Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Retaliation Corporation

by Espeon804

First, she wakes up in the body of a Meowth out of all things. What's worse? She can't remember anything. She meets a confined Chespin running from forces who sees his life as forfeit. The sky is cracking. Pokémon are going berserk, and evil sorcerers are using them as puppets. In an effort to fight back, they join the Retaliation Corps for answers...but the world is cruel.

24. Ch 23: Your Crumbling Facade

- Chapter 23: Your Crumbling Facade -

---

Enclosed Crossing - 6F

As soon as they entered the sixth floor, Krista's feet were soaked. The water had reached her ankles, reminding her of the very dungeon she traveled through with Slowking. Perhaps they were related because they were both near rivers.

In fact, there was a river on the other side of the room. It was roaring with a strong flow, despite its small size. A boulder stood alongside it, sliced clean through. In fact, the cut was far too clean, impossibly even. That was when she realized…she was looking at half of the river. She knew dungeons warped some places, but she didn't think they would take them by pieces.

It only got stranger as they traveled further through the maze. Above, underwater weeds hung. The second half of the river sliced through the ceiling, and not a drop of water fell. It made her wonder, if she jumped high enough, would she stick to the ceiling too?

Krista was familiar with dungeons having a change in their structure deep within its structure, but that's about it. It was usually when they were almost through. They were told Enclosed Crossing had a total of 14 floors. They were a step away from being halfway through, and that was what made the change so strange.

No one made a comment about it. Pineno, especially, was quiet, deep in his troubling thoughts. Krista pushed aside the shift in the terrain. It wasn't important, not when compared to what could be circulating through Pineno's head.

He assured her that he was fine, but Krista knew he simply didn't want to worry her. She sometimes wished he would stop hiding his negative emotions, that he would just talk about it. With Glider present, maybe that was impossible. The Gligar would probably make another comment about how "soft" they were, and Krista was in no mood for it.

Although…Glider had been awfully quiet himself ever since they arrived on the 6th floor.

A quick glance over her shoulder, and Krista could see his awkward waddle. With every step, he held one foot high in the air, and he balanced with his arms out. Every step was as if he was climbing a tall flight of stairs. He would winch as his clawed feet sunk through the mud.

He really didn't like to get wet.

"Just about halfway there," Vigor announced. "Keep your eyes open. We are in more dangerous territory now."

"Urgh. It's gonna be like this the rest of the way…?" Glider waddled his way forward, only stopping as his foot got caught in a weed. After an aggressive tug failed to set him free, he snipped it clean with a pincher.

"Didn't you say that only Psyduck are allowed to complain?" Krista asked. She felt her foot being swallowed by the mud. With a heavy tug, her foot was freed, clear of mud somehow.

"I wasn't complainin'." Glider set his foot down and bit back a squeak as it sunk into the knotted grass. With every step he had to take, it required so much force just for him to pull his foot free. It seemed the claws of his feet did him no favors.

Pineno was having the same problem. While the water didn't bother him, his limited mobility must have. If he has any legs at all, they were far too stubby for him to pull his feet as high as Krista could. He instead had to shake and twist his body around to free himself from the mud. He only stopped fighting the ground as he noticed Krista approaching. "You aren't stuck?"

Krista looked at her own feet. "I guess not, but it's still trying to pull me down. Maybe if I have my claws out…"

"If y'all keep strugglin', it'll only fight harder." Vigor traversed her way through with little issue, to everyone's surprise.

"How come you're not sinkin'?" Glider asked, stunned. "You're several times heavier than us!"

Vigor clapped her hands together, startling everyone silly. "Y'all gotta move those legs! Trust me, if you move without hesitatin', it won't cling on to you. C'mon!"

"Move in this? It feels impossible!" Glider yanked his foot out again. The momentum was too strong, and he fell on his backside with a gasp. Water splashed as his weight broke the surface. He flailed as he failed to do as much as sit up.

As tempting as it was, to leave him there wouldn't be right. Krista could hear Grove's voice screaming at her from the back of her mind.

"Go help him up! What's wrong with you?!"

Krista moved without mental protest, grabbing one pincher each. With a hard tug, Glider was only lifted just an inch off the surface before the ground pulled him back in. Her second attempt to free him was a lot more draining.

"Come on! You're gonna have to help me!" Krista gasped. Her feet were sinking. With every step back she tried to take, the mud would slip underneath her feet. She had no solid surface to anchor herself on.

"How, when I can't move?" Glider argued. "I'm doin' the best I can!"

Every tug was more daunting than the last, until it reached the point she couldn't make him budge. As she looked at him, she almost screamed. The ground has swallowed him down to his chest. Glider noticed her hesitation, and fear flooded his face.

"Vigor?" Krista warily called.

Vigor sighed and shook her head. She walked over and grabbed one of Glider's pinchers. He was freed with little effort. His backslide was completely damp as weeds clung on to the edges of the membrane. He pinched them off with an inaudible grumble.

"Pineno," Vigor called. "Your client needed your assistance. What have you been doin' all this time?"

Krista hadn't realized Pineno was absent until it was pointed out. She looked to her left, then right, then she turned around. Pineno had his back turned to everyone, and he was oddly quiet.

"Pineno…?" Krista called.

"There's a group of Tadbulb there," Pineno announced. "And they keep staring at us."

Krista peered at the direction he was facing. Small, round, brown-bodied tadpole creatures hovered in the air. A blinking yellow membrane surrounded their head like a helmet. It would have been rather cute had it not been for their hostile glowing eyes. They had a single orange-dipped tailfin. If anything, the shape of its body and the yellow color reminded Krista of a lightbulb—

(Oh. That's how it got its name.)

"What do you know about these Po—creatures, Vigor?" Krista was hoping for some sort of knowledge, because the unfamiliarity was making her uneasy.

"Not much, I'm afraid," Vigor admitted. She kept moving her feet to keep her weight from sinking. "What I do know is that those are lightnin' creatures. They aren't very strong, but as a group, you gotta be careful. You see how they are blinkin'? I ain't no genius, but I'm sure that's a warnin' signal."

"But they are blocking off the path for us to move forward," Krista said. "What do we do?"

"You said those are lightnin' creatures, right?" Glider waddled past, stretching his pinchers. "Let me handle 'em."

"Uh, no?" Vigor pushed him back. "Even if you do have an advantage, you won't be able to do much against them! They can float! You can't!"

"'Ight. Rub it in my face then…" Glider turned to Krista. "Hope y'all know what y'all are doin'. I tried to help."

"You're not supposed to be fighting anyway, remember?" Krista could see the change in his face from the corner of her eye. With him out the way, she brought her focus to the trio of strange tadpoles who were watching them the entire time. Uncertainty was strong, and it wavered some of her confidence, but it wouldn't be the first time she came across a species she didn't know.

"Ready?"

Pineno stiffened. He lifted his paws.

The Tadbulb must have sensed their hostility, because their blinking became more rampant.

"Sorry, but all of you are in the way." Krista charged forward with her claws unleashed. Next to her, Pineno was just as eager as he summoned his vines.

The blinking stopped as the trio held their glow. They shot for the ground and slapped their tails on the ground, flinging mud towards the duo. Pineno lunged out the way, and Krista ducked. A swinging vine sent one of the Tadbulb flying. A claw strike sent the other to the ground. The third pushed back and unleashed a small bolt of lightning. It struck Pineno and sent him staggering back, but he shook it off before retaliating with a whip of a vine.

The small creature bounced across the ground and laid there, unmoving.

Krista frowned as she lowered her stance. She readied herself, searching for the slightest movement. To her disappointment, none of the two Tadbulb made any effort to float back up. The third went missing, but it was clear it wouldn't return.

"Did…they give up already?"

Vines whistled as Pineno called them back into his shoulders. A soft clock escaped his mouth. "She said they aren't so strong, but this is ridiculous."

It didn't matter. They could proceed at least.

"Uwwwag-waa…"

The strange quacking halted everyone's movements.

"What was that?" Krista searched her surroundings.

"Oh, no." Vigor's voice was filled with dread.

"Oh, no? Oh no what?" Glider looked at her, almost frightened. "What's goin' on? What's—mmph!"

Vigor pressed her hand over his mouth. "Shh!"

Krista sealed her lips, even if it wasn't directed towards her. Pineno had the same idea, checking every direction for anything amiss.

A familiar yellow feathered body stumbled into view.

"Uwaaagh…whaaagh…"

The Psyduck stomped to a stop, its claws gripping the sides of its head. There, slipping from the very top was the third dazed Tadbulb. It must have struck the unsuspecting Psyduck. The possibility seemed ridiculous, but it happened. Krista was almost baffled.

"Uwaaagh….! Uwaaagh!" The wild Psyduck pressed its hands tighter against its head. Its entire body trembled in pain. "UWAAAAAAAAAAAGH!"

The air pulsed. Krista felt her breath being stolen away.

"We need to move!" Glider shouted.

"No!" Vigor threw out her four hands, and a green transparent dome pulsed out from the palms. It enclosed her and the children. "Don't move!"

The Psyduck rattled its head, screaming in a mad frenzy as its body started to spasm. The moment it opened its glowing eyes, a terrible chill shot through the air.

"UWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!"

A strong shockwave pulsed its body. It sliced through the mud.

