Ch. 2: Team Element
I didn't have a good look at Bolt's house until the next day. It was circular with a huge, half-sphere roof. Square windows were perfectly cut into the sides of the building. A beautiful yard surrounded the home. A stream fenced three of the yard's sides.
In the inside, two big patches of hay go across the upper and right sides. At the center lay a fireplace that had been used the night before. Toward the left was a table made of wood. Green, leafy material kept the legs in place and provided a decoration in the center of it. Similarly made chairs were scooted towards the rectangular table. Pots of flowers were neatly placed around the room.
"Come on, Kate, we need to go to Central Park!" Bolt yawned.
"What's Central Park?" I curiously asked.
"Central Park is a field which the town surrounds. It's where the shopping stands are."
We walked the stone streets of Hideki to get there. I eagerly scanned the park once there.
Four coble-stone sidewalks cut into the field through different sides. A fountain was in the center where the stone paths met. Stands were placed a few feet apart along the sides of the sidewalks. Wooden benches faced the fountain in the greenery near the stands. Different Pokémon either lingered at the benches, lined up to get what they needed, or strolled through the park.
"So, how do you like it?" Bolt asked.
"It's beautiful!"
"Bolt," a voice said which was unfamiliar to me, "did you finally form an Exploration Team?" A pair of Pokémon walked up to us.
"Not yet, I was just showing a friend around." He then turned to me. "Kate, meet Kay the Glaceon and Blaze the Espeon. Kay and Blaze, this is Kate."
"Nice to meet ya!" Blaze said hyper. "We are Team Element!"
"It's a pleasure." Kay said with a hint of giddiness in her voice.
"Eeeeeh," Blaze squeaked as she noticed a sign, "there is a discount on Gummis at the Café. Come on Kay, let's go!" She then bounced off toward the park.
"Wait up, Blaze." Her teammate then ran after her with glee.
"Wow, they both seem like fan girls." I finally said.
"Ya, but they act cool when they want to. Of course, they love Gummis."
"Why don't we go to the Café first? I'm hungry!"
"Sure?" It was more of a question then a statement.
We had to walk down stairs near the fountain to get there. The Café was almost the size of the park and was bursting with life. Everywhere, there was Pokémon at tables, potted plants, and the sound of chatter. On one side, counters went across the width; cutting off a small area.
Behind the counters was a shiny Liligant with Petilil near her. Menus were posted behind them. There was a sign with the shape of a Munchlax about to bite into what appeared to be a cupcake. Under that were footprint letters, that I was somehow able to read, saying 'The Munching Munchlax Café.' We walked up to them.
"Hi, I'm Lili." She introduced herself to me. "What shall I get for you?"
"Four Pecha Cupcakes and two Oran Refreshers please," Bolt said.
"Coming right up," Lili replied. We then walked to a Petilil a few feet from her.
"Will that be 'here' or 'to go?'" She said.
"We'll have it here." Bolt replied. The Pokémon then gave us a tray with our order on it.
We found a small table and decided to eat there. The Pecha cupcakes were huge. They had white; vanilla frosting and were topped off with Cheri Berries. I took a bite of one. It was delicious; the hint of sweetness combined with the vanilla was the best. The Cheri Berry added a spicy, but not overpowering, flavor.
I then tried the Oran Refresher. It certainly lived up to its name, I felt like bursting into a dance after one sip. The flavor was unique; I tasted sweetness, dryness, sourness, spiciness, and bitterness all at once. After a while, I saw Kay and Blaze chowing down on Gummis.
"What did they mean by 'finally forming an Exploration Team?'"
"Huh?"
"Kay said that, remember?"
"Oh, right. Yes, I want to make an Exploration Team. I'd rather have a partner rather than going solo. That's why I am happy you told me your secret. I know others who can help with your problem without really telling them…"
"…Or joining an Exploration Team."
"That's a possibility too."
"Ok!" I agreed.
"Ok to what?"
"I'll join an Exploration Team with you."
"You mean it?"
"Of course I do."
"Then let's go to the dojo."
"What's at the dojo?"
"You see, most Pokémon join Guilds to become Exploration Teams," Bolt explained, "but some prefer to join dojos. Back when E. Teams were Rescue Teams, you had to join one. Some Pokémon still call us Rescue Teams."
"Why do they prefer dojos?" I asked.
"Well, they don't like the terms at guilds and instead go under their own. Guilds can be harsh on loses; punishments would be no dinner, being teased, even rookie work for a week."
"I'm beginning to prefer dojos."
"There's the dojo!" Bolt pointed at a long, rectangular build with hexagonal windows and an old, wooden door.
"It's the oldest building in town."
"Bolt, I thought you said you weren't going to make an Exploration Team yet." Once again, Team Element strolled up behind us.
"Kate and I talked it over at the Café. She decided to make one with me."
"So, what's the team name?" Blaze asked excited that there was going to be more members.
"Team Legend!" Bolt replied.
"Quite the name for normal rank," Kay said
"Actually, we are going after local legends, folklore, myths," I said.
"It is a great name!"-Blaze.
"We will put you on the roster. You two be sure to sign in everyday when you know what you are doing that day and sign out once done. Tell any one of the dojo members what you are doing that day or leave a note." Kay explained the rules.
"Ok."-Bolt.
Our first day wasn't that bad. Bolt and I had decided to train the day at the dojo and Team Element decided to do the same to show us what to do. There were numerous targets and dummies, some were moving, to practice new moves or to improve on ones. There was a doorway across from the entrance that led to Mystery Dungeon-like mazes. At the end were bosses you had to defeat.
Even though there were a good handful of other dojo members, we didn't see any of them. Blaze explained that some of the time, the others got back late. Even the other normal rank teams got back after dark. It had been sunset when Bolt and I decided we were done for the day.
We lay in the straw beds, slowly drifting off into sleep. "This was a good day," I yawned, "but I wanted to meet more members."
"I guess that we'll meet them tomorrow." Bolt replied.
"Maybe."
"I wonder how it will go."
"We will soon find out." With that we both dozed off with questions still lingering in our minds. I dreamt that everyone wouldn't like me with exception of Bolt and Team Element. I just hoped that wouldn't happen.
Author's Note:
My computer is acting up, AGAIN! My mom says we might have to get rid of it. This means the only computer in the house would be her laptop. I won't be able to update as much as I would like to.
The story should be picking up in 2-3 chapters, give/take one. On the next chapter of Mystery Dungeon: "Stop copying me!" I nearly screamed. Thanks for the OC's. R&R!