Chapter Eight: Rustown Part One: Entry
"Man, it feels good to be back in my own body." Ace said, stretching his arms.
"You only switched bodies for about five hours." Darkora reminded him.
"Well, still." Ace said. "It was kind of awkward being in Shadow's body."
"I'll bet." Darkora said, moving up to Ace and speaking in a seductive voice.
"It must have been so hard" she said, rubbing Ace's chest. "being in such an attractive body with such delicious curves. I'll bet you want them."
"Oh, he already got them." Felicia said, causing Psy, Pyro, and Shade to snicker, even though Shade lightly smacked Felicia in the back of the head.
Both Ace and Shadow blushed slightly. Ace removed Darkora's hands from his chest, taking a step back from the female Darkrai.
"That's really weird, Darkora." Ace said.
"Oh, admit it." Darkora said, her tone normal again. "You'd want to get really close to her."
"You know why I can't." Ace said.
"That's a pretty sh!tty excuse." Darkora said.
"It's not because I'm worried for her." Ace said, his voice a little louder. "She's immune. It's everyone else I'm worried about."
"You really need to get your priorities straight." Darkora said.
"No." Ace said. "You need to understand that Shadow and I are doing what we're doing for others' safety, not our own pleasure."
"You're not making any sense." Darkora said.
"I'm making perfect sense!" Ace shouted. "You're the one who's making stupid arguments!"
"Well" Darkora countered. "You're the one who's taking this relationship thing a little too slow. I'll bet you and Shadow haven't done anything more than make out behind a tree."
Shade, Pyro, Psy, and Felicia looked at Ace with confused expressions on their faces. Ace and Shadow blushed slightly.
"Yeah" Darkora said, a smirk on her face. "We know that you two do it. But, you're taking it waaaay too slow."
"We'll take at our own pace." Shadow said.
"You know what?" Ace said, groaning. F #$ it! I'm going to have this argument with you where we can talk in peace."
With that, Ace shot Darkora with a Dark Void, the Dark portal opening beneath the female Darkrai. She sank into it, Ace following. Shadow followed him as the portal closed behind them.
Shade, Pyro, Felicia, and Psy simply stood there, looking where their friends had been.
"Should we wait?" Felicia asked.
"Yeah." Shade said, shrugging. "They'll be back when they're done with their argument."
In the Dark Void
"What do you mean 'go further with our relationship'?" Ace shouted at his sister.
"You know what I mean." Darkora said, shouting back. Shadow's face was slightly redder from embarrassment while Ace's was slightly redder from irritation and anger. "You can't tell me you two haven't even considered it!"
"That has nothing to do with it!" Ace shouted.
"You and I both know that you two have considered it!" Darkora retorted.
"We weren't discussing that!" Ace shouted.
"Then what's the problem?!" Darkora shouted.
"You and I both know why we can't!" Ace shouted at his twin.
"Nothing's stopping you here!" Darkora shouted.
"We are not doing that!" Ace shouted back at his sister. Shadow was simply standing there, trying not to get dragged into the argument.
"And why not!?" Darkora argued. "Is it because you're scared or what?!"
"I'm not arguing this point with you, Darkora!" Ace shouted. "What we do with our lives is really none of your business!"
"Well" Darkora shouted again at her brother. "I don't want you to end up like you've never really gone wild with your lives!"
"We are not going to go wild!" Ace asked. "Like I said earlier, what we do with our lives, especially our private lives, is none of your business! Remember that I can barely get a kiss without my hair turning white."
"Guys." Shadow said, stepping in between Ace and Darkora. "I think we need to stop."
"Why?" Darkora asked.
"Because" Shadow said, her voice still level and quiet. "I don't think it's really the best time to talk about this. Ace and I really aren't ready for anything of that degree yet and we'd like you to respect that. Also, like Ace said, he has to maintain control of his powers."
"Fine." Darkora sighed. "I'll respect your wishes."
"Good." Shadow said, smiling. "Now, let's get one thing straight, Darkora: we go at our pace, not yours."
"Got it." Darkora said, nodding. She wasn't going to get into a fight with Shadow. Her brother yes, but not Shadow.
"We are dating" Shadow said. "Unofficially."
"Whatever." Darkora said. "I just want you to be happy."
"I am happy." Ace said.
"I understand." Darkora said. "Now, let's head back to the outside world. They're probably wondering what we're talking about."