The pulse struck the barrier, and the world shook. A horrible high-pitched screech flooded the air, piercing eardrums. Krista's vision blurred. She screamed as she fell back, clawing at her ears. Pineno and Glider crashed alongside her. Vigor clenched her teeth as she fought for balance. Wave after wave, the rippling air continued to pulse and bring mass destruction. It dismembered tree limbs. Bushes and trees were shredded clean of their leaves and bark. Rocks cracked and split. The Psyduck's scream lingered in a horrible note of destruction.

Then, it was over.

The snapping of wood was all that kept the silence from dominating. As Krista lifted her buzzing head, and the first thing she checked was the charm on her head. At this point it was instinct, but the feeling of the cool, untainted metal brought her great relief.

The environment outside the dome didn't look any prettier. A boulder fell and crashed down into the water. Krista had to remember to breathe.

It was as if a bomb went off.

The Psyduck was flat on the ground, seemingly asleep from exhaustion. It didn't seem to care that its body was sinking through the mud.

"W-whoa…" Pineno stood and helped Krista to her feet. "I…I've heard the stories, but I didn't think it was this strong. If it weren't for Vigor, we would have been blown away!"

"Eugh…all of that came from a headache that was too much…" Glider shivered. "As I said…they are the only ones who have every reason to whine about life."

Still shaken, Krista looked at Vigor who was deactivating the shield. Protect, it was called. Krista had witnessed it before. "Thank you, Vigor."

Vigor nodded, although she looked a bit shaken herself.

"I know that would have knocked us off our feet, but why are you so startled?" Glider asked. "You're like, a hundred times stronger than we are!"

"I…I know." Vigor shuddered. "I do look foolish, don't I? Especially since it came from a creature who doesn't even have psychic power in their blood. But…what you've seen was nothing. I've seen worse…far much worse. That was merely a sneeze. Ahahaha… hahaha…."

The children stood, stunned. They all shared the same thought:

(It could've been worse?!)

---

Enclosed Crossing - 7F

More wild Tadbulb were fought as they traversed through the twisted maze. Each one was easily brought down with one or two blows. Wild Bidoof were encountered and bested, but the group came across no Yungoos. The only wild Pokémon they really had to worry about were any agitated Psyduck. Vigor kept her eyes open for those.

Outside of how uncomfortable the ground was to everyone's feet, the group didn't have much trouble as they checked every chamber they came across. Pineno discovered a cheri berry that had been dropped in the dungeon, which the team took without complaint.

The twisted dimensions were a common problem. They would encounter dead ends that were formed due to bushes that cluttered and intertwined in a horrid spiral. Other blockages would be due to previous rockslides that had closed off corridors. Several times did the group have to backpedal and take a different path. It was when Vigor made a point that a dungeons layout would become more twisted the deeper they went. And as it seemed, Enclosed Crossing was one of those types of dungeons.

With another Tadbulb brought down with ease, Krista caught sight of the staircase at last. It was just a quick shot down a short and twisted hall—perhaps the smallest corridor she had ever seen. With a smile of relief, she checked the chamber she stood in for anymore trouble before she hurried her way across.

And she stopped. Her smile was gone.

Half of a river was caught in the distortion. It clung close to the walls. It formed deep ponds that Krista didn't want to find out if she could swim through. But the most annoying part of all…

"The stairs are right there!" Krista pointed across the flowing water. The rocky staircase was just near the corridor's mouth as it spiraled towards the ceiling. It was pure mockery.

"That does happen sometimes," Vigor said dismissively. "We can't control what the dungeon likes to do. We are just gonna have to find a way around."

"Another way around?" Krista checked her left. There was another twisting corridor at the far end of the room.

"Dungeons are strange, but they all follow a similar rule," Vigor said. "Even if the path is blocked off, it is never impossible to reach a room."

Keisha sighed. They had no choice but to go the long way. Casting one more look at the staircase she was denied access to, she made her detour.

There was a shadow.

"Krista!" Pineno screamed.

She spun to her left and caught sight of a blur of silver.

WHAM!

Her vision went white. A heavy force knocked the air out of her lungs. Her chest throbbed as she gaped her mouth open, but no air came in.

WHAM!

It snapped against her head. Her body crashed through the water as she failed to cry out. Ringing…her ears were ringing. She could hear voices, but nothing made sense. She couldn't make out the words…

(That hurt…too much…!)

Her lungs burned for air. Underwater—she was underwater. She tried to stand, but pain stabbed through her head, it blistered in her chest. She sputtered our water and mud, but her lungs didn't heave. As she blinked, her vision—everything was clouded. She rolled over, pressing her paws on the slippery ground to keep herself from collapsing. Water and mud slushed beneath her. Her claws gave no extra leverage.

She still couldn't breathe.

(Get up…!)

Her paw slipped. She collapsed back into the shallow water, her weight against her folded arm. She could only lift her head enough to find air, but breathing remained impossible. Her lungs burned. Her heart raced in a flurry of mad panic.

It was just two blows, and it was the worst pain she ever experienced.

Voices. She heard them again. Distorted and pulsing through her ears…the ringing started to fade. The world around her started to make sense again. The sights before her became clear.

She could see a blob of green in front of her. It came into focus.

Pineno was lunging and swinging his vines, which were dodged with little effort. He pursued his target, who flew in a sharp turn.

Krista tried to speak, but all that escaped her was a hoarse wheeze. At last, she could make out the one responsible for her pain.

It was pink. A pink bird. A round pink bird with long silver legs…a long neck…

A neck tied in a knot…? It could breathe like that?

Krista couldn't recognize the wild Pokémon at all. But from how well it balanced on one leg, she could connect the dots. It was how it launched that terrible attack. It looked ready to do it again, but Pineno's interference must have caught it off-guard. It was a lot more cautious as it leapt back with its wings out.

It swung its head and let out a strangled honk. It kicked itself in the air and avoided Pineno's attack before it threw its beak down against his back.

Pineno screamed as he was stabbed, and he was on the ground.

(Wait…) Krista tried to speak, but words refused to come out. As she pushed herself off the ground, she found herself gasping for air again. Her limbs gave up, and she was laying down again. (My body…it won't listen to me…!)

The Flamigo tilted its head towards Krista before it hopped towards her.

Fear clutched her chest.

(No…! N-no! Don't come this way…!)

It lifted a foot high, but a scream escaped its beak as it was brought to the ground. A vine has caught its legs. It beat its wings, trying to escape. The awkward angle kept it from flying. Pineno had his feet planted on the ground as he fought against its strength. He was dragged instead, leaving behind a small trench in his path.

Krista pushed herself off the ground a third time, almost coughing as she finally got a sip of air, air that she took for granted. She was sure that her lungs almost collapsed.

But she couldn't stay there. She had to help him.

Then she remembered he had the bag. Every life-saving item was inside. To reach it was impossible. Pineno was unable to keep himself grounded. He was practically skiing with how he was being dragged around the room.

"Vigor…!" Krista wheezed. "We…need your help…!"

Vigor shook her head. "I'm not allowed to fight your battles, dear."

Krista should've guessed as much. But Pineno needed help, and he wouldn't get it with her standing still. She took a step forward, and the pain surfaced. Every small movement made her head feel like it was going to explode.

Strong fluttering made her move her head too quickly—the pain made her vision flash white again. The pink bird was in the air, lifting Pineno from the ground. It swung its body as its wings glowed with energy. Before Krista could cry out her warning, the avian pulled back and shot forward. The momentum forced Pineno to arch towards it. He saw what was coming, but he was unable to avoid the wing that sliced clean through his vines. The second blow sliced across his body. His scream swelled with pain that made Krista's heart sink.

He plummeted to the ground. Water and mud flew upon impact. The bird landed behind him, honking towards the ceiling.

To Krista's disbelief, Pineno was already pushing himself off the ground. He shook his body and groomed his face. The wild bird froze, perhaps finding his resilience impossible. It turned its head and locked eyes with Krista. That was when it took a step back.

A fresh wave of fear made Krista's feet move on their own. She was stepping back, away from the powerful bird. Its gleaming red eyes did not leave her. As it turned and strutted, Krista staggered and fell. She crawled back, a fearful cry escaping her.

It ran. It stretched its wings and waved them as it bounded its way towards her. It was a lot bigger. A lot bigger…!

It lifted a silver leg. Krista threw her paws over her head and winched.

She heard a crash. A startled cry.

The bird was pinned against the wall by a blurred wheel of green. It tried kicking, but its foot bounced off the surface. In reaction, its body was pressed deeper against the wall. Pink and damaged feathers started to fly from its chest and stomach as it tossed its head around. It tried pecking, but its head was thrown back by the relentless friction.

The wheel rolled backwards. The bird went slump, only saving itself from falling by stomping on the ground. It stood, molted, and it screamed.

The wheel came back and slammed against its chest with a heavier force, cutting off its cry. Its body was pushed through the wall. The head fell forward, limp.

The wheel pulled back and slowed down until limbs shot out. Pineno landed with a summersault. The quills on his head softened in an instant. He hunched over, fighting to catch his breath.

Krista stood, trying to find the words to thank him, but they didn't come out. Her eyes couldn't leave the wild bird. Its body was halfway buried into the wall, with its torso striped of feathers. Its head remained slumped against its stomach, motionless.

"That…" Pineno lifted his head. Tears were on the verge of spilling. "I didn't mean to hurt it like that…I was just…trying to stop it from hurting you…"

Krista wanted to tell him that everything would be fine, but she knew it was a lie. He was heartbroken.

