It's a Pokemon world ch 7- Normal
"Speech"
'Thought'
Main square - Bounty
'You know, after five weeks in this world it's not as foreign, the abnormal becomes normal, and the normal becomes routine,' Scar thought to himself as Team Striker walked through the busy high street, having just left the post office after finishing, yet, more missions.
"Well that went rather well," Snivy preened, while brushing off some black carbon residue from her chest.
"Well? Scar got Paralyzed!" Flaaffy retorted, indicating the extra fluffy Growlithe, even as she straightened her own fur and wool out.
Said floof came from a rather annoying Manectric, that had been guarding one of the floors of the Charged Caven Mystery Dungeon.
While Snivy and Flaaffy both resisted the Manectric's electrical attacks, Growlithe wasn't so lucky. And during the fight had been hit with a Thunder Wave while in close combat.
"I'm fine, that Cheri berry took care of it," He insisted, before looking himself over, at Flaffy's gesturing, "Oh."
He paused at the sight of his frizzy fur, "Hang on."
Frap, frap
Growlithe shook himself off and heated his body slightly, smoothing his fur back out, "There good as new."
He hated the fact he was so good at that now, it still felt... foreign, yet familiar.
"That's not the point Scar, that Pokemon was really strong, we barely made it three on one," Flaaffy argued with a huff.
Growlithe didn't disagree that it was a tough fight, buuuut, 'That Self-Destruct hurt waaaay more, at least this just tingles a bit.'
"Come now, t'wasn't SO bad, we won after all," Came Snivy's proud retort.
Flaaffy twitched slightly.
'Oh, boy,' Scar had been with these two long enough now to know, that best friends or not, the two Pokemon's different personalities clashed. Add to that Flaaffy's new found self-confidence, and that meant the two argued... a lot.
Thankfully the two never took anything personally, it was more along the lines of banter, but the Firedog really didn't want to hear them arguing.
"We DID win," Scar intervened, "And it's nice to know we can push ourselves when needed, but that doesn't mean we should be careless."
Flaaffy sighed in relief at Growlithe's agreement, glad that their third member was a good intermediary.
"Of course not," Snivy scoffed, "But t'was an opportune time to test ourselves, yes?'
Scar nodded at her in agreement, she wasn't wrong.
After their first little dungeon crawl Growlithe had a rather quick recovery, getting over the worst of it after a good night's sleep. Sure it left him sore and with twinges of pain for a day or so after, but ultimately he was recovered, and no longer in constant pain.
Still, he'd needed a clean bill of health from Bliss, before being given the go ahead for more missions, at her urging (read demanding), then they'd spent some days relaxing and learning from their mistakes.
In the following weeks they'd tried several different dungeons, and by this point, were able to clear higher tier 'Rookie' Dungeons without much issue.
Not that they were much of a problem to begin with, but it was an adjustment period.
In theory they knew what to expect, but in practice they had little experience. For example, actually entering Mystery Dungeon's, and running into, say, a Monster House, not fun. Theoretically you should, close ranks, try to escape if possible, or funnel them through a narrow passage.
In practice, well, they'd panicked and gotten lucky.
So, their time had been spent working on cohesion and working on their team work, because while they could fight individually, and even for each other, being a team was pointless if you couldn't actually work together in combat.
The point is, that they were now capable of all of this, from identifying possible traps and uncommon items, to possible Monster Houses, they had back up plans. Now, they weren't completely accurate, no plan survives contact with the enemy after all, but they were better, capable.
Getting better took time, but they were getting there.
"True, we were all well rested, and we do need to advance at some point. Plus we DID do well," Scar confirmed his thoughts, echoing Snivy now.
"I suppose," Flaaffy grumbled now it was two against one, "But all of that for one stupid stone."
"Well I mean it WAS a Thunder Stone, and Tadbulb seemed happy to have it," The Firedog shrugged, as they passed a pub selling fermented berry juice, aka booze, or at least the Pokemon version.
They'd gone there the day after Scar's recovery, to celebrate, and spend some of their new money.
Personally Growlithe didn't really like how bitter the juice was, well that, AND he'd had to get both girls back home.
Snivy because she'd become an uncoordinated hyper little gremlin, and Flaaffy because she'd passed out almost immediately, after a short stint as a self proclaimed match maker.
