Chapter 4: Team Forecast


Author's Note:

Man, this chapter took a lot longer than anticipated. To help deal with things like this, I've decided that I'm going to start limiting my chapter length. From here on out, chapters may be of inconsistent length, as I'll be attempting to maintain a weekly or bi-weekly schedule by writing for however long I can, then publishing the results I end up with. The result may be that each chapter is like, a scene or two long, but at least the story will progress some and I won't have to worry about neglecting this account in favor of my novel.

In any case, I hope the quality is at least up to par. Please review if you can! I really appreciate the feedback! Anything helps, even a simple "I like it" or something to that extent. Thanks for reading and have a good day! :)


Starglow Guild - Staff Lounge


Post-dinner celebrations were in full swing as the eight of us kicked back in the lounge, and I was dead set on finishing the last of my sitrus berry horde. As luck would have it, the cafeteria had a surplus of the lemony fruits, and though the stash had been set aside for every explorer to have their fill, it seemed my fellow guildmates lacked the taste for sour food. "Did you really have to smuggle those?" Verdant stood before me, peering down at me with honey-amber orbs. Judgement was clear in the sprigatito's eyes, yet as she paused to lick at the fur of her forepaws, it became increasingly clear that she couldn't care less about my antics. "We have a kit to take care of, like it or not. Might pay to set a good example."

I stuck my tongue out at the seamstress cat and reached for another berry. "What are we, parents?" I scoffed. The idea had been tossed around between my sister and I on occasion, but by far she was the only one who'd entertained having a kit. Ally was the type after all, but me? I wasn't sure what all the fuss was about. "Better ask me out first." I nudged the grass type teasingly. "Jokes aside, Ally's better with kits.

"You wish." Verdant brushed her dampened foreleg across her forehead, resulting in a much straighter, poofy looking form to the affected tufts. "A date with yours truly is worth its weight in gold." She huffed before turning her attention to a nearby counter, the top of which featured a small, antique radio. The strange device had been Evelyn's. Rumor had it that the guildmaster was fond of novelties and ancient artifacts, and she wasn't shy about sharing them with the guild staff. As long as they were well cared for, of course.

In other news, it's been a good week for new explorers! Yes, ladies and gentlemon, it seems the rookies are quite the impressive bunch these days! Recently we've had the pleasure of speaking with the world famous Wigglytuff of Treasure Town's landmark guild, and it would seem that they've gotten their paws on quite the impressive duo! Sources suggest that the aspiring explorers, a young fennekin and vulpix duo, have gathered a number of accolades since their recruitment just a few weeks ago, including the arrest of an infamous kitnapper suspected of involvement in an unspecified amount of cases involving missing children and stolen treasure. Rightwing mon and staff supervisor, Chatot has refused to name the titular recruits, however, it's only a matter of time before every soul in Veralos knows of their escapades. Every explorer has their day, folks!

"Seems like we have some competition!" declared Nebula. The flaffy flicked her tail about excitedly before resting its bulbous tip on a couch cushion nearby. I hadn't noticed during the ceremony, but the electric orb on her tail wasn't the usual sort. It was a deep, transparent purple, and seemed to be littered with specks of equally clear whites, blues and pinks. Altogether, it looked almost like the night sky, and so did her forehead. The flaffy had stylized her forehead fluff to match her tail orb it seemed, and her muzzle was speckled with similar white and purple freckles. "We'd better hurry. I hear the folks at Wigglytuff's don't play around. They'll leave us behind in no time if we dawdle around too much."

Flux sunk back into the cushion next to her. "I don't see why that's such a big deal. We're not even in the same guild." He yawned. "Either way, I'll leave the hustle to you girls. I'm not all that competitive."

"You'd better give it all you have." Nebula tapped her tail lightly against the minccino's tan-furred forehead. "You're the only male on the team. You'd better hold your own."

"I agree with Nebula." Oleander joined in, the shiny zorua looking particularly ghostly with the exhausted bags beneath her lavender eyes. "You're rooming with three females. Don't think we won't give that pretty face a makeover if you start slacking off."

Flux sat straight up, his beige cheeks rosy with embarrassment. "I was just kidding! I love competition!"

