Author's note: Hello, readers. This was my first, and hopefully not last, fanfic for Pokémon Mystery Dungeon. I first wrote it about 3 years ago, a time when I was still developing the basics of my writing skills. As an exercise to help me further hone my skills, I've decided to take the jumbled context of the original work and attempt to make it more...understandable for people to read. I will enjoy any feedback I receive. Positive or Negative. Please, do enjoy your reading.
Chapter 1:
"C'mon, Vagus. Almost there, I think," reassured Michael the charizard, stepping aside to allow his friend to plunge his massive bulk from the rocks above him.
"I darn well hope so," grunted the feraligatr, frustrated at their slow progress "The poor girl's been down here for long enough."
Michael gave an affirm nod, agreeing with his worries.
"Narda!" called Vagus "Hurry the hell up! Latias isn't gonna get herself out of this mess alone!"
A tumble of rocks fell at their feet as the absol leaped down rock by rock, rather than absorbing the drop with the large body she didn't have.
"Sorry," she apologized arriving at Michael. "I hear them coming. Danger is near." Her last words left her mouth in a cold whisper.
Michael accepted her words with a grin, his forward fangs jetting from the smile. "It nothing we can't handle." He then threw his gaze towards Vagus. "Isn't that right, mate?"
The feraligatr nodded proudly as a grin of his own revealed an intimidating line of pearly white teeth.
"Good," replied Michael slapping him on his broad shoulder and indicated with his left arm for Narda to take the lead.
Narda, who had been tailing behind the two of them thus far, bounded forward past him and began to walk at a steady pace; her paws padded on the dungeon floor as though she were a ghost.
Following behind her with Vagus, Michael knew that today's rescue attempt would weigh heavily on her abilities to sense incoming danger. In a place such as Pitfall Valley, danger would strike at them at any time and from any direction. If Narda's abilities were to fail her, the entire team would be taken off guard and overwhelmed by Aerodactyl. It was well known that the valley was host to an entire colony even though Michael, let alone the rest of his team, had yet to spot any of it.
Together they traversed further into the depths of the Valley. A seemingly endless void of silence that became increasingly unnerving with almost every step they took. Michael marveled at the fact that light, although faint, was still able to pierce the depths from the surface above them. The light had, for some reason beyond anyone's understanding, lost its yellowy warmth and bathed their surroundings in a silver glow. It was as though the dungeon had even managed to trap the moon itself within its depths. The team barley spoke amongst each other and Michael began to notice Vagus throwing a worried glance at him every time Narda slowed in her pace or sniffed at the stale air. He was beginning to find it slightly annoying. He was about to confront Vagus about the source of his troubles, but saw Narda abruptly freeze in front of him.
"Wait!" she hissed "Listen…"
Michael froze and Vagus was quick to do the same. The dungeon remained silent. There was not a noise to be heard.
Michael tweaked his ears to listen, but heard nothing beyond the sound of his own heartbeat…and that of Vagus'. He was about to inquire about the source of Narda's troubles but was cut short. Heads jerked in surprise as a series of distant roars echoed around the empty void.
Michael heard Vagus swear. "Aerodactyl!" he spat "They know we're here!"
Michael let out a chuckle "We'll, didn't they take their bloody time," he was surprised at how far they had managed to progress without alerting them.
He listened. Their cries were rapidly intensifying as they began to close in on them. The silence was gone.