Chapter 15 - Test Day Pt 3.

“Vulpix!” I shouted after Vulpix who had just been knocked into the underground raging river. She was desperately trying to stay afloat, while the intense current dragged her along towards the large opening where the water was flowing into.

Reacting purely on instinct, I shot both my vines straight towards her with blinding speed, desperately hoping either would grab hold of her. The first vine got pushed by the current, however, the other vine was able to pierce the water, and wrap itself around Vulpix's mid-section.

I let out a sigh of relief a bit too early, as I was almost pulled into the river myself from the vine reaching its tensional point. Good thing for four legs as if I had two I would've for sure gone for a swim. With all four legs now stable, I wasn't going anywhere. Vulpix was now bobbing in the water, trying her best to hold on to the vine with her paws and teeth, while doing all she could to keep her head above the water level.

Okay Ace, it's hero time. Don't you dare let her go!

“Hold on Vulpix! I'm about to pull you out now,” I warned Vulpix. I'm not sure if she could hear me from the river, but it felt right to try to warn her.

At first, I tried lifting her straight up from the river, but with how I was positioned and the way the river was trying to seize Vulpix, I wasn't able to. So it looks like I'm going to have to reel Vulpix in like a fish. I better not let this bite go. Hope she doesn’t chew through my vine.

Reeling Vulpix in was extremely tough, I reckon if I didn't have that intense 'training' from the mine I would not have anywhere near enough strength to reel Vulpix in. The river is that powerful. I was making good progress, when a sudden pain erupted from my back left leg, causing me to lose my balance and slide towards the river. I was able to catch myself, luckily. Crap, what was that attack? Air cutter, gust? Not good, really not good.

This time I used my reserve energy to put the pedal to the metal in reeling Vulpix. It was working, but like before, a sudden pain erupted from my body making me lose my grip on the floor. I tried multiple times to pull in Vulpix, but every time I tried I got attacked and lost my balance, making me slide towards the river's edge. This is not good as my foot was hanging just slightly off the river's edge.

“Gah! Stop it!” I shouted at the Golbat when I got hit again from its air cutter. I was only a couple of hits away from being sent into the river, so I needed a plan and I needed it now. With my brain on overdrive, I scanned my area.

Idea!

Spotting a large, sturdy-looking pillar not too far from where I was, so with my other vine not doing anything, I sent it off to wrap around the pillar, anchoring me from going over the river's edge. The Golbat, furious with how I was no longer moving towards the drink, went in for a good old-fashioned tackle into my back, right where my bulb was located. I didn't budge, but it sure did hurt.

The Golbat, who flew back around me, decided it was time to really turn up the heat, by sending a large barrage of air cutters at me.

Pain, pure pain exploded from my every being, but I held on. I tried again to reel in Vulpix, but the pain was beginning to be too much. I'm essentially a sitting Ducklett!

*Slice* Why does *slice* everything always *slice* end up like this? *Slice, slice* Can't anything just turn out well for once?! *Slice* I thought to myself. It's true though, every time I tried to do anything, someone would always try to stop me, usually involving me getting hurt. I'm fed up with it! If only I had more strength! Then I would be able to pull Vulpix out!

The more I thought about how crappy this situation was, the more a 'fiery-inferno' began to build up inside me. My thoughts began to shallow away until only the three most prominent ones remained; 'Anger,' 'Hatred' and 'Save her.' Those three thoughts battled to become the primary thought. My anger and hatred started to meld together, becoming a one singular overwhelming thought that was begging to wash away my sense of self.

“Aaaah!” came a sudden shout from the river. Looking out towards the river where the shout came from was like someone dunking a bucket of cold water all over me, as I saw Vulpix clutching to my vine with fear and instantly my sense of self was restored. Like a volcano exploding, only one though remained and exploded to the front of my mind:

SAVE HER

A sudden surge of power erupted out of nowhere from deep inside me. This power was so intense that it felt like my body was on fire. With this new found power, I lifted Vulpix straight up from the river; something I was struggling massively with earlier, and pulled her to solid land. She slumped to the ground, huffing and puffing while trying to catch her breath.