Nebula snickered. "Glad we can agree." She glanced over at Elly. The blue-eyed eevee was busy reading a passage of her book to Lisa, who looked about ready to fall asleep in her mew form. "That being said, you lot are full of surprises yourselves, rescuing a mew of all mons." She held her chin with a paw and frowned. "She doesn't look so much like the news shown in the school textbooks…"

Oleander shook her head. "Not even close. They're supposed to be pink from what I remember." She giggled. "Then again, so are you." She poked at Nebula. "She is just a kit. I suppose that means there's another mew out there."

"Regardless of what it means, she'll no doubt be a pawful." Verdant sighed. "Let's hope Ally has it covered.

"Hey, don't sell my sister short." I battered the cushion with a paw. "If any of us can wrangle a kit, it'd be her."

"I certain hope so." With that, the sprigatito went back to grooming her fur.

"There you all are!" Evelyn's cheerful voice echoed about the room, and soon the overhead lamps brightened. "Goodness, you all look exhausted." The espeon chuckled. "My apologies. I'm afraid there was far more to prepare with your rooms than I had anticipated." She glanced around at each of the new recruits before her gaze settled on my own. "Alright!" She grinned, then snapped her focus forward. "Here's how this is going to go. For tonight and tomorrow night, we're going to have the eight of you share a room. Luckily, this space is closed outside of operation hours, so the lounge will do!" She scanned the room, as if taking note of our teams. "We'll set you up with your rooms once they're ready. In the meantime, training begins tomorrow morning. I'll expect you all up bright and early by the time I return, so make sure you get some rest." The espeon bid us farewell and extinguished the lamps before retreating down the hallway leading to the main lobby, flicking her double tails to and fro with the enthusiasm of a newborn kit.

"You heard her, Eve." Ally yawned as she clambered onto the couch and curled up alongside me. "Don't stay up all night."

"Like I'd do that." I scoffed. "I don't wanna be THAT apprentice."

The eevee reached forward a paw and dragged me into an embrace. "Then get to bed."

"Wha." I sputtered. "Ally! We're not kits anymore." I protested, yet the green-eyed eevee wasn't hearing it.

"And yet, you're still my sister." Ally tucked her muzzle into the thick of my mane and sighed. "Not my fault that your fur is softer than mine."

"Ugh, fine…" I rested my head atop her shoulder and stared out through a nearby window at the mystically lit streets beyond the guild. The window itself was tinted, likely in an attempt to limit the amount of light that filtered in a night, however, the view of the bioluminescent trees just beyond the city border was all I needed to drift off before my sister could complain any further.


Starglow Guild - Training Field


It wasn't as if I hadn't heard the horror stories, but imagine for a moment you're me. Never in my life had there come a time where the rules of combat dictated my survival, and yet, if you were to ask me what I thought about training, the answer would be as simple as climbing a tree. Certainly the litany of magical powers I had at a moment's notice were cool, but I was nimble enough! After all, what use could an explorer possibly have for a shadow ball, or double team? We're explorers for crying out loud! What part of that name entails anything more than treasure hunting?

Now, imagine my surprise when the guildmaster's idea of training was an outright sparring match! It was the middle of summer, early enough to catch the first rays peaking above the tree line, yet as our pelts sat baking in the sunlight, I couldn't help but wonder what I'd missed about the job description.

"No, no. That'll never do." Evelyn sighed as frustration settled in, threatening to replacing the espeon's wavering grin. "Surely you should be able to counter this." She lashed her tail forward for emphasis. It wasn't the strongest attack, but that didn't make it any less embarrassing.

I, however, was more concerned with freeing the dirt that stubbornly clung to my dirtied, cottony scruff. Dirt that, after the third tumble, had begun to itch. "I know, I know." I silenced a growl and snuck a glance at my sister, who'd seen fit to mix it up with Nebula of all pokemon. The flaafy had made it known that her electricity was not to be trifled with, and it seemed Ally was more than willing to put it to the test. "I'm trying, alright?"

