Well, it finally happened. This past Sunday, March 22, Pokémon Platinum was released! That's right, the newest saga in the Pokémon series is out at last! As for me, I've already got my future team planned out and training in my Diamond Version and I will eventually transfer them to Platinum. Now…when's that new Mystery Dungeon game coming out, huh?

Alright then, I would like to think BlahShinobiGuy for reviewing my story. That being said, I am very proud at how this chapter turned out and I hope everyone enjoys reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon. I'm just borrowing the little Pokémon for a while.

And…here it is, Chapter Seven!

Neither Charcoal, nor Timber were aware of how long they had slept. Both Charmander and Treecko opened their eyes, thinking they had closed them only a brief moment ago. Neither Pokémon realized that they had slept 'till mid-afternoon.

The infirmary where the two were was a vast and busy place. Several hundred wooden beds were neatly scattered in the many rooms, their cotton filled mattresses well-kept and comfortable. Wooden shelves had been nailed into the white painted-coated walls rock walls. Placed on said shelves had been several vials of medicines-all made from substances ranging from berries to herbs. Doctors and nurses made their way through the sanatorium, some calmly, others in a hurried haste. Charcoal and Timber were in the ninth room, lying in the seventh and eighth beds, respectfully, out of nine.

Charcoal gazed up at the ceiling, recalling the day's events, especially the team's battle with Cyphon the Golduck. "Something…something was not right with Timber after that fight. It seemed like he was in some kind of trance. I guess that beating he received must've really hurt his pride. And when I first met him, I could tell he had a lot of that! But…something else has been bugging me. It seemed like…"

"Timber?"

"Yeah Charcoal?"

"About that Golduck, Cyphon. You and he acted as if you knew each other from somewhere."

Timber grinned, his yellow eyes never leaving the ceiling, as he launched into his tale. "You see Charcoal, it's like this. Before I met you, I lived in a place called Overgrown Forest. It was the perfect place for a tree-dweller like me. And I'm not stressing the word 'perfect' just for the fun of it, ya know? It was great! Trees everywhere! I mean, you couldn't take even one step without nearly hitting a branch."

"Sounds kind of crowded to me," Charcoal remarked.

"Maybe to a land-dwelling Pokémon like yourself. But to a Treecko, it was home!" Timber continued. "And some of those trees were huge, with big, thick limbs. My favorite was a huge oak in the eastern part of the forest. The limbs were twisted in strange ways, for reasons I don't know. Every week, me and my friends would hang out there." The Treecko began to chuckle. "You wouldn't believe all the crazy things we would do."

The grass-type let out a long sigh before continuing, "It all happened one stormy night. I had been sleeping, when a clap of thunder woke me up. Right in front of me was a whole group of Pokémon. Now, they were very hard to see because, well, the night was dark, and so were they. I did manage to make out the silhouette of a Golduck."

"Cyphon."

Timber nodded. "That's right. As well as a few other Pokémon. I also saw that this one Pokémon was much larger than the others."

"Do you have any idea what kind of Pokémon it was?" asked Charcoal.

"Not a clue," the Wood Gecko Pokémon replied, shaking his head. "Except...I did see something that looked like horns on the top of his head."

Charcoal thought for a moment. "Hmm, we'll have to look into that later," he replied. "Then what happened?"

"The large Pokémon asked me to a solider for their army or something," Timber answered, waving his hand in a couple of circles.

"And you didn't want to join," the Charmander correctly guessed. "What made you decline?"

Timber scrunched his face. Something…something was just not right about them. It was almost like I could tell that they were up to no good. Boy, when I said 'no', the leader got reeeaally mad. Ya wanna hear what I did next?" the Treecko asked, a mischievous grin working its way across his face.

"Do I?" the Lizard Pokémon asked uneasily.

Timber chuckled. "I'll tell ya anyway. I decided to play a little game with them"

"You mean like hide-and-seek?"

"Something like that. So then, I raced out of the forest as fast as my legs could carry me, laughing all the way! Hahaha! And that morning I bumped into you."

Charcoal had just one more thing to ask his partner. "Say Timber…what did you think about our expedition?"

"Can I say that Team Comet is going to go down in history as one of the greatest exploration teams that ever lived? Our first expedition and we succeeded! Oh, and don't worry about that old Cyphon. Next time, we'll beat 'im! You just wait and see, Charcoal!"

Charcoal sighed. At least now Timber was acting like his old self. That was a good sign.

The sound of footsteps stopped their conversation then and there. A Mightyena had walked into the room, wearing a white lab coat. See carefully looked over the two Pokémon lying in the beds, "It seems you both have healed quite nicely," she stated. "That's good. You are free to go."

