Me again, back after almost a whole year, again, with a new update, again.
Shiftry lunged at the trio, each of them scattering. Plit jumped high for a Tackle, but Shitry was skilled. With a quick fan of his leaved claws, he caught Plit with a powerful gust. Marill charged for a Rollout, but once again, Shiftry was to skilled for them, leaping over her as she barreled for him. Finally, Pikachu stared him down. It was time to turn up the heat as Pikachu used his Quickattack. Shiftry countered with Agility, and the two leaped about at blinding speed. Finally, Pikachu caught him off guard and managed to land a swift kick in the face on Shiftry. He slid back just a bit and glowered up at Pikachu(who was standing on top of a palm tree).
"Still a good fighter, chief."he sneered down as he shot down at him. This, however, was a mistake, as Shiftry fired a Razorleaf attack at his foe. While Pikachu tried to shield himself, Shiftry leapt for him an delivered a powerful blow, knocking him to the ground. Plit managed to climb back up and saw Pikachu out like a light. Just then, he got an excellent, though very dangerous idea. Hurrying, Plit leapt into the poisoned stream and gulped the tainted waters, feeling his mind melt away with each mouthful. Feeling pumped, he slowly crawled from the water and glared at Shiftry.
"You... you're goin' down!"he called as he charged for the chief, who also charged. Just before they collided, Plit jumped up and tackled Shiftry right in the face. Toppling over, Shiftry(now dazed)began to shuffle a bit on the ground, but Plit got his chance to strike first. Seizing a Gavelerrock, he smashed it hard on Shiftry's head, knocking him out, then keeled over, gasping for breath. It seemed the more poisoned water drank, the more harmful it became.
"Plit! Are you-"
"Stay back, Marill!"he spat, feeling a tight, pinching sensation all around his body.
"Plit! What did you do!?"Pikachu gasped. Plit managed to glance up at Pikachu and breath "Phanpy..."before his head dropped into the earth.
"He lucky twice."
"Chief Shiftry poison very strong."
"Amazing that Chief Shiftry cause poison in water."
"I don't think he was doing it of his own free will."Pikachu said.
Plit opened his eyes. Once again, he was tied to the ground. Before he could think, he saw Marill hand him a small bowl of water. Thirsty, he gulped it down and felt his hostility fade atonce.
"How'd... how did I end up here?"Plit managed to ask. Pikachu turned to the hulking chief he fought before he passed out, hobbling to him on a crutch.
"Chief?"
"You okay for walk?"
"I am fine."the chief assured his tribe. "Young one,"he said to Plit in a slow rumble, "you were a skilled fighter. You managed to break whatever had come over me."
"What happened back there, Chief Shiftry?"Pikachu asked. The chief bowed his head.
"I left for a walk, but as I walked into the forest, I saw something strange." He closed his eyes and remembered it well. "It looked like a black cloud standing in the clearing." They all stared in confusion. A black cloud... standing? While everyone else pondered what the chief was talking about, Pikachu, however, grimaced as something stirred in the back of his mind. A story he heard as a child. Before they could think about this anymore, Plit broke the silence.
"Where's Phanpy!?"he called out. Marill, however, motioned over to him, lying on the ground, clearly asleep, looking quite well. "Well, we need to make sure we get him back safely."
"You're right!"Pikachu said rising. "Let's head out!" The Nuzleaf and Seedot cheered at this show of commitment as Shiftry smiled.
"Return someday. We will have a celebration for you. You saved our tribe and the forest."
"Will do, chief!"called Plit as he led the team out of the forest. They'd be back in town before sundown.
"Hey, Plit, Marill. Ever hear the story of the Dark Presence?"Pikachu asked. The two turned to him, confused.
"What's that?"asked Marill. Pikachu only shrugged.
"It's an old story from way back. Someone back in the town may know it."
"My paw knows it."Phanpy spoke up. Plit shrugged and kept walking.
"Well, maybe tomorrow, we'll ask him about it." While Marill nodded in agreement, Pikachu kept his thoughts to himself. It had been years since he heard the old tale, but he had a feeling it was more than mere legend.
It seems I'm finally getting into the story. You'll hear the tale of the Dark Presence soon.