This strength, it feels so amazing! It feels like I could conquer the world with this strength. Unfortunately, fate decided it didn't want this for as sudden as it came, the power was gone and replaced with a deep, weary, fatigue feeling throughout my body. It feels like the day after an intense workout, only way more painful.

“*Cough cough,*” came from Vulpix. Looking over to Vulpix, her fur was completely drenched, giving her a real depressing look, but other than that she seemed fine.

“A-are you ok-okay?” I managed to say through the sheer amount of pain I had built up.

“Yeah,” she coughed again, “Thanks for the save-” She gasped when she got a look at me, “-Are you okay?” She asked worriedly. She took a step towards me before an air cutter hit the ground, cutting her off. “Ah! Don't worry Ace, I'll get you healed up in no time!”

Another air cutter was sent towards Vulpix, but she dodged it. As quick as, well a fox, she darted over towards me. She then opened the small bag I still had on, and pulled out the Oran Berry I had in there. Golbat was about to send an attack, but Vulpix sent a volley of embers first, making Golbat swerve out of the way of them.

“Here, Ace. Eat this, I'll distract the Golbat in the meantime. We will have a fight to win and an exam to pass, after all.” She gave a small wink while nudging the Oran Berry towards me. She got up and ran away from where I was while shouting, “Over here, uh- large mouth?” towards the Golbat. She was also sending more embers at the Golbat to better get his attention. Well it worked and I was safe to nibble away at my berry. I decided to tuck her painful attempt at taunting away in my mind.

One small nibble turned into full bites until the Oran Berry was good as consumed. A soothing feeling washed over me, and all the cuts and physical injuries I had gathered vanished- although the muscle pain was still present. Guess it's a different type of injury or something.

A sudden yelp forced my focus back towards the fight at hand. Looking around I spotted Vulpix with her back against a wall and the river to her left. Golbat was hovering in the air just above Vulpix, while shooting down air cutters. She was able to dodge a good amount, but a couple made their mark and hit Vulpix. With how they were being shot, it made escaping impossible, unless you fancied a dip in the river, so Vulpix was stuck in place. Even using embers didn't help as Golbat just effortlessly dodged them and resumed its attack.

Thinking about how I can help, I scanned around spying several large rocks. It's like fate wants me to play ball with them. So, with both vines loaded with a bunch of rocks wrapped up, I slingshotted them towards Golbat. With how I loaded them, it was basically a shotgun, so a majority missed Golbat.

A good couple hit their mark, making the Golbat screech in pain. Angry, the Golbat turned around to see who attacked it. Finding me, it narrowed its already small eyes and prepared to send an air cutter my way. This was a terrible and rookie mistake, for one, two, and three embers collided with the Golbat, sending it hurtling towards the ground.

That's gotta hurt. I thought to myself as the Golbat bounced from crashing into the ground.

With the Golbat now in a vulnerable position, I shot my vines towards it. Vulpix had the same idea, for she shot some more embers. The Golbat recovered surprisingly quickly, and launched up from the ground with a single flap of its wings. The Golbat continued to gain height. I was trying to figure out what it was trying to do, since it was nearing the roof. Did that crash give it a concussion or something?

Reaching a good height, the Golbat wrapped his wings around himself and used that action to propel himself towards me.

I tried to get away, I really did, but the Golbat was way too fast for me to dodge out of the way and tackled into me. My shoulder then suddenly screamed out in pure agony. Looking over to why my shoulder stung, it seems that the Golbat is biting me with purple fangs. Oh, great, I'm getting bit and by poison fangs, it seems.

So, not liking the idea of Golbat getting a free meal without consequence, I quickly wrapped my vine around him so he was stuck against me. I could've done without him still chomping me, but it was a spur of the moment thing.

