Hi again, guys! I'm am so sorry to have made you all wait but school seems to hate me this year (darn homework, grrrr!) and I haven't updated my stories too much. I hope to change that soon. I hope this was worth the wait, everyone! Onto the chapter!
Chapter 9: Clash with the Raptors
The first thing Shelly heard was the sound of waves lapping on the beach. Groaning, she opened her eyes and blinked sleepily. "W-where are we?" she coughed, tasting saltwater in her mouth. Then she realized something. "Flare? Patsy? Mary? Where are you guys?!"
"Ugh...whoever is shouting, shut up already," a familiar voice grumbled.
The Pikachu dashed over to the Mareep, whose wet wool made her look even smaller. Curled up by her side was Patsy and lying a few feet away was Flare. "Are you all okay? Hey, get up!"
"I'm up, I'm up!" Mary spat, struggling to her feet. She shivered, shaking herself off. "Where are we?"
"We seem to be...on a beach somewhere." The Vulpix muttered, sticking her tongue out in disgust after attempting to lick her fur. "Gross! I hate saltwater!"
"You hate all water, Flare." Shelly giggled.
"Patsy, time to get up," Mary said, nudging the Pachirisu awake.
"Okay...but I'm still sleepy!" Patsy complained.
"How did we end up here?" Shelly asked.
"It must have been that Shadow Wolf that attacked us in Drenched Bluff," Mary deducted. "She tore her claws into a shadow and shoved us, and then we ended up here."
"But how?" Shelly persisted.
"Who in Arceus' name knows?!" Mary snapped. "But we have to get back to the guild, and soon before Wigglytuff gets worried!"
"But—" Shelly started.
"Shelly, Mary's right." Flare admitted. "We need to find our way back to Treasure Town, and fast. Those wolves might come back for us soon."
"Wolves? Where?!" Patsy yelped.
"Nowhere...yet," Mary reassured. "So, where do we go first?"
"I dunno. Anywhere but here." the Pikachu suggested.
"Good idea. Just one question." The Mareep said. "WHERE IN ARCEUS' NAME ARE WE SUPPOSED TO GO?! WE DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE THE HECK WE ARE!!"
"Eep!" The Pikachu quickly scrambled behind Flare, trembling. "Sorry! It was just a suggestion!"
"Shelly has a point though, Mary." Flare pointed out. "We're not getting anywhere sitting here, so we better start searching for a means to go some. And we won't find that until we get off this beach and start exploring."
"Like exploring a new mystery dungeon?" Patsy asked.
"Um...I guess so." Flare nodded.
"Cool! Let's go, Mary! We've got some exploring to do!" The Pachirisu hopped onto her leader's head, smiling. "Come on, let's go!"
"Thanks for getting her hyped up about this, Flare." Mary said sarcastically, glaring at the Fire-type. "Fine, let's start looking. If we're lucky, we're just in an unexplored section of the continent that Treasure Town is on."
"And if we're not lucky?" Shelly asked.
"I'm not even going to think about that." The Mareep replied. "Now move it! Let's hop to it, guys!"
"Yay! Another adventure!" Patsy cried, waving her arms happily.
"...She's happy," Shelly muttered.
"I don't recognize anything here." Flare sniffed the plants just on the edge of the massive forest just beyond the beach. "We might have to go through here before we find anything familiar. Maybe we can find someone who knows where we are."
"Yeah, well—hey, be quiet!" Mary suddenly barked. "Do you guys hear that?"
"Huh?" All four Pokemon fell silent as they attempted to search for the sound. Then they finally heard it.
"HELP! SOMEONE, PLEASE HELP ME!"
"Someone's in trouble!" Shelly cried. "We have to help them!"
"Hang on!" the Mareep snapped. "We don't even know where they are. For all we know, it could be a trap set up by those wolves!"
"I don't care, Mary!" the Pikachu shouted. "Someone's in trouble and I'm gonna help them, with or without your help! Come on, Flare!"
"Uh, okay." The Vulpix quickly followed her once-human friend as she raced further down the beach.
"Mary, are we going, too?" Patsy asked.
"No, Patsy. We're going home." Mary replied coldly, turning toward the forest. "This is why I hate rookies, they never listen. Well then, they can find their own way home."
"But shouldn't we help?"
"No and I don't plan to, Patsy. Let's go." Reluctantly, the Pachirisu stuck with her leader as the two Electric-types entered the jungle.
If Mary had just turned around one final time before entering the forest, she would have seen a large crocodilian form floating at the surface of the sea. His eyes narrowed as he watched the four separate, two to the forest and two heading for a large stone cave further down the beach. He dragged himself onto the shore and stood up, revealing himself as a Feraligatr.
