Pokémon Police Force Chapter 28: Rouge's End

I could tell Argyle was feeling more like himself now, but he was still far from perfect. When we had boarded the Fat Floatzel once more, Argyle drained half the ship's food supplies all on his own. How one Pokémon could eat that many Wishiwashi and Magikarp was beyond me. Afterward, Argyle claimed one of the crew's bunks and fell fast asleep. That was five hours ago.

Sal was on the deck, playing cards with one of the pirates. Judging by the frustrated groans coming from the pirate, Sal was winning. Snow was talking with Grapploct about our heading, if you could call the sound of two Rockruff fighting "talking". Jessie just spent this whole trip looking over the railing out toward the sea. She and Argyle have barely spake a word to each other since they had that fight.

(I hope they can get back together.)

I decided to join Jessie at the railing. She had barely moved a muscle at my approach.

(Does she even realize that I'm here?)

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"Yes. Well, no, but I should be asking you the same question."

"Why?"

"It was your partner he killed," said Jessie, "can't imagine how you feel about this."

"Yeah, I'm not quite sure how I feel about it either," I admitted, "she was my friend but she tried to kill me and now we're going to resurrect her from the dead."

"It's unnatural."

"As far as Argyle goes, it has never been 'natural'."

"But that's not what I'm worried about," said Jessie.

"I'm sure the two of you will work out."

"Not that either. This place he wants to go to, Rouge's End, I've heard about it."

"Tell me what you know."

"That place is a death trap," said Jessie, "no one who has attempted it has ever come back alive!"

"You mean-"

"Yes! I think Argyle wants to die."

I couldn't keep in my snicker.

"You think this is funny?"

"Once before, we were attacked by Kyogre," I explained, "Argyle got impaled right through the heart."

"He did!? How did he-?"

"Survive? It was Zygarde. I assume you're already up to speed about that. While Zygarde is a part of him, he cannot die."

"He's immortal!? But no Pokémon can survive getting his head chopped off!"

"Let's hope we don't have to test that theory."

"All in! Let's do this!"

"Natural Blackjack. You lose."

"Oh, sounds like Sal won another game," I said.

We both turned to the scene taking place on the deck. Sal was sitting on a barrel, smirking across their improvised table to the defeated Crocanaw on the other side. Various pirates crowded around them, watching the game.

"How!? That was the 13th game in a row!"

"I guess I'm just better than you."

"Cheat! You're cheating!"

"Really? Just because you're a terrible card player, you accuse me of cheating?"

"You said you were a newbie!"

"It's called lying, sweetheart."

"I don't take kindly to liars!"

"This looks bad," I said.

"Stay here, Emerald," Jessie said as she stepped forward, "I deal with this sort of crap all the time."

Jessie confidently marched forward and shoved her way through the crowd.

"Who are you accusing of cheating?" Asked Jessie.

"This Salazzle you-!" Began Crocanaw before Jessie slapped him hard across the face.

"I've watched the two of you from the start!" Said Jessie before she hurled the plank they were using as a table over the port side of the ship.

"Look at those cards in your lap! You were the only cheater here!" Shouted Jessie.

"You cheated and still lost?" Asked Sal in mock surprise, "how embarrassing."

"You cheater!" Yelled a Machoke before tossing Crocanaw over the port side of the ship.

"Why did you do that?" Asked Jessie.

"I felt like it," said Machoke nonchalantly.

"Crocanaw overboard!" Shouted Golduck.

"Not again," said Grapploct, "fish him out of the drink."

After the sudden Crocanaw rescue, the crowd dispersed and Sal decided to help swab the deck. The pirates returned to their business. Jessie returned to her place at the railing. I began wandering the deck. After another hour of this, we had our heading, but it wasn't smooth sailing.

"You know things haven't been the same without you."

Grapploct and Snow were talking near the mizzenmast.

"I retired from piracy," said Snow, "you're the captain now. I only borrowed you to pick up Argyle."

"I thought you might say that," said Grapploct.

Grapploct made some sort of weird noise through his ink-nozzle-mouth-thing. Then, my arms were roughly grabbed and bound.

"Wha-!?" I managed to squeak out before I was gagged.

I struggled, tried to get away, but I was punched and beaten in response. Afterward, I was thrown to the middle of the poop deck. When I got to a sitting position, I noticed Jessie and Sal in the exact same position I was in.

"Grapploct! What is the meaning of this!?" Shouted Snow.

"We are not your valet," said Grapploct, "if you won't lead us, you are all stowaways. And stowaways walk the plank!"

Snow looked to each of us in desperation until she voiced the question I was thinking.

