I knew what was going to come. Staying up late was only delaying the inevitable. By no means could I stay up through the night. After all, I thought, tomorrow is a workday and my team has a job to do and they need to be led to do it.
Internally I scoffed. Led, I thought, who am I kidding? Sometimes it doesn’t even feel like I’m doing much of that at all.
I saved my work and closed the laptop, but not before glancing at the clock that read 3:40. Great, four hours maximum, how responsible of you, d’Alin.
I felt like I was drowning. But how could I help it? Staying up late was my way to reclaim time for myself after spending a whole afternoon finishing paperwork (and procrastinating on it). Either that or losing an hour of my day driving someone to the store for yet another last-minute necessity. When I took up this job, I never would’ve guessed that the only time I’d have to relax would be either when I was asleep or when everyone else was.
Nowadays even sleep doesn’t feel like a reprieve, I thought as I shut off the dining room lights and through memory felt my way to the restroom. As I brushed my teeth, only one thing came to mind about my sleep, the same thing that had been taking up more and more of my attention: the dream.
I couldn’t find any reason for it. I never had recurring dreams before. Sure, continuations, but never repeats. Never the same dream over and over.
That’s what made me almost fear sleeping, my dream. I’d be aboard an ancient sailboat with my team and see a distant storm fast approaching. No matter how much I’d try, be it by turning us around or fighting the storm, the winds would always whip the sea into a frenzy and I’d be thrown overboard.
I spat out the toothpaste and looked into the mirror, at myself. And what’s the worst part about that, d’Alin? I can’t help but ask myself, you know. But in those moments before going to sleep, I tried not to think about it.
I didn’t recall about how every time I’d be thrown into the sea, I’d look at the chaotic surface and contrast it with the calm stillness below the waves. I didn’t think about how desperately I wished to be able to just stay there and float in the stillness, to avoid the storm above, to not have to fight to survive. I didn’t think that deep down I just wanted to never surface again.
I snuck into the room I shared with my crew and, careful not to wake them, slipped into my sleeping bag. I fell asleep not thinking about what I wish I could do.
There I was again. Looking up. Through the chaos of the surface above, I could see through the thunder flashing my ship, captainless and struggling to avoid capsizing. But I could also feel the serenity of the ocean below. I watched. I always felt guilty, though I knew it was a dream.
But it’s your dream. Come on, just this once let your sleep actually be restful. Enjoy the peace.
So I did. I let myself drift aimlessly underwater, avoiding the battle raging above. But guilt quickly rose within me, and as I sank deeper and further than before, I still was unable to relax here. I knew it was a dream, but I still felt terrible as I wasn’t fighting an unwinnable war with my crew above.
That’s my team up there. Dream or not, I have to lead them. I can’t let them do it on their own. Maybe I don’t think myself worthy, but I still have to try.
I started to swim up, but I remained stationary, no closer to the ship than before. What? With more effort I propelled myself upward, but I instead sank. Deeper and deeper.
Suddenly everything became more real. I realized that, although before I could breathe just fine, now I was struggling to hold my breath. I struggled, but… something caught me, I thought. I couldn’t see, but I felt myself being dragged down, not physically, but… beyond somehow?
As the immaterial pulled me into the depths, I looked up and tried, but the cataclysm besieging my ship, my teammates, just grew more distant. My lungs were pounding.
The endless waters drowned out the sound of thunder above and replaced it with deafening stillness.
The darkness of the depths blotted out my vision of the surface above and replaced it with pitch-black nothingness.
As I gasped for air, the cold depths of the sea enveloped me and choked out my cries for help with heavy and frigid saltwater.
Everything, I realized, is fading away…
Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cys21Mq-Os
When I came to, I was greeted by the serene crash of the waves against the shore.
I then cracked open my eyes and took in the beautiful sight of a rising sun over the wide ocean.
In silence I sat up and looked out into the distant horizon, wondering what exactly my first words should be to commemorate my entrance into this new alternative dream, this glorious brave new world that was such a wonderful reprieve from the incessant struggles of life. As I pondered this and decided that I wanted to say something poetic to etch into my memory of my entrance into this paradise, I opened my mouth to speak, only for the declaration of my arrival to be replaced by a cry of “ow-wah” as I was tackled into the sand.
