Action: Welcome seems like they are still on their way to getting super rank.
Drayden: We’re out of Mistralton City, stop complaining.
Kenta: We also still have time before the tournament in Driftveil.
Carter: Maybe something interesting will happen.
Reuben: Thumper, Scamp, can you can it? This is our chapter today so let’s get on with it.
Action: Let’s get on with it.
Iris: Action doesn’t own Pokemon, art, or music links if used.
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~Reuben’s~
(Tera Raid Theme - Pokeli)
It was Wednesday morning and we just finished registering for the tournament. Glad that’s done but we still have another day before the damn thing starts.
“As you know the tournament starts on Friday and what you do with your time till then is up to you but stay in the city,” Drayden said and I rolled my eyes. As we were walking back to head to the city I saw a construction zone and in the center seemed to be an entrance to a cave. I think I know what I’m doing tonight and I’m dragging Thumper and Scamp with me. Let’s see if those two can handle the heat.
“We should do some training in the meantime,” Kaiser said and his whole team agreed. Guess the taste of defeat lingers in their mouth. I have to agree that losing to Team: Fusion was a bit irritating. I know next time we meet, my team will be ready.
“Do we have any plans, Reuben?” Kenta asked. I smirked a bit.
“Yes, we do. Wait for me to message you and you’ll know what’s going on,” I couldn’t contain my joy. One thing I love is an adventure and I can sniff one with that cave.
“I don’t like that look on your face,” Kenta seemed weary of my look.
“What does it matter? You’ll still listen anyway,” Carter sighed. Kenta blushed at Carter’s words.
“Well, of course. He’s our team leader,” Kenta started to twiddle his thumbs.
“One thing to know Kenta, your leader's words are not absolute,” Carter glared at me. “I’ll play this game for now though,” Carter then looked away and kept walking.
“I’m surprised this tension is happening now with you kids. I thought it would happen sooner,” Drayden commented.
“You can’t just say that Drayden,” Iris scolded the old dragon.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Ark asked.
“Nothing, just that I thought the facade of buddy-buddy would disappear after a month or so, however, it seems the tension needed for your teams' bonds to grow was just the experience outside of the academy,” Drayden started to laugh. All of us gave him a weird look as to why he would be enjoying this. “Let me not interrupt, I have some meeting to attend while here so go do your own thing,” Drayden then walked towards the direction of a fancy building as we made our way to the Pokemon Center. My teammates went up to their rooms as I hung out downstairs. I noticed Kaiser and his team were doing a team meeting so I decided to interject.
“Hey, Snow White, what ya doing?” I said with a big grin on my face and I could see Kaiser deflate. It brings me joy to see I still can wear him down.
“We’re having a team meeting. Making plans to prepare for the tournament,” Kaiser stayed professional. What is with him and doing his best to be proper?
“If you don’t mind we need to practice for the different formats,” Ark interjected
“Formats?” I was confused. “What is Gaston talking about,” I emphasized his nickname and I could see him grit his teeth.
“Do you not pay attention to the lessons Drayden has been teaching us?” Ignis let out a sigh.
“No, that’s what Thumper is for,” I was dead serious, and they sighed collectively.
“In tournaments, each round is different. You would know this if you have been paying attention,” Ark jabbed me with his words.
“There is a team battle, capture the flag, king of the hill, and one-on-one,” Kaiser explained.
“Of course, one-on-one has teams at a disadvantage as you only need two wins. Personally, I think that’s my favorite,” Ignis explained.
“Team battle has the whole team fight in a regulated area. It could be a battlefield or it could be an abandoned area. Personally, my favorite as it shows team coordination,” Ark gushed a bit.
“Capture the Flag works as it sounds, there are five flags scattered in a fight area, and the team that collects the most before time up wins. You can steal from the opponent too, just don’t let them catch you. I forgot to mention that there will be a five-minute timer. This one is more my style,” Kaiser shared with a smile.
