Chapter 2: New horizons, weird Pokémon and a rejection.

Valdis slowly began to realise what she did might was a mistake.

She was already too far away to see the lights of her home and she could not see any land either around her. She sat there in her small boat, all by herself at night, nothing to eat, nothing to drink, no clue where she even was right now.

"As long as I row straight, I will find something sooner or later.", she thought.

Older Perrserker often told stories about part of the world beyond their island and the northern shores. Wide landscapes, huge mountains, sand as far as the eye can see, where there is always summer. But especially: Hidden treasures in so called "Mystery Dungeons", and Pokémon that own rare goods. To achieve her goals, she just had to be lucky and find some idiots.

Valdis looked up to the night sky, it was filled with countless stars and the moon, shaped like a thin sickle. She imagined it to be her future fortune and reached out for it with her paw. She snickered in anticipation for what may come, followed by a yawn.

Tired of the day, she laid down in her boat with the paddle by her side.

She wanted to fall asleep fast, because tomorrow will be a whole different day for her, and she can start it early and with energy.

And so, the little boat floated on across the unknown sea, and the air was filled with two sound, the sound of the sea, and Valdis' snoring.

Night turned to day and the sun rose at the horizon.

Woken by the sunlight, Valdis slowly woke up, she used to sleep on hay, so the hard wooden floor of the boat was uncomfortable to her. Something she had to get used to, but hopefully not for long.

She yawn and scratched her while doing so, then sat down and scratched her beard.

As she looked around where she was now, Valdis' saw her boat was floating by the shores of the Air Continent again, shores unknown to her. A beach, followed by deciduous trees and lush green grasslands was passing by her.

Valdis was delighted. She smiled grimly about the discoveries she will make soon and quickly grabbed her paddle.

That moment she noticed the landscape was passing by her very fast, way to fast for floating. Valdis exclaimed her confusedness and looked into the water if something was wrong with it.

"Good morning!", a soft female voice friendly said.

Valdis froze in place. She was not alone?! The Meowth slowly turned around with her paddle still in her paws and saw something that looked to her like a wall made out slick, yellow scales. Valdis looked up and saw the head of a Lapras looking down to her. Valdis was so surprised, she almost tripped. Her boat was pushed by that Lapras, giving it more speed than her solo paddling could do.

"Don't be afraid, I want to help you.", the Lapras said to her.

"Help?! Me?! What?!", Vadlis loudly asked. She was confused and still sleepy, and she never saw a Lapras before. At least not a real one.

"I've found you asleep in the middle of the sea and felt sorry. You're lost for a long time I assume?"

"Why do you think that?!", Valdis rudely asked back. She did not quiet trust the Lapras. In fact, she was sure not to trust anyone.

"No Meowth would sail at this time near Fantasy Strait, and you look like you haven't seen another fellow Pokémon in months. And please excuse me, but ... you also smell like you weren't able to wash yourself in months as well."

Valdis did not care about her body odor, it wasn't like she could smell herself, and she was also confused about that Lapris talking about Meowth not sailing and looking terrible. Meowth MUST look terrible.

Valdis looked at the shores passing by them.

"You're not planning to let me go off somewhere around there?", Valdis asked and pointed aimlessly around the shores nearby. "My current goal is just to reach the mainland."

"Oh?", Lapras exclaimed. "We passed by Silver Trench before. I wanted to take you to Baram Town. There are Pokémon that could help you."

"Baram Town?"

"Stores, restaurants, ... bathhouses. There is also a station from the Air Continent police if you need help!", Lapras explained.

"A town, with other Pokémon.", Valdis thought.

"Are these Pokémon as kind as you are?", Valdis asked Lapras.

"Of course they are!", Lapras assured.

Valdis scratched her beard and began to think. Some Perrserker that returned after venturing to the mainland told about the different living style of the mainland Pokémon. There still were so called "criminals", but most Pokémon were peaceful and "weak". So, if a random water Pokémon would help her out without even asking, there surely would be Pokémon giving her all their belongings after being threatened.

Valdis grinned by the thought of it.

"You know what?", Valdis said to the Lapras, trying to sound friendly as well. "I'm gonna take a little nap. Wake me again when we arrive, alright?"

She laid down again to have some more rest and let Lapras do the rest of the work. Crossing her legs and enjoying he fresh sea wind.

"So, ... what were you doing all alone in the sea on that raft?", Lapras asked. Valdis felt disturbed by her.

