Chapter II / All in a Day's Work

As the brilliant glow from the escape orb's warping power dissipated, once more did Zethe find himself in the material world, solid ground beneath him. The lush evening air fresh against his warm scales, he patted a foot along the dirt-trodden ground to step forward, hauling the harvested hide of the alpha Tyranitar under an arm.

The waypoint carved had been inscribed with glimmering patterns and celestial sigils, and with its purpose fulfilled, dimmed till as if it never were; joining the now-powerless orb clipped at his hip.

A pleased swish of his tail, the Charmeleon's head perked up at the traces of a one sided conversation, specifically that of Tiku and their rescuee.

"Thankyouso muchmisteryousavedmeI-Iwassoscaredand–!"

The shiny Grovyle wore a defeated look he tried (and failed) to hide with a smile, flashing a thumbs-up as he witnessed his partner's arrival.

The fire-lizard simply sighed, rolling his eyes to pad over, never faltering with his fanged grin that shifted from somewhat-snide to genuine warmth as the Goomy child gazed up at him in star-struck awe. A welcome shift from the sobbing mess he'd been in the dungeon's depths.

The snail-dragon didn't miss a beat, and scrounged over from Tiku to hug his ankle.

"Thank you mister for saving me! You were SO cool!"

…Well, 'hug' however it could manage with its lack of arms. The Goomy's equivalent required nuzzling his face against the leather of his bracer while his rush of words poured out.

Not that it deterred Zethe, who crouched to give the boy a few pets atop his head, mindful of his horns, and entirely uncaring of the mucus which clung to and between his claws, all to Tiku's silent exasperation, who's front still remained covered with the traces of the snail's slimy residue.

"We're just glad you're safe. No more dumb dares and venturing into dungeons by yourself, alright? You made a lot of 'mons worry, including your mom."

"I promise! I'll never run away again! Never!" The Goomy nodded rapidly, sniffling.

Satisfied, Zethe gave him a final pat – and then a light noogie. "Good boy."

Rising as the snail retreated, the Charmeleon finally met his partner's eyes, then glanced to the harbor town of Selheino which lingered down the trail they stood on. The outskirts were only a ways off, leaving the settlement's buildings, windmills, and ever-present light tower aglow in amber light accentuated by the brilliant sunset.

"So is my mom here, misters…?"

"Aros – our friend – went to fetch her," Tiku muttered, acknowledging the task at hand, "should be meeting us at the guild hall where she's at."

"Let's not keep her or the guild waiting then… or Aros on that note."

Exhaling a breath, Zethe rolled a shoulder before beginning to walk, partner at his side and Goomy close by.

Nearing the gates of Selheino, entry and a trek through the cobble streets led them to the ever bustling town rife with Pokemon of all walks of life. Stalls and tents (most of them vacating as dusk grew closer) lined the market-plaza, from where shopkeepers paraded their goods which ranged from foods and berries, to accessories both practical for exploring and rescue, and for fashion. Most notable amongst the temporary stalls were those situated in permanent buildings, including a local bank headed by a family of Gimmighoul, the universal constant that was the Kecleon shop manned by the namesake pair of brothers, an infirmary ran by a Blissey and her Chansey daughter, a storage facility operated by a Porygon-Z, and a library helmed by a Chalendure.

Such facilities, alongside the many inns, restaurants, and taverns which lay scattered around town, made it both an idyllic place to live, and a melting pot for many across the continent, including those off-shore. Ships hauling freight, and those who fancied the Lapras Travel Liner alike sailed in and out about daily, making rush hour a crowded venture.

…And, to cap it off, being a settlement which harbored a guild; it was no surprise it was known throughout (and oft exaggerated) as the 'City of Commerce.' Jobs for rescue teams and exploration teams flooded its boards to the point it necessitated an expansion some few years ago.

Passing the central fountain of town, a statue depicting the great Silver Angel of the sea from where a shower of water poured from its outstretched wings caught Zethe's eye – as it did those of the Goomy child, who diverted from their path to venture toward the fountain, slipping through the legs of passersby to climb above its railing and douse himself in the drizzle.

