Updated July 20th, 2021
In this world, whether we like it or not, some Pokemon can't keep their promises. It's not the end of the world if they don't, either; Mystery Dungeons will still form, and the world's balance will eventually be rebuilt. Well...not without some cooperation between Pokemon. Again, to make life easier, it would be best if all promises were kept...especially a Keeper's.
Number 11, Keepers shall respect every floor of every Mystery Dungeon and will not disrupt the balance of such places by staying inside for too long and becoming feral.
After about a couple of hours Linus, Nevada, and Glade finished making dinner before Chief Mcbone could ask them again; Glade and Nevada decided to work well together. The Totodile didn't tease them or anything. Everyone at the League knew that this Big Jawed hothead didn't have to try to be the best at everything and win all the time. The lizard she always teased wasn't weak physically. but mentally, Glade must have wanted to see it shine the most.
Linus smiled when his meal preparation of mixed vegetables and fruit spread was done. Glade didn't need to bake any fresh loaves because they had enough bread from last time, so she just toasted them for a couple of minutes. Nevada scrambled up some eggs with some other protein options. Those were unfertilized eggs from mainly flying-type and water-type Pokemon who sold them to the shopkeeper so it was no problem.
Glade and Linus placed all the food onto the carts. Then, Nevada rolled them down to the dining hall and made sure to set the table. The dining table is shaped like a giant horseshoe and thus Pokemon at the League called it the U. It has a glass top with a wooden base and can seat about a dozen first form Pokemon. There is a second half of the U that comes out when more or bigger guests come down to eat.
All the Treecko had to do was call everyone down to eat, he decided to go get his brother and his new teammate. The Wood Gecko walked out of the kitchen, shaking his hands free of excess water while he searched for Hatchet. He assumed the two probably went back towards the entrance or went upstairs to get a sneak peek at their room. Or maybe they went to go talk with the children or the Keeper they haven't met with yet. Linus pondered.
The Treecko decided to head back to the common area and heard a familiar voice chirp out. "Here is the leader of Team Sharp Claw, Linus," perched on the railing above the beige couch was a Rookiedee with covered-up wings named Astesia, a Keeper. Below the Tiny Bird Pokemonwas CJ or Cooper Junior, a Snubull who helped her with physical therapy. Next to him were Voltaru and Hatchet.
"Hallo Astesia, so you and CJ got a little chance to talk with my brother and his partner," Linus stated, adjusting his scarf.
Astesia was rather big due to her not being able to evolve many years ago. This made it clear she wasn't a young Rookiedee. "Yes! I had a dream mark come true, saying someone's kin would come here as a Keeper. I'm so glad, we managed to secure some more of our kind,"
She came to the League like many other members after the balance of mana was disrupted. Coordinator Cooper rescued her. Astesia does not frequently talk about the details, but she was nearly killed by someone who used to be close to her. Her injured wings are not irreparable but that isn't all she deals with. The Rookiedee faced betrayal and wrongful accusations. The Pokemon who hurt the Rookidee sold her out to the town she lived in; Astesia was going to be executed for a crime she didn't commit.
Being under the care of a fairy-type or grass-type was the best way for Astesia to heal. This is only one of the reasons that CJ was assigned to her; he also studies medical practice. Mainly just muscle and ligament therapy.
Astesia's experience level is quite high for someone that doesn't battle daily. The Rookiedee did not often physically practice because of her injuries that used to plague her frail wings.
"Apparently these two know the whereabouts of the List A Espurr and she is probably bringing a Keeper back with her," woofed Cooper Junior as he looked at the Axew and the Pikachu happily.
Linus waved to them and smiled. "Dinner is ready guys, you all can talk more at the table," the Axew and the Pikachu looked like they were fitting in well.
Astesia gazed down at CJ who lifted his paws to catch and have her perch from his body. Her wings were bandaged but suddenly she tried to fly with a couple of flaps.