"Well, I better warn Horus that we have company now." The Feraligatr grumbled. "Don't want him attacking them and thinking they're enemies, now would we?" As he entered the forest, an exploration team badge was being clutched tightly in the Water-type's clawed hand. A dark blue gem shone from the middle of the badge and above it, a name was carved into it.
Team Raptors: Croc O. Dylian
Further down the beach...
"PLEASE HELP! SOMEBODY!"
"We're coming!" Shelly cried. "Just hang on!"
"Shelly, look!" Flare barked, pointing ahead. "It's a pack of Poochyena! They must've ambushed someone!"
"Then let's ambush those Poochyena and see how they like it!" The Pikachu ran as fast as she could and rammed into the first Poochyena she spotted. A second and a third was knocked down by Flare, leaving only seven Poochyena standing. All of them turned toward the intruders. "Come and get us, boys!"
The Poochyena attacked but proved to be far too weak against the pair of Level 13 Pokemon. As the Dark-types fled, Shelly turned toward the Pokemon they were attacking. "Hey, are you okay? You're safe now. We chased those mean Poochyena away."
"Y-y-you d-did?" a shaky voice, obviously female, asked. "Th-they are r-really g-gone? Th-thank you!"
"You can come out, kid." Flare said gently. "We won't hurt you. We're an exploration team. We save Pokemon in need, not hurt them."
"O-okay..." Slowly, a small blue dog-like Pokemon with a large fin on her head stepped out from the cave. It was a young Mudkip and she was covered in scratches and bruises from the Poochyena pack. "Thank you so much for saving me. Those Poochyena have been chasing me for a long time and I don't know why."
"Probably because you were weaker than them," Flare suggested. "Do you think you'll be okay?"
"Y-yeah, I th-think so." Then the Mudkip watched in horror as the duo attempted to leave. "W-wait! Don't leave me alone, please!"
"We have to find our friends, Shelly. We can't bring her with us." Flare said firmly as if reading her friend's mind.
"But she's all alone, Flare. You saw how those Poochyena attacked her." Shelly argued. "We're supposed to protect weak Pokemon and that's what I want to do. I'm bringing her with us and I'll protect her. That okay with you?"
"F-fine! But she's your responsibility, Shelly." Flare declared.
"Sure, whatever," Shelly shrugged. "I can handle caring for a little Mudkip, no sweat! This'll be a breeze. We're exploration Team Moonlight! Nothing can beat us!"
The Mudkip just stared in awe. An exploration team? That sounds so cool! And that Pikachu looks so brave! "My name is Lili."
"Oh, hi! My name is Shelly and that's Flare." The Pikachu introduced. "We're looking for our friends, Mary and Patsy. They're a Mareep and a Pachirisu."
"Cool! Hey, um, I was wondering if..." Lili blushed, embarrassed. What if they turn me down? I'm just a weak little Mudkip and these guys are nearly twice my level! Oh, Arceus, please let them say yes! "C-could I join your exploration team?"
"Huh?" Shelly looked shocked before smiling. "Sure, why not?"
"Y-you really mean it? But I'm only Level 5!" Lili cried.
"So what? You can get stronger real fast with us, Lili." The Pikachu replied.
"So, it seems we find a new member in this strange place." Flare chuckled. "Oh yeah...Lili, where are we exactly?"
"Uh...on the beach?" the Mudkip squeaked.
"No, I mean...do you know where we are?" Seeing the confused look, the Vulpix groaned. "You know, forget it. Let's just find Mary and Patsy, find out where we are, and get back to Wigglytuff's Guild."
"Wigglytuff's Guild? I've heard of that place!" Lili cried.
"What?! Do you know if we're anywhere near there, Lili?" Flare asked.
"Yeah!" The Mudkip turned toward the forest and pointed. "It ought to be on the other side of the island, Flare."
"Mary was right, Shelly!" the Vulpix cheered. "We're still on the continent! We just need to keep going south and we'll be in Treasure Town in no time!"
"Yes! Thank you so much, Lili!" Shelly grinned, hugging the Mudkip.
"I helped? I actually helped someone? Cool!" Lili cried, hugging the Pikachu back. "I love this team already!"
"Okay, guys, let's go find Team Shocker and get going!" Flare said. "If we keep going south, we should reach Treasure Town in three or four days!"
"All right then, let's go!" Shelly cried, leading the way as the trio entered the forest.
