We arrive at the Crawling Meadows, the rolling grassy fields spreading around us as far as the eye can see, tilting ever so slightly upward as they reach the horizon. There are a few worn paths to follow, while the rest of the surrounding grass is quite high. If I stand as tall as possible, I can just manage to see over it, but it's so thick that there's no hope of seeing anything that might be hiding within.
Before coming, we had to pick up our client, a young budew. Ampharos told us it's quite common for teams to bring their client along on such a rescue mission, but I feel it's needlessly risky. This…kid isn't an explorer—they barely look like they could hold their own in Elliot's daycare. Evidently we're going to spend half our time protecting him from whatever challenges we run into.
"Alright rookies, let's go over the assignment once more." Ampharos says curtly. "We go in, look for our client's friend—Togepi—and return to the Center. Nice and easy." "Oh thank you so so much! We were playing hide 'n seek here when he got lost, and-and…" Budew sniffles. "Not at all, but let this be a lesson to you! Always be vigilant and stay safe in unfamiliar places!" Ampharos says authoritatively while Budew nods, fighting tears.
We enter the path in a single file line, Ampharos taking the lead, followed by Stephanie, Budew, and finally myself. "Always important to make the client's safety a priority!" Ampharos said as we sandwiched him between us. Sure, that makes sense, but if we get attacked from behind I'm not going to be best pleased.
"Hey, Ampharos? Why's it called the…Crawling…Meadows anyway?" Stephanie eventually asks as we walk. "Ah, that's because of all the bug types! Place is absolutely swarming with 'em!" He says brightly. "I can't see any above the grass though…" I say—if it was really 'swarming', surely at least one would be flying around, right? "They like to hide in the grass. Many won't attack, but if they feel like we've crossed into their territory, they won't hesitate. Sometimes many may even attack at once," he says, sounding almost excited.
"Bug types, huh? Can't wait to try some of my moves on them!" Stephanie says, fired up. "How nice for you with the type advantage," I say jokingly. She shoots me a look, "well, you shouldn't have to worry. One sign of movement and I bet you'd attack before even registering it's an opponent. Try not to attack Togepi when we see him, 'k?" She smiles sweetly. I'm sensing she hasn't quite forgiven me for getting Elliot and I in trouble. But it's not like she was there…she doesn't realize how fast it all happened…that there really was no time to think.
"No! Don't attack Togepi! Please, please! It was an accident that he got lost!" Budew says, looking at me with panic, jumping from one foot to the other. "Not to worry, your friend will be safe with us", Ampharos reassures him. "And will you two knock it off! Part of escorting a client is about making them feel safe and secure—they need their utmost faith in us being a united team," he says with annoyance.
Right, it's all about the client…we'll finish the job, learn some exploring skills, then go home. Simple as that.
Although it doesn't stop the heat from rushing to my face.
We didn't get to pick our teams or assignments, and while escorting this child through a dangerous mystery dungeon is thrilling…I'd have much rather done…well anything else with anyone else. Don't get me wrong, Stephenie's great, but she can certainly hold a grudge.
We continue through the peaceful surroundings, not seeing any sign of life and passing through in silence until we reach a clearing. Budew charges ahead to something lying on the ground.
"Ooh, lookie, look! A Pecha Scarf!" They say, dancing around the tattered scrap of fabric. Just then, a thick web shoots out from the surrounding grasses, ensnaring Budew. He falls with a cry, kicking and struggling to break free. We rush over, and I see the web is crackling slightly with electricity. A moment later, several joltik and galvantula appear in the clearing, surrounding us.
"What are you INTRUDERS doing here?" A particularly large galvantula booms from across the clearing—evidently he's the leader of the group. "Please, forgive us. We are just explorers passing through, looking for a missing friend," Ampharos says diplomatically. Based on how the electricity is steadily building around our new companions, I don't think they particularly care. I go to Budew and try to untangle him from the web. It shocks me slightly, but it's not so bad. Guess I've built something of a tolerance after years of Rotom's playful zaps. "Well you, and your friends, are NOT WELCOME here!" Galvantula shouts, eyes narrowing.
"We intend to pass through here. If you do not allow us through swiftly and peacefully, we will have no choice but to fight," Ampharos says, sounding somewhat eager to take on all our opponents at once. He probably would even if he was alone. "If it's a fight you want, we're more than happy to oblige! But can you take all of us?" Galvantula laughs haughtily. I manage to free Budew, who looks like he can barely stand. Is it a good time to ask Ampharos if we have anything to heal him? Somehow, I don't think so.
Looking around, the bug types seem ready to attack. One move on Budew and he'll probably be finished. I decide to hold him—at least that way I can try and keep him out of the path of an attack. I don't fancy being sent home just because Budew panics and gets in the way. Although, if it could get us out of this…
No. It would be…wrong to let him get hurt. I suppose.
A second later, the clearing is set alight by Discharges coming from every direction. I hear Ampharos and Stephanie's pained yells around me—of course, it's over my own cries. Those joltik may be small, but they pack a surprisingly nasty shock!
Ampharos winds up his own attack while I aim a Leaf Blade onto the biggest galvantula. He looks stunned for a moment, then regains his footing. Glancing down, I notice Stephanie's glued to the spot.
