01 - 03
The late morning sun shines down on the three Pokemon sitting on the wide steps outside the guild building, who are having a discussion about their next mission.
"We're going to catch a criminal?!" the yellow Shinx asks in surprise.
"Mhmm," the Cyndaquil proudly confirms as she continues to adjust the straps of their other friend's bag. "There we go. Not too tight, is it?"
"It's fine," the white Vulpix says with a small smile.
"You guys are insane," the Shinx suddenly cuts in. "Can't we just go back to the forest and search for that treasure?"
The Cyndaquil shakes her head. "Shino, sometimes I wish I could show you that I'm rolling my eyes."
"You both are crazy," Shino says. "Please tell me you guys are joking about this."
"Sheesh, relax. I made sure to pick a weakling that the higher ranks won't bother accepting."
"A criminal is still a criminal, Cindy," Shino angrily says.
"Pfft," Cindy dismisses her friend's concern. "Just think of them as a wild and you'll be fine." A pause. "Speaking of which, how's our friend, Vixie?"
Vixie shakes her head. "He's gone."
Cindy pauses. "...he's dead?"
"No!" Vixie says in surprise.
Shino rolls his eyes. "So they took him away. Told you he was a wild. Remember the bet—"
"No, I mean," Vixie shakes her head once again and looks at her two friends. "I went to go check on him. Chime says he's not wild, but he woke up and just left after she made him sign some papers."
"Rude," Cindy says. "Didn't even left a thank you message to his rescuers?"
The Vulpix shakes her head.
"Did he at least leave some reward money for us?" the Cyndaquil asks.
Vixie rolls her eyes and shakes her head.
"Tsk, eh, whatever." Cindy shrugs. "You at least checked if us rescuing him added points to our rank?"
The Vulpix sighs and nods her head.
"Really? Sweet!" the Cyndaquil cheers.
"He did sign the rescued form, after all."
"Yeah but he didn't leave a reward money?"
Vixie frowns at her. "I'm starting to think you guys only care about the money and fame."
The Cyndaquil is about to retort when something catches her attention.
Three other Pokémon exits the guild, talking among themselves as they walk down the steps.
With a sly smile, Cindy grabs Vixie's attention, who was discussing the mission with Shino. "I spy with my two little eyes something orange."
Vixie blinks. "Huh?" She then looks at what her friend is looking at, and her white furred cheeks quickly turn red.
"What's going on?" Shino blinks and notices what's up. "Ah, him again." He smiles and pats his infatuated friend's shoulder. "You should totally go and tell him, Vixie."
The Vulpix looks away. "I... I-I, you guys know I can't do that."
"Either you do it or we will," Shino teases, receiving a shy glare from her.
"Oh, for Arceus' sake..." Cindy sighs in frustration as she grabs her friend's ear with her paw and starts dragging the yelping Vulpix towards them, leaving the chuckling Shinx behind.
"Ow ow ow! Cindy, ow! Please please please don't do this!"
The Cyndaquil ignores her as she continues dragging her begging friend towards the Growlithe whose having a lively conversation with his two companions.
Looking up, the Blitzle notices the two approaching females. "Heads up," she says, and her two other friends turn to the new arrivals.
"Hello, Team NGB," Cindy says as she let's go of her friend's ear. "Out to rescue another Pokémon in need?"
The Growlithe smiles a very wide smile and barks an affirmative. "You know it!" He extends a paw and Cindy playfully punches it with her own. "I heard you guys are going after a wanted Pokémon?"
"Yep," Cindy confirms as she quickly grabs one of her friend's white, curly tails to prevent her from running away.
The Nincada gasps. "Wait, really? I thought that was just a joke!"
"I wish it was," Vixie sighs. "And please let go of me."
"We're just about to head out," Cindy quickly says as she spins her nervous friend to face the other team. "But my lovely but shy friend wanted to say something first before we left."
The Blitzle furrows her brows. "Oh?" she asks.
The Nincada blinks.
The Growlithe tilts his head to the side. "Really? Doesn't look like it."
Blushing furiously, Vixie hangs her head down as she glares at her friend. "Cindy...!"
"Oh!" the Cyndaquil suddenly exclaims. "What was that? I think I heard our dear leader calling my name."
The Growlithe blinks at her. "Really? I didn't hear anyt—"
The Cyndaquil quickly turns around and leaves. "Good luck with your rescue mission, guys!"
The four watch her leave.
The three then look at the Vulpix.
The Vulpix nervously hangs her head down.
The Growlithe blinks and looks back at his team.
The Blitzle sighs and shakes her head.
The Nincada shrugs.
"I-I should just leave," Vixie quietly says.
Frowning, the Growlithe looks back at the Vulpix. "But your friend said you wanted to say something?"
The bug-type then taps his electric-type friend. "We should probably leave them alone," he whispers.
Sighing once more, the Blitzle nods her head, and the two quietly leaves them alone.
