Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: The Search of a Soul

Chapter 4

I could hear voices coming from outside. My skin felt like it was tingling, which was what woke me up in the first place. I couldn't make out the voices, because I wasn't fully awake yet, but I could tell it definitely wasn't my roommate. His voice was much more distinct than any of the voices I was currently hearing. Then I remembered all that had transpired yesterday and groaned. It definitely hadn't been a dream, I could feel the weight of my tail as I got up. It was extremely bright outside, so much so that I couldn't fully open my eyes yet. I had slept in way later than anticipated. I stretched and all of a sudden energy came screaming back into my body. I couldn't contain it, so I deftly hopped out of the tent.

"He's awake!" someone shouted as I burst into the open field.

I looked around in awe, there wasn't a single tent left standing. Everything looked like it had been stolen overnight. You would never have known that there had been a campsite there at all. Man these guys are efficient, I wish I could clean my room like this every morning.

"Finally!" Raven's voice soared over the crowd to reach my ears, "It's about time, dear Arceus!"

The crowd broke and revealed a very angry Raven. She marched her way menacingly through the hole and I felt shivers down my spine. Something about her face was so incredibly familiar that it overtook any other thought I could have possibly had in that moment. Every part of me wanted to not be the one she was furious at. Why does this keep happening? Why do I feel like I know her?

"You've been asleep all afternoon!" she shouted, "I was just about ready to leave without you!"

Words were forming in my mouth without my consent, "Sorry, I have a very particular sleep schedule."

She looked like she was about to explode. Holy Giratina, why did I say that? I had never wanted to run so badly in my life, and yet couldn't. Every muscle in my body had seized up and all I could do was stare at her. I assumed she would attack me, but instead she took in a deep breath and shook herself.

"Whatever, let's just pack up the last tent and get out of here already," she said, motioning for a group of Pokémon to start tearing down.

I was honestly speechless. I had no idea how I had gotten out of that without at least getting roasted alive. Raven turned to walk away, and I collapsed on the ground in relief. Why is she so familiar to me? Why do I feel like I've been here before? What in the name of Palkia is happening? I picked myself up off the ground and spotted Riri in the crowd. I hadn't seen her since last night, but I could already tell there was something different about her. I decided to investigate and approached her.

"Everything okay?" I asked.

She didn't respond. There was some kind of distant look in her eyes, almost as if she were blind. How did I get to that conclusion from her staring off into space? Her eyes looked like there was some kind of cloudy glass over them. Nevermind, I guess that's a very logical conclusion to make. I tried again to get her attention, but she still didn't respond. I attempted to tap her on the shoulder, but as soon as I got close she grabbed me by the hand and threw me to the ground.

"Argh!" I exclaimed. I wasn't in pain, she hadn't thrown me too hard, but I hadn't been expecting it at all.

"State your business!" That was definitely a male voice.

"Sorry, I thought you were someone else!" I cried, "I'm one of the new recruits!"

"Interesting, your aura feels familiar somehow," he mused.

"Drake, let him go," Raven ordered.

"Of course," Drake released his grip on me and I got up gingerly.