"Right." Ace and Shadow said. Ace snapped his fingers, causing the three of them to return to the outside world.
In the outside world
"They've been in there a while." Shade said. "Think they're alright?"
"I'm sure they're fine." Psy said.
"What were they talking about?" Pyro asked.
"I don't care." Felicia said. "I want to get to Rustown soon. I'm bored."
"Me too." The others agreed.
Suddenly, a portal appeared right in front of them, Ace, Shadow, and Darkora walking out of it.
"You guys sure took a while." Pyro said.
"We needed to have a talk." Ace said.
"Was it about you switching bodies?" Shade asked. "You know, since it's what we've been talking about for a while."
"No." Ace said. "Nothing like that. We're over that."
"Not quite." Shade said. "Something doesn't add up. How did you guys switch back?"
"We used a different version of Heart Swap." Ace said. "Manaphy taught us a trick like Heart Swap back when we were about sixteen. We figured that we'd put it to the test."
"One more thing." Felicia said, looking at Shadow. "I know you're a Gardevoir, but how come you have almost completely black hair? And your aura is Dark. But Gardevoir are part Angel type, but you have no Angel type in your aura."
"I'm a Dark Gardevoir." Shadow explained. "When Ace and I were very young, we underwent a ritual that made us Dark beings. We are referred to as Kyuryoon, which is a term meaning "Darkling" or "Demon". My hair is black because both of my parents had black hair, despite being Gardevoir and Gallade (we followed the law of genetics just like you guys). The green is from highlights I got."
"That was a long explanation." Shade said. "But, it makes some sense."
"Well, you could've summarized it." Darkora said.
"How?" Shade asked. "I don't think she could have said that in any less words."
"There are ways." Darkora said. "Now, the important thing is to make it to Rustown. However, I will have to bid you a temporary farewell when we get to Rustown."
"Why?" Shade asked.
"I have to get back to my job." Darkora said.
"Oh." Shade said. "Well, good luck helping the professor."
"I'll have great luck." Darkora said. "And I'll enjoy my other job as well."
"Other job?" Ace asked. "What other job?"
"I'm sort of a professional trainer." Darkora said.
"Oh." Ace said, understanding. Darkora nodded and the seven friends (eight including Maura) continued on their journey.
Just outside of Rustown
"Well" Darkora said as the gang stood outside of Rustown. "I'll be seeing you guys later."
"Bye, Darkora." They said, giving their goodbyes to their Dark friend.
"I'll see you guys later." She said, snapping her fingers and teleporting away.
"Something doesn't make sense here." Felicia said, thinking.
"What?" Shade asked.
"If Pokémorphs supposed to hide" Felicia said, her tone confused. "Then why do you guys sometimes use your powers right out in the open? And why do you talk to us like you can understand us when you have to hide it?"
"Well" Shadow explained. "You'd be surprised how many people ignore those that talk to Pokémon or just don't care."
"I actually have noticed that." Psy said. "But I didn't say anything because I was busy focusing on our task."
"Well, it's an easily overlooked fact." Ace said. "But, good job noticing."
"Well" Shade said. "Let's go get that third badge."
Maura gave a cheerful 'Amaura' to signify her agreement and enthusiasm.
"Allright!" Felicia shouted. "Let's go take on that gym! I've been waiting to get into a good fight."
"This one" Shade said, pulling out a town guide she'd gotten at the library in Kantoville. "Is run by Champa. He's a Fighting Type leader. That will be pretty good for us since we've got Psy, who has a double advantage."
"Don't count this is a win just yet." Psy said. "We don't know how powerful his Pokémon are yet. He could have Pokémon far more powerful than us."
"You've got me." Felicia said, cracking her knuckles. "I can help you get a win from this guy."
"You guys have this." Ace said. "Me, Maura and Shadow are going to check out the town while you battle. Don't get kidnapped again and we'll meet you in front of the mart."
"Got it." Shade said, laughing a little at the joke. "We'll be back in less than two hours, accounting for a drawn out battle. Just don't take too much time showing off for Ace in the clothes department."
"Yeah right." Shadow said, giggling. "I've only got one outfit that gets a nice reaction out of Ace and it's not something I like to just whip out."
"Oh." Shadow, Pyro, and Felicia said, snickering, knowing the outfit. "It's only for those special occasions, right?"
