"Welcome… Ter Exploration registration! I'm registered as a solo man due ter...well, not havin' a team," Noytrun explained, opening the door to a rather small Bonsly shaped building. On the outside, it seemed rather cozy, giving off a warm green glow. Birds roosted on top of it after calming down from the initial outburst; still Noytrun was careful around them. The inside was surprisingly large for a small building. At the back, a long Livla wood desk stretched from end to end, with many Pelipper, Abra, and Bonsly working the desk. Other Bonsly rushed around the place, delivering stacks of papers and sometimes mail to Pelipper, who were flying in and out through the roof top window. Rocttryn shuddered a bit. It was a fair bit more crowded than the Avianre Guild ever was.
Pokemon rushed around inside. Some took seats in the waiting area, others stared at the newsboard. Rocttryn threw a quick glance at said newsboard, although nothing caught his attention.
"'Ey! C'mon, don' get lost on me now, Rocttryn!" the Feraligatr growled, grabbing him. "We're headin' fer Registration. I gotta get a new certificate, and ya need a badge!"
"Eh? Och, richt!" Rocttryn shook his head, trying to regain his bearings. " A'm juist nae used tae this kinda crowd, ah suppose."
"Roight…" The Feraligatr muttered. "I hope ya get used to 'em soon; these buildings are typically home bases fer us explorers. Got registration fer new members an' certification changes, mail calls fer personalized missions… Newsboards fer recent discoveries an' all that. We'll be makin' many trips ter these places, pal." The crocodile made a path through the flowing crowd. "I'll give ya the tour later."
Rocttryn nodded, and followed his friend. Thinking it rude to push through the crowd, he instead flew a small distance overhead. He took the opportunity to study them. Some Pokemon looked confident and cocky, talking down to others and claiming to be the very best. A Breloom was sitting in the waiting area, calmly discussing something with a Ferrothorn. In the corner, an Archen and a Cubone were belittling a scared Chikorita. He frowned, and diverted from his path. As the Aerodactyl got closer, he could make out some of the dialogue.
"Too scared to even stand up for yourself? What a wimp."
"Yeah kid, you'll never make it as a leader. You should give up and just do as we say."
"Oh, good one, pal! Hey, how about you kiss my ass, wimp? I think it'd suit you!"
"Hahaha! You had a lot of nerve asking us for team leadership, kid. You're not cut out for this work."
He roared in frustration as he reached the corner. ""Hey! Whit's gaun oan? Thir's na need tae throw insults at this lad!"
Archen and Cubone whipped around. "Oh, lookee here. We got a hero," the bird grinned. "Ain't you just a shining star."
Cubone pretended to cry. "Oh no, I'm so scared. Beat it pal, our team affairs are none of yo damn business."
"Weel it seems tae me lik' this laddie doesn't wantae be pairt o` yer gang anymair, isnae that richt?" Rocttryn asked Chikorita. "Gang oan, laddie. Ye dinnae need thae idiots."
Archen growled. "Now just who do ye think ye are, pal!? Ye can't just order our teammate around!"
"S-Stop! I… I… Mineralis, I-I've had it with you and Boney! I-I'm g-g-going to be a successful l-leader, just you wait!" Chikorita shouted at them.
"Haw haw haw!" Cubone responded. "I'd love to see it!"
"Dinnae git gallus, laddie. Ye'll juist git hurt. Ah shuid ken," Rocttryn growled softly, his scar in full view of the Cubone. "Ah wis gallus wance."
The Cubone gulped, and backed down. His eyes portrayed his fear of the big scary rock dragon. Rocttryn backed away. The Chikorita ran off as the Aerodactyl glared at the perpetrators. Both muttered a "sorry" before disappearing back into the crowd.
Rocttryn twitched his wings before heading back to Noytrun. The crocodile was impatiently waiting at the Registration line, a lazy Slakoth slowly taking care of business. Rocttryn landed next to him.
"Hmmph. I'll be dead o' old age 'fore we get out o' here," Noytrun grunted in response to Slakoth giving his name to the Abra over the course of what felt like a week. "Really wonder why they only got the one Registration unlike all the others."
