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Mission Start!

Client: Wurmple
Mission:
"O-oh dear! S-save me! These Pokemon are gonna eat me!"
Dungeon: Lost Oasis
Floors: 9
Rewards: Bug Bite TM + ???

(Reserved)

“Hey, looky here Mallow!!” Fluff exclaimed, surveying the bulletin board. “This looks like an easy first mission, aye? Just to get us started and ready to kick some butt!” Mallow sulked over next to Fluff and read the post that he was getting himself worked up over. “Looks like a silly old Wurmple got himself in his own mess. Hmm, I s’pose we can give it a shot. The Desert will be hot though, not looking forward to that.” Mallow said. “Aww, c’mon! Cheer up, Eore. We’ll be there and back in no time!”

The two pokemon had packed their bags and were now facing the vast desert, ready to begin their mission. The sun was high in the sky, burning on Mallow’s fleece coat like a hot iron. ”I guess we should get this over with…” Mallow said, taking her first few steps on the hot burning sands. Fluff was happily riding on her back, basking in the warm sun.


1.
Mallow trotted on silently, her steps leaving prints in the sand. If she were to look back she would see her prints leading all the way back to their home. Which is why she didn’t. The sun was already trying to persuade her to turn back, the heat wasn’t helping either.
“Isn’t this just a glorious day?” Fluff sang, cheerfully. Mallow groaned at his uplifted spirit. However, his cheeriness was a big factor in her choosing him for the team. Someone that wouldn’t easily back down. Even so, it could be irritating.
“The bulletin board said that we should be coming across some type of ruins eventually. It said there would be an oasis. I would give anything to dip even my paw into it right now.”
”See? Once we get there you’ll already be rewarded! It’s not so bad.” Fluff flashed Mallow a beaky grin.
“Yeah, well why don’t you try walking on sand that’s hot as burning coal?” Mallow bucked Fluff off her back and he fell onto the ground, the sand cushioning him. He wallowed around in it, running the sand through his feathers. ”You were right! I should walk. the sand feels fantastic!” Mallow rolled her eyes at the Swablu. She continued on, and eventually Fluff flapped his wings and caught up. He flew next to her for a while before landing on the ground and scurrying beside her, trying to keep up.

2.
The pair had been walking for what seemed like hours. They would occasionally pass a rock or small cactus, but other than that there was nothing spectacular. Mallow’s mouth had almost dried out, and she was panting desperately. Maybe this mission wasn’t a good idea after all. It seemed to test her endurance a little too much.
Fluff, on the other hand, seemed to be in good spirits. He was half flying, half scurrying alongside his team leader happily. Nothing seemed to daunt him. He looked fully healthy and alive. Why couldn’t Mallow feel like him? Was it her lack of sleep during the nights due to nightmares that woke her up consistently? She needed to keep on. If this silly little mission was wearing her down, how would she ever do a real battle?
Suddenly, a cloud temporarily passed over the sun. It almost seemed to make the climate five degrees cooler for a split second. Mallow sighed. The single cloud had moved on and it became hot once more. It’s like it was taunting her.

3.
Eventually, their vision of home was long gone, and only the sandy hills surrounded them. Every so often a dusty wind would blow sand into their eyes, making Mallow gag and cough.
Up ahead, something seemed to be sticking out of the ground. It wasn’t one of the brownish gray rocks they had passed earlier. It seemed to be less solid. Mallow approached it hesitantly, sniffing at it.
”What do you think it is?” Mallow asked Fluff. He shrugged then recklessly flew over to it, and landed directly on top of the foreign object. ”Oh!” Fluff exclaimed, “I… I think it’s alive!” He fell off of it and his eyes grew big as the object seemed to spew out of the ground and take shape. It was a Sandshrew! A rather large one too.
”Who dares disturb my sleep!?” the Sandshrew exclaimed loudly, “Why does someone always have to disturb me when I’m sleeping?” the Sandshrew seemed to be glowering at Mallow and Fluff. Mallow thought that she would be pretty upset too if someone stood on her when she was trying to sleep.
”Sorry, sir. We didn’t know you were… Uhm… alive?” Mallow was unsure how to explain Fluff’s irresponsible behavior. He should learn to be more careful around unknown things…
”ALIVE? What kind of excuse is that!?” the Sandshrew flew into a rage, kicking sand into Mallow’s eyes. This ticked Mallow off, and she blindly tackled the Sandshrew onto the ground. “YOU should learn to not be so sensitive!” Mallow spat at the pokemon. The Sandshrew wriggled out from under Mallow’s body and attempted to dig itself underground. Before the Sandshrew knew it, Fluff had darted into the sky and crushed into him with full force before he had made an escape. The Sandshrew was out cold. ”I guess he can get his rest now, aye?” Fluff chuckled. Mallow almost gave a smile at his remark.

