I said I was back in my profile, I said I was back in my other story, and gosh darn it, I'm saying it again. I'm here for good and I'm writing like never before. I'm busy of course. Really busy, it's my senior year for crying out loud. I've got plenty to do, but that's what a free period my last semester is for, right? Nonetheless, I'm writing again. I've still got plenty of scholarships to do and running and stuff (I may be getting a job. Let's see how well they took my interview and application), but I'm writing fanfics again, and I feel wonderful, happier than I have in ages.
Well, except when I was accepted to 5 out of the ten colleges I applied for. The other five I'll hear back from in another one or two months. Wish me luck, cause I still need a lot of money to even go to these places. Take my word for it kiddies, get cracking on that scholarship stuff way early in the game, like at the end of your sophmore year.
Enough preaching from me, you came to read some fanfiction. And not just any, but some awesome Mystery Dungeon: Starstruck! Let me tell you, this was so much fun to write. I feel like I've gotten a ton better in my writing all of a sudden and it just feels right to do this. So let me stop talking and let you guys read. My continued readers, this chapter is for you all!
P.S. There's a 5th gen mention with two Pokemon...sorry guys, it just came together like that, I couldn't help it when it happened. But don't worry, it's just two names!
Chapter 14: Duplicitous
Deoxys was enraged. No, he was beyond furious. Destiny slipped away between his fingers in a flash of light. Tide was to be his salvation, the only way he could end the nightmare he suffered. He hadn't moved since Tide and his friends escaped. Their escape was clearly not what he expected. Deoxys had believed the job would be quick and easy once Tide was located. But now it just made things that much harder.
'For all I know...Tide will be cautious. He won't be as willing to get out with me around...I'll just have to flush him out.' Deoxys changed his expression into the slightest smirk he could manage. Peace would be his soon enough. He just needed to think his next actions clearly in order to achieve his goals.
xxx
Tyrogue had bravely left the confines of his hut to view the intruder. He couldn't blame the actions of the exploration team. He would have left in a heartbeat when faced with such a fearsome opponent. But now was not the time to flee. This newcomer may have rid the tiny village of Lairon and Meditite, which as thankful as Tyrogue might be, now was not the time for thanks. This Pokémon was a threat. There was no denying it after the display of power it exhibited. And as the leader of the village, it was Tyrogue's duty to deal with those who might harm his fellow Pokémon. He may not have been able to rid their problem of Lairon and Meditite, and he likely wouldn't be able to stand up to this monstrosity...but at least he tried.
Putting aside all fears in what he believed to be a final act of heroism, Tyrogue lunged at the floating form of Deoxys. He gained an unprecedented amount of speed as his right fist glowed a white light. "Take this, heathen!" Tyrogue cried as his Mach Punch caught Deoxys in the back, square on his crystal heart. Deoxys grunted and fell forward slightly, but didn't let himself completely fall.
The DNA Pokémon was prepared to strike back at whatever had ambushed him, but found himself unable to guard against the incoming second attack. Tyrogue had used his punch to boost himself up further in the air, somersaulting into an attack position. His Hi Jump Kick made contact, again on Deoxys' heart but this time on his front side. The force literally drove Deoxys into the rocky soil, kicking up soot and sending bits of gravel away. Tyrogue faltered when he landed back on solid ground. He had to admit, age was getting to him. Not like it would matter.
As expected, Deoxys rose from his impact site with revenge blazing in his eyes. The small fighting Pokémon took notice of a series of cracks scattering from the center of Deoxys' heart. The coruscating lights from within also seemed to fluctuate erratically to match the damage. The vengeful Pokémon did not seem to take notice however, as his eyes began to glow a piercing blue and Tyrogue felt his body lift from the ground.
'You make a mockery of my power...' Deoxys communicated to the fighting Pokémon. 'And for your interference, death is the only retribution!'
xxx
A familiar flash of light emblazoned the lowest level of Wigglytuff's Guild. When it subsided moments later, the forms of Phloe, Raiga, and Tide could be seen in a heap on the floor. Had it been any other day, any other mission, this might have been dismissed as the norm. But it was the yells of fright from Raiga that quickly gained the attention of everyone in attendance. Loudred came bounding down the ladder to see what the commotion was about while other teams stood around and watched in a stupor.
