Chapter 2: The Failed Mission

"Katie," a gentle voice called. "Katie,"

"Who's there?" Katie looked around. She was still a Piplup. The world around her was a mix of many colors, almost like a rainbow. And she was just floating there in the center of it all.

"Katie," the voice called again.

"Who are you?" Katie cried. "Come out!"

A pale, almost see-through, figure emerged before her. Katie could see a perfect outline of its body but the only color she could see was the rainbow colors of her dream world. The figure looked like a fox with nine tails… Nine tails? Then it hit her.

"You're the Ninetales that the hunters killed back home. The one blamed for kidnapping those children." Katie whispered.

"Correct, Katie." The fox dipped her head once. "You are here for a purpose, Katie."

"Tell me. Am I human or Pokemon?" Katie asked.

"You are Pokemon in form but human in heart," Ninetales replied.

"That doesn't make sense! Which am I?" Katie demanded.

"That is for you to decide, Katie. But I have a warning for you. Once you start believing that you are one, your memories of the other shall fade."

"What does that mean?" Katie asked. "I don't understand! Why am I here? Ninetales?"

"Goodbye, Katie," the fox said. "Until the next time we meet,"

"Ninetales! Wait! What do you mean? Ninetales?" Katie cried. "Ninetales!"

"Wake up, Katie! Wake up!"

"Huh?" The Piplup sat up and looked around. "Ninetales? Where is it?"

"Ninetales?" Sabrina repeated. "What's a Ninetales?"

"Isn't that the name of the fox Pokemon that lives up on Mt. Freeze?" the Mudkip, Michael, said.

"Yeah, I think so." Sabrina agreed. "You okay, Katie? You were thrashing around like crazy, almost like you were having a nightmare."

"I'm okay…I think," Katie muttered.

"If you say so," came the bored voice of Cassidy. "Come on, guys. Kangaskhan has just made breakfast and we're going to be late if we don't hurry up."

"Oh yeah! Breakfast!" The Growlithe, Marco, raced out of the room in a flash.

"Come on, Katie. We have to go eat." The Meowth pulled Katie to her feet and headed for the door. "Oh, and Chu's okay. Unfortunately, he's going to have a scar there from now on. Poor guy,"

"…Thanks for telling me that." Katie followed Sabrina as they entered the kitchen.

Kangaskhan smiled upon seeing the Piplup. "Dear, I've already sent out requests to the rescue teams to search for your parents. It might take a while but they'll find your family soon enough."

"What if I don't have a family?" Katie asked.

"My, my. What brought this on?" Kangaskhan asked. "Don't you have parents?"

"I don't know," she replied honestly. "I don't remember,"

"Oh my," Kangaskhan muttered. "…Well, until then, you can stay here! How does that sound?"

"Very kind of you," Katie replied. "Thank you. I'm grateful."

"Then show your gratefulness by eating breakfast, dear." Kangaskhan laughed.

Katie joined the other Pokemon as they ate breakfast, which consisted of a multitude of berries and seeds. Halfway through the meal, Chu finally appeared and sat beside Katie. He ate quietly, not even looking at her. The Piplup remained quiet, afraid that he was mad at her about something.

Once they were through eating, Kangaskhan led them outside to play. Katie noticed the larger Pokemon talking to an Alakazam, a Charizard, and a Tyranitar. "I wonder why they're here," she muttered.

"They're a rescue team."

"AAAH!" the Piplup screamed. Twirling around, she saw Chu standing there. "Don't do that! You scared me!"

"Okay, I'm sorry. Cool it!" Chu growled. "That's Team ACT, one of the teams searching for your parents."

"Oh," Katie said. If I even have parents in this world, she thought.

"Sometimes we get to go on missions with rescue teams," Chu continued. "It's fun and we get to fight a bit, too. Maybe someone will come by and bring a few of us along. After all, you can only have up to three companions with you in a dungeon. And that's not including the size limits of your team."

Katie nodded. "That sounds interesting."

"I guess it is," Chu agreed. "You just have to watch out for the disasters."

"Disasters?"

"Yeah," the Pikachu nodded. "They've been happening a lot lately and for no apparent reason. Some of our parents were killed in the disasters. They're everywhere, apparently. That's why the rescue teams were formed. They save Pokemon from the disasters and are trying to find the source of them."

"Can anyone form a rescue team?" Katie asked.

"Uh… I think so. Why?"

Katie shrugged. "It might be interesting to be on a rescue team. But it would be lonely if it were just me."

"See you, guys!" Sabrina suddenly called.

"Huh? Where are you going?" Katie asked.

