Something of a different kind of chapter, one with scenes from the view of other characters as Team Ion goes about their day.

As the night-time guardian of the guild, and impediment of anyone wanting to sneak away in the dead of night, Chatot was the first to awaken.

With his eyes slowly widening from a squint, he yawned out loud for a moment. It was the only time his guard seemed let down, Chatot plucked at a few stray feathers before shaking himself ready.

Trilling slightly, he hummed a small song to himself to brighten his day and made his way down the floors of the guild.

His morning routine was always the same. Regime and order were the bedrock of civilisation, as taught by the lucario of legends, and never saw fit to deviate from his way of starting the day.

He slipped the large doors to the Guildmaster's Chamber open quietly and hopped his way to one of the tapestries. "Rhythm?" the bird pokémon called as he knocked on a smaller door behind it. "It is Trill. I am entering."

He knew that he didn't really need to call out his presence. Wigglytuff was simultaneously far too informal to care and wouldn't hear him regardless. No matter what, however, it was his routine.

His only response was a tremendous snore, so Chatot waited a moment, repeated his earlier action, and only then entered the room.

To those who knew Wigglytuff, which wasn't as many as one may think, Chatot was confident they would expect the Guildmaster's private quarters to be a similar reflection of his personality that his greeting room was.

Chatot was proud, although he would never reveal as such, to know he was one of the few who knew Wigglytuff entirely as he was.

Perhaps, Chatot considered, those beliefs would not be false, only misguided. Wigglytuff's bedroom was more in-line with his personality than people would realise. It was neat and almost spartan in its bareness.

No treasures, no knickknacks or items were strewn about. No crumbs of food or silly drawings. Guildmaster Wigglytuff's room was the same as the rest of the rooms in the guild. It had a bed and a window. A nice bed for sure, actual thatched straw with a blanket, and a window with a curtain, but far more modest than anyone would expect of such a legendary figure.

Besides Chatot of course, but he'd never tell.

"Rhythm?" Chatot asked as he peaked into the room. Wigglytuff was as asleep as normal, laying on his side and snoring lightly. Shaking his head and ruffling his feathers, Chatot hopped into the room and then onto Wigglytuff.

"Wakey-wakey, sleepy head," Chatot sang, as he always did to rouse Wigglytuff, always the same song, always as embarrassing as the first time he sang it. "It is time to rouse up from your bed. There are bits and bobs to find awake. And lots of friendly friends to make."

As soon as the last word passed his beak, Wigglytuff sprung up and captured Chatot in a hug. "Friendly friends!" Wigglytuff cheered and quickly spun Chatot around. "Thank you for singing my wake-up song," Wigglytuff said cheerfully, he knew that Chatot liked it when things happened as they usually did.

"My pleasure," Chatot said dutifully and not at all dizzy. In all honesty, he really didn't mind singing Wigglytuff to sleep every night or awake every morning. It was their routine, and he liked it.

As Wigglytuff carried him out into his greeting room, Chatot pried himself from the unusually strong grip of this particular wigglytuff and asked a question. This was something a little out of routine, but it was important enough that asking it now was appropriate. Chatot was nothing if not flexible, something he was sure of.

"Have you put any more thought into the expedition?"

Wigglytuff was humming under his breath and didn't seem to hear the question, continuing his own daily routine. Stretching, getting limber, testing his voice, but Chatot knew the Guildmaster was of a keen mind and was considering his answer carefully.

"Dunno," Wigglytuff responded, jumping into his big chair with a laugh. "I think it'd be cool to search for Fogbound Lake or find what's at the end of the Sand Dune of Spirits. What do you think?"

"I think your decision will be the best for the guild," Chatot said, fluffing his feathers up. "But if you want my opinion, the mystery of the lake feels more compelling. We don't know much of anything beyond hearsay. The Sand Dune of Spirits, of course, has its own mysteries, but we know much more about it currently."

"Mmm," Wigglytuff hummed again and began singing a little ditty under his breath. Chatot nodded, knowing the Guildmaster's mind was hard at work again. He would never presume to know truly what the Guildmaster was thinking about, claiming such a thing was folly.

"The apprentices should be rousing themselves soon," Chatot noted and looked to the door. "If I may be excused to prepare for the daily assignment?"

"Of course, Chatot," Wigglytuff said brightly. "Take all the time you need." With that, he went back to humming and Chatot fluttered his way out of the room.

