Chatot never ceases to amaze me...

The Tale of Twin Hearts

Chapter 1: An Unusual Adventure Begins

(Page 1)

"WHAT!?"

A Chatot started squawking and flapping his winging spastically to the point that I thought he was going to explode. Honestly, I'm not sure why he is so surprised, but the way he was acting, It seemed this place didn't get offers as frequently as I thought it would.

"A Chikotira, Shinx, and a Buneary. A trio. Hmm, Let me have a good look at you three..."

Slowly, the Chatot looks at each one of us. First, he looked at the Chikorita, then the Shinx. As soon as he looked at me, he paused, squinting. The way he looked at me was as if I didn't belong; He wouldn't be wrong. The only thing that had me worried was that he spent so much time staring me down, it was starting to get uncomfortable. What was he looking for?

"...Alright, well, pardon me for my behavior," He said as he straightens his posture. "My name is Chatot. I am the Assisting Guildmaster and Head of Intel of the Wigglytuff Guild. If you have not heard about this establishment by now, we recruit Pokemon willing to dedicate themselves as Explorers and Rescuers, but I'm sure you know that by now. That's why you came here! Now, please head over to the Guildmaster. He's in his room over there."

Entering the room Chatot instructed us to go, a Wigglytuff stood at the other end of the room, smiling, almost as if he was anticipating us. Walking up to him, he too looked at each one of us and smiled brightly once more.

"Hiya! Welcome to the Wigglytuff Guild! Before I go any further with recruitment, may I please have your names and can you tell me a little bit about yourself? Let's start with you."

Pointing at the Shinx, he clears her throat in a nervous manner and begins introducing himself.

"My name is Pumpkin and...uh...I, uh...I'm a Hu- "

"He's a friend of mine. He isn't usually this nervous, but I guess with all the new faces, he can't help himself," The Chikorita said quickly covering his mouth. With us knowing what he is (or used to be) and the fact that he lost his memory, I'd say that was quick thinking on her part.

"Oh! Well no worries, the Pokemon here are very friendly. I'm sure you'll feel right at home in no time!" Wigglytuff smiled. Turning around, Wigglytuff started fumbling around before turning back to us. "Okay, what about you?"

Wigglytuff points to the Chikorita.

"My name is Miya. I am a Chikorita, of course, heh, and I am from the Islands of the Grand Sea," She said, her tone rather confident.

"Grand Sea? Wow, that's far! Still, it's quite the treat for the daughter of the famous explorers Nina and Blue to be here. A natural leader."

"...!? Wha-?! Wait, how did you-"

Wigglytuff waved his paw dismissively before Miya could finish.

"We used to be friends years ago, including your adopted father. You could say I'm a family friend," Wigglytuff giggled.

Miya sat there with a shocked look on her face "Wow..."

Once again, Wigglytuff turned around and started fumbling around before turning back to us. It made me curious as to what was behind his back.

"...Alright! Now, what about you?" He said, pointing to me."

"Oh, uh, My name is Liloxi. I'm from Blizzard Island and-"

"Wait..." He said, cutting me off. His cheerful expression disappears as he narrows his eyes at me. "Did you say 'Liloxi?'"

"Y-yeah, how come? H-Have you heard of me?"

"...Nope!" He said going back to his cheerful expression. I just think it's a cool name! You all have very interesting names!"

All we could do was look at him confused before looking at the others. Apparently, we all had the same look on our faces.

"Okay~! I have something for you all." Turning around for the third time, Wigglytuff fumbled around once again, and as he turned back around to face us, he held three scarves in his paws. From there, he gives one to each one of us.

"Welcome to the Guild!"

"Wow!" Miya said, staring at the scarf she received. Excitement was written all over her face as she sat and tied the scarf around her head. I always thought the scarves went around your neck since just about every explorer or rescuer I've seen, including the members here, had it around their necks...but I guess there was nothing wrong with being different. I mean, look where I came from.

Carefully, I took the scarf and tied it around my waist. It would have been a disaster if it got tangled in my fur tuff. Pumpkin on the other hand tied it around his leg which was probably easier for him to access.

"Looking good!" Wigglytuff smiled. "Now that you are members, you will be able to begin your training as explorers. Chatot will be outside the room waiting for you. He should have an assignment for you three.

"An Assignment!?" Miya's eyes lit up, hardly able to contain her excitement. "Pumpkin, Liloxi, let's go!"

Exiting the room, Chatot stood at the door and nearly fell over as we all rushed out. Catching himself, he dusted his feathers off and squawked as he saw us. His eyes studied us as he gave a judgemental look.