4.
After the Mareep and Swablu had calmed down from their small battle with the hot tempered Sandshrew, they continued on. After traveling for a couple miles, Mallow heard Fluff give out a happy cry.
”Look, Mallow! There is something large sticking out of the sand up ahead. And it isn’t a cactus!” the Swablu hopped up and down with excitement. Mallow squinted her eyes, and sure enough there were large sand colored pillars. They weren't far from where they were. Some of them seemed to tilt to the side, big chunks of them broken off and laying in the sand almost completely covered. It was like they had been there sense the beginning of time. Mallow gazed in awe. ”Well lets hurry it up then! That means the oasis isn’t much further.”
Seeing the ruins put Mallow in a much better mood. She almost forgot how thirsty she was. They had been in too much of a rush to remember to pack water. And boy, did Mallow suffer for that mistake.
Their paces had quickened. Mallow didn’t take her eyes off the giant pillars, growing larger as they neared. While looking at them she could have sworn she saw something dart between them, and it wasn’t a Wurmple.

5.
Finally, exhausted but still maintaining energy, Mallow and Fluff had reached the pillars. Fluff gawked at their enormous size. ”Who do you think built these monsters?” Fluff wondered out loud. Mallow shrugged, ”Probably some kind of ancient pokemon. Most likely they were larger than any pokemon we will ever come to know.” Fluff nodded absentmindedly.
”Hey, stop your mindless staring,” Mallow said, nudging Fluff, “The oasis is still a bit ways away.” Fluff snapped out of it, and kept flying. The giant pillars seemed to go on and on in rows as far as their eyes could see. A large blue circle was in the middle of the pillars a long ways down. This was their destination. Mallow hoped that the poor little Wurmple hadn’t died from heatstroke.

6.
”What’s that noise?” Fluff asked. Mallow stopped and looked around. She wasn’t sure what the Sawblu was talking about. Then she heard it. It sounded like a steady drum beat, the noise echoing off the pillars. ”It sounds like… Drums… and almost… some kind of chant?” Mallow held a confused expression as she looked down the pillars and at the oasis. There was a small red light to the right of the watering hole. What in the world could that be? One second she was looking at the pond and another she was looking into the eyes of a Phanpy. Those black beady eyes looked back at her mischievously. It had came out of no where and pinned her down. How can a big creature like that be so stealthy? Fluff was pecking at the Phanpy furiously but to no avail.
”Hello, there…” Mallow said calmly to the pokemon. ”Just what exactly are you doing here, Mareep?” the Phanpy asked with a dark undertone. ”Oh… Well we were just… You know…” Mallow was at a loss for words. What if this Phanpy was one of the kidnappers? Fluff perked up at her question and replied almost braggingly, ”We’re here to rescue a Wurmple!” Mallow groaned. Could a Swablu be anymore of an idiot than Fluff? ”Well, in that case come with me!” the Phanpy said happily. Mallow was even more puzzled now. Didn’t the Phanpy want to protect her hostage from rescuers? Maybe she was fed up with it. Never the less, Mallow and Fluff followed along obediently. Fluff looking rather proud to have gotten the fellow Phanpy to help them. Or so he thought.

