"S-so... wh-what do y-you think...?"
Macom the Mareep doesn't look up from the papers now covering the tables in his map room. "I think if you're planning to do this alone, you'll get yourself captured and the entire guild in a hell of a lot of trouble."
"B-But... I-I have to do s-something to t-try and help Chespin!" I slam my hands onto the table, rustling some of the documents.
"Toge, no offense, but you don't have the best track record when it comes to completing missions successfully." Replies Macom matter-of-factly.
I lean back and stare at the floor. (He is right. I haven't done too well on a lot of missions for the guild. But... when I was back with him...)
"And I think your history as an outlaw still leaves you ill-equipped for a task like this."
(Huh!?) "W-wait, y-you-"
"I do background checks. You and Dewott did make quite a splash in some towns, but most of your 'experience' was common muggings. There's few reports of any burglaries." Macom's tone remains analytical, and there isn't a hint of judgement in his voice.
I almost smirk. "W-well, a-a good burglar d-doesn't usually l-leave any t-trace behind."
"And a better one would know to never get overconfident. We're talking about breaking into an official shipping warehouse used by the Federation and multiple well-funded traders."
"I-I know, I kn-know! This w-won't be l-like easily sn-sneaking into s-some hick's barn..."
Suddenly Macom stiffs up, and his eyes widen. There's no longer any light in his glossy eyes. His tail flashes in an unusual rhythm.
"- .... . -.-- .----. .-. . / .. -. / - .... . / -... .- .-. -."
".. - / .-- .- ... / ... ..- .--. .--. --- ... . -.. / - --- / -... . / -.-. .-.. . .- .-."
"-... .-.. --- .-- / .. - / - --- / .... . .-.. .-.."
(The hell...? Did he see one of his lamb buddies get silenced in a barn or something?) "M-Macom? MACOM!"
As quickly as it came, Macom snaps back to reality. "... Sorry. I still think you're biting off more than you can chew. I appreciate that you debriefed me on this before you planned anything, but I think you should forget about attempting this."
(I don't want to give up that easily.) "Wh-What if I m-made a team?"
Macom raises an eyebrow. "You'd be willing to rope other guildmembers into this?"
I nod. "I-It... It w-wouldn't just b-be to help Chespin. D-don't you think th-that being on g-good terms w-with someone f-from the Federation, e-especially one w-willing to m-make... special d-deals, w-would be good f-for the future?"
"You're serious?" Macom stares me right in the eyes. I don't let my resolve waver. After a few moments, he softens and cracks a smile. "I'm glad you understand sometimes things need to be done... underhandedly." Macom digs into his bag with his mouth, then takes out a map that he rolls out across the table. "Here's a map of the warehouse. I've marked the guards, along with their patrol paths and shifts."
(He already had this all planned out?!) "W-wow... Th-thanks, b-but-"
"Don't ask. I won't be able to help you on your 'mission', but I can help acquire any other supplies you'd need."
"U-Understood. And th-thanks again."
"It's nothing. Good luck on your mission, and don't get caught." I give Macom a salute in response before taking the map he gave me and leaving the room.
(Now, time to figure out who I'm gonna need for a team... Hmmm...)
* * *
"Absolutely not." KFC says bluntly. "I can't risk our already strained relationship with both the Federation and Capim Town. I would also prefer to not live up to the stereotypes of my Blaziken Tribe brethren. I've worked hard to become, as some people here say, 'one of the good ones.'"
"A-Alright, I understand... s-sorry for bothering y-you..." (Damn! Having an aura user would've made this a cinch...)
* * *
"Sounds like it could be fun... But if Booker found out 'bout me trying something like this, he'd never let me hear the end of it." Sneasel says while shaking her head. "Sorry Toge, but you're gonna have to find someone else."
"I u-understand..." (Augh, she was my second best option after KFC...)
"You better put my stealth lessons to good use!"
I say goodbye to Sneasel and float through the guild's lobby, eyeing up everyone who passes by. (Kiyo, Cassie, and Bean, maybe? Nah, they seem too reputable to ever do something illegal, they earn their money through honest construction jobs. Gill, maybe? Though his brother will probably complain.)
* * *
"I'm all in." Says Bill.
"What?!" Gill and I exclaim at the same time.
"You're not going to look more into it?" Gill asks, genuinely stunned.
"Do I?" Replies Bill, pointing his head at me.
Gill interrupts before I can respond. "I'm just surprised you came out with it first, hermanito! This will be easy, remember all of those places we broke into as kids?"
"You broke into, and the one time I remember that happening, I had to save your ass." Despite his words, I think I spot a slight smile on Bill's face as he reminisces.
"C'mon... I told you I wasn't about to get shot!"
"Says the one who triggered the alarm!"
Predictably, the two brothers start playfully bickering with each other. (Hmm... I could recruit both of them, but I'd prefer to keep the squad smaller so there's less risk of mistakes or miscommunication. Gill is reliable but clumsy, Bill seems much more acutely aware of his surroundings. Fire types aren't really the best for a stealth mission, but having a good sense of smell might make up for a lack of an aura user...)
"U-Uhm, b-between the t-two of you, wh-which of you h-has the better sense of s-smell?"
The twins cease their banter and Gill does an exaggerated sniff. "Well, I can tell you that Bill just let out a NASTY-"
"It's me. I have the better sense of smell." Gill pouts as Bill put a premature end to his immature joke. "... I can tell it's been over a week since you last bathed."
(Oops.) "O-Oh, s-sorry... B-but anyway, I th-think it's best i-if one of y-you two stay h-here-"
"You wound me, amigo!" Gill pretends to be hit and falls onto his back. "But I get it. You need someone to watch the storeroom while you're gone! I might even try organizing stuff myself-"
"I-I will h-have you sh-shaved if you DARE reorganize anything. To think that you could EVEN begin to COMPREHEND-"
"Toge, deep breathing exercises." Bill says.
I snap out of my rant and inhale a big gulp of air. (Right, our anger management sessions...) "A-anyway, m-meet me in my r-room later t-tonight."
* * *
"I'm really sorry about destroying my cotton bed... but does it really cost 100,000 Poke to replace it!?" Cachopo the Paldean Tauros exclaims.
