The Bitter Truth
The Metagross wasn't the only thing they had to worry about. Many other Pokémon could be heard coming to them. Cobalt didn't want anymore distractions. His mission was complete and he had to get out of here.
"Aron what do we do?" Matt asked Aron.
"We go out through that corridor on the other side of the room."
"Wait up a sec." Zero said. "I'm going to try to leave a trap."
"Make it quick!" Aron shouted.
Zero ran to the door they originally came in through. He had never created an illusion this large before. It would probably only last a few minutes but it was worth it.
He took a deep breath and concentrated. Something still had trouble on. He imagined a wall that covered the entire entrance. A crystalline wall that would be hard to break through.
Tom was amazed to see a wall appear out of nowhere. It rose out of the ground and grew as if the air itself was freezing to make it. The wall stopped halfway as Zero lost focus and was breathing heavily.
He caught his breath and looked at his handy work.
"Not bad." He said. "Certainly not good, but not bad."
"Let's go!" Torch shouted from the other side of the room. "I don't want to meet the locals!"
Through the passageway on the other side of the domed room was a large flight of stairs. The team started running up toward a bright light.
"Zero, what if that Metagross entered the Dungeon this way?" Rose asked Zero. "That would mean it's out here right?"
"What Metagross?" Ve asked.
"Uh..." Zero said as he was running up the stairs. "Maybe?"
"No really, what Metagross?"
"No time for that now!" Kip shouted.
The team reached the top of the stairs and they found that they came out of the entrance they first used.
Dan was sitting down next to one of the three pillars and when Wott turned his face lit up and he ran toward Ve.
"Hey! I found something you might be interested in!"
As he was running a Shadow Ball attack hit Wott directly. The explosion threw him to the ground. He got up quickly to see what attacked him.
A Mismagius, Kabutops, and Sandslash had come out of nowhere.
"Hello Cobalt." The Mismagius said. "Haven't seen you since the mountains."
"What are you doing?" Aron asked.
"The head honcho has gotten a bit impatient so, we're killing two birds with one stone here." The Sandslash said.
"We've been sent to extract you and acquire the Emotion Scope." The Kabutops said.
"Would you get off Notch's case!" Ve shouted. "He doesn't have your stupid Emotio-"
Ve stopped talking because Notch started laughing. Ve sensed something terrible. She sensed an overwhelming feeling of satisfaction. Why would Notch be satisfied with the situation.
"Oh, my dear sister." He said as he walked toward the opposers. "You have been real clever throughout this journey. But, there is something you could never figure out."
"What are you doing?" Aron asked.
"There has been a change of plans Cobalt." Notch said. "Ve, you need to come with us."
Aron walked forward to join the group. Tom had no idea what was happening.
"Notch?" He asked. "What are you doing."
Notch gave a terrible smile. "You all were fooled. I work for ShadowFlame. You see, they gave me a simple task. Find my sister and bring her to ShadowFlame and they help erase my problems I've accumulated."
"So." Rose said preparing for a fight. "You thought you could just join our team to take advantage of us."
"Yup." Notch replied. "You really wanted me to. Do you ask every random Pokémon who drags you into a mess to join you?" Notch let out a laugh that scared Ve. It was at that point though that she sensed something odd about Notch.
It was like the time when Zero was trapped in his nightmare. There was someone else in Notch's mind causing havoc. She focused on this being and realized that it was the Mismagius.
"Well, Notch." Torch got ready to attack the traitor. "I hope you're ready for a fight. Cause you're gonna get one."
"It's not Notch." Ve shouted. "Attack the Mismagius!" Ve used Quick Attack and charged the Mismagius. She went right through her.
"Normal can't hit a Ghost my dear." The Mismagius replied. This confirmed Ve's suspicion, Notch had said 'my dear sister' he never spoke like that.
The Kabutops attacked Ve with Slash attack but was intercepted by Wott. He had his Scalchop out and extended to it's sword form.
"Mind if I cut in?" Wott asked.
"That is not even funny!" He yelled back.
"I think it's hilarious." Matt said. He jumped at Kabutops and used Drill Peck. The attack didn't do much but it was enough to distract Kabutops enough for Wott to land a hard hit with Razor Shell
Notch was attacking Tom. Notch used Iron Tail and jumped into the air. Tom jumped to his left as Notch brought the attack down. It hit the mural on the floor and left its own crack in the ground.
