Boo! Haunted Guild: Team Cozy

Instantly after waking up, I spot something in the corner of the room. Something that I thought had long since been banished from this place. Something that disgusted me to my very core.

Hay.

“Wooper,” I say as I nudge him awake, pointing to that most vile of materials. “What is that FILTH doing in here?”

Wooper shakes himself awake, saying, “Mmm... What? That wasn't there when we went to bed!”

Standing up, I grab my bag and help Wooper up. “There's going to be hell to pay when I find the DEGENERATE that defiled our domain with that! Let's not waste any time.”

Wooper glances to the corner, saying, “Umm, Arthur? Is it me, or is there more of it now?”

I look again, and sure enough, the hay seems to be creeping closer and closer, as more of it begins to spread across the floor. Cursing under my breath, I scoop up our bed off the floor, holding it in my vines. “It'll be a cold day in hell before I let this stuff turn into hay. Let's get out of here and figure out what's going on!”

Rushing out into the hall, I find that the guild is more chaotic than normal, with guildies running around rampant. Rushing downstairs I see many of them heading out the front door, while a few simply stand around with a vacant look in their eyes. Not far from where we stand is a Mareep. “Macom,” I say, “What's going on in here today?”

He turns to me, looking at me but not seeming to see me. His wool begins to spark before he shoots a blast of electricity towards us, barely missing me!

“Macom, it's us! Team Cozy! Why'd you do that?!” Wooper cries. Macom doesn't reply, and only fires off another attack at us, this time scorching the floor in front of Wooper. “Chespin, get out of here! I'll fight him off!”

“I can't just leave you, Wooper!” I shoot a look back at Macom, his wool sparking up once more.

Wooper looks at me with determination. “Yes you can! If electricity is all he can do, he can't actually hurt me. I'll meet you outside, just make sure the bedding is safe!”

Once I'm outside, I rush to the garden and set the bed down in my sunbathing spot. “Should be safe here,” I say to myself. Now that I have a moment to stop and think, I wonder about what on earth was going on inside the guild.

I've never seen Macom fighting at all, and now he's trying to fight me? I never even did anything to upset him! Then a bunch of other guildies were fleeing from... something? And then the hay, in MY room of all places?! I've gotta get to the bottom of this, right now!

Just as I turn around to head out of the garden, Wooper comes running. “Hey, come quick! There's some kind of meeting out front!”

“What about Macom, though?” I ask.

Wooper shakes his head. “It was a wild that somehow got in the guild!”

“What's something like that doing in town, let alone the guild?” I ask. “Maybe the meeting will answer stuff.”

I don't know what I expected, but the guild being turned into a dungeon and Heidi getting possessed by a Spiritomb was far from it. I shake my head, saying, “Well, so much for that place. Maybe we can crash at Team Marsh's place until this all sorts itself out. Right, Wooper?”

Wooper shoots me a look, saying, “What are you talking about? We've gotta help the guild out! Toge's still in there!”

I look down at the ground. “You're right. If anybody's going to help him, it's gotta be Team Cozy! Maybe we'll even find the evil specter that put hay in our room.” Remembering something, I say, “So much for our trip to the lake today. I was looking forward to that, too...”

“We can go there whenever we want, but Toge needs our help now!” Wooper says.

Adjusting the bag around my shoulder, I turn towards the guild's entrance and say, “No time like the present, I suppose.”

The moment we step through the door, I feel the world shift around us, a wave of dizziness washing over me. Once I can see clearly again, I take a look around. It still looks like the guild, but the door we came through is gone. “Looks like the guild really has become a dungeon,” I say.

“Dungeon or not, the guild's still our home turf!” Wooper exclaims.

“Right. So... what do we do now? Walk around until we find something?” I wonder aloud.

Doing just that, Wooper and I walk up the stairs. At the top, I spot a hallway that was never there until now, a purple door at the far end. “That's gotta be it,” I say. “Be ready for anything.”

Upon opening the door, a pleasantly warm wind blows past us. An unusually relaxed, ethereal voice speaks to us from beyond.

“Team Cozy, is it? Come to put me back in the stone?”

“Yep, that's right. This is our home, and it can't be a dungeon!” Wooper says.

“We'll fight you if we have to,” I say sternly.

The voice speaks once more. “Relax, I don't wish to fight. You see, unlike the other spirits, I didn't mind the underground slumber much at all. I'll come with you, but how about a little game before that?”

“Game? Like what?” I ask.

