- Chapter 9: Mysteries Afoot -

The Stoneridge Pinnacle was always a beautiful atrium, even during the most heinous of times. Its towering structure bore witness to several generations of councils. It brought solace to the troubled minds of Pokémon. As ancient as it was, it always remained sturdy and strong. It had served its purpose for hundreds of years. It would serve its purpose another day more.

The sound of flowing water bounced from its dark rippling walls. Identical to the rest of the complex, the spacious room was lined with glowing and floating chargestones. Hung high above from the center of the ceiling was a giant boulder carved into the shape of a rhombus. It bathed almost every corner in a soft blue light.

Walkways were sunk into the walls like the grooves of a canyon. It was perhaps one of the few modified spaces, with each walkway spacious enough for large Pokémon to traverse through comfortably. There were no more than five stories, and above the fifth were cavities across the wall, nine in all, lined with stalagmites. It was the perfect home for gargoyles. Perhaps once they glared down at Pokémon before, but had long since been removed. The barren cavities appeared lonely as they sought for the light that was just out of their reach.

However, it wasn't the cavities or the walkways that were the most prominent feature of the atrium. The very center of the floor held a towering stone fountain, one carved into the image of a Milotic who spewed an endless trail of water from its mouth. Round stones of all sizes decorated the edge of the giant pool. The surface was swarmed with Magikarp and Feebas who swam within the waters peacefully.

Footfalls grasped the attention of one Magikarp, who took immediate interest at the approaching reflection of a Slowking. Startled by his growing presence, it dove into the pool depths.

A shame.

Slowking studied his reflection in thought. The other fish had the same idea to avoid him all together. They appeared to be more skittish than usual. Whether or not it was related to the ongoing phenomenon wasn't so easy to determine.

There was no melody in the room today. The reality almost saddened him—a part of him looked forward to it. But it didn't matter. Not at this very moment. The fountain stopped pouring water. The surface was no longer disturbed. He took a deep breath as he gazed into the statue's gentle but wise eyes.

The giant peered down at him as if he were a lost child that sought refuge. With no water to pour anymore, its open mouth made it look as if it spoke silent words to him. It watched over him as he drew closer. It guarded him as he knelt down for a drink from its pool. It brought him comfort as he stood in silence, eyes closed as he dreamt. The faint smell of damp rock almost brought a smile to his face.

With a soft sigh, Slowking raised his head and stepped forward, his cape swaying with every step. As if it were alive, the statue lowered into the pool. Slowking stepped up to its head. He folded his hands behind his back as the statue lifted its body back to its normal position.

Once everything stopped, the entire floor was visible from a new perspective. The height Slowking had gained only leveled him to the second story. It was perfectly fine, he only needed to stay off the ground. To tower over others in such an imposing height was not necessary, not when they were Pokémon he could trust with his life.

It was why with each and every time he stood atop the statue, he reminded himself that he was as much of a Pokémon as they were. It was why at this very moment, he felt himself growing more nervous by the second. The wide range of species and ages meant a vast shift of perspectives. But with the news he was given, he almost dreaded the headache that was yet to exist. He already had an idea on what the responses would be.

So he took a deep breath and cleared his throat. He rubbed his crown to soothe the Shellder that gripped too hard.

"Grove."

Within the first cavity at the very left, a blue glow burst. A senior Gogoat stood at its place and dipped her head. "Here I stand, Headmaster."

Slowking nodded in acknowledgement. He turned to the next cavity. "Frost."

The same glow revealed another Pokémon; a senior Abomasnow. He bowed in respect. His white and green-striped scarf was as thick and lengthy as winter-wear was expected to be. It covered his mouth and hung low behind his back. It was almost like a cape that shifted with the most subtle of movements. "My liege."

Slowking nodded once before he turned to the next platform. "Vigor."

The Machamp arrived in the same fashion. She dipped her head. "Headmaster."

The Headmaster went on. "Eight."

The Ariados responded as soon as he appeared. He bowed for a whole two seconds.

"Howler."

The Arcanine arrived. He dropped to a bow. His strong voice bounced from almost every wall in the room. "Headmaster Slowking. I await your command."

"Dusk."

Arriving next was the Mightyena. He sat in an instant without a word.

"Boomer."

…

… …

Slowking frowned at the empty spot. "Boomer?"

…

"Boomer!"

"Headmaster, I'm afraid he's not going to show up," Grove sighed. "My apologies. I spoke with him when he dropped by. He said something between the lines of "uninterested" or "too busy" through his cheerful chatter."

"Urgh… this is the third meeting he missed in a row." Slowking shook his head. He looked to the next unoccupied space. "Zee! I request your presence!"

Not even a second passed, and a Porygon-Z arrived the same way everyone else did. His eyes were glowing in the same light. The teleportation was all his doing. 'S-siiiir?'

"Where is Boomer? He's supposed to have shown!"

Zee responded, his voice distorted. 'H-hE's nOT amOonG uS. OUtsIdE He st-StaNDS. PoSsIBlY t-akiNg MISSIONS.'

"As always…" Slowking sighed. It wouldn't be the first time. It always meant more work for him and his associates, who he didn't want to burden anymore. "I'll personally have a word with him soon. He's lucky it's daylight, otherwise I would have sent Dusk after him…"

"I shall seek for him as soon as this matter is discussed," Frost said.

"No, no. Don't trouble yourself with that. He'll come. He doesn't have much of a choice."

Slowking raised his hands. A glow of blue light grew long and crooked. What materialized was a stone scepter that hovered high above his head. Slow and careful, it floated down to his grasp. As he stood it upright, the crescent head of the scepter bathed in a soft blue light. The source was the large rhombus that stood between the tips of the crescent. It pulsed with a soft glow that highlighted his face.

The associates knew in an instant it was no ordinary meeting.

"Oh. What is it?" Grove asked, her tone nervous. "Did something dreadful happen?"

"I doubt it." Dusk denied the idea, though the question wasn't directed towards him. "If something bad did occur, we would be in lockdown at worst."

Howler scowled at them both. "Hnn. For what other reason would all of us be here?"

"Oh dear. Are we sure it's alright to go on without Boomer?" Vigor asked.

"We'll move on regardless of his presence." Slowking said. "I called you here due to an important matter. I am sure a few of you already know what it is."

The seven Pokémon peered from their stations to look at one another. None seemed to have a clue.

Eight spoke up first. "...How someone had…been raiding the commons…?"

"No. That's not—wait, what?" Slowking's face twisted.

"...A shortage…in food supply… No clues…on who did it…but all fingers…pointed towards the Meowth… Said she raided…the kitchen….of its berry supply…"

A sigh from Dusk made his impatience clear.

It took a few seconds for Slowking to put together the steady words. "Foolish assumptions. Who said it first?"

"...The Sneasel called…Midnight…"

Grove sighed. "I just had to talk to her last night. She and her team were arguing with the new recruits. According to her and her friends, Team Retribute was making fun of her for merely being a Pokémon of darkness."

Howler scoffed.

"And you believed that?" Slowking asked.

"Midnight had been teased from the moment she arrived here. I had to put an end to it before it could begin with our newest recruits," Grove said.

Howler turned his gaze towards the Mightyena. "It appears Dusk is already doing a poor job keeping his self-proclaimed apprentices under control. Let them bring harm to my students, and the consequences will all fall on him. The next time he sees them, it would be necessary to correct them. Especially that Scratch-cat. Her negative influence will poison the Spiny-nut's mind before he could develop into a half-decent individual."

Dusk didn't bother to look at Howler. He kept his gaze straight ahead as he responded. "Those kids had not been trouble for me. But if you insist, fine. I'll have a talk with them later today."

Howler snorted. "Your discipline is tame. They will remember nothing."

"And you like to train your students as if they are soldiers."

Slowking clacked his scepter against the platform. "Enough. This discussion is irrelevant to why I summoned all of you here. I need everyone to pay close attention."

The pair of canines turned to the Headmaster, one curious, the other stoic.

"What is our slogan, Pokémon?"

As if rehearsed a thousand times, all seven voices rang at once:

"No matter what happens, no matter how bleak things become, we will always prevail!"

Slowking took a long breath through his nose. It relieved some tension. "Yes. It's important to always remember that. What I am about to tell you is news of grave importance."

No one said a word. They waited, all eyes locked on their leader.

