Wardens Eternal

Chapter Three: Scarlett

The stars and moon had seized the sky when the two emerged from the network of caverns, the gentle lullaby of the sea's waves gently striking the soft sand. The beach was beautiful in the moonlight at this hour.

"Do you have anywhere to stay?"

"What?" Martian tuned to ask the vulpix, surprised by her offer.

"I meant do you have anywhere to stay tonight? I mean, can you remember where you lived before you washed up on the beach today?" The vulpix explained.

"No, not that I can recall." the luxio admitted. "I was always on the move with. . . with someone."

"Oh," The vulpix muttered, "I-I asked because you helped me get my relic fragment back. I wanted to th-thank you. I can't pay you, I don't have any coin left, but I can share my campfire for the night. Y-you don't have to s-say yes. . ."

In truth, the offer was merely a courtesy. The idea of sharing the closest thing she had for a home with a guy she just met made the vulpix a little more than nervous. Then again, there was that part of her that didn't want this particular guy to leave. Something about him just attracted her, made her feel less vulnerable.

The former human took a moment to contemplate his situation. Here he was turned into a pokemon with no explanation as to how or why. Many of his memories had been lost or were otherwise beyond recollection, the few memories that did survive were mere glimpses, a quick moment without context. Now he was in a world similar but unmistakably foreign to his own on his own, without any resources or support to count on.

Well, without any resources or support from where he came from to count on that is.

Perhaps it would be advantageous to stay with the vulpix for a while, at least long enough until he could figure out how this world worked and what his next move would be. After that, he would have to try to recover his memory and history, possibly reuniting with whoever his companion was.

To say that the vulpix was surprised when the luxio accepted her offer would be an understatement, putting her on the edge of panic. All sorts of scenarios went screaming through her head, highlighting all of the terrible things that he could do to her if given the opportunity she just provided. Of course, that had been a risk she had to take with everyone she met since she was on her own, but that didn't change the fact that it was possible.

On the other paw, she couldn't deny how excited she was at the idea of spending a little more time together. The electric type just radiated confidence, strength, and safety in direct contrast with her own timidness, weakness, and vulnerability. He wouldn't have trouble sleeping, free from the worry that some feral pokemon or outlaw would attack him in his sleep. A fear that had kept the vulpix awake many, many times. If he was close enough to discourage such attacks, then maybe she could finally sleep somewhat peacefully.

And just maybe, Arceus willing, some of his confidence and power might rub off on her. . .

Wardens Eternal

The vulpix's so-called "campsite" was little more than a poor attempt at digging a small firepit and gathering a pile of leaves, grass, and other kinds of foliage in hopes of achieving something resembling a bed. There were remains of what must have been a hastily assembled lean-to scattered about, discarded after the storm had passed the night before.

"First time you ever tried to set up camp?" The luxio asked, pausing for a moment to examine a piece of the discarded shelter.

"Y-yes," The vulpix meekly replied, "I ran out of coin yesterday, I couldn't pay to rent a room or bed in town, and I couldn't stay with the caravan anymore. I didn't know what else to do. Y-You don't h-have to stay if you d-don't like it. . ."

"I'll manage," Martian assured, "I've had to make do with worse. . . I think."

The vulpix couldn't help but sigh in relief.

"Although it does make me curious," The electric type admitted, "What's your story? I mean you already know mine. More or less."

The vulpix immediately froze up again; eyes instinctively looking for an escape route if she panicked and needed to run. Part of her wanted to make a break for it while she still had a chance, the other seemed to lock her paws to the ground, reminding that this was too good of an opportunity to miss.

"I-i guess th-that's fair," the kitsune stuttered out loud, more to convince herself more than anything.

"I wan-wanted to become an ex-explorer, go on ad-adventures a-and help other pokemon, m-maybe find some treasure on th-the way or dis-discover new human ru-ruins." The timid fox stuttered before gesturing to the road, "Th-there is a s-settlement just up that r-road: Tr-Treasure Town, famous for b-being a haven for ex-exploration teams. I-I was h-hoping I c-could join one or at least train at the g-guild."

