Chapter One: Hey You
GastlyGibus
World's worst critic
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An RP turned fic for fun. Why not?
Not-story-related schpiel that's not important but if you wanna read it anyways here it iiiiiiiis.
Table of Contents
EDITS:
Chapter One: Hey You
The large tent flapped lightly in the breeze. It was late in the evening, an orange glow from the setting sun radiating all around, the sun itself hidden behind the sizeable green tent. Here was where the explorer's guild made their home, a group of pokémon from all walks of life gathered together under one purpose; to discover all the secrets the world had to offer, and to help and assist any pokémon in need. Many pokémon, young and old, of all types and species, called this place their home, and it was here that Joshua now stood, simply staring at the entrance with fear in his eyes.
The swadloon didn't move, hardly even breathing, immobilized by the fear and panic beginning to set in.
"Oh, what are you doing, Joshua?" he thought, berating himself. "Joining the guild? Really? Do you really think you have what it takes? You're really going to throw everything away for this?"
He shook his head, clearing the negative thoughts from his mind. No! He wasn't going to back down. Now was the time to throw cowardice aside, to finally take action and do what he set out to do! No more excuses! He was going to march bravely in that tent, shuffle directly up the guildmaster, and ask - no, demand - to join the guild! With a deep breath, he slowly began to move forward.
"Wait!" A voice called out. Joshua nearly jumped in surprise, immediately stopping in his tracks and turning to see an elgyem running towards him. "Joshua, wait!"
"I'm waiting!" Joshua called back, somewhat confused by his friend's arrival. What was he doing here? What did Kyle want?
“Just… wait…” the elgyem said, stopping in front of Joshua and pausing to catch his breath. Wiping his brow, he straightened himself out, turning to the guild tent. "Wow, you're actually doing it, aren't you?" The elgyem said in shock.
"Of course I am," Joshua replied indignantly. "Did you think I was lying?"
"No, of course not," the elgyem said, raising his hands defensively. "I mean, it's just... well, I didn't think you'd actually do it, you know?"
"Well, I'm actually doing it, so there," Joshua said finally, puffing out his chest in a vain attempt to show confidence. It didn't fool the psychic type for a second. “I made up my mind, and that’s all there is to it.”
"Joshua, I know what you're thinking, and..." the elgyem sighed. "Look, I don't want to try and change your mind, but... are you really sure about this?" He reached a hand over on the swadloon's shoulder, looking his friend in the eye. "You don't have to do this if you don't want to."
"It's not about what I want, Kyle," Joshua said with a sigh. "You know that."
"But it is, Josh," Kyle answered. "I know you feel like you have to do this, but think about it. Are you really ready for that kind of commitment? It takes dedication to be an explorer. Training day in and day out, participating in dangerous missions, tracking criminals, keeping the villages safe... I mean, are you really sure you're up to the task? Nobody will think less of you if you don’t."
"Are you saying I'm not good enough?" Joshua answered, a twinge of offense in his tone. "I'm going in there, and I don't need you berating me saying I can't do it!"
"Josh, please, I'm not trying to belittle you. Honest!" The elgyem said in retraction. "Heck, I wouldn't even make it in that kind of work. It's so full of danger and excitement, I don't think either of us would be ready for it." He sighed once, just wishing he could verbalize his thoughts without sounding rude or condescending. “I’m just saying… I… I don’t really know how to put it, I’m sorry… but….”
“But nothing,” Joshua said finally, turning away from Kyle and back to the guild entrance. “I’m sorry, but I’m going to go in there, whether I like it or not. I have to.”
“Then… then I’m going with you!” Kyle exclaimed suddenly. Joshua jumped in awe, turning back to the elgyem with wide eyes.
“No!” He said defiantly. “I’m not dragging anybody else into this. I won’t have you follow in my footsteps.”
“Do you even have a team?” Kyle said. “You’re really going to go in there all alone, with no friends beside you, to be placed randomly in some group? You know that won’t work out well for you at all. I know you too well.” He knew how distrustful and, frankly, how paranoid the swadloon was around strangers. How Kyle himself had befriended the reclusive swadloon was a mystery, but the psychic knew that Joshua jumping straight into a group of people he didn’t even know would not yield good results. “At least this way you’ll have a friend by your side.”
