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 4, A Keeper shall not harm or discriminate against any Pokemon who has done no wrong, especially another Keeper, if a Keeper does so their punishment will be dealt with by other Keepers.
Out in the courtyard of the Bristberg League CJ and Astesia waited patiently for Makkuro. Deep in the sky, the clouds were still dark and foreboding, hinting of a downpour. The Corvisquire looped around in the sky in excitement. Her Snubbull teammate paced along the ground. Soon the building's front chamber doors whirred open. This revealed the Chief, Kobi, and Makkuro.
"Alrighty, Team Rebirth is here ready to administer the test," the Stoutland started, taking in a whiff of the morning air and licking her chops. "It'll rain soon so you all should hurry," She added, laying on the ground.
Astesia gently dove to greet the two Keepers. "Good mornin' Makkuro, Kobi!" She squawked happily, taking in both of their presences. "We'll get to it, Chief Mcbone!"
CJ rubbed the scruff under his neck and padded over to the Espurr and the Rockruff. "We are here to administer the League Fast Track Exam for Makkuro," he barked, before stopping to yawn. "Is that okay with you?" The Snubull bent down to ask, getting eye level with the puppy Pokemon.
The Rockruff turned to look at his friend and then nodded. "Yes, I'll do whatever you ask of me, well not everything," Makkuro said nervously.
Astesia opened her wings and then closed them. "Don't worry, we ain't gonna make you do anything crazy," the Corvisquire assured.
"Really now, from earlier I think that-" the Rockruff was about to ask about their behavior last night.
"I know you probably heard all sorts of wild things about us but we're totally normal," CJ added, rubbing behind his ears. "Okay, so we want to test your strength," he woofed.
"Mine?" Makkuro tilted his head in confusion. "It won't be like Voltaru's test?" He questioned with a bark.
"Nope," CJ waved his paw, holding back a yawn. "We don' want another Keeper to suddenly freak out and go berserk ya know," he explained.
Astesia preened some of her feathers. "You mean Hatchet's draconic fury release?" She turned towards Makkuro's partner. "Would Kobi do something like that because of an Exam?" The Corvisquire questioned CJ.
"I mean she did it when something actually life-threatening happened," the Snubbull yawned again. "But no-one has made a device to control over psychic-types so-called flare-ups, in reality, Dad said Hatchet had been-"
"Don't compare me to him," Kobi harshly growled, interrupting his rant. "Something is wrong with Hatchet, he's not the Axew I once knew," she finished.
CJ raised his paw. "Got it, boss," the Snubbull faced his head up to the clouds." Astesia fill Makkuro in," he requested with a bark.
She nodded her head. "Let us begin, I need you to attack me as if I'm your enemy," the Corvisquire flew in the air, diving down at a breakneck speed. Soon Astesia stood in front of Makkuro, her wings open and primed for battle. She really meant what she said.
"Are you sure about this?" The Rockruff asked in a whine. He was expected to launch his strongest move at the flying-type.
"Yes," the Corvisquire stood firm. "I want you to hit me with your best shot,"
"I'm a rock-type, are you really certain this is alright?" He felt overwhelmed, taking a couple of steps back.
"It's fine, whatever happens, is my responsibility, not yours," the Squire Pokemon explained.
"You are a Pokemon too ya know," the Rockruff folded his ears, barking. "I may have too much fun doing this,"
Astesia tilted her head. "What does that even mean?" she cooed in confusion. "This is not a full-on battle,"
The puppy Pokemon nervously wagged his tail, growling. "I mean I enjoy using moves, so I may go overboard or I'll-" he tried to reason before he was cut off.
"This is an Exam mate, worry bout it later!" Kobi yelled. "Just do it mon!" She urged.
"Fine, I got it I got it!" Makkuro barked. Large rocks suddenly appeared in the air and surrounded Astesia. Just as quickly, the boulders crashed onto her body in a loud thud. Then dust, thin grains of sand, pebbles, and chunks of stone exploded into the air. A silence fell over the Pokemon as the clouds of debris were blown away by the foul weather, revealing the Corvisquire had held up the Rock Tomb with her impressive Steel Wing move.
"So uh," Makkuro noticed the battered, dented metal and smiled. "How'd ya like my attack?"
The extra wreckage soon fell onto the courtyard, Astesia hadn't been heavily injured, as evident in her expression. One of joy, her eyes glimmered. "Yes, if I didn't use Steel Wing I would have surely fainted from that one blow!" the Corvisquire chirped.
