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• Pokémon Mystery Dungeon - Chapter 2 A Shadow Forged

Gauner sat, starring into the unblinking, judging eyes of the Marrowak. He had just finished retelling both the story of Grimm and the location of Krieg's pack for the third time, and for the third time the seemingly unimpressed Marrowak just stared. At least he hadn't asked him to repeat it again this time.

So they both sat, the Marrowak who's name Gauner as of yet did not know on the hard chair and Gauner, still wrapped in bandages on the soft bed. The young Fox fidgeted his front paws, the bed was nice to lay on but he felt trapped on it, far too soft to allow him to run. He knew these thoughts were ridiculous, that this pokèmon was a representative of the guild town, but he couldn't help but feel anxious under that piercing gaze.

"Well, your story matches what your friend said about Grimm. It's very fortunate for you that you were both able to make it out of there in one piece." The Marrowak stood from his chair, picked up his bone club and started for the door, "I will check out the bandit camp myself, my colleague will see if the criminal Krieg is where you say he is. Thank you for your time."

Once the Marrowak had left the room and his footsteps faded Gauner flopped down on the bed, heaving a sigh of relief. That one was a lot more intimidating than he had expected. Gypsy had been kind enough to forewarn him that a rescue team was coming to question them about their encounter with Grimm as well as his knowledge of Krieg, but that had been far more than he had expected.

His ears swiveled as he looked around the room that had been his home for the last few days. It was a small square room with an attached latrine. It was furnished with a simple wood framed bed, a nightstand and a small wooden desk. All of the furniture had been stained a dark brown. The one window in the room was framed with heavy curtains of a dark green color that matched the blanket and pillow on the bed.

A single polished brass lantern hung on the wall opposite the window supplied light for the room when the sunlight from the window wasn't sufficient. The rest of the room was just as plain, a couple shelves hung on the wall, occupied by various small odds and ends that Gauner couldn't identify. Simple, yet inviting, Gauner had never been inside a building like this but somehow still felt at home.

A quiet knocking caused his ears to twitch back to the doorway, turning his head he saw Gypsy standing in the doorway, "Can I come in?" She asked with what he has learned was her usual friendly manner.

"This room is as much yours as mine, you don't need to ask." They had been sharing the room since their initial arrival. This village was small, but quite a busy hub for travelers. So they didn't have many rooms to spare, so he had been told anyways. His injuries were healing quickly but he had still not been permitted to leave the room. They did keep the door open for him at his request, as welcoming as the room was, he still felt trapped with the door closed.

"You looked like you were thinking, I didn't want to disturb you. That's part of being a team you know, learning each other and acting accordingly." She said as she walked across the room and sat on the bed next to him, "Nothing wrong with a little respect you know."

Gauner leaned against his new friend, he had only know her for a short while but had developed an immediate liking for the friendly Riolu, it had been entirely too long since the social Zorua had any sort of company, "Sorry, it's been a long time since I've been in a building and our tribe huts don't have walls really. Personal space isn't something I'm used to thinking about." Sitting back up he perked his ears and gave her a friendly smile, "So what are we learning today?"

Gypsy giggled at his obvious excitement and picked up a book from the table, "Well, since your so eager to continue, let's pick up from yesterday." Opening the book she laid it down between them facing Gauner, "Okay, go through the letters again please."

Gauner looked at the large page covered in big colorful letters. Gypsy moved her paw to point to one, "That's a capital 'O' makes the 'oh' sound," Gypsy moved her paw again, "Lower case 'b' makes the 'bee' sound,"

"Very good, your learning fast! It wont be much longer and you will be able to do words too." Gypsy continued pointing to random letters.

"I really hope so, capital 'I' it makes the 'eye' sound, we didn't have anything like this back home but I can definitely see the advantage to it, capital 'T' makes the 'tee' sound,"

Gypsy had spent the last few days teaching Gauner what he would be needing to know, they had started with laws and social behavior. Finding him to be a quick learner and already having a good base with his tribal upbringing they had shifted to reading, something entirely new to Gauner but he found it quite fascinating. The tribe Shaman tracked supplies but he did it with colored beads in different jars to represent what was on hand, Gauner could already tell this was a much more efficient way to record information.

He had always had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, something that he had gone too long without any way to indulge. While he was still unsure about the joining the rescue guild, he would go along with Gypsy for now. There was just too much for the young Fox to learn here. These pokèmon had perked his interest in a way that he hadn't felt since long before leaving his tribe behind.

They worked on identifying letters and their sounds for the remainder of the morning, they had reached the point where Gauner was able to figure out a few simple words when Gypsy called for a lunch break. She had made it half way to the door when the Marrowak walked in from the hallway.

"Oh! Mr. Fitz, your back already?" Gypsy said in a startled tone as she backed up to allow him entry.

"It is unfortunately not too far to the camp. I believe this is yours?" He replied, holding out Gypsy's backpack. "I would have rather not had HIM working so close to any settlements. Last thing we need is that bandit to turn raider on us."

Gypsy took her pack from Fitz, quickly checking it's contents, "Nothing missing thank you for bringing it back. Did you find anything at the camp?"

"We found evidence of the camp, a few odd boxes and crates, as well as signs of a fight. No way to tell where they went from there but at least we know what area they are working now. Thank you both for your help on this." Fitz reached into his own pack and pulled out two small leather pouches, "As per warrant issued against the bandit leader know as Grimm, any information that assists in his pursuit is rewarded five-hundred pokè, that's two-fifty each." He handed a pouch to each of them.

"Thank you, best of luck in your pursuit of that one." Gauner replied after setting the pouch down between his forelegs. The thought of Grimm caused him to pin his ears back, "I've only one encounter to go from, but that was enough for me, that one is trouble."

"You have no idea Fox, but if you are serious about joining the Guild maybe you can help us catch him." Fitz said with the first smile Gauner had seen on him. "There is also a reward for information on Krieg, you will be paid that once my partner returns to confirm what you said. Thank you again for you help, please enjoy the rest of your day." With that Fitz gave them a polite nod and walked out of the room.

Gauner watched until Fitz was gone before speaking, "So the guild pays anybody for information as well as paying rescuers for working for them? So how does the guild get the money?"

"Ah, good observation. Each guild is a little different but they all have the same main set up. They have the rescuers who keep the citizens safe, the governing side that sets the laws and controls the day to day city stuff and the courts that control punishments. If you live in the guild territory you pay taxes. So basically everyone in the guild pays a small amount to support the government and the rescuers." Gypsy watched Gauner's face throughout her explanation, his ability to learn was far beyond what she had expected from a wild.

"So how many guilds are there?" Gauner asked while absently fidgeting with his bandages.

"Well, in this region there are nine, this village is part of the Tranquil Glade Guild. Here, it would be easier to show you on a map than explain it." Gypsy dove into her pack and fished out a tube of rolled up papers. Pulling out one of the papers she spread it across the bed. "Okay, so we are here in Shallow Bank, This is where you met me." Gypsy said while pointing at the corresponding points on the map.

Gauner looked at the map with interest. Fitz had one as well but he hadn't got a good look at his. "Okay, so then I came from over here, that's what Fitz said, so it's all grey here, but green in the middle then other colors on the side and top. What does that mean?"

"The grey is the borderlands, the places that aren't under guild control. The green is Tranquil Glade, it covers the most since that's what this is a map of. The red part up North is River Way. This blue part to the east is Far Reach, it's the biggest Guild by area covered but actually has the least pokèmon living there. The other six are up North from there. Sorry, I don't have a map that shows them all." Gypsy finished with an apologetic look.

Gauner leaned over the map, studying it with his nose nearly pressed into the page causing Gypsy to giggle. While he looked over the map he reached up with a hind leg and scratched at his bandages.

"Are those starting to itch?" Gypsy asked him pointing to the bandages covering Gauner's sides.

"Yeah, a little. How much longer do I need to keep them on? We never kept wounds wrapped more than a couple of days." He had his doubts about the strange wrappings. He had helped Shaman with wounded warriors many times. They always left wounds open to the air after the initial treatment, they only wrapped wounds with large leaves, and never for any longer than absolutely necessary.

"Let's take a look." Gypsy said as she began carefully unwrapping Gauner's wounds. She gently pushed his fur aside and looked at the healing cuts, "Looks good actually. The oran salve has been doing its job. The stitches are mostly dissolved and the wounds are closed up. No fresh blood since they were stitched. We can leave them off now, IF you keep them clean and don't lick them." She finished with a stern look.

Gauner tilted his head, raising one ear, "Stitches?"

"They help hold a wound together so it heals faster and with less scaring. We use special thread that has been sterilized when we are out in the field, but those have to be removed after the wound starts to heal. Since we were in town for your wound we got to use bug threads, they dissolve on their own after a couple days, much nicer."

"Bug threads?" Gauner's face looked as though he had been slapped, "Bug threads? You put bug stuff on my wounds?"

"Er, not on really," Gypsy picked up her pack showing a Gauner a seem, "Like this, we use a sharp metal needle to bind the edges of the wound together with threads."

Gauner's eyes widened in a look of equal parts shock, disgust and horror, "You put bug stuff INSIDE me?"

Gypsy put a paw over her mouth as she fought hard not to laugh at Gauner's reaction, knowing that had to be struggling enough with all the changes as it was. In the end she managed to keep it to a suppressed giggle, "It doesn't hurt you and it helps you heal fast without leaving ugly scars. Really, they are clean and safe. Not to mention better than the scars you would have without them."

"I... I guess you're right. I just don't like the thought of bug strings... in... me...." Gauner twisted his head to look at his side where he was surprised to see clean unbroken fur, no gaps or furrows from the wounds. "I'm just not much for bugs... dark type thing." He moved his fur around carefully with a paw looking closely through wide eyes at his still healing wounds.

"See? Looks fine, now come on lets go get some lunch so we can work on your reading more." Gypsy slipped off the bed and helped Gauner to the floor. "We can take a look around the village too, I bet your ready to be somewhere other than this room."

"Very much so," Gauner grabbed his hat from the end table, flipping it to his head, twitching his ears to settle it to his head, "I've haven't had to sit still like this in a long time. Let's go." He gave Gypsy a large smirk, his tail wagging slowly behind him.