“But you’ll be throwing away everything just so I won’t be alone,” Joshua replied. “I appreciate the kind gesture, and honestly, I’d like nothing more than to go in there with you beside me, but you can’t just toss away your own living for my sake.”
“Oh, come on,” Kyle said, crossing his arms. “Throwing away my budding career as a professional chess player? Not to make myself sound pathetic, but there’s not much for me out here anyways.” The elgyem placed his hand on the swadloon’s back. “If you’re going to go on this dangerous journey, I’m going to go with you.”
Joshua sighed once. He had hoped not to drag anybody else down with him. “Kyle, please, you can’t…”
“I can, and I will,” Kyle said, looking down at the swadloon with a smirk. “If we’re going to get our asses kicked, then we’ll get our asses kicked together.”
“Language, please,” Joshua said, groaning quietly.
“Right, right…” Kyle replied with a chuckle. “Come on. Wouldn’t you rather have a friend with you for this?”
“I would, but…”
“But nothing,” Kyle replied, mimicking Josh with a grin. “We’re going in there, and we're going to march right up to the guildmaster, ask to join, and be a team!” Suddenly, the elgyem grasped the swadloon’s hand firmly. “Come on! We’re walking in there together!”
“We can’t!” Joshua said, trying to remove his hand from Kyle’s grasp but failing.
“Don’t try to dissuade me,” Kyle said confidently. “We’re going in there together, and that’s that!”
“No,” Joshua said, pointing to the sign in front of the guild.
“We literally can’t go in together,” Joshua informed the elgyem. “We have to go one at a time.”
“Oh…” Kyle said, laughing awkwardly to himself and rubbing the back of his neck. “I see. Well then, I’m going in first, and then you have to follow me!” Without waiting for Joshua’s response, Kyle ran forward and planted his feet proudly in the circular pit of sand in front of the tent entrance. Immediately, the sand rose slightly and grabbed one foot, causing Kyle to let out an indignant squeal in shock.
“New arrival!” a deep voice bellowed out. Kyle frantically turned his head back and forth, looking for the source, unable to find it. “Stand still, identification in progress.” The voice seemed to be coming from underground!
Suddenly, the sand relinquished its hold on Kyle’s foot, as the voice spoke once more. “Elgyem, Kyle Mason of Independence! Entry permitted!”
Kyle wasted no time, quickly jumping out of the sand pit towards the entrance to the guild. “W-whoa!” He exclaimed. “That’s… weird.” He looked over to Joshua, beckoning him over. “Come on, your turn!”
Joshua wanted to object, but he swallowed his words. No time for objections now. Closing his eyes, the swadloon scooted over into the sand pit, sinking slightly into the earth and squeaking helplessly.
“New arrival! Stand still, identification in progress.”
“Don’t hurt me!” Joshua cried in fear, clutching tightly at his leaf coat and holding his eyes shut.
“Swadloon, Joshua Vensworth of Pleasant Meadow! Entry permitted!”
Just as with Kyle, the sand loosened it’s grip on the swadloon, with Joshua darting away towards the guild tent faster than a Beedrill. “Phew!” He said, wiping his the sweat from his forehead.
“New arrivals, please enter the guild and await further instructions,” the voice said finally, before all fell silent. The two friends turned to the darkness of the tent, peering at the spiralling staircase inside. Down and down it went, into the earth, leading to the underground headquarters of the Independence city Explorer’s Guild.
“Well, no going back now,” Kyle said finally, turning to Joshua, nodding. “You ready?”
Joshua hesitantly nodded back. “I suppose…” he said. “...thanks for coming with me.”
“Of course, Josh,” Kyle said with a smile, patting the swadloon on the back. “Come on, let’s go!”
An RP turned fic for fun. Why not?
Not-story-related schpiel that's not important but if you wanna read it anyways here it iiiiiiiis.
Hey! Don't know if anybody remembers me, but that's not important. I'm here with another story. I've been away for some time taking care of life and stuff, so I'm coming back, hoping to write something serious now. As of right now, all of my old stories are considered shelved, to be revived at a later date, but not while this story is still going on. I'm focusing my efforts on two projects right now, this being one of them.