Tom wasn't sure if he should attack Notch or not so he used Thunder Wave to try and slow Notch down. The jolt of lightning hit Notch directly but he didn't relent on his attack.
Torch got into position to attack Notch from behind. She got ready to use Ember but then,
"Torch stop!" Ve shouted as she fought Mismagius.
Notch turned to see Torch and he then charged her as he used Double Team. Torch used Ember but hit one of the copies. Notch used Quick Attack and hit Torch square in the face.
The Sandslash used Poison Jab almost hit Torch but she rolled out of the way as the attack hit where she would have been.
Rose used Magical Leaf on Sandslash and while he was being pummeled by sharp leaves Torch slipped out of range of his attacks.
Ve looked at Notch who was still fighting Tom. Zero was disguised as Aron and was harassing the Kabutops who was in a sort of sword duel with Wott. Matt threw Torch an Oran Berry so she could quickly recover. Kip was fighting Aron while Dan was doing his best to help despite his broken leg. Rose and Sandslash were also duking it out. The battle was so far a draw but that could change at any moment.
"The truth hurts doesn't it?" Mismagius said. "That is the world we live in. That is the world we are trying to correct!"
"You're doing a terrible job!" Ve retorted. "You're doing what you say you're against!"
Mismagius didn't appreciate this so she used Psychic and threw Ve against one of the three pillars. Ve fell to the ground and out of her bag rolled out an Orb. Not just any Orb, it was the One Shot Orb Notch had given her. He said to save it for a bad situation. Ve thought This qualifies.
She grabbed the Orb and held it up into the sunlight. A giant shadow like image erupted from the Orb. It reminded Ve of a Zubat but it was much more menacing. The shadow flew at Mismagius and it wrapped itself around her. When the shadow vanished Mismagius fell to the ground, defeated.
Notch lurched and fell to the ground at the same moment Mismagius did. He made no movement.
The words 'Dire' and 'Vein' swam in Tom's vision again and again as he looked at Notch.
"Somber is down! We need to pull back!" Aron shouted.
"Good idea!" Zero yelled back. "Turn tail and get out of here!"
Sandslash burrowed underground. Kabutops jumped into the nearby trees. MIsmagius picked herself up and vanished into the shadows not before giving Ve a scornful look.
Zero charged at Aron and got ready to use Night Daze, but before he could Aron used an Warp Orb to teleport out of the area.
All was quiet. Until Ve got to Notch.
"Notch are you ok?" Ve shouted at Notch. She could sense him barely clinging on to life. What had that Mismagius done?
"Out of my way!" Rose shouted. "I might be able to help."
She got next to Notch and felt his pulse. It was still there. Faint, but there. Rose looked up at the sky. The sun was up high in the sky. Had they been in the Dungeon for that long? It was midnight when they entered.
Rose focused. She used Vine Whip and put each vine on Notch's forehead. She then used Synthesis and channeled the energy of the sun into Notch. Ve felt Notch's strength grow and he began to stabilize.
Notch barely opened his eyes and said in a hushed whisper.
"I let her in... I'm sorry."
"Are you ok now?" Ve asked.
"Yes. I think." Notch replied.
"Well that is good to hear." Someone behind the team said.
Everyone turned to see Metagross observing from a distance. Standing on top of the Metagross was a green, red, and blue Pokémon.
"You three!" Zero shouted. "You three ambushed us!"
"Yes, but you two were hiding in the bushes." The blue one said. "How could we be sure you weren't hooligans?"
"You met these guys before?" Dan asked.
"Just once." Zero replied. "We might have had an argument.
Notch tried to stand up on shaking legs. He looked at the newcomers. "Is that a... Chespin?"
"My name is Elli." The Chespin then gestured to the other two. "The Fenniken is Phoenix and the grumpy Froakie is Osborne."
"We call him Os or Ozzy for short." Phoenix said.
"Glad to meet you without a fight." I hope, Tom thought. "What are you doing here?"
"We were here under a special assignment." The Metagross said. "We were supposed to secure the Bittercold."
"The Bittercold!" Matt remembered. "Aron has it!"
"No he doesn't." Metagross said. "It is with the Zorua."
All eyes looked at Zero who had a large mischievous grin.
"Zero?" Wott said. "I'm afraid to ask."