I quickly looked up from the sand to see a Pokemon - okay, this really is a dream, I thought - a Deerling with white cloth covering its eyes, rear itself back and turn back, where I heard it ask, “okay, now where is he?”
I pushed myself off the ground, only to see a brown furry paw taking the place of where my hand should be. I looked to my left and saw the same. I looked down and saw a tuft of cream-colored fur that made me realize that I’m somehow an Eevee. Before I could try to comprehend this further, I was once again thrown to the ground by another one of the Deerling’s tackles.
That hurt. I turned once again and exclaimed, “Christ! I’m sorry for whatever I did, I surrender. Just stop attacking me!”
“Oh, you can speak now,” came the reply. The Deerling turned around and said, “hey Althi, I think we beat him. It’s just like what they taught us in the guild, we broke his spell!”
From behind the Deerling appeared an Eevee, who I assumed to be Althi. I was proven right when the Eevee said, “Hello, Eevee. My name is Althi, and this is Pirth. We were taught in the guild that sometimes Pokemon get trapped in dungeons and, if we defeat them, they are freed from the dungeon’s control! You are now in my eternal service.”
I looked at Althi and said, “Uh, firstly, I’m not an Eevee - well, I guess I look like one now - but I’m not a Pokemon. I’m a human.”
Althi took a moment to process that, then started laughing. “Look, I get that a lot of Pokemon don’t want to admit to being rescued from a dungeon, but come on, think of a better story than being a silly human, Those are a myth.”
“How could I have been trapped inside a dungeon,” I responded, “if we’re out in the open. We’re on a beach, not in some dungeon.”
“You walked out, but you were so weak-willed the dungeon continued to control you. Now hush! Do you want to join Team Eevee or not? I’m offering you a free pass to the greatest team that will ever be.”
I looked at the Deerling called Pirth then back at Althi. “That’s another question I have. You said you only accept Eevees on your team, but your buddy Pirth is a-”
I stopped, as Althi’s eyes widened and she began to vigorously shake her head. I saw her mouth the words “don’t call Pirth a Deerling.”
I looked back at Pirth who seemed to stand even taller over me and had a dark edge in his voice when he asked, “I’m a what?”
I quickly glanced at Althi who mouthed “say he’s shiny.”
I complied. “Uh, you’re shiny?”
“Oh! Well thank you for noticing! I still don’t know exactly what that means, but even shinies can join Team Eevee!”
“Huh? It just means you’re a different color.”
Pirth stood silent for a moment, then asked, “what the fuck is a color?”
Now the cloth covering his eyes made sense.
“Oh, nevermind. Sure, I’ll join Team Eevee, thank you for that,” I said, not knowing where else I could possibly go from here without the help of this pair of… interesting characters.
“Great! The name was my idea, by the way, since Althi and I are both Eevees,” said the blind Deerling.
Althi approached me and looked at me, asking, “so, what’s your name? Say it slowly, please.”
“It’s d’Alin.”
“That’s a strange name,” said Pirth, “it almost makes me believe your story about being a human, haha!”
“Well, ‘d’Alin’, welcome to Team Eevee! I’m the leader, Althi. This is Pirth the, uh, Leafeon.”
I glanced at Pirth who was smiling wildly, as if hearing the words Leafeon were enough to make his day.
“Okay, well, what exactly is going on now, Althi?”
“Well, we’re on a training mission from the Guild to explore Beach Cave, and since you chose to join us, you’ll be helping out on the mission!”
I responded in the affirmative and started walking with them on the beach. As I trod through the surf towards the distant cave, I started wondering why I decided to dream of being a Pokemon. He said “guild”, I thought, so if there’s talking Pokemon you must be dreaming of being in a game.
Still walking, I asked aloud, “Althi, you said ‘guild,’ right? What’s the name of the-”
“d’Alin, right?” interrupted Pirth.
“Yeah?”
“Okay. You’re to my right and Althi is to my left. I’m between you both. She can’t hear you.”
“What?”
