~*+Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of the Past+*~

==Part 3: The First Mission==

"I can't believe this…" Sonia said as she walked behind Jack and Zack through the Beach Cave. "I can't believe I was forced to join this team!"

"I can't believe we have to take you with us on our first mission." said Jack, taking point in the team's formation. "If anything, you'll only slow us down…"

Zack was in between them, both in formation and emotion. "C'mon, guys! This is our first mission, and we won't succeed if we don't stick together!"

"Why would we want to suck seed, Zack? I mean, really? What good will sucking seeds do us?" Jack said.

Sonia laughed. "Well, I guess we know who has the brains in the team…"

"Hey, thanks for the compliment, Toots!" Jack said, and he winked at Sonia.

"That wasn't for you, Jack!" said the easily annoyed Eevee. "And stop calling me Toots!"

"Why don't you make me stop?" taunted Jack.

"H-hey, Jack!" Zack suddenly said. "W-what's our mission, again?"

Jack took out a parcel and read out loud its contents.

Stop (smudged)! He's a renegade criminal!

Difficulty: D

Location: Beach Cave

Client: Magnezone

Reward: 5000 (p) +?

"D-rank?" Jack shouted. "What does Chatot take us for? Eggs? We deserve something more challenging, like… S-rank!"

"I think that's taking it a little too far, Jack…" Zack said with a nervous smile. "After all, this is only our first mission!"

"That's a pretty generous reward, though. You know for a D-rank mission." Said Sonia. "5000 Pokè is great, and there's even something extra."

Jack's anger didn't let up. "I know, but D-rank? That bird's got some nerve, thinking the three of us can't handle the more advanced missions…"

"'The three of us'?" repeated Sonia. "What are you saying? You want me here?"

"Of course I do!" Jack turned his away from Sonia. "You've got awesome stamina, and you're pretty resistant to special attacks, even my Aura Sphere! What's more, your Quick Attack can do some serious damage. Team AuraShock needs someone like you, Sonia…"

"Jack…" Sonia's eyes sparkled with emotion after hearing him say that.

And then Jack continued, "But your Shadow Ball leaves a whole lot to be desired, which, to me, suggests your special attack strength is best described as tragically disgraceful. At this point, all you can do is slow Zack and I down, Toots." And as soon as Jack said that, he was pounced on from behind by a certain hotheaded Eevee.

"YOU LITTLE JERK!"Sonia growled as she pounded on Jack's spine.

"AAH!" Jack shrieked. "FOR THE LOVE OF MEW, HELP!" Despite Jack's shouts, Sonia didn't let up, unleashing her inner beast on him over and over.

Zack wasn't sure what to do to make them stop fighting. He tried shouting and reasoning. "C'mon guys! Stop fighting! We have to finish the mission!" But to no avail. He finally got an idea. "I didn't want to have to do this… Spark!" Zack's attack hit both of his teammates and sent an electrical shock through their bodies that paralyzed them temporarily. After the paralysis wore off, they all calmed down considerably, and Sonia got off of Jack's bruised back.

"EEK!" shrieked Sonia, shattering her teammate's eardrums. "Where is it?" She frantically ran around the dungeon room, turning her head left and right.

"Where's what, Sonia?" asked Zack.

"The toolbox!" replied the panicking Eevee. "I must have dropped it when I fractured Jack's spine!"

"You didn't 'fracture' my spine, Toots." Said Jack, cracking is back into place. "And what's so important about that old toolbox anyway? The Guild can get us another—"

Thwap!

"OW! Why did you hit me?" said Jack, rubbing the red spot on his cheek.

Sonia glared at Jack with fiery eyes. "That toolbox…" she began. "I've had it for months… Chatot wanted me to throw it out, but I couldn't, because it belonged to my… my former teammates!" Someone tapped Sonia on her backside. She turned around and yelled, "WHAT?" That's when she saw a small, blue and yellow box being held right in front of her. "My toolbox!"

The Pokémon that had found Sonia's toolbox was a Zangoose- and a very handsome one at that.

"I found it in the corner, its contents spilled and scattered," said the Zangoose in the most charming voice. "I've replaced all of your items for you." The Zangoose gently put the toolbox down in front of Sonia and smiled charmingly.

