"GET OUT OF BED, YOU LAZY SLAKOTHS!" Our peaceful sleep has been disturbed by a yell so loud that I could feel the room itself vibrate.

"Augh!" I scream out of surprise. The intruder was none other than Loudred, one of the loudest pokemon ever to walk the face of Pokemar. "Mother of... What was that for!?"

"YOU TWO LAZY BUMS OVERSLEPT! THE GUILD MEETING IS ABOUT TO BEGIN! I'M NOT GOING TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE IF YOU TWO ARE NO-SHOWS! SO GET UP!"

"Alright! Alright! We're getting up!"

"I think my eardrums burst..." Pikachu commented, clutching his ears in pain.

"We'll have to worry about that later, Pikachu. Let's just get ready." I get myself out of bed, helping Pikachu up as well. Not wanting another ear-shattering scream, we get a move on to the central area. I really hope he doesn't do this every morning...

? ﾟﾕﾒ? ﾟﾕﾖ? ﾟﾕﾛ

The whole guild was gathered up in the center section of the guild. In front was Wigglytuff and Chatot, the former suspiciously still. Probably best not to dwell on it.

"Good morning, everyone." Chatot begins just as we take our places. "I know you all are waiting to get out and start exploring so I'll make this quick. We have a new team here at the guild. If you two would please, step forward so we can all see you." Not wanting to keep him waiting, we do so, weaving our way through the crowd to the front. "Now, please introduce yourselves." I felt a bit of stage fright grab hold of me. I force it aside. No reason to let it impair me. Though it looks like Pikachu may struggle a bit more than me.

"Hello." I begin, taking the heat off my partner for a short while. "I'm Alex of Team Shock-Leaf. I'm-" No. Don't just say you're a human. You'll be the laughingstock of the whole guild. "-not sure where I'm from. I was washed up on the beach to the west two nights ago. Must've hit a rock or something because I've only got a few miscellaneous details that don't relate to each other."

"Wow..." Came voices from the crowd. "That's so sad." "The poor Treeko." "What was he doing out at sea anyway?"

"Alright! Alright, everyone. Quiet down. We still have one recruit to do yet." Chatot interrupts, turning to my nervous partner. I also do, giving him a comforting smile.

I mouth the words "You got this." to him, which seems to help him.

"My... M-My name is... Pikachu. ...I'm just speechless. I never imagined I would actually be here, standing inside the guild. And I'm eternally thankful that you're willing to give me a chance. So... thank you." Several in the crown give applause. I watch as relief surges through him.

"Thank you Alex. Pikachu. Anything you'd like to add, Guildmaster?" Oh yeah! Wigglytuff is here too! He's been so quiet I hardly knew he was there. But for some reason he opts to stay silent. Just staring. Unblinking. "Guildmaster?" Wait... Is he... snoring? Is he asleep!? How!? When?! Mummers in the crowd tell me that I'm not the only one who noticed. "Um..." Chatot continues. "...nevermind. Let's just do our daily cheer. Let's show our new recruits how it's done. The three guild rules!"

"One!" The crowd chants in unison. "Don't shirk work!" Why would that be a fundamental rule? I would think that goes without saying.

"Two! Run away and pay!" Woah! Wait a minute! That seems a bit aggressive and unnecessary.

"Three! Smiles go for miles!" And of course they end on a cheesy one...

"Excelent! Now, To work!" Chatot closes out. The crowd gives one last shout before dispersing. "Alright, you two. I'll help you with your first mission. Please. Follow me." He starts walking, or rather, hopping, towards a notice board a little ways away. "You two came at quite the opportune time. With all the time distortions and all."

"Time distortions?" I inquire. All I get for my efforts as a confused stare from Chatot.

"How have you not heard? Everyone's talking about it."

"Amnesia, remember?"

"Oh. Right. Sorry."

"I'll explain." Pikachu adds in. "Lately time seems to be having a few hiccups. No one knows why. But this instability has created a great many more mystery dungeons. You know what those are, right?"

"Actually... I think I do... unpredictable land where everything changes. Things mysteriously appear in them and the changes make charting them near impossible."

"Glad to know you still have something rattling around in that head of yours."

We reach the notice board and Chatot tuns to us, calling for our attention. "This is the request board. Aside from our regular exploration duties, we often lend a hand to the locals of Treasure Town. That way when we have explored the continent completely, we won't have to shut down. Now then. Let's start you two off with something simple..." He scouts over the many different requests pinned to the corkboard, trying to decide. "Ah! Here we are. A Spoink has asked us to recover a pearl of his he accidentally left at Drenched Bluff."

"...Wait... Are you serious?" Pikachu growls. "You're sending us on a freaking fetch quest?! I joined the guild to explore! Not to do some menial tasks while everyone else has the time of their lives!"

Almost immediately, Chatot goes into stern mode. "Watch your tongue, rookie! Like it or not, You are under our jurisdiction! And we aren't going to just throw you out into uncharted lands without you proving you have what it takes! Now, stow the attitude and listen to me. Is that clear?"

Pikachu, clearly caught off guard by Chatot's little speech, backs away slightly. "Ah! Uh... Sorry. I won't do it again!" And with his apology, Chatot's feathers smooth back out and be is once again calm.

"Good! So Drenched Bluff isn't the most dangerous of mystery dungeons, but I've seen cocky and overconfident recruits go in before and come back bruised and empty handed. So before you go make sure you're prepared. And do your best not to let your guard down. I see a lot of promise in you two and I'd hate to lose you."

"Yes sir." I respond.

"Ok. Head to the storeroom to your left. Take only what will fit in your bag. I expect to see you back this afternoon. Good luck."