Author note: So what do people normally put here besides the regular disclaimer? Ah well, here's Chapter 2 anyways, please leave a review if you liked it.
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Cream was surprised to wake up to almost silence. The only sound she could hear was the light breathing of Haru. The Buizel was curled up into a ball, head tucked in between his twin tails. This was a far cry from her normal mornings, waking to the sound of nearly a half dozen rowdy Eevee's every day. The Vulpix endeavored to enjoy the quiet a little longer before waking up Haru.
She wouldn't wait long before the Buizel rose up in a daze.
"Mornin." Haru mumbled idly rubbing his face with one paw.
"Morning." Cream replied yawning as she got up to leave the tent. "I'm gonna show you around town to day, we never got a chance yesterday." She continued. Gripping the tent's zipper in her mouth she pulled.
"That sounds like a good idea." Haru mumbled. The Buizel sounded half asleep still. As the pair exited the tent into their makeshift campsite Haru nearly stumbled over something sitting just by the firepit. A small wooden box, bigger than the sewing kit Cream had borrowed from her mother the night before. There was a card sitting on top of the box covered in some flowery patterns.
Haru grabbed the card and began to read it. "To the Buizel, you impressed me greatly. Take these, when we meet again i wish to see how strong you've become." Haru read off.
"Who could have left this?" Cream asked. The box worried her, there weren't alot of people that Haru could have 'Impressed' lately and she dreaded the obvious answer.
"Could have ben the Amphros from last night." Haru said idly before reaching for the latch on the front. "I'm opening it."
"Careful." Haru murmured.
The box opened with a click and Haru stepped back startled. "It's not from the Ampharos." He whispered. Cream rushed over to see what was in the box.
Sitting inside the box were several tools. Nearly a dozen kunai, there leaf shaped blades glimmering with a polished shine. an even larger amount of star shaped rings of metal with a razor sharp edge, shuriken. Mixed in a large pile were also several long thin spike like darts, some of the were a dark bluish steel and others gleamed like silver, Cream recognized them as iron thorns and silverspikes. The vulpix had seen the type before, she had even sold some once.
"There's a couple hundred Poké worth of tools here." Cream commented. It was obvious that the pair were in shock at what was sitting in front of them. Haru pulled out one of the kunai and began to balance it in his paw before throwing it at a near by tree a couple feet away. The blade slammed home with a dull thud embedding itself into the tree.
"Had to be that Butterfree, i'm not sure how to feel about this." Haru sighed. "Do we trust this, at all?" He asked.
Cream thought for a moment. "If it was a trap i think it'd have gone off by now." She said.
"Alright then." The Buizel shrugged. Haru pulled out a handful of silver spikes, placing them in a small side pocket on his messenger bag before pulling the kunai out of the tree and sliding it into the pocket of his hoodie. "Well, you were going to show me around right?" Haru asked as he was placing the box of throwing implements inside the tent.
"Yeah, lets go." Cream chirped picking up the sewing kit she had left out the night before.
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The pair had been wandering slowly down the shore, Cream leading the way. as the traveled Cream glanced back to see Haru staring intently at the water. The Buizel hadn't taken his eyes off of it since they had started walking.
"There something in the water?" Cream asked jokingly. Haru flinched before looking away from the water to her.
"N-no, it's just." The Buizel suddenly got really quiet. "I think this is the first time I've ever actually seen the ocean." He whispered, the wonder in his voice was obvious to anyone listening.
The Buizel looked so happy, a bright smile plastered on his face. It made Cream want to join in his happiness. The white Vulpix rolled her eyes as Haru stopped to watch the waves crash endlessly.
"Alright hand over your stuff and jump in." Cream laughed. Haru looked like he'd just been informed he'd been named king of the island.
"Really?" He questioned eyes shining with hope. Cream nodded her head and the Buizel wasted no time passing all of his things over and jumping into the water with a splash and disappearing underneath.
The bright yellow collar around Haru's neck, a Buizel's flotation sac, inflated quickly as he popped his head back above water. He floated there as the waves gently bobbed him up and down.