"A dinnae ken. Seems bonny similar tae applications fur rescue teams," Rocttryn grunted back. "'n' that's fur graduatin` fae school apprentices!"
"That bad, eh? I can see why ya chose ter leave the job."
"Eh, that wis a wee'er reason. Ah juist cop mair inclined tae explore, Noytrun." Rocttryn shivered from the cold. "Pal 'greed, 'n' 'ere a'm."
The two stood in silence for the next two agonizing hours, before Slakoth finally left the desk.
"Finally," Noytrun grumbled, walking up. "Noytrun. I'm lookin' ter change my certification from solo ter team."
Abra pulled out a sheet. "Please fill out this form indicating the reason for the change. Include your team name, as well as the names of your teammates."
"Ah, that be the thing," Noytrun replied. "I'm lookin' ter start a new team."
Abra blinked. "Perhaps you should have led with that. Very well." The cat took the sheet back. "Please have all members of your team follow me."
Abra led the group to an isolated stall. "Alright. So it is only the two of you?"
"That's richt. Is that a kinch?"
Abra shook her head. "Merely an observation. What is your primary reason for forming a team, and what name will the team have?"
"I want ter form a team 'cause exploring dangerous locales alone ain't very wise," Noytrun responded. "I don' want an early death."
Abra scribbled it down. "And you, Aerodactyl?"
"A'm waantin' tae rescue a lost pal, 'n' be able tae travel wherever a'm waantin' wi'oot restriction," Rocttryn answered.
"And do either of you have previous experience in dungeoneering?"
"None, unfortunately," Noytrun responded. "I've travelled the lands without a job."
"Ah used tae belong tae Rescue Team Aerolisk," Rocttryn answered. "Ah left tae pursue mah dream."
"I see. So in terms of dungeoneering experience, Aerodactyl will be appointed Team Leader. Is this acceptable?"
Both Pokemon nodded.
"Thank you. And your names, please?"
Rocttryn glanced at Noytrun, exasperated. "A'm Rocttryn. R-O-C-T-T-R-Y-N."
"Thank you. And you, Feraligatr?"
Noytrun responded in the same way Rocttryn answered, spelling out his name. Abra scribbled it down as well. "And what is your team name?"
"Genesis," Rocttryn replied proudly. "A wullnae accept ony ither name."
Abra nodded. "Team Genesis was the original name of the Heroes of Time, but they have since changed it. As a result, the name is currently available."
"An interesting factoid," Noytrun remarked. "We'll have some trouble working off it's original weight, then."
"Quite." Abra turned to Rocttryn. "All I need from you now is a signature on this line -she pointed to it- and the registration will be sent off for documentation."
"Ta. Wull we be getting oor freish badges soon?"
"Of course," Abra stated. "You may start your work immediately."
"Sounds like a plan, then," Noytrun said, his belly wiggling. "Sign it."
Rocttryn walked out of the Explorer's Office with a new exploration bag around him. Internally, he was conflicted. On one hand, he'd finally gotten registered as an Explorer. The leader of a team, no less. On the other… Suntren was nowhere to be found. Surely the reptile would've at least sent out a rescue request in the time they'd been in the offices. But the boards were still the same as they were before the fowl flights that brought him and Noytrun together.
"So, leader," Noytrun responded, walking out with a silly look on his face. "What's yer first goal? Rescuin' yer friend?"
"Aye. Efter a' he did fur me, ah cannae lea him behind," the dragon responded. "Cam flying in fae th' north. Battled some powerful winds."
"The north, eh? Well… Then the best place ter look is gonna be Lake Hurani, since ya came from Avianre."
"Bit... That's th' steid wi' a' they Ludicolo requests…"
"Yeah? Ya ain't sayin' yer scared, eh?" Noytrun slapped his belly. "'Sides, we ain't gonna be fightin' 'em if we don' gotta. No sense in recklessly injurin' ourselves, eh?"