“She’s deaf. Her ears look fine but they don’t work”
Excuse me? Is the team I just joined composed of a blind Deerling and a deaf Eevee? “But,” I asked, “how did Althi hear me before?”
“She’s just really good at reading lips. You’re going to have to talk to her making ‘eye-contact,’ whatever that’s supposed to mean.”
Before I could respond, I heard Althi yell “stop!” which caused Pirth to stop immediately. We appeared to be at the entrance of the Mystery Dungeon.
Althi appeared in front of me and said, “Okay d’Alin, if you want to join Team Eevee officially, you’ll have to prove yourself here! This is Beach Cave, our first dungeon, so as long as you do everything I tell you to, through my amazing leadership I’ll make sure our mission is a success! Now, the Guild placed a flag at the very end, so we have to retrieve it to prove we can be explorers!”
Before Pirth or I could respond, Althi turned back around and commanded, “now follow me!” as she disappeared into the entrance of the cave. Pirth quickly followed. I remained outside for a moment longer, wondering what exactly I was getting myself into. Eh, this is a dream within a dream, I’ll be fine. And with that, I entered my first Mystery Dungeon.
Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIHs9WDhulU
Not too much combat happened on the first floor. Well, for me. Althi and Pirth were admittedly a solid duo. Althi would tell Pirth where an enemy was coming from and how far, then tell Pirth when to attack, and the Pokemon would disappear in a puff of smoke and flash of light.
And Pirth had excellent hearing, telling us that he heard Pokemon coming from behind us more than once. I only fought once, tackling a Shello when it appeared with a group of other Pokemon that Pirth couldn’t handle alone. Maybe it was just pure instinct or my disbelief that I was even here, but I made it disappear into a puff of smoke with hardly a second thought. Althi, I noticed, seemed battle averse, hiding behind Pirth whenever the so-called ‘ferals’ threatened her.
As we approached a large open room surrounded by rugged blue stone and pools of seawater, I noticed an out-of-place set of stairs leading into the ceiling. Ah, so even in here it doesn’t make any sense.
“Just keep walking for ten paces then take a right, Pirth,” Althi said as we approached the stairs, “also, Pirth, if you don’t mind, do you mind securing the next floor while I tend to d’Alin’s wounds?”
Wounds? Am I wounded? I didn’t think that Shello got me. I started to look at my new body for any injuries, but I am unable to see any.
“Sure thing! See you there,” said Pirth as he ascended the stairs. Althi looked up and, once she seemed certain that Pirth was gone, turned to me. Noticing I was frantically looking for injuries, she said, “oh, don’t be such an egg, d’Alin, you’re not injured. Just needed to talk to you one-on-one.”
“Listen, there’s one rule for Team Eevee - okay, well, there’s also ‘do everything I say’ - but the other rule is to never call Pirth a Deerling. He’s a Leafeon, okay?”
“Uh, sure, but why?”
“Look, to put it simply, we were in an orphanage together and, well, he was barely hatched from an egg then and couldn't do much. I protected him and, since he thought of me as his sister, he thought of himself as a Leafeon since he’s a grass type. It, uh, sort of spiraled out of control from there.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, Pirth is shiny, but he thought others would call him a Deerling out of jealousy, not because he’s actually one. So, uh, he started to hate being called Deerling and, eventually, he just started to hate Deerling in general.”
I was taken aback. “Are you telling me Pirth is racist to Deerling?”
“No, you idiot, he doesn’t race them. He hates them. Even though he’s a Deerling. Again, don’t tell him that under any circumstance, or he’ll go Pimeapeshit. He also focuses so much on cursing them out that he slows to a crawl, which is really annoying if we’re traveling or, in this case, dungeoneering.
This is absurd, I thought, then asked, “he can’t possibly be that racist, right?” but Althi had already turned away and was heading up the stairs. I had to remind myself that she wasn’t ignoring me - though she certainly seemed the type - but was just deaf. I followed.
Pirth, under Althi’s guidance, handily cleared the way from floors two and three. But with each floor cleared my curiosity grew. Does Pirth really not know he’s a Deerling? How bad can it be?
