Based on very rough estimates, this story will make it to AT LEAST 120 chapters, so I hope you're buckled up for a very long ride.
And yes, I do actually have a plan for ending the story, and TOTALLY have not been making things up as I go along. Don't let that Alakazam tell you otherwise.
Let's get this chapter going now. (-o-)
Zoe's POV
Laventon was not doing a good job of hiding how scared he was.
His face was still somewhat pale, not to mention his hands were trembling and that he kept glancing nervously back at us.
It probably didn't help that everytime he did that nervous glance, I gave him a devilish grin. Maybe not a good idea, but I simply couldn't help myself.
Needless to say, he was a hair's width from collapsing into a nervous breakdown when we got close to the village gate.
The gate was a tall wooden archway, with a red-tiled roof and a sign in a strange script. There were two guards on duty, both wearing red kimonos and serious expressions. They didn't even blink as we got close.
When we reached the gate, though, one of the guards asked, "Laventon, where did you find all those strange Pokemon? You're not leading them into the village, are you?"
"Hello!", Eddie declared, "We're nice! If you won't let us into the village now, I shall impress you into doing so!"
The guard flinched. "A talking Shinx?! That cannot be possible!"
Laventon sighed. "It is. In fact, every Pokemon following me seems to be capable of speech."
"You are absolutely correct!", agreed Mia, "Cool huh?"
The guard looked us over. "Laventon, do you really think it is safe to allow these Pokemon to pass? Even though they're showing...remarkable group and speech characteristics?"
Vernon asked, "May I add charming to that list?"
Laventon answered, "Well, um, they don't seem vicious in the slightest. And they seem like they could help us out a bit."
The guard replied, "Hmph. Lead them to the Galaxy Team HQ then. We will escort you."
Laventon started walking through the gate, and we followed him. The guards eyed us warily as we went past, especially the big scary-looking ones like Zeke.
When one stared at me disdainfully, I blew him a kiss.
Soon we had all passed through the gate, and we found ourselves in the village.
There was lots of lumber lying around, and only a few houses. Some farmers toiled away on a hill, a river flowing past them and through the center of the village. There was a charming bridge across it, which led to a street lined with shops.
But the main thing that caught my eye was the town hall.
It was massive compared to the rest of the village, and was the only building made primarily of stone. Two sets of scaffolding flanked the doorway, which was guarded by more red-cloaked guards and some pillars. Two flags blew in the wind, black with a stylized golden G upon them.
I felt as if that was familiar in some way...
The guards led us down the street, while the villagers stopped what they were doing to gawk at us. I smiled at them, and would've waved if I had actual hands.
We were guided over the bridge, which creaked as the heavier of us crossed over it. The town hall loomed directly ahead of us, ominously casting us into its shadow.
The guards stopped us in front of it. "Wait here. We will summon the-"
"The captain is present.", stated a stiff female voice. A woman with spiky blue hair, an emotionless expression, and a white-and-grey kimono stood ahead of us.
"Laventon.", she said calmly, "Why are there around thirty Pokemon in front of Galaxy Hall?"
The professor replied nervously, "Well, um, Captain Cyllene, you see, these are not ordinary Pokemon."
"I can see that.", she replied simply, "That does not answer my question."
I said, "We're from the government. We're here to help."
Cyllene rose an eyebrow at that statement, and I nearly burst into maniacal laughter.
Miss Melody said, "To elaborate on that, we have reason to believe that this world, and all the others, could be in great danger, and coming here could help us prevent that. All we need is a place to stay while we work on that."
Cyllene replied, "Intriguing. But we cannot just accept anyone who comes by, especially if they're wild Pokemon. You can stay for one night. Tomorrow, you will all have to go through a trial to see if you are worth our time...or need to be cast out."
"Ooh, I do not like those words.", I whispered.
Miss Melody gave a stiff nod. "Your terms are accepted. We will not disappoint you."
"Hmph. Very well. Escort them to their quarters.", Cyllene ordered, then swiftly turned around and marched back into the building.
