Yet another chapter devoted to the villains. And in this one, we get to see more of the Life Stealers, as well as our favorite mailman Smatt!

Crap, did I spoil too much? Oh well, read on!

From FinalPower:

"To Vizeli,

Do you sometime wonder if you and Cenric could ever live together like a Mother and Son should?"

Vizeli: *snorts and walks away*

"To Cenric,

Do you think you could forgive your Mother if she asked and proved that she's sorry for what she did?"

Cenric: I don't know… part of me would be happy, but most of me would see her as the one who abandoned me. I don't think I'd want to take my chances with her in case it happened again…

-.-.-.-.-.

The mood in the Abyssal Raiders' dungeons was as gloomy as ever. Jowl, Terra, and Cliff were playing with a bunch of pebbles that they had found nearby. Gaby and Luke were both stony-faced as they slumped against the wall, having nothing better to do than think. Wyvern and Pteryx hadn't stopped muttering since they had made the decision to work on their escape plan.

The Victini glanced over at Gaby. She seemed very quiet for some reason – and he knew it went beyond her just being Gaby and bottling up her feelings. There was some atmosphere hanging heavily around her, suggesting that there was a good reason that she seemed so reclusive.

"Hey…" he murmured, shuffling closer to her and touching her arm softly. "Is something wrong? You've been so… I don't know, silent ever since we got here. Are you going to be okay?"

Gaby looked up, averting her attention from the floor in front of her, and gave him a slight smile. "Thanks for your concern," she said quietly, reaching out to take his hand in hers. If she noticed the faint blush that blossomed on his face, she chose not to say anything.

"The truth is," the Kirlia went on, "I… realized something not too long ago." Luke tilted his head to the side in confusion, silently prompting her to go on. She continued, "My Shard… it speaks to me sometimes. I think it's because I found it, and it seems to trust me enough to let me hear its voice."

Noting Luke's half-amazed and half-skeptical look, she shook her head. "It sounds crazy, I know, but it's just a theory I have," she explained. "All I know is that it can speak to me. And not too long ago, just before we came here, it spoke again. I heard it say… It said that the Darkfeathers have it. They've found and stolen it from the cave I left it in."

Luke brought his hands up to his mouth in shock. "That's awful," he gasped. "What'll we do to get it back? Now two Shards are in the hands of evil Pokemon!"

His voice had risen by the time he had finished his last sentence, and it echoed slightly in the cave. Gaby held a hand to his mouth in order to quiet him down, and he fell still again. "You must not share this with anyone," she warned. "I need to tell the Guardians what has happened so that they can take my Shard back from the Darkfeathers. Is that clear?"

Luke nodded solemnly, and Gaby broke into a relieved smile. "I'm so glad I can count on you," she murmured to him, wrapping her arm around him comfortingly. The Victini blushed, smiled faintly, and said nothing.

-.-.-.-.-.

The trade caravan trundled on down the desert path, driven by two Pokemon – a Charizard and a Scyther. They were indeed Team Blazers, the Desert Faction rescue team. Right now, they were heading for the Bughaven Forest, where whatever goods could be found in the desert would be transported to Arthropod City to be exchanged for forest goods to be taken back to the Dunedust Desert.

Madeleine wondered if she should even be here. After all, if all was proceeding smoothly, then her ally Rosaline was already in control of the Bughaven Kingdom, and the caravan would simply be taken into her custody if allowed to reach it. But she reminded herself that this was not only an opportunity to weaken the two Factions as well, but the Life Stealers as well.

Her Houndoom companion signaled to her from the boulder he was stationed behind. The Absol signaled back, and he nodded. Darkclaw and his Houndour were on good relations with the Life Stealers, and thus carried out many tasks for them. In this case, he had been ordered by the Stealers' leader to help Madeleine ambush the caravan and take the goods for themselves.