The Nincada chuckles. "Hey, come on. Don't be like that."
"Mmm..." the Blitzle glares at him. "You and I both know she likes him."
"And you like him, too," the Nincada adds. "And how oblivious he is."
"Sometimes I think not even sex is gonna get the point across to him."
The two stop and look back at the fire- and ice-types.
The Blitzle sighs once again. "What are the chances she'll confess to him right there?"
"Very low," the Nincada quickly replies. "We both know how nervous she gets when she's around him. I'm honestly surprised she didn't just bolt right back to her friends."
The Blitzle nods her head. "Well, I'm not about to just stand here and let him go without a fight."
The Nincada looks at her. "You don't mean that literally, right?"
The Blitzle says nothing as she watches the two.
Meanwhile, the Growlithe has grown concerned. He sits down and holds the Vulpix's shoulder, making her violently shake. "What's wrong, Vixie?"
Her blush intensifies as she feels his warm, strong and gentle paw on her shoulder. As she try to come up with something to say, her eyes lock on his clear-view sheath and her imagination starts going wild.
"Vixie?" the Growlithe calls, his voice carrying a heavy hint of concern.
Closing her eyes, Vixie takes a very deep breath, holds it in, and let's it out.
Breathe in, and breathe out.
And she repeats the process for an unnecessary amount of time.
"Um..." the Growlithe awkwardly pulls his paw back.
Breathing out, she lifts her head and looks directly into his beautiful eyes. "I-" And then the words get stuck in her throat as a fierce blush once again appears on her cheeks.
The Shinx sighs. The Cyndaquil facepaws. The Nincada shakes his head. The Blitzle looks up at the sky.
"U-um, g-good luck?" the Vulpix stammers, and quickly runs back to her team, leaving the confused Growlithe blinking at her retreating form, oblivious to the groaning crowd they have gathered.
"Sorry, guys," one of them says as the crowd starts to disperse, while some hand a few coins to others. "Maybe next time."
Shrugging, the Growlithe cups his paws around his mouth and shouts, "good luck to you guys, too!" With a smile, he stands back up and catches up to his team.
"I hope you can feel my disappointment," the Cyndaquil says, shaking her head as the Shinx pats the tearful Vulpix.
"Eh," Shino shrugs. "You can try again when we return, Vixie."
The Vulpix sniffs. "Let's just get this mission over with."
"Excited, aren't we?" Cindy asks with a teasing smirk, and chuckles after receiving a tearful glare from the Vulpix.
"Cindy, hush," Shino dismisses his friend's teasing. "Walk by me, you two. We need to come up with a strategy to take this criminal down."
"Vixie will be our support still," Cindy says. "You're okay with that, right?"
The Vulpix slowly nods her head. "I...think I can do that."
"Right, okay," Shino nods his head. "Says in the mission request that this criminal's fast but I think I can match its speed, so," he turns to the Cyndaquil, "annoying as it is, I don't think I can take it down on my own."
"You could at least address her as a she," Vixie adds, trying to get her mind in the game.
Shino dismisses it with a shake of his head. "I'm trying to think of them as a wild."
"Heh, that's one of the things I like about you." Cindy smiles. "Always focusing on the mission." She shakes her head. "But don't underestimate yourself, Shino. That's my job."
Shino glares at her, making the fire-type laugh.
"Anyway, I'll charge up my speed while you enjoy your dance with our new lady friend," Cindy says, and punches his shoulder. "Make sure not to leave her dry like you did to me last night."
"I really hate you sometimes," Shino says, rolling his eyes. "But yeah, that's the gist of it." He turns to the Vulpix. "And Vixie should be our eyes and ears of the area in case there are things we aren't seeing while we're fighting."
Vixie nods her head as the trio approaches the eastern gates of the city.
Walking on the side of the cobblestone road, an Eevee wanders through the light traffic of many different Pokémon, ears slightly twitching to the many lively noise mixing in the air.
He shakes his head. "I'm never gonna get used to this," he says to himself, glaring up at his ears.
Soon, he sees the road take a sharp turn, inclined down to the lower part of the city. He stops and stares, and realizes that the city is divided in two bodies: the upper and lower parts, and quite literally as well, as the city is built on the side of a cliff near open water.
"Tabindagat," the Eevee whispers as his fur dances with the constant salty breeze. "Weird name for a city."
He looks around and notices that if he continues straight to the direction where he was heading, far ahead he'll reach the city's western gates, where the cobblestone road ends and an earthen path continues until trees obstruct the view.
Rarely any Pokémon go through the gate, it seems, making the area peaceful and quiet to his liking. He notices a lot of benches near the edge of the fenced cliff. He approaches the closest one, jumps and sits on it, facing the vast blue body of water.
And then his stomach growls.
His eye twitches.
"Shit. I should've asked that Chimecho nurse if I could have something to eat before I left, but..."
His ears droop as he sighs.
