[center][b]Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Corruptors of Sky Chapter 2: The New Guild Recruits Part 1: First Steps to a Master Quest[/b][/center] The moon shone as it ascended into the sky, nightfall welcoming the Pokemon below. In front of a building shaped like a Wigglytuff’s head stood two familiar electric-types, Pikachu and Emolga respectively. “This is the place! Wigglytuff’s Guild. Training grounds ran by a supposed prodigy explorer. With his knowledge and expertise, I think it’s safe to say that we’ll become a master team in no time!” Pecan licked her lips, rubbing her paws together with a devious smirk. “Time is precious and so are you, so let’s get in there and get registered! To enter, we have to step on that rope grate and have our footprint identified. I tried once before but was denied because you can’t be a team of one. Now I’ve got you with me so they can’t turn me down! I’ll go first.” She took a step forward onto grate. “Pokemon detected! Pokemon detected!” “Whose footprint? Whose footprint?” “The footprint is Emolga’s! The footprint is Emolga’s!” “Err…” Jack blinked, head tilted and looking off to the side nervously. “That’s… a security system.” “Yep! It’s actually run by a Diglett and a Loudred. Diglett analyzes the footprint and relays it to Loudred who then opens the gate if the Pokemon is to be allowed inside. It’s your turn, by the way. Step on the grate.” “Right, right.” The Pikachu scratched the back of his head, Pecan moving off the grate so he could step on next. “Pokemon detected! Pokemon detected!” “Whose footprint? Whose footprint?” “The footprint is… th-the footprint is uhh… P-Pikachu..? Maybe Pikachu’s?” “What? WHAT!? MAYBE?? Sentry! DIGLETT WHAT THE FUCK!?” “Hey, I’m trying my best, okay!? We don’t see a lot of Pikachu around here so I’m none too familiar with the footprint anymore!” Pecan and Jack looked at each other with concerned amusement. “Are theeeyyy... arguing?” “SORRY for the WAIT! It’s TRUE, we don’t see Pikachu around these parts OFTEN so you’re a bit of a RARITY to trip up our sentry like THAT.” The voice began, its tune fluctuating between casual talk and eardrum booming. “BUT you two seem like NICE Pokemon so I suppose it’s OKAY to let you IN.” Silence overcame the pair for a moment before the ground began to shake. “W-Whoa, what’s happening!?” Jack panicked, losing his balance and falling on his face. The rumbling stopped as suddenly as it began and iron bars sealing the guild entrance lifted. “Just the gate. C’mon, off your face and let’s go! Time stops for nobody!” Giddy and excited, the Emolga scurried her way into the tent-like building, partner not far behind her. The two immediately came to a wooden ladder that led down a hole, presumably into the actual guild. “Just follow me, I think I remember where we gotta go. It’s been a little while since my first visit here.” “Right…” The chu felt a lack of confidence in Pecan’s uncertainty but he didn’t have much of a choice. Down the ladder the two went… Reaching the first basement floor, Jack was surprised by the hustle and bustle of the inside. To either side of them were bulletin boards with various papers on them. He wondered what they were for. Around the small room were a Bidoof, Sunflora, and Corphish, the three deep in conversation together sharing giggles and laughs, seemingly unaware of the arrival of two new faces. “Wow.” Jack started, his eyes scanning to and fro over ever nook and cranny of the establishment, “This place is actually neat. Who knew you’d find something like this underground.” “I know right? Ain’t this place sick?” Pecan’s tail wagged excitedly. “We’re looking for Wigglytuff, he’s our guy.” “If you’re looking for Wigglytuff, I can take you right to him~” A singsong voice chimed in as a colorful bird with a head shape of an eighth note came hopping up the ladder from further below and standing front and center of the two electric-types. “Heeey, I remember you~! You came awhile ago wanting to become an exploration team but got turned down for being alone. Looks like you got yourself a partner, and what a fitting pair~!” “Chatot!” Pecan smiled, squeezing the bird into a hug. He squawked from the unexpected affection, choked by the sky squirrel’s impressive strength. “Yep, I found myself one hell of a partner, for sure! And I’m back to start my own team!” “G-Great!