As they passed by, a large green 'tree' opened its bright yellow eyes and watched them. Once they were a good distance away, the 'tree' revealed itself to be a Sceptile. Plucking a twig from a low branch, he gnawed on it nervously. "Intruders? Why didn't Croc signal a warning? Did they already beat him?" Looking around nervously, he leapt into the foliage and sped away. "I have to warn Horus that there are intruders here!"
An exploration badge was clutched tightly in his hand, too. Above the blue gem, a name was carved into it. Team Raptors: Geckon Jukai.
Deep in the forest, with Mary and Patsy...
"Admit it, Mary! We're lost!" Patsy whined. "I swear we passed that tree three times already!"
"How would you know?" the Mareep growled. Her patience for this forest was growing thin and she felt like shocking something...and that something would not be Patsy.
"Because I left that half-chewed pinecone by the base," The Pachirisu pointed to it. "See?"
"...Whatever!" Then she heard it. A twig snapping nearby, just across the clearing. Without hesitation, she unleashed a blast of electricity and aimed it at the bushes. A loud scream tore through the air and Mary's electricity was blasted away by a psychic attack. The Mareep prepared for a counterattack. "Okay, come out! I have you cornered!"
A green and white Pokemon collapsed from within the bushes, falling into the clearing. "Uh oh!" Patsy said. "I think you hit something you shouldn't have, Mary."
"Yeah, well..." Then Mary saw the badge lying on the ground by the unconscious Pokemon. A blue gem sat at its center and a name was carved into it. Team Raptors: Garde Devoir. "Oh, Arceus no! What is she ding here?!"
"Who, Mary? Who is it?" Patsy asked.
"She's a member of the Diamond-ranked Team Raptors, Patsy. Her name is Garde Devoir and she is the leader, Horus Blazer's, girlfriend. Oh, he's going to kill me! What is Team Raptors doing out here of all places?!" Mary howled.
"We were..." Mary stared as the Pokemon slowly sat up, coughing. "We were training, actually. Now, who are you and what is your purpose here?"
"I'm Mary and this is Patsy. We're Team Shocker from Wigglytuff's Guild."
"Oh, so you're a fellow exploration team?" Garde asked.
"Yeah," Mary nodded. "We got sent here by Shadow Wolves and we're trying to get back to the guild. Unfortunately, the other two members of our group separated from us to help someone and they haven't turned up yet."
"Shadow Wolves?" Garde muttered. "Well, you have run into Croc, I presume."
"Uh, Croc?"
"Croc, our Feraligatr lookout. If you were on the beach, you would've met him and been granted safe passage through this area." The Gardevoir explained.
"Um, sorry but we didn't see a Feraligatr." Mary admitted.
Garde suddenly grew very pale. "Oh no...no, this can't be happening. If your two friends encounter Geckon or Horus and fight, Horus will surely think of them as threats. We have to find your friends and warn them before Horus finds them! He's ruthless around intruders!"
"Mary, we have to find Team Moonlight!" Patsy cried.
"Yeah, we better find them! And fast!" the Mareep agreed.
"I will come with you," Garde insisted. "If a fight breaks out, I can keep Geckon and Horus busy while you retrieve your friends. Hopefully, Croc did see you and will tell Horus before it is too late. We must find them at once!"
"Right!"
The trio raced off in search of Team Moonlight. Mary and Patsy felt a mixture of fear, awe, and anger in the situation. Fear that Team Moonlight would be hurt or killed. Awe that they found Team Raptors and might get to see them fight. And anger that they had split up from Team Moonlight in the first place!
Deep in the center of the forest...
"Horus! Horus!" Geckon cried, bursting out of the forest and into the clearing. "Horus, we have intruders! A Pikachu, a Vulpix, and a Mudkip are headed in this direction! I heard no signal from Croc, good or bad, and I fear he has been defeated!"
A Blaziken turned to look at his teammate, his badge held in his hand. Newly polished, the name stood out against the smooth surface. Team Raptors: Horus Blazer. "Geckon, are you sure? Maybe Croc missed them." He suggested. "Did you see a badge on them?"
"No, I did not." The Sceptile felt the twig snap in two and he tossed it aside, reaching for a new one. "What should we do, Horus? No one knows that we are out here. Should we fight them?"
"Maybe," the Blaziken shrugged. "If they can make it through the forest and reach our location, then we'll fight them. They must be strong to make it through this forest. By the way, have you seen Garde anywhere? She hasn't come back yet."
"Worried, Horus?" Geckon asked teasingly.
"A little bit," Horus admitted. "But you can't blame me. This forest is full of dangers and Garde's the weakest of our team. I'd never forgive myself if she got hurt out here."
"I can go search for her." Geckon quickly volunteered.