"A-afraid so. I-I understand y-you probably d-don't have that s-sort of funds on h-hand, but I d-do have a mission I think you could h-help me with. I-if it works out, I-I'll cover the r-replacement myself."
"Alright, I'll see what I can do." Cachopo says with a resigned sigh.
(And that's another recruit for the team... He's lucky I'm not giving him a worse punishment for destroying Team Cozy's priceless cotton.)
* * *
(It would be really helpful to have someone else experienced with breaking into places for this sort of mission, or at least someone who could be stealthy...)
As I think, I feel something fluffy and warm rub against my shoulder. I turn to find that I'm being prodded by the tip of a large tail, connected to a familiar Ninetales. He chats to his muscular Persian partner, completely unaware of one of his appendages violating my personal space. (Ugh, Nine. Every time I've seen him go into the storeroom, one of his tails always ends up knocking something over. If he can't get his body under control, the only 'tales' he'll have are how I got nine new scarves for Team Cozy.)
I try to gently push the tail away with my hand, but it doesn't relent, and continues trying to rub against me. The Persian notices my effort, and smirks as he points at me with his paw, drawing Nine's attention. The moment Nine spots me, I feel the air around me get warmer, and a look of embarrassment flashes over Nine's face.
"I'm sorry! My third tail gets a little too curious sometimes, I hope you can forgive me!" He gives the misbehaving tail a glare, and it sullenly moves back to join with its fellow tails.
"O-oh, d-don't worry a-about it..." I reply. "I-I'm not s-sure if we've m-met. My n-name is T-Toge."
"I'm Nine, and this is Luka." The Persian's ear twitches and he glances to the side, to which Nine gives him a nudge and whispers. "C'mon, Luka. He's not that scary."
Luka seems to bite back a smile at this and murmurs a "Hey."
(...A Persian with a cracked gem? He seems like a rough guy, might be helpful. Plus, he isn't an official member of the guild, so if he does get caught, that means he can be the fall guy.)
"I-I know th-this is a b-bit sudden... b-but, w-would either of you b-be interested in h-helping me on a-a... special m-mission?"
Luka flashes Nine a look at this, but before he can say anything, Nine speaks in his stead.
"A mission?" Nine cocks his head to the side, and a tail tip comes from above to scratch his head as if in contemplation. "Well...what's it about?"
"W-well..." I explain the mission to Nine and Luka. The Ninetales listens intently the entire time, while Luka's ears only flatten when I mention that the request would require an illegal heist.
After I finish my explanation, Luka towers over me, his words a hiss. "So you asked for our help because you assumed I'd be good at stealing?"
"Luka!" Nine turns to Luka. "I'm sure he-"
(There's no point in letting this get dragged out into an argument.) "Y-Yes, I did. I u-used to be a-an outlaw t-too, so I know o-one when I see one."
Luka's claws shoot out from one of his paws. I feel a chill and my feathers ruffle themselves as Luka raises said paw, only to lift it towards his face and lick it. "Hmmph."
Nine bats Luka in the back of the head with one of his tails, making his eyes bulge out for a second before he regains his cold demeanor. "You try way too hard to look cool." With Nine's attention focused on Luka, one of Nine's tails once again starts poking me. Much to my annoyance, two more tails join in, twisting around my body like snakes.
Not wanting the conversation to turn into Nine apologizing about his tails again, I choose to ignore the fluffy feelers. "I-I'm wiling to o-offer payment f-for the job. Money, s-supplies... huh?"
My words trail off as Luka suddenly winces, hovering a paw gingerly over his cracked gem. He catches me staring, and tries to play off his obvious pain by sweeping the paw across his fur as if he were merely grooming himself. But in his haste, his claws snag the fractured gem, and he doubles over, unable to stifle a groan.
I try hard not to smile as Nine gently drapes a tail across Luka's shoulder. (Heh, looks like the poor guy suffers from constant headaches. So much for playing hard to get, because I've got you now.) "I-If you s-suffer from h-headaches, I might h-have something th-that w-will help y-you."
Luka lowers a foreleg to look at me through a pained grimace, still clutching his head with the other. "A-As your f-friend's tails h-have already f-figured out from h-how they k-keep groping me, T-Togetics produce s-something called J-Joy Dust. Touching it m-makes you f-feel more upbeat, a-and it c-can ease pain."
I flick my hand, and a few glowing specks of Joy Dust fly through the air, and rain down on Luka's head. The skepticism in his eyes melts away into surprise as he eases up, seemingly refreshed. Specks of Joy Dust flutter past him, and he reaches a paw up to probe his gem, almost flinching away from his own touch. But it's clear from the slight smile on his face that the pain he had expected to find in doing so was no more. He recomposes himself with a full-bodied stretch, glances at Nine, and then finally back to me. "... I'll consider your offer."
Nine chuckles, looking equally impressed. "That means he accepts-OH GOSH I'M SO SORRY HOW LONG HAVE MY TAILS BEEN DOING THAT!?" He spins, trying to catch each tail in vain. "I've never-three, down, now-seen them this-please, five, not you too!-like this!"
Three more of Nine's tails had joined in on invading my privacy. And now that their owner has realized their nefarious deeds, they start gripping me more tightly, restraining my movement. The more that joined in, the more fiercely they started to encircle me, as if they were all fighting for the biggest share of my Joy Dust. Nine's obedient tails start trying to pry off the naughty ones, but in doing so that only tightens their grip on me. The tails also grow hotter, making the once slightly comforting feeling of the tails become a searing pain that feels like being bound by burning rope.
My cries of distress only makes Nine panic even more, and the more flustered he becomes, the more it burns. The tails that were previously obeying him seem to have given up and decided to start attempting to claim more of my Joy Dust for themselves.
Nine's screams become more muffled as I'm absorbed into his mess of tails, and my vision is completely obscured by fur. "I CAN'T UNTANGLE HIM, LUKA, HELP ME! I MEAN, HELP HIM!"
Luka's voice, sharp with concern, reaches me through the mass of fur. "Shit! I can't even see him anymore!" While my body is starting to grow numb from the pain, I feel pressure on various points of my body, as if something is trying to break past my sizzling cocoon. "Ow! Dammit, I'll go get someone who can shoot water!"