~… Let’s go to Wigglytuff… Let go please~...” The chirpy bird sang out despite being borderline choked. She chuckled, letting the Chatot go and allowing him to catch his breath. “Ahem! Now, if you would please follow me~” He led the pair down to the second basement floor. Jack’s eyes were aglow with wonder as he looked over the much larger space dug out and shaped into the guild’s quarters. Directly to the right of them was a rock formation shaped like a Croagunk with said Pokemon standing inside, a cauldron with a strange, magenta liquid bubbling inside it. Flowers and grass patches adorned the floor like a sort of carpeting, a Diglett and Loudred hanging near a hole with a vine that lead down it. Off to either sides of the room seemed to lead to halls or something, the chu couldn’t quite tell from his position. “This way, please~!” Chatot spoke, the musical bird doing his usual sing-like speak as he led the two left of the ladder towards a door. “This here is Guildmaster Wigglytuff’s room and personal headquarters. In there, you will meet him and he will assign you as an exploration team.” “Oh wow!” Jack’s attention was taken from the door to the window overlooking a direct view to the ocean with bits of rock and crag on either sides and below the window. “Dude, this view is awesome! The ocean looks so mystical at night!” “Ah, yes yes it does~!” Chatot chimed in with a smile, “Having the guild dug into the ground of the cliff’s edge offers its benefits. The beautiful ocean view is certainly a plus! Now now, let us not get too distracted! Guildmaster~!” Chatot rapped on the door in a rhythm of knocks. “It’s Chatot! I’m coming in with guests~!” After making his announcement, the bird pushed open the door and stepped inside. Hesitating a moment, Pecan and Jack glanced toward each other before sharing a knowing nod and followed the bird inside. The trio were met with Wigglytuff in his small quarters. Or at least they met with his back. “Guildmaster! These two, Jack and Pecan, wish to become an exploration team~” The trio stared intently, await a response. Nothing, not even a twitch. “Erm… Guildmaster?” Chatot waved a wing. Suddenly, Wigglytuff turned around at an alarming speed. “Hiya!” He beamed at the pair, practically cheering his greeting. “Pleasure to meet you, Pikachu friend! Pleasure to see you again, Emolga friend! You’ve come back to become explorers, you did?” “Y-Yeah, eh heh heh...” Emolga chuckled nervously. [i]He’s as spontaneous as before, I see.[/i] “Great! Great! And have you two come up with a name for your team yet~?” “Name?” Jack’s eyes darted to the Emolga as if waiting for her to speak up. “…fuck, uhhhhh...” “Didn’t you say you were here before!?” Jack threw his paws up at the female. “Didn’t you know this was coming!?” “Hey, I didn’t get this far before!” Pecan retorted, trying to defend herself. “Let’s just think up something real quick.” The two huddled together. “So… you got any ideas for a name?” “Hrmm, kinda hard to think ‘bout names when all I can think about is Chatot ass. He’s pretty damn cute.” “I ain’t fairing any better, man. Me and Wigglytuff against the wall is the only thing sounding good right about now.” Pecan licked her lips, her mind indeed swimming in a sea of fantasies for the guildmaster. “He’s an exploring prodigy, I bet he’d know [i]my[/i] caves inside and out~” “Pecan, oh my lord.” Jack sighed, cheeks red with a blush. “I think I got a name for us.” “Oh yeah?” Pecan broke from their huddle and the two turned back to the pair of patient Pokemon awaiting their team name. “Yeah. What do you think of Team Estrius?” Jack proposed, head turned up and patting his chest proudly. “Estrius?” Pecan repeated. She was going to ask what if it had meaning before it clicked in her head and she hid a devious smirk. [i]He’s such a dork.