A.N.- I figured I should probably start this story before too long. Since it is linked to "The Ranumta Region" and all. A fair warning that this won't have a lot of Pokemon in it. After this first chapter, there will only be one Pokemon for a while, and they won't even be in Pokemon form.
Disclaimer- I do not own Pokemon.
I do not know if you came to me first, or if you went and listened to Comgal's tale. I honestly don't care. I just hope that you believe at least one of us. Hopefully my more relaxed telling will convince you that I am real. After all, we don't ever want a repeat of what happened. I'll just get started, since it is up to you if you believe my story or not.
I wake up, and stretch out my little krabby legs. I head into town, to go to my favorite cafe. They have the best berry hash in the whole city. When I arrive, I grab a newspaper from by the front door. I like to read the news while my food cooks. I can smell the berries being cooked in the kitchen. There are only about ten pokemon in the restaurant, not that I counted carefully. It is fairly quiet, the only sounds being idle chatting and the cooking in the kitchen. After being seated, I place my order- which consists of the berry hash and a glass of pecha juice. Then I hold up the newspaper and begin to read. The front cover says, "More Disasters Strike!" The article details about how more mysterious disasters are happening. Like earthquakes, wildfires, and tornadoes. None of them seem to have any explanation. As I am thinking over this, my food arrives.
"It is horrible isn't it?" the octillery serving me says.
"Very. I wish I could do something about it. But if the brightest minds of Ranumta can't figure out what to do, what can I do?" I respond, feeling saddened.
"We all wish we could do something. But moping around won't help. Maybe this meal will help brighten your spirits. I hope so, since I don't like seeing young girls sad," the Octillery says before moving off to serve more Pokemon, a platter in each of the non-walking tentacles. After I finish and pay for my meal, I head outside into the mostly empty street. I normally have to head to work at the market after breakfast. Today is my day off though, and so I can do something a bit more fun. Deciding that a walk through the nearby forest sounds like a good idea, I head off to the east. As I am heading through the bustling town square, a zorua runs up to me.
"I heard that you are looking for a way to help out with the issues we are having. If you are interested, I have a message from my master that you might like to hear," the female zorua says.
"You have my interest peaked, Why not come with me on a little hike in the woods? We can discuss it there. My name's Civuillet. What is yours?" I ask.
"My name is Sylviane. A hike in the woods sounds like a great idea. Let's go," Sylviane says. We head off together towards the forest. Ahead I see the forest, with all of its elm trees. As we enter, I can smell the rich earthiness that normally permeates forests. Once we are little ways in, Sylviane turns to me and says, "Here is what my master wants me to say, 'You who wish to help this region, I know of a way. Go to the tree in the center of the forest tonight after everyone- except the nocturnal pokemon- has gone to sleep. I will speak to you more in your dreams then.' It sounds weird, but that's how my boss communicates."
"How do I know that this isn't going to be some kind of ambush or robbery?" I ask.
"It isn't. If you are afraid of something valuable being taken while you sleep, don't bring anything valuable. If you are too afraid to sleep by a tree in the forest, then you obviously aren't brave enough to be a hero," Sylviane states.
"Why does it have to be by that tree? I know that there are plenty of fairy tales about it, but that hardly seems like a good reason," I say.
"Just remember, every story had an origin. Some were made for enjoyment. Others, have held at least some truth. Others are completely true, and have just been changed over the years. This is one of those times. It is where my boss can speak to you the easiest. I've told you what I was supposed to," Sylviane says before turning around and heading back towards town.
"Hey! I am not done talking! Why pick me?" I yell out.
Turning back, and walking towards me, she says, "Oh, you certainly weren't the first pokemon I talked to. I tried everyone at your cities guild before anyone else. None of them would listen to me. They probably figured that at best I was crazy, and that at worst I was planning to rob them. For them, it wasn't a question of bravery, and more that if one of them got incapacitated over a false lead, the guild would suffer. If the guild suffers, they can't help as many pokemon."
"What about others in town? I am certainly not the strongest or the smartest. I just work at the market," I say.
"I've tried plenty of stronger pokemon, trust me. They just lacked the drive. I could have looked in other cities, but this place is the most conveniently located for what needs done. You aren't my first choice, and won't be my last if you turn it down. I'll go through every last pokemon in your entire city if I have to," Sylviane states.
"Why not get in touch with a powerful pokemon, like an alakazam? The starting location wouldn't matter, and they naturally smarter and stronger than almost anyone in this city. Burke is probably one of the few pokemon here that'd stand a solid chance against one. It's not that I don't want to help, this just seems really fishy," I say.
"I told you, I already talked to everyone in the guild. What reason would a powerful pokemon have to listen to me? I can't even convince someone who was interested in hearing what I had to say, like you. I'm sorry for wasting your time," Sylviane says, heading back to town with her tail between her legs. That conversation kind of killed my mood for a walk, so I just went back to town as well. Suddenly struck by an idea, I head to the guild.
"Welcome to The Order of Ranum. How may I help you?" Edna, a gastrodon, says from behind a small counter in the lobby. Behind her I see a waterfall, so I assume she is resting in a pool of water.
"Remember that zorua named Sylviane that asked you guys about going to the woods for that message? I want to go check it out, but-" I start saying, before Burke walks out from an adjacent room and interrupts me.
"But you don't want to do it alone. You aren't supposed to bring anyone though. So you are hoping that we have someone here that can go out and keep an eye on it all inconspicuously. You get bailed out if there is trouble. If nothing goes wrong, then there is an eye witness for that. Am I correct?" the drapion guild leader says.
"That is exactly correct. Is there anyone that would be willing here?" I ask hopefully.
"Yes. We'll send Alina out soon. She can get stationed up before well before nightfall, and she won't stick out at all," Burke says.
"I am grateful that you'll send someone. I didn't really expect you to, since you wouldn't go before," I say.
"I've felt a bit bad about that for a while. Plus Alina, our best forest agent, was out on a mission. We don't have anyone else that could keep as close of an eye. It was too risky at the time. We were actually thinking of sending someone else soon, but couldn't make up our minds. Since you seem willing, this seems like a good idea. Know that you'll have the full backing of my guild if this turns out to be real," Burke says.
"Thank you. Well, I'll report to you tomorrow on what I find out," I say. I head out and just try to pass the time until nightfall. It is a lot harder than usual, as I can't stop thinking about what I plan to do. Finally it reaches nighttime, and I head into the forest. I reach the tree I'm supposed to be at, and lay down.
"Good night Civuillet. You can sleep peacefully knowing that I'm here," a feminine voice says from above me.
"Gah! Don't scare me like that! Are you Alina?" I ask, looking up. I see a Weedle in the tree above me.
"Yes I am, now good night. I wanted you to know I was here, so that you'd feel safer. I can't talk anymore or it'll defeat the point of me being here: unseen backup," Alina says. With that, I try to sleep. It takes a while, but I finally slip into slumber.
Hello Civuillet. I am glad that you came.
Are you the boss that Sylviane was talking about?
That I am. You wish to help save this region?
Definitely, I just don't have the power or the knowledge.
If I told you that I had a way, but that it might require risking your life, would you take it?
That's a tough question… But, yes, I would. I love Ranumta. Even though I don't have a lot of friends and family, I don't want others to suffer. If push came to shove, and they could save everyone they cared about plus thousands of other, I think that most pokemon would.
Then when you awaken, you will be in Racnovur. I will have another of my servants meet with you, and guide you. You shall bring hope. My time for talking is up, farewell.