Muse Menagerie

“They’ve captured Legendaries…? How on earth did they manage to capture them?!” He shouted, visibly confused about how most of these villainous groups are able to find and easily capture Legendary Pokemon. “I mean, it’s good that you and your friends were able to change them back, but I dread to think about what would happen if they did that to every Legendary out there.”

Nocturne nodded. “I’ll be sure to do that. …Even though I don’t understand the technical terms regarding the issue. And Kala is usually laid back, so I guess she’ll probably be angry at first, but then she’ll get over it. She usually just acts like a standard house cat Pokemon.”

“You think so? Well I guess the smaller ones are usually considered to be adorable by a lot of people, so I guess they use that to their advantage. But how about if one goes up against one of their height?” There’s been times where he’s had to chase people away from his home, but he’s never thought about actually getting into a fist fight against a person before. “…So they primarily do it out of fear? That’s still weird.”

The Darkrai just shrugged. “Well, there is a story that folks tell their kids there about us to get them to listen. Actually, I think it’s something that actually happened a long, long time ago from what I remember being told. Something to do with a Darkrai tormenting the townsfolk just about every night until a Cresselia appeared one day to stop the Darkrai, and that her and the townsfolk managed to drive the Darkrai away from the town on all nights except for the new moon. Most of the sailors there refuse to even sail close to New Moon Island unless some trainer keeps pestering them to take them. But there is one guy that will reluctantly agree to their request sometimes.” He then rubbed the back of his neck and added, “With her being away from her island so much, I think that’s why she leaves her feathers laying all over the place.”

Rui nodded “They did. I’m not completely sure how. But they managed somehow... to disastrous results. I don’t think they could get to every legendary at once but... even one or two at a time can be dangerous.” Rui sighed “It’s... bad but we’re trying to deal with them. It doesn’t help that their main base of operations is in Orre, so even with our attempts to better the region, it’s still hard to get rid of them. Either way, I’d just try to stay away from them. In all honesty, that advice works for about everyone, not just Pokemon or Legendaries.

“Then I’m sure it will settle fine! I’m sorry I can’t help much more with information. Wes is more of the tech guy between us.” Though Rui really hoped Wes didn’t know how to make EMP’s. The bombs he could make were dangerous enough, if useful on occasion.

Rui nodded with a grin “I’m quite sure that at the very least most normal humans wouldn’t stand up against a legendary with nothing but their fists no matter the size IF the legendary is using their powers. Humans have the technology to help them but in the end, our species is very squishy and weak compared to most others. Of course, that is removing the factor of any special powers a human may have. I may be able to stand up to a smaller legendary even using their powers better than an average person thanks to my aura abilities. A larger one though and I have doubts that I could win.” Of course, she could always be wrong. Humans could be surprising in their strength, and she wasn’t really wanting to factor in sheer numbers or teamwork either. She snorted another laugh before nodding once again. “Exactly. It’s weird, but it happens.”

          ❀. — It took a bit to actually pry the thief’s gaze from the dragon. He blinked a bit, ❝ Mm? Ah. Assume it’s like jumpin’ off a tall building. That rush of you could die, but the confidence in knowin’ you can save yourself. But ya know, we’re goin’ up not down. ❞

❝ Lucky for you, I lost nothin’. I had nothin’ to begin with. I was only here because I had nowhere to go. ❞

He still wasn’t happy about this. Ash was making this sound better than it actually was. He heard a lot of things about Team Rocket in the past. Pretty words aren’t going to suddenly sway his views. Lilac seemed very disinterested in what Ash lost. One, being the man didn’t want to talk about it and two, he wasn’t ready to hear it and humanize him yet. 

Eventually.

Maybe.

Surprisingly, he did take Ash’s hand up. He wasn’t confident enough to get up on a Pokemon he didn’t know or has ever been on. Once seated, his partner hopped between them, and his arm went around him. Sneasels didn’t have the grip Pikachu had. They were all claws and Lilac didn’t want to deal with his shoulder being torn up. In another surprising move he looped his other free arm around Ash. Though it was clear it was simply because he didn’t trust him enough to not let him fall and if he fell he was taking Ash out too. 

