[h3][color=004b80]Spirit the Lucario[/color], [color=fff79a]Valiant Village[/color][/h3]

[@Polaris North]
Spirit nodded without a word as Zaru came to his side and told him he had completed his assigned task. The primate Pokemon then proceeded to climb up into a tree and plop down on a branch overhead. The Lucario watched for a few more minutes until turning and heading back towards the Plaza. [color=004b80]"Hey Zaru, keep an eye on them. When they're done, I want to see Lulu and Milton back at the Guild, I've got to make some preparations for the upcoming festival."[/color] Ah, this time of year brought feelings of joy and to most. The Annual Founders Day Festival, celebrating the founding of this village by the Swords of Justice.

This festival brought mixed feelings for Spirit. It was a joyous occasion, yes, but the ones they were celebrating brought pain to his heart. He had been close friends with the Swords of Justice, he had worked alongside them, even trained them at one point. When they disappeared, he had led the rescue effort, but to no avail. No trace of the quartet had ever been found. They searched everywhere, from Treasure Town far in the West, to Pokemon Square in the South, even Post Town, where Virizion and Keldeo had been members of a team there for some time before refounding the Swords of Justice.

They had never been seen again, after going out one day on a pretty standard rescue request. No one still alive knows what happened to them, or if the team is still alive at this point. But being their friend, their master, it hit Spirit the hardest. He would still put on a brave face for the crowds, but inside he would hurt... He couldn't think about this now! He had the festival itself to worry about. In three days time there would be decorations hung from the poles that held the candles at night, famous traveling bands would arrive and their music would spread throughout town. Special food had to be ready for the crowds to enjoy. Everything had to be ready.

[h3][color=0072bc]Rico the Riolu[/color], [color=fff79a]Valiant Village[/color][/h3]

Rico sleepily walked downstairs into the main area of the Guild. Dad must have let them sleep in for the day, and Lulu (per her usual spunk) was already out it seemed. Probably off playing with her village friends. Rico sometimes wished he had her carefree spirit, but then who would keep her out of trouble? She was yin and he was yang, as their dad usually put it. He stopped outside at the riverside next to the Guild, splashing his face with the cool refreshing water. [color=0072bc]"Ah, now that's what get's my morning going. I wonder where Lulu's gone off to play this time."[/color] Considering how hot it was out this morning, he guessed they were swimming somewhere in the river.

Well, it wasn't so much morning anymore, it was early in the afternoon, but the sun had not yet risen to its full position over town. He followed the path along the river until, sure enough, there were Lily and her friends, along with... Devon was it? The Totodile who had helped them earlier that morning. Looked like he was just a kid too, it was hard to tell in the dark. He looked up at the large oak tree next to him, seeing Zaru perched on one of its thick branches. He decided he'd join him over taking a dip in the water, a splash in the face was enough for him. [color=0072bc]"Hey Zaru, how's it going?"[/color] Said Rico as he climbed up the tree, perching himself on the branch next to the Chimchar.

He looked around the area, watching everyone having fun in the water, or, almost everyone. He started feeling what Lulu had felt moments earlier. The sad aura surrounding the Mawile on the bridge. [color=0072bc]"Hey, who are those two over there?"[/color] Asked Rico, wondering what could be causing such sadness to the Mawile, while also noticing the Mudkip on the bridge with her.