"You've only been here for three days, without the oran salve those wounds would have taken a couple of weeks to heal to the point they are at now." She spoke while leading them down the hallway to the common room of the inn. "You should be glad my mom makes me keep up a good med kit, or you would still be stuck in bed."

Gauner walked behind her, drifting from side to side to look and sniff at various decorations, "Well, I will just have to thank her if I ever meet her then wont I?" He said while rearing to his hind legs to get a better look at some baubles on a shelf.

"You should keep all four feet on the ground, your wounds are closed and you may be feeling better, but you could still pop one back open, it will hurt a lot more and take even longer to heal." Gypsy chided him. Then watching his muzzle crinkle as he gave the items on the shelf a sniff before settling back to four legs she asked, "Why do you do that?"

"Do what?" He said skewing his ears into a quizzical look while walking back to her side.

"Why do you sniff everything?" He continued to give her a curious look, "I know a good sense of smell has it's advantage, mine's probably just as good as yours, but I've never really seen a use in sniffing everything, can't think of anybody else that does that actually."

Gauner sat down in the hall and thought for a second before responding, "Just because your sense of smell is good doesn't mean you know how to use it. I learn a lot about a place by smell. I was always taught to pay attention to my surroundings, to learn as much as I can from everything I can sense. If you only rely on your eyes you will miss something important."

"I guess that makes sense." Gypsy, not for the first time, thought to herself that she had certainly found an odd friend, "I just don't see what you could possibly learn from sniffing every odd item that you wouldn't learn otherwise."

"I can tell you now that there although there are a lot of pokèmon here, there are four that are always here. Three of them are Audino, one male and two female. The younger of the Audino is the child of the other two. The fourth is a male, not a kind of pokèmon I've met before. He is mated to the younger Audino." Gauner raised his nose into the air and closed his eyes, drawing in several long breaths, "They all frequent here, but it is the females that touch the items most, the males usually just walk through."

Gypsy stared at him with an unreadable blank loon on her face for several long seconds, "Seriously? You learned all of that just from smelling the hallway?"

Gauner stood back up and walked past her, bumping her with a hip as he passed, a look of satisfaction oh his face, "It's not hard, you just have to learn to pay attention to your nose and listen to what it's telling you."

"That's amazing." Gypsy took a couple of quick steps to catch up to him and continued down the hall. "Do you think I could learn to do that?"

Gauner turned his head and peered at her from under the brim of his hat, a wide grin spreading across his muzzle, "Sure, it's not hard it just takes practice. If you keep helping me with everything I need to learn to live in a guild town, I'll teach you how to use your nose."

"Deal!" Gypsy said as they stepped into the common room.

Gauner looked around the new room with great curiosity, it was nothing like he had ever been in before. It was much larger than the small room he had been sleeping in. The walls were adorned with various decorative items, pots with flowers growing in them were positioned randomly throughout the room. All across the floor were large tables of various heights, some had chairs around them other had colorful cushions on the floor surrounding them.

He closed his eyes and focused on his nose, taking in all the scents in the room. Filtering them out one by one he learned each and every smell the room had to offer. His eyesight and hearing were both very good, but his nose has always been his go to source for learning new areas. So many dangers were hidden to sight and made no sound.

The room smelled of hundreds of pokèmon, most scents were old, faint, but a few were stronger. He sorted through each and every new pokèmon scent, adding it to his olfactory memory. He could also scent various food items most of which he had no clue what they were, but logged away in his memory just the same. The most prominent smell in the room had him perplexed though, it was sweet and vaguely berry like, yet had an almost burning attribute, he would have to figure that one out.

He opened his eyes again and gave the room a more detailed look over, sweeping his head from one side to the other, his ears standing straight up at attention. The overall shape of the room was rectangular, with a large set of doors along one of the larger side that Gauner assumed from the sunlight cascading in from the cracks in the old wood lead outside. They had entered through an open hallway on one of the short sides, he noted that both of the short sides had two such halls. The final wall had a fireplace in the center with a doorway on each side, one in the open and another behind a long counter. Centered in the room was a large raised circular platform.

Gauner took in the surroundings, taking note of the contents of the room. He noticed that while there were a lot of different colors around, the majority of the things in the room were dark green and white. He looked closely at one of the cushions as he passed it, it was made of the same green fabric that the bed spread and curtains in the room he has been occupying. He figured they must be something like his old tribal colors, he would have to ask Gypsy about it later.

"Good afternoon Gypsy," spoke a friendly voice. Gauner spun his head to the new sound and watched the speaker stand up from behind the counter. Gauner's nose told him this was the fourth pokèmon he had smelled in the hallway. He appeared to be a bipedal blue rabbit. Gauner could not see the rabbit's entire body behind the counter but figured him to be about two feet tall or so. His scent was that of a water type and was accented by the same strong burning smell that blanketed large room. "Is this our elusive guest with you?"

"Good afternoon Victor. This is Gauner," Gypsy said to the new pokèmon while taking a seat at a table near the counter, motioning for Gauner to sit on a cushion opposite to her. "Gauner, this is Victor. He is married to Elaine, whose parents run this inn."

"It's a pleasure to meet you Victor. I do hope you don't find it rude of me to ask but I've never encountered your kind of pokèmon before and was wondering if I could ask what you are?" Gauner said with his best friendly smile.

"Ah yes, Gypsy said you were a wild. Probably don't see anywhere near the number of pokèmon we see, even in this small of a village. To answer your question I'm an Azumarill. And since we are on the topic, I could ask the same of you, never even heard of a black colored Fox pokèmon."

Azumarill, Gauner filled the name away in his memory along with the matching scent before answering Victors question, "I am a Zorua. I don't know of any outside the tribe I grew up in, but as a rule in my tribe we never let outsider see us. So I'm not surprised you haven't heard of us."

"Reclusive kind eh? Well you'll have to get over that if your going to live in a guild town. Since your both siting I can only assume your ready for lunch, what can I get for you?" The rabbit pokèmon seemed to have an unwavering aura of friendliness about him.

Gauner was not entirely sure how to answer, Gypsy had been bringing him his meals and he had no idea what any of the strange foods he had been eating were called. Fortunately for him, Gypsy spoke up first, "We will both have the shepherds pie, I'll have a glass of sun tea, Gauner here will drink oran juice please."

"Got it, I'll give the order the Elaine and be right back with your drinks." Gauner watched as Victor turned and walked through the doorway behind the counter. He saw for the first time that Victors bottom half was white with a very narrow black tail that ended in a large blue ball that bounced along happily behind as he disappeared in to the back.

Returning his attention to Gypsy he asked, "What does 'married to' mean?"

"Hrm... What now? Sorry I wasn't paying attention." Gypsy, who had been looking at one of the many decorations in the room turned back to Gauner.

"You said Victor is 'married to' Elaine. What does 'married to' mean?"

"Oh, um, I guess in the wild you would say 'mated to' instead. Means basically the same thing. Victor and Elaine have committed to spending the rest of their lives together."

"That's right!" Victor stated loudly as he came back through the doorway carrying a tray with their drinks as well as a couple of bowls. "I love my Elaine and couldn't bear the thought of living without her." Victor set a drink and a bowl in front of each of them.

Gauner looked in the bowl and saw it was filled with a mixture of various nuts and berries. He was quite happy to see the mixture, Gypsy had been seeing to it that he got a lot of oran to help speed his recovery. While he was grateful that his downtime was going to be limited he was getting quite tired of oran.

"Elaine says the shepherds pie will be a while so I brought you some berries to tide you both over. Let me know if you need anything else." Victor said with a smile.

"Thanks Victor, we appreciate it." Gypsy replied to the rabbit.

"Not at all sweetie. I need to help out back for a bit, just give a shout if you need me, I got good ears." With that Victor turned and walked again out the back.

Gypsy reached in her bowl and picked up a pecha berry, "Well looks like we have some time before our food shows up. Lets go ahead and work on teaching you some more about rescue work while we wait." She said before taking a bite out of the berry.

Gauner who was happily working on an aspear berry replied, "Sounds good, last night you were teaching me about the kinds of jobs rescuers do and how they are sorted by rank. Can we go further into that, I'm curious as to how the ranks are decided and how that corresponds the actual rescue teams." He then dug back into the berry with gusto, he had always had a preference for the more sour berries.

"You really don't behave like a wild at all you know." Gypsy finished off her pecha berry and sorted through the bowl for another, "You speak well, your smart, eager to learn. Not to say that other wilds aren't, but the few I've met have been rather... well, simple."

"Thank you, I think. Having lived amongst 'wilds' for the last few years, I can tell you that any of the ones that live in social groups tend to be more like me. Some of the solitary kinds could charitably be called simple." Gauner pulled a cheri berry from the bowl, they weren't his favorite, a little to spicy for him but he ate it anyways.

"I would like to learn more about wild pokèmon once we have finished getting you ready for guild life. I know I can learn a lot of useful things from you." Gypsy said in earnest. "But for now, let's work on getting you into the guild.

Gypsy continued schooling Gauner on rescue jobs until their food arrived, they ate quickly while continuing their conversation, moving on to several other subjects as they spoke. As the evening grew late the inn began to fill with many different pokèmon, Gauner was uneasy about being around so many strangers but he remembered what Victor had said and was determined not to let it show. So he sat and spoke with Gypsy until nightfall.

They returned to their room, Gauner went straight to the attached latrine wile Gypsy sorted out the bedding. He was grateful to be able to attend to his needs without having to rely on Gypsy for assistance. He had already noticed that he was a lot less modest about things than his new friend, but there were some things better done in private.

Returning to the room Gauner hopped into the bed while Gypsy took her turn in the latrine. Gauner quickly made a nest out of the blanket on the foot of the bed, undoing much of Gypsy's work. Curling into a ball with his tail across his face he laid down in his nest.

Gypsy emerged from the latrine and heaved a sigh at the sight of Gauner in his nest of bedding, "Just can't sleep under the covers can you?" She walked to the bed, pausing to take Gauner's hat from his head and place it on the nightstand. "Are you okay with closing the door tonight? There are a lot more pokèmon here tonight and I would feel better with it shut, if you don't mind."

Gauner raised his head looking at the open door. His ears twitching as he thought, "I guess."

