I started this fic while Delinquent Duo and Cut Man X were "in their teens" so to speak. I got the inspiration after watching the Mystery Dungeon Special on TV. You may notice that most of these elements are in the new Exploration Team games. However, this fic did start out way before then. Just clearing things up.

Oh yeah! Before I begin, I'll slap on my disclaimer once again.

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon or any game in the Mystery Dungeon series. I want to, but I don't. That's how it is.


Prologue

Since the "falling star" incident, natural disasters have calmed somewhat, but are still a constant threat. Certain Pokémon, however, have taken advantage of the situation to commit crimes. The tasks of Pokémon Rescue Teams have been expanded to that of modern police forces. Even so, they continue to work hard and get the job done right.

"Just like me! Combusken Jin!"

For the last time, it's not your cue yet!

"Well, excuse me! Geez, what's your problem?"

Ahem. As I was saying, long past were the days of the rival teams Go-Getters and Meanies. However, their legacy is not forgotten. This is the story of the birth of a new Rescue Team…

SMASH! The sound of a breaking window wakes up two expecting parents, Ludicolo and Cacturne. That sound came from the nest! The two parents rushed over and found that their eggs were missing. Cacturne ran to the broken window to see a small black Pokémon quickly running off with three green eggs!

"No! Stop!" the mother Cacturne cried as she launched a Pin Missile attack at the thief, but it was easily countered by a strong, snowy Blizzard attack. Though thoroughly chilled, Cacturne tried to defend herself from the snow and by the time the attack subsided, the thief was gone and so were the eggs.

"Come back here!" Cacturne tried to run after them, but Ludicolo grabbed her by the arms.

"You can't go, Cacturne!" Ludicolo said, "You're weakened by that Blizzard! That guy'll rip you apart!"

"No!" Cacturne said as she struggled to get out of Ludicolo's arms. "I can't let that thief get away! I want my eggs back! They're about ready to hatch!"

Chapter 1

The next day, it seemed as though nothing happened. The sun shone brightly as a pair of Wingull soared through the air. At a small, wooden hut on the outskirts of Pokémon Square, the front door opened and a young Combusken named Jin stepped out. He let out a big yawn before stretching his arms. He strolled over to a tree nearby and gave it a good hard kick, causing an apple to fall out and drop right into his hand. Just as he was about to take a bite, a familiar squawking sound was heard.

"Maaaaaaaail caaaaaaaall!"

"Hmm?" Jin looked up and saw something flying toward his hut. "Pelipper's here early."

Jin ran back to his hut just as a large Pelipper arrived to put a small package in his mailbox.

"Pell! This is unexpected. You being early?"

"Yes, I know," Pelipper said. "I've been working since dawn to get mail to all the Rescue Teams. I never thought I'd get so exhausted this soon."

"What's the big deal?"

"Take a look at this." Pelipper reached inside his bill and pulled out a wanted poster. On it was a picture of a rather feral black Pokémon with red feathers adorning its head and neck. "You know who that is. It's the egg thief, Weavile. He's struck again last night. Mrs. Cacturne is giving elder Noctowl a rough time of it."

"Well, I might as well check it out. Oh, by the way, did my package arrive?"

"Of course. Can't start a Rescue Team without it, y'know. Well, I must be off. I still have mail to deliver! I'll see you tomorrow!" And with that, Pelipper flapped his wings and flew off. "Carrying all this mail makes it so much harder to fly," Jin heard him say.

Jin opened his mailbox and pulled out his package. He smiled with joy as he opened it anxiously. Inside was a small toolbox with a shoulder strap. He opened the latches and inside that was a white-over-pink egg-shaped badge with wings and a little manual.

"Sweet!" Jin shouted, punching the air, "My Starter Set has finally arrived! Now, let's get to Town!"

Jin swung the toolbox over his shoulder and sped off towards town.

"Look out, bad guys. Here comes Team Hot Shots!"

Pokémon Square. An ever-bustling community on an ever-growing island, lots of Pokémon do their best and run shops to sell and store items. The newest addition to the town is a large fountain shaped like the previous elder, a giant Whiscash. Water flowed from its mouth and the tips of its whiskers in a beautiful arc. It was at this very fountain where a yellow Noctowl kept his eyes shut and stayed unwillingly patient as he was getting chewed out by a very irate Cacturne. With her was her husband, Ludicolo, who covered his ears with his hands; a Torkoal, who was crying hysterically; a Hoothoot, a Nidorino, and a Nidorina.