7.
The closer the three pokemon got to the oasis, the more nervous Mallow became. her suspicion of the Phanpy was growing with each step. What she saw at the oasis unnerved her. There were all sorts of pokemon dancing around some kind of fire pit. All of them were adorned with paint, peircings, and gaudy gold jewelry. An assortment of Phanpy’s and Donphan’s were beating the drums, Lotads were chanting in some other ancient language, and all other species were doing some kind of cerimonial dance.
Then a terrible relization occurred to Mallow. She heard Fluff gasp and guess it had occurred to him to. The Wurmple they were looking for was tied to a stake above the fire pit. He was crying out in fear for help, but none answered. If he was lowered into the pit, surely he would perish.
”What is this blasphemy!?” Mallow cried. The Phanpy that lead them to the oasis chuckled, ”Don’t worry, the death of your friend is for a good cause. We are sacrificing him to the gods for good fortune. We must do this every decade to keep them happy.” Mallow looked at the Phanpy with disbelief, “Why don’t you sacrifice one of your own!? Leave us out of the chaos!” The Phanpy scoffed. “Do you know nothing? It must be the blood of an unknown that will give great pleasure to our gods!”
Mallow didn’t wait to hear the rest of the Phanpy’s nonsense. She broke into a run and signaled Fluff to follow. The Phanpy was hot on their heels and gave her barbaric people a warning cry. Thankfully they fled from the sacrificial site, leaving the Wurmple alone.

8.
Once they reached the Wurmple, Mallow orderd fluff to Mist the fire and put it out. Fluff began doing so, and Mallow turned to face the Phanpy opponent. ”You’ll never get away with this! Sacrificing one of our own!” Mallow was in a rage. Without warning a dark thunder cloud appeared from the sky and she commanded it to strike the Phanpy. It did so, knocking her onto her back. The enemy was not unconscious, but she was badly wounded. She got back onto her feet and charged at Mallow. The Mareep dodged the attack too easily, but wasn’t quick enough to realize that the Phanpy was headed for Fluff.
”Watch out!!" Mallow cried. Fluff didn’t react fast enough and was knocked into the fire pit. Most of the fire had been put out but the embers burned the Swablu’s feathers. Mallow ran after the Phanpy and tackled it to the ground, slamming its head into a stone tile. By that time, it was no longer conscious. Mallow hurried over to her fallen allie.
”Don’t worry, Fluff. I can help you!” Mallow said, frantically pushing the Swablu out of the fire pit. Once he was on the ground she used Heal Bell and he was able to stand on his own once more. ”You alright, buddy?” she said concernedly. Fluff let out a cough, ”Yeah, I’ll be fine. Thanks for that, ol’ pal! Lets get that Wurmple down now.” Mallow was astonished that Fluff could even manage a smile at this time, and couldn’t help but smiling back with relief.

9.
”Hey! Hey you guys! That was friggin’ awesome!” the Wurmple yelled excitedly. He had bruises around his eyes and where the rope was constricting him, but other than that he looked fine. Mallow rolled her eyes. ”I hate to ask you this, but can you fly up there and peck the rope off of him?” Mallow asked sheepishly. Fluff scoffed
“You think I’m a paraplegic or something’? Course I can!” He flew up to the Wurmple and did as Mallow asked. The Wurmple fell clumsily to the ground and hugged Fluff. ”You guys have no idea how terrifying that was! I thought I was seriously going to die!” Mallow just simply nodded. ”Guess we should head back, huh?” Fluff snickered ”Yeah I think we had a pretty good day, huh? Lets get outta here!” But before they could say anymore, two tiny Larvitars came rushing out from behind a pillar, pelting Mallow with stones. Mallow growled angrily. She just wanted to get home already! But before she could say anymore, the Wurmple gave out a high-pitched battle cry and wrapped the two attackers in a silk web. Fluff simply went over to the bundles and pecked each on the head, knocking them out.

