Two creatures, a large gray one and a tiny pink one, squirmed against their bonds, crying out in pain as the sharp ropes cut into their skin. The world they had once loved had suddenly vanished without a trace, and before they knew it, they had been captured and brought here.
"They're not coming!" The gray one hissed at something hidden in the shadows. "They're smarter than that!"
"That's right!" The pink one agreed. "And you have no way of making them come here."
A growl was heard, and the two creatures screamed as the ropes tightened. The one who had captured them stepped out of the shadows, and they stared up at him, their expressions a mixture of fear and hatred.
"On the contrary, I'm afraid," he answered. "Whether I trick them into coming here, or smite them where they stand, I will destroy Team Vulvee."
It was an early morning in Treasure Town, too early for most Pokemon's likings, as the sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon. Inside Sharpedo Bluff, six Pokemon slept peacefully. The six of them made up Team Vulvee: the leader, Chloe the Vulpix, her partner, Eevee, along with Meowth, Dratini, Grovyle, and Caz the Togetic.
They would have continued to slept, if it hadn't been for a knock at the door. It was ignored at first, after a pause, the knocking changed to more of an urgent tap.
Chloe opened her eyes, contemplating over whether or not it was worth it, before shutting them again and tucking her nose under one of her curly tails. "Meowth, get the door," She mumbled.
The cat Pokemon lifted his head up and glared at her, before crossing his arms defiantly and lying back down. "Eevee, get the door."
"Why can't one of you guys do it?" Eevee whined, not even opening her eyes.
The knocking came again, and Dratini peeked into their room. "Hey...someone's at the door."
Chloe sighed and was about to get up, when she heard Grovyle groan from the other room, "For the love of Arceus! I'll get the door!"
The sound of the door opening was heard, and almost immediately Chloe could hear someone speaking very quickly under their breath, with an irritated edge to their voice. Perhaps they weren't happy about being awake at this hour either.
"...I understand," Grovyle said finally. "Yes, I'll tell her right away. Alright. Thanks. Be seeing you, then." He closed the door with a sigh. "Chloe, get up, it was for you!"
"Who was it, and what'd they say?" Chloe asked, padding out of the bedroom she shared with Eevee and Meowth with shaky legs.
"Some leader you are," Meowth grumbled, following her out of the room. "Why can't Grovyle be leader, since you're so...irresponsible?" He was immediately clubbed on the back of the head, courtesy of Eevee.
"You take that back!" Eevee cried. "Chloe saved the world twice! And you did nothing to help!"
"Guys! Guys! Guys!" Chloe quickly got between them before things could get physical. "Anyway, go on, Grovyle."
"That was Chatot at the door," Grovyle explained. "He said that Lapras wants to meet us at Treasure Beach as soon as possible. He doesn't know why exactly, but he told me that Lapras seemed worried."
"Is the world in danger again?" If anyone else had said that, it would have come off as sarcastic, but coming from Dratini, the question was completely serious.
"Yes, just leave it to Team Vulvee to save the day," Meowth rolled his eyes. "Because we're obviously the only able exploration team in the world."
Everyone ignored him, as usual.
"Well, in case there really is a problem, we should pack supplies that'll last us a few days, in case Lapras wants to take us somewhere," Chloe said thoughtfully. "Food, medicine stuff, the works."
"Excuse me, but why are we all up so early?" Caz asked sleepily as she flew into the room, her wings fluttering just enough to keep her feet from barely touching the ground. She had apparently slept through all the commotion from earlier.
"Pack your things, Caz!" Chloe told her brightly. "We're going to Treasure Beach!"
Lapras was pacing back and forth in the shallow water as they raced down the path to the beach, apparently lost in thought. However, his normally peaceful expression was pained and troubled. Chloe instinctually quickened her pace. Maybe something really was wrong.
"Lapras!" Chloe called, running towards him, the earth under her paws turning into sand as she reached the beach. Lapras jumped and blinked when he heard her, and when he turned around to see them, his expression was blank for a moment, but quickly turned to a warm smile.
"Team Vulvee reporting for duty!" Eevee said excitedly as she skidded to a stop, sending sand flying everywhere. The rest of the team shot glares at her as they shook the sand off themselves, but the ever-so oblivious Eevee took a seat beside Chloe and took no notice of them.
"Chloe, Eevee...and Grovyle," Lapras greeted them. "Hello again. It's been a while, hasn't it?"
"So why'd you call us here?" Meowth asked bluntly. "Oh, wait, let me guess—someone we once trusted is really a bad guy and he's about to take over the world so it's up to us to stop him because we happened to be at the right place at the right time. Am I right?"