Evelyn flicked her forked tail at the ground, kicking up dust in its wake. "Hmm…" She shook her head. "My apologies, it's just… Your sister's was a particularly promising display, both in her mastery of moves and in strategy. Your agility is far superior, but..." She sighed. "At the very least, you'll need to learn a long ranged attack. An eevee your age should know at least one by heart. I'd teach you myself, but I've other duties to attend to." Her tail fluttered, tapping at the dirt-trodden field impatiently as she considered her options. "Of course! Esuna!" The espeon whirled around, her voice echoing across the field to the guild itself and back once more.

The shout caught the attention of a young-looking vulpix resting at the foot of the guild's entrance. Despite the distance between the two, they were at the espeon's side in mere seconds. "Morning Guildmaster Evelyn! You called?" She beamed, her golden pelt glistening in the harsh, morning sunlight.

"Wha…" I blinked. "But she was just…" I glanced between the newcomer and the guild. "How did you…"

Evelyn chuckled. "Eve, this is Esuna. She's one of our senior recruits." She grinned proudly. "On top of being the youngest of our top performers, she's a remarkable athlete."

"You don't say."

Esuna rolled her eyes. "Pay no mind to our guildmaster's bragging." She shook her head. "Eve, hmm?" She grinned. "Oh, that's right! It's recruitment week!" The golden vulpix bounded forward with excitement. "You must be new, then! Are you a local?"

"Just a moment now. I was just getting to that." Evelyn wrapped her tail around Esuna's waist and pulled her back a step. "Eve here is a bit…unseasoned in combat. I realize it's not the usual sort of move, but is there any way that you might teach Eve here how to use shadow ball?"

Esuna frowned. "Shadow ball? Doesn't that move require specialized training?" She asked. "I don't mind of course, but it may take a while."

Evelyn nodded. "Whatever it takes, Dear. This request isn't time sensitive." She smiled. "Well then, if that's settled, I do believe I have paperwork to attend to." She sighed. "If only that wasn't time sensitive." The espeon half-sulked as she bid us farewell and padded off toward the guild.

"As impatient as ever." Esuna sighed. "Hope she wasn't too harsh on your first go. She worries too much about the newbies." The shiny vulpix giggled. "Then again, I did get to meet one of you before the others. That's bragging rights~!"

"The others?" I asked. "Wait, you mean like, higher ranked teams?" I hopped, kicking up dust with my paintbrush tail. "Ooh, please tell me I can meet them!"

The golden vixen seemed to consider the request… "You know…that might be a good idea." She grinned. "I had a meeting planned with some friends of mine. We only get to hang out as a full group every once in a while, so I was dreading calling it off just to teach a move." She snickered. "Perhaps I can get them off their bums for once. They mean well, but they're not exactly the most productive bunch."

I could feel the pace of my tail hasten as I pictured a room full of top-notch explorers. "Really? You'll introduce me, then?"

Esuna smiled. "I don't see why not." She whirled around and began padding toward the guild. "Well, come on." She beaconed me forward with one of her tails." We don't have all day. Meeting starts soon!"


Starglow Guild - Staff Dorms


The dorms were unusually spacious, yet in contrast with the fancy tile and decor of the guild lobby, the furnishings were rather lackluster. Weathered chairs and benches spanned the barren hallway walls as Flare led me around a corner and gently knocked a tail against the nearest door. The door in question, a thick, mahogany fixture with a worn surface, was adorned with a plaque labeled "Team Forecast" along with a variety of scratch marks.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm coming." A tired voice grew louder as some-mon approached from the room's interior. The door creaked as it opened slightly, the floppy ear of a raichu poking out from behind it soon after. "Oh! That you, Esuna?" The raichu peered around the door at Esuna before pushing it aside, allowing us a full view of the well-furnished base beyond his form. "Man, you're late. We almost canceled the meet." The raichu's muzzle brightened from its drowsy state, filling to the brim with energy as he whirled around in the doorway and shouted back into the room. "Party's back on, fellas. The vixen's here!"

Esuna pushed the raichu playfully and led me inside. "That's Esuna to you, ya big lug." She giggled, flicking the raichu's belly with the back of her paw. "Someone's been neglecting his training."

"Hey!" He clutched his white-furred belly with his paws before glancing my way. "Oh? Bring a friend this time?"