So, sit back, enjoy, and tell me what you think! That's all for now.
So, sit back, enjoy, and tell me what you think! That's all for now.
Table of Contents
Chapter One: Hey You
Chapter Two: Spirits Rebellious
Chapter Three: Come As You Are
Chapter Four: Made in the Shade
Chapter Five: Where the Wild Things Are
Chapter Six: Thou Shalt Not
Chapter Seven: Behind the Sun
Chapter Eight: Sincerity
Chapter Nine: To Defy the Laws of Tradition
Chapter Ten: Phenomenon
Chapter Eleven: It's Getting OK Now
Chapter Twelve: The Same Old You
Chapter Thirteen: Can't Stop the Sun
Chapter Fourteen: Carry On
Chapter Two: Spirits Rebellious
Chapter Three: Come As You Are
Chapter Four: Made in the Shade
Chapter Five: Where the Wild Things Are
Chapter Six: Thou Shalt Not
Chapter Seven: Behind the Sun
Chapter Eight: Sincerity
Chapter Nine: To Defy the Laws of Tradition
Chapter Ten: Phenomenon
Chapter Eleven: It's Getting OK Now
Chapter Twelve: The Same Old You
Chapter Thirteen: Can't Stop the Sun
Chapter Fourteen: Carry On
EDITS:
8/13/18: I realize I've been rather... inconsistent in my capitalizing of pokémon species. Corrected in future chapters.
8/23/16: Spruced up the intro for chapter one.
8/29/16: This chapter has been reworked. Ending from chapter two moved to the beginning of this chapter and heavily altered.
9/18/16: Edited dialogue slightly for coherency.
8/23/16: Spruced up the intro for chapter one.
8/29/16: This chapter has been reworked. Ending from chapter two moved to the beginning of this chapter and heavily altered.
9/18/16: Edited dialogue slightly for coherency.
Chapter One: Hey You
Deep, deep in the dark caverns the Sableye crawled. So many glittering gems, so tasty, so appealing... but no! He must return to his mistress with his prize. The time for eating would come later. As he traversed the dank caves, he eventually came to his destination. A large opening in the cave, adorned with torches for light. The sound of a water crashing from a waterfall at the end, with a small clearing directly in front of it. On a makeshift throne of stone, sitting impatiently, was a mismagius, with her head resting on her palm.
The sableye ran up to the ghost pokémon gleefully, all too ready to present his mistress with a satisfactory job well-done. "Master, master! Sheelo returns! Sheelo is here with jewel for you!"
"It's about time," the mismagius said curtly. "Well, let's see it! Give it here, quickly."
The sableye did as commanded, holding his palms out with the small emerald he had obtained. The mismagius grabbed the gem, analyzing it, her face devoid of emotion. "Sheelo," she asked, "describe to me exactly what I told you to do."
"Oh! Oh!" Sheelo stated excitedly. "Sheelo go to Floral Ruins to get important ruby for master!"
"Yes, yes..." the mismagius said, her voice monotone, not taking her eyes off the emerald. "And tell me, what color are rubies, Sheelo?"
"Rubies are red! Pretty, pretty red!" the sableye responded, lightly hopping from foot to foor in anticipation. Surely he was to be congratulated on a job well done.
"Very good, Sheelo!" the mismagius replied, clapping her hands, before holding out the gem to the sableye. "Now, what color is this gem?"
"Gem is green! Gem is..." Sheelo stopped, suddenly realizing his error, his smile fading quickly. The enthusiasm left him, deflating his spirits like a popped balloon. He began to tremble slightly, falling to his knees in defeat.
"You bumbling idiot!" the mismagius suddenly shouted, throwing the emerald, smacking Sheelo square in the forehead. The sableye rubbed his head in pain, cowering and whimpering as the mismagius rose from her seat. "I gave you a simple task, to find the ruby, and you can't even do that right!"
"Sheelo is sorry! Sheelo is very, very sorry!" the sableye sobbed, now prostrating himself before his mistress. "Please don't hurt Sheelo! Sheelo will do better! Better for master!"