“You're a team that loves all things cozy, correct? Here's what's going to happen. I'll create a little scenario of sorts, and you two will judge just how comfortable you find it.”

“Wait, really? That sounds easy!” Wooper says.

“Sounds like a trap if you ask me,” I say.

“Judge how much of a trap it is for yourselves and walk through the door."

“Sounds like we don't have much of a choice,” I mutter. “Alright, get behind me Wooper, we're going in.”

The two of us step through the door, coming across a small room with leaves coating the floor. Potted leafy bushes decorate the room as well. Outside the window, I can see trees with leaves of all the colors of autumn adorning them. A small branch even sneaks its way through the window a little. But in a dark corner of the room, I see something revolting. A bed... no, closer to a nest, made of bits of sticks and hay.

“Judge my creation. One who knows coziness will know what to say.”

I frown, saying, “Well, the autumn trees outside and the potted plants are nice, but the awful sleeping arrangements with zero cushions or blankets anywhere seriously ruin it. How's anybody supposed to relax and unwind here without anything soft in sight?”

“The one in your guild known as Cider. This is his ideal room.”

I should have known. “Getting coziness tips from him in any way? It'd be like taking flying lessons from me, because he doesn't know a single thing about it. This is a two out of ten at BEST.”

Wooper chimes in with, “Yeah, no blankets? There's not even anywhere to sit!”

The spirit lets out an eerie laugh. “I must say, I agree. That was just a little test.”

A purple flame suddenly begins to burn on the far wall, revealing another door as it fizzles out. “Step through this next door for my next scenario.”

“If this is all we gotta do for our challenges, this'll be a cinch, Wooper.” I say.

“I hope the others have ones that aren't too tough!” Wooper says.

Stepping through the next door, the two of us walk into a far better looking room. The walls are made of a dark wood, the floor is covered in soft carpet, and there's a small couch with a blanket draped over it. Outside the window, I spot a familiar-looking lake, the room appearing to be right on the water. Speaking of water, there appears to be a hot spring sunk into the floor of the far end of the room.

“Is that a hot spring?!” Wooper shouts. Before I can stop him, he runs towards it, leaping right in!

“What are you doing? It could be a trap, Wooper!” I shout.

“No, it's all good, come give it a shot!” Wooper says.

“Well, I suppose it couldn't hurt to take a little break...” Shrugging, I dip a vine into the water, testing the temperature before stepping in. The heat of the spring washes over me, forcing a sigh out of me. “Oh yeah... about time the guild gets one of these...” I say, relaxing into the water.

Wooper swims around in the water, his usual smile seeming even bigger than normal. “See? It's good!”

The spirit forms above the hot spring, its ghastly flames lighting the room purple. “Now, what say you about this room?”

I swish my hand through the water, gently splashing some of it around. “The hot spring's definitely a great thing to have, and you could sleep on the couch rather well. The lakeside location helps out as well, the carpet's soft as well, but there's not much else in here. No fireplace means nights could get pretty cold, and there's no table to eat at. This is... maybe a seven. And the hot spring's doing a lot of heavy lifting for that.”

“Well well... I think I've got just the thing.” Flames form on a nearby wall once again. “Once the flames die out, step through for the ultimate in coziness.”

I stand up, leaning backwards into the water to float on my back. “Remind you a little of home, Wooper?”

“Just a little,” Wooper says. “But mom and dad's house was something special. This place doesn't even have the underwater rooms we had, I checked! Even aside from that, there's something missing here...”

“The spirit's getting closer, but they seem to keep missing little details.” I notice the fire has burned out, one more door appearing in its stead. Stepping out of the spring, I shake myself dry. “Details like leaving a TOWEL for their spring.” I shake the water off of me as best as I can. “We'd better see what the next room has in store.”

As I open the door, the inside is very dark, with only faint hints of light coming from a couple of windows. It isn't long before a nearby fireplace comes to life, the flames bathing the room in an orange light. There are several large, soft-looking cushions next to the fireplace, seeming to be the perfect size for Wooper and I. Not far from that is a small dining table with a few chairs, resting atop a dark green carpet. Near that are a few counters and cupboards, as well as stairs that go up to a loft area. Curious, I climb up to the top and find something that makes me gasp.

“It's... a real bed?!” I rub my eyes, taking another look. It's a real deal human bed! I quickly jump on top of it, the soft blankets feeling nice as I lie down on it. Looking up, I notice that there's a skylight, allowing me to look up at starry night sky.

Wooper comes up the stairs as well, hopping on the bed. “Woah, is this what human beds are like?”

