Updated December 4th, 2022
Libra Riolu's POV
A Pokemon like me needed some fresh air. Being a Former Tactician now in a Research League shouldn't mean I stayed indoors all day.
With a labored sigh, I opened a cabin window slowly to take in the brisk early morning air. The wind today was full of moisture but still light and breezy, reminding me of back home. Just like the Water Continent. "Salty waters, dusty skies, Water O' you sure our pride," I sang. I felt my tail droop as if something was missing. Hmm. Maybe I should have brought my harmonica. Maybe there's a spare in the cabin I can borrow.
This cabin, I pressed my paw into the wooden floor, our group rented it under the Team Blue Heroes. The Team I belonged to, one I always represented. We were Tacticians from the Water Continent, now League mates. And at this League, we've formed a Rescue Team, like they used to have first on the Air Continent. Though only one-third of the Team are out on this particular excursion today. Our Rescue Team Captain and my other teammates are around nearby, doing requests for other towns and cities.
I glanced over to the small cots and beds that were in the rooms behind me and stretched. In the beds lied a Froakie, a Treecko, a Charmander, and a Totodile. Only the Froakie, Aquarius or rather A-chan is part of my Team. Our Team has done work for so long it's hard to keep count. The Captain and his classmate had a big head start before my friends and I were born so it's even harder.
I looked down at my paws and felt a grumble slip out of my throat. So many things have changed since we moved to our ancestors' birth place, the Celestial Hemisphere. Unfortunately, I've been a Riolu almost the entire time. Today marked another year of working in the Constellation Continent. These lands held such boundless power in mana and strife among Pokemon called Keepers and Sentinels, we didn't know what we got ourselves into.
My companions stirred and I noticed my body tense in annoyance. We've got a long day ahead of us. Well some of them don't fit the word companion, considering what happened yesterday. But I should give them another chance. Three of them just formed a Rescue Team together. And I remember how immature my friends and I acted during our Tactics Branch Days back so many years ago. A rustle of covers alerted me to my teammate's awakening, the others should be up soon too. "It's time to head out isn't it?" I asked.
I always believed Pokemon who live or work in a busy town or city need to get away to experience some of the finer things in life. It's the same. No matter which Continent or Hemisphere you're in.
That meant going outside to a forest, a nice normal one. My paw pads felt amazing out here, the soft grass of the Wei Region beats the cobblestone of Bristberg any day.
The rich scent of an untouched forest. Dirt, pollen, grass, and dew. I mean sure, there are Mystery Dungeons that have this sort of vibe to them, but we wanted a peaceful moment. No bright street lamps. Sure my companions and I had our lanterns but they weren't bright.
Being far from so many city Pokemon's overwhelming Aura for kilometers was a plus too. I'm the only Riolu here, so only I would be annoyed by that part, even if my friend can also sense it. Some of the Pokemon I'm traveling with don't understand the concept of feeling the energies of others, especially when you don't want to. Half of the Pokemon in this Hemisphere seem to understand the concept though. They're used to sensations. Well, not sensations, more like tastes.
I still loved hiking through the forest. Our group watched the skyline morph from dark violet to a warm tangerine, while clouds slowly built up. I listened to the chatter and chitter of far-off bug-types and flying-types. We ventured through a primeval forest, following the trail marks left by Pokemon. The Pokemon who called Wei their home were very strong, managing life out here. After all, it's not easy to navigate.
I could get used to this. We got up at the crack of dawn to get shit done. Well doing requests of the Coordinator wouldn't be what I normally called shit but babysitting was annoying. Well not babysitting, as the Treecko, Charmander, and Totodile in the rookie Team were teenagers, but whatever.
But it was research for the League, so we had to do it. Could this foray into the woods really help us find the answer to all of our problems? Not just mine, but all of my affected friends. The rest don't understand how it feels to have your progress stripped away like that, to upgrade, and then go get kicked back down. Devolution.
What A-chan, my Froakie teammate, and I assumed what would be a nice two-day trip out of town wouldn't be so easy, this was League work after all. We were with Linus, Nevada, and Glade of Team Sharp Claw for Kyogre's sake!
A piercing cold splash of water suddenly drenched my coat and a burst of sharp leaves cut into my skin. Before I figured out what was happening a small blast of fire shot past my ear. I folded my ears and took a deep breath. Those three!
"Libra don't-" A-chan, from the other side of the pathway, begged.
Pulling my arm back, I used Force Palm on the closest brat next to me, the Totodile. She went flying into the Treecko beside her. He tripped and fell into the Charmander.
