Note: I forgot to mention in the summary that the ending of the fic later will have a very small reference to Colosseum and X.D. But either way, I'm here to inform you now. I know the second chapter seems a bit boring but please bear with me, I've got schoolwork and all...

Rose's POV:

Have you ever heard of the Legend of Orre? I suppose not. Well... It's a two-part legend, each taking place at a different time period at some unknown region called Orre.

Anyway, it's not that important as both of the protagonists were humans. Their names were... Wes and Michael, as far as I can recall. But since there are no humans that dwell in our world, many have passed it off as tales to be told to children.

But the plot was so beautifully carved; I longed for it... to be real.

The two protagonists oppose an evil organization known to be Cipher. Cipher had a very unique way of executing their plans. They converted Pokémon to Shadow Pokémon. The process involves artificially closing the heart of one, thus turning it into an emotionless fighting machine with access to its full capabilities.

I didn't find that bad. In fact, I longed to be one. I wanted to be free from my curse. I wanted to remove all of these useless emotions hindering me, I longed for strength. Strength that would allow me to take my revenge on this horrid world.

I sighed. They were not invincible though, though. Apparently, they can still be purified through trust, or more easily, through an artefact known as a Time Flute.

I jumped down from the branch that I had been resting on. I felt awfully bored as my victims posed no challenge at all.

A small smile crept slowly up to my face. Maybe I shouldn't be wasting my time doing nothing. I thought about the article I had read about in the newspaper earlier... I felt drawn to get out on the field, I wanted to get my hands on something good... But horrible memories resurfaced of my past.

I looked back to my past, thinking of all my past blunders and how that Exploration Team had rejected me.

I sighed, maybe just once more... It would help me with the extra profit.

I opened my map to check the new dungeon that I had mapped. Hmm... Lake Afar? I certainly haven't heard of that place before.

After some time pondering to myself, I decided to go on with my own exploration to Lake Afar for it would also be beneficial to me. It could remove me from this wretched boredom and I could also gain additional resources.

I hurriedly stuffed the money pouch I had been jingling back into my Exploration Kit, which was strapped beside my right hip and concealed under my gown-like appendages.

After some moments of preparation, I travelled to the dungeon, Lake Afar, itself. I took a step inside the watery maze. I could immediately tell that the atmosphere inside was different. The moment I stepped in, I could feel an arid air about the place.

I smiled; I hadn't felt this kind of thrill in ages.

I soon found the dungeon not quite suited for someone like me.

I stumbled through Lake Afar's watery floor and occasionally slipped on mud, splashing the brown substsance all over my face and gown-like whatever-you-call-it.

After much struggling and frustration through the damp dungeon, I began to become careless on trying to keep myself clean in such a place, seeing that it was useless.

After reaching deeper floors, my eyes started to gleam after I saw all the riches that I could easily stride by and take.

All the enemies in this dungeon also posed little challenge, as they were all Water-type. I just shocked every single one with a Thunderbolt. They couldn't do anything as I strode forward and pocketed everything shiny I could find.

I continued on deeper into the dungeon until I suddenly heard an earsplitting scream.

"WANTED OUTLAW SPOTTED!" the voice hollered.

I rolled my eyes. These third-raters probably didn't know the definition of the word 'stealth'.

I tried to run as fast as I could, hoping to lose those losers in the next floor of this dungeon. Since I do not feel the gravitational pull due to my Psychic powers, I was able to move very fast.

I ran until I found what I was looking for: the stairs to the next floor. But as soon as I stepped into the room, I found out that the two openings leading into the room were immediately blocked. I was trapped.

"Could you be this 'Cunning Thief' everyone's been talking about?" a rough voice sounded behind me.

Could this actually happen? How long have I been at this yet have never gotten caught? I must be getting older.

I turned around to face my captor. The voice apparently came from a Shiftry, two small Nuzleaf accompanied him on his left and right sides. They looked like an Exploration Team all right, but that didn't catch my eye. Instead, my eyes were fixed on the badges that they wore... They were Normal Rank badges.

I resisted the urge to laugh, Normal Rank? But then it infuriated me, I was caught off guard by these pathetic rookies? You've gotta be kidding me.

"Speak up," the Shiftry continued, "or we might apprehend you anyway."

"Yes," I taunted, putting on my most charming smile, "Yes, I am this thief you speak of. However, you cannot catch me, not without a fight."

Immediately after saying those words, I gave them no chance to react but instead responded with one of my attacks: Attract.

I launched the small ray of pink hearts at the Shiftry before he could even speak, shocking him. He immediately fell to the ground, a silly grin plastered on his face.

One of the Nuzleaf asked him, "Sir, are you okay?"

All their leader responded was a low pathetic moan, "She's... pretty..."

The two of them just slapped their foreheads in shame.

"Fine," one of them said.

"Let us go take care of her ourselves," the other one continued.

They turned around only to find out that I had escaped, or at least that's what they thought.

I was still there, but at the moment I used Attract, I jumped sideways and hid behind some reeds.

The two Nuzleaf began to frantically run off dragging their leader, who was still in the daze of infatuation that Attract gave off, searching for me.

When they left the room, I casually exited my hiding spot and exited the floor by taking the stairs.

"That was so pathetic," I smirked to myself as I walked, "It's no wonder they were only Normal Rank."

After going through the stairs, I saw an opening; I must have probably cleared Lake Afar already.

I stepped out and breathed in some of the fresh air. I was contented to be finally out of that place, I was literally brown after going through all that. My skinny white legs were splotched with brown spots of mud and my face was practically brown all over. Nevertheless, I grinned as I took out all the coins I've hoarded and the pathetic Shiftry's Exploration Kit.

Everything I found was a great profit, for it was all pricey. But something else caught my eye in the bag. There was a newspaper article there; it was called "The Legend of the Seven Treasures". That immediately caught my attention.

I set down everything and found a good place to rest.

Exploring Lake Afar made me very tired, I had decided to read the article the next day.

I settled down and closed my eyes.

For the first time, I would soon find out that not everything can be stolen. I didn't know that if my life kept on going this way, it would soon give me a tragic downfall. There were many things that could have caused the horrible tragedy, two of them were pride and greed, but I soon find out with my very own eyes that the most fatal one is none other than vengeance.

Note: That's it for now. If you've wondered why there was an early upload, one that beats my usual "weekends only" upload. It's because that I decided to use some of my remaining time to squeeze out some of my effort here. I'm also done with this weekend's upload for "You're the Only Fish in the Sea" but I haven't uploaded it yet because I was thinking of saving it for an emergency like several tests. Oh well, I'm not sure about updating this fic next week but keep your eyes peeled, things could change. Don't forget to leave a review too, kay? Thanks guys, I speak too much... Gotta go~