"This feels wonderful!" Haru called out happily. He began to splash around in the waves causing Cream to laugh at his antics.
"You really haven't been in the ocean before have you?" Cream asked. something about that thought made the Vulpix incredibly sad, like the Buizel had missed out on something that should have intrinsically been a part of him.
"I mean, maybe." Haru contemplated. finally the Buizel had had his fill and climbed out of the water. Shaking off the water he continued "But this feels like something i've never done before."
Cream shielded herself from the spray of water with Haru's hoodie. "You'll have to do this some more before we leave then."
"Yeah, yeah i think i will." He smiled brightly.
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When they reached town Haru looked delighted. While the town looked the same to Cream, same old over water bungalows and cabanas she was used to, thatched roofs and brightly colored curtains down up in blues. Dozens of pokemon milling about, some obviously tourists seeing the sights, others trying to hock goods like a bunch of amateurs with no negotiation skills.
"Take it all in twintails, this is home." Cream ribbed thumping the Buizel with her paw. "Until we get out of here."
"It's so exciting, it's like a festival, i think." Haru laughed. The Buizel was obviously enjoying himself. Honestly that comforted Cream a bit.
"It's always like that here." Cream joined in. The Ice Vulpix began to scan the crowd, she wasn't sure if the pokemon she was looking for would actually be here. Then she spotted them. a pair of Eevee's standing by a bit of pier railing looking off into the water. One of them, the smaller of the two was wearing a pair of green rimmed glasses, the other much bigger Eevee wore a necklace that held a bright blue stone like crystal with a darker blue teardrop shape inside of it. The pair were two of Cream's brothers.
"Biscuit, Chip!" Cream called out to the pair. the younger Eevee's ears flicked at hearing their names and tapped his brother to get his attention pointing him to where Cream and Haru were standing. Both Eevee's quickly bounded over to the pair wrapping themselves around Cream in a hug.
Chip broke the hug first, the older Eevee backing away slightly causing Biscuit to snuggle further into the Vulpix.
"Everything alright at home?" Cream asked. She tried to disentangle herself from the younger Eevee to no avail.
"Wafer is still being a little brat, and Sugar was in tears because she thought you'd already left without saying goodbye." Chip mentioned idly before glancing at Haru. "This the Buizel you mentioned?" He asked.
"Oh man, i didn't even think about Sugar, I'm sorry you had to deal with that." Cream apologized profusely. "Oh yeah, this is Haru." She added, stepping out of the way as best she could with a whole 10lbs of Eevee attached to her. The Buizel waved enthusiastically at her brother.
"He looks a little skinny." Chip commented casually. "Have you guys eaten yet?" He asked.
"Haru, these are my brothers, the one who won't let go is Biscuit, he's my assistant when i need one." Cream said, the Eevee finally letting go of her. "And the one offering food is Chip, and no we haven't and oh boy I'm starving." She answered.
"Alrighty, I have to get to work soon anyways so follow me when you're ready, you know the place." Chip said as he sauntered off into the crowd.
Cream turned to Biscuit who had been sitting patiently by her side. "Biscuit, can you do your sister a huge favor?" Cream asked.
"Sure! What is it?" The Eevee hoped up excitedly. He was bouncing in place on his paws looking at his sister expectantly.
Cream passed over the sewing kit to Biscuit who balanced it easily on his back despite his bouncing. "Can you take this home and put it back in my room?" Cream asked.
"Of course, right away, love ya sis." Biscuit called out happily before he too disappeared into the crowd.
"Right, well you hungry?"
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The place Cream had led them was the restaurant Chip had been working at. A sizeable place with a solid slate floor. Dozens of tables most of them filled with pokemon just having a good time. Most of them just tourists. though Cream recognized a few, like the Oshawott wearing the dark blue tabard covered in red patterns from the temple sitting by herself in a corner. The same Ampharos they had met last night, who nodded politely raising a glass in her direction before downing it's contents and returning to her own meal. But most importantly, sitting at a table by a window was Twizzler.