"What about Argyle? What did you do to him!?"

"Nothing. We've heard about the power he possesses. He'll join us in your stead."

Right on cue, the crowd parts and Argyle walks onto the deck.

I was sleeping on a hammock when I woke with a start. There was a small rumbling coming from above.

(Curse my survival instincts.)

I tripped out of the hammock and hard on the cabin floor below.

"Better see what the commotion is all about."

I checked my mask straps and found them secure and then left the crew rooms and made my way up the stairs and up onto the deck. On deck, I found every single pirate huddled on the deck.

"Mutiny! This is a mutiny!"

"Mutiny? This is Spar-!"

"Don't you even think about finishing that reference!" I shouted as I began pushing my way through the crowd.

When I made my way into the center of the crowd, I found a sight I didn't expect. I found Emerald, Jessie and Sal, bound and gagged on the deck.

"What is this?" I asked, "who bound Sal?"

Jessie made a muffled grunt.

"Oh, and the other two."

"Argyle!" Yelled Snow, "this traitor is trying to throw us overboard!"

"I am not a traitor! I am captain!" Said Grapploct, "Argyle, join us or your friends will drown."

"You want me to join your crew?"

"Yes. Don't try anything or-"

"I throw Crocanaw overboard again!" Yelled Machoke.

"What's the big idea, idiot!?" Snapped Crocanaw.

"Sorry. Force of habit."

"Join us, or we'll start with your sister here!" Said Grapploct.

I felt in my mask, but found nothing.

(That can't be! Where's my last-? Oh.)

I closed my hand around the necklace around my neck.

(The Razor Claw! Have I had that around my neck this whole time? It was given to me by-)

I looked at Emerald, bound and gagged. I followed her gaze to the Razor Claw I was holding.

(Emerald! That's it!)

I looked Emerald dead in the eye and nodded. It took her a bit, but she nodded back.

"All right," I said, "but I'd like a word with the Braixen first."

"Make it quick," said Grapploct.

(Good thing this pirate is an idiot.)

I slowly approached Emerald, making no sudden moves and removed her gag.

"Thanks for that," she said.

"Do you remember the case of the witch's bolt?" I asked.

I noticed the look of utter confusion on her face before her face lightened and she winked.

"Good girl," I said before I slashed her rope bindings clean in two.

Emerald responded by retrieving her stick and flinging Machoke overboard with her psychic powers.

"Yes! That is what it feels like!" Yelled Crocanaw in joy.

"Wha-?" Began Grapploct.

"Time for the witching hour!" Smirked Emerald before she began attacking every single pirate at once.

Snow joined the fray. Next, I freed Jessie. Sal ignited herself and burned her bindings clean off. It all ended with me grabbing Grapploct by the neck and holding him over the edge of the ship.

"Now, here's what will happen," said Snow, "we will fish your crew out, then you will take us where we want with no complaints."

"Okay! Okay!" Pled Grapploct.

"Betray us again, and I'll see to it that you get marooned! Or keelhauled! Whatever strikes my fancy!"

"You know, you're so hot when you're being forceful," said Grapploct.

"Argyle. Hurt him."

I squeezed his neck tighter and then pulled one of his tentacles clean off of his body.

"AAAAHHHHH!" Screamed Grapploct as the blood sprayed.

"Oh, shut up," said Snow, "it'll grow back."

I punched him the face, knocking him out.

"Um, oops," I said.

"Just throw him in a cell," said Snow, "come on, girls, we have a crew to save."

"We didn't have to throw them all overboard," said Sal.

"Who cares? It was fun," said Jessie.

I locked Grapploct up in the brig and helped the ladies save the soggy pirates. With only a few words of complaint, the pirates had dropped us off at the desert.

"Home sweet home, huh?" Asked Sal.

"I sure didn't miss the heat," I replied.

"Even I feel uncomfortable," said Emerald, "I can only imagine how the two of you feel."

"Let's just get to this tomb quickly," panted Snow.

Sal led us down the familiar path to the tomb we had both stayed in previously. We headed down stairs and into the ritual chamber we stayed in. It was cool here, in stark contrast to the heat outside.

It was just a little chamber with a sacrificial table in the center and extremely old drawings on the walls. Emerald took her torch and began examining the drawings.

"These look old enough to be from the old kingdom," said Emerald, "Thoth would be overjoyed to see this."

"We've been here before," said Sal, "but I've never seen anything like you've said."

"There's a secret door here," I explained, "I never said anything because it's not safe to go any further."

"What is even worth the traps?" Asked Jessie.

"No one knows," I said, "no one has ever made it to the end, but with all the traps, it is believed to be the greatest treasure ever."