"What an odd bunch..." He mumbled. "Those scarves aren't supposed to be worn that way. The Guildmaster actually let you three out the room looking like that?"

"He did, what's wrong with how we're wearing it?" Pumpkin said, looking at his then at ours.

"Well, it's just..." Chatot took a quick glance at the other members. Each one of them was at their post, hard at work, and enjoying it too. Sighing, he looks back at us. "Nothing. Nothing at all. Now, I'm sure you heard by now, but I do have an assignment for you three. Recently we got a report of a local Spoink that-"

"Chatot, you gave the other Recruit that one already!" Wigglytuff shouted from the room. Since there wasn't a door (At least from what I've seen), I'm sure Wigglytuff could hear us without a problem.

"Wha-Guildmaster! Are you Eavesdropping?"

"Nooooo~" He said in a teasing manner. It was obvious he was eavesdropping, and judging by the annoyed look on Chatot's face, it was also obvious that the Guildmaster did this before. Probably more than once. "Besides, don't you have something better than that for them? you know.."

"I...Guildmaster! Please! That mission is Rank A. These children only just got here!"

"We're not kids..." I grumbled.

"Hush, you're kids to me." Chatot snapped before turning his attention back to the Guildmaster. "As I was saying, don't you think that is a bit much!?"

"Nah, I'm sure they can handle it." The Guildmaster said in a confident tone. I wasn't sure what a "Rank A" Mission was or how tough it was either, but if Chatot was freaking out about it, it probably wasn't a walk in the park. Just...the Guildmaster seemed confident...too confident really...

"Guildmaster, but..."

"No buts Chatot, they can handle this!"

"...Sigh, fine. You three, listen up and listen carefully!" Chatot's voice was sharp and serious. Whatever he's about to say, it's best we don't forget it.
"An hour from here is a territory known to be controlled by a pack of wild Poochyhenas. Their leader: a Mightyhena. The territory itself has been noted, but unexplored due to the fact that most of our members and other explorers have been too afraid to go there because of the high volcanic activity. The only problem is that we just got a report that the Pack has been getting more bold, attacking nearby stations and towns, and even kidnapped someone; a Traveller unaffiliated with us. We need you to rescue them. The question is, though, are you us for the task? It's alright if you say-"

"Yes!" Miya shouted before anyone could protest. "We'll do it."

"A-Are you sure!?"

"I guess, I'm not sure if we'll succeed, but I'm willing to give it a try at least," Pumpkin nodded.

"Agreed. I don't mind a challenge," I said, responding after.

"Wow...you three are an odd bunch. You remind me of the two recruits that just joined not too long ago." Chatot said, studying us once again.

Miya gave Chatot a curious look. "There were some that joined before us?"

"Yes, but that's another matter. I'm sure by the time you get back, you'll meet them. Now get going! And here, take this bag with you, it's yours to keep. Inside contains a badge for each one of you and one to represent the team, along with some supplies."

Handing the bag to Miya, Miya opens it and takes out the badges then hands each one to us. Searching the bag more, she takes out the Team Badge and stares at it intently. "This is amazing, We're a real team now."

"Quite amazing indeed, but you guys should get going! There's a life on the line, mind you!

"Right! Are you guys ready?"

"Yeah!" Pumpkin and I said simultaneously.

"Let's go!"

{~?~}

After the three exits the Guild, Chatot ponders for a moment, looking around the 2nd floor of the Guild. Coming to a conclusion, he heads for the exit as well, not before being stopped by Wigglytuff.
"You're going to go follow them, aren't you."

Chatot looks down and sighs then looks at him. His expression, worried.

"Guildmaster, I'm not going to stop them. In fact, I also believe they can handle it, somewhat. It's just..."

"You noticed too, didn't you," Wigglytuff said in a soft tone.

"Yes, but faintly. I'm not sure which child it came from, but I have a hunch and I'm sure you do as well. I just need to keep an eye on them."

Proceeding to leave, Wigglytuff stops him once again.

"Chatot, hold on for a moment."

Briefly going back into the room, Wigglytuff emerges with a bag in his hand and a badge. Both the bag and the badge were a bit worn, as if it had seen some fights, but held together pretty well.
"Don't forget your stuff."

"But I'm only-" Chatot stops himself and smiles. "Right, Thank you Guildmaster."

"Anytime! Be safe. Send a signal or teleport to me if something goes wrong.

"Of course, Guildmaster"

Giving him a hug, Wigglytuff smiles confidently and sees Chatot off before heading back to his room.