OOC - Mystery Dungeon Plot Summary

It goes up to the point where Otogi was pulled out, but note that there ARE differences; Gardevoir is 'assigned' Otogi by 'Victini', who turned him into a Zorua in the first place.

Of course, since no one knows this, it hardly matters... (Other changes were made within the plotline, such as Zorua being mistrusted, or Gengar destroying the team's base and Otogi's house.)

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As bleary as it is, Otogi's 'last' memory, at least within the pokemon world, involves a voice asking him questions... And then blacking out.

When he woke up, it was to the worried cries of a pokemon, a petilil; upon insisting that he was, however, not... A pokemon... They quickly corrected him.

Otogi was a Zorua. He gots over this shock alarmingly fast though, and when a frantic butterfree passes and begs him to save her caterpie, he's plenty distracted with doing that.

Upon saving caterpie, the petilil gave him a place to live, since Otogi apparently didn't have one. It's a rather nice house. Also- the petilil is named 'Shizuka'.

Shizuka then asks if he wants to form a rescue team... (THERE IS NO ESCAPE-.)

Following this, and a night of sleep, comes the first real mission; saving magnemite. After doing so, Shizuka decides to show Otogi around the town nearby, where the bulletin board of missions and assignments can be found as well.

One random mission and a dream of a faded voice later and a Dugtrio invades the home! He wants them to save his son. They do so, with the aid of the two magnemites they helped. However, when Magnemite is offered a position on the team he has to decline; there's nowhere for him to stay nearby. OH WELL.

Following this, it's time to go back to bulletin boards; on the way back from the post office to check for new missions, Otogi and Shizuka both watch an argument between Shiftry's team and Jumpluff, who requires his help; Shiftry initially refuses... Until Alakazam and his own team appears, and convinces him otherwise. ...As the Gold Rank team passes though, Alakazam seems to give Otogi an odd look...

At any rate, it's back to the missions. There's a brief altercation with the blatantly named 'Team Meanies' ('It's like they aren't even trying..!'), but otherwise it's business as usual...

Until Jumpluff comes to them for aid. Shiftry never returned from where he went to save Jumpluff's friend; and so, with nervous preperation, Otogi and Shizuka both go to check things out.

What they find is the shaken second Jumpluff... And Zapdos..! He thinks that Shiftry caused the storm winds to run amuck and awaken him... And so, he takes Shiftry and tells those present that if they wish to 'complain' about it, then come to Mt. Thunder..!

Back at home, the situation is recapped... But Alakazam's team overhears. They warn Otogi and Shizuka endlessly on the power of Zapdos, the 'Thunder Bird', but neither will have any of it- they insist on making a rescue attempt!

And so, they set off... Scaling Mt. Thunder and battling those who attempt to stop them, they come to the top...

And they confront Zapdos. They fight and fight- but they are clearly out matched. As they knock Zapdos back however, they have a split second to make their case before the bird smites them on the spot; Alakazam's team appears however, prepared to tackle Zapdos...

But Zapdos has had enough. He is 'calm' now. And he returns Shiftry- he is impressed by Otogi and Shizuka's actions. 'Things won't be this easy next time' he warns though- next time they meet, he will go all out; for that reason, they had best hone their skills..!

Zapdos takes to the sky after that; Shiftry is, as promised, returned. As they speak however, Alakazam's team mates congratulating Otogi on his 'above zorua level strength', Alakazam speaks.

'Perhaps... You aren't a pokemon, are you?' Otogi and Shizuka both are amazed that the Psychic could tell. But it's the truth after all- and they confirm it. The others, also, are shocked- but the fact is, unknown as the reasoning is, it's true...

Perhaps if Alakazam was able to tell this however, he knows how it came to be?

Sadly no. He knows of one however- And he tells them to make their way to the Hill of the Ancients. There they will find the Pokemon that stares into the sun all day... He who sees into the future and past at once- Xatu.

But first, time to head home! Time to rest..!

The next morning, it's off to the Hill of Ancients. Otogi asks Shizuka how she can always be so happy- she responds that it's because she's helping others. (...kay.)

Getting to the Hill, they manage to catch the (odd) Xatu's attention... And right off the bat- 'You are... Human, yes?' Asking how he knows, the bird explains.

Xatu stares at the sun, unblinking all day. It gives him the sight of all things.. So quickly, Shizuka asks if Xatu can explain the hows
and whys of Otogi being a pokemon.

