I would've gotten this out earlier, but I was too busy with matters in my gaming life. Most of which are related to my PMD Sky playthrough... But only most. Also, this chapter was getting way too lengthy, even for me. And with the delay, I've decided to split the chapter into parts and release this early.
Chapter 2: The New Guild Recruits; Part 1
POV: Luna
Wigglytuff's Guild: Entrance
"Well, here we are... This place is Wigglytuff's Guild. This is the closest place to form an exploration team around here. Then you have to train before you come a first-rate exploration team. ...Y-y-yikes! I still think this place is a little weird... It just is!" Darumaka shivered.
I simply rose an eyebrow, but didn't prod further. "Well, sunset is more apparent than it was before. We should probably hurry before everyone heads to bed."
"You're right... Well, for anyone to gain entry, you have to step on this grate," Darumaka explained, doing so.
"Pokemon detected! Pokemon detected!" A rather young voice declared.
"Whose footprint? Whose footprint?" An overly loud voice screamed back.
"The footprint is Darumaka's! The footprint is Darumaka's!" The young voice called back.
"You may enter! Someone's with you, so get that stranger to stand up there!"
Geez, I'm feeling the headache already... Darumaka stepped aside to let me on. I momentarily studied the grate before shrugging.
"Pokemon detected! Pokemon detected!"
"Whose footprint? Whose footprint?" Oh my god... They have to do this every time...
"The footprint is... The footprint is... Uhm..."
"What's the matter... Sentry? Sentry!? What's wrong, sentry Diglett?"
"...Um. The footprint is... Maybe Mawile's! Maybe Mawile's!"
"What!? MAYBE!?"
"B-but... It's not a footprint you usually see around here..."
"Ugh, that's pretty crummy! Checking the footprints of visiting Pokemon... That's your job, ISN'T it, Diglett?"
"Yes, but... I don't know what I don't know."
Words of a sage...
"Huh? Are they arguing?" Darumaka sweatdropped.
"...Sorry to make you WAIT. Well, it's TRUE you don't see any Mawile in these parts... But you don't SEEM to be bad... OK, good enough. ENTER!" The booming voice echoed from below, just as the gate opened up.
"Yikes! I'm so nervous! So jittery! But, I'm glad we're finally allowed in. My heart's pounding, though... Anyways, let's go."
"...Really? They put a ladder in here? What about the Pokemon that walk on four legs, or roll around? How are they gonna get down? This is bad design to me," I complained.
"Eh, I don't know. ...Okay, uh... This might be a problem for me..." Darumaka gulped. I finally noticed just how small his arms were.
"I- uh... Just, hold on closely, okay?"
Wigglytuff's Guild: Sublevel One
That wasn't so hard.
"Ugh... And I'm gonna have to do that again... and again... and again..." Darumaka trembled
"Oh, you're such a crybaby. It wasn't that bad."
"Says you," Darumaka pouted in fake anger. "But, look at all the Pokemon here!"
Just then, some blue bird came up from the lower floor. "Excuse me!" He called in what sounded like a stereotypical parrot voice. "It was you two who just came in, right?"
"Y-yes it was!" Darumaka confirmed.
"I'm Chatot! I'm the Pokemon in the know around these parts! I am Guildmaster Wigglytuff's right-hand Pokemon! Now, shoo! Leave the premises! We have no time for salespeople or silly surveys. Off you go, if you please!"
...Taking note of the lack of "man" in the sentences. Guess the paparazzi exists in this world too.
"N-no! That's not why we're here! We want to form an exploration team... So we came here. We want to get proper training as an exploration team," Darumaka explained.
"W-what!? An exploration team? It's rare to see kids like these want to apprentice at the guild..." Chatot thought out loud. "Especially given how hard our training is! Surely the steady stream of Pokemon that run away from our rigorous training proves how hard that is!"
"Is the exploration team training really that strict?" Darumaka asked worriedly.
"...You're just saying that to try and get us away, aren't you?" I asked. Am I really that young to these Pokemon? ...Is Darumaka really a child?
"What!? Well... no! No, no, no! It's not true in the slightest! Our training program for exploration teams is as easy as can be!"
Okay, what is with this guy? Sending me conflicting messages... Does he want us to join or not?
