Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: The End of Arceus

Book One: Chapter 2

Captive 

After Arthur caught up with Clara outside of the Rangers HQ, they both stepped inside once more. This time, Fin and Garry were both waiting for them. Fin, as usual, had his arms crossed, and Garry was displaying his permanent smile. Fin tilted his head when he saw Arthur.

"I thought the elder was going to help him?" He inquired.

"Elder Patton said he couldn't help him but knew of somemon who could." Clara explained. She walked over to the same table and sat down. "So he's going to be coming with us on the mission to the Whispering Woods."

The what? Arthur thought.

Fin nodded, but Arthur noticed that the Buizel didn't look very enthused. Garry, however, was the contrary.

"Awesome! It's going to be awesome adventuring with a real Leafeon!" He beamed.

Arthur gave a nervous chuckle. "Right. A real Leafeon."

Clara motioned for the groups attention. "Let's go get the mission from Sol." She said.

Fin and Garry both nodded and Arthur looked at little uncomfortable at the thought of seeing the Haunter again. Nevertheless, all three Pokémon followed Clara into the back office. Once the door had closed behind them, Sol looked up from her desk and removed a pair of glasses she had been wearing. The same board from earlier had been pushed aside to make more room in the office. Sol looked just as surprised to see Arthur as Fin and Garry had been.

She gave Clara a inquiring look. "Wasn't the elder supposed to help him? Why is he still here?" She gestured at the Leafeon with her glasses.

"Well, Elder Patton said that while he himself couldn't help Arthur, he knew somemon in the north who could. So after this mission, which I was hoping you could allow him to accompany us on, I was going to escort him north to make sure he gets the help he needs." The Glaceon explained.

Sol looked at Arthur for a long time before nodding. "I guess it wouldn't hurt to let him join you. Just make sure he wears your Ranger's Colors."

Clara nodded and turned to Arthur with an approving smile. Arthur smiled back and felt much better about everything. Sol put back on her glasses and began searching through a pile of papers before pulling out one and nodding. She pushed the paper towards the group and tapped on it with her claw.

"This is the official assignment for your mission. All I need you to do is sign your team name there and you can leave as soon as you want to." The Absol said. She pulled out an inkwell with a quill in it and also moved it towards the group, specifically Clara.

Arthur watched as Clara took the quill and wrote 'Team ART' on the paper. Afterwards she gave the paper to Sol and she stamped it before putting it in a folder before once again nodding.

"You guys are free to go."

The group saluted to Sol before stepping out of the office. They walked back to their usual table and sat down. Clara got up and walked over to a row of cabinets and opened one. She rummaged around inside of it before pulling out a red bandana. She walked back over to the group and handed the bandana to Arthur.

"Put this on." She said. Arthur nodded and tied the article of clothing around his neck. He glanced down and thought the red contrasted nicely with his new green fur.

Arthur looked back up at Clara who had began giving orders.

"Alright guys. Our objective is to go to the Whisper Woods and investigate the strange Pokémon."

Fin looked somewhat annoyed. "I think we already know that, Clara."

"Oh. Right. Sorry." Clara had a nervous smile as she rubbed the back of her neck.