We left the cave and walked for a while. I was not sure how far we walked, but now I am thinking it was at least five million millimeters or roughly three and a tenth miles depending on where you lived. Not sure why I am thinking this as there is not an audience in my head. Anyway, the trip was long and painful sometimes. It really only hurt when we had to cross a pile of small pointed rocks. I now know that is the first layer of defense to the base. Zano then told me they had a few bases, but none very large. "So they did have a few bases, what I was told earlier made me confused." I thought. There was a base inside a cave, which was inside another cave, which was hidden by quite a lot of trees. When we got in there finally I was put into a room with a few others. They were a Riolu, a Quilava and a Mareep. The door shut behind me.
Though doors were without locks before the war, they now come with locks. Basically I wasn't surprised when I heard a lock click into place. THe room was lit by multiple freshly lit torches. "Um... hello?" I was wary even though they were new recruits like I was. "Hey." The Quilava said calmly, a guy by the voice, or a very deep voiced girl. "Hi!" The mareep shouted energetically, certainly a girl by the voice. The riolu didn't say anything, but nodded at me. "So what do we do?" I asked. "I'm not sure, but we are supposed to do some kind of initiation." Quilava said. "By the way, what are your names?" I asked. "Most call me Flame." The Quilava said.
"My name is Ampera. Most Pokémon call me Zappy, short for zap happy as I sometimes get carried away." "What would you like me to call you?" I asked. "Zappy is fine." She said. "The only normal Pokémon here is him," Zappy said, looking at the Quilava "I haven't heard a single word from the other guy." "So we don't know his name then." I said. "Nope." She confirmed." "Well I want out of this room, it is getting a little to dry for me." I said.
"I agree, it's causing my fur to become charged." Mareep said, looking at her fluffy coat which unleashed a small spark. "We need to get out of here, I really don't want her fur to become over charged and unleash a larger static burst." I said. I checked the door and knew it was locked. However there was a small metal wire near the door. There was also an air vent which the cover seemed to be loose. There was also a window on the ceiling, and a suspicious different colored wall to the north. I went over and kicked it in. The wall broke and revealed a hole. "So... which way do we go?" Flame asked.
"I'll try to pick the lock, Flame, you can try to go through the ceiling. Zappy, go through the hole. Riolu guy, get the vent cover off and go through." I ordered. They all nodded in understanding. Quilava jumped and used flame wheel, shattering the glass. The others disappeared quickly after that.
"If I try to pick it, it will take hours. I really don't want to do that." I said. I grabbed the knob and pulled with all of my strength to the left. I heard a crack, a snap and then the entire door knob came off. "Whoops..." I said. I pushed on the other end and it would not budge. I pushed harder and it then popped out. "What?" I heard a voice say. I opened the door and saw Zano and a few others I didn't know. "Hello." I said. "Most Pokémon try to pick the lock with the wire, not rip the doorknob off." Zano said. "Most?" I wondered. "Actually, all of them tried to pick the lock. Only a few succeeded. "Where are the others?" I asked. "So you went on different paths, okay. They should be here soon." Zano said. I waited for a while and the Riolu got there. He noticed the broken door handle, but didn't say anything. Then the other two got here shortly after that.
"Look at what this guy did, he broke the door." Zano joked, pointing at me and then at the new hole in the door. Everyone laughed except the Riolu, who smiled. I asked Zano if he ever talked, and he responded by saying the riolu doesn't speak to strangers, only to people he knows he can trust. I nodded once and looked at him. "Your first test went great. Now that you passed the intelligence test you'll need to pass the teamwork test." Zano said. "Okay." I said. He led me to a maze and the others somewhere else. The door shut and locked. I heard Zappy's voice. "I'll lead you through the maze!" She shouted. I ended up horribly lost when I trusted her mostly because she was so excited she apparently forgot left from right, and up from down.
I eventually made it through however where I was greeted with Zano who led me up a ladder. I saw the others, but the riolu was gone. "He's taking the test now." Zappy explained. "Also, I'm sorry for leading you the wrong way." SHe added. "It's okay, just please remind me to never give you a map for us to follow." I said. She laughed a little. I laughed as well. After a few minutes it was my turn to lead Flame. I finished it quickly. Zappy's turn was not the best as the Riolu had to guide her. Zano said he would have to speak a little. The riolu nearly gave up on her as when she lost her sense of direction in the maze she went the wrong way. It took hours to get her through. Flame had fallen asleep and Zano had finished a few games of solitaire and nearly completed another game when she finished.
I simply sat there doing nothing. I was very bored by the end of it. When it was all done Zano said "You broke two records today, the first one to break off the doorknob and the slowest time to get through the maze. Seriously, two Slowpokes, one in the maze and one a guide, traveled through the maze thirty minutes faster than you two did. Well, at least you are through now. "You all pass, some just barely, but you all pass." Zano said, glancing at Zappy when he said 'barely'. "Now for your last test. You have to get four separate items. You'll have to separate and bring them back here. Fail to bring them back and you fail to join. Don't get lost." He said, looking at all of us, but spending more time looking at Zappy. "They all are in the base. The items you are looking for are an apple, a warp orb, and two blast seeds and go." Zano finished.
