The forest on the lone island was dense. Light barely poked through the leaves, the wind was halted by the tall and densely packed trees while wildlife all around howled into the daytime dark.

And on a small and barely visible path, two pokemon were waddling through.

An absol slicing through vines, branches and other floral obstacles.

"I should have said no, I should have said no, I should have said no-" And an ice type ninetales wearing one of the largest backpacks known to monkind, at least compared to his size, and an ever increasing regret of having accepted the offer of the absol, having been repeating the same phrase for the past three hours. "I should have said no, I should have said no, I should have-"

"You can still turn around, mister fox." the Absol said as she cut the path forward.

"And be alone? Here?!" His fur stood on end as more howling happened relatively nearby. "I'll be eaten alive!"

"We haven't been attacked yet." the Oracle answered, trying to cut another branch that promptly smacked her in the face for her arrogant assumption. "Aue!"

"Because we're together." the Forager argued, feeling the weight of all the stuff he was carrying around. "Imagine me lugging this around all alone. I would be done for!"

"I suppose that's true." She swings her horn at the branch again. And gets slapped once more. "Aue! That's it!" she huffed before she Night Slashed the branch, the defiant piece from the tree finally buckling. "But we're not that far from our destination, Forager."

"About that. Why are we here?" He paused for a moment and cleared his throat before the dark type could respond. "Okay, I know why we're here, but I don't know why we're here, because you refuse to tell me. And why did you tell me to pack like I was going to fight Arceus in a one on one fight?"

The Oracle cut a few more vines and stepped through the bushes and to the side. "The why is not important. What's important is that we're here." She gave a warm smile. "And mind the drop."

"The wha-aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!" And the Forager tripped and started rolling down a large hill, miraculously avoiding any tree and rock that he fell past, rolling, rolling, until the hill flattened and he finally came to a stop in a small opening. "Ooooooooooooow…"

"Ack!" Someone yelped as the ice type stopped.

"Wait, I recognize that guy." A familiar voice said.

"Mushroom guy!" The Forager recognized that as belonging to the chewtle from months back. "What are you doing here? How did you get here before us?"

"I… can answer…" He slowly moved himself free from his giant backpack and got up. "If I knew where I was…"

And rustles from the trees at the hill could be heard as the Oracle leapt out from the crown of a tree, landing and striking a heroic pose with a flashy smile.

"ABSOL!" the quartet of pokemon called out in sync.

"Greeting to you once again, children of destiny. You have cleared the three divine dungeon trials and have been deemed worthy to enter the Holy Tower behind me." the absol said as she glanced at the giant ivory tower that poked out the treeline.

The Forager looked in the same direction and glanced up. And up. And up. He mentally noted that it was a very, very big tower.

"Absol," the elekid said as he approached. "How did you get here before us?"

"Wandered through the forest." the Oracle replied. "It means that I cannot enter the tower together with you, but that is not my destiny, but yours."

Meanwhile the Forager dragged his bag and sat himself next to a kangaskhan statue that was sitting next to the path leading to the tower. He pulled out a blanket from the bag, sat on it and started pouring potions, medicine and some bottles with dried mushrooms within while the dark type would do whatever she was doing.

"Shame." the machop said as he sighed. "We could definitely use extra hands. Or paws."

"Oh silly human. You are the one who has the extra hands." The Oracle nodded. "Look at all of you. Conquering some of the hardest challenges in this world, looking…" She glanced at the group and how beat up they were. "Well, worse for wear, I will admit. However, I did foresee this." And she gestured to the Forager.

"Mushroom guy?" the bellsprout asked, looking at him and noticed the wide selection of items. "Whoah."

The Forager chuckled. "What? You think I don't use my knowledge of mushrooms to do something with them." He glanced towards the tower before looking back to the group. "While I don't exactly know what is going on, I do have a feeling you would like to restock on your resources."

"We are running dry…" the chewtle admitted.

"Then go ahead and take what you need. I got some restoration potions, some edibles to fill your bellies, some interesting elixirs and items to cure any status effect you can think of, all home made. If there's something you want to ask about, go ahead."

