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“Uhhh… please… go away…!” Griff was having a nightmare in the wagon. At the moment, Vel was having a conversation with Lyse.

“So, what is the procedure this time, Lyse? You must be knew about it, right?”

“Yes. Where should I start…”

Suddenly, Griff was calling someone familiar in his nightmare, “Noo… Vel… Stop it…!”
Lyse felt suspicious to Vel, “Have you done something to him this time? I haven’t seen him like this.”

“It’s nothing. He is always like this whenever he has a bad omen. Perhaps it is not true. Let’s continue our conversation, shall we?”

“Alright then. After we reach the meeting ground, your guild leaders are going to explain your tasks and errands while you’re in there. I have been told by Ms. Kali that you’re going to do the cacti collecting and the BBQ party thing, aren’t you?”

“You know that Griff can’t stand heat even if he had been trained by Zepzipzap and Eyeblast to resist his weaknesses. He will do at all cost not to use his Sunny Day for this mission. I’m afraid that our mission today will be a failure because of it.”

“Then why do you still attend this mission? It just like sending a moth into flames.”

“Griff needs a sparring partner for the team. It does not mean that you, Eyeblast, Zepzipzap, and I are not good enough but he really wants someone to be on his side all the time like sharing things together or something like that.”

“I get your point there. I only can pray for your success and safety.”
Lyse then continued her duty, and Vel woke up Griff, shocking him with a little Thunderbolt at the tip of his finger.

“AHHHH!!! We are under attack!”

“Calm down, Griff! I’m just waking you up! We’re here.”

“You mean we’re at Geoda Desert now?”

“See by yourself. Take a look at outside.”

Griff took a look from the wagon’s back. It was a scenery he had never seen before: vast red, sandy land with cactus both little and huge residing the area. In his point of view, this was like a desolate place and a representation of “hell”.

“Should we really do the missions in this kind of place? I didn’t expect the desert’s description to be like this.” Griff asked Vel about his opinion.

“Just try to get used to it, okay? It will be fine if you adapt with the environment for a while.” Vel smiled and rubbed Griff’s head.

Griff just nodded. Then without any warning, he fell unconscious because of the heat and the sun’s shine.

“…. I suppose I should put him on my head for now. See you soon, Lyse. We have to do our missions now.”

Lyse just smiled and waved her tiny hand from afar. Vel then headed forth to the meeting ground where everyone had arrived and gathered to get informed by the guild leaders and other important Pokemon.

Numerous Pokemon had already been gathering at the front of big, tall cacti as it touched the sun. While waiting for the guild leaders, Vel looked around for familiar faces but it turned out to be entirely new: a team of Dragalge and Jynx having discussion with other team of Ursaring and Espurr, a pair of Dewott and Delibird looking at the sky, and little Oshawott and Rattata whispering each other. Vel thought in mind, “There are lots of teams coming for this mission… I wonder if Griff will have time to make friends…”

“Salute! At ease!” A voice coming from the sky. It was turned out to be Solstice, one of the Researchers’ guild leaders, along with Chelle.

“Greetings. Welcome to Geoda Desert explorers, hunters, and researchers. We’re looking forward to hearing your mission accomplishments. Before that, allow me to introduce the client of the missions, Sherman and Hathor. They will explain the details of your missions while you are here.”

“Thank you for the introduction. I am Sherman the Miltank and this is Hathor the Camerupt. Don’t you ever think it is a weird thing to be a male Miltank, We won’t be pushovers for you. I will explain the history of…”

Under the piercing sunlight, Vel was having streams of sweat over his body and hands. Moreover, he had Griff laying on his head unconscious.

“Uuggghhhh… How long do we have to listen to their chatters!? Another hour of this and I’m going to break this wasting-time explanation…!”

“Excuse me, Sir. What mission do you attend?” A Misdreavus was bumping herself into Vel’s hand.

