Chapter 31: Life As An Explorer


Vincent's long, pointy ears twitch in his sleep to the sound of a loud voice down the hall. He shifts a bit, starting to come to. For the moment, he is mostly unaware of what's going on outside the room, but after a shirt while, he receives a rather nasty awakening, in the form of a booming voice filling the usually quiet space like a bomb going off.

"Up and at 'em! It's morning!"

He cringes as he's forced awake by the absurdly loud sound which makes his ears ring and his eyes shoot open. His forepaws dig into the bed of hay he's resting on and his attention eventually focuses on a Loudred standing just inside the doorway...with a very tense and threatening glare.

"Get up already! If you rookies are late to the morning drill, I'm never gonna hear the end of it from-"

"Shut up!" Vincent barks back in a harsh, demanding tone and the big-mouthed pokemon stares at him with a few surprised blinks.

"Whaaaat!?"

The Umbreon growls with his teeth bared at the Loudred. "You're more annoying than that Wigglytuff."

"Sheesh! You're just as rude as your Pikachu friend! At least Silva didn't get all bent outta shape!" The large bipedal pokemon stomps out of the room and Vincent grunts after hearing his obnoxious voice for the last time. He then looks over at Silva, who's sprawled out on her side and groaning, and then Melissa, who has fallen completely off her bed onto the stone floor and is whimpering with her paws over her head.

"M-Make it go away..." The Cyndaquil whines and Vincent grumbles to himself before rubbing his head with a paw.

After returning to Treasure Town the previous day, Vincent and the others returned to the exploration guild run by a Wigglytuff and his right hand, Chatot. The parrot pokemon was curious about him and Melissa, having heard of their involvement in Drowzee's capture but concerned at the same time about them. Vincent decided that it would be best to remain here and get help from this guild to proceed with his travels around the world, in hopes that he would find Grovyle and be able to progress on his task. So he formed an exploration team going by the name Team Sylver, which would be named after an important part of his task: the Sylverstone, which Eriah still bears in Earthrealm.

Still, he hasn't told anyone else in the guild about his task, and wonders when a time would come for him to reveal his role in this world.

He looks back at Silva as he starts to regain his composure after Loudred has gone. The Chikorita shakes her head and rolls onto her front, letting out a tired sigh.

"You sure you still want to be on my team?"

Silva turns her head towards Vincent with a curious blink, having forgotten he and Melissa were there, rather than Raven and Christina, who she'd gotten used to staying the night with. She then nods. "I like you guys more. Raven kinda scares me. I mean, Christina's nice and sort of fun to be around, but I feel more comfortable with you two. You were the one who offered to find my treasure before, too."

Vincent shifts on his legs and soon stands up, stretching out. "I suppose you're right. Just be aware I don't intend to take on simple tasks. I hope you're up for what lies ahead."

The Chikorita smiles at him and climbs off her bed. "I believe I can handle anything as long as you and Melissa are there!"

He smiles a bit and looks over at Melissa, who has finally managed to recollect her senses. The Cyndaquil sits there, rubbing her long snout with her paws and soon glancing back at Vincent. She appears somewhat warmed by Silva's statement and gives a nod back to them.

Vincent then moves over near her and looks his sister over with mild concern. "Hey, are you sure you're feeling okay? I've been worried about you since...that happened. And you didn't look completely there when I found you at Mt. Bristle."

Melissa looks down at the ground in thought. "I think so... I just feel a little weird, is all. Like, it feels as though something's welling up inside me. I think it might be this new form."

"You controlled your fire better than Raven could use his electricity for a while. At least you're capable."

Silva comes over and pipes up. "I still think it's strange that you're all humans. I don't know if I can really believe it, but...it's exciting to think about if it could be true."

Vincent looks over at the younger pokemon, not particularly surprised by her skepticism. Anyone in this world would be, in this situation. It's still not known how he and his family turned into pokemon, coming here. Still, he's comforted in knowing that she is at least choosing to stay with them, despite this.

