FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Sawyer and May had been following the suspicious Pokémon for a while, long enough to identify them as two Grimer being led by a Croagunk who was walking ahead of them. The real point of concern, however, was the unconscious Eevee that one of the Grimer was dragging along. All the while, the Shinx and Mareep had made sure to hug the treeline and hide behind nearby bushes in the forest path, so as to avoid the apparent kidnappers' attention.

"Wonder where they're going..." Sawyer muttered, seeing them venture deeper and deeper into the forest.

"Don't know," May replied, "But, seriously, Sawyer... Don'tcha think we should just go to the Guild and let 'em know? They're probably better prepared for the whole rescue deal than we are!"

"Think we should try to save her?"

"Dangit! Did ya even listen to a word I just said?!"

"Sure I did, but come on! They could get away while we go and get help!"

The two kept sliding carefully from bush to bush, peeking out to keep an eye on the three Poison-types, until they saw the three venture into a much, much darker portion of the woods.

"Well," Sawyer stepped out of the bushes once the others had gone into the dark path ahead, "Path gets too narrow here... I don' think we can keep hiding if we want to keep following them..."

"Sawyer, we're already late for the exam," May answered in a slightly stern tone, "Besides, what're we goin' to do, anyway? We ain't no fighters!"

"Well, if we're already late, I don't think there's any point in not going, right?" Sawyer looked into the darker road, "Besides, we don't have to fight anyone... We can just get her out! It's not like they'll be keeping an eye on her forever, right?"

The sheep shook her head slowly, thinking on her friend's words and the idea that the kidnappers could get away with their deed, "Well, I can't believe I'm gonna say this, but... Alright. I'm with ya! Let's go."

The two walked down the path into the dark forest, into the unknown of its depths...

They hadn't been walking for so long, but something about the air in the forest suddenly felt different... Heavier; everything was quiet save for the crunching of leaves they'd step on along the way, and the sun, while still managing to shine through the canopy of the tall trees, failed to give the place any decent illumination. Before they had the time to react, however, they had already found themselves standing before a huge fork on the road. Five... Six... Nine paths suddenly split from the one they were following.

"Huh?" Sawyer looked around curiously... Too many for him to just choose one without any considerable risk of never finding the ones they were after, "Well, what now?"

"Well..." May tried to look down every path... Nothing was visible at all. The Mareep turned to see the rightmost one and continued, "I can't really tell which way we should go... It's all a bit of a gamble right now. Maybe that one?" She raised her paw at the path she was looking at, "Why don't you try picking up a scent or something? Ain't you Luxray-kin supposed to be good hunters?"

"Just because my species are hunters doesn't mean we all know how to do that..." Sawyer replied with a slight shrug as he raised his head to sniff at the air, then quickly turned down to see if he could catch a scent on the ground, only to have a stingy stench almost burn his nostrils, "Though Grimer stink so much even I could pick up their trail! Darn, that's gross!" he finished, struggling to keep his stomach's contents where they belong before pointing down a path with his paw, "It's that way..."

"See? I knew you could find the path!" the Mareep giggled as she followed her friend.

Once they'd chosen which path to follow, navigating the forest was a somewhat simple task; for one, the path kept going straight forward, and the scent of the Grimer made it practically impossible to miss their trail. As a matter of fact, the stench only seemed to be getting stronger.

"So... Where are you from?" May asked casually as the two kept walking forward.

"Badlands," Sawyer replied, looking at the sheep, "past the Silverflow river."

"Whoowee!" May seemed surprised, "That's far! How long did you have to travel to get here?"

"Less than a day, actually. I was sort of living near town when I made my way here..." the Shinx spoke idly, "What about you?"

"My family owns a small bit of farmland nearby," The Mareep answered with a slight smile, "We grow berries n' such... Though our wool sells for a good price, too!"

Both kept silent for a while before the sheep asked her friend, "And what about you? You got any family over at the badlands?"

"My whole pack's my family, in a way," Sawyer answered with a sigh, "Though I really haven't seen them in a while..." He looked down, sadly.

"Sorry," May noticed the cub's reaction, "Didn't mean to tug on somethin' sensitive there..."

"Huh? Nah, it's fine," Sawyer shook his head a bit, "Don't worry about it!"