“Let’s not forget King of the Hill as it is the most uncommon but one team is given a fortress to defend with a flag in it. There will be a ten-minute timer as the attacking needs to either steal the flag out of the fortress or defeat all defending team members,” Ark explained further.
“Thanks for the lesson, Ragnarok, but let them come from Drayden next time,” I sighed. Why was I upset with them? Doesn’t matter as my team is going to have some fun tonight.
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~Kenta’s~
(Area: Planet Wisp - Sonic Colors)
It was getting considerably late since it was springtime. I decided in my free time to go to the store and treat myself to some fruit and studied up on some study tactics. The sun was practically down meaning it was around eight P.M. I got a message on my ORB and opened it. It was from Reuben asking both Carter and me to meet him in front of the PWT. He asked me to bring some flashlights specifically. The fact he knows that I have a ton of flashlights makes me subconscious as the group bookworm since I read late into the night sometimes. I did what was asked and made my way over to the PWT.
“What took you so long?” Carter raised an eyebrow.
“We’re breaking some rules right now so I was debating whether or not to follow what Reuben said,” I couldn’t meet his gaze.
“At least you're here. Now, follow me,” Reuben started to lead us to a construction zone right next to the main building. I didn’t realize they were still building the whole structure. Though why would they be piling rocks in instead of digging it out?
“Guys, we shouldn’t be in here,” I said.
“Stop whining and give me a flashlight,” Reuben demanded and I did as he said. We followed him to the cave and to our surprise it looked like it was here to serve a purpose. It’s different from Chargestone Cave from what I remember.
“This looks like a normal cave to me,” Carter wasn’t amused. Reuben then sighed as if he didn’t want to deal with his sass.
“There has to be a reason for this cave to be here,” Reuben sounded full of confidence.
“What if it’s just a normal cave?” Carter’s voice dripped with sarcasm. The two continued to bicker and I opened my ORB screen. I looked at the map and it showed a weird connection from here to Castelia City, but how is that possible? As I was looking at my map I realized that I lost sight of Carter and Reuben. I started to panic and quickly grabbed another flashlight out of my bag so I could illuminate the area.
“Reuben! Carter!” I tried shouting their names and my voice echoed against the cave walls. There was no response. This isn’t good and I don’t remember how to get to the entrance. “Alright, think Kenta, you studied what to do for any given situation. You just need to apply it,” I was talking to myself. I continued walking in the cave and I then got a voice message from Reuben.
It started with the two arguing. “ Kenta, we’re sorry. We didn’t notice you weren’t with us. We’re searching for you now,” That was Reuben and to hear his voice filled with concern made me happy.
“It’s your fault you know,” Carter commented.
“Shut up,” Reuben said and the voice message ended. I continued walking for a few minutes but I didn’t see them. Though I could hear the sound of footsteps, they weren’t ones I was familiar with. They were light and barely made a sound. It felt like I was being followed forever as I traveled through this cave. I decided to open my ORB screen and see where I was. It said I was in the cave known as the Relic Passage. I then saw a form in the distance that was too small to be one of my teammates. When I got closer it seemed to be a Drilbur. It couldn’t hurt to ask him for help.
“Um, hello,” I tried to get his attention. He didn’t seem phased by my voice and turned to face me. He looked a bit older than me somewhere around seventeen I’d guess. I saw he had a gem in his hand, he probably dug it up recently.
“What’s a kid like you doing down here?” He gave me a confused look. I puffed my cheeks at the sound of him calling me a kid, however, now is not the time to be insecure.
“I’m looking for my teammates. I lost them on our way in here,” I answered his question. He looked as if he was thinking about something.
“Sorry. I can’t help you. The only one I’ve seen is you,” he shrugged.
“Thanks for your help,” I sighed while my body slumped. As I started to walk past him he tried to jab me with his claw. Sprung forward and it looked as if he was ready for a fight. I dropped my flashlight as I dodged Drilbur’s attack.
“What was that for?” I was confused.