Thank you nurse," Charcoal replied with a polite nod, before sliding of his bed.

"But before you go, Professor Rod wanted me to give you these." Inside the Mightyena's paw were two gold coins. A symbol resembling that of the letter 'P' had been etched into the round currency. "Two-hundred Poke for a job well done."

"Wow...thanks!" Timber said, as the coins were dropped into his hand.

"Think nothing of it," the Mightyena replied. "Want some advice though?" she asked.

"Sure," Timber answered, nodding his head.

The wolf-like Pokémon smiled sweetly. "I would recommend you to open an account at the Cobalt City bank. That money adds up faster than you would think."

"Thanks for the suggestion," said Charcoal. "We'll get right on it."

"But first," the Mightyena began, "You should have dinner."

Timber and Charcoal stared at each other with a look that can be described as one of disbelief mixed with a dose of shock. "Dinner?!"

……………………………………………………………………………………………

The cafeteria was an expansive area. Several well-constructed tables had been laid out in neat little rows, their wooden tops having been sanded and polished to a smooth and glossy luster. At least five lines were trailing through the room, the Pokémon inside waiting both tolerantly and anxiously. Several baskets were behind designated tables, and each bin was filled to the brim with an array of delectable provisions.

Team Comet was fortunate to be towards the front of a line. They quickly got their food and took their place at one of the tables. Their wood trays were full of apple slices, berries, chestnut stuffing, a glass of berry juice, and even an intelligence-granting gummi.

"You must be Team Comet."

Timber and Charcoal lifted their heads to see a Pikachu seating himself on the bench across from theirs. He seemed just like any other member of his species, except for one small detail. Where most Pikachu would have solid black ear tips, his were broken by a thin band of yellow fur around the middle.

"That would be us!" Timber shouted with pride, his chest out.

"I'm Static," the Electric Mouse Pokémon replied. "The leader of Team Stormrider. We're fellow classmates." He extended a paw out to Team Comet.

"I'm Charcoal, and this is my partner Timber," the Lizard Pokémon replied, returning Static's handshake.

"Glad to meetcha," Timber said, giving the Pikachu his thumbs up of approval.

"Same here," Static said.

"I've never seen a Pikachu like you," Charcoal observed. "With the black of the ear tips broken like that, I mean."

"Pretty cool, huh?" the Electric Mouse Pokémon replied. "Makes me feel special."

"Have you had those markings since you were born, or since you evolved?" Timber questioned, taking a bite out of a Rawst Berry.

"They just appeared suddenly when I became a Pikachu," Static replied.

"And they're the reason why he won't evolve," explained an unknown voice. An adolescent Pacharisu had just entered the conversation.

"Hey Hazel, come over here!" Static called to the Electric Squirrel Pokémon, motioning for her to come and sit with them, waving his hands rapidly. "Guys, this is my teammate, Hazel. Hazel, this is Charcoal and Timber of Team Comet," after the Pikachu introduced everyone, he leaned toward the Charmander and the Treecko and whispered, "She's right, you know. I wouldn't evolve for anything. These markings are here to stay!"

"So you're Team Comet," Hazel commented, as she sat down next to Static. "I heard your first expedition went well. Good job. Except for the part where you came back to the guild in bad shape."

"Oh yeah…that…" Charcoal said quietly, looking down at his half-eaten gummi. "We had some…difficulties…So, how did your mission go?" the young Charmander inquired.

"It went well," Static answered, taking a sip of juice. "Hazel and I were supposed to find an item someone lost."

"We had a slight run in with an annoying group of Pidgey," the Pacharisu next to him stated. "But it was nothing a few well-aimed electric attacks couldn't handle."

Timber stared at his remaining food. "Hmmm…."

"What's wrong, Timber?" Charcoal asked, noticing the look on his partner's face.

"I've always though gummis were hard to find. But everyone in the cafeteria has one! Not that that bothers me, mind you. They are delicious! You can't deny that!"

"Oh that," Static began explaining. "In truth, gummis aren't really all that difficult to find. However, they tend to be in the tougher-ranked Mystery Dungeons, so that's why you don't see them very often. The guild only offers them during certain occasions."

"Wait a minute…" Hazel piped up. "From what I hear, there is another use for the gummis."

Static's left eyebrow rose. "Really? And what would that be?"

The squirrel-like Pokémon laughed. "Don't ask me! I have no clue about that. You'll have to ask some other Pokémon."

This conversation went on for the better part of an hour. Finally, Static jumped up out of his bench, his black eyes as wide as saucers, "Shoot! I was enjoying our talk so much, I completely forgot that we had to run an errand after dinner! Hazel, why didn't you remind me?" the Pikachu asked his teammate.