"If you want to know, I ran away from home."

"A runaway? You don't happen to have relatives in Lively Town? I know someone there!"

Valdis had no idea what that Lapras was talking about and wanted her to shut up, so she just played along.

"Yeah, that's where I come from."

"That far away from there, I must say!"

"Whatever."

About an hour later, Lapras announced they had almost arrived. Looking at the shores again, Valdis was surprised to find houses made out of solid stone, many of them with wheels on top, spinning in the wind.

Her eyes brightened up in delight when she spotted more and more of these strange houses, finally all piling up on a large Pokémon made hill of bricks and grass. She was fascinated by what she saw before her. For her, the word "town" was understated.

"Welcome to Baram Town!", Lapras proudly said as they slowly swam toward the Baram Town harbor.

Shortly before arrival, another Lapras passed by them, carrying a Pikachu, a Litleo and a Hoothoot on it's back, all three of them wearing a deep blue scarf. The Pikachu gave her a strange, confused look as they passed by each other.

Along with Valdi's boat, they held at the landing stage. Valdis wasted no time and climbed out immediately.

"Is there anything I can do for you?", Lapras asked her.

"Just one thing.", Valdis said and turned around one last time. "You know a place that got good food?"

Lapras suggested a café called "Café Connection" to her. There she could also get more information about this town. Without saying goodbye to her helper, Valdis hurried on her way.

Arriving on top of the hill, she found herself in some kind of market square. All kind of different Pokémon offered their wares out of large costume made tends in their liking. Standing out of all was a wide house out of bricks with a blue and red coloured roof. On the sign it said: "Café Connection".

A Palpitoad stood next to the entrance and greeted her. Valdis found him annoying and hissed at him. He shrugged and ran away.

As she entered the café she found even more different Pokémon, now sitting at nicely made wooden tables with blue tablecloth, fitting to the carpets on the brick floor.

"These Pokémon are living to nice for their own good.", Valdis thought to herself.

"Look honey, a shiny Meowth!", an Heliolisk called out. It sat at a table with an Helioptile and were eating some pie together. With that, Valdis suddenly got the whole café's attention.

Valdis slowly turned towards him and his child, giving him a look that said: "Do I look shiny to you?!"

Seeing her face now and not her backside, the Heliolisk was immediately shocked and covered the Helioptile eyes.

"I have never seen you before, little one!", the Kangaskhan at the counter said to her. Valdis never saw such a huge Pokémon before. Her baby she carried alone was her own size.

She walked over to her and put her paws on the counter. The baby Kangaskhan the owner kept in her pouch covered it's nose in disgust and sank down into it.

"I just arrived minutes before.", she answered and looked around. The other Pokémon were doing their own business again. "Nice place you got there."

"Thank you very much! So, do you want something to drink, something to eat?", Kangaskhan asked.

"Yes.", Valdis simply answered.

Kangaskhan was kind of confused.

"And ... what would you like?"

In her home, around lunch time, there were only two answers if one asked about food. Yes and no. There was nothing in between.

"What do you normally serve here?"

Kangaskhan's eyes shimmered in excitement.

"Ah! I'll make you something many of my costumers enjoy!"

She quickly turned around and began preparing something. Valdis could not see what she was doing there, so she looked around some more and played with her earring.

Just as she was about to put one of her claws into her own her fore some cleaning, Kangaskhan put something on the counter behind her. Turning around, she was served a clay cup filled with a light brown liquid and with a straw to drink on top, and a plate with two rice balls.

Valdis never saw these kinds of food before and asked what it was.

She was served rice balls filled with tried plums, something one of her best costumers always ordered, and a newly invented drink that was trendy among young Pokémon nowadays. Black tea with milk and fruit pearls.

Valdis took one of the rice balls, inspected it at it, licked it, then took a bite. Like the Kangaskhan said, there was a plum in the middle.

Valdis' pupils shrunk as she tasted it. She never ate something so delicious in her life! She put the rest of the ball into her mouth and gobbled up the other one right after.

"Tasty?", Kangaskhan happily asked.

Valdis nodded while exclaiming it's tastiness. After swallowing, she bumped herself on her chest and let out a burp, similar as loud as during her initiation, echoing through the café and even audible outside.

With that, the whole café was suddenly very quit and everyone started looking at her, some in disgust, some surprised, some amazed. A normal Meowth could not burp that loud.

"Get me the same again!", she ordered.