“Yep, it's exactly the same, Wooper! Think we could drag this thing back to the real guild?” I ask hopefully.

“How would we get it back? This bed is huge!” Wooper says.

I let out a sad sigh, realizing it's impossible to move on our own. Come to think of it, it might be too large to even fit in our room. “So close... Maybe we can get a smaller version built someday?”

Looking around in the loft, I spot a little nook that seems perfect for reading, with a bookshelf and cushion right next to a window. There is even a blanket folded up underneath the window.

Wooper hops back downstairs, and a moment later he says, “There's some drinks on the table down here!”

Following Wooper, I see two mugs, one with a straw in it. I pick one up and give it a sniff, my eyes widening as I realize what it is. “It's hot cocoa, Wooper!”

“Really? Sweet!” Wooper says, smiling.

I take a small sip of the drink. “Tastes pretty good, too!” I sit in front of the fireplace, drinking a bit more of my cocoa. I grab the other mug with a vine, bringing it closer. “Want some?”

Wooper takes a seat next to me. “Well... Sure!”

I hold the mug in front of Wooper as he sips through the straw. “Woah, this is good!”

I lean back in my cushion as I finish my drink. “It's not the lake, but this is pretty nice. I wonder how everybody else is doing with their missions?”

The spirit poofs into view once more as it speaks up once more.

“Well well, it seems I've conjured something the two of you enjoy more than the hot spring. Tell me exactly how you feel about it.”

“Something still doesn't feel quite right...” Wooper says.

Sounding confused, the spirit says, “What's wrong with it? I've included a fireplace, something sweet to drink, a large bed, everything that should be your partner's ideal.”

“Wooper's right, and I think I know what it is.” Setting down my mug, I say, “It's all very nice, but... it just doesn't have that cozy feel.”

“How is that possible? This must be your ideal, is it not?”

“It's true that a place like this would be my ideal home, but... Part of making a place cozy is all the work you put into it. The guild might not be perfect, but Wooper and I have put in quite a bit of work to making it a better place to live for everyone else.”

Wooper nods. “I might prefer ponds and mud, but the guild definitely feels cozier than the pond I was living in before this all!”

Continuing, I say, “The bedding we've had to fight for, the garden we helped create, and even the friends we've made, it's all that effort that makes what we DO have feel cozy in its own way. This place we're in now definitely feels nice, but I want to work towards a home like this. It's just not the same if it's some conjured up room that falls into your lap.”

Silence fills the room as the spirit ponders what I said. “I think I understand now. Maybe once this is all over, the rest of us can find a place to call home.”

Standing up, I say, “Will you come with us peacefully?”

“You two have taught me much, but I wish to learn one more thing.”

The spirit's flames grow more intense as it rises upwards. “There is one in the guild who talks both of you up as the perfect team. He claims your teamwork in a fight is without equal.”

“Aw, c'mon!” Complaining more, I say, “You were so peaceful up until now!”

With a hint of sadness in its voice, the spirit says, “This dungeon cannot reject me until I expend all of my energy. This is the fastest way of doing it. We could wait around for a long time, or you could show me your teamwork. I truly am interested in seeing you two in action.”

“We'll take on whatever you throw at is!” Wooper shouts. “We've work as a team from day one!”

Letting out my vines, I say, “I suppose we can indulge you. It probably won't be that bad?”

The cozy-looking cabin we're in begins to melt away, slowly morphing into a dark forest clearing, lit only by a full moon. Tall twisted trees stretch upwards into the sky, as though the landscape itself is warped. The spirit floats over it all, saying, “Get ready. It won't go easy on you.”

A circular shadow starts to form on the ground in front of Wooper and I. It starts small, and grows larger and larger before something starts to rise out of it. My determination start to falter as it keeps growing in size, beginning to tower over us! Slowly, the shadow begins to take on the form we'll have to fight. My breath catches in my throat as I start to realize what it really is.

“I-It's a...” I can't get the words out. It looks bigger than anything I've ever fought!

“Chesnaught?!” Wooper exclaims.

The behemoth of an enemy lumbers forward, its eyes completely devoid of any inner thought. It raises up an arm, and I manage to grab Wooper and jump out of the way just before its fist crashes into the ground! I wobble around a little as the earth shakes from the strike, but keep my balance.

“No way am I taking hits from this thing!” I shout. Hugging Wooper tight, I use my vines to reel ourselves into the tree branches. “Focus on aiming at that thing and I'll move us around!”