❝ I won’t be a grunt. ❞ He bluntly commented, ❝ I didn’t go through time, energy, and work for my status as a thief just to be demoted like that. ❞ Like hell. He wasn’t even considered a grunt to Skull. He did nothing for them. ❝ I refuse a partner that will slow us down. ❞ Us being his current Pokemon partners. ❝ Either they sit tight, shut up, and just look pretty or you give me someone worth while. ❞ He didn’t agree to anyone working with him. He didn’t agree to anything about this. If his demands weren’t met, he’ll make this even more difficult on those around him.

❝ Sucks to be you. I don’t keep phones. Too easy to track. I use throw-aways at best. You want a check in so bad, you get to cover them~ ❞ A semi cocky smirk lifted on his lips. Was he going to milk this for all its worth? Yes. He was going to gain something from this. ❝ Never been arrested and I don’t plan too now. Careful with everything I do, and even if I did happen too, there’s not a cage around that can keep me contained for long. ❞ He was completely confident in that. ❝ As previously stated, I’m only doing this for my Pokemon. I’m not afraid to die otherwise. That threat means nothing to me. ❞

❝ Great because I was going to anyway~ ❞ He didn’t need permission. ❝ I have prior loyalties that I won’t give up. There’s an elite group of thieves out there, and I refuse to give up my status. I’ll do your shitty missions, just know I have other obligations too. I know how to keep my mouth shut and keep secrets. ❞

❝ I was also going to do that anyway. I would have just takin’ a punishment. I’m owed my revenge for the damage that has been done. I will never be the same after what they did. ❞ He didn’t care if there was a reason or not.

Ash slightly jumped at the arm around his waist from the thief. He was under no impression it was anything but for balance, but Ash wasn’t the most used to uninitiated touches that weren’t fighting from anyone but Silver. It slightly startled him. But he wouldn’t complain about the thief taking extra precautions. Before continuing the conversation Ash carefully gripped onto Charizard and gave the Pokemon the go-ahead through Aura to go. With a sudden lurch and a large flap of the dragon’s wings, they were suddenly gaining air rapidly.

“Well if you lost nothing than you have everything to gain. Again, a win-win. I won’t leash you overly much, Lilac. It’s mostly just getting you accustomed to our base and having you on call. Quite frankly your skills are great, but your use is... niche. Not bad per se, but while I’m sure you could gather Pokemon if you needed to, that would be a waste of your talents. Missions probably won’t be rare, but it shouldn’t keep you from other duties you have. And with that in mind, you would need either a competent partner or simply one that, as you put it, would be out of the way. There for back-up, if needed, but not much else. Of course, a good Pokemon battler may be best. I don’t doubt you can battle with your Pokemon well or they are not strong, but as you’ve stated yourself, you don’t like them to fight. Better to have someone there who could handle that if needed.” At this point, Ash was just thinking this over out loud.

Ash then gave a small shrug at that, nothing that would throw off his balance on the now soaring Charizard. “That can be accommodated. Be it a card to use the phones at Pokemon Centers, not the best, but a good way to check-in in code if needed, or simply to purchase burner phones as needed. Check-ins aren’t quite as frequent as I may have made it sound either. I simply expect one for breakthroughs in your mission, or every month or so.” Rocket wasn’t hard on money if the thief thought that this would be a problem, he was wrong. “And that is reassuring, but sometimes things happen you don't expect. Nonetheless, I also have full confidence you're right that you could escape even if someone did catch you.” Ash then chuckled a bit “It was not necessarily a threat, just informing you of our business practices in Rocket. A threat, in my opinion, would be detailing how said assassination or punishment would play out.”

Ash adjusted balance as Charizard made a turn to avoid a flock of bird Pokemon flying by, making sure to keep steady enough that Lilac would also be able to keep himself and Sneasel up. Pikachu gripped on slightly tighter, Ash feeling the slight prickles in his shoulder from his claws. He wasn’t concerned though, Pikachu would have to be a lot more purposeful to maim his shoulder. He’d have suggested the mouse Pokemon to sit much like Sneasel, but he knew his long time partner would deny it and felt safer on Ash’s shoulder, even if it looked more dangerous.