Esuna flicked her tail dismissively. "I'll introduce you once we're seated." The shiny vulpix wrapped a tail around my foreleg and lead me inside where she plopped down on a nearby sofa, patting the space next to her. "Come on. Join in!"

I clambered onto the couch and glanced around, allowing myself a better look at the raichu. His tail was poofier than usual. Rather than the long, rope-like tail that most raichu had, his was a huge, cottony mass of bright yellow fur. His pelt followed the same pattern, its shiny, yellow color contrasting nicely against the white tufts of his belly. His ears were also an oddity. The usual knick that the floppy limbs possessed wasn't present in the lax raichu, his ears forming complete triangles complete with creamy tufts on the inside. A matching clump of fur drooped down from his forehead, nearly clearing the gap between his aquamarine eyes. "Make yourself at home." He yawned, and padded over to a nearby bed. Even the raichu's paws were strange. The three digits were more pronounced than normal and covered in a fine layer of creamy-white fur.

"That the only greeting you're giving, Stratus?" Esuna giggled as she settled into the couch. That's when I noticed the remaining pokemon in the room. Gathered around the bed, a hammock and a nearby reading chair were 5 additional mons. A vaporeon and alteria lay together in the bed behind Stratus, the vaporeon basking in the fluffy plumes the alteria provided. A togetic laid back against the wall at the opposite end of the bed reading a book, and an azumarill occupied the reading chair. Lastly, soft snores emanated from a flygon occupying the nearby hammock. The only mon that hadn't been sleeping was the togetic, who collapsed their book and glanced our way at the approach of their friend.

"I'd heard there were new recruits around, but I hardly expected one to make their way into your fine graces, Esuna." The togetic smiled politely, his amethyst eyes searching my expression. "If I may, allow me to welcome you myself. I'm afraid you'll find this lot to be particularly…lackluster at greetings." He bowed. "My name is Mirage. It's nice to meet you."

"O-oh, umm." I nodded frantically. "I'm Eve. It's good to meet you, too." I smiled nervously. Was it normal for experienced explorers to be so…casual?

"Hey." Stratus reached out and shook the vaporeon and alteria duo. "I know ya heard me. Get up, ya bums."

The alteria woke with a start, flapping their wings frantically as they glared at Stratus. "Wha?" They squawked. "Watch who you're calling a bum, ya marshmallow!"

Despite being buffeted by the cloudy wings of her companion, the vaporeon merely yawned. "Hmm?" Her expression brightened once she locked eyes with me. "Ooh~. Brought another vee to the hideout, eh?" The vaporeon grinned, her deep, sapphire eyes gleaming with newfound energy. "Hi! I'm mist!" Though not as glaring as her raichu partner, Mist's coat was littered with oddities. From her neck down, the usual watery, light blue fur began to darken in fluffy, patchy patterns, ending in a dark, stormy blue at the tip of her fin-like tail. Her ears seemed to retain much of their former eevee shape, along with the fluff around her neck which had taken on a slight, blue-ish hue. The alteria next to her was completely white. The short feathers that covered the majority of her body matched the pristine white of her cloud-like wings, contrasted only by her honey-yellow eyes.

"Oh?" The alteria frowned. "That a new recruit?"

Stratus nodded. "Cumulus. Could you wake up Ash? I'd rather not get slapped by his tail again." He rubbed his cream-colored cheeks. "Last time I almost needed stitches."

Cumulus sighed and flapped herself aloft. "Fine." She craned her neck downward, nearly pecking at the raichu's forehead fluff. "But you're making breakfast." She huffed and fluttered over to the hammock to attend to the flygon.

"Goodness." The azumarill nearly jumped awake from the ruckus. "Oh." She yawned. "Is it meetup time?"

"Welcome to the land of the living, Azura." Esuna teased the azumarill, earning a soft glare from her emerald-eyed friend.

"Ugh. Come on." Cumulus nudged the flygon to no avail. "Ash! Wake up, ya lazy oaf!"

Stratus chuckled nervously, folding his paws politely and nodding my way. "Sorry about them, Eve. Esuna's usually here earlier, and we're a bit of a…wild bunch."