The Piplup eagerly waved the pair over and when they sat down started a conversation immediately. "I ran into Chip earlier and he said you were on your way here, so figured i'd meet you here." The Piplup said leaning back in her seat. "I already ordered so the food should be here soon." She said. those words alone drove an arrow of dread through Creams heart. Whatever they were about to eat, it would probably be far to sweet. Haru had no reaction to this news besides thanking the Piplup. "The poor fool." Cream thought.
It was barely moments later when Chip came sliding in, the Eevee was wearing roller skates on his paws and expertly balancing a try laden with with what looked like dumplings and riceballs of some kind on his head with a surprising amount of success. "Here ya go." The Eevee gave his sister a knowing grimace, one that seemed to say I tried, as he slid the tray gently onto the table infront of them. With a nod Chip slid off gliding easily away.
The trio began eating and much to Creams relief, the food was edible. Or atleast the riceballs had were filled with peanut butter and Haru seemed to love them. The dumplings on the other hand...only Twizzler ate any of them they were filled with some increadbily sweet fruit that had gagged Cream when she tried it and Haru had been to busy eating riceballs to even try one. All in all Cream would consider this one of the better times Twizzler had somehow managed to order for everyone.
"So, i'm showing Haru around town today. you wanna come with?" Cream asked through a mouthful of riceball.
"Sure, we should get Luna first." Twizzler replied biting into another of her far to sweet dumplings. Haru attempted to say something but Cream couldn't understand him through a mouth full of peanut butter, and if she had to guess neither could Twizzler.
"I agree with Haru, lets get her after we finish eating." Cream said a wide grin on her face. Just because she hadn't actually understood what he had said didn't mean she wasn't going to pretend she did.
A little while later Chip glided back over to their table. The Eevee was carrying another tray, this one much smaller than before, holding a small slice of cake covered in blue frosting. Chip placed the tray in front of Twizzler who thanked him before digging in.
"I'll see you later today right?" Chip asked. The Eevee slowly spun in place for a moment waiting for Creams answer.
"Yeah, of course." Cream said. Chip smiled before rolling away from the trio. "Alright lets go get Luna."
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The three had been sitting in front of Luna's house, a building that could only be described as a miniature manor house. for the better part of ten minutes. Cream and Twizzler having a silent argument of over who would knock on the door. Before they could actually decide who would do it the door creaked open ominously and a pair of red eyes leered out of the darkness. Cream could barely make out who was standing in the door way, it didn't frighten her any less. Luna's brother, Corbeau, was a shiny Furfrou all shaggy black fur and red eyes. The canine gave off an aura that just absolutely terrified her, and possibly everyone else on the island who wasn't named Luna.
Corbeau's head disappeared behind the door and the Furfrou called out. "Luna your friends are here." The way he said friends, dripping with venom, reminded Cream of what the Furfrou actually thought of them. Corbeau disappeared down the hall leaving the door wide open. Only to be quickly replaced by the smiling form of Luna. The Poochyena rushed outside quickly closing the door behind her and breathing a sigh of relief.
"Well, i can safely say Luna's brother scares me." Haru mumbled. The Buizel shivered slightly before turning his attention to Luna.
"Yeah, he gets that alot." Luna said cheerily as she marched up the road before turning back to her friends. "Are you coming?"
Cream rushed to catch up with the Poochyena followed by Haru and Twizzler and the quartet walked slowly back down the path into town proper. It wasn't long before they reached the bustle of the main road. A multitude of pokemon moved to get around the group before they stopped off to the side of the road.
"So where should we go?" Luna asked. The poochyena seemed to bounce in place slightly, grey fur ruffling as she moved.
"Well we've already shown Haru where Chip works, so eating is out." Twizzler contemplated. She began to stroke her chin with a flipper. Cream couldn't quite tell what the Piplup was thinking. Haru of course wouldn't have any ideas having never been here before, the Buizel watched the others expectantly a content smile on his face.