The Snubbull wagged his tail and ran after her on all fours as she glided down and flapped her wings again. Astesia flinched and her eyes widened. She flew close to the ground before one beat got her back up.
"Agh, that was close. I feel like my new strength is so overwhelming it hurts my own body," The Rookiedee soared near the ceiling before landing to walk into the dining room. "I think I can go flying tomorrow," Astesia said happily.
The others all nodded and walked back to the U With all the League members. Chief Mcbone and Coordinator Cooper sat at the head of the table, Linus sat next to the Stoutland, Hatchet and Voltaru sat down at the left end across from Glade and Anabelle. While Astesia sat between Nevada and CJ. Bernard sat right next to his sister. Now that everyone was seated they all began to eat. Hatchet scarfed down various fruits and berries, vegetables before he chomped down on some bread. Voltaru had an assortment of foods on their plate and hesitantly took in one at a time. Their eyes sparkled when they finished each item.
"Wow I heard you flew down over here and your wings are almost healed. Aren't they bigger because of the food I cooked?" Asked Nevada. "I knew you would be able to grow a stronger set of wings and I love how you wrapped them up!" the lizard smiled.
The Charmander's tail-flame practically ignited when Astesia put her large wing on their shoulder. "Thank you for believing in me. I love you and your kind words of encouragement," the Rookiedee nuzzled her black feathers on the lizard's chest when she hopped on their lap to reach something.
"Oh uh, a sorry force of habit," the Tiny Bird blushed after she plucked up a fairly large stick of bread. The Rookidee placed it down and went back to her stool. "So, Team Sharp Claw will be going to Midori Mori City just like CJ and I, correct?" She questioned.
Linus hummed quietly to himself as Bernard, Anabelle, Hatchet, and Voltaru all turned to Astesia. "You're going too!?" They all exclaimed, startling the Rookidee. The Chief and the Coordinator both looked at each other before gazing at their subordinates.
"Yes, Doctor Lanturn will help put some bracers on my wings which will allow me to finally make a team with CJ and anyone else," Astesia put then her eyes fell for a moment. "His office is in Midori Mori and is the Adoptive Father of one of the Pokemon who Sharp Claw has to rescue," She looked up at Nevada and then over to Linus before her head went down.
Taking notice, Glade finished drinking a sip from her water and rubbed under her jaw. "Oh right the kids, let me see if I remember their names. That Sobble isn't his name Aoijo, one of his new friends is a Keeper,"
"Who is his friend?" Voltaru lifted their paw to ask.
"Aren't all of the Pokemon we have to save his friends?" Hatchet puffed out a question.
"Yeah, yeah, they are!" The Totodile grumbled before running a claw on her head spines. "Linus. Nevada. You guys remember?"
"Aoijo's Keeper friend is named Nekotetsu. He is a Constellation Continent variety of Meowth, meaning he's a steel-type," Linus explained, glancing at Bernard and Anabelle.
The Lillipup looked uneasy when he caught Treecko's gaze but then put his fore-paw on the table. "I know about this Scorbunny because we've met her! Her name is Hikari," the puppy Pokemon wagged his tail.
"What about the last one, didn't you all say there were four of them? Who is it?" the Axew gathered everyone's attention.
"Yeah, wasn't it a Pokemon that starts with a G?" added the Pikachu before they flicked their ears slowly.
"Wow, look who was paying attention," The bothersome Totodile noticed she had an opening and scowled. "Want a prize?" Linus glared at her harshly and she quickly closed her stupid mouth.
The Treecko crossed his arms when Nevada seemed panicked to finish their food and hurry and answer Voltaru. The Charmander almost coughed before they managed to squeeze out "Oh that's right how could I miss that? They are a Grookey named Brambella,"
"I think that's all we know about the clients we have to rescue," Linus added with a nod. The Treecko felt chilly so he decided to wrap his head with his bandana.
"Any more questions? I wanna go to bed," Glade snarked, a smirk plastered on her face, all smug and combative.
