FREEDOM! [notices audience] U-um, sorry. Hey, everyone! Ta-Ni here, FINALLY, after quite some time. I apologize this has taken so long to update, but I have been running my tails off trying to escape my hormonal mate this ENTIRE MONTH! Anyway, I am working very hard to catch up on this story, so stay tuned all this week for more updates. Here you go!
I woke the next morning in what seems at first to be unfamiliar surroundings. Then, I remember what happened yesterday, and look down to see I'm still an Eevee. I guess yesterday wasn't a dream, I think. Even though I'm a little groggy in the morning, I pull myself out of bed. Stumbling, I remember my promise yesterday about practicing walking and running, so I crawl to one side of the house and face the other wall.
Taking carefully measured steps, I slowly inch my way across the room, watching my paws as I go. As long as I alternate my paws, I think, I can keep my balance and…OW! Not watching where I was going, I ram my head into the table, eliciting a whine of pain. Got to also watch where I'm going, too.
After several laps around the room, I feel confident I can walk normally, and even run for short distances. Now I can pass for a normal Pokémon, I thought, at least at first glance. Looking out the window, I can tell morning is well underway. Wait, I wonder where Sparky is. We were supposed to form a rescue team, weren't we?
Approaching the door, I catch his scent coming from outside. Sure enough, Sparky is fast asleep, leaning up against the doorjamb. I nudged him with my nose, stirring him from his nap. He opens his eyes, and then jumps awake.
"Oh, Lauren," he says sheepishly. "I-I was so eager to get started that I got here quite early. Then, I must have nodded off while waiting." He chuckles before motioning to the mailbox. "Anyway, I forgot to mention something. Around here, rescue teams will get news and job requests in the mail, so it would be a good idea to check it every day. In fact, why don't you check it now?"
I shrug and walk up to the mailbox; thankfully, it's short enough for me to look into without getting on my hind legs. To my surprise, there is a large package inside. I reach in and grab it with my teeth, pulling it out for Sparky to see. Emblazoned on it is a Pelipper's head and our team name.
"At last!" he exclaimed. "Our Rescue Team Kit came!" He tears off the wrapping and opens the box, revealing three items: a large leather bag, a pair of badges, and a newspaper. Sparky picks up one badge and hands it to me. "This is an official Rescue Team Badge. We use this to show we are an official team, as well as get Pokémon out of dungeons. Next, we have the Travel Bag; it holds all our items when we go into dungeons. Lastly, our copy of Pokémon News, the local newspaper. It often has tips for new teams."
He paused, and then asked, "Is that all there was in the mailbox?" Confused, I look inside again, but it's empty. Pulling my head back out, I shook my head. "Nothing? I was hoping we would have some rescue requests, but I guess since we're a new team, no one knows about us yet!" Something I like about Sparky is how nothing seems to get him down; his attitude always bounces back.
Just then, a new scent drifts past me, and a large shadow flies past the sun. Seawater and wind, I note as I look up to see a large bird circling down to us. It lands heavily on top of the mailbox and says, "Greetings, Team Scent. My name is Pelipper III; I have come to deliver a letter. Here you go!" He reaches into his massive beak with one wing and pulls out a folded sheet of paper, which he hands to me. "Mission complete! Onward to mail!" he cried as he flies off.
I unfold the paper, but it doesn't seem readable. However, as I stare at it, the odd markings begin to make sense! 'Help, please,' the letter said. 'An electric wave swept through the dungeon, and stuck Magnemite, and Magnemite. That's not enough to form a Magneton. Please, get them out of the dungeon so they can be separated. Signed, Magnemite and Magnemite.' At the bottom were directions to a place called Thunderwave Cave. That must be where the mission is, I think.
"Looks like we got ourselves a mission," Sparky said behind me, making me jump; I didn't notice him reading over my shoulder. "We better head for Thunderwave Cave right away; it will take a while to get there."
"We have to walk to the dungeon?" I ask, a little disheartened.
"Only for the first visit," he replies. "After that, we can use our badges to warp there directly."
"We will need to go back?" I ask.
"Who knows?" he replies honestly. "Still, with all the natural disasters, chances are more Pokémon could end up stuck in already-explored dungeons. That's why the badges are equipped for return trips." He places a paw on my shoulder. "Anyway, let's go!"
I nod, and we immediately set out.
And there you go. Next chapter, we jump into the second dungeon of the game, and Lauren will learn more about the Pokemon world. As I said, I'll try and update all this week until I catch up, so keep an eye out!
Please read and review, and may your Ember never fade!