"Yeah." Shadow said, not picking up on where the three girls were going with the statement, despite the heavy emphasis they put on the word 'special'. "It's a little too formal for everyday wear. Besides, I can't really pull off even a casual dress as good as pants anyway."
"So" Psy said, a mischievous smile on her face. "A dress is too formal for you?"
"Yeah." Shadow said. "Especially in combat. But I can fight in heels though."
"Well" Shade said, pulling her Pokémon hastily away from the two Kyuryoon (Maura didn't come—technically, she was Ace's Pokémon (but, she wouldn't leave Ace anyway)). "We wouldn't want to keep you two away from your alone time, now would we?"
Pyro and Felicia snickered at the emphasis Shade had put on 'alone time'. They knew exactly what she meant. Ace and Shadow did as well, but they chose to ignore it. Maura was the only one who didn't know what the new Pokémorph meant (but she was too young to understand it anyway).
"Later then." Ace said, him, Shadow, and Maura heading toward the mart while Shade, Pyro, Psy, and Felicia went towards the gym.
With Ace, Maura, and Shadow
The two Kyuryoon and the Icy Sail Pokémon walked into the mart. Shadow immediately dragged Ace to the clothing department (not due to stereotypical female instinct, but because she wanted to grab Ace a shirt or two and wanted him to try a couple of them on—some of them were for her own humor).
"Here." She said, handing Ace a black shirt with the Crobatman symbol on the front. "I need you to try this on."
"But" Ace said, confused. "I thought you already got us shirts and other clothes."
"I accidentally grabbed the wrong size." Shadow said. "They put the ones I grabbed in the wrong section, so I grabbed them thinking they'd fit you, but they were too small."
"How'd you not notice that?" Ace asked his best friend. She normally didn't make errors like that.
"I misjudged" Shadow said, leaning on Ace and tracing her finger around his chest, her voice in a half seductive tone. "the size of your chest. It's much more muscular than I remember."
"Funny." Ace said, his tone joking. "That's what Cressa said the last time I saw her."
"Yeah." Shadow said, leaning even closer to Ace, pushing him back a little. "She had no idea what she was trying to get. I, however, know exactly what's under this shirt and that tough exterior of yours."
"Of course you know." Ace said, trying to keep his balance, but at the same time pulling Shadow closer. "You're the one that helped me set up the tough exterior."
"And I love every bit of it." Shadow said, her motion pushing Ace onto a nearby bench.
"Well, thank you." Ace said, figuring out Shadow's little game. "I love every little bit of you as well."
"Well, thank you." Shadow said, giggling as she stood up, her tone normal.
"Now." Ace said, putting his arm around Shadow and his other arm on Maura's head, the Icy Sail Pokémon still nuzzling Ace's side. "Let's go check out the rest of this mart."
The three of them walked until they reached a food court. They walked in and got themselves some food. Walking to a table, they sat down, Maura standing next to the table.
Ace put some of the food he'd gotten for Maura in his hand. He held it out to Maura, who ate it from his hand, giving a cheerful 'Amaura' when she was done. She nuzzled Ace's hand and made a noise similar to a cat's purr.
"She really likes you, doesn't she?" Shadow asked, giggling.
"Yeah" Ace said, rubbing Maura's soft, smooth head. It felt cold to his touch, but he was used to lower temperatures. "She really does."
"It's one of your best qualities." Shadow said, leaning closer to Ace. Ace put his elbow on the table and leaned a little closer to Shadow. They stared into each other's eyes, their bodies beginning to heat up. Ace felt himself being pushed from behind by some unknown force, causing him to fall lips first into Shadow. Their lips met in the middle, causing them both to gasp slightly. But, they continued with the kiss, enjoying it.
When they ceased their contact, they pulled back and looked at each other, simply staring.
"Wow!" they both thought simultaneously as their faces turned as red as the scarf that Ace wore.
"That…" Ace said, not finishing the sentence.
"I know." Shadow said, feeling the same thing. "That was incredible. And your hair didn't even turn white."
"Well" Ace said, struggling to find the right words to say. "With you I have complete control."
"We should still be careful." Shadow said.
"Yeah." Ace said. "But right now, I'm hungry. Let's eat."
"Agreed." Shadow said. Ace put what he had gotten for Maura, some Poképuffs, and put them in a bowl on the edge of the table. Maura gave a cheerful 'Amaura!' and began to eat. Ace and Shadow pulled out the burgers they had gotten and began to open them.