The mismagius was about to raise her voice again, before realizing it wouldn't be best to destroy her most loyal servant, the incompetent fool that he was. He was a useless simpleton, but he was an obedient, useless simpleton.
"Get up," she ordered, causing the sableye to slowly rise to his feet. "Do you promise to do better next time?"
"Sheelo promise!" the sableye said, pleading. "Sheelo will do better!"
"Very well," the mismagius said, rolling her eyes. "I have another task for you, one so simple, even you can do it."
"Sheelo ready! Tell Sheelo what mission is!" he replied eagerly.
"Go to the Forgotten Abyss. There you will meet an associate of mine, a seadra, by the name of Uziah. Tell him I sent you, and he will explain the rest. Do you understand? Or should I nail the directions to your forehead in case you forget?"
"Sheelo understands," the sableye replied, bobbing back and forth happily, her previous cruelty all but forgotten by his small mind. "Forgotten Abyss. Seadra. Uziah. Will do! Will do good for master!"
"Good," the mismagius replied. "Get to it, then."
With that, Sheelo sprung away, once again jittering to himself in eager excitement. The mismagius simply brought a ghostly hand to her face, mentally exhausted just from dealing with the fool.
"Idiot..." she mumbled. As soon as the sableye left, the mismagius hovered quietly, as if pacing back and forth. “That little cretin…” she groaned again, before rational thought took her again. Yes, but a useful idiot, came her logical thinking. As hopeless as she knew her servant to be, for what he was good at, he was worth keeping around. She reckoned he could steal a pair of glasses from someone’s face without them even noticing. She would need his thieving hands to do dirty work later.
She idly wandered towards the waterfall, carefully easing behind it to reveal a small shelf carved out of stone, on which lay a simple cloth sack, as well as an old explorer’s badge. It’s color was faded, having been deactivated long ago and taken off the guild’s radar. She took the pouch, glancing inside. Within lied six brilliantly shining rubies, a treasure in and of itself, but she knew these were so much more than simple gemstones. She could feel the power radiating from within them, seeming to pulse in the bag before she sealed it up again. She needed one more to complete the set - one that Sheelo was supposed to retrieve - for their full potential to be achieved. Until then, they were nothing but useless trinkets. Mismagius sighed; she'd have to fetch the last one by herself, it seemed.
The mismagius then grabbed the explorer’s badge. What was once a proud symbol of bravery and honor had since deteriorated to a relic of a time long past. The black onyx gem in the center was now foggy and jaded, and the gold outlines around had lost their sheen to dust. She grasped the badge in her wispy tendrils, clutching it tightly, her eyes growing brighter in a mixture of anger and sorrow.
You had it all within your hands, she cursed to herself. The power was yours…
“And you gave it up!” she suddenly shouted, flinging the badge violently against the stone floor, the clang of the metal almost drowned out by the roaring waterfall. She sighed, walking over to the badge again, delicately picking it up again in regret. No, she couldn’t treat this with such malice. She couldn’t treat the badge’s legacy like this. Not after all he had done for her.
“You might have failed… or given up… but I haven’t,” mismagius said finally. She clutched the badge again, staring deep into it’s black center before hastily putting it away on her person. Soon, she turned to an exit from the cave, holding her bag tightly and keeping it safe. “Soon, I’ll finish what you started.” Years of planning had led to this moment, and now, she felt, things were finally beginning to stir in motion. “Just a few more days… and I’ll finish it; I’ll do what you, in all your power, could not do. And then..." she mused, giggling malevolently to herself. "Then, everything changes."
The sableye ran up to the ghost pokémon gleefully, all too ready to present his mistress with a satisfactory job well-done. "Master, master! Sheelo returns! Sheelo is here with jewel for you!"
"It's about time," the mismagius said curtly. "Well, let's see it! Give it here, quickly."
The sableye did as commanded, holding his palms out with the small emerald he had obtained. The mismagius grabbed the gem, analyzing it, her face devoid of emotion. "Sheelo," she asked, "describe to me exactly what I told you to do."
"Oh! Oh!" Sheelo stated excitedly. "Sheelo go to Floral Ruins to get important ruby for master!"