"Well..." A slight caw behind them made two turn around and look up to the treetops, "Who are these two...? Did they get lost...? Are they looking for something...? Maybe trouble?"

"W-where are you?!" May scanned the treetops, trying to find the source of the voice.

"What do you want?!" Sawyer added as he went back-to-back with the Mareep, bracing himself for whatever could come at them.

"What do YOU want...?" The source of the inquiry made itself known as a Murkrow flew down from the treetops, landing in front of them, "This is no place for two young ones like you to be... You wouldn't want to get involved in what goes on here!" He finished with a cackle-like chuckle.

"What are you talking about?" Sawyer asked.

"I said you wouldn't want to get involved in it!" She cawed, "Go home before I get someone to come rough you up!"

"This bird's out of her mind," May looked at the cub, "Let's just go."

"Hey!" the Murkrow's feathers ruffled as she violently flapped her wings, "I said keep out! Get outta here, ya little-" She quickly lunged at the Mareep only to be cut short by two strong zaps at once.

"Ayee..." The Murkrow mumbled, lying blackened and stunned on the ground.

"That's bound to have caught someone's attention..." Sawyer spoke in a lower tone.

"Yeah, we shouldn't stay here..."

The two scurried into the bushes and off the main path, trying to keep following it from the side. The stench got so strong there was no doubt they were getting near the Poison-types; in fact, small chunks of purple sludge were becoming more and more frequent along the path. In just a brief while, they saw light ahead.

"That's gotta be the place," Sawyer whispered as he moved around the bushes, trying to approach the area ahead from a different side. May simply nodded as she followed behind him, both trying to keep as quiet as possible.

The two stood at the edge of the bushes, peeking out to see the Grimer and Croagunk arrive at the clearing, setting the Eevee girl down in the middle.

"Come out, Mister Grandjaw!" The Croagunk called out into the depths of the forest ahead, quickly taking a few steps back.

"I wonder why he's got such an appetite for the younger ones..." One of the Grimer asked with a simple expression.

"I dunno," The other one answered, "Maybe they really are that delicious!"

"Well, you won't get a go at her!" The Croagunk scolded the two.

"Coooming~!" A large, bloated voice came from the forest, "On my way~!"

A gross, sloshing sound made itself audible, becoming louder and louder with each passing second until a large, purple and fattened creature emerged from the darkness into the clearing. He was huge, and two long whiskers emerged from his face, drooping towards the ground from his sludgy body.

"My, my!" The Swalot spoke delightedly as he chomped down a large bunch of berries with ease.

"It's that guy!" May murmured, almost in a faint hiss.

"What guy?" Sawyer turned to look at her.

"They call him Grandjaw... he's a regular over at the farm. Always buys berries by the box. He's got one heck of an appetite, I tell ya! But what does he want with that Eevee...?"

The Swalot kept sloshing forward, going past the unconscious kit and towards one of the Grimer.

"My... Is this it? He doesn't look that scrumptious..."

"H-Huh?" The Grimer froze in fear, looking up at the towering Pokémon in front of him.

"Still, I guess you can't judge a meal by its looks!" And with that, his mouth opened wide and he swallowed the other Poison-type whole; both the Croagunk and the other Grimer, as well as Sawyer and May, let out a gasp.

"Doesn't taste so good, I'm afraid! That'll reduce your payment!"

"W-wha..." The Croagunk stuttered, "That wasn't it! It's that Eevee, over there!

"Oh!" The Swalot glanced back at the Eevee, then gave his belly a pat, "Sorry about that, then! Right, I'll get to her at once!" He sloshed forward, only to stop, feeling his stomach hurt. "My, my... That last meal wasn't too good... I think I'll try her out later!" He picked the Eevee up, eliciting a gasp from the two electric types before he quickly set her down to his side.

"There's still the matter of, um... Payment," The Croagunk spoke, still wide-eyed.

"Right, right!" The Swalot moved towards the other Poison-Types, leaving the Eevee unattended.

"Now's our chance!" May gestured, and she and Sawyer stepped out of the bushes towards the Eevee.

"Hey... Hey!" Sawyered murmured, shaking the Eevee lightly with his paws, "Wake up!"

"Huh...?" Vivian drowsily looked up at him, "Who are you...?"