“Hmm… We are going to have cacti survey and be a food tester at the BBQ party. Our team won’t contribute much since my partner can’t stand heat especially in this kind of environment. What’s in your mind asking the question?”

“It’s nothing serious. I’m just killing time while my friend a Dragalge quietly listening to the chatters. Thank you for your time.”

“You’re welcome. You are helping me a bit after all.” Vel smiled and waved his hand to the Misdreavus.

It was near dusk, listening an eternity of briefing, Solstice whispered Chelle and pointed out at the sky telling it’s time to rest.

“… Now you may dismiss and enter your room for resting. Have a nice night, everyone.” Chelle finally ended his speech. Everyone seemed to be very cheerful of hearing the last sentence and headed to their “cacti” houses.

“Griff? Wake up! It’s time to do our mission!” Vel was rubbing Griff’s head, gently waking him up.

“Ohhh… I’m sorry for weighting you the whole time I fainted.” Griff got off from Vel’s head.

“How’s the briefing? What procedures do we have to follow this time?”

“We are going to collect cacti samples from this area. There are two things we need to obey: We can’t take it without permission, and we have to negotiate with the locals. Fighting is intolerable even if they ask to fight. The conclusion is: no successful negotiation means failure of this mission. Is there anything you want to know more?” Vel explained about the mission they were going to conduct.

“Are we going to do it now? In the middle of the night?”

“Yes. What I have heard about the residence here is that some of them are nocturnal creature, meaning our advantages of working at night.”

“Is it legal to do this when other members are sleeping?”

“Let’s just say that we are working night shift. Is that clear enough?”

“Hmm… How about bandits outside the residence? I heard from Lyse about that info.”

“That’s job for hunter guild members. We have no right to interfere except watching them from afar.”

“What will we do if they couldn’t protect themselves?”

“It depends on the situation. Griff. But we have to stay on our mission, okay?”

“May I ask one question? It is in my mind since we left Andalusst.”

“What is it? This is your final question before our mission.”

“I understand. Before I fainted in the wagon, I saw a Sigilyph at the end of one of the cacti. I wonder if that may endanger our mission especially at night…”

“Ah! You’re right. We have to evade them at all cost. One of the speakers at the early chit-chat mentioned that.”

Griff was silent a bit, then nodded.

“Alright. Have you brought everything we need? I just want to recheck.”

“I still bring all of them. I am going to buy a bag later when we go home.”

“Let’s begin our mission! We have little time until dawn.”

And so the mission began for Griff and Vel collecting cacti samples from the locals. They came door to door having lights in their houses showing their hospitality and asking for the cacti samples. Unfortunately, most of them have similar responses:

“Sorry, we don’t have any cacti samples of what you are asking for.”

“Could you come later? I have things to do at the moment.”

“Thank you for your hospitality, but I’m afraid I can’t help you much.”

Dawn was approaching hour by hour, and Vel began to feel tired, closing half of his eyes slowly. Griff was run out of idea of which cacti houses they should visit while eating the berries for retaining his energy and consciousness.

“Vel, Chesto berries?” Griff offered Vel.

“I prefer Sitrus berries, please. I have been exhausted because of the briefing.”

“Here you go.”

Vel swallowed the Sitrus berries, regaining his energy back. All the weight he had carried with seemed to be released from him.

“This is much better! Let’s… Griff?” Vel noticed Griff wondering about something again.

“Umm… It’s nothing. We should continue our mission. There’s the last cacti house in this area at the corner of this residence.” Griff was pointing out the cacti house he mentioned.

“Oh… that’s the one people around here don’t come near. I saw it during the briefing. Perhaps that will be our chance for completing our mission. Stay cautios, Griff.”

Griff and Vel decided to approach the last house located at the corner of the residence. While looking around the cacti house, Griff was attracted at one of the signboard hanging at the cacti house’s door.

“It says: “Enter at your own risk!” Does it mean the Pokemon inside is a bad guy?”

“We have to try this one, or else we will fail.” Vel answered with a lower voice.