"Thanks Gauner, I know your not used to all this yet, but you are doing an amazing job adjusting." She quietly closed the door, blowing out the lantern that lit the room she slid under the covers at the head of the bed. The inn's beds were made to accommodate even large pokèmon. A fact Gypsy was grateful for, she liked Gauner and definitely wanted to get closer to her would be rescue partner, but was in no way ready to be that close just yet.

She stretched down one foot and was just able to feel his back through the covers. Giving him a gentle rub she said, "Sorry we got distracted and you didn't get to see the village today. We'll take a look around in the morning."

"It's alright Gypsy, I enjoyed today, I'm in no hurry." Gauner said with a sleepy yawn, "How much longer are we staying here?"

"We can leave tomorrow if we can get a ride on a wagon. If not your wounds will be healed up enough to travel by foot in two more days. Either way it wont be much longer and we will be in Serene Hall, capitol city of Tranquil Glade"

"Sounds good to me. Goodnight Gypsy, sleep well."

"You too Gauner."

With that the pair drifted into sleep.

***********************************************

Gypsy lazily awoke the next morning feeling fresh and well rested. She had been enjoying the soft bed a lot more than she wanted to admit. It's nice soft mattress was far preferable to the hard ground that she had been sleeping on all through her apprenticeship. She stifled a yawn as she stretched and sat up in bed.

The early dawn light was just beginning to filter through the partially closed curtains. She was an early riser and loved the mornings. She looked to the foot of the bed to see Gauner, laying on his back with his head hanging over the edge of the bed. She carefully got up and slowly walked towards the latrine, not wanting to wake her friend.

She had learned from him that he was habitually nocturnal, and tried to give him as much leeway in adjusting to daylight life as she could. As she walked past she looked down at his face and smiled at what she saw. He was laying flat on his back but was curving his spine off to one side, his head draping over the edge was accented by a peculiar tilt of one ear, the other ear folded backwards along his head. His long tongue hung limply from his open mouth.

She looked at his face for a moment before moving her attention to his ribs. She was pleased to see that they didn't stick out near like they did when they first met. He barked quietly in his dream, kicking one hind leg drawing her attention to it. She looked at the soft light grey pads on his hind paw as his leg kicked once more in dream. She tried to resist as her eyes drifted down his splayed hind legs to his maleness.

She knew better than to stare but couldn't help but entertain her curiosity. Even in a world where clothing wasn't required it was still rude to look without invitation. She noticed immediately the soft pink tip of his shaft peeking out of his sheath, while not overly large in it's flaccid state it was still impressive to her inexperienced eyes. Her gaze continued to move down, following his sheath down to his furry balls, the sight of which reminded her of her first blind strike against him on their initial meeting.

The embarrassing memory of that inappropriate and clumsy attack combined with the new embarrassment from peeping at someone she had known for less than a week brought her back to her senses. She shook her head to clear her it of any unclean thoughts as she walked into the latrine closing the door behind her.

Gauner rolled over to his belly as soon as the door was closed. He had been truly asleep, deep in dreams when Gypsy had started her observations, but being the light sleeper he was, had woken when she had stayed in front of him. He had known what Gypsy was doing from the start, after all instincts would of course cause anyone to be interested in the opposite gender.

Modesty and what was, and was not appropriate had been one of their first discussions. While it was immediately apparent to himself that he lacked the same sense of modesty that they had, he understood the guild pokèmons view on the matter just the same. Her attention didn't bother him in the slightest, why should he care if she looked at parts of himself he made no efforts to hide? Yet he knew that if she had know that he was aware, she would have felt embarrassed, so he had chosen to instead feign sleep.

Arching his back end high and extending his forelegs he began his morning stretch as any fox would. Careful not to put any more pressure on his healing wounds that necessary he shifted forward, feeling his muscles stretch and relax in a wave down his body from front to back as he ended with his weight bore by his forelegs and his hind legs stretched out along the bed behind him. He shook his head to straighten out to his flopped back ear as he sat back on his rump, waiting patiently for his turn in the latrine.

After a few moments the door opened and a rather distracted looking Gypsy emerged, "Good morning Gypsy. You look like you slept well." Gauner said in a perky tone hoping to hide his knowledge of her morning attentions.

Gypsy gave him a shy smile, obvious even to his lacking social senses she was still a little embarrassed, he would have to fix that, "Ah, good morning Gauner. I guess I slept well, the bed is a lot nicer that what I had back home."

He perked both his ears straight up, closed his eyes and skewed his face into what he hoped was a comically wide grin, "Well, both the bed and room are infinitely nicer than my old cave. Soft, warm and no annoying draft or random sharp rocks."

Gauner was rewarded for his performance with one of her frequent giggles. He found them quite cute, not that he would tell her, that admission could only serve to increase her self-consciousness. "You know an intelligent pokèmon like your self should have thought to remove the rocks first." She said to him in a mocking tone, raising a paw and waiving a single digit at him chidingly.

"I did! I even brought in a pile of leaves and grass to sleep on. The pesky things just came from nowhere!" He replied with a wag of his tail.

He was pleased to see her forgetting her self induced embarrassment and returning to her usual self. If they were to be partners he would have to help her with that. He would strive to follow the guilds moral code in public, but in private she would have to learn to accept a little of his 'wild' attitudes.

While he didn't know her well enough to want an intimate relationship, he did want her to feel comfortable around him, and not get herself flustered over something that really didn't bother him.

But that was for a later time, for now he had more urgent matters, "So, what are we eating this morning?" His goofy grin returning in earnest. He was rather liking not having to go half starved throughout the day.

"Whatever they are making in the kitchen," Gypsy replied with a smile of her own. "We will just have to go out and see."

"Well in that case, I'm going to sneak past you and use the latrine if you don't mind, then I'll meet you in the common room." He told her as he put actions to words, giving her a friendly rub as he passed her. He was glad that she accepted his contact, that was the one thing he had missed most from his former life, simple contact with other pokèmon.

She gave another of her giggles, careful to avoid his wounds she playfully swatted his rump as he past, "Silly Fox, I'll get us a table."

Gauner kicked the latrine door shut behind him. This was working out better than he had hoped. The last few days had cemented in his mind his desire to be with others again. From what Gypsy had told him of the rescuers so far, he was on a path that would lead him to the better life that he has been hoping for.

Finishing up in the latrine he looked in the mirror mounted to the wall to ensure his illusion was set in place. He strolled back into the room, picking up his hat he flipped it back onto his head and strolled out into the hall. His ears pitched forward catching the noise from the common room. The sound of many pokèmon talking reached his ears. He realized that he had moved to the side of the hall and was walking crouched down for cover and quickly corrected himself.

Even before living on his own he had always been taught to avoid other pokèmon. To hide when able and to use his illusions to trick them into seeing something else when he couldn't. While he had already got himself used to not caring if random pokèmon saw him as a Zorua while living on his own, he wouldn't lie to himself, it was going to take some time to get used to not having to sneak everywhere.

Walking as boldly as he could manage into the common room he saw that there was in fact far fewer pokèmon present than he had though. About twelve pokèmon sat in the room in twos and threes, talking loudly as they ate their morning meal. He picked out Gypsy sitting in the far corner away from the others, she must have sat there for his sake.

He padded up to the table and took a seat across from her where a plate of food already sat for him. He licked his lips and tried not to drool looking at the plate, an omelette Gypsy had called it the morning before. Never had he eaten such a wonderful thing! Soft warm fluffy yellow thing stuffed with delicious mushrooms and something called cheese. He could not help but wag his tail with enthusiasm.

"I though you might like another one. Eat up. You didn't get to see the village yesterday, so as soon as your done we will go take a look around." Gypsy said before taking another bite of her own food.

Gauner practically dove face first into his plate. He tried to take small bites and keep his lips closed as he chewed the divine meal. Even though Gypsy was already half finished when he sat down he still finished first. "Sorry, I didn't mean to eat like that." He said sheepishly, realizing how he must have looked eating that fast.

"Don't you even worry about that now Gauner. Elaine will be happy to know you liked it." Victor said appearing beside him. Gauner hadn't seen or heard him approach, an impressive feat for a blue and white colored rabbit. "Lemme get these plates out of your way, anything else this morning?"

"Nope, that's it for us. Give Elaine out thanks please." Gypsy replied to Victor as he picked up their empty plates and mugs. "We have things to do today, I owe Gauner here a tour of the village."

"You kids have fun then." Victor said with a bright smile before hurrying back to his work.

Outside Gauner paused, Gypsy had repeatedly said this was a small village, but everything was so big. All down the road were buildings, none as large as the inn but still far bigger than anything his tribe had. Everywhere he looked Gauner saw a different pokèmon. More types than he had ever seen in one place before. Each of them were moving along their daily business, stopping only to offer a polite greeting as they passed.

Gauner followed Gypsy through the street, staying close to her side. His ears swiveled around constantly picking up new sounds. His nose was completely overloaded, never had he experienced anything like this. As they walked Gypsy would point out various buildings and explain to him what each functioned as. Gauner listened to each explanation with interest.

He was beginning to feel overwhelmed when he though to compare it to his old tribe. As he learned more the connections became easier to make. They had many of the same roles, but the level that they were performed at was far beyond anything he could have imagined. It was all so new, yet now that he compared it to his original home it was starting to feel a little less overbearing.

He was so caught up looking at all the various sights and interactions that he nearly ran into Gypsy when she stopped in front of a building. "This is a tack shop. They mostly sell the straps and harnesses needed to pull a cart, but they also sell a lot of travel bags and packs. Um... I forgot to ask before we left the inn. Do you bring the money Fitz gave you?"

"Ah, no. I didn't really have anyplace to carry it so I left it in the room. Should I have brought it?" He was afraid he had made some sort of social mistake.

"Sort of. You don't have to carry your money everywhere you go and should never carry all of it if you can avoid it. You are going to need to get a pack so you can carry things easier. Tack shops like this one don't sell the fancy bags and satchels that most people carry but they do sell the cheaper durable ones that most rescuers prefer." Gypsy accented her explanation by pointing out some of the various bags the local pokèmon were wearing.

"So I will need to come back here with some money to trade for a bag like the one you have?" Gauner had already decided on his own that he had wanted something like that for himself anyways. If this is where he needed to get one then he would have to come back with the required money.

