Chp 30

	"I'm surprised you haven't tried anything." Ashley said that morning. Phantom and Mystic had left to get some groceries, leaving them with little else to do. 

	"Hmm?" Carver asked.

	"Well, I've been teasing the shit out of you. Don't tell me you didn't notice all the little tail flashes and the gropes while we slept." 

	"Oh I noticed. And I plan to pay you back in due time, but a gentleman has control of his more primal side." 

	"You're no gentleman." She said. 

	"You wound me, my dear." He said in a posh accent. 

	"Can it." She said, stifling a laugh at his silly voice. "As soon as they get back we'll have work to do." They sat in relative silence, for a time. The only sounds were him pacing back and forth, and the outside noises. 

	"I'm bored. I'm used to going full speed constantly. And there's nothing around to kill time. Think we could get a TV, or something?"

	"I dunno. We spent all our money on this place, so we don't really have much. But some stuff like that would be nice... Alright, it's settled." She stood and walked over to the door. "Coming?"

	"Uh... what are we doing exactly? I thought we were gonna wait here." 

	"Not anymore. If we're gonna deck this place out, we'll need some poke. So we're gonna take our own job."

	"Won't the others worry about where we went?" 

	"Nah! They'll figure it out. C'mon, we gotta go before Mystic gets back, she'll shoot us down otherwise." 

	"She'll be mad no matter what..." He muttered as he followed her out. 

+++

	"So what kinda job do you think we should do today?" Mystic asked as they walked back. 

	"I fink fwe fhould fo fee for fourfelves." Phantom said, muffled by the bar he was carrying in his mouth. It was connected to a cart behind him, which contained a large amount of food. 

	"I didn't get a word of that. Pick up the pace, we're almost home." They were at the top of the hill that led down to their base. A short time later, and they were home. "Ashley! We're back! Come help us unpack and we can get to work." She stepped into the base, only to find it empty. "Oh son of a bitch! She left!" 

	"What's the big deal? She's plenty strong." 

	"It's not her I'm worried about. Carver... I just don't feel like I can trust him." 

	"You saw how he acted yesterday, and Mewtwo did similar things to him." 

	"I don't trust Mewtwo either. His actions are unforgiveable." 

	"That doesn't mean they shouldn't try to atone." Phantom said. "It's too late either way, so we're on our own."

	"Yeah, might as well try to get something done." 

+++

	Ashley stepped up to the job board. "Any ideas?" She asked the absol behind her. 

	"Something heroic."

	"Heroic like monster slaying or heroic saving people? Oh, how about this?" She reached up and plucked one off. 

	"My younger brother ran off to Tempest Crevace. He thought he was stronger than Entei, so he went to challenge him. I tried to follow him, but the dungeon is too tough, someone please go save him. Target: Nick the Eevee." 

	"That may do both, though I'm not too eager to fight fire types." Ashley said. 

	"Worry not madam." He said, doing his posh accent again. "Your valiant knight will protect you."

	She giggled a bit. "Alright then mr knight. Let's go." They went up to the second floor, and after a quick look at the wall map, which had the names of places on it, they warped away. 

+++

	"Any ideas yet?" Mystic asked.

	"I dunno, how about a good old fashioned exploration." 

	"Got one right here." She took the letter and tore it open. 

	"I've heard about a dungeon that only appears rarely for a short period of time. I found it but... I'm too scared to actually go in. Go find out what's inside!" 

	"Sounds fun. But how will we find where to go?"

	"There's a map inside. We'll be fine." 

+++

	"Alright, fire place. Ready?" Carver said once they arrived at the entrance. The opening was right ahead of them. True to the fire theme, it was charred black, loose ash and dust blowing around, and two torches were lit in two holes in the roof, making the cave mouth look like a angry maw in the dark. It was light however, so the effect was mostly lost. 

	"Okay, you're in front." Ashley told him, falling in line behind him.

	"At least you can't tease me this time." 

	"That's what you think. But I won't. Just keep the fire away from me." 

	He nodded and they proceeded inside.

	The inside was remarkably well lit for a cave, though the sources were varied, from lit fires and braziers to glowing gems in the walls. They didn't find any large rooms, the biggest they passed through was only big enough to walk side by side. Every once in a while, Carver would slash his claws and swing his horn at something, but all Ashley saw was flashes of the attacker. He did a good job of preventing any harm from coming to her, as nothing made it past him, even around the sides. The cave was hot, with a thin fog of steam coating the air and making her sweat. 