"This is the third time this month!" Cacturne yelled, "It's not just me, you know. It's Torkoal's eggs and Nidorino and Nidorina's too! You have to do something to stop this, I'm begging you! I've waited to be a mother for so long!" It was all Noctowl could do to tune out that nonstop ranting.

"Honey, please calm down," Ludicolo said with a hint of frustration. "Elder Noctowl is doing everything in his power to help, but…"

"But NOTHING!" Cacturne grabbed Ludicolo by the arm and swung him around angrily, tossing him into the fountain. Had Noctowl not stepped to the side, he would've taken a swim in the fountain as well. It was at that point that Noctowl opened his eyes.

"Mrs. Cacturne," Noctowl spoke calmly, "I assure you, we have plenty of Rescue Teams who would risk their lives to bring down that despicable Weavile fellow. Even as we speak, Bellossom and the others are searching for him."

"Bellossom?" Cacturne wiped her tears. "You mean from Team Beauties, right?"

"Hey dad!" Hoothoot spoke up, hopping over the crowd. "About Team Beauties…I thought they were on assignment in the Old Iron Mines to rescue Ralts!"

"Hoo, that's right, son," Noctowl answered, putting his right wing over his beak. "I imagine they won't be back for some time." It was at that point, that Cacturne glared at Noctowl threateningly, letting her dark-type attribute show. Noctowl, however, remained calm. "I have said it before. We have plenty of Rescue Teams who would risk their lives…"

"Yes, yes, I know about that," Cacturne answered angrily, "so where are they?"

"Right here, lady!"

Cacturne and the others turned around. There he was: Jin, standing high and mighty, with his arms folded, and his badge in hand, as bishonen flower petals fell from the sky.

"My name is Combusken Jin, the first member of Team Hot Shots! Reporting for duty, sir! (All right, that's enough)" Jin stepped toward Noctowl and Cacturne as flower petals continued to fall.

"Now, I understand that…" A vein blossomed in Jin's head. "…I SAID THAT'S ENOUGH!" Jin snapped. The flower petals stopped falling as Pelipper immediately closed his mouth.

"All right, already!" Pelipper spit out a few more petals before flying off again.

"Don't you have deliveries to make?!"

"That badge of yours, Jin," Noctowl began. "I can see you're normal rank since you've just started. But are you the only member of your team?"

Jin scratched his head nervously. "Uh…sort of. I was hoping to recruit new members as I went. What, is that a problem?"

"Hoo! No, it's not a problem at all!" Noctowl said, satisfied. "Though it is a tad risky sending a one man team, I have my confidence in you, Jin. I hereby grant you permission to investigate Obsidian Cave, where we believe Weavile may be hiding."

"You won't be sorry," Jin said proudly. "By the way, Mrs. Cacturne…when did you say your eggs were supposed to hatch?"

"Well…" Cacturne thought for a minute. "…they were supposed to hatch in three hours when they were stolen…why?"

Jin folded his arms and thought for a second. "Odds are at least one of them must've hatched by now…right?"

SMACK!

"OW!"


Now, let me describe some of the characters in this fic.

Name: Jin
Species: Combusken
Team: Hotshots
Jin had been living in Pokémon Square for a few months after the elder Noctowl took him in. After settling into a wooden hut, Jin had been receiving several odd looks from the Pokémon who lived in the area, wondering how a Combusken would just show up out of the blue and with no memory of his former self whatsoever. He'd heard about Rescue Teams and decided to start one himself in order to earn the trust of the other townsfolk. Despite being a fire-type, he cannot do any Fire attacks whatsoever and despite keeping this information to himself as hard as he can, somehow, this embarrassing secret managed to leak out among the villagers.

Name: Elder
Species: Noctowl
Team: None
After the passing of the previous elder, a giant Whiscash, everyone decided to appoint Noctowl as the town elder. He has a son named Hoothoot who also helps in his administrative duties by helping place job offers on the Pelipper Post Office Bulletin Board. And yes, this particular Noctowl is a shiny, but he's not as small as Ash's Noctowl. He's actually 5'3", an average size.

Names: Ludicolo and Cacturne
Species: Self-explanatory
Team: None
These two "loveboids" have been courted for almost half a year now. Ludicolo is a laid-back scaredy-cat, while his wife, Cacturne, is strict and mean. They've wanted to be parents for a long time so you can imagine how happy they were when they finally had their eggs. And you can also imagine how upset they were when they were stolen.

Name: Bellossom
Species: Self-explanatory
Team: Beauties
Team Beauties is composed of only female Pokémon. We won't hear from this team until later in the fic.

Name: Weavile
Occupation: Thief
Why this Pokémon is stealing eggs is unknown.