So after we cleared the fourth floor and were ready to ascend to the final level, I asked Pirth - making sure to not break Althi’s rule - “hey, Pirth, what do you think of Deerling?”
Pirth smiled and said, “Well, d’Alin, I’m glad you asked.”
“They’re a bunch of Note: Just pretend that Pirth is so racist that his obscenities are beyond our comprehension, something best exemplified by R’lyehian that are Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn Leafeon-hating 'fhalma gotha nilgh'rinyth 'ai deer that should suffer a fate of gotha nilgh'rinyth wgah'nagl rocks.
I was so stunned that I didn’t notice that we had already ascended to what an unnatural instinct told me was the Beach Cave Pit, where I saw a flag waiting for us. I glanced at Althi, who gave me side-eye when she was evidently able to tell that Pirth was ranting on about Deerling.
I smiled sheepishly and went to grab the flag, a little white banner with a Wigglytuff at the center. Oh, this must be Wigglytuff’s Guild. That might explain-
I stopped and stepped backward. A shadow covered the flag and then shifted position, closer and closer, until a massive Ariados descended to the ground where it stood between us and the flag. Its penetrating gaze almost froze me still, and a glance at Althi told me from her terrified expression that this was not supposed to happen. Pirth seemed oblivious, still visibly fuming at the concept of Deerling existing.
I looked at my surroundings more, now noticing that all the walls were laden with web. The Ariados must’ve known new explorers were coming here and hid to catch new prey. Even for the three of us, this did not seem like a battle we could win. We have to escape, now.
But before I could tell Althi and Pirth, I heard a scratchy voice emanate from the Ariados, who said, “Ohhhhhh if I aren’t the most lucky bug around. Two Eevee and a Deerling, what mmmm… delectable prey for me to-”
“Who the fuck are you calling a Deerling?” I turned to Pirth. He seemed to be breathing more heavily and was shaking.
“Uhh what?” asked the Ariados, “you’re the only Deerling here.” At this I felt a heavy aura radiate from Pirth, and evidently the Ariados felt it as well, who then looked at Althi and I. “W-wait, did I say something wrong? Should I not have used the ‘-g’ at the end? I might be a cannibal but I draw the line at bigotry.”
But Althi and I said nothing, and Pirth slowly sauntered towards the Ariados and said, “speak up, asshole, so I can know where to attack.”
The Ariados, now amused instead of confused, started laughing. “Do you really think that you, a little Deerl-”
Pirth charged the Ariados and, sensing where it was by its laughter, threw his whole body against it in wild fury. After a cry of pain that shook the room, the massive Pokemon reeled back and, clearly injured based on how it moved, limped up its web to the ceiling.
I was stunned. I managed to see that Althi shared the same expression as myself. We shouldn’t have been able to beat Ariados as a team, much less just Pirth.
I managed to move myself towards the Wigglytuff Guild flag, and asked, “P-Pirth, how?”
He just smiled. “I dunno. Whenever I start cursing out Deerling I just feel much stronger, much more lively. I think it’s Arceus letting me know that I’m right, that Deerling are a stain on His creation.”
It was an explanation that was very ineffective at making sense to me. Either way, mission accomplished. I grabbed the flag, but I couldn’t help but look up. I saw the Ariados shivering in the ceiling, unwilling to come down while Pirth was still here. None of us could reach him, but I’m sure we could get someone to take care of him.
I turned towards Althi so she could “hear” me and asked, “shall we return to the guild?”
It was surreal to be in the Wigglytuff Guild. Many of the members had changed from what I was able to remember, but the Wigglytuff Guildmaster and Chatot aide remained the same. While they were glad to hear Team Eevee made it safely through Beach Cave and would “take care of” the Ariados, me trying to explain that I was human and not a Pokemon that was trapped in a dungeon fell on deaf ears.
“Trust me, d’Alin,” said the Chatot, “you don’t want to be thought of as a human. We had a team of four that claimed to be humans as well, and the bumbling lot burnt down our only reliable source of apples on this continent.” At this remark Wigglytuff began to grow teary-eyed. “Just… accept that you’ve been rescued and move on. It’s not much to be ashamed about. It’s not just the weak-willed that get caught by dungeons (though often it is).”