"You too?" Glider scoffed. "You won! You knocked it out! What are you so upset for? It's just a stupid wild creature!"

"I didn't want to knock it out!" Pineno snapped at him.

"But it was going to trample your friend there. Do you think it cares about your feelings? Seriously, your bleedin' heart is gonna get us killed!"

"Glider!" Vigor didn't have to say anything else. The Gligar just clicked his tongue.

Krista tried to walk, but the wave of pain only made her sit down. With the battle done, her body has decided it didn't need to stay in survival mode for much longer. Her head was throbbing far worse than it did before, like a splitting headache amplified beyond levels she could comprehend.

Brushing her head, she searched for the coin to check its condition as usual—

It was gone.

Her blood ran cold.

It was gone.

"My…my…" She couldn't find her words. It was a soft whisper, one that was almost ignored.

"Krista…?" Pineno's voice was faint, drowned in her pounding heart.

"My…coin…" The mere action of uttering the truth stole Krista's breath away. "M-my… my c-coin. My coin…"

"Whoa…whoa Krista. Krista it's okay—"

"MY COIN! MY COIN! IT'S GONE! IT'S GONE!" Krista fell flat on the ground. Her body was still disoriented, but she needed it. She needed it. She needed it—the coin had to be somewhere…!

Gone. Gone. It's gone. It's gone.

Her paws felt her head. Nothing. She grabbed nothing but matted fur. Her claws dug, but nothing surfaced. It was truly gone. Forever gone. Her body trembled as she felt the sting in her eyes. The air was tight, too hard to breathe.

She was nothing without her coin. She couldn't show her face! The dungeon, the cursed dungeon, it took it! It was soiled in the mud—oh! It was soiled in the mud! Somewhere, it was lost far from her reach! She'll never find it! She'll…!

"IT'S GOOOOOONE!" She didn't care about the mud, or the tears, or how she was slowly being pulled under. She couldn't stop shaking. She couldn't…

Something cool wrapped around her arm, and she was pulled free.

"No…! NO!" Krista kicked. She screamed. She wailed. A second vine restrained her other arm. "I…I need to…find…! I-I-I need…to find…it! It's…I…my coin! I…!"

"Krista! Krista just hold still!" Pineno shouted. "It's not gone! I promise it's not gone!"

"Yes it is!" She sobbed. "I don't feel it anywhere! They took it from me!"

"Krista, please! I—"

"Just hold her down for me." Vigor's voice was filled with such sympathy, it made Krista freeze for only a second.

Then she saw her reaching. Krista panicked and kicked mud at her in a frail effort to keep her away. The vines tightened around her arms. She twisted her body, screaming. There was nothing else to take! What could the Machamp possibly—

Thunk.

The sharp pain in her head subsided. Krista had forgotten…it was there. The pressure was gone.

"There. I've seen this happen to a Meowth client I had before," Vigor breathed. "It's alright, Krista. It just got pushed into your skull. It'll heal. Here. Here. Let me…"

Vigor revealed a bandage wrap of some sort. As she reached, Krista pulled back, but she held her still. Something damp wiped across her forehead. There were the sounds of tearing, and the pressure pressed against her skull made Krista winch.

"There. All cleaned up! That should stop the bleeding! Having a coin doesn't seem like an issue until it cuts into you," Vigor said. "A common Meowth injury. You'll be alright, I promise. It's not broken!"

Krista was hesitant to feel it. The moment the tip of her paws brushed the surface, she almost cried in tears of joy. It never was misplaced. It was just…sunk in her head. A terrible thing, but it wasn't broken…it was still in one piece…

"Wow. I…guess the stories about a Meowth being so ecstatic about their coins ain't just stories…" Glider said.

Pineno looked down at her with worry. "Are you okay, Krista? How does your head feel?"

Krista sighed. Her desperate cries were playing on loop in her head, and she felt the sting of embarrassment. She just wanted to curl into a ball, to not be seen. "Kinda hurts… Sorry you had to see that."

"No, no! Don't apologize!" Vigor waved her hands. "There are simply some things some Pokémon can't live without! Why, if I lost my belt, I'll be in a state of panic myself!"

(If you say so…) It didn't change the fact that she wailed like an infant. She was sure Glider was going to have a field day with that scene.

"Here."

Krista saw the single oran berry resting on the palm of Vigor's hand.

To have a berry fed to her added to her humiliation, but as soon as she broke the shell between her teeth, the berry went to work. Once consumed, Krista could see the sparkling light lifting from all over her body, mostly her chest. She didn't want to see how badly bruised she was in that area.

The pain was gone, as if she wasn't sent flying a moment before.

She wished it would heal away the embarrassment that burned her so much.

"If you didn't have that defense scarf, those blows would've knocked you out," Vigor said.

"My…" Krista's paws reached for the white scarf. Did it actually protect her in some way? It certainly didn't feel like it.

"The power band did its job too, it seems. Flamigo ain't so easy to fight," Vigor said.

Pineno lowered his head. He remembered the one he had sent through the wall.

"It will be fine, Pineno. I know the injuries look bad, but Flamigo are a lot stronger than they look. It will live."

"Y-yeah." Pineno wiped his face. "I know. It's just…"

His voice trailed off. He shook his head.

To think a single bird would have them experience such a vast range of emotions…

… … …

"It's called a Flamigo?" Krista echoed. (I see how it got the name, but I don't know if it is creative or not…)

They made their way through their detoured path. This time, they made sure to stay close together.

Vigor nodded. "They live close to bodies of water. Preferably rivers and lakes. You are extremely lucky it was alone. Usually you'll find them in groups."

"Groups?" The thought of being trampled by a large number of them made her feel sick. "I don't want to get hit like that again…"

"That was the first time you've felt it, wasn't it?" Vigor's voice softened. "You poor thing. You never made it to the Brawler Maze, have you?"

"Brawler…?" Krista only looked at her for a brief second. "What are you talking about? The Headmaster…he mentioned that…before…"

"Oh right. You aren't from around here. What did Dusk call us instead…?" Vigor thought back. "It was so plain…fightin'…yes! A fightin'-type! You never got hit with a fightin'-type technique before, have you?"

"That was fighting?" Now she understood why it hurt so much, but she didn't think it would make her feel miserable. She made a promise to herself she wouldn't complain over little things…but maybe this was an exception. She hated how easily she was brought to a sniveling mess.

She touched her coin again, just to assure it was still there.

"Flamigo is a flyin' and brawlin' creature. Luckily for you, brawlers are your only weakness," Vigor said. "I can imagine how easy it is to forget. It certainly does sting, doesn't it?"

Krista felt herself sulk. "It did a lot more than sting…"

"So that was the first time you've felt that kind of pain, huh?" Glider asked. "Geh-heh-heh! And you make such a big deal out of it!"

"Of course I would! It hurt!" Krista defended.

"Oh yeah. I know. Water and ice attacks sting more than anything in the world. Ice is especially hard on me. So consider yourself lucky you don't have a terrible weakness like that. In fact, you shouldn't even be complainin'! You only have one weakness!"

"What…?" Krista frowned.

"So what you got kicked?" Glider waved her off. "There ain't a lot of brawlers you'll come across anyway. There's a lot more waters and flyin' creatures the rest of us have to worry about! Heck, your friend here is frailer than a daisy! Just look at how many weaknesses he has! There are other Pokémon like us who aren't as fortunate as you, so just get over it!"

Krista almost couldn't find the words to respond. It seemed that her being thrashed didn't make her feel bad enough—he just had to dismiss her pain all together!

"It's not easy getting over the feeling of your lungs burning!" she shouted.

"Neither is bein' frozen, which by the way, is a lingering pain! A torture cell! And what about your friend here getting poisoned? Or burned? You really don't consider those things, do you? Your pain is only temporary! It ain't like you lost the stupid charm or any—"

"SHUT UP!"

Glider's mouth promptly closed, save his tongue, which hung out the corner of it.

"Krista!" Vigor gasped.

"No! I'm tired of him kicking me every time I do something!" Krista snapped. "Ever since we've first seen him, he has been a problem! He doesn't care about anyone else's feelings! All he cares about it making himself look good!"

"You're talkin' as if I ain't right here, pal!" Glider snapped back. "And don't you lecture me like you're perfect! I've never seen a more sheltered Pokémon in my life! How the heck did you survive this long?!"

"Why does it matter to you?! It's not like you'll care!"

"All I've ever stated were facts! But the Central Pokémon care so much more about their opinions and feelings, it's no wonder this region is a joke!"

Glider let out a despairing laugh as he threw his pinchers up.

"I-I mean, look at all of you! None of y'all will ever survive anywhere else, because you want to cry whenever something bothers you! Guess what? That's life! There's nothin' you can do about it! Sometimes, things suck, and you just gotta move on! What is complainin' gonna do? It ain't gonna help you, so what's the point?

"You got robbed? Oh well! You should have had better security! That's your fault! You got beat up?! Boo-boo! Just get stronger then! You got cut-off by a bunch of folks who you thought cared about you all because you let your friend get pulverized by a frosted beast?! Oh, please! Does the world care? Do they want to hear your explanation? No! They blame you and call you weak because you stood there and WATCHED as it happened! And trust me pal, there is no suckier feelin' than wantin' to help someone, but you just can't because a giant and fanged frost demon would end you in one blow! They ain't gonna take that excuse! Sometimes, there's nothin' you can do…! And…The North doesn't care…the world doesn't…care…"

Krista's anger cools in an instant as his voice wavers.