“I'm immune to poison, numb nuts,” I said in a mocking tone. So with the Golbat stuck against me, I proceeded with a tactic I used before on Machoke- make paralysing powder and lots of it while my opponent is glued to me. The Golbat realised that I was up to something and tried to break free from my grasp. “Yeah, you ain't going anywhere, buddy. I held someone much bigger and stronger than you for a while, so good luck!” I taunted him. The Golbat freed its fangs from my shoulder and bit into me again, though this one wasn't as deep, more of a grazing really, but in doing so it got a nice mouth full of paralysing powder.

Unfortunately for me, that second bite did make me loosen up slightly, giving the Golbat just enough space to escape my grasp. It pushed itself off from me and skittered a short distance away, twitching all the while due to the paralyzing powder.

Vulpix, who was running over towards us in the meantime, attempted to tackle the Golbat, but was slightly too slow for the Golbat noticed her, and launched itself back into the air. I tried to catch it with my vine again, but I was too slow. Even with a power boost from my reserve energy, I couldn’t reach the Golbat. Vulpix arrived by my side. She gave my shoulder a quick look over before her eyes shot open.

“Ace! Your shoulder!” She cried out.

“No,” I said with determination, “finish the battle first. We have this bastard right where we want him. Quick, Vulpix, use ember!” I ordered, all Pokémon trainer style.

“R-right!” Vulpix acknowledged. She then shot a volley of embers at the Golbat who tried tried to dodge out of the way, but its body froze up with small spasms and the embers connected with him, sending him hurtling down towards the river. The Golbat plunged into the water upstream from the bridge. I kept a look out for the Golbat to appear from either above or below the bridge, yet nothing.

Vulpix and I just looked at each other, both wondering if this was over.

“Is it- is it over?” Vulpix asked.

“Maybe, let's check it out. Be careful of a surprise attack though,” I warned.

So with great caution, we walked over towards our makeshift bridge, keeping an eye out for an ambush. Poking our heads out towards the other side of the bridge, revealed the Golbat desperately clinging onto the bridge's underbelly, while the raging current tried to pull him along with it. With how the bridge fell, the Golbat’s body was submerged completely in water with only its upper body just above the water line. So unless you had great strength, you were either stuck until you let go, or unless a kind and caring soul helped. Ha, glad I'm not kind, nor caring.

“Ha, now that's karma if I’ve ever seen it. Good job team, let's get out of here. I'm kinda hungry, reckon they will have some food ready for us?” I asked while turning to leave.

“Wah? How can you be thinking about food right now? Golbat is stuck, we can't leave it like this! We have to help it,” Vulpix said. I gave a small groan before turning back around. Vulpix in the meantime had a fierce expression on her. It's odd seeing her with that look in her eyes. But, I didn't want to help someone who tried to kill us.

“Well I mean, we don't 'have' to help it. it did attack us after all. Plus, I like to think of this as a learning experience, as in ‘don't mess with us,’ class dismissed. Man, what an educational experience this has been. Now, let's go.”

“I-I know it attacked us, but this isn't right. It's not what a hero would do, Ace!” she said passionately.

“Do I have too?”

“Fine then, if you don't won't help, then I will,” she declared, making her way towards the top of the bridge and reaching down towards the Golbat with her paws. I wanted to leave, but if she fell back into the river, I was going to catch her.

“Don't worry… I'll help you. Just… reach,” Vulpix said to the Golbat while reaching down to it. The Golbat was hesitant at first, but after a short time, it tried to reach for Vulpix's paw. It reached up high and almost got a hold of Vulpix's paw, before it slipped, making it lose his grip and sending it under the bridge and towards the end of the river. “No!” Vulpix yelled out while she had her paw raised towards the Golbat. She looked at me with big pleading eyes, “Ace, please!”

I sighed, “I'm going to regret this, aren't I? Argh, fine!” I said to myself, giving in to Vulpix and her benevolent spirit. Using some of my limited amount of energy left, I boosted my vine and shot it towards the Golbat, who was fast approaching the water exit. My vine was fast enough (unfortunately), as it wrapped around the Golbat, saving it from whatever fate had planned for it in that exit.

