It's a Pokemon world ch2 - Welcome to Bounty
"Speech."
'Thought.'
Amp-Up Farm - Bounty
In a large rounded hut made of wood and straw, there was a tall bipedal yellow Pokemon sitting at a rustic wooden table, crying.
It had black stripes on its cone-shaped ears, neck, and tail, complete with a red orb on its tail that matched the one on its forehead and flipper-like arms.
This Pokemon was an Ampharos the third and final evolved form of the Mareep line.
And it was distraught, "I don't know where he is, I told him not to play near the forest. Oh Arceus, there's ferals and wild Mons in there."
"Don't worry mum we'll get him back, right Snivy?" A Flaaffy spoke with a quiet determination burning in their eyes.
Flaaffy is the middle evolution of the Mareep line, it's a pink, bipedal, Pokemon. It has thick, conical ears with black stripes on the sides of its head and small, blue eyes. A white mane of wool covers its head and part of its upper body. It has stubby arms with one nail on each foot, along with a long tail with black stripes and a blue orb at the end of its tail.
"Absolutely, t'is a noble's duty, to help those weaker than themselves, I shall not rest, until your son is found," The Snivy responded bombastically raising its head high and puffing out its chest. However, it too was more subdued than normal, given the recent news.
Snivy are a bipedal, reptilian-looking Pokemon slender in build save for a three-pronged maple leaf-shaped tail. It was mostly green save for its cream underside and a yellow stripe running down its back and a stripe of yellow above its brown eyes. Lastly, it had two curved yellow structures that somewhat resembled thin leaves that protruded from its shoulders and bent backward.
"Absolutely not girls! I'm getting a Rescue Team from town, I'm not losing you two as well!" She commanded teary-eyed.
"B-but, mum there isn't time, and we ARE a Rescue Team, we have to try" The Flaaffy begged her mother, scared for her little brother.
"Indeed Miss Amp, we shall prevail," The little Snivy grinned and presented a Rookie Rank Rescue Team badge in the shape of an egg with wings, all covered in a light orange.
"Absolutely not, girls, anyone can send for those badges, did either of you even bother to register? Never mind that, The Firebrand pack is in those woods. Now you two are coming with me to town, while I hire a Rescue Team, so I know you two aren't doing something stupid," She wiped her wet eyes and sniffed.
"I'm sorry, Miss Amp, but we aren't children anymore, and I will not leave Mareep alone out there a second longer. Come, Flaaffy," The Snivy, however, was stubborn and belonged to the Pokemon line that evolved into Serperior, the Regal Pokémon, truly believing in her nobility. So naturally, she wholeheartedly believed in noblesse oblige.
Therefore, it was her duty to look after those less fortunate than her.
'I shan't abandon my sister-in-arms sibling to those beasts, no matter the risk,' She marched determinedly toward the exit of the little cottage, on her short legs. As Flaaffy, after a moment of hesitation, and warring with her mother's wishes, followed.
"GIRLS, NO!" Was all panicking mother could get out when her son, rather suddenly, returned, bursting through the cottage entrance.
"Muuuum, I'm home!" Mareep called, happy and hearty but messy and a little singed.
""MAREEP!"" The Mother and Sister rushed forward, practically smothering the little lamb in dual hugs.
Said lamb giggling happily at the embrace.
"Oh, my dear, look at you, are you okay!?" Amp looked her son over til she was sure he wasn't in danger, 'Oh thank you Arceus.'
"Indeed young Mareep, please tell us of your daring escape," Snivy was relieved in her own way, it was more than obvious that he had been attacked.
"OH!" He perked up, "Mister Growlithe beat them up, right Mister Growlithe?"
Mister Growlithe?
A grunt came from the entryway where all four Pokemon were now looking at a bloody and savaged Growlithe, with a bloody paw held aloft and a mangled snout.
"That's one word for it, kid," The Growlithe winced at his own words, he had been correct before. Now the adrenalin had faded, well, 'Ohhh, yeah, that hurts.'
"Don't suppose you have any bandages?" He asked rather politely for someone covered in blood.
Several things happen at once.
"Ah, hang on!" Flaaffy took off deeper into the house looking for bandages.