Chatot didn't need much time to consider what he would brief the guild on, there was nothing particularly different from a normal day, he just had to wait for one tell-tale sign before he could really begin finding his words.

"HEY! WAKE UP EVERYONE!"

There it was. Even from the distance he was from the apprentice's rooms, Chatot cringed for their sake. Loudred was the best alarm the guild had ever had, even if he was abuse on the ears.

Quickly the apprentices shuffled into the room. Loudred was unaffected by his own volume, so he was fine. Bidoof and Corphish were clearly dizzy from being in the immediate vicinity of the bellowing cry. Croagunk too stepped a little gingerly, Chatot knew only he and the Guildmaster were sharp enough to catch the tell the stoic frog gave. Hadn't slept much again, clearly. He might adjust Croagunk's task for the day.

Sunflora and Chimecho arrived after them, both yawning and Sunflora rubbing both of their eyes. Chatot nodded, it was always nice to see inclusiveness, Sunflora and Chimecho were friends and the Grass pokémon never made an issue of Chimecho not having any digits to rub her own eyes with. Such camaraderie was greatly valued in the Wigglytuff Guild.

Diglett and Dugtrio appeared from the ground. The father and son had their own designated area of the guild to sleep in, to prevent them from tunnelling too much and damaging the structural integrity of the guild. Small inclusions, the guild was prepared for large and unique.

Lastly, the newest pair of apprentices arrived. Chatot couldn't fault them for being last, still growing used to the strict training of the guild and being the farthest from the hub of the guild. Farthest from Loudred as well.

Still, as long as they arrived on time he'd never need to have words about being tardy.

Nodding as he counted everyone as having arrived, Chatot flourished a wing and announced the Guildmaster.

Corphish did his best to smile and nod along as Chatot waffled on and on and on about whatever disaster he decided was relevant for the day.

He was pretty sure Chatot was rambling on about shows or circuses or serial killers due to his constant wild expressions and flapping of wings.

It's not that he didn't want to listen, it was just that Loudred tended to leave his, Bidoof's, and maybe Croagunk's ears ringing for the first half-hour of the day. Sometimes longer if he was in a mood.

And maybe he didn't want to listen. Chatot would go on for hours if you let him. Thankfully he only flapped and fluffed about for about five more minutes before stopping. Everyone began to speak so he quickly added his voice into the new morning cheer that they now had to do and Wigglytuff drifted back to his room.

Whether the Guildmaster was awake or not was hotly debated between the apprentices. Sunflora ran a betting ring on the matter too, among other things. One thing they could agree on was that he could get away with it if he was. Chatot wouldn't yell at him.

That was also bet on, actually. If Chatot was any more candid with the Guildmaster when they were in private. The girls, and Croagunk, giggled over the possible gossip but Corphish felt that was private to them and he had no business in it.

His hearing began to return as Chatot asked the newbies to stay back for the moment and everyone else departed. They had been in the guild long enough that, unless they were stopped for a special task, their jobs were business as usual. Corphish noticed as Chatot cast an eye at Croagunk as well, didn't stop him though.

Loudred and Diglett usually guarded the guild. Sometimes one of them would have other matters to attend to that day and someone else would pitch in, not often though. It baffled Corphish how strong Loudred was regardless. He barely trained or battled or explored yet was without a doubt one of the stronger apprentices.

Chimecho would go start attending to her stations. The medical bay, the food stocks, the Psychic Network, she was very much the friendly helper of the guild and rarely did jobs in dungeons. Too valuable to send away for too long.

Dugtrio would probably stare out at the sea for an hour or two. Corphish could emphasize with him, being the only other Water-type in the guild, he missed the feel of the ocean some days. Although one can only be asked the exact same question about water so many times before you start getting annoyed and Dugtrio had long since passed that level.

They mostly just did the polite nod greeting nowadays.

Bidoof and Sunflora joined him, entering the middle level of the guild together. Bidoof immediately went for the normal job listings, and as Sunflora was chatting his ear off, difficult to do after a Loudred incident, she followed him. Corphish guessed Sunflora was planning to help him today, that was nice. Bidoof needed to get a move on if they were all going to graduate together.

Corphish decided he was feeling daring this day and scuttled over to the outlaw notice board instead. There wasn't much point in making a choice now, as Dugtrio still had his daily job to do, but he was fine to wait.