“Nice catch! Quick, real it in, Ace,” Vulpix said with glee.

“Yeah, yeah. Just be ready for it to attack us once I'm done saving it.” I said, focusing on pulling the Golbat out of the water. This was even more difficult than last time, since my body feels like I have been set on fire recently.

“Do you really think it would attack us after saving it?”

“Uh, yep,” I half replied since I was focusing on reeling in the Golbat. “Just get an ember ready or something. I'm about to lift it up.”

I pulled the Golbat to the edge of the water, and with the help of Vulpix, pulled it out of the water and onto dry land.

“A-are you okay?” Vulpix gingerly asked. She took a couple of small steps towards the coughing and shivering Golbat. I got my vines out, ready for what was to come. Golbat furiously swung its wings around, drying them, shot up into the air, and was now hovering back in the air.

“Yep, thought so. Now Vulpix, get ready for Golbat to-” I started to say before the Golbat screeched at us, dove down and… out towards the river’s large entrance. “- to suddenly leave… okay what?” I said, baffled. Vulpix just smiled towards me.

“See, told you it wouldn't attack us,” she threw her nose up with an aura of smugness. I just grumbled to myself while continuously scanning around for a sneak attack. Just in case, after all. Vulpix gave a small chuckle. “Alright, let's get out of this cave. I'm getting hungry myself. Ouch,” Vulpix said after taking a step, “some healing would be nice too,” Vulpix suggested.

“Now you're speaking my language!” I cheered up. I was so done with this cave. Fresh air and sunlight, here I come!

So together, a little more battered and bruised then I would've liked, we made our way towards the exit’s radiating glow. Then passed through it to the outside world again.

POV Gardevoir

*Knock, knock, knock,* came a series of knocks from my office door. I'm currently held up in my office, waiting for the news about how the new recruits and the oddity Ace did in the exam. I was so absorbed in my waiting that I 'forgot' to do my paperwork.

“Come in,” I announced to the Pokémon on the other side of the door. A familiar wet, splash, sound came from behind the door, and a shadow slithered from under my door. There are only a handful of Pokémon that don't use the door traditionally. Most are ghost types, but with that wet splosh noise it could only be one Pokémon-

“Greninja, reporting in,” said Greninja now in his normal form, in front of my desk. His arms were crossed while looking at me with his head turned to the side. His words and tone were respectful, yet how he carried himself would suggest otherwise. Oh, I just love how different every Pokémon is! Lucario would have been in a salute in this situation.

“Excellent, Greninja. Now, let's take this report by the-” I said.

“It is as you suspected, Leader,” Greninja said, cutting me off. This instantly caught my attention, making me forget about my lovely couches.

“Report, Greninja,” I ordered.

He gave a shallow nod. “First, the report about the new recruits. I'm glad to announce that there were no serious injuries. Just a couple of scratches and bruises, but they will live. The Bulbasaur's team, however, were a different story.”

“How so? Are they all right?” I asked.

“Yes, they are both fine, considering they got stuck in, not just the river room, but also with the Golbat.”

What? The chances of that are so low, that I never thought it would actually happen. It was something in the decimals. That pesky Golbat has been a real trouble for recruitment; every time a new team would try to against him, he would defeat them. We tried to send in the more experienced teams to flush him away, but they never once found him.

“This is what happened,” Greninja continued on. He explained to me how they managed to get across the river by knocking over a pillar, creating a makeshift bridge. He then went on about how Golbat surprised them with a sneak attack, knocking Vulpix into the river and Bulbasaur’s quick reactions on catching her.

“But here is where things get… complicated,” Greninja said hesitatingly. “While Bulbasaur tried to pull in Vulpix, he would get hit by Golbat’s air cutters, making him lose his grip on the ground. He used his free vine to anchor himself on the ground by wrapping it around another pillar. Golbat in the meantime continued to relentlessly shoot at Bulbasaur while he was anchored in. I'm guessing the pain was too much since he didn't pull Vulpix in. But, before I could interfere, something happened to Bulbasaur,” he slowly looked me in the eyes with a serious expression.