“You’re the last one we’re looking for. My teammates said they spotted and were in pursuit of two Pokemon. They said they were missing a teammate and that has to be you,” the Drilbur came at me again with his claws shining gray.
This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“So why attack me?” I countered his attack with Tail Slap.
“We plan to capture the three of you. What else would a rogue team do?” He caught my tail with one claw and attacked me with the other as I went tumbling across the cave floor. A rogue team but there were no reports of one being formed here in Driftveil.
(Lively Cyber Detective - Digimon Story)
“What! A rogue team!” I was surprised.
“Yeah, I’m not surprised you haven’t heard of us yet. We are newly formed after we failed the entrance exam. I’m the leader, Soren, of Rogue Team: Venom,” Soren explained. My previous thought was correct and they must be making Relic Passage their base of operations. It doesn’t help I don’t know my way through here or where my teammates are this is not good. Even after weighing my options, the best one is to run. Grabbing my flashlight I book it further into the cave. While I was running I could hear the sound of drilling as it got closer but I couldn’t see Soren up until the noise was coming from beneath me. The ground broke beneath me as Soren attacked me again sending me rolling through what seemed like a door frame. Oddly enough there was light so I didn’t need my flashlight anymore but then a second wave hit my nose and it smelled awful. When I got up I saw it was a weird underground as if construction was done here.
“Are you ready for more because after I’m done with you I’m gonna sell you off and make some cash,” the Drilbur had a look of greed on his face. I have no choice but to fight, you can do this, and you train just like everybody else.
“I’m ready,” I took the chance and went straight to Soren. He got ready for an attack but he didn’t know what I was about to do. I nimbly went around him and started to tickle him with my tail. I'm not as strong as the average Pokemon my age so I have to even the playing field.
“Stop it, that tickles!” Soren screamed out. Now time for the big surprise my tail then got coated in water as I slashed across Soren. The only time that I’ll be thankful that my father is a Golduck. He’s the one who talked my mother into making me the bookworm that I am now.
“How’s that?” I boomed with confidence.
“Nice move and execution, but you need a bit more to beat me,” He walked towards me slowly. One claw became gray as the other glowed white. “Power is everything!” he shouted as he began his all-out assault. I quickly dodged his first few attacks but I couldn’t keep up with his Metal Claw and Brick Break combo. I got hit by both the attacks and the momentum sent me teetering towards the railing. I need to use an individual tactic. I don’t know many as most of my studies were team oriented. The moves I currently know don’t help me in the situation I’m in. I’m not sure what to do, without Carter and Reuben I’m nothing.
“What do I do?” I asked myself.
“That’s what I like to see, fear and panic. I’m going to enjoy this,” he licked his lips which made me more afraid. Why is this just like when I was captured by the Galvantula? This is now the second time I have been captured. “Now let’s hear that voice beg for mercy,” Soren came at me and closed my eyes.
“Reuben, Carter, I need you!” I screamed out in fear.
“And we need you, Thumper,” It was Reuben’s voice. I opened my eyes and his wool was absorbing Soren’s attack.
(Tera Raid Theme - Pokeli)
“Reuben’s right, your tactics help out a lot,” Carter was behind Soren.
“How is that possible, Yumi and Gus should’ve captured you by now,” there was shock on Soren’s face as this wasn’t supposed to happen.
“Oh, you mean these two over here,” There was an unconscious Timbur and Woobat near Carter. “They did give us some trouble, nothing we couldn’t handle,” there was the normal tone of superiority in Carter’s voice.
“How did the two of you find me?” I was still a bit shaken.
“You should know Lillipups can sense danger and the moment Scamp noticed something was up when we got attacked. Didn’t help they had the advantage and without your tactics I hate to admit but took longer for me to knock them out,” Reuben gave me a backwards compliment.
“Hey, don’t act like I’m not here!” Soren looked furious. “There is no way we were beaten by a bunch of kids!” The Drilbur got back in a fighting stance.
“These kids are one of the two teams that passed the Opelucid entrance exams,” Carter had a snarky grin.