"No, don't bother. She's probably taking her time getting back here." Horus said. "It's summer and the flowers are blooming. She's probably admiring them and is losing track of time."
"That is possible, Horus. I guess we wait for Croc and Garde to come back then." The Sceptile jumped up and landed on a thick tree branch high above his Fire-type leader. Lying on his back stretched out on the branch, he closed his eyes. "I'm going to take a nap, Horus. Wake me when the intruders get here."
"If they even get here," Horus reminded. Geckon simply groaned and rolled onto his side, falling asleep. I actually hope those intruders make it this far. I've been itching to fight another worthy opponent for a long time now. This forest has become too weak for me and I know my teammates' moves too well. I want someone worthy of my strength, someone to match my speed and my attacks blow for blow. Arceus, I hope these intruders are just who I'm looking for...
Deep in the forest, with Team Moonlight...
"Thundershock!" Shelly smirked as a Zigzagoon fled in fear of her. "There, how was that? I told you we could take them, Flare!"
"Indeed, you did." The Vulpix blew an Ember as an attacking Tangela. "Why do Monster Houses have to be so packed?"
"Who knows?" Lili chirped, tackling a Seedot that had wandered too close. This is so much fun and I'm getting stronger, too!
"There!" Flare cried, finally beating the last opponent in the room. "I absolutely hate Monster Houses!" she snarled, picking up a Red Gummi and eating it. "Mmm! Yummy!"
As the trio kept walking, the opponents became tougher and tougher. At one point, they encountered a powerful Tangrowth that nearly knocked all three of them out if Lili hadn't used their last Blast Seed to beat it. Now with only one Reviver Seed left, Team Moonlight had to be more careful if they wished to keep moving. But Shelly was getting tired.
"Hey, what's that?" Lili asked, pointing to a shredded scarf lying at the base of a tree.
"Shelly, touch it." Flare said. "You might get a vision of something."
"A vision? You get visions, Shelly?" the young Mudkip asked.
"Yeah," the Pikachu nodded. "It's really weird but it's true. When I touch certain things, I get visions of either the past or future regarding the object or person."
"You can get vision by touching Pokemon, too?! Cool!" Lili cried. I really did join an awesome team!
Shelly touched the scarf and waited. The flashes came instantly before exploding into light. Then the vision started. Two green gecko-like Pokemon were resting by the tree, talking. Clutched in the smaller one's hand was a blue gear-like object. Then the bigger gecko said something strange. "Only four more to go, Cecil. Four more and the future will be saved from that never-ending darkness. Then I might be able to see her again...my partner." The vision faded just as the smaller Pokemon nodded, replying with a "Yes, sir."
Shelly blinked in confusion. What was that? She wondered. Who were those Pokemon? One was named Cecil but the other didn't say his name. And what was that thing Cecil was holding? A blue gear? Well, that's not what I wanted to see...maybe next time I'll see something important.
"Shelly, what did you see?" Flare asked.
"I saw two green Pokemon talking under this tree. The smaller one, Cecil, was holding a blue gear thing. It doesn't help us find where Mary and Patsy are, though."
"Oh well, maybe next time. Let's keep moving." Flare said.
As the duo started off, Lili touched the scarf and waited. No vision came. "Awww..." I guess I can't get visions like Shelly can. Maybe she can teach me how she gets them! Yeah! "Hey, wait up for me, guys!"
"What were you doing back there, Lili?" Flare asked.
"Trying to get a vision like Shelly did, but it didn't work." The Mudkip replied sadly. "Shelly, can you teach me how to get visions?"
"Um, well...Actually, I don't even know how I get my visions, Lili." Shelly admitted. "Sorry but I can't teach what I don't know."
"It's okay!" Lili cried. "Then I'll teach myself how to get visions!"
"She's joking...right?" Flare muttered.
"Hey, let her at least try to learn, Flare." The Pikachu laughed. "Come on, Lili! We're leaving!"
"Coming, Shelly!" The Mudkip quickly sped up to join her leader, walking alongside the Pikachu.
Suddenly, they entered a large clearing. Standing in the center of that clearing was a Blaziken and up in the tree above it was a Sceptile, though he seemed different from Scythe. The Blaziken blinked in confusion before smiling. "So, you're the intruders Geckon told me about?" he asked.
"Intruders?" Flare asked.
"Yeah, that's them, Horus!" the Sceptile in the tree nodded, jumping down to land beside his leader. "They're the intruders I saw."
"Well, they sure got here fast. That's good!" Flames erupted from Horus' wrists and he got into his fighting stance. "It proves how strong you really are. I hope you're the worthy opponents I've been searching for."