[/i] She giggled to herself. “Team Estrius, huh?”Wigglytuff smiled and clapped his paws together. “I think it’s a lovely name~! I will now register you two as an official exploration team under the team name Estrius! Registering… aaand...” Wigglytuff seemed to stop and began to inhale before, “YOOOMTAAH!!” He outburst, nearly blowing the pair of electric-types out of the room. “Congratulations! You two are officially an exploration team! You will be working as apprentices under Chatot and my training and supervision~! The training can be rough, but I believe in you, friendly friends!” “Awesome! We did it, Jack, we’re one step closer to our goal~!” Pecan cheered, hugging the chu and nuzzling into his chest. His cheeks flushed red from the sudden affection, chuckling and patting her head. “Aww jeez. Alright alright, others are watchin’~” “Hey hey.” The two looked up, attention caught by Wigglytuff. There was a box in his paws. “I’m not finiiiished~ All new exploration teams are to be given the required essentials from their registering guild. Sooooo here you go~!” He presented the box to the pair, setting it down in front of them. Pecan moved forward first to open it, checking the contents inside. There was a Wonder Map, Explorer Badge, and a Treasure Bag! “Whoa… we get all of this for free?” Pecan looked in amazement, her eyes twinkling with wonder like stars in the night sky. “Yuppers!” Wigglytuff smiled, clapping his paws together, “Those are your Explorer Badges. Those are mandatory for you to keep on your person at all times. It is essentially your mark as an exploration team. It will allow you to warp to and from dungeons with the press of the gem in its center. You can also use it on clients and targets during missions~ It can even function for monetary transactions, withdrawing and depositing money alike! Next is your Wonder Map. It’s a map~! Take a look at it!” Jack pulled the map out of the box and rolled it open, the two rodents taking a look at it. “Hey, what gives? It’s almost completely covered in dirt or something?” “Those are clouds!” Wigglytuff giggled at the chu’s confusion. “Wonder Maps have magical properties. They are what will allow you to teleport yourself directly to dungeons you have already explored by tapping your Wonder Badge to the desired location~ As long as you have the map on your person, it will update itself in real time, the clouds dissipating to reveal locations you have visited and broadening your horizons as explorers~! “Lastly is your Treasure Bag! It will be your main way of carrying items with you. It is an amazing item with magical properties like a personal pocket dimension that contains your items without adding weigh to the bag! All default Treasure Bags are capable of holding up to 16 items. They can even give you benefits of a hold item without having to equip it to yourself! Very useful if your species is not quite compatible with certain types of equips. However, by using the bag that way, it will still consider the item as one of its slots so be wary of how you choose to equip! Of course, you can only take benefit from one hold item at a time. Speaking of, why don’t you take a peep in the bag?” Pecan grabbed hold of the bag and pulled the flap open. Inside the Treasure Bag was a sky blue scarf with a cloudy design adorning it as well as a bland, white ribbon. “What are these, Wigglytuff?” Pecan asked, lifting up the scarf and tying it around her neck without a second thought. “That there is a Weather Band.” He began, pointing to the item the Emolga put on as a fashion statement, “The Weather Band is an interesting item that treats all weather conditions as a clear day for the wearer. Additionally, it will also keep your body safe of most weather-based conditions and fluids in and outside of battle. You will remain sleek and dry in the harshest rains, warm and stable in the most violent snowstorms, refreshed and hydrated in the hottest sunny days, buuuut your fur can still be matted by sweat regardless of conditions. Such a strange, mysterious item~! “The other item is a Ribbon! Each Treasure Bag contains a special ribbon that wields mystical powers that resonate with the holder’s aura. The Ribbon’s color will change to match that of the user’s color of aura. It will also empower the user, making them both slightly stronger and sturdier against enemies. It is an extremely rare item that you can only obtain naturally through becoming an exploration team. Since Pecan seems to have taken a liking to the Weather Band, I think it would only be fair that Jack gets to wear the Ribbon~” “That makes sense.” Jack pulled the Ribbon out and