"Team Hydro is taking me and Cassidy with them today. I think everyone but you, Tim, and Chu are going today. See you later!" The Meowth quickly ran off in pursuit of an Octillery.

"We're the only ones who don't get to go?" Katie asked, looking at Chu.

"Yeah. Don't worry, though. We'll get to go tomorrow." The Pikachu turned to look at Tim the Torchic. "Hey, Tim! Come meet Katie!"

"Okay!" The orange and yellow chick Pokemon quickly dashed toward them, only to trip over a rock and go rolling past them. He crashed back-first into the short white picket fence. "Oof!"

Katie stifled a giggle. "Are you okay?"

"I think so," the Torchic replied, sitting up and stretching his stubby wings. "Nothing's broken, so I think I'm okay."

"Good," Chu nodded. "This is Katie. Katie, this is Tim."

"Hi," Katie waved slightly.

"Hello there," Tim said. "So, are you an orphan or do you have parents somewhere?"

"I don't really know."

"How can you not know if you have parents?"

"She hit her head on something before I found her, Tim." Chu replied. "She doesn't remember much and thinks she was…human."

"That's…very peculiar. Humans have been dead for many, many centuries. Barely anyone remembers them." Tim explained. "How could you think you were one? Someone your age shouldn't have even heard of them yet."

"How come you know about them then?" Katie demanded. "You aren't much older than me!"

"Being an orphan has its perks," Tim replied. "You can listen in on adult conversations and not get caught because they think you're playing. It's quite funny, actually. You'd be surprised what I've heard and learned since I came here, Katie."

"Sure," Katie muttered.

"For instance, many suspect that the cause of the disasters is—"

"Chu, help! You've gotta help me, Chu!"

"Who's that?" Katie asked, peering over the fence to see a young Riolu running full speed toward the fence.

"That's Rio Lucar Aura, son of two great rescue team leaders." Tim replied. "I wonder what he's here for."

"Rio, what is it?" Chu asked.

The Riolu rested a paw on the fence and gasped for breath. "My parents were caught in a cave-in. You've gotta help me dig them out, Chu. I'm begging you!"

"A rescue team should do that, not me." The Pikachu turned, only to find both Kangaskhan and Team ACT gone. "Where the hell did they go?"

"Chu, please! My parents' lives could depend on it!" Rio begged.

"But…"

"I'll go!" Katie volunteered, hopping over the fence. "If Chu won't, I will."

"I'll come, too!" Tim agreed, jumping over the fence. His foot got caught on the top and flipped him, making him do a face-plant in the grass. Looking up, he spat out the dirt and grass from his mouth. "I'm okay."

"You guys are nuts," Chu said. "We're just kids. What can we do against a cave-in?"

"We can try to help," Katie replied. "Can you show us where it happened?"

"This way!" The Riolu led the way to the forest, Katie quickly following him.

Tim jumped up and ran after them. "Wait for me!"

Chu groaned and shook his head. "I'm gonna regret this." He jumped over the fence and tore after them, trying to avoid crashing into any trees since he was currently keeping his left eye closed to prevent his scar from opening up.

Only moments after they left, Kangaskhan emerged from the orphanage and looked around in shock. "Children? Where are you? Dears? Come out now! Dears?"

Rio came to a stop at the mouth of a cave and led them inside, stopping once they reached a wall of rubble. "They're in there. Please help me dig them out!" Rio begged.

"Of course we will. Tim, help us dig!" Katie called. She started pulling away rocks and debris from the solid wall of rubble in front of them.

"What else would I be doing?" Tim muttered. He tugged at a large rock, freeing it but falling with it to the cave floor. "WAAH!"

Rio was unleashing his Force Palm on the rocks, shattering them and shifting the pebbles before repeating the process. I'm coming, mom, dad. Just hang in there a bit longer. You'll be out in no time. I promise! Just don't die! Tears appeared in the corners of the Riolu's eyes but he wiped them away furiously.

"You guys are getting no where at that pace!" Chu barked.

"Chu! You came after all!" Katie cried.

"Of course I did!" the Pikachu said. "I always help my friends. Now stand aside and watch how the pros do it! Quick Attack!"

He crashed into a large boulder, breaking it straight down the middle. Shaking his head as blood ran from his forehead, the Pikachu nodded at Rio. The Riolu nodded and resumed his assault upon the rocks. The four young Pokemon attacked the rubble with all they had, determined not to give up.

It felt like an eternity before someone discovered them. "Hey, Alakazam! They're in here! Rio's with them, too!"

"Stand aside," Some of the shattered rubble that now blocked the cave entrance was pulled out and tossed aside by a psychic force. Team ACT entered and watched in amazement as the four Pokemon tried to dig through the cave-in. "What are you children digging for?"