Nine clamped down on one of his tails and yelled through a mouthful of fur. "WHY WON'T ANY OF YOU LISTEN TO ME?! IS IT BECAUSE OF SECOND-FROM-RIGHT? I ALWAYS KNEW IT WOULD BE A BAD INFLUENCE ON THE REST OF YOU!"
I catch a whiff of singed flesh as the lack of air in this fluffy coffin starts to make me lose consciousness. (There are... worse ways to die... I suppose...)
* * *
"I'm so, so sorry!"
I'm brought back to reality as I wake up on a bed within the guild's clinic. Nine and Luka are at my bedside, and my body is covered with a slick Rawst berry ointment that soothes the pain from my burns.
"I didn't know you were into BDSM, Toge!" Cyndaquil says from a bed next to mine. "You gotta tell me how it felt-ACK!" One of Nine's tails whacks Cyndaquil across the face, seemingly knocking him out.
Kina the Audino, who has been sitting at the reception desk, lets out a sigh. "I know it's fun to beat him up, but just remember you're forcing me to spend more time with him every time you do."
"Sorry, they have a mind of their own." Nine says, struggling to hide a laugh as he gives one of his tails a look of approval. "... Well, I am genuinely sorry for what happened with you, Toge. I hope you'll be able to forgive me.
"D-Don't w-worry about i-it... A-And thanks, Kina."
Kina replies with a soft "Hmph", and continues messing with paperwork on her desk.
"As for your offer," Luka speaks up. "I've decided to join you on your mission."
"I think it's best if I sit this one out, given what just happened..." Nine side-eyes some of his tails, which seem to retreat behind others in embarrassment. "But Luka's really skilled! I'm sure everything will go brilliantly!"
(I hope...) "Th-thanks. L-Luka, we'll m-meet at my r-room in the e-evening."
Luka gives a curt nod, and he and Nine leave to give me some more time to rest.
* * *
"A-alright, e-everyone's here..."
Cachopo is the last to arrive at our meeting. He carefully angles his horns so he can get through the entrance, and sits at the end of the table that I've set up in the middle of my room. Bill and Luka sit on either side of the table, to my right and left. Bill sits stoically, while Luka glances around, bemused at my Team Cozy rug and other pieces of Team Cozy memorabilia I've created. (If he steals any of it I'll skin him.)
"So, what's the plan?" Bill asks.
"H-here." I take out the map Macom gave me and roll it out over the table. All three of my partners in crime are impressed at the quality and detail of the map, and Luka even traces a claw along some of the lines depicting the guard's patrol routes. "A c-certain Mareep g-got this f-for me. Our t-target is a warehouse n-near Capim's docks. A-as you c-can see, it has two fl-floors, with the s-second floor being a b-balcony that overlooks th-the floor b-below. Th-there's a-also a superintendent's o-office on th-the second floor. From the d-details Macom g-gave me, I th-think the best time t-to start the operation w-would be around midnight."
"Night is when they would be most alert." Luka protested candidly. "Me and Bill can see in the dark, but you and Cachopo risk stumbling into things in the darkness. It's also quieter, and we wouldn't have the daytime commotion to mask any sounds we make. We should attack at daylight, where we can better hide among the dock workers."
I shake my head. "I'm a-afraid that i-isn't an option. By d-daytime, the g-goods will be hidden within n-normal cargo o-orders, making th-them impossible to f-find, and w-we'd risk stealing s-something else b-by accident."
"What are we even looking for?" Cachopo says apprehensively.
"W-we're looking f-for a small, dark, w-wooden box."
"Not much to go off on," Luka murmurs. "What's in it?"
"... I-I don't k-know, j-just th-that it's apparently some k-kind of medicine th-that's being s-sold illegally." Luka is silent and Cachopo sighs, while Bill tries to hide his disappointment. "L-Look, I kn-know that d-doesn't give us m-much to w-work off o-of, b-but there i-is supposed to b-be some sort o-of marking on the sh-shipment." I take out one of the documents that Delphox gave me and lift it up. It shows a drawing of a branch with two leaves.
An unconvinced Luka points out. "If they know so much about the shipment, why do they need us to steal it in the first place? Why can't they just get Officer Magnezone to go and grab it? What good would us getting more evidence for them do?"
"Th-the Federation d-doesn't want to r-risk its r-relationship with a l-large company o-on the S-Sand Continent th-that o-our client suspects i-is the ones o-ordering th-the goods. I-If th-the goods a-are stolen, a-and the Federation j-just happens to f-find th-them however..." (... Or at least that's what Delphox told me...)
"Hrmmph..." says Luka, but he seemingly has no other objections. "I don't know how anyone in the guild gets anything done with all of this administrative nonsense."
"B-back to th-the plan..." (Alright Toge, you got this. You don't need to pull out the cue cards you wrote the plan down on earlier and practiced with. Just remember everyone's role.) "M-me and Luka will b-be the main two th-that will break i-into the w-warehouse to r-retrieve the g-goods."
"So what's my role then?" Cachopo raises an eyebrow.
"F-for u-us to be a-able to break i-in, w-we need s-someone to d-distract the guards n-near our entry point wh-while t-taking out th-the streetlights. Y-you will cause a s-scene that w-will force the g-guards to lose f-focus, or e-even try and c-chase you down, and u-use water f-from your h-horns to douse t-the lights."
"But what if I get caught?" Cachopo worries.
"A-a m-member of the Clover G-Guild causing a scene i-is so common th-that I doubt Magnezone w-would even ch-charge you. A-and th-that won't even b-be a problem i-if you run a-away fast enough. I r-recommend examining p-possible escape r-routes you can t-take through town."
The bull Pokemon still seems uncertain, but his eyes start tracing paths across the map laid out before him.
"And what do I have to do?" Bill inquires.
"F-for you, w-we'll be u-using your nose..." I take out an Oran, Cheri, and Pecha Berry from my bag. "Y-you can s-smell all of these berries, c-correct?"
Bill nods. "Easily."
"N-now, turn around so y-you can't s-see the b-berries."
