Now that I've finished: shorter, lemon-lacking chapter. You've probably noticed this doesn't have a mystery dungeon feel to it yet, but that's because I'm someone that has to pack a story full of exposition to lay the foundation for the rest of it.
Zero woke up first. He didn't have a groggy awakening like most living things do. He opened his eyes and his mind was immediately sharp. He had every memory of what happened... Well, he didn't know how much time had passed.
He was lying on his back. He turned to look at the sleeping lucario on her side, her back facing him. He sat up, looking at her face. His fluids hadn't completely dried yet, although most of it had.
[From that, it's only been 20-40 minutes... Good, it wasn't an hour.] He thought.
"Y'know, your aura could wake up anything in a 20-mile radius when you do that," Cerulean told him with squinted eyes.
"Do what?"
"Whatever you just did to make your aura flare up like that."
It made sense. For him to go from completely unconscious to fully awake in a second must've been like lighting a puddle of gasoline when it came to his aura.
Just then, the door opened. A machamp guard looked at them.
"The Mayor wants to see you."
"Ngh... Alright, we're coming." Cerulean sat up and told him. The machamp looked at her face as well as the status of the bed. He erupted into a booming laugh, audible even after closing the door and walking away.
"What was that all about?" The lucario asked the human next to her.
Zero touched her face, pulling his finger back, a string of liquid connecting them. She gasped, wiping at her face.
Inside the Mayor's office, Zero and Lucario stood. The dragonite set some papers aside and addressed them.
"First things first, Ms. Cerulean, how did everything go?" he asked the lucario.
"Wh-what!? You want me to explain right in front of him!?" She asked incredulously.
Zero didn't need to wonder what they were talking about. They had mated, and he had told them he had a state where he was fueled by lust. If they were trying to figure him out, of course, they'd wish to know of its extent. Besides, he had his suspicion when Cerulean magically got horny, knowing good and well they were surrounded by guards. It wasn't the ideal setting for making love, anyways.
Through her embarrassment, Cerulean struggled through her report. Soon after, there was a knock at the door.
"Come in, Volt."
The luxray entered, nodding at the Mayor.
"I understand you wanted to see me?"
"That's right. As a respected member of Advent Town and last remaining savior of it, I wanted your thoughts and opinions as we determined what needs to be done."
"Is that to say you've come to a conclusion?" Zero asked the dragonite.
"That's correct. I've developed a plan of sorts really."
Outside the door, Glave perked up. He had tracked Volt, seeing him leave the house quietly. He had been deprived of information for years; he wasn't being kept out of the loop this time.
"Well for one, I have to respect someone whose primary wish, if it's as you say, is to protect the place I've sought so hard to maintain. In truth, you protected this place with ease, although I think you can understand our shock at your methods."
"Yes, sir. I've been an outsider for quite some time. I never really had to worry about any living thing's opinion since I'd likely never see them again."
"I understand. But what I am about to say will hopefully change that."
Glave and Zero both perked up.
"You've grown on me. Even if you are a human. And extra insurance for the city, particularly for free," the Mayor chuckled, "is exceedingly welcome. If you truly vow to protect this city, then I'll allow you to stay in it."
At first, it was just the corners. Soon after, Zero's mouth parted in a smile. He looked down bashfully, he wasn't used to grinning. Why was his body doing it? He felt so happy. What was he happy about? Of course, it must have been that his objective to protect this place would be much easier.
[Stop lying to yourself, Zero. It's ok now.] A voice in his head told him. It was his voice.
"However, putting this into effect immediately would have severe repercussions on both this town's unity and my political state. Put simply, you're hated by many here. I wish to change that." The dragonite continued.
"With someone as powerful as you, I think I can knock down several pidgey with you as my stone. Do you accept?"
"Sir, you haven't finished. But as a matter of fact, I like what I've heard so far." Zero said, almost shyly.
"I wish to build your reputation. Additionally, I don't think this attack was random. Something is controlling these Pokemon, equipping them with a manipulative aura, and sending them off. I need to get to the bottom of this, and chances are, whoever is behind it is lurking at the bottom of some mystery dungeon somewhere."
Zero and Glave looked up identically.
"A mystery dungeon?" Zero asked.
"Yes. I take it you're familiar with them?"
"Yes, sir. I was with Team Luck for more than a short while."
"Which is wonderful: You already have experience on a rescue team."
