Darkness... That was all she was able to see. Her memory was a huge blank, leaving only her name and that she was...human? What's a human? And why was it so dark? "Mmm..." Slowly, she opened her eyes. "Ugh...W-where am I?" All she could see was forest all around her and the sound of water nearby. How did I get here? Where is here?
Pain shot through her tiny body. Something on her head slipped a bit, shading her blue eyes from view. She winced. "Ugh...too sleepy...drifting..." Her eyes closed. Someone...help...me...
As the girl passed out, she and her location are finally revealed. The girl is a small yellow mouse with red spots on her cheeks and a lightning bolt-shaped tail curved inward near the tip. A large black baseball cap with gold near the brim and the letters IL printed on the back rested on her head. She was on the grass beside a river that flowed under a nearby bridge.
Elsewhere, in a town not far from the unconscious girl's location, many strange creatures went about their daily lives. These creatures were called Pokemon and they alone inhabited this land. Humans died out centuries ago, leaving Pokemon to learn and adapt to their new lives. They no longer seemed to need humans to care for them anymore.
This is Poke Town, a peaceful town where Pokemon live in harmony. But all is not well in their land. Great elemental disasters and spatial distortions have made the land a dangerous place to live in. Ranger Teams were made to help deal with the many distress calls of Pokemon in danger. The most famous of all was the Poke Town Ranger Station, led by Ranger Head Garchomp and twelve other elite Ranger Team leaders. Now, a mysterious Pokemon has washed up on the edge of the river. The start of a whole new adventure is about to begin...
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon 4: Rangers of Space and the Elements
Chapter 1: Two Troublemakers and A Human
Poke Town was a pleasant place to live for all Pokemon. With the Poke Town Ranger Station guarding it alongside the Poke Town Defense Squad (PTDS), it was rarely in danger of an attack. But that did nothing to stop threats from the inside, from within Poke Town itself. Especially two particularly mischievous pranksters who made life more exciting and exhausting, mainly to the ones ordered to catch them.
A small pink and cream cat Pokemon raced alongside a yellow mouse with a lightning bolt-shaped tail. A Skitty and a Pikachu, two troublesome youngsters who loved pulling pranks on anyone they think of as easy prey. This time they made the big mistake of targeting Rio Lucar, a local Lucario with a nasty attitude toward kids aside from his little sister. Now they were on the run from him and his Aura Sphere attacks.
"Waah! Rose, this was a bad idea!" the Pikachu cried.
"Then why do you sound so proud of yourself, Volt?" the Skitty, Rose, demanded. "Besides, this was your idea!"
"Was not!" the Pikachu, Volt, disagreed. "It was yours!"
"I don't care whose idea it was! You're both dead meat!" Lucar, as he was usually called, roared before charging up another Aura Sphere. It sent the duo flying when it hit the ground just behind them, giving the Lucario just enough time to catch up to them. "Got you! Force Palm!"
"The forest! Get to the forest, Volt!" Rose shouted, racing away.
"Got it!" Volt tore away too, escaping the blow by inches.
As the two troublemakers vanished into the forest, Lucar growled in annoyance. "Stupid kids!" Turning on his heel, he stalked away. "Whatever. The PTDS will catch them anyhow, just like they always do. Now, time to get back home to Luminia." He raced away, intent on returning to his sister's side.
Rose and Volt continued running, certain that they had escaped the angry Lucario. Pausing to catch their breath, they never noticed a pair of vines slowly closing in on them from above. The twin vines struck with deadly accuracy, tying the duo up in an instant. As they struggled, a green dinosaur-like creature with a green bulb on its back jumped down from the tree and smiled.
"Well, well. Look who I caught today." the Bulbasaur giggled. Her vines tightened a bit more as a purple bat flew overhead. "Sentry, Lightning, down here!"
The bat landed, all four wings flapping as another Pikachu jumped down off its back. This Pikachu was smaller than Volt was but stayed close to his Crobat companion. The Bulbasaur's smile widened as a Mudkip and a Cyndaquil stepped out from the bushes. "Good catch, Viney," the Cyndaquil praised.
"Thanks, Blitz. It was easy since they never seem to look up." She chuckled.
"What do we do with them now?" the small Pikachu, Lightning, asked. "Do we bring them to the elders?"
The elders were five old Pokemon that lived on the outskirts of the village and made most of the decisions for the town. It was their idea to build the Ranger Station and placed Garchomp as its leader. The five elders were Whiscash, Espeon, Umbreon, Kecleon, and Mightyena. Unfortunately, elders Espeon and Umbreon happened to be Rose's caretakers.
"Yeah, to the elders with them!" the Mudkip cried.