"All they see is a coward…a weak, frail coward who…should have perished instead…"

She took a step back as he sank to the ground. His head buried into his arms.

"They tell you…that it should have been you… And…they are right… Why am I still here…?"

Krista turned to Vigor, unsure of what to do or say.

But Vigor was just as speechless as everyone else.

---

Enclosed Crossing - Midway Point

"Good. I was hopin' we would find this place soon," Vigor whispered.

The remainder of the sixth floor was spent in almost complete silence. Aside from the occasional Bidoof and Tadbulb, there were no other inhabitants who tried to drive out the four traveling Pokémon. With every small sound, Krista found that her body would tense in a panic. But there was not a single pink bird to be found.

So when they found the strange staircase, they were enveloped in darkness for only a few seconds. The group arrived in a strange but massive chamber. The air was fresh and breathable, and Krista no longer felt the lingering presence of danger surrounding her.

It was new. A sight never seen before in a dungeon.

No corridors. No twisted paths. No water or mud. The only pavement that existed were the gravel that layered the ground in a massive radius. It was a deliberate circle that hugged the giant chamber—the chamber that changed as well. The walls were replaced with boulders and tall weeds that were no taller than Vigor. They could see outside. There were the grassy plains, and the roaring river to their left. There was no ceiling. Best of all, a breeze could be felt.

Her eyes caught sight of a strange boulder that stood out from the rest. Upon closer inspection, Krista realized it was no boulder. It was a statue, one that was carved to the life-sized form of a Kangaskhan. The baby, too, was present in the pouch. It mirrored its mother's warm smile as it reached its tiny claws towards her. What it was, Krista couldn't figure it out. But, it brought a sense of comfort. She knew that they were safe, somehow.

"That's a Kangaskhan Rock," Vigor said. "The Exploration Teams that visited here have placed these things in all sorts of pockets to give travelers a breather. Dusk actually placed this one here."

"What is it here for?" Krista wondered.

"It's for emergencies," Vigor said. "You see how the baby has its claws out? All you have to do is give it your badge, and the rest is magic. We likely don't need it now, but in the future, you'll be happy to see one."

It was already impressive on its own. How it got there, Krista could only guess it was dragged. The surface was coated with a small number of scratches. It surprisingly was in top condition, almost as good as new. But if the dungeon was old, how long ago the statue was placed there was a question Krista had to ask once she returned to the complex.

She looked back, she saw no dungeon, just a simple graveled path—similar to what they traveled on before they entered the dungeon. As she looked ahead, the path continued, stretching far. She could see the air rippling just a bit further. It was just like the dungeon entrance.

Pineno and Glider were the last to step inside the space. They stopped in their tracks once they realized the change. A relieved breath escaped Glider as he slumped on the ground. Pineno was drawn to the Kangaskhan Rock. He approached it and tapped the stony surface.

"Did we…get out?" Krista was unsure.

"In a way, yes," Vigor answered. "We have entered a separate pocket on the dimension. Sorta like…hmmm, how do I describe this? This area doesn't have a strong distortion that you would see in a dungeon. It's there, but it's far too weak to do much. Dusk likes to call it a mid-way point."

"We are only halfway there?" Pineno asked.

"Just about. Although, I think calling this place a rest stop would make a lot more sense. You won't find any wild creatures comin' here. Nope! This is the safest spot in a dungeon you'll ever find! Best part is, the distortion is so laughable, you won't get hungry here like you would back there. Time passes normally here, too. And because of that, if we want to leave, we can just walk back, and we'll be out of the distortion in no time."

"Wait." Krista squinted her eyes at the path behind her. She thought it looked familiar. "Did we go anywhere? Is that the same spot we left to enter the dungeon?"

"Yep!"

"You're serious?!" Krista spun around to face her. "Then how come I didn't see this place?!"

"Hidden in plain sight," Vigor answered. "A mystery that Dusk has driven himself mad over times before. He absolutely loves this dungeon. We basically only moved a foot in real time!"

"What?!" Krista looked towards the sky. It felt like they were in that dungeon for ages, but the sun hadn't budged since they entered!

"You think that's wild, wait until we go onward," Vigor said. "Beyond this point, you'll enter the reaches of this dungeon. And time seems to fly by like no one's business! You remember what you were told what the day would be like once we are done?"

"It would be nightfall," Krista remembered. The realization turned into horror. "You're saying…we'll be in the future?"

"Not exactly…more like time is tryin' to catch up with our progress. It should be near evenin'. It certainly feels like it, doesn't it? You'll see what I mean once we get there."

It wasn't the first time Krista had seen the time distortion in full effect. Back in Rocky Riverside, despite the fact they had to crawl through a vast dungeon, they only climbed over the waterfall that should have taken a couple minutes at best. It was so strange. Slowking did warn her she would see a variety…and this had to be one of them.

"Anyone hungry?" Vigor withdrew a small bag of dried fruits from underneath her scarf. "I've brought lunch."

No one said a word, but they took the food with silent thanks.

"Aw, now." Vigor crouched down on the ground, with her arms dangled over her knees. "I know it was rough back there, but we are alright now. Ain't nothin' to fret over for a while. If y'all wanna take a nap, I don't mind. Although it can't be for very long."

"No. I'm fine," Pineno said. "I'm tired. Not sleepy."

"Well, alright. I suppose…Glider? You alright, dear?"

Glider has his back turned on everyone else. He merely held up a pincher, a signal that he heard her.

"Don't want to talk, dear?"

Glider shrugged.

It was as if he hadn't cried before. The only trace of evidence that lingered was his low energy.

"It's okay to talk if somethin' bothers you, dear. Maybe you…don't agree. But we care about your feelin's. Holdin' it all in ain't good for you."

Glider took a bite of his food. That was it.

And so, everyone ate in silence.

With every soft breeze that brushed by, Krista would close her eyes and take it all in. She knew that once they continued, it would be some time before she could feel it again.

Although, she couldn't enjoy it. There was no joy in the rest area, save the Kangaskhan Rock that had a permanent smile on her face. Krista studied the structure as she ate. Pineno seemed to be finished with his study of the statue. He had stepped away with a paw clenched. He glanced at Krista before he opened their bag, likely checking what they had left.

"I shouldn't have said what I did back there," Glider muttered.

Krista looked at him. He held the half-eaten food in his pinchers.

"...About Chessie."

Pineno stopped moving. He gave the Gligar a stunned look. "You…know her nickname."

"I was…friends with Quill."

"Quill?" Pineno echoed the name, confused.

Glider gave him a strange look. "Your…oldest brother?"

"Oh! Quill! Yeah! That's his name…"

"…You never knew him, did you?"

"No…" Pineno sank. "I don't remember his face, actually."

"Ah…"

There was a long pause. Both sides shuffled, trying to find the right words to say.

"After I learned about the whole…Krasher incident… I kinda decided to stop hangin' out with him. He was uh…I realized he was not a very swell guy, ya know? No offense."

"I said…that I don't know him," Pineno muttered. His eyes were on the ground again.

"Yeah…" Glider scratched the back of his head. "Um…yeah. I guess the things Quill said…it rubbed off on the others. And I kinda believed it too—you know, I was small. I wanted to be cool like 'the big kids'. That kinda stuff. And…it turns out you're not as bad as they make you out to be. You're the complete opposite, actually. But…eeee you are crazy strong, like your mom. You scared me half to death. Although…I did deserve it."

"Why did you say those things anyway?" Pineno asked, his tone almost pressed. "If you knew my mom…why would you say something so horrible about her…? And you knew it was bad. So why would you…"

"Like I said…I didn't want to look soft," Glider admitted. "Your siblings, I mean. They have plenty of friends here, ya know? You dad's popularity bein' the main reason. So a lotta folks know me. I couldn't afford to look weak anywhere…especially after what happened up North."

"And you thought bringing everyone else down would make you feel better?" Krista asked.

With a sigh, Glider stood. He casted a look at everyone.

"Listen, Chespin... I'm sorry. I really am."

Pineno perked up his head.

"I've been nothin' but a jerk. There's no other way to put it. Ain't no excuses for what I've done. Ain't no point in askin' for your forgiveness.

"I know I messed up bad. Your friend was right, gettin' on me about my nonsense. She had every right to blow up at me. It was…actually the first time someone ever snapped at me since I came down here. Kinda…made me realize that nothin' changed about me. I'm still a mess.

"So let me get out of your way, 'ight? You don't have to finish this escort if you don't want to. I get it. I was just…tryin' to intimidate you because I was afraid of Quill or Chester bein' around, I guess. But you went through enough trouble. I'll give you the rewards for comin' this far."

Pineno sighed. Maybe he thought about it for a moment, but he shook it away. "My dad always told me to look after others, even if they look down on me… I shouldn't stoop to their level. It wouldn't be fair to abandon you like this, especially if we are halfway there."

The pair stood in silence for a while.

"So, if we are going to keep goin', then I guess I have a lot to make up for. And I guess I better explain all the details," Glider said. "The real reason I wanted to get through this dungeon wasn't because of Poppy Town. It was to see my old master, Gyra. She lives at the end of this dungeon."