"A rescue team?" Zero asked uneasily. Then, the Mayor's intentions set in. They were brilliant! Zero squinted, processing the situation in his head. He joins a rescue team, works his way up the ranks, the people of this town accept him, he's allowed to stay, and he can even find the source of whatever is troubling the world with these attacks. Except there was one problem.
"My teammates. Correct me if I'm wrong, but a team consists of multiple peo... Pokemon, right? Will an exception be made for me?" Zero asked inquisitively.
"Absolutely not. Should you betray us or fall in combat, we'd never know. That's why I called Vo-"
"Sir, I can't," Volt interjected.
"Oh? I thought you'd be eager. You haven't gotten to see the battlefield in years, and before you stands one of your old combat partners." The Mayor said. He expressed his surprise at Volt's rejection without thinking to compose himself.
"Draco, please," Volt looked at him with a soft look in his eyes, "I have a family now. And besides, it wouldn't be the same rushing into battle without Glave." He looked down after the last part. He had struggled not to think about it since it happened, but with the younger Glave's recent evolution, he reminded him much more of his father.
"I see. Well then, it would appear that I'll have to search for Pokemon willing to work with you. I apologize for stating it so bluntly, Zero, but that's the point-blank truth." The dragonite told his human guest.
"I think you can take your time. There's been something troubling me since I got here."
"And what would that be?"
"Glave made a request to me four years ago. It was during his final moments, so at first, I thought he was being delusional." Zero talked plainly, even during a sensitive matter.
"To protect Advent Town?" Draco asked.
"No. Another one. He told me to find his legacy and make it mine. I think I know what that means now."
Volt looked at the human next to him, his eyes growing wide.
"Enlighten me." The Mayor continued
"Once I'd calmed down Cerulean in the town square, an injured grovyle approached me."
Glave was shaking outside the door, his heart pounding at the mention of him.
"Volt here referred to him as Glave. At that moment, I knew. Correct me if I'm wrong, but that boy is Glave's son is he not?"
Draco looked at Volt, who looked down. He raised Glave for years now. Could he allow Zero to... what did Zero even intend to do?
"Why do you bring this up? What does 'make it mine' mean to you?" The dragon asked.
"I think it involves training. I held back very little on Team Luck."
"It's true..." Volt started. "Glave wanted his son to be an excellent explorer. I kept a lot from him and neglected to track down Zero, even though I knew of his wishes. I've been selfish these last four years. I thought that by keeping his son close to me, I could keep Glave himself with me." Tears began to well in the luxray's eyes. [Damnit! Men aren't supposed to cry!] He mentally swore at himself.
Draco merely watched Volt. He was always seen as a "second-place" of sorts. Glave the sceptile was a legendary hero, and Volt was his partner. Ruby, well she was carefree and appeared to be along for the ride. He realized that no one ever even considered what that mission had done to him.
"Zero, what do you wish to do with the boy?" Draco asked once more.
"As I said, train him. Give me one month. Machamp guards can be present if you find them necessary. If I need a partner to form a rescue team, then allow me to mold him into someone with the power to stand by my side."
Glave was grinning. It must be in his blood. The thought of getting stronger and becoming like his father- it lit a fire inside of him. He wanted to go now. This just wasn't like him; he never got so antsy.
"Cerulean, I have no reason to believe that that dark aura amplified your powers. If this is true then I'd like you to also join this rescue team, seeing as the two of you have become quite acquainted now." The dragon smirked.
"I don't really have anywhere to go so..."
"Fine by me." Zero nodded.
"One final thing before I can dismiss you. This team will need a name. What would you like for that to be?"
Zero took a breath. When he opened his eyes, they looked golden. Not in color, but in some prestige aura, detailing a being with ultimate control.
"Team Fate."
"I'll get that sent to the rescue federation. Team Fate. I like it. Members: Cerulean the Lucario, Zero the..." Draco paused. "Zero, and Glave the Grovyle."
"You haven't even asked him if he wants to." Cerulean butted in. All three others in the room looked at her. They said nothing, but she felt stupid either way.
"Careful now, I've seen Zero fight. If he's training Glave, then you might have to change it to Glave the Sceptile before he ever goes on a mission." Volt said with a bittersweet smile. He was coming around, but the approaching change was painful.
Outside, Glave smiled. More accurately he grinned so hard that it hurt. A sceptile behind him looked down at him, smiling fondly. He put his hand on the second-stage evolution's shoulder. Glave gasped and looked around thinking he'd been caught listening. He turned and analyzed the hallway for anyone.
But nobody came.