This freaking Gator wants to find a reason to talk trash to Voltaru, and when she does I'll Energy Ball her ass. I told her that about a couple of hours ago, she doesn't seem to remember! Linus thought, angered.
The Chief and the Coordinator looked at all of the present Rescue Teams, and they placed their forepaws on the table. "Be sure to ask your teammates questions because break time is soon," started Coordinator Cooper before he closed his eyes.
"We shouldn't have to explain everything to you all because you should learn to rely on yourself and your companions in Mystery Dungeons and missions," reminded Chief Mcbone.
"Oh! I have a question," Voltaru spoke up.
"Sure, go ahead and ask away," the Stoutland replied.
"Well, I know why Hatchet hasn't evolved as an Axew, and why I haven't as a Pikachu, but what about the rest of you? Aren't you high enough levels to evolve by now?" They asked, and tilted their ears to the side. "Is it a League thing? A rule of some sorts?"
Could it be, they thought some of the mana was restored? Various League veterans thought.
The other League Members didn't dare say anything at first. "None would want to talk about the pain and suffering of the Disruption," the Rookiedee cooed softly.
"The Disruption?"
"Especially since many have suffered agonizing losses because of Wicked Blow, those Raticate bastards who caused it to happen," the Treecko whispered.
"Wicked Blow?"
"Hey, idiot, when you met Hatchet earlier did you bash your head against something hard or whatever?" Grumbled the Totodile beside Linus, her red eyes oozing hateful energy.
"Yeah, I actually did-"
"How could you not know about the Disruption!?"
"Well, I-"
"Are you fucking retarded or-"
"Glade! Come see me after dinner, " the Chief bared her sharp, bright white fangs into a snarl.
"Yes Sir," Glade responded coldly. The Totodile clamped her jaws shut and her eyes seared in a cut-off pain. She put a claw to her face and glanced down at her plate. The Big Jaw Pokemon couldn't see the glare of pure fury etched onto Linus's face.
"I said I would blast you, you fucking bitch! I don't tell lies and I sure as hell mean what I say!" the Wood Gecko yelled in frustration, shoving a striped green sphere in the Totodile's side. His hands moved on their own, the power gathering into spirals of Energy Ball.
"Aaaah!" Glade screamed when she was blasted away by the attack. The sudden impact sent her crashing to the floor and the Totodile fainted.
Chief Mcbone and Coordinator Cooper turned to Voltaru and Hatchet. "Please excuse those two, but your question does worry us. Did you not learn these things from a parent or guardian?"
The Pikachu's eyes widened as they brought their tail closer to their body. The mouse looked at Hatchet, down at the glass table, and then back at the Stoutland. "Uh, I-I was orphaned when I was young and lived in a forest with wild Pokemon," they half-lied.
Chief Mcbone looked at her mate and folded her ears down. "You used to be a stray, I see. Oh dear, come here child." She gently requested and Voltaru began to walk over. The Pikachu became nervous as they awaited what seemed like their punishment.
But the look of the mouse's new Rescue Team told a different story. All four of them had their hands together, as if in prayer, ready for the same painful reminder.
"Five years ago the Wicked Blow Organization began their largest global operation. They had their captured or recruited Keepers misuse the mana keys and locks. This was to steal and disturb large quantities of mana in each of the five Celestial Continents,"
"The other gang members slaughtered thousands of Pokemon that opposed them or just for fun," The Stoutland leader barked solemnly, her deep voice echoing through the dining room. "Specifically for months, they unlocked lots of Pokemon, including Keepers, and then in the last week locked all the keys back up,"
"With the elemental keys locked up this prevented evolution for all types of Pokemon. This also loomed over the massive percentage of Pokemon at that time dead or drained of power in this Hemisphere. Life here became akin to the abyssal badlands. This destroyed the balance of power between the world and Pokemon,"
"Oh so, you all were going to," the mouse turned to look at Nevada, Glade, and Linus. "Oh goodness, this is what the imbalance meant, Pokemon really did that," The Pikachu walked back to their seat next to their Axew partner.