"Don't mind him, he's always like this," Chloe told Lapras. "But really, we're all curious, so why are we here?"
"Well..." Lapras took a deep breath. "Over the past few days, I've been having...a terrible sense of dread, to say the least. It always happens whenever I think about Temporal Tower. I just can't shake off the feeling that something's wrong. Which is why I summoned you; to take you to the Hidden Land to investigate."
"All of us?" Grovyle asked suspiciously. "But Lapras, I thought you said that Chloe, Eevee, and I were the only ones permitted to go to the Hidden Land."
"Yes, well..." Lapras shifted uncomfortably. "The more experienced Pokemon we have, the better, I suppose. I am the guardian of the Hidden Land, and because the Relic Fragment is no longer needed, I can make an exception."
Something strange is going on here, Chloe thought, and looking at Grovyle, she could tell that he was thinking the same thing. Lapras isn't acting like himself. We should probably check out the Hidden Land, if that's what it takes to get him back to normal.
"We should probably get going," Lapras said nervously. "If something really is out there, I don't want it to be there for long."
"Right," Chloe agreed, nodding to her teammates. "Come on, guys."
"Is that the Sea of Time?" Dratini asked curiously as they neared the twisted-up waves. While everyone else had proceeded to lie down and relax for the long journey, she had spent nearly all of it eagerly asking Lapras questions.
"Yes," Lapras responded. "Once we enter it, I'll rise out of the water, and we'll be taken straight to the Hidden Land."
"You mean, you'll be able to fly?" Caz asked, looking a little frightened. "B-but, you're a water Pokemon, and you don't have wings..."
"Well...it's not flying, exactly," Lapras answered. "It's just...well, I can't really explain it. You'll have to see for yourself when it happens, which should be about...now!"
No sooner had the words left his mouth than he rose up into the air. Although they were surrounded by clouds, it was clear that they were no longer in the water. Meowth, Dratini, and Caz all let out little cries of surprise as they experienced the miracle for the first time. Even Chloe, Eevee, and Grovyle, who had seen this happen before, couldn't help feeling a bit of a thrill as the Sea of Time worked its magic.
However, this didn't completely smooth out the doubt that had worked its way into Chloe's mind. Grovyle sat down next to her, shooting Lapras a suspicious glance. "Something's wrong," he whispered to her. "You've noticed it too, haven't you? This isn't the same Lapras we met a year ago."
"I know," Chloe agreed, keeping her voice low as well. "I think this is bothering him more than he's letting on."
"Perhaps," Grovyle answered. "But I have a feeling there's something more dangerous going on here. Just keep your guard up, okay?" He rested his hand on her shoulder briefly before getting back up to sit next to Dratini.
Keep my guard up...but against what? Chloe wondered. What does he mean by 'something more dangerous'? Lapras wouldn't hurt us...
The transport Pokemon let out a gasp as a shudder ran through his body. Everyone let out a yelp as the shaking nearly made them fall off, flattening themselves against Lapras' back to keep from tumbling into the ocean far below.
"I'm so sorry!" Lapras cried. "That's never happened before! I don't know what caused this...perhaps some turbulence...but I suggest holding on in case it happens again."
Turbulence...? Chloe thought doubtfully. No...it couldn't be. Turbulence was caused by rough patches of wind, or something like that. They were in the middle of crossing the Sea of Time; there was no wind here. Surely Lapras would know that? In fact, know that she thought about it, that so-called 'turbulence' seemed to come from within Lapras, not from the air surrounding them. It was as if something...or someone, was trapped inside, struggling to get out.
"Hey, Lapras, are we there yet?" Eevee asked. "It was a long time ago, but I don't remember it taking so long to get there..."
"Just be patient, Eevee," Lapras replied. "I'm sure we'll be there shortly."
An imposter, Chloe realized. This guy isn't acting like the Lapras we know because he isn't the Lapras we know! He's just another Big Bad luring us into a trap! Well, we took the bait, alright!
Chloe scooted over to Grovyle, knowing that if there was anyone on board who would believe her, it was him. "Hey..." she began, trying to keep her voice calm. "You don't happen to have any Escape Orbs or something here, do you? Cause we need to get out of here, and fast."
"So you realized it, too?" Grovyle replied. "And for Arceus' sake, keep your voice down! I think we should just keep playing along until we figure out what this imposter is up to."
"But what if it's too late by then?" Chloe asked, struggling to keep composure.
"I don't know," Grovyle admitted. "But right now, it's our only plan, and the only choice we've got."