"He did it!?" the Espurr beside CJ mewled excitedly.
"Yes, he's very strong, we don't need to train him much," Chief Mcbone barked. "Makkuro has completed the Entrance Exam. You know what to do," She turned to her son and the other young Pokemon.
Kobi jumped on her friend. "Atta boy!" She ruffled the Rockruff's fur, "cha' passed the Exam!" She cheered excitedly.
Makkuro assumed play bound with her and chased the Espurr around for a moment. Then the wind picked up and there was a deafening thunderclap that shook the area. "We are going back inside," Chief Mcbone commanded as it began to drizzle. The Rescue Team members nodded before they headed back into the League behind the Stoutland.
Linus, Nevada, Glade, and Ars decided to go back to their bedroom immediately after breakfast. As the team leader, the Treecko knew the four of them would need to think about the mission details they have. "Okay so Glade's hometown, Lauderdale Marsh has a strange sickness going on," Linus held up a map of the Continent with the town and village markers. They all were sitting at the table low on the floor.
"The disease affects fire-types, water-types, rock-types, ground-types, grass-types, and flying-types. Which is wild, that's quite the large population of Pokemon," Nevada explained.
Ars looked up and sniffed the air. "Even though you three, Froakie, and Guildmaster Charmeleon can get sick from whatever this thing is, they asked us to come," She stated. Everyone nods, shaking their heads in unison.
"Even with risks an urgent request is something we have to take," the Charmander pointed at the documents.
The Poochyena beside the lizard stood up and walked over to stare out the window before the downpour of rain was heard. "Yeah, I'll do my best," she flattened her ears.
"I wonder how my old neighbors are doing, I haven't heard from them since the Disruption," Glade started to say just as there was a knock on the door. "Yes? I'll get it," The Totodile got up and Linus was right behind her. The Big Jaw Pokemon opened the door, in the doorway was Silas, leader of Team Blue Heroes.
Nevada and Ars came to see what he wanted as well. Linus further widened the door, whilst the Charmander and Poochyena stood on his sides, both of their tails low to the ground.
Noticing all the Pokemon were paying attention Silas spoke. "Here, put these scarves on, only on your neck now please," the Salamence nudged a large bag forward. Some scarves had black, silver, and grey stripes inside. They were funeral attire for members in a Mana Research League. Each of the Pokemon took one before the Dragon waved his tail and walked towards the next room. "See you in a bit,"
After all of Team Sharp Claw were finally dressed the leader shook his head. "If only we had more time," Linus sighed.
"Yeah," lamented Nevada as they closed the room door.
"All of the Teams are so busy," the Treecko in front of them shivered slightly as his head felt cold. " All the League missions, requests from the Guild, and training along with everything in between," he reminded everyone as they walked.
"It's our job, we have to do whatever we can," growled Glade as the group made it further down the hallway. "Who else will?"
Ars looked at the two and then went back to Nevada. "I see this is what League life is like, always packed full, no breaks for us," they shook their fur.
"Unfortunately this was the best day," the Treecko in front of them began. "For the homegoing ceremonies," Linus said softly as his Rescue Team exited the second story and headed down to the watch room.
Even amid a torrential rainstorm, the Bristberg Mana League headed off to travel to collect Chad's family and Diamond's family. Amidst the weather, The Pokemon headed South-West towards the savanna and safari lands border.
Chief Mcbone led in the front with Team Aegisdrip, and the trainees, while Coordinator Cooper held up the rear with Team Blue Heroes. Team Rebirth was right behind the Stoutland while Team Sharp Claw and Team Deliverance were in the middle.
For some odd reason, Hatchet said he wanted to talk with Astesia and CJ so he left Kobi, Makkuro, and Voltaru behind. Something everyone was fine with, after all the three of them needed to discuss matters without him.
"So about last week: Hatchet said that the old village you all used to live in, Hunters Plains, treated you poorly," Voltaru started once they were right next to Kobi. "Is this true? And if so, why?"
The Espurr turned her head to check who else was in proximity, halting her gait. "They did, and they did because of two reasons. One was that I was a stray. That village had a problem with wild and feral Pokemon that once lived in that area,"
She paused as a thunderbolt rumbled throughout the air, the lightning flashing in a blinding dance. "The other reason is that I remember who I was before I woke up,"
"You do?" the Pikachu quietly gasped in shock. "I could only recall what Pokemon were and their types, not much else about my old life," they replied.
