A/N: Well here I am folks! Me, Sharkness, returning with a new Fanfic, 'Tremors'!
This is in the same series as my first Fanfic, 'Slendermon', where my main characters Aaron and Ronnie get attacked by all kinds of vicious monsters from myth and legend, and this one focuses on the legend of the Mongolian Death Worm (note: you don't have to have read Slendermon to read this. Most of what happened in Slendermon will be explained in little bits, and it will be referenced, but new time readers shouldn't be put off).
Competition time- I'll do what I did with Slendermon, and a 'guess the monster competition'. First person to PM me a correct guess as to what species of Pokemon the monster is wins an OC in my next story! :)
On with the show... :D
Towards the southern end of the Unova region, situated in between the bustling, cosmopolitan Nimbasa City and the towering metropolis of Castelia City, there is an incredibly large, barren desert. Unova Route 4 runs right through this desert, covered by the ever-shifting sands, and many travellers of this Route will tell you stories of the desert; the rapid forming, fast blowing sandstorms that spring up suddenly and without warning, for example. Maybe they'll tell about the treacherous patches of quicksand, or of the aridness and lack of oases to provide much needed water. Maybe they'll tell you of the incredible heat and strong sunlight, or of the incredibly strong and hardy Pokemon that have adapted to live there. Or even, they may tell you of the stunning isolation you feel in the desert; the big cities it is sandwiched in between are not visible from within, and the minuscule amount of other civilisation provides you with a feeling of loneliness unmatched anywhere on the planet...
Yet there was something in this wilderness, and it was an impressive sight to behold. A vast, sprawling, ultra-modern complex, nestled in a slight valley in the desert sands, light glimmering off the glass windows as the searing sunlight blazed down on all below it. This was the new "Desert Resort", Unova's newest and most popular tourist destination.
This was where Aaron Rhodes and Ronnie Starks had just arrived. Aaron was brown haired, blue eyed, medium height, and dressed in jeans, a white T-shirt and a grey trenchcoat. No wonder he was feeling the heat. His partner Ronnie, tan-skinned with green eyes and spiky hair, didn't however- dressed in cargo shorts and a tight blue T-shirt, she was used to the desert heat anyway, as she used to train her Pokemon there.
"Good afternoon sir and madam, and welcome to the Desert Resort. How may I help you?" asked the concierge in a sophisticated British accent, as Aaron and Ronnie walked in. Black haired with a gelled quiff, blue glittering eyes and a permanent smile, he walked over to them from behind his desk, before stopping and looking at Aaron, who appeared to be bowing in prayer to a large Rotom-shaped fan set up just inside the entrance to blow cool air over visitors.
"He's not with me," Ronnie said quickly, noticing her boyfriend's behaviour and blushing in embarrassment. Aaron finally stopped bowing to the fan and got up off the floor to greet the concierge.
"We get that every time someone arrives, Miss Starks," said the concierge, smiling. "Mr Rhodes is not the first, and to be perfectly honest I don't blame him."
"See?" Aaron said, sticking his tongue out at Ronnie childishly. "I AM normal, thank you very much." He then paused, as if he'd missed something vital. "Wait a minute. How do you know her name?"
The concierge smiled, and for the first time Ronnie noticed the little name badge with 'Damien' written on it. "Damien!" she cried, leaping forward to hug the bemused worker. "I can't believe I didn't recognise you!"
"It has been two years," said Damien, chuckling, as he was knocked back by Ronnie's bearhug. "I wouldn't blame you." He then noticed the confused look on Aaron's face, and indicated him to Ronnie. "So, are you going to introduce me properly?"
"And are you going to explain who this guy is, and how he knows who you are?" asked Aaron.
Ronnie grinned. "Damien, this is Aaron Rhodes, my boyfriend, from Undella Town."
"A pleasure to meet you," said Damien, extending a hand to Aaron, who shook it firmly. "Boyfriend eh? You poor, poor man."
"Tell me about it," smirked Aaron. "She's unbelievable sometimes!"
"Hey!" said Ronnie, hands on hips, glaring at the two guys laughing at her.
"Too true," said Damien. "My name is Damien Faraday, and my family have lived in the desert for over 100 years. I grew up here, and when Miss Starks came to the desert to train her Pokemon, I was her training buddy."