They all had a good laugh about that when they got back, safe and sound.

((D'aww thanks <3 ))

"Yeah, yeah! Can he join, Mallow? Pleeeeease?" Mallow let out a heavy sigh and nodded. "Woohoo!!! Welcome to the team, buddy!" the Wurmple hopped in excitement.

Mallow eyed the Phanpy entering the room with the Larvitar. Phanpy's seemed to hold off pretty well in a fight. "Want to join our team, Phanpy?" The Phanpy nodded and joined them. The poor little Larvitar left feeling a bit dismayed.

Team Nikko stood in their room, examining the mission they'd taken earlier. “So, we have to escort Riolu, huh? Sounds simple enough,” commented Yuki. “Mm-hmm,” said Verity absentmindedly, holding a knife firmly in her teeth and cutting an Oran Berry. "What are you doing?” asked Yuki in confusion. "Oh, the Berry? I was thinking we'd probably get hungry, so I'm preparing some food for us to take.” "But won't the juice make the bag all gross?” said Yuki in concern. "Not really. There's a special part of the bag made to hold juicy stuff like berries.”

"Oh. Okay. In that case, let me chop. No offense, but you're not the best with knives.”

"Okay, sure. I'll get some of our seeds to bring. They may be useful.”

"Okay.”

“Be-rry,” said Sara absently, liking the sound of the word. Yuki and Verity giggled. In their next mission they'd have Sara help them get ready. She was already making short sentences and saying words, though she still wasn't the most talkative Pokemon ever.


They arrived at the edge of the desert. Verity looked around. "So, where is he?”

“I am here.” said a calm, darker-colored Riolu, emerging from behind some scrub bushes. "My name is Meiso. Are you the team who shall conduct me through this desert?”

"Yes, we are Team Nikko.”

"Very well. We are to go to the oasis at the center of the desert, where the Tyranitar awaits us.”

"Okay.”

The team and Meiso set off. Yuki attempted to make some conversation with Meiso. "So, uh, why did a Tyranitar challenge you?”

"That is not your concern.”

"Okay then!” said Yuki indignantly, turning away from him.

Verity and Yuki talked for a little, with Sara nodding occasionally, or smiling, not speaking but merely being part of the conversation. They walked the hot dunes, Meiso staying completely silent for the most part. Occasionally he'd make a small "hm” sound and shake his head slightly, as if thinking of something. The team often looked back to check on him, seeing as they were escorting him. If he dropped back, they'd wait until he started walking at a steady pace again. More often than not his eyes were trained on the desert sands.

Yuki saw something sparkling in the sands, and moved over to see it. A pair of bells on red ties glimmered in the sand. Yuki picked them up, shaking the sand out of them. They were sandy at the moment, but it was evident that they were once very beautiful bells. Yuki returned to the group. "Hey, guys, what do you think of these?” she asked, holding them up. "They're interesting,” commented Verity. "Let's keep them, and maybe we could rinse them off when we get back.”

"Sounds good to me,” said Yuki, giving the bells to Verity, who put them in the bag she carried.

After walking a good distance, they rounded a dune to see a female, slightly ashy-colored Sandshrew and male, slightly-yellow Larvitar staring at them with malicious, confident smiles on their faces. All the members of the band that were walking instantly went on high alert. Those smiles meant trouble. As they neared, the duo approached the party. “Hello there,” the Larvitar said smoothly. "My name is Suno, and this is my friend Josa,” he said, still with that grin on his face. "Hey there,” said Josa coolly. The members of Team Nikko eyed them darkly. "We've been watching you travel, and we couldn't help notice you picked up something... nice.” Yuki began to respond when Meiso interrupted, "Excuse me, but we're in a hurry. We have no time to chat.”

