It was nighttime as I sat in the bar while Saz cleaned up. My head rested on the front counter as I had my eyes closed.
While doing this, I heard Saz walk up and placed something down.
Saz: Are you doing alright? You've been quiet all night long.
Shaymin: Huh…? Yeah… Just thinking…
Saz: Hmm… Okay. Well, I don't mind if you stay here.
Nodding, I sighed and looked to the side.
Shaymin: Sorry. Just feeling kinda homesick.
Saz: Hmm? Didn't you say you lived in the mountains your entire life?
Shaymin: Yeah. I built my own place and all… It's just kinda new being around others. Especially far away from my place.
Saz: Heh… I wouldn't mind living in such a place. But eh, I enjoy having my bar here.
Nira was playing some piano before stopping and turning to face us.
Nira: Yep, this place is nice. Though I would love to live on a beach house or something.
Saz: That's surprising. Thought Umbreon's were more into forest areas. I know for sure they enjoy more peaceful locations without a load of others around.
Nira: Well, I'm not like them. There are a lot of my kind who loves living in big cities or even countrysides.
Saz: Huh. Well then. Uh…
Saz cleared his throat and looked to me.
Saz: Anyways…! How about something to eat? You look like you're starving.
Looking over the menu, I just had some pumpkin pie as Saz walked off. This is when Nira sat next to me. His rings glowed gently as he just stared.
Nira: So… A Shaymin. Still hard to believe. Why did you decide to come here if you were so comfortable at your own place?
Shaymin: Oh, um. I don't know… I've always wanted to join one of these places. S- so when I saw an advertisement for it, then yeah… I decided to come here.
Nira nodded and sat back before perking up.
Nira: Oh, right! Since you are new, would you like to accept an easy job?
Looking at him, he pulled out a piece of paper and gave it to me.
Nira: Saz keeps complaining that he is running low on supplies for wine and stuff. And well, every other team is busy with stuff. So… Mind if you help? Eh, I'll give you something.
Shaymin: O- oh. Sure. I can do it right now since I need some fresh air…
Nira: Err… It's nearly 3 AM. You sure you don't wanna get some rest first?
Shaking my head, I took the paper and got up. I smiled weakly and walked out.
Once outside, I looked at the paper and noticed that it is asking for loads of grapes and apples.
Shaymin: S- simple enough. Guess I should get going…
I walked to my house real quick and took my backpack then began walking outside of the city. The moon was still high up and the nice breeze felt good. It was pretty dark, but it wasn't too bad for me. I just wanted some time alone while collecting fruits. I remember some places for such fruits on my way here, so I walked to them and for the next 30 minutes, I just simply collected fruits.
Once half an hour passed, I managed to collect a decent amount of apples and grapes. However, right before I decided to head back, I started hearing something. This made me freeze for a second as I looked around the darkness. The noise sounded like slow footsteps. I looked around for a bit more before deciding to hide.
So swiftly, I climbed a nearby tree as fast as I could while trying not to make too much noise. Once I was on a branch, I remained silent and shivered gently. I just remained completely still and looked down. I held my ears and soon I noticed lights coming into view. I watched on and noticed the lights coming closer. Soon, I saw someone in black walk under the tree. There were only one who walked by. It was odd since they were walking very slowly with a lantern in paw.
They continued walking for a bit before stopping and sitting down. They removed the hoodie they had over their head and I saw that it was a Leafeon.
Unknown: Damn it… Can't see shit out here.
The Leafeon groaned and opened a bag that they had. They pulled out a knife and started chipping at a tree next to me. I got a better view and it looked like the Leafeon was male. What was odd though, he didn't have any green. Instead, he had purple ears. This was so confusing as I continued watching.
Unknown: Ugh… Why the hell was I picked for this…? Stupid shit…
He then collected the shavings that the tree dropped as he soon walked a bit further away. This is when I slowly climbed down and titled my head.
Shaymin: What was he talking about…?
Shaking my head, I decided to get back quickly before something else happened.
So when I got back to the town, I walked into the bar as Nira watched some TV over the bar counter. He noticed me and got up.
Nira: Ah, you're back.
Nodding, I placed the bag on a table and took out all the fruit.
Nira: Huh… Not bad. Glad you work so quickly. Well, here is something for you.
Nira then placed down a golden coin. I slowly took it and remembered that figure in the forest. I'm kinda sure it was just another explorer out late to do something. But just wanting to make sure, I spoke.
Shaymin: H- hey, um… When I was out, I encountered another Pokemon…
Nira: Hmm? That's odd. Maybe it was just a Pokemon from a nearby city. They often explore the forest and camp there.
Shaymin: Well, um… It was a male Leafeon who, err… He wore a weird pitch black cape or something, having it covering his face. I only got to see who it was since he took it off for a moment…
Nira: Uh… You… May have, um… Encountered a Team Shadow member.