While her Mother began fretting over the wounded Pokemon, both were trying to help him but afraid to touch him due to his wounds.
Snivy, however, was an avid reader of heroic books and tales, and as such? Well, she was far more focused on what he had done, 'Such injuries and still standing, like a true knight should, saving children and beating back evil.'
She shot a wide grin at the wounded Growlithe, "Ha-ha well met, are you a knight of the realm?"
The Growlithe blinked in befuddlement for a moment at the question, 'Oh great, a Chuunibyo.'
Quickly translating the sentence, he responded, "Err, if that means: Do I beat up criminals? Then yeah, I guess?"
"Excellent, a comrade in arms!" The Snivy grinned.
"Ah, I've got them, don't die!" Speaking of, another comrade of Snivys had returned with cloth in hoof.
"Quick, get them on!" Miss Amp assisted her daughter, quickly applying the bandages.
And just as quickly, they turned the poor fire type into a bandage Mummy.
"See, Mister Growlithe I told you they were great," Mareep cheered.
"UMMMMMM!" Was his response, which roughly translated to, 'Get these bandages off my muzzle!'
"Quickly, we need to get him to Bliss," The Ampharos, then proceeded to pick up the now wiggling fire-type, who was currently doing his level best trying to breathe.
"Flaaffy, get your brother," Miss Amp commanded.
"Aww, mum," He complained as his sister grabbed him.
"No buts!" She headed out the door, as Flaaffy dragged her brother out with them.
Snivy followed at a more sedate pace looking at her Rescue Team badge, 'I wonder?'
The In-Bliss Clinic - Bounty
"What in Sam Hill happened to you darlin?" A Blissey asked, as she corrected the makeshift, not to mention hazardous, first aid that had been applied to the poor canine.
Blissey are a large bipedal egg-shaped Pokemon, with a pink top half and white bottom half with an egg pouch complete with an egg center mass. And frills like a tiny ballerina skirt, with wing-like protrusions on her arms. They were also an all-female species of Pokemon.
"He beat up the Houndour's!" The kid yelled excitedly before the Growlithe could open his sore muzzle.
The Blissey sighed, "Inside voice, young'en."
The young Mareep grinned sheepishly at the gentle chastising, "Sorry, Miss Bliss."
"W-wait Houndour'(s) as in more than one," Miss Amp squeaked out.
The little lamb smiled and spoke quietly, though no less energetically, "Uh-huh, two of 'em were chasing me, they wanted to eat me."
Only a sentence in and his poor mother let out a sound that cannot be described, though pure horror is close, so we'll go with that.
As did his sister for that mater, though something far darker gleamed in the Snivy's eyes.
'Beasts,' Her mind hissed.
"And then, I fell," The boy obviously had a flare for the dramatic and was enjoying the attention he had garnered.
"And then Mister Growlithe appeared, and he was like, wha-pa, crash: Not today mutts," He dropped his voice to sound deeper like Growlithe's. If you looked closely you could see a small flattered, but embarrassed, red blush under his orange coat.
Even if that's not exactly what he'd said, it was close enough for this.
"And then the girl one was like: This is ours, but if you let us eat him, you can go," Again, close enough.
At this point, the mother, and sister of the boy were practically hyperventilating.
The Snivy's nose wrinkled in disgust, 'The mere thought of trying to get a knight to leave their charge, disgusting fools.'
"Then Mister Growlithe goes, he goes: Leave or I break you," That was actually pretty close to what had been said. He'd even deepened his voice again, it was adorable.
And why did his mother and sister sigh in relief when the two Mons in question were in this room?
Mostly because it was harrowing to know what their youngest family member had gone through, and they were reacting accordingly.
"And then Mister Growlithe was like, ya can't touch me, woosh, then he was like, wham, punching and kicking. Then, then, one of the wild ones jumped him, and she pushed him down and tried to get on top of him," Cue blushing and sniggering at the implication, as the youngster continued.
Ah, the naivety of youth.
"And Mister Growlithe was like, nope, and pulled her down," Cue more blushing as Snivy actively chuckled at the innocent Mareep's phrasing.
