Author's Note:
Well, this is a surprise! I didn't expect anyone to find my story so quickly. Guess I'll have to update the cover image to something actually related to PMD2. Anyway, just thought I'd add a note to the beginning of the chapter, I've seen several other writers do it and it seems pretty fun. But you're not here to listen to (err, read) me ramble, so on with the chapter!
Once again I found myself at the entrance to Wigglytuff's Guild. Only this time I wasn't alone, I was with an injured pokemon looking for help. The short walk from the beach had left Brandon completely exhausted, a point I attributed to the stairs he had to climb with a bad leg. Still, he was holding up pretty well, all things considered. "This is the place. The explorers at this guild are always willing to help other pokemon."
"That's good, because I'm too tired to go much further," he responded. "So, what do we do now?"
"There's a sentry stationed underground. They should let us in if we stand on that grate," I said, hesitantly stepping forward. For whatever reason I'd always found the sentry intimidating. I don't know why, it's not like I've done anything wrong. Except maybe running away from home. If anyone found out about that I could get in serious trouble.
I was snapped out of my thoughts by the sound of the sentry beneath me. "Pokemon detected! Pokemon detected! The footprint is Piplup's! The footprint is Piplup's!"
"Is it that same kid AGAIN?" another voice boomed.
"I think it is," the first voice responded. It then asked me, "Are you actually coming in this time?"
"Yes," I shouted down the hole, "I've got an injured pokemon with me, we were looking for help."
"An INJURED pokemon? In THAT case, I'll send SOMEONE up to help you. Just WAIT there," the louder voice shouted. That should make things a bit easier.
"Looks like you were right when you said they would help," Brandon said. "Have you been here before or something? It sounded like the sentry recognized you."
"I've tried to join this guild a few times, but I've never actually been inside. I'm just too timid to actually… you know… do anything," I answered. This was the first time I actually talked to the sentry. Normally I would wimp out after getting my footprint read, but now that someone was with me running away seemed like a very bad option.
After a short yet awkward silence, the gate to the guild opened up to reveal a Chimecho. "Hello there! Loudred mentioned something about an injured pokemon, I assume he was referring to you?" she asked Brandon.
"Yes, my leg is hurt, though I don't know how bad it is. Walking isn't any fun though," he responded.
"In that case I'll help you into the guild," Chimecho continued, using Psychic to lift Brandon into the air. "You can follow behind us, Piplup."
"Thanks," I replied simply. Following Chimecho into the tent, I was only mildly surprised to see a ladder leading underground. The windows on the sides of the mountain and the sentry below the entrance made it pretty clear that there was more to this base than just a tent, but I'm sure I've seen pokemon enter the guild who would struggle to use a ladder. Upon closer inspection I saw that the ladder formed a spiral shape that nearly any pokemon could climb. At the bottom of the ladder was a large, mostly empty room with two bulletin boards. Examining the boards, I noticed what looked to be job requests on them. This must be where the exploration teams prepare for their missions. A second ladder led further underground, probably to the rest of the base.
Chimecho floated to a small array of desks before placing Brandon on the ground. "Okay, let me see your leg…" while she focused on Brandon I took some time to look around. To my disappointment, there wasn't much of note. I briefly considered making a job request for my stolen Relic Fragment but decided against it. It was just a rock; I doubt it would be worth anyone's time to track it down. Returning my attention to Chimecho and Brandon, I found out that Brandon's injury wasn't too bad and should heal fairly quickly on its own. "How did you end up like this anyway? It looks like you lost a fight, yet your teammate is completely fine."
"Actually, we're not a team. I found Brandon outside Beach Cave a little while ago with his hurt leg and brought him here," I cut into their conversation, "though forming a team might be a good idea. I've wanted to join this guild for a while now but never found the courage to do so. Having a teammate would certainly help. So, uh, Brandon, do you want to form a team with me?"