The most he can say is that it is tied to the upset of the world's balance, the uprise of calamity in the world. 'They are tied together. Inseparably so.' But when they ask why, Xatu clams up; there are worse things, suppposedly. 'The world's balance... It must be restored. Or the unthinkable shall befall our world.'

'Everyday I see it. The same fate... I dread it... I fear it... The world's destruction.' This is all they get from Xatu... But they aren't the only ones listening...

Gengar drifts away, unnoticed...

It's hard for Shizuka to be all smiles the next morning, but for her sake Otogi puts on a positive front despite unease. This doesn't last long though; because when they get to town, a crowd has developed.

They're talking about the 'Ninetales Legend' of being cursed by grabbing a Ninetale's tail... How it's apparently true. They tell them to go ask Whiscash about it- and so the two head to the town's pond to do so.

The legend says those who grab the tail are cursed for 1000 years... And that was just what someone did. A human. But as the curse was cast, a pokemon named 'Gardevoir' sacrificed herself to absorb it...

Taking pity on the gardevoir, the ninetales then asked the human, 'Do you wish to save Gardevoir?' ...But the human had already fled in fear. So ninetales predicted... 'one day, that human will be reborn as a pokemon... And when a human becomes a pokemon the world's balance will be thrown to chaos...'

While Whiscash takes their silence as awe in the tale, the partners are both struck cold by the words- no rescues today... No one's in the mood...

They both go home and sleep. And that night, the voice in Otogi's dream begins to take form...

As a Gardevoir. She's so glad to finally meet Otogi- But before she can say how she knows Otogi the dream fades... And Otogi wakes up. Which leads Otogi to wonder... Was he the human in the legend..?

Before he can say anything Shizuka mentions a commotion at the square- and when they get there, everyone has gathered. The shops are empty; everyone crowds around <i>Gengar</i>. Gengar reveals what he heard on the Hill of Ancients; drawing it out until he points to Otogi- and claims him to be the intended target of Ninetales' curse..!

And as someone without memories of that life, Otogi cannot deny it... And it does not help, that Zorua are so rare and mistrusted.

The others are convinced. Kill Otogi, or the world is lost. With no other choice, Shizuka and Otogi flee...

Otogi tries to explain- what if he was 'that human'? Well Shizuka refuses to believe it and leave him to fate. 'You didn't remember what you were like as a human being did you? So you don't know what really happened! I... I believe in you, Otogi.'

Team Alakazam appears at that moment. The Town held a meeting on what must be done- the consensus is the same. Otogi must go.

But Alakazam cannot fight them now- his conscience will not have it. 'We will give you tonight.' Pack everything and run- run as far and as fast as they can for the town will not rest until they are gone. They must run until they uncover the truth... For there will be no mercy until they meet again.

Otogi and Shizuka move to run- and as they do, the Caterpie from before appears to see them off; Alakazam's team and Shizuka are not the only ones who believe in Otogi after all; so make sure to come back safe..! The jumpluff as well, and Metapod... And the diglett they saved. All of them come to see them off as they run...

There's even a letter from Pelipper, the mailman wishing them luck.

The journey began- around enormous fissues that tore the earth, fields set ablaze by forest fires...

Until they arrived at a place called 'Lapis Cave'. The cave would force their path into an impassable mountain of fire.

Mt. Blaze. And atop this mountain they would meet Moltres, the fire bird. Enraged at the trespass onto his lands, and moreso that the lands were 'screaming in pain' he would attack- but forcing him back for a brief moment they would make their case... They would protest that they were not the source of the volcano's ruin, that the rest of the world was in just as much chaos!

...He believes them. But he lets them leave only after they swear to find the source of these troubles and stop them. 'Do not forget the courage you showed in facing me...'

The journey continues, long and hard... Pushing them north as pokemon of all sorts hound them- until eventually they come to a forest coated completely in ice.

Articuno's lair. An absol stands on the path toward the clearing...

But he vanishes without a trace just as soon...

And when they get to the clearing it is assuredly not Absol who greets them..!

The flow of icy wind has faded... The forest was chilling to Shizuka and Otogi, but it was not cold enough..! And as with Mt. Blaze, Articuno appears and accuses the intruders of manipulating the winds..! Articuno refuses to let them pass further into the woods... If they wish to do so...

'Very well... But only after you have defeated ME!'