Yeah, neither had ended well.
"Indeed, we must become stronger to help more Pokemon, did you see how happy they were!" Snivy smiled honestly.
Flaaffy couldn't be mad at that, they had helped someone after all, and that's all she had ever wanted.
Now sporting a small smile of her own, she replied, "I guess, so."
"Hmmm, then perhaps we should celebrate our first success besting an Intermediate Dungeon," The Grass type grinned looking toward the bar.
That was as far as she got.
"Noooope," Growlithe popped, grabbing the little grass type by her grass like collar and gently snatching her up with his jaw.
"Nooooooo," Snivy whined, even as Flaaffy let out a sigh of relief.
"I'm NOT dealin' with tha', AGAIN," Growlithe spoke around her collar, continuing forward and away from the bar.
"Thank Arceus," Flaaffy sighed under her breath.
'Sweet revenge for all the times you dragged me around,' Scar smirked to himself.
Snivy pouted, "Fiiiine, just put me dowwwwn."
"Oh, I don't know, this IS rather cathartic," Flaaffy grinned amusedly, causing Snivy to squawk in embarrassment.
"Al'ight, al'ight," Growlithe returned the blushing manic to her feet.
"Thank you," Snivy coughed into her claw.
"Hmm," Scar hummed, before changing the subject, "So two days off and then we're back to it?"
"A-ah, yes, I believe our current schedule will suffice, even as we progress," The serpentine lizard agreed.
"Great because I really need a bath," Flaaffy informed them both, looking at some dark patches on her fur.
Growlithe's attitude towards water hadn't changed much since becoming a Pokemon, though he did appreciate the fact that the numbing sensation helped with any pain, at least for him.
On the bright side, turn up the heat enough and no more dirt, yeah that had been a nice discovery for him, no more baths for this Fire pup.
It was a shame really, as a human he had loved baths.
"Yeah, well, I think I'm gonna sleep off the rest of this static-" He yawned, interrupting himself.
He stretched slightly as he continued, "-After that I'll put some money down on the table for living expenses, and finish paying off my bill at the clinic."
Flaaffy sighed, 'Not again.'
Snivy huffed, "You owe me nothing Scar, t'is normal to assist a comrade in need!" She pouted, hard.
Growlithe snorted but remained quiet, he'd put the money down anyway, just like he always did, much to Snivy's ire.
He hated being indebted to someone, so he would be paying his debts, regardless of how much Snivy pouted and Bliss glared.
With that in mind, 'Note to self; make sure Bliss ISN'T in before you leave the money.'
Apparently, she wasn't happy about him trying to actually pay his bill for her medical assistant, lord knows way, 'This world is nutty... but nice.'
"Scar, Scar, art thou listening," Snivy tried.
He grinned, "Nope."
Berry Barbeque - Bounty
"Evening, Torkoal," Growlithe greeted the old fire tortoise, as he entered the Pokemons cafe.
Torkoal replied with a grin, and nod in his fellow fire types direction.
Growlithe passed him with a bemused expression, the older fire type never talked, or at the very least Growlithe had never heard him do so.
The cafe was made from wood of all things, though it had blocks of stone acting as tables and booth seats, likely carved from the stone floor by rock types.
He'd never bothered to ask, and likely wouldn't receive an answer from the silent tortoise anyway.
'Lets see, booth seven, ah,' Growlithe searched the, at the time, mostly empty cafe for their meeting spot.
"How you doin' Mutt?" Came the gruff voice of the old Pikachu, sat at the table.
"Not bad, Rat, back from a mission and word to the wise, Bliss is on a war path again," The firedog settled into the booth across from the old detective.
"Oh, world's, not again lad, didn't I tell you NOT to do it while she was there?" The Growlithe's unexpected friend replied.
"I mean, I DID, but it was a trap, she's gotten wise," The Rescue Team member replied with a wince.
'I've never met anyone more determined, NOT to be payed,' He mentally groaned, having barely escaped the old healer this time.
"Oh, no, the old egg's gotten crafty... well craftier," The detective groaned in turn.
"Yup, and I've never been more thankful that I've been able to sleep off all my other injury's," The striped canine snorted, along with his newish friend.
The two had the unusual bond of them both trying to avoid an irritate healer, least they be needing a healer.