"Hmm, do you know of the Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, Kalos, Alola, or Galar regions?" The Restraint Pokemon asked. "Do any of them sound familiar to you?" Kobi tested.
"Hmm, they all sound like names I've heard before, especially that Unova one, but I don't know why," Voltaru answered, with a tilt of their ears.
"That's good," Makkuro felt the need to step in. "She asked me those same questions. I remembered quite a bit about each of them but I knew the most about one," the puppy explained.
"Oh, really now?" The Pikachu asked, moving closer towards him. "Can you tell me more?"
"Yes," the Rockruff started before quickly looking back at the Espurr beside them. "Here's a sneak peek, I'm from Johto,"
"Wow, I have no clue what or where that is. But it's awesome!" Voltaru cheered. "What else do recall about this Johto place!"
"Yeah, I can't quite remember everything but I was doing something called the Gym-"
Before Makkuro could finish, Kobi shook her whole body free of water and sneezed loudly, interrupting him. "You two better remember I'm tha one who'd started this conversation," she meowed at the two.
"Haha, let's have Kobi finish," Voltaru nodded as the group continued onward.
"Well because I knew the old region I was from I remembered my profession," she wiped her paw on her muzzle. "I was a Pokemon Trainer, the Pokemon from the village hated that I had been,"
"That's what I used to be!" the Rockruff beside them lulled his tongue out in happy pant. "I was gonna say that, I wanted to tell them."
"Yeah, yeah," the Espurr sighed. "I know you did, but me being one is more important than you being one," she explained.
"You being a Pokemon Trainer? Why would that matter?" asked Voltaru. "Did you try to train them or something?" The Pikachu tilted their head in confusion.
"No, I didn't try to. I just found out about the village's opinion on Trainers turned into Pokemon," the Restraint Pokemon tried to whisper the explanation.
"Trainers turned into Pokemon?" Voltaru questioned in a slightly louder voice.
"Shh, don't say that so loud!" The Espurr demanded when she noticed Chief Mcbone turn her head at them.
"Got it," the mouse folded their ears. "Continue, continue," they requested as the League walked down a large neighborhood. Estates and manors of various sizes were arranged and were constructed strategically on raised slopes.
"If Nekotetsu hadn't told us you were a human or his master I wouldn't be spending my time asking you these questions,"
"Oh, okay. So about these regions, you said I used to live in one of them?"
"Yes, I'm basing this off your memory response to the Unova Region and Nekotetsu,"
"I kinda understand this whole region thing being a reason but why him?"
"That crazy Meowth who loves you so much is a possible link to your old human life,"
"But all he did was call me a human and said I was his Master. Along with all sorts of other crazy things,"
"Nekotetsu mentioned to me that he looked different in his old body but couldn't tell me any more details, this means he must have been a different cat Pokemon," Kobi explained.
"I guess I'll have to ask him before we leave," Voltaru adjusted their necktie once the League stopped. "I guess he might have been a Unovan one then, how interesting."
Everyone went back with their respective groups as the Chief and Coordinator prepared some items. Then Team Aegisdrip led further into the settlement.
Once they arrived at the first estate everyone besides Wally, Spyla, Coal, Tidal, and the Coordinator and Chief walked up to the front door. They did not obscure the view of Chad's family from the League. His parents were a Raichu and a Mienshao, whilst his siblings were a Mienfoo, a Pikachu, and a Pichu. They all talked with Team Aegisdrip, Mcbone, and Cooper for a while.
Then the Stoutland brought all the Pokemon back towards her Rescue Teams and stationed the grieving family in the middle of the formation. Without a single word, Chad's family walked beside Team Deliverance and Team Sharp Claw and looked straight forward. As to avoid staring too much at Voltaru. Their resemblance to Chad was tainted by their strange grey-markings, but their Keeper energy was noticed by the remaining Keeper of the family.
Chad's Mienfoo sister wanted to ask sorts of questions once she took in all the other Keeper presences but held her tongue as the group quickly made it to the neighborhood right across the stream. Like last time the League members waited in the front yard of the estate.
Diamond's mother and father were a Blastoise and a Constellation Slowking. Her siblings were a Slowbro, Squirtle, and a Slowpoke. They all didn't wish to speak very long with Team Aegisdrip, or the heads of the League. The shelled family stated that they didn't need protection from the League Members and walked wherever they wanted to in the formation.
