There's that strange symbol again, Zach thought as the rust colored insignia reminded him vaguely of a deformed Chimecho's head whilst Ridge stared blankly at the large wooden door in front of them. The Poochyena had once tried to just walk in, but after Chatot fiercely chewed him out because of it, frantic wings flapping and pecking on Ridge's forehead so hard it made it knock; he stopped.

"This is the Guild Master's Chamber."

Ridge sat grumpily in front of Chatot with a prominent scowl across his face while the Bird-Pokémon explained the importance of it. Zach padded a small distance away in the middle of Chatot's explanation and over toward a small window in the wall of the clearing. He stood up on his hind legs and used the small rock footholds in the wall to climb up and see out. It's the ocean…but how? We're two floors underground…does that mean that the Guild was built into a cliff? Zach lifted his brow as he glanced around out for whatever else he might see...

A small red crustacean sat idly on a cliff-rock; and as if it could feel Zach spotting it, it slowly turned around, glared, and lifted its large red claw and snapped it open and shut with a menacing clack!

Zach shuddered and shrank down from window with an incredulous and almost anguished grimace, hoping he couldn't still be seen. It's that Krabby from the beach…

"Come, come now you two! It is time to meet the Guild Master…" Chatot chirped and hopped up the wooden door. He knocked a few times, "Guild Master? It's Chatot! I'm coming in…"

Guild Master's chamber

"Ahem! Good afternoon, Guild Master. I present to you two Pokémon who wish to join our guild as apprentices."

The first thing that caught Zach's attention was the sweet scent of apples and berries wafting around the lush and large room. He glanced around to see a few bunches of flowers growing here and there, a couple more statuesque black torches like the ones outside the Guild standing opposite of each other, a pink blob sitting in the middle of the room, flags hanging, a few treasure chests filled with berries (explaining the scent) and other paraphernalia, and—wait, a pink blob? Wtf…

Zach furrowed his brow as he focused on the pink blob. He glanced over at Ridge to see him staring at the blob with the same bewilderment, his muzzle wrinkled and a quirked brow. Chatot blinked in surprise when he got no response from the blob…

"G…Guild Master?…hello?" Chatot chirped after an awkward silence. He shrunk down a bit when he felt Zach and Ridge's expectant gazes on him and let out a nervous chuckle. "GUILD—

"Hiya!"

Everyone in the room jumped as they were startled by the pink blob that suddenly whipped around to face them. Zach stumbled a few steps back and fluffed out his fur whilst Ridge stared, his garnet eyes nearly bulging as he bristled and let out a few small barks. The two friends quickly regained their composure however, when they realized the blob was actually a Wigglutuff, and snickered at each other's appearance.

"I'm Wigglytuff! And I hear that you two want to form an exploration team and become new friends! But we must first register you team name! What are your name's friend friends?"

Zach smirked when Ridge literally shook in excitement; whimpering and dancing on his forepaws while his tail waved back and forth, his eyes shining. Since the Poochyena was clearly speechless, Zach stepped forward and took the liberty of speaking. "My name is Zach, and this is my friend Ridge. And yes, we do want to form an exploration team. Our team name is—um—" Zach glanced at Ridge, and at seeing him still in awe at being a step closer to his dream, he became clueless.

Zach flicked his ears as he was beginning to become antsy and avoided Chatot's eye when the Bird Pokémon cleared his throat with an annoyed grunt. He glanced at Ridge, but when the Poochyena still showed signs of being oblivious to their current dilemma Zach decided to make up something on the fly. "Its—

"SOLSTICE!" Ridge suddenly barked out, inwardly startling Zach and making Chatot give him a questioning look. "Rescue Team Solstice!"

"Ok then there you have it friends! Rescue Team Solstice is now—

"Um…Guildmaster?"

