Chapter 52: Missions and Heartbreak Returns
"UP AND AT 'EM, ROOKIES! IT'S MORNING!"
"Ugh…" Carlos slowly sat up, yawning.
"My ears…" Sunburst whimpered, her paws clapped over them in pain. "Ow…"
"You'll have to get used to it, dear," Joy said. "Well, it looks like Michael doesn't wake up crying now."
Instead of crying, the Minun was curled in a ball. He was tugging on his ears, eyes watering as he kept them tightly shut. Joy scooped him up, rocking him reassuringly.
"Well, it's back to a normal day of exploration," Sandra commented.
"Sandra, when has any day been normal since we formed Team Legend?" Lucar asked.
"…Good point," the Eevee muttered, looking at her paws.
"Regardless, we have a job to do." Carlos stood up, stretching. "Blackie, you should probably stay behind since you're hurt. Joy has to take care of Michael. Sunburst, you can stay behind since it's your first day. Bidoof can give you a tour of the Guild if you want."
"Hey, does that mean Luv and I get to go on missions today?" Zuzu asked.
"Yes, it does," the Pikachu nodded. "Come on, guys! We've got Pokemon to help!"
"Hooray! Missions!" Luv cheered, dashing after her teammates happily.
Entering the main room, the five members of Team Legend recited the Guild cheers. Then they headed up to the first floor to pick out missions. Sandra and Luv picked out five missions from both the Rescue and the Outlaw Boards, all of them located in Foggy Forest. They headed out to Treasure Town to prepare their supplies and then traveled toward Foggy Forest.
The entrance to Foggy Forest…
"Wow!" Zuzu said, looking around. "This is where you guys went on the expedition? Cool!"
"Sure is foggy," Luv commented. "I guess that's why it's called Foggy Forest. So, Uxie lives around here?"
"On the other side of this forest," Carlos replied. "But we're not going there. We're just completing missions and going home. Until this whole Time Gear thief fiasco is over, I think it's better we leave Uxie alone."
"Agreed," Lucar nodded. "We don't want to lead the thief right to a Time Gear."
"Oh… I almost forgot they were being stolen," Sandra muttered.
"So much has happened that it's no surprise," Lucar said, looking at the Eevee. "Speaking of that, no other Time Gears have been stolen as of late. I guess the thief must be having a hard time finding Time Gears."
"Well, I hope he…she…they do! Have a hard time, I mean!" Sandra declared. "Who would want to do such a thing, anyway?"
"Who knows?" Carlos shrugged. "Come on. We've got missions."
"RIGHT!" the others chorused.
As one, Team Legend trooped through the fog as they entered Foggy Forest.
On the first floor, they went down a few corridors before being attacked by a Dunsparce. Lucar hit it with Force Palm, weakening it enough for Luv to finish it off with Peck. Reaching the next room, Carlos picked up 83 poke. Going down a nearby hall, Sandra used Quick Attack on a Cherubi and defeated it. Racing down a few more empty halls, they entered an empty room. Just as they were leaving, a Pachirisu arrived. A Quick Attack from Carlos caused it to flee.
"We're not going to chase it?" Zuzu asked.
"No," Carlos replied. "Let's keep going. Our missions start on the sixth floor, guys."
Discovering the tunnel in the room led to a dead end, the team headed back the way they came and took a different route. After two empty rooms and a bunch of empty halls, a Zigzagoon leaped out to ambush them from around a corner. Carlos used Slam while Zuzu struck with Bite, knocking it out immediately. The moment they turned the corner, a pair of Pachirisu jumped them. Lucar slammed the first one with Force Palm, throwing it aside in order for Sandra's Shadow Ball to hit the second one. Carlos, Sandra, and Lucar jumped the moment Luv raised her foot, dodging the super-powerful Earthquake she unleashed. Both Pachirisu fainted instantly when the tremors subsided.
"I missed doing that!" the Piplup laughed.
"Warn us beforehand so we don't get hit too," Carlos suggested. Good thing Lucar spotted that when he did, he thought. If he hadn't, we would've all been hit.