"Oh, this won't take but a minute. You see, there's a toll to get to the oasis at the center of this desert, and we've decided to collect it from you. Nothing much... just those interesting little bells you found a short while ago.” Meiso stiffened, his eyes burning with an angry fire. "I'm sorry, but you shall not get those bells from us,” he stated with barely restrained fury. Verity and Yuki both couldn't help but wonder what made him so mad. True, it was annoying that these thugs were trying to rob them, but, why would he be getting so angry? Verity, for one, did not want to tangle with Suno, not dealing well with Rock-types. Sara, as well, did not like the idea of fighting Suno, though she could handle fighting Josa.

The thugs exchanged glances. "I'm afraid we must insist,” said Suno. "No one gets past without paying the toll.” Josa nodded in agreement. Meiso clenched his paws. "Then I am afraid you will not get your toll without a fight, you honorless cowards,” he said angrily. "Meiso-” began Verity, but he had already launched himself towards the duo of desert-dwellers.

He used a Force Palm on Suno, the Fighting-type move launching the yellow-green Larvitar backwards with a cry of, "Whoa!” Josa avoided Meiso as he went for her supposed friend, and came at Verity, who growled threateningly at her. Josa hesitated momentarily, and Verity realized she'd learned a new move. Growling again, she launched herself at Josa, tackling her. "Allow me, Verity!” called Yuki, having no problem battling Ground-types. Verity obligingly zipped away from Josa, her Run Away instincts becoming helpful for once, and Josa's eyes flicked to Yuki, who used Powder Snow. Yuki then took a deep breath in, and exhaled a strong Icy Wind, becoming delighted at her new power. Josa's eyes widened in fear and she attempted to use a Sand-Attack, becoming even more afraid as the sand simply blew away in the Icy Wind. Then she shook herself suddenly, seeming to remember she had moves of her own, and came at Yuki with a Rapid Spin. Yuki jumped aside easily, biting down on Josa's arm as she came out of her spin.

Meanwhile, Meiso battled Suno furiously. He had screeched at Suno before hitting him again with Force Palm. Suno shook himself as Meiso approached and used a Screech of his own before biting Meiso's shoulder. Meiso shook Suno off and used Counter. He was about to utilize another move when Sara swooped by in an Aerial Ace, knocking away Suno, who stood rather unsteadily. Meiso walked over to him, an angry fire still burning in his eyes, and used Force Palm one more time. Suno fainted on the ground.

Verity and Yuki were having a more difficult time battling Josa. However, when one of Yuki's Powder Snow moves froze Josa, the battle instantly became easier, with Verity simply pummeling the frozen Sandshrew with tackles until the ice broke and Josa slumped to the ground. Meiso walked over, evidently still a little angry, and said, "We're finished here. Let's get going before they wake up.”

The rest of the group obliged, slightly frightened by Meiso's angry behavior. After a while, Yuki plucked up the courage to trot up to Meiso and ask, "Uh, I was just wondering, but, why did you get so mad back there?” Meiso shook his head angrily and didn't reply for a while. Just as Yuki had given up on getting an answer, Meiso said, "I value honor very highly. It is why I cannot refuse a direct challenge to fight, or a challenge to my pride or morals. It is also why I will so vigorously defend the weak who are bullied or taunted by those stronger. And also why I hate criminals like those two.” His eyes narrowed in anger. “They seek to gain by bullying the weak, and they also do so to make themselves feel stronger. But what strength is there in defeating one weaker than oneself? None. And no honor. They are cowards, and they are the lowest of the low in my family. They are despicable.” Sara blinked blankly at Meiso's speech. She had lost track of what he was saying after a short time. Yuki was also slightly confused. But Verity's eyes narrowed slightly in thought as she considered what he had said. "You seem to feel very strongly about honor and courage. You also mentioned your family; does this value of virtues run in your family?” she asked curiously.

"Yes. My family is of noble descendance, we are warriors through and through. All of my ancestors were of honor and courage, and trained accordingly.”

Verity nodded. Seeing as he did not speak again, she left him to his thoughts. Meanwhile she considered what he had said. A family of warriors... His sounded like a traditional family. Yet she had never heard of many other special families other than the Eclipse family, thus his must not be from nearby.

