Fallen Noire and Dark Glamour in: Basalt Halls

“What are we doing again?”

Thames sighed at his partner’s question, and the Mightyena glanced over at him with a cocked head. “You really don’t remember?”

“I do. But why?” Sen returned.

The Mightyena shrugged as best he could. “Because, we’re clearing the way for some aristocrat and making sure this Wussy character doesn’t cause problems.”

“As if he needs our help,” the Absol muttered. Their client was a Mienshao elite, and although he may not like to get his paws dirty, both Dark-types secretly admitted the Fighting-type could beat them easily.

“So you remember him, but not the mission?”

“Sorry, my head hurts,” Sen mumbled.

Thames smirked. “Aahh, right, you got a little too tipsy last night, right. Man, you-“

“Don’t want to talk about it,” the Absol growled quietly, and kept walking. His partner shrugged again, and after adjusting the brown shawl that clung to his back, followed. They soon arrived at their destination; an imposing brown rock face towered in front of the duo. A pair of exquisite golden doors sat at the base of the cliff, a gargoyle-like figure perched on the top to ward off intruders.

“… Well, here we are,” Thames said. “Basalt Halls.”

Sen nodded. “… So. Shall we…?”

“After you-“

“Oh I insist-“

After the playful bickering, both of them walked up to the entrance and simultaneously threw the doors open. Surprisingly, even without the open door, the first room was well light, sunlight streaming through holes in the ceiling. Odd geometric outcroppings formed the edges of the cave, which, despite the large size of the room, could be clearly seen.

Sen noticed something in the back of the room, and stepped inside. “Do you see that?”

Thames cocked his head and followed. “Sort of… green. Could be just moss.” He sniffed the air. “… No, I think it might be a garden. I guess that-“

“HALT!” a voice echoed through the cave, startling both Pokémon. As they tried to find the source of the voice, a small, long figure wriggled along the floor and stood in front of the two Dark-types. The Barboach had a firm scowl on its face, a bucket acting as a crude helmet, and a makeshift sword held by his fins, and pointed threateningly at the Mightyena and Absol.

“I am the commander of His Majesty King Wussy’s Royal Army!” the little fish boomed in a surprisingly firm tone. “You are trespassing on his royal territory!”

Thames and Sen both sighed inwardly; they had been hoping to avoid any confrontation. The Absol spoke first.

“We’re sorry, but we need to get through this cave.”

“King Wussy’s territory is off-limits to all outsiders!” the fish barked. “Begone!”

Thames’ ears fell and he frowned. “Look, we just need a quick passage through the halls. You could provide us an escort if you wish-“

“UNACCEPTABLE!” the commander shouted. Thames’ frown turned into a scowl, and he glared at the Barboach. The Mightyena’s Intimidate ability showed its work as the fish’s figure faltered slightly, but he still stood firm.

“Look, sir,” Thames said again. “These caverns are the only way to our destination. We have an important mission to finish, and we are going through here, whether your king likes it or not.”
The Barboach backed up and readied his weapon. “If you step any further into these halls, it will be seen as an act of war against His Majesty King Wussy!”

Thames and Sen exchanged flat, unamused looks.

“Well, Sen.”

“Yes, Thames.”

“What do you think.”

“If we have no choice…”

Both Dark-types turned to the Barboach. “War it is,” they said at the same time, crouching and growling lightly.  The commander stiffened, and knocked his helmet off with his sword, revealing a waiting sphere of water, hovering above his head.

“I will vanquish you in the name of my king!” the Barboach shouted, and fired his Water Pulse. Sen leapt in front of Thames, and the attack collided with a shimmering barrier, leaving no effect on either Dark-type. While Sen’s Protect wore out, Thames sprung next, and clamped his jaws around the surprised Barboach in a vicious Crunch.  He shook the fish in his jaws, and tossed it in the air. Before the Barboach could ready another attack, Sen jumped at the fish. White streaks of air whistled from his horn and he slammed into the fish, the Aerial Ace move sending the commander flying. He landed by the far end of the cave, a plume of dust signaling his impact. The fish didn’t move again.