"What?" Vigor spoke before anyone else could. "You know the boss of this river?"

"The…Enclosed Beast?" Krista asked. "Wait! Gyra?! Elder Gyra? That Gyra?"

"Yeah. Crazy, right? More like, my grandparents knew her, and then my parents, so she knew me by default." Glider shrugged. "She's of Northern blood, like me. So she knows what it's like up there. I've tried to come through here several times on my own, but the distortion…it makes it impossible. So I had to ask for help."

"You just wanted to see her?" Vigor asked.

"To see if she's doin' well. The whole deal with the sky-rifts probably disturbed her slumber, so she's probably really cranky. But if she is asleep, who knows how long it has been? I was hopin' to also see if I could ask for her advice. Maybe she'll let me stick around until I can find a new home where I can be welcomed. But…I guess I kinda blew all my chances. I know Gyra will chew me out for how I acted. I can promise that it will be a sight…"

"Well, am I glad y'all talked it out," Vigor said. "And am I ever glad you recognized your faults. After this mission is over, I don't want to hear about anymore nonsense from you. Work on improvin' yourself, do you hear me?"

"Yeah. I hear you," Glider said.

"Well then." Vigor took a look at everyone. "If we are all set, then we should get goin'. We got seven more floors to go! Once we enter this dungeon, time will fly. We can't linger, alright?"

Everyone nodded. "Yes, ma'am!"

---

Enclosed Crossing Reaches - 1F

As soon as they crossed the barrier, the thick pressure in the air returned, and the world started to twist and spiral as it did before. Once again the earth had enclosed them in a tunnel-like space.

Only this time, it went completely dark.

"Ack! Can't see!" Pineno cried.

"It's one of those dungeons." Vigor sounded annoyed by it as she let out a sigh.

A few seconds in, and Krista saw the faintest light. It revealed Vigor's belt and stretched to the rest of her body.

Right. Their badges.

Krista and Pineno activated the light of their badges. In no time, the room was illuminated by the light.

"Hooo how convenient," Glider cooed.

And now, there were trees, scattered juvenile trees that hung upside down. Just like the bushes, the fixed leaves in the trees were swollen. The trunks too, appeared to be on the verge of bursting. Just standing below them made Krista crouch lower to the ground.

Then her knees felt cold.

Krista was a third way down into the mud. In a panic, she scrambled and tried to pull her weight out, but the mud fought harder. It felt a lot more like a gooey bind that refused to let her go.

A vine wrapped around her arms, and she was pulled free

"Thanks…" Krista glanced at Pineno.

"We can't stay still. Unlike before, this part of the distortion will punish us for it," Vigor said. "The ground remains solid as long as we keep movin', remember that."

Krista took the lead. With every blind corner they turned, she found that her legs didn't want to move sometimes. It only took a light nudge from Pineno, or for the ground to try to swallow her for her to continue. The subtle shifting of stone perked her ears, and she would listen for any moving cluster. Whenever she caught the sight of a moving shadow, her heart would plummet. She would have to catch her breath just to calm herself.

(Please let this be a little easier,) Krista silently begged. (I don't think I can take another close-call.)

The universe decided that it wouldn't be so merciful.

As they entered a chamber, a Flamigo stood, and it noticed them in an instant. Its glowing eyes swelled with anger as it charged with outstretched wings.

"Uhhhh!" Krista felt her chest squeezing. "I-I don't…!"

Pineno shoved a paw inside the bag and pulled out a small object. He threw it with all his might, and and the pink, fluttery seed broke on impact. Pink dust exploded from inside the shell.

The Flamigo stumbled forward and fell flat on the ground. It was in a deep slumber. Slowly, its weight was being pulled into the ground. First its wings, then its body…

Soon its head was gone too.

"Hah…" Krista didn't know whether to laugh or cry. It was a familiar and morbid sight.

"I'm sorry," Pineno whispered.

---

Enclosed Crossing Reaches - 3F

The second floor was swarmed with several Tadbulb that were knocked aside with ease. The Bidoof had vanished, replaced with Bibarel that were less patient compared to their lesser forms. They were clever, trying to hide their attacks using their powerful tails that blinded the group with waves of flying water and mud. It would headbutt the group from their blindspots. While Krista and Pineno tried to keep up, Vigor did her duty with keeping Glider out of harm's way. The only interference she did was scooping the Gligar up and jumping back for distance. It only agitated the Bibarel, who turned its energy towards the pair of children that were left fighting it.

Krista narrowly dodged a stream of jet-fired water that blew a boulder behind her to a tumble. She slashed its hide with her claws, and she was tossed away from its body. In turn, she witnessed it being knocked over by a snapping vine. A second one brought it to submission.

Pineno called both vines back. Glider was placed back on the ground, thanking the team.

When they encountered another Flamigo, a whirlwind wand was used to send it plummeting into the river that carried it away. Vigor assured the team it would be fine.

Another new wild crossed Krista's path. She came to a complete stop as she stared at the gray-bodied octopi. It had eight stubby tentacles that acted as legs, but two of them, left and right, were massive. The tips were shaped into gloves. The moment it saw them, it titled its head in a dramatic manner. Had it not been for the unnatural eyes, the gesture might have been cute.

"That's a Clobbopus," Vigor said. "Looks like there's two of them."

"Two?" Krista didn't notice the second one. It was so close to the ground as it crawled from behind its ally. She would had missed it had it not been pointed out.

"Be careful. I will warn y'all, but those creatures are brawlers. Don't underestimate them. They hit hard!"

"More brawlers…?" Krista felt her legs moving. She was backing up, with the feeling of her ears brushing her skull. Every nerve screamed for her to get out, but where?

She took her newfound fear to heart. She was not going to take another blow from any brawler. Just thinking about the pain made her cringe.

Then, it clicked.

Pineno'a fear of fire…was this what it was like? The way her body reacted without her thinking…and the fear that gripped her heart…how she had no will to fight…

It was horrible. It made her entire body tremble against her will. No matter how much she told herself she was not alone, she couldn't proceed.

There was a soft paw touching her arm. Pineno looked right at her, wearing the warmest of smiles.

"It will be okay. I'll fight them head on. We got sticks and stones. You can use those."

He shook off the backpack and dropped it near her feet.

Of course. The geo pebbles. The sticks. She has completely forgotten. How could she had forgotten the fundamentals? She didn't always have to fight up-close.

That Flamigo rattled her brain, too.

Krista reached inside, keeping an eye on the pair of Clobbopus. They were morbidly curious, watching her every move. She brought out a handful of pebbles as she took careful steps back to not provoke them.

With a paw back inside the bag, she pulled out a handful of sticks and offered it to Glider.

"I'm not exactly talented with throwin' things." Glider snapped his pinchers to prove a point.

"Just in case. Hold on to it." Krista hated how much her voice wavered. Glider heard it, and while Krista was expecting some sort of comment, the sticks were taken from her instead.

It was a silent standoff between the two groups. Movement never stopped as they circled the floor to keep the ground solid beneath their feet. Team Retribute knew that the Clobbopus' curiosity wouldn't last for much longer. Even if they looked harmless, to assume they would do nothing would be foolish.

And just when the thought crossed their minds, the pair decided they were done observing. They swung their arms in a giant circle as they scattered forward. Pineno summoned his vines and crouched low in a defensive stance. Krista's grip on the pebbles tightened. They were smooth and cold between her paws.

One lunged with a glowing fist held above its head. Pineno leapt back, and it came crashing down, sending water flying and leaving a small crater on the ground. It scrambled after him as the ground pushed the crater back out. The second Clobbopus joined the pursuit.

Pineno kept moving, lunging to avoid their swinging fists. He swung his vine at one and caught the tentacle of the other. The caught Clobbopus snapped its tentacle back, and Pineno was flung off his feet. He was punched square on the face. The impact sent him crashing on his back. The Clobbopus he struck earlier scrambled towards him, raising both fists over his body.

Krista's grip on the pebbles tightened. She picked one and aimed. Her arm shook as she watched Pineno being clobbered into the ground.

She threw with all her might, and the pebble arched high. It struck the brutal Clobbopus across the head, and it staggered. A second one caught its attention. It turned and scrambled towards Krista, only stumbling as the third struck it between the eyes.

It shot its two tentacles forward, and they expanded past her shoulders. Before Krista could holler, she was constricted in a bind, and her body was lifted from the ground. Pressure pressed her arms against her body. The sharp ends of her elbows stabbed her flank. Her chest was squeezed to the point she couldn't breathe. Not a single sound escaped her, no matter how much she wanted to scream. Pineno was too occupied to hear her.

A flying stick clipped the Clobbopus' head. A second one stabbed its arm. It turned towards Glider, who paused mid-throw.

Krista could feel the pressure lifting. She caught a deep breath. Her lungs no longer burned, but it was short-lived. The pressure returned, and the world was a blur as Krista felt the gravity against her body. Solid ground struck her head, and her vision flashed white.

She was lifted high, and she caught sight of Glider scrambling away from her.

She was slammed again.

The third time she was lifted, horror struck her. She was being used as a bat aimed to strike down Glider. Again, she was thrown, but the momentum was cut short. As she sought why, Krista almost froze at the focused glare in Vigor's eyes.

What was far more terrifying, was that it only took two of the Machamp's fingers to stop the swing from making contact on the ground. The wild Clobbopus stared back at Vigor, confused.