"I've been sent a report from our Supervisor," Slowking continued. "There have been numerous sky-rift sightings. But what's more concerning, is I've received a report that something fell out. And within that area, a distortion spreads. The wild creatures that inhabited the radius have grown far too aggressive to the point that the path is too dangerous to take with an escort. The wild creatures there show signs of Corruption. And what's worse, is that it's spreading."

"WHAT?!" several voices rang at once.

"It's spreading? I thought that was impossible!" Grove shouted.

Eight tapped his legs, unsteady. "...Goes against everything we've learned…"

'DoEs n-N-NOooOoT cOmPuTe…!' Zee exclaimed as his body spun opposite from his head.

"Inconceivable! Is this a cruel prank?!" Frost asked.

"Please tell me it is," Vigor said. "This can't be real!"

"I'm afraid it is real," Slowking confirmed. "With more and more wild creatures and Pokémon alike becoming Corrupted, their overwhelming aggression is chasing everyone else away. According to these reports, these affected would not rest until they have chased out entire villages and destroyed them. They are kidnapping defenseless Pokémon, taking them to the unknown. But furthermore, there's word that some of these Corrupted individuals behave far too intelligent to be considered normal. They move as if they share one mind."

Frost narrowed his eyes. "Hm! The Sorcerers. They are behind this phenomenon."

"I'm afraid so. From what we've seen, they are the only Pokémon who can puppet these Corrupted individuals to do their bidding. For what reason, we are still investigating. But if The Corruption is spreading, so are The Sorcerers' forces. We cannot afford to let our guard down. Everyone standing in this room has witnessed the sky-rifts, and what The Corruption can do to innocent minds. We carry the burden of this knowledge to protect everyone else. I am here to remind you of that. To remind all of you about what we are fighting for."

Dusk shuffled his paws. He had been restless ever since he heard the news. With his fangs bared, he seemed ready to fight.

"Dusk, I understand how personal this is to you, but I am asking you to not let it get to your head," Slowking said. "You cannot allow your vendetta to blind you from what's important."

"You say that…but how can I sit still?" Dusk asked him through clenched teeth. "They could be out there, doing the bidding of someone else! They could still be alive! I swore to myself that I would keep fighting against this Corruption so I can save them!"

Howler growled. "It's irreversible. They cannot be redeemed. Let it go."

"Never abandon hope!" Dusk snapped.

Slowking stabbed the ground with his scepter again, silencing them. "That is enough. If we are going to retaliate against this phenomenon, then we need to do so with a clear and reasonable mind. Use your negative feelings as fuel to keep you forward. Must I remind you?"

Dusk lowered his head. "Forgive me, Headmaster."

"Now the more important question I must ask," Frost said as he stepped forward. "Is the public aware?"

"They are not, and I've been ordered to keep it that way."

Slowking's response left everyone stunned.

"I…beg your pardon?" Frost tried to wrap his head around what he just heard.

"For what reason, I can only guess it is to not cause an uproar," Slowking said.

Vigor shook her head. "If it's spreadin', then someone is eventually gonna to put the pieces together. All this is doin' is holdin' down the response!"

"Once we have the situation under control, the public will be informed," Slowking said.

Grove shook her head. "The Corruption isn't something we can control, Headmaster. It goes where it wants. And now that we know it can spread, there's no telling what kind of damage it can do."

"If it's spreading, then how many Pokémon are unknowingly affected?! Let's think about that!" Dusk barked. "It's making The Sorcerers stronger. We need to do something. Anything!"

Frost wore a deep frown. "Dusk may have a point. It's near impossible to catch The Corruption at its early stages. Suppose we welcome someone in such a state within our fraction? It cannot be tolerated, lest the results will be catastrophic!"

Slowking frowned. "The interviews exist for a reason, Frost. I will make my rounds to test every Pokémon, prioritizing who Zee finds concerning. We do this twice a year. If necessary, I'll bump it to three."

"Hnn. You've forgotten." Howler stepped closer to the edge.

"I'm sorry?" Slowking glanced at the Arcanine.

"In all due respect, it appears the new recruits are yet to be tested. This is unlike you. For what reason should you delay what should be prioritized?"

"Hm. A good point has been made," Frost agreed. "It is rather unusual for you to let these children go longer than a few days without peering into their psyche to see if anything is amiss? Suppose one of them is unknowingly Corrupted?"

Eight tapped the ground. "…Whispers…whispers everywhere… The Meowth…as strange…as she is, she…is suspected to be…"

"You accuse her of being Corrupted simply because she is unusual?" Slowking asked.

The associates grew nervous. Howler was the one who spoke up.

"If more than one voice makes the claim, then who are we to ignore them?" Howler asked. "Do you not find her strange? The way she behaves, the way she walks, it's unlike anything we've ever seen. She does not behave as a Scratch-cat should."

"…Has no control…over her own impulses…" Eight added. "…Made an effort…to steal…the poké of who should be…her companion…"

"A witness with evidence. What the Sharp-claw claims could very well be true," Howler said. "This feline could be a danger to us all. You've made the decision to home her, to recruit her, to train her. Suppose she becomes Corrupted? Suppose a Sorcerer sent her here as a spy?! We're talking about infiltration of our fortress! If that happens because you are so reluctant to check her intentions, then the fault lies on you."

Silence hung in the room, more nervous than baffled. Howler did not budge as the Headmaster looked at him.

"There is no reason to object," Howler added. "I've made my point."

"What I am trying to understand is how you turned the topic from the spreading Corruption, to an individual. Again. Do you find her that unpleasant?" Slowking asked.

"It's related, and it's a fact that you did not check her."

"I've spoken to them both in private," Slowking said. "I have sensed no hostility from either child. They were frightened and lost on what to do. But…if you insist, I'll oblige. A week from today, I will check them both at once."

Howler grumbled.

"Their training will continue as normal. We will not antagonize them. It was enough trouble when the last pair fled from here. It was not easy finding them either. I dreaded having to wipe their memories of this place, but it had to be done. I do not wish to put anyone else through that unpleasant experience."

"You do not take this seriously," Howler said. "You do not discipline Dusk for taking action out of turn. He should have sought approval for recruits before taking them, and yet you've done nothing."

Dusk growled low.

"Hnn. You will not bare fangs with me when I speak the truth," Howler said. He looked down at Slowking again. "I've said nothing but the truth. Must I remind you; the children were given the privilege to sleep in your quarters instead of the common guest rooms. Highness informed me of how she served them twice when they should have obtained their own food. You declined the payment the Spiny-nut was meant to give you—the payment meant for one client. We don't even know where the Scratch-cat came from, and you let her in. This reeks of favoritism and carelessness. You've chosen me to speak as your reason, your second-in-command. If I must, for the safety of this faction, and the Pokémon of this country, I will make my report to The Supervisor about your intolerable neglect."

Everyone stood, speechless in response to Howler's bold claim. Many eyes fell on Slowking, who had remained silent. His own gaze was towards the pond below him.

"I hear you," Slowking said at last.

Howler narrowed his eyes.

"A few days from now, if that pleases you," Slowking added. "My hands are full at this moment, so give me a few days, and I will look into their minds. I'll have you present when it happens if that will satisfy your concerns."

"Hnn." Howler sat down. "Better than a week. Less of a wait. Fine by me."

Everyone else relaxed with a collective sigh. Vigor was the most relieved—she actually had to sit down.

"The others like to see me as foolish for choosing Howler as my hand," Slowking said to them. "But his instincts are the sharpest when compared to the rest of you—we know that is a fact. He has a voice just as the rest of you do. A king who does not listen to his subjects is nothing more than a fool, or a tyrant. Do not feel intimidated. If there are any other concerns you wish to speak to me about, now is the time."

"Hm. Then I shall inquire with you," Frost said, almost immediately. "Is Dusk to train these children when he is on restriction due to the crisis of last year?"

Dusk crouched low on the ground. He didn't want anyone looking at him anymore.

Slowking rose his head. "I believe the guilt eating him alive is more than enough punishment. It will be a reminder that will haunt him for the rest of his days. I will allow him to train these children…for now. But the moment he steps out of line, I will have them reassigned to one of you immediately."

Frost nodded. He seemed satisfied.

"Hnn…" Howler glanced towards the Mightyena. "You were given another chance. It would be wise to not waste it. Zee will keep a close eye on you."

"You make me sound like a mindless beast," Dusk said. He refused to look anyone in the eye. "I will not burden them. I swear it. Let Mesprit look into my heart, I swear it!"

Vigor took her time to stand. She sent Dusk a heated glare. "If they get as much as a scratch because of your careless trainin', I will make sure you don't forget."