“Guildmaster, I don't know how, but he used the move ‘strength’ to pull Vulpix from the river. It's as you suspected, he is not a normal Bulbasaur. Or even a normal Pokémon for that matter.”

“Did they get out all right?” I asked before anything else.

“Yes,” Greninja nodded. “Vulpix healed Bulbasaur up with the Oran Berry for winning the test, and with the combination of stun spore and embers, they defeated Golbat.”

“Well that's good then,” I said as I went into deep thought about what to do next. It is as I suspected: that Bulbasaur is a user or Aura if he knows it or not. I wonder if he is like 'him,' however. Hmmm.

“So, what shall we do about Bulbasaur?” Greninja asked, taking me out of my deep thoughts. I gave him a small genuine chuckle.

“Well, there's only one thing to do, Greninja. We welcome him into our guild with open arms.” I have no intention of keeping Bulbasaur locked up or anything, but we have to keep an eye on him. A user of Aura that isn't a Lucario, has the potential to change the world, afterall.

“Now then,” I said, “How about we continue the report at my lovely couches, with a cup of tea. Hmm?”

“Sorry ma’am, but I have important things to- um, check up on…” and with that he turned back into his shadow form and left back out through, under the door.

Guess he isn't in the mood for tea.

POV ME

Finally emerging from the Mystery Dungeon, came a view I didn't expect: we were in a forest. A familiar forest. I believe it was the one I first woke up in. Man, that was a different time, indeed.

We appear to be in what looks to be a campsite; there are lush trees surrounding a large oval shaped dirt patch. Spread throughout the campsite are two large tents with sign posts, each with a different picture on them. One had a berry and an apple, while the other one had a needle. Food and healing I'm assuming. Also, there was a booth with a map icon above it with a Tangrowth manning it.

Mainly gathered at the berry tent are the other fellow recruits that they were chatting amongst themselves. I spotted Scorbunny talking with Sneasel.

“Well, this is not where I expected to exit into,” I said.

“Yeah, you said it,” Vulpix agreed.

“Congratulations!” shouted Ampharos, who at some point had appeared besides us. I didn't even hear her sneak up on us, so you bet it gave me a silent fright. Vulpix joined my fright by instead giving a small yelp. She was now hiding behind me.

“When did you get there?" I asked, in the midst of taking small breaths.

“You both have succeeded your first Mystery Dungeon, well done!” Ampharos said, praising us while also ignoring me. “How are you both feeling? I can see Vulpix has a laceration on her shoulder," Ampharos asked.

“I'm fine since I had an Oran Berry, but yeah, Vulpix needs a bit of a patch up,” I responded. Vulpix just nodded shyly.

“Sure thing, just head over to the tent with the Berry symbol on top of it, and doctor Lilligant will heal you right up!” Ampharos said while pointing to the appropriate tent.

“Okay, thanks. Come, Vulpix, let's get you healed up,” I said to Vulpix. While I'm at it, maybe Lilligant has something for muscle pains. Still feels like my muscles got set on fire.

“Okay,” she replied.

“Ace! Vulpix!” a sudden cry from my blind spot came. I only managed to get a glimpse of an white blur, before it collided with me, sending huge amounts of pain across my body.

“Ow, ow, get off!” I snapped at him.

“Wa! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you with my hug. I'm sorry,” Scorbunny said while looking down with the biggest sad face ever. I actually felt kinda bad for making him sad.

“Nah, you didn't hurt me, and you didn't know, so it's fine. When we were fighting a Golbat, I had to use some serious muscle to pull Vulpix out of a river, so my body feels like it's on fire at the moment. So please, no hugs until I feel better,” I calmly said to Scorbunny, trying to avoid him freaking out.

“Vulpix fell in a river-”

“You both got the Golbat and the river room together?!” Ampharos suddenly cut off Scorbunny. “And you both are fine? Did you get help?”