"Well well well! I wish you told me up front that you wanted to be an exploration team! Hee-heee!" Chatot sang, his feathered tail-like thing and his musical note head swinging about. "Okay! Let's get your team signed up right away. Follow me!"
Darumaka and I looked at each other and shrugged before following behind.
Wigglytuff's Guild: Sublevel Two
"This is the guild's second underground floor. This is mainly where the apprentices work. Team registration is this way. Come along, please!" Chatot exclaimed, walking over to a fancy door.
"Wow! We're way underground, but you can still see outside!" Darumaka shouted in excitement.
"Oh, please! Hush now! The guild is built into the side of a cliff. It's only natural that you would be able to see outside."
"Oh."
"Now, here we are at Guildmaster Wigglytuff's chamber. On no account... I repeat, on no account should you be discourteous to our Guildmaster," Chatot warned, turning to the door. "Guildmaster! It's Chatot! I'm coming in!"
"Guildmaster! I present to you two Pokemon who wish to join our guild as apprentices." No response emitted from the huge pink... wall. "Guildmaster... um... Guildmaster?" Even Chatot asked in confusion.
"Hiya!" Wigglytuff shouted, turning around at the same time to try to scare us. Got Daru, at least. "I'm Wigglytuff! I'm the guild's Guildmaster! You want to form an exploration team? Okay! First we must register your exploration team's name! So tell me your team's name!"
"Huh? The team's name?!" Darumaka exclaimed in shock. "I totally forgot about that! ...Luna, you have any cool ideas?"
"Uhm... I'm thinking about something around the lines of the 'Unlikely Duo'?"
"...Sounds cool, but why that name?"
"I don't know, our types are pretty mismatched and we have near opposite personalities? I have nothing better," I shrugged. "Not really good with names."
"Hm, I see what you're getting at... Then how about we shorten it to 'Team Misma-' no, almost sounds like an insult..."
"Then how about 'Team Contrast'?" Wigglytuff suggested.
"Alright, that sounds pretty cool!" I smirked.
"Team Contrast... Team Contrast! Yeah! That's a good name! I like it!"
"Oooh, and it's got a double meaning if you think hard enough! It's about how near polar opposites can work together in harmony!" I commented.
"Alright, all settled then! I'll register your team as Contrast. Registering... Registering..." Wigglytuff chanted. "All registered! Yoooomm... Taah! Congratulations! From now on, you're an official exploration team! I present you with this in commemoration."
"A Pokemon Exploration Team Kit?" Darumaka asked.
"Yup! It's what every exploration team needs. Quick, open it up!"
I walked over to one side of the box and let Darumaka open it up. Inside was an Explorer Badge, a Wonder Map, and a Treasure Bag. "Yeah! There's all sorts of good stuff in here!"
"That's your Explorer Badge! It's your official team identification! And there's the Wonder Map, which is a wonder of convenience! Finally, there's a Treasure Bag. It lets you carry items you find in dungeons. Your successes as an exploration team can lead to bigger and bigger space for your Treasure Bag. It's a very wonderful bag!" Wigglytuff explained. "Have a peek inside your Treasure Bag."
Darumaka opened up the flap and heaved the bag out of the box in order to look inside. From the bag, he lifted up a Power Band and a Blue Bow.
"Those two items are special. I'm sure they'll help you on your adventures!" Wigglytuff told.
"Th-thank you! We'll do our best!" Darumaka smiled.
"Yup. But you're only apprenticing right now. So do your best... to train!"
"We will. Let's do this right, Luna!" Oh my god we need to pose.
Darumaka glanced at me, totally confirming that we were thinking of the same thing. He simply pumped his fist into the air, while I swung my arm across my body into a low arm pump and grinned cockily.
Wigglytuff's Guild: Crew Rooms
"This is your room!" Chatot showed a rather empty and small, yet comfortable room.
"Wow, we get beds!" Darumaka exclaimed, walking onto one and claiming his.
"You will live here while you work for us. Things will start getting busy for you tomorrow! So rise early and start living up to our code! Don't stay up late! Get to sleep early tonight! That is all," Chatot finished, leaving us to ourselves.
