I HATE WRITING FIGHT SCENES!
The pain was like a persistent ache, fading in and out in such a way that Dusknoir would never be accustomed to it. He had been punished for his failure and Dialga ensured that he would never be able to forget.
Dusknoir rolled his shoulders. It was almost time. The Sableye scurried around the ruins around him, preparing the ambush. She would be here soon. Sol. She would pay for her disobedience.
He looked out over the white, swirling nothingness below from atop the ruins that littered the Hidden Land. There had been no point in chasing after the troublemakers when he already knew where they would ultimately end up. To get to Temporal Tower they would have to pass through here and take the Rainbow Stoneship.
Dusknoir's hands clenched into fists. He would catch them, then he would make. Sol. Pay. Had she only listened and obeyed, she would have had everything. He had tried to be patient, to let her adjust, give her time. He had given her a second chance. He had argued with Lord Dialga, Dialga, one who no one ever argues with, to keep her alive but she had thrown it back in his face. She could have been his most powerful and trusted servant, well rewarded and living in luxury, and she should have been grateful.
He was done being patient. Sol would serve him in the end. If that meant she needed to be turned into a shattered shell of herself then so be it. He would break her and enjoy every second of it.
"Master!" hissed a Sableye and ran up to him. "They sees 'em! 'Em comin'!"
Dusknoir's head snapped over. He stepped close to the edge and looked down. Far below a Lapras sailed across the white void that encircled the floating Hidden Land, propelled by the swirling currents of time. On top of the Lapras were three familiar figures, Eevee, Grovyle and Sol.
Dusknoir felt a stab of annoyance. He had expected the other two of Sol's pathetic bunch of friends. During his employment, Dusknoir had found that physical pain couldn't come close to emotional pain, especially when it came to self righteous 'hero' types. He supposed he would have to make due with Eevee and Grovyle. Watching them die would be a good start to breaking Sol.
"To your positions," Dusknoir ordered. The Sableye cackled and disappeared into the shadows.
Once the group stepped foot on the Rainbow Stoneship, then they would strike. There was nowhere they could escape to. Nowhere to run. Dusknoir grinned.
...
"If that's Dialga, then who's that beside him?"
Sol's voice floated up through the ruins. Dusknoir calmed the Sableye with a wave of his name. They were too close now to ruin it with hasty action.
"I don't know. Another legendary I assume," Grovyle answered.
"These paintings look ancient, yet at the same time the paint looks brand new. It's not faded or chipped."
And there was Eevee. Dusknoir held his hand up to signal the Sableye to get ready. So close...
"Hey! Look here! It's the same pattern as what's on my Relic Fragment!"
"Looks like there's a piece missing in the center. What exactly are we supposed to do?"
"Hey Sol! Look! There's some sort of plaque over here. There's odd writing on it, but I don't know what it's supposed to say."
Dusknoir waved his hand in a circular motion. The Sableye closed in, stepping carefully to avoid making any noise.
"Uh... something, something, Rainbow Stoneship, something, bearer of the proof must activate, something, something, proof inlaid in the center."
"Sol! You can read this?!"
"Um... yes?"
"These are Unknown runes. It is similar to the human style of writing."
Dusknoir closed his hand into a fist. The Sableye cackled with glee and jumped out of hiding, surrounding their targets.
"The Sableye!"
"Oh, shit!"
Dusknoir laughed and revealed himself. The three stood in a circle with their backs to each other, facing the Sableye. They were tensed up to fight up Dusknoir could see in their eyes that they knew they couldn't possibly prevail against such numbers.
Ahh. Nothing was sweeter than having a well laid plan work perfectly.
"You're like a really persistent rash, aren't you?" Sol spat. "Always turning up where you're not wanted."
"I am curious how you managed to get here before us," Grovyle said.
"It's simple really," Dusknoir gloated. "I knew where you would inevitably end up, so Master Dialga warped us here directly. You had me waiting for quite a while. It saved me the bother of having to search for you, but it would appear I'm two fools short. I'll deal with them later."