Well, whatever. I guess it can’t be helped. And that’s also very interesting, other Pokemon claiming to be human. Very off-script for a dream, but, well, that’s how dreams go. I mean, this whole little adventure has been off-script.
The remainder of the little daylight that remained went through in a blur, leaving me no time to collect my thoughts; first was my official induction into Team Eevee by the Wigglytuff Guildmaster, introduction to whatever teams were in the common spaces, and some food that I ate in the blink of an eye when my stomach realized I hadn’t eaten this whole time. I never would’ve thought that food in a dream could taste so good.
When dinner was over, Chatot pulled me aside. “So, we only have two to a room, so you’ll be bunking with someone else, another newly-inducted member, currently no team. But she’s an Eeveelution too, so it’s nothing to be afraid of! You’ll feel right at home.”
I said farewell to Althi and Pirth, a little sad that I’d likely never see them again once I would wake up, and Chatot guided me to the room. “I think Arimis is in there already, get some good rest, adventurer! You’ll be up bright and early for morning cheers, where I’ll give you your equipment.”
I said thanks and walked in, where I saw an Espeon looking out the window into the now-night sky. She must’ve heard me as she turned around and nodded her face as if saying hello.
“Hello Arimis, pleasure meeting you.” I looked at the “beds,” if you could call a very unappealing bundle of hay that, then back at the Espeon. “Is this what they expect us to sleep in?”
The Espeon didn’t say anything, instead using her psychic powers to coerce a chalkboard with some alien runes written on it to float so that I could see it.
Oh, I thought, they don’t write in English here.
“Look, what is it that you’re trying to say?”
She flicked her eyes to the board again which did not magically become understandable, much to my dismay.
“Uhh, sorry, I can’t read that,” I said, which prompted Arimis to give me a strange look that I hate to admit offended me a little. She looked around confused, looking for something, until she looked back at me and mimed her paw covering her mouth.
It took me a moment to try to process what she was trying to tell me. “You can’t speak?”
A nod. Christ, a mute Espeon, a blind “Leafeon” and a deaf Eevee… what’s with all these disabled Pokemon? Is my subconscious trying to tell me something? Well whatever, just go to sleep so you don’t have to worry about it anymore.
“Well, goodnight Arimis,” I said as I tried to make myself comfortable in the hay, which was a very difficult endeavor. That, combined with the silent Espeon just looking at me curiously made it difficult to fall asleep, but eventually I managed to drift off, surprisingly ready to return to the work that awaited me back in reality.
I only half expected to wake up in my bed, with the other half of me anticipating being thrown aboard the ship to face the impending storm yet again. But neither occurred, as I had found myself already underwater, floating and seeing the storm challenge my ship and team above.
My team, I thought, how strange. That dream of me being in the Pokemon world with Althi and Pirth even now feels real. Even though I’ve woken up from it.
I shifted my thoughts away as I looked back up. I don’t remember being thrown off the ship, but I guess this night was just one wild dream. Time to get to work.
As I began to make my ascent, I realized something felt off. At first I thought it was my unusually well-rested state, since normally these dreams exhausted me instead of sooth me, but I attributed that feeling to the Pokemon dream, which was admittedly fun. But it wasn’t the source of my discomfort.
I was being pulled down again. Yes, I am, and fortunately it feels slightly weaker than before. But that’s not what’s making me feel strange… my whole body is off, like it’s harder for me to just resist that downward pull. I looked at myself, and saw that I was still an Eevee. Huh? Why? Is this why I couldn't swim up? I looked up again at the boat. Okay, so I’m still dreaming of being an Eeevee, but I can just wake up when I make it to the boat. I tried, harder, to swim towards the surface, but the body I still wasn’t used to made it far more difficult. Then I realized I was holding my breath.
That never happened before. I inhaled to try to recoup lost energy, until I realized that this dream was vastly different from before: I was now drowning. Fear rose in me, and I tried even harder to surface, but I found myself exhausted and struggling to breathe, being pulled down until my senses slowly gave way to the cold silence of the deep ocean.
