Living in the Shadows

PART 7: CHAPTER 1 DARK CASTLE

(Third)

Life at Dark Castle hasn't been the same since Malamar took over. The reikon crystals were sickening every pure Dark-type and weakening the half-Dark-types, who were unfortunate not to build up a tolerance.

Malamar may be a primary Dark-type, but he is also a secondary Psychic-type, and the reikon crystals have little to no effect on Psychic Pokémon; in fact, the reikon crystals actually strengthen them.

The only crystals that can damage or weaken a Psychic Pokémon, pure or half, are the Crabink Diamond Crystals.

It's a good thing reikon crystals and Carbink Diamond Crystals are found in the same mines, a Zoroark, whose title is Castle Healer, mused as he finished with his latest patient: Krokorok. And it's also a good thing that whoever is mining those jewels can't tell the difference between them until the Sableye examine them.

Healer Zoroark had been far too weak to leave his quarters to appear for Mismagius's announcement the night before last. He had to hear what transpired from Krokorok after he treated his injuries. He scoffed at the notion of Malamar possibly being in love, but he did believe the usurper picked out a queen while catching up to his Beheeyem pals.

"Hey," Krokorok said as he got down from the examination bed. "You don't look so good, Healer."

"I'll survive," Healer replied tiredly. "Don't worry about me." My mate is doing enough of that as it is.

Malamar must have been distracted while he was out. Not only had she become self-aware, but she finally broke free from Malamar's mind spell. Since then, she's been spying on him and his allies and keeping the free-minded generals, Shiftry and Scrafty, up to date on Malamar's plans; all while keeping up the illusion of still being a hypnotized puppet.

"Still," Krokorok persisted. "If you're too weak to even leave your room these days, you won't be strong enough to help anyone in need of medical attention."

"Then those Pokémon shouldn't be provoking that usurper's minions," he lectured.

"There's a command no one will obey," Krokorok replied as he crossed his arms. "Even if it came from our true king himself!"

Healer sighed in defeat as he ran his claws through his mane. He admired the castle's loyalty to King Darkrai, but it can be a pain as much as a comfort.

"That Royal Phony already has your mate under his hypnosis spell, not to mention many of your friends, and mine, in the dungeon," Krokorok expressed with a vein pulsing on his head. "Surely his right-hand Pokémon can reduce the number of reikon crystals in this area at least."

"I will be waiting on standby, per the norm, when the Gourgeist bring you back here after telling Mismagius that," Healer said as he laughed a little. Out of all the castle's inhabitants, Krokorok's the one causing the most trouble with his outspoken remarks.

Most of the time, Healer restores the other castle's inhabitants of their energy after being in too much contact with the reikon crystals. Ironic that a place called Dark Castle would be white and have mostly Ghost Pokémon serving it. Which is, in itself, a mixed blessing.

One: the crystals have zero effect on them. Two: Mismagius, also a Ghost, is the strongest one among them, and she can take them all out in the blink of an eye.

And now there are four new human-Pokémon to contend with, one of which is the nefarious Dr. Kontororu himself. As a Spiritomb, he can possess any Pokémon, free-minded and otherwise, and make them do Malamar's bidding. Or his own.

Someone pounded on Healer's door. "Open up, Healer!" The screeching voices of the Sableye shouted. "Your mate has passed out again!"

"She's not the only one!" Krokorok shouted back. "Healer's practically dead on his feet because of these thrice-blasted rocks!"