Vel knocked the door thrice, and a voice came from inside the house, “Go away! There’s nothing you can get from this old Cacturne!”

“Excuse us, Sir. We are not bad guys!” Vel tried to convince.

“Liar! All of you had betrayed me just for my precious cactus! Leave now or face my Needle Arm!”

“We are from Andalusst. We heard that you have the four kinds of cacti that will help our researches! If you are willing to help, we will be very grateful. But if you still mad of the “bad guys” you have mentioned, then you may hit us until you are satisfied!” Vel negotiated with the Cacturne.

The door was opened with full force, revealing the dark green, old Cacturne ready for swinging his arm. Vel and Griff both used their Protect and Detect as precaution for the incoming Needle Arm, but it turned out to be a fake attack. The Cacturne smiled a bit, “I see you both have the guts and spirit to face me. Most Pokemon coming to my house will run away after I slam the door. What brings you here?”

“We are ordered to collect Agaves, Giganti cacti, Petaya cacti, and Spelon cacti. We get the night shift working, so we apologise for coming at this near-to-dawn time. These will be beneficial for…” Vel kept talking to the Cacturne, while Griff noticed at the sleeping little Cacnea with round spikes on the bucket half-filled of water.

“Awww such a cute Cacnea… May I touch the spikes, Vel?” Griff interrupted Vel’s explanation.

“Griff, mind what you are going to do. We are here not for vacation or sightseeing.”

The Cacturne laughed a little looking at Griff’s question, “So this friend of yours has interest on my little child? You are the first Pokemon of saying such sentence. About the material you are looking for, wait here. I’m going to take them from my cupboard upstairs.”

While waiting the Cacturne taking the material, Vel took Griff outside the house, reminding about what they were going to do next.

“Griff… We still have one mission for tomorrow so you still have time to visit here once more, okay? I know you want the little Cacnea to be your friend, right?”

“Owwkiiieee…” Griff agreed with Vel’s advice.
After waiting outside the house, the Cacturne returned with a plastic of the cactus and Agaves, “Here are the materials needed for researches. I hope it will help you a lot.”

“Thank you for your hospitality. We will never forget your kindness, Sir. We are going to leave now.” Vel gave a bow.

“We will visit here very soon!” Griff felt excited and eager to visit again.

“Ah, you little Treecko… Don’t get bored visiting this house again.” The Cacturne felt relieved a bit.

On the way to the cacti house for resting, Griff suddenly hugged Vel, making him confused.

“Whhhaaaaa!!!! I’m scared of Cacturne, Vel!! I was trying to hide my expression especially when he slammed the door!”

“... So that’s why you were wondering. I thought that you are wondering about other things.”

“But… but… I’m afraid of Cacturne… Their face looks a like a bad person but somehow I like Cacnea’s face better…”

“Hmm… How about we hit our head at bed now? We can talk about it later. I’m very sure we can find the solution for…”

At the most unwanted time, Solstice appeared in from of them. She looked angry at Griff and Vel.

“Where are going during the night!? You’re supposed to be in your room now. The mission should be this noon!”

“We’re sorry about our disobeying, but we have other important things to do in the following night, Ms.Solstice. As our apologise, we have collected the cacti samples and Agaves from the locals, Mam. Here’s the bag.” Vel gave the bag to Ms. Solstice.

“No wonder why Lyse had told me about your way of working. I appreciate your efforts but please stick to the rules, Griff and Vel of Team BlackLeaf. We don’t want unwanted problems coming from your acts. You may have your rest now.” Solstice left and returned to her cacti house.

Griff and Vel were stoned for a while, then faced each other.

“Let’s call it a day and stick to our schedule, I mean… Researchers’ schedule. Griff… get yourself a great rest.”

“Yes, Vel. Because tomorrow will be a very busy day and night for us!"

Griff and Vel then entered their cacti house for resting. It was near dawn, at the top of the cacti house standing a shadow figure with huge grin, "So they finally decided to come... Time to say hello to them!"