Hatchet seemed really guilty as he sipped his water, glancing at Coordinator Cooper then back at Voltaru over and over again. The Granbull had been tending to Glade after Linus destroyed her with an Energy Ball. He went a little bit over the faint limit and scraped off some of her scales, leaving a nasty bruise. In his mind, it's what she deserves.
Voltaru gazed at CJ, and Astesia in thought as well. "I'm sorry, you all must have been in turmoil, with the death and destruction tainting your minds," they spoke.
"My responsibility is to fix this…. I'm a Keeper! After I make Wicked Blow pay, I'm going to restore the balance!" They suddenly declared and shook their fist.
It was now past dusk, thus night began to fall. All across the land, the darkness filled the air. The bedrooms in the Bristberg Mana Research League have a beige wood floor with brown-red brick walls. Each room is equipped with two half-circle windows with grey blinds. The second and third story rooms are for current Rescue Team members. The first floor is reserved for guests and none Rescue Team League Members.
Two of the newest members of Team Sharp Claw were settled in for the night. Instead of heading to bed, both Pokemon were leaning out the window, taking in the crisp mountain air. A sharp burst of wind made its way into the room, sending shivers down the Pikachu and the Axew's spines.
Hatchet was the first to break the silence, "I've really gotta fill you in on some things, but I have a question for ya Voltaru," He put softly.
"Go ahead Hatchet, ask me anything," the Pikachu replied, and their teal eyes shone brightly.
"Where'd this sudden confidence come from?" Their new roommate asked harshly, narrowing his eyes.
"What's that mean? I felt really strongly about what Chief Mcbone and everyone told me, that's all," The mouse Pokemon shifted. "Considering you didn't tell me all this information yourself you have no room to talk,"
"Yeah but you were like, 'I'm gonna restore the balance!'"
"Didn't you and the others tell me Keepers have an important responsibility to do in following these promises or whatever?"
I've only just met you and felt like you were the kinda folk to not give a damn about nothing,"
"Well uh, there are a lot of things to take in and-"
"Even this 'consarn stupid fucking entrance exam, hell, ya praised that flaky Charmander for blasting you! Along with my holier-than-thou Treecko brother, who mind you, also called you a Monster,"
"I told you my reasoning for being okay with everything, so get off my dick about it Hatchet!" Spat Voltaru, frustrated. "What don't you understand!?"
"Yeah, but you shouldn't be fine with all of this shit!" The Tusk Dragon slammed. "How!?" He begged, a couple of tears trickling down his face.
The mouse lowered their ears in confusion. "It's really because I was in such shock. I actually assumed they wouldn't be very powerful for first-stage Pokemon. What's got you so worked up mon?"
"Okay but what about that rude cocky bitchy, loud mouth Totodile? Arceusness pardon my language, but I'm so riled up!" the Axew raged, he then crossed his arms. "She insulted you constantly just because you weren't familiar with things in this world,"
"I think words don't have meaning on her but I don't know if my actions would be strong enough to put her in. Believe me, if I felt I had the same authority and power as Linus, I would have zapped her, no I would have fried her!"
"Yeah, sorry it's my fault. I was so focused on the road to Bristberg that I didn't bother to teach you anything," Hatchet noticed a slightly puzzled look on the Pikachu's muzzle. "Considering that we are going on a mission soon,"
"Mon, it seems like ever since I awoke I have to head somewhere different each day," groaned Voltaru, walking over to their bed.
"It really sucks that I forgot to tell them you were a Stray and that you were sent for based on your dream mark," the Tusk Dragon fumed when he turned to look at his new bag.
"You mean we?" the Pikachu pondered. "Also dream mark? Is that the thing Astesia was mentioning?"