Krista felt her body slipping. She fell to the ground, free from the bind. She lifted her head in time to see Vigor flick the Clobbopus between its eyes. It was sent to an aggressive tumble across the floor. It knocked over its companion, and they both lay dazed on the ground. Pineno looked back at the group, confused about what he just saw.

The pair of Clobbopus stood. Krista shouted her warning as one shot its arms towards Pineno. He slapped them both aside using his vines before he lunged into a wheel. He rolled and slammed against his opponent, sending it flying and crashing on the ground. Krista threw a pebble for extra measure, which struck it back down just as it stood. It didn't move after that. Slowly, its body sunk and vanished.

The second one became furious and charged with a scream. It swung at Pineno and sent him to a stumble. The second swing also connected. A flying pebble and a stick dazed it. Pineno bit its arm and dragged it to the ground. A final vine whip kept it down.

Krista sighed, relieved it was over. But it still stung to see the Clobbopus being swallowed into the mud. What made it worse, was that it was still conscious. It just stared at them with a burning rage until it was out of sight.

"Thank you, Vigor," Krista said. She tried to shake her uneasy nerves, but they clung on like her fur.

Vigor nodded.

---

Enclosed Crossing Reaches - 4F

"WHAAAGH!"

"Watch out for the poison! It stings with poison!"

"It hurts! I hate poison!"

Flying purple needles soared in the air and arched down like flying war arrows. Pineno dashed on all fours, desperate to not get stung by a single one. His turns were sharp. His legs almost slammed against the wall. Once the firing had stopped, he stood and bit off a needle that stung his forearm. It was held between his teeth, dropped with disgust.

A wild Croagunk landed a good distance away. It stood in a crouch with its long arms across its legs. The orange sacks of its cheeks inflated with every breath, and it wore a permanent grin on its face.

(I just can't catch a break with these guys!)

Krista felt herself shudder. Another fighting-type. Somehow, she remembered that they were not merciful fighters. The way it kept looking at her made her stomach twist. She didn't want it to target her. A selfish thought. She knew it was, but she also didn't want to get brutalized by its blows.

Unfortunately, it seemed to have read her mind. Because the moment it sprung from the ground, it outstretched its foot towards her.

The ground left Krista's feet as her body sprung high from the ground. The Croagunk made a sharp turn and pressed its feet against the wall to propel itself towards her. It swung its leg down, and Krista twisted her body in the nick of time, avoiding the low kick.

(What a second. How am I—)

Krista ducked her head, avoiding a second kick. She landed on all fours. The wild Croagunk landed in a crouch. Neither side moved, aside from the slight shuffling to keep the ground from betraying them. But even if the ground wasn't cruel, Krista wouldn't be able to stand still anyway. Every part of her body was restless, and she felt the blisters through her skin. Every strand of fur on her body stood as tall as it could muster. She was sure of it; she could hear the Croagunk's breathing.

While the rest of her surroundings were a strange blur, Croagunk was as clear as could be.

The Croagunk tilted its head back as its cheeks inflated again.

Krista jerked her paws, and she sprinted. Flying purple needles arched her way. She made her sharp turn that would have otherwise been impossible on only two legs. She was behind the Croagunk now. She struck it on the back of its head. A second swipe agitated it. As soon as she saw it move its foot, she was already moving back.

A vine coiled its ankle and yanked it to the ground. Pineno's vines seemed to only sting the Croagunk as it shielded its face. But as soon as Krista moved, it was unable to guard against a claw strike across the face. When it got hit again, it let out an angry cry. The third one staggered it. A vine whip forced it to yield.

The pair of children stepped back as the defeated Croagunk glared at them. It seemed to accept its fate as it was brought down into the unknown.

"Hah…" Pineno forced a smile. "Hey…we beat a wild creature that had both of our weaknesses."

"I guess we did…" Krista wished she could return it. She couldn't take her eyes off the spot the Croagunk was sucked into.

---

Enclosed Crossing Reaches - 6F

A thrown stun seed froze a Cloppopus in place. Unable to move, it sank into the ground. Pineno sighed as he hunched over, fighting to catch his breath. As the wild sank, pity crossed his face.

"We didn't really have another choice." Krista looked at the second stun seed held in her paw. It was shaped like a dark pecan, wrapped in purple tendrils with sprouts breaking through the shell. She knew it could stun an enemy, and she was not trying to find out how that felt.

It was a terrible fate; to be fully conscious and unharmed, but your body couldn't move as it got consumed by the mud…

"Why is the dungeon like this?" Pineno wondered as the group started to move again. "If we were to faint here, it would only swallow us too."

"Mmh-mmh." Vigor shook her head as she tapped her badge. "You'll be in a recovery room before you hit the ground."

Krista tried to shake away her unsettled nerves. "This place gives me the creeps. How do they even live here? How do they sleep?"

"Don't know," Vigor answered. "I would like to think the dungeon simply sends them somewhere else. But, I don't wanna find out myself. No one has dared to. Not even Dusk is that foolish to try."

"I would hate to be here alone," Pineno said. "If I got stuck in the mud, there wouldn't be anyone to help me."

"Exactly. Now you get it."

"Gyra told me that this place wasn't always like this," Glider said. "She would always tell stories about how pretty the place once was. But whenever she talked about it, she looked so sad. I try not to bring up the topic around her. Hate to remind her of how things used to be."

"I'm still tryin' to wrap my head around the fact you are so familiar with the dungeon's boss," Vigor said. "I guess that spares us the trouble of havin' to explain our unwelcomed presence in her territory. I was hopin' to avoid her all together."

"Geh-heh-heh. She would have kicked all of y'all tails. No offense though."

"None taken. I believe it," Vigor said. "For a Pokémon to have governed the rivers for decades, you would expect her to be so strong."

"Oh yeah. She would tell tales of all sorts of battles she had. She has the scars to prove it, too." Glider traced a pincher over his eye. "Bein' a giant really gives you an advantage. It's the reason she's thrived for so long. No other Pokémon had defeated her claim. Many are too scared to challenge it."

"That's incredible!" Pineno gasped.

"Does this mean she was once wild?" Krista wondered.

"Well, yes. You're right," Vigor realized. "Any Pokémon with alpha blood usually traces back to a primal lifestyle. She was wild. How she became civilized is a story that changes, depending on who you ask."

"It's not like you can ask her yourself," Glider shrugged. "She doesn't remember much of it either. But, she said she wouldn't go back to living in dungeons, either. Although, there was the story that she scaled the tallest waterfall in this region and evolved that way. A bit unbelievable if ya ask me. Almost everyone knows you can't evolve like that."

Krista remembered what Orbeetle said about evolution. It was such a strange thing, how Pokémon gaining human intelligence stunted their natural evolution process. But if a Pokémon as massive as Gyra managed to achieve evolution, maybe it happened before she gained wisdom. Maybe her waterfall story held true.

"When we get there, I'll go talk to her to save y'all the trouble of gettin' mixed up in a fight. She'll understand. Geh-heh-heh."

"We'd appreciate that," Vigor said. "It would make things a lot easier for all of us."

Krista was impressed. Gyra sounded like a fascinating Pokémon.

She found herself looking forward to seeing her.

---

Enclosed Crossing Reaches - 7F

It was when they reached the final floor when Krista realized just how dark it was becoming. Although not much sunlight passed from the closed-off ceiling, she noticed the sunspots were gone. If the squinted her eyes tight enough, she could make out the evening sky. The sun was setting. But what was far more terrifying was just how fast the clouds seemed to be moving.

She could see them developing in a rate that was not normal. It made her dizzy just watching it. It made her wonder, how would they look to anyone outside the dungeon if they could be seen? Would they be a blur that would be missed if one blinked?

Eager to leave the dungeon at last, the group searched every corner for a staircase. Every new corridor was hurried through. Every new chamber was met with disappointment. It was expected for The maze to become more complex the deeper one went, but the search was almost too daunting.

They encountered more Bibarel, which were easily taken down by Pineno's vines. Croagunk were attacked from both sides by Team Retribute. Any Flamigo made Krista hesitant to engage with it. When one ambushed her from behind, Glider lunged and struck it across the head with a steel-hard claw strike. When it tried to recover, a second one brought it down.

"I think I gave you a hard enough time, didn't I…?" Glider sighed. "But fightin' on the ground…not my forte…"

"You know metal claw," Vigor said, impressed.

"Yeah! Pretty neat, huh?" Glider chuckled. "Learned it from my grandad. Helps me fend off against those pesky frozen creatures that give me a hard time…"

His smile vanished. He shook his head, perhaps trying to get rid of a terrible thought.

Vigor just had picked up on it, because she spoke a little too quickly. "Your grandfather? But a Gliscor doesn't learn that technique naturally…unless… second handed, was it?"

"Nah! I learned it through my blood. My grandad was a Scizor, if that explains things."

It was almost as if a new memory was unlocked. Krista remembered…that being very possible. A Pokémon would always hatch to be the same species as their mother, no matter who their father was.

Although Glider was a Gligar in every way, he technically had a third of Scyther blood.

"Hey…what's this?" Pineno's curiosity drew eyes. He has picked up what looked like the hooked fang of a large carnivore. "There isn't a wild creature this big who lives inside this dungeon, is there?"

A gasp escaped Glider. He checked under his arms and lifted his stinger. "Th-that's mine! I need that! Give it back!"