Zero took off his scarf to reveal the necklace the Bittercold was on. "I saw my opportunity and I used Thief."
"Brilliant!" Kip said.
Dan was impressed. He'd never have bet that Zero would save the day.
This small celebration was broken up when Metagross said: "I will need to take that now."
Matt couldn't believe this. "No offense Metagross but, when we first met, you kind of... attacked us."
"I agree." Dan added. "We are not about to just hand it over."
Tom heard something loud behind him and he turned and saw a large flock of birds coming toward them.
"Uh... Metagross." Phoenix said. "We need to go."
"Agreed." Metagross answered. "We will talk later. Just follow Torch's hint when you are ready. You may keep it. As a show of trust." The Metagross and his three companions teleported to who knows where.
Tom noticed the large flock consisted entirely of Murkrow. There must have been about twenty of them. But there was one who was much bigger than the others.
Dan identified him as a Honchkrow. The leader of the flock.
"I am Inspector Krow of the United Federation of Explorers." The Honchkrow began the second he landed. "I want to personally thank you all for ruining years of undercover investigation!"
"What are you talking about?" Dan asked.
"I'm talking about Project ShadowFlame. The criminals you just helped. I could have you all thrown into jail for life!" Some of the Murkrow laughed at this until Krow held up his wing signalling for silence.
"Hey!" Kip started. "We didn't know tha-"
"Spare me your excuses. Do they have the Bittercold?"
"Yes." Zero lied.
Ve sensed annoyance in Krow.
"This complicates matters. I am afraid that I must place you all under arrest until further investigation is complete."
"That won't be necessary." A loud booming voice said.
Matt turned to see Guildmaster Wigglytuff and Chatot coming toward them.
"Guildmaster?" Krow was surprised. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to check on my new friends!" Wigglytuff said cheerfully. "I wanted to show Chatot that there was no reason to worry."
"Except there is now Guildmaster." Chatot said.
"I don't know." Wigglytuff said. "Are you going to put these innocent Pokémon in jail for being at the wrong place at the wrong time?"
"I'd hardly call them innocent, Guildmaster." Krow replied. "It seems very apparent that they all had some hand in what happened here."
"So you'll just lock them up?" Wigglytuff began to tear up. Matt knew what was coming. He exchanged a nervous look with Torch.
"If the investigation shows that they are innocent then it will only be for a few days!"
"But- but..." Wigglytuff appeared to almost start crying. Tom heard a low rumble and wasn't sure what was happening.
"Inspector!" Chatot warned in a panicking tone. "You may want to reconsider!"
Krow knew about Wigglytuff's strenght and was afraid that even with a flock of Murkrow he wouldn't be able to stop him. He took a deep breath.
"All right!" He said calmly despite the situation. "They can leave!"
The rumbling sound immediately stopped and Wigglytuff's mood instantly improved.
"Hooray!" He shouted. "Thank you friendly friend!"
Dan had never seen anything so odd in his life. Except for maybe Quagsire, but this was just ridiculous.
"An investigation will still be made." Krow shouted to his flock. "Let's go!"
He and his flock immediately dispersed and began investigating.
"Guildmaster!" Torch laughed. "I've never been so happy to see you!"
Wigglytuff didn't respond to this. Instead he let out a large snore.
"You're kidding me." Torch's smile faded. "A nap? Now?"
"Yes." Chatot said poking Wigglytuff with his wing. "By the way Torch, I have a message I need to deliver to you and Matt."
"What is it?" Matt joined in the conversation.
"A rather rude Sandslash delivered it. He wanted you to know, 'The Azure clan prepares for war.' Does that mean anything to you."
Wott ran over. "What did the message say?"
"I don't think that is your business. The message was only for-"
"You can tell him." Torch interrupted. "You can trust him."
"Fine. It said 'The Azure clan prepares for war.'"
"Oh no... This is bad." Wott didn't like this. He had to tell Dan as soon as possible.
"Is something wrong?" Chatot inquired.
"Not for you, you don't need to worry."
"Ok." Chatot said. "So what happened here?" He asked Torch and Matt.
"I don't know for sure yet." Matt replied. "But, we did find an unexplored ruin."
"Yeah." Torch added. "You might want to spread the word about that."
"I'll be sure to remember to."