Of course, Darkclaw had no idea that Madeleine was actually working with the Abyssal Raiders. As soon as Team Blazers had been knocked out and the goods secured, Vizeli would jump out with her Whiscash contingent and take down Darkclaw and his Houndour. Madeleine felt a pang of guilt for willingly betraying her past allies.

This is for my parents, she reminded herself, and the guilt faded.

The caravan was drawing closer to the boulder quarry they had hidden themselves within. Madeleine gave the crucial signal, and Darkclaw nodded in understanding. His Houndour spread out until they were all behind different rocks.

Finally, Team Blazers and their caravan came trundling past. Madeleine gave a single nod to the Houndoom.

Suddenly, much to the shock of Jules and Razor of Team Blazers, Houndour erupted from behind the boulders they passed, barking at the top of their lungs and giving chase. "It's the Life Stealers!" Jules roared, lashing the reins he held. The Ponyta drawing the cart whinnied and sped up to a gallop.

"I'll steer the caravan!" called Razor, taking the reins for herself. "You hold them off!" The Charizard nodded, and with a flap of his powerful wings, he was swooping low over the Houndour.

"Smokescreen!" he yelled, belching out a massive billowing cloud of black smoke. The curtain rapidly spread across the desert, blanketing the Houndour in darkness. But they were used to seeing in such conditions, and thus were undaunted by the obscuring smoke.

Jules was prepared for this, and thus he came prepared with a backup plan. "Air Slash!" he roared, throwing multiple blades of air from his claws. As soon as the Houndour leapt out from the smoke and were able to see again, they immediately encountered the incoming blades. Their barks and growls turned to yelps and whimpers as the blades smashed into them, throwing several to the ground with their blood leaking onto the sand.

Half of the Houndour still remained, though, and kept hot on the caravan's heels. Razor took a glance back and saw them still going strong. "Jules!" she shouted back. "I know, I know!" he replied. "I'm thinking of something!"

Just then, Jules got a genius idea. "Flamethrower!" he shouted, spraying red-hot flames at the ground just in front of the Houndour, and kept going even while flying backwards. In moments, the entire stretch of sand in front of the Fire-and-Dark-types had turned to glass.

The Houndour all slipped on the sudden change of terrain, falling on their faces as they struggled to adjust. Instantly, Jules threw more Air Slashes down, felling even more of the Houndour. One by one, the number of Life Stealers chasing down the caravan began to dwindle.

But that was when Darkclaw made his move, leaping out from behind the rocks and firing a massive Dark Pulse at the caravan. It smashed into the wooden vehicle and shattered it, sending wood and supplies flying all over. The Ponyta gave a startled whinny and hit the ground, out cold. Razor tumbled to the ground and immediately stood up, ready for battle.

However, a surprise Water Gun slammed into her back and knocked the Scyther out. Fifteen Whiscash burrowed out from under the sand and gurgled menacingly. Darkclaw stopped dead at the sight of them. "How is it possible?" he mused, part confused and part terrified. "The Abyssal Raiders? Here in the Dunedust Desert?"

A Floatzel dug her way up out of the sand as well and spat some out. "Ugh, I hate the desert," she grumbled, then turned to look at the Houndoom smugly. "Sorry 'bout that, darlin'. Just doing my job."

Darkclaw scowled and took a threatening step forward. Although he technically wasn't with the Life Stealers, he knew that this Raider knew that she was going against them anyway by attacking him. What was going on? Oh well, it didn't matter – Abyssal Raider or no Abyssal Raider, she'd pay for that surprise attack.

But before he could attack, someone stepped between the Floatzel and Houndoom. He blinked, sure that he was seeing things. It was Madeleine. "I'm sorry, Darkclaw," she said emotionlessly. "But I have to do this."

Her head blade glowed a sickly purple, and the last thing Darkclaw heard was his own scream.

-.-.-.-.-.

The Absol turned to Vizeli and nodded a greeting. "Right on time," she commented, still without emotion. Vizeli shrugged and rolled her eyes. "Like I could ever disobey a direct order from El Nino," she huffed. "Now, why don't we get these here goods back to the fortress. I've had enough of this blasted desert."