"Name's Sawyer... This is May," He gestured towards the Mareep, "We're here to get you out!"

"R-really?" Vivian's eyes lit as she got up, "Thank you... My name's Vivian..."

"Nice to meet you, Vivian... Come on, let's get out of here!"

"Didn't think I was gonna let you go that easily, did you?!" A loud caw drew everyone's attention over to the three young one's location as a Murkrow landed in front of them.

"What's going on?!" The Swalot turned around to see the two Electric-types and the Eevee, "H-hey!" He tried to run towards them, but slid and slumped forward, "That's my meal! Don't let them take it!"

"Trying to play hero, were you?!" The Croagunk spoke, walking towards them with the Grimer next to him, backing the three against the Murkrow, "We're about to see how that pays off..."

"I..." The Shinx's fur ruffled before he hastily made a brief roar the frog, "I'm not afraid of you, you stinking toad!"

"Y-yeah!" May chose to follow her friend's bravado, both Electric-types emitting sparks.

"I'm a frog, you idiots!" The Croagunk replied, infuriated, "More to sell to Mister Grandjaw! Take this!" He lunged forward, the tips of his finger emitting a purplish gleam.

Sawyer and May braced themselves as Vivian leant strongly against the Shinx's side, frightened.

"I'd think twice about doing that!" The gentle voice echoed as a strange force picked up the Swalot and Grimer and flung them towards the trees, both of them crashing with a splat against them.

"W-what?!" The Croagunk and Murkrow panicked, looking around, "Who are you?!"

"My name is Barnes," An Espeon spoke, stepping calmly out of the woods, "Director of the Adventurer's Guild. And I reiterate; leave those young ones alone."

"Oh, no..." The Croagunk tried to back away only to be picked up and flung like the others.

The Murkrow glided forward toward him with a defiant chuckle, landing in front of him, "And what about me, mind-mage? Your little powers won't work on me!"

Barnes remained calm; He simply let out a short huff as the Murkrow was zapped from behind by Sawyer and May once again.

"And that's all for today." He said as he stepped over the Flying-type, towards the young ones.

"Are you all well?" He asked, focusing on the Electric-types, "I must thank you for saving her."

"Uncle Barnes!" Vivian leapt towards the Espeon, snuggling with him.

"You see," He nuzzled the kit, looking back at the Shinx and Mareep, "This child is the world to me... I understand you all sought to join the Guild?"

"Yeah..." Both looked down before May added, "But I think that's a dream we won't be fulfilling today..."

"You were going to take our test, weren't you?"

"Yeah, but then we... How'd you know?" Sawyer asked curiously.

"No fact escapes me, believe me," he laughed softly, "I saw you sleeping outside this morning... And then this lovely child finished her exam..." He motioned towards the woods with his paw as a Skitty jumped out from the bushes.

"Hi!" She cheerfully greeted all of them.

"...And told me she saw you heading off after some shady Pokémon carrying an Eevee. When my dear, sweet Vivian," he put his paw around the Eevee kit, "Didn't make it to the test, I had no trouble lining the pieces up."

"Wow..." Sawyer was left speechless, staring wide-eyed at the Psychic-type.

"But enough talk; It's been a tiring day for you all. Nothing works better to heal that thank a good night's sleep at the Guild's warm beds."

"But... I thought we didn't make it to the test?!" May looked confused.

"Young ones!" he spoke, "I think experiencing a real scenario is better than any test! As far as I'm concerned, you are all in!"

"But..." The small Eevee looked up at her uncle, "I... I didn't do anything..."

"You'll have your chance to prove yourself," He reassured her, "Besides, if I took you back home and told your mother what happened, it'd be my life that's in danger... " He added with a short laugh, trying to ease his stressed-out niece.

"I... I guess you're right..."

"Now, " He added, raising a gold badge in his paw, "Let's get out of here!"

A large ray of light descended upon them, and in a flash they were already out of the woods.

"I must say I'm impressed," He looked at Sawyer and May, "For you two to have ventured forth into a Mystery Dungeon to save dear Vivian. You have my gratitude!"

"A Mystery Dungeon?!" Sawyer looked even more surprised than before, "We really did?"

"No wonder that place felt so darn weird!" May added.

