Chapter 3: Disaster on the First Mission
Sandra led the way as Team Legend traveled through Oran Forest. Storm clouds were above but they were lucky that the storm wasn't starting yet. Their mission was a simple one. They had to rescue a frantic Raichu's little boy, a Pichu named David. It was simple, perfect for the brand new Exploration Team.
They were on the third floor, the site of David's disappearance. Lucar raised a paw and his ears twitched, searching for the Pichu's unique aura signature. Nothing…yet. "I can't sense him. He probably hasn't passed near here," the Riolu reported.
"Let's keep going," Carlos suggested. "Maybe he's further in."
"This way," Sandra walked down a nearby path, nose twitching. "David! Where are you?" she called.
Lucar and Carlos were a good four or five feet behind her, scanning the side-paths for any sign of the wayward Pichu. Again, there was nothing…
The bushes rustled in front of the Eevee, making her jump. She whimpered in fear. Then her nose twitched. David! That's his scent! Smiling triumphantly, she stepped toward the bushes. "Found you, David! Come on out!"
"You found him?" Carlos asked. "Looks like our first mission is a success!"
"Hold up!" Lucar called. "Something's wrong, Sandra! That aura doesn't match that of a Pichu!"
"Huh? But the scent is his!" Sandra whined. Hesitantly, she poked her head in the bush. "David, time to go…home?" Her ears lowered, fear causing her body to freeze.
/What had I been thinking? If I had known that would happen, I would have never accepted that mission. Unfortunately, it was about to get much worse…not just for me but for my friends, too!/
There was no cute Pichu standing behind the bush. Standing there, eyes narrowed in annoyance…was a Staraptor. The big bird suddenly smirked. "Hey,"
Lucar was right, Sandra thought.
The Eevee suddenly screamed as sharp talons caught her around the waist, hauling her up into the air. She twisted and thrashed, trying to get herself free. The Staraptor shot out from the bush and into the sky, carrying Sandra away.
"Sandra!" Carlos cried, running after them.
"I warned her, but did she listen? No!" The Riolu raced after the Pikachu.
"Lucar, can't you hit that bird with one of your Face Palms or something?" Carlos asked.
"They're called Force Palms, and no. I'm not high enough level-wise yet, and do I look like I have wings?"
"No,"
"There's your answer." Lucar looked up, sensing the Staraptor's aura in the sky. "It's about to rain. It looks like that storm's finally started."
"Great," Carlos growled.
A flash of lightning, followed by a crash of thunder, signaled the start of the storm they had been so desperately trying to avoid. Rain fell, turning the ground into a wet mud that threatened to grab the duo's feet and never let go. Regardless, they raced after the bird.
After what felt like an eternity, the bird descended toward the muddy ground. Landing in a clearing, he kept a clawed foot firmly on Sandra's back to prevent her from escaping. The Staraptor looked up and sighed.
"Boss, I'm back!" he cried.
"What took you so long?" a cold voice demanded.
"The storm delayed me, plus I caught someone else."
"You were ordered to bring back grub for the brat, not a companion. Idiot!" The voice paused before speaking again, curiosity laced within the words. "…Who is it?"
The Staraptor smirked. "Oh, you'll be glad I caught her. She's Lune of Team Yami-Hikari's little sister."
"Really?" The voice laughed. "Good work, baby! You're forgiven, Raptor…this time."
"Yes, sir! Thank you, sir!" The bird was nearly bowing in joy. "Once I drop her in the cage with that Pichu, I'll go grab some grub."
Pichu? They must have David! Sandra realized.
"Did anyone follow you?" the voice asked.
Raptor froze, breaking a nervous sweat. "Well…yeah. But the storm probably made them lose my trail! Nothing to worry about, Boss! Besides, it was just a wimpy Pikachu and a blind Riolu. Just a couple of amateur Exploration Team members."
"I'm pleased that they lost our trail…hopefully. But I'm disappointed that you were spotted at all. Do you need another punishment, Raptor?"
"N-no!" Raptor cried in alarm. "Boss, please! It was an accident! I had no idea they were there until I was already in the air with this brat! Honest, Boss!"
"SILENCE!!"
The Staraptor ceased begging instantly. His feathers flattened against his body, making him look smaller. His eyes darted around the muddy clearing, trying to find his boss. Raptor began to hyperventilate.
In a nearby bush, Carlos and Lucar watched. They, too, searched for the source of the voice. Suddenly, Lucar pointed behind the Staraptor. A dark shadow stood there, a hand raised and covered with a violet glow.
"Poison Jab!"
Raptor screamed, the attack hitting him square in the back. Feathers tore free from the wound and the bird fell forward, his body locked up as the poison raced through his veins. "B-Boss, w-w-why?"
"Calm down, baby." The voice ordered. "You're not going to die. That's just a small taste of your punishment later. No matter how annoying you are, I still need your services. Be grateful that I still need you, Raptor."
Sandra, now freed from Raptor's sharp talons, peered up at the attacker. It was a Toxicroak that was missing the sharp claw on his right hand. The glow from his left claw faded after the use of his Poison Jab. The frog then turned his attention to her.
"Hey there, baby."
Sandra jumped to her feet and tried to bolt, only to have him stomp on her tail. She screamed in pain and twisted around, biting him. The Toxicroak yelped, lifting his foot. She bolted again but he was faster. Snatching her by the scruff and hauling her into the air, he placed his claw at her throat.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Slow down, baby! Where's the fire?" he laughed. "No point in running from Thrax, baby. I could make quite a pretty penny off of you."
"Nooooo!" Sandra screamed.
"Leave her alone!" Carlos shouted, leaping from the bushes and crashing into Thrax's side. Putting himself between the Toxicroak and Sandra, the Pikachu growled threateningly. Lucar quickly joined him, helping Sandra up. "Don't you dare touch Sandra!"
