Chapter 4: The Red Rescue Team's Newest Members
Growlithe Flareon and Vulpix have just returned to Home Base after their first mission. They sky was slowly beginning to show signs of the end of the day. After teleporting inside, they went to Captain Charmander to give their report.
"Hello there new recruits. Before you start I would like to congratulate on completing your first mission. What happens next is you are to give a full report on the mission. This full report is typically given to me by your team leader, however, all are free to give any information related to the mission.
"Team leader?" Vulpix said intrigued.
"Yes, one of things you should keep in mind is that each team is required to declare one team leader. Who takes that role is completely up to you. The team leader is not necessarily the strongest, but whoever, well, leads the team."
"I think Growlithe should be the team's leader," Flareon said confidently. "After all, it seems like it's always been that way, right Vulpix?"
"Oh sure, I wouldn't want to be in charge anyway, not really my style."
"Well then looks like it's settled. What do you say Growlithe?"
"I would be honored to lead you two. Being a leader of an actual rescue team, this all seems so surreal."
"Yes I have seen some great potential in our rescue team's leaders. It truly is a prestigious title. You may notice a change on your neck handkerchief, that symbol is worn by all team leaders, to symbolize the commitment to your team as well as the Red Rescue Team as a whole."
And just like that Growlithe's neck handkerchief began to glow, and the symbol was there just as Captain Charmander said it would be. Astounded they all marveled at the transformation, and Growlithe looked as if he suddenly stood taller.
"And now, back to your report. Some topics that are expected in your reports are whether or not you were successful in completing your assigned task, injuries to either your team or the Pokemon you set out to rescue and any other unexpected confrontations or complications. These are the standard report criteria, however, here in the Main Sector, I like to hear exactly how you went about your mission in detail. Is everything understood?"
"Yeah, I think so."
"Very well, please begin when you are ready."
"Okay, here goes nothing." And Growlithe went on to give a detailed report of the events that transpired in their first mission. He told him about how they introduced themselves as preliminaries, the strategy they used to jump up onto the branches and even about the unexpected Scyther they were able to defeat.
"And then after we brought him to safety, we said our goodbyes and headed straight here."
"I must say I am very impressed, it's not often we have members who can think so quickly on their feet. You managed to finish the mission rather efficiently, however I must ask you the method of your travels."
"Um, we walked along the main roads, like we were always accustomed to."
"I see, well that is something that will have to change. You see there are different travel methods we strongly encourage our teams to use. This will all be explained tomorrow on your next mission."
"Okay, we will do better next time."
"Don't worry about that, all new teams typically go through this same process. You should all be very proud of what you were able to accomplish today, you all gave a strong effort to help a Pokemon you have never met before, just for goodness sake. It is these small acts of kindness that will bring Pokemon closer together."
"Wow when you put it like that, it sure sounds like we did something meaningful today," Flareon mentioned.
"And you most certainly have. This will be all for today, you are welcome to stay in Home Base for as long as you want. Feel free to walk around and meet the other members. We are still relatively new, although here in Sinnoh our Main Sector was among the first to exist, but there are still quite the number of teams to go around. Be aware that teleportation may not be accessible during the night, so if you plan to stay anywhere outside of Home Base I suggest you go before it gets late."
"Thanks for the advice Captain Charmander, you're a real help,"
"Don't mention it, and please, call me Charmander. I would also like to take this time to encourage you start contemplating on your team name."
"Team name?"
"Yes, it is customary for our teams to name themselves, it allows for quick identification and the teams seem to really enjoy having one."
"Oh, that's right. Don't you remember when we first ran into that Sandshrew and Cyndaquil?" Vulpix said as she circled around to Charmander's side. "They announced themselves as Team Fire Storm. That must be there team name."
"Yes, they are one of our more established teams. If you'll excuse me I have another team to evaluate. They appear to be your friends if I recall."
Flareon turned around only to see the Murkrow Brothers and Misdreavus approaching.
"Hey guys, I can't believe you got back before us." Misdreavus remarked
"I most certainly can," Vulpix sneered.
"We just finished giving our report, we will see you after yours. Let's meet by the bulletin board we departed from earlier."
"Okay sounds like a plan," the older of the Murkrow brothers said, and Growlithe and his team walked away to wait for their friends.
MEANWHILE
"And that pretty much sums up our mission. Not too bad for a first mission wouldn't you say Captain?"
"I must say I have never heard a mission go so wrong and yet still managed to be completed in all my days as captain. You ought to be more careful next time."
