Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Twisted Space

11: The Cave of Light

"Here we are. Astral Cave."

Fallen and Vigil trembled as they stood in front of the mystery dungeon. Azure kept the cave's true nature a secret during the journey over, letting Team Inferno stew in their nerves. And yet, here there were, standing in front of what seemed like any ordinary cavern. Had they come alone, they would have never understood the secrets that lay beyond Astral Cave's mundane exterior.

"Now, remind me again what the mission you selected was."

Fallen rummaged through their bag for the request and handed the charred piece of paper to Vigil to read.

"We have to rescue a togepi that wandered in and got lost," Vigil said.

"Right. That means we have no idea how long this will take. For all we know, the togepi will be easy to find. However, the opposite is just as likely. We could be in there for hours if the child is deeper into the mystery dungeon."

"You're a lucario, though," Vigil said. "You should be able to guide us to her with your aura, right?"

Azure shook his head, "I am afraid that my aura will not act as it would normally in the outside world."

Fallen began to grow agitated, "Are you ever going to tell us what a mystery dungeon is, because I'd really like to know before we charge in and get ourselves killed."

"Patience, Fallen. I was just getting to that. But to first understand mystery dungeons, you must first understand how they came to be. Mystery dungeons did not come into existence until after the Great Schism."

"What's the Great Schism?" Fallen interrupted.

"It's when humans disappeared from this world, right?" Vigil asked.

Azure nodded, "The Great Schism was the result of a tear in the fabric of space. Every human that lived on the four continents were pulled in, leading to their extinction. Fallen, however, is living proof that the Great Schism was not the end of humanity, and that somewhere between the stitches of time and space, humans are thriving."

Fallen absorbed his mentor's words, hoping that some part of it would force a memory free. Sadly, the Great Schism didn't remind the treecko of anything.

"This world never truly recovered from that calamity, and thus, mystery dungeons were born. I must emphasize that Astral Cave is no ordinary cave. No matter how many times you navigate it, no pokémon will be able to tell you how to get through it."

"So you don't know how to get us through here?" Vigil asked.

"Afraid not," Azure replied. "The walls within a mystery dungeon constantly change. No pokémon has ever traversed one with the same room layouts. That is why I said this could take a few hours if we cannot find togepi quickly. My apologies, Team Inferno. I wish I could be a little more useful to you during your first excursion. However, all I will be able to offer the two of you is my advice. With that being said, it will make you much stronger the less you learn to depend on me."

Vigil and Fallen exchanged worried glances.

"Wild pokémon run rampant in mystery dungeons, but they are much more hostile than ones you will find in nature. If one spots you, expect a fight. However, while in battle, you must remember to conserve your energy. Some mystical power within these dungeons drain our energy. You are probably wondering why I insisted we bring so much food. Having food in surplus is a necessity."

Fallen turned to the cave's entrance. What seemed like a regular cave now expelled a cloud of darkness from the mouth of the grotto, devoid of life. It was more like a portal to the afterlife rather than to a mystery dungeon.