In the times when the world was settled, after the legends of earth and water of time and space calmed, but before the age of psychic types, when Arceus still walked among her creations, the Maker of All That Is found herself gazing upon her work. She found that it was good, and yet. Arceus examined her creation, far and wide. From the peaks of mountains whose peaks were empty of ice types, to the depths of the earth filled with naught but fire and dirt, for none but the five first types were yet made.
Arceus wondered to herself, 'I have made all that I wish to, yet why does my heart feel empty?' This troubled her, so she looked to the legends of space and time, asking what she lacked.
'You lack for naught my god,' Palkia said, head bowed low. Dialga agreed, 'you have made all, what could one such as you lack?'
Yet still she was unsatisfied, so she went forth to legend of the skies and asked him what she lacked. With reverence, Rayquaza answered, 'This servant knows not what my god lacks. Forgive my failure.'
Again the Maker of All That Is was left unsatisfied. So it was she found herself walking among her creation, and where she went all her children bowed and gave her peace. Until Arceus came to a pond, whose water shone clear thanks to the work of local Feebas. Arceus, pleased with the look of her land, rested there on the soft shore. It was then that a Feebas of brave spirit approached.
'Blessed are we that our god would come to rest in our home.' The little fish greeted her.
Arceus, on a whim, asked the little Feebas the question which her legends could not answer. 'I have made All That Is, so what is it I am lacking?'
The feebas replied with a question, 'What does this lack feel like, my god?'
And Arceus answered, 'like an ache in my soul. A little hole in which my joy seems to leak into never to fill.'
The feebas pondered this for but a moment, and answered with clarity. 'It sounds to me, that my god is lonely,'
With that, Arceus was enlightened by this simple wisdom. As well as why her legends could not answer her. They had companions each, yet she had none. So she left to cure this loneliness, but did not forget the little Feebas. She blessed him, and all Feebas. Now, when you look upon the beauty of Milotic, you know why they are called Blessed.
Selena tasted the air, sliding through the underbrush with barely a rustle. The kid wasn't doing bad either. His scent on the air the main indicator of his presence. She once again wondered why she agreed to lead him. The area was a good half hour deeper into the forest, with bigger pokemon that wouldn't object to eating her if she were caught. Granted she was a pain in the ass to catch but that's besides the point. The real problem was that she wasn't equipped to protect the riolu should something big pick a fight.
Moving mostly on instinct, she considered her moveset. She should train more, maybe she could learn a better biting attack then the basic dark type move. Selena's mother bragged she evolved early when she learned Crunch, but Selena was skeptical. So far, she could freeze one mon in place for a moment with her Glare, though it was weak while she was unevolved. Maybe tie up a second enough for the kid to run if she Coiled a second but there were several pokemon who hunt in packs or swarms. It would be a mad dash in that case. This was so stupid. She wondered once again why in Arceus' name she was out here. Sending a quick glance behind her, she decided to find out.
"So," Selena started, "What's this hunch you have?"
The riolu shrugged, "Just a hunch I got after reading some guild reports, I'm not sure I should say until I know for sure."
Selena would frown if her mouth would allow for it. Instead she stopped, turning fully to the young pokemon, "Then I guess we'll need to head back."
The two watched each other for a few moments, Selena daring the kid to call her bluff. He did not, instead sighing before answering. "I think a mystery dungeon is forming near Apsen's meet."
Selena stares, a Mystery Dungeon? She knew of the Cavernous Hole mystery dungeon an hour or so east of town, the main one of the area where the guild hunts for rare items and nota meat to feed their town's carnivores. If one was so close to the village… Selena shook herself out of her thoughts.
"What makes you think that?" She aksed, "Mystery dungeons don't just pop up from nowhere."
The riolu shrugged, "I mean, that's exactly what happens. No one knows why they appear, they just kinda do."
Selena narrowed her eyes, "Fine fine," The riolu said, paws up in a placating manner, "I was reading guild reports and noticed a weird amount of Nota sightings near Aspen's Meet."
Selena frowned, "So?"
"So… Why are 2 or 3 Notas being found every few months in that area, while almost none are found anywhere between Aspen's Meet and the Cavernous Hole?" The riolu's eyes seemed to glow, he started to pace a bit, "Since Notas only come from dungeons it is possible that a new one has formed in the area, which could be a massive boon! It would get me into the young explorers program for sure! Not even mom could stop me if I find this."