"Yes, yes..." the mismagius said, her voice monotone, not taking her eyes off the emerald. "And tell me, what color are rubies, Sheelo?"
"Rubies are red! Pretty, pretty red!" the sableye responded, lightly hopping from foot to foor in anticipation. Surely he was to be congratulated on a job well done.
"Very good, Sheelo!" the mismagius replied, clapping her hands, before holding out the gem to the sableye. "Now, what color is this gem?"
"Gem is green! Gem is..." Sheelo stopped, suddenly realizing his error, his smile fading quickly. The enthusiasm left him, deflating his spirits like a popped balloon. He began to tremble slightly, falling to his knees in defeat.
"You bumbling idiot!" the mismagius suddenly shouted, throwing the emerald, smacking Sheelo square in the forehead. The sableye rubbed his head in pain, cowering and whimpering as the mismagius rose from her seat. "I gave you a simple task, to find the ruby, and you can't even do that right!"
"Sheelo is sorry! Sheelo is very, very sorry!" the sableye sobbed, now prostrating himself before his mistress. "Please don't hurt Sheelo! Sheelo will do better! Better for master!"
The mismagius was about to raise her voice again, before realizing it wouldn't be best to destroy her most loyal servant, the incompetent fool that he was. He was a useless simpleton, but he was an obedient, useless simpleton.
"Get up," she ordered, causing the sableye to slowly rise to his feet. "Do you promise to do better next time?"
"Sheelo promise!" the sableye said, pleading. "Sheelo will do better!"
"Very well," the mismagius said, rolling her eyes. "I have another task for you, one so simple, even you can do it."
"Sheelo ready! Tell Sheelo what mission is!" he replied eagerly.
"Go to the Forgotten Abyss. There you will meet an associate of mine, a seadra, by the name of Uziah. Tell him I sent you, and he will explain the rest. Do you understand? Or should I nail the directions to your forehead in case you forget?"
"Sheelo understands," the sableye replied, bobbing back and forth happily, her previous cruelty all but forgotten by his small mind. "Forgotten Abyss. Seadra. Uziah. Will do! Will do good for master!"
"Good," the mismagius replied. "Get to it, then."
With that, Sheelo sprung away, once again jittering to himself in eager excitement. The mismagius simply brought a ghostly hand to her face, mentally exhausted just from dealing with the fool.
"Idiot..." she mumbled. As soon as the sableye left, the mismagius hovered quietly, as if pacing back and forth. “That little cretin…” she groaned again, before rational thought took her again. Yes, but a useful idiot, came her logical thinking. As hopeless as she knew her servant to be, for what he was good at, he was worth keeping around. She reckoned he could steal a pair of glasses from someone’s face without them even noticing. She would need his thieving hands to do dirty work later.
She idly wandered towards the waterfall, carefully easing behind it to reveal a small shelf carved out of stone, on which lay a simple cloth sack, as well as an old explorer’s badge. It’s color was faded, having been deactivated long ago and taken off the guild’s radar. She took the pouch, glancing inside. Within lied six brilliantly shining rubies, a treasure in and of itself, but she knew these were so much more than simple gemstones. She could feel the power radiating from within them, seeming to pulse in the bag before she sealed it up again. She needed one more to complete the set - one that Sheelo was supposed to retrieve - for their full potential to be achieved. Until then, they were nothing but useless trinkets. Mismagius sighed; she'd have to fetch the last one by herself, it seemed.
The mismagius then grabbed the explorer’s badge. What was once a proud symbol of bravery and honor had since deteriorated to a relic of a time long past. The black onyx gem in the center was now foggy and jaded, and the gold outlines around had lost their sheen to dust. She grasped the badge in her wispy tendrils, clutching it tightly, her eyes growing brighter in a mixture of anger and sorrow.
You had it all within your hands, she cursed to herself. The power was yours…
“And you gave it up!” she suddenly shouted, flinging the badge violently against the stone floor, the clang of the metal almost drowned out by the roaring waterfall. She sighed, walking over to the badge again, delicately picking it up again in regret. No, she couldn’t treat this with such malice. She couldn’t treat the badge’s legacy like this. Not after all he had done for her.