Very strange indeed - she felt the other girl’s confusion as well, which just served to make her even more confused. “Well, he saved me from some kidnappers - and now we’re catching Shadow Pokemon too to try and purify them. You had experiences with Shadow Pokemon with your Wes too…?” This was just too weird. She accepted the handshake cautiously before looking down for a bit. “Kinda funny… it’s almost like we’re the same person, but different in some ways.”

He couldn’t help but feel a little worried when he noticed how she tried to smile. He doesn’t know what her relationship with her uncle was like, aside from what she said about him making Shadow Pokemon, and he wasn’t going to inquire any further about the man if it bothered her. “Ah. Well then if you know anyone else like that then I’d be happy to give them nightmares. As for the that Pokemon: I hope that you guys will be able to find them soon and rescue them.”

“Yeah… I’ll just try seeing if there’s something that just effects Pokeballs. Kala might not be too happy with it though, since she’s the only one that has one even though she only uses it while we’re traveling.” He’s sure the shiny Litten will get over not being able to go into her ball on the island if he ever finds a machine like that.

Nocturne blinked and shook his head. “Not at all. I was just saying that I find it weird for humans to look up to Pokemon with not so favorable reputations. But I think I see what you mean.” The Darkrai then paused for a moment before starting to laugh a little at the idea of someone getting into a fist fight with a Legendary. “Is… Is it bad that I kind of want to see how that turns out? I mean, if its one their size, then it’s a fair fight. But if it’s one like say Dialga, then yeah there’s no way a person can win. Unless if they gang up on them. Then there’s a small chance of winning.”

Nocturne made a small sound of annoyance at the mention of having to travel through the caves in Mt. Coronet. Having to traverse those caves every time he wants to go to another part of the region is the main reason why he hates that mountain. “The last time I was there, there was someone guarding the entrance, so I’m sure they still hold the temple in some regards. I actually know someone who has a Regigigas, so I guess I should ask them sometime.” He then thought for a moment before saying, “I know Canalave tends to look up to Cresselia a bit more, but that’s usually whenever I end up putting one or more people in nightmares by accident. I mean, they know we exist, but they don’t bother us– well more like they don’t bother her, unless if it’s something I did on accident. Or just by a few new moon nights in a row.”

Rui nodded at that “Really, most of Cipher may count. But I’d be really careful getting anywhere near them... they... they’ve caught Legendaries before and shadowed them. Wes and I had to save the Beasts, and Michael... well Michael had to face a Lugia, and they called it the perfect Shadow Pokemon, it wasn’t supposed to be able to be purified. Luckily Michael and his family figured out how to purify them, but it was difficult.” Rui shook her head “So I’d suggest not getting near them, even if they do deserve nightmares.”

Rui smiled and hummed ascent “I’m sure she’ll get used to it if it meant her siblings safety, as well as yours. I’ll also tell you if I learn anything, but for now look around, and if it comes down to it research EMP’s.”

She snorted out her own laugh “I don’t think normal humans even have a good chance against smaller legendaries unless they decide to hold back and physically fight only as well. But it would be rather funny to see I guess.” Really, she shouldn’t talk about this around her friends, she was sure at least a few of them would seriously consider fist fighting gods. “But, anyway, even not so favorable legendaries have more power than humans, so sometimes worshipping them is in hopes of appeasing them. It’s why places like Distortion Cave are still treated with caution usually. Humans are weird and will worship things that are dangerous as well, hell some even form cults or religions based around trying to make those less favorable legends destroy the world or the like. Humans are... weird.” And she would know she was a human.