"I'll say, can you imagine rolling up to her all bloody again after having the decency to, gasp, actually pay her," The yellow rodent Pokemon joked.
Both had a good laugh at that, before Pikachu continued, "Seriously though, good on you lad, that old girl's too good for her OWN good sometimes."
"I noticed, oh, and thanks for that tip about the Charged Caven, the magnets down there helped redirect a couple of bolts meant for us down there," Scar nodded in thanks.
"Ah, not a problem, lad, you kids are go getters. Besides it helps me too, Pokemon are happier, and that means their less likely to do sum'in stupid and make more work for me," He raised his flask in salute, then took a swig.
Growlithe shook his head in amusement.
"You lot are doing alright for yourselves anyway, Normal rank and well onto your way to Bronze rank, huh? Not bad for a month of work," The Pikachu gestured at the Growlithe's black bandana.
The bandana was still tied around his left foreleg, though no longer hiding the light scarring on his paw, no the difference was the now white and pink colored badge pinned on it.
A normal rank badge.
'Well, Snivy and Flaaffy had both been ecstatic. Having grown up around Rescue Teams it likely had more meaning to them, but for me it's a means to an end. If it's anything like the games story, a higher ranking dungeon probably has the answer as to why I'm here and how to leave. Strangely through, the point system is a little different in real life, the missions are similar to Pokemon blue and red rescue team games in the points they give, whereas the ranking is similar to Pokemon DX,' He mused to himself.
In simple terms a E-D rank mission is worth around 10-20 points, whereas becoming a Normal rank takes around 400 points, with Bronze rank even higher at 1100 points.
Like wise E-D ranks are considered Rookie missions, with C-B being Intermediate, like the C rank mission Team Striker had just taken.
While that might seem slow in a game, in real life Team Stricker has advanced rapidly.
For example the current Bronze rank, Bounty's highest ranked Rescue Team, Team MonMon, had been active for several years. And although the Growlithe didn't know the exact number, they ONLY took E-rank missions, sparingly at that.
Whereas Team Striker had been taking several of the E and D ranks every couple of days.
Fussssh.
Growlithe jumped slightly, still a bit on edge after his mission, but relaxed immediately at Torkoal's arrival. Which came in a burst of steam and a smile, as he now stood before the two Mon's table.
The old detective smirked at that, but was more than ready to order, "I'll have the Tamato, and Leppa berry mix with some rice."
A nod, followed with a glance to the Growlithe.
"I'll have the Pecha and Aspear berry stir fry, please," The firedog ordered his own meal.
Then with another burst of steam he was gone.
...
"I'll never get used to that," Scar deadpanned.
Pikachu rolled his eyes, "It's a bit different yeah, but then what's normal, right?"
"True enough, how are things your end?" The fire type inquired about the electric type.
"Ah, same old, same old, Mawile's helping take the load off, which is nice, not as young as I used to be," He rolled his shoulders eliciting a loud pop, 'Glad the young Mutt asked about her last month.'
The Pikachu would have dismissed his new assistant as simply another new recruit, if Scar hadn't asked about the rookie investigator several weeks back.
The Firedogs ears twitched slightly at the sound of the popping shoulder, but otherwise, "Well you obviously need it then," He snarked.
The old Mon snorted, and replied with a smile, "Still young enough to zap you, whipper snapper."
Growlithe snorted, he HAD enquired as to how Mawile, Snivy and Flaaffy had known each other, over the past few weeks.
All he had ever gotten was that they'd been friends once upon a time, and now were at odds with each other, why? He hadn't a clue, they were vague about it, and didn't like talking about it.
But he had asked the Pikachu if he knew anything about the Mawile, which at the time he hadn't.
Surprisingly though, the electric type had come back with some information days later, apparently Mawile had been taking a close interest in Team Striker's Missions, and had even seemed some what concerned at times.
Or at least that's what the detective had told him, along with the fact that the old Mon was now teaching her the tricks of the trade, so to speak.
He wasn't sure whether or not that was a good thing.
Well, regardless.
"Maybe, but I'll make you work for it old Mon," Growlithe bantered back.
It wasn't his business.
Amp-up farm - Bounty
Flaaffy was clean, relaxed and enjoying her newest book.
All in all she was happy with the way her life was going.
She was helping other Pokemon, she was getting stronger, and was part of a Rescue Team with one of her oldest friends, and even a new one.