"Stephanie? A little help?" I say, dodging another attack, Budew shrieking in my arms. "I-I can't…move" she says, struggling to get the words out. She must be paralyzed—great. And now they've tanked our only team member with a type advantage, they've switched to bug type moves. Between dodging the attacks, trying to unleash a few of my own, and keeping Budew safe, I'm seriously struggling, as is Ampharos behind me. He started off using Fire Punch, but must have ran out of PP, so now he's down to whatever other less effective moves he's got.
We continue fighting them off. I feel heat beside me and see Stephanie using Flamethrower. She must have just recovered, and not a moment too soon. The powerful move sends the joltik running back to the tall grass, allowing us to focus on the galvantula. They start targeting Stephanie, and before I know it, she gets paralyzed again. We need to end this soon…I don't know how much more we can take, and we still need to find Budew's friend. I get the feeling that if we could defeat the leader, the others would take off. I have one move that could work…but if I use it, I'll be functionally paralyzed for a time. And if it doesn't end the battle, Ampharos will have to fight and protect Budew—plus Stephanie and I—by himself.
But at this rate, we're all going to faint anyway. Before I can talk myself out of it, I dart in front of their leader and unleash a Frenzy Plant.
Powerful roots shoot from the ground, flinging dust and soil into the air. Despite our decreased visibility, I can tell they're hitting their mark—I hear Galvantula's pained cries, and the panicked scuttling of his friends. As the move ends, I become aware of the familiar wave of exhaustion that accompanies it. I just hope it did the trick.
The air clears, and Galvantula stands there, battered but smiling wickedly. It-was it seriously not enough? He walks to me slowly—I desperately want to attack, back away, anything, but I just…can't. I become acutely aware that I'm still holding Budew, who's sobbing so loudly his little friend can probably hear. I guess we're failing this mission after all.
I finish the thought the same moment I see a blur of fire ram into Galvantula. Stephanie. I guess my move bought her enough time to recover from her second bout of paralysis.
Galvantula is flung backwards, landing on his back. He struggles for a moment, trying to upright himself, then stops, defeated. His friends look nervously between each other, then at us, before grabbing their leader and dragging him back into the tall grass.
"Yeah! That's what I thought! That's what you get for messing with us!" Stephanie yells after them, smoke pouring from her mouth.
With the immediate threat over, we decide to take a moment. We check on Budew, who mercifully is unharmed. "It's important after a tough battle for a team to regain their strength and take stock of any injuries," Ampharos informs us, returning to his role as teacher.
"I never knew battling felt like this! It's amazing!" Stephanie says, still high on adrenaline. "You're a natural! Just watch out for those status conditions," Ampharos smiles.
"And you're not too bad yourself!" She says, shoving me playfully. "Well, I have my moments. We didn't train all those years for nothing, you know," I reply, regaining my composure. In reality, I felt like the situation was completely over my head—I haven't had to battle that hard, and without guidance from Gwen…ever.
It's certainly different battling without a trainer, outside of a moderated match. Here, it seems the wild pokemon aren't afraid to use dirty tricks to win. Many of their maneuvers would've earned their team an automatic disqualification back in our world. I'm not sure if I'll ever get fully used to it.
"Mister Ampharos? Can we find Togepi now please?" Budew says nervously. I guess break time is over. "Of course, our apologies for the delay. Well team, let's go."
What I really want is to rest and recharge a bit longer, but Ampharos has spoken, so on we go I guess. We run into an opponent every now and then, but they're all sent packing by Stephanie before we even get a chance to attack. She's really getting into the whole battling scene…it's really interesting to watch, given that she has no prior battling experience as a trainer or a pokemon. But Ampharos is right—she's a natural.
I wonder how Gwen's doing? I never saw her battle much here. I bet she's wiping the floor with them.
As we're about to enter another clearing, I hear someone sobbing. Ampharos stops us to listen, but Budew runs past in a frenzy. "Togepiiii!" They cry as we follow hurriedly. If, after all this, Budew runs headfirst into another trap and gets us caught in a situation, I'll be the reason he ends up fainting.
I breathe a sigh of relief when I see Togepi sitting in the middle of the clearing, crying. "Are you ok? Injured in any way?" Ampharos says as we rush over. "N-no…but I got lost! It was scary!" He sobs. He and Budew hug while Ampharos starts pulling out his badge. He told us on the way here how it can be used to teleport our clients—and us—back to the Center. I'm a little nervous using such a thing, but he assured us it's completely safe.
He explains the badge to Togepi, then shines it on them, sending them back. "Well team, I'd call your first mission a success! Excellent job! Master Delcatty will be happy to hear all about it," he says proudly. I appreciate the praise, but it still leaves me a little unsteady. This was an introductory mission designed for new recruits, and I found myself struggling. Me. With years of battling experience. And having gotten well into the pokemon league! If this is their idea of something easy…I'm a little apprehensive of what's to come.
But Ampharos seems impressed nonetheless, and Stephanie is beaming. I'm eager to hear how the others fared on their own missions—hopefully none of them got surrounded by opponents like we did! Ampharos shines his badge on us, and we're sent back to the Center.