            ❀. — This guy was awfully chipper for someone that ruined his way of life until now. Maybe Lilac was being a bit over dramatic but even still he was annoyed. Just deep breath, play nice. He doesn’t exactly want to give this guy a reason to go back on his word and kill them anyway. ❝ I’m goin’ to have to take your word on that then. ❞ Not that Ash’s word meant anything to him. As far as he was concerned, the man was completely untrustworthy. Which doesn’t bode well for that grunt. 

The conversation about contests and traveling seemed to lighten up the thief’s harsh expression.

❝ I feel like I was a traveler once. I have small memories of far off places but I can never pinpoint where they are. ❞ He frowned a bit. He was probably still under what he thinks was Team Rocket at the time. He really wasn’t sure. ❝ I don’t think I’ve ever tried a contest. I feel like my Frosmoth would be very fond of it. Not one for battling due to what happened to him. ❞ A look of surprise crossed his face, the distrust again. ❝ You’d really just send me off alone to travel? There has to be a catch. ❞ Everything had a catch. And he should be considered just as untrustworthy due to the nature of him joining.

The thief scoffed.

Not so bad?

Easy for that bastard to say. 

❝ If it wasn’t so bad, I wouldn’t have been left bleeding out in some remote, nowhere region. You gain everything from this partnership, and what do I get? Nothing. ❞ He shoved his hands into the pockets of his coat. ❝ They better hope I don’t find them. Getting my memory back isn’t goin’ to be enough to stop me from bashin’ their head in and letting them see how it feels. Let them live a whole damn year not even knowin’ their own Pokemon. ❞ He seemed to start getting agitated until the Sneasel brought him back rubbing it’s head against his cheek. He let out a heavy sigh gaining back his composer. 

Another scoff left his lips. 

He had no pity right now for this man as he followed after him.

❝ I can travel by any means. Heights don’t bother me none. I’m a professional, I deal with heights all the time. ❞ Scaling buildings. Jumping from one to the other. He was going to miss the buildings here. He shook his head.

He didn’t mean too but his love of Pokemon slipped past his hard expression. Eyes widened with wonder as the Charizard was spawned. It was such an impressive size. He was so amazed. He’s never really got to stand so close to one before. Just admire them from the ground. He blinked a few times getting pulled back, ❝ Huh? Oh, if he’s really sure, that’s fine. Never flew before but what’s the fun of life if you don’t take risks? ❞ He waved for Ash to get on first, ❝ Hurry up before I change my mind on this whole matter. ❞

Ash grinned a little at Lilac’s reaction to Charizard. Always nice to find someone who was fascinated by Pokemon. “Flying isn’t that risky as long as you’re careful. And it’s quite exhilarating, flying through the clouds, wind in your face. And it should be no different for you since you’re used to heights.” Charizard also preened at the attention, happy at the amazed reaction to his presence.

Ash’s expression dropped a little at the thief's words on him gaining everything from this. “Perhaps I gain the most from this current partnership, but I lost a lot joining Rocket as well.” He wouldn’t get into it, didn’t feel like it, but it was the truth. He lost everyone he considered friends and family before. He was quite sure his mom would cry knowing what her son had become, Professor Oak would be disappointed, Gary would probably punch him... and the rest of his friends would probably be a mixture of the three. Better they didn’t know if they didn’t have to know. He went through PC boxes only these days for his stored Pokemon. And that was a bitch to set up, but at least he didn’t have to contact the Professor when he needed them now.

Ash then hummed as he boarded Charizard first, at Lilac’s insistence, Pikachu adjusting for a better grip with his tiny claws so he wouldn’t fall while flying. He’d offer the thief a hand-up but he was sure it wouldn’t be appreciated. He’d only offer it Lilac struggled to much to get up. “Usually it’s in teams, not solo unless you prove yourself to be highly competent. Though of course teams are usually only two to three grunts. Safety in numbers, but not enough numbers to be suspicious. But prove to be able to handle yourself then yes, the only catch is call in’s on progress, stuff like that. You miss a call in, you get a team sent out to ascertain why. If you’re arrested how useful you are and what info you have will help us determine whether we assassinate you, bail or break you out, or leave you in jail. Admittedly assassinating is a very rare practice, as if you have enough info to be a problem you’re usually too useful to kill, and therefore bail is the option. If you tried to run away and we find you there’s a good chance of punishment or death. So on, but as long as you remain loyal I think you’ll remain useful. You seem to have amazing skills.”