Hatchet was the fascination of Diamond's Slowbro brother, especially his presence. That Axew's mana tasted awful! The Hermitcrab Pokemon thought as he covered his mouth in disgust. He wanted, no, he needed to know why. But that would be for later. The large group was now headed towards Bristberg Mountain. Where the Cemetery was located, for a Keeper's funeral.
The entire service for Chad and Diamond lasted about a few hours, making it close to the evening. With their urns on the table, a small little Sermon was done by an Ursaring priest of the Church of Mew. The Pikachu's and the Wartortle's parents spoke about them and then they showcased the frism to the congregation, amplifying the recording so everyone could hear.
Next Spyla and Wally spoke about some of their quests together and announced that their Team would continue with their legacy in every mission. Then Libra and Fred, of Team Blue Heroes, did the Obituary. Finally, Chief Mcbone, Astesia, and Linus talked about some old experiences they had with them from many years ago which ended the funeral.
"This was the first time since the Disruption that I have had to sent Keepers under my command off," Coordinator Cooper lamented to himself during the repass lunch. This food was brought by some families that the League has helped in the past. The Granbull was approached by the Keeper Mienfoo and the Keeper Slowbro during the end. "Oh, yes, what do you two need? Do you have any questions for me?" He bent down to listen closely.
"We, we want to join the League," the Martial Arts Pokemon requested. She bowed her head, closing her eyes tightly.
"Well, since you are Keepers in this Region I am obligated to ask that you join my League," Cooper softened his expression the best he could. "But I was going to wait until you were ready," he added with a strained woof.
"Yeah, in a month we want to take an Exam to form a Rescue Team," the water- poison Hermitcrab was upfront. "We aren't that young Sir. We should have joined years ago," He stated with his eyes low.
"Well that mandate wasn't passed until last month, so there is no need to rush-" the Coordinator waved his paw.
"You don't understand Sir," the Mienfoo growled in frustration, her muzzle reddening. "We should have joined before it was too late," she said firmly.
The Granbull nodded. "I see, that sounds good, at least half of the recruits will have become fully-fledged members by then," he finished.
"You mean the ones without badges?" The Slowbro asked, peering down at the League's young Pokemon.
Cooper smiles when the children wave at him. "Yes, there are many," he starts to explain as he stands up and gathers some bags. "Some aren't here right now."
"Do you mean Pokemon who were supposed to join or something Sir?" questioned the Martial Arts Pokemon as she began to understand that things were wrapping up.
"Unfortunately, which is what we will solve in the following weeks," the Coordinator beckoned forward with his paw at Chief Mcbone once she looked his way. "Well it was nice to be with you all-"
"Alright!" Loudly barked Chief Mcbone, standing towards the archway. Everyone then had her full and absolute attention. "The Bristberg Mana Research League will be heading out now!" The Stoutland gazed towards the burial site and looked down.
"Well, wife says I've gots to go young ones," Coordinator Cooper adjusted his scarf. "Thank you, and Mew Bless."
"Bye-bye, Sir Cooper! Thank you, everyone!" The Keepers waved farewell to the Granbull and his Rescue Teams alongside their families. "They've got work to do and so do we!"
In about the next half-day all the Rescue Teams prepared to go out on their various tasks far away in the Continent. Three Teams, in particular, went out first, as their respective missions were urgent.
The air was slightly warmer than usual; particularly unusual in the Bristberg-Midori Mountainside. Members of the Bristberg Research Mana League headed eastward again, but they would not remain together like last time. They traveled along a large red walkway bridge adorned with various shopkeepers and little stores strung about for about two whole days. Taking the Midori Mori Forest Mystery Dungeon would have cost them precious extra days to navigate through once more.
Team Sharp Claw and Team Blue Heroes were headed into Midori Mori City to meet up with the Strong Will Guildmasters. Parker and Lucky have some information they did not tell the League Members as they were not completely sure about all the details. The six of them understood that the case has many parts that are all so delicate in this particular town. The Bristberg Mana Research League had many jobs to do and so the Teams said farewell.
Team Deliverance was headed towards the city of Pebble Creek but came across a Mystery Dungeon entrance on the eastern outskirts of the Midori Mori area. Makkuro, Kobi, Voltaru, and Hatchet approached the Mystery Dungeons Kecleon Box. Hatchet and Kobi stepped forward to read a tall wooden sign stationed in front of some trees.