"We should go with you," said Snow.

"That wouldn't be wise," I said, "I'm the only thief here and the only one who even stands any chance in there."

"Argyle, be careful," Emerald said.

"Don't worry, I won't kill myself," I said, "I know when to pull out."

I marched over to a straight and narrow wall and pushed a single brick in. The door swung open with a lazy groan revealing a long hallway littered with Joltik webs.

"Argyle, come back to us," said Jessie.

I nodded and walked ahead until the door slammed shut behind me.

"Argyle!"

I ran to the door as the ladies began beating on it.

"Don't worry! I'm safe!"

"I can hear him!"

"Argyle, look at the door! Can you get back out?"

I began feeling the door until I found a small, protruding brick at my hip level. It felt loose. That must be my way out.

"I think I can!" I yelled back, "there is a loose brick! I'm going on ahead! Wish me luck!"

I turned and started down the hallway. After several feet, I seen the webs ahead move.

(Move!)

I dropped to the ground as a metal saw blade whirred overhead.

(That could've beheaded me!)

I waited until the blade had retracted overhead and used Icy Wind on it. It had slowed it down temporarily, but failed to stop it.

(Well, that idea's a bust. There must be an emergency shut-off for maintenance purposes.)

I continued down the hall, dodging more saws and made my way into a large chamber. The chamber was empty with the exception of a few spike trap tiles, impaling various Pokémon skeletons. All of this was surrounding a solitary sarcophagus.

(If I had to guess, they thought the treasure to be there. Luckily for me, I am no fool.)

I skirted the walls and found another hidden door. Once I walked through the hall, I was kind of disappointed by the lack of traps here.

(Wait.)

I looked behind me just in time to see a battering ram made of sharp wooden stakes heading straight for me.

"AGILITY!" I screamed as I ran for it.

I made it safely away from that trap and almost fell into a pit. Regaining my footing I stood on a ledge overlooking a pit of spikes.

"That was close."

I turned my head up and found a medieval gauntlet. There was a small maze among a giant pit of spikes with steel pendulum blades slashing the air above the maze.

"Okay, whatever is here better be worth the trouble," I said, "if it is just a little plaque that says 'well done' I am gonna be so mad!"

I carefully picked my way through the maze and made my way to the next room, a lavish, multi-tiered room lined with countless doors. Finally, there was a little podium in the middle with something written on it.

This marks the furthest anyone had come here. All of these doors lead to death. They are all alive! If you are wise, you will turn back now.

(Living doors? Guess I have to use Zygarde here.)

I cast my gaze over the numerous doors.

(Though, I wish I didn't.)

I closed my eyes and then only opened my left eye. Through the green hue, I found only one door that led to an actual exit. On the third tier, over the door I came through.

I made my way up stairways, avoiding various rubble and "unfriendly" doors, until I arrived at the one door to rule them all. Sorry.

"Open sesame!" I said as my hand closed around the door latch.

(Wait. This is too easy.)

I chalked it up to my thief instincts as I began examining the door. No obvious wires or buttons, so I ruled out common traps. Examining further, I found what I was looking for, right at the latch, was a trap. The door was set to explode whenever the lock gets tampered with.

(I assume the lock is set up to jam as well. Good thing I decided to check it. Amazing how all of these traps still work after thousands of years.)

"Well played, Mr. Explosion Trap," I said, "well played. But… not well played enough. This is amateur hour here."

The thing about old kingdom traps, I found out, was that they are useless without charges. It took me only a moment to find the charges, planted in a hidden compartment in the doorframe, and disconnect them.

"That should be that," I said, "better remove the fuses too, just to be safe."

That done, I began work disabling the jamming mechanism.

"Good Lugia! That is some serious hardware! A little worn, but still formidable," I said to myself, "let me try this."

I breathed Icy Wind on my claw, freezing it instantly. With my frozen appendage, I began to wear away the jamming mechanism. When my work had finished, I knew I had only one step to go.

I walked back along the tier and stopped at the furthest pile of rubble, putting as much distance between me and the door.

"Agility!"

I ran along the ledge, tacking on a few more Agilities as I went. When I got within striking distance, I kicked the door. The lock burst open and the door was knocked off its hinges and back into the corridor beyond.

Within the corridor was a steep spiral staircase that descended down into the depths of the Earth. It was a long, lonely slog. Nary a trap to be found. Beyond the staircase, I beheld a Hall of Stories.

The Hall was lined with vibrant drawings of the most precious colors of the Old Kingdom. It was common practice for Old Kingdom burial tombs to have a hall detailing the history of the tomb or the persons buried here.