The group remained silent for a while. Verity stared around. The sky was a deep azure blue, and the sands were golden. A few sunbaked golden brown rocks protruded from the ground occasionally. After a while, Yuki began to talk to Sara, trying to coax her to learn a few more words.

"Wa-sis.”

"O-a-sis. There's an O in oasis, Sara.”

"Whhh-asis.”

"O.”

"Ooooo...”

The conversation continued on for a while, becoming rather humorous as Sara seemed to be not catching on very quickly today.

"Pa-elllm. Tree.”

"Palm. Short L sound. Palm tree.”

"Paaaa-lllem tree.”

Meiso slowed briefly to talk to Verity. "Why is it your friend is teaching words to her?”

"Well, Sara used to be a wild Pokemon. She got lost in the Foreboding Fields and forgot a lot of stuff, including how to talk. Normally she catches on pretty quickly just by listening, but today she seems to be having a bit of trouble.”

"Ah.”

Eventually Sara finally figured out the words Yuki was teaching, and the group fell silent once more. Yuki broke the silence with, "Well... is anyone hungry?”

Verity and Sara nodded, and the group settled down beneath a rock. Yuki pulled out the food they had prepared beforehand as a pick-me-up, an Oran Berry and two apples, all of them cut up so the four Pokemon could share them. The food was placed on a small piece of cloth. Meiso seemed to be not touching any food.

"Why are you not eating?” asked Yuki, blinking at him. Meiso shook his head. "Hunger sharpens the senses,” he said simply, staring down. He started as he was nudged with a wing. Sara was offering him a chunk of Oran Berry. He took it, but set it down with a shake of his head. Sara frowned.

"Hunger, char- uhh, shar-pen... sense, but no ener-gy is bad,” she said brokenly, then nodded, looking pleased with herself. "Food give en-ergy. Eat food.”

Verity and Yuki stared at Sara. That was the most talking they'd ever heard her do. Then Yuki smiled. "Good job, Sara! That was great!” Verity also congratulated Sara on her speech. Meiso nodded. "You are right, Sara. I will eat- a little,” he said, taking the Oran Berry piece she had offered him earlier and beginning to eat it.

After eating, they set off again, moving a bit faster now that they had eaten and had energy.

They had approached a small cave to rest for a while when they sensed something. "I smell water,” commented Verity. “Really?” asked Yuki happily. "I know we just got a bit of water from our food, but some actual water to drink would be really good right now.”

Sara shook out her feathers a little. “Yes, wa-ter near, wet... wet on feathers.” Meiso nodded in response. "I, too, sense water nearby.” Yuki frowned. "Hold on, how come I'm the only one who doesn't have some way of telling there's water?” Verity shook her head and shrugged. "I guess you're just not suited for detecting moisture.” Yuki frowned at this. "Well, anyways, let's go get some of that water,” she said, choosing to ignore her slight annoyance at being unable to know it was there.

The group moved deeper into the cave, which slanted steeply downwards. Its walls were oddly rough. Sara began to shudder with discomfort at being deep underground.

Eventually, they reached a chamber. In the center was a small amount of water, just enough for a few Pokemon. "I suppose we'll have to share,” commented Yuki, approaching the water.

She was cut off by three Pokemon- two Phanpy and a Sandshrew. They stood in front of the water protectively and angrily. Yuki stepped back in alarm.

"This water is ours! You can't have any!" exclaimed the Phanpy on the left, an interesting, dark shade of cobalt. The red on his ears and trunk were darker than normal as well.

"Wh-why not?” asked Yuki in confusion.

"Because it's ours! We dug to it ourselves! Well, Danas did most of the work... but we helped! And there's not enough to go around for all of us!” the Phanpy on the left said. She was a naturally colored Phanpy, albeit that the shapes on her ears and trunk were pink.