Bill obliges so that he is now sitting with his back turned to me. I put the Oran and Cheri berries on the table, and then squash the Pecha Berry in my hands, covering them with a pink juice. "C-can you tell wh-which I squashed?"
With a series of audible sniffs, Bill quickly responds, "The Pecha Berry, obviously." Cachopo looks impressed, and Luka's whiskers twitch in interest.
The grin that Bill shoots me when he turns back to face the group makes it impossible for me to not feel pleased with myself for this idea. (I just hope this doesn't give Bill a craving for berries.) "A-as y-you saw, w-we'll be using B-Bill as a s-sort of communication s-system. M-me and Luka will be c-carrying Oran, Ch-Cheri, and Pecha berries. An Oran B-Berry being squished will m-mean we've successfully g-gotten the goods, and B-Bill will respond with a long h-howl if the coast is c-clear outside the w-warehouse, and a d-double howl if we n-need to be cautious."
"And P-Pecha..." I say as I lick my stained hands. "M-Means th-that we n-need assistance, a-and that Bill should c-come running to h-help us."
I lift up the Cheri Berry from the table. "And Cheri will m-mean that s-something has gone w-wrong, and we are a-aborting the mission, and that Bill sh-should be ready t-to flee the scene. G-got it, Bill?"
"Completely." Bill responds.
"What's our getaway plan?" Luka asks while stretching.
"I-If p-possible, I-I grab th-the goods and f-fly back t-to the g-guild under th-the cover of the n-night. I-If not... Y-you'll h-have to f-find your o-own way back t-to the guild sneaking th-through town, Luka."
"... What about using the Tauros?" Luka gestures towards Cachopo with his head, who looks annoyed that the feline Pokemon didn't even refer to him by his name. "If he got in the bay and we hopped on his back, I doubt anyone would be able to catch us."
"C-could y-you do it, Cachopo?"
"Yes, I can." Cachopo states proudly.
(Alright, so we have a good backup incase I get incapacitated. Knowing how competent I am, it's probably an inevitability.) "Th-that works. A-any more q-questions?"
The silence that hangs over the table answers my question. "O-okay, w-we should st-start moving. O-Oh, I almost f-forgot..." I reach out from under the table, and pull out some custom-knitted light blue balaclavas. "I-I made these, s-so we c-could hide our i-identities..."
Cachopo's face sours, as if he's imagining the struggle it will be to put one of the hoods over his horns. Bill keeps a straight face, while Luka chuckles and says "I'm not wearing that."
"O-Oh, d-don't w-worry, I-I made some in green i-if th-that's more y-your thing, b-but these a-are mandatory."
* * *
(No ones respects the effort I put into things.)
The team refused the masks, and since I made them as a set, it would be pointless for me to wear one. (One day I'll find a way to make everyone in the guild proudly display matching Team Cozy merch.)
I shake off my thoughts as we encroach on our target warehouse. Fortunately for us, tonight is a new moon, making it easier for us to stay hidden within the alleys of Capim. I take a bite out of an Eyedrop Seed, and my vision slowly brightens. I tell my partners to stay put as I fly up and poke out behind the corner of one of the tall tree-like buildings to get a better view of the warehouse. Unlike most of Capim's other buildings, this place isn't built out of a stump, but instead it looks like it was stitched together from different pieces of wood and bark that have been smooshed together to give the large place a square, boxy shape. There are other, similarly makeshift-looking structures dotted across the shore. (Probably constructed quickly to support Capim's growing trade, if I had to guess.)
The side of the warehouse that faces the street has a smaller, normal-sized entrance door, next to a much larger opening with two large double doors. The smaller door is currently closed, while the other is currently open, with its doors opening up into the building itself. On either side of this entrance sit two Houndooms. One sits diligently, while the other has curled up into a ball and is sleeping. (Looks like Macom's info was right, they left the door open to allow shipments in and out. And the street looks empty for now apart from the guard dogs, this is our time to strike.)
As I turn to float back down to my group, old memories flash in the back of my mind. (... It's been a long time since I've done anything like this. Here I thought I joined the guild to turn over a new leaf. I suppose I haven't really changed. Ugh, what am I thinking? This is all for Chespin and Team Cozy! This is all to help someone who's a friend, no, who's like family to me!)
(... Family...)
"Welcome back, Toge." Bill whispers, knocking me out of my musings. "How's it look?"
"C-clear." I say, keeping my voice low.
"What was that?" Luka whispers, ear swiveling toward my voice. "If you're the leader, you'd better act like it. Speak up."
"S-sorry, i-it looks c-clear." I say with my usual tone. "C-cachopo, it's y-you're u-up."
Cachopo's eyes dart around nervously. "So I just run by, spray water everywhere, and try to escape the guards?"
I nod. "T-try and m-make sure you t-take out the lamps. G-good luck."
Cachopo takes a deep breath, then stomps the ground with one of his front hooves a few times. Then he blasts past us like a bullet, his thundering stomps clacking loudly against the cobblestone path. Before we can turn the corner to watch him, we hear cries and howls of surprise from the Houndooms, and the light that was peeking from around the corner disappears. (Nice, looks like the first phase of the plan worked!)
I motion for Bill and Luka to follow, and the three of us follow in Cachopo's wake. The path is now drenched in water, and I stay floating so my footfalls don't create splashes. Luka somehow manages to step on stones that are poking above the water, so his footsteps are inaudible. Bill isn't as deft, but he manages to keep up with us without slipping or causing loud splashes. Far ahead, Cachopo continues to spray water from his horns as he runs for dear life, being chased by the two dogs that bark wildly at him. He comes to a bend in the road, and shifts his body sideways to do a sharp turn, but his momentum is too much! His hooves send sparks flying as they scramble against the smooth cobblestone, unable to gain any grip. Balance completely lost, Cachopo falls on his side, and starts rolling down the rest of the path, until he crashes into a smaller storage building, instantly demolishing it.
(Oh fuck.)
"What the HELL do you think you're doing?!" Screams a voice from the rubble. Moments later Cachopo and a number of different Pokemon arise from the ruins and shake off the debris covering their bodies. One Raticate wastes no time rushing up to Cachopo to chastise him. "You not only DESTROYED our shipment of veggies, but our entire warehouse too! What, were you hungry or something?! All of the grass in this town not fuckin' enough for you? HUH?"