Sol snarled and lunged at him. The Sableye caught her before she could get very far and wrestled the white staff from her grip. She didn't look at them even as they held her back, continuing to glare at Dusknoir with a hateful fury.
Dusknoir smirked. If the mere mention of it provoked such intense feeling from Sol, perhaps he would go and collect the Cubone and the Charmander.
"You are all coming back to the future with me," Dusknoir declared. "But don't worry, Eevee and Grovyle. You won't suffer for too long. Sableye, bring them to the Dimensional Hole."
"Wheh-heh-heh!" the Sableye cackled.
Like a wild beast Sol struggled the whole way. Eevee and Grovyle went along much more quietly. Did they finally accept the inevitable? Did they see that there was no point in fighting that which would never change?
Down the stone steps from the Rainbow Stoneship, the Dimensional Hole pulsed and hummed. A gateway to a different time, a different world, and a testament to his lord's power.
Sol renewed her struggle as they approached it. She managed to squirm out of the Sableyes' grasp and fall to the ground on her back, trying to kick them away with her feet. Dusknoir sighed at the sight of it. There comes a time when you just have to accept that you lost.
The Sableye crowded around the Riolu, trying to pull her back to her feet and drag her to the portal. Grovyle and Eevee just watched and didn't say a word. Dusknoir began to feel uneasy. Something wasn't right...
"Step away!" Dusknoir ordered, but it was too late.
There was a whoosh of flames and the Sableye around Sol screamed. Faces blinded and burned from the blast seed they stumbled back, tripping over each other.
Moving with the speed his was known for, Grovyle spun and hit a nearby Sableye in the face with an open hand. There was a small explosion of yellow powder as the stun seed broke open and the Sableye instantly stiffened as paralysis took effect. With a gently nudge the Pokémon toppled over.
Gah! Dusknoir should have had them searched before doing anything else! He had been too sure of his victory, but he would not let them get away!
"You display feeble resistance, but in the end it is futile!" Dusknoir yelled.
"You expected anything less?" Grovyle snarled. "We knew it was only a matter of time before you showed up. We were ready."
"Kill them now! But keep Sol alive. I will enjoy crushing her spirit until nothing but a hollow shell remains!"
Anger fueling his power, a stream of dark shadows erupted and spread in all directions. The Dark Pulse ripped across the battlefield harming friend and foe alike. The Sableye, Grovyle and Eevee were picked up and thrown back. Sol, her Riolu body resistant to the dark type attack, gritted her teeth and braced herself as the move whipped past and was able to stay on her feet.
Sol dashed to the side to scoop up her staff from where the Sableye had dropped it. Dusknoir ran forwards to intercept, dark energy enveloping his fist as he prepared his Shadow Punch. But suddenly Eevee lept through the air and sank his teeth deep into Dusknoir's arm. He refused to let go, snarling and growling even as Dusknoir attempted to pull him off.
"Let go you pathetic fool!" Dusknoir hissed and curled a hand around Eevee's throat.
He began to squeeze, cutting off the air and choking him. Eevee only bit down harder but it was only a matter of time before he passed out then eventually died. Dusknoir would have preferred capturing him alive, if only to torment Sol and force her to watch as he slowly killed him later, but he had run out of patience with these pests.
Something hit hard against the side of Dusknoir's head. He let go of Eevee and instinctively raised a hand to shield himself. He felt several more painful impacts as Grovyle showered him with Bullet Seed, forcing him back a few steps.
Sol ran forwards to take advantage of the distraction. The extended blades on her staff glinted in the sun light. Dusknoir had felt the harsh bite of those blades before.
Dusknoir twisted his arm around, putting Eevee between Sol and himself. She skittered to a stop before accidently impaling her partner. Dusknoir struck Sol with the back of his hand, knocking her to the ground, then grabbed Eevee by the back of his neck and yanked him off, tearing off a chunk of his own flesh in the process.
He hurled Eevee at Grovyle and screamed at the dazed Sableye only just getting back on their feet to attack them. Then he turned his attention to Sol.
Her blue eyes burned bright with rage. She howled a wordless battle cry and charged, the bladed ends of her staff whipping back and forth in a confusing manoeuvre. She moved as if to hit him high but at the last second swept it down low.