looked it over. He then attached it just under his neck, wearing it like a necktie of sorts. As soon as he adjusted the Ribbon, it began to glow and waver as if being blown by wind. “Wh-whoa… Pecan, check it out, what’s happening?” The two looked in awe as the glow of the Ribbon gradually became stronger until it completely blinded the room in a brilliant white light. The light faded quickly and the Ribbon went stationary on the Pikachu, though it had now become a radiant orange in hue with a single white stripe adorning either end of the fabric. “It changed color.” Pecan started, staring in awe, “Just like Wigglytuff said it would… So your aura is orange, huh? I wonder if coloration means anything?” “Some say it does, but aura is a very strange property that we Pokemon know very little about. Few Pokemon, like the Lucario species, are masters of aura and perhaps know more on it than us.” Chatot informed the pair. “But that is besides the point~!” “Now! It’s getting late and you two will be starting tomorrow immediately, so Chatot here will show you to your new living space for your duration of time spent training here. Chatoooot~” “W-Wait, hold up a sec there!” Pecan intervened. She stepped toward Wigglytuff, her tail wagging back and forth. “Is this it? I mean… we don’t owe you anything? No money or services or anything for all this?” “Of course not, sillyyy~” Wigglytuff sung with a giggle. “These are mandatory for all new exploration teams! It is against the law to put a price on these items. Now, you two should be to your rooms, it is getting awfully late and you will have an early rise in the morning! Chatot, if you will~” “Err, right! Follow me, you two~!” Chatot flapped his wings at the pair and led them out of the guiildmaster’s room. From there, the group went left into a narrow corridor with weeds and vines protruding from the rocks and various openings in the walls that presumably led to bedrooms. Chatot walked the couple all the way to the end of the hall and into an empty room with two hay beds in the center. “Here we are! This will be your living space for as long as you’re working here as apprentices~ It isn’t very big but we hope it is comfortable enough for you.” “This place is awesome~! This is plenty roomy!” Pecan smiled, jumping with excitement and taking a look out the single window to the ocean view. “We even have a window with a view to the beach in the distance!” Her tail wagged happily while she stood on her tip toes. Jack eyed the female, licking his lips watching her bask in glee. His eyes were glued to her lower half, her wagging tail and swaying hips certainly catching his attention. “Good to hear! I will leave you two to it then. Get settled in and get some sleep, you two are in for a lot tomorrow~” Chatot spoke in his usual singsong voice, waving to the pair before he disappeared down the dark hall. “Welp.” Jack smirked, keeping his eyes glued to the girl’s swaying ass while she continued to gaze out the window in awe, “Step one of our plan is complete. We’re now an official exploration team. We now have our cover up. Next, we raise up the ranks and build our reputation~” He moved up behind the unaware female, admiring her excitement but, more than anything, admiring her body. He swore her ass swayed more when they heard Chatot leave. Maybe she wasn’t as oblivious as she was acting? He didn’t really care, though. His dick made that clear, all 8 inches of it swelled and enjoying the view as much as he was. He was now right behind her, his length mere inches from the Emolga’s lovely ass. A smirk made itself present on the chu as he’d line himself up to the fem’s cunt, making sure not to make contact or too much noise. If she really was oblivious to the situation behind her, he was about to give her an early wake up call. “Yeah yeah, it’s gonna be fun..