“Oh my Arceus, Oh my Arceus, Oh my Arceus!!!” Olly has his paws close to his smiling mouth, sitting at the breakfast table. “I’m so excited! Betty the Brionne, now a member of our group! This day could not get any better!!!”
Ralph puts his paw on the oshawott’s shoulder. “Take it easy there, Olly… It’s too early… There are still some pokemon sleeping.”
Olly rubs the back of his head and chuckles. “Sorry… I’m just so happy about this…”
“Yeah, we know you are…”
Diego smiles. “Well, I’m glad you are thrilled for a known pokemon to be joining our ‘family.’ However, she also comes with news regarding our ‘friends’ in Heroto. The celebi has been causing a lot of trouble in the region, and many are taking notice… Not just her, but the rest of the team as well. It has caught the attention of the high council.”
“So, isn’t that a good thing?” asks Barnaby.
“It’s good and bad,” states Diego. “While Mayor Azumarill and the council are aware, Ezma is pushing to keep things under wraps and ensure the guild is in line.”
“Of course,” comments Amber. “When doesn’t that mew ever?”
“It’s much deeper than you think,” says Betty. “Team Rescuers are nothing but a band of pokemon with a history of issues, and Ezma is conscious of all of that. I heard her saying she’s had ‘so many strings pulled and things she’s done’ to get Cindy in the group. Same goes with the others, I imagine.”
“Oh, we know,” Audrey adds. “They all are, yet Ezma insists they ‘need more work.’ It’s been constant for years… That mew always does these things because she’s hiding things. She’s done a lot of things that are controversial.”
Ralph takes notice of Zach’s silence as he’s got his head into a slip of paper in front of him. “What’s that, Zach?”
Zach looks to him. “Huh? Oh, it’s nothing, really… Just some form of advertisement.”
“Let me see.” Betty takes the card from his paw and inspects it. “It looks like a recruitment card to join the Aura Army.” She looks to him. “Where did you get this?”
“Lieutenant Luther Lucario gave it to me,” Zach tells her. “He offered it to me, saying he’d give me ‘opportunity and choice,’ if I joined. I’m unsure about it, though…”
“You? In the Aura Army? That would be a sight. Imagine you in a uniform, heh…”
“Oh yes,” comments Ralph with a smile, fantasizing the riolu in combat gear. “Such a cutie…”
“The Aura Army is nothing to fret over,” says Diego. “Those pokemon are great protectors, and they’ve proven to be a value to the pokemon they defend. They are also friendly with other guilds, working alongside some of them. Team Rescuers are not one of them, however.” He looks to Zach. “Do you plan to join them?”
Zach turns back at him. “I… don’t really know… Luther Lucario said he wouldn’t mind accepting me, and any other misfits, into his organization… But, I’m not so sure… I mean, I want to enter a guild…”
“That’ll help you with all of that. You’d get the training, experience, and skills that guilds look for. I’ve heard stories about Aura Army soldiers finding some positions in guilds.”
“You should go for it,” Hachi tells him. “A pokemon in their ranks came up to you and made you an offer! That’s a high honor to be selected for something prestigious.”
“I agree,” adds Olly. “You’d have some protection from Team Rescuers. They wouldn’t be able to touch you if you wore a military uniform.”
Gem chuckles. “Would be interesting to see Riolu Boy enrolled in the Aura Army. We might benefit from him.” Gas nods in agreement. The others weigh in on their opinion.
“Pokemon, Pokemon,” utters Diego, showing his claws up. “I understand this is big news for us to hear Zach receiving this offer.” Diego faces the riolu. “However, it is up to him whether or not he’d like to proceed with this.”
Zach looks back down at the card, then back up to the group. “I’ll think about it… I don’t want to rush and make a decision now…”
“Take your time, Zach. It’s your decision, and whatever you do, it is up to you. We all will respect you for your choice.”
Zach looks up at the dragonite. “And what do you think?”
“Personally, I’m not so sure. I know they do things very different than a traditional guild. From what I hear, they encourage their soldiers to take positions that aren’t typical within their ranks. I’ve listened to pokemon talk about their experiences and where they’ve gone. Most of them all say they don’t care what you do, so long as they serve their country and are loyal. Hell, some of the pokemon remain on as reservists; work at their own occupations and become soldiers when called up to action. If it were me, I would want to find out more.”
“Thanks, Diego…”
“Say,” Olly begins to Betty. “I’ve been kind of curious as to why you’ve decided to join us. Were you a misfit before and was looked over by Team Rescuers?”
“I don’t think Betty wants to share her story if she wants to,” Ralph tells him.
