Hello everyone, and welcome. So, in advance of this I apologize for the accent I introduced, I wanted it to sound truly authentic and I may have gone a weensy bit overboard. Ah beans, anyway, please review and let me know what you all think!

Chapter 3

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"LIZA" The shout came from the top of the stairs and echoed throughout the hall into the room the group was currently sitting in. Duncan stormed into the room, eyes red with comedic rage. He looked as though he just endured torture.

Liza grinned innocently. "Heyyyy baby bro." She sweetly replied. "How was your bestie?"

Todd and Kameron snickered at Duncan's expense while Bendy just sighed in exasperation. Erin sweatdropped at the siblings' antics.

"He called me his little pride and joy. How do I respond to that? I don't have the social skills to know how to respond to that." He yelled, pointing his finger at his sister. Everyone in the room laughed at his expense, getting the Lycanroc even angrier.

"THAT DOES IT!" His emotions high, he tackled his sister across the table, knocking over a few items that were sat upon it. They wrestled on the ground once more, sparks and stones flying out of it.

Todd looked at Bendy in excitement. "Hey, we should wrestle as well." He said, jumping up and down.

Bendy glared at the Rhydon. "You touch me and I will poison you into next week." He growled. A moment of silence passed between the two before Todd very dramatically threw his arms in the air and tackled the unsuspecting Drapion.

"I WILL NOT BE IGNORED!"

Caught off guard by the much heavier Rhydon, Bendy was crushed into the ground as Todd tried desperately to put him in a headlock. True to his name, however, Bendy bent his way out of Todd's grasp and wormed his way around, beating Todd over the head with his sharp tail in aggravation. Todd, in return, grabbed it and tossed the Drapion across the room. Although he was now comically flexing in victory, drunk with power, Erin was impressed by the sheer strength in the Rhydon.

She backed towards the pool, sweat dropping as once again there was violence.

"Um, should we stop them?" She asked Kameron, who seemed intrigued yet unsurprised by the situation unfolding in front of them.

Kameron waved her off. "Aw, honey, don't worry about that!" He told her reassuringly. "This happens all the time when Guildmaster Finnegan and Paulson aren't here to keep everyone peaceful. Don't worry, no one's died yet!"

As he said that, the four got up and faced each other across the room. Todd and Duncan were on one side of the room, comedic rage in both of their faces.

Duncan stomped one paw into the ground, causing light blue stone pillars to appear out of the ground. His body started to faintly glow red. "IT'S TIME FOR PAYBACK SPARK-BUTT!"

Liza's fangs grew yellow, and sparks of electricity flew around them. "BRING IT YOU SCRAWNY PUP!"

Todd raised his tail, getting ready to stomp the ground. "BENDY YOU WILL RESPECT MEEEEEE!"

Bendy crossed his arms above his head as his claws began to grow purple. "I'LL DISSECT YOU""

Kameron started to sweat drop. "Okay…. you might want to back up now." He told her as he himself started to submerge himself a little bit.

Duncan flung the pillars at his sister. "STONE EDGE!"

Liza dashed forward, sparks flying everywhere. "THUNDER FANG!"

Drapion slashed his attack in an "X" formation. "CROSS POISON!"

Todd slammed his tail into the ground, causing a tremor that shook everyone in the room. "EARTHQUAKE!" Everyone was knocked off their feet as the vibrations cracked the walls a little bit. Erin feared the room would cave in.

"WILL YE AH'LL QUIT YA YAHPPIN!" A thick, slurred Irish accent spoke before a door slammed open on the other side of the room. A Bisharp stumbled his way into the room and propped himself up with an arm. The tips of the mustache were rusted, and his tired eyes showed his age, although Erin and most residents of Peridot City knew the elderly yet powerful Guildmaster by face. Considered among the most powerful across the seven guilds, Guildmaster Finnegan was also one of the oldest, serving as the Guildmaster of the Peridot City guild when it was founded, 22 years ago despite already being in his thirties when he did.

As a child, Erin admired him and the stories she'd read and watched on his numerous missions, as well. And yet….

Is..is he drunk?

