Last time on Explorers of Prehistory…
THERE WAS A HUGEARSE BATTLE THAT WAS AWESOME! Oh, and Venom, Aero, Kiara and Cotton, along with their new friend Ace, escaped from the Darkclaw Pirates and the Espeon Army! Now, we see how the other survivors are holding up. BUT THAT BATTLE WAS STILL AWESOME!
What will happen next? Find out now!
Thunder roared in the night sky over the dreaded Peaks of Zapdos. The wind howled angrily over the cursed peaks, rain pelting the ground. Lightning flashed, casting eerie shadows on jagged rocks. Darkness covered the dreaded land, making it even more forboding than it was.
The Peaks of Zapdos were a forsaken place. Legend has it that Zapdos and Raikou, two legendary Pokemon of Electricity, faced each other in a battle royale ages ago. Zapdos won, and Raikou retreated; however, the Lightning Bird was so tired, he fell from the heavens, and struck the cliff, unleashing a massive burst of energy before fainting. The burst of lighting smote the rocks, and spintered the mountain into pieces, making the deadly mountain. It was dangerous to climb, having few ledges to grab onto, and its jagged rocks were a danger to Flying Types. Many an Exploration Team had to climb the mountain to recover some poor soul who had nearly been killed, flying by the mountain in a windstorm. The mountain was hated, and avoided.
Making it the perfect place to hold a private meeting. Especially if the meeting was discussing things that weren't exactly... legal.
On the top of the mountain, there was a flat place, surrounded by a crown of massive stone spikes. The perfect place for a meeting, shielded from sight, either on the ground or in the air. This spot had served no purpose before, but now it served as the meeting place for a sinister collective.
In the center of the clearing, a violet orb formed, slowly growing larger and larger, until it bursted. A trio of Pokemon appeared; a Kirlia, her eyes glowing as her Teleport attack was finished, and they reached their destination. The second, was a very naseous looking Beedrill, who began to spout curses and swears as she stumbled to the ground, feeling ill. Some Pokemon didn't handle teleportation well. The last, was the master. He was a massive, intimidating Drapion, covered in the scars from a thousand battle. His right claw was long lost, years ago, and he had replaced it with a massive mace made from Sleelix steel. He dubbed the mace "Punisher" and disobedient soldiers quickly learned why.
The Kirlia's eyes returned to their normal red color. "We've arrived, Lord Kramzak," she said, turning and bowing to her master.
The Drapion nodded. "Excellent work, Sala."
"I live to please," the Kirlia said, bowing again.
Flattery was important when dealing with any authority, but Kramzak was a special case. The right words could save your life with him. Kramzak was a warrior from the desert lands. At a young age, he had been kidnapped by the Cacturne tribe, and forced to train as a gladiator. He gained skills and became a deadly foe, but he yearned for freedom, even as the crowds cheered his name. Soon, he organized a revolt, and broke free, taking control of an army, made of his own kind and gladiators. The first order of business was taking care of those who had wronged them, and the Cacturne and Cacnea were forced from their lands, fleeing for their lives. Kramzak dubbed himself emperor, and the desert lands became his own. Of course, the only problem with claiming such lands was the simple fact that it was, in fact, a desert. Meaning, there was little food, little water, and little cool. Kramzak wasn't stupid; the only nearby territory that had such things was the Dragonite Kingdom. However, now they were sheltering the Cacnea and Cacturne, meaning that he could either invade and be outnumbered by his foe, or die in the dry and sweltering heat of the desert. Or, he could join forces with someone, someone immensely powerful, who could give him such things and keep his kingdom alive.
Which was the only reason he was here.
Kramzak growled as he scanned the area. "Either we're early, or those other idiots are late," he rumbled.
"The latter is most likely, milord," answered Sala. Sala had been almost been a gladiator, but she and her sister had been rescued by Kramzak's army. Her sister, being a oppertunist, quickly took credit for whatever she could, and managed to squirm her way to being Kramzak's second in command. However, she wasn't satisfied, and decided that she wanted to be in charge, plain and simple. She hired a skilled assassin, and thought her throne was secure. She never expected her own sister to sell her out. Sala and her sister were never close, and Sala knew that her sister wasn't cut out to be a leader. The assassin was killed, and Sala's sister followed quickly. In return for her loyalty, Sala was promoted to second in command in her sister's place. Sala, not being power hungry, was quite comfy in her spot.
The Beedrill looked around, raising her spears. "I don't see anyone," she complained, something she was very good at. "Maybe Sala got the location wrong," she sneered.
"Shut up, Javaline," ordered Kramzak gruffly. "We've been here before. This is the spot."