Madeleine, instead of going along with it, offered an alternative suggestion. "Why don't we just take it to the Bughaven Kingdom?" she asked. "Then Rosaline can send it to El Nino much more quickly then we can."

Vizeli rolled her eyes again. "Whatever, darlin'. Let's just leave these here Pokemon to rot in the sun and leave here quick. All this sun's bad for my fur."

After gathering up the supplies – there weren't many, and enough for the two of them to lash to their backs and carry – the two Abyssal Raiders began the long trek south to the Bughaven Forest, where their Masquerain ally awaited them.

-.-.-.-.-.

Niwri stamped his foot on the ground angrily as he heard the Houndour's report. Only a few hours had passed since he had sent Madeleine, Darkclaw, and the Houndour pack after the trade caravan. Thanks to the information El Nino had provided him with, he now knew the routes that the traders took to cross the Dunedust Desert, and thus he had been able to intercept this first one.

However, this sole surviving Houndour had reported to him that the carriage had been lost. It appeared to the Houndour that some unknown force had defeated Team Blazers and took the goods for itself. But who or what had it been? Niwri was very frustrated.

The Krookodile leader of the Life Stealers looked up at the ceiling of his underground lair. Here beneath the sands, it was very cool and comfortable during the heat of the day, and, thanks to the sun-absorbing sand that rested above, warm at night. It was the perfect hideout for his Life Stealers.

But one mission after the other had failed these days. First he had enlisted Rudy to help the murderer Clawface get a Shard, with the intention of swiping it for himself once it was found – but that had gone wrong, according to Rudy, who had just arrived only a day ago. And now, the plan to steal the trade goods from the Desert Faction to the Insect Faction had failed as well.

"Go," Niwri finally said to the Houndour. "I need to think." The dog-like Pokemon left, leaving him in peace. The Krookodile sat down on his huge chair, which had been carved out of the stone wall of his chamber. He sighed miserably and held his head in his hands. Sometimes being the ruler of a gang of criminals wasn't all it was cracked up to be.

There was a sudden flutter outside the door, and then a brisk knock. "Come in," called Niwri miserably, but he brightened when he saw who his guest was. It was none other than the Pelipper mailman, Smatt.

"Got your letter, Niwri sir," Smatt said with a flourish, holding out the letter in his wing. The Ground-and-Dark type smiled and took the letter in his claw. "Thank you, Smatt," he replied with a toothy grin. "Return and tell her that I expect another letter soon."

Smatt saluted and waddled out the door, politely closing it behind him. Niwri drew a satisfied breath and opened the letter. It read:

"Master Niwri,

Things are going well. The crew of the Windchaser has accepted me as an honorary member, and they're keeping me busy with cleaning and such. However, I think that I haven't yet earned their trust yet. I hope to do so before we reach the Guardians' secret isle. I'll keep you informed through Smatt.

Hope you are well,

Shadepelt"

Niwri's grin grew wider. Shadepelt was indeed doing fine with her assignment. At least one of his plans was proceeding smoothly.

The Krookodile stomped over to the door and opened it. Two Bisharp were guarding it dutifully. Niwri poked his snout over the threshold and twisted his head to face one of the guards. "'Scuse me," he rumbled. "Ya mind goin' to fetch Rudy and Sylvester? I have need of 'em." With a nod, the Bisharp marched off to find his two underlings.

Sooner than expected, the Krokorok and Liepard were standing in the doorway in front of Niwri. "Hey, Pop!" Rudy greeted. "Master Niwri," Sylvester said formally. The Krookodile gestured for them to come in.

When they did, he cleared his throat and started to speak. "I've got an assignment for the two of ya," Niwri said, coughing a little. "I need you two to leave with Smatt, the mailman, on a boat to the western ocean. You'll be followin' the Windchaser until it reaches the Guardians' secret isle."