“You might have failed… or given up… but I haven’t,” mismagius said finally. She clutched the badge again, staring deep into it’s black center before hastily putting it away on her person. Soon, she turned to an exit from the cave, holding her bag tightly and keeping it safe. “Soon, I’ll finish what you started.” Years of planning had led to this moment, and now, she felt, things were finally beginning to stir in motion. “Just a few more days… and I’ll finish it; I’ll do what you, in all your power, could not do. And then..." she mused, giggling malevolently to herself. "Then, everything changes."
***
The large tent flapped lightly in the breeze. It was late in the evening, an orange glow from the setting sun radiating all around, the sun itself hidden behind the sizeable green tent. Here was where the explorer's guild made their home, a group of pokémon from all walks of life gathered together under one purpose; to discover all the secrets the world had to offer, and to help and assist any pokémon in need. Many pokémon, young and old, of all types and species, called this place their home, and it was here that Joshua now stood, simply staring at the entrance with fear in his eyes.
The swadloon didn't move, hardly even breathing, immobilized by the fear and panic beginning to set in.
"Oh, what are you doing, Joshua?" he thought, berating himself. "Joining the guild? Really? Do you really think you have what it takes? You're really going to throw everything away for this?"
He shook his head, clearing the negative thoughts from his mind. No! He wasn't going to back down. Now was the time to throw cowardice aside, to finally take action and do what he set out to do! No more excuses! He was going to march bravely in that tent, shuffle directly up the guildmaster, and ask - no, demand - to join the guild! With a deep breath, he slowly began to move forward.
"Wait!" A voice called out. Joshua nearly jumped in surprise, immediately stopping in his tracks and turning to see an elgyem running towards him. "Joshua, wait!"
"I'm waiting!" Joshua called back, somewhat confused by his friend's arrival. What was he doing here? What did Kyle want?
“Just… wait…” the elgyem said, stopping in front of Joshua and pausing to catch his breath. Wiping his brow, he straightened himself out, turning to the guild tent. "Wow, you're actually doing it, aren't you?" The elgyem said in shock.
"Of course I am," Joshua replied indignantly. "Did you think I was lying?"
"No, of course not," the elgyem said, raising his hands defensively. "I mean, it's just... well, I didn't think you'd actually do it, you know?"
"Well, I'm actually doing it, so there," Joshua said finally, puffing out his chest in a vain attempt to show confidence. It didn't fool the psychic type for a second. “I made up my mind, and that’s all there is to it.”
"Joshua, I know what you're thinking, and..." the elgyem sighed. "Look, I don't want to try and change your mind, but... are you really sure about this?" He reached a hand over on the swadloon's shoulder, looking his friend in the eye. "You don't have to do this if you don't want to."
"It's not about what I want, Kyle," Joshua said with a sigh. "You know that."
"But it is, Josh," Kyle answered. "I know you feel like you have to do this, but think about it. Are you really ready for that kind of commitment? It takes dedication to be an explorer. Training day in and day out, participating in dangerous missions, tracking criminals, keeping the villages safe... I mean, are you really sure you're up to the task? Nobody will think less of you if you don’t."
"Are you saying I'm not good enough?" Joshua answered, a twinge of offense in his tone. "I'm going in there, and I don't need you berating me saying I can't do it!"
"Josh, please, I'm not trying to belittle you. Honest!" The elgyem said in retraction. "Heck, I wouldn't even make it in that kind of work. It's so full of danger and excitement, I don't think either of us would be ready for it." He sighed once, just wishing he could verbalize his thoughts without sounding rude or condescending. “I’m just saying… I… I don’t really know how to put it, I’m sorry… but….”
“But nothing,” Joshua said finally, turning away from Kyle and back to the guild entrance. “I’m sorry, but I’m going to go in there, whether I like it or not. I have to.”
“Then… then I’m going with you!” Kyle exclaimed suddenly. Joshua jumped in awe, turning back to the elgyem with wide eyes.
“No!” He said defiantly. “I’m not dragging anybody else into this. I won’t have you follow in my footsteps.”