“Um, no? Who would've helped us?” I asked. I had a feeling someone was following us, but I just wanted to see for sure.

“Uh, don't worry about it. Anyway, I'm surprised you both are fine. That Golbat has been known to send new recruits straight to the emergency room. Are you both really fine?” she asked again like we pulled off something spectacular.

“Yes, we are both fine,” I replied again, getting a bit annoyed.

“Strange… both challenges… Well, go get healed up and have something to eat. We will be heading back to the guild shortly to complete the initiation,” Ampharos dismissed us and walked off somewhere.

Was it really that special that we beat Golbat? I mean, from what she said, it apparently sent teams to the medical room, so I guess so. Now that I think about it, he was pretty ruthless and cunning when it came to combat. If I didn't get that surge of strength, or have the Oran Berry on hand, we would've been in a pickle for sure.

“Vulpix! Your shoulder!” Scorbunny suddenly cried out.

After Vulpix convinced Scorbunny that her cut wasn't as bad as it looked, we headed off to the medical tent to get it healed up. Vulpix was limping due to the cut, so we took our time getting there.

The tent was a faded yellowy-white colour, I’m guessing it was pure white at some point. Peeking inside the opening flaps, I spied some medical equipment that I would have trouble pronouncing their proper names, a medical bed, and some glass windowed cupboards with bottles of various liquids inside it. The size of the interior wasn't too big, but it did seem to be kitted to deal with most sorts of injuries.

We walked in and told Lilligant, who was inside, what had happened. She understood immediately what to do, and Scorbunny and I were told to leave until the check-up was done. Lilligant was creepily staring at me the whole time- at my plant more specifically. I swear I didn't even see her blink once and she was breathing quite hard. So yeah, you bet I was quick to run out.

Scorbunny said bye, then ran off back to Sneasel. So I'm just outside of the tent, chillin' like a boss. I was mainly thinking about that weird power I got when Vulpix was in the river. I don't know why, but it felt different than earlier today when I saw Sneasel again. For one, that voice wasn't in my head.

“Oi,” came a familiar, annoying voice. “Is it true that you fought off that Golbat?” Charmeleon asked.

“Yeah? What's it to you?” I said with a bit more venom than intended.

“Hmm, maybe you are tough enough… hmm,” she said in deep thought, and as suddenly as she arrived, she left. Flabbergasted would be an understatement about how I feel with that exchange.

“Alright, bye then. Weirdo,” I said to no one in particular.

After a short time, Vulpix emerged from the tent looking better than when she entered. Her fur was still matted and slightly darker orange, but she was at least no longer hurt.

“So, Bulbasaur, how are you feeling? Any injuries you need me to check up on?” Lilligant asked.

“Um, yeah actually,” I replied. Vulpix gave me a surprised look.

“You're hurt? Oh yeah, you did say that to Scorbunny. I just thought you wanted him to stop hugging you. Wait, I thought you had the Oran Berry?” She asked.

“My cuts and bruises are healed from that Oran Berry, but remember how I pulled you from the river?” I asked her, and she nodded, “well, I used a bit too much muscle to do so. So I'm currently feeling like my whole body is on fire. Got anything for muscle fatigue, doc?” I asked Lilligant. She eyed me curiously before looking back into her tent area.

“I believe I do so. Why don't you come in and I can give you a look over Bulb,” she said in a half trance like state.

“Um, did you shorten Bulbasaur, or are you talking about my plant?” I asked a bit concerned.

“... Yes. Now come.” Lilligant then turned around and gilded back inside.

“Um, do you want me to wait outside?” Vulpix asked.

“Not on your life,” I replied.

Entering the tent gave a real strong disinfectant smell to it. It was actually more comforting since this means that Lilligant takes cleanliness seriously. The inside of the tent wasn't too large, but it was large enough to house a check-up bed, a cabinet with a glass window on the upper half with a wooden door on the bottom, a small desk with a neat stack of notes, and a random pile of sheets in the corner. Now, call me crazy, but I swear the pile of sheets shuffled.