"Yikes!" Pineno tossed the fang, and he backed off as Glider made the lunge to grab it. "Sorry, I didn't know…"

"Gyra's fang," Glider whispered. He held it between the dull sides of his pinchers, as if he was afraid of snapping it. "She gave it to me five years ago. It was a gift. She told me I could use it when I got strong enough…and it means a lot to me…"

Krista blinked. "A…razor fang."

"You know what this is?" Glider was surprised.

Krista was surprised herself. "It's something Gligar need to evolve, isn't it?"

"Well…yeah. Part of that something. The night needs to be perfect too," Glider said. "I was supposed to go somewhere specific to reach that milestone but…"

Vigor frowned. "But you do understand Pokémon haven't been able to evolve lately…"

"I know. But I still hold on to it. Maybe you can call it false hope, but it's just a reminder that my strength can only go so far. Even if my master has faith that I am not as weak as everyone up north claimed I was…I knew this would change everything.

"I really do want to evolve. I want to become a Gliscor. That way, I won't have to rely on the winds as much anymore. The smallest breeze would give me enough power to fly for miles…I dream of being able to do that. But, it's just that. A dream."

Pineno gave Glider a solemn nod. He understood how it felt.

After traversing the twisted maze for a while longer, the group of Pokémon finally saw the staircase they were looking for. Without a moment of hesitation, and plenty of caution, they crossed the room and took the staircase one by one.

A blinding white light obscured their vision, and the pressure was lifted.

---

Enclosed Crater

"Whoa! Look at this!" Pineno shouted.

As the light dimmed down, the group of Pokémon stepped into the inside of a giant crater. The vast space was stretched far and wide, coated with tall blades of grass and moss-covered boulders. Along the towering cliffside grew massive bushes and trees that stretched in a strange semicircle far ahead of them. It looked almost as if they were planted there deliberately. A wall across the space looked as if it would take several minutes, but there was no way out without the ability to fly. It was a dead end.

The roar of the river was close—it was right next to them, several yards away.

"Here we are," Glider announced. "This is where she lives."

"Wow. It looks pretty out here," Krista commented.

"Geh-heh-heh! You haven't seen the best part! This is only half of it!"

They followed Glider as he took the lead. He leapt high in the air and took flight, almost cheering in the process.

The river they saw, it merged into a giant sparkling orange lake under the setting sun. It was almost a perfect circle, with rough edges and sudden gouges into the shape. Trees and bushes grew along the edges. The very road they walked on ran around the edges in a loop, almost like a track.

(That's odd. They paved a road here, but why?)

How far the lake stretched, Krista couldn't begin to guess. Her smaller size made perception tricky, but she was sure that even in her human height, the lake would remain an impressive sight. If trees could look like bushes afar, swimming across would take a load of time. She almost missed the distant river that branched off. It looked almost like a stream!

"Master Gyra told me that this lake was formed when a meteor crashed down a long time ago. It left behind a big 'ol crater that got filled with rain water as the time passed. But, I can't tell ya if it's true or not. Master Gyra always liked to exaggerate some stories."

"Regardless if the story is true or not, this place truly is a pretty sight, ain't it?" Vigor chuckled. She looked down at Team Retribute. "You two! You should give yourselves a pat on the back! This is a job well-done!"

"It is?" Krista was sure there was more to it.

"The job stated for you to only escort your client through the dungeon. We are out of the dungeon, aren't we?"

"We did it?" Krista looked at Pineno, and they shared a smile.

"We did it!" Pineno cheered. "We completed our first escort mission!"

It was almost hard to believe. Sure, it was bumpy and hectic in many places, but Glider made it to where he needed to be. He looked pleased with the outcome. Krista almost forgot about how different his attitude was when they started their journey.

Just as he said. He realized Pineno wasn't as bad as his siblings made him out to be.

Krista hated the thought. If she ever met one of them, she would give them a piece of her mind.

Vigor smiled. "Well done, you two. Only a few bumps down the road. I'm sure you learned quite a bit! Now, we just have to meet with Elder Gyra, and it's home for us!"

Krista and Pineno shared a smile. The Headmaster would be thrilled.

As they walked closer to the lake, Glider glided around the perimeter with his voice being carried in the wind.

"Gyra?" Glider called. "Gyra! It's me! Glider! I have some Pokémon who would like to meet you!"

Krista bounced with anticipation. The idea of meeting a powerful lake monster was nerve-wracking on its own. If Howler was an impressive height, she could only imagine what another Pokémon with alpha blood looked like. It was something that scared her, but excited her at the same time.

When Glider dropped down next to the group, his smile was no longer there. He scratched the side of his head, as if it would help him think. "That's strange. I know she's old, but she usually doesn't take this long to respond…"

"Is it because it's late?" Krista guessed. "Or is she still sleeping? We can just leave her alone."

"Hrmm…don't know. I guess? I never really visited her this late, now that you point it out. And I know she's sometimes very difficult to wake up. I was hopin' she would show up…"

"Well…we can't stick around. It's unfortunate," Vigor said. "Perhaps we could stop by another time?"

"I can't promise I'll be here. She might mistake you as trouble," Glider said. "But I'll tell her to look out for a Meowth and Chespin in the future. She's pretty good with rememberin' who not to attack."

"I hope you're right," Pineno chuckled.

"But…" Glider took a deep breath, and a smile formed on his face. "I do thank you for bringin' me here. All of y'all. I couldn't have done it on my own. You even tolerated me after everything I did… I don't really know what to say. But…I'll find a way to make for it. I promise. I swear it."

"As long as you don't give that sort of trouble to anyone else," Krista said. "That would be a good start. If you come across Leavanny again, you should apologize."

"Yeah, yeah. I figured…"

"Everything should be waitin' for ya back in your guild…or whatever it is," Glider said. "Next time we meet, it'll be different."

Krista found herself smiling. Just before, she couldn't stand being anywhere around him. But after hearing his reasons, and knowing he's already trying to better himself, she realized he wasn't cruel by nature. Maybe it was a strange defense mechanism. It made her wonder, was it only because he was friends with Quill? Where the other Pokémon who knew him like that? Krista would guess Glider acted the way he did the moment he put together Pineno's identity, but he was rude before then.

What was the Ivory region like? Why were the Pokémon there so cruel? Pineno admired the place. His father worked there, after all. But how could anyone admire a place that shunned Pokémon who couldn't do as much as defend themselves against something that was so overwhelming?

Grove said the hearts of Pokémon were kind-hearted. But maybe the Corruption made them grow more distant. Just as Grove said; There were many Pokémon who were once kind. Their kindness got trashed, so they became harsh and cold as a way to protect themselves. Glider was one of them.

She hated the thought.

"Chespin? Are you alright?"

Glider's concerned voice brought Krista's attention to Pineno.

She knew that something was terribly wrong.

He sank towards the ground and hugged his body. A long gasp escaped his quivering mouth.

A familiar posture that Bright a grave wave of dread.

"Pineno?" Vigor approached him. "Child. Child! Are you alright?!"

He shook his head, unable to speak.

Frantic, Krista searched the sky. All she saw was the orange and pink hues, and the many scattered clouds.

Then, she caught a blur of it. A flutter of gray.

"There's a Starly here!" she screamed.

In an instant, Glider got into a battle stance as Vigor reached for her belt.

"We need to go." Vigor started to spin the star piece of her badge. She lifted the badge from her belt just as the sphere in the center started to glow. She pressed the back of it against her chest and closed her eyes, she spoke with a hurried, but calm tone. "Glider, I know you just got here, but it's too dangerous for you to stay. I'm sendin' you off first. A Gogoat should be at the office. Inform her about this!"

"Uh, yeah!" Glider nodded.

Vigor aimed the badge. "You two! What are you doin'?! Activate them and get outta here!"

Krista shook herself from her trance and hurried to Pineno's side. She activated his badge first before focusing on hers. All three badges were held high in the air.

That was when another Starly flew by. Glider was just being swallowed by the light.

Then it vanished. He stood, confused.

"What just—"

Pineno's badge lost its luster. Krista's hardly had the time to activate. They were both engulfed with the familiar dark bolts of energy.

The pair of Starly landed nearby in the branches. A third dropped to the ground. Krista bumped against Vigor, who pulled her close. The Machamp had gone completely silent, focused.

(This can't be happening. Not again…!)

(No…!)

Pineno fell to his paws, then he was on the ground. He choked back his own breaths as he failed to scream. His entire body shook as he curled into a tight ball.

Then, Krista could see it before her eyes; The overflowing green energy, how void of expression his eyes were…

It was going to happen again.

She couldn't let that happen again.

"What's goin' on?!" Glider ducked his head as another Starly flew by. "What happened to him?! Are we bein' attacked?!"

"Just as Tidal described." Vigor balled her four fists. "He's here."

"What?"

"The Houndoom is here!"

Krista already knew, but she didn't want to accept it. To hear the words from Vigor was more than enough motivation. Although she felt her body trembling, she flicked out both paws. Her claws unsheathed into long and glowing blades.

More Starly started to land around them, one by one. On the ground, on branches, on the boulders…they stood perfectly still, only tilting their heads to observe their targets. Krista came to the horrible realization that their numbers had doubled. She made sure to stick close to Pineno. Next to her, Glider already hardened both pinchers into steel.