"If it's a fight you want, it's a fight you'll get!" Shelly declared.
"That's just what I was looking for!" Horus grinned. She's strong...real strong. I can feel it in my bones. Those other two are too weak but that Pikachu is not. She's who I was looking for...Perfect! "Geckon, deal with the Vulpix and the Mudkip. The Pikachu is all mine!"
Geckon nodded and stepped forward, raising an arm. "Ready?"
Flare nodded to Lili, who tensed for battle. "Of course, but you'll be one burnt Grass-type if you fight me." The Vulpix stated.
"Oh, I'll be careful," the Sceptile replied in a mocking tone. "Don't underestimate me!"
"Sure! Whatever you say!" Flare barked. "Ember!"
Geckon growled, jumping up into the trees to get at the sunlight. I'll beat those two intruders with one attack, he decided. Then he saw bubbles floating around him. "Huh?" With a swipe of his tail, they all popped. "What kind of game are they playing with me?"
"Mud Slap!" Lili cried.
A splash of mud hit the Grass-type in the face, getting in his eyes. "Ugh!" So, these kids like to play dirty, huh? Well, I can play dirty too! "Bullet Seed!"
"Duck and cover!" Flare cried, shoving the Mudkip to the ground and blasting away as many as she could with her Ember attack. He's not letting up an inch! How is he attacking us directly when he can't see us? Then it hit her. He's tracking us by scent and our voices! These two really are tough opponents...
"Do you give up now?" Geckon asked, finally wiping the last of the mud off his face.
"No way! Team Moonlight never backs down from a challenge!" the Vulpix said.
Team Moonlight? Could these guys be...Oh no! Geckon suddenly realized his mistake. These weren't intruders! These were exploration team members! I'm such an idiot! Why didn't it occur to me to check for a badge? I didn't even remember to search for badges until Horus mentioned it once I came back to camp!
"Horus, wait! These aren't—AAAAH!" The Sceptile crashed to the ground from his perch on the tree.
Flare smiled. "We've got him, Lili! Let's teach him who's boss!"
"Yeah!" Lili nodded.
Geckon groaned, glancing at Horus' battle out of the corner of his eye. Horus, wait...stop...These guys aren't our enemies. They are an exploration team...like us. Please, Horus, stop! Stop! Garde, Croc, where are you two when we need you?
Deep in the forest, with Team Shocker and Garde...
"We should be nearing the camp any minute now." Garde stated. "I pray there is no fighting between our teams but when Horus is in battle, there's no stopping him."
"I hope Shelly and Flare are okay." Patsy whimpered, ears lowering sadly. "They're only Normal Rank and Team Raptors are Diamond Rank. They don't stand a chance against them!"
"I know, Patsy," Mary mumbled. I knew splitting up was a bad idea but nooooo! I had to let my stupid pride get in the way of teamwork! How stupid am I? Some Silver Rank team leader I am...
Suddenly, a Feraligatr came out of the bushes in front of them. Patsy screamed and Mary attacked, electrocuting the Water-type. Unprepared, Croc roared before collapsing. "Wait, stop! It is our lookout, Croc!" Garde cried. "Croc, are you alright?"
"Ugh...I think so. What hit me?" Croc asked, slowly staggering to his feet.
"Um, that would be me." Mary replied. "Sorry,"
"Hey, it's okay." Croc said, waving it off. "Garde, why aren't you back at camp?"
"We were just headed for the campsite. Croc, something dreadful has happened." The Gardevoir explained. "The intruders in the forest are another exploration team. We have to—"
"I know, I know. We have to tell Horus before a fight breaks out. Once Horus goes full power, this forest might be destroyed." Croc grunted.
"Then let's go stop them!" Patsy cried.
"Croc, this is Team Shocker from Wigglytuff's Guild." Garde introduced. "The team we are searching for is Team Moonlight of Wigglytuff's Guild."
"Yeah, I saw them all on the beach before they went in the forest." Croc nodded. "Let's get going. The camp's only a few minutes away and—"
"AAAAH!" a voice screamed.
Croc and Garde just stared at each other. "We're too late!" Garde cried. "That was Geckon! Your friends must be fighting him and Horus!"
"Come on, we got to move it! If we hurry, we might make it in time to stop them before anyone gets hurt too badly!" Croc shouted, breaking into a run. Horus, Geckon, you two idiots! Did either of them even think of the possibility of the 'intruders' being an exploration team? Idiots!
Flare, Shelly, you two better be okay, Mary prayed. We need to leave this place together!
In the forest's center, Horus and Shelly's fight...
