BlackHairedPsycho
Aura Knight
The guild building stood out to Hatch. He'd never seen such a blue place. It was usually rocky, or dreary, or dry. Everything was so different down the mountain.
And that thought really excited him. The small dragon was practically buzzing as he and his apparent new teammates walked up the steps.
"Seriously though," Ash went on, now far more relaxed. "It's stupid lucky you came along when you did! Wouldn't let us join without a third."
"I must agree," Werth went on, flapping just ahead of the two. "You coming along was good fortune."
Hatch took a deep breath, and scratched at his headband. They didn't know. They couldn't know. And according to them, he needed them to join the guild anyway. How much he could trust that was up in the air, but they did lead him here.
"Yeah…"
"Nervous?" Ash asked, patting him on the back. The affectionate blow bounced right off his scales and muscle. Ash looked surprised by that, but said nothing about it. "Don't get it myself, but all we gotta do is get in there, sign up as a team, and we're home free."
"Right…" Hatch said.
"It should go better than last time at least." Werth thought.
Werths's assessment was...debatable. Ash didn't immediately start kicking the Slakoth that shooed them out earlier. Mostly because he was coffee was drained, fallen over to show the trio its empty contents. They could even smell the sickly sweet scent of Chesto berries mixed in.
"Oh come on!" Ash yelled. The clerk didn't respond. "Wake up you lazy-"
"Ash, you're making another scene," Werth said softly, but Hatch could see his eye twitching in annoyance.
"This is ridiculous!" she went on, spinning to face Hatch. "Isn't this ridiculous?"
"I think he just needs his sleep…" the dragon managed to get out.
"Then why the hell is he working?" she hissed, throwing her arms in the air. "We need to sign up ASAP!"
"What is- oh Jirachi help me…" A light buzzing filled the room as a Volbeat came from the rightmost room. The bandanna wrapped around his head was adorned with yellow stars. Sighing, he buzzed over to the clerk.
"Teddy, you told me you could handle it…" the Volbeat groaned. "It hasn't been an hour…"
The Slakoth simply snored in response. The red bug pinched his nose, before turning to hover in front of the trio.
"I'm sorry about him, but you know Slakoth…"
"Why was he in charge of the help desk?" Ash asked. "Seems a bit short sighted, no?"
"It was his shift," the Volbeat answered. "That's how we do things in this guild, everyone helps out with everything."
He buzzed behind the counter, lifting the Slakoth with some effort and putting him to the side before taking a seat, looking down at the trio and giving a bright smile
"Even me, my name is Karamat, and I'm the guildmaster. How can I help you?"
Hatch blinked up at the Volbeat. That wasn't what he was expecting. A guildmaster was supposed to be big, strong, willing to trailblaze into new frontiers and delve into the deepest dungeons. Well, that's what dad's storybook said at least. This guy… did not look like that.
"You're the guildmaster?" Ash said, incredulous. She was much more obvious in her surprise. "Seriously?"
"Is that a problem?" Karamat said, turning to the fire bunny, eye cocked.
"Uhhhh-"
"We just weren't expecting to meet the guildmaster so soon," Werth butted in, cutting Ash off. "We're sorry if we offended you."
The guildmaster looked over the three with a serious expression. Almost glaring even. Hatch couldn't help but stand taller, this mon would decide his fate, and he didn't look-
He laughed after some time. It was light, joyful.
"Sorry…" he chuckled. "I love that reaction. You're all fine, I definitely don't look like a typical guildmaster, but I like to think I do a good job."
Ash couldn't keep in a laugh. "You're alright! Lot less stuck up than I thought. Sorry bout that."
"No problem! Should see those Reckoners to the east...anyway, what brings you in today?"
Before the bunny or bird could respond the dragon did for them.
"W-we wanna join!" Hatch said from behind the group. This was the first time he had spoken up since the guildmaster had gotten there.
"Oh, wonderful!" the Volbeat said, grabbing a clipboard from underneath the table. "And you got three mon! Sorry, that requirement's new, but there's safety in numbers. Your names?"
"Call me Ash!" the Scorbunny introduced herself first with a smile and in a much better mood.
"I am Werth," the Rowlet said, nodding politely to his new boss.
"H-Hatch," the Axew said nervously. "Nice to meet you Mr. Karamat…"
"Just call me Kara," the Volbeat said casually. "Now then, ages?"
