Chapter 4: All the World's a Stage

Edward collapsed, his mind shutting down. Kate quickly moved to his side, a worried expression on her face, "Edward, are you okay?"

"This…" He muttered to himself, "This is too much. To many daemons, to many new things."

"Hehehe, I guess I did overwhelm you a bit." Kate said with an apologetic smile, "I got excited and blitzed through some things."

The Eevee nodded, covering his ears with his paws, "How many pokemon types are there?"

"Ah, well I think you mean species," Kate corrected, "And let me think, hmm," she touched her right claw to her cheek, "There must be well over five hundred, maybe close to one thousand."

Edward flinched, "That's…hard to wrap my head around." How am I supposed to even begin to understand this world, he thought to himself.

As he regained his composure, Kate seemed distracted, looking around. Eventually, she pointed to a strange-looking group of pokemon making their way through the crowd to the main building, "That's Team Shooting Star!" She gasped, her voice strangely reverent.

"Who?" Edward asked, looking at the odd collection of creatures. An odd-looking bird led the group, a red stripe on his head. To his right was a floating….thing. It was an odd-looking creature, looking like some floating pagan stone statue with colorful buttons on his hands. The final member on the bird's left was a tall slender pokemon with strange green hair and wearing a flowing white dress.

"Team Shooting Star!" Kate said helpfully, "They're one of the best exploration teams in the Expedition Society! There's Marisa the Gardevoir," Kate pointed to the tall, slender pokemon, "She is one of the most powerful fairy and psychic types on the continent. Then there's Archimedes the Beeheyem," she pointed to the strange floating creature, "he knows more about the ancient lore of this land than anyone. And then there is Argos the Staraptor," Kate said, pointing to the lead bird, "Leader of the group and the fastest pokemon on the continent. They're diamond rank! Diamond rank! It will take us forever to get there but don't worry, one day we'll be just as famous!"

"Hmm?" Edward questioned, looking to Kate, "What do you-"

"Oh, let me show you inside!" Kate said excitedly, interrupting him yet again, "Trust me, the guild hall is just as amazing inside as it is from the outside!"

Edward's eyes narrowed in suspicion. Kate's whirlwind tour had left him on the back foot, but now that he had a chance to reflect, he felt as if he was being carefully maneuvered into a trap. He hadn't quite caught the meaning of Kate's earlier statement about them becoming diamond rank, but it was clear she was operating with her own motive in all of this. "Sure," Edward said hesitantly, figuring it was best to face this trap head-on and then try and integrate Kate about her motives, as she seemed incredibly adept at shifting the conversation when it suited her.

"Great! Follow me!" Kate said as she began her march. After a quick stop by Linda's increasingly busy berry stand to get the promised Sitrus berry, which Kate took and stored in her bag claiming that it would be "Useful for later," only adding to Edward's growing suspicions, they entered the Guildhall through its massive doors. They walked into the crowded domed entrance hall. All around groups of Pokemon mulled about, talking with each other, and finishing their breakfast. The dome itself was massive with mosaic tiles depicting the same two dogs from the fountain fighting against four strange beasts. Edward was beginning to sense a pattern with these two dog daemons and was about to ask Kate about them before his thoughts were interrupted by a strange walking tree that looked to be growing olives on its two long green branches.

"Good to see you again Kate. Are you here to help Varys on his errands?" The tree asked in a tone and voice that reminded Edward of a grammar school teacher.

"Not today, Miss Laurel," Kate replied cheerily, "Today Edward and I are here to form an expedition team!"

"Oh, that sounds lovely," the tree said, "We'll go inform the guildmaster at once. Follow me if you will."

"Actually," Edward cut in, stepping in front of Kate, "I need to talk with Kate for a bit."

Kate gave him a confused look, but the tree nodded, "That is understandable. Kate can lead you to the guildmaster's room when you are ready." She then turned and walked off towards the other side of the entrance hall.

Edward turned to Kate and cleared his throat, "I need you to explain what you're dragging me into."

Kate's confusion instantly vanished, "Ah, silly me," Kate said with a grin, "I got a little caught up in the excitement of it all to explain everything. So, you remember what I told you about mystery dungeons, right?"

Edward nodded, "They constantly change, are very dangerous, and sometimes contain treasure."

"Yep!" Kate said with a nod, "So, once you consider all that together, it can be very rewarding to delve into a dungeon to get rare resources, like Reviver Seeds or Weather Orbs. So, some pokemon do just that!"

Edward's eyes narrowed, "And that's what you want us to do? Risk life and limb for fame and fortune."