Picking up the 43 poke that the second Pachirisu dropped, they continued down the hall. Sadly, Lucar told them it was the first room they were in when they had entered the mystery dungeon. Turning around, Carlos retraced their footsteps until he came to a new path. Entering the room it led to and picking up 54 poke, they climbed up the stairs located on the far side of the room.
On the second floor, they arrived in the same room as the stairs. Carlos took a chance and used Thunderbolt on a Hoothoot that was in the room, frowning when he couldn't knock it out. Sandra's Quick Attack knocked it out, though. Picking up the Nifty Box it dropped, they climbed up the stairs.
On the third floor, they found themselves in the same room as a Hoothoot. Lucar knocked it out with Rock Slide. Grabbing a Special Band lying on the ground nearby, they headed through a corridor. Passing through an empty room and barely outrunning a Pachirisu, a Cherubi ambushed them. It was quickly defeated by Zuzu's Wing Attack. Crossing the room before them, a Zigzagoon attacked them. Lucar's Force Palm knocked it out instantly. After going through another hall, they reached a room containing a Clear Gummi, a Twist Band, and 54 poke. Putting them in the Treasure Bag, they outran a Pachirisu all the way to the room containing the stairs. The five explorers ran up the stairs before the Pachirisu could catch them.
On the fourth floor, Carlos grabbed 97 poke before using Quick Attack on an attacking Zigzagoon. Lucar's Force Palm knocked it out right afterward. Passing through a long and twisting corridor, a Hoothoot ambushed them in an empty room. Zuzu used Bite, followed by Luv using Peck to defeat it. Passing through yet another long hallway, they arrived in the room with the stairs and climbed up them.
On the fifth floor, Carlos grabbed a Brown Gummi before headed down a nearby hall into another room. Grabbing 59 poke, Carlos led his team up the stairs located in the same room.
On the sixth floor, their first mission began. Not even a foot away, a criminal Shellos narrowed its eyes at them before hitting them with Mud-Slap. Carlos hit it with Thunderbolt while Sandra tossed in a Shadow Ball, severely weakening it. A single Bite from Zuzu took it down.
"Mission 1 complete!" Sandra cried.
"Four more left to go," Luv reminded.
"Let's keep going!" Carlos encouraged.
Continuing through the floor, Lucar ended up poisoned right away by an attacking Skiploom that had snuck up on them while they had battled the Shellos. Carlos knocked it out with Quick Attack and grabbed a Pecha Berry nearby, giving it to Lucar to cure him. Dashing through empty halls and an empty room, Sandra used Shadow Ball to knock out a Pachirisu that jumped them. They tiptoed across the next room, careful not to wake up the sleeping Zigzagoon nearby. They raced through the next few corridors, dashing up the stairs the moment Team Legend found them.
On the seventh floor, a criminal Volbeat awaited them. It succeeded in dodging Carlos' Thunderbolt, only to be knocked down by Lucar's Rock Slide. Luv hit it with Peck twice in a row, defeating it.
"Mission 2 complete!" Lucar declared.
Continuing through the floor, they headed down a hall and entered a massive room. Picking up a Blue Gummi, Lucar used Force Palm on an incoming Pinsir. It managed to stay upright, only to be defeated by Carlos' Slam. Picking up the Cute Box it dropped, they headed down a nearby hallway and drove off a Buneary. It fled without attacking again. Finding the stairs in the next room, they ran up them.
On the eighth floor, a criminal Staryu turned to face them. Carlos shocked it with Thunderbolt right away, only to be hit by Water Gun in retaliation. He crashed into the wall behind him, winded. Sandra leaped to his defense, hitting the Staryu with Shadow Ball. A combo of Zuzu's Wing Attack and Luv's Bubblebeam finally defeated it.
"Mission 3 complete!" Luv cheered.
