Wigglytuff's Guild

[Namohysip]

"If something ever happens that he needs to deliver information to us, he'll come," Balm explained. "Otherwise, well... someone has to stay home to keep an eye on all the Sableye." He smiled wryly.

 

[Adamhuarts]

"That's right, his Sableye minions. They stuck around with him? Does he like pay them salaries or something? Or do they just really enjoy his company?" Cynthian asked, tilting his head.

 

[Namohysip]

"I think they became a sort of... family," Balm said. "Hang around together for so long after losing everything else, it's not too surprising that they'd develop into something like that."

"I'm happy for them," Cepa said. "He really turned a new leaf after everything that happened."

 

[Adamhuarts]

"That's very admirable, and endearing. Back home I only have Mama Zahra as family. Diyem says our time here wouldn't affect our original worlds, which is good because I don't want to leave my mother feeling too lonely in our flower shop," Cynthian said, leaning on his arms behind him.

He then went silent for a while glancing at Balm. Cynthian remembered he was in the presence of a hero from legends, but he wondered if it was really alright for him to ask him for that.

"Say, how long are you two staying in this world? If you're not leaving soon, I'd like to ask a favor of you, Balm," Cynthian said, then he shook his head nervously. "You're free to refuse, of course."

 

[Namohysip]

"I think we'll be staying for a while," Balm said. "We still need to investigate what's happening. In fact, I think we're going to be getting housing with all of you in Destiny Village. Maple said she was nearly ready to have you all move there... Well, hopefully. Apparently they still wanted to get a few things ready. It's odd that it would take this long to get housing prepared... Must feel odd, living in the dojo.

"Still, what did you want to ask?"

 

[Adamhuarts]

"Can you teach me how to fight? And I don't mean exactly the way you do, but more like... how to fight properly in general." Cynthian's heart drummed in his chest, and he took a moment to breathe.

"I want to be less or a deadweight on our crew, and I know things are only going to get more difficult... and scary from this point onward. So, the first step I need to take is learn to get stronger, so I can stand alongside the others and not be crushed by the tides." Cynthian turned to look at Cepa, then at Balm again. It wasn't overly evident through his mildly trembling body, but there was still resolve in Cynthian's eyes.

"I could've asked anyone else for this, but you're a hero of legend and a grass type like I am. Who better to teach me how to carry my own weight? Assuming it's not too much to ask, since you also have your own matters to attend to."

 

[Namohysip]

"How to fight..." Balm and Cepa looked at one another.

"Well, I think that even if you match in type, I don't think you two match at all in style. Balm is a physical fighter, and his best Grass technique is Leaf Blade. You seem to focus more on energy attacks, don't you?" Cepa tilted her head. "It's not really the same... But we can certainly try for one lesson, can't we?"

"Perhaps later," Balm agreed. "There's no use talking about it if we never tried. And if you're the ones who can fight this new foe, then I'd call it a great use of my time."

 

[Adamhuarts]

"I've never had a proper fighting instructor before either, so this experience will certainly be a great help to me!" Cynthian said with a relieved smile.

"And yeah, leaf blade isn't really a move I can use because, well, flowers for hands," Cynthian said, glancing at his black rose with mild disappointment. "But who knows? There are some Roserade that excelled better in physical techniques, like my other mom apparently. I'm still her son, so maybe it might still be helpful to explore such a route if even for a bit."

"We're still busy trying to figure out where Lugia even is or what became of her, but I suspect she fell victim to those shade slugs like the two of us did. It's been the trend so far it would seem," Cynthian said with a hum. He glanced at the wall clock and gasped. "Oh, I should be heading to the infirmary."

Cynthian hopped off the chair and turned back to Balm and Cepa. "Getting to meet two of my favorite heroes from legends was delightful, and I'm grateful you let me take a bit of your time. I look forward to learning more from you two in the future. Take care."

With that, he bowed and then made his way towards the exit.

 

[Namohysip]

They watched him go, then laughed to one another. "Look at that," Cepa commented. "Across entire worlds, we have fans."

"He's not really my fan," Balm said. "He's a fan of the version of me from his world. It's odd to think about... but I think he would appreciate it all the same."

<><><>​

 

[Namohysip]

Day 23, Noon​

The message came to them several days later, in the form of a group text from Maple:

[Maple > Everyone]: We found Darkwhite. Silver Trench. Meet at the Guild.