Not that you have the brainpower to remember it, you buzzing moron, Sala thought, turning away to hide her smirk.
Javaline was very, very distantly related to Kramzak. To be precise, she was his third cousin, twice removed. When she learned this, she quickly left to Kramzak's oasis palace, hoping to secure the position of second in command. However, she discovered that Sala had the job that was rightfully her's, and challenged the Kirlia to a duel to the death. Sala had obliderated her with superior strength, skill, and a typing advantage to boot. However, Sala didn't kill the Beedrill at her master's order; Kramzak didn't want to see his only living relative die. Still, even he found the Beedrill taxing, as did everyone. Javaline was a whiner, a braggart, not too bright, and a coward. She never fought a foe face to face, always flying as high as she could to avoid damage, attacking from the sky with Pin Missiles and Sludge Bombs. Javaline hadn't ever forgiven Sala, and was always waiting for an oppertune moment to stab the Kirlia in the back. Something she'd enjoy immensely.
Rain began to come down harder, pelting the trio of deadly Pokemon. It didn't bother any of them though. Water was rare in the desert, and any exposure to it was a delight. Still, Kramzak hated to be kept waiting. It made him mad.
And when he was made, he liked to hurt things.
"Well," said Javaline, glaring at Sala. "Where are they?"
"They are late," said Sala. "Weren't you listening?"
"Oh sure," Javaline said. "They're late. Maybe we're the ones who are late, hmm?"
"Shut up, Javaline," Kramzak ordered again.
Javaline whirled to her distant relation. "This is ridiculous!" she said. "We should be finding a small kingdom with all the water we need, not hanging around some dump and taking orders from some idiot in a cloak!" she snapped. Javaline was the only one who ever talked back to Kramzak.
The Drapion growled. "They'll be here," he insisted. "If you think otherwise, perhaps you'd like to take it up with Sala?"
"Hah!" boasted Javaline. "I could take her with one spear behind my back, easy!"
Sala shook her head. Is she intentionally stupid? No one could be this big of a fool.
The Kirlia's eyes widened. She felt the precense of more Pokemon, heading this way. "Master," she said. "Someone is coming."
"Where?" asked Javaline, skeptical. "I don't see anyone."
"That's because you don't have mental powers!" roared Kramzak. "Sala does, and unlike some of my underlings, she had yet to fail me!"
Javaline shrank back quietly, casting a quick glare at Sala, but saying nothing.
Sala hid her smirk as she felt the Pokemon grow closer.
There was a screeching hoot in the air, and a dark shape shot at Kramzak. Both Sala and Javaline cried out to their master, but he sat there, unnerved as the dark shape shot towards him, before quickly looping up. It landed on one of the sharp rocks, and a cruel laugh came from the figure. "Well, look who it is!" the Flying Type said. "Mr. Mace, and his two little girlfriends!"
"Wings," groaned Sala. "Why does it have to be Wings?"
"You're lookin' even older and uglier than last time, grandpa!" sneered the Noctowl, evilly, as two Skarmory flew up and landed next to their boss. Bodyguards were important when you went to this kind of thing, you know. "That mace looks awfully heavy for you. Can you even lift it?"
The two Skarmory cracked up with their boss.
"Why don't you come down here and find out?" Kramzak suggested, easily hefting the mace with a dark grin. Sala hoped Wings would. Seeing the obnoxious owl die would be so satisfying. Even Javaline wasn't as annoying as he was. (Though she is a close contender).
"Hmm, no, don't think I will," the Noctowl said. "I hate to have to explain your bloody corpses to the others when they arrive."
"Coward," said Kramzak.
"Would you two stop arguing?" a voice said.
An Umbreon, flanked by two other Umbreon, emerged from the darkness. The first was no other than the leader of the entire Umbreon tribe, Ebon. The Umbreon King cast a disdainful look over to Kramzak and Wings. "I've only just arrived, and you're already giving me a headache," the Dark Type said coldly.
Kramzak grumbled, but a gesture from Sala rendered him silent. Sala was much calmer than Kramzak was, and often had to struggle with the king, in order to get him to keep his temper under control. This wasn't a night to be losing control of one self.
"So," Ebon said. "Where is she?"
"She's late," Wings said, twisting his head around.
"She's never been late before..." muttered Kramzak.
"Maybe she got killed!" said Javaline. "Or maybe she decided that we aren't worth it!" She folded her arms behind her head. "I told ya we should've just taken over some other land ourselves!"
"Shut up, Javaline," hissed Sala angrily.