"We could just go through town square, see where we end up?" Cream finally chimed in when it seemed no one else had any ideas. Twizzler nodded her head slowly.
"That sounds like a good plan, lets go." Twizzler nodded her head slowly. The four of them continued their leisurely stroll down the road again. Cream didn't pay much mind to the other pokemon passing them by until she heard a somewhat familiar sound, the melody of ring glancing against chain. Through the crowd she caught sight of source, the staff being held by an Ampharos. The electric types tail swayed gently as she meandered past them eyes closed. "Niko, that was her name." Cream thought as the Ampharos in question passed them without even sparing the group a glance.
Distracted as she was Cream didn't notice until it was to late that she was about to collide with an Eevee wearing a sky blue bow that was similarly distracted. The pair crashed into each other with a dull thud sending both to the ground. Cream's friends and a Riolu, wearing a bag that looked alot like Haru's, that seemed to be with the Eevee all cried out in alarm.
"Sorry about that." The Eevee said standing back up quickly and holding out a paw to help Cream up. The Riolu let out a sigh of relief before shaking his head good stifling a laugh.
Cream took the offered paw without any complaint getting back up and reassuring her friends quickly before turing back to the Eevee. "Sorry, sorry, i should really watch where I'm going." She apologized.
The Eevee responded with a wide cheerful grin. "Not a problem at all." The Eevee began to laugh lightly. "I tend to forget where i am most of the time anyways." She took a minute to fix her bow, it must have been jostled in the crash. "So, since we already said hello in the most physical way possible, how about some proper introductions." She joked casually. "My name's Tika, and this is my partner Gabu." Tika said pointing at the Riolu who flourished into a slight bow at his introduction.
"I'm Cream, these are my friends." Cream nudged everyone to introduce themselves.
"Twizzler."
"luna."
"And I'm Haru." The Buizel finished out the round of introductions.
"A pleasure to meet you all." Tika said. The Eevee's smile almost threatened to engulf her face. "Gabu and I are just traveling around a bit, sort of a holiday, mission, type thing." She continued to say. The Riolu's face lit up at some realization.
"Oh, you might actually be able to help us." Gabu said excitedly. Tika's ears perked up twitching slightly as the Riolu began to shuffle through his bag before pulling out what looked like an incredibly old photograph.
Gabu shuffled forward and handed Cream the photo. The picture itself seemed very old, it had an almost yellow tint to it. She could see what looked like a pair of Riolu, much younger than the one infront of her, sitting in a nest with an egg between them. Both Riolu were sitting in such a way as to prominently display the egg.
"I'm looking for the Riolu sitting on the left, he's my brother." Gabu said. He seemed hopeful. Cream didn't want to shatter the Riolu's hopes but...
"Sorry, i don't think you're likely to find him her." Luna said. Cream let out a breath she didn't know she was holding as the Poochyena answered instead. "Pretty sure the only other Riolu on the island is a girl." She continued.
Gabu took back the photo with a sad smile. "I wasn't expecting much, thanks anyways though." It didn't take long for the cheer to return to the Riolu as he turned to his companion. "Well, we can still stay a few days. Enjoy the island yeah?"
Tika nodded enthusiastically. "We gotta. I haven't even went swimming yet!" She said excitedly. "Well it was nice meeting you." The Eevee grabbed Gabu by the paw and pulled him down the road a bit. Twizzler and Haru waved goodbye at the retreating pair. Cream smiled as the Eevee began to sing something in the distance. While the only word Cream could make out before the pair passed out of view was "Smiles." Whatever Tika had said was enough to cheer up the Riolu who was shaking with laughter as they left.
"Well they're a lively bunch." Luna said as the four of them started walking again.
"They seemed nice." Twizzler commented helpfully.
"I hope they find who they're looking for." Haru said. A contemplative look crossed the Buizels face. "Maybe, when we leave the island we can keep an eye out."
"Not a bad idea, not a bad idea at all." Cream replied.