After a moment, Christina comes into the room, rubbing her eyes, followed by Raven. She looks over at the three, still appearing sleepy. "Guess Loudred woke you up too, huh?"

Vincent mutters a bit, distraught at having the subject brought up again. He avoids it further by changing to a new one, and goes to make his way out of the room. "Come on. We should get to the drill before anyone else yells at us."

After he leaves the room, Christina looks over at Raven with a small shrug and then turns to Silva and Melissa. "Are you two doing alright?"

Melissa goes over to her with a warm smile. "I think we will be. After all, we're back together. And Silva's sort of fun to be around."

The Chikorita utters a small laugh and prances over to them. "Hey, it's always fun with more of us!" Her tone then lowers a bit. "Really though. I couldn't even be here without all of you. So I'm happy that you are. Even though I left, I'm still grateful."

Christina pats her head a bit. "Come on, it's nothing. Let's just look ahead, okay?"

Silva nods and then steps out into the hall. "Right. Okay, here we go!"

On her word, Melissa leaps out of the room and, in a playful tone, shouts, "Team Sylver to the front!" Silva blinks in surprise, before grinning and stepping up next to her.

"Team Sylver, reporting for duty!"

The pair giggles and runs down the hall, leaving two bewildered Pikachu behind them. Raven rubs his head and starts off. "I'm not even awake enough for this."

Christina rolls her eyes and goes to follow him, meeting up with the others for the morning drill. After Wigglytuff and Chatot introduce the new team, the guild crew recites a simple, although childish to Vincent, cheer, then go about their own activities.

The five come together and Vincent mutters quietly, "I am not saying that every day..."

Christina folds her arms and gives him a teasing smile. "Come on, it's not that bad."

"It makes me cringe just thinking of it."

Melissa looks over at Silva, who appears to be as cheerful as ever. "I guess it's more for the younger ones. But it sort of sticks to you."

Vincent sighs, before Chatot flies over to the group and chirps out to them. "Hey, you two. You're just beginning, so I think it'll be best if you're shown around. Silva already knows the place, I suspect. So she can fill you in with the basics. Team Shadowfang, you can continue with your usual missions. And I expect your best effort!"

Raven eyes the bird with mild annoyance after he flies away and mutters under his breath, then looks back at Vincent. "I guess that'll be that. You think we should take a mission together?"

Christina shakes her head a bit. "I don't think they'd let us do that. I'm sure they'll be okay on their own. We should try and improve our abilities. We're gonna need to get stronger if we're to help Vincent."

Vincent looks over at them, expressing mild concern, but Christina's determined look assures him of their confidence in her abilities, and he nods. "Be careful. I'm sure I don't need to tell you how hostile some of the pokemon get."

Christina shakes her head and looks over at Raven. "We can handle whatever comes. Don't worry about us."

Vincent lets out a quiet sigh before looking at Melissa, then at Silva. "I suppose we should go now."

Melissa goes over to Christina and the two embrace in a hug. The Cyndaquil looks up at her older sister. "Take care, alright, sis?"

Christina smiles back to her and then steps back. "Of course. You too."

Soon, she and Raven set off, and Vincent turns back to the other two. "Right. Are you both ready?"

Silva and Melissa both nod, and Silva is the first to step up. "I'll show you around! The place is great when you get to know it."

Melissa giggles at her spunky attitude, and the Chikorita gives a bright smile in return. Meanwhile, Vincent is mildly uncertain about how things will turn out. While prepared to see the place, his mind is wandering, contemplating what his next course should be, and whether or not he made the right choice in staying here. While the guild's help could be useful, it may also get in the way of him making a move when he needs to.

He decides to set those thoughts aside for the time being and go with Melissa and Silva, and figure out what he should do later on. He looks at the two and gives a nod to them, then they go to take a look at Treasure Town.

- - - - -

Larisa and Lasuno return from their recent venture out into the world, having collected food from the forests of the nearest region and come back to the Flare Continent. After returning to the rest of the pokemon, they set down what they've gathered and look over at Serenity, who's come over to meet them. Meanwhile, Umbros and the others are off, exploring the rest of the island. The pair have a look of concern on their faces, making the Ninetales grow wary of what they have to say.