"I-I couldn't do it, I'm such a coward," The young fox began to sob, "I was t-trying to get in-into the guild, but th-they had a b-big portcullis o-over the entrance. I w-was waiting for the g-gatekeeper when I got yelled at. I was startled, scared, I turned tails and panicked. The worse part? It wasn't even the gatekeeper! It was that mean ol' Koffing's voice! He just had to follow me with his friend and mug me too? I couldn't do anything! I'm so w-weak. . ."

Before the fire-type could continue to break down and cry, she felt a paw softly, yet firmly placed itself on her shoulder, causing her to freeze.

"Yes, he mugged you, him and his buddy. They stole something from you and took off thinking that would be the end of it." The luxio confirmed before pausing and smirked, "It wasn't. Remember what you did? You went in after him, tracked him down, lit his rear end on fire, and smashed his face into the ground hard enough to knock him out cold. I'm fairly certain that qualifies as doing something about it."

The vulpix couldn't help but smirk with pride as she thought back to how easily she had managed to reclaim what was hers from those bullies. Just like that, and no small amount of weight began to roll off her shoulders. Was this it? All her life, the vulpix could only have dreamed of the moment she would be able to take control of her own existence, A chance to permanently escape a seemingly endless cycle of ridicules and degrading experiences, to make her own choices.

If you go through this, it's only going to get worse. A voice in the back of her head warned, Remember: the world is a cruel place, you don't know what you can expect from it, or it's dangers. Besides, you don't have any means of ensuring your own safety if you go through with it.

Like my life back home was any better? It was just a different kind of cruelty but still cruel, nonetheless. Another inner voice countered. This is my chance to be rid of it! No more running, no more guilt, and no more shame! A chance to be myself! To do what I want instead of just doing what others tell me to do! Besides, I got the best means of ensuring my own safety imaginable! I've got a human on my side! Arceus knows how many legends and accounts show what humans are capable of! Compared to those, this would be nothing for him!

Exactly! This would be nothing for a human, why would he bother wasting his time guarding a worthless runt?

She wasn't a runt! A runt wouldn't have been able to take back what was hers from those thieves and survive!

Then what else was she other than a runt with dreams of delusion? What could she offer this 'creature' that only claimed he was human?

I don't know! Maybe help him get his memories back?

And how exactly would you achieve that genius?

Maybe. . .

Oh yeah, like that would ever work, go ahead, ask him.

Shut up!

The internal debate within her head refused to cease, resulting in a slowly increasingly annoying headache as she finally spoke up.

"M-Martian?"

"Yes?"

"W-would you be in-interested in f-forming an Ex-Exploration T-team w-with m-me?" The vulpix finally managed to stutter the words that seemed glued to her tongue.

"Why?"

The vulpix felt her heart drop as he bluntly replied with a question of his own, removing his paw from her shoulder as he took a step back. Still, a part of her refused to give up just yet, not while she was so close!

"Th-that way I c-can help you wi-with your memories. Exploration teams travel a lot and probably come into contact with human ruins more than most other pokemon. W-we can use that opportunity to try and look for clues to restore your memories while also making a living and helping other pokemon in need." The vulpix explained, trying to be as convincing as possible.

"What do you mean helping pokemon in need?" The luxio asked again.

The vulpix couldn't help but relax; at least he didn't say no right away.

"L-lots of ways." The young vixen stuttered again trying to think of examples, "Uh, a lot of Exploration teams are hired to go on search and rescue missions to find missing or injured pokemon, others are hired by a sheriff or other law enforcement agency to track down and bring in criminals and outlaws. Some also hire themselves out as security to a lot of the caravans moving from town to town or to go and gather important resources from Mystery Dungeons that may be too dangerous for other pokemon. . ."

"Warriors?" The luxio summarized approvingly, that seemed to have grabbed his interest.

"S-sometimes. . ." The fire type muttered, "You don't have to say yes. . ."

In truth, it wasn't even four seconds, but it felt like hours for the vulpix, watching the luxio silently debate the idea with himself. That said, it was beginning to look more and more like he agreed with the offer, despite the occasional flinch implying second thoughts. The very fact that he was actually considering her suggestion made her excited. With each moment, her confident anticipation only grew.