"...I think I get why he ended up in that dingy cave." Tiku grumbled under his breath as they stopped to wait.

Zethe shrugged, giving his partner a glance. "He's just rehydrating."

Tiku groaned, then looked to himself – and the Charmeleon's stained claws, blowing a deep sigh.

"Think we should rinse ourselves off…?"

"Oh?" Zethe's eyes gained a mischievous glint. "You want us to rinse ourselves off – out here – in public~?"

"W-What, no? L-Look, not in that way! We can bathe later!"

"Heh, you know I'm teasing, Tiku." He leaned in with a blep, giving his partner's scaly shoulder a playful bump with his claws; standing back to attention as the Goomy hurriedly made his way to catch up to them.

Continuing on, past the residential Pelipper Post Office, they ventured down the plaza through an archway and up an incline. The steps leading upward eventually flattened out to a small road, where a few stories high above the town's homes and buildings, sat the self-proclaimed heart of Selheino; Waterlight Guild.

Per its tenure, and given the nature of the town with how much of its native inhabitants were water-types, the guild was very much reflective of this. A vast dome of marble from where water flowed freely akin to the central fountain, trailing through much of the town's water-ways.

The duo stationed at its gates consisted of an Omastar and Kabutops, who visibly glared at Zethe as he and Tiku approached. The pair promptly flashed their badges from under their scarves, the platinum color glinting in the sunlight.

The gatekeepers offered no words and simply stepped aside, if somewhat begrudgingly, to grant them entry; the curtain of water barricading its entrance parting, the Kabutops motioned them in with a tilt of his head.

Entering the ambient flow of waves encapsulated them with the guild's interior; the mix of cobblestone and marble stretching into the halls, wherein vast blue carpets and corralled lights hung about to cast light alongside the few spaces made for open windows. Curtains of water trailed down the ceiling, granting the establishment a formal, if somewhat regal look – which couldn't have been further contrasted by the mix of Pokemon amassed inside. From duos, to trios, to quartets and larger, teams and 'mons of all sorts made their way here for rewards and opportunity, even working in tandem with Waterlight guild members for missions if necessitated.

…Hence, how they oft got their pay; leased under the guild, taking sponsored jobs, going above and beyond for the extra mileage…

Giving a swish of his blue scarf and keeping his tail-flame close, Zethe led on to the reception desk currently being operated by a Bararacle, Tiku and the Goomy following close – the latter appearing somewhat wary as he caught the glances of a few passing teams.

The secretary's eyes – all of them – locked onto the Charmeleon as he strode forth, speaking in a flat voice.

"Can I help you."

Digging into their exploration bag, Zethe promptly retrieved the parchment which detailed the job, then stepped aside to point his thumb to their rescued company.

"Job's all finished. Aros should've stopped to tell the kid's mom. They out back?"

"Team name please."

"Draco-Dance."

"Team Draco-Dance… leader… Zethe; partners… Tiku Kelaco, Aros Kahale." She tapped her claws, snagging the parchment to file it. "'Kay, B-Rank job. That's 80 points to ya rank… 150 P countin' the guild's share and tax." The walking-talking-barnacle Pokemon tiredly pointed to a door on the right, then tore the finished request in half. "You'll get ya pay tomorrow. Ya client's on the second floor. Oh, and tell ya jingle-jangle friend ta watch his tone next time, lizard-boy."

"...Will do." Zethe sighed. Their third member had never been keen at socialization – which was understandable, but tended to mean he had to clean up any misunderstandings.

Following the given directions, they walked past the few 'mons who idled and chatted without difficulty, descending through a spiral stair-case till they ended up in a lounge-hall, where various boards sat posted with jobs.

…and as for who greeted them…

"There you are, you bastards."

Before Zethe could reply, a tapping of claws followed by a voice resounded through the lounge – and he and Tiku both turned to glean the less than pleased expression of a purple-eyed Hakamo-o. Donning the same blue scarf and attire as them, the dragon trotted over with folded arms, a scowl across his snout. Then, he stepped aside to make way for their client.

"Here they are, ma'am."