Larisa is the first to speak, and her words are anything but cheerful. "A lot of places are falling. Much of Hoenn, so far, is frozen in time, with only a few small towns still partly stable."

Serenity grows tense at this, and Lasuno lets out a quiet sigh. "We visited Kanto too. For now, most of it is still moving. But Pallet is frozen. Viridian and Celadon, too, as well as a large portion of the Silver Mountains. We...came across something a bit unnerving while we were at Pallet."

The white Ninetales sits down and listens to them curiously, and Lasuno looks over at Larisa, who appears to be trying to keep from breaking down. He puts a paw on her neck and the Latias makes a light, somber coo in return. She then goes on.

"The Moltres who attacked us last year was there. She came to see the memorial of Chrissa and Samuel. She must've felt so guilty for what happened. She was still there, though...when it happened."

Serenity looks towards the ground. Her eyes stare at the blue stone sitting beneath her and she ponders just what she could've done to help. Anything, at all. But there isn't anything.

"It was really heartbreaking. When we looked at her, she was just flying there, staring at it. She looked like she was about to cry. But she didn't have enough time. She was just there...frozen. Stuck there and unable to express her feelings. I wanted to cry for her, but..."

Lasuno moves over to bring Larisa into a close embrace, and she releases a shaky sigh.

"The other two...the Zapdos and Articuno of the trio. They were furious when they found her. I hope they're okay. It must be hard for them to be unable to do anything about this."

Serenity's ears perk and she lifts her head up and to the side to see Eriah walking over. Her steps make dull sounds on the solid stone ground, her wings are folded back and she looks at them in silence. Lasuno turns to face her for a moment, before giving a small nod, and she settles down near them.

"Are you doing okay, Eriah?"

The large, black dragon rests her forelegs in front of herself, the left crossed over the right and her long tail laid across the ground. The blue line trailing down her back is noticeably dimmer, though only a little.

"I'm faring. However, it's become increasingly difficult to fly as the days wear on. The Sylverstone is growing more temperamental as time goes by, but I can keep it stable for a while yet. I'll be fine."

Serenity looks around the area, scanning the mountains and valleys spread across the island from the cliff they're on. "Funny how you mention time going by when it's stopping..." She then walks over to the edge of the cliff and looks down at the valley beneath them, with the ray of light still shining seemingly endlessly into the sky from the Temporal Seal. A ray of light which leads somewhere she could only imagine, but cannot venture to.

"Do you think this place will be frozen too?"

Eriah glances over at the smaller fox pokemon. "Should the world come to a complete standstill, this will be the last place to drift into paralysis. You needn't concern yourself with that."

The Ninetales nods slowly and sits down, just staring at the light wordlessly, as though entranced by the very sight of it, possessed by the boundless mystery within it. She wonders about Vincent, and only hopes that he is okay, as she brings her muzzle down to press against the white stone laced around her neck, as if seeking comfort from it.

- - - - -

Vincent steps into his room and wanders over to his bed to lie down, releasing a small, tired breath. He'd spent the day with Silva and Melissa taking on a rescue mission in the nearby Drenched Bluff and successfully brought a Seedot to safety.

He looks back at Silva and Melissa as they come in after him. The two appear more worn by today's work than he is, and immediately flop onto their beds in exhaustion. He can't help but utter a quiet scoff at their tiredness.

Silva turns to him at the sound, then puffs out her cheeks with a grumpy huff. "What're you laughing at, mister?"

Vincent answers to her annoyance with an unusually blithe smile as he settles down on his front with his forelegs laid out in front of himself. "It's just funny to see you two so worn out."

Melissa snaps at him in a coarse tone, "We're not used to this like you!"

The Umbreon rests his head over his paws and yawns softly. "I suppose so. Still, you had to have done better than Raven and Christina. They were battered up from their mission at the Oran Forest."