"I hear you. I hear all of you." Dusk pressed his body closer to the floor. "Please let me go. I'm going to suffocate…"

"Yes, let him breathe, please. I think all of you made your points," Grove said. "This Corruption had all of us worried sick. Let's work together to find a solution. Isn't that what this corporation is about?"

Everyone nodded.

"I just wish I knew what The Supervisor is thinkin'," Vigor said. "Keepin' this knowledge from bein' widespread? Isn't that dangerous?"

Slowking looked at each associate. "I am aware of how bizarre this sounds to all of you, but this was not my choice. I disagree with it, but The Supervisor is the most intelligent Pokémon in this continent. They have their reasons for this. We just have to trust them."

Dusk frowned. "Trust them? This is the first mass order they gave us in two years, and it's for us to stay quiet? And before you jump on me, I'm speaking for everyone. This doesn't make any sense!"

"Four brains merged in one body, and this is what they came up with?" Vigor shook her head. "It ain't right! Are we supposed to stay quiet if some poor soul gets caught up in the spread too?"

Slowking sighed. "I do not have the answer, but we must follow through with their word. We have to trust—"

His words did not reach their ears. The gathered Pokémon continued to shout and talk over each other. He sighed as he held his scepter with both hands. All he could do was try to listen to one Pokémon separately.

"Has The Supervisor overlooked something, perchance?" Frost asked, snow flaking from his body as stress took hold of him. "Is it truly worth it? It's just as reckless as holding a Zangoose in the same room as a Seviper!"

"You need to contact them and figure out what's really going on. Doesn't this seem suspicious to you?" Grove asked.

"Please!" Dusk barked. "We know The Supervisor means well, but this will only summon an outrage!"

'TROUble… pOTiEntAl f-FOr desTRUCtiON!' Zee's body and head spun in opposite directions.

"We can't let this go on!" Howler barked. "Headmaster! Do you hear our desperate calls?! Have them reconsider, sir!"

"I vote for a reconsideration!" Grove raised a vine in the air. It seems her action causes a chain reaction.

"Reconsideration!" Dusk barked.

"Reconsideration!" Vigor agreed.

They all continued to shout the word. It overlapped each other eventually.

"Reconsideration!"

"Reconsideration!"

"Reconsideration!"

Slowking took a deep breath. He slammed the bottom of his scepter on the ground several times. The clacking was enough to silence them.

"Reconsideration, denied."

A collection of dissatisfied groans filled the room.

"If I could look into our Supervisor's mind, I would. But there is nothing else I can do."

"This…this is intolerable!" Frost protested. "To say nothing means neglecting the current state of affairs! Do they expect for us to disabuse any inkling that floods the hearts of your subjects?"

"Someone will eventually discover that they are hiding something," Howler said. "All this is doing is ignoring the Copperajah in the room."

"Disorderly behavior grows, and Pokémon grow perturbed. We cannot pretend forever," Frost said.

"…Very troubling… More and more…thieves and crooks have…made themselves known…in the middle of the confusion…" Eight hunched his back. "…These numbers…they will only grow… More outlaws…more fugitives…"

"It ain't fair," Vigor muttered. "The victims, the ones who grieve, the poor things. They deserve to know the comin' danger."

Many eyes shift towards Dusk, who sat woeful. His own eyes were fixed on the ground between his paws. A tongue swept over his lips.

"They never ordered for us to pretend," Slowking said.

"But they want us to say nothing," Howler grumbled.

Dusk shifted his paws as he finally glanced at his peers. The split black fur that rested on his back started to rise, but he remained silent.

"If you think you are the only ones to disagree, believe me when I say the nobles in the other regions share your destain," Slowking said. "And it's safe to assume their associates share those feelings. But, Supervisor Metagross is not a Pokémon we should doubt. It would be foolish to ignore the orders of someone who was the overseer of this country for generations."

"So it would be," Howler growled.

"But here is what we can do."

All ears perked up towards the Headmaster.

"Frost, I will heed to your concern. Find and lead Boomer here," Slowking said. "It's vital that I speak to him as soon as possible."

Frost struck a fist against his chest. "As you wish, my liege."

"The bulletins are going to be busy. We are to expect an increase in outlaw notices and escort requests. Grove, make sure you highlight any jobs that are urgent. I need the teams to see them."

Grove nodded. "Of course, sir."

"Howler and Dusk, after you've completed your sessions with your students, I will need you to patrol the perimeter tonight."

Both canines nodded.

"Vigor. Prioritize checking the conditions of our security system before you begin your lessons with your apprentices. As strong as our defenses are, I don't wish to take any chances."

Vigor clenched all four fists. "Of course. I'll get right to it!"

"Eight. When night falls, you will keep watch of activity within these walls. Although the chances of anyone infiltrating are small, it's still possible."

"...As you desire…" Eight stood tall.

"Zee, I will need you to tighten your security. It is to be expected for The Sorcerers to become bolder. Make sure our sentries are informed of this."

Zee's entire body jerked in separate directions in response. 'IT shaLl bE DonE!'

Slowking raised his scepter. "All of you are dismissed."

Zee's eyes glowed as his head shook and spun in a full circle. The associates were swallowed by the same light before they thinned out as ribbons sucked out of thin air. Zee was the last to vanish.

Slowking exhaled heavily as he lowered his head. A single claw rested on his crown.

"To say nothing at all…such a careless thing to do. Whatever you saw…it frightened you." Slowking looked towards the ceiling. "What frightened you to such an extent?"

He tapped the scepter twice on the ground. He, too, vanished.

- 0000 -

(This weird place….)

(I'm in…this weird place again…)

The vast sea of grass tickled Krista's body as it reached past her stomach, just grazing her shoulders. The sky that stretched above her held not a single cloud. It was the middle of the day—the sun didn't miss a single spot. The temperature felt perfect as the softest breeze brushed through her fur. Something about everything felt off…like the wind wasn't quite wind.

A dream. She was dreaming. With that knowledge, it was a wonder how she didn't immediately wake. Nothing looked much different compared to the last time she was there. Again, the color of the grass shifted. It was blue before it became purple. The sky was red, then orange…yes, the colors were changing again. It was a strange place.

And somehow, Krista didn't feel any fear upon seeing it. If anything, the place did bug her a bit, but for a reason she couldn't pin down. It was normal for her to be curious, but that wasn't it. There was something else that nagged her mind. She just couldn't pin down what.

(Why am I here again? This is a dream. I know I am dreaming… Am I dreaming? It feels almost…too real to be a dream.)

A soft ring pulsed through her ears…no, her mind. It was without a true sound, but Krista felt it. It was sharper with every wave. She almost covered her ears when it felt too loud.

"Please.. please come back…"

"You weren't supposed to go…"

It was that voice again. Krista couldn't decipher its range…it was all over the place. Young or old, angry or sad, she couldn't tell. But at that moment, the strange voice was clearer than it was before. It was as if a wall had been brought down. The sound—if it was a sound—was a little more audible.

(What do you mean?) Krista tried to speak again, but like before, her words were merely thoughts. Again, her mouth wouldn't move. No matter how hard she tried, it was physically impossible to move her mouth and inch.

The ringing pulsed again.

"I don't see you… I don't…"

"You said you wouldn't…leave me here…"

"Why…you promised… You promised…"

(Promised what? I already told you, I don't remember anything! Who are you anyway—)

"Please…"

Then it hit her.

The voice couldn't hear her. Of course it couldn't. If she couldn't speak, how could she expect anything to hear her at all?

Whoever the voice was, she at least knew it was searching. Had it been looking for her all this time? She tried to remember any other time she heard its voice, but other than the dream she had the other night, she struggled to remember anything else.

All she could do was listen. If she couldn't speak to it, then she could at least try to understand why it kept calling for her. From the way it sounded, it had been trying to reach her for so long. If only it knew it finally did. There was no way for it to tell.

Another ring. It was the strongest it ever was. Krista clenched her ears that time. It almost hurt.

"No…no…"

"No…! No! NO!"

"NO! PLEASE! PLEASE DON'T GO!"

"DON'T LEAVE ME HERE AGAIN!"

Cracking. It was sharp in Krista's ears. She staggered back as she felt the ground split beneath her feet. Glowing cracks exploded across the sky as it chipped away in pieces.

The sky was falling. The ground caved in. Krista reached for something, anything to save herself from falling into the unknown, but the ground vanished. There was nothing.

All she could do was fall. All she could do was let out a silent scream.