Wigglytuff held his rubbery pink arms up high with a wide smile on his face before Chatot interjected, and lowered them expectantly as he turned his attention to the Bird Pokémon. "Yes? What is it Chatot? I was in the middle of registering Team Solstice and giving them their gifts…"

"I know Guildmaster but…are you sure you want to do it so hastily? I mean…you do notice that—

"Now now, Chatot making new friends is the best part so we must be hasty! Now that's all's settled. YOOM…TAH!" Wigglytuff exclaimed excitedly and—with a sudden flash—he waved his arms and called out. "Welcome to the Wigglytuff Guild Rescue Team Solstice! Please, accept these gifts!"

Wigglytuff walked forward and set down a hard, golden box in front of the two new recruits. Ridge stepped forward while Zach stayed where he was, watching Chatot with a fierce stare as he fought back the urge to Tackle him and focused on making his fur lie flat. He caught that little remark that Chatot tried to make about Ridge being a Dark-Pokémon; and he was getting sick of him….what was the big deal? True, Dark Pokémon are known for their ill intentions at times but what Pokémon doesn't have them at some point?

Chatot noticed Zach staring at him but after a quick glance at the shiny Eevee, turned his attention to Ridge with a practiced expression of glee as the Poochyena opened the box, seeing as he already knew what was inside. Ridge unlatched the box and his eyes gleamed as he took out what was inside. "Zach come look at this!" He barked.

Zach stepped forward and looked over his friend's shoulder to see a large map and a bag to hold supplies. On top of the bag were two white badges resembling a Pokeball but with a pink center and two gold wings. "Those badges are your official identification as Explorers! Your Wonder Map and Treasure Bag are two wonderful and special items that will certainly help you on your adventures!" Wigglytuff stated proudly.

"Thanks Guildmaster!" Ridge barked excitedly. "We'll be sure to excel in the Guild and be the best apprentices yet!"

Zach chuckled and nudged Ridge to snap him out of his overexcitement before his persistently wagging tail created a Gust. Wigglytuff nodded approvingly and kindly showed the two new apprentices out of his chamber; Chatot wasn't far behind but Zach heard him ask the Guildmaster for a few quick words before the door completely shut. Zach flattened his ears against his head and sent a scowl over his shoulder, feeling his dislike for Chatot beginning to increase as he and Ridge padded away from Wigglytuff's Chamber. What's the hell is with—

"WELL, well, well IF it isn't you two! I remember you guys from the gate!"

Zach cringed at the familiar booming voice echoing from across the clearing as it rang in his ears while Ridge merely bristled and cast a look over his shoulder, recognizing the voice as well. The both of them turned around to face Loudred and who Zach assumed to be fellow other apprentices. Whilst Loudred stood in front, a Sunflora, Corphish, the sentry Diglett, and a Croagunk (though a little off to the side) stood beside him. Loudred wore a wide and smug grin as he glared down at Zach and Ridge, though his gaze was more focused on the Poochyena. "I believe—

"OH MY GOSH! YOU TWO ARE SO CUTE!" Sunflora giggled as if she might swoon and lay her head against her two large emerald petals. "And look at your pretty fur Eevee!" The Grass Pokémon cooed and shuffled forward to touch Zach. That was always the thing with Zach when it came to Sunflora. How could they look or notice anything when their eyes are always squinting so tight? Zach chuckled slightly, feeling a bit hesitant about how to react about being petted by another Pokémon. Sunflora's large emerald leaf was sleek and soft against his head but since the Grass Pokémon clearly didn't possess the grip of skin he could hear a slight whisper sound as it slid off his fur.

"Hey, hey you two are really going to have lots of fun here!" Corphish said with a single snap of his claws; making Zach force a crooked grin as he tried to remain friendly even though the sound of Corphish's claws eerily reminded him of the Krabby. The Diglett burrowed underground and popped up in front of Ridge. "There are many things to do and I'm sure things won't be as awkward as this morning now that we can become friends!"

The Croagunk stepped forward, ever smiling as he touched the tip of his purple fingers to Ridge's shoulder and simply said, "Yes…you will enjoy your time here…" Ridge fought the urge to shudder as Croagunk's grating and shallow voice reached his ears, but covered up his stiff posture with a toothy grin, slightly creeped out. Zach snickered at Ridge and thought of how Croagunk's placid expression vaguely reminded him of how the teenagers and older orphans back in Saffron City would look occasionally when they would get high.