"Why didn't you remind me?" the squirrel-like Pokémon retorted.

Static's eyes darted of in all directions, like a ping pong ball during an intense game. "Um...sorry to cut our conversation short guys, but…"

"Nah, don't worry about it, Static," Charcoal replied. "Timber and I enjoyed talking with you nonetheless, and if you have anything important to do, by all means, do it!"

"Wow, thanks! I…I guess this is bye for now," the young Pikachu stated.

Hazel nodded, a smile spreading across her white-furred face. "I suppose it is."

"We'll be seeing ya!" Timber shouted, giving a thumbs up, while Charcoal gave Team Stormrider a friendly wave good-bye, as the Electric Mouse, and the Electric Squirrel Pokémon dashed off hurriedly, yellow and white blurs in a rainbow collage.

……………………………………………………………………………………………

A tall stone staircase extended from the top floor, the pathway to the world's outer surface. Burning fire gave off a string of subdued illumination-fire from the touches, and from the flame on Charcoal's tail. He and Timber trudged up the granite steps, their legs growing weary. Finally, they reached the stairs' zenith.

"Timber, you go on to the bank without me," Charcoal told him, fidgeting nervously with his claws. "There's something I have to do."

"Ah! Are you finally going to find someone to teach you those fire attacks you've been wanting to learn since we were in Metaneous Cave?" Timber asked, a wide grin swelling across his face.

"Not exactly," the fire-type answered, shaking his head

Timber's mouth twisted at the corners, as if he wasn't sure whether he should smile of frown. "Suit yourself," he said simply. The Treecko then turned his attention to a quartet of Steelix standing side by side. "Okay guys, I'm ready!"

The four steel-type Pokémon gave the grass-type a quick nod and went to work. They were the guild's sentries. It their job to let Pokémon in, provided they use the correct password, and out of the guild. The foursome each clamped their great jaws over a square stone that was jutting out of the wall. Slithering backwards, the Steelix pulled the flat, rectangular slab partially out of its carved in slot. Light filtered in the formally dark room, growing in luminosity with every haul. The gateway to the outside world had been opened.

Timber gave a friendly wave to his Charmander friend, before darting up the steps, and into the welcoming light.

When he saw the Wood Gecko Pokémon leave his field of vision, Charcoal turned and began walking. Ever since dinner, something had been bothering the young Pokémon. It was a nauseous feeling, like the kind that comes with stage fright. The sensation ran down from his throat, all the way the dark pit of his stomach. The Lizard Pokémon wasn't quite sure what was exactly causing it, but he did have a pretty good idea. He was hoping that taking a stroll through the guild would make him feel better.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

As he walked, Charcoal took in the sights of the guild. Along with the infirmary, and the registration room, several other areas made up the top floor. Three large rooms, each with a wood plaque that had the words 'Advanced Class' in perfect Unownscribe carved into them were lined up side by side. Charcoal stopped to gaze at the trio of rooms.

Wow…to think, one day, that'll be me and Timber in one of those rooms. I can't wait for that! He thought with a chuckle.

The young Charmander soon resumed his stroll. His legs carried him to an area with multiple crew rooms, not unlike the one his Team was staying at. Wooden beds had been placed inside, their soft mattresses full of the wool of Mareep. Nailed into the rock walls were wooden shelves and knobs, made for the purpose of placing or hanging important articles on.

Charcoal's self initiated tour soon carried him near a place he wasn't allowed to enter, except under special circumstances. The Guild Master's Chamber. The orange fire-type marveled at the giant double doors, made of thick bolted steel, instead of the usual wood and rock, and polished to fine sheen. He wondered just what was behind this facade, hidden away from the rest of the world. He didn't even know what kind of Pokémon the Guild Master was! All he could tell was this; He or she must be very important, possibly near legendary status!

……………………………………………………………………………………………

The middle floor was next on Charcoal's mind list. He went past the cafeteria, and towards the three 'Intermediate Class' rooms. There wasn't much difference between them and the Beginner or Advance Class rooms. Still, the thought of one day being in one of those rooms, excited Charcoal.

"Hmm?" Charcoal stole a quick glance toward a door near the crew rooms. Upon closer inspection, could the Charmander see 'Civilization Center' etched in its stilted tablet.

"'Civilization Center?' "he thought. "I wonder what this is for."

Charcoal sauntered up to the door, and pressed the side of his orange head to the smooth wood. He could hear shouts of wild excitement coming from inside, mixed in with a gentle, 'Calm down." The Charmander shrugged nonchalantly.

"I can't tell what this place is. Now, I don't want to disturb anyone inside, so I'll just have to ask someone later."