Shelly panted for breath, glaring at her opponent. He's really strong, she thought. Stronger than anyone I have ever fought before. Just who is this guy?
Horus was still smiling. Finally, I've found who I have been searching for. This girl has kept up with me and survived each of my attacks. What she lacks in power, she makes up for in speed and smarts. A good combination, but not good enough to beat me. Even she will fall by my hands!
Shelly unleashed another Thundershock followed by a Quick Attack. The Blaziken escaped the electric attack and struck, unleashing a Blaze Kick that sent the Pikachu crashing into the trees. Shelly fell to the ground, coughing and feeling blood soaking into her yellow fur. Then her vision started fading.
"Are you beaten, little girl?" Horus asked. "Have you given up yet?"
N-no...I won't give up...not yet... Shelly struggled to get up, only to collapse again. Then she heard it, that evil voice from Mt. Bristle. Shivani's voice! "Yes, Shelly has given up but I have not!" Shelly blacked out, leaving only the Shadow Pikachu to fight in her place.
Horus watched in amazement as the Pikachu's fur turned black and her eyes became glowing red. Red electricity sparked from her cheeks as she sat up, not a trace of blood on her fur. Shelly was gone now. Shivani was in control once again.
"Who are you?" Horus asked.
"The name is Shivani and I'm a Shadow Pokemon." Shivani replied, baring her fangs as she readied to attack. "You nearly killed Shelly so you will pay, you overgrown bird!"
Horus' eyes widened at the amount of energy radiating off of her. Now THIS is what I have been waiting for! So this Shivani was who I was waiting to fight, not that little girl from before. NOW I can finally test my powers to their fullest! "Well then, let's do this!"
Horus struck with Blaze Kick, only to watch as Shivani became a black blur that crashed into his chest. The Blaziken tore away before a bright red Thundershock hit him, grinning at the scorch mark it left behind. "This is what I'm talking about!" He used Overheat, only to have it blocked by more red electricity.
"You're strong, I'll give you that much." Shivani vanished, only to reappear high above him. "But not strong enough! Shadow Iron Tail!" The Pikachu's tail started glowing with red light as she brought it crashing down on his head. Horus yelled as he was buried under the ground. Shivani spun and landed, her glowing tail returning to normal. "And that's how the cookie crumbles, boys."
"HORUS!!" Shivani turned to see a Gardevoir burst out from the undergrowth. For a moment, they just stared at each other. "...Who are you?" Garde asked, feeling afraid. Evil and bloodlust radiated from this dark creature.
"None of your business, Mystic! You know what I am!" Shivani snarled, glaring at the Gardevoir. "You're the one who trapped me here anyways, Mystic! Quit acting dumb!"
"Mystic? I'm afraid you are mistaken," Garde whispered. "Where is Horus? What have you done to him?"
"You mean you know that overgrown bird, Mystic? Man, you have some weird friends!" Shivani spat. "He's buried right over there."
"I am not this Mystic person!" Garde cried. "My name is Garde and I am a part of Team Raptors! Now who are you?!"
"Who am I?" Shivani repeated. "I am Shivani, a Shadow Pokemon!"
A Shadow Pokemon?! Garde quickly passed the black Pikachu and started digging, desperate to unearth her leader and true love. That's not true. Shadow Pokemon cannot exist here. They are only in stories parents tell their little ones to make them behave. "If you misbehave or do naughty things, a Shadow Pokemon will come and take you away." They're not real, they're just a story. They are not real! But then...what is she?
She dared to look up, only to see Shivani leap into the forest seconds before Croc, Mary, and Patsy appeared. Geckon groaned as he struggled to his feet, glaring at Flare and Lili. "Garde, Croc, is Horus okay?" he coughed.
"I'll dig him out, Garde. You check Team Moonlight." The Feraligatr started digging while Garde joined Team Shocker in checking Team Moonlight's injuries.
"Hey, where's Shelly?" Lili asked, noticing the Pikachu's absence.
"I didn't see your friend but I saw a Pikachu named Shivani." Garde commented. "She was a Shadow Pokemon."
"Wait, did you say a Pikachu?" Flare demanded. "Our friend Shelly is a Pikachu!"
"But that Pikachu was named Shivani," Lili pointed out. "It couldn't have been Shelly."
"Maybe Horus can shed some light on your friend's disappearance and Shivani's appearance." Geckon suggested.
"Well, I'll search for her while you guys uncover this Horus guy." Mary said. "Come on, Patsy. We have a Pikachu to find."
"Okay!" the Pachirisu cheered. "We're coming, Shelly!"