"I agree with Mudpuppy, Blitz." The Crobat, Sentry, muttered. "Let the elders sort it out...again."
"I know, I know," the Cyndaquil nodded. "I just wish these two would stop being such pests."
"Like you're any better!" Rose hissed.
"At least we protect Poke Town instead of torment it!" Blitz yelled. "We're doing something useful and you're just being annoying brats. No wonder nobody can stand either of you!"
"You shut up!" Volt yelled.
"Be quiet!" Mudpuppy the Mudkip screamed, silencing everyone. "Blitz, don't drop to their level like that. Let's just drop them on the elders' doorstep and get on with our job, okay?"
"Urrr...fine. Let's go, guys." The five Pokemon took off for Poke Town and walked through the street, dragging Rose and Volt behind them with Viney's vines. The residents just stared at them and shook their heads in shame. Then the whispers started.
"What did they do this time?"
"Why are they such troublesome kids? Where are their parents?"
"They're making a fool of this town. Why are the elders allowing this behavior to continue?"
"How can anyone stand them, especially poor elder Espeon and elder Umbreon? That Skitty must be horrid."
"No wonder those Raichu decided to die in battle. Who'd want a troublesome kid like him?"
Volt whimpered, closing his eyes. Rose simply growled, struggling to get free. How dare they say that about them? They didn't know them, so why judge them? Sure, they caused trouble but they had their reasons. The Skitty just prayed that they hadn't finally lost the elders' patience with them.
A few minutes later, they were tied back-to-back in the center of the elders' hut. Espeon and Umbreon didn't look Rose in the eye, instead choosing to chat with their fellow elders. Rose really couldn't blame them for acting like that. Volt remained quiet, the villagers' words running through his head. The chatter finally ended. They would be given their punishment now.
"We have come to the decision that will, hopefully, reform you two for the better." Whiscash stated. "We shall enroll you two in the Poke Ranger Station's Ranger program."
"What?!" Rose cried. "Forget it! I won't do it!"
"You don't have a choice in the matter, Rose." Mightyena growled. "That is for us to decide, not you."
"Rose, Volt," Espeon said. "Return to your homes and gather what little belongings you have. You'll be leaving for the Ranger Station once you're ready to go. I'll drop you off nearly the bridge."
"Then what?" Volt asked hesitantly.
"You'll travel through Beau Plains and reach the Ranger Station." Umbreon answered. "You might want to go fast if you hope to get there before nightfall."
"But—" Volt cried.
"This meeting is finished, yes? Then let us be off!" Kecleon, the father of the Kecleon brothers that ran the Kecleon Market, urged. He stood up and headed for a door to their left. "I am taking a nap. Have fun!" He vanished.
"Rose, let's go home and get you packed." Espeon said softly, using her psychic powers to untie the duo. "Umbreon, dear, could you escort Volt home so he can pack?"
"Of course. Let's go, Volt." The Dark-type led the Pikachu through the door and headed for a run-down hut not far from the elders' home.
Espeon, on the other hand, led Rose back toward Poke Town and entered a hut near the center of the town. Grumbling angrily, the Skitty grabbed a few items she kept and a black scarf with a single thunderbolt in the center. The scarf was something she had kept with her since her parents died and she came to live with elder Espeon and elder Umbreon. It was the only thing she had of her parents' things.
"Ready, Rose?" Espeon asked.
"No," Rose muttered. "I don't want to go. I want to stay here."
"Honey, the life of a Ranger is more exciting than living here in the town." Espeon explained. "With your adventurous attitude, I just know you'll love it."
Yeah right, Rose thought. I'll enjoy saving others when the world ends.
"Ready? Good. Then let's head for the edge of the village." Espeon said. "The PTDS will guide you to the bridge after that. You'll be left on your own then. Will you be okay?"
"I'll be fine," Rose replied. "Let's just go and get this over with."
"...Alright. Follow me."
The two Pokemon left the hut and headed west, going toward the edge of the forest. They passed Rio Lucar on their way by and he simply smirked at Rose. He knew she'd be forced out of the village sooner or later. As they walked deeper into the forest, they entered the clearing where Rose and Volt had been caught only an hour ago. Standing in the clearing were the members of the PTDS and Volt. Umbreon had already left.
Upon seeing her, Volt dashed behind Rose in fear. Espeon said her goodbyes and left, leaving the troublemaking duo to their fate. Blitz, the Cyndaquil from earlier, stepped forward. "Okay, we're going this way. You two better stay close 'cause if you get left behind, we're not waiting around for you to catch up. Either keep up or go your own way. Understand?"
"Yeah, whatever," Rose growled. "You better keep up too."