"QUIET DOWN, would ya? Not everyone is DEAF here!"
Raiga's cries wouldn't cease, so Loudred did the only action he thought reasonable. Walking to our group, he came and slapped Raiga back to sense, quelling the shouts in the process.
At this point, Chatot and Wigglytuff had arrived on the scene. With Loudred's help, they pulled the three of us back on our feet, but we did not stay that way. Each of us was too shocked for words and we were too weak-kneed to remaining standing. Chatot looked around and called out one of teams standing nearby for assistance on carrying the three of us back to our rooms. Once we were all situated back in our team's room, minus Raiga of course, Chatot and Wigglytuff began the questions.
"What in blazes what that noise about?" Chatot cried in exasperation. "We thought you were mortally wounded!"
"Er...sorry, Chatot," I said with a hint of shame. I couldn't help it, we hadn't really made the most admirable of entrances back. Then again, we had basically faced Death face to face...well, at least it sure seemed like it. Whatever that Pokémon was, I certainly didn't want to see it again. But a feeling deep in my heart told me that was not the last I would hear of that guy, Deoxys.
Chatot sighed in defeat. You could tell he wanted to punish us for the disruption of peace, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. He looked Phloe and I over once, twice even. I couldn't blame him, we were in a sorry state. But again, we just faced Death.
"Best to start it from the top. Tell us what happened on the mission, what caused your hasty return."
So we explained everything. Phloe told them all of the details of getting there and dealing with the mission we were hired for. I added a few details scattered throughout, but left out the part about freezing Raiga for obvious reasons. Then I told the Guildmaster and his assistant about the voice in my head and the arrival of Deoxys on the scene. How his power gripped the area. How he knew my name. And how he seemed bent on killing me.
When we finished, Wigglytuff and Chatot stared at Phloe and I, almost in utter disbelief. Then Wigglytuff crossed his arms and began to shake his head.
"Definitely not a friend. And by the sound of it, our mystery Pokémon. Don't you agree, Chatot?"
"Indeed, sir. Tide's description matches the witness poster, and more. I just cannot fathom why it would show up there of all places, after Tide of all Pokémon!"
While the two of them began to discuss the implications of the sighting, Phloe turned to face me. She wasn't looking the best, but it wasn't much of a surprise. The mission took a lot of energy out of us and we had taken a beating from Lairon and Meditite. We were lucky not to have dealt with Deoxys any further.
"Tide, this Pokémon...Deoxys, right? There's something really weird about him. He showed up after the meteor storm. So did you. He didn't seem like any human you knew before, did he?"
Phloe's theory was shocking. I hadn't thought of that, but surely Deoxys wasn't a human before. It didn't add up anyways. Nothing like Deoxys existed...well, not before Deoxys anyways. I of course had my own theories.
"Well I don't know, but I am almost certain he wasn't someone I knew. Thinking about the meteors though, how do we know he didn't come from the meteors. He could have hitched a ride or something. An alien Pokémon from planets beyond."
Now it was Phloe's turn for skepticism. "An alien, really Tide?"
"It's happened before."
"No one really knows about the Clefairies..."
"Elgeyems? Beheeyems?"
"Don't even bring those creeps into the conversation! You have no idea the rumors that circulate in our world about those guys."
"You're right. And I probably don't want to find out."
Before we could continue our discussion, Wigglytuff and Chatot finished theirs and were once again speaking to us. It seemed they had come up with something, because Wigglytuff had the same goofy grin he gets when something wonderful is about to happen. At the present time, I couldn't think of anything that might be considered "wonderful."
"The Guildmaster and I have made several decisions in light of your latest mission. First of all, we wish you congratulations. As you were not rewarded properly for the mission, we shall grant you each one item from our special warehouse. Think of it as a gift for a job well done, but just don't go around telling everyone."
"Thanks Chatot," said the two of us.