"PLEASE! DON'T LEAVE ME HEEERE!"

"DON'T LEAVE ME! PLEEEEEEASE!"

The vast whiteness swallowed her again. The ringing had vanished.

There was nothing but silence.

- 0000 -

"UP!"

Krista gasped awake, and her heart hammered against her chest. Once she recognized what it was, she covered her face with a groan.

Howler didn't give her a moment to recover. His loud voice only added to the headache that was trying to surface. "After the morning briefing, eat breakfast. Dusk will be waiting for you outside the commons. You are on a timeframe. Let's go."

As soon as he left with heavy footsteps, Krista laid back on the ground. She could hear Howler shouting from across the hall, and the collection of startled screams that followed.

(Might as well have been turned into a Psyduck instead. My head can't take this anymore—)

The scream. It tore through her mind.

Krista winched and slammed a paw against the side of her head. That voice…it lingered. That desperate voice…

"Does he wake everyone up like this…?" Pineno wondered aloud. "What a terrible job."

Krista couldn't respond. Between her restless heart, and the fear that gripped her in such a tight hold, she couldn't focus.

The dream she had…it couldn't be a normal dream at all. Two nights in a row, it tried to reach her. Two nights in a row, she was pulled back. Everytime the cracks formed, the voice would panic. It was the only tone Krista could decipher.

(But why?) she wondered to herself. (Why is this voice trying to talk to me? No, what kind of question is that? It has to be connected to my past somehow—my forgotten past! Maybe that's why…)

"Krista?"

Pineno's concerned voice was enough to pull her back to reality.

"Is everything okay, Krista? You look nervous."

He would always tilt his head whenever he was confused about something. It was a strange thing, as if he were studying her. Perhaps he came to some sort of conclusion on his own, because a smile formed in an instant.

"I get it! We are supposed to go to the next dojo again, and you're nervous about the wild creatures that could be there, huh? I totally get it! But it's okay, you're not doing it alone!"

(Well, maybe that could be true. Only, I completely forgot that is what we are doing today. How am I supposed to explain the dream to him? It sounds ridiculous on its own…)

She looked at his smiling face, and she couldn't return the gesture.

She already knew she could trust him. It would be foolish to say nothing.

"Is…something else bothering you?"

Pineno's question almost left her speechless.

(Is he that good at reading people, or am I that bad at hiding my emotions?)

It didn't matter. There was no sweeping her troubles under the rug. So, she took a deep breath, and she told him about the strange dreams she had. He listened carefully, and only nodded once she was finished.

"I see. So that's what's been troubling you! It does sound pretty scary, especially about the part you fell through the ground. If you think it could be connected to your past—no, it has to be! Maybe it's a memory or something! Maybe you're slowly getting them back? You just have to try a little harder to remember, bit by bit!"

(I…don't exactly find these dreams pleasant enough to want to seek them.) Krista felt her lips twitch into a smile. (But he has a point. There's a reason I'm having these dreams.)

"But you know what's really weird about those dreams?" Pineno asked. "It's the way they ended. Maybe it's a coincidence…I don't know. But you said that cracks formed all over the place…it sounds a lot like the sky-rifts."

"It…it does?" Krista felt the pit of her stomach. For a second, she could see the Sneasel in Pineno's place.

"Hey, hey! It's okay!" Pineno waved his paws. "Listen, listen! If you really did get caught up in a sky-rift, by now, you'll be acting strange and everything! I already told you! You're not Corrupted! Maybe the dream is trying to tell you something!"

"Maybe…" Krista tried to take Pineno's words to heart. She didn't think Midnight's words would sink into her so much. Krista knew why she didn't act like a normal Pokémon, but it still disturbed her. A small part of her latched on to the idea that Midnight could be right.

Pineno was determined to keep her worries down. He wore a wide smile. "I know. It's scary to think about. And yeah, sure…you woke up in the middle of nowhere, but it's not your fault! Sometimes, dreams like to shove your worries right in your face! It's so rude, right?"

(Well, yeah. Maybe it could be my mind playing tricks on me…but that can't be it. That voice I heard…it was real! I know for sure it was! And for whatever reason I keep falling through the ground…it has to be connected to something!)

A distant bark made them both jump. Pokémon in the hall screamed.

"Well, I guess we should hurry and move before Howler gets back here," Pineno said. "I don't want him to yell at us for being late. But I guess when you have a voice like that, it works out,"

Pineno sat up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. He made his way for their backpack that was slump against the corner.

"You know, I just realized. I thought only we can open the door to our room. How did he get in?"

"Maybe since he's an associate, he can do that." Krista stretched before she got to her feet. Just as she made her way towards the door, Pineno took her arm with a gentle paw.

"Hey, don't forget," he said. "Today's the first real official day of solving this mystery of yours. Let's do our best, Krista."

Krista almost smiled at his words. "Hey, don't forget about you. You're supposed to be looking for your father."

"And getting stronger!" Pineno added. "That's why I'm going to train extra-hard today, so we can impress the Headmaster! He'll surely let us go do some real missions then! And, if we do lots of missions, it'll grab my dad's attention! He'll surely try to come here faster!"

With the wave of motivation fueling them, they made their way out the room and joined the other sleepy Pokémon in the halls. Everyone jumped as Howler barked at another room. It was a routine she would have to get used to.

While Pineno was peppy on his feet, Krista felt the same as she did the other morning; She felt that she didn't sleep enough. She didn't have much trouble sleeping, she was sure of it. What made her feel so awful?

When they arrived at the plaza, there was another meeting. That time, Grove and Howler were attended by Vigor instead of Dusk. Again, the Pokémon in the plaza sang the anthem. Krista still couldn't get the words, but the hopeful melody was enough to stay looping in her head.

Once the anthem was finished, Grove did most of the talking. She briefed everyone about the expected increase of jobs, and how mandatory it was to seek any that were highlighted. When she mentioned the majority were escort jobs, Krista heard many voices groan. She couldn't imagine why they despised it so much. All it did was make her and Pineno feel a lot more lucky.

… … …

After the meeting, Krista and Pineno made their way to the cafeteria. Their minds were yet to fully wake, and it didn't help that the lines were rather slow-moving. Krista got her tray of food that was topped with a strange sliced berry. It was shaped almost like a rhombus, with the blue shell taking half of the brown surface.

"It's a chesto berry," Pineno said once they sat down. "It's tough to eat, and it's kinda dry, so I guess that's why they served it like this. It really does wake you up though."

Krista watched how other Pokémon ate the meal. It was primary hand-food, which was such a great relief for her. She picked up a piece of the berry and popped it in her mouth. As soon as the shell cracked between her teeth, just as she was warned, it was dry with a strange texture. As hard as it was to chew, the strong blend of flavors made up for it. But, what stuck out was the smell. It was so potent that it stung her nose. She wanted to sneeze, but it was as if her body held it back. With her sinuses assaulted, she pawed at her face and wheezed.

"Ah. I see this is your first time eating this. You'll get used to it eventually. Really does wake you up though, huh?" A familiar voice joined them at the table.

Krista looked up. She saw the Sawsbuck pushing his tray further into the table. The Fletchinder was perched at her usual spot, dipping her head at them. She wanted to greet them, but instead she was forced to cover her nose as the sting grew too strong.

Oblivious, Pineno threw a paw in the air. "Oh, hi Buck! Hi Talon!"

"Morning to you, Team Retribute." Buck smiled and greeted them with a head dip. "We've heard. You're being trained by the great Explorer!"

"Oh, yeah! We are!" Pineno chuckled. "Our first day was tough, and I'm pretty sure today will be tougher. But we can handle it! We have to, if we want to get better!"

"Such strong-spirited Pokémon. I do wonder how long you'll hold on to those words."

A new voice. Krista and Pineno looked to the far end of the table. A Thievul had just placed its tray down. After he greeted them in the common gesture, he took a bite of his breakfast.

"Oh, this is Thief. He's the third member of our team," Buck said. "I promise he's not trying to scare you. We just usually don't see Pokémon so cheerful in the morning."

"Thief?" Krista's voice was strained. At last, the horrible sting had started to fade.

"Don't worry. I am no real thief. At least not within these walls," The Thievul said, wearing a sinister smile.

(What was that supposed to mean?) Krista felt a sense of unease.

"Anyways, you kids don't seem like trouble as some like to assume. I wanted to see for myself," Thief said.