"Sae we're aff tae juist snoop aroond 'n' follow th' trail," Rocttryn murmured. "Yeah, that works. But I think we need supplies first, eh? You got any silver?"
Noytrun blinked. "Ya mean ter say ya don' got any money!?"
Rocttryn growled softly. "Suntren's th' guy wha does a' th' planning, forordinar. He handles th' finances."
"Oh. Yeah, that'd explain it. I can cover this time, but yer gonna have ter put in yer best effort."
"Ye doubting me?" Rocttryn accused. "Then a'm juist gonnae hae tae blaw yer mynd!"
"Do it," the Feraligatr challenged. "And I'll be doin' my best, too. Gonna prove myself to you."
The partners locked their hands in a firm handshake for a few moments. A trusting gaze was exchanged, and they let go. Together, they headed towards the Kecleon Market to begin their shopping.
"Ah think we'll need some orans, mibbie a tae violent seeds. 'n' apples, we dinnae wantae git hungert in a dungeon if it comes tae it." Rocttryn spread his wings as Kecleon bagged his order. "Let's pick up a foe-hold orb, tae. Cannae be tae canny, aye?"
Noytrun nodded slowly. "Aye. Never know what ye'll encounter." He rummaged into his money bag. "How much fer all that?"
"1600 Poké!" Kecleon exclaimed proudly. "The finest price for the finest customers!"
"1600 Poké!? That's highway robbery!" Noytrun exclaimed. "I can get these fer cheaper elsewhere!"
"Nonsense!" The lizard chuckled. "I have only the fairest prices for the perfect products! I do not accept a single flawed product!"
"Hmm... Suntren cuid likelie pay this whin we fin' him," Rocttrynn thought out loud. "That is, if Kecleon's willing tae accept a credit line."
The mercantile lizard shook his head. "Unfortunately, dear customer, I cannot accept a line of credit. It is a rather risky business venture!"
Rocttryn frowned. "Richt. We'll juist search elsewhere then."
His partner nodded. "Yeah, that's probably fer the best. We don' need perfection." The alligator's tail swished wildly, knocking over some of Kecleon's merchandise. "Let's go, Roc. Don' bother helpin' this thief."
The dragon nodded, also walking away. "Ye ken, ah aye wondered how come Suntren ne'er complained aboot th' prices in Avianre." He adjusted his hood, letting it sit nicely on his back. "Suppose that's juist him."
"'Haps he can afford it," Noytrun remarked. "But I can't. So we're gonna go see Kirlia's Bazaar. Heard it's affordable. Guess we'll see."
"Leid th' wey, then."
Feraligatr nodded, stepping in front of Rocttryn, and leading him away from Kecleon Market as the lizard scrambled to clean up the mess left behind. His angry chirps followed the two Pokemon as they headed towards a significantly larger, but much less extravagant, building. As they entered, a Kirlia bowed courteously and welcomed them inside. Pokemon were bustling around, visiting the different stalls. Noytrun grinned. "Now this is mo' like it. I think we'll want a trip ter Leafeon's Berry Stall, Glalie's Orbs, and Farmer Nidoking. They should have all the items ye requested," he explained, pointing out each location. Leafeon's stall was the closest, so they headed in her direction first.
As they got closer, Leafeon perked her ears. She was a little busy tending to her Pecha Tree. "I'll be with you in just a momeeeeent~"
"Aye! Yer wirk looks amazing!" Rocttryn complimented, truly taken aback by the beauty of her stall.
Noytrun merely smiled in response, waiting patiently at the counter. Leafeon turned around after a few more minutes, a wide smile on her face and positive energy simply radiated off of her. "Welcome~ What can I do for you, my dearies? Nothing but berries fresh off the vine, I hope?"
Rocttryn nodded. "Aye. Yin bundle o' Oran Berries please."
"Orans, hmm? Planning a big expedition, I see~ That'll be 30 Poké, then."
Noytrun almost did a double take. "O-Only 30!?"
"Of course!" Leafeon smiled warmly. "Here at Kirlia's Bazaar, we believe in affordable goods for everyone~ You'll find nothing but a fair price here."