Nearly half an hour after Team Shocker went off in search of the missing Shelly, Croc finally hauled Horus from the ground. "I got him! Geckon, help me get him out of here!" the Feraligatr roared.
"I'm coming, I'm coming!" Geckon crouched beside the deep hole and reached in, grabbing his leader by the shoulders and dropping him off in Garde's lap. Then the Sceptile reached in again and grabbed Croc's hand, pulling him out as well. "There. Is he okay?"
"We'll know in a minute," Garde replied, resting a hand on his forehead.
"Ugh..." Horus opened his eyes and blinked, pain shooting through his head from Shivani's tail. Then he realized who he was resting on. "Garde? Glad to see you again."
"Glad to see you too, honey." Garde giggled. "Honey, can you tell us about your fight with Shelly and Shivani?"
"One minute I was fighting the Pikachu and when I was about to beat her, her fur turned black and Shivani was my new opponent. It's like they were one Pokemon, just two different souls." Horus replied.
"Is that even possible?" Flare asked. Is this Shivani person and Shelly the same person? That would explain what happened at Mt. Bristle. Black fur, red eyes, red electricity, bloodthirsty attitude...just like how she was acting against Drowzee.
"Flare, I don't get it? Who's Shivani?" Lili asked. "Is Shelly coming back soon? Where's Shelly?"
"Well, Shelly is..." Flare broke off.
"She's GONE, that's what!" Mary stepped out of the forest, Patsy pulling twigs from the Mareep's wool. "We couldn't find her but her trail was leading southwest toward the Northern Desert."
"Didn't you try to follow her?!" Flare cried.
"We tried to but we couldn't go any farther," Patsy sniffed.
"Why not?!" the Vulpix barked.
"Because there are cliffs in that direction, Flare!" Mary shouted. "I'm not putting myself or Patsy at risk by climbing down some Arceus forsaken cliffs just to find your friend! I'm sorry but I just can't do that!"
"But we can't leave her!" Lili wailed. "We have to find her!"
"Why would you want to find her?" Horus asked. "She nearly killed me!"
"She's our team leader, that's why!" Flare practically screamed, silencing everyone. "...We have to find her. I'll look for her by myself if I have to."
"Flare..." Lili whimpered as the Vulpix turned, walking toward where Mary just came from.
A hand rested on the Vulpix's shoulder, halting her. "Please don't go. It's too dangerous for one Pokemon to go all alone." It was Garde. "You and Team Shocker should return to Wigglytuff's Guild. We of Team Raptors will search for your friend Shelly."
"But—"
"No buts, Flare," Mary warned. "Let's just go. If anyone can find Shelly, Team Raptors will. They're not Diamond Rank for nothing. You're just a Normal Rank team, Flare. You'll get hurt. Going off alone isn't the answer."
"But..." Tears started streaming down the Vulpix's face. "She's my friend. She's my one and only friend. I can't just leave her!"
"You won't be leaving her," Croc reassured. "The best thing for you to do is to get home safely. What would Shelly think if she found you dead? She'd probably want to die too. I know I would if my friends died. You kids get on home and let us search for her. But knowing Pikachu like I do, she'll come home on her own."
"How?" Flare sobbed.
"Pikachu always return to where they think home is." Croc explained. "It's like with Manaphy returning to where they were born in the sea. Pikachu naturally return to where home is and, if I'm correct, Shelly's home is with you at Wigglytuff's Guild. Even if we can't find her, she'll turn up in Treasure Town eventually. It's an instinct thing, basically."
"Are you sure?" Flare asked.
"I can't make any promises, kid." Croc said gently. "All I can offer is a bit of hope."
"...Thanks." Flare turned to Team Shocker. "Okay...let's go home now. Lili, come on. I'll show you around Wigglytuff's Guild and grab an extra bed there for you. Shelly will come back. I know she will."
"Okay, Flare." The young Mudkip walked alongside the Vulpix as they left the forest, Team Shocker in the lead.
"Do you think we will find her, Croc?" Horus asked.
"I hope so," the Feraligatr grumbled.
"So do I, Croc." Garde agreed. "So do I..."
Team Raptors watched as the four Pokemon faded from sight. The Diamond Rank team settled down for the night, vowing to start searching in the morning.
Far away, near the edge of the Northern Desert...
Shelly coughed, collapsing. Her injuries from her fight against the Blaziken were bleeding anew from all her running. No, not her running—Shivani's running. Why the Shadow Pokemon fled was beyond Shelly's knowledge but she knew one thing. The Shadow Pikachu had gotten her horribly lost. Now she was on the edge of a desert with no sign of Flare anywhere.