I woke up with a jolt and found myself in a pile of hay, not my bed back home. I looked at myself: I was still an Eevee.
Okay, so it wasn’t a dream? There’s no way I slept twice… am I stuck here? In this body? I was not used to it yesterday, but I had brushed it aside as something I wouldn’t have to worry about for long. Clearly, I was wrong. Am I really an Eevee now, I wondered, am I no longer…
I shook my head and drove those thoughts away. Just because I was a Pokemon didn't mean I was no longer human. And I could still figure out a way back. Meanwhile, though, I was hungry. I start to tiptoe out of the room, though I didn't think I did a very good job since walking as an Eevee on all fours was something I was not used to, and I stopped for a moment when I remembered that Chatot had mentioned humans were here. Or at least, Pokemon claiming to be humans.
But is that even necessary? I know the way out: my dream. My feeling towards the dream hasn’t changed, even if the circumstances have. If I can just get used to this body and get it stronger, I can swim back to the ship. Nothing else really needs to be done save for getting familiar with being an Eevee.
Yes, the dream is most strange I thought…
Except I didn’t think that
Indeed, you didn’t. I- I am sorry for the intrusion, I simply, well, needed some way to communicate with you. And... the voice in my head thought as I looked to the Espeon quietly staring at me from her bed, ...your mind is most unusual.
A pang of horror struck me. “You’re in my head? Get the fuck out!”
Immediately the Arimis flinched and I heard in my mind I- I am terribly sorry! As I said, I needed to talk with you! And you didn’t read and, well, when you were asleep your mind was then much easier to decipher by cause of its complexity…
You- you read my mind? I ask, then wait a second and think, are you still doing that?
Yes, and I shall stop. I- how might I explain this if you don’t know the move psychic… Look. Most Pokemon have a great difficulty of communicating telepathically, and each uses a unique method to do so. For me, I learned that I require to link my mind to yours. The reason I did so is out of necessity, as I cannot speak like most other Pokemon, though writing on a board usually does the trick. You, however, said you cannot read.
So why do you have to read my mind? I thought. But a few moments passed until I asked with my voice “are you screwing with me or can you not just read the thought I just had?”
Arimis looked down. I said I’m sorry. Just how you can focus in and out of audial conversations, I can do the same with minds. I can tune yours out, but I can still project to it. I just do so in a sort of “broad” manner, where I speak aloud to the room instead of just to you so I can't read your mind. Normally others would hear such “broad” castings of my mind, but I’ve not deciphered the mind of other Pokemon here.
"So why mine?”
Firstly, I didn't have time. I just got here, and you were the only other Pokemon around. Secondly, well, your mind is… different from any other Pokemon's mind I've encountered.
"Yeah, I’m a human trapped in a Pokemon’s body, but whenever I tell someone that, they just listen to Althi’s story of me being freed from Beach Cave and say not to use being human as an excuse."
Arimis paused for a moment and looked intently at me. I believe you.
“You do?” I asked, stunned.
When trapped in dungeons, feral minds are shrouded by darkness but, once freed, are the same as other Pokemons’ minds. Yours, however, is altogether alien to me. Structured so differently from anything I have experienced before. “Humans,” though a myth, supposedly appeared before. I can think of no other explanation, especially if that’s your claim.
My attention shifted away from Arimis as I heard the door open and an Exploloud walk in with a grin before it vanished after it was both of us were awake. I was already aware what was going to happen so I hurriedly made my way to the common area and ushered Arimis to follow. She was slower than me, however, so as I made my way through the hallway I felt it shake and I heard Exploloud make a ruckus, rushing Arimis.
The thought of ouch! entered my mind, but the thought wasn’t mine. Well, I guess I can talk with her now. As I assembled in line and Arimis soon joined me, I thought of Althi and Pirth. *Am I a part of their team? Why am I rooming with this Espeon then?
Then it clicked. I, a new recruit apparently part of Team Eevee, was roomed with an Espeon that was also new. My hunch was proven correct when, after the cheers had finished once everyone assembled, I and Espeon were both given identical badges. Of Althi’s smiling face.