The machop immediately picked up a bottle of some dried orange, almost glowing, mushrooms. "What are these?"

"Firestalks. Not that filling, but gives you a burst of energy while also having an explosive aftertaste." the Forager replied, a tail tapping the ground. "Think of them as a combination of a Quick Seed and a Blast Seed."

Chewtle's eyes opened up. "That sounds really good!"

"How much?" Machop asked and started to fiddle for his money pouch.

The Forager shook his head. "From what little I understand, you're saving the world. Everything you see is free of charge. Just… Don't take more than you can carry."

The group gathered up the items they wanted and stuffed them in their bags, heading to the opening.

"Alright. Thanks for all the things, mushroom guy." the elekid said.

"Call me the Forager, please…" the fairy type mumbled.

"Nice meeting you, sir." the machop said with a nod. "Now, guys, let's go."

The Oracle nodded to them. "And I suggest you hurry up. I sense a great disaster approaching.

"Disaster?" Chewtle asked.

Bellsprout gulped. "I have a feeling I know what… Let's get moving, fast!"

"Right." Elekid said and the quartet started running towards the ivory tower.

"Uhm… What's happening?" the Forager asked as he looked to the Oracle as the kids rushed towards the white spire.

"The catalyst of the end is approaching." The Oracle got up and entered a fighting stance. "Grab whatever you think can best make you live a fight. You're going to need it!"

"Uh, uhm…" He quickly scooped up some vials into his tails while grabbing something from his bag. "I guess this is as ready as I get. What is this… catalyst?"

"The bastard who started everything that will lead to the end of the world. If he gets past us, the kids are in danger. And if the kids cannot reach the top of the tower, everything we know and love will be destroyed!"

"And in simpler terms, Oracle?" The Forager didn't get most of that.

"She means I've been naughty!" A deep voice came from the exit of the dungeon, and from said exit walked a shiny absol with a confident smirk. "Hello, sister. How's the leg?"

"It's fine!" the Oracle hissed back, snarling at the oher absol. "Final warning, brother! Just stop this now! It's not too late!"

"We both know I crossed that threshold long ago. And I will see my plans through. So step aside or be killed!"

The Forager looked confused at the two. Clearly some family drama. And somehow connected to the fate of the world. How? He couldn't tell. And he assumed that neither would elaborate if he asked. But he might as well try. "So… Can I get some details or-"

"Quiet, oaf!" the other absol growled.

"That's a no…" the Forager sighed as he stood up.

"But if that is what you're saying, brother… Then I guess one of us won't walk away from here." She replied to the other absol. "But… I just want one question answered. Why?"

"Because the tablets say so. The future is etched in stone! It cannot be changed! And I'm just making sure that the prophecy will be fast and painless for everyone!" the other absol replied.

"Oh, you can answer her questions…" The Forager mumbled.

"You know that the future can change! We, as absol, have the power to do so!" She took a deep breath. She was ready for what was to come.

"Small, insignificant changes! In the long run, all will end. You have seen it. So have I! And if I have to become an angel of death to make this end as painless as possible," Energies gathered around the shiny absol as wings sprouted from his back and his horn changing shape, letting out a howl as the mega evolution was done. "Then so. Be. It!"

"Brother…" Her sorrow was her mistake as she quickly got struck by a powerful Slash. "Aeu!" And she tumbled across the ground.

"Not good…" The Forager rushed to the Oracle.

"Stay out of this, stranger!" The mega-absol's claws turned dark and a Night Slash struck the Forager on the flank.

"Graaaah!" He shuddered as he headed over and fed the Oracle a potion. "That stung!"

"Hmm… Tougher than you seem." The shiny pokemon seemed intrigued.

The Forager took a few deep breaths. "Type advantages do… wonders."

The Oracle got back up, a fire burning in her eyes. "Brother!" And flames gathered in her mouth as she spewed out a powerful Flamethrower.

The mega evolved pokemon was not impressed as he got covered in the flames. "Oh, poor, dear sister of mine." And he started walking through the flames. "You have no idea who you're dealing with?"