Rudy and Sylvester exchanged glances. "Uh, Pop," the Krokorok spoke up uncertainly. "How in Giratina's name will we find the Windchaser? That's a darned big ocean ta search."

Niwri chuckled. "Smatt'll know where to go," he told them. "That Pelipper's smarter than he looks, ya know." He paused, then suddenly added, "Ya know what, I need the two of ya to stay here. I'm allowed to bring a couple of me best lackeys with me to the meeting, and yer both comin' along."

Now both Pokemon looked even more nervous. "Y-you think it'll be alright? You know, arriving without a Shard?" Sylvester stammered, almost not daring to ask. "Course they will!" Rudy argued. "Them Shards are demon hard ta find, so they'll understand… Uh, they will understand, right Pop?" he added to his father.

"I don't know," Niwri admitted. "But yer on to somethin' there, son. Those Shards are pretty darned hard to find, so maybe they will understand. You never know." He shook his head and pointed toward the door. "Now scram. You two wait while I get ready for the meeting."

Both Dark-types nodded and left without another word, shutting the door with a dull thud behind them.

-.-.-.-.-.

Rosaline hovered over her writing desk, clutching a quill in one of her four wings and writing rapidly on a piece of parchment. Taking the place of the royal family had turned out to be easier than she thought – and she definitely had no intention of being a temporary placeholder. Until El Nino told her to get down off the throne, she'd be staying.

The Masquerain put down the quill and held the letter up to the light. It was a short letter to the Abyssal Raiders, to be sent by Pelipper directly to the Gyarados himself. The letter's contents were as follows:

"Master Nino,

All is well and under control in the Insect Faction. Taking over the castle has been no trouble at all, thanks to my Surskit. I've managed to secure the throne without any problems. The Insect Faction is now officially part of the Abyssal Raiders' growing territory. I wish you luck with your meeting with the others.

Rosaline"

She checked over the letter and decided it was satisfactory. Fluttering away from her table, she pushed open the door to her quarters and found herself in the main hall of the magnificent castle. As a Bug-type, Rosaline couldn't help but be impressed with the architecture and decorations lining every inch of the building.

Rosaline quickly located a Surskit guard and ordered him, "Take zis letter to a Pelipper and tell it to deliver it to ze Abyssal Raiders' fortress off ze coast of Deepdark Island. Is zat clear?"

The Surskit nodded his little head, accepted the parchment, and dashed off down the hall. Her Surskit were nothing if not efficient.

There was a sudden sliding sound coming from the other end of the hall. Rosaline turned in surprise to see another Surskit approaching her. This one was panting, as if he had run a long distance. "What is it? Speak," she commanded.

After a short pause, during which the guard caught his breath, the Surskit spoke. "We found the missing princess. She's fleeing ArthropodCity with Team Exo."

Rosaline's eyes flashed with anger. "No. No, she is not," she stated. "Lead ze way. I will capture her if it is ze last zing I do."

Bowing deeply, the Surskit guard slid back down the hallway at top speed, with his mistress Masquerain following. "Zat princess will not be escaping me," Rosaline vowed determinedly, flexing her antennae so that they glared in an intimidating manner.

-.-.-.-.-.

Darkclaw, Jules, and Razor belong to Megadracosaurus, and Niwri belongs to me. A cookie if you guess where the Krookodile gets his name…

The Life Stealers are running out of luck, dastardly-plan-wise, and the Abyssal Raiders in turn are encountering more and more successes. Shadepelt's still working for Niwri after all, and it appears there is to be a 'meeting' of some kind soon…

Can our heroes still fight against this growing evil? Next chapter, coming soon!

Smatt: "While my new comrades are getting ready, you guys mind giving me a few letters to keep me busy?"

Rosaline: "As ze new queen of ze Insect Faction, I order you to review!"

Chapter Question #16: You're walking through the Dunedust Desert and are spontaneously attacked by the Life Stealers! What do you do?