"Now for more important matters. First and foremost, in light of what has happened, Team Impact is hereby restricted to local jobs. Your team is to be banned from venturing further than a five mile radius from Treasure Town. Therefore, you can take up tasks from the citizens, take missions in the Beach Cave, or train. The choice is up to you, but you cannot leave. This will be for the safety of the two of you."
Phloe and I immediately sprang to our feet in protest (Oh hey, our legs stopped feeling like jelly). This wasn't expected, and we certainly were not going to take this ultimatum without arguing. Even if it was for our own good, I didn't want to stay cooped up in Treasure Town. Not that there was anything wrong with the place, I still wanted to get stronger and do some real missions.
"What about Raiga?" Phloe asked them. Chatot breathed a heavy sigh.
"Raiga is clear to continue his work with Team Fulmine. He has been deemed as not at risk. This 'Deoxys' character seems primed to find and attack Tide. As it stands for you, Phloe, you are equally in danger for being Tide's partner. Raiga was only with you both temporarily and therefore would not be subject to threats in the future." Now it was Wigglytuff's turn to interject.
"But that's not all! On the bright side, you both shouldn't be held up for very long! I am going to send two of our best teams to seek out Deoxys and bring this bad Pokémon to justice!"
At last some good news. Well, my interest was piqued, so I couldn't help but ask the next question.
"Who are they?"
xxx
"Team Impact, meet Team Charger and Team Ironmonger." Wigglytuff spread his arms to both of his sides to motion to the teams before us. Team Charger stood to his right, a Magneton, Voltorb, and Electivire all revved up and looking ready to start their mission. On Wigglytuff's left, there were a Mawile, a Magmar, and a Rhyperior, the famed Team Ironmonger. We were all outside of the entrance to the Guild and the sun was dropping in the late afternoon sky. Chatot rose from the level below and met us all to bid his farewells to the two teams.
"I can assume both teams have the necessary supplies and information? Remember, the Mount Horn area was Deoxys' last reported location, and it is unlikely he has gone far. Search the area and defeat him as soon as you can. If you find the challenge too great, return without hesitation. We cannot afford to lose any guild members, especially of such acclaimed teams. And with that, I wish you all luck." The two master teams saluted Chatot and Wigglytuff, and without another word they made their way down the long staircase and ran down the road, off to face an enemy I hope they would succeed in defeating. If they could not, I could only imagine what might come in the future.
xxx
After the two teams left, Phloe and I decided it was best to go back to our team's room and get some well-deserved rest. As fate would have it, we wouldn't get back as quickly as we might have liked. Walking down the second ladder, I lost my footing and fell, my shell smacking into something armored.
"You alright, Tide?" Phloe jumped down to check out what happened. As I slowly stood back up, I saw I had hit a Shieldon by the ladder. The little guy was glaring at me but let his anger go relatively quickly. Then he decided to freak out Phloe and I when he began to melt into a puddle of dark purple slime and reform in a small blob with a grin that automatically placed him as a troublemaker.
"Lucky I can change so fast," the Ditto remarked in a shrill squeak of a voice. "Of course, you're also lucky I didn't transform into something less pleasant, like a Nidorino."
Yeah, he wasn't the most pleasant Pokémon to begin with. Normally I would have just left it at that, but the Ditto didn't seem quite finished with me.
"Don't even think about leaving just yet! I still have a score to settle with you, punk!" That voice was really beginning to grind on my brain. He better shut his mouth soon...
"...And more importantly!...Hey, are you listenin' to me, punk? Come on, I'll take you on as a Magikarp!"
"I wouldn't, you might just hurt yourself." My snide remark must have really hit a nerve with the Ditto because the next thing I knew I was on my back with an Arcanine snarling in my face.
"Let's dance, punk! I'll shred your limbs off and char your flesh so that it melts off of the bone! I'll go and-"
"Enough, Dop."
The Ditto-turned-Arcanine growled and reluctantly stepped off of me, giving Phloe enough space to pull me back on my feet. As I checked to make sure I wasn't injured, Phloe froze to her spot. I couldn't be certain why until I looked at the newly arrived Pokémon, and in an instant I regretted it. The grey and mustard yellow coloration. The short, flowing cape. It was the same Shedinja from before.
