Chatot never ceases to amaze me...
The Tale of Twin Hearts
Chapter 1: An Unusual Adventure Begins
(Page 1)
"WHAT!?"
A Chatot started squawking and flapping his winging spastically to the point that I thought he was going to explode. Honestly, I'm not sure why he was so surprised, but the way he was acting, It seemed this place didn't get as many offers as I thought.
"A Chikotira, a Shinx, and a Buneary. What a trio. Hmm, Let me have a good look at you three..."
Slowly, the Chatot looks at each one of us. First, he looked at the Chikorita, then the Shinx. As soon as he looked at me, he paused and squinted. He looked at me as if I didn't belong; He wasn't wrong. The only thing that had me worried was that he spent so much time staring me down, I was starting to get uncomfortable. What was he looking for?
"...Alright, well, pardon me for my behavior," He said, straightening his posture. "My name is James Aerostine, but please, call me "Chatot". I am the Assisting Guildmaster and Head of Intel of the Wigglytuff Guild. If you have not heard about this establishment by now, we recruit Pokemon willing to dedicate themselves as Explorers and Rescuers, but I'm sure you know that by now. That's why you came here, isn't it? Now, please, head over to the Guildmaster. He's in his room over there. If you want to address him properly, call him 'Wigglytuff', alright?"
Entering the room, a Wigglytuff stood at the other end, smiling brightly, almost as if he was anticipating us. Walking up to him, he too looked at each one of us.
"Hiya! Welcome to the Wigglytuff Guild! Before I go any further with the recruitment process, may I please have your names and can you tell me a little bit about yourself? Let's start with you," Pointing at the Shinx.
The Shinx cleared his throat nervously and begins introducing himself.
"H-Hi, My name is Pumpkin and...I...uh, I...I'm a-I'm a Hu- "
"He's a friend of mine. He isn't usually this nervous, but I guess with all the new faces, he can't help himself," The Chikorita said quickly, covering the Shinx's mouth. With us knowing what he is (or used to be) and the fact that he lost his memory, I'd say that was quick thinking on her part.
"Oh! Well no worries, the Pokemon here are very friendly. I'm sure you'll feel right at home in no time!" Wigglytuff chuckled. Turning around, Wigglytuff started fumbling around before turning back to us. "Okay, what about you?"
Wigglytuff points to the Chikorita.
"My name is Miya. I am a Chikorita, of course, heh, and I am from the Islands of the Grand Sea," She said, her tone rather confident.
"Grand Sea? Wow, that's far! Still, it's quite the treat for the daughter of the famous explorers Nina and Blue to be here. A natural leader."
"...!? Wha-?! Wait, how did you-"
Wigglytuff waved his paw dismissively before Miya could finish.
"We used to be friends years ago, including your adopted father. You could say I'm a family friend," Wigglytuff giggled.
Miya sat there with a shocked look on her face "Wow..."
Once again, Wigglytuff turned around and started fumbling around before turning back to us. It made me curious as to what was behind his back...
"...Alright! Now, what about you?" He said, pointing to me."
"Oh, uh, My name is Liloxi. I'm from Blizzard Island and-"
"Wait." He said, cutting me off. His cheerful expression disappears as he narrows his eyes at me. "Did you say 'Liloxi?'"
"Y-yeah, how come? Have you heard of me?"
"...Nope!" He said going back to his cheerful expression. I just think it's a cool name! You all have very interesting names!"
All I could do is look at him confused before turning to the others. They had the same looks on their face too.
"Okay~! I have something for you all." Turning around one last time, Wigglytuff fumbled around, once again. When he turned back to us, he had three scarves in his paws. From there, he gave one to each one of us.
"Welcome to the Guild!"
"WOW!" Miya exclaimed, staring at her scarf. Excitement was written all over her face as she sat and tied the scarf around her head. I always thought the scarves went around your neck since just about every explorer or rescuer I've seen (including the Pokemon here) had it around their necks, but who am I to judge? I didn't want the thing around my neck anyways.
Carefully, I took the scarf and tied it around my waist. It would have been a disaster if it got tangled in this...mess my mother calls "Fur". Pumpkin on the other hand tied it around his leg which was probably easier for him to access.
"Looking good!" Wigglytuff smiled. "Now that you are members, you will be able to begin your training as explorers. Chatot will be outside the room waiting for you. He should have an assignment for you three.
"An Assignment!?" Miya's eyes lit up, hardly able to contain her excitement. "Pumpkin, Liloxi, let's go!"
Exiting the room, Chatot stood at the door and nearly fell over as we all rushed out. Catching himself, he dusted his feathers off and squawked as he saw us. He studied us, giving us a judgemental look before shaking his head profusely.
"What an odd bunch..." He mumbled. "Those scarves aren't supposed to be worn that way. The Guildmaster actually let you three out of the room looking like that?"