I looked confused as he continued.
Nira: Team Shadow lives in parts of the forest. They… Don't appear hostile. They mostly stay together and never venture out of that place. We never seen them nearby, so yeah… I think they only hang around there.
Shaymin: Um… Don't appear hostile?
Saz: Are you speaking about Team Shadow?
Looking to the side, I saw Saz walking up from a backdoor, holding some plates.
Saz: Yeah, Team Shadow hadn't caused issues, but they are known to be aggressive if they are annoyed. It's… Best not to travel in the forest at night since they consider it restricted once the sun sets.
Nira: I am starting to wonder what they are planning. They kept very quiet for the past year… But, uh, yeah… Keep an eye out for them. Just in case…
Nodding gently, I looked down as Saz walked up.
Saz: Ah, perfect. Didn't expect Nira to show you it so soon. Well, you look pretty tired. You should get some rest.
Agreeing, I walked towards the door and opened it, soon walking back home and after getting home, I crawled into bed and fell asleep.
Next Morning
11:18 AM
Scorch: Aye, Shaymin?
Opening my eyes slowly, I saw Scorch standing over me.
Shaymin: U- uh… Yeah…?
Scorch: You need to get ready. There is an announcement at the plaza and we have ten minutes, so hurry…!
Rubbing my eyes, I got up and yawned before getting ready. I then walked up to Scorch who waited as he soon gripped my paw and rushed outside.
I followed as he dragged me to the plaza. Once we were there, I noticed most of the town was there and this somewhat shook me. I tried not being noticed as we sat down at a bench. Shivering softly, I looked and noticed Autumn who was looking at some stuff. After a few more minutes, he looked up and started speaking.
Autumn: Okay, seems like everyone is here. This isn't going to be a long announcement. So this is just a reminder that the upcoming guardian festival will begin in a week. Just like the last few years… We will be giving out a list for each team. These lists will give you a set of tasks to make sure the festival is fulfilled. Make sure to do it. Go to Bolt with the supplies that you collect from your list.
Shaymin: F- festival…?
Scorch: Oh, right. Each year, they have a festival. It's for the guardian of Hexa.
Shaymin: Uh… Guardian of… Hexa…?
Scorch: Yep. I think almost 8 years ago, there was an attack on the town. Like… A deadly attack. No idea what the cause was, but it was a tough time back then from what I was told. But uh… During the attack, a mysterious figure cloaked in white came and protected the town. I was only told what happened, so I am unsure… But all I know is that it came soaring through the sky like a comet and the attack was ended almost instantly.
Shaymin: S- sounds like Reshiram.
Scorch: The thing is… No one really claimed who it was. It was surrounded in a blinding light that ravaged everything, mainly the attackers. So yeah… It sounds pretty much like a legendary, but I don't know… But, err, the festival is there to celebrate when the town was saved.
This seemed quite interesting and I wanted to know more of it. However, our conversation was cut short as Autumn walked up to us and gave us a note before walking off. We looked at it and it appeared to be a list that Autumn was talking about.
Scorch: Well, looks like we got the easy part. Last year, we had to collect all kinds of stuff…
Looking at the items, it was mostly just decorations like streamers and fireworks. It did seem like an easy job since there had to be a shop that sells it. But as I thought of this, Scorch looked up.
Scorch: Yep, looks like we can buy most of this. Though we may need to hunt for, err… What is this? Ivonoa bulbs? No idea what the hell that is, but eh, I'm sure it's some sort of flora or fungus. Leave that to me!
Shock: Jeez. Starting without us?
Looking from the list, I noticed the rest of my team walk up.
Scorch: Oh, sorry. We were just looking over it.
Cloud looked over it and scoffed.
Cloud: Eh, pretty easy. Knowing Shaymin's… Social issue… I suppose we should give him a task that doesn't have interaction with others.
Shock: Yeah, good idea. How about… Ah, how about collecting um… What the hell is Ivonoa bulbs?
Cloud: Ugh. It's a flower… Extract the bulb to obtain it… The Ivonoa bulb is used to create certain dyes. It can also be extracted to obtain a serum used for medicine…
Scorch: O- oh. Well then. Perfect! I just looked it up and it appears to be a greenish flower. Easy to notice. Seems to also grow in dark areas.
Nodding slowly, I got up.
Shaymin: B- better get started then.
The others agreed and soon we began walking separate ways. I left the town and started to think where to find these flowers. Scorch said they were often found growing in dark areas. So I decided to just wander around, hoping to find a cave or maybe a tree that contains enough shade. It was only noon at this point, so I didn't need to worry about nightfall, but I did increase my pace just in case it takes that long.
I checked every tree and stone that I saw, which was a lot, and nothing. I just kept looking around and after ten more minutes of searching, I suddenly heard something.
Unknown: Ah, it's you again.