~” Pecan spoke almost in a trance, her tail still wagging happily. “Sorry, I’m just so excited! I always did love the ocean… such a vast area where all you can do is fly and fly~!” “Heh, I get ya. Being an Emolga and all, you are part flying-type.” Jack chuckled at his partner, his length giving a hearty twitch with a light dabble of precum dripping to the ground. He couldn’t wait another moment. That ass was beyond enticing, the wiggles and waggles of that plump rear end. Making sure he was aligned with the female’s slick entrance, he’d lurch forward, arms wrapping around the female’s waist and plunging every inch of cock into her body. She’d yelp out in shock before a sharp moan escaped her; she was caught off guard! “If you’re gonna go spreadin’ your wings, then allow me to help you spread them legs to help you gliiiide through the wind~” “Hwaah! Y-You dick~!” The Emolga moaned, her slick sex welcoming the male’s size with a firm squeeze at his dick. Her cunt rippled around him, adjusting from the sudden invasion into her body, her ass poking out further to push and grind on the male. She’d smirk and look back at the male bucking against her, hips rolling on ass and stirring in her honeypot. She’d purr low, her front pressed against the window while the Pikachu would start his thrust, pace beginning slow with a tender ease outward, about half out of her cunny before taking the plunge back into her fire. The slosh of moist pussy being spread and bred by a swollen male sounded in their small bedroom along with the harmonic blend of male and female moans. “Fuck, you’re so damn good...” Jack panted into his partner’s ear, giving a soft bite at the large ear while shoving himself to the base inside of her, his hips pushed firmly on the girl’s ass. He knew he wasn’t going to last too long given he’s already blown more than enough orgasms today, but how could a pokephile possibly resist an ass so fat and inviting? “Yeah… sh-shit, this won’t be long...” “I don’t care, j-just shut up and give it to me~” Pecan growled, poking her ass out against the male, grinding firm and tightening her hold at the chu’s girth. Her moist entrance squeezed down upon the base of the fat dick buried in her body, feeling his size grazing her cervix with his every twitch and throb, groans from both ends sounding in a harmony of lust and pleasure. Paws wrapped around the fem’s hips, pulling her back end closer, gyrating firm against her to stir harder, spills of precum squirting against her deepest entrance with paps and splatters against the tight opening. He grumbled low, pushing his hips as tight against the Emolga’s plush behind as possible, desperate to pop into that slick sanctuary of fiery warmth and paint her uterus white with his excitement. “C-C’mon… fuuuck, get it in there...” She let out with a breathy huff, pushing her ass back harder, smothering her cheeks and squishing them against the male’s hips as he’d push back against her, both trying to hit that much needed endpoint. Jack growled aloud, his paws tightening their grip on the female. His arousal pulsed angrily against constricting walls, pushing the girl against the window and tugging out of her moist cave, every inch of dick leaving her insides. Pecan let a discontented whine out as she immediately felt empty and void of sensation, her pussy clamping on air, nectar spilling in copious amounts and staining the fur on her inner thighs. The chu smirked, watching the horny flying squirrel wiggle and thrust herself back toward him, trying to get the male back into her and feel the rush of hot semen shower her insides. “Heh… what a desperate slut you are~ But our method ain’t working, soooo...” He gave his partner a firm swat on her ass, a pleasured yelp emitting from the female and her pussy giving a spasming squeeze on nothing. Lining up with her plump sex, the chu gave a strong slam forward, digging into her depths and jabbing powerfully upon her cervix, both letting off a loud moan with the male’s dick plunging that extra bit further, the chu’s head sinking pass Pecan’s loosened entry and diving into her uterus. The heat assaulted immediately, the sensitive head clamped powerfully by the tighter hole, his back arched as he was violently massaged and milked at his most tender spots. Pecan’s entire frame shook, legs trembling hard, barely keeping herself up as an orgasm crashed down on her like a roaring waterfall, a gush of nectar washing over Jack’s dick, layering his girth with the juice and messing both of their crotches. Jack growled ferally into the girl’s ear, her climax and rippling insides sending him over the edge, racing ribbons of potent rodent cream into her body, powerful throbs of his dick pushing