Quick A/N: Welcome everybody back, sorry for the delay as this chapter took longer than anticipated, but here we are. I'm going to freshen up the previous chapter as well, I'll be honest it ws my first time using the mobile app and I think my old age is starting to show. XD
Any who, please enjoy and always feel free to leave a review, let me know what you all think, and I'll see you next week!
Chapter 2
Erin huffed as her adrenaline carried her through the city, snaking her way around people as she hurried through the streets. The train had dropped her off just a few moments ago and she continued her pursuit of the address in her letter. Her lungs ached as the building itself was still a half mile away from the station.
Being a resident of Peridot City for almost her entire life, she was very familiar with the location she was heading toward, just as she was familiar with the flower shop she passed with the elderly Sunflora that sat in the front. She's been here before, but only as an admirer before. She could still remember seeing Guildmaster Finnegan and Deputy Paulson walking in and out.
Both were revered as heroes in the City she lived in, although Erin admired all the members she would occasionally see growing up. Whether it was coming back from a mission, leaving for one or just walking around town, Erin would always be in awe by how strong they always looked.
Her mood ever so shifting, she continued her sprint, with many Pokemon bustling on the street to turn their heads at her. Turning the corner, she finally slowed down as the building she looked for was one view towards the end of the street.
Looking like an overturned ship, the silver hull that held the building together was bathed in sunlight, casting the ground around it in a circle of shadows. It looked refreshing as Erin realized how hot and dry the air was today.
The size of the building itself was also surprisingly small, reaching only about a couple stories tall. Which, to her being so small, seemed massive. Upon closer look, the metal hull that lay on top of the building was seen to be sculpted in the shape of the legendary pokemon known as Rayquaza.
Windows in lines of three also littered the walls, although the top half actually remained windows otherwise. It didn't look as new as many of the other buildings that shone multi-color in the city.
Taking a moment to enjoy the fresh, cool air that hit her as she entered the circle, she walked a bit slower to the entrance. Walking up the flight of stairs that led to the door, she passed in an arc that sat in between. Two dragon heads sat on the left and right side of the arc, almost like they were put there to intimidate anyone who would try to enter.
Taking a breath, but knowing she had to enter, she put her hand on the door. This was it. This was the moment she's been waiting for. Just beyond this door were the brave guild members and honorable Pokemon she grew up admiring the ones that inspired her to become one of them. She opened the door to meet her idols….
"YEARRGH!"
Erin's eyes went wide in comedic shock as another hole was now made to her immediate left, two white furry feet poking out from the smoldering Pokemon.
A Luxray, who stood directly across from them, winced in secondhand pain as electricity was diminishing from her body. Judging the defensive stance she was frozen in, Erin assumed she was the one responsible.
Beyond her, a Rhydon in dark sunglasses laughed heartily. "She got you again, Duncan!" He said, not concerned about the possibly dead Pokemon in the wall. "I gotta be honest thought, Liza. Guildmaster Finnegan's gonna have your behind for that." The Luxray, to her credit, had a look of fear cross her eyes for a second.
A Drapion with a face mask sat on the other side of the table across from the Rhydon, sipping tea from his cup. He looked unbothered by the mayhem. The lobby Erin walked into was smaller than it looked from the outside, with a massive table in the middle that worked itself around in a u-shape. Lights from the chandelier in the middle lit up the golden rug that filled the U-shaped table like a fire. Many red and gold banners hung from the many beams inside the building. Erin thought it looked like an old church.
Groaning, a Lycanroc emerged from the hole, clutching his head. From his red fur and red eyes that shone a bright red, Erin could tell he was a midnight variant.
The Rhydon laughed louder. "What is that, boy? 300 straight losses against your older sister?"
"Hmph, no. It's…."Taking a moment to count internally, Duncan sweat dropped in embarrassment, "...287"
Liza and the Rhydon snickered, causing Duncan's eyes to glow red in anger. "BRING IT ON YOU STATIC CAT" He yelled.
