Rescuers Mission 6: Rescue any Missing Pokémon!

PMD-Explorers Mission 6 Part 1

New Mission?

Marston was running across the snow-covered plain. His lungs were burning from the cold air and his mouth even more so. The red scarf tied around his throat had been keeping him fairly warm so far, but after running for such a long time in the snow, it was getting wet and cold.

He has been trying to follow the thief since he left the Law Firm and the snow has been his only way to follow her. Her footprints on the jacket of pure white snow were large and far apart. That Pokémon sure was fast. She already had quite the distance ahead of the Mudkip. But then, he couldn't help getting a bad feeling about her.

The trail of footprints led him straight to Creeping Forest, the very forest Peter, Tanith and the others went into the previous night to make sure Sorbet wouldn't cause any more harm.

No, he had to go there, no matter what. That cello... Why would anybody break in a guild to steal it? What was so special about it? However, that cello was in the possession of the Rogues. Could it be possible that they had stolen it initially and that this Pokémon is taking it back?

Marston shook those thoughts off his mind. He will be getting the answers once he catches that stranger Pokémon. She probably wouldn't hurt him if he only wanted to know why she took the cello.

The Mudkip was at the entrance of the forest. Despite daylight, this place carried an eerie feeling he could not explain. "Did you really get in there to distract Sorbet?"

If Peter, Tanith, the guild leaders and other teams went through here, Marston knew that he could get inside as well. He let out a soft breath and pumped up his lungs. He was determined to find a thief! His first few steps into the forest, however, were interrupted.

"So... you followed me all the way here? Impressive..."

Marston's blood froze at that instant. All the courage he managed to build up had suddenly crumbled to pieces at the sound of that Pokémon's cold voice. Yet, he couldn't find her anywhere. The forest was dark and she could be hiding anywhere!

"Is it maybe... fear that I sense in that small and weak body of yours?"

This time, it seemed that the voice came from another side. Marston was completely deluded.

The little rescuer swallowed hard. It was true that he was frightened. He was in a place giving him chills, he was alone against a foe he knew was very strong and worst he realised that he was unconsciously shaking all over. The only thing he wanted right then was to have Peter by his side. "W-w-who a-are you? W-w-why d-did you t-t-take t-that c-cello?"

"Hmm? Me? Oh, that's of no importance and as for your other question, I should say that it is none of your business!"

Distracted by his fears and hindered by the cold, Marston hardly had the time to react. Something jumped from his left and kicked him off the ground onto a nearby tree trunk. The Mudkip hit the bark and landed on the soft snow.

Marston bared his teeth and opened his eyes. As expected, the foe had vanished into the shadows once again. He had to be more on alert if he didn't want to get all beaten up.

To his own astonishment, he felt a bizarre sensation going from the ground and escalate right up through his paws. It was faint, but it was his instincts tickling him.

A split-second later another kick from the right, sending him off again into another tree.

Marston didn't know what he could do, nor was happening to him. What even was that strange feeling he got just before he got attacked?

"You are so helpless..."

Marston got up once again, trying to overcome the pain. "W-where are you? S-show yourself!"

But the forest remained quiet this time. Was the thief gone?

No! Marston once again felt the faint tickling of his senses but this time, he pulled up his protective barrier.

Out from the darkness, a Sneasel leapt out and kicked the barrier. The latter shook upon impact but held on, giving Marston the opportunity to briefly see his opponent.

"A-a Sneasel!?"

It was unbelievable! Marston was certain that it was the same voice that he had heard earlier this morning at the law firm, the voice of that Pokémon thief, yet...

"Not bad, but that won't be enough!"

Marston took a step back, closer to the tree behind him. He knew that Protect might not work on the next hit, but this opponent was so fast!

It was too late, the Sneasel did not give him the time to think. She dove from the trees above and was already mere centimetres in front of Marston. Her right claw seized Marston by the neck and hung him up tightly against the bark of the tree, half tearing his red scarf.

Marston gulped. His feet could hardly touch the ground and all he could see was the smirk on her lips and her eyes. Those seemed to look straight into his own eyes, challenging him. Yet, from what Marston could see from her eyes, the Sneasel was calm and confident. Was it already over? As a last resort, he grabbed the claws of the Sneasel and tried to squirm his way out, but in vain.

"It's pointless. You're too weak!" With that, the Sneasel squeezed Marston even further with her claw.

"Why... you... gnnnn!"

Marston gathered all the strength he had left and focused on his next attack. A powerful jet of water escaped his mouth and struck right onto the Sneasel.

The ice type Pokémon gritted her teeth and brought forth her other claw. But before she could to do so, her grip on the Mudkip had loosened up.

Marston took the opportunity to attack at full force and sent the now overwhelmed Sneasel flying several metres away. Marston fell down on the snow-covered ground and gasped for air. It was a close call. He got up to his feet to face his opponent again, but before his eyes no more lay the Sneasel.

He wasn't sure what was happening, but his opponent was once again that strange black Pokémon with red markings and long hair. "You!? Where is the cello?"