The others were too invested in rage and a vein popped in his head. "AYE, WHAT DID I JUS TELL YA?!" He suddenly disappeared from Erin's vision. However, all four of the hostile Pokemon were suddenly struck upon the head, all flailing into a new hole beneath them.

Erin blinked in astonishment. "H-how did he?"

Kameron also blinked. "You get used to it. I mean, you can't exactly stop it. But you get a little closer every time."

Guildmaster Finnegan huffed as he drank a little more, now in front of Erin. "Sorry bout ah." He

muttered, sitting down and crossing his leg. "Erin Win'ers, ye?"

Erin, awestruck, bowed her head. "Y-yes, sir." peeking up, she saw too distinct nicks on Guildmaster Finnegan's golden blade that protruded from his head.

He eyed her up and down, almost as if calculating. "No a par'icularly intimida'in one, are ye?" He sounded disappointed almost, and Erin's heart dropped. Before she could speak up, the other four got up slowly, clutching their heads.

Guildmaster Finnegan's voice rose. "An wha's with de lot of ya? Damagin me walls and floor, who pays for the all tha,you think?" His thick accent merged with the slur made him almost impossible to discern. However, the message was clear.

Liza glanced away. "Oh…what wall? I don't see any walls here…" She trailed off. Her ears flattened in comedic fear as Guildmaster Finnegan's drunk gaze stared her down.

"Yer cleanin tha after ye mission." He ordered, causing Liza to shrink.

She wasn't the recipient of his anger for long though. "An wha do ye think yer doing lad?" His wrath turns toward Todd, who was trying and failing to hide his massive frame behind one of the small chairs. "We've alked abou usin yer Earthquake un'eneath the ground. Did ya forge de incident wih de excorcism?"

"You're probably going to need context for that later." Duncan noted to Erin.

With the situation settling down, Liza spoke up. "I'm assuming your meeting with creepy pants didn't go over well." She noted.

Gulildmaster Finnegan took a swig. "Apparen'ly dey ain considerin Thorn a 5-S'ar level threa' ye'." He grumbled.

Liza's ears flattened in annoyance. "Nine dead and not a clue of his whereabouts and we can't get more help." She hissed.

"O' but the Opal City Guild can ge another twenty. '' Guildmaster Finnegan muttered drunkenly.

Erin listened patiently. Opal City was a city located far away and was up and away the biggest of the seven capital cities in the country. While never being able to go herself, The Opal City Guild was also pretty famous for its immense size, strong members and their Guildmaster, Yu Kong, who like Guildmaster Finnegan, was a founding member and considered THE strongest among the seven guilds.

Bendy, who silently remained a little distant, resumed his serious demeanor. "Even as a four-star level threat, you'd think we'd see a little more." He turned his head to a wall behind him and Erin saw posters scattered on it. Various posters with various amounts of gold stars attached to it.

Guildmaster Finnegan huffed, seeming surprisingly sober. "Regardless… Felix, can ye make yer way to S'ormdrain Village?" He asked.

"Isn't that where Paulson and the other new guy were headed towards?" Bendy asked.

Guildmaster Finnegan nodded. "Aye, he never called this mornin. No' unusual, bu' I'd rather have tha' checked ou' with tha bloke Thorn runnin amok. I'll be headin to Sapphyra Village closer to de Amethys' Ci'y border." He replied.

"You don't think he met with Thorn, do you?" Erin asked, which to her surprise caused everyone besides Bendy and Finnegan to laugh.

Todd placed his hands on his hips. "Don't worry yourself, Erin Outside of myself and Guildmaster Finnegan, Paulson is the strongest guy we got here." Flexing his arms in exaggeration, returned his attention to his boss. "Speaking of which, sir, what super mission do you have for me today? 4 Star? 5 Star? Saving the world?"

"Ah, ye….You go trash du'y, lad." Guildmaster Finnegan replied.

Undeterred, Todd threw his arms up in almost a victory pose. "I WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN SIR!" At full speed, Todd blasted through the doors leading upstairs, knocking both off their hinges and crushing them under his size.

