Chapter 2: Start of Something Great

The walk back to Lively Town was an arduous one. As they walked, Alex's cough was getting worse. Soon, night was upon them.

"We need to set up camp soon. Travelling at night isn't safe." After he spoke, Alex began coughing again.

Rea nodded, then looked at the unconscious Salandit. "What are we going to do about him?"

"I'll stay up and keep him restrained. You get some sleep."

Rea shook her head. "No. You need to rest. Your cough isn't going to get any better if you don't."

"I can't sleep. We won't be able to keep the Salandit restrained."

"But-"

"Trust me."

Rea looked back and forth between Alex and the Salandit and sighed. "Okay, I'll try and get some sleep."

Alex smiled and nodded. "Good. I'll wake you at dawn."

Rea then found a somewhat comfortable spot on the ground and quickly drifted off.

Black. This sight was familiar to Rea, fully surrounded by darkness.

Suddenly, a bright light flared to life.

A light? Where am I? Is this... a dream?

Rea's head began to pound.

Argh, my head! I... can't hear what they're saying.

Suddenly, visions began to flash in Rea's mind.

A vision of her running from a large shadow, fleeing through the woods.

Then, a bright light with blue lightning shooting from it.

Finally, a large tower with darkness shoot from the top.

The visions began to merge, along with an increasing ringing in Rea's ears.

What? What is...? Can't... focus...

After Rea had fallen asleep, Alex reached into his bag and grabbed a Chesto berry. He began to eat the berry, but when he tried to swallow, his throat began to hurt. Alex involuntarily began coughing badly.

"Hehehe..." The Salandit began chuckling as a weak smile crossed his face. "My poison is running its course."

"You can say anything you want. I'm turning you in." Alex's face was intense.

"You stand strong, hold your head up high. However, your facade is seen through easily."

Alex physically winced at this accusation. Seeing this, the Salandit began to chuckle harder.

"You make yourself out to be an Explorer, but you are nothing but an insignificant child."

Alex's face contorted with rage. He began to focus his psychic energy around the Salandit's neck, causing him to begin gasping.

"I am not insignificant." He then released his grip on the Salandit's neck, and resumed suspending him.

The Salandit began heaving, and finally, caught his breath. "Hehehe... Touched a nerve there, didn't I?" He then resumed chuckling to himself.

Attempting to ignore him, Alex continued to struggle to eat.

Suddenly, Rea began to toss and turn. As Alex approached to check on her, she suddenly shot awake and began to hyperventilate.

"Rea, are you okay!?"

"I-I... I'm fine, Alex. I just... Don't worry about it, okay?" She had yet to make eye contact with Alex.

What were those visions? What do they mean? And what was that voice saying?

"Well," Alex said, looking toward the sky. "Looks like neither of us is getting any sleep tonight."

Rea then looked up. The moon was full, and right above their heads. She chuckled softly. "Yeah, I guess not."

Alex smiled, then began coughing.

"We have to something about that cough."

"I've told you already it-"

"It's not fine. We need to do something about it."

Alex sighed. "I'm out of Pecha berries. I was hoping to get some in Lively Town when we arrived, instead of foraging for some."

Rea nodded, then stood up. "I'm sure we'll make a great team at finding some. Let's go."

"Go where?"

"Find some Pecha berries. I'm certain there has to be some somewhere near here."

"And why's that?"

Rea shrugged. "It's what my intuition is telling me." She then gestured for Alex to follow her.

He obliged, if only to make sure she didn't wander into an unknown part of the forest alone. The Salandit also came along, floating a little ways behind Alex.

Not long after walking into this wooded area, they stumbled across several large fruit bearing trees. Under the light of the moon they could see that Oran, Chesto, Pecha, and Rawst berries lay scattered all over the forest floor.

"See," Rea said, pointing at the large collection of berries, "I knew it."

Alex just stared in disbelief. "This area's not even marked on our supply maps. I need to tell Blaze and Foli about this."

"Blaze and Foli?"

"They're the leaders of the Expedition Society, and the Pokémon who saved the world fifteen years ago."

Rea began to gather berries. "What can you tell me about them?"

"Well, I don't really know much about them. They're kind of... intimidating."

"Intimidating?"

Alex nodded. "They seem larger than life. I mean, how often do you get to say you've worked with a hero?"

Rea looked at Alex. From what little she could see of his eyes, she could tell they were full of wonder.

"I've looked up to them for so long. I-"

His enthusiastic outburst was interrupted by another bout of coughing.

"We need to hurry. It sounds like your cough is getting worse."

Returning to their work, they quickly gathered enough berries to fill Alex's bag. Proud of their haul, they took the time to take in the scenery around them. The forest was quiet and peaceful, and the wind was rustling the leaves of the berry trees.

"Rea, do you ever wonder why Pokémon do things?"

"What?"

"Like, why do some Pokémon choose to do bad things?"

They both looked towards the Salandit, who merely narrowed his eyes at them.

Alex shook his head. "Whatever. It's not important. We need to get back on the road soon."