The three turned to look at me, in response, I channeled an Aura Sphere in my paws. The runts then looked at A-chan. It seemed like they wanted to challenge his authority next. The Froakie crossed his arms and glared at them. He then formed a wind blades of Aerial Ace and pointed it at the , they were still.
I ignored whatever these three were arguing about when we first left our cabin. I just wanted to hike. But now that they've hit me I couldn't just sit back and let these runts run around.
"We're going to have a productive day alright," A-chan said loudly. "Libra and I want you to start today with the right foot forward. If not, our Teammates will have to have you follow them on a different mission somewhere else."
I noticed the shifts in the new Team's aura. Guilt, frustration, a hint of confusion, and anger. "Do you understand?"
"Yes," each of these younger teenagers responded.
They grumbled amongst themselves as the path we took started to widen. I pulled out my mini-map and ran a claw along the chart. It seems like we are headed downhill to Bileizhen Ye Forest, home to our requests. A-chan and I were asked by the Coordinator to watch over another Rescue Team on their first mission out of town. Our joint request was to enter Wei.
The newbie Team was told to gather some rare items for our medical department. Balm Mushrooms, Golden Berries, and Revival Herbs. Now those items could be found in the Mori Region which was closer to our base out in Bristberg. But to find the ripest and highest quality of these items these guys had to go to the Wei Region.
This was an area difficult to travel to because of the mysterious properties surrounding the borders. Normally Mystery Dungeons are just shortcuts to take for faster travel. They also could house requests and certain items but currently we don't need those now. Other times it was about the same length so we opted out of taking them. The entire border around the Wei Region was made up of Mystery Dungeons.
There is another way through, waterways. We came from the West so we decided to travel the river that ran parallel to Wei. Thankfully we ferried into the region rather than delving into one of the numerous Mystery Dungeons, which was extremely risky. We'd have taken it if we had more capable Pokemon working with us.
A-chan and I had to drill this into the heads of these stubborn brats. They've lived on this Continent for their entire lives but don't know jack shit about exploration.
Linus, the Treecko has been here at the League for a year doing research and always aspired to become a leader, yet all he managed to do was to just let his Rescue Team run around. He doesn't know how to help or handle them. The Treecko can barely help himself.
Glade, the Totodile that won't shut up, said she's been through so many Mystery Dungeons back down South, but flips out the second any electric-type waltzes by. Every other capable Pokemon she sees, wants to challenge. I've always felt that she's seen an event that changed her… That poor Totodile must have been through something.
Then there's Nevada, the Charmander. I'm worried about them, they have a real fear of anyone that yells at them and are quite jumpy. This Charmander had bottled up their anger until it exploded in even minor scuffles or arguments. Nevada also seemed to have confidence issues. A tragedy must have plagued them, I'm sure of it.
Yesterday we took the Team's advice into consideration. That got us into a fight with stray, or wild Ursaluna and Ursaring. The three brats fell into a den and scared some of their Teddiursa cubs. What a waste of time. Surprisingly these kids kinda know their way around a fight, I'll give them that. Still a bit too reckless and naive for me to give them real credit, they've got a long way to go.
The slow light of the sun approached as we made our way towards thicker patches of grass. Then we saw the treetops. Ones with leaves I couldn't see the color of began to cast their shadows over us. As we walked towards the areas with smaller vegetation and fruit trees the three on the other Team latched their lanterns to their basket straps.
This is gonna be a long day. One quick glance at the type of Berries growing said it all. Even in the dim light of early morning, I can tell by the first layer of fruit. A large rotund Berry… Oran. There's a low chance that even Sitrus Berries grow there. The items the medical department needs aren't present there but those guys will figure it out.
"If you run into any trouble, call us!" A-chan called out.
"We won't need your help!" the Totodile yelled.
The Treecko pushed her into a shrub. "Shut up Glade! I'll handle these two myself, don't butt in!"
What the? "I won't be there to save your asses!" I snapped.
"Hey where do you think you're going!" the Charmander behind them panicked. "Help me!" they screamed when one of their teammates grabbed them.
The Froakie watched the little Rescue Team take their request papers out. Then he took a couple of hops back.
I crossed my arms and tried to get a good map of the area. Looking at my compass and taking a deep breath, I decided to cleanse my mind and focus. To the East, there was a forest full of thin tall trees, ones with tiny orange-brown colored leaves. The wind slowly started to pick up as the sun rose into the sky. Such a great day.