Thrax grinned, laughing as he sat up. "You must be the two brats Raptor told me about. Persistent, aren't you?"
"Where is David?" Lucar demanded. "We know you have him! Give him back!"
"Why should I tell you, baby?" Thrax asked, standing up.
"If you won't tell us by choice, we'll use force!" Carlos growled, sparks leaping from his cheeks.
"Then come and get me!" Thrax dared.
"Gladly!" Carlos charged.
"Carlos, wait! He's too strong!" Lucar cried.
"We have…to help him!" Sandra coughed.
"Are you crazy? He'll kill us!" Lucar argued.
"We have…to try!" Sandra said.
"Sandra…" Lucar finally nodded. "Fine. Let's do this. But we lose, don't say I didn't tell you so."
"Promise," the Eevee nodded.
"Then let's go!" The Riolu and Eevee charged.
Carlos unleashed a Thundershock, which was easily dodged by Thrax. Claw glowing, he slashed at Carlos and sent the Pikachu spiraling through the mud. Lucar used Quick Attack, successfully crashing into Thrax's chest. The frog simply smirked and grabbed the Riolu by the head, smashing him face-first into the ground. Neither Pokemon got up.
"You going to try next, baby? I wouldn't advise it." Thrax said.
Sandra simply stood there, paralyzed with fear. He could kill us, she realized. This guy could really kill us. This is all my fault. I'm sorry, Carlos! Lucar! David! I'm so sorry! The Eevee was trembling, tears appearing in the corners of her eyes.
The last thing she remembered was hearing a voice gently laughing and cold numbing her body. Sandra's mind went blank after that.
She woke up hours later, freezing in her hay bed back at the guild. Lucar and Carlos, their wounds bandaged, lay in their beds. Shivering, Sandra got up and limped out of their room, her paws numb. Entering the main room, she was greeted by a joyful Sunflora.
"Oh my gosh, you finally woke up! We were all so worried about you, Sandra. Your sister was so upset, it made me go 'eek!' just see her that way."
"What happened?" Sandra asked. "How did we get back?"
"Oh, your Exploration Badges brought you back here." Sunflora replied. "If your team gets knocked out in a dungeon, you're instantly brought back here."
"No, what happened in the forest? David…"
"We don't know," Sunflora said sadly. "Miss Raichu was very sad but she was happy you all got back safe and sound. Team Yami-Hikari is searching Oran Forest as we speak, searching for the kidnappers."
"How did you know David was kidnapped?"
"Lucar was still conscious when you all came back, but barely. He told us everything." Sunflora replied. "Oh my gosh, I've never seen a new team get this beaten up on their first mission!"
"Yeah," Sandra nodded. We failed. Our first mission as an Exploration Team and we failed. Poor David…
"Eek! That Thrax guy is pretty scary!" Sunflora whimpered. "Oh my gosh, you guys were the third Exploration Team he's actually beaten! He's one strong outlaw! Oh, if only Team Moonlight were here. They'd show him who was boss!"
"Team…Moonlight?" Sandra repeated.
"Oh, you don't know about them!" Sunflora remembered. "Team Moonlight is this super-strong Exploration Team who battled tons of Legendary Pokemon and gained their respect. They're ultra famous and trained at this very same guild! Isn't that so cool?"
"What happened to them?" Sandra asked.
"Oh…um…" Sunflora sighed. "Team Moonlight vanished while exploring Brine Cave six years ago. There've been hundreds of searches but nobody ever found them. There are rumors, though, that they went across the sea. That's so mysterious! Eek!"
"Sandra, you're awake!" Chatot gasped, emerging from the Guildmaster's room. "My, my, you sure had the Guildmaster worried. Are you all right?"
"Just cold," Sandra replied.
"You should go and get some more sleep. It's late, you know." Chatot urged, pushing the Eevee toward the hall. "Sunflora, you should get some sleep, too. Today's been a rough day on all of us."
"Okay," Sunflora walked into her room, bidding Sandra good night.
"Chatot," Sandra said.
"Yes?"
"What'll happen to David?"
"I don't really know, Sandra." Chatot admitted. "Thrax is unpredictable, that much we know. I'm surprised that you even tried to fight him. He's incredibly powerful, only rivaled by the Guildmaster and a few elite Exploration Teams."
"Like Team Moonlight?"
"Huh? Um, yes," Chatot muttered. "It seems Sunflora told you about them."
"They vanished," Sandra said. "How strong were they?"
"They were only ten points away from achieving their ultimate goal, Master Rank. They decided to take a trip to Brine Cave, despite the Guildmaster's pleas."
"What's at Brine Cave?"
"Nothing that Team Moonlight couldn't handle." Chatot reassured. "The Guildmaster and I have…bad experiences regarding that particular dungeon. Something must've gone wrong and Team Moonlight never returned."
"Oh," Sandra turned and started walking back to her room. "Chatot, thanks for telling me that. Maybe you could tell me more in the future."
"Maybe," Chatot agreed. "Now off to bed, if you please."
"Yes, sir," The Eevee reentered Team Legend's room and crawled into her bed. The numbness in her paws had faded, allowing her to feel them again. Curling up, she closed her eyes and fell asleep.
/You might want to try and remember the legend of Team Moonlight. It'll come in handy later. And, though I hate to admit it, I have to thank Thrax. Why, you'll find out later. We'll be meeting him again a few more times further down the road./
As she dreamed, the dark shadow in the forest far away grew nearer to its target. A special relic made by the Lord of Time in order to keep time flowing. Something nobody dares to touch for fear of the disasters said to occur if it is removed from its rightful place. A small gear surrounded with a brilliant blue aura…