“Bleh!” Thames gagged, spitting out slime and wiping his tongue. “Man, I hate biting fish!”

Sen rolled his eyes, but before he could reply, a new voice cried out from the entrance.

“What is the meaning of this?!”

Both Dark-types whirled around at the sharp cry. Standing in the entrance was three new Pokémon. The shortest of the trio was a purplish, furry imp, who had gems where his eyes would be. A gem-riddled cape hung around him. Beside the Sableye stood a blue dinosaur draped in a cream scarf. The third member of the new party pushed past the Amaura and Sableye and strode angrily towards the Dark-types.

“What do you two think you’re doing?” Reuben Hetterich demanded, folding his arms.

Thames spat out another glob of Barboach slime. “Just clearing the way for you, sir.”

Sen shook his head and looked to the other two. “Who are you?”

“We’re Team Dark Glamour,” the Sableye said. “’M Soul, and he’s Blu.” The Amaura nodded. “And you…?”

“Team Fallen Noire. I’m Sen, and that’s Thames,” he motioned to the Mightyena. Thames sighed.
“We’re in for some trouble,” the Bite Pokémon explained. “This Whiscash that’s taken camp here isn’t going to let us though without a fight. We were attacked by a guard.” He nodded to the winded form of the Barboach captain.

Blu, the Amaura, spoke next. “Perhaps we can team up? Get through this together?”

Sen nodded. “It would work better.”

Thames glanced over to the others. “I’m game for that.”

Soul shrugged; a smirk on his face. “Sure, let’s make a deal.”  

Reuben huffed, and walked back to behind Dark Glamour. “Do what you must. But, I will not tolerate any delays.”

All team members shared a glance, but didn’t say anything.  After some rearranging, the combined teams ventured farther into the first room of the Basalt Halls.

While they searched the room, Sen glanced over at the sporadic plants he had first noticed earlier; they were mostly vegetables. In between a row of them lay the Barboach, spirals in eyes clearly saying he was down for the count.  The Absol did, however, notice something that made his stomach growl; a jagged, fleshy root that was a treat among carnivores. Being such, Sen went over and yanked out the meatroot, storing it by wedging it in his velvet collar.

Suddenly, a hail of rocks shot from the wall. Sen had just enough time to throw up a Protect, and the rocks smashed harmlessly into the barrier.

“Arceus! You ok, Sen?” Thames rushed over.

“Yeah… sorry…” the Absol panted. Indeed, although startled, the Disaster Pokémon was fine.

“There must be traps all through the caves,” Blu deduced. “We need to be careful.”

“Got it,” Soul nodded.

“If you’re quite done,” Reuben huffed. “May we continue?”

The teams regrouped, and quickly found an entrance deeper into the caverns. Unfortunately, this new room was almost completely dark. As they walked in, each Pokémon faded from the view of one another.

“Now what?” Soul groaned.

“Hang on, I’ll try and find us a way out,” Thames said. He put his nose to the ground and started sniffing, trying to find a scent that could lead out of the room.  Minutes passed.

“Anything?” Sen asked, also trying to feel his way around.

“I got nothing,” Thames grumbled.

“I pay this much for escorts and this is what I’m repaid with,” Reuben groaned.

“If you want to try it, go right ahead-“

“Aha!” the voice of the Sableye called out.

Everyone began to make their way to him, and... in the dim light, they could see spheres floating through the airs, light glinting off them. Soul giggled and popped a few of the bubbles. “Check it out!”

No one else was amused, and Blu let out a sigh.

Reuben spluttered angrily, but before he could say anything, Blu called out. “Hey! There’s a door over here!”

The group made their way over. In the reflected light of the bubbles, they could see the door was old, wooden… and locked.

“Looks like we’ll need a key,” Soul said.

“I’ll try and sniff one out,” Thames sighed.

“No,” Sen said. “Everyone back up, and close your eyes. You too, sir.”