Nighttime quickly rolled around, yet despite my complaining earlier, I was wide awake. Might as well reflect on what happened today...
First of all, what was that memory?
"No! Don't let go!"
It was almost as if... two Pokemon were hanging off the edge of a cliff. It's really unlikely, but even still, that's my only reasonably guess. And then...
"Waaaaaah!"
It sounds like they didn't make it. Yet, strangely, those two voices... They almost sound familiar. But there's not much I can make of that right now. Then, that vision I had...
That was the same Darumaka as the one right here, I'm sure of it. Yet, he looked much different. Definitely more confident. It might be because of my influence, or just from the training here. Or is it even a vision from the future? Was it just made up?
And, that was surely his Relic Fragment he put in that slot. I have to- we have to keep that safe. I know now that it's more than just a rock. ...Speaking of which, it was touching that rock that sent me the vision, wasn't it? Has Darumaka experienced any visions like that? And then, should I tell him about mine?
"Hey, are you still awake, Luna?" Darumaka asked. Well that's convenient.
"Yeah."
"My heart's been pounding over every little thing today... But I'm glad I finally worked up the courage to come here. I thought Wigglytuff would be a lot scarier, but he's really nice. Even though tomorrow has all sorts of new stuff in store for us, I'm not scared at all!"
"Darumaka... Have you experienced any... visions?" I asked.
"Hm? No, not any. Why do you ask?"
"Oh, nothing. I'm gonna try to sleep now, it's rather late."
"Okay then," Darumaka shrugged, probably. I wasn't looking.
And so, I tried to sleep. But no matter what, I just couldn't get comfortable. There was no clock so I couldn't tell how much time really passed, but I'm sure it was a long time.
Might as well get back to my thoughts... Well, that village, and the fact that exploration teams exist... Pokemon here have established a society like a human, with no humans in sight... That surely confirms that this is a different world. What does that mean for me? Will I ever get back to my world? And do I want to...? I guess only time will tell...
But, then, if this is a parallel universe, then that memory... Were those two people travelling through a portal to get here, only to get separated? Was one of those people me? It would explain why I wasn't with that person when I woke up. And it's not impossible, considering this world. But then that brings up more questions: why would we have to travel over to this world? Is there something going wrong? And what could it be? Then, would there be another Pokemon out there, who was once a human like me, and with no memories? ...Well, no sense in asking what I can't get answers to...
...Hm. Curious... I already know about some Pokemon, despite my amnesia... Safe to assume I knew about them previously, but then there was that... gassy-looking 'mon. Wonder what's in store for me...
The next morning...
"Hey! Rise and shine!"
Uughh... M-my head is pounding! Wh-what a ridiculously loud voice! It almost blasted my eardrums...
"Why are you still ASLEEP!? Wake up!"
"M-my ears..."
"C'mon! Snap OUT of it! I'm Loudred! And I'm a fellow apprentice! If you're late for our morning briefing, you'll be SORRY! So, MOVE it! Guildmaster Wigglytuff has got a BIG temper. If you make him lose it... YOWEEE! That would be one very scary scene! I've got goosebumps thinking about it! YEESH! ...So ANYWAY... I'm not about to get in trouble because you rookies got up LATE! SO GET IT IN GEAR!"
"Ow, my fucking ears..." I complained, still motionless.
"Urk! My ears are still ringing! ...What did he say? Something about getting ready?" Darumaka groaned, getting up. "Er... Oh, yeah! We signed up as apprentices at Wigglytuff's guild, that's right! But that means... Oh no! We totally overslept! Hurry up, Luna!"
"Just... Ten more minutes..."
"Luna, please. We don't have time for this!" Darumaka panicked. I just tried to go back to sleep.
Suddenly, Darumaka's tiny hands lifted me off the ground. "Wh-what are you doing!?"
"If you can't get to the morning briefing, I'll just have to get you there myself! Heh, you're much lighter than you look."
"Sh-shut it," I pouted playfully, letting him carry me out.
Wigglytuff's Guild: Sublevel Two
Everybody seemed to be gathering just in front of Wigglytuff's room. There, in front of Chatot, was a Sunflora, Diglett, Loudred, Bidoof, Chimecho, Corphish, Dugtrio, and Croagunk.