Buck chuckled. "I just hope Dusk doesn't try to overwhelm you. While his training is intense, it's also one of the best training you can get. The teams who survive it usually climb the ranks very well."

(Survive?) Krista tried to keep her fears down.

"Yes, like us," Thief said. "We just reached the Silver rank not too long ago."

"Really?!" Pineno jumped up. "And you said you were trained by Dusk?!"

"For the first few months we were here, yes," Thief answered.

"Out of the three Associates you could be trained by, you'll notice Dusk is the most motivated to take down The Corruption," Buck said. "He makes you have a stronger resolve. We wanted to fight alongside him."

Talon nodded twice.

"When we heard he chose you as his students, we knew we had to find you. I wanted to bring you this."

Buck pushed his nose inside his backpack that was strapped against his back. As he surfaced, held in his mouth was a strange, orange and spherical object. Coated with lumps shaped like spikes, it didn't exactly look comfortable to carry. He set it down on the table and nudged it towards them. The spikes made it impossible for it to roll.

Krista felt a dangerous presence from it. She moved away, fearing it might move on its own. "What is that?"

"It's a one-shot orb," Buck answered. "If activated, it can instantly knock out every living creature within a large radius, even one several times stronger than you. It's a real life-saver."

"Wow! It's that powerful?!" Pineno gasped.

"Ah-ah. Don't get too excited," Thief said. "Yes, it is capable of pulling such a feat, but that only goes for the newer models such as this one. The old ones only target one individual. And the new models are more expensive."

"You want my advice?" Buck said. "You should only bring this along with you if you know you are going somewhere dangerous. But don't depend on it, either. As powerful as it is, it's only useful if it actually hits your target. So…don't rely on it too much, okay?"

Thief chuckled. "Oh, but when it does land, it is such a sight to behold."

Krista was cautious as she picked it up. It felt strange between her paws. Despite the texture, it still had an incredibly reflective surface. "Are you sure we can have this?"

"I want to see your team thrive. So take that as my welcoming gift to you." Buck stood and stepped away from the table. "Perhaps one day, we'll see each other in the field."

He picked up his tray and left. Thief followed him, all while wearing a smile.

"Wow. It sure was nice of them to come back and check on us, right, Krista?" Pineno was pleased. He nibbled on a piece of chesto berry. "With all the news about distortions and sky-rifts, some Pokémon have become more sour and less trusting. It's good to know there are still kind Pokémon out here."

(He could be right,) Krista thought. (Team Spring came by to help a little, but it wasn't just them. There was also Team Bedrock. But why are they helping us? Midnight and her team…they were not as welcoming as anyone else was.)

Krista was sure she felt the suspicious glances. She thought it was because of her odd appearance as a Meowth, but maybe it was something else.

She could hear Midnight's voice:

"I hate to break it to you, but it looks like to me that your friend got Corrupted!"

"See? Everyone knows…."

(But I'm not. I'm not Corrupted. Pineno was sure of himself. There is nothing wrong with me.)

Krista could only think about how the world around her fell apart in her dreams. Was it connected to what was happening in the world?

Pineno came to her side with a bright smile. He patted the strange object. "We should give this to Kangaskhan right away."

… … …

"So, are you two ready for day two?" Dusk led them through the marketplace and towards the dojo.

"I don't know," Krista answered honestly. There was something different in the air compared to yesterday. Whatever excitement Dusk had before vanished. (Did something go wrong?)

"I know it's a rough start. Give it two weeks. I'm sure you'll find your footing by then," Dusk said. "The dojo trains you on the basics of every possible terrain you could come across within a mystery dungeon."

"Every possible terrain? Like forests and snow?" Pineno asked.

"That's right. We don't know how the creator of the dojo managed to fit eighteen dungeons within the dojo. Some go underground, and some reach high above. But, they all share the same exact number of floors. There's speculation that a legendary Pokémon might have put the place together as a gift for the great king of the past. Others claim that the dojo was built within the distortion to contain it, since it was highly unusual. We don't know for sure. We don't know if we will ever get the answers."

"You say that we can't go beyond the third floor yet, right?" Pineno asked.

"Not until you gain enough experience to tackle the latter floors. You've done well against the Basic Maze. We will do one round of that today before we move on to the flora segment. It's important that you don't get too comfortable with the same thing."

"Oh, wow. Flora…" Pineno smiled. "I bet it's gonna be a breeze!"

Dusk chuckled at his enthusiasm. "You think you have the advantage because it's your element. But we will see just how familiar you are with it. After all, you've seen first hand how well Krista performed against her own skill element. Even the most basic kind proves to be difficult to handle."

Krista couldn't disagree. In fact, she forgot she was a normal-type until then. Dusk's words made her realize just how strange the complex Pokémon's dialect was. There were some terms that were familiar to, but others…she wasn't so sure.

"Each day, we will do a review session before introducing you to a new dojo segment," Dusk explained. "And once you get a feel of all eighteen, we will work on improving each one. That's when we go back to the basic dojo and try to conquer floors 4 and 5. The fifth floor is when things get intense. I won't tell you why. It's…a surprise."

"Is it going to be a fun surprise?" Pineno asked, hopeful.

Dusk chuckled. "You could say that. Right now, let's just focus on facing today's challenge."

Krista knew she had to learn as much as she could. She still was an awkward battler. Perhaps once she conquered all the dungeons, she would move like a natural.

They didn't have to walk long until the dojo was in sight. She gathered all her courage. She had to perform better than yesterday. She couldn't let anything weigh her down.

"I DON'T WANNA FIGHT AT THE END OF THE BASIC DOJOOOO!"

A shrill voice of sobs and screams came from underground…and footsteps were coming fast.

Something blue flew out, sobbing at full volume. Its weight slammed Pineno to the ground. Small feet trampled his body. The voice wailed as it fled to the distance.

"Pineno!" Krista gasped. She didn't hesitate to help him to his feet. She checked him over for any injuries. "Are you okay?! Are you hurt?!"

Pineno rubbed his face as his body trembled. He faced his concerned friend, sniffling. "I-I'm o-o-ookay…"

Krista felt a wave of panic. Pineno's lips quivered as tears fell from his eyes. "You're crying!"

"I-I'm not crying…!" His wavering voice betrayed him. He broke down onto a heavy sob, covered his eyes, and fell to his knees.

More panic. Krista took a look around. Many eyes on her. (Oh, no! They are going to think I made him cry! I have to do something!)

She tried to help him back to his feet, but it only made the crying worse. Krista could only step back as she felt a small crowd gather around. "Pineno! Pineno what's wrong?! Hey!"

"I-I-I don't knooooooow!" Pineno sobbed on the ground.

"O-oh no. It's h-happening again…!" Dusk said, his voice trembling.

Krista turned to Dusk. "This happened before—wHAT THE—"

Dusk stood with heavy tears falling from his eyes. He too, collapsed on the ground as he sobbed.

"WHAT?!"

"T-Tidal! Come baaaaa-aaaack!"

Another sobbing voice?!

Krista turned back to the dojo entrance. Stumbling out was Vigor, accompanied by a crying Larvitar and Jangmo-o.

She couldn't believe what she was seeing.

(They are crying too?!)

"I'm s-s-sorry! I didn't mean to in p-push ya this haaaaaard!" Vigor sobbed. Tears trickled down her face like a steady stream. She reached out towards the direction the mysterious Pokémon ran. Her wail was desperate, as if her heart was torn into two. "Please, come baaaaack! Tidal, sweetheart, pleeeeeaaase!"

The other Pokémon fell to their knees, crying their hearts out in a chorus of sobs.

The gathered crowd was sobbing.

Krista stood, awkward and alone, surrounded by tears and wails. To her horror, she felt her own eyes starting to burn. Her vision blurred as tears trickled down her face.

(What the heck is going on here?!)

… … …

"A Pokémon called Sobble huh? Yeah, I've heard of them before."

Pineno sat on the ground, rubbing the tears from his eyes. His nose was a running mess. He took a cloth offered by Dusk and blew his nose. Krista leaned away, half afraid of the slimy germs.

"Tidal is one of our young recruits," Dusk explained as he shook his face to further dry his own tears. "He's actually quite talented in dungeon-crawling, until he has to face someone bigger than him. Then he forgets all of his training. It's perhaps the main reason he hasn't been able to leave his probation."

"Huh? That can happen?" Pineno asked.

