove said. "And this shouldn't surprise you. You've read the job request, haven't you? Where did it say that Oinkologne was located?"

Krista thought back about the letter Pineno read aloud. "The depths…? We…we have to go deep underground to find him."

The statement was more towards herself than Grove. Somehow, that small piece of information slipped her mind. They were going to be far from the surface, to help a Pokémon who chased after an old legend. They had to risk their own lives to rescue someone who went after something that might not even be real.

Why a burrow out of all places? Why not somewhere open and vast?

"We are waiting on you, Meowth," Grove said.

Krista winched. She tried to ignore it—she truly did. But after being called by her given name for a few days, she had forgotten, again, about the formalities of this world. It was irrational for her to hate it so much, but it made her feel terrible every time she heard it.

"Um…Ms. Grove?"

Grove was listening, although she was confused herself.

"Can't you just call me by my name instead?"

"Hm…but you are a Meowth, aren't you? It's only natural for many to refer to you by species. It's easier to remember that way."

Oh, it was foolish. Grove made a good point, the same point Dusk made. But Krista knew humans wouldn't go around calling other humans "Human". Problem was, what was Krista supposed to tell them? Grove was waiting on an answer while studying her face, which didn't make anything feel much better.

"I don't like being called that." The words left Krista's mouth faster than she was prepared for. "I just…it feels weird. I know I am a Meowth. But why is everyone so fine with being called by their species? I know everyone doesn't have a name, but why not? What if there are multiple of the same Pokémon in the same room, and they don't have names? Then what?"

She remembered what Pineno said.

"They just call them by number? But isn't that…rude?"

Grove's expression held the slightest change. Krista didn't know what it was, but it was enough for her to regret speaking on the subject at all. Again, Krista exposed herself for her lack of knowledge of the world. It was a wonder what Grove could be thinking, but it couldn't be anything stellar.

"If that is what makes you comfortable, then I understand," Grove said at last. "Just don't expect everyone to know your name upon first meeting you."

Krista knew. It was foolish to hope for anyone to instantly know her name upon the first meeting. But at least she considered her request, and Krista was thankful for it.

But was she going to do that with every Pokémon she met? Go through all the trouble just for them to refer to her by a name? She looked at Pineno, but he appeared just as troubled as she did. What could they do?

(Why do I waste my time with this?)

As she looked down the staircase, she reminded herself what was more important. Upon dipping her paw into the depths, she felt her center of gravity tilting. She moved back and decided it would be better to go down on two legs instead.

As she descended, she couldn't shake the feeling of Grove's eyes off her back.

To be Continued in Chapter 12.

Lyrics sung along with PMD3's "Stompstump Peak"