"Hey, I recognize this Tauros! I think he's from the Clover Guild!" Says one of the Houndooms.
"I heard a Tauros like this kidnapped someone's kid once..." Claims the other guard dog. "What were you doing running so fast through here, punk?"
(This is going to become a murder if Cachopo gets angry...) I consider aborting the mission, but then Cachopo speaks up.
"Well, u-um... I-I... I was running away from something, sorry!" Cachopo stutters out. The crowd around him doesn't seem too convinced by his answer.
"Pfft, what would scare a big ol' Pokemon like you?" Scoffs the Raticate.
Cachopo looks down in thought for a moment. "I... I was running away from Cyndaquil!"
Silence hangs over the mob.
"... Damn, really?"
"No wonder he was runnin' so fast..."
"Poor guy... That pervert must've gone too far this time if he was that scared!"
"Imagine having to live in the same guild as that degenerate!"
"Hey, do you want to press charges?" Asks one of the Houndooms with genuine concern. "You don't have to tell us what happened if you don't want to, man. But you shouldn't let that kind of behavior go unpunished."
"Erm, uh..." Cachopo stammers constantly, overwhelmed by the amount of support from random strangers. "... Y-you see... while I was trying to escape him, uhh... Cyndaquil isn't really THAT bad, y'know...?"
"Oh no, the abuse is so constant he's normalized it..." Murmurs a Delcatty.
"C'mon, I know some good professional help..." The Houndooms end up escorting a protesting Cachopo away, while other various Pokemon try to sift through the wreckage surrounding them.
"Hey, Toge!" Luka sharply whispers right into my ear, making me jolt. "We're wasting time! The door's wide open!"
"R-right, s-sorry! B-Bill, h-hang back and f-find a good s-spot to s-scout out th-the area! M-me and L-Luka are going i-in!"
"I'll keep my nose ready." The Growlithe bounds away and darts into a nearby alley, vanishing behind a corner.
Luka grunts, and sneaks into the large, open doorway. I fly behind and follow, trying to remember the layout of the warehouse in my head. (There should be about three guards on the first floor, and one on the second...)
Luka and I slide behind some crates to keep ourselves hidden. Thankfully for us, the warehouse isn't well-lit, making it easier to stay concealed. Luka looks at me, then quickly nods his head upwards, silently telling me to check and look for patrols. Doing as instructed, I peek over our cover, and spot two Timburr sitting on their lumber, mindlessly chatting while sipping out of mugs. One of them wobbles back and forth constantly, barely able to stay balanced. (Guess he's about as good at handling booze as I am.)
I scan the rest of the floor for the third guard, but can't spot them. There's a large stack of boxes in the middle of the warehouse that could be obscuring them. Turning my attention more to the crates themselves, most of the cargo on this floor is stored in large wooden boxes. A few have their tops open, revealing mostly mundane contents such as building supplies, fabric, or furniture. (What hap-hazard organization... disgraceful!)
I float back down to Luka. "T-two guards visible f-from here, d-dead ahead. Th-they're drinking. No s-sign of the th-third, o-or our t-target."
"Figures." Luka gazes around, his eyes jumping from box to box, as if he's tracking himself leaping across them. "Can't imagine they'd store the big valuables down here—it's risky. Too easy to break if cargo slips loose." He flashed me a mischievous look. "Too easy to steal."
"O-obviously. Do y-you think they'd store i-it in the superintendent's o-office on th-the second floor?"
"It's possible. But that would mean these smugglers would be trusting whoever runs this place. It could be hidden in a more inconspicuous place on the second floor, among other random items."
Something about this sort of conversation gives me a feeling of nostalgia. "A-alright. I-I'll sneak into the o-office-"
Luka stares at me uneasily for a long while. Then he shakes his head. "I'll sneak into the boss's office. And you will check the boxes on the second floor."
(I thought I was supposed to be the leader? Asshole.) "F-fine. There sh-should be st-stairs-" Before I can finish, Luka has already skillfully vaulted atop nearby crates, and found a path for himself to the second-floor balcony. His lithe movements barely make a sound, and the nearby guards take no notice of the cat Pokemon prowling through their territory.
Not wanting to be left behind, I fly up as well, careful to stay within the shadows. The second floor of the warehouse is much the same as the ground floor at first glance, but the boxes here are much more carefully stored and organized. (It would look better if I were to organize this place, but whoever did this floor clearly put more care into their work. I doubt it was out of passion though.) Smaller, more ornate-looking boxes and packages sit atop tables and larger crates, and the area is better lit.
I look over to the superintendent's office, where through its windows I can see a tired Gurdurr lazily handling paperwork. The exasperated look on his face tells me this isn't his favorite part of his job. The office is completely sealed, with the front door being the only entrance. Close by I see Luka seizing up the office while hiding under a table.
(I'll leave him to it if he thinks he's such hot shit.) With the only guard on the second floor cooped up in his office, I float over to some of the smaller boxes. (Time to get looking... Not this one, no mark. This one is pretty, nice woodwork, but still no mark. Next one... Man, these things could be organized a bit better... This one doesn't have a mark either. What if I moved it here? Seems like it's just full of seeds, so maybe it would be good to place it here... And this box also doesn't have a mark. I'll move it over here, that looks more pleasing and it's easier to access. You know, why don't I just pick up all of these boxes and...)
As I hold a stack of assorted packages in my hands, I hear a groan. I look over and see Luka near the door to the office, clutching his head in his paws. (Oh, of all times...!) I place down what I'm holding, and flap my wings fiercely to shoot myself through the air over to the writhing Persian. Sneaking a glance through the window, I can thankfully see that the Gurdurr hasn't been alerted. I get closer to Luka, and prepare to scatter a cloud of Joy Dust over him, but in his squirming one of his hindlegs knocks over a stack of crates! One is about to fall right on top of me, and I manage to slide out of its path, but it snags on my bag, and crushes it! I pull out my bag from under it, only to find that it is now stained with hues of blue, pink, and red.