"No reason to do that. I'll pay for one for you and you can pay me back when we get back to the inn." Gypsy said as she walked through the door to the tack shop.

Gauner followed her through the door, immediately picking up the strong smell of fresh leather. The shop was simple, a square room with various bags, satchels and harnesses hanging on the walls. Leather was something he had figured out from his hat, it smelled like animal skin, that's what it had to be. Here he finally saw and smelled enough to be sure.

As they walked in they were greeted by the shopkeeper, a rather lean looking Watchog, "Well hello there! Welcome, what can I get for you."

"Hi, Were looking for a travel pack for my friend here." Gypsy said, gesturing to Gauner, "Something simple with a few separated compartments please."

The Watchog stepped closer to Gauner, giving him a long look over. Gauner had seen several Watcdogs before, he always found their eyes a little intimidating. Now finding himself the be the focus of their study, he found them to be that much more unsettling.

"I got just what you need." The shopkeeper disappeared into the back returning quickly with a small backpack made for a quadruped. "Try this on."

Gypsy took the pack from the shopkeeper and placed it on Gauner, adjusting the buckles and straps the pack fit nicely. It was a dark brown that nearly matched Gaune'rs hat. It sat like saddlebags one pouch on each side with a smaller pouch on the front that hung where the wearer could easily access it without removing the pack. Opening one of the side pouches Gypsy found they they also had built in dividers.

After making sure it was fit right, Gypsy asked Gauner to walk around with it on. Having never worn anything like this before Gauner wanted to test the feel for himself as well, he started walking a slow circle around the room then picked up to a mild trot. The pack didn't bind or irritate his as he had expected.

"Fits good, looks like it's already worn in. Is it a used pack?" Gypsy asked the shopkeeper.

"Aye, A traveler bought it from me a couple of years ago for his son. The boy evolved shortly after and he sold it back to me when he bought the replacement. I figured it would be easy to sell since it's barley used but I can't seem to find anyone it fits. It's just taking up space, it's priced at sixty pokè but if your interested I'll sell it to ya for twenty."

"Pulling out her coin bag Gypsy pulled out two silver coins, we'll take it." She handed the coins to the shopkeeper, "Thank you."

"Naw, thank you. I make most of these myself, hate to see hard work not getting used." The Watchog said with a smile as he took the coins. "Anything else I can help you two with?"

"Only if you happen to know of a cart heading to Serene Halls that could take a couple passengers." Gypsy replied, putting her coin purse away.

The shopkeeper chuckled before leaning out the back door and shouting, "Hey Horace! Got some more ballast for ya!"

Gauner who had been continuing to test his new pack by balancing upright on his hind legs turned in time to see the head of a large Gogoat stick through the open door, "Really now?" The goat said looking at them. "Perfect size too!"

Not entirely sure what was going on Gauner looked to to Gypsy just as she asked, "Ballast?"

"Yup, Ballast." Responded Horace, "You see, I pull a medium sized two wheel cart. The axle sits on leather straps to protect the load from the rough road. That works good when it's loaded, but empty it makes it bounce." The large goat rocked his head from side to side during his explanation. "I finished my load here and am getting ready to head back to Serene Hall, but I don't have much cargo for the return trip."

"So you want us to ride along so your cart doesn't bounce." Gauner said, having finally figured out what the goat was saying.

"That's right, I already have one passenger but he just isn't heavy enough, with you two it should be perfect. Soon as my harness is repaired I'll be leaving. I'm picking up my other passenger in front of the inn in an hour."

"That would be perfect. How much for the ride?" Gypsy asked the goat, who was still rocking his head back and forth.

"No charge! Your doing me a favor by riding. The cart bouncing is dangerous to my cargo and my passenger. Not to mention it rubs my hide raw if it goes on too long. You two and the other riding are all getting free rides, I would just be loading up rocks if you weren't"

"Well then, we will go settle our tab at the inn and meet you out front in an hour. Thank you Horace." Gypsy gave both Horace and the shopkeeper a polite smile and wave as they walked back into the street.

Gauner walked with a light dance in his step. Tossing a little from side to side to feel the weight of the pack. By itself he barley felt it. Oh course he knew that would change once it had something in it. As if on cue Gypsy spoke up, "We should probably grab you some basic supplies on the way back now that you have something to carry them in."

"I was just thinking that actually, what all do I need to carry?" Gauner asked, trying to hid his excitement over the new experience.

"Well a lot of that depends on you. The guild will have a quartermaster that will help with the required equipment but most of us carry a few extra items as well. For now we should get some travel food and maybe some brushes for your fur, I like you, but I don't want to be picking your fur out of my brush every day."

Gypsy had been kind enough to keep his fur brushed for him whenever she had changed his bandages, he liked the brush but could see where he wouldn't want to rely on using someone else's. So they made a couple stops on the way back, filling his pack with travel food, skins full of water and two nice new brushes. Gauner was pleasantly surprised with how well the weight distributed in the pack.

Returning to the inn Gypsy wasted no time packing up her belongings into her own pack as well as taking her share of the travel rations from Gauners. He helped her make a final sweep of the room to insure they hadn't left anything behind and the departed back to the common room.

"Hey Victor." Gypsy called out as she approached the Azumarill. "We got a ride so were setting off, just need to settle our tab first."

"Awe, hate to see good customers go. Gimme a sec here." He picked up a sheet of paper from behind the counter, "Lets see, three nights, meals, medical supplies comes out to one-fifty."

"Okay." Gypsy pulled out her coin purse and began counting coins when Gauner bumped her arm with his muzzle, his own coin purse hanging from his mouth. "What?"

"I should be paying for my half of it right, I also owe you for the pack, and my share of the rations and the brushes." He maybe new to the concept of money, but not the concept of trade. He needed to pay his fair share.

"I was going to pay it since you don't have much yet." Gypsy said as an explanation while trying to return his purse.

"Nope, your my friend, not going to start it off like that. I insist I pay my fair share." Gauner turned his muzzle away from her so that she couldn't give the purse back.

"Lads got a good sense of fairness there sweetie. That's not common amongst the wilds, I would count that as a blessing and take it." Victor advised.

Gypsy tried to argue more with Gauner, but he ignored her, turning to face completely away, absently scratching behind an ear with a hind leg until she relented, counting out the proper amounts from both purses. Finally paid properly Gauner took his coin purse back and placed it again into the front pouch of his pack. "Guess we go wait for Horace outside now yes?"

Gypsy nodded as they both turned and walked out the front to wait for their ride. They passed through the door and stepped out onto the small porch that ran along the front of the inn. There, leaning against one of the posts supporting the porch roof was Fitz.

"Ah! Hello again Mr. Fitz." Gypsy cried out to him.

The Marrowak turned to look at them, "There you two are, I was beginning to think I would have to leave town before I ran into you again. I checked earlier and Victor said you were out." He pulled another small coin purse from his pack and tossed it to Gauner, who caught it easily. "Payment for information on Krieg as promised."

Gauner put the purse in his pack along with the first one, "Thank you. This one feels heavier."

"Grimm and his lot are a troublesome group, but Krieg's pack has the blood of rescuers on there fangs. That's one-thousand pokè, you'll want to have your friend there teach you how to manage that." Fitz said nodding towards Gypsy.

"So you found him?" Gypsy asked, Gauner noting tension in both her voice and posture.

"Found the cave!" A loud voice said from behind Gauner who spun in place to see the source. Seeing the silhouette large predatory bird pokèmon Gauner dove beneath a nearby wicker basket.

Both Fitz and the new pokèmon looked from the upturned basket that was visibly shaking to Gypsy.

"Uh, did I say something wrong?" The bird she recognized as a Braviary asked cocking his head to one side.

Gypsy shrugged not sure what Gauner was doing either. She bent down and lifted the edge of the basket until she could see Gauner's face. She was surprised to see his eyes wide with fear, his entire body shaking uncontrollably. "What's wrong Gauner?" She asked with as much of a soothing of a tone as she could muster.

"Bird!" Was all he managed to reply.

"Yes, I'm a bird. That doesn't explain why your in a basket." The braviary hopped down from where he had been perched on the railing to look at Gauner who recoiled farther into the basket.

"Back off a bit Noble, he's a wild." Fitz said to the Braviary, who still looking confused hopped back several steps. "Most wilds are afraid of big birds. They tend to get eaten by them."

"What now! I do say! Never would I ever!" Noble said while bringing a single wind to his chest, puffing out his feather in indignation he continued, "Now do be serious Fitz. No such creature as myself would do such a dastardly, diabolical, downright disgusting thing!"

Gauner edged forward under the basket, looking first at Noble and then to Gypsy and Fitz.

"It's alright Gauner, this is Noble. He is my rescue partner and the other half of team Bonewing. He wont hurt you." Fitz explained, "Besides, it's not like that flimsy thing would stop him if he wanted to anyways."

Cautiously Gauner crawled from under the basket, watching the large bird as he slowly moved to sit between Gypsy and Fitz, "Sorry, birds are the main reason I always moved at night. Too many close calls."

Noble squawked causing Gauner to flinch, "I say! I do say! If this is some kind of joke? It's quite enough." He continued to stare down both Gauner and Fitz for a moment before continuing. "As I was saying before such a rude interruption and attack on ones dignity! I found the cave, the pack has moved on but they left a very clear trail showing which way they have traveled."

"Noble sent word via the flyers to headquarters, with any luck we will be able to locate their exact location and bring that mutt in." Fitz spat angrily. "Can't have packs of wild dogs tearing up good pokèmon."

The four stood in silence for several minutes, nobody sure what to say next. Just as the awkward silence was reaching an unbearable crescendo Horace trotted up pulling his cart. "Alrighty alrighty! Looks like all my passengers are here! If you would all load up we will be on our way!" Shouted the goat with his head still swaying back and forth.

"Well then Fitz, it would seem your inferior transportation has arrived. I will rendezvous with you at headquarters." Noble said with a slight bow to Fitz before taking to the air.

"What was that about?" Horace asked Fitz while watching the bird climb into the sky.

"I'm not much for flying, prefer to keep my feet on the ground much to his disappointment. Don't be fooled though, he's a good partner. He makes a good show of leaving but he will circle around and follow us in." Fitz jumped into the cart and settled down towards the front besides what little cargo was loaded on the wagon.