“See? Awesome badge, isn’t it d’Alin?” she said after the meeting, “I designed it myself. Since I’m the leader, it made perfect sense to make it my face. She then looked at Arimis. “Oh! You must be our newest member! I’m Althi!”
Arimis, unsurprisingly, said nothing. She looked around but realized she didn’t bring her board to write.
d’Alin, could you do me a favor and speak on my behalf? I haven’t yet deciphered this one’s mind.
Goddammit, fine.
“Hey, Althi. This is Arimis, and she can’t speak; she’s as mute as you’re deaf and Pirth is blind. But she can communicate telepathically, and right now it’s only through me. She says hello and that she’s glad to be part of your team.”
“Great! This is our partner, the Leafeon,” she said with emphasis, which I understood to mean to get Arimis in the loop as soon as I could, “named Pirth.” Everyone introduced themselves, and though it had felt strange to talk for two people, I could sense that Arimis was grateful, and it felt nice to be relied upon for something.
Eventually the conversation that had gone on for longer than I expected was interrupted by Chatot who asked us if we were enjoying our new team. It was there I learned that Althi, upon hearing of a teamless Espeon, made the request to have her join the team. When they “saved me” it was during their test to see if they’d be capable at two and be quickly promoted to up to four. Which is how I managed to fit in so nicely.
“Well, you all better get ready to go on an adventure, since you’re going to be joining up in a new Federation initiative made especially for our Guild!”
“What’s that going to be?” asked Pirth.
“Well, the Federation is very keen on making sure that our Guild specifically has well-trained recruits, so they’re sending over some expert dungeoneers to give you a head-start! They were going to pick you up right after our morning meeting, but I dispatched them to Beach Cave to take care of the problem you mentioned.”
“Initiative for this guild? Why’s that?”
“Well, they’re worried about competition from… an unimportant Guild nearby, on this continent. Simply put, they’d rather keep us as the most important Guild on Grass instead of… less desirable ones, so they’re sending over explorers to make sure that even our newest members are up-to-Federation-standard.”
It must be that other guild that the supposed humans are, I thought. It really does seem like the idea of humans gets a bad rep around here. Should I just say that I was rescued from a dungeon after all? Is it… dangerous to say I’m a human?
My thought was broken by a “Hello mates!” said by a deep and powerful voice that emanated from a massive Garchomp that towered over all of us. It was followed by a Starmie who said, “hello! I’m Starmie and this is Garchomp, we’re Team TwinStar!”
“Uh, this Eevee here is deaf and can only read lips,” I said to the Starmie who, though speaking, had no mouth to speak from, which confused me greatly.
Is this better? Can you all hear me fine? I heard in my head.
We all responded in the affirmative, and this seemed to get the shy Arimis’ attention since she approached Starmie and the two stared at each other for a moment. I don’t think Starmie was capable of smiling, though her gem color shifted hue slightly, but the smile on Arimis’ face was plain for all to see.
After introductions of Team Eevee to Team StarGar by, of course, Althi, Garchomp said, “Well, you lot better pack up your bags, since we’re heading out to Air Continent!”
“Excuse me, Garchomp,” said Chatot, “but isn’t that too far? The purpose of your Federation visit is to make sure that our Guild has a fine reputation here in Grass, not Air.”
“Nonsense,” replied Garchomp, “they can do that once they're trained. There’s a lot of Guilds and a small shortage of work here, with all the visitors your guild has been sent by the Federation, so going to Air where work is plentiful is better. Besides, I’ve got a special mission over there that was postponed by this Federation assignment, so they’re going to join me once they’ve proved themselves.”
Chatot looked a little defeated and said, “well, alright then.”
After spending the rest of the day hurriedly gathering supplies we packed up bags and headed out and began the walk to the docks where a Federation-chartered Lapras Ship was waiting to take us to the Air Continent. While I was excited, alongside Althi and Pirth, I had made note that Arimis looked exhausted, and I waited back a bit to talk to her. As we all walked together, Me and Arimis in the back and the rest of Team Eevee and Team Twinstar further ahead, I asked, “Arimis, you okay? You look tired.”
Oh, yes, d’Alin, I’m quite alright, thank you. I simply haven’t slept much, is all.