Zero walked up to Tom and Ve. "I think we should leave." He said. "Before something else happens."
"Yeah. That might be a good idea." Ve said while watching the flock of Murkrow.
Rose walked by and quickly whispered. "Meet up at Team Hope's base as soon as you can." She kept walking and picked up Kip's bag that had been dropped in the fight.
Notch was feeling much better. That was not pleasant in the slightest. One second he was arguing with a Mismagius, the next he was fighting his own sister. My luck isn't ever going to change. He thought.
And now he'd have to stay away from his sister for a few days in order to avoid suspicion. Nothing was ever simple in his life.
Wott helped Dan get up. This would be fun. Getting a Snivy with a broken leg across an island. In what was now an early winter. Wott hadn't payed attention to it but the area all around them was covered in snow.
"Hey Zero!" Dan called. "Do you have that Warp Orb from when you teleported right next to us?"
"Sure I do." Zero threw it at the two. "Be sure to give it back when we meet up! I only have one of them."
"Thanks!" Wott said. He held it up, thought about Treasure Town, and said. "Uh... Warp Orb X ignite."
The two teleported to the town miles away.
"Well." Tom said. "Shall we go?"
"Yes let's." Ve said.
Ve was dissatisfied. This was her first exploration and what did it give? Only a long list of questions that needed answers. Who made that ruin? What did ShadowFlame want? What was up with that Darkrai?
And where was Zero's mother? They had not found any leads to that. I guess we have our work cut out for us. Ve thought.
At least I got a few things from this journey. She thought. I've found my brother. I'm now in an Exploration Team, and I know why I can sense other's feelings. I have an Emotion Scope.
So Team Destiny left the ruin, with the Bittercold in hand. And thus concluded their first adventure.
It took them a couple of days to return to Treasure Town. The journey back was very uneventful. No ambushes, no surprise Mystery Dungeons, to Tom the journey back was rather dull.
Not that that was a bad thing, Tom had enough adventure for a few days. He needed time to think about his own questions. What did 'Dire' and 'Vein' mean? Who was he in his human life? Why was he here?
The memories that came to him on this journey only made him more confused than the first day when he met Ve.
The Town looked entirely different from when they were first here. It had turned from forests of golden and brown trees to fields of white snow. All of the trees had lost their leaves. It was like going into an entirely different world.
The three came to the crossroads of the town and Zero let out a laugh.
"Remember when we were here the first time?"
"Yeah." Ve replied. "You had us thrown here from Colony Island."
"Good times." Zero said.
The team walked down the main street. All of the shops were still open despite the snow and the Exploration Teams were still out and about.
No one payed Team Destiny any attention. To the rest of the world they were just an Exploration Team of an Eevee and two Pikachus. Zero had disguised himself as Tom on the way in.
The team entered Team Hope's base. They were the last team to arrive. Just like last time. Only this time they actually knew who they were talking to. A small fire was lit in the middle of the base.
"Welcome back you three." Dan said. "Can I be the first to ask, what in the world happened at the ruin?"
"Notch got mind controlled, Aron turned out to be evil, Aron actually has a name! It's Cobalt if you're wondering." Zero listed.
"Do you guys still have the Bittercold?" Dan asked.
Ve took it out of her bag. The temperature instantly dropped when Ve revealed it.
"Good." Kip said. "Could you put it away now?"
"No." Dan said. "Hand it to me."
Ve gave the Bittercold to Dan. He looked at it then threw it into the fire. The fire then turned into a dark black flame.
"Put it out!" Wott shouted. He used Water Pulse on it. Kip used Water Gun.
After the fire was put out the Bittercold Shard was still there.
"What was that for?" Matt asked.
"I thought it would melt." Dan replied. "Sorry for the inconvenience." He picked up the Bittercold and handed it to Ve. She returned it to the bag.
"Guys." Notch said. "Did the flame look like a Shadow?"
"Yeah." Tom answered. "It did."
"Then that answers one thing." Rose said. "ShadowFlame is not what they tell others."
Wott remembered the journal. "Notch, Ve do you know your parents names?"
Notch and Ve looked at each other. "Maybe." Ve answered. "We think their names were Elana and North."
Wott handed the journal to the two. "Read day 26."
Ve and Notch read the entry for that day and looked at Wott.
"Where did you find this?" Notch asked.
"In the ruin." Wott replied.