"Rose!" Volt whimpered.
"Hmph! Keep that attitude of yours in check too, Rose." Viney added.
Rose hissed and started whispering to Volt the instant the group took off for the bridge on the far eastern edge of Poke Town. The bridge spanned across the Magikarp River, which was constantly filled with Magikarp and only Magikarp. The forest they were headed through was the Fall Forest, a forest that surrounded the northern and eastern borders of Poke Town and was home to very few Pokemon. The northern half had caught on fire a few days ago, making it treacherous to currently go through.
"Rose, is being a Ranger all that bad?" Volt asked.
"Who knows? All I know is that there are tons of rules and stuff there." Rose replied.
"So...no more pranks?"
"Not unless you are certain you can run fast. But I'm sure that won't stop us from terrorizing the Ranger Heads until they go insane." Rose said. "We'll make them ever regret trying to reform us."
"Um, actually..."
"What now, Volt?"
"Maybe it'll be nice there." Volt mumbled.
"What?! You can't be serious."
"I am though!" the Pikachu countered. "Maybe they'll be able to finally understand us. They might not judge us anymore like the villagers did. Maybe they can actually help us, Rose!"
"Yeah right! You're delusional, Volt."
"We're here!" Mudpuppy barked, catching the duo's attention. He gestured to the small stone bridge leading across the river. "You just cross that bridge and enter that forest. Beau Plains is just beyond there. Get through that dungeon and you'll be right in front of the Poke Town Ranger Station."
"D-d-dungeon?!" Volt yelped.
"Yeah, that's right. It's a mystery dungeon." Blitz explained. "Mystery dungeons are, as the name says, mysterious places with many floors that lead to a certain destination once you conquer a certain amount of floors. The floor layout changes each time you enter the dungeon, so you never know what to expect when you enter one. The good thing is that you can find really cool items in the dungeons and gain experience by battling the local Pokemon."
"Wait, we have to fight?!" Volt cried. "We can't do that!"
"I bet we can!" Rose argued.
"I'm not done yet." Blitz said. "The bad thing happens if you get beaten. Once you are defeated in a mystery dungeon, three things will happen to you. One, you'll lose all the money you brought or found in that dungeon. Two, you'll lose half or more of the items you find in that dungeon. And three, you get kicked right out of the dungeon."
"You're kidding!" Volt gasped. "Rose, we can't do this! We just can't!"
"We can and we will, Volt! Just trust me, okay?" the Skitty yelled. "We'll show them who's boss. Let's go!"
"One more thing, you two," Blitz called. "Since you don't have a Ranger Bag yet, you can only carry one item each."
"Sure, whatever. See you losers later!" Rose taunted, sticking her tongue out at them as the PTDS vanished into the forest. "Come on, let's do this!"
"Hang on, Rose. Don't you smell that?" Volt asked.
"If you mean the Magikarp, yes."
"No, that other smell!"
"What other smell?"
"Just take a sniff and you'll know!"
Rose sniffed and her ears twitched in surprise. "You're right, Volt. Someone else is already here. Let's check it out!" The Skitty raced down to the river's edge and peered under the bridge. "Volt, get over here! Someone's unconscious under the bridge!"
"What?!" Volt cried, shocked. "Okay, I'm coming!"
Sliding down the hill leading from the bridge to the river's edge, the Pikachu and Skitty both stared at the unconscious Pokemon. It was a female Pikachu with a black bowl on her head! Reaching in, Rose poked her arm. "Hey, wake up. Hello? Is anyone in there? Yoo-hoo?"
"Ugh..."
"AAAH!" The duo retreated a few feet, returning once they confirmed it was just the stranger. "Hey, are you okay? Please wake up!" Volt begged, shaking the Pikachu.
"Huh?" The Pikachu opened her eyes, blinking sleepily. Who's there? Mom? Dad? Hello? Then the Pikachu stared in shock. Pokemon?!
"Hey! It's good to see you're awake." Volt said, smiling. "Are you okay?"
The Pikachu simply nodded. "Who...are you? Where am I?" she finally asked.
"I'm Volt and this is Rose." Volt introduced.
"And you're on the edge of the Magikarp River near Beau Plains." Rose finished. "Now, who are you and what are you doing out here? Are you lost or something?"
"I...I don't know what I'm doing out here. My name is Amy." The Pikachu, Amy, replied. "And, yes, I think I'm lost. I don't know where I am or who I am. I can only remember my name and..."
"And what? What else do you remember?" Volt asked.
"I'm human. I remember that I am a human named Amy." Amy said.
Rose simply stared. "Um, Amy? You look like a normal Pikachu to me, not some human...whatever those things are!"