"Sixteen!" Ash said proudly.
"Same as her," Werth said calmly.
"Fifteen…" Hatch answered honestly.
"Young…" Kara commented, writing the information down. "Do your parents know you're here?"
"Not in the picture," Ash huffed, good mood evaporated.
"I assure you," Werth said. "I have their blessing."
"...Mama said if I made it down the mountain…" Hatch answered.
"Well we're not on a mountain!" Kara said, moving on. "Now… hometowns?"
"Ruconda," Werth and Ash groaned.
"A charming city…" Karamat said, sarcasm dripping. "And what about you Hatch?"
"Thalridge…" the Axew answered.
"That's a new one," the Volbeat commented. "Where is it?"
"Small village… in the mountains…"
"That would do it! Welcome to the big city then!" he gave the dragon an encouraging smile. Hatch found himself returning it.
"Well, everything seems to be in order, unless something comes up. Welcome to the Sapphires!"
Hatch let out an audible sigh of relief. He made it. A place where he could live his dream.
A place he could be safe.
"Good timing too," Kara went on, holding out three sets of keys and pointing at the entrance he came out of.. "Another batch of recruits just moved into a new base they bought, so the warmest room's available. Near the forge. First floor, all the way down the hall. We'll see what you three can do tomorrow."
Ash grabbed her key in a flash as the Volbeat said that. She grinned back.
"A sneak peak," she said simply, hefting her back over her shoulder and walking towards their room. Werth quietly grabbed his as she went, giving the guildmaster one more polite nod.
"Thank you guildmaster," he said, before flapping after the bunny.
And so, Hatch was left alone with the guildmaster. His nerves were evident on his face as he fidgeted under the bug's gaze. Karamat buzzed over the counter, key still in hand and encouraging smile on his face.
"Nervous?" he asked. All Hatch could do was nod.
"I get that," the Volbeat went on. "It's a scary thing, being so far from home, joining a team of strangers."
He could tell? Hatch looked at him with surprise.
"They seemed comfy around each other, but that's not important." he put his free hand on the Axew, still holding the key with the other. "I came from a small town myself, in the desert. It was a bit of an adjustment, but it's great here. The guild is great. Then again, I'm a bit bias."
"...Yeah…" Hatch took the keys from the Volbeat, and gave him a genuine smile. "Thanks guildmaster."
"You don't have to be so formal…" Karamat sighed, scratching the back of his head with a now free hand. "Just call me Kara."
"...Ok. Thanks Kara."
"Anytime. Now go ahead and get some rest, we start bright and early tomorrow!"
"Yeah…" Hatch then turned to follow his new team to their room.
This was home now.
He wanted to enjoy it.
When Hatch got to his room, Ash had already made herself at home. Claiming the top bunk she laid down, stretching comfortably. Werth had already made himself a nest from the extra bedding on the windowsill, overlooking the beautiful garden right outside their room. It was a small room, but it had the basics. A bunk bed stood in the corner, along with a closet for storage. A Luminous orb lamp stood on top of the wood table in the middle of the room, perfect for their sizes. A simple mirror hung from the wall.
"Better than I thought we were gonna get!" Ash exclaimed, jumping down from her bed.
"It is quite nice…" Werth commented. "Fortunate the new team just moved out, isn't it?"
"Y-yeah…" Hatch agreed, looking towards the mirror, before placing his own bag on his bottom bunk.
How lucky…
"Welp," Ash clapped from behind Hatch. "I'm gonna grab some grub! Running from crazy water types makes you hungry. You wanna tell us what that was all about?"
"W-we were traveling together… he didn't want to let me go." It wasn't a lie.
"Seems like a lot of trouble," Werth commented, flapping down. "Why go through all that hassle?"
"...I don't know. I worked for free…" There was the lie.
"Well that's literally slavery." Werth said, shaking his body, which was mostly head.
"Wish another garden dropped on him then…" Ash spat, putting a paw on the dragon's shoulder. "I'm glad we came along when we did! It'll be nice to get to know you better Hatch!"
"You too…" he offered a small smile to his new teammates. They seemed nice, nicer than most of the other mon he met so far anyway.
"Now," Ash said, moving on. "We can decide our team name over lunch! Free food always helps me think."
"I would like a peck myself…" Werth admitted.
"Sounds good," Hatch's stomach grumbled, but there was something he needed to do first. "I'll catch up, just want to go over what I have on me again."
