Wardens Eternal
Chapter Eleven: Uniforms
"It looks good on you, really goes with your scarf and fur quite wonderfully."
Scarlett had to agree with Beautifly's compliments, her new vest really did complement the reds of her fur and her scarf nicely. It was a nice fit too, snug on her back but generous around her shoulders, preserving her full range of movement before hanging open over her belly. It wasn't just for looks though, a decent sized pocket had been sewn onto either side for carrying items. Scarlett couldn't reach in and take items in and out while it was still on her back, but considering how lightweight and easy to put on it was, she had no problems with having to take it off whenever she needed something.
Martian got something. . . Something a little different.
Martian's vest was heavy and bulky, solidly secured to his back, sides, and belly with thick straps. he had pockets on his sides too, but his were larger and tougher, meant for a lot more weight in addition to the satchel and straps on top of his back.
It may have been a hassle getting on, but once he got it on just right Martian began to almost grin at the feeling of the new weight on his body. He already was as solid as a tree and impressively larger than Scarlett before, but with the added bulk on his muscular frame he only seemed to grow larger. More powerful, more courageous, more steadfast, and maybe even a little more mysterious. . .
Scarlett couldn't help but blush at the thought.
Wardens Eternal
The room was dark, almost pitch black save for the orb that glowed softly as it hovered alongside Scarlett and her partner. It seemed like they have been wading their way through knee high water for hours, the only sounds being the sloshing of the water and the echoes off of the cave's seemingly endless walls.
Movement.
The vulpix didn't even have a split second to heed the warning before the largest, and meanest Feraligatr she had ever seen lunged towards her with its terrible jaws splayed open, displaying all of its jagged and feral teeth. Thankfully they never got to touch her.
A powerful Iron Tail swung in from the side, smashing its way through the yellow stained fangs and sending shards of the bony points splashing all over around them as the blow sent the water type reptile reeling in pain.
Now it was her turn to use her own teeth. The red kitsune pounced onto the crocodile's back and bit as hard as she could with a Thunder Fang attack. (It was a good thing that Martian knew a thing or two about that move, otherwise, she'd never figure it out.)
The Big Jaw Pokemon roared in pain and began to thrash about, hoping to lose its unwanted passenger, it's tail collapsing a stone pillar in the process. When the vulpix finally released her opponent, the wounded opponent chose to cut its losses and flee, diving back into the shallow water and swimming away, a faint red trail from its jaw the only indication where it was going.
Scarlett rolled back onto her feet and turned to face Martian, nodding to show that she was fine. the Electric type returned the gesture before taking the lead up a few stone stairs to a pair of wooden doors. Teaming up to part the wooden barricade the two pushed until the rotting doors parted revealing a pedestal in the center of the next room.
A pedestal with nothing on it. Someone else had already taken the treasure and left. Or had they?
Scarlett's nose almost instantly registered the oily sent from the pedestal, revealing a small bowl in the center with the flammable liquid inside. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, so she let out a small fireball.
The oil caught aflame illuminating the circular room in all its glory, legends upon legends carved into its walls for all eternity. Scarlett could hardly contain her excitement as she began to examine the tales of ancient heroes. This was history that the world had forgotten, and now she had brought it back for good. A great accomplishment.
Then the real victory began as a fuse that had been cleverly hidden alongside the stone pedestal caught fire and began to burn down the side of the stand and across the stone floor disappearing behind a tiny hole in the wall. . .
Clunk!
The sound of some sort of heavy mechanism almost made Scarlett jump, but once part of the wall began to move with a heavy groan revealing another chamber her heart started beating faster all over again as she entered.
Another pedestal with oil, another small flame, and the fire burned across a channel to another pedestal, before branching to light two more, then another two, and another, and another, it just went on like that forever. Best part of all was the fact that all the fire danced across golden surfaces.
Treasure,
Treasure as far as the eye could see and seemingly beyond. Never before had anyone seen so much gold and wealth in one place, no one even knew this place was actually real! This was the greatest discovery in the history of exploration teams world wide! And she was the one who discovered it. It was impossible to comprehend anything that could possibly triumph over this achievement.
Scarlett was so much in awe that she almost stopped breathing taking in all of the treasure she had discovered before turning to her partner.
"Martian," Scarlett sighed, "There's no way I would have done this with-"
"UP AND AT EM, IT'S MORNING!"
Scarlett jumped to her feet with a terrified screech at the sudden and loud awakening, her heart almost punching a hole in the dirt ceiling above her head as she panicked.
She was back at the guild in her room, alone. She could hear Martian's angry roars down the hall close behind Loudred's fleeing form. It sounded like the loudmouth Pokemon triggered Martian's fight or flight instinct when he startled the electric type awake.
Instantly devoid of all energy the vulpix collapsed back onto her bed and groaned as she curled up again. It wasn't real, as much as she tried to convince herself otherwise her heart wouldn't allow it. It wasn't real.
It wasn't real. . .
She really hated Mornings.