While Kangaskhan was busy with the new rice balls, Valdis tried the tea. She only heard of tea by others, being "leaf water". she carefully too a little sip. Not much to her. Better than grog and overall tolerable. Next time maybe only milk?

Kangaskhan returned with new rice balls.

"Where do you come from, my child?", Kangaskhan softly asked as she served.

Valdis took one rice ball, took a bite and spoke with her mouth full.

"A village, high in north. You does not know it. Came down here to look for riches.", Valdis swallowed. "You know where I can get money really fast?"

"There're many placed that are looking for Pokémon willing to work."

"Work?!", Valdis protested with her mouth full of the second rice ball. "Anything with more ... you know ... violence?"

Kangaskhan began to think.

"Not far away from here is the Adventurer Guild. They are currently looking for new recruits. From what I heard there are still two available spots within the guild."

"A guild for adventuring?", Valdis swallowed. She got interested "And what do they do?"

"Many things. Exploration, rescuing Pokémon in danger, fighting crime and helping the police."

Now the guild became less attractive to her. Getting money by helping the weak?

Valdis leaned forward to her.

"Are there any rich Pokémon living in Baram Town or in the area?", she quietly asked Kangaskhan.

"Um ... I'm not sure. Why?"

"Then, do you know where old, weak or disabled Pokémon live?"

"Ah, caretakers are always needed! How kind of you! ... well, maybe a bath would help before applying."

"No! ... no. I mean ... I mean ... If a Pokémon ... let just say, IF a Pokémon would just simply rob THESE Pokémon, breaking into their homes and take everything that's not attached to the house itself. Are there any Pokémon that COULD be easy to rob."

Kangaskhan looked at her in disbelieve.

"What about daycares and orphanages?", Valdis further asked.

"Are you asking me out for places you can rob?", Kangaskhan asked, still in disbelieve.

Valdis looked at her and slowly realised she may have said too much to the wrong Pokémon.

"Nnnnoooooooooooo!", Valdis laughed it off and shook her head. "Of course not! Because that would be ... illegal?"

Awkward silence.

Valdis took the cup with the tea to drink it up quickly. As she slurped it all up, she suddenly felt a pain in her throat. She could neither slurp, breath in or out. The cup fell on the counter and it's remaining liquid poured all over it. Valdis grabbed her throat and began to choke. Her pupils shrunk in and she gasper for air.

"Sir, are you okay?", Kangaskhan asked her.

Vadlis looked at her and tried to say: "Does this look okay to you?!"

A Machoke from the other side of the café stood up and ran to Valdis.

"Don't worry! I know what to do!", he said. He kneeled down in front of Vadlis. "Are you chocking?! Are you chocking?!"

Everyone looked at the Machoke as if he was an idiot.

The Machoke then picked Vadlis and began to us the Heimlich Maneuvers on her. She now not only couldn't breath she also had now strong chestpain and felt and heard something crack.

The Machoke pushed, and pushed, and pushed, until Vadlis suddenly spat out a small black and soft pearl. With high speed, it flew out of her mouth and splat onto the stone floor.

"Are you okay?", the Machoke asked her, still holding her.

Being able to breath again, she answered:

"One gone, eight remaining."

This near death experience would haunt Valdis for the rest of her days, making her dislike tea and getting nervous around tiny round objects.

As he let her down, the Pokémon in the café started to cheer for him. The Machoke proudly flexed his muscles.

Not hungry and thirsty anymore and embarrassed by what just happened, Vadlis decided to get "the frick" out of there. She could at least give this "Adventurer Guild" a visit. Checking out if it was worth joining them.

While everyone was still cheering on, Valdis sneaked out off the café.

"Hey! You need to pay!", the Kangaskhan angrily shouted at her once she noticed her absence.

Hearing her, Valdis hurried as fast as she could past the Pokémon on the market, pushed down a Whismur that stood in her way, down the ready, heading east.

After some time, also having to ask for the way more than once, Vadlis arrived at the Adventurer-Guild-HQ. It looked like a Chinese castle made mostly out of dark and strong wood. The roof had a sapphire green colour with small golden figures of various Pokémon on it. It wasn't very tall, but wide. Near the entrance was a big board with lists of missing items and wanted lists of criminal Pokémon. On the other side of the entrance were two statues. An old statue showing a Feraligatr and a newer one of a Bisharp in a salute position. Under the statue of the Feraligatr was a text reading: "Our founder and legendary hero."