“Do you even have a team?” Kyle said. “You’re really going to go in there all alone, with no friends beside you, to be placed randomly in some group? You know that won’t work out well for you at all. I know you too well.” He knew how distrustful and, frankly, how paranoid the swadloon was around strangers. How Kyle himself had befriended the reclusive swadloon was a mystery, but the psychic knew that Joshua jumping straight into a group of people he didn’t even know would not yield good results. “At least this way you’ll have a friend by your side.”
“But you’ll be throwing away everything just so I won’t be alone,” Joshua replied. “I appreciate the kind gesture, and honestly, I’d like nothing more than to go in there with you beside me, but you can’t just toss away your own living for my sake.”
“Oh, come on,” Kyle said, crossing his arms. “Throwing away my budding career as a professional chess player? Not to make myself sound pathetic, but there’s not much for me out here anyways.” The elgyem placed his hand on the swadloon’s back. “If you’re going to go on this dangerous journey, I’m going to go with you.”
Joshua sighed once. He had hoped not to drag anybody else down with him. “Kyle, please, you can’t…”
“I can, and I will,” Kyle said, looking down at the swadloon with a smirk. “If we’re going to get our asses kicked, then we’ll get our asses kicked together.”
“Language, please,” Joshua said, groaning quietly.
“Right, right…” Kyle replied with a chuckle. “Come on. Wouldn’t you rather have a friend with you for this?”
“I would, but…”
“But nothing,” Kyle replied, mimicking Josh with a grin. “We’re going in there, and we're going to march right up to the guildmaster, ask to join, and be a team!” Suddenly, the elgyem grasped the swadloon’s hand firmly. “Come on! We’re walking in there together!”
“We can’t!” Joshua said, trying to remove his hand from Kyle’s grasp but failing.
“Don’t try to dissuade me,” Kyle said confidently. “We’re going in there together, and that’s that!”
“No,” Joshua said, pointing to the sign in front of the guild.
“Approach the sand pit one at a time and await instructions from the sentry.”
“We literally can’t go in together,” Joshua informed the elgyem. “We have to go one at a time.”
“Oh…” Kyle said, laughing awkwardly to himself and rubbing the back of his neck. “I see. Well then, I’m going in first, and then you have to follow me!” Without waiting for Joshua’s response, Kyle ran forward and planted his feet proudly in the circular pit of sand in front of the tent entrance. Immediately, the sand rose slightly and grabbed one foot, causing Kyle to let out an indignant squeal in shock.
“New arrival!” a deep voice bellowed out. Kyle frantically turned his head back and forth, looking for the source, unable to find it. “Stand still, identification in progress.” The voice seemed to be coming from underground!
Suddenly, the sand relinquished its hold on Kyle’s foot, as the voice spoke once more. “Elgyem, Kyle Mason of Independence! Entry permitted!”
Kyle wasted no time, quickly jumping out of the sand pit towards the entrance to the guild. “W-whoa!” He exclaimed. “That’s… weird.” He looked over to Joshua, beckoning him over. “Come on, your turn!”
Joshua wanted to object, but he swallowed his words. No time for objections now. Closing his eyes, the swadloon scooted over into the sand pit, sinking slightly into the earth and squeaking helplessly.
“New arrival! Stand still, identification in progress.”
“Don’t hurt me!” Joshua cried in fear, clutching tightly at his leaf coat and holding his eyes shut.
“Swadloon, Joshua Vensworth of Pleasant Meadow! Entry permitted!”
Just as with Kyle, the sand loosened it’s grip on the swadloon, with Joshua darting away towards the guild tent faster than a Beedrill. “Phew!” He said, wiping his the sweat from his forehead.
“New arrivals, please enter the guild and await further instructions,” the voice said finally, before all fell silent. The two friends turned to the darkness of the tent, peering at the spiralling staircase inside. Down and down it went, into the earth, leading to the underground headquarters of the Independence city Explorer’s Guild.
“Well, no going back now,” Kyle said finally, turning to Joshua, nodding. “You ready?”
Joshua hesitantly nodded back. “I suppose…” he said. “...thanks for coming with me.”
“Of course, Josh,” Kyle said with a smile, patting the swadloon on the back. “Come on, let’s go!”
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