"My parents are stuck in here!" Rio cried. "I had to dig them out, so I got my friends and—"

"You should've come directly to Pokemon Square and called a rescue team." Alakazam scolded.

"But—"

"But that is not the point right now. Move aside, all of you. We'll have your parents out in a minute, Rio." Alakazam instructed.

"Okay," The Riolu jumped down and led his friends to the side, allowing the Gold-ranked rescue team to do their work. Please be okay. Please be okay. Please be okay…

The last of the rocks were thrown aside, revealing the broken bodies of two Lucario. Rio nearly screamed in sadness and attempted to reach his dead parents, only to be held back by Tyranitar. The Riolu shattered, breaking down into a sobbing, crying mess.

"I'm deeply sorry, Rio," Alakazam apologized. "I think it's time we left. Charizard, you know what to do."

"Right," Charizard nodded. As the others left, he stayed behind in the cave. Opening his mouth, he unleashed a column of flame upon the two bodies. "Rest in peace, you two. You'll be missed."

Alakazam teleported them back to the orphanage, where Kangaskhan scolded and hugged the three missing orphans. After explaining the situation to her, Kangaskhan immediately agreed to take Rio in. Rio Lucar Aura was officially an orphan.

"Thank you very much for bringing them all safely back to me." Kangaskhan said. "I don't know what might've happened if your team hadn't found them, Alakazam. You have my thanks."

"We're only doing our job as a rescue team. It would've been much better had we arrived in time to save Rio's parents. Team Aura shall be missed dearly by the residents of Pokemon Square. At least they died knowing their son was trying to save them." Alakazam muttered. "I pray Rio recovers from this horrible incident. I'll check by in a few days to see how he is. Good night, Kangaskhan."

"Good night, Team ACT." Kangaskhan closed the door and sighed sadly. "Poor Rio,"

In the main room, the Riolu was crying in his new bed. It's all my fault! If only I had been stronger or got there sooner, my parents wouldn't be dead! I shouldn't have been such a coward… If only I asked a rescue team for help, this wouldn't have happened!

"Poor kid," Taylor the Plusle said softly. "Shouldn't we help him?"

"I'll…see what I can do," Katie muttered. The Piplup walked over to Rio and sat down beside him, placing a flipper on his shoulder. "Are you okay?"

"No," Rio replied, his voice cracked and sounding like a Croagunk's croak. "I'll never be okay. My parents are dead and I couldn't do a thing to stop it."

"You tried, Rio." Katie said gently. "That's what counts."

"You mean I'm supposed to just forget the fact that my parents are dead?" Rio demanded, sitting up instantly and glaring at Katie. "I'm just supposed to keep living without them? I can't do that!"

A loud 'smack' echoed through the room, followed by the 'thud' of Rio hitting the floor. Katie stared in shock as Cassidy stood beside her, right arm held out after striking the Riolu. Rio looked up at the Charmander with confusion and fear. Cassidy simply glared at him.

"…Why?" Rio squeaked.

"You're lucky, you know." Cassidy said coldly. "You're luckier than most of us orphans. Many of us never got to live with our parents as long as you got to. Many of us were abandoned not long after birth for various reasons. And some, like me and Katie, never even saw nor knew our parents. You think you have it bad? How do you think we have it?"

"Cass," Sabrina whispered. "That's enough."

"No! It'll never be enough for him!" Cassidy shouted. "He's just some spoiled little boy who thinks the whole world's going to end because his parents are dead! Well, think again! Life's not fair, it's cruel! Get used to it!" The Charmander turned and stalked away, purposely lashing her tail toward the Riolu as she left.

Rio didn't even flinch when the flame passed within inches of his nose. He was frozen in fear from the impact of those words. Tears appeared in the corners of his eyes, falling without his notice. The cold truth of reality had sunk in at last.

"Rio? Are you okay?" Katie helped the terrified Riolu to his feet, helping him back to his nest. "Maybe you should get some sleep. Things will be better tomorrow."

"Sleep won't bring my mom and dad back. Nothing will…" Rio muttered.

Katie sniffed, sadness welling up in her heart. Why did Cassidy have to be so cruel? she asked herself. But deep down, she already knew the answer. Because it was the truth.

Rio curled up on his side in his nest, tears still streaming down his face. Closing his eyes, he willed the tears to stop but was unable to sleep. In the end, he finally did fall asleep after a lot of thrashing and rolling around. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get the image of his parents' broken bodies out of his mind.