Luka comes to his senses as his headache subsides. The two of us look at each other in silence, though he seems to be mouthing a series of expletives directed at himself. Both of us are hoping that somehow, the Gurdurr didn't hear the commotion outside of his room.
Seconds feel like minutes as the two of us wait motionless, not daring to move. Eventually, Luka lets out a sigh, and peeks the top of his head through the window. "... I've heard Togetics have good luck, but I can't believe this..." Luka mutters under his breath, barely audible. I take a look for myself, and see that the Gurdurr has fallen asleep at his desk. "Kid, next time I'm going gambling, you're coming with me."
I'm about to praise my own luck as well, before a panicked howl echoes through the room.
(Oh no.) I look at my dripping, multi-colored bag. (Bill!)
"TOGE!" Bill's scream reverberates from the lower floor. Flashes of light illuminate the area as Bill blasts fire at the Timbur guards, taken completely by surprise. "WHERE ARE YOU?! I'M HERE TO HELP!"
(Shit, stupid dog!)
To make things worse, the door to the office suddenly swings open, and the Gurdurr stands over me with a look of pure disdain across his face. Luka, with zero hesitation, slinks out of sight and abandons me to my steel-plated fate as the buff fighting-type prepares a swing with his large metal beam.
Time slows as I glance around to try and consider my options. (It's over, everything's fucked. Luka abandoned me, Bill's retarded, and Cachopo is off getting therapy. God, is this how Phanpy feels every time he goes on a mission? I'll never make fun of how fat he is ever again.) The sounds of battling and cracking wood echo from the first floor. (Bill could fight his way up here but we'll be getting who knows how many charges if we even escape...)
The Gurdurr lifts his weapon over his head. (I tell myself I did this for Team Cozy, but really, I did all of this just to clear my name, and in the process I just sullied the guild's even more. I should cut my losses, lock myself in the storeroom, and never leave it again. If I'm not locked in a cell for the rest of my life anyway. Ironic, I left him because I was worried about something like this happening, and look where I am now. At least he wouldn't have abandoned me... are my fellow Pokemon really just worthless...?)
The girder is moments away from turning me into a Joy Dust filled marshmallow. "W-wait, I-I surrender! Y-You c-can take me i-in to O-Officer Magnezone..."
Baffled, the Gurdurr stops his steel beam an inch away from my head. "Hmmph. Rare you get an outlaw that just gives up so easily and acts with honor. At least you know a little pipsqueak like you couldn't ever beat me. Guess you aren't dumb."
Bill must have overheard me, because I no longer hear fighting from below. "Y-yeah, I'm n-not dumb. Not d-dumb like Bill, who came rushing in thinking he was going to HELP because he smelled all three berries at once so he ASSUMED something went wrong, which ended up ALERTING your LAZY SLEEPING ASS and fucking us all over after we BARELY escaped disaster due to pure LUCK, and now because of ME he's going to get ARRESTED! I'm not dumb like Cachopo who's too STUPID to even know how to control his own SPEED so he crashed into a building, and got himself taken AWAY so he can't even help us for the REST OF THE MISSION, and now he's OFF getting THERAPY! The only other SMART one on this team is LUKA, who knew shit was FUCKED and just DIPPED so he wouldn't have to SHARE the PUNISHMENT of getting CAUGHT! But the BIGGEST IDIOT? Well it has to be YOU, because you're still LISTENING to EVERYTHING I'm SAYING and doing NOTHING while LUKA has SNUCK into your OFFICE and has already STOLEN the GOODS that we CAME HERE FOR, COME ON LUKA THIS WAY!"
Like a gunslinger quick-drawing his gun, I grab a blast seed from my bag and hurl it at a stack of barrels nearby, sending them tumbling down. One of them crashes right into the Gurdurr's back, which gives out with a loud CRACK. Luka dashes out of the office, with a small box in his mouth. As he runs by me, I'm able to spot the branch insignia on the box. (Jackpot! I just hope that Delphox is okay with covering for more than just my crimes...)
Luka dives off the second-floor balcony, and I follow suit, much to the bewilderment of Bill and the Timburr guards below. Luka smacks the Timburr closest to him with one of his large paws, sending the Pokemon rolling across the ground into some construction supplies. "L-Luka, lets t-try to avoid further ch-charges!"
"Have it your way. Follow me, out the back door!" Luka doesn't even bother to check if we're following before he runs off. I try to follow, but I feel something grab me by the nape of my neck. It's Bill, and wind rushes past both of our bodies as he sprints to catch up with Luka!
The guards yell obscenities as they try to keep pace with us, but they're no match for Luka and Bill's speed. When Luka gets to the back door, he pounces at it paws-first, easily breaking through it and making it shatter to pieces. Bill follows, the splinters of the door getting crushed under his strong footfalls. We can just barely spot the tip of Luka's tail snake into an alley, and Bill keeps up his pace.
However, the sound of a loud CRASH and scream makes Bill skid to a stop. In the alley, we see Luka, completely sprawled out on the ground. Standing above him is a familiar Delphox, who looks no worse for wear. "Oh my....! Ye gave me... quite a fright... lad. Ye should be careful... ye'know. Zig-zaggin'... through alleyways... like that... is dangerous, ye'see? 'ere be no way... fer anyone ta' know... ye' runnin' by..." A flame lights up on the top of Delpox's staff, and she stares into it with a serene smile.
Luka picks himself up, eyes burning with anger at the old Pokemon. "You... you kicked me-"
Delphox doesn't seem to hear Luka's seething. "Oh, didja... drop this... dear...?" The marked box floats in the air between the two Pokemon. "Hmm... looks like... those lads want somethin' wit' ye'..."
Turning around, we see that the Timburrs have caught up with us, and they're blocking the entrance to the alley. "Look out, miss! These here are outlaws! They stole cargo! You should let us take care of them!"
"Outlaws...?" Delphox daintily covers her mouth in shock. "To think... wee lads like this... turned ta' life 'o crime." She shakes her head slowly in disappointment. "Wot are... ta' youth o' today comin' too...?"
The Timburrs step closer to me and Bill, and Bill finally lets me go. He gives me a worried look, as if he's begging me to come up with some way to get us out of this.