"Dammit!" Ace said, looking at his food. "They put onions in mine!"
"This one doesn't have onions." Shadow said, looking inside her burger. "I think we switched burgers."
"Right." Ace said. "Mine doesn't have mustard, your preference."
The two of them switched sandwiches, resuming their meal. Once the three of them had finished, they began to look around the mart, finding a store that sold comic books. They all walked inside, Ace heading over to the Action section with Maura and Shadow heading over to the Adventure section.
"Sweet!" Ace exclaimed, pulling out a manga from the shelf. "They have the latest issue of Dark Dragon's Wrath!"
The cover of the manga had what looked like a Zweilous in human forme facing off against what looked like a Tyranitar in human forme. A girl that was nearly transparent was inside a glass case behind the Tyranitar, looking worried for the Zweilous.
"Amaura?" Maura asked, not understanding what Ace was talking about.
"It's about a Deino" Ace explained to the Icy Sail Pokémon. "that is training to avenge the death of his sister. He battles all kinds of strong enemies, eventually evolving into Zweilous to try to take on his sister's killer, a powerful Tyranitar. However, the Tyranitar is more powerful than him and nearly kills him. He's been training hard to match him, but it' been a hard journey. Recently, he learned that the Tyranitar had taken his sister's soul and was using it to empower himself. He became angry and confronted the Tyranitar, the Tyranitar nearly killing him again. Then he heard his sister's voice, which made him angry enough to gain a huge burst of power. A bright light shone around him and the issue ended. Now I can finally see if the fight's going to end."
"Amaura." Maura said, understanding. Shadow walked around to see what Ace had found. She looked at the cover.
"Nice." She said, standing next to Ace. "I've been waiting for that one too."
"Did you find anything?" Ace asked, tucking the manga under his arm.
"I found the latest issue of Sailor Cress." Shadow said, holding up the manga in her hand.
The cover of the manga had what resembled a Cresselia in human forme holding a wand that had a moon on the end of it. There was a translucent Cresselia behind her, extending from her shadow.
"Sweet." Ace said. "I've been wanting to see how that fight ended for an entire month."
"Me too." Shadow said. The two of them walked up to the counter, paying for their mangas and walking out of the store.
"Hold on." Ace said, stopping in his tracks.
"You sense it too?" Shadow asked her best friend.
"Yeah." Ace said. "We need to get Shade fast."
"Right." Shadow said, the two of them using Shadow Force to teleport to another location, taking Maura with them.
With Shade, Pyro, Psy, and Felicia
"Time to wreck this sh!t!" Felicia shouted as the four of them stood outside of the gym.
"Let's do it!" Pyro shouted, the two of them taking off toward the gym's entrance.
"Slow down, you two!" Shade shouted at the energetic Pokémon. "I'm the one who has to register us for the gym."
"It's time to break some bones!" Felicia shouted at the rookie trainer, making it to the door.
"Let's do it!" Pyro shouted, following the Halflit.
Shade and Psy made it to the gym door, the four of them entering the door. Inside, a man with a cloak on that covered his face was standing on the other side of the room. When Shade entered the room, the man looked at her for about thirty seconds before moving up to her and grabbing her arms.
"Excuse me." Shade said, surprised by the sudden movement of the man. "But, please let me go."
"you and I need to have a talk." The man said, his voice ominous and chilling. "about your destiny."
"My what?" Shade asked before the man opened a portal and shoved her into it. He followed her, the portal remaining open.
"Shade!" Psy shouted, trying to follow her, but Felicia pulled her back.
"That portal" Felicia said, holding the struggling Kirlia. "Is putting out a field that can repulse and kill something with ten times the power you have."
"My best friend is in there!" Psy yelled, thrashing. "I'm not gonna let her be in there without me trying to save her!"
"I'll go get Ace." Pyro said. "He'll know what to do."
"I'm right here." Ace said, him, Shadow, and Maura rising up from the shadows. "What happened?"
"Shade's in that portal." Psy said, pointing at the portal. "A man took her in there and now we can't get her out."
"The portal has a field that can kill most beings." Felicia said.
"I'm not most people." Ace said, him and Shadow walking up to the portal.
"What are you going to do?" Pyro asked.
"Get our friend back." Shadow said as the two Kyuryoon stepped into the portal.
Who is the man? And what does he want with Shade? Find out next chapter.