The Gligar turned to look at her, forcing a grin on his face. "Heh…scared?"

"Should I be?" Krista knew her voice sounded pathetic.

"I would call you crazy if you weren't."

Vigor stepped in front as she checked every direction. "You kids, don't get involved."

"Yeah. That's pretty obvious, ain't it?" Glider gulped. "Still gotta be on guard, don't we? Aha… Ain't never seen 'em. Didn't plan on seein' 'em…"

"But now he's here…" a deep voice growled.

Everyone froze.

Krista caught sight of a figure moving at the edge of the cliffside. The glare of the setting sun shifted around the canidae figure. There was no mistaking who it was. While she couldn't make out his face in the light, his broken horn was enough confirmation.

"Such sharp observation you have, Meowth, to seek my scouts so soon," Skullzer said. "They did not forget the pain you've inflicted on them before."

Krista could recognize the Starly she faced before, because they all glared at her with such hatred she didn't think was possible. She had to keep her breathing under control. Maybe if she stalled time, the Embargo could wear off…they brought two escape orbs. They were ready.

Skullzer peered down at the huddled group. But Krista knew that his eyes were locked on one Pokémon only. She made sure to crouch near him, but she felt her body trying to betray her. She wanted to run. It took for her to lock her muscles just to fight the urge. Pineno needed her, and she was going to stay by his side. She was thankful when Glider seemed to have caught on, as he guarded Pineno's other side.

Vigor casted a quick look. Her heated expression twisted in disgust. "So you actually did it. You marked the poor boy."

"A simple Houndoom tactic. It's nothing worth being praised over." Skullzer tilted his head high. "The same reason an Ariados spins prey in its web. It merely makes the work easier."

"You're here for the child," Vigor spat. "You know I won't allow that to happen."

"Unfortunately for the both of us, I have a task to fulfill. A third-time failure is unacceptable," Skullzer said. "But it appears we have reached a stalemate, Machamp. They were wise to send you. Perhaps this encounter was…anticipated. A cruel tactic by your king, I see. And yet, you still serve him."

Vigor's scowl morphed into a sinister smile. "You're sayin' that our Headmaster is usin' the child as bait to lure you out? If that ain't the dumbest thing I've heard all day…you have some nerve."

"What you call foolish, I consider an effective war tactic," Skullzer said. "It is nothing unheard of. He has sought after me…for a very long time. For what other reason would he send the Chespin to travel this far, out in the open where my scouts can see all? How else could I have followed you here? Convenient for me…for I had plans to come here for some time."

"I refuse to believe that," Vigor said through a heated chuckle. It was as if every word the Houndoom said made her angrier by the second.

"The king is cruel," Skullzer said. "Just like the Abomasnow, you would rather remain ignorant. I am only trying to protect this country…no…this world from a fate you refuse to see."

"Strikin' down a child is your version of savin' the world?!"

"That Chespin is no child."

Krista stiffened and stepped closer to Pineno. Everything she was hearing…it only brought several more questions.

Slowking? A cruel king? He wouldn't set them up just to catch Skullzer, would he? It had to be a huge coincidence. She should had paid more attention to the sky! Of course the Starly would see them!

A loud crash made Krista jump. Vigor has stomped through the ground. Cracks exploded around her feet. All four hands clenched into fists as she tensed her muscles.

"Alright. You want 'em? C'mon then," Vigor challenged, her voice a low bellow. "I dare y'all to come closer! Go on. Take another step. It'll make my day. It's been a loooooooong time since I last got to stretch my legs. Are you sure you wanna go against ME?"

(Vigor?) Krista had a new reason to be worried.

"I am well aware of my limitations," Skullzer admitted. "Considering what damage you've dealt on Armora, I would rather not get involved in a battle with you. But are you wise enough to share the same thought? Take a long look around you. Outnumbered ten times over."

Vigor's smile turned into a grin as she laughed.

"That's a problem? I will beat every single one of your stupid 'lil birds down," she promised. "I'll drag you by the little horn you have left stickin' out of your head, all the way back home. But don't worry. I'll pull my punches. I ain't cruel like you, hound."

(She's like…an entirely different person!) Krista stood firm. (The Headmaster was right…!)

Skullzer scoffed. "Holding back? One of my best scouts had both wings broken from such a kind act."

"I was not there."

"But they were." Skuller glanced at the children. "They had seen what their…Headmaster is capable of even when he used a tiny fraction of his power. It still wasn't enough. You have reached the threshold when no matter how much you try to restrain your strength, damage is still done. You cannot do your duties without the consequence of permanently altering someone's life."

"Trying to paint us as the villian?"

"I speak of the facts, Vigor. Even I cannot restrain my power well enough. My scouts do the fighting for me, to keep unnecessary damage under control."

"All the more reason this battle is fate," Vigor said. "We are both powerful Pokémon. What's stoppin' you from challengin' me other than your obvious weakness? I know you ain't no pushover. It can't be the one thing holdin' you back."

"You're correct. But no. A battle between us won't be necessary," Skullzer said. "I've brought a Champion in my steed."

"A Champion?" Vigor lowered her fists, confused.

BMP!

That horrible surge in Krista's heart…

…the rising fear.

Grrrr….

…!

Everyone's senses shot as they searched high and low for abnormal movement. The ground rumbled as the cluster of moss-coated boulders started to shift. The mud at the edge of the lake split apart. A large chunk lifted from the ground, and the shifting boulders rose behind it. As dirt rained and mud rolled from the surfaces, dull and blue scales were uncovered.

"Wh-wha…what is this?!" Vigor shouted.

What were mistaken as boulders, were the moss-coated segments of a giant leviathan's body. As the fins sprouted, more segments continued to rise from the mud. It rose its body higher, until its very form blocked out the remainder of the sun. A giant shadow casted over the smaller Pokémon, who could only stare back, speechless.

Its mouth hung open, with weeds and blades of grass dangling between the fangs. A low rumble sounded from the giant's chest. A single eye opened, swallowed in red light. The other was sealed shut, with an old scar where the scales refused to reform.

Krista couldn't find her words. (Th-that's a Gyarados! And it's huge!)

"Master Gyra…" Glider whispered.

GrrrRRRRR….

The horrid sound reverberated through Krista's entire being. She felt it deep in her chest. Every muscle in her body locked in place. She held her breath. She almost didn't hear the Houndoom's nonchalant voice.

"Perhaps it is easier to fend off against a mindless swarm. What about a familiar face?" he challenged. "A guardian that many revere? What will you do?"

BMP!

Krista's breathing hitched. Her heart was drumming. And her claws, they were unsheathed without thinking.

"Will you break her, as your king did to the Staravia in the forest? Will you tear her apart…as The Hammer Arm tried to do to me?"

BMP!

(No…don't tell me we have to…!)

"Just know that whatever you choose to do…the entire country will know."

BMP!

(This…this can't be…)

Glider bared his fangs in a loud and frightened hiss. "WHAT DID YOU DO TO GYRA?!"

"Reverted her," Skullzer answered plainly. "Dungeon creatures can gain wisdom, but those born in the twisted distortions will forever be beasts. They've thrived in unforgivable environments where rules of physics are broken. Their malicious upbringing and nature makes their minds weak. She was not strong enough to resist becoming Blighted. But don't worry. I only need to borrow her…for a time."

Vigor growled. "Curse that hound…! Treatin' lives like playthings—I'll show you who has a weak mind!"

"No." Skullzer's collar started to glow.

The Gyarados' red eye turned purple. She snapped her body around, and her massive tail slapped Vigor off her feet, and into the lake.

"VIGOR!" Krista and Glider wanted to move, but Pineno's pained groan kept them in place.

The giant spun again, and she slammed her tail through the ground. Gigantic jagged boulders shot from the place of impact to the lake's surface. Another tail slam added another layer. The action was repeated several times until the entire lake surface was ragged with pointed boulders.

It was the signal for the flock of Starly to move. They flew from their positions on the ground and the trees, and landed on the many rocks, prepared to ambush the moment Vigor decided to surface.

"No!" Krista cried in horror.

Glider hissed. "That coward! He blocked her off!"

"Your concern for her well-being is unwarranted. She will live." Skullzer's focus fell on the group of children. "And you two…shall be granted the opportunity as well. Stand aside, and I will allow you to escape. Do not decline my offer again, young Meowth. You've witnessed my power. You understand the consequences of your defiance. Your efforts of preservation are futile."

BMP!

"All of this…for one Chespin?" Krista choked out.

"You've seen his power."

"That…that doesn't give you the right to destroy him!" Krista shouted. "Leave him alone! Leave the elder alone!"

Skullzer's focused expression shifted…ever so slightly.

He let out a sigh, and he held his head high again.

"Foolish ignorance…so be it. I've given you your chance. As much as it pains me to do this, the interlopers shall suffer the same fate as the beast that needs to be slain."

In response, the giant turned her gaze towards the children. She slammed her tail through the ground, the impact strong enough to topple them over. A horrible, earth-shaking roar bellowed out of her.

GRRRR-OOOOOOOOOH!

"Gyra…oh Gyra…" Glider shook his head. "Not you…it can't be…! You have to snap outta it! Please!"

"COMMENCE, GYARADOS!" Skullzer barked. "BE RID OF THEM, NOW!"

B-BMP!

Gyra lunged forward, with fangs glistening in the evening light.

---

To be Continued in Chapter 24.