"Oh right, said Aaron. "That explains why you two are used to this heat and I'm not." Then his pencil thin eyebrows furled into a frown. "So then, how do you know my name?"
"That's an easy one," smiled Damien. "I was in charge of handling your luggage up to your room."
"Fair enough," shrugged Aaron, satisfied that Damien wasn't stalking him. "Mind telling me what room we're in then?"
Damien whistled, and a Swoobat flew through the air, dropping 2 pairs of keys into Aaron's outstretched palm. "Thanks Amour," Damien said. The Swoobat chirped and started fluttering around Damien's head as he spoke. "Two sets of keys, one each, for Room 302, the Luxor Suite. Best apartment in the hotel, with one giant four poster bed for you two to share. Someone likes you to pay for that."
Aaron grimaced; he didn't want to tell Damien the reason they were here. He shuddered as the memories came flooding back. "Slendermon," he whispered to himself. "No more."
Oblivious, Ronnie thanked Damien and took the keys, Damien showing them to the stairwell. "Top floor, first room on the right. And one last rule of the hotel lovebirds- if you're sharing a bed, do keep the noise down overnight." A grinning Damien, along with his chuckling Swoobat, left the blushing couple at the bottom of the stairs to return to the desk.
"Can't believe we were booked the best suite in the whole damn hotel," remarked Aaron, as they started to climb the long stairs. "I thought Police budgets were tight nowadays?"
"And I can't believe we get a giant four-poster!" said Ronnie. "It's amazing."
"Not for me."
"Why?"
"Because you snore like a Grumpig," Aaron said, smirking as he unlocked the room door with his keys. Ronnie's indignant cry was ignored as he stepped inside the room. "Wow..."
Luxury was possibly not good enough for this room. Plush beige carpets and beige wall paint, not standing out and accentuating the wonderfully luxurious features of the Luxor Suite. The four-poster was gigantic, with plump pillows and light brown curtains pulled back against the chocolate coloured frame. Huge glass windows comprised the far wall, giving a stunning panoramic view of the desert landscape. There were dark red armchairs, a giant Samsung 40 inch TV against the wall opposite the bed, two expansive wardrobes, and a large fridge in the far corner. Through an open archway on the left, an amazing bathroom with a titanic whirlpool bath, through the other archway on the right (this one with a door), a separate bedroom for their Pokemon. It was paradise- in a hotel room.
As Ronnie ran to the bed shouting something along the lines of "I call top bunk!", Aaron closed the door behind him, and took in his room and the outstanding class of it all. He'd never seen anything this good in his life. Even their suitcases were up here already, on the armchairs waiting for them.
"You know, I take back everything I may have said about the Police in the past," he said to no-one in particular, hanging his trenchcoat on an elaborate hook behind the door. "They really know how to treat people well."
"Oh really?" said Ronnie from the bed. "Have a look at this then."
As Aaron threw himself backwards onto the bed beside Ronnie (noting how incredibly comfortable and soft the mattress was. It was perfect), she handed him a white envelope, labelled 'Aaron and Ronnie'. Opening it, he found two packets of condoms inside, along with a note- 'Enjoy'.
"A wonderful example of police humour and intellect there," Aaron said sarcastically, smiling all the same. He threw the envelope to one side, then noticed something else interesting on his oak bedside table. "Hey look, the TV remote! Wonder if the Pokemon Baccer's on?"
Ronnie sighed. "Two minutes in the room, and already you want the Baccer on?"
"But it's the big game to decide the title!" Aaron protested. "Nimbasa United vs Opelucid Dragons! I HAVE to watch it!"
"No," Ronnie said firmly. "You are not having the Baccer on, we are on holiday. Give me the remote."
She rolled across Aaron to snatch the remote from his outstretched left hand, which started a complicated wrestling match between the couple which ended after about ten seconds, both hot and flustered, with Ronnie the ex-gymnast on top of her partner, pinning him down.
Ronnie smiled and leant down to kiss her boyfriend's lips, and stood up off of him, before showing him what she'd nabbed from him while he was distracted- the TV remote.