"Then he got over her and goes: Had enough?" Oh, wow, out of context this whole part is a little... suspect.
Speaking of Growlithe, he was currently trying to bury his face in the hay pile he was lying on, though quickly aborted due to his injury. This was due, in no small part, to the medic immediately pulling him back with a sharp glare.
"So then the guy one tries to attack, and Mister Growlithe is like, punch, punch, punnnnch, and then the guy was asleep," He cheered, mimicking several strikes.
Much to the relief and amusement of those present.
"And then the girl got him down again, and got on top of him," The kid said innocently.
Cue blushing and chuckling.
Except for the Firedog who was currently trying to pretend he didn't exist, due to embarrassment, and was now attempting a new tactic in lieu of trying to cover his injured face, 'If I try reallllly hard I could, probably, hold my breath till I pass out.'
Spoiler, he couldn't.
"And then she bit him on the face, like, roar, crunch!" And that changed the mood of the room fast, most of them almost wincing at the sound effect.
Though, again, Snivy was of a different mind, 'Please that wouldn't stop a true knight.'
"But Mister Growlithe kicked her off of him," The child continued.
'Of course,' Snivy confirmed with a nod to herself.
"Then she was like, wow you're a strong Fire type, join us, and we can eat him together, MWHAHA," The kid gave an amusing evil cackle.
The mother twitched at her son's nonchalantness toward almost being eaten, while his sister gasped.
Snivy growled this time.
The little boy smiled wide and his eyes sparkled, "So Mister Growlithe grinned and told her: I'd say bite me, but you already did that, so get lost."
He sniggered in amusement, getting it word-for-word this time.
Growlithe groaned through his closed maw, much to the room's amusement.
And the boy's mother apparently had her son's humor, chucking along lightly, perhaps to mask her fear?
Flaaffy shook her head and let out a huff of irritation at the bad joke, 'Please, not another one.'
Okay, no, Amp just had a bad sense of humor.
While the Snivy puffed up in pride, 'Indeed, only the truly strong willed look for light and humor in the darkness.'
But it didn't last long as the boy continued, "Then she was all: I'll take you anyway, and you can keep my nest warm. Which is weird coz she's a Fire type."
Oh, you sweet innocent child.
Amp wasn't as affected as the other younger two Pokemon, she was still disgusted, but cocked her head in curiosity looking the Fire type over, 'It's been a while, I can see it. But he's not really my type, that and the age gap.'
Her daughter however more than made up for this lack of reaction by turning scarlet, 'O-Oh wow, from enemies to lovers, she'd take him back ,and he'd take control of the pack with his long-'
Whoooa hold on there, let's keep this PG, what the hell?
Yeah, she has her own problems.
Snivy's reaction was the most expressive, hissing at the implication, 'That wild BEAST, how dare IT.'
"Worry not Sir Knight, I shan't let such a she-beast evade punishment for this, allow me to defend your honor," The Grass type declared.
Growlithe just groaned and rolled his eyes, "My honor's fine, but thank you, err, sir knight."
His maw burned from the injury, apparently being a Fire type didn't protect you from that.
"Keep ya mouth shut, bucko," Bliss chastised him. She might have been too busy tending him to react to Mareep's story, but she was still listening.
The canine sighed, but nodded in consent.
Snivy deflated slightly but was quite pleased at being called a fellow knight, 'Very well, I suppose every knight should be allowed to defend their own honor first.'
"Umm," The little boy regained the room's attention, "So, yeah, anyway, then she hit him with a fireball!"
For the record that was an Incinerate.
"Volume, Young'un," Bliss scolded.
"Ah, right, so then, she bites him and tries to drag him off," Mareep continued.
Growlithe pondered at that, then shivered in horror at the thought, 'Ohhhh, that's what she was doing... well, that's not good.'
He hadn't realized in the moment, too busy fighting.
""WHAT!"" That was Snivy and Flaaffy, for entirely different reasons, and in entirely different tones.
"Yeah," The boy agreed, though not really understanding, "But Mister Growlithe was, like, nu-uh, I can do fire too, and bit her neck till she went to sleep too."
'Oh, thank goodness,' Snivy immediately relaxed.
