In the last adventure, Team Space-Time and friends traveled to the Grey Theatre, where a play about Team Space-Time's adventures was to be performed. They quickly located Blessing and brought her to safety, just in time for the play. The play has entered its first intermission, at which point Teams AWD and Skull moved on with their mysterious plan.
Chapter 4 – The Grey Theatre, Part Two
"So far, so good," Pelame said to Chatot, whom they had located in the lobby. "It's been an entertaining watch so far. I had almost forgotten that this whole thing is a trap of some sort."
"To tell the truth," Pugno confessed. "I haven't seen anything suspicious yet. I mean, it's a bit uncanny that these actors are repeating verbatim what was actually said when those events actually happened to us. It's like they were there, but I don't think that has anything to do with some thug's plan."
"Well, that's a relief," Chatot said. "But, now that you two are here, may I ask you something?"
"Sure, ask away," Pelame said.
Chatot took a deep breath and looked at Pelame and Pugno with sadness in his eyes. "Do either of you two… resent me at all?"
Pelame and Pugno were taken aback by this question. Chatot was a dear friend of theirs; how could they possibly feel any resentment toward him?
"Sorry to answer your question with a question, but how did you get that idea in your head?" Pelame asked incredulously.
"You didn't need a play to remind you of…" Chatot said, unable to bring himself to finish his sentence.
"Wait, this is about the Perfect Apples incident, isn't it?" Pugno asked, which Chatot's body language (which implied pain) confirmed.
"Chatot, that was three-and-a-half years ago," Pelame said. "We still got to go on the Expedition, didn't we? We still solved the mystery of Fogbound Lake, right? And we made a new friend in Uxie, remember?"
"That's true…"
"Even if Pugno and I weren't chosen, we wouldn't have held that against you forever. We would have forgiven you regardless. Besides that, we have ever since the trip back from the Lake. We could never hate you over something like the incident with the Perfect Apples!"
"Pelame's right," Pugno added. "It's always been a joy working at the Guild. Working with you, Loudred, Sunflora, Bidoof, and the rest were some of the best times of our lives. And even if we had an iota of resentment toward you for that incident, what you did in the Brine Cave would have more than made up for it."
"You saved our lives at that moment. Only a friend would have done that. A real friend."
Taking in every word Pelame and Pugno had to say on the matter made Chatot feel moved. "Come to think of it, I was the one you came to for advice on Manaphy."
"Exactly," Pelame said. "Trust is a must."
"Then…" Without another word, Chatot embraced the two Pokémon standing before him. "I have no idea what I was so worried about. You two really are incredible. I'm sorry I ever doubted you."
"HEY! YOU WANNA MISS THE REST OF THE PLAY?!" Loudred demanded upon catching up to the three conversing Pokémon. "Get GOING! The intermission's OVER!"
"Be there in a sec," Pugno answered. He then turned back to Chatot. "Let's join the others. They've been waiting for you."
"I understand," Chatot responded. "Let's not miss any more of this play. And remember to keep an eye out for suspicious activity. This is a trap, after all."
"Understood," Pelame answered.
"Everyone ready to continue?" asked Weavile of the actors.
"Yes we are," answered a Ditto who transformed into Pelame. "On your signal, Lady Weavile."
"Just a moment," Weavile said. "Have we got the leverage?"
"Right here!"
A Ditto taking on Grovyle's form entered the backstage area carrying a bound and gagged Blessing.
"Leave her to me. The rest of you, take center stage and continue the performance. With the theatre locked down by the power the Leader lent us, no one is leaving. We have no fear of losing our target now. Now, continue the play."
"Yes, milady," responded the Ditto actors after transforming into their respective roles. The actors took center stage on Weavile's signal, as Weavile dragged the trussed-up Blessing further backstage.
"Dusknoir, you sure this isn't going to bother you at all?" Celebi asked. "You know what part of the story the play is at, after all."
"The past is finished, Celebi," Dusknoir answered. "It no longer concerns me."
"We've all made mistakes," Grovyle added. "By now, we've made up for them."
(Pelame, Pugno, and Dusknoir are at the Treasure Town beach, discussing Pugno.
Dusknoir: I see… so you found our friend unconscious right here.
Pelame: Yes, right here exactly.
Dusknoir: Then you regained consciousness. Though you'd lost your memory.
Pugno: Yes. All I could remember was my name.
Pelame: And that he was a human before this.
Dusknoir (shocked): I beg your pardon?! H-human?! (He took another look at Pugno) But our friend here seems to be a Pokémon in every obvious way!
Pelame: That's true. I guess this is even beyond the great Dusknoir's understanding. But we're certain that something caused my partner's memory loss…and caused the transformation from human to Pokémon!
Dusknoir (pondering): A human… with the Dimensional Scream ability… You said you know your name, at least?
Pugno: Yes. I've never forgotten that my name is Pugno.
Dusknoir: I see. So, you're Pugno.