"Ah...Team Impact, correct? I heard of your...escapade. Interesting, very interesting..."
Phloe had already shied herself back ever so slightly, her eyes refusing to let the Shedinja leave their sight. I coughed and turned my attention back to the bug Pokémon.
"So uh...we never really formally introduced ourselves before," I said in an attempt to break the anxiety between the teams. "I'm, uh, Tide. And this is my partner– "
"Phloe."
The Treecko behind me visibly cringed when the Shedinja spoke her name. The tone his voice carried was gravelly and carried the slightest hint of malevolence. Or was I just imagining it. It's not like you could tell since his face was virtually frozen in it's position.
"...Yeah, her name is Phloe. And you are?"
"My name is Umbra. I am the leader of Team Duplicity. You have already met one of my other team members, Dop." The Ditto sniggered and transformed back into his normal blob form, sliding on back to rejoin his teammate.
"My other team member is...occupied. All the same, his name is Seer. A Xatu. You will know him when you see him..." Umbra's cryptic words didn't help settle my fears nor Phloe's. She still stood behind me, hoping desperately that Umbra would leave soon. She got her wish, as Umbra began to float away after taking one last look at the two of us.
He stopped by the ladder and shifted his body to face us ever so slightly. I swear I could see a tiny gap between the cape and his back. What was it about Shedinja's again? Something about their backs, but I couldn't remember just what it was.
"I must hurry along now...the job of being an explorer beckons. I hope we have more time in the future to chat. I would like to hear more about the mystery Pokémon...Deoxys..."
He left immediately, before Phloe and I could say anything more. Dop transformed into a Taillow and flew after his leader, but not before shooting me a look as if to say, "Don't worry, I'll settle the score later."
Once she was sure the members of Team Duplicity had left, Phloe took a few deep breaths and walked a few steps away. I let her be, thinking it would be best to give her some space for the time being. Whatever it was about Umbra, she was not dealing with it well.
"Cypress...oh my gosh, Cypress." I caught her whispering softly and was about to ask her about it. She beat me to the punch though with her own question.
"How...how did Umbra know about the name of Deoxys? Neither of us told him, and Wigglytuff hasn't let that information leave himself, Chatot, and the two teams that left."
"I don't know. I mean, it's not like he could read our minds-"
"No, he couldn't. But a Xatu could."
xxx
Umbra silently floated down the steps from Wigglytuff's Guild. It was closing in on the early evening hours and he knew that sunlight would be short. No doubt in light of recent events the Guild would be enforcing a curfew for the time being, so time was short. Dop slid down the steps after his leader, faithfully following in his immovable loyalty.
When the reached the dirt path at the bottom, Dop morphed into a duplicate of Umbra. The same body, the same scratches, and the same cape. All that was different was a visible grin on the copy's face, quite a contrast to the cold expression on Umbra.
"Excellent work, Dop. You've been practicing you're skills diligently over the past few weeks."
The Umbra copy giggled joyfully. Dop loved to receive compliments on his disguises. They were a proud part of who he was, and to know he was attaining perfection was the best thing to hear.
"You know the plan of course. Time is short, so we have maybe an hour before we must be on our way back to the Guild. You take the road further down to the beach from here. I'll come around from Sharpedo Bluff and make my way down from there with the others. Don't let anyone think you are not me. Deceit needs to go without a hitch or else the plan will be ruined before it has a moment to be truly set in motion."
"Of course, Umbra. I would never fail the team, you know it!"
"Make sure of it."
Umbra left Dop to float towards the beach while he took the indirect route through Treasure Town. With the day coming to a close, the town would normally be shutting down in a gradual event. Thanks to the reopening of all trade routes after the meteor storm, the town was experiencing an influx of more Pokémon. Not an overwhelming number, but enough to be noticeably out of the norm.
Umbra continued floating along, his cape wavering with the small breeze that came through the cooling air. Umbra couldn't tell though. He was technically dead, so feeling didn't occur to him like it did everyone else. Not that it mattered. What mattered was the plan, and making sure no one interfered. That included one former human and his Treecko friend. Umbra wasn't sure quite yet what would be done, but he knew action would be necessary in the near future.