Liza instantly matched his energy. "WHADDYA SAY YOU DIRT PUP!" Instantly, they wrestled each other in a writhing mess on the ground.
Taking a swig of his cola, the Rhydon noticed the Snivy who looked unsure of whether to move or not. "Aye, you must be the new girl." He called, motioning her over to him. Slowly listening, not taking her eyes off the fight in the middle, she walked around to him. He was located at the right end of the table. Behind the Drapion that sat across, Erin saw an indoor pond that filled about a quarter of the room. A water fountain sprouted up from the wall at the end.
Noticing her hesitation, he chuckled again. "Don't mind them. Just working out some issues just like every sibling does." He said. Unconvinced, Erin tediously scooted around the siblings.
As soon as she got close enough, she reached out her hand. "I'm Erin Winters, nice to meet you!And you are?" She asked cheerfully.
The Rhydon shook it. "Heh," He started, pushing up his glasses. "I'm the Justice Guild's no. 1, guy in charge, commander in the wings, secret assassin, Kvothe Dracobender!" He shouted, striking a pose. Silence hung in the air and Erin sweatdropped.
The Drapion looked up emotionlessly. "He's lying. His name is Todd Platt. He's our weakest member and designated trash guy." He said bluntly, causing the Rhydon to fall back in shame. His voice was gratey, like listening to nails run down a chalkboard. Erin almost outwardly cringed.
"I'm Liza Levin." Erin turned to the Luxray that had her brother pinned, but comically flailing underneath her in seething rage. "This dummy underneath me is my little brother Duncan."
Todd was standing up now, arms crossed like nothing happened. "And this creepy fella behind me is Felix Grimm. We call him Bendy." He said unbothered. "He's my student and my best friend."
"I literally couldn't have less respect for you." Bendy replied, causing Todd to fall over once more.
Duncan huffed, sitting up now his fight with his sister was over. "Man, you're more harsh than usual today, dude. Is it because Paulson didn't take you with you?" He seemed sincere, but Bendy glared at him.
"Don't you need to lose your 288th battle to your sister?" He asked, causing Duncan to need to be held back by Liza as he comically raged at the unbothered Drapion.
"Ooooo, the new girl is here." Erin jumped a foot in the air as a Sharpedo popped up from the pool, his head nearly poking the ceiling. His voice was effeminate with a slight lisp. As Erin laid with her heart pumping out of her chest, the Sharpedo looked at her in concern. "Oh dear, did I kill another one?"
Liza sighed as she picked Erin up by the scruff. "Almost, you klutz, Kameron." She hissed, causing the Sharpedo to shy away.
Kameron tapped his fins together. "Oh…sorry about that." he replied sheepishly.
Erin nodded. "It's okay…I was just startled by how big you were."
The Sharpedo nodded." Oh, I completely understand. After all…" His tone suddenly took on a very deeper, menacing tone as he stared down at her. "I could eat you in one bite if I wanted to."
A silence hung over the small group as Erin backed slowly away with a deadpanned face that was losing the color from it.
Kameron tried to play it off with an awkward laugh. "Ah don't worry. I'm vegetarian anyway." He chuckled again, before another menacing look slowly appeared on his face as though he was in a trance. "Although, you technically are part plant…."
With Erin looking ready to faint, Liza tried to interject. "Ah, don't worry. I'm sure he doesn't mean it." She said before her eyes darted to the Snivy's tail. "Although…your tail does look like spinach…"
"I would appreciate it if you two wouldn't, er, consume our newest member." A thick western voice echoed from a staircase on the other side of the room. Weirdly enough, Erin noticed how the stairs went DOWN to a basement below. From it, a Haxorus with a large pot belly emerged. Erin could tell from the wear and tear of the dragon's skin that he was older. He was followed by a younger Fraxure with piercing red eyes and a Bouffelent who struggled to get through the doorway because of his large afro.