Verity realized that these three must have just dug the tunnel, that was why it was so rough. And also why they didn't seem to realize that they had tapped into a reserve of water, thus the puddle would refill, and also that they could make it bigger.

The Sandshrew nodded. "Gozou and Goma are right. This is our water! And if you want it, you'll have to fight us for it!”

"You do know that the water will come back, right?” asked Meiso. "It will return quickly. You will be staying here longer than us, so you may drink after we do.”

"No, it won't! Water is so rare here! You don't understand! This is all there is! This is the only chance that we'll ever get to drink water as a liquid, and not from a plant!” said Gozou, beginning to get upset, looking a bit like he was going to cry. He shook his head, his upset expression changing to determination. "You get to drink real water all the time! So, you can't drink all this!”

Meiso smiled slightly. “You are correct on one thing. None of us would be able to drink all the water that you have tapped into.”

"Shut up!” cried Gozou, jumping and spinning into a Rollout attack. The traveling group scattered to avoid the attack, and sprang into battle. Sara moved to the side, unsure of battling. Her style of fighting relied heavily on her ability to fly and move around a lot, and the confined space did not allow this. Verity called out a brief warning to the others before throwing a Stun Seed. She used the code word they had agreed upon before beginning their journey- "Flashy!” The group closed their eyes, and as the light faded, they continued the battle. Verity and Yuki worked together to defeat Danas, and Meiso, ever the picture of power and speed, somehow managed to defeat Gozou and begin to firmly beat Goma by himself. Verity and Yuki only managed to land a few hits before he defeated her with a Reversal.

Yuki sighed as they drank some water. "It tastes good,” she commented. "But I'm kind of sad that we had to fight for it.”

Meiso stood. "It's all right. The pool will refill. They'll get their drink,” he said reassuringly.

Yuki nodded slowly. "I suppose you're right.”

The group began to approach the surface again. Sara was so eager to reach it that she moved ahead of the group and started flying, zipping to the entrance quickly. "Hey... No fair!” exclaimed Yuki. "Do not like deep,” was how Sara replied. Yuki sighed and continued walking.

When they reached the surface, Sara was waiting for them. She was sitting in the sun with a smile on her face, her wings stretched out. She turned to look at them as they emerged. "Rea-dy,” she said.

They continued walking. After a time, Meiso stopped short. The team did so as well. His eyes narrowed and his aura receptors on the side of his head twitched.

"What is it?” asked Yuki nervously.

Meiso remained silent for a short while, finally shaking his head. “Nothing. I thought I sensed... Nevermind.”

"Okay,” said Yuki, and they continued. Team Nikko chatted animatedly.

"It's so hot out here. I can't believe anyone would want to live here,” said Yuki in puzzlement.

"Well, the Pokemon here are well-adapted to the heat. They are used to it, and they have adaptations that help them survive.”

"Yeah, yeah, I know. I was speaking my opinion.”

"Oh. Sorry.”

"It's okay.”

Meiso stopped once again. "What is it now, Meiso?” asked Verity.

"Something's coming,” he replied, brows furrowed.

As he spoke, a gust of hot desert wind blew past them. The wind grew more and more fierce, whipping up sand all about them. The group squinted at something dark on the horizon, their eyes widening as they realized what it was. "Sandstorm!” cried Yuki in a panic. The group turned and began to run.

"We must find shelter!” exclaimed Meiso as they ran.

"Where?! The last shelter I saw was that tunnel to water! We can't go back there, those Pokemon must hate us now!” gasped Verity.

"If that is indeed the nearest shelter, then which is the lesser of two evils?!” demanded Meiso.

Verity nodded reluctantly in agreement. It was true, it would be much easier to face those three than to ride out the sandstorm with no shelter. Speaking of which, the sandstorm had just overtaken them. They were running through a stinging cloud, breathing in dust and coughing. Yet they were almost to the tunnel. So close... yet so far. It felt like miles they ran to reach the entrance, when in reality they knew it must have been but yards.