Chimecho came floating up before long and she smiled and said something to him, but she spoke far too softly to hear at the moment, so Corphish gave his usual reply. "Hey-hey how you doing today?"

Chimecho seemed to understand, it was hard not to when you lived across from Loudred, and moved off to Bidoof and Sunflora.

Corphish's hearing was almost back to normal levels when the newbies entered. Little Shinx, so meek yet determined, Corphish was very glad he had finally joined the guild. They were all rooting for him, it was hard not to know of the shinx's ambitions when he had lived in the area so long.

Even Chatot had been looking forward to him gathering the nerve. Corphish knew the bird would never admit it, but he had seen a sparkle in his eye and a chipper ring to his tone when he told everyone Shinx had finally joined the guild.

The other one though….

Meowth, Corphish refused to think of his name, was friendly enough. Maybe too friendly, considering what happened yesterday. Even though Sunflora had confirmed it was a misunderstanding, it was still a bit awkward.

He wasn't one to judge, not at all, but he wasn't the most comfortable with- "Oh they're heading my way. They are HEADING to ME!"

Corphish did his absolute best to appear casual, unconcerned, unjudging. Chatot would flip out tremendously if anyone treated the meowth differently.

"Can we speak to you?"

It was the meowth speaking, and Corphish couldn't say no even if he was wishing he was still deaf.

"Hey-hey, what can I do for you?" That sounded right. That sounded like something he'd say if he was fine.

"About yesterday," Meowth said. Corphish would not call him Sean, even in his subconscious. "I just wanted to clear up any misunderstanding."

"No misunderstanding at all, hey," Corphish said, clicking his pincers as that is normal corphish behaviour. "Hey-hey, Sunflora already explained."

The overuse of 'hey' would become more prevalent the more uncomfortable or nervous or stressed he was. Corphish couldn't help it, just as much as Loudred couldn't help bellowing everything he said.

"Oh good. Good. Thank goodness. Yeah, woke up without any memory, RrrrShinx is helping me."

"Hey, it's no problem."

At the very least Meowth relaxed. "Thank you, and I'm sorry for freaking you all out. I'm still learning all this stuff. Again, I guess."

"Hey-hey, it's fine. We'll forget about it, leave it in the past."

"Yeah." Meowth nodded. "And, uh, don't tell anyone I said my name, please? I can only imagine how awful it'd be if I got a reputation because of it."

Corphish nodded, he had no intention of ever letting it get so much to his thoughts let alone to his mouth.

Looking at Meowth, Corphish could see the mix of horror and humiliation and decided that it really had been an accident. He wasn't sure about no amnesia, but he could believe that Meowth really had been just trying to be friendly.

"There is just one thing you can do now, hey-hey," he said, receiving a dead-eyed glance from Meowth.

"Crawl under a rock?" he muttered.

"No." Corphish was a little confused at the response. "You're going to have to prove to everyone that you are more than the local night-mate."

"Oh. Great."

"There-there. It's something you're going to have to live with now, hey-hey," Corphish advised, he knew he was the best for the job when it came to blunt truths and plain advice. "Turn em down when they come to you, explain why, and prove yourself. It's all you can do now."

"Can't Sunflora just tell them the truth?" he muttered, wearing an impressively disgusted expression.

"She will," Corphish confirmed. "But it won't be enough. Plenty won't believe it, especially if she says it's because of amnesia. Some may even think it's a move too…"

Groaning, Meowth rubbed his face with his paw, almost poking himself with a claw in the process. "Fine. Let's just get a job and be out in the field."

Shinx, who was being quiet as ever, nodded and stuck close to Meowth. Corphish nodded to the pair behind their backs. They seemed good together, if that meowth got Shinx to join up and stay, Corphish wouldn't care about any doings or dealings the meowth might do. Shinx deserved a good partner, and if Meowth was that partner then everyone would respect that.

Scuttling back to the outlaw notice board, he saw that Dugtrio had done his job and began sorting through the updated pickings, picking a nasty Lumineon he could bring to justice. And if he was able to go swimming in the process? All the better.

Litleo was fuming.

Enough so that actual sparks were popping off his mane as it burst into flames every few seconds. The idea. The mere concept that fucking Meowth could beat him? Laughable.

It was a joke, that 'battle' they had until Meowth decided to grow a spine. Even then, he was easily creaming the basic cat until it hit him in the face with a sleep seed.