So, with Vulpix keeping an eye on Lilligant, I took my check-up on the bed. At first, Lilligant seemed creepily interested in my plant, but lost interest as I explained my symptoms and what had happened.

“Interesting,” Lilligant said after I concluded with what had happened. “So you're saying that when Vulpix was in danger, you got some strange strength?” Lilligant asked. I was distracted by the pile of sheets.

“Hmm? Oh, yeah.” I replied, still fixated on the pile of sheets.

“It sounds like you used strength prematurely, but that… couldn't. Hmmm,” Lilligant said in deep thought. “There is something I want to check. Sudowoodo? Be a dear and pass me the intense muscle soother,” Lilligant asked out loud, not looking at anyone in particular.

An explosion of sheets followed, as Sudowoodo jumped up from the suspicious pile of sheets. “Yep, yep!” he said.

“I knew I saw that pile move!” I said kinda proud of myself. “Also, hey Sudowoodo.” I said to Sudowoodo who had gone to the cabinet and retrieved a small vial of the assumed muscles soother. He then passed it over to Lilligant.

“Hi, hi, friend Bulbasaur! Hi, hi, friend Vulpix!” Sudowoodo said, turning to both Vulpix and I. “Hide, hide!” and like someone flipped a switch, his attitude swapped, and he then jumped back into his pile of sheets.

“Thank you, Sudowoodo. Now then-” Lilligant's breathing heavily increased, “- Lets see what happens,” she said like a mad scientist would.

“Vulpix, defend me!” I said half-jokingly. She just shook her head.

So, after some nasty feeling ointment was spread over my right foreleg, it was found to be quite effective and immediately healed the pain in that leg. It was then spread out all over me by me applying it with some cover; they had curtains for privacy on the ready, and I felt good as new. Lilligant really insisted on helping, but I strongly told her ‘no.’

“Curiouser and curiouser,” Lilligant said in a trance-like state while looking me over while I stretched to make sure I didn't hurt anymore.

“Why?” Vulpix asked who was on the bed, while I was on the ground.

“Because that cream is used for when Pokémon use moves like strength too much, or too prematurely. You remind me of another. He too could use moves that he shouldn't have been able to. Anyway,” she said and once again, her breathing picked up. “Let's check up on your plant, I want to see what's inside.”

“Thanks for the check-up, bye!” I shouted while running as fast as I could out of the tent.

“Wait for me!” Vulpix said, while following after me. I was not going to let myself become a victim to a mad scientist, thank you very much.

So, with everyone present, we were given a good, hearty meal- a choice of three pizzas: Hawaiian, plain cheese, or meat lovers for the carnivore Pokémon. Then we were escorted back to the guild. We didn't even have to help pack everything up! I do wonder though, what was that meat on the meat lovers pizza. When I asked, everyone refused to answer and just led me around the question. There is a conspiracy, I say! The plain pizza was nice, though.

While walking back, I couldn't help but notice a couple of Pokémon glancing back at us. I wanted to speak up about it, but Scorbunny would not shut up about his time in the dungeon, so I just gave in and answered any question he threw at me.

It was a nice walk though, the breeze was gentle and cool, the sun had the full sky all to itself, and the ambient noise of the others talking while walking back was soothing. Reminded me of school excursions with my old friend.

Vulpix the entire walk back, was nervous as. I tried to comfort her in the small breaks that Scorbunny allowed, but it didn't work that well. She really wants to pass this test and get into the guild, so of course the suspense of Ampharos not telling us who did pass was getting to her. She didn't tell us because Gardevoir likes to do it herself.

So with Ampharos leading the way, we had smooth sailing back to the town, then back to the guild. We entered back in the guild; the receptionist poked his tongue out at me, to which Charmeleon laughed while making fun of me slightly. I just brushed it off, since I didn't want to make things any tougher for Vulpix, who at this point looked like she was going to explode.

We entered the class, sat in our earlier spots and waited for the news. I was chill since I knew we passed it easily, like how couldn't we, but Vulpix was starting to make me nervous. She was shaking with how nervous she was.