Toward the North, I stared at large pillars that took up the majority of the forest. In the fog of the dawn, the figures seemed like the legs of giants, moss, and odd gashes in the rock like the ragged fur and marks of battle. Those aren't mountains, are they? They can't be Mon-made either, right? "What are these?"
"I heard those were formed out of quartz-sandstone," A-chan explained. "From rain and ice erosion after thousands of years."
"I see," I replied. "Kinda like karst."
The South and West had conditions similar to the others, so it wasn't anything special enough to jot down. But we'll have to check out the actual environment later. Our eyes can't reveal all. Bileizhen Ye Forest wasn't just a place for us to go searching through. A-chan and I are on the lookout for some suspicious events or figures that could be in the area. League business. We aren't gonna do anything besides note our findings and make sure regular Pokemon are safe.
Every time that little Team went to another section of the Forest we trailed behind them. This led us towards the north near the faux karst structures. They get a break, these guys should definitely be able to find the Balm Mushrooms here. With the lack of sunlight patches from all the quartz-sandstone pillars and tall thick trees, there's plenty of dead plant matter.
"It's still really dark here so we have to be careful," I reminded everyone, stepping over a raised tree root.
Every time we got close to the quartz-sandstone, I felt a strong pulse of energy resonate in the area. It was like an approaching thunderstorm. Two distinct thunderclaps.
I tripped and hit myself against a huge rock that was hidden by some brambles. The sharp pain had shot up in a line all across my front that made me limp a tad bit. "Damnit!"
"You okay?" A-chan asked.
I took in a ragged breath and tried to contain my impulsive growling. But I should be able to take it. "Y-yeah, I will be," I sighed. Again I got lost in my senses.
"Well let's continue to patrol and inspect the area," the Froakie smiled. "Watch where you're going doggy!" He giggled before patting my back.
We walked past some more quartz-sandstone structures again as we studied the area. I had an urge to climb them to use them as vantage points but I feel like that would curse me. Water Continent teachings. Lugia, Manaphy, Kyogre, and others of blue have blessed us too much for me to do that. A couple of hours later, they found the Revival Herbs. After the runts got themselves tangled up in the brambles and thickets after they stumbled their way into a Wei Pokemon's field.
I ran towards the nearest picket fence and stared at it down. This fence was only a bit shorter than me, and I was nearly at a Lucario's height! The only good thing about Devolution I swear. I put out my arms when I spotted the kids. "You guys better get the voids outta there right now!" I yelled.
A-chan got beside me and started making a rope out of his back frubbles. The white bubbles were sturdy enough when chained together so he tossed them over the fence. "Here! Climb on!"
Those three stood still and slowly turned to face us. "What? Why?" they asked.
"It's clear as day!" I shouted waving my paws. "That sign says it's a tender season for the crops!"
"What's that mean?"
"Just hurry up and come here!"
"Alright!"
A-chan helped me hold onto them."Tender means the crops are fragile," the Froakie yelled. "If you damage them you'll pay a shit ton of money!"
"We weren't gonna damage 'em!" the Treecko protested.
"Who's gonna know?" the Totodile yapped.
"Nobody will know," the Charmander replied.
"They'll know," A-chan deadpanned, struggling with the rope. "They're gonna know."
"I mean there's a Toxicroak standing right in the field!" I growled, carefully pulling the three over the fence. "And I'm not letting them take you to Wei Court!"
Unfortunately, I yanked them kinda hard and we went tumbling off a hill into another patch of land. I'm not perfect. It was between a large dangle of vines, moss, and decrypt trees but there were the Revival Herbs. But something was weird about this area. There was lots of Aura. Not just the pulsing sparks. "Alright guys I know we are almost done but we need to not get ahead of ourselves," I said as we climbed out of the natural enclosure.
"Understood!" the three happily replied.
I guess this team is heading on the right track since they didn't try to argue with us.
"Since we are taking a while in our search, I propose we head West," A-chan said. "Then we can investigate properly."
"Sounds good to me," I stretched my arms and shifted my back around.
Hopefully, we can find the last item. Every step we took I felt more and more of the pulsing, it started to get stronger and stronger. Amidst the rustling of leaves and foliage from the new Team's search, a chill ran down my spine. What's going on? Shouting. Rage. Fear. Too many emotions. Excitement is close by. Concern. Why are my feelers picking this up? I feel like someone is approaching… But where? Something could be hidden away in a sea of bushes, and short trees. My nose twitched as I narrowed my eyes, peering between the cracks. I couldn't find anyone or anything. Okay, if you wanna hide, hide. I'll deal with you the old fashioned way.