“Did you not get sleep last night?”
No, I spent a good deal of it deciphering your mind so that I could talk with someone.
Although a flash of anger rose through me, and I wanted to say that I really didn’t welcome my thoughts being read or dreams seen, another thought entered my mind.
Truly I do appreciate you serving as the mediary between myself and Pirth and Althi. They are… interesting to say the least, and after talking with Pirth I am quite glad you told me what I at first thought was a joke about him being a Leafeon.
I swallowed my pride and said, “of course, happy to help.”
I- I never meant to intrude on your dream, but I’m sorry it's so uncomfortable. I know you had thought that it was repetitive so I thought… well, I do know Calm Mind, and since I have deciphered your mind, I can cast it on you.
“Oh, through like Baton Pass?”
Uh, no, I don’t know that move unfortunately. I’d just position myself within your mind - that’s the closest of an analogy I can give you - and cast it periodically throughout the night.
“I thought you needed to get rest?”
I’m more, um, nocturnal. On my own I’d normally be asleep right now. I’m more active at night.
Isn’t that strange, for an Espeon, I mean? I thought you guys evolved during daylight?
But Arimis dodged the question. I’m also mute. I’m not the most common type of Espeon out there. As I said, I can help you get a good night’s rest since I could tell you didn’t last night.
I tapped my forehead as a signal for Arimis to focus, which she apparently got since, when I had the thought no thanks, I need to be able to try get back to where I came. Although Arimis seemed confused at first, I was then met with the response of of course, you said you're human.
We walked in silence for a bit until Arimis once again entered my mind d’Alin, you said you intend to go back from where you came. Is that through your dream?
Of course. Well, I have a feeling it is. But I need to get back, I’ve got people waiting for me, I thought with a pang of guilt. I didn’t know what was happening with my team, or the rest of the world for that matter. Did I just disappear up there? Would they think I abandoned them?
I see. In this thought I could feel a slight twinge of sadness rise within me, and I assumed it was Arimis’ emotions leaking into myself.
Is everything alright, Arimis?
Well, yes, of course. I understand wanting to go home. It’s just that, well, it’s nice to be able to talk with someone. And with you speaking on my behalf earlier, it felt, well, like I had a friend.
Do you not have any friends? Anyone back home?
“Welcome everyone,” said Garchomp, “to the Lapras Ferry! Let’s hop aboard! It’s barely afternoon now, so hopefully we can make it to port by night time tomorrow! Come on, quickly!”
Espeon looked down and simply responded with the thought of, In terms of friends, I’d consider you among my first. As for family, that’s a story for another time.
It was nearing nighttime and the whole journey we had been quietly talking with Team TwinStar so as to not wake Arimis, who promptly fell asleep below deck once we had settled in. They had gone over how to identify which seeds and berries were which, something that I found to be extremely useful and even more effective thanks to the handbook that had been in the bag I was given.
Once the sun had almost set and Arimis woke up, Starmie decided it was time to tell us what we should expect at the Air continent.
Well, Team Eevee, firstly we’re going to take you to a more difficult dungeon than you might be used to, but you’ll have Garchomp and I there to lead the way.
“I’ll tell ‘em about the special mission too,” said Garchomp.
Garchomp, we don’t even know if it’s a hoax or real.
“Of course it’s real! You think I’d be fooled so easily?”
Starmie chose not to answer that, but instead turned to glance at us, and her gem shone in a very incriminating manner.
“Look, I’ll be sure to check since Starmie has her reservations, but once I confirm that the treasure is real, then I’ll let y’all know.”
“Treasure!” replied both Althi and Pirth simultaneously. I’ll admit even I was a little excited. While I was still going to try to swim up to the ship in the dream tonight, a part of me knew I wasn’t strong enough to make it. And that, if I woke up here again, I’d have an adventure waiting for me.
“In due time, mates, in due time. For now, said Garchomp, “get some rest since we have got a lot to review tomorrow.”
It was a long day, so despite the discomfort of the ship’s below-deck sleeping quarters of more piled hay, I managed to find a spot leaned up against Pirth that was comfortable enough to drift off into sleep.