"And then we came home. The end," He grinned, happy his story had gone well.
"I see, well then, thank you Growlithe, for protecting my little boy," She bowed.
"It's fine, couldn't just leave him there," He winced as his wound pulled across his muzzle.
"What'd I tell you? Keep that maw o'yours shut, and keep it shut, or I'll make you, it needs ta heal," Bliss glared.
The fire dog deflated, 'Yes, yes she had told him.'
"And you, young'un, you'll be alright, burns ain't too bad, just keep'em clean while ya wool regrows, and you're cleared ta head home," She told him.
"Yes! Wait, what about Mister Growlithe?" Mareep's face grew worried.
"Ah, he's a tough one, no need to worry darlin, just need to keep 'im overnight and he'll be right as rain," The Blissey told him gently.
Growlithe pressed X to doubt.
"Really? Okay! See you tomorrow Mister Growlithe," His grin was massive, and his mother didn't have the heart to tell him no.
The Growlithe waved him off with his good paw, as the little one's mother escorted him out.
"Yes, quite, as shall we, come Flaaffy," Snivy ran out the room, before a large vine re-entered and wrapped around the still-processing Flaaffy.
"Oh-no, wait, Snivyyyy-" She was cut off as she was lifted and yanked out of the room.
Growlithe cocked his head to the side and very slowly blinked, 'Huh, well, that's different.'
"Ahhhh, You'll get used ta that," Bliss commented.
'Oh, I hope not,' The human in him was already in crisis, he didn't need this.
Pelipper post office - Bounty
"Snivyyyyy, put me dowwwn!" Flaaffy yelled, from where she was held aloft by her friend's Vine Whip.
"Hold my dear sister-in-arms, I have a plan," The grass-type Snivy exclaimed.
"Oh-no, plan? What plan!?" The pink electric Ovis Pokemon had stilled and paled.
Her mind going back to her friend's other 'plans' with a shudder.
Her mind flashed back:
'Snivy, you can't collect Wild voltorbs for us to use.'
'Snivy, don't use honey to attract Wild Pokemon for practice!'
'Snivy, stop eating rocks they won't help you evolve!'
'Snivy, stop using Magical Leaf on yourself to practice your Vine Whip.'
'Snivy, you don't know how to build a base, stop cutting down trees, wait look out.'
She shuddered once more, so many trips to the clinic.
"Noooo," The secondary evolution groaned out.
"Nonsense Flaaffy, ah, we're here," Snivy stopped and placed her friend down outside the Post Office.
The building was made from wood, but shaped, painted, and styled to look like a gigantic Pelipper.
A pelican bird-like Pokemon with an extended membrane on their lower beak, white feathers, light blue crest, and flight feathers, along with webbed feet.
"Ohhh, please tell me we aren't going to try and petition an Explorer Guild for help again, Wigglytuff's guild already sent a cease and desist," Flaaffy groaned.
'To be fair it HAD been one of her better plans. Ask for aid against The Firebrand pack, and provide payment in Monpower,' The electric type felt her faith in Pokemon kind waiver that day. The day a letter had arrived from the guild's second, a Chatot, that basically told them; sorry but you're on your own.
Bounty wasn't a wealthy town, not anymore. Sure, it was fertile and good for farming food, as well as medicinal herbs, but all that fertile soil also meant plentiful forests, which unfortunately attracted ferals and wild Pokemon. This disrupted trade and, worse, the formation of large packs which completely stopped trade. They harassed convoys, visitors, and dissuaded new residents.
As if that wasn't enough, all the energy in the area fluctuated because of all the extra energy from the wild Pokemon, and now there were Mystery Dungeons popping up left, right, and center.
"Of course not, I've learned my lesson. They don't care unless it's for money or fame," Snivy scoffed, and worryingly her eyes dulled.
Flaaffy winced at her friend's words, 'After The Firebrand had attacked the town, she was never the same. None of us were.'
The secondary evolution shook her head, banishing the dark thoughts and lingering memories from her mind.
"No, Flaaffy, your mother was correct. We haven't re-registered our Rescue Team since we found out about that time limit all those years ago, t'is time to correct that," The Grass lizard pointed at the Pelipper post office, one of the only ways to get information in and out of town.
