Chapter 1: The Lone Wolf

(Mysterious Voice) "The world...is in...danger...The world...is...

A Fuecoco, Owen, was asleep at the top of a mountain. He slowly woke up.

(Owen) "*yawns* Good morning."

Owen got off the ground. He had no clue where he was.

(Owen) "Where am I?"

Owen walked around. He saw a small puddle. He looked into it and saw a Fuecoco looking back at him.

(Owen) "Aw! How cute! A Fuecoco is here with me!"

Owen looked beside himself. There was no Fuecoco.

(Owen) "Hmm. That's odd. I saw a Fuecoco in the reflection."

Owen looked back into the puddle.

(Owen) "See? There he..."

As Owen spoke, the Fuecoco in the reflection talked. Finally, Owen's brain made the connection.

(Owen) "Wait. That's not a Fuecoco. That's...me?!"

Owen looked down at the reflection. He then looked at his hands, noticing they were different.

(Owen) "I'm a...Fuecoco?!"

Owen walked backwards away from his reflection. Suddenly, he slipped off the edge of the mountain.

(Owen) "Uh oh. AAAAAAAAH!"

Owen rolled down the mountain. He stopped when he smacked face first into a Graveler standing on a ledge.

(Owen) "Oof!"

Owen felt dizzy. He slowly got off the ground. Once his vision settled, he saw the Graveler in front of him.

(Owen) "Oh. Hey."

(Graveler) "What are you doing in my territory?"

(Owen) "I-I'm sorry. I kinda just rolled in here. I'll just be going now."

Graveler charged up Rock Slide. Owen backed up against the mountain.

(Owen) "Woah! There's no reason to do this! I said I was leaving!"

Graveler was about to use Rock Slide. Suddenly, he was hit with an Iron Tail attack. Graveler rolled away. A Rockruff jumped in front of Owen.

(Owen) "What the?"

(Eli) "Let's go! Now!"

The Rockruff pushed Owen, knocking him off the edge. Owen slid down the mountain, followed by the Rockruff. Graveler got up, and looked down at the duo sliding down the mountain.

(Graveler) "Don't ever come here again!"

The duo reached the bottom of the mountain, safe and sound.

(Owen) "*breathes heavily* Whew. That was intense. Thanks for saving me, stranger."

The Rockruff turned around. He had a scar across his face over his right eye.

(Owen) "Woah. You alright? Did you get that because of me?"

(Eli) "No. I've had this scar for a long time."

(Owen) "Phew. That's a relief. Glad you didn't get hurt because of me. My name's Owen. What's yours?"

(Eli) "Eli. Good luck on getting home or wherever you're going."

Eli began to walk away.

(Owen) "Wait! I need help."

Eli stopped.

(Owen) "I don't know where I am, and I certainly don't know anyone around here. I need help."

(Eli) "I'm...sorry. I don't associate myself with other Pokémon. You'll need to find someone else to help you."

(Owen) "Please! I'm alone!"

(Eli) "I'm sorry. Good luck on your journey."

Eli continued to walk away. Owen fell to the ground and began to cry. Eli stopped and glanced back at Owen.

(Eli) "Ugh! *to himself* No. You know your rule. He wouldn't do the same for you if the roles were reversed."

Eli started to walk away again. However, something made him freeze.

(Eli) "*to himself* I know I'm going to regret this."

Eli turned and walked back to Owen.

(Eli) "Okay. Come with me."

Owen looked up and wiped the tears from his eyes.

(Owen) "Huh?"

(Eli) "I know a town nearby. Someone there might be able to help you out. I'll take you there. But that's as far as I'm willing to go."

Owen jumped up and hugged Eli.

(Owen) "Thank you! Thank you!"

Eli lightly pushed Owen away.

(Eli) "Let's keep the hugging to an EXTREMELY bare minimum."

(Owen) "Sorry."

(Eli) "Come on. Let's get going before I regret my decision even more than I already am."

Owen and Eli headed away from the mountain.

Owen and Eli approached a town.

(Owen) "What's this place you're taking me to?"

(Eli) "It's called Citrine Town. It's the biggest town you are going to find for miles. Someone here is bound to help you out with whatever problem you're having."

Eli and Owen approached the town's borders. Eli froze.

