Disclaimer? I had one last chapter, and my points still stand. Money's not involved, so no one will care that I'm ripping off their stuff. Colon D.
"Whu-oh."
Mort was apparently a lot more excited than the rest of us (which is kind of saying something), leaving us in his dust. We soon almost managed to catch up by the time we arrived, though. I guess he wasn't in the best shape. Yeah, it was him who spoke last paragraph, before he came back to meet us as we came up the slope.
"You guys better see this," he said. Of course, that was the plan, but--
"Geez Louise," said Patsy.
Yes, we had better see it.
It was hard to believe we hadn't heard the clamor already. Pokémon of all kinds littered the guild's front walk. The gate wasn't open. No one was trying that sentry grate I'd heard so much about. Mort said something about how none of them were the guild's crew, and I would have wondered how he knew that if there weren't more pressing questions on my mind. But those questions were answered before I managed to ask them.
The gate clattered open. "Your attention! Quiet, if you please!"
It was a very demanding high-pitched squawk, which everyone obeyed instantly. I almost couldn't help it. It was definitely a bad sign if my blood ran cold when my life wasn't even at stake. But then... I just hoped my shivering wasn't visible.
Mort dashed my hopes soon enough. "Calm down. It's just Chatot," he said from the corner of his mouth.
Chatot. They looked pretty ridiculous. I was sure if I could see him I could relax. But, as he hopped back and forth, looking us over, the look in his eyes only started my shivers anew.
"As you all know," Chatot began, his tail sweeping from side to side, "there happens to be a vacancy in the guild." As we all know? I thought. "Exploring has become such a glamorous job, with Team Ultimate's recent successes. I suppose you all think you can come in, sign up, and forever live a life of fun and adventure and wonder. Well, think again!"
"This makes no sense at all," Mort said under his breath. I thought it best not to speak. I probably shouldn't have heard him anyway. "Apprentices leaving worried him before, and now he's turning them away?"
"Wigglytuff's Guild cannot accept more than a few of you, if even that," Chatot was saying. "And those few will be the best. The ones who prove their worth higher than the rest. Take a job. Prove you deserve to be here. That is all." With a final flick of his tail, Chatot disappeared into the building.
"There's something weird going on," said Mort as soon as he was gone.
Patsy rolled his eyes. "No kidding."
"That wasn't what I meant," said Mort. "But--"
I found myself cutting in with a very profound statement. "Wha—we're not being trained first? They expect us to do well without knowing the first thing about exploring?"
"Experience is the best teacher," said Mort. "That's the guild's philosophy."
I screamed again, and buried my face in my hands. "I can't do this," I whined.
"You've evolved already, right?" said Mort. "So you do have some experience, don't you?"
"Not all experience is gained from fighting! Everybody knows that."
He grimaced. "So you're more of a scholar."
"I guess you could call it that!" I yelled.
"So I bet you'll recognize the word chill!" said Patsy. "Gosh."
Mort slapped his forehead, lost his balance, and fell on his face. "Let's just go get a job. I've got a guess at what we can handle."
Author's Notes:
Yeah, so I guess something will happen next chapter. Well, of course. From the look of things, it's going to be tough to not have something happen. Anyway, hope it's still got potential. I love reviews; I'm not afraid of flames. Can you at least just make your criticism constructive? Thanks.