"Why am I here to begin with, anyway? I never asked for this." He stares at the ocean. "This is probably the greatest and the worst thing that's ever happened to me."
He closes his eyes and sighs.
"And I need to stop talking to myself."
Nodding to himself, he stands on the bench and looks around.
"I still find it hard to believe how civilized this place is. So that means I need to get a job or something..."
He looks back and sees a small stall with a busy Keckleon behind it, cleaning his merchandise.
The Eevee sighs and jumps off of the bench. "I might as well," he says to himself as he approaches the stand.
The merchant notices his approaches and wears his biggest smile. "Why, hello, hello there! Care to study my fine wares?"
"Sorry, but I don't really have any money."
"Ah, window shopping? That's fine as well! Please do take your time."
The Eevee holds his annoyance. "I mean, I am not buying. I just wanted to ask a question."
"Ah, my apologies. Please do excuse me; I get excited when a potential customer comes my way."
"...Two questions now, actually," the Eevee blinks. "Why are you selling here?" He looks around. "Seems too quiet a place for a shop in my opinion."
The Keckleon laughs. "Good observation, my good fellow. But my wares should answer your question."
The Eevee blinks, looks down at the items the merchant is selling, and blinks once more.
The Keckleon shares a blink as well. He tilts his head. "Pray tell, you don't know what these are, do you?"
"Not really, no."
"Ah, allow me to educate you, lad!" He grabs one of the orbs and holds it up high, the late morning sun's rays reflecting from it. "I sell some fine items that can help our city's rescuers in their jobs!"
"Rescuers?"
The Keckleon gasps, almost letting go of the orb. "My word, lad! You jest!"
The Eevee frowns.
"You must be not from here then. Some far-off place, maybe?"
"Uuhhh, you could say that, yes?" He shakes his head. "But by rescuers, the word kinda gives me an idea of what that is."
The Keckleon smiles. "You must share me tales of your life from the place of your origin!"
"In another time, maybe."
The Keckleon eagerly nods his head. "Hmm, hmm! I do look forward to that, lad! Anyway, rescuers are a group of Pokémon who form their own rescue teams and go out into the world to help those in need!"
The Eevee nods his head. "So your shop is like a last-minute stop for rescue teams before they go out that gate over there?" he asks, and points at the gate a few paces away.
The Keckleon nods in confirmation. "You are most definitely correct there, lad! Now then, I believe you have one more question for me?"
"Right," the Eevee sighs. "I might as well ask, but I'm wondering if you know a place where I could get a job so—"
He cuts himself off as a realization strikes him. He shakes his head, dismissing it as stupid, but maybe, just maybe...
"Lad?"
"Sorry, I mean, do you happen to know the closest dungeon from here?"
"Ah, but of course!" He points at the city gates. "Greenleaf Forest. Just follow the dirt road until you reach a fork. Turn right and you'll reach it in no time!"
"I see," the Eevee nods his head. He sits down and taps his chin in thought. "Hm..." He looks up at the merchant. "You have not been there before, have you?"
"Oh, goodness, no!" The merchant laughs. "Most certainly not!" His attention quickly shifts. "Oh, hello, hello! Care to check out my wares before you go?"
The Eevee looks aside and steps away as three Pokémon approaches the stall.
"Hey there, squirt," the Jolteon greets him with a smile as his two companions browses the merchant's items. He blinks, his smile fading. "Oh, sorry. I thought you were still a kid." He shakes his head. "You going out with your team?"
"Uh, something like that," the Eevee says, blinking.
The Jolteon's smirk return. "Heh, are they running late?"
The Eevee shrugs. "Something like that." He blinks. "Say... What are your thoughts on this Greenleaf place?"
"Oh, the forest? Heheh, what? Is your team going there to search for that treasure?"
"Yyyyyyyeah, sure."
"Well, good luck." The Jolteon shrugs. "No team found the treasure from what I've heard. It's probably just a big hoax to waste everyone's time, but hey, maybe you guys will get lucky?" He looks at the gate, and then down at the Eevee. "In any case, your team should do fine there. That place is crawling with weak wilds anyway."
"Shit, I didn't bring enough money on me," the Nidorino grumbles. He turns to the Jolteon. "Got some on you, dude?"
The Jolteon gives him a flat look. "I'm not the one carrying the bag. That only slows me down."
"Well, I don't have anything to sell or barter here, and we really need this Reviver Seed."
"We already have enough of those," the Absol calmly states.
The Nidorino shakes his head. "The more of these we have, the better."
The Jolteon shrugs. "Alright, I get it. You two wait here. I'll be back in a zap." He smirks. "Oh, right. Hey, dude. Once you decide to evolve, you should become a Jolteon like me," he looks back. "Can't get hit if the wilds can't..." he trails off and blinks.
The Eevee is gone.
The Jolteon's eye twitches. "So this is what it's like to be on the other end of that trick."
The Nidorino chuckles.