My (Twisted) Pokémon Journey: PMD Different Futures

Chapter Four - ✿ Short Tempers ✿

     The next morning, I got Pika up before Loudred came storming in. He got the first line out before he realized we were awake.

     "Oh," Loudred said. "You guys are awake already?"

     "We learned from yesterday," I said simply, packing my bag for the day and not looking at him.

     "Okay," he said, leaving.

     Pika tapped my shoulder. "Awake or not, I think they're about to start morning role call. We'd better get out there."

     "Agreed." I hefted the bag over my shoulder and followed Pika to the rest of the Guild.

     And I did find that the morning chant was going to be every single morning. I wasn't thrilled. When it was done, everyone fanned out like they usually did.

     "Hey, Pearl, Pika," Hex said. "Go talk to Chatot. He's probably got a job for you two to do today, too. You might get to fight outlaws! It's so exciting the first time."

     I looked at Pika, and we exchanged a glance. "Yeah, we might have already had our first fight with felons," I said, facing her again.

     "Well," she said, taken aback. "This time you'll get paid for it. Good luck, and we'll see you soon!"

     "Later, Pearl," Kip said quietly. I can't figure out what I remembered about him!

     "We might as well go and talk to him," Pika said. "The sooner we figure out the routine, the faster we can explore unknown areas!"

     "Yeah, but do we have to ask Chatot? He's so... uptight."

     Instead of answering, Pika dragged me over to the bird Pokémon. "Hex said you had a job for us?"

     "Oh!" Chatot said, as if we snapped him out of his thoughts. "You two. Still wandering around lost, it seems... Well, yes, I do. Come with me." He led us up to the second floor, and the other bulletin board.

     Pika seemed confused. "Last time we did a job, it was from the board on the other side..."

     "Correct! ♪" Chartot chirped. "Today, we'll have you do a job listed on this side. ♪"

     Still, Pika didn't understand. I had an idea, but I wasn't sure. "How is this different from the board on the other side?"

     Indicating it with his wing, Chatot then turned to the board. "Take a closer look! ♪" he suggested.

     We did, and I saw Pokémon. Pika did, too. "Oh, look, Pearl!" he exclaimed. "There are posters up here that show a variety of Pokémon! Wow, they all look pretty cool! Are they famous explorers? Who are these Pokémon, Chatot?"

     "They are infamous," I said before Chatot could. "Those are wanted posters," I said grimly. They had bounties on their heads.

     "Correct, Pearl," he said. "The Pokémon posted here... are outlaws. They're all shady characters. And they're wanted for committing crimes."

     "Oh no! They're outlaws?!" Pika said, surprised. Wasn't he the one to say time was making Pokémon corrupt?

     "Correct. So there are bounties on their heads. In other words, there is a cash reward if you defeat and capture one. There are so many aggressive Pokémon around these days that everyone's finding it hard to keep up with the problem."

     "So that's what Hex meant," I said. "We're going after one?"

     "Wait!" Pika exclaimed, worried. "You're telling us to go catch these outlaws? You can't be serious! That's not possible!"