"Sure! Just follow the smell of hot, and free, food!" With that, Ash and Werth left Hatch alone in their room. Hatch sighed in relief, closing the door, and facing the mirror.
He examined himself, the scar under his eye, his tusks in desperate need of sharpening, and the headband. His gaze lingered on the headband. He took a deep breath, glanced back at the door to make sure no one was there, and untied it to look at what it hid.
The brand was seared into his fin, the pain thankfully long faded. The symbol, whatever it meant, was complex. A harsh black against his soft green scales. There was at least one recognizable part, one thing that stood out in the mess of lines.
An intricate V.
Hatch traced a claw over the brand, almost feeling the burning from that day all over again. He could almost hear the voice…
Almost.
He shook the memory from his mind, tying his headband back on. He couldn't think about it, not right now.
Plus he could smell the free food, and his stomach rumbled. Running for his life made him hungry. Without one last tap at the brand, he left his bag in the room, locked the door, and went to find his new teammates.
His new life would be a good one he hoped.
"He dropped a garden on you?"
Business wasn't booming for once, and both Danny and Andrews knew why. Hatch had gone, and taken the luck with him. Andrews had come back caked in dirt and leaves, probably not helping the sales. To his credit, the water monkey was trying to clean himself up.
"No Groudon rose from the depths and gave me a pep talk YES HE DROPPED A GARDEN ON ME!"
"Calm down," Danny urged, unmoved by the sudden burst of anger. It wouldn't get their fortune back.
Andrews opened his mouth to fire back, but stopped himself. His partner was right, this wasn't helpful.
"He won't trust us anymore," he hissed.
"I wonder who's fault that is…" Danny sighed, giving his smaller partner a look.
"You weren't exactly chummy with him either." Andrews glowered back.
"Least I didn't chase em down!"
"And now who needs to calm down?"
"...Touche." The Mudsdale relented. "Got a plan?"
"Get Hatch back, and get out of here. We can set up shop in another town, and keep raking in the cash."
"...maybe we could just cut our losses?" Danny suggested. "If he's apart of the Sapphires now-"
"Danny," Andrews stopped him right there. "We might have a lot now, but with him we won't have to worry about ANYTHING ever again. Money, food, customers, nothing."
"...what's the plan?"
And that thought really excited him. The small dragon was practically buzzing as he and his apparent new teammates walked up the steps.
"Seriously though," Ash went on, now far more relaxed. "It's stupid lucky you came along when you did! Wouldn't let us join without a third."
"I must agree," Werth went on, flapping just ahead of the two. "You coming along was good fortune."
Hatch took a deep breath, and scratched at his headband. They didn't know. They couldn't know. And according to them, he needed them to join the guild anyway. How much he could trust that was up in the air, but they did lead him here.
"Yeah…"
"Nervous?" Ash asked, patting him on the back. The affectionate blow bounced right off his scales and muscle. Ash looked surprised by that, but said nothing about it. "Don't get it myself, but all we gotta do is get in there, sign up as a team, and we're home free."
"Right…" Hatch said.
"It should go better than last time at least." Werth thought.
Werths's assessment was...debatable. Ash didn't immediately start kicking the Slakoth that shooed them out earlier. Mostly because he was coffee was drained, fallen over to show the trio its empty contents. They could even smell the sickly sweet scent of Chesto berries mixed in.
"Oh come on!" Ash yelled. The clerk didn't respond. "Wake up you lazy-"
"Ash, you're making another scene," Werth said softly, but Hatch could see his eye twitching in annoyance.
"This is ridiculous!" she went on, spinning to face Hatch. "Isn't this ridiculous?"
"I think he just needs his sleep…" the dragon managed to get out.
"Then why the hell is he working?" she hissed, throwing her arms in the air. "We need to sign up ASAP!"
"What is- oh Jirachi help me…" A light buzzing filled the room as a Volbeat came from the rightmost room. The bandanna wrapped around his head was adorned with yellow stars. Sighing, he buzzed over to the clerk.
"Teddy, you told me you could handle it…" the Volbeat groaned. "It hasn't been an hour…"
The Slakoth simply snored in response. The red bug pinched his nose, before turning to hover in front of the trio.
"I'm sorry about him, but you know Slakoth…"
"Why was he in charge of the help desk?" Ash asked. "Seems a bit short sighted, no?"