Finally, they dove into the entrance of the tunnel, feeling immediate relief. Sand still blew into the hole, but not nearly with the same stinging force. They remained there for a few moments, coughing up sand and breathing heavily and trembling.

Footsteps came, and they soon were wearily looking into Danas's angry face.

"You again,” said Danas angrily.

They said nothing, continuing to cough.

"Seeking shelter from the sandstorm, eh? Tell me why we shouldn't kick you out,” he continued. "Give me one good reason.”

"Because we're Pokemon, just like you, and because it could have been you trapped out there,” said Meiso weakly. “And because the water is still there like we know it is.”

Danas hesitated, obviously knowing they were right about the water. Finally he sighed.

"You win,” he said resentfully. “But only because I don't have it in me to throw you out. Come drink some water, it'll help you.”

They nodded gratefully. "I realize this must be tough on you, letting us in like this when we fought you earlier. Thank you," Meiso said.

Danas sighed as he led them downwards. They remained there for the duration of the sandstorm after he explained to Gozou and Goma the situation. When the storm ended, he took them back outside. They thanked him, and continued going.

They continued their journey, walking a great distance more before they began to see palm trees waving in the wind, followed shortly by the reflection of the sky. Water!

Team Nikko ran towards it, happy to have found the Oasis. Meiso shook his head at their enthusiasm, smiling, and followed at a normal pace. There by the water's edge was the Tyranitar. Spotting them, he approached. "Meiso Rurai?”

"Indeed, it is I,” replied Meiso formally. "Are you the one who shall duel me?”

"Yes. My name is Nagisar. I have challenged you, Meiso Rurai, to a duel, for the purpose of growing stronger, and for the honor of defeating a son of the Rurai clan. I am of the Baras clan, and long have we looked up to your clan's strength.”

"A son of the Baras Clan... You fight for your honor. Let us begin.”

Nagisar nodded, and the two walked apart. Team Nikko watched nervously from the sidelines. Nagisar was so big, but he was weak to Meiso's type.

The battle began. A sandstorm started as Nagisar instantly made a snarling, vicious face. Meiso looked surprised as he would find his muscles not responding quite as quickly as he would like. The Scary Face move had done its job. The sandstorm, meanwhile, was weak and not nearly as vicious as had buffeted them earlier. Then both Pokemon proceeded to screech at each other. Team Nikko flinched, covering their ears as the dueling Pokemon remained unaffected, having both used Screech at the same time. Meiso jumped towards Nagisar, who blasted him out of the air with a Dark Pulse before he could strike. Meiso got up, mostly unhurt. Dark attacks didn't faze him much. Yet still he utilized Counter, striking Nagisar. A gust of sand from the sandstorm blasted against Meiso, and he stumbled backwards, flinching away from the buffeting sand. Nagisar utilized his hesitation to fire more Dark Pulses at him. Meiso finally managed to get up after three or four, and landed a Force Palm attack. Now it was Nagisar's turn to stumble backwards as Meiso hit a Reversal, and another Force Palm. He then pushed off of Nagisar and landed several yards away, preparing for the next attack. None came. Nagisar bowed his head. "I conceed. It is obvious who is the victor.”

Team Nikko leapt up delightedly, gasping as they were struck by another gust of sand. Nagisar turned to them. "Do not fear, small ones. The sandstorm will subside soon.” They nodded to him gratefully, but weren't really concerned with sticking around to see it stop. "Well, we're going to get out of here before then. So...”
"Ah, I understand. Farewell.”

With a nod to Nagisar, the group teleported back to the guild using the Exploration Badge.

Team Nikko smiled as Meiso asked to join their team. "I am not usually inclined to stay in one place very long, nor am I inclined to stay with a group of other Pokemon... But your effort has impressed me, and I enjoyed your company through the desert. Also..." He hesitated. "Experiencing various missions may aid me in growing stronger."
Yuki hopped up and down eagerly. "Of course you can join, Meiso! Right, Verity?"
Verity nodded. "Sure."
"Yaaay~"