They all complied… Soul, lacking eyelids, had to cover his. There was a sharp Boom! of thunder, and a bright flash of yellow light, followed by the crackling of wood. Splinters rained on the Pokémon, Sen’s Thunderbolt almost obliterating door. As everyone opened their eyes, the remains of the door leaned backwards and fell in, its hinges being blown off.

The next room was brighter, but much smaller. The ceiling hung low in thick stalagmites in several areas, but the middle of the room was decently tall. In the middle of the room was a rock formation in the shape of a throne. On this throne sat a surprised Whiscash in a wooden red wagon, a bloated Barboach by his side.

The two fish were in shock silence, until the Whiscash sputtered. “W-what do you think you’re doing?!”

“You must be this so-called King Wussy,” Reuben remarked, a scowl on his muzzle.  The Barboach at Wussy’s side gasped, and anger flashed in the eyes of the “king”.

“S-so called? So called?! How dare you challenge my ruling!” the fish spat. “I am a direct descendant of the whiskered fish that destroyed your precious city so long ago! I demand to be treated with such respect, lest I release my own destruction on your-“

Wussy was interrupted by a surprised gurgle from the Barboach. The fish’s shadow grew quickly, and suddenly pummeled the startled mudfish. Soul reappeared by his teammate, snickering that his Shadow Sneak had worked so well.

“How dare you attack my guard!” gasped Wussy. “What dirty-“

He was interrupted, again, by a snarling Sen, whose horn was bathed in purple. He swung at the little fish, who actually gained some air. He bounced off the throne, and lay still.

Wussy spluttered some more as he tried to form words, when Thames approached him, growling, Intimidate settling in the fish’s spine.

“You see, your highness,” the Mightyena growled. “It seems we have declared war on your kingdom by entering these halls.”

Wussy looked at the group, and his eyes focused on the Mienshao, and paled. “A general,” he whispered.

Sen walked back over by Thames. “It would be best if you undeclared war then.”

“I…I…”

“Need some encouragement?” Soul stepped up, claws at the ready, a devious toothy grin on his face.

“N-no! I surrender! Please, just don’t hurt me!” Wussy wailed.

Reuben harrumphed and folded his arms. Soul’s smile fell, and he walked up to the Whiscash and grabbed his tail.

“W-what are you- ?”

With a yank, Soul got the wagon moving, and dragged the protesting king out of the room.

“You will be taken to the Guild headquarters,” Reuben said, frowning at the dethroned king. “And you will be questioned about your activity in these halls. You have been quite the nuisance as of late, and showing up with you in tow will perhaps make up for my delay for this meeting.”

“I- now look here you-“

Another intimidating glare from Thames silenced the fish. In the meantime, Blu noticed a strange, meaty substance on the floor. Intrigued, he picked up the fleshcap and stuffed it in his scarf besides his chopsticks.

Back in the dark room, Soul tugged a little harder on Wussy’s tail. “Now, how do we get out of here?”

“The exit is in a room straight ahead,” the fallen king answered.

No door awaited them, but light began to return to the caverns as they reached the exit. Beside the door, another Barboach stood guard. This one was skinnier, similar to the captain at the entrance. Thames and Sen glanced at each other as they saw that, off all things, the fish was armed with a plunger. He jumped as he saw the approaching group… and their cargo.

“Your highness!”

“Guard!” Wussy called, starting to flail. “Help me!”

The Barboach, plunger at the ready, charged. Soul let go of the wriggling Whiscash. Both he and Sen launched a pair of Aerial Aces, and the soldier was blown away.

“Now then,” Soul muttered. He walked over and plucked a rocky ball of yarn from the cave floor. Sen and Blu took over the task of pushing the wagon containing the king.

“Sorry about the delay,” Blu told the Mienshao waiting behind.

Surprisingly, Reuben grinned. “Oh, don’t worry. I believe the gains in this trip will outweigh our tardiness.”

And with that, the group pushed the cart out into the bright light of the world.