(Maybe these drawings hold a clue.)

I approached the most well-illuminated panel and found something I didn't expect. It depicted many green lights converging on one point and a dark shape in the midst.

"Wait, this isn't history."

I found a torch braced to the wall, I pulled the torch free and examined another panel. This panel depicted a great, monstrous serpent. Opposing the serpent, was a small, black Pokémon with a striking green patch on the left side of its face.

"That color! It couldn't be!" I gasped.

I dropped the torch in my state of shock. The torch rolled away until it hit something on the far end. Quickly, I retrieved the torch. However, as I stood back up, I found out I wasn't alone down here.

I was greeted by a small, ghostly visage with burning red eyes.

"Hello, friend."

I was knocked straight onto my butt in shock.

"Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you."

"Who? Who are you!?"

"Pardon me. They call me Marshadow."

"What are you doing here? It's dangerous!"

"I could be asking you the same thing. I live here."

"You live here? Nevermind, I don't want to know. Why are there pictures of me down here?"

"Pictures of you? I'm sorry, outsider, but these aren't pictures of you."

I walked back to the panel and seen my distinct green patterns on it. With my free hand, I undid my mask and let it fall to the floor. Marshadow gasped in response when he'd seen my face.

"The chosen one! It is my honor to greet you!" Said Marshadow, adopting a low bow.

"Stand up," I said in irritation, "I'm not special."

"Yes, you are," replied Marshadow, "those traps were set up to make sure only you can make it here."

"Were you the one possessing the doors?"

"Indeed," he responded, "if you need further proof, enter the door behind me. It is a blood seal. Smear your blood over the seal. It will only open for you."

"What lies beyond?"

"My master, Genesect."

I walked past Marshadow and found the door he spoke of. It was a massive stone door covered with various grooves, assumedly to process the blood.

"Go in. Genesect will not harm you."

I scratched my non-corrupted arm and smeared the fresh blood on the door. The grooves instantly ignited with bright red lights and opened horizontally with a great groaning.

Marshadow accompanied me inside to meet our host. It was not the kind of Pokémon I was expecting. A bipedal-beetle like robot with a cannon on its back.

"Master Genesect! The chosen one of Zygarde has come to us!"

The robot looked me over.

"I keep telling you not to call me master," said Genesect, its voice even more artificial than a Porygon, "it is time for you to realize your destiny."

"Actually, I just came for the treasure."

"We know. That's why we fabricated that whole treasure story," said Marshadow.

"That figures," I said, "so what is my 'destiny'?"

"You have seen the hieroglyphs, I assume?" Asked Genesect, "our role is your story is to set you on the right path to save the world."

"Save the world?"

"All those hieroglyphs depict future events in your life," said Marshadow.

"You mean Zygarde's destiny," I replied, "I'm just host to the parasite."

"Ah, I see," said Genesect, "you've lost faith in yourself."

"Perhaps this is the perfect time, Genesect!" Said Marshadow, "show him everything."

"I like the way you think. Prepare yourself for a ride!"

Genesect's eyes began glowing and suddenly, we were in space!

"Wait, what!?"

The words that came to me next sounded like they were coming from my own head. Not from Zygarde, but from my own thoughts.

"In the beginning, a being much higher than Arceus itself created Arceus."

Then, an egg appeared in the void of space.

"Arceus, in turn, created the creation trio. And the three of them created the world as was the original design."

Arceus hatched out of its egg and created the creation trio out of thin air. The three of them created the Earth, space, and all the other Pokémon as well as the humans.

"This is where Zygarde appeared. Zygarde wasn't created by Arceus, the one above, or anyone else. It was born from the very planet itself to serve as a last line of defense. A living weapon designed to protect the planet."

Then, the scene changed. The humans and Pokémon began viciously attacking each other. I remember yelling.

"The Angel Wars. A bloody conflict that threatened to tear the world apart. Zygarde, with the help of Kyurem, ripped the two universes into two. One for humans, one for- what? WHAT IS THIS!?"

The scene changed once more, and I was presented with a vision that stole all my breath away and filled me with agonizing dread. A vision that Genesect made me promise not to tell anyone. So, I will drop the vision right there.

I awoke to find myself collapsed on the ground. Even Genesect and Marshadow look to have had it rough.

"What? What was that?"

"Something evil," replied Marshadow, "it felt like my heart was going to explode from pure sadness."

"I've never felt such darkness," said Genesect.

"What was the point of showing me that!?"

"I didn't. That very thing hijacked the vision and revealed itself unto you," said Genesect, visibly worried, "such a thing could very well end the entire universe!"

"How long do we have?" I asked.