"Thorin!"

"Mom?! Mom!"

The lumbering, bouncy figure of a Goodra waddled over, the Goomy they'd rescued – her child, practically sliding to meet her halfway, zipping between Aros' feet. He was immediately scooped into her arms, wrapped tightly in a hug, his mother barely managing to withhold her emotion as she glanced at the pair – her saviors.

"T-Thank you both, so much! I-I can't repay you enough for saving my son! If you hadn't gone, I-I'd… I'd…"

Zethe smiled, waving away her worries with a shake of his head. "No worries. We're just happy he's safe."

The Goodra mother smiled sweetly, though the tenderness grew taut as she cradled her son and directed her attention back to him. "You, young man, had me worried sick! What were you thinking, sneaking out to a place so dangerous?!"

"T-The boys at school kept making fun of me 'cause I scare easily! S-So, I wanted to show how strong I was by going there all by myself!"

"And how did that go?"

"It was scary… I-I cried a lot, it was so dark…" The boy murmured, then peeked to gaze at the pair of lizards. "But then, they came to save me… and were so… cool…"

The Grovyle scratched his head, smiling nervously. "J-Just doing our job, kiddo."

"Not at all, you did a wonderful job!" The Goodra's head shook. "Might I have your names?"

"Zethe," The green-eyed Charmeleon smirked, flame-tipped tail flicking behind him.

"Tiku," The Grovyle crossed his arms, the corner of his snout lifting into a small smile.

"Aros." The Hakamo-o sighed to join his teammates, jingling the scales on his tail.

Enacting motions once rehearsed, now instinctual, the reptilian trio drew close to one another; Tiku on the left, Zethe center, and Aros at right; opposite legs crossed together at the ankles as they held out their hands, claws and palms extended, their opposite hovering above their eyes, free arms laced around each other's shoulders.

"– and we're Team Draco-Dance~!"

Thorin's mother let fly a giggle, the Goomy himself left awestruck with a hanging mouth and beaming eyes. A few more thank yous and expressions of gratitude followed, with more than a fair amount of apologies – but soon the snail-dragons were off, leaving the pair of lizards to consult with the aftermath of their mission.

"I'm happy for them" Tiku exhaled, flashing a smile to his partner; the stubbornness he exerted having dissipated with the day's work finished. "I think we're due for a bath after all that dungeoneering, and babysitting…"

"Yeah, tell me about it." Aros grumbled, folding his arms with a sneer. "Soon as I told her the news she gave me the biggest hug ever… gonna take ages to clean that outta my scales."

"Bath'll have to wait a bit," Zethe interrupted, "I have something to report to the guildmaster."

Aros tilted his head, eying his Charmeleon companion with a raised brow. "What, something happen at the ruins?"

"Oh, r-right…" Tiku nodded as though he'd forgotten, lifting a hand to run his claws along his leaf. "Big ol' Alpha in the mystery dungeon, no idea how it got there. Felt… different than the ones out in the wild."

"You finish it off?"

Nodding, Zethe showed the carved remains of the Tyranitar's hide to the Hakamo-o, who stared with widened eyes.

"Uh-huh… you don't mind if I take that off your hands, do ya, Z? My gauntlets could use a bit of reforging."

A smirk, Zethe didn't need to be told twice. Casually, he tossed the harvested scales into the air – where a panicked Aros gasped and scrambled to catch it, nearly fumbling before holding it with his claws to his chest – shooting Zethe a glare.

Fangs wide in a cheeky smile, the fire lizard gave a swish of his scarf and turned on his heel, hooking Tiku's arm in his own to begin walking toward the guildmaster's quarters with Aros in tow. Down water-ladden halls, carpet plush beneath their feet and passing the occasional guild member.

…He wasn't particularly looking forward to giving this report, but as they were under contract, they didn't have much of a choice.

…Not that Zethe could exactly ignore his own apprehension at the situation. Things had been off lately with the continued onslaught of mystery dungeons and feral Pokemon throughout the continent… and on top of outlaws, it was leaving the guild stretched thin in maintaining order.

Things probably weren't going to get any better…