"Alright, just two conditions." The former human sighed, "First, I'd prefer it if you didn't go around about the fact I was human. Rather people didn't start asking me about what happened until I at least have a chance to find out for myself."

"O-Okay," The vulpix stuttered trying to convince herself more than the luxio, "Th-that's only f-fair."

The nervous kitsune managed to take some deep breaths in an attempt at calming herself down, preparing for what would be the ultimatum: the one choice that would decide her fate. The weight that had previously been lifting itself from her back returned in full, threatening to crush her in despair. With everything to gain and everything to lose, the young vixen finally managed to resume eye contact, silently requesting his second demand.

"Second, I need to be able to trust you to watch my back." The luxio explained with a serious tone before pausing and switching to a softer voice. "Before we commit to anything serious, I need to make sure you are ready. I don't want to get you killed, but if we try even to do half the things you said teams do as we are now, you're going to end up dead."

The vulpix collapsed in defeat, as much as she could try and deny it. He was right: She would only get herself killed or worse. She would only be a liability, a weakness on any sort of team. He would have to find someone else to partner up with or join an already existing team. There was nothing she could truthfully offer that wasn't done better by anyone else. His final answer would be obvious: No.

"That is unless you are willing to commit to some training,"

The former human's words quickly renewed her strength, hope, and attention, Immediately causing her to perk up her head and ears.

"If you are truly willing to train and get stronger, then I will gladly stand alongside you." The luxio continued, "I would be lying if I said that it would be an easy task if you are going to do it right. You are going hurt, you will be sore and feel pain often, but that's the only way you are going to grow strong enough to be able to save lives. I will be with you every step of the way, but you are going to have to commit to it, I won't do it for you."

Etiquette abandoned, the squealing vulpix couldn't help herself but throw her front legs around his neck in an overjoyed embrace. He didn't say no! Not only that, he even offered to help her get stronger! An opportunity to actually earn something for herself as opposed to just being handed it. Her dreams were actually becoming possible this second! Even the dreams she hadn't realized she had!

This was the best day of her life! The first day in her life not as a coward, but the first day on the journey to becoming better! Thank Arceus he made this happen!

"Uh. . ." Martian finally managed to speak up, clearly caught off guard in such an awkward situation. ". . . You do realize you're sitting in the campfire, right?"

Glancing down, the vulpix realized that in her rush to embrace the electric type that yes: she very much was sitting in the still burning fire pit. The young vixen must have jumped thrice her own body height as she lept back out of the flames.

With an unmistakable blush on her muzzle, the vulpix quickly hid her face behind her tails as she attempted to remove the remaining embers and ashes that clung to her fur. Thankfully as a fire type, she was mostly immune to all but the most serious of fires and smoke, so she didn't receive any injuries or burns from her time in direct contact with the open flames. Regardless, she still found it very embarrassing to say the least. If not sitting in the campfire itself, it was the fact that she had blindly rushed to embrace the pokemon on the other side. Such an action could lead to some interesting implications.

Much to the vulpix's relief, the former human only quietly chuckled as he smirked as he laid down, taking a moment to silently collect his thoughts before changing the subject.

"I think it would be best to wait for tomorrow before we chose our next course of action, find out what we have to work with first." Martian explained, "I don't really know what any systems we'll have to deal with are or how they work. You probably know more on that front than me. . ." The luxio trailed off for a moment before smirking.

"You know, I just realized I've never caught your name yet." The electric type humorously admitted, "Probably best to fix that mistake, how about you?"

The vulpix paused for a moment, what was her name? Yes, she had one in the past, but that was for the timid cowardly vulpix she once was. If she was going to create a new identity to live by, she would need a new name to go with it. Almost instinctively, she glanced at her scarf, the one item that would accompany her into this new life. The world seemed to fade away as she continued to gaze into her distinct scarlet shawl.

"Scarlett," The vulpix whispered before announcing in a more confident tone. "My name is Scarlett, at least that's what I want it to be."

"Then it is what we will use."

And so. . .

Scarlett and Martian. . .

Agreed to form an Exploration Team. . .

Little did they know. . .

That it was just the first step in a Grand Adventure. . .