against the Emolga’s clamping, fleshy tunnel. Both collapsed in each other’s arms, Jack tugging his partner close and hugging her from behind, pulling her to one of the hay beds and laying with her, spooning the female and keeping himself balls deep inside her. Both were panting heavily for air, their bodies finally exhausting themselves pass their limits. Neither spoke a word, merely sharing a quick, single kiss to the lips before they were both fast asleep. It was going to be a long day tomorrow. … In the distance, a loud, booming voice could be heard. It was faint, very faint, but it seemed to intrude into the dreams of the sleeping pair of electric-types. It would outburst then go silent, minutes passing before it would repeat, each time louder than the last. It became harder and harder to remain asleep with the shouts of a megaphone in their ears. What was that noise? Who was that noise? “Hey...” Someone seemed to whisper into Jack’s ear. “Hey..!” “Hrrmm…” He mumbled and shifted. “Wake up...” The voice whispered louder. “Wake up...” “Mmh..?” “Wake UP!” It shouted. “WAKE...” “[b]UP!!![/b]” It had arrived. Standing in the opening to their room was a Loudred, a familiar one at that. “[b]HEY!![/b]” “M-My ears...” Pecan whimpered. Her head was spinning, her ears were ringing. “What is that… so loud...” “Wake UP, ROOKIES!” He roared, his voice seeming to amplify itself ten times over. It was like someone put a pair of high quality speakers right next to their ears, put them on blast, then played the loudest possible voice on top of that. “It’s TIME to wake UP!” “F-Fuck...” Jack shuddered, covering his ears. “I’m Loudred, a fellow APPRENTICE at this guild! I am the PERSONAL ALARM of this guild and it’s time to WAKE UP! Guildmaster doesn’t LIKE it when people are late to the morning BRIEFING...” The Big Voice Pokemon shuddered for a moment. “Just thinking about it… urk… ANYWAY, quit LOLLYGAGGING around and hop TO IT!” With that, he turned tail and left the two alone. Jack and Pecan groaned, rubbing their ears, trying to stop the pain from being literally screamed at. “Goddamn… My ears are still ringing...” Pecan shook her head and wiped her eyes, her vision clearing. She looked around for a moment, trying to remember where they were and what had happened last night. “What was he talking about..? Something about a morning briefing...” “Oh!” Jack shot up from the bed, having forgotten he slept balls deep in the female causing both to shudder from the sudden jolt of pleasure. His cock was moist with pussy juice and cum and as erect as could be, but they didn’t have time to bother. “We signed up to work at Wigglytuff’s Guild last night. Pecan, we overslept!” “Uh oh, we better go!” Not thinking to even at least clean themselves a little, the pair was on a hot sprint down the hall, cum leaking from Pecan’s cunt and Jack’s dick alike. The pair arrived in the main room, all eyes on them. Some looked half sleep, some concerned, and a couple pairs of eyes gazing more downward with intrigued blushes. “You’re LATE, rookies!!” Loudred roared at the pair. “HUSH!” Chatot shouted, flapping his wings frantically at the purple Pokemon. “Your voice is inexplicably loud! It is much too early for that~!” “Huff...” Loudred looked away, a bit embarrassed. “Alright~! Everyone is here, good morning to you all~!” Chatot began, seeming to not even notice that two of his apprentices were not the most publicly presentable. “May I have your patience, please? The Guildmaster will be with us momentarily.” And as he said, the door flew open and there stood Wigglytuff, eyes as open as can be, walking out and standing before the guild members. “Ah, there you are, Guildmaster~! Now that you’re here, we can begin the morning briefing!” “...mmrm murmmr...” “Err… Guildmaster?” Chatot stared his superior dead in the eyes. Not a blink nor single movement. In fact, he could even hear faint snoring! [i]SQUAWK!? H-He’s asleep!?