“No way,” Soren started to falter. “How did you pass when I couldn’t pass the Nimbasa Entrance exam,” Soren then realized he was outmatched. Next thing we know the area is filled with sand blowing in all directions. “Seems like I must run for now, but you’ll see me again and I will get my revenge,” Soren’s voice was louder than the sandstorm but it was hard for me to see. When the storm subsided no one was around besides me and my teammates. With further inspection, there was a giant hole and the two that were knocked out were missing.
“He’s getting away,” Carter was angry.
“Let the twats go, they aren’t worth our time,” Reuben had a scowl on his face. I ran up to my teammates and tackled them.
“Thank you guys so much, I was so scared,” I nuzzled into both of them.
“It’s not a problem we are teammates after all,” Carter blushed.
“Yeah, Thumper we can’t lose a teammate,” Reuben couldn’t make eye contact.
“You say that, but these last few months of us working together I’ve seen you guys as my older brothers instead of teammates. I’ve never had a connection with my family really but this feels like one,” we all got up.
“Kenta’s right, I’ve never had a family as I ran away from my adoptive father. This feels more like a family if anything,” Carter chuckled.
“Sure, whatever the two of you say,” Reuben turned the other way as he opened his ORB map. I'm sure he feels the same way as he grew up in the orphanage alongside Kaiser. Plus he didn’t use insults or nicknames.
“What do we do now?” I asked.
“Well, right now we’re in the Castelia City Sewers and not far from Castelia City. It’s only ten at night so we could explore a bit of the city before we head back,” Reuben started to walk and we followed.
“How do we plan on getting back genius,” Carter growled lightly.
“There is a ferry that leads back to the docks of the PWT at midnight,” I interjected.
“Thumper, how do you know that?” Reuben had a surprised look on his face.
“I told you I was a book worm and not only did I study battle tactics, history, and geography but I studied all of the regions and what happens in their major cities. I always wanted to ride a ferry and I remember the times the ferries docked and left to assist that dream,” I blushed as I rambled.
“Let’s get going, we are here, let's enjoy it,” Carter smiled as he raced up the stairs leading us out of the sewers. Both Reuben and I chased after him.
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~Carter’s~
(Area: Planet Wisp - Sonic Colors)
I couldn’t contain my excitement anymore. I’ve never had the chance to travel growing up and before being a part of Team: Basic I’ve only been in Wyndon City. When we came out of the Sewers we saw the lights of the city and the tall buildings, not to mention the large number of Pokemon Traveling and minding their own business. It’s nothing like Wyndon City and I love it.
“Scamp you can’t just leave us behind,” shit I forgot I had these two with me, act normal.
“You guys are slow, that’s all,” I gave them the cold shoulder and they both rolled their eyes.
“Where to first?” Kenta had a sparkle in his eyes and it was so cute.
“They have an art gallery I want to check out,” Reuben said without a care.
“You like art!” Both Kenta and I were alarmed.
“So what, back at the orphanage I did a lot of art to help pass the time. Plus in my room I have a few drawings and paintings,” Reuben sounded annoyed.
“Maybe I should stop by and check your crappy art,” I joked and Reuben punched me lightly.
“I want to try the Castelia Cone. I heard it used to only be sold on Tuesdays but now they are sold every day,” Kenta started to drool a bit and it was funny.
“I want to check out Cafe Sonata, they have a different singer come in every day. Plus I hear they serve the best drinks in the city,” It wasn’t a lie. As someone who has been sheltered their whole life from interaction or traveling aside from seeing Gale and my father. After being admitted into the academy I got a tourist guide of the region and this stood out to me. Gale would always play music for me in the manor’s courtyard, it would be something I looked forward to every day. However, it’s almost been a year since we snuck out and I’m still mad at him anyway.