Silva pulls her pouch off and sets it on her bed next to her. She then looks back at Vincent with curiosity. "Hey, I've been wondering. You all came here as humans, and turned into pokemon, right? But you do seem so much more used to this than them. Why's that?"

The Umbreon's ear twitches to her question and his eyes shift in her direction. Uncertain how to respond, he decides to keep what he is quiet, until he can figure out the right answer. "I can't really answer that. I don't entirely know. But this just feels so familiar to me, it's almost like a second nature."

Silva turns her head to the ground in thought, and Vincent closes his eyes, resting. It's true that he doesn't really know why he feels this way. All that he knows for certain is that he was once an Umbreon. But that doesn't answer the question of why he recognizes this realm so well. It's almost like it were his home. So many things still remain unanswered, and they figure it'd be better to let events unfold and hope something will come to them.

Eventually, the three end up falling asleep. It would be another long day and they will need to be ready for it. However, the next morning starts less than favorably, with a sound akin to crashing thunder...

"Up and at 'em! It's mo-WOOOOAH!"

The Loudred, who was standing in the doorway of the room just a few seconds ago, is now recoiled in the hallway with wide eyes after a wild streak of light had barely missed him, and Vincent lies there, glaring at him with a death threat burning in his still weary eyes. The large-mouthed pokemon runs down the hall in a hurry, shouting, "Geez, you crazy guy!"

Vincent grunts and rubs his head with irritation, uttering half-aslep, "Annoying prick."

Meanwhile, Silva and Melissa were barely spared from the brunt of Loudred's outrageously loud alarm this morning and whine in discomfort as they start to take in what's around them.

Melissa soon mutters, "What just happened...?"

"I don't think Loudred's going to be coming in here to wake us up anymore."

The Cyndaquil looks over at Vincent, curious and still mildly disoriented, then just lets out a long yawn and stretches out. "I guess he had it coming."

Vincent slowly sits up and licks his forepaw after he finally wakes up. "Maybe if I hit him next time, he'll get the point."

Melissa eyes him with a somewhat amused expression, and he looks at her in confusion. "What?"

She just smiles in turn and he stares at her blankly.

"Nothing. You just remind me of Umbros. You're just like him sometimes."

"You're delusional."

"Spitting image."

"Maybe I should jab Loudred for barking at us. You're clearly still fuzzy and need sleep."

Melissa rolls her eyes and stands up, looking at Silva. The Chikorita appears bemused and somewhat intrigued by the exchange, and she can't help but giggle at her pondering. Vincent shakes his head and goes to the doorway. "Alright, you two. Let's go, before we hear more shouting. Everyone seems rather fond of that here."

The pair look at each other for a moment, befrore finally deciding to get up and go with Vincent, Silva having grabbed her pouch on the way out. On the way down the hall, they meet Raven and Christina, who've left their room shortly beforehand, and were waiting for them.

Christina waves at them and gives a soft smile, and Melissa nods her head in return. "Hey, did you sleep okay?"

The Pikachu looks over at Raven, who's rubbing his eye. "Yeah, for the most part. Up until the end, at least."

Vincent makes a repugnant snort. "Lucky you. We might not have to deal with that again."

Christina eyes him suspiciously and he looks down the hall towards the meeting room. "...What'd you do?"

"Nothing. Just gave him a nice message for waking us up."

Raven folds his arms. "So you're a messenger now." This receives bewildered looks from Christina and Melissa, and a confused one from Silva. Christina puts her paw to her face and shakes her head, and Vincent rolls his eyes at what he'd just heard.

"Let's pretend that didn't happen."

Christina nods and walks by him. "Hey, let's go. Everyone's waiting on us."

"Right." Vincent starts off and the rest follow. Upon entering the large room, he catches a glimpse of Loudred as he moves off to the opposite side of the group, and Vincent shakes his head at the gesture.

Chatot eyes them sternly as they make their way to the meeting, but says nothing and the guild members proceed to do their daily routine. Vincent, as has come to be expected, stood back and let the others go on with the cheer, until everyone scatters to go about their day.

After the drill, Chatot flies over to Vincent, squawking. "I hear you attacked Loudred."