Continuing through the floor, they discovered that they were in the same room as the stairs. They attempted to tiptoe around a sleeping Pinsir, only to fail when Luv tripped out a root. Sandra and Lucar both used Quick Attack, knocking it out. They ran up the stairs without a second thought.
On the ninth floor, the five Pokemon dashed through a few corridors before being jumped by a Breloom. Zuzu hit it with Wing Attack, weakening it enough for Carlos' Slam to defeat it. Entering the next room, Carlos was happy to discover that their client, Poliwag, was there.
"Hey! Did you bring me my Escape Orb?" the Poliwag asked.
"Yes, we did," Sandra dug out the Escape Orb, handing it over to the Water-type.
"Oh, thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" she cried, her voice growing higher pitched with each 'thank you'. "I'll have a good reward for you, I promise!"
"Mission 4 completed!" Carlos called, pointing his badge at Poliwag and teleporting her to the Guild. "Only one more mission left, guys! Let's keep going!"
They continued through the mystery dungeon. Crossing through an empty room and a long hall, they sped up the stairs as an attacking Pachirisu lunged for them.
On the tenth floor, Carlos picked up an Apple and led the way down a corridor nearby. Grabbing another Apple in the next room, Zuzu defeated a Breloom with Wing Attack and picked up the Dainty Box it dropped. A Zigzagoon attacked them in the next hall, only to be defeated by Luv's Bubblebeam. A Skiploom ambushed them afterward, only to be knocked out by Lucar's Force Palm. A few more twisting halls led them to the room with the stairs. They climbed up them, ready to complete their final mission.
On the eleventh floor, they left the large room they appeared in and entered a larger room. Luckily, the stairs were in the room. Grabbing 43 poke, they headed toward their client, a clearly lost and disoriented Combee.
"Oh… Did you come to get me out of here? Oh, please say yes!" the Bug-type pleaded.
"Yes is correct," Zuzu reassured. "You're in safe hands now."
"Oh, thank you!" she cried, overjoyed.
"Mission 5 complete!" Carlos declared, teleporting the Combee out of Foggy Forest with his badge. "All done, guys!"
The five Team Legend members were engulfed in white light, being sent spiraling through the time-space tunnel. Landing in a pile within Wigglytuff's Guild, they disentangled themselves and faced Sheriff Magnezone and their clients. The Sheriff chuckled.
"BZZZT! I'LL NEVER GET TIRED OF SEEING THAT! BZZZT!" he announced.
"I don't think we'll ever learn how to land on our feet," Carlos joked.
"Agreed," Lucar nodded.
"BZZZT! THANK YOU FOR APPREHENDING THOSE CRIMINALS FOR US, TEAM LEGEND! HERE ARE YOUR REWARDS! BZZZT!" Sherriff Magnezone said.
They received a TM for Calm Mind, a Stamina Band, a Reviver Seed, and 500 poke. Placing those items in their Treasure Bag, the five Pokemon waved goodbye to Sheriff Magnezone as he left the Guild. They then turned their attention to Poliwag and Combee.
"Thanks for the Escape Orb! I always feel safer with one." Poliwag said. "Take these. I hope they're good enough."
"Anything's good enough, Poliwag," Carlos replied. "Even if it's nothing, just knowing you're okay is good."
"Wow," Poliwag said in awe.
Carlos accepted the Joy Ribbon and 500 poke. Poliwag headed up the ladder, a smile on her face. Combee and her friend Ampharos approached them next.
"Thank you for saving Combee," Ampharos said. "I don't know what I would've done if you hadn't!"
"You'd panic a bit, maybe cry a little," Combee guessed.
"Hey!" Ampharos glared at his friend. "I would not!"
/Some of the reactions from our clients are pretty funny, as I'm sure you've seen. I can't help but laugh sometimes. A laugh a day keeps depression away, as my mother once said. Laughing is good for you. Just make sure to laugh with people, not at them./
Carlos received 300 poke for the mission. Combee and Ampharos left the Guild, arguing the whole way. Chatot hopped up to them, pleased with their success.