The Forager tilted his head, wondering why the other absol would risk getting burned just to show off. On the other hand, it was a prime opportunity to ground his footing and launch an Ice Beam into the flames.

And as the super hot and super cold collided, it created a massive explosion.

The mega absol got launched backwards, slamming into a tree. "Graaaah!"

The Oracle blinked as she got her balance back from the blast. "What was that?"

"Ice and fire don't like each other very much. If the difference is too much. Boom." The Forager said with a shrug before looking at the other absol.

"And where did you get that knowledge?" she asked, her eyes locking with her brother.

"As every young mon, I wanted to be an adventurer. Then I tried running dungeons, and… well…"

"Ahahaha. That's your best ally, sister?" The mega absol couldn't help but cackle as he rose. "A weakling that gave up?"

The Forager frowned.

"He's not here as a fighter, but as a support." the Oracle said, cracking her neck.

So did the shiny absol. "Then he will support your death!" And he rushed in.

The Oracle barely got to react to get a block off before getting sliced across her side. "Hnngh!"

"Wha?!" The Forager barely had time to react to what he had just witnessed before all air left his lungs as he was headbutted straight in the chest and tumbled backwards. "Khhhhuuuugh…"

"Is that i-" He got slammed in the face with a Night Slash. It didn't do much to him and he turned to see the angry glare of the regular colored dark type. "Oh, sister. So disappointing!" And with a quick swipe, he knocked her back. "You cannot win like this. You're only…" And he realized.

"Wasting your time is me winning." she replied with a grin.

"I'll wipe that smirk off your CORPSE!" And then he got pelted by glass jars containing all kinds of liquids. Most holding rather foul smelling liquids.

The Forager breathed heavily, fear entering his eyes as he had gotten the male absol's ire.

The mega absol quickly pounced the ninetales and got a paw on the fox's throat. "But I suppose you will be first! Die!" He opened his maw wide, ready to chomp down on the throat. When something struck the back of it, making him cough uncontrollably as he stumbled backwards, swallowing whatever had entered. "Gruuuhgh…"

The Oracle had gotten back to block the path to the tower once again. "Should we try again, brother?!"

"No trying." The mega absol's horn started to glow as winds gathered. His claws extended, turning black and purple. "I'm done! MOVE OR DIE!"

The Oracle didn't move a muscle.

And the mega pokemon unleashed his Razor Wind, Night Slash and Shadow Claw all at once.

And the Oracle stood still, simply closing her eyes as she braced for impact. Before getting knocked to the side. "Wha?"

She was rather confused as to why the Forager was on top of her as the moves flew by behind them.

"Oh no, he's going to-"

And the shiny pokemon ran past them and towards the pale spire.

"Forager, move!"

The ninetales wrapped his tails around the Oracle. "And increase the chance of you dying? No."

"If we don't stop him from reaching the tower, he will get to the kids and destroy all hope we got!" She was flailing.

"He won't reach them, now calm down." The Forager continued to hold her tight.

"How do you know?"

The Forager chuckled. "Not much of a prophet these days, huh? Remember when he was about to bite me earlier?"

She nodded. "What did you throw into his mouth anyway?"

"A blue hacksack."

The Oracle stopped and just stared at the ninetales for a moment. Then chuckled. "Wait, the super killer mushroom?"

"I mean, there are some more killer than that, but yes." The Forager replied. "Why are you laughing?"

"Oh, he is going to go down without any dignity. Fitting." She had calmed down and was only moving because of her continued laughter.

And so, the Forager got back up and gave the absol some room. "I'll give it a minute before we go and administer the antidote."

The Oracle looked dumbfounded at the ninetales. "Uhm… By that time, he will be unreachable."

And the Forager returned the dumbfounded look towards the absol. "What?"

"To enter the Tower of Purification, one must overcome the three trial dungeons. If you haven't, a divine barrier prevents entry." she explained. "We can't save him even if we wanted to."

"And… You're still laughing? I… Oh Arceus, I have effectively killed your brother!"