The type of cowardly move he should have expected, why would this opportunistic chump ever fight head-on-head without something hidden in its paw?

The pair had embarrassed him terribly. Not only by beating in in a battle but even dragging him back to town. Him? He was no outlaw, he just needed to be out of here. And they brought him back? He decided that was fine. He'll stay and be their problem.

It just added insult to, very literal, injury. They brought him to Chimecho who basically just gave him a common oran berry and then threw him out of the guild. Not like he wanted to stay there anyway but having to drag himself home was a little harder on him than he would have liked.

Magnezone fined him, of course, but he barely had anything to give. Those metallic eyes scanned through his home in silence before he just took the poké and left.

Didn't help his mood with all the pokémon giving him dirty looks. At least that was par for the course, gave them something to stare at. He made sure to stretch provocatively when a handsome guy began to look at him, but they glanced away quickly. Their loss.

Still. There was a blow to his pride that needed to be sated. So, he waited, early in the day despite his injuries, for the pair to emerge.

Sunflora and Bidoof exited first, the flower seemingly distressed about something. That was something amusing at least.

Thankfully he didn't have to wait long for the pair to emerge. Meowth looked most dissatisfied with the day, good, and Shinx seemed like himself. Meek and quiet. Laughable. He'd knocked Litleo right out, what did he have to look meek about? He knew what he'd have to do, as he always had to do.

He waited until they had stepped past the bush he hid himself in and began descending the annoyingly long steps down to the crossroads.

Now was his time. He considered pouncing, tackling Meowth down the stairs, that'd teach him a lesson. But Litleo rethought it when he noted that he'd fall as well, and he wasn't fully recovered from yesterday. His ribs still hurt, and fire was not the easiest to channel when in pain.

So, instead, he followed, stalking them quietly as they walked in silence. There seemed to be an awkward air about them, that was interesting.

"Trouble in paradise?" he couldn't help but say. It alerted them to his presence, but it was too good to pass up saying.

"YOU!" Shinx growled, switching from meek to fierce in an instant. It was almost impressive, it reminded him of who Shinx really was. "What are you doing here?"

Litleo noted how Meowth took a careful and measured step back, leaving Shinx slightly closer to him in case of attack. Coward, just as he knew already. Then Meowth stepped forwards, a move that almost took Litleo aback.

"Just wanted a chat," Litleo said. He wasn't lying either, it'd be idiocy to actually attack them here. That'd get him branded as an outlaw for certain.

"We don't want to talk to you," Meowth said and Litleo looked to Shinx.

"We? Or are you putting words in Shinx's mouth here?" He smirked as it immediately caused a reaction, Meowth's fierceness crumbled like the mask of sand it was and he glanced worriedly at Shinx.

"That's not true is it?" he asked, all adorably concerned he may offend someone. "I haven't been talking for you, have I?"

"Uh." Shinx hesitated, perfect. He quickly said. "No, I think we both talk!" Meowth mulled the words over, but Litleo could see that the damage had been done. He wouldn't be talking much today, but this shame wasn't enough.

"So, Meowth was it?" he asked, stepping closer and smiling as the pair took a step back. "Walk with me. I want to talk."

Litleo stepped past them, tail pointed and proud, and stepped a few steps down before pausing to look up. "Really? You're going to be this rude when I've come just wanting to talk?"

Meowth was hesitating. Whether it was an act or if he was genuinely concerned about being rude was up to opinion. Either way, he glanced at Shinx before shaking his head. "Whatever you want to talk about you can talk with both of us."

Litleo found it cute, really. Meowth gave himself a little nod, clearly satisfied that he'd said the correct thing to minimize whatever harm he thought could be caused. Litleo was far too intelligent for this pair, either going with him would hurt Shinx's precious feelings, or saying this in front of him would hurt. Either way, he'd leave this conversation feeling better.

"Just wanted to give you a little warning is all," Litleo said, cupping a paw to his mouth as if this was a secret. Meowth narrowed his eyes and stepped closer to Shinx. "Just about Shinx here. He's got a few issues is all and I don't want to see a fellow feline hurt."

Meowth was now frowning in confusion, showing a bit of doubt. Perfect. Shinx was, of course, experiencing a much more amusing reaction. A combination of outrage and horror and he tried to say something. Litleo spoke over him with his far stronger voice.