Before I can think up of a plan, the old lady starts yapping again. "Ye' are... simple dock workers, right?" The Timburrs nod in response. "Well... ye' shouldn't be handlin' outlaws yerselves... I happen... ta' be a member... of the Federation..." Delphox's boney fingers fiddle with her pink scarf, and from its folds a shiny white badge with a green circle in the middle is revealed.
"What!?" One of the Timburrs exclaims. The other two look at each other, and quickly take a knee to show respect. "Apologies for not knowing, ma'am! Do you want us to provide statements about what happened?"
"My... my... youngun's... always wantin' ta' rush..." Delphox sighs. "Gettin'... these 'ooligans..." She stomps her staff, and suddenly I feel myself rise into the air. I try and flail my limbs and wings, but to no avail. Bill and Luka also rise up with me, suspended above the ground like they're in zero gravity. "Ta' a... cell... is first... priority."
"And, what they stole...?" The Timburr asks expectantly.
"Hmm...? Oh, this...?" The box floats over to the Timburr's outstretched hands. He makes a move to grab it, but it moves out his grasp, as if it were attached to a string. "Ye'ssee... Ish' Federation policy... ta' keep ahold... of evidence..."
The color drains from the faces of all of the Timburr guards. "But, that cargo-"
"Will be... returned... when ta'... investigation is... over, dearies..." Delphox keeps an innocent smile as the box magically slides into her bag. "Now, ye' should... run along, now. Ye' don' wanna... catch a cold... stayin' out so late..."
Dejected, the Timburrs turn around and leave, murmuring to each other. "What're we gonna tell the boss...?"
We hang in the air silently, all three of us considering our life choices up to this point. Luka aims a look of pure disappointment at me, shakes his head, and then looks elsewhere. Meanwhile, Bill stares up into the sky. (Is he avoiding looking at me just so I won't think he blames me for this?)
When the footsteps of the Timburrs can no longer be heard, suddenly the psychic bonds keeping us airborne disappear, and we all tumble onto the ground. Instantly Luka scrambles to his paws, staring daggers at the Delphox. But she is completely unfazed. "Wot a...angry kitty..."
"Y-you're... you're l-letting us g-go?" I ask, perplexed.
"Hmmm..." Delphox takes out the wooden box, and taps the side of her staff against it, making it open up. Inside are what look like dried tea leaves. "... Like I thought..."
I raise my voice, annoyed that she's ignoring me. "S-So... a-about my r-reward..."
"Huh...? Oh, where am I...?" She looks around, her glossy eyes and her slightly agape mouth make her look senile. "... 'ello, little lads... funny, I don' remember... 'ow I ended up 'ere..."
Luka, who had been glaring at Delphox eases and looks at me sidelong. "Toge, this is our client?" I nod, and he sighs. "Next time, pick one that's not so old she'll forget about the reward."
Delphox either didn't hear Luka or is just continuing to ignore him. "Oh, yer from... ta' Clover Guild... and yer... the quartermaster, hmmm...?" She says while looking somewhat in my direction. "Ye' shouldn't... be out this late... good, honest Pokemon... such as... yerselves... might get... mistaken fer' crooks... an' ye'... wouldn't wanta'... stain yer perfectly clean records. Records... reminds me, I gotta do... some paperwork..."
For just a moment, the Delphox's glossy eyes seem to spark to life, and she looks at me with a piercing stare. (... I guess she isn't happy with the extra work my fuckups have given her.)
Her eyes glaze over again, and a cold breeze makes her shiver. "Brrr... ye' lads... are gonna... catch a cold, bein' out this late... 'ere..." A couple of leaves fly out of the box, and gently float over to me. "Mix these... wit' some Gabite scales... an' it'll... cure anythin' that ails ye'..."
"Th-thanks, ma'am!" I say with a bow, carefully stowing away the leaves into my bag.
"Now... did any o' ye'... know how we... ended up 'ere...?"
"N-nope." I shake my head.
"No damn clue." Luka says.
"I can't recall myself." Says Bill.
Delphox smiles. "An' they say youngun's aren't as smart... as they used ta' be..."
* * *
"Toge, where did you manage to get this?!" Kina exclaims as she looks at the leaves I handed her. "Wait, you know what? I don't even want to know. Just tell me what you want to do with these."
"I-I heard i-if you mix it with Gabite scales i-it can c-cure anything..." I reply, while holding out some scales that I stole from Sierra earlier while she was sleeping.
Kina's frown makes me think she knows I didn't get these scales with consent. Nonetheless, she still grabs them from me and puts them into a bowl with the leaves. "I should have a drought fixed up by morning. Go get some rest, I can tell you've been up all night... though that isn't unusual for you." Kina sighs while eyeing up my bruises and ruffled feathers. "... but those kind of injuries are. Another loss to Gill?"
"U-uh..." I'm unable to stammer out a good excuse before Kina chuckles.
"I'm sure Bill thinks it's good you're becoming more outgoing, but please, don't add yourself to the list of guildmembers I see in here daily."
"I-I'll try... a-and th-thanks." I say goodbye to Kina, and she starts her work as I leave the clinic.
* * *
With nothing else to do, I make my way back to the storeroom. I went my separate ways with Bill and Luka when we re-entered the guild, and Cachopo was found sleeping in his room. (At least he got back safely, I guess.) The adrenaline that was pumping through my body earlier has subsided, and now my mind feels like it has been overtaken by a murky fog as the mistakes of the heist replay in my mind. "S-so much w-went wrong... wh-what a joke th-that it actually a-all worked out... I'm a t-terrible leader..."
"You might be the first outlaw I've ever seen to sulk after a successful mission." Luka's voice startles me, and I look up to see him lying casually on a support beam. "Sure, it was messy, but we all made it out alive, and with no criminal records, if that hag can be believed anyway."
"B-but... all o-of my planning was f-for nothing. Cachopo ditched b-because he w-wasn't reliable enough, m-my berry plan turned o-out to just screw u-us over, and w-we only ended u-up stealing the g-goods by a fluke."
Luka scoffs. "Things don't always go to plan. But the mark of a good leader is one who can improvise. Sure, luck plays a part..." Luka spawns a coin from his paw, and twirls it between his digits. "... But luck doesn't matter much if you don't know how to seize the opportunities it can present. You call it a fluke, I call it a stroke of genius."
