Pokémar Episode VI, Search and Rescue

Team Guardians

The trip back out of the caves proved far easier than the trek into them. Half from Jackson's newfound confidence, half from the fact that they've been down these specific tunnels already. By the time they saw sunlight again it had become midday. Another hour passed as they returned to Pokemon Square, the sight of the attached Magnemeite drawing in several pairs of curious eyes.

"There should be lodging for you to stay at while you wait to separate." Cyn said. "If you need anything from us, we'll be on the far edge of town."

"We owe you two our lives. Allow us to reward you in a show of gratitude."

"Nah, it was our pleasure." Jack said "We're not even an official rescue team yet."

"Please. We insist. It is not much, but we feel we should give you something, at least." From a small bag one of them was carrying, the other pulled a gold coin with "50P" imprinted on it. The coin adheres to their magnet arm while they stare at it sheepishly. "Ah... I neglected to consider that the coin would be magnetic. Would you mind?"

"Not at all." Cyn said with a smile before prying the coin free. "Thank you. We are grateful. Now then, you should probably go check up with family and friends. No doubt they're all worried sick."

"We shall do that immediately. Thank you again for your assistance."

"It was no trouble. Take care!" Jack called to them as they left, waving goodbye. He let out a satisfied sigh. That familiar rush of pride swelled within him. Going into this line of work was the right call.

"Good work out there, Jack. Seems you got the basics of battles down." Cyn said.

"Yeah. Wasn't the hardest thing to understand. My biggest problem was getting my fear under control." I glance at the gold coin. "Getting paid to save lives. Seems living here won't be so bad."

"It won't be. I'm sure you'll like it here."

"I think I agree. Should we head back home?"

"Sounds like a plan."

>>>>>>>>>>

By the time they'd reached the team base, someone was already there to greet them. A Pelipper was perched on the mailbox, trying to figure out how best to put a package inside it. Cyn waved to them and called out.

"Good afternoon, Pelipper!" He said. "Is that what I think it is?"

The Pelipper turned to us with a bright smile. "If by your SARA acceptance letter and your new equipment, then yes. It is. Congratulations, by the way. On both getting accepted and rescuing the Magnemite. Sounds like you two will be doing a whole lot of good in the near future."

Cyn's face lit up like a star. "Yes! I can't wait to get started!"

"Same day response?" Jackson asked. "I was expecting at least a week."

"SARA doesn't mess around these days. With recent events they want as many able bodied pokemon as possible out in the field. Good luck out there, you two. I'd love to stick around and chat for a while longer, but I got a route to finish. See y'all next time." With surprising grace for such a bulky pokemon the Pelipper took off, soaring away to their next destination. Without a moment's hesitation Cyn snatched up the package and quickly opened it.

"I've waited for this day for a long time." He said as he pulled a sheet of paper out of the box and read it aloud. "Congratulations, Team Guardians. You have been accepted into the ranks of the Search And Rescue Association. Inside this box you will find your attire that will make your Rescue Team status known. A pair of team badges and bandanas to pin them to. Additionally you have been given a supply bag designed to endure the harshest of conditions while keeping its contents safe.

"You will be expected to uphold the tenets of our organization and be there for pokemon in their time of need. So go forth, Team Guardians. Brave the dangers and save lives. We will support you every step of the way."

Jackson couldn't help but smile as Cyn excitedly unpacked their equipment. The first things he pulled out were the badges. They were pearlescent white egg shaped pins with gold wings and a lower half made from ruby, creating a dazzling display as light reflected off it in aesthetically pleasing ways.

"Jack, look! Our names are engraved in them!" Sure enough, the badges had their respective names engraved into them in the ubiquitous footprint language of this world.

"Do they do this for all badges they send out? Seems like a lot of work."

"I'm told the reason is so that if we need rescuing ourselves they can quickly tell who we are."

Or to identify their bodies... Jack kept that thought to himself. It was an unpleasant, but probably very real reason.

Next were the more mundane bandanas. One yellow and one blue. Cyn hands the yellow one to Jack before taking a moment to examine the blue one. The material felt thick and rugged, but with a surprising softness. Jack helps Cyn put his on before asking for him to do his own. Soon both of them were dressed up and with badges proudly pinned to their fronts.

"Looking good, Jack." Cyn said with a grin.

"You're not too shabby yourself." Jack replied. The last item was a simple rugged satchel bag with easily enough space for their supplies. Simple, but effective. "That seems to be everything. Looks like we're set for official missions from here on out."

"I almost can't believe it. I've been looking for a partner for so long I was beginning to think I'd never find someone."

"I'm glad I could help. It also gives me something to do while I try to sort out the whole missing memory thing."

"If I find a way to help out I'll be sure to let you know." A low grumble from Cyn's gut interrupted their conversation. "We should find something to eat. I think there's a cafe in town that we could go to."

"Sure. Why not? Lead the way."

>>>>>>>>>>

By the time the both of them had eaten and gotten back to team base the sun was beginning to set. It seemed about time to go to bed for the night. Cyn had wished him a good night before heading off to his home. Jack tucked in and nodded off shortly thereafter.

The realm of dreams awaited him. However, tonight's dream seemed far more lucid than usual. He was floating in a void of colors, constantly shifting shade and tone and intermingling like droplets of ink in water. But beyond that there was a bodiless presence that lingered somewhere in the space, or perhaps even beyond it. Someone reaching for them, but just out of reach. The presence wanted something from him. What it was, he couldn't tell.

Jackson called out to them, but no one responded. Whatever the presence was, it began to fade. The swirl of colors soon followed, slowly dissipating into the black abyss.

That was the last thing he could remember before he slipped back into the all consuming embrace of deep sleep.