	"Seen anything?" She asked after they had been going for a while.

	"Nothing. But have you noticed?"

	"What?"

	"When we entered, we were going down, but now the slope's going back up. So unless we got turned around..."

	"I don't think we did, so something must be coming up."

	As she said this, the path was widening out. For the first time in a while, she could lean to the side to look around him. Up ahead, the lighting began to change, from the flickering shadow laden fire light, to real sunlight. He slowed his pace to give him more time to assess the coming situation. 

	"You know about the elemental hounds right?" Carver asked.

	"Yeah, Entei, Raikou and Suicune. Entei's supposed to live here."

	They then passed out of the cave. The area was sunk into the rock, creating a circular area. The sky was visible above. On the far end was the incarnation of fire himself, Entei. 

	"Ah, another visitor. It has been a long time since so many have come through here. What can I do for you?" He asked in a booming voice. Despite the power contained in it, there was a gentleness to it. 

	"Um, sir, we came to look for a missing eevee. Have you seen him?"

	"Ahh, such manners. As for the pup," Entei pointed over to a small brown ball. 

	"Is he..." Carver asked.

	"No. He is merely resting. I did not harm him. He certainly tried to harm me, and tired himself out in the process." 

	"Oh, that's great." Ashley said, relieved. "We'll bring get him out of your hair."

	"It is fine. It was amusing to see such a little thing try to best me. I hardly felt his tackles." 

	"How did he make it through the cave? That's what I'm curious about."

	"The pokemon that dwell here, wild though they may be, respect me. No innocents are to be harmed. If they cannot fight back they are not to be attacked." 

	"Oh, I see."

	"You know, after what Mewtwo told us, I'm wondering something. Why do wild pokemon act like they do? Surely they have the same intelligence as us." Ashley asked. 

	"I know not who this Mewtwo is, but I can answer that." Entei said. "Many pokemon, those that the more civilized call wild, form tribes or territory. They rule over that place with their own rules and beliefs. The tribe of fire types that lives around here worship me as a god, and will obey my every word." 

	"That explains a lot. Alright, thanks a bunch. I was scared you'd be some angry beast."

	Entei let out a hearty chuckle. "Part of being known as a fiery pokemon. My brother and sister are similar. We are all known as forces of nature, but we are kind hearted. It was nice speaking to you. Most are too scared to talk to me, or want a fight."

	They went over to the eevee and nudged his shoulder. 

	"Wake up." Ashley said gently. "It's time to go home." 

	"Did my sister send you?" Nick asked. 

	"Yes, she did. Are you okay?"

	"No, she's gonna make fun of me." The young fox said. 

	"She wouldn't have sent us if she didn't care." 

	"Whatever." He said dismissively. 

	Ashley tapped him with her badge, and then they warped back too.

	Once back at their base, Nick was waiting there. They set off, him guiding the way back to his house in Journey Town. When they arrived and knocked on the door, a flareon opened the door. 

	"Yes?" She asked. 

	"I believe this is yours." Carver said, stepping aside to reveal the eevee that had been hiding behind him. 

	She gasped and darted forward, nuzzling Nick. "Oh thank you so much. Don't you ever run off like that again. Mom would kill us both! I'm supposed to be babysitting you."

	"I... ugh, sorry." He reluctantly apologized. 

	"I know how you feel. I was your age once." She sighed. "Go on and play with your friends. Just be home before mom is." 

	"Really?! Thanks!" He shouted, before happily bounding off.

	"And don't get into anymore trouble!" She shouted after him, but he was long gone. "Now, come inside and we can discuss your reward. Nicole, by the by." 

	They followed her into the small apartment. It only had three rooms, a kitchen/living room, and two bedrooms. She sat them down on the rug, on some pillow cushions. "So, as you heard, my mom doesn't know about this, and I'd like to keep it that way. And I don't have much money..." 

	"It's alright. We're happy to help."

	"That's kind, but I feel like I've gotta give you something... Surely a beautiful girl could have something to offer, to a male like you~" She purred, stepping close to Carver. 

	"Uh, is this okay?" He asked, looking to Ashley. 

	"Oh!" She said, blushing as she backed away. "I didn't think you were a couple. I'm so sorry." She lowered her head in shame. 

	"No, it's not that. Just kinda sudden." Ashley said. "I'm perfectly willing to share, if you're game." She said, eyeing Carver for his reaction.

	"Damn, I'm a lucky male. If that's what you both want, I won't complain." 