Walking over to the door, Ronnie stuck her tongue out at her bemused boyfriend. "Coming to explore the hotel or not? Because you can't watch the TV you know..."
Groaning, Aaron eased himself up off the bed and to the door, where his girlfriend was waiting out in the corridor.
"Ronnie?" he asked, standing in the doorframe.
"Yeah?"
"You may have stolen the remote off me..."
"Yeah?"
"But guess what I stole from you?" Aaron brought his hands out his pockets to reveal that he had both his and Ronnie's keys to the room. "Good night." He shut and locked the door to the room, leaving Ronnie trapped outside in the corridor with only the remote.
"Aaron!"
(***)
3 hours later, Aaron had, after much convincing, given Ronnie her keys back, on the agreement that she wouldn't hog the remote, and he wouldn't watch the Baccer. Both had been shown around the Desert Resort by Damien (who found the envelope very funny), and both were impressed mightily. With 400 rooms, around 6 restaurants, a huge pool and a giant leisure centre (complete with spa, gym and shops), all maintained by a staff of 500 humans and 1000 Pokemon, the Desert Resort was serious business- the largest tourism complex in the entire world.
After this, they booked a trip out for the next day to the Relic Castle, somewhere Aaron had never been. They also shared a stunning Italian meal in one of the restaurants in the Resort, prepared by a chef trained by the legendary Striaton Brothers. Well, someone else was paying for it.
Aaron and Ronnie were there as part of an International Police witness protection scheme- a week ago in Undella Town, they'd been attacked by a horrific monster, a Team Plasma experiment gone wrong; the ten-foot-high, black-maned, thin and muscly once-Zoroark they'd named the 'Slendermon'. They barely survived. Detective Looker of the International Police had paid for them to go to the Desert Resort, to protect them from the press, and also to let them relax. It was working so far.
Contently full on amazing Italian food, they were now back in their room at 8 o clock, the late sunset over the dunes showcasing the brilliant scenery and providing a sublime backdrop to... watch the TV, apparently. But there was important news on the TV; news that affected them directly.
"Good evening Unova, this is the 8 o clock news, with Simon Bates," said the anchorman. "Our top story tonight is the dramatic verdict of the trial of leading members of Team Plasma, after their chaotic attempts to seize control over the region. Our reporter Delilah Maxwell is outside Opelucid National Court for us right now. Delilah, what's the scoop?"
The camera cut to a pretty-looking young woman stood, under a lit streetlight, outside the dramatic pillared frontage of Opelucid's centre of justice. Ronnie and Aaron both looked at each other, before leaning forward in anticipation.
"Thanks Simon," Delilah the reporter said. "It's been a dramatic and pivotal day in Unovan history as this 3-day trial, one of the most famous in the history of the justice system came to a close today. Here are the brief outlines of who's got what..." At this point the images changed to those of Ghetsis, the horrible ex-leader of Team Plasma, in the court room. Aaron and Ronnie shuddered at the sight of the man.
"Ghetsis Harmonia, leader of Team Plasma overall, was found guilty of a number of charges, including treason, conspiracy to commit treason, mistreatment of Pokemon and most notably mistreatment of children, after he forced his son, Natural Harmonia Gropius (N for short) into becoming Team Plasma's figurehead, doing what Ghetsis told him to do. Ghetsis has been found guilty, and been sentenced to death by hanging." This got a cheer from Ronnie and Aaron.
"N Harmonia has been acquitted of all charges, as his father Ghetsis had forced him into making most of Plasma's controversial decisions, and due to the history of child abuse and neglect." A picture of the once King was showed, flanked by the Legendary of Ideals Zekrom. "However, N Harmonia is not in Unova as of present to receive the judgement; police efforts to find him are continuing."
"You see, I don't get that at all," said Ronnie. "He was their King! He had to have known what they all did!"
"Yes, he did know," replied Aaron. "But I also know he didn't want it."
Ronnie looked at him, curiosity in her eyes. "Surely after everything, you'd be the last to defend Plasma, especially their King? How do you know he was against everything?"
"Simple. You know the Nuvema Twins?"
