Always Audacity

Chapter VII - Happy Frog, Angry Rabbit

Jack led the way down the woodland track, taking the time to explain that whilst most Pokémon live in the square, others lived a little bit further out, including some of the Exploration Teams. Whilst there was still plenty to do for the teams back out on the Continents, as it turns out, many were pretty eager to get access to the Sea of Wonders and its newly rising islands, and the same occurred with Pokémon heading out to start a new life. As such, once the rush hit, Robinswood simply wasn't ready to take up the demand. Some obviously went off to form up other settlements, Jack would explain, whilst others wanted to remain in Robinswood, and set up shop in smaller cabins and barracks further out from the centre.

The barracks that Jack led Sam too was the first one they came across, and was also the most well developed. It was made of the same wooden logs that defined the structures back in the square, yet at the same time was reinforced with a layer of cobble stone around it's base and came complete with plenty of windows and doors. "This place was supposed to be like a second inn or café." Jack said as he floated inside, "But then the demand crept in and several of teams decided to stay rather than move into the Guild Tree."

"I'm not that surprised." Sam mused, glancing around the front room. Homemade tables, sofas and cushions were all scattered around the space, both on the ground floor and on a smaller upper floor connected via stairs. What should have originally been the counter with all of its facilities now separated that part of the room with a kitchen of all things. A rather fruity aroma drifted up the Scorbunny's nose, and he resisted the urge to sigh at pleasant smell. "Actually looks… kinda homey."

"Well you do often have to share rooms and the corridors can be a bit of a squeeze when someone big comes through, but it works. I would let you crash in my room but…" Jack looked away, the Butterfree somehow looking… embarrassed. "It's occupied."

"Eh, don't worry about it. I'll find something." The Scorbunny put his hands on his hips, letting a little smile form, "I don't want to have to squeeze in with your team if I'll just get in the way." He added cheerfully.

The Butterfree shook his head, "Oh, it's not my Team. They're up in the Tree."

Now the smile transformed into a frown, "Then what are you-"

"Papa!"

Sam's head swivelled round to spot a little white Pokémon that looked like some kind of crystalline bug slide off one of the cushions, quickly scurrying over towards them. Jack's eyes lit up as he floated down in front of the Snom. "Hey kiddo! How was your day at school?"

A fiery warmth surged through the Scorbunny's body, his lips pulling back into a gigantic grin of the sight of the little kid and his dad. Aww… okay, Jack's just got a lot cooler! Look at the little guy!

"Went great pa!" the Snom exclaimed, almost seeming to bounce in delight. "I managed to puff out some Snow today!"

"You did? That's so cool Kyle, well done!"

Kyle giggled, before his little eyes drifted towards Sam. "Pa, who's that?"

"Oh, that's Sam. He's just arrived today."

Sam bent over and flashed a friendly wave, "Hey there little guy."

The little bug's eyes twinkled, "A fire rabbit… cool…"

One rabbit ear dipped a little bit. And… that word seems to be a family trait…

"Can you do a fireball!?" Kyle asked excitedly, bobbing up and down in eagerness.

"Err… I don't think that's a good idea." Sam replied sheepishly, "Being in a cabin and all."

Eh… honestly, I'm not sure if I can actually do another Ember yet… I think…

Kyle deflated a little bit at that, before Jack touched down right next to him, "Don't worry buddy, Sam can probably do it another time for you."

"Okay!", the crystals brightening back up. "I also found something really cool! Come and see papa!"

"Cool! Let's have a look at it." Jack turned back towards Sam, "Hey, you don't mind hanging on-"

"Oh, it's fine." Sam replied warmly with a flick of his wrist, "I can wait."

With a buzz of thanks, Jack and Kyle disappeared off deeper into the cabin, leaving Sam on his own save for the few other Pokémon. The Scorbunny plopped himself down on one of the cushions, sinking into its soft material. So… this whole world is full of Pokémon. Obviously. He tapped his fingers on the fabric. Question is… how are humans supposed to fit in? I mean, that was like my first thought. I'm human. But, well, look at me! He stared at the white paw doing the tapping, a frown forming once again, I'm a Scorbunny… but how do I know that? And what's with these disasters and the like? I mean, what's going on with all the politics and that? Sounds like a lot of stuff is going on right now.