"Eeeeh…" She sighed as she looked at the long gash on the side of her body. "He deserves it. He tried destroying the world, after all. Doubled down on it, even." She squinted. "Uhm, you got any more healing items? I… I need it."

"I'll go see!" He said and quickly hopped to his bag, noticing a bright light from the top of the tower. "Uhm…"

The absol looked up there as well. "Well… They managed to get there quickly. And all is well."

"So, what exactly is going on?" He started rummaging through the bag.

"Doesn't matter. We win." the Oracle replied with a smile.

"It definitely matters, because I have no idea about what the hell is going on!"

Mushroom Notes. There's no notes. Just a reminder to only deal with mushrooms you know or you will die. Like the shiny absol.

I suppose I can elaborate on the firestalk? It's... just another fake mushroom. Just thought that there would be more than just seeds and berries that did all the whacky things that they do in the pokemon mystery dungeon games. So... Funky mushroom.

AN: And so the world is saved. And the Forager's grand purpose was to be Luigi next to the Oracle's Prince Peasly. And the random shop keeper that sells items in front of the final dungeon who is somehow there. But that's that for the Forager and his world. Well... Almost.

Epilogue, and Mushrooms

"You probably haven't noticed, but I feel the town has gotten busier than normal." The Doctor said as he looked around, noticing all the travellers.

"Considering that for the past couple of months that people keep knocking at my door to get directions to the town center, yes. I have noticed. I haven't the faintest clue as to why." The Forager replied, having not connected the dots, that it was also slightly more than a couple of months ago that the world was saved.

"I might have a theory or two." the gallade replied. "So, any word from the Oracle?"

"Just some update letters as she scour the globe once more to prevent disaster." the Forager replied.

"How did you get her as a penpal?"

"Saving her life and killing her brother was probably what did it." the ninetales mused.

"Strange thing to bond over, but she's a strange creature I suppose." the Doctor replied.

"Knock, knock. The shop open?" came an unfamiliar voice.

"Right, sorry, I'll be right…" The ninetales turned his head towards the potential customer, and he smiled. "Well, well, well. What a surprise."

In front of him stood the group of heroes who saved the world, one evolution stage later.

"If it isn't the Purifiers themselves. How are you kids?"

"Doing good, Doctor." said Weepinbell with a smile.

Electabuzz looked over the different items that the Forager had for sale. "Hmm… Bit of a mundane business you're running, mushroom guy."

"I told you, it's Forager!" The ice type shook his head. "What are you kids looking for?"

"Well, we hoped to get more of those dried firestalk. It was really useful." the electric type replied.

"I have some back home, so if you stick around for a while, I can sell you some."

The former human nodded. "That would be great." And he looked over the other things. "Hmm… You said you made your potions and the like, yourself, right?"

The Forager tilted his head whilst looking at the machoke. "You're asking me to remember something from a few months ago? Whether or not I said it, I am making it."

"Would it be possible that you could sell us more whenever we're around these parts?" Dreadnaw asked.

"Well, it takes some time to make, and I need a steady supply, and if I have to shopkeep…" He shook his head. "I will warn you that me being out and selling my wares will be inconsistent."

"That's fine." Electabuzz said as he picked up a jar of pickled birch bolete.

"Could you maybe… teach us how to mushroom hunt to make getting your special wares more consistently?" asked Weepinbell.

"Hmm?" The Forager was curious.

"You help us learn to identify the things you need for your potions and we bring you what you need." Machoke elaborated.

"Oh, now you've done it." the Doctor said with a snicker.

"Done what?"

The Forager was suddenly on all fours. "Thank you for enrolling in the Forager's Foraging Class. It is required that you got one basket, one smaller container that can be sealed like a jar for example, some paper and a pen, because you will need a lot of notes!" His tails were swishing wildly.

"Oh. Done that…" sighed Dreadnaw.

And despite the threat to the world, everything was once again back to normal. Although, some lives had touched one another, and a web of connections forged. And tangled in those webs was a ninetales that really, really liked to hunt mushrooms.

Fin