The battle is harsh... But somehow, they manage to push Articuno back for a brief moment; the lack of cold has weakened Articuno enough to allow such... And while the bird prepares to come to his feet to attack again, Shizuka pleads their case for passage.

But Articuno refuses- they have brought 'heat' to the forest..! Snow, for the first time, is beginning to melt..!

Shizuka protests- they haven't... As with Mt. Blaze, it is a part of the world's slow descent to chaos and ruin.

Articuno snorts- they expect him to believe this? Before he can attack, the absol from prior comes between them...

Absol explains that the two are telling the truth. As a pokemon with the ability to sense natural disasters, there is no lie in their words. The calamities around the world are of a tisted nature, one not 'normal' in anyway... It is not just the forest.

Articuno relents; however, he allows them passage on the same conditions as Moltres; they must prevent the calamities from spreading further. The duo promise this; and so Arcticuno leaves so the two can continue on.

And in the meantime, the Absol elects to guide them forward; 'I will join you- to put an end to the calamities, cooperation is vital.'

And so they headed further north...

Through dark skies and deep snow...

Where, at the base, Otogi collapses in an exhausted dizzy spell.

In his sleep, he hears someone... Gardevoir..?

Blearily opening his eyes Otogi can see the spirit- To the others, he is hallucinating. But the spirit tells him. 'Ahead, is the jagged mountain range topped by Mt. Freeze... Inside its peak, you will find Ninetales.'

Ninetales is waiting. 'But be careful,' the spirit warns as she fades... And suddenly, Otogi finds the strength to pull himself up, protest...

And finally, elect to lead them to Mt. Freeze. Shizuka is elated at the chance to clear Otogi's name. But Otogi wonders if it'll only cement the rumors...

Regardless, they can only move forward, scaling the mountain...

But when they reach the peak, no one is there.

...And Alakazam and his team close in, having followed  them this far. ...And they will show no mercy.

The battle begins. But just as things begin to get serious-

'CEASE THIS AT ONCE!' Ninetales appears.! As the others marvel about the truth of his existence, Ninetales growls a ceasefire once again... And he explains.

'These... Are my guests.' Ninetales does not care if they consider his curse legend or not. Just that they know it happened; he did indeed lay a curse on a human... But that event is neither tied to the destruction of the world, nor tied to Otogi. It was a completely different person he cursed that day.

The duo are filled with immense relief- Shizuka can't even move she's so relieved; though she very quickly demands an apology...

And they receive it in full. But Ninetales is still unable to explain just why Otogi himself became a pokemon. Worse, an earthquake strikes... 'The earth's crust is shifting... Worse; it will awaken the beast that embodies the ground... The beast that slept deep underground...'

Groudon.

Team Alakazam elects to go and prevent Groudon's awakening; Shizuka and Otogi as well volunteer, but are refused; 'rest... You deserve it.'

And rest they do. Well... Mostly. It's business as usual, so the team goes back to making rescue missions.

...And after a while, Otogi has another dream. Gardevoir appears, clearer than before, though still faint. He has many questions for her now- why does she appear in his dreams?

'As an agent of spirits... I must watch over you. Because that is my role now.' She is cursed to have no form in reality; to live as a spirit for 1000 years. And yet she doesn't mind. She doesn't hate her former trainer... 

She enjoys her role. 'Just as I have my own role to play... You, too, have a role to fill... You have... Come here to perform a certain task... And for that reason, you have taken this form...'

Otogi wants to know more, but before he can get an answer an earthquake strikes- the dream is interupted... And he wakes up.

The next morning, the duo is approached by Wynaut and Wobbuffet. Wynaut asks if they could do a favor for them; handing them a notice, it's revealed that the favor is to deal with a problem concerning a band of mankey in the woods; so, taking the mission they go to do so...

The mankey as it turns out are very easily enraged; but after laying a smack down on the three, it seems things are dealt with...

Except they follow them out afterward to destroy Otogi's house..! ...At least. Until they spot the 'reward' they received from Wynaut...

A peeled chestnut. They have troubles peeling them themseves it seems; so Shizuka gets an idea. In exchange for supply of chestnuts...

They refurbish the house, which was ruined by Gengar's gang while they were on the run. So they set off..! With some rescue missions to pass the time, the house is put together.

...Needless to say, it's a great shock when they come back on the final day to find it looks like a giant Zorua head. (But hey, it... Definitely advertizes for the rescue team...)