"He's known as a really unreliable pokémon in these parts. Can never muster the courage to stand up for himself and tends to drag anyone who feels sorry for him down until they get rid of him. You seem like a good pokémon, but you're only going to get yourself hurt with this pity. That's all, I'm going to walk through the Apple Woods for the day."

With that Litleo turned around and began strutting off. He didn't need to remain there to savour the response, although he wanted to. Such pettiness was beyond him. That should anger Shinx and make him push himself to prove otherwise. He was a genius, the secret key to that shinx-like lock.

Swellow was having an off day.

This would have bothered him just on principle, but worse of all he couldn't figure out why. Wurmple had been acting strangely around him ever since they decided to make an exploration team together.

Was it because they were hobbyists? Neither member of Team Tasty thought they were quite cut out for Wigglytuff's Guild, nor the infamous taxing of the rewards the apprentices went through.

So, they would go out together, each day, sometimes just to explore randomly, sometimes they'd take a job. They only had done one outlaw task, and Swellow thought that got their blood pumping.

The day was shining, but not too hot, everyone was pleased with the weather, it should be a great day for spending time with a friend and helping others.

Except Wurmple was so twitchy around him.

The only time he brightened up was when another pokémon, or better yet another team, came up to talk to them. Swellow didn't like to think about it, but he was beginning to get worried that Wurmple regretted teaming up with him.

Would he be happier on another team?

Swellow was quite happy with their little two-pokémon team. He loved exploring and taking down outlaws with Wurmple. The little Bug-type was so meek, but when it came to battle he was almost comically strong. He used String Shot like it was an art, combining it into a brutally-hard Tackle or a Poison Sting topped with a penetrating slam. He had beaten many enemies that Swellow had no idea how to defeat.

He was his most valuable partner, and he didn't want to lose him. He wished he was a little braver, enough to talk to Wurmple about this.

Fortune came as Ponyta clopped ahead, revealing a pair of pokémon approached them, Swellow tried to keep the conversation pleasant. Wurmple relaxed when someone else came up to them, so if it was just a social thing then he'd feed that hunger.

"Those are some good words," Swellow thought. "I should remember them to reassure Wurmple later."

The pair were the newcomers to the Wigglytuff Guild, although everyone knew Shinx. The meowth was someone new, Swellow had seen him around yesterday, but they hadn't spoken.

Wurmple and Meowth immediately began a discussion, speaking lowly and privately. Whatever they wanted to talk about, it seemed perhaps it wasn't Swellow's business?

Shinx though. He'd seen Shinx happier than ever just yesterday, still beaming off finally joining the guild. Today though, today he looked very unhappy.

It seems misery would have company on this beautiful day.

"What's eating you?" Swellow asked, perhaps a little too loudly as he noticed Wurmple flinch.

"Oh, nothing." Shinx's expression immediately brightened up. Swellow was concerned, that was pretty bad acting to him.

"Come on Shinx, you really are a bad liar." It was true, the meek little guy was terrible at being dishonest, probably in fear it'd upset someone. Swellow thought he was a little too worried about other pokémon's thoughts and feelings, it was easier to go with the wind in his mind.

"I… just had a bad start to the day," Shinx admitted, scuffing the ground with one of his back legs. "Litleo... as usual."

Ah, Litleo. The Fire-type brat had been in the area for a while. A few years or so, about as long as Shinx. And he really did seem to love antagonizing Shinx, feline pokémon issues maybe? Swellow personally thought Litleo had a crush and couldn't deal with that.

"Maybe you should challenge him to a battle?" Was Swellow's suggestion. Things tended to be worked out in a battle, win or lose. If anything, it might help raise Litleo's respect for Shinx.

"I battled him yesterday," Shinx said, mouth pulling into a grimace. "He stole Charmander's gold ribbon. Meowth and I had to fight him in the Oran Forest to get it back."

"Did you win?" Swellow cocked his head, he hadn't heard any gossip about Litleo becoming a thief. Sunflora might be a little distracted perhaps.

"Yes!" Shinx insisted, he did look a little brighter now, reminded of his victory. "He was tough, but Meowth and I took him down. I think it's just made him hate me more though."

He was back to looking down and Swellow wasn't sure what to do. He had exhausted his wisdom with the battle suggestion.

"There-there," he said, patting Shinx with a wing. "Whatever he said can't be that bad. And even if it was, you've still got your partner here!"