"Good job on your first day back, Team Legend!" he complimented. "With all the points you've wracked up today, you've reached Silver Rank!"
"Awesome!" Zuzu cried.
"Hooray!" Sandra cheered.
"That leaves you with a total of 215 points," Chatot continued. "In order to get to Gold Rank, you have to have 1600 points. Keeping working hard and you'll be there in no time!"
"1600?" Sandra squeaked. That's…a lot!
"Correct! Keep up the good work!" Chatot turned and hopped away.
Having collected all of the rewards for their missions, the five Pokemon headed downstairs to return to their room. Luv and Zuzu happily flopped down on their beds. Lucar sat down, quietly thinking to himself. Carlos and Sandra remained standing in the room doorway.
"I think I'm going to go deposit our money," Carlos said. "I'll be back, guys."
"I'll go with you," Sandra suggested.
"Be careful," Joy warned.
"We will, Joy!" Sandra replied.
Carlos and Sandra made their way out of the Guild and down to Treasure Town. The sun was beginning to set, coloring the sky brilliant yellows and oranges with bits of pink and purple. Some of the residents were already heading home for the day and other Exploration Teams were beginning to turn in for the coming night. The shops were still open, though.
"You're going to deposit our money, right?" Sandra asked.
"Yeah," the Pikachu nodded. "Why?"
"I'm going to check on Marill and Azurill. I'll be back, okay?" Sandra said.
"Okay," Carlos replied. "I'll wait for you."
"Good!" The Eevee bounded away in search of the brothers.
/If I had known what was going to happen, I would've never left Carlos alone. But if I had known what was about to happen, then… Gah! I can't decide whether it was good or bad! All I know is that it hurt at first and then felt nice when it was over. Ugh…/
Carlos headed toward Duskull Bank. "I want to deposit my team's money, please. I'm from Team Legend," he explained.
"Ah, yes," the Duskull nodded. He accepted the money and stored it away. "Anything else you wish to do today, sir?"
"Nope," Carlos replied.
"Have a good evening, sir," the Duskull wished.
"You too," Carlos said.
The Pikachu turned and walked away from the bank, only to freeze. Out of the corner of his eye, something yellow caught his attention. Turning his head, he blinked in confusion.
Coming down the street from the direction that led toward mystery dungeons, looking exhausted, was a Pikachu. The notch in her tail clearly proved she was female. She seemed a bit dazed and her fur was ruffled, as if she had gotten into a fight and lost. She was swaying as she walked.
That wasn't what kept Carlos' gaze on her. What did were her eyes. They were a startling sapphire blue, unlike the chocolate brown that he had or the blood red that Blackie had. Though Blackie was the only other Pikachu he knew, Joy had no doubt kept her brown eyes as a Pikachu. Blue was an eye color he had never seen on an Electric-type before. Even Michael had brown eyes.
She suddenly stumbled, falling to her knees. Carlos dashed toward her, concerned. "Are you okay?" he asked, helping her sit up.
"Y-yes," she replied, her voice soft. "W-who are you?"
"Carlos," Carlos answered. "My name is Carlos."
"Carlos…" The way she said his voice sounded…strange, as if she recognized it.
"Who are you?" Carlos asked.
Confusion flashed in her eyes momentarily. After a short pause, she answered his question. "Chelsey… My name is Chelsey."
The sun sank lower in the sky, giving Chelsey's fur a kind of golden glow. Her blue eyes shone even brighter now. She sat up more, grasping his paws in her own. For a moment, Carlos was certain she resembled someone else. He just couldn't place his finger on it.
"Have we met before?" Carlos asked.
"I don't believe so," Her voice had an odd ring to it.
The sky was now a dazzling mix of yellow, orange, red, pink, and purple. Dark blue was beginning to emerge along the horizon line. It gave Treasure Town a shadowy setting. A light wind began to pick up, pulling leaves from the nearby trees and whirling them around the square where Carlos and Chelsey sat.
"Are you certain? You look…familiar somehow." Carlos persisted.