(Eli) "This is as far as I go. Find the big building in the center of town with the giant Oranguru on it. There will be Pokémon there that will be able to help you out."

(Owen) "Thanks. But wait a minute. If you don't associate yourself with other Pokémon, then how do you know about this place?"

(Eli) "It's...complicated. Good luck Owen."

Eli walked away. Owen waved goodbye and stepped into town. Owen walked through Citrine Town, focusing on where Eli told him to go. Along the way he passed by huge buildings where Pokémon lived, and passed small stands set up for businesses. There was a shop run by a green and a purple Kecleon, a treasure box shop run by a Gholdengo, a cafe, a move dojo run by a Grapploct, a bank ran by a Mr Rime, and a gold collection shop run by a suspicious looking Cofagrigus.

(Owen) "Okay. That guy is a bit scary."

Owen walked faster past the gold shop. Eventually, he stumbled across the big building with an Oranguru on it. The Oranguru sign continuously waved to visitors. Beneath the Oranguru was an additional sign with huge lettering reading, "Oranguru's Guild".

(Owen) "This must be the place Eli was talking about."

Owen walked up to the front door and knocked on the door. He stepped back slowly as 2 Pokémon, a Pawmo and Charcadet, opened the door.

(Charcadet) "Hello. Who might you be?"

(Owen) "Hello. My name is Owen. I'm not from around here. I don't know where else to go, and someone told me I might find help here."

(Pawmo) "You're lost, huh? Well, you've come to the right place! Our Guildmaster can help you out. Follow us."

Owen followed Pawmo and Charcadet inside. They traveled through the huge building in search of the Guildmaster.

(Owen) "So what is this place?"

(Pawmo) "This is Oranguru's Guild. We help out folks all around the world. Me and Charcadet are members of the Guild!"

(Charcadet) "Yep. There are more of us too. We work together to help lost, injured, or any folks who are in any kind of danger. So you're lucky you found us!"

Charcadet and Pawmo led Owen to the Guildmaster's Quarters. Inside, an Oranguru sat on a throne. A Toucannon was informing the Oranguru about the day's events.

(Toucannon) "...and that is everything that happened today."

(Charcadet) "Ahem. Mr Oranguru."

The Toucannon and Oranguru turned to their visitors who had entered the room.

(Oranguru) "Ah. Hello Charcadet and Pawmo. Who do you have here?"

Owen stepped up to the throne.

(Owen) "H-hi. My name is Owen. I'm lost. I'm not from around here. Heck, I don't even know how I got here. I woke up on top of this mountain not too far from town, got into some trouble with a Graveler, and wound up here."

(Oranguru) "Well, hello Owen. Welcome to my Guild. You've come to the right place. We will help you as best as we can. First of all, are you hungry?"

Owen noticed his stomach growling.

(Owen) "Now that you mention it, I haven't had anything to eat recently. I am a bit hungry."

A Dachsbun ran into the room.

(Dachsbun) "Did someone say they were hungry?"

(Toucannon) "Ah. Ms Dachsbun. Perfect timing."

(Oranguru) "Could you please fetch our guest here something to eat?"

(Dachsbun) "You betcha! Be back in a jiffy."

Dachsbun bolted out of the room. She came back a minute later carrying a tray. On the tray were delights such as poffins and macarons.

(Oranguru) "Go ahead Owen. These are for you."

Owen grabbed a poffin and macaron. He took a bite out of each. His mouth exploded with flavor.

(Owen) "Wow! These are so good!"

(Dachsbun) "Aw! Thanks! I make them myself!"

(Oranguru) "We've got lots of rooms here in the Guild. You can stay here while we're helping you with your problems."

Owen was downing macaroon after macaroon.

(Owen) "*mumbled* R-really? *gulps* I don't want to be a burden or anything."

(Oranguru) "Nonsense! I built this place as a sanctuary not only for the Guild members but whatever Pokémon we take in to help as well. You would not be a burden here whatsoever!"

(Owen) "Thanks!"

(Oranguru) "Charcadet and Pawmo will show you to your room. Tomorrow, we will get started on helping you find where you're from."

(Owen) "Wow. I can't tell you how grateful I am that you're helping me. Thanks so much, Guildmaster Oranguru."