"Team Vulvee," Lapras spoke up. Chloe shivered at how alien the voice sounded to her now. "I'm afraid that I seem to have slightly missed my mark, and cannot go any further. We are now hovering just above the Hidden Land, so you will have to jump."
"Jump?!" Caz echoed, her voice a terrified squeak. She appeared to have forgotten that she had wings.
"Don't worry," Lapras assured her. "Like I said, we are just above it, so the fall will not damage you at all."
"Is that so?" Meowth challenged, one eyebrow raised suspiciously. "If we're only just above the Hidden Land, then why can't I see it when I look down?"
"Clouds, perhaps," Lapras answered. "Also, things can look different once you've passed through the Sea of Time."
Lies, they're all lies, Chloe thought, anger boiling up inside of her, furious at being tricked so easily. You guys are smarter than this. You can't trust him!
"I...I believe you, Lapras!" Eevee said, sounding a little hesitant but looking up at him cheerfully. "You wouldn't lie to us! Don't worry, we'll find whatever it is that's out there and put a stop to it!" She carefully made her way over to Lapras' side, peering over the edge cautiously.
Chloe stared at her partner in horror. Eevee wasn't...she couldn't be—! She looked at Grovyle desperately, who shook his head and mouthed 'wait'.
Eevee bunched her muscles, preparing to jump...
"DON'T DO IT!"
Eevee gasped and nearly lost her balance, but fortunately managed to fall backwards. She turned towards who had yelled, which turned out to be...Lapras?
Lapras' eyes were squeezed shut, and he looked like he was struggling not to talk, but the words kept spilling out anyway. "HE'S TRICKING ALL OF YOU! RUN, HIDE, ESCAPE, DO ANYTHING! JUST GET AWAY FROM HERE!" Then he was silent.
Chloe wrapped her arms around Eevee, preventing her from going towards him. Everyone else quietly made their way over to Chloe and Grovyle, to where they were all clumped together, staring at Lapras fearfully.
After what seemed like forever, Lapras turned around to look at them, all smiles. "Well, it seems that my little secret got out," he said, his voice now much lower and raspy. "This host turned out to be not quite so weak after all. I almost completely lost control for a moment there."
"What have you done with Lapras?!" Chloe demanded.
"Lapras right here, perfectly fine," The imposter answered, gesturing to himself. "But I assure you, he's not getting out agai—" He broke off with a choked cry, twisting violently until his eyes went blank.
"Team Vulvee, listen to me!" Lapras' real voice spilled out. "You must destroy this imposter! I don't care if you kill me in the process; it has to be done! The Hidden Land is near, and you might be able to make it there if you jump to the far left! But he must be dealt with first!"
"Why are you asking us to do this?!" Eevee whimpered, starting to tear up. "We can't kill you, Lapras! We just can't!"
"He'll kill me anyway if you don't," Came Lapras' sad reply. "I promise I won't hate you if you do. But you cannot let yourselves be tricked by this Pokemon! I've seen what he plans to do, and—"
His body went through another spasm, and Lapras' warning was cut off by the soft chuckling of the imposter Pokemon. "Well, that was rather ironic, wasn't it?" He smirked. "But this time, I assure you that Lapras is gone for good. He has been, as some would call it, erased from existence."
"How...how could you?" Caz whispered in horror.
"Don't underestimate my powers, little Togetic," He responded, intentionally missing the point of her question. "And now, I suppose I have no use for this body anymore." His eyes went blank once again, and his mouth opened, shooting out a strange black mist. Immediately Lapras' body went cold.
Instantly, Lapras' body fell through the air, as the spell of the Sea of Time was broken. Chloe knew that they had to jump now, but that didn't stop the onslaught of questions that invaded her mind. Who was this guy? Why was he doing this? Why them? And why poor Lapras?
"Want revenge?" His teasing voice echoed in her mind. "I'll be waiting at Temporal Tower. Be sure to come. If not, those weaklings from Treasure Town's guild are next."
Chloe growled. This monster would not get away with this. "Lapras said to the far left!" She yelled at her team. "Jump, everybody!"
As they all leapt off together, Chloe couldn't help wondering if this was all just a horrible dream. Lapras couldn't be dead, he just couldn't be! Maybe they wouldn't make it and she'd wake up once they'd all hit the water. Yes, that would make s—
Her paws touched the soft ground of the Hidden Land, and that fantasy was shattered. No, this was all very real, and she had to face it like a leader. She stood up, brushed herself off, turned around...
...only to see the lifeless body of Lapras plummeting down into the ocean thousands of feet below.
(To Be Continued)