Katie was unable to eat that night, too worried for Rio. The Piplup went to bed early but was unable to sleep either. I'm so sorry, Rio. Rolling over, she finally fell asleep…unaware of the visitor she was going to be seeing.

"Huh?" Katie looked around the rainbow dream world. "I'm here again?"

"Katie,"

"Ninetales! Please tell me about these disasters. I want to help stop them!" Katie begged.

"A friend will be joining you soon, Katie. As for the disasters, you must find me." Ninetales said.

"Find you? But where are you? Aren't you…dead?" Katie muttered.

"In your world, yes. In this world, no. Find me and you will find the answers to all the questions you'll ever ask." Ninetales replied. "The Pokemon around you will help you solve the mystery of the disasters, but it's up to you to accept the duty placed upon you."

"What duty?"

"I must go now. Remember," Ninetales called. "The sake of this world depends on you. Only then will you realize what you truly are."

"What? I don't get it. Ninetales? Please tell me! Ninetales!" Katie cried, but the fox Pokemon was gone. "What did you mean, Ninetales? What am I? Human or Pokemon…? Why won't you tell me?"

"Oof!" Katie rolled out of bed and blinked, waking up. "Well, that didn't get me anywhere."

"Morning, Katie,"

"Huh?" Turning, she saw Rio still in bed. A single red eye was partially opened, watching her. "Morning, Rio. Feeling better?"

"A little bit," the Riolu muttered. "Everyone else woke up and left a while ago. You slept in late."

"What?" Katie yelped, jumping to her feet. "You're kidding!"

"Nope,"

"Shoot!" Katie raced out the door and looked around the fenced-in grassy area. Tim and Chu were the only ones there aside from Kangaskhan. "Aren't you guys going on missions with the rescue teams?"

"Well, yeah." Chu nodded. "But it wouldn't be any fun if you weren't there. You probably would've stayed to care for Rio anyways, right?"

"Maybe," the Piplup admitted.

"Well, is he awake now or is he planning on sleeping in another few hours?" Tim asked. "Most of the day's already gone by and he's still in bed."

"He's recovering from yesterday, Tim. Give him a break!" Katie barked.

"All right! All right!" Tim waved his stubby wings in surrender. "I give!"

"Tim's got a point, though." Chu muttered. "Just wallowing in self-pity won't get Rio anywhere. He's got to accept it and move on if he wants to keep going in life."

"I know," Katie nodded.

Rio finally came out, walking toward the trio. He kept his head down, his steps shaky. Coming to a stop in front of them, he looked up. His red eyes still held sadness but there was something else there now. Courage? Faith? Determination? Something along those lines…

"I…want to keep going in my life." Rio said. "Cassidy is right. I am a spoiled little boy. Now I'm an orphan. I'm sorry about how I acted last night. Can we still be…friends?"

Katie smiled and held out a flipper. "Sure! Why not?"

"Really?" the Riolu asked, staring at the Piplup in shock. "You mean you're not mad at me?"

"Not mad, Rio. We were worried," Chu corrected. "You lost your parents. Of course you're gonna get mad. Hell, I'm sure we all knew you would."

"It's understandable. We've all had to go through it at one point in our lives. Well, except maybe Katie since she has no memory of her family." Tim added. "But that's beside the point. Of course your friendship will be accepted. Everyone needs a few friends in order to survive."

"My parents said the same thing." Rio agreed. "Too bad all my parents' friends in their rescue team are gone. It was fun being on a rescue team."

"Then how about we make our own rescue team? Just us orphans," Katie suggested. "We could go on adventures and save Pokemon and stuff. It would be awesome! And maybe…we can find out how to stop the disasters."

"Really?" Rio cried.

"Get out of here!" Chu barked. "There's no way a bunch of orphans could stop the disasters. It's impossible!"

"Nothing's impossible if you believe," Tim argued. "This might be a very intriguing journey. I'll be happy to accompany you, Katie. I'm sure Cassidy and Sabrina would also be interested."

"Hold on a sec! You're going too far with this thing, Katie!" Chu scolded. "We're just kids! What can we do?"

"Try to stop the disasters and stop others from ending up like Rio and us." Katie replied. "Come on, Chu! Don't tell me that you aren't interested in at least being on a rescue team?"

"Ugh… Fine, I'll join. But only because someone has to watch out for you guys!" the Pikachu growled. "So, should we ask Kangaskhan to register us?"

"Yeah!" the Piplup cried.

The four young Pokemon entered the orphanage to make themselves a rescue team. Unaware to them, a young Eevee with shredded ears was watching them. His fur was brilliant silver and his eyes were blood red. He smirked, showing sharp teeth. "I finally found you…Katie."