"Okay, I'll explain it. So the reason I kinda knew where you were is that you have the Dream Mark. This meant certain Keepers were sent dreams of vague details of the next Keeper. Like I remember seeing yellow fruits, like Sitrus Berries and Panab Berries,"
"Oh right, you mean like my fluffy coat?" Voltaru ruffled their shoulders and played with their large head tufts.
"Yeah, your coat of yours's sure is interesting,"
"That means you might know the Pokemon who brought us together,"
"I'm aware of the Pokemon, her name is Cresselia. She is a Legendary in charge of the Dream World and helping Keepers find one another," the Axew cleared up.
"Okay, now I have a question for you Hatchet," the Pikachu yawned.
"Sure, what is it?"
"Now that I think about it, we didn't find where I used to live. Should I ask the Pokemon here in Bristberg if they know where stray Pikachu live?"
"Not yet, just wait till they trust you a bit more, we don't want what happened to Kobi,"
"Woah, what happened to her?"
"The Pokemon back in my town of Hunters Plains hated her when they found out she was a former stray. They called her a Monster-"
"You gotta be kidding me! Because they called her a Monster you get mad when Linus does?
"Well uh-"
"Didn't he tell me that he left before the Disruption and before Kobi?
"Yes, but-"
"Then that means he was right when he said he didn't know earlier! I swear you did all that draconic release boufshit over something so fucking stupid!"
"You don't understand!" Hatchet shoots back. "The word Monster used to be a feral slur,"
"So?"
"And, I have bad memories of it, not just with Kobi. But my town wasn't involved, well maybe not entirely. I'm not one hundred percent sure on that,"
"I guess you and I are more alike than I think, spotty lapses in our memory and all,"
"Sure, anyway, some Pokemon of Hunters Plains called a stray that I was close to a Monster. They said I brought more Monsters to the village again, whatever that means. Then they tried to antagonize her and push her limits. As a result, she really did act like a Monster,"
"Wait, did you find her first? Ya know, because of her presence,"
"No, unfortunately, she arrived about a few months before the Disruption, which was five years ago. Kobi lived outside the village She was found by a Meowstic and Espeon couple, whom she lived with for many months,"
The Pikachu sucked in some air before commenting. "Was-was she treated poorly like just I was? Well, in my opinion only Glade treated me unfairly so uh, ya know,"
"No. Kobi was treated worse by her mother. I don't remember all the things she told me but apparently, her parents had a still-born egg just before they found her," Hatchet glanced down uneasily.
"Hmm, they took her after they lost a child, shouldn't they have loved her? Also, how did they find her?" Questioned the mouse Pokemon.
"They were also Keepers and they told her that their dream mark was mind-shatteringly gruesome. To combat this, Kobi's Mother saw that she had great potential and tried to train her every day but there was a problem," the Axew shuddered as he closed the window.
"She was too rough?" Pondered Voltaru as their eyelids drooped. "The Espeon Father didn't want that?"
"Oh wow, yeah those were some of the problems but she couldn't understand them for the first four months she lived with them," the Tusk Dragon answered.
"Shit. That would suck so hard, if I didn't understand you when you told me everything," The mouse Pokemon opened their maw in drowsiness. "So during every day of her new Domestic life, she was probably nudged and dragged until she caught onto what was happening, right?"
"Yeah, and her Meowstic Mother was frustrated on why she'd walk on four legs instead of two,"
"Our Village didn't like that either, but I'm not sure about Bristberg. How do you think they'd react to a strange Pokemon and or a stray?"
"Well based on meeting everyone today I don't think they'd react like Pokemon from some backwater village,"
"What? Linus's thinking must have rubbed off on you. Even though the Hunters Plains Pokemon thought and did all that, I don't think they were that bad,"
"Well, just so you know I really don't want a secondary source on this, I want to hear everything from Kobi herself," Voltaru sat on top of their new bed.
"Fair," Hatchet got under his new covers. "I'll tell you more later, goodnight Voltaru,"