"A Pikachu?" Amy slowly sat up and blinked, crawling over to the river. Staring back at her was a yellow mouse with long black-tipped ears and red cheeks. Resting on her head was a black and yellow baseball cap that was a little big for her to wear now as a Pokemon. Amy gasped, clapping her paws over her mouth. They're right! I am a Pikachu! But how did this happen? I'm human...or I once was.
"Hey, are you okay?" Volt asked.
"Volt, just leave the psycho Pikachu alone. Don't forget, we have to be at the Ranger station before nightfall and the sun is starting to set now." Rose called. "Let's go!"
"Wait, please don't leave! I don't know where to go or anything!" Amy begged.
"What should we care?" Rose hissed. "We have to be somewhere, Amy. We can't be caring for you when we have somewhere else to be!"
"We can bring her with us!" Volt suddenly said. "Maybe she can be a part of our Ranger Team when we reach the Ranger Station, Rose."
"Why are you on her side?" the Skitty demanded.
"She's lost, Rose!" Volt argued. "There's nothing wrong with her tagging along until we reach the Ranger Station. Maybe someone there will recognize her or something and help her jog her memory."
"...Whatever. Fine, you can come with us but you better keep up! If you fall behind, I'm not slowing down for you!" Rose spat. "Let's go, Volt!"
"Coming!" the Pikachu nodded. "Come on, Amy. I'll take care of you. Rose seems mean but she's really nice, I swear."
"Okay..." Amy quickly followed the two strange Pokemon, wracking her brain for any ideas about her memory loss. Why can't I remember anything? What happened to make me lose my memory? I hope this Ranger Station Volt talked about can help me.
The trio stood on the other side of the bridge at the entrance to Beau Plains. "Well, here we go." Rose muttered. "I hope we get through here before nightfall. I am not sleeping in the forest, no way, no how!"
"Relax, Rose. We'll get there, I promise!" Volt chuckled. "Come on, Amy. Let's get through here and see if anyone at the Ranger Station knows you."
Amy nodded. "Thanks,"
"Sure!" Volt grinned. "It's what friends do for one another!"
Friends, Amy thought. As long as I have no memories, these two can be my first friends. I like that word: friends. It sounds nice.
"Okay, enough chatter. Let's do this!" Rose cried, racing away.
"Hey, wait for us!" Volt complained, tearing off after her.
Amy laughed and followed them. This would be the beginning of Amy's life as a Pokemon. Though she may not know it, she shall play a vital role in not only Poke Town's life but the planet's life. Her adventures with Rose and Volt begin now!
In an alternate dimension...
Palkia growled, glaring at the bubble in front of him. Glowing red eyes narrowed menacingly as he caught sight of Amy in the bubble. The bubble showed the Lord of Space events that were occurring throughout the many dimensions he had control over. Only recently have dark thoughts clouded his mind and destruction becoming his new goal.
Roaring in rage, Palkia smashed the bubble with his tail before turning away. He glared at the stormy skies of the dimension he had created for his domain. Lightning flashed and thunder boomed, making the Space Lord feel at peace. He remembered why he had been searching for Amy in the first place.
The girl was a threat. She was tearing apart his plans and he didn't know why! Did she even know she was doing it? He didn't know why but Amy was a threat. Not long after darkness covered his world, she had appeared and began fighting him. Flinging her into another dimension, he watched her change from human to Pokemon as each of her treasured memories was ripped away from her.
But she still came back! Palkia roared again and thrashed his tail. His plans were in motion. Spatial distortions were making Pokemon mysteriously vanish and elemental disasters were springing up everywhere. Without her memories, the girl was of little threat...unless she found him again. Seeing Palkia might trigger her memories and he couldn't allow that.
Roaring, Palkia sped off into the stormy skies and vanished. Not long ago, darkness had covered his world and corrupted Palkia, making the deity think only of destruction and world conquest. He was already planning to seal the other Legendaries away in other dimensions.
But why? Why was she such a huge threat to him? Even Palkia didn't know that. All he knew was that she needed to be destroyed...permanently.
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So, how was it? I think the last part on Palkia was a bit strange but oh well. I hope you liked it, Mist-Sensei. I might update later but once again, this was requested so it won't be my primary story. I have most of the plot thought out and written down but it's not much, just ideas with little description. Please review!
EDIT: I have decided to make Palkia a he. Sorry for a confusion with the 'it' thing. My mind must've still been on the normal Pokemon mode (where Legendaries have no genders). Thanks for pointing that out, Azure Inu. Hope you all still like it!
EDIT 2: I have changed the title to PMD4 to keep it separate from the real PMD3: Explorers of the Sky.