A small brown pokémon awoke on a bed in a sort of infirmary, a skull on his head and a bone in his grasp. He looked around with an uneasy feeling. A few Chanseys and a Blissey or two ran around tending to others inside. One of the Chanseys stopped near him and shouted to one of her co-workers about him being awake. She then stepped over and put a hand on him, looking almost relieved. However, he seemed like he might pass out again causing her to help him lie back down before he falls off. An Audino stands by him as he awakens again giving him a smile.

"Wh...What happened? Where am I?" he asked with a groan.

"You were found out cold in a pretty dangerous area, pal." answered the Audino.

The Cubone looked confused. "Dangerous area? I don't remember being in such a place."

The Audino rubbed his chin a bit in thought. "Must have been there and unconcious for a while then." He then looked to the Cubone. "What's the last thing you remember before you woke up the first time?"

"...Nothing, at the moment I guess." He idly rubbed at the skull. "Well, I think I saw some kinda flash? It was bright then nothing until I saw those Chansey and Blissey running around."

Audino nodded. "I see. Well, stay for now so we can make sure you've recovered. So much going on, so many injured townsfolk." He sighed. "At least the rescue teams are trying to figure things out."

This caught the ground type's attention. "Rescue teams?"

The doctor went on to explain about what they do. Being fearless, or at least brave enough, they head into dangerous places in search of various things. Missing Pokémon, items, deliveries, whatever they take as a job. The Cubone kept looking at the Audino nodding occasionally to the tale. He then looked up slightly in thought.

"What... What does it take to become part of one?" he finally asked after a few minutes.

"The leader of it all has to accept you as strong enough, but that trial scares some away," the Audino explained, "No offense, but you'd probably get turned away before you get a shot."

The Cubone stared in shock for a moment. "Wha- Why?!"

The doctor raised his hand. "Please do not raise your voice, the other patients don't need any disturbance." He then sighed lowering it back down. "It was only my theory. It is up to him to decide that. If you think you can manage, then head to town square and then go North."

With the directions, he was soon standing before the hut of this leader. Entering, he spots a Pikachu behind a desk. Walking up to it, he begins to feel nervous. A quick glimpse of the tail revealed it was a female one. He tried to get her attention, but his nerves refused to let a sound out.

"Hey, Miss, I wanted to see if I could see the Guildmaster!" said a voice with footsteps quickly getting louder, "And by the looks of it so does this one, since he's here."

Turning to the source, he saw a Shinx running up. "H-Huh?" the Cubone managed to get out.

The Pikachu turned her head to see them standing there. "Ah, sorry darlings," she began as she fully turned to face them, "I got a little too deep into that task I guess. So, you wanna see him? Just wait while I let him know." With that, she walked off.

The Shinx turned to him before sitting. "Hey. You must be lookin' to start a team, right?"

He nodded. "Yeah. Not sure what's required past meeting him."

"He's gotta see the spirit within you and see if its strong enough. You need to be either really brave or fearless!"

The Cubone gave a questioning look. "Aren't those...kinda the same thing?"

"Haha! Maybe. Regardless, you need to possess a spirit he deems worthy." The Shinx gave a blank expression. "They say that someone that wasn't snuck into a team and was never seen again on a mission."

The Cubone began to shiver. "Y-You don't say..."

"Hahahaha! Calm down, I'm just pulling your chain. She was found soon after, but she did get forbidden to ever join again."

"And who was that?"

"Right here, darling," The Pikachu replied having returned, "At least this job's just as useful, albeit dull."

"O-Oh. At least you're contributing?"

"That I am. Anyway, he said to come right in."

"Right-o ma'am!" The Shinx then ran past them both with the Cubone nearly tripping to follow.

Inside the room was full of various decorations, banners, cabinets, rugs, you name it. The Guildmaster must have either ordered these to be brought in or did it himself. The Cubone glanced around nervously while the Shinx trotted along humming happily to himself. After a few moments, they encountered a Machamp. He looked at them with all arms crossed giving an air of either cautiousness or hostility. Before either could speak, he threw out his four arms in a defensive stance. The duo just stared at him until he charged at them. The Shinx began to spark as he dodged while the Cubone rolled away holding his bone ready despite shaking a little. With a laugh the Machamp stood up and clapped some, confusing them both.

"Very good you two!" he congratulated, "Good to see you watched and waited for me to make the first move. That shows you don't attack recklessly just because the other isn't the immediate aggressor."

"What...do you mean?" the Cubone asked lowering the bone.

"As it mostly sounds. I was testing to see if you would attack just because I looked ready myself. Sometimes your opponent may not strike first, sometimes it's just a bluff to intimidate."

"So, you tested our judgement?" the Shinx asked sitting next to the brown pokémon.

The Machamp nodded. "More or less. You may have to actually make such a call without warning, even if it's an ambush."

"So, what other trials do you have to accept someone to be in a team?"

The Machamp then looked a bit embarrassed. "The trial thing is just to give me something more fun to do, but that doesn't mean I let just anyone in."

The Cubone tilted his head. "More fun?"

"Past that, it's mostly paperwork. Even if it's just a couple papers for making it official, I don't really care for that. I'd rather see how someone fights to decide."

"So, what's our results?" the Shinx excitedly asked.

The Machamp chuckled to himself before putting a hand on both their shoulders while the other two arms shook their hand/paw. "You still need to go on a trial mission to truely see how you'll do. Can't have you join just for the status. You need to prove your bravery in an actual situation." He stood back up and went back to his spot from when they entered. "Regardless, I trust you'll pull through. Welcome Rookies! We have someone to make your bandannas or scarves, go see him when you decide on your color and symbol. I'll arrange your trial and a letter will come your way when it's ready. For now, explore the town and get to know the folks. Dismissed!"

The two give a salute before exiting and waving to the Pikachu. They then stood outside the HQ as the Cubone sighed. The Shinx sat before him with a grin.

"So hey," he started, "We need to think of a team name as well. Unless you want to make your own team." He didn't seem upset that could be the case as his smile did not fade at all.

"I'm not sure which I want to do. This is still all new to me." the Cubone responded idly tapping the bone on the ground.

"That's understandable. Then again we met him together, so it's probably assumed we wanted to form one together!"

A Blaziken wearing a black scarf with blue flames going around it stopped by them and knelt down some. "Sorry, but couldn't help but overhear," she said rubbing at her neck some, "You don't have to feel obligated to do that. You'd just have to let Leavanny know. He keeps tabs on how many teams there are since he makes these." She then pointed to her accessory. "So he reports to him about that."

The Shinx beamed. "Oh! Thanks Miss!"

"No problem kiddos." She gave a laugh and walked off.

"That was Auntie Blaze. Her team is amazing, gold ranked. Everyone just calls her that since she loves to help when she can."

The Cubone nodded a bit still tapping the bone on the ground.

Shinx tilted his head some. "What are you doing that for?"

"O-Oh. I do it when I'm nervous and thinking at the same time." he stated in a small voice.

"That's okay! Guess I'll see you later. Come find me when you decide about teaming up or being separate ones."

"Right."

With that, the Shinx ran off towards who knows where, possibly Leavanny.

"Right... Am...I really brave enough for this?"