We all left to find them. I took a left and then went right. I tried to keep track of where I was going but I got lost. This was likely to keep enemies from figuring out your position and help the others out. Some passages lead to the same place, but farther in one direction so they could get behind the enemy easier should they ever find the place and try attackIing it. I looked up, sighing when I saw an apple. I would not have noticed it if I had not looked up. It was just out of my normal reach, but if I jumped I could get it. I jumped and grabbed the apple. Now the problem was getting back to where I was. I went back and got even more lost.
I found some kind of farm. A celebi was there and I jumped. "New recruit?" It asked. I nodded my head. "You should know we recruit both legendaries and regular Pokémon. Both sides have Pokémon who don't want to fight in the war, or want to fight but not for the same reasons. We are here to end the war and make peace like it was mostly long ago. Anyway, what are you doing here, you got lost?" It asked.
"Y-yeah." I said. "Okay." It said. It looked around and yelped a little. "We are out of apples! Without them we will run out of rations!" Celebi shrieked. I looked around and saw no apples. I tossed it the apple and said "This was for my last test, but you need it more." I said. It looked shocked as I turned around and left. I eventually found my way back and I heard Zano ask "Haven't found it yet?" "I did, but I gave it away." I responded.
"W-what?" He stumbled his words. "I found a farm..." I started. "That is not even connected to the main building, how did you get there?" He asked. "It isn't? I must have gotten really lost then, but anyway, you were out of apples so I gave it to the Pokémon there, a celebi." I answered. "Celebi was there? Volcarona must have taken a break." He muttered to himself. "Anyway, I sacrificed my chance for you guys." I said. "You certainly did. That was very noble." He said. I smiled and closed my eyes. I waited until the others got there. They had the items with them. "Three of the four of you pass. I'm sorry to say that the squirtle here gave his item to keep us fighting."
"So... this is goodbye." I said. "I'm not the best at fairwell's, so... goodbye." Flame said. "Goodbye's are saddening!" Zappy cried. The riolu nodded his head. "You can lead me out as I doubt I would find my way out myself." I said. "Well, normally we would have to make sure they won't reveal the location, however you still can get into here. If at least five leaders give their permission you can still join. I am one leader and I will give you my permission." Zano said.
"It would be easier if it was only two, but you would have to have a whole lot of influence to do that, and the leaders aren't the majority. That is why there has to be five." "How many leaders are there?" I asked. "There are six total." Zano answered. "Where are they?" I asked. "They all are visiting this base, they were about to see the newest ones to join." Zano responded. "Well, one down four to go." I said. Zano lead me to them, and told them what happened.
"Hmm... He seems to be kind and willing to sacrifice things to see our goal accomplished. This can be good, but can be bad." An Electivire said. "He saved the army from starving. That gives him my permission." A Shuckle said. That made two. "I'm sorry, but you haven't impressed me. No permission from me." A Beartic said. That made one no. An Alakazam and a Muk said yes, leaving me four to one. "It's all up to you." Zano said to the Electivire. "I will allow him to join, if he can survive long enough in battle. with me." Electivire stated.
"That's crazy!" Zano exclamed. "He'll only need to last five minutes." Electivire said. "Ugh, good luck." Zano said. "I'm dead." I thought. We left to an arena and I gt ready. "Ready?" Electivire asked. "Mostly." I answered. He let loose a discharge which I couldn't avoid. Blackness edged my vision as I fell down. I couldn't give up then though, and I didn't. I stood up and took a deep breath. He let loose another one, which nearly knocked me out again.
He then launched a thunderbolt at me, which I was too injured to avoid. My eyes shut as I nearly blacked out. My vision completely black I struggled to get up. My vision returned just as I heard Electivire say "You are tougher than I thought. No more going easy." "Oh great." I thought. He unleashed a massive discharge and I collapsed. I was still awake, and if I didn't have the strong determination I did I would be dead. I tried to get up but my arms would not cooperate. I struggled as I heard Electivire say "He's tough." He launched an ice punch, throwing me into a wall and knocking me out cold. I woke up a few minutes later.
"Sorry, you didn't last the required five minutes." Electivire informed. "Urgh... I think you broke my ribs." I mumbled. "So that's it then, he doesn't get in." Flame sadly stated. "Yeah. I thought he could go far but he didn't get in." Zano said. Zano started to lead me out, but was interrupted.
"Surviving a blast from Electivire was extremely impressive. I was shocked to see you survive even the held back attack. However surviving his full power attack shows how tough you are. I have changed my opinion, you didn't impress me before but now you have." Beartic said. I stood there, stunned, almost literally. "I get to stay!" I shouted. "Yes." Beartic confirmed. I then passed out from pain. I wasn't joking about the broken ribs, my body was barely working, my ribs were broken and my arm was dislodged from it's socket. I was a bit of a mess. I woke up in what I know now as the hospital quarters. It is rather large