"You're LATE, rookies! And, what in the world do you think you're doing?" Loudred asked in bemusement as Darumaka set me on the ground.
"She refused to get out of bed."
"No, I was too tired."
"Same thing."
"Hush, you three! And your voice is ridiculously loud!" Chatot scolded, making Loudred grumble in annoyance. "Well, everyone seems to be present. Very well. Let us conduct our morning address. Guildmaster! The guild is in full attendance!"
A moment passed before the doors to the Guildmaster's chambers opened up. "Thank you, Guildmaster! Please address the crew for our special announcement."
Yet the only thing that came out of Wigglytuff's mouth was a bunch of snores.
"Pssst...! Guildmaster Wigglytuff never ceases to amaze me!" One apprentice whispered.
"Yeah, you got that right!" Another apprentice replied back.
"Yup, looks like he's wide awake," A third voice chuckled in a southern accent, which might've came from Bidoof.
"Eek! His eyes are wide open! But he's fast asleep!" The Sunflora next to me exclaimed quietly.
"Thank you, sir! We all value your... words of wisdom!" Chatot said, trying not to chuckle. However, quiet snorts still made it through his beak. I found myself making similar noises too. "OK, Pokemon! Take our Guildmaster's words of wisdom to heart!
"Anyways, I'll take over the announcement today. As you can see, we have two new guild recruits! Their names are Darumaka and Luna, who formed the team, 'Contrast!' Please do treat them kindly!"
"Hey, hey, hey! It's you two from yesterday!" The Corphish exclaimed.
"Oh my gosh, it is! You totally kicked that thief's butt!" Sunflora cheered.
"Oh yeah, I remember you! And sorry for the pushiness, but you knew what I had to do," I apologized.
"Hmm? Some of you are already acquaintances with our new members? Well, I hope you get along well!" Chatot beamed. "And finally, let's not forget out morning cheers! And listen closely, you two. Remember the chant well; you'll be expected to join in for the rest of your time here. All together now!"
"A-ONE, A-TWO... A-ONE-TWO-THREE!" Everybody shouted.
"ONE! DON'T SHIRK WORK!"
"TWO! RUN AWAY AND PAY!"
"THREE! SMILES GO FOR MILES!"
What the hell? The second line made it sound like this is a fucking mafia. Totally sounded like a serious, criminal organization, and then the third line just comes up and makes it a cheery, happy-fun-time land.
"OK, Pokemon! Get to work!" Chatot exclaimed.
"HOORAY!" Everybody cheered one last time, before the group scattered.
I looked at Darumaka in confusion, only to get a similar stare back. Both of us didn't know what to do. I simply decided to head up a floor and check it out.
"Hey, you shouldn't just be wandering around there. You two, come here," Chatot called, hopping to the upper floor.
Wigglytuff's Guild: Sublevel One
"You're just beginners. We'll have you start off with this assignment. This is the Job Bulletin Board. Pokemon from various regions post job requests here. You're aware that bad Pokemon are cropping up in greater numbers, right?"
Oh, right. Daru said something about t-
"Yup. Because the flow of time is getting messed up. It's wreaking havoc, right? Which is why lots of bad Pokemon are appearing!"
Woah woah woah, what a fucking bombshell! The flow of time's messing up!? And Daru just casually drops the bomb like it was common knowledge!
"Precisely. Time getting out of whack has caused an outbreak of bad Pokemon. Perhaps because of all of that, we've noticed an increase in the number of jobs. In addition... and it's unknown if this is because of time's influence... There has also been a mass outbreak of... Mystery dungeons," Chatot explained flatly.
...What. What the fuck.
"So, Luna. You haven't been in a mystery dungeon before, have you? Well, back at the beach we were at, right next to it was a mystery dungeon. If you need a bit of practice, you can head there. They change layout each time you enter it, and different items appear as well! But, while they are littered with bad Pokemon, it's also a good way to grow stronger."
"Well! You're quite informed, aren't you! That makes things much easier for me to explain! Jobs all take place in mystery dungeons. So... Let's look for a job that you should perform! ...Ah, yes. Maybe this will do?" Chatot questioned, somehow taking a piece of paper off it with his wing.
"Oh, yeah? Let's read it!"