Next, Charcoal ambled over to what was unmistakably the largest room in the entire Cobalt City Exploration Guild-the Meeting Hall. Four majestic pillars, one for each corner, had been carved out of the most optimum of marble, their white radiances catching each other's. Rows upon rows of well assembled wooden benches formed a faultless semi-circle, the seats in a variety of sizes, built that way to accommodate the vast sizes of Pokémon themselves. A round stage faced the benches, its closed curtains having been made from the silk of Beautifly. Truly the Meeting Hall was a sight to behold.

"Wow! However built this sure knew what they were doing! Charcoal thought in respectful awe. If it looks cool empty, how cool will it look when the entire guild's Pokémon are here?"

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Last, but certainly not least, was the guild's bottom level. It was here that the Beginner's Class rooms, the Mission Chamber, and several other crew rooms, one of which belonged to Team Comet, were. But it was none of these rooms that caught Charcoal's sapphire eyes. No, what averted his gaze was a simple door with a plaque featuring an etching in classic Unownscribe. It featured the word, 'Dojo' on that tablet.

"Hmmm…I still want to learn those fire attacks…Maybe…maybe a quick lesson wouldn't hurt…"

Hesitantly, Charcoal extended a clawed hand, his fingers trembling ever so slightly, the kind where a person has to get really up close to see, in both anticipation, and apprehensiveness. The tips of the Charmander's claws had just connected with the wooden surface of the door when…

"Ah, there you are Charcoal. I see that you're feeling better."

In a rush of adrenaline, Charcoal nearly leaped out of his skin in sheer alarm. Like lightning, he twisted his body around, so that he was facing the owner of the voice that surprised him so.

"Dusk!? What are you doing here?" It was at that moment that something crossed the bewildered Charmander's mind. "Wait a minute…what are you doing here? What have you been doing here?"

The Moonlight Pokémon in front of him laughed. "I was wondering when you would ask that question. I run my own little exploration team, Team Eon-consisting of my two sisters and me. I graduated from this guild a few years ago, but I find myself coming back here all the time. It's a good place to get missions, you know?"

"Oh, so that's why. Thanks for explaining," Charcoal said. "But can ask you something else?"

"Sure."

"Why do…" Charcoal struggled not to word his statement offensively. "Why do Eevee and their evolutions use the word 'Eon' in naming things?"

"Hmm….never thought about that," the Umbreon answered, tapping his head with a paw. "It's always been a tradition among Eon Pokémon, I guess."

"Interesting. Hey Dusk, there's something I'd like to ask you. But first, I'd better give you a little background."

With that, Charcoal launched into his story-how they succeeded in their mission, how they were ambushed by Cyphon, how the Golduck defeated them. The dark-type Pokémon sitting in front of the Charmander listened inventively, sometimes giving an understanding nod.

"What I want to know," Charcoal asked, having finished his tale, "Is this; what is the S.O.D Army?"

'S.O.D…' Just hearing that name caused Dusk's muscles to tense up tightly, and a shiver to run down his spine, like the autumn breeze through the forest. "'S.O.D' is short for 'Shadows of Darkness.' It is a group of sinister Pokémon, bent on wreaking havoc and mayhem. They make their home in the shadows of Shieldstone Ridge, just north of the Slatehelm Mountains."

"Whoa…" Charcoal whispered softly, a worried look on his face.

"They have been doing this for at least two years. Ever wonder why you need a password to get in the guild? It's because of them. We don't want any suspicious characters coming here. But believe it or not, the soldiers of the S.O.D Army used to be good, law-abiding Pokémon, just like you and me."

"Really?!" Charcoal asked incredulity. "Nah! That can't be! Why would any Pokémon want to be an evil villain?"

"I can't answer that Charcoal," the black-furred Pokémon admitted. "However, only a few warriors actually chose to become so. The rest…became so by force."

"Force? How?"

"Their very free will was taken away."

Dead silence moved over the room, like someone had gone and surrounded it with soundproof glass. "Their-their free will?" Charcoal repeated, breaking the stillness of noise. "You mean their very spirit? That was taken away from them?"

The slow and melancholy nodding of the Umbreon's head was all Charcoal needed to have his question answered. "As near as I can tell, the members of the Shadows of Darkness Army go around, searching for Pokémon to recruit. Once they find one, that Pokémon has to pass a little initiation test to see if they are worthy of being part of the SOD Army."

"What kind of test?"

"I'm afraid I don't have an answer to that. From what I've heard from Pokémon that ran into them, the SOD warriors never say what the test exactly is."