Description
“Uhhh… please… go away…!” Griff was having a nightmare in the wagon. At the moment, Vel was having a conversation with Lyse.

“So, what is the procedure this time, Lyse? You must be knew about it, right?”

“Yes. Where should I start…”

Suddenly, Griff was calling someone familiar in his nightmare, “Noo… Vel… Stop it…!”
Lyse felt suspicious to Vel, “Have you done something to him this time? I haven’t seen him like this.”

“It’s nothing. He is always like this whenever he has a bad omen. Perhaps it is not true. Let’s continue our conversation, shall we?”

“Alright then. After we reach the meeting ground, your guild leaders are going to explain your tasks and errands while you’re in there. I have been told by Ms. Kali that you’re going to do the cacti collecting and the BBQ party thing, aren’t you?”

“You know that Griff can’t stand heat even if he had been trained by Zepzipzap and Eyeblast to resist his weaknesses. He will do at all cost not to use his Sunny Day for this mission. I’m afraid that our mission today will be a failure because of it.”

“Then why do you still attend this mission? It just like sending a moth into flames.”

“Griff needs a sparring partner for the team. It does not mean that you, Eyeblast, Zepzipzap, and I are not good enough but he really wants someone to be on his side all the time like sharing things together or something like that.”

“I get your point there. I only can pray for your success and safety.”
Lyse then continued her duty, and Vel woke up Griff, shocking him with a little Thunderbolt at the tip of his finger.

“AHHHH!!! We are under attack!”

“Calm down, Griff! I’m just waking you up! We’re here.”

“You mean we’re at Geoda Desert now?”

“See by yourself. Take a look at outside.”

Griff took a look from the wagon’s back. It was a scenery he had never seen before: vast red, sandy land with cactus both little and huge residing the area. In his point of view, this was like a desolate place and a representation of “hell”.

“Should we really do the missions in this kind of place? I didn’t expect the desert’s description to be like this.” Griff asked Vel about his opinion.

“Just try to get used to it, okay? It will be fine if you adapt with the environment for a while.” Vel smiled and rubbed Griff’s head.

Griff just nodded. Then without any warning, he fell unconscious because of the heat and the sun’s shine.

“…. I suppose I should put him on my head for now. See you soon, Lyse. We have to do our missions now.”

Lyse just smiled and waved her tiny hand from afar. Vel then headed forth to the meeting ground where everyone had arrived and gathered to get informed by the guild leaders and other important Pokemon.

Numerous Pokemon had already been gathering at the front of big, tall cacti as it touched the sun. While waiting for the guild leaders, Vel looked around for familiar faces but it turned out to be entirely new: a team of Dragalge and Jynx having discussion with other team of Ursaring and Espurr, a pair of Dewott and Delibird looking at the sky, and little Oshawott and Rattata whispering each other. Vel thought in mind, “There are lots of teams coming for this mission… I wonder if Griff will have time to make friends…”

“Salute! At ease!” A voice coming from the sky. It was turned out to be Solstice, one of the Researchers’ guild leaders, along with Chelle.

“Greetings. Welcome to Geoda Desert explorers, hunters, and researchers. We’re looking forward to hearing your mission accomplishments. Before that, allow me to introduce the client of the missions, Sherman and Hathor. They will explain the details of your missions while you are here.”

“Thank you for the introduction. I am Sherman the Miltank and this is Hathor the Camerupt. Don’t you ever think it is a weird thing to be a male Miltank, We won’t be pushovers for you. I will explain the history of…”

Under the piercing sunlight, Vel was having streams of sweat over his body and hands. Moreover, he had Griff laying on his head unconscious.

“Uuggghhhh… How long do we have to listen to their chatters!? Another hour of this and I’m going to break this wasting-time explanation…!”

“Excuse me, Sir. What mission do you attend?” A Misdreavus was bumping herself into Vel’s hand.