Meowth was chatting with Wurmple, and they both perked up when he pointed the wing to them. "So, no need to worry!"

"Yeah… thanks." Swellow wasn't sure if he really helped, but Shinx didn't sound quite as despondent as earlier. "We'd better get going. We took a request to rescue Pidgey from Mount Bristle today."

Satisfied with his good deed for the day, he waited until Shinx and Meowth had left them to hop over to Wurmple.

"I'm feeling hungry today," he said brightly, thinking of the dungeon Shinx had mentioned. "We should go to the Oran Forest! Or even Apple Woods. Which do you feel like today?"

"O-Oran," Wurmple said. He was all stuttery and twitchy again. It did concern Swellow, but just talking to Wurmple made his day feel brighter, he could only hope that his words helped Wurmple.

"Well let's go! Lunch isn't going to wait for us."

Wurmple joined in on his whoop with a much less enthusiastic yay, but it was something and they were off.

Pidgey's day was a bad one currently.

Yesterday hadn't been much better. The day before that she thought was the worst, it was the day she realised she couldn't get through Mt. Bristle.

Today, however, was a new low. She was so hungry. She really hoped Oddish had put out a notice for her by now or was coming to get her herself.

She was sure a wing was broken. A stupid crazy machop had Karate Chopped her out of nowhere and now she couldn't fly. All the starly roosting in this dungeon only made it worse, they could still fly. They were mocking her, she knew it.

She had given up on crying, it was a useless endeavour by now, and just focused on trying to get to the top. She wouldn't even look for the legendary treasure if that was the price of survival, she just wanted to get out of the dungeon alive.

"-nother thing, he's an asshole. I know he's an asshole, you know he's an asshole, he's just angry because we beat him."

Pidgey felt hope sore into her heart.

"This isn't like the conversation we had on who's the most useless. He's right, others have tried to help me before, but they always had to leave eventually."

She immediately began yelling out, those were definitely at least a pair of adventurers. Maybe even there for her. "Hey? HEY? HELP ME PLEASE."

"I'm not going to leave. Where would I even- what was that?"

"I think. Pidgey?"

Relief almost brought her to tears as she replied. "Yes. Please help me."

The scurrying of limbs grew closer and closer and eventually a head poked into the small room she had been resting in. It was a shinx, he was quickly followed by a meowth.

"We're Team Ion, we're here to rescue you," Shinx said brightly and Pidgey did start crying from relief. She didn't care who it was, they were here to help, they wouldn't eat her. Especially not the shinx she knew of, assuming this was him.

They placed her in the Treasure Bag they had as fortunate members of Wigglytuff's Guild and moved with all haste to the top. Pidgey fell asleep halfway through, exhausted from her struggles up to this point.

She fell asleep to the conversation the pair had continued after making sure she was alright.

It made an interesting dream that's for sure.

Chatot was perturbed.

Something was off with the apprentices, and he couldn't fathom what it was. Even with his keen ear and intelligent grasp on social politics, he couldn't quite be sure.

Sunflora wasn't talking as much. That was strange in of itself. She was known to be a gossip, although a harmless one. Enjoying knowing things, but didn't spread things around hurtfully.

Bidoof was blushing each time he glanced to the right of him. Right towards the newly minted Team Ion.

Corphish was there as always. He seemed himself at a first glance, but a little vague and distracted on a second one.

Loudred and Diglett had acted perfectly normal throughout the day, and Chimecho herself seemed fine as well.

The Guildmaster was the Guildmaster, nothing different to say there.

Croagunk was smiling in a vaguely unsettling way, but that was rather par for the course, so he was sure that wasn't the problem with everyone tonight.

Shinx and Meowth. He had a feeling they were the guilty party here. Meowth seemed irritated today, acting perfectly polite, too polite, and rather distant. Chatot disapproved, he thought better of the apprentices to judge, but perhaps Meowth had done something?

No. Chatot wouldn't consider it.

Although Shinx didn't seem the type himself. So, what was it?

He wasn't sure what had happened, and clever questions didn't seem to be his pathway in considering that no one was talking. Perhaps it was to do with Litleo?

The debrief session went quickly as neither member of Team Ion had much to say about tonight's mission, the Guildmaster had cleverly questioned them about the top of Mount Bristle but neither had tried to pursue the dangerous little pile of rocks at the top.

That was good. Let what was in there remain lost.