Despite almost suffering several heart attacks in the process, and actually suffering several injuries, she was happy.
Though she was still pleased to be able to just sit down and read.
Flip.
She was well on her way to being a hero, just like in her books, they all were, this was just their origin story.
The way her Brother lit up when she told him about her and her Teams adventures left her heart feeling warm, and her mother, unfortunately, pale.
At least she wasn't against it any more, Scar's joining had prevented that, at least.
Maybe even unknowingly.
Her mother hadn't complained once after that first mission, she'd listened as Flaaffy had told her of their adventure, how the Firedog had taken point, taken the most damage, and even in that state, cleared the way.
Was it intentional?
No, not really, but to her mother, that just made it all the more amazing that he'd done it subconsciously.
And frankly Flaaffy wasn't going to dissuade her mother of those thoughts, so long as she could remain apart of Team Striker.
In a month they'd already gained a reputation for being reliable, and consistent.
They got the job done, they didn't demand more than was offered, such as 'Hazard pay', no matter how low the pay actually was.
They weren't just using the title, they weren't forcing other Pokemon to do things for them, and they weren't demeaning to those that couldn't do it themselves.
They actually DID the job.
And while she was sure they'd get some targets on their backs from the more malicious Teams by acting like that, they hadn't, yet.
Other weaker Teams formed for their own safety, such as team MonMon, they were like the neighborhood watch and, in a way, the reason the smaller gangs didn't rule.
Sure they were Bronze rank, but that was purely because of their sheer size, constantly rotating their active members, then dismissing them, and then reactivating them again, and around, and around it went.
They had the numbers, but not the strength, they mostly just stayed in town, they were cowards...
'No that's unfair, they're scared, just like I was,' Flaaffy pause her reading as the thought struck.
The police were woefully outnumbered when it came to the gangs, not forgetting that Bounty was surrounded by the Firebrand, and regular crimes still happened.
They NEEDED all the help they could get, even if it was just from regular Pokemon.
She shook her head and returned to reading.
Flip.
She blushed at the page, and... Giggled?
...
Oh, no.
"Siiiis!" The Mareep known as Patches interrupted.
Oh, thank God.
"Meep," Flaaffy slammed the book closed as her brother sped around the wooden divider she had set up.
"Patches! What have I told you about interrupteding me while I'm reading?" She demanded.
The young lamb, now recovered from his prior brush with death, and no longer sporting his 'Patches', grinned, "Not too!"
She loved her brother, truly, his near death experience had been one of the most terrifying experiences in HER life, not just his. But it's funny how at times like that, you forget times like this.
"Then why are you?" She sighed.
"Ohhhhh, yeah, it's important, so mum said I could," He nodded to himself.
'Just when it was getting good,' She mentally bemoaned.
Aloud she sighed, "And?"
Mareep seemed confused for a moment, then, "Oh, oh! We need... TEAM STRIKER!"
The young lamb cheered to himself and pranced around for a moment before finally turning back to her with a grin.
Flaaffy blinked slowly for a moment.
...
"What?"
Snivy's House - Bounty
"I'm home," She whispered into the darkness of her homestead.
...
Silence greeted her.
She hated it, coming home to an empty nest.
'Scar must be out consorting with the towns folk,' She was glad he was doing so well here now. Pokemon were less cautious around him, and friendlier, but a piece of her wished he was here with her right now, in this empty house.
The past few weeks had been amazing, and more importantly she hadn't been alone in this place.
Snivy snorted at the sight of some oval gold colored coins that had been left on the table.
She didn't need to be paid to help someone, it was her duty, besides he was her friend and comrade... and him just being here was payment enough.
No more cold walls and dark rooms, no more silence... no more being alone when she came home.
She turned eyeing the thick tarp covering the entrance to her parents room, wondering, 'Would they be proud?'
An errant thought, one she hadn't had for a while, one she would always try not to answer, fearing the answer.
But now?
Now she was making good upon her promises, helping the weak, stopping those with power from taking advantage of thoughs less fortunate.
'Yes,' She finally thought.
And she wouldn't stop and tarnish their memory either.