Ronnie nodded. Who didn't know them? Hilbert and Hilda Grey, aka Black and White, were twins, brother and sister, who became incredibly powerful Trainers in Unova. Rumour had it that both of them had beaten Alder in later matches- the definite fact everyone agreed on was that they had been instrumental in taking down Plasma. They were Unovan heroes. "Yeah?"
Aaron held up his Xtransceiver. "I have the numbers of both twins."
Ronnie's eyes widened. "Really? No way!"
"Yes way," Aaron smiled. "I met them both in Iccirus City a while ago, and they call me regularly. It's amazing what you find out from them."
"Like?"
"Well, Hilbert said today, when we were talking about what the result of the trial may be, that N is actually a really nice guy when out of Ghetsis' shadow, but that Ghetsis forces and bullies him to do Ghetsis' bidding. It really isn't his fault." Aaron paused. "Oh, and yesterday I found out that N is dating Hilda."
Ronnie's mouth was wide open now, agape in shock. "No!"
"I know! Isn't that awesome? The Hero of Ideals, and the Hero of Truth's sister, dating!"
"Wow..." Ronnie said. "That's awesome..." However, her wonder at learning this was soon replaced as the section on N ended and was replaced by something that chilled her and Aaron to the bone; scientist Colress. The man behind the Slendermon.
"Colress Achroma," said Delilah on-screen, "the brilliant yet insane head of Team Plasma's science department, was captured a week ago after the shocking events in Undella Town caused by a rogue Pokemon experiment of his." At this point, Ronnie and Aaron hugged, fighting back tears- they remembered it all too well. The pictures the TV showed of Undella Town in carnage, and some of Achroma's captured experiments, were sickening. They remembered it all too well.
"Convicted of crimes against humanity and Pokeality, Achroma will hang alongside his once-master Ghetsis. The Police will not confirm whether the captured experiment was the Legendary Genesect- however, they can confirm that after close examination, the specimen was destroyed."
Aaron and Ronnie cheered. At least the nightmare of Undella Town was over. Then their attention returned to the TV.
"However Delilah, there is a huge twist in the tale where the Seven Sages are concerned," said Simon the anchorman. "Please shed some light for us."
"Yes Simon. During the events in Undella Town, police learned that the Sages attempted to take over the Team so that they could bring Plasma forward out of the darkness and strive to improve Unova. However, all but three Sages were killed by the rogue experiment- Francois Zinzolin, Heinrich Bronius, Ichiri Ryoku and the new recruit Tarquin Indigo all died trying to stop their predecessor's monster. Alessandro Giallo survived untouched, and Sages Alastair Gorm and Willem Rood were seriously injured, but have both survived."
"So what happened to the Sages?" asked the anchorman.
"The court today found them not guilty of the crimes of Team Plasma; they reasoned that the Sages were figureheads, like N, to take the impact of Ghetsis' underhand operations. The court also reason that if they did act unreasonably, they did it under Ghetsis' bullying, and that their attempts to redeem Plasma, resulting in 4 of their number dying, were valiant and courageous, 'symbolic of heroes not villains'. All have been acquitted."
"There you have it folks," said the anchorman. "Delilah Maxwell in Opelucid City for us tonight. Thanks Delilah. Now, the sports news, and in the decisive match of the Baccer season, Nimbasa United..."
Aaron had leaned forward expectantly after the mention of the Baccer, but Ronnie had seized the remote and turned off the TV.
"Ohhhhh," Aaron moaned. "Not even one news report?"
"Nope," Ronnie said with a smirk.
"Dammit," said Aaron, lying back down beside his girlfriend. "But there's nothing else on TV. Now what do we do?"
They stared at the disappearing sunset, the beautiful and thought-provoking scenery, and how each others' faces were lit up by the orange evening light. It was stunning; what may be described as a romantic sunset by some.
"It's beautiful," Ronnie said, noticing it for the first time.
"Not bad," said Aaron, staring at his girlfriend's face, illuminated by an incandescent glow.
She smiled and kissed him. "It's perfect."
"Thank Looker, not me," he smiled. "He paid for the hotel."
"So romantic..." she sighed, a look suddenly on her face.
"Yes it is," said Aaron, ever the insensitive emotion-lacking teenager, noting how his girlfriend was behaving. "And? I thought you hated ultra-sappy romance?"