“Geez, Vulpix, take a breath or something. You're making me nervous,” I said to her.

“S-sorry, it's just that, what if we fail? What if we fail and it's because of me? What if-" she was going on before I put my right foreleg on her back.

“You worry too much, little fox. They would be morons to not let us in. We got this,” I said reassuringly. “Now, take a deep breath, and clear that head of yours.” She did as I asked and took a deep breath.

“Better?” I asked after she took a couple more.

“Yeah. Thanks, Ace,” she said with a warm smile. I returned the smile back to her.

Ampharos, who was waiting by the desk for Gardevoir to arrive, spoke up. “Alright every Pokémon, the Guildmaster is about to announce who will join. So quiet please.” We all did so, but we're also looking around the room for Gardevoir because she wasn't in the room at that time.

“Um, where is-” Squirtle spoke, before Gardevoir literally just 'poofed' into existence at the front of the classroom. “-Gah!” he exclaimed from the suddenness of it.

“~Greetings, every Pokémon!~” Gardevoir sang out while twirling around. “I am so happy to announce to every Pokémon here today who will be joining us here, in our guild. It’s- drum roll please,” she asked, and every Pokémon besides for a couple actually gave a small drum roll. “Every Pokémon here today! For you all passed!” She finished while folding her hands together on her left cheek with a big smile.

The class room was deathly quiet, before it erupted with cheer. “Ace! Ace! We did it! We got into the guild!” Vulpix yelled with pure joy in her voice. She was bouncing up and down in her seat. Her happiness was infectious for I too felt like jumping around. I didn't, but I felt like doing it. So I went for a big smile instead.

“Yeah, guess we did,” I replied happily.

“Welcome to 'The Benevolent Heroes,' every Pokémon,” Gardevoir said in the midst of the pure, joyous chaos.

Gardevoir, after welcoming us, looked straight into my eyes. Her smile was something I could only describe as 'motherly,' it was the type of smile that just made you feel like everything was going to be alright. And for the first time in a while, only for a split second, I felt safe. I'm sure she is up to something, but for this small occasion, I think I'll let my paranoia go.

So, I returned her smile with one of my own, making her smile even more.

“Alright,” Gardevoir said to the whole class, making them quiet down, “when I point at you, please make your way up to the front of the class with your team. It is time to register your teams, as well as pass out our official sigil.” She finished while holding up a singular badge.

“Ace and Vulpix- I believe you two are a team, so would you two like to go first?” Gardevoir asked us.

“Sure do!” I said with excitement. Vulpix just gave a shy little nod.

So, we both hopped down from our seats and walked over to the front of the room. Facing Gardevoir, she spoke. “So as guildmaster, I now officially recognise you both as a new team for the guild ‘The Benevolent heroes,’” she welcomed us. She then grabbed a nearby lanyard with a pendant hanging from it and put it around my neck, then did another for Vulpix. “Feel free to swap out the lanyard for something else if you wish, it can clip on to other things like scarves, hats, or whatever you want. Just don’t lose the pendant for that is your key for entering the guild’s upper levels.”

Looking at the pendant dangling from my neck, it was metallic and circular in shape. It shined a nice silvery shimmer, really giving off a ‘freshly polished’ feel to it. It lacked any colour besides for silver.

Engraved in the centre of the pendant was the guild’s tree with the town resting behind it. Above the tree rested the name of the guild. Flipping over the pendant was an inscription that read ‘This pendant permits the entry to all basic rooms in the guild. This pendant is also the property of ____, if found please return it to them.’ There was a missing space where I'm assuming we put our names in it.

It really was an impressive looking pendant.

“Do you two have a name for your team?” Gardevoir asked.

Vulpix and I both looked at each other and nodded, “The Heart of Adventure” we both said at the same time.

“What a wonderful name. I'm sure you two will accomplish many great feats here,” Gardevoir said with a smile. “Welcome, again to ‘The Benevolent Heroes.’”

End Chapter 15