I feel cold air rushing past my arms as Wooper starts shooting blasts of ice at the Chesnaught. To my horror, the foe's arms come together and form into shields, Wooper's attack colliding harmlessly with it! Chesnaught then charges the tree we're in, causing it to start toppling over! I barely manage to get Wooper and I into another tree in time.

“I fought one of these with Dad a long time ago,” Wooper says. “I need to get back down to the ground. I'll hide while you distract him, then I'll get him while his eyes are on you.”

“I can't just leave you unprotected!” I protest.

“I've done this before, and this guy looks pretty mindless,” Wooper says, sounding unusually serious. “I know what I'm doing, you just gotta trust me on this one. Just keep looping around!”

I nod, saying, “Get ready then, I'll swing down and let you down while I hang out up here.”

Chesnaught rushes the tree we're on again, and this time I swing from branch to branch a few times before swinging lower, letting go of Wooper close to the ground. With my arms free once again, I clench my fists, letting electricity course through them. The sparks light up the treetops, drawing Chesnaught's attention. He stomps towards me as I dig around my bag looking for something to throw at him.

Rocks definitely won't do anything to him. I've still got the Blast Wand around, maybe this'll work? Pulling the wand out, I give it a swing, a fireball leaving only a small scorch mark against the Chesnaught's shield. I wave it some more while swinging around the trees, hoping at least one of the fireballs squeaks past his shield. I finally hear Chesnaught let out a low roar, and when I look down, I see him clutching his face in pain.

Before I can go for another wand wave, a blast of icy energy shoots out from below, striking Chesnaught directly in the chest! As he doubles over in pain, I leap at the chance I've got, and use my vines to land on his shell. Electrifying my fists once again, I lean forward and start punching him in the face as hard as I can, all the while Wooper keeps shooting his attacks at Chesnaught's chest.

Chesnaught lets out a loud cry as we lay into him, and with one final combination of attacks, I feel him go limp as he falls to the ground. It's not long until he begins to dissolve into nothingness, not unlike the foes we've fought in dungeons.

“Phew... Got him, Wooper!” I say, relieved that it's over.

“Good work, Chespin!” Wooper leaves the brush, smiling.

“Excellent work, you two.”

The spirit comes back into view. “Looks like mindless monsters are no match for your teamwork.”

The forest clearing we're in starts to grow brighter and brighter, forcing me to shut my eyes. “What's going on now?!”

“I think the dungeon's fading away!” Wooper shouts.

Once the light fades, we find ourselves in the second floor lounge of the guild.

“I forgot we were inside the guild for awhile,” I say. Taking a seat on a nearby cushion, I lie back and say, “At least one of the comfier parts of the guild is clear now. Hope the rest of the guild gets fixed soon.”

“We gotta take the spirit outside the guild to meet with the others,” Wooper says.

Getting back up, the three of us make the trip outside. “Why a Chesnaught, anyways?” I say, wondering out loud.

“These halls have a memory of sorts, I can feel it. It seems to represent a time in your life when you were at your most uncomfortable.”

“Tell me about it,” I say. “That huge spiky shell wasn't comfy at all!”

“But if we're done, where's Toge?” Wooper asks. “He's okay, right?”

“Once the guild is back to normal, he should be okay,” I say. “I hope so. It's not the same around here without him!”

Exiting the guild, I notice that there's still a few teams that have yet to finish their missions. A few guildmates are standing around chatting, and a bunch of spirits congregate nearby

“What do we do now?” Wooper says.

“Well, the garden's still safe. Let's go relax until everybody else is back,” I say. “Mister uh... spirit? You can go rejoin the other spirits that have come out by now.

“Fine by me. Thank you both for the little lesson on coziness you gave me earlier.”

The spirit drifts over towards the others, and it's not long before I lose track of which one was him.

As we enter the garden, I flop down on the blanket I set outside earlier, letting my bag fall off. “I hope the others aren't having too much trouble right now.” I lazily stretch a vine over towards the nearby berry plants, reeling in a Sitrus to snack on. “Man, how did I ever live before these things...” I mutter to myself.

“You did pretty great against that Chesnaught, Arthur,” Wooper says. “He didn't even manage to scratch us!”

“It would've gone a whole lot worse without your strategy, that's for sure,” I say.

“We gotta train more so we can have more missions that go that way!” Wooper exclaims.

“Yeah yeah, we can train more another day.” Letting out a yawn, I say, “But for now, lets just kick back and wait for this all to wrap up.”