Zach took the moment to introduce them. "Thanks for the welcome. My name is Zach and this is—

"WAIT a MINUTE! I didn't come here to make friends just yet! ME and this Poochyena have to SETTLE a few things!" Loudred suddenly piped, making the other apprentices stop fawning over Zach and Ridge as the Normal Pokémon stomped forward. He smiled deviously and punched his fist to his palm.

"What are you talking about Loudred? What could you and this Poochyena possibly have to settle already? They just became recruits of the Guild!" Sunflora said irritably as she folded her leaves against her hips and the apprentices gathered around Zach, Ridge, and Loudred in a semi-circle.

"Apparently this is about what happened at the gate this morning…" Diglett sighed.

"Hey, hey, what happened now?" Corphish murmured to Diglett whilst Sunflora and Croagunk gathered around to listen.

Loudred audibly continued punching his fist against his palm as he said. "Since there's no fighting in the Guild just think of this as a friendly SPAR Poochyena!" Many other apprentices from the first floor, clearly hearing Loudred, rushed down the bamboo ladder and formed a large circle around them to watch; whispers and calls in excitement beginning to echo around them.

"Fine by me…" Ridge growled and took a few steps back so they he and Loudred were a few yards apart. Zach got into position beside him, but apparently their audience didn't approve.

"Hey, no fair!"

"Loudred's beef is with Poochyena not Flossy over here too!"

"No two against one!"

"One on one!"

As the cawing of the other apprentices got louder a small Sneasel suddenly approached Zach and grabbed him by his scruff. "Sorry newbie, but if it's what the crowd wants then you gotta let your buddy fight and stay out of it!" He mewed, nearly dragging Zach when he began to struggle out of the "ring" and roughly plopped him beside Corphish as they merged into the crowd. Zach shook himself and scowled at the Sneasel's back before it leaped out of his sight. Zach stood to his paws and glanced around for the Sneasel, making sure he wouldn't interfere as he set a single silver paw in the ring, ready to jump in incase Loudred go too rough.

Loudred let out a hearty laugh as he balled up his fists and slightly shook the ground with his incessant stomping. Ridge narrowed his eyes and crouched down, his dusky gray fur bristling as he dug his black claws into the earth for leverage as a challenging growl rumbled in his throat. The excitement around them began to escalate as the tension crackled in the air…and before Zach could pinpoint who it came from, an instigator screamed, "GO!"

Loudred and Ridge were on each other in an instant. At first it was only petty scrambling as the two feuding Pokémon clashed, a mere measure of each other's strength before the real battle began. The two separated and another face-off ensued for a few fleeting moments. Ridge kept his body lowered to the ground as he slowly circled Loudred, who eerily remained still. No stomping or loud outbursts came from the Normal Pokémon as his eyes followed the circling Dark Pokémon, he was tense…but his body language only gave off one sign: anticipation.

He was ready.

The earth shifted underneath Ridge as he dug his obsidian claws into ground and charged at Loudred with gaping jaws. Loudred whipped around on his wide indigo feet with shocking speed and with a single, accurate punch he cracked Ridge on the side of his jaw with a sickening crunch. Zach's eyes bulged as Ridge was flung aside with a snap like a broken ragdoll. The Poochyena struck the ground and skidded wildly until a Pokémon at the edge of the ring caught him and roughly threw him back in.

Ridge forced himself to his feet despite his slightly burning limbs and shook himself, clearing the dirt from his pelt. He smacked on the taste of his own blood as it trickled from his gums where Loudred hit him and his garnet eyes sparked as he chuckled at Loudred's now smug grin. This would be a fight. Ridge again launched himself at Loudred, gaining momentum now that the two of them were further apart but instead of leaping at the bulky Normal Pokémon Ridge used a clever Fake Out and seemingly disappeared from Loudred's vision. Loudred flinched for a moment and glanced around, he angrily stomped one of his feet as he spun around, thinking Ridge was dirty enough to attack from behind but yelped in surprise when the Poochyena rammed him from the side.