Chatot sent them to bed and waited until everyone had entered their rooms.

It was uncouth of him to do this, but no one would find out. As his place of sleeping was on the top floor, no one would expect him to be elsewhere in the guild.

He carefully walked, not hopped, to the doors that contained the apprentice's rooms. He was not one for eavesdropping, but the needs must at times.

Pressing his head carefully to the door, Chatot listened intently. To his satisfaction, he could hear voices. The pair remaining up to talk was somewhat irresponsible, but Chatot wouldn't mention it for it as long as their work ethic was undisturbed.

"Rai, why does this bother you so much?" Came the meowth's voice and immediately Chatot felt uncomfortable. He was surprised they already had shared names, that was unusual.

"I don't know. It's just every day I seem to be getting reminders about being a burden. Litleo's a bully, but he's not the only one who thinks that, Sean!" And there it was to somehow render Chatot feeling worse. Now he had Meowth's name as well. Sean was a curious name though, would fit a mareep more than a meowth. He wanted to pull away, but it was too late now. He may as well learn more.

"I'm sorry." Meowth, no Sean, seemed to take a moment to build a breath or bravery to say his next words. "But his words shouldn't matter. You're not weak or a burden. You're not. Who cares what anyone says?"

"Words can hurt!"

Ah. It was Litleo. Chatot felt sympathy for the three of them, he had seen another side to that miserable pokemon before. He truly did not know how to act in the way he wanted to, did he?

Litleo had been taunting Young Rai about joining the guild for quite some time now, Chatot understood. At first, it seemed to Chatot to be an attempt at pushing Rai to spite him, but he always lost confidence and the bullying got worse. They were quite at odds now, and poor Rai was rather fragile to hurtful words.

"I… I know. I'm sorry. I just hate that he makes you miserable. I like you, you know. I don't care what he has to say. I'm not going to leave you, I'm kinda helpless without you. It'd make more sense if he was trying to tell you to leave me."

"It's just…." There was a long moment of silence, almost enough to make Chatot believe the conversation was over. "Just losing my Relic Fragment. It was everything to me, it was the only thing I had, and I just put so much of myself into it. I never used to wear it, only just the previous day did I decide it would give me confidence and I lost it."

"…I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault. I would have given up entirely if it wasn't for you. I just wish I could get away from the thoughts that say Litleo was right about me. He said," he sighed. "I don't want to talk about it. I'm tired."

Chatot held himself against the door, waiting, wondering if anything else was going to be said. He was concerned, greatly concerned, about Rai. He knew nothing of some 'Relic Fragment' but if it was important perhaps he could help find something to replace it or bolster Rai's confidence.

Actually, that last thought gave him an idea.

"I can't let this beat me," Rai said suddenly, recapturing Chatot's attention. "This is it. This is my declaration. I'm going to stop being so weak and fragile, I'm going to stop letting everything get to me so easily. I'm an apprentice in the Wigglytuff Guild! I won't let them down. I won't let you down, Sean! This is it. I'm just going to have to learn to live without it."

"I'll be there for you all the time," Sean responded. "You don't have to be strong every day. When you're not, I can be the strong one. Er, emotionally at least. You're way stronger than I am everywhere else."

"I don't think you're as weak as you think you are," Rai responded, an edge of playfulness entering his voice. "You get hit a lot and you just shrug it off." Chatot smiled and pulled away from the door. Dramatic nighttime talks, but it was good to see the one proper team in the guild bonding like this.

He was concerned or Loudred, Sunflora, and Corphish. He knew they planned to build a team of themselves plus Bidoof, but Bidoof needed a great deal of help and they had promised to graduate together. He wondered what could be done to help Bidoof as well, or if he might need to council the four of them to make a different plan.

Still, he was proud. If the apprentices could all be so honest with themselves and vow to better themselves, he'd be a proud chatot. He'd never tell them that, of course, it would be improper, but he would be proud nonetheless.

For now, he had work to do. Shinx, or Rai, needed a confidence boost. Something to show the guild was believing in them both, something they could handle, but still, be important to entrust them with.

He'd stay up the rest of the night pouring over maps and rumours if he had to.

Chatot was the night-time guardian of the guild, but more importantly, he was the guardian of the apprentices.

He would not fail them.

These POV chapters as I call them are interesting to write. I like Chatot, he's a good bird under the taxing and stuffiness.

Lot's of birds in this chapter, actually.