Hello! My name is Spoink! An outlaw has run off with my most prized possession. My precious pearl! That pearl is life itself... to me! I just can't seem to settle down if that pearl isn't in its proper place atop my head! But I heard my pearl has been sighted! It's said to be on a rocky bluff. But this bluff is reported to be extremely unsafe. Oh, friendly readers! Would you be so kind as to go to the bluff and get my pearl? I beg your help, exploration team members!
"Hold on a second! We're only going to fetch an item that someone dropped?" Darumaka asked angrily.
"Woah, Darumaka! Why are you so mad?! You don't even know how important that pearl could be to Spoink!" I shouted in shock.
"But L-Luna, I- I'd rather look for treasure, or- or explore unknown places. Things like that! I-"
"Hush!" Chatot squawked loudly. "It's important that you rookies pay your dues!"
"Darumaka, it's all about being a good person. So, where exactly is this bluff?" I asked. Darumaka looked to the floor and drooped in sadness.
"It's not too far away from here. Open your map," Chatot commanded. Daru had the bag, and he quickly unrolled the parchment. "This is where we are, right here. The dungeon, Drenched Bluff, is directly southeast, right over here."
"You're right- we can get there very quickly," I commented.
"But, you've never been in a mystery dungeon, so I recommend getting the hang of things down in the Beach Cave. It's still early in the morning, so there's plenty of time for you to complete this job," Chatot finished.
"Alright then. Come with me, Darumaka," I called, heading up the ladder.
Wigglytuff's Guild: Entrance
"Could I just call you 'Daru?'" I said randomly as we were heading down the stairs.
"Hm? Why?"
"I don't know, 'Darumaka' is a little long."
"Mm, alright. ...Well, there's something I have to tell you," Daru started nervously. "I didn't want to say it in front of Chatot, because it would prompt questions from him... Well, uh- you know how I said the mystery dungeons are littered with bad Pokemon?"
I nodded, confused.
The Crossroads
"Well- hm, how do I word this... Okay, so, you know how there's Pokemon like me and the ones at the guild? We communicate and do business as if we all were of the same species... Like humans (probably) do. But, the Pokemon found in mystery dungeons... They aren't like us. We call them Wild Pokemon- because that's exactly what they are."
Like... Like beasts that grew up in the wild? ...Oh, that's what he meant.
"I don't know how to describe it exactly, but you get what I mean, right?"
I nodded.
"So, Wild Pokemon may look like us, but they're... violent. But, onto a different but still related topic.
"Now, with that knowledge, you may be wondering, 'How did we become civilized?'
"...Heh. You already know, don't you? It was because of humans, Luna. They united each other, then they united us. Even Arceus, our very creator. There weren't many humans due to the harsh environments, but they made a huge impact."
"But, I haven't seen a single human since I've got here," I commented nervously, stopping in place.
Treasure Town's beach
"W-well... They... They're gone. But if you truly believe you were once a human, then... I don't even know what it means! Don't you get how important you might be!? There hasn't been a single human sighted in a long time, but then, here you are!"
I looked down at my human hands, but they were just Mawile hands. Awkward, small, and a constant reminder of what I am. I tried to push those thoughts out of my head and continue walking to the Beach Cave.
"Normally the Wild Pokemon aren't that aggressive, but with the recent rise in criminal activity, the increase of jobs, and the time going out of whack... Something's gotta be happening! And here you are, who just magically got turned into a Pokemon and arrived here at the same time this is all happening!" Daru exclaimed, way too excited.
"I guess..." That... is pretty likely. And goes with my thoughts from last night, too. "Honestly, at this point, I believe anything could happen. ...But, wait, how did the humans go extinct?"
"Well... I don't actually know. Some history books talk about this world being made only for Pokemon, but then it goes on to talk about humans. It's contradictory if you ask me," Daru stated as we started to walk into the entrance to the mystery dungeon.
"So it's like they don't want to tell us?" I pouted.
"Seems like it."
We continued walking down deeper into the cave in silence, but strangely, the light didn't falter. Okay, I got transformed into a Pokemon and got transported to a world without humans. Somehow, that seems okay compared to this.
"Alright, Luna. Let's find out what we're made of!"