Loudred merely stumbled on his wide feet but that slight falter was enough for Ridge to find his opening. Unfortunately for him however Loudred was fast despite his bulk and wasn't just some hotheaded untrained amateur. The Guild's training was an advantage to Loudred and he'd learned to use his anger beneficially; it added to his strength and speed, though reckless and it tended to cause everything to blur, Loudred kept focus and used it to halt Ridge in his attack.

Ridge rose up on his paws but before any ground was gained Loudred's wide hand latched onto his face and slammed his head onto the ground, then almost sadistically Loudred rubbed the Poochyena into the dirt. Zach only watched the scene for a few brief seconds before launching himself into the ring hard enough to kick up a flurry of dirt in anticipation that the Sneasel would once again try to stop him. Surely the Sneasel did try to catch Zach, but spluttered disdainfully when he was halted as dirt stung his eyes.

Zach wasn't even a quarter of the way to Ridge when a sudden powerful Ember blocked his path. Zach made a slight gasp at its appearance but nimbly sidestepped the flame before he was roughly Tackled aside by a russet blur. Zach was slammed on his back and the impact not only shocked his spine; the hard earth beneath him collided with his skull and left Zach dazed as he tried to blink away the stars swimming in his vision.

"Don't be so hasty Flossy…"A seductive voice suddenly whispered into Zach's keen ears, making him uncomfortable as an unfamiliar feeling began to rise in him. "Your little friend will be fine…just watch." The voice commanded and before Zach could focus on the bearer their weight disappeared from his chest and the crowd somehow parted out of his line of vision to the point where he could see Loudred and Ridge clearly.

Loudred held Ridge at arm's length by his scruff and placed his other arm on his hip triumphantly as he grinned and said, "NOW, I think this PUP HAS BEEN put into his place, am I right?"

Cheering rang out amongst the crowd as Ridge hung limply in Loudred's grip, looking to be beat unconscious, and Zach growled furiously, ready to charge at Loudred again when the same seductive voice suddenly became harsh and somehow paralyzed him in his tracks as it hissed, "WATCH!"

Zach fought to move his limbs but had to watch helplessly before his heart suddenly soared and a wide grin crossed his face when Ridge's façade of being limp in Loudred's grip backfired as the Dark Pokémon burst to life and kicked away from the Normal type. Ridge's sudden onslaught caught Loudred directly and the Normal Pokémon clutched his injured chest as he dropped Ridge and glared at him with shocked annoyance. Ridge smirked and bounced away from Loudred, the cheering of the crowd now fueling him as they clearly caught every bit of the scene that had just transpired. Ridge heard Zach's voice among the cheers and wagged his tail proudly, almost losing focus when he saw a quick indigo fist coming at him in his peripheral vision and ducked. Ridge watched as Loudred's fist soared over his head but before the momentum was gone he used it against Loudred and locked his jaws onto the ball in the Normal Pokémon's wrist, immobilizing the appendage.

Ridge then used his own momentum as leverage to twist and drag the Normal Pokémon against the ground. Loudred hit the ground with a thud and became slightly winded, but instead of becoming angry as the Poochyena stood over him, now victorious, he let out a good-natured, hearty laugh. "Well, I suppose YOU AREN'T half bad then POOYCHENA! Good match!"

Normally Ridge would've let go of Loudred, and accepted the praise before giving his congrats to Loudred himself…but now it was different. Ridge had unconsciously bitten hard enough to puncture the skin; and not just enough to for his Bite to be painful like he usually would. As blood seeped into the Dark Pokémon jaws and dripped on his tongue, it was then that Zach noticed a change in his friend…

Ridge hadn't hunted at all before joining the Guild or when he and Zach had crossed paths. So even though he'd tasted blood, it wasn't in such a…predatory way as this. Ridge's wild instincts were tapped and now his appearance was beginning to change. His body seemed to grow and the muscles underneath his pelt became more pronounced, his gray fur was seemingly darkening as his garnet eyes slightly glazed over and appeared bloodshot. His obsidian claws grew sharper with his fangs as they were now elongated and more menacing as a feral snarl rippled from Ridge's throat that sounded nothing like it used too. From afar…Ridge almost looked like a miniature Mightyena.