Sonia smiled as well. "Thank you very much, sir! Quick Attack!" Sonia's attack caught Zangoose off guard, but he somehow managed to dodge it, and fell onto his backside.

"Fair lass, why do you attack me?" asked the Zangoose nervously. "I am but a humble traveler!"

"Yeah, Sonia!" called Jack. "I think you've finally lost your last marble! The Zangoose returned your toolbox. He's on our side!"

Zack tugged on Jack's tail. "Um, Jack?" said Zack. "I think that Zangoose is the outlaw we're supposed to capture."

"…He is?" asked Jack, looking at Zangoose in confusion.

"Of course he is!" answered Sonia. "Zangoose don't live in the Beach Cave, stupid!"

"Oh…Well, in that case…" Jack put his hands to the side, as he did earlier. "Aura…" Energy began to build up in his hands, forming a small ball. The ball of energy continued to grow, almost becoming equal in size to Jack's body. "Sphere!" Jack launched his attack at Zangoose, but it faded away before it made any contact. The rescue team and the outlaw were both bewildered. "What just…happened?"

The outlaw Zangoose chuckled as he stood up. He caught Sonia by surprise and grabbed her from behind, lifting her off the ground.

"H-hey… Let go of me!" cried the captive Eevee, but when she realized how the Zangoose was holding her, she stopped screaming. The criminal was practically cradling her in his arms, not restraining her in the least. "Hey, what's the big idea?" asked Sonia, confused.

When she looked up at Zangoose, she saw his eyes glisten as he had a disturbingly charming smile on his face. "My fair lass, "he began. "Your beauty makes the morning sun look like the dull glimmer of the moon."

"Huh" Sonia was so confused that she couldn't move from Zangoose's arms.

The Zangoose continued talking. "My darling," he said. "You are the most mesmerizing being I have ever laid eyes on. You make my heart soar higher than ever before!"

Jack was as confused as Sonia was. "What do you make of this, mate?" he asked Zack.

Zack, who was watching the whole time, replied, "I…I think the Zangoose is… in love with Sonia…"

"In love?" repeated Jack.

"IN LOVE?" shouted Sonia, overhearing her teammates. "Shadow Ball!" She fired her attack right in the love struck outlaw's face, making him drop her and she rushed back to Jack and Zack. "Listen here, Zangoose! There is absolutely no way I would ever be attracted to a criminal! To me, you're nothing more than evil scum that needs to be brought to justice, got it? So you better stand down or else I swear to almighty Arceus, I will not hold back when I fight you!"

Zack and Jack stood there, staring back and forth between the romantic outlaw, the hot headed heartbreaker, and themselves. Their jaws were dropped and their eyes were wide open.

The Zangoose fell to his knees, his eyes starting to water. He bowed his head to hide his sadness, and he held out his arms in front of him. "Then I will not resist arrest." said the Zangoose. "Please, take me away from this place; else I shall be haunted forever by these horrid memories…"

Not knowing what else to do, Jack flashed the rescue badge and Team AuraShock exited the dungeon with outlaw Zangoose.

Back at the Guild, Magnezone waited with Chatot at the "Wanted" board. Zangoose was behind them, restrained by two Magnemites. "Thank you for capturing the renegade Zangoose!" said Magnezone. "Here's your reward."

Team AuraShock received 5000 (p)

Received 3 Pecha Berries

Received an Oran Berry

The team also received a Team Scarf Set

"Wow!" exclaimed Zack. "We got so much stuff!"

But then, Chatot came along and took 90% of their reward money, whistling "Thank you~" as he left.

Jack suddenly grabbed Chatot by the tail, making him squawk with surprise. "Hold on a minute, parrot!" said Jack. "Where do you think you're going with our hard-earned cash?"

Chatot turned around and, with a stern look, said to Jack, "What do you think keeps this Guild operational? Magic? Guild Master Wigglytuff's sheer willpower?"

"Umm…yes?" said Jack with a nervous smile.

"Well, it doesn't! A lot of money goes into this place, and all of it comes from mission rewards." said Chatot. He then took the 4500 (p) and went into Wigglytuff's room.

Jack turned back to Zack and Sonia (who was just now socially killed by Jack), and happily said, "I think this day went by quite nicely!"

To be continued…