"Tough one.", commented Vernon, "Are you sure you know what you're getting into?"
Miss Melody sighed. "Come on Vernon. There is nothing she can give us that we can't do. This will be easy compared to what's coming next."
A guard cleared his throat. "Ahem, shouldn't you all get moving?"
"Of course, right away.", Miss Melody replied courteously.
We were led to our new quarters, which seemed to be at the edge of town. When I saw our new place of residence, I began laughing as if I were a madwoman.
"Oh, that's just perfect.", I said, gasping, "Even our dungeon back at the school was better than this."
The guards had led us to a row of toolsheds.
"We'll simply have to make do.", Miss Melody said.
Sherlock stepped back. "I believe, Guardians, that this is where we part ways."
Miss Melody's eyes lit up. Clearly she'd been waiting for this.
"Guards, I believe that you will not want to be present. Seeing how I deal with double agents would most likely traumatize you and haunt your nightmares until Giratina takes you to her realm.", Miss Melody declared.
"Um, don't get blood on the street, please.", the guards said, then hurriedly left.
As soon as they were gone, Miss Melody flew until she was right in front of Sherlock's face. "Did you really think I wouldn't find out?", she asked, eyes glowing devilishly.
Sherlock, to his credit, hardly seemed fazed. "I haven't the slightest idea what you're talking about. I've made it quite clear that this was a temporary arrangement."
Miss Melody replied, "Perhaps...but I'm not happy with that. Do you have any idea what consequences could result if your human government interfered with our mission? I know you've been reporting to them, even if no one else did. You can't hide anything from the first Psychic-type, even with your Mental Wave Disruptor."
Sherlock uttered a quick "Bleep."
"So I would like to prolong our arrangement.", Miss Melody continued, "You may try to run. You may try to maintain contact. But what happens if you get 'contaminated' by the 'anomalies' you try so hard to keep under your president's thumb? Will they work with you then?"
Sherlock scowled. "You surely cannot be serious. I have been trained-"
Miss Melody interrupted, "Yes, yes. You're not escaping this time, Mr. Bond. If you would like your body back, then I suggest you work with us."
Sherlock seemed nervous now. He opened his mouth-
And Miss Melody struck him with a burst of energy.
Sherlock crumpled to his knees, as his body began trembling. Miss Melody floated away, her face wearing a terrifying expression I had not realized she was capable of wearing.
It even scared me, to be honest. And I was a champion at scaring people with expressions.
As we watched, Sherlock's body started growing black fur, except for his head and arms, which were turning silver and green, respectively.
A silvery metallic ruff emerged from his neck, which grew to cover much of his upper body. His hands contorted into huge bird-like claws, while his boots burst to reveal black paws. A blue fish-like tail erupted from his pants, as a metallic crest grew from his head.
Miss Melody grinned psychotically. "Now, now. You are going to be bound."
Appearing around his morphing head was a rust-colored helmet, which hid all of his face except for his furious eyes. A metal band looped around his crest and held it down, while a ring much like Arceus's grew out from his neck. He fell forward onto his front legs, and grew larger in size, causing his coat to fit quite tightly across his strange new body.
And that was how Sherlock turned into a Type: Null.
His eyes were blazing murderously as they settled on Miss Melody. "I will destroy you for this."
Miss Melody simply replied, "Go ahead and try. But I'm the only one who can return you to your human form. You'd like that, wouldn't you?"
Sherlock hissed and spat to the side, which just splattered the inside of his binding helmet.
"Oh, and try to be nicer.", Miss Melody added, "Type: Null only evolves with high friendship. Until then, your powers are going to be rather hampered by that new helmet. Like the design? Arceus invented it."
Hoopa muttered something that did not sound pleasant.
"Now come along.", Miss Melody said, "I think it's time you got to know your new allies better." (-o-)
AN: See why she sent away the guards?
Also, that Arceus-pioneered design isn't just a casual remark. Whether it's foreshadowing or not is up to you. But it does look awful familiar/suspicious, doesn't it?
Until next time, happy Pokemon hunting! I hope this isn't getting repetitive...