Zach, not yet realizing the urgency in the situation thought that Ridge's change was slightly cool; but when a sadistic grin spread across Ridge's face as the Dark Pokémon purposefully sunk his teeth into Loudred's wrist and rejoiced in his pained yelp did Zach realize it. Ridge, suddenly with newfound strength, started slinging Loudred to and fro in his jaws and Zach tensed when the Normal Pokémon's wound could now be visually seen opening. As the wound became wider, a shrill scream only magnified by Loudred's pained grunts as he fought to escape Ridge tore through the air when someone was splashed with Loudred's blood. More Pokémon's pelts were splashed red and a panic to stop Ridge broke out.

Zach leaped and dodged out the way as apprentices new and old either raced to safety or raced to control the throng as everyone trampled around. Zach spotted Sunflora wrapping her vines around Ridge as she repeatedly rambled, "Omigosh!" while Corphish sprayed Water Gun at Ridge to try to snap him out of his haze. Croagunk ripped Ridge off of Loudred and alongside a Chimecho guided their injured friend elsewhere. Zach raced to his friend but cringed when the Guildmaster's Chamber door slammed open and Chatot angrily squawked, "WHAT IS GOING ON HERE!"

It only took a glance for Chatot to assess the situation before he frantically rushed into the fury. Zach noticed Wigglytuff outside as well and a feeling of dread washed over him; if Chatot was bad…what would Wigglytuff do? Zach looked back and forth between Ridge and the Guildmaster but when he saw that Wigglytuff remained calm and was merely calming those around him did Zach turn back to Ridge.

Blood painted and dripped from his neck whilst he fought everyone trying to help, snapping wildly and growling out obscene threats. Zach quickly trotted over to his friend but was halted when a black wing was thrust in front of him. Chatot glared over his shoulder at Zach before instructing Sunflora and Corphish and anyone else surrounding Ridge to make the Dark Pokémon face him. Chatot opened his beak and a deep Echoed Voice rang out from the Flying type's vocal cords and harshly covered Ridge, making the Dark Pokémon whine slightly as it painfully rumbled in his keen eardrums. Chatot then flew away from Zach and rammed into Ridge in a sharp U-turn as he landed beside the shiny Eevee once again.

Those few attacks were enough to knock Ridge out cold and the Dark Pokémon fell limp within Sunflora's vines. It was completely silent now that Wigglytufff had gotten the apprentices to settle. Zach, ignoring the many eyes watching him as he pushed past Chatot, carefully approached Ridge despite him now being unconscious. He bent his head as he sniffed Ridge, not knowing how it would determine if he was alright but doing so anyway. Ridge looked dank since Corphish had to continually soak him with Water Gun…but other than ragged dusky gray fur, a few bumps and scratches from he and Loudred's spar and the blood on his tongue (he wasn't sure if it was Ridge's or Loudred's or both Pokémon's mixed in), Ridge looked alright.

As Zach looked him over, he was amazed at how Ridge was already, though slowly, beginning to revert back to his old self. The only immediate noticeable change at this point was the Poochyena's eyes…they were completely back to their previous garnet and were no longer bloodshot.

Zach was pleased to see that his friend would be back to normal…but when Chatot hopped over to him and pointed an accusing feather at Ridge, Zach slightly flinched when the Bird Pokémon squawked, "THAT, is why we are wary to let DARK Pokémon join the Guild!"

PHEW! This was a bunch to get out…sorry for the long delay! Also, it's only beginning but how do you guys like the twist on PMD? I'm definitely stating to…anyways though, thanks for reading! Review please!

~Graywind