Ebon sighed. Those... barbarians were always so uncouth. "Perhaps you have the the time and patience to wait for her," he said, his voice devoid of emotion. "I however, have a war going on. I cannot be held up any longer." He turned away. "Tell her that we have no patience to spare on her of all Pokemon." He turned to his two bodyguards. "We're leaving."
Before the Umbreon could leave, a bright flash of lightning narrowly missed Ebon. He leaped aside with a startled expression on his face, but devoid of sound.
"Oh, Ebon," a female voice said from the darkness. "For being a Pokemon that takes such pride in your stealth and silence, you really ought to learn when to keep you stupid mouth shut."
A dark, robed figure walked into view. Clad in a dark, black cloak, her face unseen by all present, except for a small smirk, faintly visible underneath the hood. She was the mastermind, the one who called them all together, the one they all served under.
The Shadowed One.
The Shadowed One was a criminal master mind. For the last five years she had plauged the mainland with her daring, brilliant crimes. The Dragonite Kingdom, and the Gardevoir Guild, had been all but powerless to stop her. She always was one or two steps ahead of her foes. And now, she was after something extremely rare; something that she needed help to find. The Life Fragments. Which is why she gathered together this collective of rulers and thieves. Life Fragments weren't easy to find after all. These monthly meetings were specifically set up, just to locate shards of the precious gemstone.
"You're here," Ebon said, coldly. "You took your time."
"I did, didn't I?" the Shadowed One said, smugly. "Haven't you ever heard of being fashionably late? Besides, I'm only behind by a few minutes, so stop your whining." The Shadowed One wasn't alone. She brought her own second in command, Tsa'aal, along with a Kabuto and a Omanyte, who was balancing a tea tray with a steaming kettle and tea cups on it.
The Kabuto sat on the ground, and the Shadowed One sat on the poor fossil Pokemon like he was a stool. The Omanyte set the tray on the ground, and quickly poured the crime boss a cup of tea, stirring it with a tentacle. Trembling, the Omanyte handed the teacup to the Shadowed One. She took the cup and sipped it, the Omanyte cringing in fear as she did so. She took a second to stare down at the trembling Fossil Pokemon, before sighing. "It'll do, I suppose." She placed the cup on the joyful Omanyte's head, and turned her attention to the Pokemon. "So," she said, happily. "Guess what Tsa'aal was kind enough to bring me! You'll never guess."
Silence answered her. None of them were willing to believe that she actually had one.
"That's right!" the Shadowed One said to no one in particular. Her hand retreated into her robe, and pulled out a glowing green gem.
Silence filled the area as the gathered Pokemon stared in disbelief. "Is it...?" asked Kramzak.
"If the scrolls in the library are correct, it is, milord," answered Sala, honestly.
"Yes, it is," said the Shadowed One. "Tsa'aal, being the sweetie he is, got it for me, elevating his use to me, and decreasing your own. So," she said, dangerously, "I don't suppose any of you have found anything other than clues this time around, hmm?"
Again, silence was her answer. "I thought so," the Shadowed One said smugly.
"You of all people should understand that finding these Fragments is no simple task," Ebon said. "I have a war going on, and my troops cannot waste their energy looking for trinkets."
"Oh, I know you have a war going on," said the Shadowed One. I worked good and hard to get that war started, you know. Too bad this idiot doesn't know it, she thought, smugly. "However, with the Gem of Life returned to power, the war could be easily won! That makes it even more valuable, doesn't it?"
"If it does what you claim it does," Ebon said. "I have yet to see proof of that. That is why I am here to inform you that I am terminating our partnership with you."
The Shadowed One stared at the Umbreon for a few second. "Pardon?" she finally said.
"We will no longer be supporting you," the Umbreon said.
The Shadowed One sighed. "Oh, Ebon, you stupid little ingrate," she said, sadly. "You seem to have forgotten who has been supplying you with information, food, weapons... Everything your army needs to function." She got off of the Kabuto and walked towards Ebon. His two bodyguards stood in front of him, as if they could actually hurt her. "Do you want me to stop spying on the Espeon? Do you want your troops to starve?" She leaned over to the Umbreon. "Perhaps I should offer my services to the Espeon. I'm sure their leader would b more grateful than you are."
Ebon paled. The Shadowed One had turned the war around for them, and now he was facing her down. "You must understand..." he said, trying to keep his cool.
"Oh, we understand!" said Wings, cackling from above. "The wittle baby wants out!" he said, laughing. His two minions joined in.
"And you!" sneered the Shadowed One, turning to Wings. "I've heard my spies report that you were utterly defeated by a team of Bounty Hunters! Do you really think you'll strike fear into the hearts of your foes by losing to a bunch of do-gooders?"