(Oranguru) "Don't mention it. Pawmo and Charcadet, please show our guest to his room."

(Pawmo) "Of course, Guildmaster. Follow us, Owen."

Owen once again followed Charcadet and Pawmo. They led him to all the living quarters. They took Owen down the hall all the way to a room labeled, "Guest".

(Charcadet) "Here is your room."

Pawmo opened the door. Inside was a couple of beds, a washroom, and a window on the far wall.

(Pawmo) "Tomorrow, we will introduce you to everyone in the Guild. We haven't had someone new living here in quite a while, so everyone else will be excited to meet you."

(Charcadet) "Afterwards, we'll start the search for where you're from."

(Owen) "Thanks guys. You've been very helpful already."

(Pawmo) "Well, see you tomorrow! Feel right at home here in the Guild and get some rest!"

(Charcadet) "Bye Owen!"

Owen waved goodbye as Pawmo and Charcadet walked down the hall. Owen entered his room and jumped onto one of the beds.

(Owen) "I guess this is my room for a while. I hope these guys can help me out. I wonder how they'll react when I tell them what's really wrong with me. Will they even believe me?"

Owen glanced out the window. He hopped out of bed and walked over to the window. He took a look around town.

(Owen) "This place seems really neat. I wonder why that Eli guy didn't want to come here. I wonder how he's doing right now."

Owen's gaze suddenly caught on something just outside of town. He took a closer look and saw a familiar Rockruff.

(Owen) "Wait. Is that...Eli?"

Owen opened the window.

(Owen) "Eli!"

Eli looked back at Owen and then took off.

(Owen) "Wait!"

Owen hopped out of the window and chased down Eli.

Owen stopped outside of town. He looked around and couldn't find Eli.

(Owen) "Eli! I know you're out here! What are you still doing here?"

No one responded. Owen looked and saw a bit of brown and white fur on the ground near a bush. He walked over to the bush and sat beside it.

(Owen) "Why did you stick around town? I thought you said you don't associate yourself with other Pokémon."

Owen awaited a response. Realizing Owen wasn't leaving, Eli sighed.

(Eli) "I don't"

(Owen) "Then why are you still here?"

(Eli) "No reason."

(Owen) "Come on man. What's going on?"

(Eli) "Ugh! Fine! I just wanted to make sure you made it alright. That doesn't mean I care about you or anything!"

(Owen) "Suuuuure."

(Eli) "Shut up."

Owen looked up into the sky. The sun was starting to set. A slight breeze blew by.

(Owen) "Can I ask you something?"

(Eli) "What is it?"

(Owen) "Why? Why are you such a lone wolf? Don't you want to have a friend or something? Someone who could have your back, just like you did for me back on that mountain."

(Eli) "I don't need friends. Like I told you, I don't mess with others."

(Owen) " But why? What's so wrong with other Pokémon?"

Eli popped his head out of the bush.

(Eli) "Because other Pokémon lie! They lie to you, betray you, and most importantly...they hurt you. It's just easier for me if I look out for myself."

(Owen) "Does...does this have something to do with that scar?"

Eli teared up. He popped his head back into the bush to hide his tears.

(Eli) "That is not your problem."

(Owen) "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you."

(Eli) "It's...fine. I just don't want to talk about it."

(Owen) "Okay. Look. If you ever need someone to talk to, I don't bite or anything."

(Eli) "And how can I be sure you won't betray me like every other Pokémon? How can I trust you aren't like everyone else?"

(Owen) "Well, for starters I'm not like everyone else...because I'm human."

Eli climbed out of the bush.

(Eli) "Are you kidding me?!"

(Owen) "No. I went to sleep last night and woke up earlier as a Fuecoco."

(Eli) "Do you think I'm an idiot or something?"

(Owen) "N-no."

(Eli) "What gives you the right to tell me some made up insane story like that?! I told you that all Pokémon do is lie and hurt others!"

(Owen) "I'm not lying! I swear! I went to sleep last night and heard this weird voice in my dreams saying the world was in trouble. Next thing I knew I was awake on that mountain, and I had turned into a Fuecoco."

(Eli) "Wait a second. You heard a voice in your dreams saying the world is in trouble?"

(Owen) "Y-yeah."