He thought it over for a bit. "Sure. I don't really have anywhere to go otherwise. Honestly, I'm not sure what I would do if you didn't let me join you." I hadn't really thought about that, but at least he had his own reasons for joining a team. It would have been a bit strange if he joined me just because I asked.
"In that case, I'll take you two to the Guildmaster to get registered as part of the guild. Just follow me to the lower floor," Chimecho offered. She floated down the ladder, once again using Psychic to help Brandon descend, and I followed behind them. The lower floor was much busier than the first. There were a few hallways leading to other rooms, and several pokemon were milling about the main room. Chimecho led us to a door next to the ladder. "This is the Guildmaster's chamber. Wigglytuff will help you set up your team. Oh, and don't worry about being too formal with the Guildmaster. He's a pretty laid-back guy." With that Chimecho left, leaving us at the door to Wigglytuff's room.
As I gathered the courage to open the door, Brandon said exactly what I was thinking, "It seems pretty strange that she would lead us all the way here but not introduce us to the Guildmaster. Guess recruiting new guild members isn't Chimecho's job." Probably noticing my hesitation, he opened the door and stepped forward. That was probably for the best, it would have been pretty awkward if someone saw us just standing around outside.
Still, I could tell Brandon was just as nervous as I was. Wigglytuff was standing in the back of the room, facing away from us. I don't know what he was doing, but he didn't seem to notice us enter the room. As we approached him I decided to speak up. "Um, excuse me? Mr. Guildmaster? We would like to form a team and join your guild, and uh-"
Wigglytuff suddenly turned around. "Hiya! I'm Wigglytuff!" he cut me off, "You want to form an exploration team? That's great! The first thing to do is choose an exploration team name. What will your team be called?"
I admit I was not ready for that kind of enthusiasm. Wigglytuff's reaction caught me off guard, and I had never even considered what our team's name should be. Brandon looked surprised too, though he recovered a bit more quickly than I did. "Well, um… I never really thought of a name. Do you have any ideas?" If I couldn't come up with anything I might as well let my teammate decide our name.
"Hmm… It should be something simple, but not childish. Something powerful, yet modest, a name we could grow into," Brandon reasoned. "How about Strength?"
"Strength?" I tried the name out. "Team Strength. I don't have any better ideas, so let's go with that."
Wigglytuff smiled broadly. "That's a great name! Next I need the names and species of pokemon that will be on the team."
"It's just the two of us, so I assume we can skip the species part and just introduce ourselves. My name is Crest." Brandon seemed surprised to hear that. It took me a moment to realize I had never properly introduced myself to him. He probably thought I didn't have a name.
His confusion didn't last long, however. "And my name is Brandon."
"Good, good! Now wait just one moment while I get you registered. Registering! Registering! Registering! All registered… YOOM-TAH!" We weren't quite sure what to make of that. What exactly did Wigglytuff do to register our team? He continued before I had time to ask. "Here are some basic supplies you'll be using as an exploration team. There's a treasure bag, wonder map, and some equipment to get you started. Oh, and don't forget these!" he finished, handing me two badges.
I grabbed the treasure bag and took a look inside. There were a few pockets for items, one for the wonder map, and a small pocket that I couldn't identify a use for. The equipment Wigglytuff gave us included a power band and a silver bow. The bag had a single, large strap meant to be worn over the shoulder, but there was also a smaller, second strap that would make it easier for Brandon to carry. As exciting as it was to get all this stuff, we had no idea what to do with it. "Okay, so we have a team, what do we do now?"
As I expected, the Guildmaster was quick to respond. "You said you wanted to join the guild, right? It's a little late to do any work right now, so I'll just have you two get moved in and introduce you to the rest of the guild at tomorrow morning's assembly. Chatot!"
A moment later, another pokemon entered the room. "Yes, Guildmaster? You called?"
"We have some new recruits! Could you get them set up for their time as apprentices?" though Wigglytuff worded it as a question, Chatot treated his words as a command.
