Safe Haven

The Start of an Adventure

Erin padded forward, one paw step at a time. Beside him was Reina, walking just as joyously along the path outside of the guild building. On her back was a bag filled to the brim with berries, medicines, and orbs: all items necessary for their adventure. Reina brimmed with energy; she just couldn't wait!

"Do we have everything?" Erin asked her gently, the curve of a smile on his mouth. Reina looked back, paused, and removed the bag from her back. She rummaged through it with a paw to see what they had, examining it closely. Oran berries, a pecha berry or two, escape orbs, a max elixir...

Reina nodded with a polite smile before replying, "Yup! I-I think we do," Erin smiled and nodded back. Reina lifted the bag back onto her back and jumped back into walking, Erin following close behind.

Soon enough, they made it to the outskirts of the village. The number of 'mons they passed began to dwindle, and eventually, only the passing butterfree was spotted. Reina glanced around her, intrigued by her environment. She had never been able to explore a place like this before. 

The trees were a fresh shade of green this time of year, only a few falling off the branches they adorned. The sky above them was a pale blue, with blinding light shining down on them from the sun. It warmed their pelts and lit the paths ahead of them. The clouds shed mercy on the two 'mons as they blocked the violent sunshine reining down on their eyes. 

Reina glanced down at her paws, noting the dirt of the path that they walked on and how it fit in between the padding of her paw. The bag worn on her back bounced up and down with each step she took, but it still sat stable and didn't fall. And every once in a while, Reina noticed as her and Erin's pelts brushed together, his soft fur pushing against hers. 

Sooner than Reina had expected, the trees of Oran Forest came into view. She giddily hopped as she rapidly approached the forest, glancing back and realizing she shouldn't leave Erin behind. Erin smiled at her sheepishly, understanding of her excitement. 

"So, this is the place," Erin said quietly. Reina could sense the electricity in his voice, though, knowing he was just as excited too. Erin tapped her shoulder, and Reina tilted her head curiously. 

"You ready for this?" Erin asked her cautiously, and Reina nodded stiffly. She knew that Pokemon would attack anyone they deemed harmful if they were scared enough, and she didn't want to be reckless in the sight of danger. 

"I-I am," Reina replied, stuttering but confident in herself. 

She knew she could do this.

-

Reina walked through the halls of the dim forest, trembling slightly. The Pokemon here weren't that dangerous--and she could defend herself--but she couldn't help but shiver. This was her first adventure! It was an adventure filled with joy and fear, though she couldn't tell which was the dominant emotion. 

Reina jolted when she felt something brush past her fur, but was calmed when she saw an excited Erin run past her. It was just Erin, she reminded herself...

"This place is amazing, isn't it?" Erin said, a wide grin present on his muzzle. He just gazed around in awe. Reina followed suit. 

The trees swayed from the winds, few green leaves falling when their time came. The sky was obscured save for a few crevices that let a blue hue shine through, leaving the forest dark with mystery. The grass they treaded upon hid many secrets as well. Occasionally, an explorer could find items--even coins--on the ground. They glimmered with a sheen that any explorer could detect, a grin sure to be plastered on the face of the lucky 'mon finding them. 

Reina felt a smile form on her muzzle, glad to have this opportunity. Joining the Guild had been amazing so far, being able to meet Erin, go exploring, and--

Reina paused, detecting something was off. Erin noticed her feelings, glancing back to face her with questions in his eyes. His tail swayed nervously.

"What's up--" Erin abruptly came to a stop with his question, being jumped by a 'mon. Reina just stared, stunned. It was bigger than what she had expected to encounter in Oran Forest of all places. Time seemed to stop as she gathered information on the situation. 

The creature was pale orange in color, its fur bristling with anger. It had plushie-shaped arms, almost cartoon-like. From what she could see of its face, it had a crescent shape adorning its forehead, as well as little bear ears poked out from its head. It was cute, but it was also endangering Erin.

After coming to terms with the situation at paw, Reina sprung into action. She jumped into the air, forming an attack in her throat. Large stars flew from her mouth, hitting the ground and the teddiursa. It must have hit Erin, too, but the move wasn't strong enough to hurt him. It was simply a distraction.

The teddiursa turned around with anger flaring in its eyes, glaring at Reina. She shivered, half glad that she had stopped it from attacking Erin and half scared of what would become of her. Reina glared back at the teddiursa, deciding that she was happy to fight for her teammate--to help him.

Reina growled, effectively lowering the teddiursa's offenses. It looked almost scared, before switching back to a glowering defensive stance. It stared at her for only a moment, immediately jumping into attack mode. The teddiursa flung its body at Reina, striking her spot on with a pound move. 

Darn it! She had let happen something so obvious a kit could see coming!

Reina stumbled back, now separated from the teddiursa. She charged up a quick attack, darting around her confused opponent. It didn't seem to understand the move--had it never seen a 'mon use quick attack, before? Reina decided to take advantage of this, making circles around the teddiursa. 

When the time was right, Reina jumped back and flipped over, trashing her iron-coated tail against the helpless teddiursa. She landed roughly but landed nonetheless. The teddiursa was knocked out on the ground, likely to wake up soon if she didn't leave in enough time. 

But what about Erin?

Reina dashed forward, looking in all directions before spotting the fluffy brown-furred eevee. She noticed him groaning, looking around confused. She made paw steps forward, slowly approaching him so she wouldn't spook the 'mon. 

"Erin, are you alright?" Reina asked sympathetically, holding out a paw for him to grab. He grabbed the paw, effectively getting up with her help. It was then that Reina saw his pelt was torn. 

"You're hurt!" Reina wailed, immediately darting to his side. Erin sighed lightly and chuckled, seeming to be fine despite his wound. Even so, Reina's tail swished back and forth nervously.

"It's nothing--I just got a little scratched up, is all." Erin reasoned, a smile plastered on his muzzle. Reina gave him a look saying she didn't believe it, but the wound didn't seem to be bleeding much at all. She sighed. 

"Well... We must get out of here before that teddiursa wakes up, or an ursaring comes after us." She told him desperately, trying to convince him. Erin's eyes held determination, though. 

"We took those quests, Reina--we have to finish them! And I can't let some stupid injury hinder that..." Erin exclaimed, and Reina swore she saw him tremble a little. It wasn't from his wound, but perhaps in his show of openness, she thought.

"I... I suppose you're right. Let's get somewhere else, and I'll wrap your wound. Then we can move forward," Reina ordered Erin, and he nodded in agreement. 

Reina sighed again, but this time in relief.