"You have to get the Headmaster's approval to no longer be stuck as a trainee. Usually three months is more than enough time. Some appear ready at two, but they are forced to keep training to assure they don't get arrogant. Then you have those like Tidal, who show all the potential in the world, but carry such a strong weakness. He's been with us for half a year. Vigor has tried everything she could to help him, but as it seems, she's near her wits end."

"What about the other associates?"

"Some of us have jobs that are too important to put aside to train anyone. Grove only has the time to act as a supervisor for trainees during their first missions. She never personally trains them. She's the only one who can keep up with this district's heavy paperwork. Frost has his work outside the complex, and Zee is our eyes where we can't see. Eight is our main teller who is constantly needed. And then you have Boomer. Boomer is…"

They waited for an answer.

"...Boomer is not a suitable mentor, unfortunately."

"What about Howler? Can't he help him?" Pineno asked.

"Howler will chew him up. He doesn't exactly do well with emotions as strong as Tidal's. And as for myself, everyone is worried I would work him to death. I wouldn't do that to him. It's just not my style."

Krista and Pineno glared at him, although he couldn't see it. (You say that, but you just about killed me…)

Dusk stopped at the dojo entrance. His shoulders slumped as he let out a sigh.

Again, he lacked the excited energy he had yesterday. Krista couldn't figure him out.

"Is everything okay?" she asked him.

He looked back at the pair with a smile. "Oh, I'm fine. I was just…remembering something important. That's all. We have a lot to work on today, so are you two ready?"

"Just one question," Pineno said. "How soon will we go in a real dungeon?"

"Hah. Not anytime soon, I'm afraid. Not without our Headmaster's permission, Trust me, I get it. Doing mazes can get stale after a while. That's why you two are going to train at your best. I'll do what I can to convince him to give you a job. But, not until I'm confident you can battle at a decent level."

Krista sighed. She knew she was holding Pineno back. What else could they really do?

"Oh. And one more thing."

Dusk's smile was gone.

"There's been a complaint involving ill-treatment coming from your team. I'm sure you already know, but bullying is not tolerated within these walls."

Krista's jaw hung open. Pineno almost spoke. But they both knew protesting wouldn't make them look any better.

"The first thing you need to learn is when to pick your battles. There are some who are not worth your time. Their only intention is to drag you down with them. Let them talk. Ignore them."

What?

Krista realized Dusk wasn't angry with them. In fact, he looked at them with pity.

"It's not the best advice in the world, but if you decide to jump into a fight, I won't be able to save you from being written up. There are other ways to fight back, Team Retribute. That begins with your training. Learn as much as you can. Prove to them you are worthy of staying here. Make them look like fools. That is far more satisfying than winning a petty battle, don't you think?"

Flora Maze - 1F

After a final round in the basic dojo, it was time to face the flora grounds. The moment they entered the dimension, the dojo walls started to shift and change.

Krista had grown so accustomed to the dojo's rocky walls, that the moss rapidly spreading across the surface caught her off guard. The ground shifted and churned as grass sprouted like a blanket. Flowers bloomed closer to the walls with vibrant with unique colors. The walls were lined with a thin and trickling spring. But despite it all, the gravel still felt loose beneath Krista's feet, as if the roots from the grass didn't hold them at all. The sharp and stabbing sensation didn't ease one bit. Not at all.

"This is nothing like Pine Forest," Krista said.

"It's like this dungeon is trying so hard to become a meadow, but it can't," Pineno said.

"Hmm. Don't like it, Pineno?" Dusk asked.

"Mmm. Not really. Grass feels weird," Pineno said.

"Makes sense that this environment doesn't seem so familiar to your instincts. We are practically inside of a mossy cave, after all. Even the torches here are caught up in the vines. It's too damp for the flames to catch anything on fire, at least. This dojo is a bit different from the last one you've ventured, and it's not the element I am referring to. This flora dojo has been improved by now other than Grove! After the scare of our many recruits being unprepared against many hazards, she requested out Headmaster to lift the taunt spell that was casted here some time ago."

"The taunt spell?"

"Some of these dojo dungeons have restrictions placed on them by our Headmaster if he is concerned about the difficulty. It's something only those with psychic abilities can do since Gemstone was the one who was its master. So be cautious."

"So now we have to fight against grass Pokémon," Krista said. "Something tells me it's going to take a little longer."

"Grass Pokémon? What are you taking about?" Pineno asks. "You think I'm made of grass?"

"What? N-no! You're just a grass-type! I never said—"

"Grass-type? What are you talking about?"

"What are you talking about? Don't you know your own type?"

"Ahaha. Seems we've reached a bit of a language barrier!" Dusk stepped between them both. "Don't worry, Pineno. Your friend is technically right. What she calls a grass-type is actually referring to anyone among the flora category. As it seems, her dialect is similar to my own."

"Oh!" Pineno realized. "That's pretty cool!"

"The grass continent is halfway across the world, so words tend to change when you visit other lands. You can imagine my confusion when I first arrived here. Krista being here almost reminds me of home."

"I wonder where the different words came from," Pineno said.

"It is a bit strange, isn't it? Not every flora Pokémon has grassy traits, but I suppose plant sounded a little too boring for the humans." Dusk shrugged, unaware that the last sentence held their attention.

"It…came from the humans?" Pineno looked at Krista, checking if she was listening.

"Who taught us to speak, or so the legends say," Dusk said with a sarcastic tone. "Of course, overtime words do tend to change. Some places are more clingy to older terms than others. It's fun to look into, don't you think?"

Krista could only wonder. It wasn't a piece of a puzzle, but it was at least a clue. (So the humans have a stronger influence in the grass continent? That's where the kind of Meowth I am came from too. Maybe…maybe that's where I came from?)

Dusk was somewhat confused by their silence, so as a ways to cover things up, Pineno apologized again for his confusion. Dusk brushed it off, seeing it as unnecessary. They followed him through the dojo until Krista was instructed to lead again.

"You'll encounter a lot of unfamiliar dungeons in your future. You are just as oblivious to the layout as the rest of us are," Dusk told her.

They didn't have to wait long to encounter their first enemy. It was an Oddish, who was startled by their arrival. It got into position to battle. Despite its non-threatening appearance, Krista knew it was not self-aware due to the look of its eyes. She decided that since she spotted it first, she would engage with it. (And to try to get used to the terrain.)

The Oddish was not as graceful as the Pokémon she had fought before, but it displayed just as much vigor. It hopped around her, attacking with every chance it had. Krista made her lunge and faked out a direct attack to startle it before striking it with her claws. The exchange of attacks carried on for a while longer until the Oddish was brought down.

"Your footwork is improving," Dusk commented once she returned to the group. "But before you charge into battle, assess what your opponent wants to do first. Sometimes, they are smart enough to wait on purpose."

Dusk was right—at least about Krista's footwork. She found that it was becoming easier to move around. Sometimes, Dusk would have her fight on all fours, which was still incredibly awkward. Thankfully, her anatomy was made to fight in smaller spaces.

Krista felt a little proud. She was improving faster than she expected. Maybe it was because of her Pokémon body, or maybe it was her determination to impress the Headmaster. She knew Pineno wanted to go out to see the world. To live the rest of his days being held behind walls wasn't something he wanted to endure for a moment longer. He practically grew up in such a lifestyle.

But to be out in the world came with risks that they had to learn how to counter. Krista was thankful that Dusk was always correcting her mistakes. As annoying as it was, she took his advice to heart.

Their next opponent was a Budew. The poor Pokémon didn't have a chance to notice them before Pineno thrashed it silly. That was when Dusk informed them that sometimes, they didn't have to engage in a battle if it wasn't necessary. (And how rude it was to wake a sleeping Pokémon from its nap.)

Other than that, Dusk wasn't holding them as tightly as he was before. He was allowing them to make more decisions for themselves, only correcting them on the occasion. Not once did he ever raise his voice if they did anything wrong. If he barked, it was only for guidance.

"I'm seeing more berries in this dojo than the last one," Pineno said as they entered a large room. He held an oran berry in his paws.

Dusk lowered his body to allow Pineno to put the berry away inside the backpack. "Good observation. This is another result of many teams purposely dropping items around here. Can you guess why there are more berries here?"

"Hmmm. I guess it's because flora Pokémon are masters with hazards."

"That's correct. It's important for you two to gather as many berries as you can. If you see one, don't be afraid to pick it up. Not only does it help you in a pinch, but it's also food. Sometimes, you may not have an apple on you. It may not fill your belly as much, but you'll find that it can really make the difference."