"This is called Mizu Mori Mystery Dungeon," started Hatchet, stepping back."But uh, I don't know a thing about it, never been this far from home."
Kobi looked at the ground, before sitting down. "This Mystery Dungeon has been known for all sorts of weather and is home to many different species of Pokemon," the Espurr stretched forward with a yawn.
"Sounds like a nice place to train against ferals and beat them all down," the Axew adjusted his scarf. "I can't wait!"
"What? No, we don't need to do all of that," Voltaru gave him an annoyed glare. "Don't start with this again," their teal eyes continue to bore into the Tusk-Dragon.
Makkuro began to wag his curly tail. "Yeah, we don't! I want to explore their home and find all sorts of cool things!" He barked, edging closer. "What do you think about that!?"
"I would like to polish up my moves a bit more before our mission," the Pikachu remarked, adjusting their scarf. "This would be a good chance, during our exploration," They flexed their biceps before patting their thighs.
Oddly these statements upset Hatchet, who clenched his claws in frustration "No, no no no!" he shouted. "None of you get it!" the Axew then began rage incessantly.
This outburst started his companions. The Rockruff beside him tilted his head. "Woah, what's wrong?" He lowered his tail, standing firm.
"You wouldn't understand!" as he spoke the Axew's presence shifted slightly. "You're just a-"
"Shut up Hatchet!" Kobi commanded, interrupting the Tusk-Dragon. Her fangs were just mere centimeters from his face. "We aren't going inside that Mystery Dungeon." Her firm and cold glare caused the Tusk-Dragon to back off.
"Why not?" he asked.
"You should know this by now, honestly," the Espurr sighed in anger, her fur bristling.
"What?" asked Voltaru, their ears lowering. "What didn't he tell me this time?"
"A Keeper venturing into a Mystery Dungeon disrupts the balance, thus we shouldn't go through one for no reason when we can take the walkways," Kobi explained.
"But-" Hatchet tried to prevent her from walking away, grabbing her shoulders.
"Did you forget who I am?" The Restraint Pokemon stared back at the Axew. "I'm the Leader of Team Deliverance, I call the shots," she pushed him out of her way and continued east. The Pikachu and the Rockruff shook their heads before they took after their Espurr leader.
Disgruntled, Hatchet followed Makkuro and Voltaru down the stony pathway. The weather along this trail had frequent rainstorms and high gusts of wind, making this an arduous quest onward for the Team. The closer the League Pokemon got to sea-level the stronger the breeze, as this region of the Constellation Continent was partially flatter than the Bristberg-Midori Mori heartlands.
Team Deliverance had traveled through the wetlands wilderness for about two whole days to reach the town of Pebble Creek. Pebble Creek is seated in low rich Riverland, where the economy booms by dockside trade. On the outskirts of the settlement were rows of pine trees, marsh, and two ponds that Pokemon had to take a little bridge across.
As the town was bowl-shaped, where the border is the highest point so the outside view was incredible. Rice paddies plump with grain flooded the western border. The numerous shops, homes, and other establishments sat towards the edge while there were small groupings of silver mountains that sat closer to the edge of the Nakagawa River.
The weary travelers made it to an inn around midnight and then bought a room for a half-day. They slept until late morning. "Alrighty, so now that we reached the town we need to be on the lookout for a Dreepy, Buneary, Snom, and a Fomantis," Kobi spoke as her Team packed up their belongings.
"I've had a decent night's sleep I'll be up to search high and low for our new Teammates!" Makkuro barked as he paced around the room. "Wait, which ones are staying permanently?"
"Just Mari and Xiao. Ivan and Paola are heading off to Sharp Claw after our missions," Hatchet roughly spat. "Which is why we should hurry, we don't have any leads on Kanamori or Lua," he slammed the door shut.
"Where does he think he's going without us?" the Rockruff growled, shaking his head.
"Not too far," Kobi explained after the Pikachu beside them opened the door. "He doesn't know this town, only me and Kuro over here do."
The mouse Pokemon tilted their ears. "Really now?"
"Yeah!" Cheered the puppy Pokemon. "We know a thing or two because we've seen a thing or two!"
"Well, I think some of them may be common Pokemon around here," Voltaru cleared their throat. "Do we have any other details?" They exited the room and stepped outside with their companions. Hatchet was busy reading a pamphlet from a local vendor and the Team walked over to him.