“Hmm… We are going to have cacti survey and be a food tester at the BBQ party. Our team won’t contribute much since my partner can’t stand heat especially in this kind of environment. What’s in your mind asking the question?”

“It’s nothing serious. I’m just killing time while my friend a Dragalge quietly listening to the chatters. Thank you for your time.”

“You’re welcome. You are helping me a bit after all.” Vel smiled and waved his hand to the Misdreavus.

It was near dusk, listening an eternity of briefing, Solstice whispered Chelle and pointed out at the sky telling it’s time to rest.

“… Now you may dismiss and enter your room for resting. Have a nice night, everyone.” Chelle finally ended his speech. Everyone seemed to be very cheerful of hearing the last sentence and headed to their “cacti” houses.

“Griff? Wake up! It’s time to do our mission!” Vel was rubbing Griff’s head, gently waking him up.

“Ohhh… I’m sorry for weighting you the whole time I fainted.” Griff got off from Vel’s head.

“How’s the briefing? What procedures do we have to follow this time?”

“We are going to collect cacti samples from this area. There are two things we need to obey: We can’t take it without permission, and we have to negotiate with the locals. Fighting is intolerable even if they ask to fight. The conclusion is: no successful negotiation means failure of this mission. Is there anything you want to know more?” Vel explained about the mission they were going to conduct.

“Are we going to do it now? In the middle of the night?”

“Yes. What I have heard about the residence here is that some of them are nocturnal creature, meaning our advantages of working at night.”

“Is it legal to do this when other members are sleeping?”

“Let’s just say that we are working night shift. Is that clear enough?”

“Hmm… How about bandits outside the residence? I heard from Lyse about that info.”

“That’s job for hunter guild members. We have no right to interfere except watching them from afar.”

“What will we do if they couldn’t protect themselves?”

“It depends on the situation. Griff. But we have to stay on our mission, okay?”

“May I ask one question? It is in my mind since we left Andalusst.”

“What is it? This is your final question before our mission.”

“I understand. Before I fainted in the wagon, I saw a Sigilyph at the end of one of the cacti. I wonder if that may endanger our mission especially at night…”

“Ah! You’re right. We have to evade them at all cost. One of the speakers at the early chit-chat mentioned that.”

Griff was silent a bit, then nodded.

“Alright. Have you brought everything we need? I just want to recheck.”

“I still bring all of them. I am going to buy a bag later when we go home.”

“Let’s begin our mission! We have little time until dawn.”

And so the mission began for Griff and Vel collecting cacti samples from the locals. They came door to door having lights in their houses showing their hospitality and asking for the cacti samples. Unfortunately, most of them have similar responses:

“Sorry, we don’t have any cacti samples of what you are asking for.”

“Could you come later? I have things to do at the moment.”

“Thank you for your hospitality, but I’m afraid I can’t help you much.”

Dawn was approaching hour by hour, and Vel began to feel tired, closing half of his eyes slowly. Griff was run out of idea of which cacti houses they should visit while eating the berries for retaining his energy and consciousness.

“Vel, Chesto berries?” Griff offered Vel.

“I prefer Sitrus berries, please. I have been exhausted because of the briefing.”

“Here you go.”

Vel swallowed the Sitrus berries, regaining his energy back. All the weight he had carried with seemed to be released from him.

“This is much better! Let’s… Griff?” Vel noticed Griff wondering about something again.

“Umm… It’s nothing. We should continue our mission. There’s the last cacti house in this area at the corner of this residence.” Griff was pointing out the cacti house he mentioned.

“Oh… that’s the one people around here don’t come near. I saw it during the briefing. Perhaps that will be our chance for completing our mission. Stay cautios, Griff.”

Griff and Vel decided to approach the last house located at the corner of the residence. While looking around the cacti house, Griff was attracted at one of the signboard hanging at the cacti house’s door.

“It says: “Enter at your own risk!” Does it mean the Pokemon inside is a bad guy?”

“We have to try this one, or else we will fail.” Vel answered with a lower voice.

