Into the Shadows
Prolougue
"Terra, wake up. We're almost there." Ashley shook Terra awake. Terra groggily opened her eyes as Ashley's smiling face came into focus. She jumped. She was used to seeing that face for almost three years, but it still frightened her, seeing it so suddenly.
"AH!" Terra screamed, nearly jumping off of her bed. "You know I hate it when you wake me up like that, Ashie." Terra slowly got off the bed, lazily shuffling over to a table with a few papers neatly stacked on top of it. Terra groaned softly. She hated everything about where she and Ashley had been sent. Terra vowed that she would never get on one of these boats for as long as she lived. Sure, being with Team Magma certainly didn't help with anything, but this mission was too important to be worried about water.
"I'm ready for my pre- mission briefing now." Ashley said, standing up straight. Terra snapped out of her thought.
"Ashie, acting official does not suit you," Terra giggled. "But as your new Admin, I guess I have to give you this briefing." Terra sighed as she gathered the papers from the table. It felt weird to be giving the orders this time around as opposed to receiving them. Terra shuffled through the papers, quickly reviewing the information.
"Okay," Terra began, putting on her most official tone of voice. "Our first order of buisiness is to find a man in Gateon Port, where we will make land."
Land. Terra thought. Finally.
"What is this man's name, if I may ask?" Ashley interjected.
"Um..." Terra skimmed over the papers. "His name is Ardos. It says here that he is a rather tall man with blue hair. He will be wearing a blue and black robe when we meet. He will direct us to Cipher's Headquarters, located in the central region of Orre. From there we will be given information pertaining to these 'Shadow Pokemon', whatever they are. Then, we get to go back to Hoenn. Simple reconnaisance mission. Don't screw it up." Terra finished scanning the papers and carefully placed them on the table. The intercom rang.
"We wil be arriving in Gateon Port shortly. Please report to the main lobby as soon as you can. Thank you, and have a fun vacation here in Orre!" The woman on the intercom sounded overly cheery. Terra and Ashley did not pack much, just enough for the three day boat ride over and back. They quickly packed and headed towards the lobby of the ship, a simply decorated room that left much to be desired. Several other passengers were also milling their way about the lobby, engaging in quiet conversation.
"Hey, Ashie?" Terra half whispered.
"Yeah?"
"Don't you think it's kinda, um, sketchy that Cipher is taking us to their headquarters?"
"What do you mean?"
"I'm thinking they might have other plans for us. Sure, they seem trustworthy and if they do anything to us Team Magma will be all over their ass, but I can't help wondering, just, what if?"
"I'm thinking that you are over-thinking this."