[/i] “Hey, you see that? He’s fast asleep!” “But his eyes are wide open, hey hey!” “EEK! Talk about gross!” Whispers and murmurs circulated the small crowd. Chatot began to panic. [i]Uh oh, I gotta wake up the Guildmaster![/i] “H-Hey, Guildmaster! Please start the briefing, eh heh heh!” “Mmrm..mmh?”Wigglytuff groaned faintly, blinking himself awake. “Chatot! Good morning~ Everyone! Good morning~!” He cheered, waving to the group. “All of my friends are here and ready, let’s begin the day! You know the drill~!” “YES SIR! A ONE, A TWO, A ONE-TWO-THREE!” “ONE! DON’T SHIRK WORK!” The familiar crowd recited. Pecan followed behind and Jack eyed them all down like they were crazy. “Don’t shirk work!” “Shirk work… wh—uwa—what—what the fuck?” “TWO! RUN AWAY AND PAY!” The cheers continued, “Runaway and pay!” Pecan followed the group, “Run aw—what??” Jack groaned and shook his head. “AND THREE! SMILES GO FOR MILES!” The apprentices finished. “Smiles go for miles!” Pecan chanted, her tail wagging with excitement. [i]Oh I know what’ll get my smile goin’ for miles… hmmmm~[/i] The Pikachu licked his lips, his eyes fixated on the lusciously plump behind of a Bidoof who seemed especially cheery in his recital of the morning briefing. “Okay everyone, let’s give it out all!” Chatot chimed in, wings thrown up into the air. Everyone followed suit, giving a salute to the sky with a mighty cheer. “HOORAY!” Everyone was off to their posts. All but the two newbies of the guild. “Aaaand we have to do that… every morning?” Jack mentioned rhetorically. “I assume so. I think it’s cute~” Pecan giggled, her tail still wagging. “But look at us, we’re really doing it! We’re an exploration team now, our missions has began!” “Mission, you say~?” Chatot butted in, his eighth note head fur swaying to a beat. “Speaking of, you two are fresh off the presses and must be wondering what to do! Come, come, follow me~!” Chatot led the pair to the ladder, the electric-types following close behind. They were taken up to the bulletin room’s left side. “Now that you two are explorers, you will have a set of duties to be fulfilled on a daily basis as your work and training. Being a newly formed team of not even twenty-four hours ago, we will start you out with a simple task! If you would please look to the board ahead of you.” The two moved their glance from the bird to the bulletin board with various notes and letters pinned to it. “This here is the Job Bulletin Board. Pokemon from all over the continent will post to boards like these. Here, you can find various forms of requests, be it rescues, escorts, you name it! There are lots of Pokemon out there in the world and many in need of help and assistance. Mystery Dungeons popping up left and right, mysterious happenings and even time itself going amok! Pokemon have been going bad—rogue even—though it isn’t known if time being thrown out of whack has anything to due with the change in mindsets.” [i]Eh? Time going out of whack? Now what’s that bird goin’ on about?[/i] Jack tilted his head, someone losing himself in thought. “I’ve noticed that myself!” Pecan added, “Time has been really strange lately, like sometimes it’s felt like some places are moving faster or slower through time than others. It’s really hard to explain, but I’ve seen some places where winds seem to blow like… quicker and stuff or leaves fall unnaturally slow through the air during some of my travels around the continent. It’s super bizarre.” “Yes indeed it is! I, too, have seen some of the strange phenomena, but that is not quite important at the moment. Now, as an exploration team, you are not only tasked with the duty of ensuring the familiarity of the world and its mysteries, but you are also responsible with the well-being and protection of the Pokemon~ It can be a daring job, many come and many give up, but the end result can be well worth the time consumed~! Pokemon can be [i]very[/i] thankful for even the simplest tasks. You never know what kinds of treasures they may be willing to get off of their hands and paws just for a little help~” “Oh ho ho, now we’re talkin’.” Jack’s ear twitched, lips curling into a devious smirk. If he were to be honest, all of this helping goodie goodie two shoes crap sounded like a total bore. But now they were getting into the juicy bits: rewards. Knowing that his efforts of having to care for others wouldn’t go unnoticed had him much more enthusiastic for the life ahead of him. And that emphasis… very thankful, huh? And what Pecan had told him before. He could only begin to wonder the persuasive things he could manipulate the needy into