Ash lightly stroked Charizard’s neck as he continued. “But either way, there is no punishment for doing extra things while traveling as long as you get your job done and it doesn’t put us at risk. Want to try the gym challenges or contests in a region? Go ahead, just makes sure you won’t be tied to Team Rocket when you do them. Want to suntan on the beach? Steal things that aren’t required? So on? As long as it doesn’t get tied back to us, risk your mission, and you still get your work done it doesn’t matter. It just comes down to not outing Team Rocket and not sabotaging your job or putting it off.”

“Stealing abused Pokemon should not be a crime. Quite frankly if you abuse your Pokemon you deserve whatever comes to you.”

---

“Death to all Pokemon abusers or poachers.”

---

He waited and listened to her story about her friend before saying anything about them. “…I see. Your friend sounds like a good guy, so I’ll just take your word for it. But your uncle sounds like the kind of person who belongs in an eternal nightmare for that.”

Nocturne’s smile then dropped when she mentioned the negative possibilities. He’ll have to make sure to learn just about everything about those machines. “Ah… That would definitely be bad for both me and them if that happened then. I mean I have taken trainers back to the Pokemon Center in Canalave whenever they lost against me before, but I can’t carry that many humans at the same time. And I would rather not have anyone be stranded on my home anyways.”

“I know I’ve said it before that I don’t really understand why people would look up to certain Legendaries, but I don’t really blame them for being skeptical about our existence. However, I still stand by the belief that it isn’t wise to try and misuse a Legendary Pokemon’s power. Fighting one however, sure go for it at your own risk. I won’t stop them.” Not like his attempts to persuade the trainers that came to his island to avoid fighting him and to just leave even worked in the first place. If anything the rumors only encouraged them.

He then smiled a little, “Just about every town in this region holds a Legendary in high regards in some way or another. There’s a temple up in Snowpoint that’s supposed to be the home of a Regigigas. Although I don’t really know if they look up to them or not. Plus there’s the church in Hearthome that’s dedicated to Arceus. At least I think it’s dedicated to them…”

Rui nodded at that, Wes was a good guy, even if he didn’t always believe it. Everyone had their hangups after all, but Rui genuinely believed all of her friends were good people at their cores. At the mention of her uncle again Rui couldn’t help but lightly touch the scar on her chin, one of the only visible ones from within her clothes. She tried to force a smile, but it was a bit shakey, the memories still a bit too strong even for her poker face. “Oh, no need for that. He’s dead now, so there isn’t anyone to give nightmares too. Though Wes sadly didn’t manage to get his last Shadow Pokemon, so they're around with someone somewhere.”

Rui nodded at that, slowly piecing her composure back together. “Makes sense, it would be quite dangerous and a problem if people got stranded on your island. Plus if it’s a plane it could just result in their death. Not a pleasing outcome. I’d look into that and maybe look around, for all I know, there could be something that prevents only Pokeballs from working.” It wouldn’t be beyond belief, Rui just didn’t know it herself.

Rui finally laughed a little at that. “Ah, is it so out there to look up to something so above you? Would humans have the world we do now without the legendaries that made it possible? Without Arceus spawning them all, without Dialga and Palkia making Space and Time, without the Lake Trio granting the very basis of a sentient creatures being... we would not be here. Then of course there is you and Cresselia who helped to form Dreams and Nightmares, both things that spawn different creativity. I think it makes sense when you look at it like that. Even Shaymin, a being who can turn barren land into a fertile one, for humans that is an amazing thing. Humans can attempt to manipulate these things, but we’re nowhere near what legendaries can do. Even with the aide of more common Pokemon, it’s nowhere near that level.” Rui then shrugged with a snort. “I mean, sure, but I’m more concerned about those that think they can fist fight a Legendary and win. Like, even with most common Pokemon, that’s not going to work.”