"It was his shift," the Volbeat answered. "That's how we do things in this guild, everyone helps out with everything."
He buzzed behind the counter, lifting the Slakoth with some effort and putting him to the side before taking a seat, looking down at the trio and giving a bright smile
"Even me, my name is Karamat, and I'm the guildmaster. How can I help you?"
Hatch blinked up at the Volbeat. That wasn't what he was expecting. A guildmaster was supposed to be big, strong, willing to trailblaze into new frontiers and delve into the deepest dungeons. Well, that's what dad's storybook said at least. This guy… did not look like that.
"You're the guildmaster?" Ash said, incredulous. She was much more obvious in her surprise. "Seriously?"
"Is that a problem?" Karamat said, turning to the fire bunny, eye cocked.
"Uhhhh-"
"We just weren't expecting to meet the guildmaster so soon," Werth butted in, cutting Ash off. "We're sorry if we offended you."
The guildmaster looked over the three with a serious expression. Almost glaring even. Hatch couldn't help but stand taller, this mon would decide his fate, and he didn't look-
He laughed after some time. It was light, joyful.
"Sorry…" he chuckled. "I love that reaction. You're all fine, I definitely don't look like a typical guildmaster, but I like to think I do a good job."
Ash couldn't keep in a laugh. "You're alright! Lot less stuck up than I thought. Sorry bout that."
"No problem! Should see those Reckoners to the east...anyway, what brings you in today?"
Before the bunny or bird could respond the dragon did for them.
"W-we wanna join!" Hatch said from behind the group. This was the first time he had spoken up since the guildmaster had gotten there.
"Oh, wonderful!" the Volbeat said, grabbing a clipboard from underneath the table. "And you got three mon! Sorry, that requirement's new, but there's safety in numbers. Your names?"
"Call me Ash!" the Scorbunny introduced herself first with a smile and in a much better mood.
"I am Werth," the Rowlet said, nodding politely to his new boss.
"H-Hatch," the Axew said nervously. "Nice to meet you Mr. Karamat…"
"Just call me Kara," the Volbeat said casually. "Now then, ages?"
"Sixteen!" Ash said proudly.
"Same as her," Werth said calmly.
"Fifteen…" Hatch answered honestly.
"Young…" Kara commented, writing the information down. "Do your parents know you're here?"
"Not in the picture," Ash huffed, good mood evaporated.
"I assure you," Werth said. "I have their blessing."
"...Mama said if I made it down the mountain…" Hatch answered.
"Well we're not on a mountain!" Kara said, moving on. "Now… hometowns?"
"Ruconda," Werth and Ash groaned.
"A charming city…" Karamat said, sarcasm dripping. "And what about you Hatch?"
"Thalridge…" the Axew answered.
"That's a new one," the Volbeat commented. "Where is it?"
"Small village… in the mountains…"
"That would do it! Welcome to the big city then!" he gave the dragon an encouraging smile. Hatch found himself returning it.
"Well, everything seems to be in order, unless something comes up. Welcome to the Sapphires!"
Hatch let out an audible sigh of relief. He made it. A place where he could live his dream.
A place he could be safe.
"Good timing too," Kara went on, holding out three sets of keys and pointing at the entrance he came out of.. "Another batch of recruits just moved into a new base they bought, so the warmest room's available. Near the forge. First floor, all the way down the hall. We'll see what you three can do tomorrow."
Ash grabbed her key in a flash as the Volbeat said that. She grinned back.
"A sneak peak," she said simply, hefting her back over her shoulder and walking towards their room. Werth quietly grabbed his as she went, giving the guildmaster one more polite nod.
"Thank you guildmaster," he said, before flapping after the bunny.
And so, Hatch was left alone with the guildmaster. His nerves were evident on his face as he fidgeted under the bug's gaze. Karamat buzzed over the counter, key still in hand and encouraging smile on his face.
"Nervous?" he asked. All Hatch could do was nod.
"I get that," the Volbeat went on. "It's a scary thing, being so far from home, joining a team of strangers."
He could tell? Hatch looked at him with surprise.
"They seemed comfy around each other, but that's not important." he put his free hand on the Axew, still holding the key with the other. "I came from a small town myself, in the desert. It was a bit of an adjustment, but it's great here. The guild is great. Then again, I'm a bit bias."
"...Yeah…" Hatch took the keys from the Volbeat, and gave him a genuine smile. "Thanks guildmaster."