"Well, we did get that badge when we were still children, Snivy, it's to be expected. But does it matter? Mum was right, what could we actually DO anyway? If that Growlithe hadn't been around, Mareep would be dead. We were too slow," Flaaffy was downcast looking at her own feet, obviously affected by the thought of almost losing another member of her family.
Snivy's concern for her friend was evident, as her voice became gentle, "Flaaffy, the highest ranked Rescue Team in this town is The Bronze Rank- MonMon's and that is solely because they have so many members, do YOU think they would have helped us if we had asked?"
'Of course they wouldn't. Rescue teams were becoming more and more like gangs in town. They were looking out for themselves, and no amount of complaining to the main office would help. So long as they completed the minimum amount of missions for their rank and answered when called, then they were a Rescue Team. It was a disgrace to those who DID care and was giving our town a bad name, it wasn't right, it wasn't what they were meant to stand for. It's gotten to the point that a detective was sent to help Officer Magnezone with the crime rate,' She still thought that Pikachu was weird.
Flaaffy shook herself from her thoughts, and at the same time, in the negative at the question.
"Exactly, but if you heard a child had gone missing, even one you had never met, would you go looking for them?" The grass type questioned.
"YES! Of course I would!" The thought of leaving a child to die was, she couldn't do it.
"Exactly!" Snivy grinned, "That, that is what makes for a true Rescue Team. My dear sister-in-arms, when we were young, we wanted to be the best Rescue Team we could be, so we trained, we STILL train. Are you telling me that we did all of that for nothing?"
"No, I- well, it's just- we AREN'T strong Snivy," The wool Pokemon stressed.
"Maybe not compared to legends like Alakazam, but we are above average, all we lack is experience, are you saying we'd do a worse job than Team MonMon?" The grass snake class Pokemon smirked, already knowing the answer.
Team MonMon, while not as bad as others and arguably better than most, still wouldn't have left town to find a lost child. Others would have likely charged a premium while only saying they had looked. Worse still, SOME would have found him and demanded more, practically using him as a hostage, and Flaaffy knew it.
The pink ovis-like Pokemon fidgeted in place. She DID want to help Pokemon and make a positive difference in the world, maybe even free the town and be a hero lauded or unsung like in her books. But she didn't want to worry her mother either, or leave her family.
"It is time we stopped preparing and started doing, come my friend!" The Snivy offered her clawed leaf arm to her friend.
...
"Fine, but only because I know you'll go without me otherwise. Someone needs to keep you in check," Flaaffy huffed at her friend, and bumped her claw with her own hoof.
"Why, I never," The grass type sniffed in false indignation, but smiled as they entered the building together.
There weren't many Pokemon present in the office right now, which meant no lines to get things sent out.
This also meant the two Pokemon were able to walk right up to one of the Pelipper clerks.
"Good evening, brave messenger!" Snivy greeted in her usual style.
Flaaffy sighed at her friend's antics, still, she wasn't wrong this area was far from safe, even in the air.
This was easy to see as the older Pelipper turned to face them, his gular pouch under his beak showing a massive scar running the length, an obvious life-and-death injury.
"Good evening girls," The Pelipper greeted professionally, and while he would never admit it, happily. Very few acknowledged the dangerous work he and his did.
"Come to see if your new book's in Flaaffy?" He look over to the pink bipedal sheep.
"Is it?" She perked up.
"It is," He smirked slightly as he continued with the books title, "Hot Love in-"
"Abb-pppaaa-akk," The Mon made several strange noises in embarrassment, and gestures to stop.
Snivy rolled her eyes already aware of her sister's, in all but blood, strange reading habits.
"I- I'll pick it up later, that's not why we're here," Flaaffy redirected the conversation.
"Oh?" Now he was curious, because that meant this was likely one of Snivy's ideas, and those were always fun to see, less so to clean up.
"Indeed, brave messenger, we are here today to re-register our Rescue Team," She declared.
"I see," His response was hesitant, mostly because he actually liked these two, compared to some others trying to form Rescue Teams in resent years, these two actually cared. He'd been here long enough to watch them grow up into the Mons they were now after all.