"Yeah, What's wrong with it?" Pumpkin said, looking at all of our scarves.
"Well, it's just..." Chatot took a quick glance at the other members. Each of them were at their post, hard at work, and enjoying it too. Chatot sighed, "Nothing. Nothing at all. Now, I'm sure you heard by now, but I do have an assignment for you three. Recently we got a report that a local Spoink lo-"
"Chatooot~, you gave the other recruits that one alreeeeady~!" Wigglytuff said from the room, almost as if he was singing. Since there wasn't a door (At least from what I saw), I'm sure Wigglytuff heard us the entire time.
"Wha-Guildmaster! Are you Eavesdropping?"
"Nooooo~," He said in a teasing manner. Obviously, he was and judging by the annoyed look on Chatot's face, it was also obvious that the Guildmaster did this plenty of times before. "Besides, don't you have something better than that for them? Like...you know..."
"What!? Guildmaster! Please! That mission is Rank A. These children just got here!"
"We're not kids..." I grumbled.
"Oh Hush, you're kids to me." Chatot snapped before turning his attention back to the Guildmaster. "As I was saying, don't you think that's a bit...much?"
"Nah, I'm sure they can handle it." The Guildmaster said in a confident tone. I wasn't sure what a "Rank A" Mission was or how tough it was either, but if Chatot was freaking out about it, it probably wasn't a walk in the park.
"Guildmaster, but..."
"No buts Chatot, they can handle this!"
"...Sigh, fine," Chatot said, giving in before turning to us. His expression? Serious, much more than before.
"You three, Listen up and listen carefully. An hour from here is a territory known to be controlled by a pack of wild Poochyhenas. Their leader: a Mightyhena. The territory itself has been noted, but unexplored due to most of our member and non-member explorers being too afraid of either the high volcanic activity or the vicious attacks, leaving some of them severely wound but alive. What's worse, we got a report that the pack recently attacked one of our stations before ransacking a nearby town. They were even bold enough to kidnap someone; a Traveller, unaffiliated with us. We need you to rescue them. The question is, though, are you up for the task? It's alright if you say-"
"Yes!" Miya shouted before anyone could protest. "We'll do it."
Chatot blinked. "A-Are you sure?"
"I guess, I'm not sure if we'll succeed, but I'm willing to give it a shot," Pumpkin nodded.
"Yeah. I don't mind a challenge," I said, responding after.
"Wow...you three ARE an odd bunch. You remind me of the last two recruits that just joined not too long ago." Chatot said, scratching his head with his feathers.
After hearing about the recruits again, Miya gave Chatot a curious look. "Hey Chatot, I remember you said something about recruits before us. did they join recently?"
"Yes, but that's another matter. I'm sure by the time you get back, you'll meet them. Now get going! And here, take this bag with you, it's yours to keep. Usually, we don't give this until after the first or second mission, but I have a feeling it'll be helpful. Inside, you'll find a badge for each one of you and one to represent the team, along with some supplies."
Handing the bag to Miya, she opened it and took out the badge, handing one to each of us. Searching some more, she finds our Team Badge and stares at it intently. "This is amazing, We're a real team now."
"Quite amazing indeed, But you just started so you're only "Normal Rank". You can increase it by doing missions such as the one I just gave you, but you guys must complete them for that to happen, so get going! There's a life on the line, mind you!
"Awesome! Are you guys ready?"
"Yeah!" Pumpkin and I said simultaneously.
"Let's go!"
{~?~}
After the three exit the Guild, Chatot ponders for a moment, looking around the 2nd floor of the Guild. Coming to a conclusion, he heads for the exit as well, not before being stopped by Wigglytuff.
"You're going to go follow them, aren't you."
Chatot looks down and sighs then gives him a worried look.
"Guildmaster, I'm not going to stop them. In fact, I, too believe they can handle it. However...It's just..."
"You noticed too, didn't you," Wigglytuff said in a soft tone.
"Yes, faintly. I'm not sure how or which child it came from, but I have a hunch and I'm sure you do as well. However, that Buneary...
Chatot looks towards the Exit again.
"...I just need to keep an eye on him."
as he tries to leave, Wigglytuff stops him once again.
"Chatot, hold on for a moment."
Briefly going back into the room, Wigglytuff emerges with a bag in his hand and a badge. Both the bag and the badge were a bit worn, as if it's seen some fights, but held together pretty well.
"Don't forget your stuff."
"But I'm only-" Chatot stops himself and smiles. "Right, Thank you Guildmaster-no, thank you, Joy."
"Anytime! Be safe. Send a signal or teleport to me if something goes wrong.
"Of course, Joy"
Hugging him, Wigglytuff smiles confidently and sees Chatot off before heading back to his room.