“Well, we have the time, let's check out everything together,” Kenta started to run into the city. We caught up to him and went and got ice cream first. Kenta took the time to take a picture to add to his collection. While we were enjoying our ice cream we watched as the large number of Pokemon that were walking in a hurry to their destination. At one point a Swadloon stopped and talked to us about the ice cream we had bought. It was weird as if he had never seen a Castelia Cone before. There wasn’t much of a line for it either so he could easily buy one himself. We all sat there looking at the man as if he was stupid but Kenta being nice engaged him in conversation till he left five minutes later.
We then went to the art exhibit and it was so weird for Reuben to be inspecting the paintings as if he enjoyed it. He wore a smile on his face the whole time. Kenta got a good picture of him staring at a painting by a man named Burgh. Reuben then pulled out a small notepad in his pocket and I leaned over his shoulder to look and it seemed he had some sketches and notes in there. As he flipped the pages there were sketches of everyone at the academy including Iris, Drayden, and Ice.
“So you do have a soft heart,” I teased our leader.
“Shut up Scamp, Art just helps me pass the time especially when we’re not training,” the wool sheep blushed. I started to chuckle as you can’t be loud in an art gallery, though, Kenta punched my arm. We weren’t there for long and as we exited towards the entrance Kenta got a photo of us all together.
Lastly, we went to the cafe I talked about which was down a shady alley but the decor inside offsets the whole shady feeling. Tonight's singer was a Prinplup who looked like she was sixteen. Her name was Mona Sanchez. Her name sounded familiar as if I read about her in a magazine before. She sang a few songs while we were there but one that stood out to me was her cover of No More What Ifs. Reuben teased me a bit as I swayed to the music but Kenta joined me as he could feel the music the same as I was.
“We should get going, it’s almost time for our ferry,” Reuben pointed out as he finished his drink.
“Whatever, killjoy,” I sighed.
“Wait, I need a photo of us together,” Kenta posed as his ORB took a photo of us in our booth. We paid for our drinks and exited the building to the alley. It didn’t take long to get to the docks. Kenta took care of finding the boat and buying us tickets. It didn’t take long for us to board either.
(Emotion - Vanguard G)
“Thumper what are you going to do with all the photos you’ve been taking?” Reuben asked. We all could see Kenta scrolling through all the photos he’s been taking since joining the academy.
“Nothing, I just thought I would take pictures of places I’ve been and those who are important to me,” Kenta smiled while scrolling through.
“Why not post it on social media, I’m sure others would enjoy seeing the sights through your eyes,” shit, something not grouchy came out of my mouth. Reuben raised a brow at me.
“You’re right, I already had an account on Flight. I was scared to post though,” Kenta pulled up his profile. Flight is an app where you mark where you travel and share posts with others. I follow a few influencers there myself, as my dream is to travel the world. For each city you visit it marks it personally on the app and after you visit a certain number of cities the app awards you with royalties.
“I’ll follow you to give you support,” Kenta blushed at my remark and Reuben seemed a bit angered.
“I guess my first post will be the pictures I took in Castelia City,” Kenta started to pool the pictures into his post. That’s when the boat started to head to sea towards Driftveil. “I won’t forget to tag the both of you too,” Kenta looked so happy.
“Whatever, not like it matters to me,” I stared out at Castelia City as it slowly became farther and farther away.
“This hot and cold from you Scamp is throwing me off,” Reuben seemed a bit agitated.
“Done!” Kenta shouted and I instantly got a notification on my ORB that I was tagged in a post.
“Out in Castelia City with the best teammates, a great sight to see,” I read aloud and laughed at how cheesy it was. Reuben joined in too.
“Hey, don’t laugh,” Kenta whined.
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Action: Another chapter done and our focus was Team: Basic. I hope you all enjoyed it.
Reuben: These dumb fairies better have because Team: Basic will have another Team-focused chapter.
Kenta: No need for name-calling Rueben but I do hope everyone liked our dynamic.
Carter: It’s whatever really.
Action: I know this wasn’t action-packed, but I hope you enjoyed it.
Kenta: Well our adventure will continue.
Cater: Don’t forget to fav, follow, and review. We’ll see you next time.
Reuben: Bye.