"You are mistaken," she replied. Her tone was gentle yet firm, as if warning him not to ask again. Her gaze grew hard before softening. She smiled. "Why would I look familiar?"
"I…don't honestly know," Carlos admitted. His mind was screaming warnings yet the warnings made no sense with no face to connect those warnings to. It frightened him almost.
Chelsey giggled. She rested a paw on his right cheek, smiling gently. "You know, you're pretty cute," she commented.
"Wha…?" Carlos blushed. I'm cute? But I… What? I hardly know her and she's hitting on me!
She giggled again. "You're cute when you blush, too."
"I… Uh…" Carlos blushed even deeper red. Great Arceus, I feel like Sandra!
Just as she opened her mouth to say something else, she suddenly stopped. Her left ear twitched and Chelsey switched her gaze from Carlos' face to over his shoulder. She could see Sandra bounding toward them, a happy smile on her face.
Her… Chelsey thought, frowning. Maybe I could…? She smirked momentarily, turning her attention back to a horribly confused Carlos.
With Sandra…
As Sandra drew nearer to the square, her happy smile began to fade. Carlos wasn't alone. There was another Pikachu, a female at that, sitting on the ground with him. She had a paw on his cheek and Carlos was…blushing?
"Huh?" Sandra slowed to a walk, continuing to draw nearer. Maybe I'm mistaken. It's probably not even Carlos… Oh, who are you kidding? Who is that girl?
Reaching the edge of the square, Sandra came to a stop. She opened her mouth to call Carlos' name, only to freeze when the female Pikachu's sapphire blue eyes met her own chocolate brown ones. The Eevee felt paralyzed, unable to move or speak. That gaze… She knew that gaze but, for the love of Arceus, she could not remember where!
Then came the horrible part. Her gaze remaining on Sandra the whole time, the female Pikachu rested her paws on Carlos' cheeks…and kissed him. Sandra felt her heart breaking right then and there.
/I know what you must be thinking. 'Great Arceus, you're such a sad, sad girl. All these horrible things seem to happen to you and you're always sad about it. Get a life, forget about it, and move on.' I apologize for being a coward back then. I was terrified of rejection. I couldn't bring myself to confess to Carlos. My hesitance and fear is what led to this. I'm just glad I finally got over it./
Leaves fluttered around the two Pikachu. It looks like the perfect scene of true love. The sky became even more colorful as the sun sank lower, half submerged below the horizon. It was picture perfect…almost.
Sandra, suddenly free of the female Pikachu's paralyzing gaze, broke down in tears. Shaking her head, she dashed down the street and toward the Guild. She ran past Carlos and the mysterious female Pikachu without a second thought. Tears blurred her vision, causing her to trip and stumble up the stairs, but she ignored it. Her heart was in more pain than her body ever could be.
Dashing over the grate, she practically fell down the ladders. Ignoring both Wigglytuff and Chatot, she rocketed toward Team Legend's room. The first thing she did when she got there was fling herself into a worried Joy's arms and cry.
With Carlos…
Chelsey pulled away, smiling softly as Sandra raced past. Perfect, she thought.
Suddenly snapping out of his kiss-induced daze, Carlos looked in the direction Sandra was running in. "Sandra! Wait!" he cried. He looked back at Chelsey. "Why did yo—"
"Thank you for the help, Carlos. I hope to see you again." Chelsey interrupted, standing up.
"Wait! I—" Carlos started, jumping to his feet.
"Goodbye," Chelsey walked away from him, disappearing further down the street before Carlos could utter another word.
The sky grew dark as night fell. Treasure Town began to close up for the night. Shop lights were going out and the streets were emptied of Pokemon…except for Carlos. Stars began to appear in the sky yet they weren't bright enough to cast any light on the lone Pikachu.
Carlos withdrew his hand, which had reached out to stop Chelsey before she had left. He looked in the direction she went in, then in the direction that Sandra had run off in. Sandra had been crying…
"Wha…" Carlos stared at his paw in the darkness, horribly lost. "What just happened?"