"Never mind that." Esuna waved off the raichu's concerns. "Most if you are awake. I counts." She giggled. "More importantly, I need a favor." She glanced at Mist. "Mist. You know shadow ball right?"

The vaporeon scoffed. "Of course I do! That's child's play." She titled her head. "Why?"

"Eve here needs to learn it. Guildmaster's orders." The ruby-eyed vulpix nudged my side. "Even more pressing, our newbie here doesn't have any moves. It'll be on me if she doesn't learn any. Think you can help?"

Mist stretched and leapt from the bed. "Well, let's see." She padded for the couch and gave my pelt a quick sniff. "I smell potential! Why not?"

"Smell?" I frowned. "I'm pretty sure that's the conditioner I use."

"Oh? Is that how you're so fluffy?" She shrugged. "Whatever!" She puffed her chest out proudly. "By the time I'm done with you, that fluff will be a deadly weapon!"

Esuna raised her paws defensively. "Maybe let's start with the move before making anyone a weapon." She chuckled.

Mist lowered her lips into a pout. "Oh fine!" She sighed. "But I'm training the newbie. No one else."

"Speaking of newbies." Stratus cut in. "I heard a few of you had a run in with a criminal out in the forest. Some zorua calling himself Nexus, so I heard." The raichu plopped down on the floor, resting his back against the bed. "Not a lot of info is being passed around on that front, but I heard something about a mew. Got any deets?"

"Uhh…" I bit my lip, unsure of how much I should let slip about Lisa.

"It's okay if you don't wanna tell." Stratus raised his paws. "But we're a tight-knit group. Gossip may come into this room, but none of it escapes."

"Right." I nodded. "Well, I'd rather ask her first is all." I shook my head. "I don't think it's my place to start talking about it."

"So there is a mew!" Mist exclaimed. "Oh, I'll bet she's adorable. I heard mews are like, really cute, even though they're legendaries."

Stratus cackled heartily. "Don't worry, she won't blab about it." He reassured. "The mist she'll do is beg to meet the little one." He shrugged. "In any case, did Evelyn tell you lot about the time gear situation?"

Cumulus groaned. "Geez, don't remind me. I have first shift tonight with this lazy lump." She continued to pester the flygon.

Stratus nodded. "Right, well. Bet you didn't know the real juicy part. Supposedly, Evelyn's looking for promising recruits to join some other guild in their expedition sometime soon, but ya didn't hear that from me." He winked. "In other words, learn fast!"

"Another guild?" I sat up straight. "Like, a real famous one?"

"That seems to be the case." Mirage nodded. "Or so goes the usual off-the-clock chatter." The togetic shook his head. "Try not to get yourself wrapped up in the rumors. I personally would get acquainted with my seniors before even attempting such a trip."

Stratus cast a daring look at his friend. "Well well. Maybe that's why our team ranks above yours." He snickered to himself.

Mirage rolled his eyes. "Had I any care for rank, I wouldn't have partnered with a healer." He paused, then glanced apologetically at Azura. "My apologies, Azzy. The work of a healer should never be taken for granted."

Azura flicked her tail dismissively. "Don't be so critical of yourself, Mirage. You're fine." She glanced my way. "Nice to meet you, by the way." She flashed a wholesome smile. Cumulus simply waved, her efforts still remaining unfruitful.

"In any case." Stratus laid back. "While we wait for Ash, how about we get the vixen to perform, eh?" He chuckled.

Esuna smirked in return. "I'd rather my singing not put you to sleep." She shrugged. "Buuut, I'm sure Eve wouldn't mind hearing a little about you all. I'm sure she's never seen a raichu quite like you, Stratus."

Stratus blinked, as if the comment hadn't quite registered. "Right." He chuckled. "Well, I suppose we're due for a proper introduction. It'll be a ling one though." He called over his shoulder to Mirage. "That means you too, Mirage."

"I'm well aware. Perhaps you should prepare yourself." He smiled in satisfaction. "In fact, we should start with you. Since you're so daring today."

Stratus paused, as if caught off guard. "Erm…right." He sighed. "Get comfy then." He grinned. "This is gonna be a long one."