Along with all the dangers that had sprung up, his scar burned at the reminder.
Still, he also knew trying to dissuade Snivy was basically impossible and led to far more destruction as she tried to get around any bans, "Well in that case you'll need these forms."
He placed several sheets of paper on the desk in two piles, as Snivy stared in horror.
"One for you, and one for you," He smiled at her horror, 'Hey you get your kicks where you can in this job.'
Snivy groaned, "Very well, we shall overcome this."
Flaaffy rolled her eyes.
"Erm, may we requisition another set?" Snivy inquired.
"Sure, if you make a mistake just come back here and I'll replace them," He chuckled.
"Ah, no, I meant papers for a new teammate," Snivy grinned, and Flaaffy's head snapped to her friend.
"A new teammate?" Pelipper's curiosity was peaked.
"Indeed, he's new in town," Was her reply.
"Wait, what? Snivy, no!" Flaaffy protested.
"Snivy, yes!" The little snake lizard grinned.
"Sorry to interrupt ladies, but we have a new arrival?" The forests were treacherous, so it was rare anyone would make it to town.
"Correct, a Growlithe saved Mareep in the forest and brought him back home," Snivy puffed up.
"He's injured Snivy," Flaaffy cut back in.
'Ah, that made more sense, had to be some of the scattered Wild Pokemon then, The Firebrand don't leave survivors,' He sighed.
Snivy scoffed, "Please, Bliss said he would be fine by tomorrow."
"You haven't even asked him," Flaaffy counted.
"And I shall, with papers in claw," Snivy re-counted.
"That doesn't mean he will, this isn't his home Snivy, maybe HE wants to go home," Flaaffy used to be much more positive in the past, it was sad seeing her like this.
Snivy went oddly serious, something she had done a lot of today, "He didn't have to save Mareep either, but he did, he's a good Mon, I know it."
Flaaffy sighed and looked conflicted.
"Tell me, if The Pack were to suddenly attack, right now, where would he be?" Snivy asked.
Flaaffy blanched at the thought, "In the clinic same place as now."
Flaaffy shuddered, but her thoughts turned bitter, 'He's wounded, of course he'd stay in the clinic.'
"Would he?' Snivy pressed, "He didn't know Mareep, and no one would have known if he had just ignored him. Instead he fought The Firebrand, what's more, he won and brought him home. I will ask again, where would he be."
Pelipper had to check his hearing, 'Did she just say someone had fought off The Pack? That wasn't possible there were too many, maybe scouts? Still, that took guts, everyone feared The Pack here and in the surrounding area. Not even water types could dislodge them.'
Flaaffy took a moment to think, 'Most of what I know about Growlithe is from Mareep, but Growlithe basically confirmed the story with his comments. He wasn't prideful, more so embarrassed and irritated that he was hurt at all.'
But her most prevalent memory was of first meeting him a few hours ago, watching as the Growlithe calmly asked for bandages without any panic, all while bleeding out and in significant, though obviously hidden, pain.
She had her answer, "On the street fighting."
Snivy grinned, "Far more likely protecting the clinic, but yes."
It would appear that both Snivy and Flaaffy had gained preconceived opinions on the injured Fire type, they weren't wrong per say, but the two were definitely applying misconceptions from other sources.
'Well now, isn't this interesting? Hmm, three is better than two and this one sounds like a decent Fire type,' Pelipper grabbed another set of papers.
"Well in that case you'll need these," He passed over another set of papers to Snivy causing her to grin.
"My thanks, brave messager," Her eyes sparkled in anticipation.
A/N: So yes it IS the same world as the games, hence the Wigglytuff guild, it should be noted that Chatot isn't being malicious here, only practical, considering distance, time, and realistically the very few teams that they would have up to such a standard to be able to actually deal with this situation. The short version is, there is very little they can do, but to the Pokemon that need the help, that comes off as abandonment.
Also of note is that this is a different species/culture so what might be strange to us is normal from the pokemons point of view. Snivy and Flaaffy already have personalities and pasts that are coloring their opinions on the main character, and his confusion and lack of understanding with this world won't help.