The Umbreon glances up at the parrot with an apathetic look. "More, a warning."

Chatot scowls at his response, his voice turning a bit more coarse. "Warning or no, I strongly advise against directing attacks towards other guildmembers in the future. I don't there to be tension between anyone, or worse, upsetting Guildmaster Wigglytuff."

Vincent is unfazed by the mention of getting on Wigglytuff's bad side, but elects to just nod and let the subject go. "Noted."

"You shall proceed with your daily missions. As always, I expect your best efforts, all of you. You are dismissed."

The bird flies away and Vincent just snorts quietly. He wishes at times that he could show what he's capable of, but knows better than anyone the consequences that would come. He just hopes he wouldn't have to deal with the obnoxiously loud morning alarm clock anymore.

He turns to face Raven and Christina, who are preparing for their own work. "Another day, then."

Raven rummages through his pouch, checking his supplies. "I hope we've got enough this time. Some of these pokemon can get pretty crazy. We should probably head to the market before we go."

Christina nods and looks back at Vincent. "Any word on what to do, yet?"

He shakes his head with a quiet sigh. "No. I'm wondering where I should look next. Hopefully something will come up soon."

Melissa and Silva wander over to them after having been checking around elsewhere in the room. Silva pipes up, "Hey, you guys should check out Croagunk's swap shop sometime. He says he's opening pretty soon. It sounds exciting!"

Christina looks at her curiously, before shrugging a bit. "I guess we'll look at it." She then turns her head towards Raven. "Ready to go?"

He nods after closing up his pouch, then glances over at the others. "I think so."

Vincent looks between them both and gives a bow of his head. "Take care, alright?"

"Always do."

He lightly scoffs at the remark, knowing what happened the previous day, but taking his word for it. The pair then leaves, and soon after, he, Melissa and Silva set out to find out what they should do.

Upon nearing the exit of the guild, they run into a small Shinx rushing in. He stops near them and pants, appearing to be in a frantic rush. Vincent goes over to the feline with an inquisitive gaze.

"Hey, are you okay?"

The cat pokemon shakes his head with a worried expression, almost tearing up. "I need help... My little sister, she's really sick."

Silva moves out next to him with a concerned look. "Oh no, is she alright?"

"She's in bed right now. But she can't get out unless she gets help."

Melissa becomes just as concerned, and steps up. "What can we do for her?"

The Shinx shakes his head as though what he were about to ask is completely absurd. "We need a Gabite Scale... They're supposed to be found in Labyrinth Cave, but I can't possibly go there myself. I'd never make it."

Vincent furrows a brow at the notion. He'd heard vaguely about something of the sort, that these scales have strong healing properties. But he can't fathom how they could be used.

If only Lucas were here. He'd know what to do.

He slowly nods and looks between Melissa and Silva. "Alright. We'll go there, then. Can you wait for us? We'll try to be back as soon as possible."

The feline snivels and appears grateful at the offer. "I-I'll try. Thank you..."

Vincent looks over at Silva. "Let's go. Can you pull out the map?"

She nods and they set off, leaving the guild. As they come to the crossroads of Treasure Town, she takes out her map and opens it. She then points to a place in the mountains to the east. "Labyrinth Cave... It seems to be just past Mt. Bristle."

Vincent glances at the map for a moment. "Right. We should hurry there."

She puts the map away and the three head out into the wilderness, on their way to the Labyrinth Cave with determination to find what they need to help the little Shinx and his sister.

- - - - -

Just outside a rocky terrain overcast with thunderclouds raining down harsh lightning everywhere, as though the place were filled with lightningrods, a rift in space appears. From it, several ghostly shadows scatter the grassy plain which lies ahead, followed by a humanoid figure cloaked in a spectral mist. The figure shifts into the appearance of a Dusknoir and gazes around the area as the rift closes behind him. His pale green eye examines his surroundings quietly, taking in where he is. Without a word, he hovers off, making his way to the south, an eerie aura about him as he moves, as though on a quest he can't afford to fail.