"You don't have to be so formal…" Karamat sighed, scratching the back of his head with a now free hand. "Just call me Kara."
"...Ok. Thanks Kara."
"Anytime. Now go ahead and get some rest, we start bright and early tomorrow!"
"Yeah…" Hatch then turned to follow his new team to their room.
This was home now.
He wanted to enjoy it.
…
When Hatch got to his room, Ash had already made herself at home. Claiming the top bunk she laid down, stretching comfortably. Werth had already made himself a nest from the extra bedding on the windowsill, overlooking the beautiful garden right outside their room. It was a small room, but it had the basics. A bunk bed stood in the corner, along with a closet for storage. A Luminous orb lamp stood on top of the wood table in the middle of the room, perfect for their sizes. A simple mirror hung from the wall.
"Better than I thought we were gonna get!" Ash exclaimed, jumping down from her bed.
"It is quite nice…" Werth commented. "Fortunate the new team just moved out, isn't it?"
"Y-yeah…" Hatch agreed, looking towards the mirror, before placing his own bag on his bottom bunk.
How lucky…
"Welp," Ash clapped from behind Hatch. "I'm gonna grab some grub! Running from crazy water types makes you hungry. You wanna tell us what that was all about?"
"W-we were traveling together… he didn't want to let me go." It wasn't a lie.
"Seems like a lot of trouble," Werth commented, flapping down. "Why go through all that hassle?"
"...I don't know. I worked for free…" There was the lie.
"Well that's literally slavery." Werth said, shaking his body, which was mostly head.
"Wish another garden dropped on him then…" Ash spat, putting a paw on the dragon's shoulder. "I'm glad we came along when we did! It'll be nice to get to know you better Hatch!"
"You too…" he offered a small smile to his new teammates. They seemed nice, nicer than most of the other mon he met so far anyway.
"Now," Ash said, moving on. "We can decide our team name over lunch! Free food always helps me think."
"I would like a peck myself…" Werth admitted.
"Sounds good," Hatch's stomach grumbled, but there was something he needed to do first. "I'll catch up, just want to go over what I have on me again."
"Sure! Just follow the smell of hot, and free, food!" With that, Ash and Werth left Hatch alone in their room. Hatch sighed in relief, closing the door, and facing the mirror.
He examined himself, the scar under his eye, his tusks in desperate need of sharpening, and the headband. His gaze lingered on the headband. He took a deep breath, glanced back at the door to make sure no one was there, and untied it to look at what it hid.
The brand was seared into his fin, the pain thankfully long faded. The symbol, whatever it meant, was complex. A harsh black against his soft green scales. There was at least one recognizable part, one thing that stood out in the mess of lines.
An intricate V.
Hatch traced a claw over the brand, almost feeling the burning from that day all over again. He could almost hear the voice…
Almost.
He shook the memory from his mind, tying his headband back on. He couldn't think about it, not right now.
Plus he could smell the free food, and his stomach rumbled. Running for his life made him hungry. Without one last tap at the brand, he left his bag in the room, locked the door, and went to find his new teammates.
His new life would be a good one he hoped.
…
"He dropped a garden on you?"
Business wasn't booming for once, and both Danny and Andrews knew why. Hatch had gone, and taken the luck with him. Andrews had come back caked in dirt and leaves, probably not helping the sales. To his credit, the water monkey was trying to clean himself up.
"No Groudon rose from the depths and gave me a pep talk YES HE DROPPED A GARDEN ON ME!"
"Calm down," Danny urged, unmoved by the sudden burst of anger. It wouldn't get their fortune back.
Andrews opened his mouth to fire back, but stopped himself. His partner was right, this wasn't helpful.
"He won't trust us anymore," he hissed.
"I wonder who's fault that is…" Danny sighed, giving his smaller partner a look.
"You weren't exactly chummy with him either." Andrews glowered back.
"Least I didn't chase em down!"
"And now who needs to calm down?"
"...Touche." The Mudsdale relented. "Got a plan?"
"Get Hatch back, and get out of here. We can set up shop in another town, and keep raking in the cash."
"...maybe we could just cut our losses?" Danny suggested. "If he's apart of the Sapphires now-"
"Danny," Andrews stopped him right there. "We might have a lot now, but with him we won't have to worry about ANYTHING ever again. Money, food, customers, nothing."
"...what's the plan?"