"How is this possible?" Ve exclaimed. "That ruin was how old?"
"Very." Notch replied. "Does it mention them or us anywhere else?"
"I don't know I've only read a little bit of the journal."
"Weird." Torch thought aloud. "Wott, that message Chatot told us, why is it important."
Wott's eyes opened wide at the mention of the message. He looked at everyone and began.
"That message said that the Azure clan is preparing for war. The Azure clan is a family who is very powerful in a kingdom that's under the Western Sea."
"What so an underwater kingdom?" Torch said. "I've never heard of it."
"It's very isolationist. They only interact with other underwater kingdoms. Long story short they had a war with another kingdom a long time ago."
"How long ago are we talking about?" Kip asked.
"One hundred and fifty years give or take. It was a terrible war. If another one is going to happen then... this could be bad."
"Why does it affect you?" Tom asked.
"Because... I am a member of the Azure family. My name is Oshawott Azure."
"Oh..." Matt realized. "So what are you going to do?"
"I'm going to have to go home. Maybe I can do something."
"Wait, so you'll just leave by yourself?" Matt asked.
"How do you know the message was real?" Rose asked. "Wasn't that Sandslash part of ShadowFlame?"
"I don't know, but I wouldn't doubt this." Wott turned to face Matt. "Those kingdoms have been at each other's necks for ever."
"Well, you're not going alone!" Matt stepped toward Wott.
"Are you sure?" Wott looked surprised. "You may be a Water Type, but they still won't like you because you're from the surface."
"Of course I'm sure!" Matt replied. "What kind of a friend would I be to let you walk into a war by yourself."
"In that case I'll come too!' Kip said proudly. "You'll need all the help you can get." Wott didn't bother arguing with either of the two. There minds were made up.
Suddenly another Pokémon ran down the entrance of Team Hope's base. It was Emolga.
"There you guys are! I've been looking all over for you!"
"What is it Emolga?" Dan asked.
"Keldeo came back while you were gone! Virizion is in trouble!" Emolga explained.
Wott looked at Dan.
"Wott, I know what you're thinking. You can go to your family. Besides," Dan gestured at the rest of the team. "I have these guys who can help."
"What about Metagross?" Tom asked.
"He can wait." Dan responded. "This is more important."
"I agree." Ve said. "We'll be happy to help you and your friend!"
"So, Wott, Matt, and Kip are going to war and were going to Paradise?" Torch asked. "Have fun Matt. Wish I could go but..."
"You're a Torch." Zero teased.
"Just don't burn anything down." Matt smiled.
"We'll have to get everything together before we set out." Dan said. "We'll set out in a week."
All four teams agreed.
No rest for the weary. Tom thought. Here he was two days off of his first adventure in the Pokémon world and another had already popped up.
All four teams got ready. There was much to do.
End of Part 1
Author's Note
HOOOOORAYYYYYYYY!
Finished part 1! So, remember how I said last chapter that there would be two more chapters? Those two have been combined into one chapter otherwise they'd be pretty short... But part 1 is done!
In case you didn't know part 1 was named "A New A Journey." Part 2 will be named "War of the Sea." I wonder why?
Also I'll be accepting a few character submissions for part 2. Check out my forum for more details. Just paste the link after the main domain of the fanfiction site to get there.
Link: myforums/lostfan10000/5289578/
I can only accept a few so only a few can get in.
PM me if you have any questions!
Anywho... that's about it... oh wait I forgot! You thought I would end without an...
Epilogue
Metagross teleported Elli and his team a few miles away. A light snow shower was under way.
"Do you think they trust us?" Phoenix asked.
"Doubt it." Osborne said. "They don't really have a good first impression of us."
"I wouldn't worry about it." Elli added. "Right Metagross?"
"I calculate only a 13 percent chance of them immediately responding to our request."
"Where did you get that from?" Elli asked.
"News from other Exploration Teams state that Paradise may be in trouble." Metagross explained. "Also, the Oshawott would want to check on his family before total war breaks out."
"But they'll come, right?" Phoenix asked.
Metagross thought about all four of those teams. The similarities in their adventures was uncanny. Four humans, six Pokémon. Metagross decided that he would have to think about this longer.
"I'm sure that somehow, someway. They will come to us. The fourth story has just begun..."
And as always thanks for Reading!
-lostfan10000