Vel knocked the door thrice, and a voice came from inside the house, “Go away! There’s nothing you can get from this old Cacturne!”

“Excuse us, Sir. We are not bad guys!” Vel tried to convince.

“Liar! All of you had betrayed me just for my precious cactus! Leave now or face my Needle Arm!”

“We are from Andalusst. We heard that you have the four kinds of cacti that will help our researches! If you are willing to help, we will be very grateful. But if you still mad of the “bad guys” you have mentioned, then you may hit us until you are satisfied!” Vel negotiated with the Cacturne.

The door was opened with full force, revealing the dark green, old Cacturne ready for swinging his arm. Vel and Griff both used their Protect and Detect as precaution for the incoming Needle Arm, but it turned out to be a fake attack. The Cacturne smiled a bit, “I see you both have the guts and spirit to face me. Most Pokemon coming to my house will run away after I slam the door. What brings you here?”

“We are ordered to collect Agaves, Giganti cacti, Petaya cacti, and Spelon cacti. We get the night shift working, so we apologise for coming at this near-to-dawn time. These will be beneficial for…” Vel kept talking to the Cacturne, while Griff noticed at the sleeping little Cacnea with round spikes on the bucket half-filled of water.

“Awww such a cute Cacnea… May I touch the spikes, Vel?” Griff interrupted Vel’s explanation.

“Griff, mind what you are going to do. We are here not for vacation or sightseeing.”

The Cacturne laughed a little looking at Griff’s question, “So this friend of yours has interest on my little child? You are the first Pokemon of saying such sentence. About the material you are looking for, wait here. I’m going to take them from my cupboard upstairs.”

While waiting the Cacturne taking the material, Vel took Griff outside the house, reminding about what they were going to do next.

“Griff… We still have one mission for tomorrow so you still have time to visit here once more, okay? I know you want the little Cacnea to be your friend, right?”

“Owwkiiieee…” Griff agreed with Vel’s advice.
After waiting outside the house, the Cacturne returned with a plastic of the cactus and Agaves, “Here are the materials needed for researches. I hope it will help you a lot.”

“Thank you for your hospitality. We will never forget your kindness, Sir. We are going to leave now.” Vel gave a bow.

“We will visit here very soon!” Griff felt excited and eager to visit again.

“Ah, you little Treecko… Don’t get bored visiting this house again.” The Cacturne felt relieved a bit.

On the way to the cacti house for resting, Griff suddenly hugged Vel, making him confused.

“Whhhaaaaa!!!! I’m scared of Cacturne, Vel!! I was trying to hide my expression especially when he slammed the door!”

“... So that’s why you were wondering. I thought that you are wondering about other things.”

“But… but… I’m afraid of Cacturne… Their face looks a like a bad person but somehow I like Cacnea’s face better…”

“Hmm… How about we hit our head at bed now? We can talk about it later. I’m very sure we can find the solution for…”

At the most unwanted time, Solstice appeared in from of them. She looked angry at Griff and Vel.

“Where are going during the night!? You’re supposed to be in your room now. The mission should be this noon!”

“We’re sorry about our disobeying, but we have other important things to do in the following night, Ms.Solstice. As our apologise, we have collected the cacti samples and Agaves from the locals, Mam. Here’s the bag.” Vel gave the bag to Ms. Solstice.

“No wonder why Lyse had told me about your way of working. I appreciate your efforts but please stick to the rules, Griff and Vel of Team BlackLeaf. We don’t want unwanted problems coming from your acts. You may have your rest now.” Solstice left and returned to her cacti house.

Griff and Vel were stoned for a while, then faced each other.

“Let’s call it a day and stick to our schedule, I mean… Researchers’ schedule. Griff… get yourself a great rest.”

“Yes, Vel. Because tomorrow will be a very busy day and night for us!"

Griff and Vel then entered their cacti house for resting. It was near dawn, at the top of the cacti house standing a shadow figure with huge grin, "So they finally decided to come... Time to say hello to them!"