"M-my distraction o-only worked b-because that guy w-was an i-idiot..."
"Exploiting idiots is kinda the M.O. for most outlaws. Give yourself more credit, and enjoy your rewards. Speaking of..." Luka jumps down to me, and suddenly nuzzles his head against my chest, causing Joy Dust to scatter all around me. "Don't mind me, just taking what you promised me."
(He really is just a big cat. I wonder if he'll purr if I scratch under his chin?)
I give him a pet under his neck, and hear a loud, pleased purr. His closed eyes and bright smile makes it look like he's experiencing pure bliss. But those eyes jolt open a second later as he realizes the sounds he was just making, and he backs off while clearing his throat.
"Ahem. Hmm. That's enough payment, I think." He states awkwardly, now facing away from me. "Cya."
(Maybe next time I can try rubbing his belly.)
* * *
By the time morning comes, the fresh claw marks across my face have healed up. While heading to get the medicine from Kina, I pass by Bill's office, and overhear him having a session with Cachopo.
"... I thought mentioning Cyndaquil was a spur of the moment thing? Weren't you just doing a bit?" Bill asks the bull Pokemon, who lays on his back on a big mat of cotton.
"Well, y'know... Team Misfits helped me once in the past so I didn't want to throw one of them under the bus." Cachopo almost sounds like he's trying to convince himself. "Cyndaquil has done a lot of... untoward comments towards me, but never so bad I would actually be afraid of him..."
"Hmm... so he doesn't make you uncomfortable?"
"Yes, he does. But what I mean is-"
Not wanting to eavesdrop too much, I continue on my way to the clinic. Once there, Kina hands me the medicine, which is like a cup of warm tea. I thank her for her work, and ignore the sexual egg pun that Cyndaquil fires from his bed. Before long, I find myself at the entrance of Team Cozy's room. Surprisingly, I find Luka waiting there for me.
"Wh-what are y-you doing here?"
"I was curious to see if this medicine will even work. The way you described Chespin sounded like he was on death's door." Luka says, glancing away with a look of embarrassment. "Would suck if you did all of this for nothing."
"I-I'm sure it'll work..." I knock on the door to the room, and I hear Wooper's voice from inside, telling me to come in. Upon entering, Wooper greets me and Luka, his sullen face lighting up the moment he notices the medicine in my hands.
"Toge! Did you find something that can cure Chespin?!" Wooper hops up and down like a Spoink. Even Luka cracks a smile at Wooper's boundless positive energy.
"H-Hopefully..." Past Wooper, Chespin can be seen lying face-up on his cotton bed, which has been moved to sit directly in a sunbeam. Chespin's eyes have bags thicker than mine, and his body is near motionless. The only thing that tells me he's still alive is his head lethargically turning to look at me as I get near.
Chespin opens his mouth, and is only able to murmur out one word. "T... Toge..." His mouth hangs agape, as if he doesn't have the strength to even close it.
(This is horrible... Please work! Team Cozy can't end like this!) I carefully kneel down before Chespin, and pour some of the potion into his open mouth. Luka looks over my shoulder, waiting with just as much anticipation as me to see if this cure works.
The first sip of the drought goes down well, but then Chespin starts coughing violently. Me and Luka back off, and Wooper rushes over to Chespin's side. The grass-type sits up, and retches in disgust. "Bleh! You could've at least put some sugar in that, it's so bitter!"
"Are you still in pain, Chespin?" Wooper asks, while letting Chespin lean on him.
"... No, I'm not. That tasted TERRIBLE, but it worked! I'm cured! No more back cramps! I can finally have a cozy sleep again!" Chespin does a jump for joy, and Wooper dances around him.
Meanwhile, Luka sends me a sideways glance. "This... was all to treat some cramps?"
"D-Didn't you t-take the mission to t-treat your h-headaches...?" I point out.
Luka huffs in amusement and concedes. "... Fair enough."
I continue. "N-nothing Kina tried w-worked, and Chespin had a very hard time s-sleeping because of it. S-so naturally, th-this made him l-lose all will to l-live. Wooper w-was probably the o-only thing keeping him h-hanging on. Isn't th-their relationship j-just wonderful?"
"Well... uh... it's, admirable that you risked so much just for a friend." The pure saccharine joy exuding from Team Cozy clearly overwhelms Luka, and leaves him at a loss for words. This is understandable, as few people can withstand the radiance of Team Cozy. "... I'd better give you guys your space, then. Nine probably needs me."
Luka makes his exit, leaving me to soak in the glory of a revived Team Cozy all for myself. "Thanks a ton, Toge. But next time, mix it with a gummi drink or something." Chespin says as he stretches his back. "You really are a great friend."
"No, you're more like family now!" Wooper's grin is infectious, and I can't help but feel all warm and fuzzy.
"H-haha... I-it w-wasn't all me, I-I had help... b-but thanks."
Chespin then flops onto his bed and rolls around, pleased that his body can properly feel the coziness of his cotton once again.
(Family, huh?) I look at the window, and see Capim sprawling out before me. Various townsfolk go about their day, along with guildmembers exploring town, likely preparing for missions. I spot some officer Magnemites patrolling, and my feathers stand on end. (... It's alright. I did this for a good cause. This wasn't like before, when we were stealing just for ourselves. This was to help someone I cared about. And all of that history will be erased, anyway. I won't have to worry about my past anymore.)
I fiddle with the white lily attached to my scarf. (And it doesn't matter if I almost failed. Luka was right, I should enjoy the rewards of my work.) I turn to Team Cozy, who invite me to sunbathe with them in the guild's flower garden. I meekly protest that I have organizational work to do, but Wooper and Chespin won't let me get away with an excuse that weak. The rest of my day is spent lounging around with them, and most of my anxieties from earlier are washed away by the warmth of the sun, and the warmth of my friends.
But some questions still linger. (What were those leaves? And who was that Delphox? I don't know why, but I get the feeling I've met her before. Oh well, I suppose it doesn't matter. And hey, if what I did really helped take down a smuggling ring, then maybe this really was for the best.)
* * *