Pelame: Does that name mean anything to you?
Dusknoir: …No. It means nothing to me, unfortunately.
Pugno: Dusknoir, sir. Are you… wait. Sorry, sir. I thought I saw you smile faintly.
Dusknoir: I am sincerely sorry I couldn't help you with that… However… I do know about the ability that Pugno possesses.
"That smile of Dusknoir's was suspicious, now that I think about it," Pugno said. "He ignored what I said about it completely, and I guess it worked to his advantage, since we never knew about…" Pugno purposely trailed off so as not to upset Dusknoir, who wouldn't have been upset anyway.
"You were all pretty naïve back then," Blessing said. "Complete idiots, even."
"HEY! Shut up!" Loudred said, lightly punching Blessing in the shoulder. It was a light punch, but it caused her to fall out of her seat. Blessing got up and dusted herself off.
"Hey, how does it not hurt you to stand up?" Celebi asked.
"Just a moment," Pugno said. "Where's your Team Badge?"
Pelame then caught on to something that was missed until now. "IMPOSTER!" she screamed. She tackled the Pokémon to the ground. "Where is Blessing?!" she demanded.
"Lethargy!" shouted the imposter.
"Confuse Ray!" shouted Dusknoir, confusing the Blessing imposter before she could inflict Lethargy on Pelame. The imposter broke away from Pelame and ran for it, but her confusion caused her to run straight into a seat to her left. At that point, Grovyle pinned her to the seat.
"Where is she?!" he demanded. "Where are you keeping Blessing?!"
"Idiot!" shouted the imposter. "What makes you think I'll just tell you? Besides, Weavile has given her what she deserves, anyway."
"Gotta give you credit, you little interloper," Weavile said. "You're quite a bit of trouble. But your friends can't save you now."
"You think I can't save myself?" Blessing said, having burned the Rawst Scarf gagging her using fire from her breath. "Looks like you overlooked my moves." She then burned the ropes tying her.
"Heart Stopper!" Weavile shouted as she attempted to strike Blessing with lightning. Blessing easily dodged it by teleporting. "Don't think that just because you somehow ended up with the Dark Blessing that you stand a chance against me!"
"I don't need it to beat you!" Blessing retorted. "And thanks for letting me know what this power is called. Diabolic Inferno!" Blessing levitated as quickly as she could from the backstage area after trapping Weavile with dark fire.
Team Space-Time and crew dispersed to the lobby as soon as the real Blessing caught up to them. However, something prevented them from leaving.
"Leaving so soon?"
Weavile caught up in no time. She was flanked by Arbok and Drapion, who were followed by Team Skull.
"Aren't you going to see the rest of the show?" Skuntank asked. "We're about to get to the best part."
"You're right, Skuntank," Pugno said. "We've gotten there already."
"The best part," Pelame added. "The part where we foil your plan. Iron Tail!" Pelame rushed to attack Skuntank with her attack, which was blocked by the Ditto actor taking on Pelame's form.
"Foil our plan?" Weavile asked. "Sorry, but we've already succeeded."
Pelame was suddenly attacked by Grovyle.
"All of the other darling spectators of the troupe's performance have already joined us," Weavile explained. "But that's just the beginning. Grovyle is who we were really after, and now, thanks to you, he's in our clutches." She turned back to the Ditto taking on Dusknoir's form, who had Grovyle restrained. "Toss him in."
"Understood, Lady Weavile," said the actor Dusknoir as he traveled through a Dimensional Hole Weavile opened. It closed before anyone could give chase.
"Quite a fine actor this one is, huh?" Weavile taunted, patting the imposter Blessing on the head. "Her place-switch technique really saved our plan. Switching herself with the real Blessing was cunning enough, but switching the real Grovyle with the actor Grovyle just as things heated up was a stroke of evil genius. Grovyle is ours now."
"Why you…!" Pelame shouted as she got ready to attack.
"Lethargy!" Weavile shouted, afflicting everyone with the attack before anyone could act. "Now, we can cut you loose ends off." She opened a Dimensional Hole and went up to it, not entering yet. "Bring the place down. Follow me through this hole once it starts collapsing." With that Weavile left.
With Team Space-Time and friends afflicted with every known status ailment, they were utterly helpless.
"You have no idea how long I've wanted to do this to you," Skuntank taunted. On his signal, the crowd of Pokémon possessed by the mysterious "Dark Blessing" shot energy attacks everywhere, damaging the foundation and supports of the theatre. "Nice knowing you losers!" Skuntank and the crowd went through the Dimensional Hole and closed it, leaving Team Space-Time and friends behind in the collapsing theatre.
Suggested music for this chapter:
Reassuring Chatot – La Pace (Kingdom Hearts – Re:Chain of Memories)
The Grey Theatre's Jig is Up – Shitou (Digimon Adventure OST)
Grey Theatre Troupe's Departure and Grey Theatre's Collapse – Fortify (Full Metal Alchemist 2003 Anime OST)