Dusknoir was wise to this trick. Sol may not remember it, but this was not the first time they had fought. He stepped back just out of range and then darted back in while she was still extended. Dark energy pulsed from his fist and he punched her.
Shadow Punch was an interesting move in that while it did inflict physical damage, but spiritual as well. Sol's eyes widened as her energy and motivation were drained away and she was left feeling emotionally cold and numb. The force of the move knocked her to the ground and she skidded back several feet.
"With your pathetic power, there was never a chance that you could win! Not against me!" Dusknoir declared. He looked over to see Eevee and Grovyle prevailing against the Sableye despite their number. It was time to end this.
The yellow outline on his chest opened up, like a gaping maw poised to swallow them whole. A sphere of dark purple and black energy formed, growing in size and power with each passing second. He would destroy them, then he would drag Sol back to the future. It had been seen in a vision that Sol would serve him, and Dusknoir would ensure that it came to pass.
The Shadow Ball burst forth and sped towards the unaware Eevee and Grovyle.
"No!"
Dusknoir's feeling of success evaporated when Sol jumped in front of the attack. The stupid fool! She would be killed and all his plans would have been for nothing!
But that didn't happen. The Shadow Ball hit the white staff Sol held before her in an instinctual attempt to defend herself, and abruptly stopped in midair. Her eyes, squeezed shut as she braced herself for impact, slowly opened and stared at the pulsing darkness with disbelief.
"What the-"
With a small sparking of dark energy, the Shadow Ball suddenly changed course and sailed back the way it came. Dusknoir was taken completely by surprise and it hit him directly in the mouth on his stomach.
He screamed. The pain was unbelievable, ripping through every shred of his being. He slumped forwards, then fell flat on the ground completely. Silence descended.
"M-master Dusknoir?" a Sableye stammered to no response.
"Wheeeeh!" they all cried and ran to the Dimensional Hole, abandoning their fallen leader.
"What the Hell just happened?" Sol asked.
"I truly have no idea," Grovyle said. "You were always very protective of your staff, and I see now why."
"Urrrgh," Dusknoir groaned. The pain was beginning to fade and his power was slowly trickling back.
"Eevee, go back to the top of the temple ruins and see if you can start the Rainbow Stoneship. We'll make sure Dusknoir doesn't try anything else."
"Right."
Dusknoir tilted his head up to look at Sol and Grovyle as Eevee walked back up the stone steps. This couldn't be how it ended.
"Sol... Grovyle... Is this truly what you want?"
"A future where the sun rises? Where we don't have to worry about a mad temporal Pokémon deciding to kill us for no reason? Yes, it is."
"Even if you're not around to enjoy it?"
"I've beaten the odds before. I fully intend to survive this mission."
For a moment, Dusknoir was confused. Then it hit him. She didn't know. The guilty look on Grovyle's face confirmed it. The coward didn't tell her! So there was still a chance! If she realized what would happen to her of they did manage to succeed, perhaps she would willingly decide to join Dusknoir and his cause!
"If history is changed, the three of us never would have been born," Dusknoir said. "If you go through with this we will disappear. It's unlikely anyone will even remember we existed."
Sol's expression went blank, then her mouth twisted into a scowl and her eyes when as hard as steel.
"You're lying."
"Why else would I have fought so hard to stop you? Do you believe I enjoy living on a paralysed planet?" He did enjoy the power his position gave him, but there was no point in bringing that up now. "A hard life is better than no life at all. Ask you're so-called partner. He knows the truth of it."
"Grovyle, tell me it isn't true. Tell me you didn't keep something like this from me."
Sol's words came out almost like a plea. Grovyle didn't respond, but his pained expression said it all.
"You fucking bastard! How dare you keep something like this a secret!"
"I thought it best-"
"You thought it best to what?! Not mention anything until I was already fading away? Leave Eevee here all alone with no idea what's happening or why I'm suddenly gone? Did you not trust me to make the right choice? Or was I always just a tool to you who's thoughts and feelings didn't matter as long as I got you where you needed to go?"