The thief got up slowly, catching her breath. Her fur was accumulating frost from the water she had just been blasted with. "I'm surprised that you could still attack, but I won't make the same mistake twice!"

Marston was certain that this Pokémon and the Sneasel had the same voice, and more, than that, she was soaked through just as he expected the Sneasel to be. He didn't have the time to look for answers right now, his opponent was inflating her lungs, reminding him of the attack that damaged Kiefer's hearing.

The Snarl of Marston's opponent collided with the Protect shield the Mudkip pulled up once again. For a brief moment, the silence which reigned in the forest had been interrupted. A thick cloud of snow and dust rose from the shock waves, enveloping the two Pokémon.

Marston maintained his footing with teeth gritted and brows creased. His opponent sure was a tough one, but he was resolved at getting the upper hand of this battle.

The dark Pokémon zoomed through the white cloud of snow with another kick ready, but as soon as she reached the spot where the Mudkip was, she came to a standstill. She could not find anyone. As the dust settled, the only thing that was left was a small hole through the ground. Her pupils constricted as she finally understood had happened.

Marston emerged from under the feet of his opponent with Dig. The forceful attack projected Marston's opponent in the air, giving him another opportunity to aim a Hydro Pump at her.

Marston opened his mouth, ready to blast his foe with all his strength, but before he executed the attack, the thief spun over herself.

Her next move was even more unexpected. She got upside down, legs flexed and sprung from a branch with which she had come into contact.

The attack of Marston came in too late and completely missed its target. Worst, the dark Pokémon used another branch as footing to close the gap between them. During the brief instant that Marston got to turn his head, his opponent knocked him towards the ground with he knee.

The Mudkip heavily crashed onto the ground, bounced a few times before rolling to a stop.

The dark Pokémon soundlessly landed on the snow shortly afterwards. As she approached the unconscious Mudkip, her lips turned to a smile. "I admit that you almost had me there, but it takes more than that to better me."

Her shadow crawled over Marston. She lifted a claw to deliver the final blow. Just as she was about to do so, something broke her concentration. She lowered her claw and turned back. "You're lucky, but you won't have much luck next time, if there ever is a next time. Farewell."

And off she sped off into the depths of the woods, leaving the motionless Mudkip in the snow.

***

"Hey you! Did you get lost in the blizzard?"

Marston's head felt heavy. He could hear voices; voices that sounded familiar. Then he felt something quite warm touch his back.

"I-I think it's dead! Th-the murderer got him! Wahhhh!"

"Com'on Winston, I can see him breathing from over here."

The voices went on and on. Marston could hardly remember what happened to him. The only thing he knew was that he his whole body was numb from the cold. He slowly opened his eyes, letting out a moan as he did so.

"See? He's even moving now. There's no way he was dead! You, whoever you are, tell this wimp here that you're alive."

Marston sat up and looked towards two Pokémon standing some distance from him. 'A Stunky and a Whimsicott?'. "W-wait, you're Maple and... who are you?"

Maple let out a sigh, shooting an annoyed look at the Whimsicott shaking like a leaf behind her. "This is Winston and he's helping me with rescuing Pokémon."

Marston felt lighter now that Rescuers had come for help and got to his feet immediately, wincing at the pain in his chest. "I'm so relieved that you are here! There's a thief around, I tried to battle her, but she was too strong for me. Maybe if we fought together, we—"

Maple closed her eyes and and rubbed her chin. "Um... Rescuers catch thieves right, Winston?"

The Whimsicott jumped at the question and began sweating.

From the corner of her eye, Maple was seemingly becoming irritated. "So?"

"Um y-yes! I-I mean, I-I think so?" stammered Winston.

Maple immediately seemed more content. "Good! That means I get to kick some butt today! Where did that thief go?"

Marston considered for a while. He didn't see where she went, but maybe, they could follow her footprints in the snow. His heart dropped as he looked around. It was only then that he noticed that the ground was no more covered with as much snow as it had earlier. 'How much time really ellapsed since I fell unconscious?' Marston has no idea of how to proceed. "I'm sorry, I don't—"

"It looks like I'm surrounded by idiots!" Maple snapped him short.

Marston looked down in disappointment. He probably wouldn't ever be able to catch that thief after all.

"Let's go back to... uh... rescuing Pokémon then?" Winston surmised, fidgetting with his hands.

"I guess so..." Maple admitted with a sigh. "And since you're the first Pokémon we rescued, you should go to the castle where the other villagers are. It's not like you need to be carried there anyway."

Marston was at a lost now. He was sure his mind was playing tricks with him. "The... the castle? You don't mean Merlot's castle, do you?"

"Yea, whatever it is. That's what my brother said anyway," Maple deadpanned.

"Well since I'm a rescuer too, I'll help with the rescuing mission!" Marston suggested, his spirit rekinkled. Nothing could cheer him up more than rescuing fellow Pokémon in need of help.

"Umm, well okay, but I hope we won't have to drag you behind us," warned Maple.

"You won't have to, I promise!" Marston perked up.