Grr… maybe I did get hit by a Confuse Ray or something.

That was when he heard the shouting, his red tipped ears already perking up. Jeez… I've gotta get used to these ears. Pushing himself up, Sam relaxed a bit when he realised the voices were coming from a different corridor than the one Jack and Kyle had used… but they were getting louder.

"I told you countless times, if you try and do that, you're going to get yourselves killed!"

"We don't have to listen to you, this works for us!"

Oh bugger…

Sam approached the corridor, already sensing his body tense up as he gazed down it.

A gathering of small Pokémon congregated within the wooden cut through. And by small, he really did mean Pokémon that were about his size. He could recognise a few species in the background, but they all seemed gathered around two Pokémon who were staring each other down. A Bulbasaur on one side, their teeth bared and a pair of vines raised from the bulb on its back.

However, most of the Pokémon's eyes were fixed on a single Buneary. One paw rested on their hip as they stared down the Bulbasaur with narrowed eyes, and one ear was coiled in tight, almost twitching to burst free. "You're bringing all the wrong equipment, you think Oran Berries alone will keep you going?!" they snapped, speaking with a feminine voice, albeit one that belonged to a young adult than a kid. "They won't, they don't solve all your problems!"

The Bulbasaur's eyes flashed red, "We've got healing moves for our team, something you can't comprehend!"

The Buneary's ear twitched even more, as she took a step forward. "Yeah, I know you can heal yourselves and remove paralysis blah blah!" She snapped an arm up in disgust, "But you can only use a move so many times! You don't even have Ethers! What happens then!?"

"Eh, we won't get to that point!"

"Grr! This is the kind of cocky shit that will get you killed!"

The curse made Sam stiffen up a little bit, but he could only roll his eyes at the mess in front of him. Ah… your typical 'my style is better than your style' argument. He leaned against the wall, figuring he could watch the scene unfold from a distance. To be honest though, I'm kinda agreeing with Bun-Bun here. Can't get too cocky.

He shivered at the memory of that Swampert towering over him, and shoved it aside. Although I have no idea what an Ether is.

Now the Bulbasaur was smirking back at the rabbit Pokémon, the vines pulling back a touch? "Oh really? Then why aren't you telling this to your own team? Oh wait, you haven't got one, because you spend all day just being some cursed freak!"

The Buneary leapt forward fast enough for Sam to nearly jump, the grass-types eyes widening as it tried to pull itself back. But the rabbit was too fast as her paws grabbed hold of the still exposed vines.

Sharply tugging them down and back, she yanked the reptile towards her, the rabbit's eyes burning as the Bulbasaur cried out with a yelp of pain. "What did you just call me you little punk!?" she snapped, pulling on the vines even harder.

Okay, I change my mind, to hell with this!

Sam shoved himself off the wall and got running down the corridor. The Buneary leaned in closer to the green Mon, the latter's eyes squeezed shut. "Go on." She hissed, "You can say it again."

"Hey!" Sam barked, skidding to a halt next to them and grabbing onto other rabbit's arm, "How about-"

His mouth cracked shut as the ear-turned-brick slammed into his face.

Stumbling away, Sam landed onto his back with an almighty thud. "What th-!?" he cursed, rolling his jaw back into place. His entire face throbbed as he struggled to push himself back up. But now the Buneary was staring him down, mouth twisted into a surprisingly vicious snarl. She now only had one paw wrapped the grass-type's vines, the other pointed at him. "Stay out of this, I'm trying to teach this prick a lesson!"

"Hel- a lesson!" Sam snapped, pointing a finger at the Bulbasaur, "You're hurting him! I think he's got the point!"

The Bulbasaur rapidly nodded, eyes still clamped shut as the Buneary's gaze flicked between the two of them. "People get hurt all the time! Maybe this wi-"

She cried out as the bubbles slammed into her back, her grip on the vines snapping as she shoved away.

Too bad she now flew straight into Sam. He grunted once more he was whacked back onto his back, growling as the Buneary shook her head, her eyes now locking onto him. "Get off me!"

He just realised he had her by the shoulders, and she had him by the arms. Sam flashed his buckteeth, "Get off me first!".