Selena frowned, this was both better and worse than Selena thought. On one paw, dungeons were dangerous. Nota's threw themselves at battle without thought, and very quickly gained strength. If a strong pokemon leaked from the dungeon it could be very dangerous. On the other… having provided such a service to the guild could ensure her application to join the town be accepted, maybe even with a sponsor. Greed fought with caution as she questioned further.
"You don't even know where Aspen's Meet is, why would you head out for it alone like that?" She asked.
The riolu shifted, "My mom won't let me join the program, the one for young explorers. I want to be an explorer and find adventure! Get stronger until I can face down Tyrannitars and Dragonite with ease! The young explorers program would jumpstart my growth!"
His eyes practically glowed with enthusiasm. Selena could only shake her head, "So based on a hunch with little chance of finding this place on your own, you head out on the off chance that a dungeon has appeared, and what? What would happen if a swarm of beedrill decided they didn't like your face, or a group of taillow thought it would be funny to toss you around like a toy? Do you have any idea how dangerous this was?"
The boy chuckled, "Well, yeah. That's why I got a guide." he replied walking a little past Selena.
Selena, for her part processed that, then asked, "What do you mean you 'got' a guide."
The riolu froze on the spot, Selena rose to her full height, "You stomped on my face on purpose? What the heck is wrong with you!" She shouted far lounder that she meant, her words coming out half-hissed and barely understandable. "What on Arceus' earth could possibly convince you that this was a good idea? I could have killed you, you stupid mutt!"
The riolu, at least, had the sense to look shame-faced. "I mean, it wasn't all like that. I just needed to meet you in a way that you would leave right away. Wild pokemon are super cautious so if I just straight up asked-"
"So you were manipulating me?" Selena accused,
"No, yes, not really." The kid stumbled, backing up a bit. Selena Glared and the kid froze. She leaned in close, "You have very few words before I freeze you up and leave you to whatever finds you. I would choose carefully."
The riolu seems to take this to heart as he waits for the paralysis to wear off before trying to speak. "I needed someone to lead me, and to keep me from getting harassed. I- I know about your applications and."
"You-" Selena stopped herself, he was already looking through guild records, it wasn't surprising.
The boy waited a moment and when it was clear Selena wasn't talking he continued. "I found you, watched a bit, read your aura. You seemed nice so I figured you would help me. But I also thought you would just leave if I introduced myself, unless you had a reason not to. So I maybe figured you wouldn't leave if you were angry. Then I thought I could set up a snare, promise dinner, and while we wait head to where I think the dungeon is. You would get an easy meal, I'd get my questions answered. Win win you know?"
Selena stared at this insane, stupid, scarily smart kid. The worst part was that his plan worked perfectly, she had gotten an easy meal, and stayed to hear the kid out. It ticked her off how easily the kid no older than herself had played the snake so easily. It also freaked her out, and thinking about it, the kid never tried to claim that stepping on her was an accident. He was a truthful con-artist at least. Besides, now she could possibly get something from this.
Selena finally just shook her head, "Alright, I get it. You needed something, did what you had to to get it. That's par for the course in the woods." She leaned in once more, "But it is still a bit upsetting, you understand that right?"
"Yeah, I'm sorry." He answered,
"Not good enough." Selena replied, "You said that you saw my applications right?"
"I did, yeah."
"When this is over, dungeon or no dungeon, you owe me." Selena started, "So when you get back to town, I want you to get my application to someone. Anyone who will actually consider it. And you don't stop until I get accepted or rejected, no more of this silent treatment I keep dealing with."
The riolu perked up at that, and began to smile, "I can do that!"
Selena backed off a bit, "Good, then we have a deal."
She began to move off, then stopped, "By the way, I'm Selena."
"I know," The riolu said, because of course he did, it was on her applications. "I'm Rich! It's good to meet you."
Yeah, sure. Selena was still a bit freaked out. The kid was a bit too smart for her liking, Weren't riolus and lucarios fighting types? Not exactly known for their brain power. Selena put those thoughts away for now.
"Ok kid," She sighed, "Let's find your dungeon,"
Who knows, maybe if the dungeon does exist she can nab some of the credit. Could only help her case. Selena's mouth twitched a bit, as able to smile as she is to frown, but happy with this turn of events nonetheless. Maybe, just maybe, she would be spending winter in a warm bed.