<><><>​

Maple stood in the center of the Guild hall with her full team and Meringue nearby. Team Spice was not present, nor were Balm and Cepa. “Darkwhite and Lugia are both in the Silver Trench waiting for us to arrive. I have set up backup in case something goes wrong; a means of escape with some help from me and others in case you are not able to defeat her. However… it is also in case there is a trap we are not expecting.”

“What’s the backup?” Owen asked.

“I’m afraid we can’t tell you,” Maple said. “There is a chance Darkwhite can read minds, or something akin to that, on weaker members such as yourselves. As of now, only I and the other participants in the backup know of the plan, and I intend to keep it that way until it’s necessary.” Then, her gaze sweeping across the team, she said, “Are we ready? We do not know how long Darkwhite will be waiting.”

 

[Shiny Phantump]

Celeste sighed with relative relief. “No Ho-Oh, then?”

That was a relief. Darkwhite’s war-of-attrition fighting would be much less intimidating without a healer on their side.

 

[Namohysip]

"Indeed. It seems that there are only two individuals in the Silver Trench: Lugia, and Darkwhite."

Meringue shifted. "And she's..."

"From what we've observed," Maple said delicately, "we will need to subdue her."

 

[windskull]

"Let's hope it stays that way," Nip said, crossing his arms.

Still, a fight with both Lugia and someone as powerful as Darkwhite was going to be bad enough. He paused, glancing at Celeste. "Is there anything you can tip us off on from your run-in with her?"

 

[The Walrein]

"Hold on; when you say Darkwhite and Lugia are 'waiting for us to arrive', do you really mean they're just sitting around - er, floating around, in Darkwhite's case - doing nothing? If so, do we have any reason at all to suspect this isn't a trap?" Jaro asked.

 

[Namohysip]

"That is why we are taking as many precautions as we can," Maple said to Jaro, nodding. "But as of now, they appear to be... singing and dancing."

 

[Shiny Phantump]

"Let's hope it stays that way," Nip said, crossing his arms.

Still, a fight with both Lugia and someone as powerful as Darkwhite was going to be bad enough. He paused, glancing at Celeste. "Is there anything you can tip us off on from your run-in with her?"

“She dragged other out as long as possible, though I don’t think that was for strategic reasons so much as for her own sadistic pleasure. Kept us trapped in Trick Rooms, kept my Wish disabled so I couldn’t keep us going. After that...”

He shuddered. “It was a slow, painful fight.”

 

[Namohysip]

"It appears that we're all ready to go," Maple said, nodding. "Whatever happens next, steel yourselves, and know that we are here as backup for an escape. Do not hold back; Lugia will require your full strength to subdue, and even then, she may still be fighting back the same way Thyme and Pepper have. She can handle it, so show no compassion when she is infected."

 

[Namohysip]

With little else to say, Maple opened the portal and the team rushed through.

<><><>​

 

[Namohysip]

Several days passed without incident. The return of Brisa and Starr had been a massive relief for the team, and from there, everyone settled into their little routines while looking for their unknown foe's next move. One day, Maple called for an optional meeting at the Guild.

"...Where is everyone?" Maple said, frowning. "Did I not send a message to gather at the Guild?"

"Um, you said it wasn't mandatory, right?" Owen said, raising a hand. "So I guess not everyone showed up if they already had obligations to take care of."

Next to Maple was Balm and Cepa, who didn't seem too concerned with the small turnout. "It's not a problem," he said to Maple. "Your other announcements can be spread to the others with some messaging, right? They're usually pretty on top of things."

"I suppose so," Maple said. "I was just hoping for a little more. Can't be helped. Mm. I have a few announcements to make. First: We have finally made arrangements in Destiny Village for you to have proper residencies there. Whenever you're ready, we can start the process of packing whatever supplies and other arrangements you need, and take you there, and you will no longer need to live in your makeshift homes in the Treasure Town dojo."

The Smeargle then gestured to Balm and Cepa. "Second, we have decided that in an effort to search for more distortions and other oddities, we are going to pay a personal visit to Dialga in the Hidden Land, and from there, perhaps speak with his siblings. Balm is most familiar with Dialga, so we will be starting there. Dialga is among the few remaining Legendary Pokemon who elected to not take shelter in Destiny Village during these uncertain times. Perhaps pride, perhaps protection in his tower, but..."

She shook her head. "Regardless, it would be wise to check on him and seek advice. Perhaps he may also see some of you directly, and that may give him clues on what to search for."

 

[Virgil134]

"The Hidden Land?" Cabot asked. "What sort of place is that exactly? ... Aside from it being hidden, I mean."