"Hard to say. It could be a thousand years, ten thousand or even tomorrow," answered Genesect, "I wanted to show you the face of our present enemy, but those plans have changed."

"That huge serpent from the Hall back there?"

"Yes," replied Marshadow, "a great serpent destined to end the world."

"Seek out Yveltal. The god of death shall lead you to your destiny," said Genesect.

"Excuse me, the god of what?"

"Death."

"There is a Torkoal that resides at the hot springs near Treasure Town," explained Marshadow, "ask him about the Fifth of Frostomb."

"Why?"

"Torkoal may seem like an old turtle that enjoys hot springs, but no one knows urban legends better than he."

"This legend contains vital clues that will lead you to Yveltal's whereabouts," said Genesect.

"But I'm just a poor Sneasel. Why me?"

"We all go through life with that question."

"Wow, that's deep."

"However, if words won't persuade you, we'll just have to give you a reason to stop stealing," said Genesect.

"On it," said Marshadow before walking through a nearby wall.

"Promise me you won't tell anyone about the last part of that vision."

"Why not?"

"What we seen was a threat that is still a millennium away from coming to pass. Best not to worry them."

(There is something Genesect is not telling me.)

At that moment, Marshadow returned holding something.

"For you," he said before placing it in my hand.

What he gave me was a small gemstone no larger than the Razor Claw hanging from my neck. It was the shape of a teardrop and shone with a different color depending on how the light hit it. I think I'd seen every single color in there. The gem might as well have been a crystalized rainbow.

"That gem is known as Reminanite," said Marshadow, "the Rainbow Tear."

"The Rainbow Tear!? I've heard stories about it, but I've never actually seen one. Let alone held one," I said, "it's the rarest gemstone in the world!"

"It's yours," said Marshadow.

"I can't accept something like this," I said.

"Think of it as a reward in advance for saving the world."

"Every thief in the world would kill for this," I said, "but now that I'm holding it…"

"You sound like treasure may not be your true motive here," said Marshadow, "you just came here to test yourself. Didn't you?"

I didn't answer. All in all, I felt I didn't need to.

"Before you go, there is one other thing we must discuss."

"I'm getting worried," said Snow, "Argyle's been in there for several hours now."

"Has it really been that long?" Asked Jessie.

"Emerald can you read Argyle's mind?" Asked Sal, "to make sure he's alright?"

"I would if I could," I said, "unfortunately Zygarde blocks any and all attempts to do so."

"I'm going after him!" Said Snow.

Jessie was upon her instantly, pinning her to the ground.

"Jessie!? Let me go!"

"We're all worried," said Jessie, "trust your brother. He'll come back."

Just then, the hidden door swung open and a familiar Sneasel wearing a mask over the left half of his face walked out.

"Argyle!" Cheered Sal, embracing him in a big hug.

"Hey, Sal," said Argyle, "how long was I in there?"

"About three, maybe four hours."

"Sorry about that," said Argyle, "those traps took a bit longer to disarm than I thought they would. I see Jessie and Snow finally got together."

"Get off me!" Said Snow, finally shoving Jessie off.

"I'm glad you were my first," said Jessie.

"Tauros sh-!"

"Anyway…" I said, interrupting Snow, "how was it? Did you make it through?"

"Yeah, got this for my trouble."

Argyle held out a tear-shaped jewel about the size of his palm. This tear gleamed with every color under the sun.

"Argyle? Is that what I think it is?" Asked Snow.

"It is. The Rainbow Tear."

"Wow! Sell something like that and even your great grandchildren's great grandchildren will be set for life!" Exclaimed Snow.

"Where did you find that?" Asked Sal, "something so priceless."

"It was sitting on a pedestal in the furthest room," Argyle answered, "almost got crushed by the giant boulder that chased me afterward."

"You're lying, Argyle," I said.

"What? Why would I lie about something like that?"

"You made up that whole story."

"No I didn't!"

"You just lied again."

"What makes you think he's lying?" Asked Jessie.

"His nose."

"My nose?"

"Every time you lie, your nose twitches slightly," I explained.

"It does!?"

"I've known him for longer than all of you put together," said Jessie, "and I've never noticed that."

"I make a living off of criminal profiling. I look for little things like that."

"So, what really happened down there?" Asked Sal.

"Oh, look at the time, we really need to get going," said Argyle, trying to change the subject, "Sarah Sudoku isn't going to revive herself."

"It's Sheriashuu!"

"Sorry I can't hear you! This desert is really loud!" Yelled Argyle as he ascended the stairs leading out of the chamber.

"If the desert doesn't kill him, I will," complained Sal.