Vadlis' eyes shimmered in excitement. Maybe helping the weak really was a good way to earn money. This guild seemingly had a lot of money.

She approached the entrance door. So big, Pokémon of every size could go through it. Next to it was a big bell with the words "Please ring" written on it.

"With pleasure!", Valdis said to herself and cracked her knuckles.

Valdis gave the bell a push. It make a loud ringing sound, so loud it hurt her ears.

No response from the inside.

Valdis pushed the bell again.

Still nothing.

She spammed pushed the bell and finally began to hammer at the door, demanding to come in.

The door opened and a angry looking Delibird appeared behind it.

"I heard you when you rang for the first time! That bell was expensive!", the Delibird shouted.

"I would like to you the guild!", Valdis asked straight forward. "So, do I swear an oath or something?"

Valdis took a look what was behind the door and the Delibird. The hall was mostly very dark. The only things she could see were a candle holder and three other Pokémon. A Sylveon, a Komala, and a Mimikyu, all three wearing a purple coloured scarf. All three Pokémon she never heard of, except for the Mimikyu she believed him to be a ugly Pikachu.

The Delibird turned around to the three Pokémon behind him and told them to wait for a minute. He then stepped outside and closed the big door behind them.

"I'm sorry, sir, but we don't have any more positions in our guild. I still -", the Delibird explained but was soon interrupted by Valdis.

"No positions?! The Kangaskhan from that food court told me you have TWO left!", she shouted.

The Delibird was surprised by her sudden outburst.

"We just gave away the remaining two positions. I was about to show them around. And you know what they say: First come first served best."

Valdis gave him a mean look.

"You gave the job to a misshaped rat instead of me?!"

"They were tested by our guild leader, personally!", the Delibird defended himself and became louder as well.

"But these guys are still nothing in comparison to me! I'll fight them at the same time!"

Silence.

"You know?", Delibird finally said. "You wouldn't fit into our guild with this attitude. Good day sir!"

Delibird quickly closed the door and disappeared behind it again, locking Valdis on the outside.

Valdis began hammering at the door, shouting and demanding entrance.

"I have the right to show my superiority! Do you want strong allies or not?!"

Shorty after, the door opened again. This time Valdis was greeted by a Bisharp that looked down to her with it's eyes.

Not feeling impressed, Valdis looked up.

"And who are you supposed to be?"

The Bisharp quietly closed the door again.

"I'm the leader of this guild, Hilarius.", he said in a serious tone.

Valdis inspected him.

"You look like a great warrior, I must admit!", Valdis pointed out.

"Not only a warrior, but also a leader and an adventurer at heart.", Hilarius answered. "How about you?"

Valdis smiled.

"I was born to be a warrior and I got the blood of a leader AND I'm currently on my own adventure!"

"It's been some time since someone so self confident came to us. But, you know we already gave away the last position?"

"I've seen them, for a moment. And I assure you, I'm better then any of these three!"

"One of them came to us and showed great power and endurance, the other two were suggested by to me by a guild member I have high expectations of and they also showed me the willpower to face battles impossible to win for them. What do you have to offer? What do you desire the most?"

Valdis snickered.

"Like I said, I'm a great warrior, and I want to prove this greatness by gathering riches."

Silence.

"Money?", Hilarius asked.

"First the fights, then the victories, then the gold!"

Silence.

"In this case ...", Hilarius decided. "If we still had positions open ..."

Valdis waited in anticipation.

"I still would not let you join us."

"WHAT?!"

"Now, please go home! I have arrangements to prepare."

"WHY?!"

"These motivations are not welcome here, and stop shouting!"

"BUT ... I'M A WARRIOR!"

"You're being rude! Now go!"

The Bisharp turned around to go back inside. In a state of anger of being rejected and feeling humiliated, Valdis extended her claws. They shimmered metallic as she just up and smashed on the guild master's back. To her surprise, it didn't even left a mark.

Hilarius stopped and slowly turned around and looked down to her again, this time with a stare both disappointed and in rage himself.

Without even being an actual attack move, Hilarius swung his leg and kicked Valdis away like a soccer ball. She flew through the air and landed hard on the ground a good amount away from the entrance.

Valdis held her stomach in pain as she slowly got up again and saw the door to the Adventurer Guild closed.

"You'll regret this. You'll see.", she grunted to herself. "I was so kind to offer them an alternative. And if I can't get what I desire their way, I'll do it MY way!"

Back to the main plan.

Operation "Take from the rich and give it to myself" will start tonight.