She remembered her father's words, 'Alone you are only as strong as yourself, but together we can change the world. Noblesse oblige, t'is a noble Mon's duty to act with generosity and nobility toward those less privileged, lest you find yourself alone. In return they too help us using their own abilities, while we safe guard them. Communities give rise, and from them empires that can shake the world. Do not waste what is before you, nor disparage those trying their best, their true skills may befound elsewhere.'
It was a good memory, she'd not wanted some of the food upon her plate, and her father had informed her of the hard work that farms put into it. That they needed each other, not just to survive, but live, and that had gone onto a tangent about why they needed to look after each other.
It's how she had met Flaaffy.
Her father had taken her to Amp-up farm, and shown her how hard it was to grow the food they ate... or rather Miss Amp had, with her younger selfs help.
Snivy smiled sadly as she walked up to the hanging tarp.
She wondered how her parents would have reacted to Scar, they had known Flaffy and... well they had known her previous friends as well... before that night.
The grass type shook her head at the thought.
Snivy liked to think he would of liked the slightly awkward, yet friendly and courageous Firedog.
He held duty to a high degree and took his role seriously, but was relaxed and inquisitive about everything, always trying to learn.
She chuckled at the reminder of his bemoaned face when he had been informed that the Town had no public libraries.
Nonetheless, it was Scars protective nature that stood out, for what use was courage if you never use it?
Yes, her father would have liked her newest comrade, likely debating upon their shared knowledge...
She sighed at what could have been.
It was a shame that she could not say the same for her mother, she barely remembered her, having died years before her father had fallen.
But he had always told her how noble she had been... in life.
"E-enough," She sniffed aloud, wiping away some of her forming tears.
"You are not weak," She demanded of herself.
"Soon," She hoped wherever her father was he could hear her, "Soon we shall be strong enough, and those, those BEASTS, will harm no others, I shall be sure of it."
She rallied herself, she wouldn't be weak, it was her job to defend others, not the other way around.
Sleep, yes, she needed sleep, come the morn' she would no longer be alone.
She headed for the nesting area, and grabbed the tooth cleaning stick and a small bowl of water by her nest.
A branch from a Salvadora Persica tree, used to prevent tooth rot.
Not necessary for all Pokemon, for various reasons, from typing, diet, or even simple toughness, but for her it was routine.
According to her father is was traditional for Grass types.
She sighed as she finished, and curled up in her nest, taking note of the empty one beside her.
It was cold, and quiet, she couldn't sleep, she'd gotten used to not being alone any more.
She tried, laying there, waiting.
...
Clack, Clack, Clack.
Came the sound of paws and claws on the homes wood flooring
Thunk.
"Oww, damn it," Came a soft whispered voice.
Scar was back, quietly cutting through the silence.
She relaxed as the padding of his paws grew closer, pretending to remain asleep.
Then she heard the puff of him laying in his own nest besides her own, followed by a soft content sigh.
...
"Good night, Snivy," He whispered into the night.
No longer alone, sleep began to take hold of her.
It was no longer cold.
It was warm.
A/N: I'm back, wedding went well.
Happy halloween.
Also, happy Halloween/Samhain depending on how you see it.
Now, on to business:
So Scar is adapting, kind of, its more accurate to say he has a routine now, and he's sticking to it, yes he's settled in, but you'll notice he is only going with the flow and not being proactive.
Basically go on mission, return from mission, get paid and stay around pokemon he knows, so he doesn't get too attached to many pokemon.
What he's subconsciously doing is MAKING it normal, but he knows it isn't.
Yes he is still looking for a way home, it's honestly one of the only reasons he hasn't started to panic, because that IS what happens in the games, they have the option to go home at the end.
Having said that, he's also aware of how strong he will need to be to complete whatever mission he needs to to get home, if the games are any indication.
But you're also seeing the effects he is having on other pokemon at this point, while he is trying not to get attached (and failing) they ARE getting attached to him.
Also, apparently Salvadora Persica, or a, real mustard tree, is used to make miswak. Roughly translated it means, a tooth cleaning stick, per Google anyway. Its an ancient form of toothbrush apparently. I didn't know that but found it interesting and placed it here in the A/N for anyone that didn't know what it is. Apparently it's still in use today to an extent as well.
ultima-owner@ true, but knowing and experiencing are two different things, that was their first mission and as such had some difficulty through their own ignorance. Yes Scar knows whats in the games, but he doesn't know how that transitions into real life.