"Yea, the four of them are wearing the League scarves of Palm Shore," Kobi meowed, her nose twitching. "The stripe colors are light blue, yellow, and orange. So it won't be that hard to find em'."
The four members of Team Deliverance looked through the tourist district first before they were given a tip to head towards the business one on the west side of Pebble Creek. Close to a field of land next to a lumber shop was where the transfer members: the Fomantis, the Snom, the Buneary, and the Dreepy had finally been located. The four were very big and bulky for their stages but matched the description the Espurr made. The Pokemon had a ragged striped scarf somewhere along their body, along with a silver badge.
Before Kobi or her companions could say anything the Palm Shore League Members took the first shot. "Soo, yeo must be from a western League!?" The Snom yelled out a question, scuttling forward through the grass.
"Yeah, we are from the Bristberg Mana Research League," the Restraint Pokemon replied, leading her team to the middle of the lawn to meet up with the Pokemon.
"You must be Ivan," the Espurr said, gesturing to the Snom. "And your names are..." She turned to the Fomantis and Buneary as the latter stared at her. "Xiao and Mari." Lastly, the Dreepy floated towards the Espurr, who turned to look at her. "This is Paola," Kobi finished, having introduced everyone to Hatchet, Voltaru, and Makkuro.
"Yup, ya right about that!" Paola smiled. "Team Sharp Claw es pretty knowledgeable!"
"No, this isn't Team Sharp Claw Paola," Makkuro said with a woof.
"QUE! Really?" She panicked, crashing to the ground dramatically.
"Then, who are yeu guys?" Xiao questioned, peering over at Voltaru and Hatchet. "Yeu all seem like a decent challenge based on your Keeper presences."
Voltaru walked forward, extending their paw. "We are Team Deliverance, sorry to burst your bubble," the Pikachu explained.
"Team Deliverance, huh," Xiao repeated their answer. "What a nice name, better have nice fightin' skills to back it up!"
"Uh, I'm not so sure about that Xiao," the mouse nervously laughed. "I mean we, uh I barely um- I don't know what to do about that," they stammered out.
"Voltaru," Kobi folded her ears closer against her skull. "We may not really have time for a sparring session," the Espurr glanced into the sky to check the Sun's position.
Mari hopped forward and grinned, placing her paws on Voltaru's shoulder. "Glad to have you all with us!" The Pikachu smiled back, closing their eyes.
"Did theh papers tell ya we're special!?" The Buneary's ears perked up with her question. "Did they? Did they?!"
Hatchet folded his arms in contempt. "Nothing besides that you four were sent to us because of disciplinary leave," the Axew pointed towards Paola. "Care to explain why?"
"Well, there es something wrong with our Coordinator," the Dreepy's tail coiled around her long body. "No one thinks we were telling the truth when we say she's changed," she sighed.
Ivan spat out a snowball. "And we just sit by while some impostar Sigilyph is flying around pretending to be our Coordinator!?" He chirped furiously.
"No, that is fair that you spoke up," Makkuro barked in agreement. "I would do that too."
"But our Chief and other Teams got pissed at us trying to investigate," Xiao extended her blades. "The Coordinator decided to send us to help out Bristberg's League as some bargaining chip or something," she said before slicing through some of the grass.
"Hmm, that's probably not what you want to be defined as special huh?" the Rockruff leaned forward to lick Mari's forehead. "It isn't fun to be called a liar, and no one believes in what you say," he said softly.
"Voids yeah!" The Buneary pumped her paw into the air. "The reason we are so awesome!"
"Supar powerful!" Shouted Paola.
"Really cool," Xiao calmly said.
"And incredibly talented is the byproduct of our place of birth!" Ivan cheered.
"What is it?" Kobi asked as her new Teammates posed in some dance formation.
"We're Number Zero!" The four Pokemon from Palm Shore chanted.
"Zero? What's that supposed to mean?" Voltaru asked, their ears slowly folding down. "Have you heard of this Kobi?"
"Nope, I've got nou clue," the Espurr remarked as her fur began to stand up. She fixed her gaze onto her Tusk-Dragon companion. The Axew's eyes were narrow and she sensed another disturbance in his presence.
"We are level zero ferals. Our Coordinator, well the old one said so anyway!" Mari hopped around giddily.
Hatchet's eyes widened and he simply stared at the ground in anger. "You're joking," he whispered in refusal. "You gotta be to be kidding me."
"Well, I don't know what that entirely means," Makkuro barked, tensing up. "I thought there were only five levels of Carnal Sickness that ferals can have."