Ronnie's face changed, not to a smile, but to a huge grin that stretched from ear to ear. "Not tonight. How about we use this romantic moment for the best?" She kissed Aaron, and in one fluid movement had her top off beside him, pressing Looker's envelope containing his 'special' gift into Aaron's hands.
"Woah," said Aaron, still slightly reeling from how events had changed so quickly. "Are you really sure?"
"Uh-huh," said Ronnie, now peeling Aaron's clothing off of him without asking. "I knew Looker's gift would be useful." Before he could reply, she kissed him, long and tenderly on the mouth...
Things kind of escalated from there...
(***)
Over an hour later, Aaron and Ronnie lay side by side in the four-poster, tired and exhausted from the passionate 'activities' previously. The sunset was gone at last, replaced by an inky black sky dotted with the dazzling white pinpricks of far away stars. It was a sight to behold out of the window, especially with the bright lights of Nimbasa City far off on the horizon- the City of fun never slept, it seemed.
Aaron sat in the semi darkness, and reflected on how much his life had changed. 5 days ago, he returned home to Undella Town after 4 years, met his future girlfriend, won a battle tournament and went to a school reunion party. From then, everything went downhill- his brother awoke a failed Team Plasma experiment, which killed most of his old schoolfriends, many Pokemon, including his Marowak and Ronnie's Gengar, and several Team Plasma Sages, who weren't actually evil and were only trying to help subdue the creature (which was only achieved thanks to the timely intervention of the Legendary Genesect.
However, the moment when Aaron fired his Desert Eagle from point blank range through the creature's skull to kill it was a priceless memory he would cherish forever; the moment it finally ended. He had done it- now he was here, in an expensive hotel room he'd never have dreamed of sleeping in, lying next to a beautiful girl, the girl he loved. Perfect.
He yawned, then pulled on a dressing gown to get out of bed. Picking up his and Ronnie's Pokeballs, he sadly felt the empty one, the one that previously contained his Marowak before she was murdered by the Slendermon. Shaking himself he let out all their Pokemon- his Sceptile, Heracross, Banette, Mantine and Ampharos, along with Ronnie's Altaria, Espeon, Flygon and Excadrill. When he showed them the separate, luxury Pokemon room, they cheered, and Flygon cried the Pokemon equivalent of 'I call top bunk!', which started a stampede...
Except for Aaron's Banette. Standing in the doorway, he looked at Aaron and Ronnie, before his red eyes glowed brighter. When they stopped, his zipper grin grew wider, and he chuckled.
"What?" said Aaron.
Banette sighed, pointed at Aaron, then pointed at the sleeping Ronnie, then mimed someone thrusting their hips in sex. "Nette ban!"
"Shut up and go to bed," Aaron said wearily. He severely regretted teaching Banette Psychic now- now he couldn't keep secrets from the Ghost.
Banette smirked, before waving to him and swaggering off into the Pokemon room, presumably going to tell the others. "Ban ban."
"Goodnight to you too," Aaron said, before muttering, "bloody Ghost." He slid back into bed and, trying to ignore the noise of chaos coming from the Pokemon room (Banette had tipped Espeon out of his bed, and started a battle), drifted off to sleep...
A pity they, and almost everyone else in the Desert Resort, weren't awake. A pity the Pokemon were too busy arguing. A pity no-one bothered opening their room curtains to look out upon the moonlit desert. Not only was it a sight to behold, but someone would have noticed it. A long, large shape on the starlight horizon, rearing up before striking the ground and disappearing into the sands.
Wherever you go there are myths and legends. Wherever there are myths and legends, there are catalysts and causes. The cause of the desert's most infamous legend was out there tonight, woken from its hibernation by the sounds of the excavation diggers and drills building the expansion to the Desert Resort. With one last cry, it's elongated tail disappeared down into the dunes, and silence and peace reigned once more in the desert...
But not for long...
A/N: Oh no Aaron and Ronnie! What have you got yourselves into this time? :)
Next chapter- the Relic Castle, a new friend, the truth about Damien and... a midnight murder? :O
Thanks for reading! Reviews are always appreciated, and until next time, adios amigos! :D
Sharkness