The Feraligatr happily handed over 30 Poké. "Yeah, that's a big change from Kecleon…"
Leafeon handed Rocttryn the bag containing the berries. "Enjoy them, dearies~"
Rocttryn stashed them away in his newfound Treasure Bag. "Ta, Leafeon. Thae wull come in handy."
Her energy followed them as they slowly ambled to their next stop, in front of Glalie. The angry ice ball was busy polishing several of his orbs with his mere breath. He was too engrossed in making them shinier than a Meowth's golden coin to notice he had customers. At least, until Noytrun greeted him.
Glalie spun around instantly, jumping into the air happily. "Finally! Ma gotta be so proud, I got my first customers!" The ice ball's demeanor changed instantly. "Welcome, welcome! dis here establishment be Glalie's Orbs! I specialize in all tha different orbs, I got one ta suit yo' every need!"
The Feraligatr perused the contents of the stall, unwilling to admit he had no idea which orb did what. Glalie watched intently as the alligator's gaze drifted from silver orb to blue orb. Despite the obvious colour difference, they all looked the same to him.
"I need a Foe-Hold Orb. You got anything like that in 'ere, Glalie?"
The ball grinned. "Oh! yo''re lookin' fo' a Foe-Hold? Yo' be wantin' tha large red orb, then," he replied, before pointing to the orb in question with his tongue. A price tag under it read 150 Poké. Noytrun approached it with reservations, glancing back at Rocttryn. The dragon merely nodded in approval. He swapped the orb with a small bag full of coins, before thanking Glalie.
"Ah, no problemo. I should be thankin' yo', fo' gettin' my businizz off da ground!" Glalie spun happily. "Just put dat ta use, yeah?"
Noytrun nodded, and turned away. "Oran berries, check. Foe-Hold Orb, check. Just need Apples an' Violent Seeds. At Nidoking's, I think," Noytrun mused, recalling Rocttryn's order. "Won' be hard ter locate 'im. He's a giant purple dinosaur, fer Arceus' sake."
"Then let's fin' him, pal," Rocttryn replied. "A'm sure he wilnae be tae far."
The duo left the Kirlia Bazaar a couple hours later, having made a few other unplanned stops. Rocttryn had seen fit to get some tears and scuffs in his hood fixed at Galvantula's stall. Their next stop was at Nidoking's stall, then next door to Garbodor's Swap Shop. Rocttryn ended up swapping out his Amber Relic for a Mobile Scarf, for ease of movement through Lake Hurani. He also made the decision to pick up a harness for Suntren. The saddle for the harness was already fitted on his back. It felt tight around his body now, but the great dragon was sure it would become natural over time.
Noytrun too, had done some on-the-side shopping. He now sported a golden bandana around his head, delicately woven around his fin. Alongside that, he'd also purchased a mid-sized satchel. He'd followed Rocttryn around after making his set of purchases, having nothing better to do. Admittedly, the Feraligatr thought the Aerodactyl looked weird with a saddle on his back. Rocttryn seemed to think it was a good idea, so it probably was.
"Well… think we spent a bit longer in 'ere than we mighta intended, Roct," Noytrun remarked. "Just goes ter show how cheap the Bazaar is."
"Ah ken!" The dragon responded. "Perfect steid fur explorers. Tis git everything."
Noytrun nodded, giving the Aerodactyl a jolly slap on the side. "Can't believe ya got yerself saddled up, too. Seems a little weird ter me, honest."
"Lik' ah said, it goes wi' th' harness ah picked up fur Suntren! This wey, he wilnae fall aff again!" Rocttryn grinned. "Tis a safer option tae` fur baith o' us. Dinnae hae tae search fur him again."
"Yeah, yeah, ye said that already. Don't stop it from being weird, ya know," Noytrun retorted. "We ready to head out though, right?"
"Ah think sae. We git everything oan th' item list." Rocttryn folded his wing-arms. "Let's git gaun. We git a lizard tae rescue."