With that in mind, whenever they came across a berry, Krista or Pineno would claim it. As Pineno sniffed at the strange cheri berry he picked up, it made Krista wonder what it was like for a Pokémon like him to eat one. Berries came from plant-life after all. Was it strange for him to consume them? Was it similar to animals eating other animals? Or was it like eating cheese, made from the milk of a bovine? She was sure if she asked those questions, she could get strange looks. So instead, she moved on. Some questions were better off unsaid.

"That's a pecha berry," Dusk said, pointing his nose towards an odd pink berry on the ground. "If you eat it, it's like an absorbent of some kind. It takes all the poison from your body. But it also repels any that tries to hurt you from the outside."

Another berry to claim.

"And I found a rawst berry. It works wonders if you find yourself aflame. Cuts the oxygen around your body just long enough to kill the flames. Amazing, isn't it?"

Pineno had stopped moving. He looked at nothing but the ground as his paw rubbed his backside. His chippy mood was extinguished.

"Is everything okay?" Dusk took notice of the mood shift.

That was when Pineno forced a smile. "Yep! I'm fine! Let's keep going!"

But he didn't fool anyone. Krista wanted to say something, but she didn't want to surface anymore of his discomfort.

Flora Maze - 3F

When they got to the second floor, the routine was the same; Fight the wild Pokémon, collect every item discovered (especially the berries), and study the environment. Krista took on an annoying Hoppip who liked hopping around too much. Pineno took on an Oddish, who gave him a struggle, but he was able to handle it on his own.

When they arrived on the third floor, the wild Pokémon became relentless.

"Easy! If you panic, you'll make it worse!" Dusk barked.

Krista found herself trapped. She didn't understand how it was possible, but she felt shot. The Oddish she was fighting was different from the others. Not only did its attacks hurt more, but it did something to her body. There was light escaping her body, absorbed into the Oddish's own.

(Is it stealing my life energy or something? It didn't hurt. More like…I'm getting so tired…)

It didn't matter how much she scratched or growled at it. Its attacks didn't waver, nor did its energy. If anything, it remained strong while she grew weaker.

"Ugh! It just won't stay down!" Pineno did his best, striking the Oddish whenever he could. Dusk watched in silence, his face lacking any emotion amongst the chaos.

Krista thought she saw spots in her vision. Staying on her feet became impossible. "Pineno…I don't think…"

The world was becoming a spinning blur. She knew she was on the verge of passing out. She wanted nothing more than to lie on the grass and sleep.

A harsh thud. The Oddish squeaked as it slumped against the wall. Krista felt a berry pressed against her mouth. She ate it without argument.

Within seconds, Krista felt her strength return to her in waves. With Dusk's help, she could stand again. It was a rush that she couldn't get used to.

Dusk smiled. "Here is my tip to you; A wary Pokémon can't fight in close combat very well, but they still have the confidence for long-range attacks. Your intimidating growls did nothing to stop it from draining your energy."

"What was that technique anyway?" Krista asked, running her chest.

"Absorb. Quite rude, but effective," Dusk answered.

"Maybe I should handle the next Oddish we come across, Krista," Pineno suggested. "It will have a harder time draining my energy, so I won't get tired so easily."

It sounded like a good plan. They looked at Dusk for answers, but he shrugged.

"Let's see how it pans out," Dusk said.

The next Oddish was just as annoying as the last. That time, Krista kept her distance and only attacked when she knew it wasn't prioritizing her as a target. Pineno did everything he could to draw its attention, using his vines that seemed to do nothing more than annoy it.

Finally, the Oddish had enough as it squinted its face and pressed its body against the ground. Krista didn't think it was capable of making such a menacing face. But what was it—

It spat. A purple bubbly liquid flew from its mouth and struck Pineno right on the face.

It sizzled. He screamed. The Oddish lunged and tackled him.

Fury fueled Krista's heart.

"Get off of him!" Krista leaped at the Oddish, swiping her claws across its body. The heavy momentum sent the weed into a tumble. She finished it off with another scratch, and it was on the ground.

The small creature huddled there, having lost the will to keep fighting.

She was surprised Pineno wasn't withering on the ground. The attack he took melted the tips of his quills, but he groomed himself clean, perhaps to get rid of the residue. By the time he cleaned his quills, the tips were already regrowing their veins.

"Ow, ow, ow…that really stung. That stung! What was that?!" Pineno sneezed after his complaint. He sneezed again. Then a third time.

"It's ok. Your body is just trying to expel whatever got in your nose. You'll be fine," Dusk said, before Krista could worry. "That attack is called Acid. A poisonous liquid that leaves you vulnerable if the shock of it hits you too hard."

"It was poisonous? I hate poison!" Pineno sneezed again. He groaned.

"The misfortune of being the embodiment of flora, I'm afraid. You have a lot of weaknesses. Let this be another lesson to you. Don't assume you can take on anyone because they match your element. Oddish is also a poisonous Pokémon. The wild ones may not be civil like us, but they can be intelligent with battling. How do you think they survived in a place as harsh as this?"

"Yeah, I know." Pineno brushed his nose again before he moved forward.

But that wasn't the end of it.

When they encountered a Shroomish, they were careful about batting it, taking the last experience to heart. Krista knew not to let it catch her with its absorbing power. As if it knew, it spat a flurry of seeds at her instead.

Pineno jumped in front of her and took the attack instead. The seeds sprouted and tried to root into his body, but they were unable to do as much as coil. They flaked off, withering within seconds.

"That was leech seed!" Pineno said. "I know that technique, because one of my siblings used it before! It's like a tiny version of Absorb, but more annoying!"

"What? Leech seed?!" Krista hated it already.

Pineno glared at the Shroomish. As he summoned his vines. He launched them forward and struck the creature. "That wasn't very nice!"

Krista saw the Shroomish recoil back, glaring at him. Its body started to expand.

That was when Dusk moved back. In fact, he ran several paces back.

"Uh…Pineno?" Krista heard her voice waver. "I think you might want to stop—"

Yellow, powdery spores rocketed from the tip of the Shroomish's head like a fountain. It flew everywhere, like pollen, in a thick and glittering cloud.

Krista inhaled it. It stung.

Her throat closed up. She couldn't breathe.

"Krista!"

Pineno's voice was heard, but his face was not seen. Krista hit the ground. Her vision started to fuzz, as if static somehow got into her eyes. Every muscle in her body locked. Her claws stuck out as her paws twitched against her will. She tried to push her body to move, but it wouldn't. Her heart started to race, but it wasn't just from fear.

Her lungs were tight. Her breathing was quick and ragged. The only thing she could move were her eyes. She could see Pineno's feet as he leaped and attacked the Shroomish. He hurried back in an instant. It could be assumed that he knocked it out.

"Krista! Are you okay?! Oh, Dusk! She's not moving! You have to help her! Please!"

"Please! Please!"

Krista heard the voice of her dreams…the memories of its pleas. It looped in her mind. She tried to shut her eyes, but her eyelids were just as stiff as the rest of her body.

(Why…) She could only think. (Why me…)

A sigh from Dusk was heard from behind. "Don't worry. She just inhaled the Shroomish's spores. Pineno, look into my bag. There should be a cheri berry there—no that's a pecha—there you go. Now break it off and give her a half. She can't eat the whole thing by herself in her current state."

Krista felt the small berry being forced inside her mouth. She was forced to chew. The moment the flavor touched her tongue, she found that she was able to eat on her own.

Spicy.

It was spicy!

Krista coughed, and the tingle spread to the back of her tongue. Her body jerked in response as she coughed again. She inhaled a sharp breath and rolled to her knees. A stinging sensation swelled in her eyes.

"Krista!" Pineno helped her up.

"Ah, see? It's already kicking in," Dusk said.

"Why—guh—why does it…taste so spicy…?" Krista asked between coughs. Pineno patted her back.

"We don't really know. It's strange how a berry has the same kick a pepper would usually have," Dusk said. "But it seems the spiciness is part of the reason why it snaps your body out of paralysis. I'm not a fan of it either, but it's better than being a prisoner in your own body."

Krista's tongue was blistering. To her dismay, the other half of the berry was half in front of her.

"You'll have to eat the whole thing," Pineno said. His face was grim.

As much as she wanted to turn it down, her body was only halfway functioning. Reluctantly, she ate it, and she was brought back into her coughing fit. Her nose started to run, and tears streamed from her face. It felt disgusting through her fur.

"Looks like you can't handle spicy food. What a shame," Dusk said.

Krista sent him a glare. "I—ack—saw you run away. Why did—agh—did you run away?"