giving to him for his services~ “Oh yeah… this is gettin’ good. So tell us whatcha got for us, Chatot? Being rookies and all, I think it’d do us better to have a vet like yourself pick out our starting responsibility.” “Wah?! Y-You really think so?” Chatot blushed from the sudden praise of sorts. “Gosh, I’ve not had someone willingly allow me such a task. Granted, I would have done so anyway… most usually complain about getting the simple start.” “Well experienced travelers, battlers, or whatever you may be, if you don’t know what it’s like to be an exploration team, all that experience may not do you much good, y’know? This is traveling with a task now. You know this much better than we do, so we trust you!” Pecan added, smiling sweetly to the bird. Chatot’s cheeks flushed a deeper red hue and he turned away, ruffling his feathers a bit and regaining his composure. “R-Right well!...Ahem! Allow me to select a request for you then! Now let’s see...” The flying-type scanned over the bulletin board. About a minute of silence passed before he spoke up. “Aha! This oughta do it~!” Chatot ripped a sheet hanging on the board near the bottom right corner of the board and handed it over to Pecan. “Why don’t you give it a read~?” “Oh, okay.” Pecan took the note and began reading it aloud. “Hello! My name is Spoink! An outlaw has run off with my most prized possession. My precious pearl! That pearl is life itself …to me! I just can’t seem to settle down if that pearl isn’t in its proper atop my head! But I’ve heard my pearl has been sighted! It’s said to be on a rocky bluff. But this bluff is reported to be extremely unsafe. I could never go somewhere so frightening! Oh, friendly readers! Would you be so kind as to go to the bluff and get my pearl? I beg your help, exploration team members! From Spoink. “Huh. A fetch quest, eh? No prob, piece of cake~” Pecan put her hands on her hips triumphantly. “So, got any more for us on the rundown or is it safe to get going now, Chatot?” “Ah yes, just one more thing. This one is another bit of a mandatory regardless of if you’re familiar or not so I hope you don’t mind.” Chatot began. “It’s about exploration itself and the Mystery Dungeons.” “TELL ME, OH LORDY SPIT IT OUT!” Jack suddenly outburst. “I need to know [i]everything[/i] about these dungeons! This is all so strange and unusual to me! I-I mean… I’ve never really done much in exploring in my life so I’m none too familiar with the dungeon whatnots, eh heh heh...” “Consider yourself lucky then~ First thing to note is a Mystery Dungeon is just that. They are very mysterious places that hold a strange aura about them, almost like a sort of magic. Every time you enter one, its layout will change~! However, its floor length will always remain the same, meaning a dungeon that is ten floors long will always be ten floors long. Wild and feral Pokemon also tend to make their homes in Mystery Dungeons and will not hesitate to attack any unfamiliar faces, especially those of exploration teams. If you are defeated in a dungeon, you will be warped out of it and back to your base of operations—in this case, that would be back here. When doing certain missions, you can use your Explorer Badge to help your clients, and yourselves, escape a dungeon. However, be aware that if you are to use your Explorer Badge as a premature escape and give up on your exploration, you will be penalized by losing some items and all money you have on hand! You will also lose items and money if you are defeated during exploration, so be extra careful and be alert of each other’s health and conditions~! Now, I believe that is all the important information, if I may see your map for a moment?” “Oh?” Jack reached into the treasure bag, pulling out their map and unraveling it. Chatot looked over the heavily clouded map before tapping a spot on it, causing a mark to be placed. “Here is the location of the dungeon you have to traverse. Do be on your way and be safe~!” “Right. Thanks for the big tidbit.” Jack gave the bird a respectful bow. “Let’s be on our way, Pecan. We’ve got a big mission on our hands.” “Oh yeah? Big sounds just about right~” Pecan licked her lips and the pair was out the guild and on their way to truly begin their new lives as explorers. The world awaits!