"You knew this before we came here, back before you lost your memory. You decided to go through with this."
"If you were so sure I would choose the same again, why didn't you tell me?!"
"Sol..."
Sol's gaze was filled with an intense loathing to rival any glare she had ever made at Dusknoir. When she spoke her rage was evident.
"I hate you."
Such simple words but the emotion behind them, all that malice and spite... Dusknoir allowed himself to hope she would make the right choice and stop this suicidal madness, but his hopes were dashed when she simply turned her back to Grovyle and stood as still as a statue, waiting for Eevee to return. Dusknoir could clearly see in her stance the anger she was barely holding back, but it would seem she wasn't going to act on her feelings.
There was a pulsing, whirring noise and a bright glow came from the nearby top of the ruins.
"That must be the Rainbow Stoneship," Grovyle said and started his way over to the stairs. "We need to hurry or it might leave without us."
No! Dusknoir would not let them do this! Not while he was still alive to do something about it!
With a roar, Dusknoir forced himself back to standing. He lunged at Sol, the closest target. But then somehow Grovyle was in the way, grabbing Dusknoir's arms and holding them down with all of his strength.
"You will not hurt her," he growled and, at a Slugma's pace, began to push Dusknoir back towards the Dimensional Hole inch by painstaking inch.
"Ok, team! The Rainbow Stoneship is ready to go!" Eevee called and walked back down the stairs, only to gape at what he saw. "What's going on?!"
The leaves on Grovyle's arm sharpened and with a twist he was able to cut away the cord that held his pouch without removing his hands from Dusknoir. The pouch fell to the ground with a clink and its contents spilled out, scattering Time Gears on the ground.
"This is it for me!" Grovyle cried. "Sol... I'm sorry. I was lucky to have known you. Though the parting hurts, the rest is in your hands!"
"No!" Dusknoir yelled as Grovyle pushed forwards with all of his strength. Weakened from the fight, he could not stop them both from falling back into the Dimensional Hole. And just like that victory was lost.
...
Dusknoir opened his eye. His surroundings were dark and bleak, and he quickly confirmed that he had returned to the future. He sat up and saw Grovyle sprawled on the ground close by, and a lone Sableye hiding in the shadows. Dusknoir was torn on what to do first. Kill Grovyle, or kill the Sableye for deserting him in the past.
"M-Master," the Sableye stuttered. "Lord Dialga won't be happy..."
That made Dusknoir forget his murderous thoughts. He was as good as dead now, having failed a second time. Dialga was not forgiving.
But perhaps not all was lost. Perhaps there was a way to turn this into a victory...
"Come here," Dusknoir ordered. The Sableye hesitated, jewel like eyes flicking around nervously, before stepping forwards. "I have a plan that will save both of our skins. I need you to get back to Lord Dialga as fast as you can and tell him I have an idea to stop history from changing..."
Before anyone asks, I probably won't be doing the special episode. Mostly because I like my villains, you know, villainous, I really can't picture a way for my version of Dusknoir to want to redeem himself without going completely out of character. Also, it really annoys me that just about every single antagonist in the Mystery Dungeon games does something to redeem themselves. Every single one! The latest game is the worst offender.
BHawksFan01: No need to worry, while I appreciate the input of others I'll never write solely based on that. That said, I do find that others can have some good little ideas that I never would have thought of that I can incorporate into ideas I already planned on doing and add to the scene. Nothing plot changing, just little details. That part with Ren at the 'unveiling' was inspired by a review, for example.
Mister L: Death by curiosity. Bad way to go, and unfortunately it will be awhile before things are revealed. Hang in there and keep on dancing!
darkrai6543: I am familiar with the inescapable pit that is Skyrim. And don't even get me started on what happens when I play Fallout 3. As for the foreshadowing with Palkia, you're going to have to wait to find out. All I can say is Sol's back story is really, really weird. And you'll slip up again eventually, and I will catch you.
Unnamed Generic Guest: It's a sign from the universe that you are meant to read this story. Or maybe it's a warning that you're about to be cursed for not carrying an old lady up a mountain. Either way, that is kind of creepy.