"YES!" Kate said enthusiastically, but quickly backtracked, "I mean the guild will start us out with low-rank missions that aren't as dangerous, and there are ways to escape dungeons if things get too risky-"

"Alright, I get the picture," Edward interrupted, "You go into the dungeons, explore and find valuables, come back and the guild gets a cut. In exchange, they provide insurance and assistance."

"That's…about right," Kate said, "But it's more than that. Exploration is one half of the equation, expedition teams also save pokemon lost in dungeons, help escort caravans through dungeons, and even work with the guard to track down criminals who hide in dungeons. So, we also help the community quite a bit."

"So the guild functions more like mercenaries?" Edward asked, skeptical of the guild's acclaimed altruism.

"No, we have a code of ethics," Kate protested, a note of offense in her voice, "I mean, I'm sure some pokemon are only in it for themselves, but most want to help and give back to their communities. Most of the high-ranking expedition members are heroes in their own right! Heck, not seven years ago the Expedition Society helped save the world!"

Edward pawed the ground. It was clear Kate believed those words, but it was still hard to believe. With a sigh, he conceded, "Alright, I admit, by all appearances and by your appraisal, they appear to be a noble organization, but why do you want me to join them?"

Kate looked confused, tilting her head to the side, "Uhm, well, that's what all humans do when they come here. They join up with the local guild or rescue organization and then go off and save the world."

Edward shook his head, "Compelling, but perhaps the world doesn't need saving. Have you any proof that it is in peril?"

"Aside from you appearing here, no."

"Then I refuse," Edward said flatly.

"Wh-what?!" Kate looked at him like he had declared himself a heretic. For all Edward knew, his refusal was an equivalent act in her eyes.

"If the world were in danger, I would want to save it of course," Edward explained, "But I need more proof than my existence to convince me to risk life and limb on a daily basis when I am not even used to my own body, let alone used to this world."

Kate looked stumped for a moment, "I, uh, well, what about helping the town?"

Edward shook his head, "I respect those who put their lives on the line for the community, but I don't think I'm ready for that kind of commitment."

Kate looked truly desperate now, "What about fame and fortune."

Edward scowled, "I am not so debased as to blindly seek after material wealth for its own sake."

"Just hold on, let me think," Kate said, turning away from Edward, her face furrowing in concentration. Edward waited patiently, knowing full well he could counter any argument she tried. He was steadfast on not joining this foolhardy adventures guild, no matter how enticing the prospect sounded. He needed to keep his head on right and focus on getting home, not getting distracted and risking life and limb over material wealth he'd have to leave behind anyway when he returned home.

Just when Edward thought Kate was about to give up, she whirled around, a confident grin on her face, "The Expedition Society is your best chance to get home."

Edward opened his mouth, then closed it, shocked at the answer. "Explain," Edward said, his resolve already cracking.

"Well, the Expedition Society has contacts with thousands of pokemon across the world, including some legendary pokemon, not to mention the only other known human turned pokemon currently alive. Once we've earned our keep, I'm sure they'll be able to get you in contact with someone who can help you."

Edward stared at her, trying to poke a hole in her logic, but failing. "Must I risk my life for them to help me?"

"I mean, I'm sure they'll be sympathetic," Kate said nonchalantly, "But they might not believe you. And the human, his name is Mathew by the way, is pretty busy. Last I heard he was leading an expedition on the Air Continent looking into ancient ruins. Now if you were already a high-ranking member, you would be taken more seriously and your message delivered much faster."

Edward stared back down at his paws and sighed in defeat, "Alright, that's a pretty good point," Kate initially cheered, but Edward wasn't quite done yet, "But that doesn't answer the question of why we should join together."

Kate looked a little hurt by the statement, "I mean, why wouldn't we?" She asked.

"Because I'll slow you down," Edward replied, looking back up at her, "I have not the faintest clue of how to do any of this. I'll have to learn everything on the job, and I'll need protection while getting used to fighting in this new body."

"Oh, I already know that," Kate said with a sigh, and with a confident smile continued, "I know we'll be going at a slow pace, but I can handle it, and you'd be surprised how naturally fighting comes to a 'mon. Besides, we've completed one dungeon together, what's a hundred more?"

Edward laughed, shaking his head, "Fine, you win, so long as you promise to go at my pace and teach me the ropes of being a pokemon."

"Sure!" Kate said with a nod, "Now, let's go start our expedition team!" She confidently walked off towards the guildmaster's office, and Edward bounded up behind her, a small smile on his muzzle.

Author's Note: A bit of a shorter chapter, but this just felt like the best place to stop. Had some difficulty actually writing this one, as I had to think of why Edward would join the guild and then convince him to join. As always, feedback is appreciated.