"A-chan! Libra!" Glade called, waving her arms wildly. "There's some Pokemon following us!" Her red eyes were tiny as she tried to contain her tail thrashing.
"Get behind me!" my partner ordered the rookies, they followed immediately, nearly running into each other.
My feelers aren't picking up anyone else nearby! "What?" I growled, unconsciously I bared my fangs.
"Look out!" Nevada cried, pulling me out of the way of something.
Where I was standing was a shadowy blanket and a ghostly orb, energy flying every which way. It looked big but… the power behind them was weak. The only ones who could have done this were Pokemon nearby.
"Neheheheh!" a cackle erupted from the bushes. "Sorry~ We totally didn't mean to do that!"
Behind us was a trio of Pokemon, wearing purple, and red capes. A Gengar, a Dragapult, and a Midnight-Lycanroc. I didn't understand, the three of them had flimsy, fraudulent auras for some fully evolved Pokemon. Something wasn't right here.
"Travelers," the Dragapult's slimy child-like voice called. "We have some things to discuss with you!"
A-chan and I stared at the scarlet, violet, and black colored patches on their coat and then over each of them.
"What is it?" I asked. "We've got requests to do, so I'd appreciate it if you'd not fire attacks at us. Or it'll get ugly real quick."
"Have you seen any Legendaries or Mythical Pokemon around here?" asked the Lycanroc, lulling out their tongue and slowly circling us.
"No."
"Well onto the next topic," the Gengar pointed their claws and bared their ghostly fangs, failing to intimidate me. "Froakie! Riolu! You are coming with us!"
"Excuse me?" A-chan took a glance at me and questioned, distancing himself from the Pokemon. "Why do you want us?"
I stepped forward and drew in a breath before a growl came out of my chops. "Answer him."
The Dragapult took that as a cue, and leapt at me, trying to swipe me with a clumsy strike and missing. "You two are a threat to Keepers and Sentinels!"
"What's that supposed to mean!?" I pulled my arm back and collected fighting spirit into a red aura on it and landed a Force Palm on the Lycanroc's shoulder. When it connected they staggered backwards and nearly collapsed onto the floor.
"You don't understand do you?" the Gengar crashed into me from below with a Shadow Sneak, knocking me off balance and somehow toppling me over. It's still weak?
A-chan hopped forward and sliced at the Dragapult with a precise blade of Aerial Ace wings, sending them backwards into the air. The Dragapult quickly darted around us and fired out Dragon Darts at Glade and Linus.
"Block them!" I ordered the two, as I got up and put myself in between them and the enemies.
The two complied, launching out a blast of Leafage, and a Water Gun at the move, barely managing to destroy it.
On the floor the Lycanroc struggled to get back up. "Your existence is a threat to the Eternal Vision as well!" they cackled stupidly, forming a Rock Tomb, directly over Nevada. "Those three are Fangs of the Fallen!" the Lycanroc howled. I sprang forward to push them out of the way, but wasn't fast enough. The massive pile of stones crushed the Charmander, instantly trapping them.
I'll have to help them later, those bastards are still scheming! Below me I noticed a purple ring of energy and rolled to the side to catch the Gengar. "Watch out!' I heard a warning from someone and my instincts took over and I dove to the side. I took in dark energy and opened my maw. With my teeth hardened I used Crunch on the enemy in front of me. Immediately I let go to dodge a Bubble Beam from A-chan. It made its mark, instantly dousing the Lycanroc and making them faint from the damage.
We pummeled those brats into the ground in no time flat. Once defeated their facade was up, their bodies slowly started to shrink, limbs disappearing and skin turning a light lavender. They were Ditto. Disgusting purple creatures, the bunch of them. Thought they could trick us?
I'm a bit worried about all those things they mentioned, seeing Legendaries, A-chan and I being a threat to the order of Keepers and Sentinels, and finally Team Sharp Claw being something called the Fangs of the Fallen. Whatever the Voids that means we'll have to find out later, it's not safe in Bileizhen Ye Forest without backup. We need to hurry!
"Alrighty I'll tie them up and send out a request for someone to pick these guys up through my badge," I explained, setting down my bag and rummaging for some ability Nullifying Net.
Glade rolled her shoulders as she watched me. "So your Team or another Team will come and grab the Ditto punks?"
"Yeah, we don't have time to take them back," I replied, my ears twitching when some leaves rustled in the wind, swaying back and forth in a dance.
This net can only work when the target is fainted and somemon has charged the gear like device on the side in a Mystery Dungeon. I put the three Ditto inside and then pulled my badge off my scarf. 'Calling all, we have some Ruffians that need retrieving, three Ditto with a Null Net beacon attached to them in Wei Forest.'