The Haxorus and Fraxure were dressed in business suits, which, while clothing wasn't super unpopular among Pokemon, it was rare to see one wearing a full outfit. Erin thought back to Axl from earlier, who was wearing a bright red scarf.
"Good morning, darling." He drawled. "You must be Erin Winters, our newest member of the Justice Guild. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Clay Anderson, the president of the Justice Guild here."
Something about the Haxorus's tone made Erin's skin twitch uncomfortably. Nonetheless, she smiled as opposed not to seem rude. Still, she couldn't help but notice the others looked uncomfortable as well.
She reached her hand out to shake it. "Pleasure to meet you, sir. I'm honored to be here."
Clay took her hand and proceeded to take a knee in order to bend down and kiss her hand. Erin inwardly cringed so hard she thought her skin would be scraped off her.
"Now boys, don't be rude, none." He turned to the other two. "I especially would expect more from my own son to introduce himself, proper."
The Fraxure sighed, looking annoyed. "I'm Trager Anderson, vice-president and the only one here that knows how to handle finances." He sounded resentful, which seemed amplified as Trager didn't carry the same twang as she imagined . Erin couldn't help but notice a slightly dark look cross on the Haxorus's face very briefly.
The Bouffalent chimed in. "I'm Dalton. I'm from HR because President Anderson gets into a lot of trouble. Pickled plums are my favorite food." He said with a bow. Duncan, trying to shy away from the convo in the back of the group, was picked up by Liza.
With a mischievous look, she faked a smile. "Hey, Duncan, look. It's Clay. Wasn't he trying to talk to you-"
"Liza, so help me-"
"Ah, Duncan, my boy." Clay suddenly seemed less interested in his current task to waddle over to the shy Lycanroc. "I've been meaning to congratulate you on your recent successes…" As his voice and attention were now focused on Duncan, Liza hurried everyone to the back of the room towards the staircase. Kameron swam back into the pond which appeared to go to the bottom floor as well.
Liza chuckled as they started walking down the stairs. "Small talk has always been super effective against him."
Erin looked back as Liza nudged her downwards. "So…are they the big boss?" She asked the Luxray.
Liza sweat dropped. "They're the guys that get paid our life earnings in a week for signing papers about jobs that we risk our life for everyday." She muttered.
Bendy opened the door for them. "Essentially, they serve as some middle ground between us and the government. Because we resemble a bounty collecting business more than a police one, we need an intermediary between us in order not to be directly connected to the government. They receive a certain amount of allowance to pay all of us based on the level and number of threats in the immediate area. The more dangerous the area, the higher the Justice Guild's payroll." He informed her. "You passed a whole training program and didn't learn that?"
Erin face-vaulted. "You're already insulting me too?" She cried comically.
Liza's nose crinkled. "He's just so bloody unbearable and makes my skin crawl." She said in disgust. " I swear, Trager has to be adopted or something."
Todd ducked his head to walk underneath the doorcase. They were in a long red hallway now, with two massive rooms on each side. However, directly across from the doorway was an even larger room with no doors on it. Following Liza's lead now, they headed towards the far room.
Shaking her head, Liza huffed. "Anyway, Erin. Nonetheless, welcome. We kinda didn't even let you get to introduce yourself, huh?" She realized sheepishly.
Erin raised her hands up. "Oh, it's okay. I'm just happy to be here." She replied, sweat dropping. Truth be told, she was surprised by the guild's..interesting members. They always looked so stoic and serious to her as a kid, she guessed she didn't actually take the time to consider they may have their own personalities as well.
Liza grinned at Erin's enthusiasm. "Well, probably have a bit of time between Guildmaster Finnegan recovering from his….meeting. Tell us a bit about yourself." She encouraged.
As they entered the room, Erin noticed that Kameron had emerged from another pool on the right side. Despite the surprise and exasperation, Erin felt more relaxed as she sat down in her new home and got ready to speak for what felt for the first time.