"I don't see what the big deal is. We got that Munchlax out of the hole no problem. We are practically heroes already!"
"Although you did manage to effectively rescue that Munchlax, you have shown a complete disregard for kindness and made a real mockery of the Red Rescue Team's name. I suggest you do not repeat such for behavior for you are in danger of failing to earn the rank of bronze."
"Now you wait one second, my team is going to be the greatest rescue team that ever lived, we will go on to save countless Pokemon in need, so you might want to think twice before making that decision," Mawile said as her eyes turned red. "Nothing is going to hold us back, the safety of all Pokemon will depend on us one day."
"I don't doubt your ability, I only doubt your incentives. Anyway I assume you are the leader. You may notice a change on your neck handkerchief. In addition you should be thinking about your team name." he said as Mawile's neck handkerchief began to glow.
"Whoa this is so cool!" Mawile exclaimed as her eyes turned back to blue. "If you'll excuse us, we'll be back tomorrow for our next mission."
Mawile walked away. Skarmory and Lairon followed as they gave Captain Geodude an apologetic look.
A LITTLE WHILE AFTER
"So how was your first mission?" Flareon asked the Murkrow brothers and Misdreavus.
"Piece of poffin." Misdreavus responded. "And yours?"
"Nothing to brag about."
"Hello preliminaries. Welcome back to Home Base," a voice greeted.
"Did you hear that? It sounded like Diglett."
"Indeed it is," Diglett 004 said as he popped up from the ground. "Welcome preliminaries. Diglett sees you made it back unharmed, you are starting to look like real rescue teams."
"Hey what's that suppose to mean?" the younger of the Murkrow brother said as if showing a dissent in opinion.
"Diglett means no offense. Would you care to let Diglett show you around? There is not much to Home Base, but we are steadily improving as we grow in number."
"Sure," they said unison.
"Very well, please follow me."
Diglett went on to show Growlithe and friends Home Base. They all marveled at the different Pokemon from all of the four major regions. Flareon wondered how this organization could be kept so secret for as long as it did, but quickly turned her mind to a mysterious cave covered by the shadows of the trees that surrounded it.
"Say Diglett, what's inside that cave? Underneath the trees over there."
"That cave is home to the Red Rescue Team's Night Rescuers. They are rescue teams dedicated to missions that arise after the sun has set. Here in Sinnoh's Main Sector is the only place where such teams exist, however, as we continue to progress, we expect there to be Night Rescuers in each and every region."
"Wow, being a Night Rescuer sure sounds dangerous," Growlithe remarked.
"Yeah, but someone has to make sure Pokemon are helped even at night," the older of the Murkrow Brothers stated.
"Indeed. Many of our Night Rescuers consist of Dark and Ghost type Pokemon, however, there are some Pokemon of different types as well."
Diglett continued the tour, and pointed out all the notable areas including the berry stockade, items depot and the health restoration facility. Throughout the tour many Pokemon appeared to be watching closely at the Red Rescue Team's newest members. It was almost as if they were witnessing something they had never seen before.
"Hey Diglett, what's the deal with all these other teams? They seem to be almost, I don't know, surprised to see us."
"Oh nonsense Flareon, they are simply astounded by our beauty!" Misdreavus said as Vulpix rolled her eyes.
"Please excuse them. You see, you six are the first new members in a long time. Rescue teams are especially hard to find, as there aren't many Pokemon who would take the time to help others."
"Well you think they they could be a little less, obvious." Vulpix commented as a group of Pokemon watched them as they walked by.
"Again, Diglett ask that you please excuse them. This concludes our tour. Diglett will be burrowing underground where the other Digletts spend their nights. Feel free to meet and greet with the other teams. Farewell for now," Diglett 004 said as he quickly burrowed underground.
MEANWHILE
Mawile and her team were walking around Sector 1's Home Base and they began to notice the other teams watching their every move.
"Wow they sure seem interested in us. Almost like they've never seen a steel type before." Skarmory commented.
"I think it's annoying, if they have something to say to us they might as well just say it." Mawile said as she became more and more frustrated.
"I think it's flattering. They must be impressed by my shiny metal coat."
"Oh that's not it Lairon. Anyone can see that's a dainty old excuse for an outer shell."
"Hey!"
"Calm down. I'm only teasing."
They continued to walk around, with everyone still closely observing their behavior. Mawile's eyes quickly turned red.
"What's the big idea here! Hasn't anyone ever seen a steel type Pokemon before!?" she announced.
"It's not you're steel type quality everyone is interested in."
"Who said that?"