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Cream wasn't honestly sure how she got roped into these things. Haru thought it sounded fun she guessed. She had been standing here in between Twizzler and Haru, Luna on the Buizels other side, for nearly half an hour while a Smeargle used his tail to put paint to canvas and draw the group on the docks. She was surprised Luna could sit still long enough for Danny, She recognized the Smeargle from around town, to paint the four of them. Usually the Poochyena was incapable of anything but constant movement.
"Hold on just a bit longer." Danny murmured casually from behind the canvas. One eye closed as he dabbed at It with his tail. "Should be finished soon."
Cream tried to focus on anything else but what she was doing. Not much was happening on the docks. A Zigzagoon and a Snivy arguing in hushed tones over what looked like a crate of tomatoes, a trio of Abra sleeping on a bench. She even caught sight of a Meowth she recgonized, Mina, selling rings to what looked like a Crocnaw and a Spritzee. She couldn't hear the conversation from where she was at but she couldn't miss the rather large water type handing Mina a few coins before sliding a ring over one of his claws. It was hard to make out but the ring quickly changed from a solid object to a liquid that splash onto the docks, A look of shock crossed the Crocnaws face before he burst into laughter. He Slapped Mina on the back good naturedly causing the Meowth to stumble before walking away with the Spritzee.
"And done." Danny said stepping away and spinning the canvas towards them. The painting really was pretty good, all done in soft pastel colors depicting the four of them standing by the railing waves swaying in the background. They all looked happy, despite Creams misgivings it turned out fine. Haru stared at the painting in awe, it was hard to remember he wouldn't have seen stuff like this before, or at least remember if he had.
"Looks great, can you send it up to my place later?" Twizzler asked.
Seeing the confused look on Haru's face, Luna leaned in and whispered. "Twizzler is holding onto everything we're taking with us when we leave the island." The Buizels look of confusion changed to one of understanding rather quickly as Danny nodded to Twizzler.
"yeah sure, no problem." The Smeargle said. "Last one i was doing today anyways, now where-" Danny began to look around expectantly before catching sight of a Stantler, horns aglow, levitating some cotton candy. "Ah there she is, over here." He waved to the Stantler as Cream and her friends wandered off.
"My eye's must deceive me, all three pretty ladies standing before me, and they even brought a friend." Someone joked from off to the side. Cream recognized the voice, turning to see Nelly. The Brionne was looking over at them, his face full of mirth leaning with his back to rails.
"Nelly, what's up?" Twizzler asked waving at the relaxed Brionne.
"Oh not much, a couple of tourists payed Ally to loop them around the island so i'm just waiting for him to get back." Nelly said making a show to check his wrist for a watch he didn't have.
"It's actually really good that we ran into you Nells." Luna spoke up from behind Twizzler.
"Oh, did you finally get enough money for me to whisk you lovelies away from here?" the Brionne asked, Cream noticed the eager glint in his eye.
"Not quite, we need to know how much it would be for four instead of three." Twizzler answered for the Poochyena.
"Well...give me a second to think." Nelly said eagerly before he began to mutter under his breath quietly, it was hard to hear what the Brionne was saying though it all sounded like some simple math. After he was finished he gave Twizzler the answer.
"four all four of you lovelies, assuming you meant you Buizel there, it should be about 500 Poké." Nelly said cheerfully. Cream smiled, she didn't think that was too bad, they were only 100 Poké short.
Nelly became very excited for a moment before moving past the group. "Sorry lovelies, that'll be Ally over there. I need to be going." He said before he slid under the railing on the other side hitting the water with a resounding splash. Cream watched him swim out to meet a Lapras in the open waters carrying a Marowak and a Jolteon.
"So who was that?" Haru asked and for a moment Cream felt bad for forgetting to introduce him properly.
"That was Nelly Bree, him and his friend Alucard run tours of the island as well as boat people here and back to the mainland." Twizzler explained.
"Oh, cool. so you have this whole leaving the island thing planned out don't ya." Haru said. The Buizel seemed genuinely enthused at the amount of planning Twizzler had put into things.