Gauner followed Gypsy around to the back and they both climbed onto the cart. Gypsy assisted Gauner with removing his pack before they took up positions on opposite sides of the cart. "I guess were traveling together then Mr. Fitz." Gypsy said while adjusting her pack to make an improvised seat.

"It would seem that way. Noble can fly the distance in a third the time but I prefer to travel by cart. Speaking of time, how long are we looking at Horace?" Fitz asked Horace, craning his head back to look at the goat.

"Alrighty alrighty! We will be camping one night in Somber Woods and will arrive in Serene Hall by tomorrow evening! And we're off!" With that the Gogoat began trotting down the street, the cart moving smoothly behind him with his head swaying in time to his footsteps.

Fitz turned back to Gauner and Gypsy, "I've ridden with Horace quite a bit. He specializes in high demand fragile freight. Makes him a good choice for getting around when he has the extra room."

Gauner listened to Fitz as he watched the village pass by. The cart moved along at a what would be a running pace for him but looking at Horace's gently trotting hindquarters he knew this was an easy pace for the large goat.

"Well, there goes Shallow Bank." Gypsy said looking out the back. Gauner turned his head to see that they had in fact already reached the edge of the village and were moving swiftly away towards the distant woods.

"Alrighty alrighty, we are clear of the foot traffic, everybody sitting steady?" Horace called back.

"Were all good, you can kick it up now." Fitz returned with a broad smile.

Horace snorted once, his head finally stopping it's steady swaying he picked his speed up to a mild run. The cart pulled along behind moving with barely any bounce or sway. Both Gauner and Gypsy were caught unaware with the sudden increase in speed but Fitz looked like a kid in a candy shop.

Raising his head he shouted to the empty sky, "You sure you can keep up ya overrated feather duster!"

His call was answered by a piercing cry from above, followed by a great gust of wind as Noble swooped over the cart to glide easily alongside it. "I do say now! Move a little faster and you might outpace a fledgling." He called back before climbing again to the sky.

"Told you he wouldn't be far off." Fitz said. He was watching Noble soaring along with a fond look. "So you two are serious about forming a team?"

"Yes sir!" Gypsy replied without hesitation.

"What about you Fox? You sure that's what you want?" The senior rescuers eyes narrowed, focusing on Gauner's own.

Gauner though for a while before answering, not sure how much he really wanted to tell someone who he really didn't know, "I've been on my own for a long time. I left my tribe, abandoned my responsibilities and ran." He shifted uncomfortably in the cart, trying to fight down tears as old memories resurfaced.

"I wanted to help protect everyone, but they wouldn't let me. They made me be something I didn't want so I ran. It was wrong, I shouldn't have abandoned them like that." He gave up fighting and let the tears run down his face, laying in a miserable pile on the cart floor, "I know that now, but it's too late to go back. I didn't do good on my own, never learned how. I had to steal and bully to live. I had to be exactly what I wanted to protect my tribe from."

Gauner sniffled and tried to blink away his tears. Gypsy reached across the cart and rubbed his back. Fitz leaned forward, bringing his face right up to Gauner's, speaking slowly, "So why should we let you be a rescuer?"

Gauner looked into the Marrowak's eyes, swallowing his pride he sat back up, "I can't fix what I've done. I can't go back to the tribe or give back what I've stolen. But I can stop, I can stop living a life I hate and do my best to fight against it."

Gauner and Fitz continued to stare at each other for several minutes. Gauner couldn't help but shuffle his paws on the cart floor.

"We are always looking to add wilds in to the guild. Both as citizens and as rescuers. We pride ourselves on diversity, on taking a random jumble of different pokèmon and making a functioning society from it. It adds strength." Fitz leaned back against the cart, looking out at the passing landscape for a minute before continuing, "You've lived a hard life. You've made mistakes. That's why I like you, that's why you will make a good rescuer."

Gauner sat staring at his paws, thinking about what he was just told, unsure what to say next. The silence was finally broken by Gypsy, "I don't understand? I already knew about Gauner's past, but I want to join with him since he is trying to change. Why would the bad parts make him better?"

"Simple, he has seen the bad, been the bad. Yet, he didn't let it consume him. He fought against it and was instead tempered by it. Your friend is stronger for what he has been through." Fits leaned forward to Gauner again, this time his eyes twinkled with a friendly light. "Don't forget where you came from or what you've been through, they are what will make you strong and keep you on the right path."

"I understand, thank you Fitz." The Marrowak's words rang true in his heart. He had been through the bad, now was his turn to use it to defend the good. He had been unsure up to this moment, but now he knew there was no turning back, he would be a rescuer.

The three continued to talk amongst each other with Horace joining in randomly as they moved along the smooth dirt road, first through the open plains then through the dense forest. Gauner looked around the thick woods with interest, this was after all where he was originally headed.

"The forest is nice. It's a lot bigger than the one my tribe lives in." Gauner did as he always did in a new area, closed his eyes and drew in several deep breaths, taking in all that was the forest.

"I don't know if I would call it 'nice' really. It's kinda dark and spooky." Gypsy looked overhead, the canopy of the large trees blotting out most of the light, even along the roadway. Rubbing her paws together she looked all around the swift moving cart, "Too many places for things to hide."

"In case you have forgotten, I happen to like the dark." Gauner said, grinning at the obviously nervous Riolu, "Besides, isn't the place were going in the woods?"

"Just past it actually," Fitz spoke up. "Serene Hall is right at the north edge of the woods. The trees are also a lot more sparse around the city. This is Somber Woods, there is a large campsite ahead I imagine that's where Horace will have us stopping for the night. After that it's not more than a few hours travel and the trees will thin out."

"Are we sure there aren't any bandits here?" Gypsy's eyes continued to dart back and forth looking for hidden dangers.

"This is one of our training grounds for apprentice teams, it gets patrolled way to much for bandits to use. Only thing around here is a few wild pokèmon." Fitz chuckled, "Lucky you, since your already a full guild member you won't get sent here, even with foxy on your team"

"Awe, that's too bad. Where will we be sent?" Gauner asked.

"Well, that will depend, your still new right?" Fitz asked Gypsy who nodded, "Have you taken your skills test?" This time she shook her head, "Well in that case they will probably keep you doing local missions till Gauner has a little experience, then have you both take skills at the same time to figure out your place."

"What are the skills test, Gypsy hasn't mentioned those?" Gauner edged forward, tail wagging always ready and eager to learn something new.

"We hadn't got that far yet," Gypsy began, "Basically once you are a full member and on a team they have you take a series of tests. Some by yourself and some with your team. The results determine your individual and team strengths and weaknesses."

"That's right for all new teams. Once you're an established team you can add a tested member any time, but new members who haven't tested yet have to get guild approval." Fits added.

"We did something like that back home with our hunting groups. It kept an inexperienced hunter from being injured trying to keep up with the rest." Gauner then added bitterly, "I wasn't allowed to try."

Gypsy started to speak but was cut off by Horace, "Alrighty alrighty! We have reached the campsite! Everyone hop down and get some rest, we leave first thing in the morning." The chipper goat pulled the cart into a large clearing that was lined with several fire pits with logs pulled around them.

"Horace keeps a tight schedule. When he says were leaving first thing he means it. Get some rest, if you sleep in he will wake you up and I assure you, a face covered with goat slobber makes for a lousy morning." Fitz told them as they climbed out of the cart.

Gauner found that despite not having to put forth any effort of his own he was still exhausted from the days ride. He walked around the clearing, looking to find a log that was hollowed out. To his disappointment he found them all to be quite solid.

"If your looking to hike your leg we usually do that farther away from camp if you don't mind." Fitz said, having watched Gauner inspecting all the logs.

"Even in the wild we don't relieve ourselves where we sleep." Gauner's fur bristled as he spoke, "I'm just looking for a place to sleep. Though now that you mention it..." Gauner turned and trailed off into the woods.

"You found yourself an odd one that's for sure." Fitz told Gypsy.

Even through he had just left the clearing Gypsy already found that she could no longer see Gauner, he had slipped into the darkness of the forest with no sound or sight to track him by. "He is definitely that." She was very impressed with Gauner's stealth, she would have to see if he could teach her sometime.

Gauner returned some minutes later. Gypsy and Fitz had spread out blankets and were both settled in for the night. Horace, still wearing his harness had laid himself down beside his cart and was already fast asleep. The young fox started to walk into the clearing and froze, his instincts telling him something wasn't quite right. He turned his head to look over the campsite, large ears swiveling around trying to seek any sounds that didn't fit.

Twitching his nose he took a couple of quick sniffs and froze. Slowly he turned his head and looked straight up. There perched just above him was Noble. "Oh I do say! Good head on this one there. Good job Foxy good job. Not many notice me eh." Noble practically sang while jumping from one foot to another.

"Ah... hello, um... Noble right?" Gauner slipped into the campsite and took a position besides one of the logs that would be hidden from casual view.

"That's right! Now do get you some sleep Foxy, I got the night watch."

Gauner still wasn't too sure about trusting the large predatory bird to keep him safe, but not seeing an alternative, he curled up against the relative safety of the log and settled in for the night. Giving one last look at the figure perched above them he pulled on his illusions, he wouldn't feel as rested in the morning for it, but tonight, anyone outside the clearing would see clean unbroken forest.

***********************************************

Grimm lead his crew along the night dark road. Silver strands from the full moon slipping between the thick canopy overhead the only source of light. On his orders they marched along quietly. They would ghost through the forest at night and skirt around Serene Halls to the rolling hills beyond. As they walked through the dense woods he took pride in his bandit troop who made not a sound, and kept from sight.

The woods were patrolled far to well to allow themselves to be seen here. He knew he was taking a chance bringing them so near the city but he had no choice. The last camp had proved to be quite productive, but he knew better than to stay after that damn pair escaped.

Grimm ran his tongue across his teeth, feeling the large gap were several had been broken. He had to endure great pain pulling out the remaining shattered roots himself. If he ever caught her, that damn Riolu bitch would pay for what she had done.

He gave a quite, partially toothless snarl as he ran one clawed paw down his right flank, finding without any trouble the large infected wound on his side. It burned constantly, further stabbing pain with each step. The Riolu would pay, but her death would be pleasant upside what he had planned for the Fox.