I somewhat jumped at the sudden voice as I looked back to notice Mila. It looked odd with him wearing all kinds of random clothing which seemed to have weighed him down.
Shaymin: U- uh… What's with… All that?
Mila: Oh, these? It's one of my tasks… I need to collect and deliver multiple different rugs, cloths and banners.
Shaymin: O- oh… So it wasn't clothing. Well, um… I'm looking for these flowers.
He looked at my list suddenly and tilted his head.
Mila: Huh… I actually know about these. If you want, I can help. They aren't too hard to find.
Shaymin: Oh, um… T- thanks. That'd help.
Mila: Sweet. Wait here and I'll deliver these.
Mila then ran off as I waited there. We was gone for nearly ten minutes as I sat against a tree. When he finally came back, he started leading me around. It didn't take more then five more minutes before reaching a small cave opening.
Mila: It's a tight squeeze. So be careful not to get stuck.
He then proceeded to push himself through the rocky walls. I was a bit nervous about this since I am not a fan of tight spaces, especially trying to squeeze through something like this. Because of this, I just watched as Mila made it to the other side and called out to me to follow. I inhaled and shivered slightly before attempting it. I tried folding my ears as I felt them get stuck which sent slight pain through my body. Mila however didn't want to wait for me as I felt him grab my paw and pulled me with surprising strength. I gasped as I felt the rocks somewhat scrape my body as I was forced in. Luckily nothing got stuck as I was pulled fully into the dark cave.
Mila: There we go. Lets go ahead and collect these.
Mila then messed around with something and soon a blinding light flashed on. I stumbled back and shook my head from the light and while I recovered, he started looking around.
Mila: This place is a great place for these flowers. So lets go!
Nodding softly, I started to look alongside him as he went deeper into the cave.
Shaymin: Uh… Is this place safe…?
All I got was a simple nod as he inspected the area with focus. He lit up the walls and walked slowly. But after a bit of time, he suddenly stopped. I nearly ran into him from his sudden halt.
Mila: Ah, look at that. Not even five minutes and we already found one.
He crouched down as I looked and noticed a flower that looked just like the one I read about. I then watched as he carefully removed it and after he stood up, he gave me it.
Mila: Make sure to keep it in a dark area until we reach Hexa again.
Nodding, I placed the flowers in my bag. After this, Mila started collecting some random stuff. I didn't really bother him as I just waited. The cave was nearly pitch black. I just stood in one area to prevent tripping or something.
So after a bit, Mila returned. He smiled at me and motioned me to leave.
It was pretty tough exiting the cave and it took about five minutes trying to push myself through the small opening. But once I was finally out with the help of Mila, we started walking back to Hexa.
Mila: Sorry for the wait back there. I went a bit deeper into the cave since I hadn't really explored much. Found some kind of ore. Maybe gold from the texture. So, uh, yeah.
Shaymin: N- nice…
Mila smiled and continued walking and after we reached the town, I walked up to the guild house.
Entering the house, I noticed Bolt right away. She was sitting at the desk in the middle of the large room.
Shaymin: Hey… I'm here…
Bolt looked up and gave a soft smile before getting up. She walked up to me as I took off my bag and opened it up. I took out the flowers as she took them.
Bolt: Ah, perfect. These will do nicely.
She was quick to put them in a box as she looked at me.
Bolt: Well, keep up the work.
Shaymin: O- oh. Um… I wanted to ask something.
She looked at me and tilted her head.
Shaymin: I kinda want to know about this, uh, festival.
Bolt: Oh? Sure, I can tell you about it since you are new.
Shaymin: Well… I want to know about this… Guardian.
Bolt: Ah, quite a common question. Well, the guardian of Hexa is of course the one who protected our town from an unprovoked attack. It… Was quite a tough battle for us. But after a bit and multiple Pokemon injured on our side… Something happened.
Shaymin: Huh?
Bolt: Hmm… Well, during around noon on day three, err, something came from the mountains. No one actually saw who it was. It was like a comet. A blinding white light that flew towards the town at record speed. Upon reaching the town, it ended up attacking the ones attacking our town. The speed of whoever it was… It was something to see. It only took five minutes… Five minutes and that light defeated every single attacker. Then it suddenly traveled back to the mountains.
This seemed very interested.
Bolt: And well… Every year, we celebrate the entity that aided us in battle. We even built a little shrine within the mountains. But, err… That's just a statue. No one really goes there due to the bitter cold year round.
Shaymin: I- interesting.
She smiled and nodded.
Bolt: Sometimes, you can see that light in the distance on dark nights. It's such a mysterious encounter, that's for sure.
Shaymin: Well, um… Thanks for telling me this. It… Sounds really interesting. But, uh… I should get back.
Bolt nodded and smiled before walking to the desk again.
I walked outside and down the street.
Shaymin: Okay… So that's done… I guess the others will do the rest.
With some free time on my paws, I decided to spend it by walking around the forest...