Rolling back, he managed to slip his legs underneath and booted the Buneary in the chest. Another yelp rang out as her paws lost their grip and she was flung away. Sam, a bit faster now, stumbled back to his feet. He barely saw that the other rabbit was also back up, tensioning up as both ears reeled themselves in. "Alright then, you want a fight!? I'll-"

"Enough!"

Pushing their way out of the crowd of small Pokémon was a little blue frog with what almost seemed like a mane of white bubbles. Yellow eyes locked onto the Buneary. "Alice. I think you've outstayed your welcome here." He coldly said.

The rabbit crossed her arms, "Aidan, here to throw in a bit of Poke here and there, so you can worm your way deeper to turn these guys into losers huh?"

The Froakie didn't even react, "They don't want you screwing them over and no one wants you here. Move on."

Alice took one step forward, only for the entire group of Pokémon to take one step back towards her. The Froakie, the Bulbasaur… literally everyone in that group was now staring the Buneary down.

Sam could see her quiver, the rage threatening to burst free… but something seemed to hold it back. Still staring them down, Alice took one step back. "Grr… fine. But don't say I didn't warn you. And Adian, I know you are just some slimy toad. I'm watching you."

"Get lost Alice." Aidan grunted, little white digits clenching.

Turning on her foot, Alice stomped away from the group. Sam flinched as she shoved him aside, his own ears erect. "What the hell is your problem?" he hissed.

The Buneary stopped, not even bothering to glance back as one ear relaxed. "I'm just trying to keep these idiots alive. You want to help them to an early grave? Be my guest."

And with that, she marched out of the corridor and out of sight.

"Damn Adian… thanks! I thought she was going to rip my bulb off!"

Still frowning, Sam turned back to find everyone now gathering around the Froakie, his face now completely transformed to have a big goofy grin. "Well, I couldn't let that happen huh? I'd still take a few extra supplies on hand, just in case."

"Yeah… well, I suppose we can cough up a little more Poke." The Bulbasaur seemed to deflate for a moment before perking back up again, "Anything I can do? Seriously after that, I feel like I owe you something."

The Froakie raised on hand up to his chin, his eyes narrowing in thought. "Hmm… you managed to get your hands on some rare gummies, right?"

"Err…" the Bulbasaur blinked, "Kinda? I was kinda saving them for-"

"No fear! Save some for yourself!" Aidan exclaimed, patting the side of the Bulbasaur, "But how about we all put some of the others on the house for all of us, eh?"

Immediately the other Pokémon jumped to attention, their eyes widening as they cheered. The Bulbasaur hesitated for a moment, before finally letting out a hoarse laugh of their own. "Ha, I suppose a few gummies can't hurt. Come on folks!"

Sam couldn't help but let out a little grin as the cheering Pokémon made their way back further into the building, following up behind the smiling Bulbasaur. Well, what do you know. A few little words and all is right with the world again.

"Hey, not bad there."

He swivelled back round to find Aidan looking at him, a little smile on his face. "Good work on distracting Alice, I was having a hard time getting through everyone. You know, cos of the frogs' legs?" He stuck one 'hand' out, "Name's Aidan. I think you're the new Scorbunny right?"

A little bit embarrassed, Sam shook the hand, "Yeah, it's Sam. How did you-"

"Oh, a few people were talking about you the other night. Especially the butterfly dude, he couldn't shut up about it."

"Jack?"

"Yep."

The Froakie rubbed his hands together, "So, you all settled in?"

"Not quite… I was just waiting on Jack to get back-"

"Oh, looking after that little squirt of his? Good kid that one." The Froakie's eyes widened, "Hey, the last guy who was in my room just moved out. You can crash with me if you want."

Sam tilted his head with a frown, "You're sure? I mean, I just turned up out of nowhere."

Aidan merely flashed a grin back, "Eh, we get people like that all time. If the Guild master let you walk, I think you're fine."

"Well… sure thing then." The Scorbunny replied with a little flicker of a grin. "What about Jack though?"

"Oh, he'll track us down. He knows everyone in here anyway. Come on, I'll show you way!" Aidan hopped past and down the corridor, and once more Sam was scurrying to follow in behind him.