The Buneary shook her head. "Dis is not true, there are probably many more, with at least six. Not five."
Voltaru stepped closer to the foreign Pokemon. "Well, I for one can notice the strong rich Keeper presences you all have," the Pikachu tried to make clear. "Which Mystery Dungeons are you guys from?"
"Well, I was born in the High Lagoon Mystery Dungeon!" Mari explained.
"I'm from High Beach Mystery Dungeon," Xiao stated.
"I hail from the Wei Tundra Highland Mystery Dungeon," Ivan smiled.
"And I lived in the High Tide Mystery Dungeon!" Paola flew into the air. "Isn't that great!? We came to the League because we knew they were strong. Then they told us we were Keepers who were needed."
Hatchet clenched his claws as the four ferals told their new team their places of birth. And they were proud of their status at the Palm Shore League. Zero, they call themselves! He thought. "So you fellers are ferals ey?" The Axew seethed, through the stick of wood under his tusks.
"Yeah, got a problem with that? We promise we don't bite," Mari giggled.
Voltaru stared at Hatchet. "Don't you dare," they commanded. "You know what I said the night I joined!"
"Shut it you little stray," the Tusk Dragon pushed them away. "Y'all better not think ya ain't beneath me!" He points to the new transfer members and snaps his mood stick in half.
"Excuse mea?" The Snom asked. "I see yeo all have bronze badges. Zhich means yeo are beneath us in Keeper League work. Can't ya see this pearly shine?" He shrugged his shoulders the best he could.
"Kobi!" Hatchet reached down and grabbed the Espurr's paw, startling her. "You can't honestly believe I'd work on a team with these types of- of creatures!"
"Do you want to fight?" Xiao edged forward. "We are not just some creatures, we are Pokemon!" The Fomantis yelled.
The Espurr narrowed her eyes and extended her claws. This prompted the Axew to release her. "I thought I told you not to question my decisions, especially ones involving the Code," the Restraint Pokemon growled.
"I don't care!" Hatchet complained. "You seem to forget your place too! You three weren't born in an actual civilization, you annoying little strays should be grateful I found you!"
"What the fuck is wrong with you?!" Voltaru's cheeks sparked. "Shut up about that and fix your damn presence right now!" They demanded, their tail slamming against the ground.
"Hatchet, you tread the thinnest ice of my patience, whilst blazing aflame!" Kobi warned in a hiss, her eyes sharp like daggers. "If you don't stop now then you will face all of my rages!"
"Oh, so Hatchet iz a Domestic Keeper who thinks he's better than every other Keeper huh?" Mari tapped her foot on the grass impatiently. "Well do ya wanna prove it?"
When he heard this a teal aura began to emanate from and on Hatchet's scales. "Of course I will! I'll tear you apart!" He shouted in rage, his crimson eyes shaking.
"Oi, what the hell is your mana doing?" Makkuro barked, his ears folded back behind his head. "She said to quit it!" He bared his fangs at his teammate.
"Es fine with me, no worry!" Paola smiled, priming for battle. "Why don't we all spar now?" The Dreepy asked.
"I didn't expect anything less from you damn ferals!" The Axew started to glow even brighter. "You Dungeon-born are the plight of society, just thieves and crooks!"
"What was that?" Ivan shot out a frigid gust of wind as a warning.
Voltaru got down on all fours and rammed into Hatchet. "That's my question!" The Pikachu jumped back and started to channel electricity into their body. "Stop talking about Pokemon who are your League mates and other Keepers like that!" they demanded, their teals deep with aggression.
The Tusk-Dragon shoved back with a powerful Reversal, prying the mouse off the ground and sending them a couple of steps away. "Those aren't Pokemon!" He declared as he felt his righteous fury and might surge throughout his body in a blinding flash of draconic mana.
"Your own team doesn't even agree with yeo and yeo keep on running your mouth!" The Snom shouted.
Covering his face with an arm, Hatchet cackled madly. "Those three?" He fired back a flare of Dragon Pulse at the cloud of ice. Then he clicked his tongue. "Worthless," the Tusk-Dragon snarked.
"Ya know what? That's enough, we're gonna haf'ta settle this," Kobi's tail flicked in unbridled resentment as she got low to the ground, her claws once again emerging. "Let's have a free for all, maybe this will fix him," the Espurr mewled before she lunged forward and everyone began to clash.