They all made their way back to the Guild as night fell upon them. The forest was serene; the cool, fresh air and the clear skies made for a very relaxing walk, and the moonlight added a mystifying aura upon it that no other thing could hope to match.

"Thanks for gettin' us help!" May nodded at the Skitty, "I don't know where we'd be right now if it weren't for you!"

"No problem!" The Skitty answered with that smile that her species never seemed to lose, "I'm Abby, by the way!"

"Nice to meetcha, Abby! I'm May!"

"I'm Sawyer," The Shinx smiled, "We really do owe you big time."

"Ow, all I did was being a tattletale! There's nothing to thank me for, honest!"

"It all turned out better than I expected, though," Sawyer looked at Vivian, "We saved you, and we even got accepted into the Guild!"

"Y-yes..." Vivian spoke in a very low volume, looking down, "I'm... Glad we all made it in."

"Cheer up, Viv!" May told her, "You'll get your chance to show you're good at this once we're in!"

"Yes..."

It was very late at night that they all made it into the Guild; the hallways that led to each team's bedrooms were lit by a few lights placed around, the sounds of chatter and many giggles coming from behind the doors being proof of the new apprentices' excitement and eagerness.

"And this is where you'll all be staying," Barnes stopped in front of a door that had no noise coming from it. A small piece of parchment was placed on it; that's where a team's name would normally go, "Unfortunately, due to missing on the welcoming ceremony, there was no way for you to form a team. I trust you'll have no problem with one being made from all four of you, however. You seem to get along fine enough."

"Not a problem!" May was the first to answer.

"I don't mind..." Vivian nodded.

"Oh, this is so exciting!" Abby added with a slight jump.

"Don't... Um... Aren't there any more males available?" Sawyer asked nervously as the other three looked at him.

"Would your current team's composition be a problem?" Barnes inquired.

Sawyer felt the three sets of eyes looking at him from behind before nervously replying, "N-no... Not at all. I'm fine!"

"Very well, then," Barnes opened the door and led the four in.

The room was simple, yet held a certain charm due to that same thing; four straw beds with a fluffy pillow on them and some small wool blankets to cover them were set, with a few drawers to the side and a decently-sized window that looked out to the sea. The room was lit with a few torches that managed to provide a decent lighting and were at a convenient enough height that they could be turned off by any of them.

"Wow, cool!" Abby said as she hurried into the room and jumped into a bed, lying on her side and looking at the others, "Come on in!"

Sawyer walked into the room and picked his bed, lying on it and feeling the soft, warm surface accommodate him... It had been a long time since he'd last had the pleasure of actually sleeping somewhere soft...

"Much obliged," May nodded at the Espeon as she took her own bed and got ready to sleep.

"Thank you, Uncle Barnes," Vivian leant on the Psychic-type once more, "I hope I'll do better tomorrow..."

"Don't let it weigh upon you, sweetheart," Barnes told her as he motioned her into the room with his paw, "All of us here at the Guild are rooting for you. Get a good night's sleep, now."

"M-hmm!" she nodded meekly as she went to the last available bed and got ready to do as she was told.

"Well," Barnes spoke, stepping away from the room as his eyes gave a brief blue flash and the lights went off, "Have a good night!"

A few minutes had passed and everything was quiet, save for Abby, who, Sawyer thought, had the most hilarious way of snoring he had ever heard. The Shinx looked around the room, at his new teammates...

May was sound asleep, no doubt exhausted from the day they had. He really liked the Mareep; it was hard to explain, but he felt like she was the Pokémon he'd had the easiest time befriending in all his life.

Vivian was no different, curled and snuggling against her pillow, like a child who missed her parent's embrace. He was worried about how she'd do in the Guild, seeing how down she looked upon the day's outcome. If only she knew she had been miraculously saved from being eaten! That poor Grimer, on the other hand...

He shuddered and turned to look at Abby... The one he'd had the least contact with over the day, but one he felt he'd have an easy time getting along with just the same. It took less than an hour of meeting her for him to know she was the energetic kind, and that kind of spirit is really necessary for teamwork... Or so he thought, at least.

It had been a stressful day, and the best he could do to thank himself for his effort was drift off into sleep...

And so he did.

It was tomorrow that the real tests would begin...