"Oh yeah! i know exactly what i'm doing." Twizzler cheered raising one flipper into the air.
"Oh no it's going to her head, there'll be no living with her now." Luna joked lightly bumping the Piplup with her nose. The cold and wet sensation caused Twizzler to jump in surprise letting out a tiny squawk. Luna began to laugh at her reaction and was quickly joined by Cream and Haru.
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After hours of walking around town the Sun was hanging low in the air. Luna had decided the group should get something to eat so the four of them found themselves back at restaurant from this morning. Though Chip had went home by now the Dedenne that had served them instead was doing a fine job, when she managed to stop flirting with an oblivious Haru long enough to take their order.
They were about half way through a pot of some type of curry that both Cream and Haru had taken to almost instantly and Twizzler had barely touched when a familiar face sat down at their table. It was the Eevee from before, Tika, though it seemed she was alone this time. She was carrying something in her mouth which she quickly sat on the table. It looked like some kind of rolled up scroll to Cream though she was more interested in what the Eevee was doing here.
"hello, hello, hello." Tika said leaning forward conspiratorially in the chair she had taken. Her eyes darted back and forth casually checking for anyone listening. The restaurant was actually mostly empty now, there had been a bigger party in earlier meeting with a Houndoom but they had left as Cream and her friends had entered the restaurant.
"So i heard some interesting things around town." The Eevee singsonged a bit before stopping a frown crossing her face. "Well, not around town. i heard it here, at lunch specifically." Tika said brightening up immediately. The shear manic energy of this Eevee was something else, Cream was starting to get the usual headache she had at home.
"What did you hear?" Twizzler asked cautiously. Cream could tell the Piplup was on edge but if Tika had noticed it the Eevee hadn't shown it.
"That a certain white furred Vulpix and her friends wanted to be treasure hunters." Tika said casually grabbing the Piplup uneaten bowl of curry and trying some. "Mhmm, this is good." She murmured.
Twizzler visibly relaxed at this declaration and didn't even protest Tika taking her bowl. "y-yeah we are." She said.
"Well then boy howdy do i have something for the four of you." The Eevee's cheshire grin had returned as she rolled the scrap of parchment over the tabletop. The parchment came to a stop by Haru who picked it up carefully.
"What is it?" Luna asked trying to get a good look at the parchment in the Buizels hand.
"A map, a treasure map." Tika called everyone's attention back to herself. "Specifically to a spot somewhere on this island. I bought it earlier, it's very real." She circled one paw in the air halfheartedly, her wagging tail showing how she really felt.
"How can you be sure of that?" Cream asked.
"Experience." Tika said a hint of steel in her voice. For a moment the Eevee's grin had become absolutely vicious before returning to normal. "The pokemon selling it didn't even know what they had."
"We can't just take this from you." Twizzler said. Haru and Luna nodded their affirmation.
"I was afraid you'd say that." Tika sighed her grin becoming a frown. The Eevee tapped her paw on the table and continued eating. "So what if i hired you to do it?" She asked.
A feeling of pure glee shot through Cream at those words. "What do you mean?" She asked.
"Simple, i'll pay you...what..." Tika sat back and began to think." "Gabu's better at this math stuff then me hold on. Ok so an E rank mission would come out as 100 Poké, and i don't actually want any of the treasure." She slammed her paw down on the table. "Got it, 100 Poké, to show me any treasure you find in...i belive the map called it Hollow Ruins, and you'll get to keep any treasure you find. As well as possible additional payment upon completion."
Cream actually liked the sound of that deal. and from the glance between the four of them, the others agreed with her. "W-we accept." Cream said shakily.
"Wonderful, i believe you should set out tomorrow morning, it's already rather late." Tika said. She pushed away the bowl having finally finished the curry. "If you need to find me, we're staying at the..what was it Blue Candle, that nice little inn by the water. Oh and i'll pay for dinner." She said, her smile once again threatening to swallow her whole.