"Not before you eat this." Rea then handed him a Pecha berry.

Alex smiled. "Thanks."

Rea nodded and smiled back. I wonder what he was talking about. Something's on his mind...

As they walked back to the main road, Alex quickly finished the Pecha berry.

They arrived at Lively Town soon after the sun had risen. Even though they had arrived early in the morning, many Pokémon were moving up and down what Rea could only assume was the main street.

As they walked down the street, she saw various stalls, all of which offered different services.

Hwalucha's... Slam School? What strange name.

As they walked by, Hawlucha gave them a friendly wave. Rea returned the wave.

"So Alex, where are we heading?"

Alex pointed to a set of stairs that led to a lower level of town. "If we follow these stairs, they lead to the Magnezone Sheriff Office."

Rea nodded. Alex's voice is already starting to sound better.

When they arrived at the police station, they were let in by a Magnemite, then escorted to see Magnezone, the head sheriff.

"What business to you have here?" The Magnezone's voice was cold and devoid of emotion.

"We're turning in a Pokémon. He's been causing trouble near Serene Village."

"Understood." The magnets attached to them then began to flash with red and blue light. Quickly, two Magnemites entered the room and bound the Salandit. "We appreciate your cooperation. Your reward will be sent to the Expedition Society."

Alex nodded, then gestured for Rea to follow him. As they exited, Alex breathed a heavy sigh. "Talking to Sheriff Magnezone is always tough. Anyways, welcome to Lively Town."

"This place seems nice. A lot of Pokémon watched us as we entered town earlier though."

"They were probably just interested in the Salandit. Besides, this isn't even the best part of Lively Town. Follow me." They then walked past the Sheriff's office, and up another set of stairs on the other side of the lower part of the city.

When they made it to the top of the stairs, Rea was met with the scent of freshly baked food. Looking around for the source of the smell, she noticed it was coming from another cafe just like the one in Serene Village.

"There's a Café Connection in every town, but Lively Town's is special. This one also has a bakery in it run by the Expedition Society's former chef, Slurpuff. Her food is amazing, but that's not what I wanted to show you." He then excitedly walked past the cafe, and gestured for Rea to follow him.

Before she even turned the corner, Rea could already see the entrance to a massive, castle like building. It was three stories tall, with what looked like an observatory taking up the entire third floor.

"Wow, this building is impressive! What is this place?"

Alex chuckled. "This... is the Expedition Society Headquarters."

They entered the building, and Rea found herself in a large room with three other doorways: one to the left, one to the right, and a set of stairs across from the main entrance.

Before Alex could say anything, a Wartortle ran past them, followed by what seemed like an angry Fletchinder.

"Get back here, Azure!"

The Wortortle, who Rea assumed was Azure, just laughed as the Fletchinder chased her around the room.

"I thought you were supposed to be fast, Grace."

The Fletchinder let out an exasperated sigh. "Stop acting like a child."

Azure then stopped running and entered her shell, causing Grace to run into her. She hit the ground with a small thud, then slowly got to her feet.

Shaking her head, Grace steadied herself on her feet. "You are the most aggravating Pokémon I've ever met."

Azure left her shell and got to her feet. "You know you love me." She then chuckled to herself left through the left doorway.

Grace just sighed, then followed behind Azure.

"Who were those two Pokémon?"

"That was Azure and Grace, the Pokémon in charge of Water and Air exploration respectively. They butt heads often, but they like each other."

Alex then lead Rea up the stairs and into another large room with three other doorways, in the exact same layout. However, in the middle of this room there was a large blue globe on the center of the room.

Alex lead her to the doorway on the right. Entering the room, Rea saw a desk, and behind that desk, sat a Serperior who was shuffling through papers using vines that extended from her back.

When she looked up, Rea could see the care in her eyes.

"Hello, Alexander." She then looked at Rea. A broad smile crossed the Serperior's face.

"Hello! It's so nice to meet you! I'm Foli!"

"I-I'm Rea."

Foli then turned to Alex. "So, I assume she will be joining team Tempest?"

"O-Oh. I forgot to ask."

Rea chuckled. "As long as it's okay with him, I'd like to."

Alex smiled. "I'd love to have you on the team." Alex then extended his hand towards Rea. She nodded, grabbed his hand and shook it.

Foli practically squealed with excitement. She reached a vine into her desk and pulled out a device that matched the one Alex had. She then handed the device to Rea.

"Alright you two, you're both dismissed."

Alex and Rea nodded then left the room.

"So Rea, are you excited?"

Rea shrugged. "I'm not really sure. I'm glad we turned in that Salandit, but I'm hoping not all missions are us apprehending Pokémon."

"Don't worry, missions like that are rare. I personally enjoy rescuing Pokémon."

Rea chuckled. "Would you count finding a Pokémon in the forest unconscious as rescuing them."

Alex chuckled as well. "Yeah, I guess I would. Now, let's get you acquainted with the Expedition Society HQ."

Rea nodded. I hope this is the right decision.

And there's the end of this chapter. Hope y'all enjoyed.