Gauner, He wouldn't forget that name. The bite that devil fox left was deep, he hadn't just bit either, he had shook and tore the wound wide. Even now it refused to stay closed, weeping blood down his side each time it broke open anew. No he wouldn't forget that Fox, he would pay.

The angry Zangoose continued through the forest. Unaware as he walked just beyond the road that his troop was passing by the unaware camp by mere feet.

***********************************************

Gauner woke to the sound of Gypsy squealing loudly. Staying low behind the log he had slept by he crawled slowly to the end, raising his head over the log he looked to see what was happening and had to put both paws over his muzzle to keep from laughing.

Gypsy stood in the middle of the camp, her face somewhere between surprise and disgust as she tried to wipe away a rather impressive amount of saliva with both paws.

"I warned you Gypsy. Horace keeps a tight schedule." Fitz had apparently already packed up his blanket and was waiting beside the cart.

"A simple 'Hey wake up' would have been enough." Gypsy growled back, still trying futility to clean her face with her paws.

"Alrighty Alrighty! You and your fox friend take care of any business and get on the cart. We're waiting on you but I wont wait long!" Horace said with a smile, his head rocking to and fro again.

The mention of Gauner caused Gypsy's head to snap to where he sat. Gauner was able to look at her face for almost a full second before breaking into hysterical laughter. Gypsy's face flushed and she looked away.

"Sorry Gypsy, but your face..." Gauner couldn't continue as he was caught with another wave of laughter causing Gypsy to storm off.

"I'll be right back you monsters." She shouted at them as she pushed her way through the bushes.

After watching Gypsy disappear through the undergrowth the still chuckling Fox dispelled the illusion he had set on the clearing and walked over to where Fitz was assisting Horace in getting harnessed to the cart.

Gauner watched as Horace lowered himself to the ground between the poles that extended from the front of the cart. Turning his head to reach one side while Fitz worked the other they clipped his harness into the poles.

"That seems like it would be hard for you to do on your own, do you have to bring someone to help?" Gauner asked Horace as he stood and shook to settle the now laden harness.

"No, I can hook up and drop the cart on my own. I just can't take the harness on and off by myself. It is nice when there is someone to help though." Horace said while strutting in place to warm up his muscles for the day.

"Always happy to help," Fitz said while giving Horace a friendly pat before turning to Guaner, "We should get loaded up, Nobel already took off so as soon as Gypsy gets back we will be ready to leave."

"Okay," Gauner moved to the back of the cart an jumped up easily, his wounds no longer causing him any discomfort he was quite happy to be able to move as freely as he had before.

Fitz tossed his bone club to the front of the cart and climbed in over the side, taking his seat he leaded against the side rail as they waited.

Gypsy returned to the clearing, walking to the back of the cart she jumped in and took her seat across from Gauner who was looking forward, chatting idly with Fitz and Horace. Gauner looked over to Gypsy and was unable to suppress a snort of laughter, the fur of her face still showing signs of Horace's wake up call.

Bristling somewhere between embarrassment and anger Gypsy glared at the seated Fox, "Oh laugh it up, first chance I get I'll make sure you regret it."

"Alrighty alrighty! No fighting back there! And we're off!" Horace started with a skipping hop. The cart lurching into motion.

They road in silence for the rest of the morning. Picking at their travel rations they watched as the forest rushed by. As the trees traveled through the forest the trees steadily thinned until the group was able to look quite a ways into the surrounding woods.

Gypsy finally getting over the mornings embarrassment spoke while looking up into the sparsely clouded sky, "It's turning out to be a nice day. I didn't think a cart that moved this fast would be such a nice ride."

"There is a reason I like to travel with Horace." Fitz said while polishing his bone club with a small cloth, "He runs a good cart."

Horace gave a couple dancing steps, "Always nice to here your appreciated, not near enough of that in this business I'm afraid."

"Your making our trip a lot nicer that's for sure." Gypsy said with all sincerity, "Speaking of which, how much longer?"

"We made much better time that I thought yesterday, if we keep that pace we will be there around midday." Horace said with pride in his voice.

"Well then Gauner, that doesn't leave us much time," Gypsy began, "We need to get you ready for what to expect in the city."

Gauner sat up straight with his tail wagging happily. Always eager to learn he listen as Gypsy gave brief description of the city as well as a final rundown of the process for joining the guild, Fitz adding in details occasionally.

True to Horace's word they rounded the last turn in the road and began down the straight path to the city itself. Gauner looked in awe at what lay before him. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined something pokèmon built could be so massive.

Across the plains nestled against the woods the city stood tall. The city was laid out in a rough circle, the buildings getting taller and more grand as they approached the center where the guild headquarters stood by far taller than any other building. The headquarters of Tranquil Glade Guild was large sprawling building with snow white walls framed with logs. The building had numerous levels and wings visible even from a great distance.

As they continued to approach Gauner was able to make out more and more details on the various buildings. Each building was different, each had it's own unique design. Some were painted with grand windows and archways but most were plain wood and stone.

Horace slowed as they reached the edge of the city, "This is Forest Gateway Road, it's the least busy entrance to the city. I'm heading to the other side to drop of this cargo so I can take you right up to the Guild Office."

Gauner looked at the crowded streets, seeing more pokèmon than he had ever seen before. Everywhere he looked there was something new, some species he had never before encountered. For everyone he knew there must be a dozen he didn't.

"There are a lot of different kinds of pokèmon here. I didn't even know there was this many." He found himself placing his paws on the side of the cart to watch the passing cityscape.

"Before humans, pokèmon were isolated to their own regions. Thanks to human trainers we are quite a bit more spread out now. While your still more likely to run into certain kinds in specific areas, in cities like this you will see just about anything." Fitz explained as they rolled down the cobbled street.

"What is a human?" Gauner asked.

"That's my topic!" Gypsy said, perking up and sitting straight, "Humans were an intelligent species that at one time controlled the whole world. They weren't pokèmon but still had power all their own. They learned to tame and control pokèmon and many of them collected teams of pokèmon with them to fight for them. Hence why we are now more spread out than originally." Gypsy finished with a smug look, clearly proud of her knowledge on the subject.

"So, they kept pokèmon like animals and made them fight? That sounds horrible." Gauner shuddered at the though, "Where are they now?" He asked nervously.

"Dead." Answered Gypsy, "History says it wasn't as bad as you might think. That the pokèmon that served the humans wanted to do it, that the humans and their pokèmon truly cared for each other. Either way humans made some sort of mistake, we don't know what it was but it ultimately cost them all their lives."

"So they are all gone, and nobody knows why?" Gauner asked.

"Pretty much," Fitz said dryly, "The only thing we know is that they supposably left a final gift to all pokèmon. It's written on a stone monument in human ruins."

"What was the gift?" Gauner couldn't imagine anything left behind by a species that enslaved pokèmon could possibly be good.

"No clue." Gypsy said sadly, "We know they left us something. The words on the monument are an apology. A last message from humans to pokèmon. The monument is ancient, humans have been dead for almost three-thousand years. The words are worn and most of it is so far gone it can no longer be read."

"That's kinda sad." Gauner still didn't like the idea of humans, but liked the thought of important knowledge being lost forever even less.

The cart slowed to a stop, Gauner looked up to see that they had reached the guild's building. From up close the Guild Headquarters towered above all else. Gauner saw now that what had looked like smooth white walls were actually ornately carved stone framed in large smooth logs.

He jumped from the cart and approached the imposing structure, Gypsy and Fitz gave Horace a quick farewell and were right behind him. Together they walked amongst a multitude of different pokèmon through the massive main archway. Fitz took the lead, gesturing for them to follow.

They made their way through the large entry room, Gauner looking at around at the large and ornately decorated room. Scattered about were large status and displays. The walls were covered with bright tapestries and paintings all depicting pokèmon, many showed fights or disasters.

Gauner looked closely at one of the larger tapestries as they passed. It showed the still burning remnants of a village. As he looked he realized that it wasn't meant to show the destruction, but instead the numerous pokèmon depicted pulling survivors from the ruins, rescuers.

At the end of the hall Fitz turned to them, "This is where we part ways. I have to report to the Rescue Guild, you two need to go to the Immigration Office down that way," The Marrowak said pointing with his club, "Down the end on the left. Good luck." With a quick nod he was off, disappearing rapidly in the crowded room.

"I guess we go this way then." Gypsy said taking the lead as they walked down the hall Fitz had shown them.

Gauner followed along nervously, this was far more that he had expected, even with Gypsy's preparations he was unsure of himself. He decided that all he could do is trust in his friend and follow her lead as they headed back into the offices, at least there were a lot fewer pokèmon in that direction.

They found the office they needed with no trouble. A simple room it contained only a few decorations and a simple wood desk, behind which sat a rather plump looking Chinchino who was busily looking through paperwork.

Upon their entry the Chinchino looked up, setting his paperwork aside he stood and gave them a warm greeting, "Welcome. I'm Walter with the Tranquil Glade Immigration Department. What Can I do for you two?"

"Hello Walter, I'm Gypsy and this is Gauner." Gypsy relied to the Chinchino. "Gauner here is from a wild tribe and is looking to join the guild please."

"Ah not a problem at all. We can get the paperwork out of the way quickly. Since you say he's from a tribe I'm going to assume he already has the basic idea of citizenship?" Gypsy and Gauner both nodded, "Good then if you vouch for him Miss Gypsy, we will skip the basic orientation and fill out the required form."

"I've been teaching him about city life for a few days now, he's really smart and a fast learner." Gypsy said.

"That's good to hear, I'm going to assume that he can't read yet so you will need to read and fill out the form for him. And yes that's a form, pretty easy to join." Walter opened a desk drawer and handed Gypsy a single piece of paper. "You can use my desk if you would like. Please fill that out and we can continue."

Gypsy set the paper down and picked up a quill from Walters desk, dipping the nib in ink she set to filling out the form, reading each line out loud as well as stating the answer for Gauner's benefit. She was surprised to see how little information was actually needed; name, species, gender, age and birth date... "Uh Gauner?" She asked, Gauner's ears perking as he looked to her, "I never asked, how old are you?"