"Yes, of course, I'll keep everything in order, as per usual," he responded, sounding slightly annoyed. "I take it you two are the recruits. I'm Chatot, the guild's head of intelligence and the Guildmaster's right-hand pokemon. Now, follow me, if you please. I'll give you a brief rundown on the guild's lower floor." There was a sense of authority in Chatot's voice that I hadn't heard in Wigglytuff's. Wigglytuff made me feel at ease, but this pokemon already sounded like I had upset him somehow. I picked up the treasure bag and we followed Chatot out of the room.
Upon exiting the Guildmaster's chamber, Chatot began to lecture us. "All right, you two, listen up! The guild requires that all apprentices live on the premises for the duration of their training. As such, we will be providing a room for you to stay in, which we'll see in a moment. For now, take note of this room. Every morning, until you graduate from this guild, you will wake up bright and early for our morning briefings. The briefings take place right here, outside of the Guildmaster's chamber. Loudred, one of your fellow apprentices, will see to it that you do not miss the meetings. After the meeting, you will report to me for instruction. Now, if there are no questions, I'll show you to your room. The crew rooms are all down this hall, yours will be at the very end."
It didn't really matter if we had any questions; Chatot had already started down the hall before we could ask any. If this was Chatot normally, I did not want to see how he would be when angry. Brandon and I followed him, quietly and obediently, until we reached a room at the end of the hall. "This will be your room. You are expected to stay here every night as long as you are a member of this guild, unless otherwise approved by both myself and the Guildmaster. That is all for now. I'll give you a tour of our facilities after tomorrow morning's briefing. Until then I suggest going to bed early to prepare for your guild work." With that Chatot left, leaving me and Brandon to process what just happened.
I felt a bit overwhelmed by today. Not only had I formed an exploration team, but I'd have to report to the strictest pokemon I've met in a long time. I'm a weak leader at the best of times, how could I possibly manage with someone like that monitoring my progress?
The thought of what I just signed up for was starting to get to me when Brandon spoke up, "So… you do have a name!" Seems he's been lost in more lighthearted thoughts than I've been trapped in. I laughed as the humor of his statement hit me.
"Yeah, I guess I do. Apparently I never thought to tell you though. That's what happens when you get attacked: you forget what you were doing and assume whoever didn't attack you has always been an ally." I couldn't believe how quickly a little humor put me at ease. "There is one thing I've been meaning to ask, it's about the way you talk. Why have you been speaking Knownun? Everyone I've ever met speaks Pokesh."
"Wait, I've been speaking a different language than everyone else?" How did he not notice? I just nod in confirmation. "If that's the case, then why can everyone understand me, and me them?"
"Pokesh was made to be easily understood. Any pokemon can understand and speak it almost instinctively. Knownun, however, is a dead language. It is needlessly complicated and difficult to speak, but since it draws power from the Unown it has the unique effect of being universally understood. I've heard some legends say that all monsters can understand Knownun while only pokemon can understand Pokesh, but those are only legends. I've never actually seen a monster that wasn't also a pokemon." Suddenly I remembered that Brandon said he used to be "not a pokemon," which is probably why he doesn't speak Pokesh.
He seemed to come to the same conclusion. "I used to be a human, so I guess it makes sense I would only know the universal language. Still, I'll try to learn Pokesh. I don't want to attract too much attention to myself by speaking in a language no one uses."
"That's probably a good idea," I agreed, "Anyway, that was all I wanted to know. Well, I also want to know how you lost your memory, but you probably don't have an answer for that. For now, we should focus on the guild work. Chatot said we would have to wake up early tomorrow, so let's get some sleep. Goodnight, Brandon."
"Sleep well. I don't know what is going to happen tomorrow, but we need to be ready for it." Brandon responded. Moments later he was asleep.
My mind was still racing, but I knew nothing would come of it. I was finally an explorer, or at least I would be starting tomorrow. I needed to rest so I could explore. From this point forward, I was part of a team. I couldn't be a coward anymore, I had to face my fears head on.