	"Alright then. Follow me and we can get down to business~" She said, walking towards her room. As she did, she waved her tail in a circle, giving Carver a look at her nethers. 

	"Time to reap the rewards." He muttered, a smile forming on his muzzle.

+++

	 "And west to... here." Phantom said, mirroring the line on the paper map with the map room. "I think that's the right spot." He cross-referenced the map again. 

	"One way to find out." Mystic pressed her badge to the spot, and he followed. 

	They found themselves in a wide open field, with no tower in sight. 

	"Time to go back." Mystic said. "Must have gotten the wrong spot." 

	"Wait, hold on." He said. Her paw stalled over her badge. "I read about a place like this. There was this island that only appeared under very specific conditions. Maybe this place is similar?" He took a step forward and looked around. "What is that?" He pointed to a spot a ways away.

	"Hmm? What?" She asked. 

	"There's like... shimmer..." He said, walking closer. She stayed put and watched. "Come over here!" He shouted after a bit.

	She started walking. Behind him, something moved, like a wave. As she got closer, the moving air became more intense, until suddenly it vanished. It was replaced by a large tower like building, about five stories tall. "What the..." 

	"This has to be it. Let's go." He stepped forward and up to the door. There was a sign on it. 'Trickster's House'. "House? Does somebody live here?" 

	"I dunno, we got hired to explore so, we'll find out." She said, urging him forward. He pushed the door in, and held it for her to pass. Inside they found an unassuming room with no furniture. As the door fell back closed, a dark laugh sounded out. 

	"Welcome, my guests. There is no escape now, as the door has locked behind you. Great treasure awaits you upon finding the end of this place, but misfortune lies in wait on the path. Welcome to my house. Trickster's house." The voice said, coming from all directions. 

	"What?" Mystic asked. She looked over to Phantom. "Read anything about this?"

	"No, but we have an escape orb, so we'll be safe." He said. 
	
	They took a closer look at the room, but there wasn't anything more to see. It was plain white walls with a wood floor and ceiling. A single light fixture in the middle of the floor lit the room. On the other end of the room were two single doors on the left and right of the wall. 

	"So... Which way?" Mystic asked.

	"I don't think it matters. This is probably a maze."

	"That wasn't my question. How about right?" She said, stepping towards that door. 

	"Sure." He said, joining her. He pushed the door open, and stepped through with her in tow. The new room was... exactly the same. As before, the door closed shut behind them, preventing escape. "Uh..." He stepped forward but when he got halfway across the room, he stopped. "What is..." He lifted a paw and tapped it to the ground. "It's gooey..."

	"What are you talking about?" She stepped beside him and pressed against the ground. "Eww, that's gross." She looked down after feeling the same. "The fuck?" 

	In the middle of the floor was a small face, hidden by the seams in the floor, and it was frowning. "I'm not gross..." It said sadly. The floor changed, from brown wood, to a pink slime. It morphed and a blob of goo rose up, the sad face rising to the front. 

	"It's a ditto." Phantom said. 

	"OH!" Ditto gasped. "Sorry guys, I blew it." It said. On the wall, four more ditto appeared, slinking to the floor. Two of them had been hiding doors by mimicking the wall, and the other two had been doors. 

	"What is this?" Mystic asked.

	"This is Trickster's house. I thought you would know that. You can go on now." It said, before melding back into the floor. 

	"Wait, what does that mean? What is this place?" She asked, but the mouth on the floor disappeared, and so did the mouths of the other ditto. 

	"I guess we've gotta keep moving." She complained. "Right door again." 

	They went to said door, and opened it, stepping through. Just before the door closed behind them, they heard a snicker. This room was visually different. As soon as the door closed, they were plunged into darkness. 

	"From what I saw, the room is identical to the last, so feel around carefully." Phantom said. 

	"I didn't see any enemies, did you?" He shook his head. "Great." They slowly began to move forward, experimentally reaching forward to avoid tripping or stepping on something. Then there was a click. Mystic gulped. "Is that what I think it is?" 

	"Yeah, you hit a trap... Just stay put, I'll see if I can-"

	"Looks like we caught something. Ready?" A male voice said.

	"Yep. I'll hit the lights." A female one said. 

	The lights turned on, revealing two pokemon on the other side of the room: a blitzle and a growlithe. Mystic looked down to see what she had stepped on. It was a trap with a heart on it... A bolt of lightning from Blitzle forced her to jump back, setting it off. A cloud of thick pink, sweet smelling smoke burst from the trap, quickly filling the room.