"Um, I'm not entirely sure myself, I didn't really have a way to track that on my own. I was sixteen when I left home and that was a little over three years ago so nineteen?"

Gypsy scratched in his age, "You wouldn't happen to known the exact day would you?"

"Sorry, we didn't keep track of days like you do. Um, would have been just before the start of winter." Gauner hoped that wouldn't be an issue.

"That's good enough Mr. Gauner. Pick any day you would like in that timeframe Miss Gypsy and we will take it." Walter said helpfully.

"Okay then," Gypsy put down her own birthdate since it was close and would be easy for her to remember just in case Gauner forgot what day they put. She quickly went through the rest of the form which was a short questionnaire about past experience with guilds. "Just needs a signature and it's done."

"If Mr. Gauner can't sign yet I will take verbal confirmation and you can do so for him." Gypsy gestured for him to continue, "Okay, Mr. Gauner. Do you trust the information Miss Gypsy has given on the form to be correct?"

"Yes." Gauner answered simply.

"You may sign for him Miss Gypsy." She signed and handed the form to Walter who placed it in a bin on his desk, "One last thing and we are done here."

Walter walked around the desk and stood next to a green and white flag, "This is the flag of Tranquil Glade, you will give a quick oath to it and you will be officially a citizen. Please stand here, raise your right paw and repeat after me."

Gauner walked to where he was told, sat down and raised his right paw.

"I Gauner, do swear to abide by all guild laws. To live in peace with the citizens of Tranquil Glade and respect the authority of the Tranquil Glade Guild." Walter said in a solemn tone.

Gauner repeated the oath to the flag, once finished he set his paw down and looked to Walter, "Is that all there is?"

"For now, I officially welcome to the guild. You will need to seek employment and will be expected to pay taxes. Miss Gypsy, will you be watching after Mr. Gauner?"

"Yes, I'm already a rescue guild member and Gauner is planning on joining with me." Gypsy informed the Chinchino.

"Perfect, you will want to proceed to the rescue guild office on the other side of the building and have him apply before they close for the night. Until Mr. Gauner has become acclimated he is your responsibility." Walter spoke to Gypsy but his tone made it clear that the words were for them both, "If you take a right out of the door and head straight across the main hall you will reach the office you need. I wish you well in guild life Gauner. Welcome again to Tranquil Glade and Serene Hall."

They both thanked Walter and walked back out to the hallway. Traveling down the corridor back to the main hall they walked in silence. Gauner walked with a slight spring in his step, first part done. He was surprised to feel his nervous tension melt away with that one simple encounter. He had joined the guild, he was part of the city, he belonged here now.

Gypsy lead them back across the main hall and down the direction Fitz had left in. Gauner noticed an immediate difference down this hall. Unlike the last hall, they had to pass through a heavy set of iron bound wooden doors. They had already been open when they approached, but that didn't take away the weight they seemed to put on the hall.

The grand decorations were absent here. The halls were instead adorned with images of serious looking pokèmon of various types, their judging faces staring at him from large portraits along both walls. Gauner looked at each of the paintings as they passed, taking note of each one he noticed a similarity. They all wore the same green garment over their right shoulder, draping down it seemed to be held in place by an large ornate pin near the top.

"Gypsy, why do they all have the same green cover on their shoulder?" He asked as they continued to the end of the hall.

"That's the sash of the Guild Leader, that shows that he or she is in charge of part of the Rescue Guild. There are three pokèmon that wear one, the green one is the leader of the rescuers. White leads the civic portion and black is for the judicial." Gypsy explained. "It's so even strangers to the guild know them at first sight. These are all the previous leaders throughout the years, we elect a new one every ten years."

Gauner looked again at the faces of the previous leaders, even though they were just paintings he could feel power radiating from their image. This was something he hadn't felt in a long time, the power of social order. The strength of all the pokèmon gathered together, represented by a single leader. Gauner couldn't help but feel intimidated.

As they approached the end of the hall they found themselves at another desk, at this one sat a pokèmon Gauner didn't recognize. Some form of canine, while obviously female she looked very large and very imposing. Her body was covered in orange fur with black stripes with a large lighter colored mane of fur around her head and neck.

Gauner was no stranger to strong females, while the lead warrior in the tribe was always male, they still had plenty of strong female warriors. Yet he had always found that no matter how strong they were they always seemed to look softer somehow. This female didn't look soft at all. She sat quietly behind the desk, watching them approach with eyes that seemed to pierce through to Gauners very soul.

They both jumped when she spoke gruffly, "How can I help you?" She continued to look down at them, towering above both themselves and the desk she sat behind.

"Um, I'm Gypsy, I'm from South Ford. I just joined the rescue guild there and am moving here." Gypsy pulled a paper from her pack and placed it on the desk before the massive dog.

The dog looked at the paper for a few second before leaning down, her muzzle twitched as she took a quick sniff of the paper, "Welcome Gypsy, we will get you a room in the dormitory and put you on the roster so you can get to work as soon as possible. Now who is this?" She said, returning her piercing stare to Gauner.

Gauner looked straight into her eyes, trembling slightly he tried to speak but couldn't find his voice. Her eyes narrow and she leaned forward to look straight down at him.

"This is Gauner, he was a wild but he just joined the guild today. He helped me escape from Grimm and he want's to join a team with me." Gypsy said to the large dog.

Gauner was relieved when her head turned to look at Gypsy instead, "Well if that's the case he will need to interview with our Borderland Relations Officers. I will see if they are free." She stood up and walked to a closed door on the side of the room, Gauner's eyes went wide, now that she was standing she looked far larger than before.

The big dog cleared her throat, then pounded one large paw against the door while shouting, "Get your lazy no good ass out here!" She then sat patiently as the sounds of someone scrambling to the other side of the door could be heard. The door opened to reveal an older and slightly drowsy looking Marrowak.

"This newbie wild wants to join a team with the Riolu, interview him." The dog said before turning on her heals and returning to her desk.

The Marrowak looked at the dog, who was no longer paying any of them any attention for a few seconds before looking at Gauner. "Well get in here then." He said, stepping aside to allow Gauner entry, he then turned to Gypsy, "Wait here, we will be done with your friend in a few minutes." With that he closed the door.

***********************************************

It had been several minutes since Gauner had been taken into the side room, Gypsy sat on the only bench in the small room and looked at the closed door, Gauner was adjusting quite well, but still, he hadn't been alone with other pokèmon much since they met. She hoped he would be okay.

She looked around the room again, for the third time since Gauner went into the side room. Just like the last two times there was nothing to see. Her gaze drifted around before settling again on the closed door.

A quite cough brought her attention to the Arcanine at the desk. Gypsy was surprised to find the previously stiff and grumpy dog had her front end laying on the desk, looking at her with a wide goofy grin, "So... you and the wild foxy then eh?"

Gypsy looked at the dog confused for a minute before she realized what had just been implied, "No! No were just friends were not like that!" She tried to curb her sudden embarrassment but knew she was failing miserably.

"Ah come on sweet heart, you can tell aunty Flare allll the dirty little details, she wont judge you. She likes the wild ones too." The Arcanine was still laying across the desk but now she had her hindquarters raised playfully, her fluffy tail wagging.

Gypsy looked at the suddenly happy dog behaving like an overgrown pup, "What..." was all she managed to say.

The big dog gestured with her muzzle to a clock on the wall that Gypsy hadn't seen before, "Six o'clock, shift is over. I get to be me again. Now tell me all about that sexy little fox."

Gypsy looked at the clock for a minute, a simple wooden machine using a weight on a cord to pull a handful of wood gears to turn a single wood hand, a set of counterweights spun gently back and forth to keep its pace. She had heard Far Reach had found a complete working human clock, she had to wonder what those long dead creatures would think of their attempts at mimicking their machines.

"So..." Flare said with a light curious tone pulling her attention back to the Arcanine who was pawing the desk impatiently.

"Um, I really don't know. We haven't... I mean we've only known each other for a few days really." Gypsy looked to the door as she spoke, Gauner had good hearing and she really hoped that whatever was going on in the room was enough to keep him from hearing this conversation.

Flare crossed her forelegs on the desk, her back end sinking down she laid her muzzle down with a huff, "Well that's no fun."

"Sorry," Gypsy looked at Flare's almost childish behavior and could scarcely believe this was the same dog that was there before.

"I know what you're thinking," Flare said, "Everybody gets caught off guard when I change. When I'm at work I have to behave properly since I am guarding the entrance here." She shook her head towards the far side door. "But really it's not me. If your going to team with that cutie fox you really should get to ah, 'know him' better, it will help in the long run."

Gypsy was caught off guard again when Flare turned the conversation again to Gauner, "I know it's not uncommon for team members to be... well acquainted... but I really don't know Gauner that well yet... I mean, maybe after we know each other better but that's hardly a requirement for being on a team."

Flare's face split in a grin that showed off her massive white fangs, "That's true. It is up to you two whether you do or not, but with young teams it does usually help break tension a bit. But if your not up to it just let me know, I will be more than happy to help tame the 'wild' in him."

Gypsy stared at the still grinning Arcanine before looking back to the closed door, Gauner better hurry it up she wasn't sure how much of this she could take.

***********************************************

Gauner had been surprised to find the old Marrowak was not the only pokèmon in the room. Beside him a large green serpent had sat coiled. Neither had bothered to introduce themselves, they had instead jumped right in to asking him questions.

At first the questioning was simple, they had asked him for his name and age, his type of pokèmon and how much experience he had. Simple things that Gauner answered quickly. But after they had asked him where he was from they both edged in intently.

"A tribe of your own kind? I haven't heard of anything like that before and it's my job to know about the wilds that are in and around Tranquil Glade." The old Marrowak said.

"How would something like that stay hidden I wonder..." The big snake said, its voice trailing off at the end, Gauner had been trying but had as of yet been able to distinguish its gender.

"We stay hidden from others as best we can. There are rules against allowing outsiders to even see you." Gauner answered.

"How can a whole tribe stay hidden." The Marrowak asked.

Gauner thought for a minute, he had told Gypsy about his illusions, he had had no choice, but he hadn't told anyone else. It was the tribes best defense and was meant to be kept secret, "I'm sorry, I can't tell you that. I left the tribe, but I hold nothing against them. Their secrets and for them to tell, not me, I haven't the right since I no longer belong to them."