"Oh…"

The Umbreon cleared his throat. "Ahem, to continue…When a Pokémon passes the initiation test, the Shadows of Darkness Army uses some unknown force to…bring out the dark side of that Pokémon, turning them evil in the process."

"What causes their bodies to turn black?" Charcoal questioned, scratching his head.

"Hmmm...It has to do with the process that turns them evil in the first place. Some sort of chemical reaction, I would wager. Their genetic code may just receive a slight fluke. But that's just a theory. But we do know that the blackening of skin and fur gives meaning to their name."

"Because they look like shadows."

"Exactly. And everything except the eyes turns black. Even your tail flame would if you should happen to end up a soldier for the S.O.D Army, Charcoal."

"A soldier for the S.O.D Army…" Just the mere thought made Charcoal shudder. "Boy, oh boy…I sure hope nothing like that ever happens to me!"

"And hopefully it won't," said Dusk, placing a paw around the Charmander's shoulder.

In his mind, Charcoal recounted what he and Dusk had discussed. And as the wheels of his psyche turned slowly, but surely a thought formed in his mind. A horrifying, gut-retching thought…

"Timber!"

Like a flame blazing suddenly and without warning, Charcoal came alive. The Lizard Pokémon raced past Dusk, causing the Umbreon to recoil in alarm.

"Charcoal? Charcoal?!" The Moonlight Pokémon hurried towards the stairs, but he was too late-Charcoal had vanished. Vanished up those limestone steps. Dusk let out a befuddled sigh, curious of what force possessed the Charmander to dash out of the room hastily like that.

Charcoal zipped up the stairway, like a bullet from a gun. Only one single, solitary thought swam around in the pool that was his consciousness.

"I've got to warn Timber! I have to! Before…before they get to him!"

………………………………………………………………………………………….

A murky gloom spread itself across the terrain, casting a baleful black shade as it deftly weaved its way through the landscape. Barren plateaus, carved out of the mountain side by wind and rain long ago, formed stairways down the precipices. Scattered across those desolate elevations of dull russet ground were numerous outcroppings of rocks, every boulder and every pebble just as lifeless and bland as the entirety of the landscape. That land known simply as…Shieldstone Ridge.

Cyphon the Golduck ran, his smooth black skin blending almost perfectly with the shadow cast by the walls of the cliff side. The webbed-footed Pokémon made his way up the many plateaus, his breathing escalating from exhaustion. Finally, he reached the very pinnacle of the ridge, before his burning lungs had the chance to burst. He took a moment to catch his breath.

"Lieutenant Cyphon reporting in, O Great Commander Eclipse." the water-type called out, performing a salute of utmost respect.

"Ah! Cyphon. I have been expecting you." An imposing Tryanitar, rock-hard skin just as dark-colored as the Golduck which stood in front of him, stood atop a large stone slab.

Most Pokémon would feel severely intimidated by Eclipse's vary presence. Cyphon, however, was used to the dark-type Pokémon, and so calmly addressed him. "I have found that Treecko you wanted."

"Excellent, ex-cell-ent. And did he pass our little test?"

Had Cyphon a smidgeon of his free will left, he would be laughing out loud. However, the force of power that caused him to become a SOD warrior was its strongest when in the Commander's presence. "I regret to inform you that he didn't even come close, Commander."

"Ah, no matter. All he needs…is a little training. Ivan! Violet!"

From around the corner of a boulder came an Ivysaur and a Weavile. Both Pokémon looked like quite the soldiers, as they approached Eclipse in a composed yet powerful manner.

"You've summoned us, O' Great Commander Eclipse?" Violet the Weavile bowed at the waist in a sign of respect.

"Ah yes," the Tryanitar nodded. "Do you remember that Treecko from a few nights ago?"

"You mean the one we met in the Overgrown Forest?" Ivan the Ivysaur asked, tilting his head. "Yes we do."

"Good. Very good. Here's what I want you to do," the dark-hued commander began. "I want you both to go-go and find that Treecko. Give him the Shadows of Darkness initiation test. See if he is worthy of being a warrior. Understand?"

"Yes sir, Commander!" the Weavile and Ivysaur responded, saluting their leader. With that, the two Pokémon dashed off, the black shadows of Shieldstone Ridge concealing them.

"Very commendable Commander," Cyphon said. "But do you really think the Treecko is cut out to be a warrior in your great and wondrous army?"

Eclipse, his back turned, looked at the duck-like Pokémon through the corners of his eyes. "Yes I do, Lieutenant. And when this phrase is at last complete, well…" The black Tryanitar never finished his statement. But Cyphon, that clever Golduck, could tell that wicked, malicious thoughts were swimming around the pool contained deep within his master's mind.