Wings growled. "There were more than three..."
"I don't care!" snapped the Shadowed One. "I will not ally myself with the inept. Either man up, or leave my services... forever."
Wings growled, but said nothing.
The Shadowed One turned to Kramzak and his minions. "And what about you?" she asked. "Any complaints from the conquerer of the desert? Do you wish to complain as well?"
Before Kramzak could say anything, Javaline took this moment to open her big mouth again. "Maybe we do!" she sneered. "We're stuck in some sandy desert, starving to death, while you're running around drinking your lousy tea!"
"Javaline!" snapped Kramzak. "Stand down, now!"
"Yes, I'd listen to your master," sneered the Shadowed One. "Unless you actually enjoy pain."
"I could take you with one stinger tied behind my back!" snapped Javaline, quick to boast of her strength once more.
The Shadowed One sighed. "Tsa'aal..."
The Kabutops was already moving. His blades flashed as he charged at the Beedrill. Javaline barely had to react before the blades sliced at her. She screamed as she fell back, clutching her bleeding side.
"No, wait!" she shouted, as Tsa'aal approached to finish her. "I give up!"
Tsa'aal rolled his eyes before striking at her again. However, his blade was intercepted by a mace.
"Back off!" growled Kramzak to the Fossil Pokemon.
"Or what?" growled Tsa'aal, angrily.
"Boys, boys," the Shadowed One said. "Let's not waste our meeting time with you two killing each other!"
The two male Pokemon stared at each other angrily, before backing off. Kramzak glared down at the very pale Javaline. "We'll discuss this later," he growled. He turned to Sala. "Get her out of here," he ordered.
With a nod, Sala teleported Javaline back to Kramzak's Castle. He glared one last time at Tsa'aal, before the two parted, heading back to their respective corners.
"Aww, it was getting good..." complained Wings.
"Now," the Shadowed One said. "Let's finish this up, shall we?" She looked over her minions. "To make things very clear, I am in charge, and I am calling the shots. You all work for me. You'll do what I say, and take what I give, and hope it's not a dagger in the back! Understood?"
Silence answered her.
"Glad we've come to an agreement," the Shadowed One said. "Meeting adjourned." She turned to Tsa'aal. "Let's be off."
Tsa'aal nodded. "As you wish," he agreed.
The fossil Pokemon and their master vanished in a flash, teleporting away.
"Well, that's that!" said Wings, laughing. "Seeya, suckers!" he cackled, before flying off.
The Umbreon angrily departed, silent as always. Leaving Sala and her master, Kramzak, alone in the dark.
"The nerve of her..." muttered Sala. "Ordering you of all people around, master. Disgusting."
The Drapion growled. The rain had died down, and he was tired. "Teleport us home," he ordered. "I want to make sure Javaline is healed, before I pull her wings off myself!"
Sala felt a tinge of satisfaction at the thought of her wannabe rival being hurt. "Of course, master," she said. "I live to serve."
With a violet flash, the dictator and his second in comman vanished.
Okay, yeah, this is the end of the chapter. Feel free to be angry with me, but I have an excuse. A: I need to work on my other fanfic, as a lot of people are waiting for it. B: My computer has caught a virus, and I'm typing this on the family computer, which decreases the amount of time I can spend on the web, and it means I have to use this itty bitty keyboard (why was I born with such spidery, long fingers?) Seriously, I had to type this author's note ALONE about three times before I got ir right. Yeesh... And, C: Christmas is coming, so I want to help the family get ready and stuff. We're trimming the tree on saturday, and having a party too. Plus, on Sunday I'm holding a Christmas party for my class at Church, so I have quite the workload. I'll try and updat as soon as I can though, so hold onto your butts, folks!
You've probably seen a lot of new OCs on this chapter. For those of you who are curious, Kramzak, Sala, and Javaline are MY OCs that I submitted to another story by ShadowMasterKizone, called Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Legacy, which the writer recently finished. The sequel is coming out realy soon, and I can't wait to see my OCs in action again. (I friggin' love Sala. She's just so smug and evil, she's awesome.) I just wanted to show this chapter, and give you all an idea about who the heroes are goin' up against; a maniacal genuis known as the Shadowed One. Scary, huh? You'll be seeing a lot more of her, and the villains as well. And, yes, I did make the Umbreon join up with her. I killed dozens of Espeon in the last chapter, and I wanted to make it more or less fair. Next time we see how the other good guys are doing, and we might meet some new OCs! Stay tuned and get ready for more adventures!
Adios, amigos~! And Mery Christmas to all and to all a good night!
Now go watch the Nightmare before Christmas.