(Eli) "You're not lying, are you?"

(Owen) "No. What's making you believe me now?"

(Eli) "I had the same dream last night. Some mysterious voice was calling out to me, saying that the world was in danger. That's all I could hear."

(Owen) "Same!"

Eli looked Owen in the eyes.

(Eli) "So you're really a human?"

(Owen) "Yes."

(Eli) "Hmm. Interesting. Look, I think we may have a bigger problem than you turning into a Fuecoco. If we both had the same dream, and this led you to becoming a Fuecoco, then there must be someone in danger who needs us. There's a Pokémon who clearly needs help."

(Owen) "I thought you didn't associate yourself with others."

(Eli) "I don't. But I also don't like to see others in trouble. That's why I helped you after all."

(Owen) "Aw! There is a heart inside of you!"

Eli socked Owen in the arm.

(Owen) "Ow!"

(Eli) "Look, I have an idea. The place you went to is Oranguru's Guild, right?"

(Owen) "Yeah."

(Eli) "There's someone who obviously needs our help if they're communicating with us. And you need to find out how to get back home. So, I have a plan. Why don't you ask Oranguru if you can join the Guild?"

(Owen) "You want me to join Oranguru's Guild?"

(Eli) "It wouldn't be a terrible idea. I've heard a lot about Oranguru's Guild. They're pretty strong Wayfarers."

(Owen) "Wayfarers?"

(Eli) "Wayfarers are teams that go on journeys and help others in trouble. Oranguru's Guild actually helps train Wayfarer Teams."

(Owen) "How do you know so much about this?"

(Eli) "Like I said, It's not important. Anyways, you should totally ask to join the Guild."

(Owen) "Hmm. I guess it couldn't hurt. I can ask to join them tomorrow."

(Eli) "Perfect! Then we have a plan. I'll stick around town so we can move forward with the next phase of our plan tomorrow morning. Meet me here tomorrow once you join the guild."

(Owen) "Okay?"

Owen and Eli stood up.

(Owen) "You'll be alright out here?"

(Eli) "I always am. See you tomorrow!"

Owen waved goodbye and headed back to the Guild.

The next day, Owen headed to Oranguru's throne room. He was waiting inside while chatting to Toucannon. The duo broke their conversation once Owen entered the room.

(Oranguru) "Good morning, Owen. How are you feeling this morning?"

(Owen) "Honestly, pretty great. I had an amazing sleep last night."

(Oranguru) "That's great! Now, onto the agenda today."

(Owen) "Actually, there's something I wanted to tell you."

(Oranguru) "Oh? What is it?"

(Owen) "Well, I didn't exactly tell you everything yesterday. I didn't know how you'd react if you knew what really happened to me. You see..."

Suddenly, the door to Oranguru's throne room opened. A yellow Bewear walked in carrying Eli in his arms.

(Eli) "Let go of me!"

(Owen) What?"

(Toucannon) "Mr Bewear! What on Earth is going on?"

(Bewear) "I'm sorry to intrude on you Guildmaster. However, this is an important matter. I found this Rockruff snooping through the windows outside."

(Owen) "Eli?! You were in town?"

(Oranguru) "Owen? You know this Pokémon?"

(Owen) "Yes. I...met him yesterday. He brought me here to ask for your help. He's a good guy, honest! Please don't hurt him or anything."

Bewear let go of Eli. Eli ran by Owen's side.

(Eli) "Wow. Thanks for defending me."

(Oranguru) "Relax Owen. We had no intention of hurting your friend here. I was just going to ask why he was here. We don't hurt intruders unless they attack us first."

(Owen) "Oh. Sorry."

(Oranguru) "Anyways, what did you have to tell me before Bewear came in?"

(Owen) "Oh yes. Well, I was actually wondering if I could join the Guild."

Owen glanced at Eli beside him.

(Owen) "Sorry. I'm not just asking if I can join the Guild. I want to know if me AND Eli can join the Guild."

(Eli) "What?!"

End Of Chapter 1

(Thanks so much for reading the first chapter of my Pokémon Mystery Dungeon story. I've always wanted to create my own Mystery Dungeon world with my own set of teams, villains, and so much more. I'm very happy to get to show the world I'm working on.)