Distracted by his thoughts, the Shedinja failed to take notice of the Cubone and Totodile duo making their way from the path leading to the Marowak Dojo. This led to a comical tumble as the shedding Pokémon fell to the ground after running into the head of the Totodile, Thor.
"Pardon me..." Umbra said with the same dead monotone he used before, not once glancing to Thor or his partner, Mia. The Shedinja hurried onward, hovering towards Sharpedo Bluff quicker than before. Mia and Thor looked on as his formed retreated, confused and taken aback at his behavior.
Thor laughed to himself. "What a nut. I'm surprised Umbra hasn't broken that fragile shell he calls a body." Mia smiled sweetly at this and slowly raised her bone over her head, poised to attack.
"You really need to learn when certain comments are acceptable."
"Huh?"
Mia cracked her bone over Thor's head, delivering a concussion to the unaware Totodile. He clutched his snout in pain and whimpered at his partner.
"And you could learn to not be prone to smacking people with that thing. Your teammate most of all."
xxx
Umbra arrived at Sharpedo Bluff not long after his run-in with Team Rainskull. Cautiously patrolling the area, he was satisfied to see not a soul was near. He faced the sea from the point of the bluff and fired off a Will-O-Wisp attack. Patiently waiting, he smiled inwardly when he caught a shape rapidly soaring towards his position. Not long after, the cliff wall to the left of the bluff began to crumble in bits as a hole opened in its face. A Garchomp clawed his way out and hung from the opening he created. The flying form arrived soon after, revealing itself as a Xatu.
"Seer. Brutus. A pleasure to see the two of you once again."
Brutus snorted in mockery. "Please. Happiness is the last thing I would expect you to experience, especially towards us."
"All the same, I called you two for a reason. The plan shall be initiated soon and I know how to ensure its success. Follow me to the beach where Dop awaits and I shall explain everything.
Once the group of three made their way to the beach, they found Dop still in the form of Umbra, patiently hovering near the base of the cliff. When he caught sight of the others, he dropped to the sand and reformed into a Ditto. Xatu was the first to notice what had transpired.
"Dop's skills have advanced."
"You bet they have! Just wait until I get my hands on that Tide punk! That way I'll show you how good I am at this game!"
Umbra tried to quell his teammate. "You shall get the chance in due time. You know what must be done, but these two need to be filled in on what has transpired in their absence. Of course, a demonstration of what must be done is always in order. What you shall see is exactly what will guarantee success, should Seer's vision have proven correct. And without further interruption, Dop, will you enlighten our friends?"
The Ditto pulled as devilish a smile as he could muster before mutating his body shape into something short and humanoid. Seer and Brutus looked on, amazement being the only thing readable about their expressions. When Dop had finished with his transformation, the two were at a loss for words. Brutus shook himself out of the shock and spoke first.
"I cannot believe it. The little putty Pokémon nailed it." Seer nodded his agreement.
"Indeed. So Dop is to use this form to our advantage? I can certainly see it working, but you are sure you have all of the problems worked out?" Umbra nodded.
"Of course. I'm not a fool, I know how to prepare. Prophecy can never go wrong, and I know very well how to make sure my destiny remains in my grasp!"
Aw man that was great to write. I have to say, Team Duplicity is such an interesting bunch to write about. Actually every team is, including the OC ones. Although I still think I'm biased towards Team Sting. Comic relief can never be excluded.
So I don't know when the next chapter will come around. I write when I can, but this one came over the last two nights (Heh, I stayed up way late to write these two nights. 6 hrs of sleep, FTW). No guarantees when I'll update next, but it'll come sooner than half a year, I promise. If you're lucky, sooner than a month :p
Well, that's all I really have to say. I've been watching a ton of films with my friends over the past few months...what a riot that has become. And I still await for Pokemon Black and White's release, as well as the 3DS. I'm getting White, people, so be ready for that. I'll be willing to battle then if anyone wants to...I've been working to get into the competitive stuff. I still need to beat the Battle Tower a few more times though before I can really get started.
And that's all. Later guys, thanks for reading! I appreciate it!