Guildmaster Finnegan huffed. "I pray fer de work ou'pu he'd have if tha head weren' so full of rocks." He pondered before turning to Bendy. "Felix, 'ake him with ye, when he's done. I'd rather no have another inciden' like de necromancer's bap'ism."

"That one is definitely going to need context." Duncan again muttered to Erin.

"What the hell happens here?" She cried in confusion.

Guildmaster Finnegan turned his attention to her. "Ah, our news' recrui'." He said, almost like he forgot meeting her just seconds ago. He looked at her and seemed to think. "Liza, ake her with you to see wha' she has. There's a level two mission that jus' came in this mornin." Heading to the wall, he pulled off a tan piece of paper that had writing on it, handing it to Liza. "I wan' ya ' to wa'ch. No' join unless it becomes o ma'er of life or death."

Turning to Erin as almost to read her expression, he continued, his tone dropping. "Lass….I read yer paperwork this mornin. As ye know, you had to go through a 'rainin program to ge' accep'ed in here." Erin's heart sank as she realized what he was saying. To make matters worse, he walked towards her, his presence strong as he towered over her. "Unsurprisin'ly for a S'age one'r, you tested very poorly in you combat skills, passin' by jus' de skin of ye 'eeth. Even agains' somethin' this tame, I'm probably sendin you along your death sen'ence"

Erin wanted to melt into the ground under the Guildmaster's cold stare, as well as the unwanted attention of her guildmembers. Yes, she was well away that while she was strong, in this world she was at the bottom of the pool. Yet, it hurt to hear her childhood hero say it aloud.

"So 'ell me, will ye?" Guildmaster Finnegan asked. "Why are you here, as someone so weak? Wha' will ye be preparin' to sacrifice, for de safe'y of s'rangers dat will ha'e ye de second ye muk up?"

Realization hit Erin like a train as Guildmaster Finnegan's words pierced her like a thorn. Understanding his concern, she stopped trembling, straightened up and met her new Guildmaster in the eyes, seeing his unwavering stare right back.

"I want to save one Pokemon." She said simply. A momentary flash of confusion flashed in Guildmaster Finnegan's eyes and Erin continued. "If I can save one Pokemon, that means I can save another. And so on. Until it becomes one I can't keep track of anymore, and I find my own potential."

"Even if i' means ye life?"

"I won't get the answer asking it in my own head every day. I have to take action, so I'm not left still wondering when I'm too old to do anything." Erin replied. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Liza give her a look of approval while Duncan sighed a sigh of relief. Even Bendy looked slightly impressed.

…slighty. "I would hope they didn't pass someone who wasn't ready to die." He muttered, destroying the mood, making Erin fall back at the sudden cut in.

Guildmaster Finnegan had stepped back and returned to his bottle. "Braver than de other new recrui'. Nearly we' himself when I brough' up death." He said, smiling. "S'ill…well pu', lass. Make us proud, yeah?"

Elated, Erin nearly jumped in excitement. "Yes, sir!"

"An' Duncan." Duncan perked up. "Ye go de day off 'oday, lad. I's gonna rain 'oday, so you'll be up and useless."

Sighing, Duncan shrugged. "Sure, gives me time to game."

Liza suddenly smirked. "You know, we could get the place fixed up faster if you had him do it today."

"Aye, she go' a poin'. Lad, fix up de walls, will ye?"

"I"M GONNA SHRED YOU, YOU-" He was silenced as Guildmaster Finnegan dropped a big load of wood and tools, Erin not sure how he suddenly had said equipment so quickly, on him.

Liza gave Erin an innocent work as she picked up the paper in her mouth. "Let's get going, shall we then, bestie?" She asked her. "We'll read it more on the way and get you geared up. Looks like it's going to be in a mountain so we will need some GuildTech."

Bendy and Guildmaster Finnegan had begun to leave, Kameron swam back into the water and Erin could still hear Todd on a rampage cleaning the trash as fast as he could.

With Liza signaling to follow her, she complied- excitedly and, admittedly, uncertainly- as they headed towards the opposite door that led to a narrower stone hallway with rooms evenly adjacent on each side. With her heart prickling deliciously at the prospect of her first mission in the guild, she closely followed her guild mate.