"Libra!" A-chan put a webbed hand on my shoulder. There was a concerned and worried Aura flowing off him as he looked into my eyes. It's only logical he would feel it too. If the others were here-
"Did you not hear me?"
"What?" I questioned, feeling my heart rate spike. There's another spark.
The Froakie took his hand off me and then pointed to the left. "Those three said they heard something suspicious in the bushes!"
I raced over to where the rookies were. "What was it?!" I grabbed the shoulders of the Treecko and shook him. I took a glance into the bushes. Then I felt it. One of the pulses, small and faint.
"I-I heard someone, a young voice," Linus trembled as I felt my anxiety peak. More sparks.
"One of the Ditto brats?"
"No, this sounded a bit older, and there was something else."
"What about them?"
"They were crying."
A flood of malice swept through the area as sparks danced in my mind. Whoever those Ditto were working for are drawing near. There's so many powerful auras. Too many for us to handle, there's only one choice. "Come with me!" I shouted, trusting my instincts and dashing forward into the rookies. On impact, we tripped into the leaves, and branches and found our world flipped upside down. There was a small hole. Of course, there fucking was.
"A-aquarius!" I cried out, watching the Froakie hesitate. Then he leapt.
Before I knew it I was flat on my back. The pulsing began to beat like a drum when I came to, we aren't alone. There was the scent of blood, it was only a small amount but it was blood. I immediately opened my eyes. The faint light of my lantern lit up our surroundings in a blur of oranges, yellows, and reds. A drip of water fell on my head. One after another the stream continued to flow. No more fierce Aura. But what kind of Pokemon is down here?
"Is everyone okay?" A-chan groaned, his ribbit echoing through the cavern. Or wherever the voids we are.
"Could be better," I mused.
The rookie Team stirred and staggered to their feet. "Yeah, I think so," the Totodile grumbled.
The Charmander next to her flinched as they leaned against the wall. "N-no, I wanna go home," they cried.
"Arcueness gracious," the Treecko sighed. "That was…" he paused for a moment to cough.
"Quite a fall right?" A-chan hopped forward.
"Yes... Oh, wait! The crying!" the rookies ignited the fuel of their lanterns and the area lit up. There was a forked path, one with black scorch marks along the floor and the faint sound of sobbing, the other with nothing.
A-chan was nervous and frustrated. "Libra-"
"Sorry," I apologized, cutting him off.
A quick slap hit me in the chest, and I reeled back. "Stay focused," the Froakie lifted his lantern to my muzzle. "You felt it too ya know."
Loud thunder crashed. Lightning followed behind as a flash in my mind. The familiar tingle of danger. Aura. It's those Pokemon from before.
This feeling sucks. A pressure in my belly and head that makes me want to run away. I hate it. It makes me want to- I need to continue the investigation. I nodded as a residual throb of pain flashed through me, and I quickly made haste into the traveled path. The drumming inside my head grew louder with every little step we took. Soon we arrived.
Sounds of running water drowned out the panicked breath and crying sobs. I put my paw up to my temple. This was a passageway that held an underground river, a wide tunnel, and there was a bush to the wayside. A crackle of electricity whipped out of it. We need to wait. I took a single step closer.
When I did so a white snout stuck out from the leaves. I took a step back. The branches of the bush parted and out came a small white and grey Pokemon. Tears still dripped from their orange eyes as static filled the air. They were frozen, unwavering in thought. And so were we.
It was odd… I've seen this Pokemon before in books. A feline-Esque Pokemon, one normally bright yellow and huge. Well, not this small. There were familiar lightning bolt shapes on their muzzle and limbs. A yellow teardrop-shaped crest on their head lit up. This was a Zeraora. On holding a shiny metallic scroll, with the visages and emblems of a ten-spoked gear. Could that be a mana artifact?
Time was still as I focused on the target. What should I do? "We need to practice our emergency protocol," I tried to explain calmly.
"That sounds good to me," A-chan replied. "Listen up you three!"
"The first plan of action is to assess the situation, correct?"
"Yes," the other Team cheered.
Wait, that was too enthusiastic! "What do we do when we see a Pokemon in distress?" I asked.
"There are many options but we have to choose the one that works in this situation," A-chan reminded.
"Do you guys know what that is?" I took another step back to look at the younger Pokemon.
Instead of answering those damn rookie idiots took another step too. One towards the Zeraora. One too fast for comfort. Wrong move. Sparks flew.