The two interviewers sat silently for a moment before the snake asked, "That commitment is admirable, but I must ask, if you still have that kind of respect for them, why did you leave?"

"They wanted me to be something that I didn't want to be. We didn't get to make our own choices, so I left." Gauner hoped that they would accept that answer and not ask for more detail. He had told Gypsy and even Fitz already, but his past wasn't something he wanted to tell to everyone.

"Where did you go after you left? How did you survive on your own?" The Marrowak's voice betrayed suspicion of Gauner's answers.

"I'm not actually sure exactly where I went from the tribe, I just wandered for a while. As far as how I survived, I'm not proud of what I did." Gauner left it at that, hoping again that they would take that answer.

"And what was it you did that your not proud of young fox?" The snake focused on him making him uncomfortable.

Gauner looked at both the interviewers for a moment, unable to think of a good way to answer he decided to just be direct, "I tricked other into getting food for me, when that didn't work I stole it from them. I didn't like it but they could get more and I didn't know how."

The Marrowak sat silently, the snake gave a quite hiss, they both looked at each other for a moment before the Marrowak spoke again, "Why should we accept you then? If you have been what we fight against, why should we let you be one of us?"

Gauner had been dreading this question, he had knows it was coming and had answered it once to Fitz already, but he couldn't help but dread the response, "I didn't like doing what I did. I didn't want to do it. I want to change, I want to help you fight against it... I want to be better."

They sat, neither speaking, staring at Gauner. He didn't know if he should say more, didn't know if he should explain himself better, didn't know what to do, it was a feeling that brought up old memories he didn't like.

The Marrowak got up and walked behind Gauner to the door, "Thank you for being honest in your answers with us Gauner. We need to discuss this in private before we make a decision. If you would wait out with your friend we wont take long.

"Thank you," Gauner said as he walked through the open door, it closing softly behind him.

In the waiting room he found Gypsy waiting anxiously with the big dog laying in the floor beside her chatting. They both looked to him when he came out.

"Well?" The big dog asked before Gypsy could say anything.

"Um, they are discussing in private before making a decision." Gauner answered, a little confused at the dogs change in personality but still preferable to the interview room.

He walked over to where they were both sitting and started to take a seat next to Gypsy when a large paw suddenly pulled him over to the big dog's embrace, "Don't you worry yourself now, those two are stuffy and stuck up their own backsides but they are fair. They will let you in for sure."

Gauner found himself completely unsure what to do, the dog had him tucked between her forelegs and had begun rubbing her muzzle in the ruff of fur around his neck. He looked to Gypsy for help but she looked just as lost as he felt.

Gypsy finally tried to help, "Ah, thanks Flare, I'm sure Gauner appreciates the support but he's not too used to other pokèmon yet. You should probably let him go."

"Nonsense, everyone needs a cuddle from Aunty Flare from time to time." The big dog returned her attention to Gauner, keeping him snug between her massive legs and head.

"It's alright Gypsy, I don't mind," Now that he was over his initial shock of being taken so abruptly by such a large pokèmon he was beginning to relax. Flare's fur was very soft, and very warm, it was a pleasant embrace.

The door behind the three opened and the Marrowak stepped out, "Alright Mr. Gauner, we have decided to let you join on probation. That means your in for now, but we will be watching you, any sign of trouble and your out. You can come back in the morning and Flare will get the forms for you.

With that the Marrowak stepped back into the office and closed the door. Flare stuck out her tongue at the closed door before jumping easily over her desk to land on the other side immediately pulling out a form and laying it on the desk.

"Stupid stuck up bonehead, no need to wait till tomorrow to fill it out. Go ahead and fill it out tonight, I'll submit it for you in the morning." Flare told them while pulling out a quill and ink pot.

Gypsy began filling out the form while Gauner watched, he noticed Flare looking between the two and caught her eye for a moment, she gave him a quick wink causing his ears to heat with embarrassment.

"Okay, only one thing left. We need a team name, it's usually something to do with the members personality or type." Gypsy looked back to him, "What do you think?"

"I haven't really put any though to it," he had been focused on getting into the guild, not what to call their team, "Um, well I'm a dark type so... um... something with 'dark' or 'shadow' I guess?"

"Fighting type here, hrm... something simple type wise. I like 'shadow' it fits you, your the slinky sneaky steath fox." Gypsy said with a grin.

"So something that fits you for the first part then, 'Fighting Shadow'" Gauner stuck out his tongue immediately after the words came from his mouth, "No, that doesn't work."

"No, not at all. How about, 'Fighter's Shadow'?" Gypsy asked.

"That's better but I don't know about it." Gauner turned his head to one side, 'Blue Shadow' no no, maybe with a different word for blue?"

A deep rumbling chuckle brought their attention to Flare, who's tail betrayed her enthusiasm, "Let me give you two a hint, descriptive first action second, that's the normal way we make teams, makes it easy to change if you get a new member that doesn't fit the team name, so shadow first."

"Shadow... Punch? Paw? Fist?" Gauner asked, they were sounding better. He was determined to come up with a good name for them. It had to match them both, what did he know about Gypsy? He through back to their first meeting and smiled, "What was the first thing you did to me?"

"Um... I tied you up?" Gypsy replied.

"Oh! You dirty girl!" Flare raised up so fast she practically jumped, "Details please."

"Not like that, I caught him trying to steal my trail snacks, thought he was a bandit." Gypsy said quickly, she really hoped Gauner didn't understand the meaning Flare had implied.

"Awww... That could have been fun! Not sure how that would make a good name for you team." Flare said.

"Before you tied me up, you knocked me out with one strike, team Shadow Strike!" Technically two strikes, but Gauner was still trying to forget the first one.

"I like it!" Gypsy exclaimed, "What do you think Flare, does it sound good?"

"Sure does, put it down and you're all set!" Flare watched as Gypsy filled out the last bit of the form, taking it from her the instant she was done.

"So that's it? We are a team now?" Gauner asked.

"That's right. Welcome to the guild team Shadow Strike, let's get you a room." Flare pulled out a large ledger and opened it to a bookmarked page, "Okay, we have plenty of spare rooms right now, young teams tend to get a few new members along the way so lets put you in one with space for more... room 4236 then."

Flare spun the ledger around and pointed to a line, Gypsy wrote in the team name and returned the ledger as well as the writing tools to Flare. "Okay you two, follow me and I will show you to your new room."

"If you don't mind I will do that." They all turned to see Fitz leaning against a doorframe.

"Oh heya Fitz," Flare said with a seductive growl, "I guess I can let you do that, if you quit being a stranger and pop by my room tonight."

"I suppose I can manage that. Follow me." Fitz turned and walked away.

"Go on you two, I'll see you later," Flare said with a large smile painted across her muzzle, her wagging tail disturbing all the paperwork stacked on her desk.

Gauner and Gypsy both gave a polite nod and hurried to catch up to Fitz. They found him waiting for them at a stairwell. He nodded as they approached and lead them up to the fourth floor.

"The first number in your room tells you the floor, the second the wing," They exited to find themselves at a junction, Fitz pointed down the hall, "Second number odd you go left, even you go right." He lead them down the long hallway.

Gypsy looked at the number on a door as they past, "Okay, so we are fourth floor, to the right, room 36?"

"As long as you are using that stairwell yes, there is another at the end that leads to the training grounds, it will be closer for you most of the time." Fitz continued to lead almost to the end of the hall, stopping at their door he turned to them, "This is your room, you will be expected to show up at the main hall at first thing tomorrow morning. There will be a runner to wake you in the morning."

"Thank you Fitz." Gypsy said.

"It's not a problem Gypsy, I like the two of you. I think your going to be a promising new team. That's why I asked my father to let Gauner in." Fitz told them.

"The old Marrowak that interviewed me, he was your father?" Gauner asked, "Would he have said no if you hadn't asked him to?"

"Yes that was my father. My son is here too, he is in a team with Noble's daughter, I'm sure you will meet them tomorrow. My father wouldn't have said no, but he is very picky and would have probably made you go through an extended, and quite unnecessary entry training program for wilds."

"That sounds horrible, thank you Fitz," Gauner said with a bow, he liked to learn, but hated extra work without reason.

"Don't mention it, Noble and I are heading out to Far Reach tomorrow, they're having a bit of a bandit problem and have asked for help. Now if you don't mind it seems I have an old friend to visit tonight." With that he gave a quick nod and headed back down the hallway.

"She is going to crush him," Gauner said watching the Marrowak walking away.

Gypsy giggled and opened the door, "I'm pretty sure I don't even want to know how that's going to work."

They walked into their new room and looked around, it was a plain square room with an attached kitchenette. The main room had a padded sunken area that contained a large round table. There was a short hall that had openings but no doors, each leading to a small room that contained a bed, a nightstand and a storage chest.

The entire space was otherwise unfurnished and undecorated. Left clean and open just waiting for a new team to move in. Gauner and Gypsy both explored their new home. Gypsy watched as Gauner again sniffed each new space, remembering what he had told her at the inn she closed her eyes and took a few quick sniffs.

She was surprised at the information her nose gave her. Still new to using the sense like Gauner did she wasn't able to pick out individual smells but was completely overwhelmed by what she was able to pick up. She opened her eyes and looked at the small room, whoever last stayed in this room was a water type.

"So, what room do I use?" Gauner asked from behind her.

"Pick whatever one you want, I'm going to take this one if you don't mind," Gypsy walked into the room and looked out the large window.

"Fine with me, I will take this one straight across that doesn't have a window, nice and dark." Gauner walked into his chosen room and bent around to unclasp his pack, dropping it to the floor. "So what now?"

"Well, it's a little to late to go explore the city. Let's just take it easy here so were ready for starting our work tomorrow." Gypsy dropped her own pack on her bed.

"Can we work more on reading then?" Gauner looked to her with pleading eyes, tail wagging.

"Sure thing." Gypsy pulled the study books from her pack and lead the way into the common area.

They worked together the rest of the evening, making great progress in Gauner's ability to read. It would still be some weeks before he would be able to read fluently but Gypsy had no doubt in her new parters ability to learn and adapt.

Finally tiring they turned in to their respective beds for the night. Getting their much needed rest so they could start the next day as Team Shadow Strike.