"I just remembered how vulnerable I was without my scarf," Dusk answered honestly. "Even at my skill level, no one likes to succumb to paralysis."

Krista was finally regaining control of her breathing. She looked at Pineno and saw how the yellow powder clung to his body. "How are you not dying…?"

Pineno rubbed the back of his head. "Oh. Well…spore attacks don't bother me."

"This place really is your element…" Krista could only grumble.

With a small tail wag, Dusk jumped over to them. "So now you know to keep an eye open for hazardous attacks. This is another example that brute force isn't the answer to everything. Even the wild creatures are aware of this fact."

"Whatever. I just don't ever want to feel that again." Krista shook her body and sent the remnants of the powder flying off her body. It was enough to make Dusk sneeze. In fact, he was sneezing a lot.

He was sneezing so much that he had to step away. Tears had gathered in the corners of his eyes.

"It stings! It stings! It aaaa-ACHOO!"

Dojo Lobby

They thankfully stumbled across an escape orb during their trail through the dungeon. It was a relief to be back, but it was a temporary relief. Dusk already transferred the items from his bag to theirs. He tossed them apples to munch on to fill their stomachs for the next round.

"Now that we know the basics, I'm confident you two can handle the next few sessions from here on out," Dusk said once they were ready. "And then tomorrow, I'll show a bit of mercy. We will take on the dojo that Pineno will favor."

"Hm? I wonder what that would be," Pineno said as he ate the apple core, to Krista's horror.

"You'll have to earn it! Let's get right back to it!" Dusk cheered.

(But you haven't done anything…) Krista and Pineno watched as he practically skipped.

They followed, but Dusk took a major step back, followed by another. He walked backwards and pushed the pair back. For what reason for his sudden change of course made himself known as a figure stepped out from the darkness of the flora corridor. Krista almost didn't recognize him without his scarf. It was his giant presence that gave it away.

Howler.

The mighty Arcanine led the way inside the lobby. Behind him was Axe, then Magma. Midnight leaped out with her bag filled to the brim with items.

"Now that's what I call a great haul!" Axe pumped a fist in the air. "We have enough berries to last us for days! I bet we can even trade these in for a bunch of heal seeds!"

"Uuummm do you think Scovillain will be okay with that?" Magma checked the bag, unsure of the worth.

Midnight scoffed. "Of course they'll take it. Duh. It will be because of us that tonight's dinner will be delicious! Do you have any idea how rare aspear berries are to find…"

She saw them. So did the rest of her team.

"Oh, it's you. The bullies from yesterday." Midnight said, nonchalant.

"Why—" Pineno took a step forward, but a glare from Dusk kept him grounded.

Magma perked up upon seeing them. "You're not going to tease us again, are you?"

Axe shook his head with a sigh. "Guys…"

"They are busy. We already had our discussion about…behavior," Dusk answered for them. His eyes were fixed on the Sneasel, who took a step away from him.

Howler walked forward and lifted his head high. He towered over Dusk, almost triple his size. But Dusk did not step down. He met his gaze and held his head up just as strong.

Howler spoke first, his voice low and near a growl. "If your words are true, then I should not expect anymore complaints that revolve around your…students,"

"So quick to believe the words of children when there were other eyewitnesses to tell tales. That isn't how we operate. You out of all Pokémon should know that, Howler," Dusk replied.

Howler huffed. "They all claim the same thing. The spiny-nut was the loudest. If you wish to keep your privilege of being a mentor and not be stuck with the reckless dragon, my advice to you is to stop being so lenient. And I don't mean strictly in combat skills, something you like to over-exert with your recruits."

Krista shrunk as he lowered his head to meet her eyes.

"Hnn. I see that they are still alive."

"How I train my students is nothing of your concern, I can promise you that," Dusk said, as he stepped near Krista in a protective stance. "They will become responsible Retaliators, just as I know your students will be."

"I will be convinced if these two make it through their probation without losing their ability to speak."

Howler's words seemed to have struck a nerve. It was subtle, but Dusk's eyes held a dangerous glint. Krista felt the tension, and she wanted to run, but where?

She was stuck between two canines who were on the verge of bearing fangs. But somehow, not a single lip curled. Their ears were shifted ever so slightly. It was just the dangerous presence that lingered. If it wasn't her hammering heart that gave it away, it was the fur on her body that was beginning to raise.

Even Midnight looked spooked. She looked like she wanted to say something.

"KEH-KEEEEEEEH!"

Energy shot through Krista's spine. In the middle of her shock, something heavy crashed in the middle of the crowd, sending dust and gravel flying in the air.

"AAAH!" Krista sprung from the ground, airborne for several seconds. She landed on all fours, claws anchored and back arched as she gasped. Behind her, Pineno had fallen over as well, but it was overshadowed by Krista's acrobatic performance.

The large creature stood in its hind legs, spreading its massive wings, crackling hysterically. The Pokémon was oblivious to the spooked crowed as it slammed a red claw against its chest.

"BOOOOOOOMA IS HEEEEERE!"

"Boomer!" Howler barked at him. He was almost as spooked, standing from his battle-ready position.

"You didn't have to drop in like that!" Dusk barked as well.

Seeing there was no danger, Krista could breathe again. Still, she refused to stand. Her instincts screamed at her not to. She crouched against the ground instead, trying to suppress a growl as the newcomer turned to take a look at her.

She recognized it. The long scarf and the goggles resting on its head.

It was the same Noivern that she bumped into before.

(This is Boomer?! Why is he looking at me like he wants to eat me?!)

Instead of apologizing, Boomer laughed, amused by how well he surprised them all. In fact, he took great pride it in, evident from his widening smile. His gaze thankfully left Krista as he observed the rest of the room. Magma scurried behind Midnight the moment he saw him. Axe shrunk to the ground as well. Boomer looked at Pineno, amused at his stance.

Pineno was so tense, the quills on his body stood tall and sharp like knives.

"Ready to fight now, aren't ya? That's the spirit! Keh-keh!" Boomer dropped to all fours. He took large steps towards him, chuckling as Pineno stood his ground.

Dusk jumped in front of him in a crouch. "You will not torment the new recruits, Boomer. We talked about this! You flood the room with the stink of fear!"

"Tch. No fun, are ye Mighty? I wasn't 'gon to hurt the lad."

Howler growled. "Doesn't matter. Must you always give a negative first-impression? And where were you this morning? We were looking for you—"

"Keh-keh!" The Noivern lunged over Dusk and landed between the two children, startling them both again. "Hello there, lads! Call me Boomer! Nice ta meet ya! I run thrillin' jobs 'round here! A proud member of The Retaliation Corps! What brings ya here?"

"Uh…" Pineno pulled himself together. "We decided to form a team!"

"Is that it?" The Noivern turned to Krista. "And you there lassie…we've already met, no?"

Krista felt her muscles lock as he drew closer. She failed to stifle her growl.

"Keh-keh! 'Yer not gon' make it far with the attitude you got!"

"Boomer!" Dusk glared at the bat.

"Aye. I hear ye. No need ta shout."

"You didn't answer the question," Howler growled.

"Ehhh?"

Howler's eye twitched as he pressed his paws against the ground. "I'll ask you again: Where were you this morning?"

Boomer dismissed him with a claw. "Aah. I was out n' 'bout. There was nothin' interestin'. 'Yer makin' it seem that the meetin's are crucial."

"Everyone was present, excluding you. How much more irresponsible can you possibly get? Are you oblivious to the current events?!"

Boomer snorted. "Keh! Bringin' up that same 'ol talk? Doesn't peak ma' interest."

"You may just lose what role you have left."

Boomer stared at Howler for some time. After he rubbed his face, he grinned and lifted his wings.

"To the Headmaster, 'ye? 'Xcuse me!" He bowed before shifting his gaze towards the smaller Pokémon. "Enjoy 'yer stay, lads! Don't let Mighty kill ya! Keh-keh!"

With a roar of laughter and strong flap of his massive wings, he soared for the retails. Pokémon in the air nearly crashed against the wall, or each other. It was all just to stay out of his way.

A low growl climbed up Howler's throat. He stomped the ground and looked back at Team Slasher. "Let's go."

They all walked in a single file, with Team Retribute and Dusk watching their departure. Midnight stopped at the exit and looked back. She met Krista's eyes with an intense glare before she turned the corner.

After a while, Dusk sighed. "Let's head back inside the dojo. We have a few more sessions to do today."

To be Continued in Chapter 10.