"My apologies my steel tongued friend. Over hear," a voice said. A Piplup, Buizel and Charmeleon approached them and began with an introduction.
"I'm Piplup, this here is Buizel, Charmeleon and together we're Team Waterflame."
"I see, can you please explain to me why everyone is acting all weird."
"Plain and simple, you're new, we don't get many new members, at least we haven't gotten any as of late. Before you got here we were the newest members here in Sector 1, and even that was quite some time ago."
"Well have no fear, you're looking at the Red Rescue Team's rising stars. We plan to be the best and that's that."
"So it appears, we'll see how long you last with that attitude. In case you didn't know our team happens to be rising fairly quickly, so don't think you can just join and steal the show."
"You listen here, our team strives to be the best and nothing more, so you better watch your back."
"The only thing I'll be watching is your team fall short of our high water mark."
"Oh yeah why don't you say that in between my teeth-"
"Mawile enough, you're causing a scene," Skarmory interrupted.
"She started it."
"We best be going. Though we'd see the new competition, but turns out there is none," Piplup continued, and she and her team walked away.
"Hey! Get back here I'm not done with you!"
"Mawile! Please behave. Let's not have targets on our backs it's only our first day."
"Fine. Let's get out of here. We'll come back in the morning for our next mission. We need to give these teams time to adjust, there's a new rescue team in town!" she said and they walked towards a bulletin board to make their exit.
BACK AT SECTOR ZERO
The sky was filled with stars, and the moon shined bright as many of the rescue teams gathered around one overbearing flame. Growlithe and the others took a seat close to the flames light, as they spent many nights near the warmth of a campfire themselves. They still noticed the other teams observations of them, however, no one approached them until finally a team consisting of a Mime Jr, Mr. Mime and Chatot walked over and sat beside them.
"Hi there. I'm Mime Jr and these are my teammates Mr. Mime and Chatot. Together we're Team Mimic." Mime Jr said and Growlithe followed up by introducing himself as well as his friends.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all. You'll have to excuse everyone, it's been awhile since we've had any new members."
"Yeah we've noticed a certain… interest in our arrival," the younger of the Murkrow brothers said as he looked around.
"I thought they were dazzled by my presence," Misdreavus mentioned sounding disappointed. Vulpix rolled her eyes.
"Well now that you're here, that's all that matters. Listen up everyone!" Mime Jr. announced to all the teams around the fire. "I would like to introduce the Main Sector's newest members Growlithe, Flareon, Vulpix, Murkrow, little brother Murkrow and Misdreavus. They may only be preliminary members, but they are rescuers nonetheless. Let's give a shout out to Sinnoh's newest protectors!" she went on to say, as the other members all cheered.
"Wow they really like us here!" Flareon commented.
All eyes turned as Captain Charmander walked up next to the newly introduced members.
"I see you have become acquainted with some of the other teams here. I trust you are enjoying your time?"
"Yeah, everyone is so excited about us, it's hard not to," the older of the Murkrow brothers said.
"Yes they are in rather good spirits to see new faces. Now, I must bring to your attention another custom we have here in the Main Sector of Sinnoh. You see, we take great pride in our ability to attract new members. That being said, you are well aware of the circumstances you are in, being the first new members in a long time. I would like to ask all of you about your reasons for joining, feel free to take your time."
Everyone grew silent as they awaited the response from their new members. Nothing could be heard but the crackling of the fire, and the gentle breeze of the night. Growlithe looked down at the ground he stood on, and then back to the eager crowd that stood before him.
"My fellow Red Rescue Team members, I think I speak for all of us when I say that we are tired of living alone. When we walk out into the dangers of this world, we are alone, because no one is there to protect us, no one is there to lend a helping hand. There are countless Pokemon living among us, but as many as we are, we live our perils separated from one another, and keep our vulnerabilities to ourselves. So when we decided to join the Red Rescue Team, we saw an opportunity to take the dangers of others and connect it to our own, so that we can truly help Pokemon, by making it so that they are not on their own, and neither are we."
There was a still silence after Growlithe finished his emotional appeal. Captain Charmander walked closer to Growlithe, put his arm around him and said,
"These Pokemon standing before you have spoken from their heart and soul. I trust the future of the Red Rescue Team is in good hands!"
And everyone began to cheer for their new members! There was strong sense of connection between the Red Rescue Team members of Sinnoh's Main Sector that night. Everyone seemed to see their own reasons for joining were not that different from one another. Growlithe's words would go on to guide him and his team throughout their experience as a rescue team, making it more meaningful and their goals ever more attainable.