"Where am I?" she gasped, panting for breath. Have to keep moving. Without Flare and Lili, I'm easy prey for predators since I'm alone. Ignoring the pain, the Pikachu dragged herself across the rapidly cooling desert sand. Hours passed before she saw something ahead that surprised her. "What's going on here?!"
Miles in every direction, the desert sand was covered in snow. Shivering, Shelly forced herself onward through the freezing snow. Then she discovered two more problems. One, she kept getting stuck in deep snow and her paws were growing numb from the constant digging. Two, wherever she stepped left a few drops of blood behind her. She was leaving a trail!
Nearly an hour passed before she finally collapsed for the final time. She was freezing, hungry, and hurt. The snow turned crimson from her injuries but she did nothing to stop the blood. "Flare...Lili...help...me..." The Pikachu felt her eyelids growing heavy and the call of sleep was strong. Just as she was about to follow that call, she heard something.
Two pairs of feet were crunching through the snow not far from her. Her hearing was fuzzy, making the voices unintelligible. The crunching grew closer. Whatever it was had spotted her and was coming...fast!
Not far away, Cecil and Grovyle were traveling toward the edge of the island to steal the second Time Gear. They would have to swim there but it didn't matter to them any. They needed the Time Gears! Cecil, though blind, sensed something nearby. Something...familiar. "Sir, something is here."
"Of course something is here, Cecil. Snow, sand, and Pokemon hidden under the snow!" Grovyle snapped, shivering. The cold was getting to him, making his temper a bit higher than usual. "We have to keep moving, Cecil. Once we reach the shoreline, we can rest and warm up before heading for the volcano."
"Yes, sir, but I'm serious!" the Treecko continued. "Someone is here!"
"Just ignore them and keep moving! We can't waste time out here, Cecil!" Then Grovyle realized that Cecil was straying off the path. "Cecil, I'm over here!"
"I'm going to find out who that is, sir! Something is familiar about this person and I'm going to find out why!" Cecil bounded into the snow, leaving a baffled and angry Grovyle behind.
"Familiar? Why would anything in this world be famil—?!" Then it hit him. "Could it be? Did Cecil find my partner already?! I hope so!" Grovyle quickly raced through the snow in pursuit of the Treecko. When he found Cecil, he was surprised by what was with him. "You found a Pikachu?"
"Yes, sir," Cecil nodded, sounding disappointed. "But I was certain it was Miss Shelly, sir. I'm sorry for getting you excited, sir."
"It's all right, Cecil." Grovyle replied. Then he saw the blood. "She's hurt. Let's go before the scent of her blood attracts unwanted attention. I don't want to pick a fight out here in this cold weather."
"She'll die, sir! Can we bring her with us, at least until we get out of the snow?" Cecil asked. "Please, sir!"
Grovyle growled in frustration. "Fine, we'll bring her with us but only until we get out of this freezing place!"
Cecil smiled, nodding. "Yes, sir! Thank you, sir!"
Grovyle picked up the wounded Pikachu and went off in search of the path. Just as Cecil made to get up, he had a strange feeling. That Pikachu...Why did she seem familiar to me? Miss Shelly is a human, not a Pokemon! So...why does her aura feel the exact same as Miss Shelly's? How strange...
"Cecil! Hurry up before you get lost!" Grovyle's voice tore through Cecil's thoughts. "Cecil! Cecil!"
"I'm coming, sir!" The Treecko crawled through the snow until he reached the path Grovyle had stomped out for them. "I'm back, sir. Sorry!"
"Well, at least you didn't get lost again. Let's get moving! We have another time Gear to steal."
"Yes, sir!"
The two Grass-types vanished into the snow-covered desert, taking the unconscious Shelly with them. As they disappeared from sight, a single Shadow wolf rose from the snow. It was Enyeto, and he began to laugh. "So, our time to rule is now beginning...Not a threat anymore, right, mousy?" He let out a loud howl before vanishing, laughter faded with the chilly winter winds.
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Finally, I have updated this story! I am so sorry to have made you all wait but now it is done. I have had this scene of Grovyle finding the hero before their little fight over the Time Gears in my head for weeks and now it happens! I hope you all liked it!
I now have both Pokemon Ranger and Pokemon Ranger 2 games. And winter has come to stay now at my house. I might be posting my other story, PMD2: Lethal Poison, once I have two or three more chapters of it written in advance. Also, by Mist-sensei's request, I shall post my PMD3 story here (even if it's only one chapter so far, it is still in progress). If you see them, please check them out and see how they are.
Once again, my apologies for making you all wait so long for this story to be updated. The next chapter is already being written and I pray you all haven't given up on this yet. Please review!