Betty holds up her paw. “No, no. It’s quite all right. You all deserve an explanation.” She downs some water and clears her throat. “I want to begin with my life story. It would make more sense if you all knew where I came from: It all began when I was a newly-hatched popplio. My parents didn’t really make much money, and barely could afford the next meal. So, they sold me to another pokemon to make ends meet. When I came of age, that pokemon tossed me and told me I was old enough to earn my keep. I was homeless for a while, took up performing on the streets for money. I sang, danced, did tricks, juggled, flipped, etc. Eventually, my gigs ended up at the tavern. Mostly because I became of age and… you know…”
Ralph’s eyes widen. “You mean-”
“Oh yes,” responds Betty. “Like Zach’s pathetic mother, I got involved in that stuff, except pokemon actually paid me for it. I did dirty-dancing and ‘backstage stuff.’ I was making more than a craftsmon. Eventually, my act caught the attention of a certain pokemon…” She turns to Zach. “You know him already.”
“Ringmaster Raichu,” Zach says.
“Uh huh.” Betty continues her story. “After seeing what I can do, he offered to take me into his circus. Of course, how could I refuse? I figured it was better money, and I didn’t have to do extra. When I joined the circus, pokemon recognized me and saw me better than ever. I was a star… I began to enjoy the life Ringmaster Raichu helped build for me… Being at the circus, and a huge hit… Though, I’m not proud of a lot of the things I’ve done… I didn’t really see myself as a misfit, yet reflecting on all of this stuff now, I should’ve come to you sooner…”
“We all have had our beginnings,” Diego states. “They may not be perfect or incredible, but that’s what makes us who we are… We become by choice, and do what is best for us.”
“Of course, I wouldn’t have been a huge star if Ringmaster hadn’t taken a chance on me.”
“Yeah,” utters Zach. “That’s right… Ringmaster took a chance on me, too… Your cousin, Mary Azumarill, has, too…” Zach looks back at the card in his paw. “And now, Luther Lucario wants to take a chance on me…”
Betty puts her paw on his shoulder. “I have no doubt you’d show him how incredible you are and what you’ve done. You’ve proven to both Ringmaster and Azumarill you are a good, loyal worker, and have the heart of a fighter. You should go for it. Even if you don’t pursue a full-time position, you’d make a great soldier, regardless.”
Zach gives a smile. “I mean, I could go for it… Who knows? Might learn a thing or two…”
Apatite runs into the room. “Diego, I-I think we have a p-p-problem…!”
Diego turns and faces the shiny sableye. “What is it, Apatite?” Explosions rock the entire mansion, causing many to maintain their balance. “What in the world’s going on?!” After several more hits to rattle the dwelling, Diego rushes out of the room with many of the pokemon following him. Upon making it outside, the group become stunned to see spheres of energy hurling toward them. They scatter and dodge the attacks, which come from the foliage.
“What’s going on?!” Niko spurts. “Who’s attacking us?!” In a moment of peace, a loud guffaw catches the pokemon off guard.
“Well, well, well,” says the voice from trees. “What do we have here? All the misfit pokemon have gathered outside to witness the destruction of their home, and their own demise.”
Diego gets into a ready stance. “Cinthia Celebi! Should’ve known!”
“Couldn’t be more right, Dragonite.” At the sound of her name, she flies forward and reveals herself. “Betty the Brionne?! Well, isn’t that rich?! Didn’t expect you to be mixed up with these undesirables! Then again, doesn’t surprise me a circus misfit like yourself would end up with horrible pokemon, especially when you care for a runt.”
“What I do does not concern you!” shouts Betty. “It’s my life, and I make my own choices!”
“Well, you chose… poorly! And now, you will die alongside the runt riolu and his new ‘friends.’” She laughs maniacally before disappearing into the trees. “Team, let’s send these misfits to where they belong!” More attacks hurl forth in the form of energy beams, fire, water, rock, and other elements. Some of the misfit pokemon dodge, fire back with their own attacks, or hide behind cover. Betty being one of them as she extinguishes some fires caused by the monferno.
One attack knocks Betty to the ground, causing Olly to run to her. “Betty!” He holds her in his paws. “You okay, my sweet?!” The buizel appears in front of them, slamming onto the ground. “Jacob!”
“Hope you have your tombstone ready, because I’m about to celebrate as an only child!” He prepares for a powerful punch, only to be knocked away by the riolu with his foot. Jay gets back to his feet. “Runt Riolu! You want a rematch?!”
“Oh, trust me, Jacob, it won’t be much of a ‘match,’” says Zach.
“You’re right! Instead of just beating you, I’ll be KILLING you!” Jay charges forward with an aqua jet, but Zach counters with metal claw and fends him off from Olly and Betty; using force palm, quick attack, and bullet punch to retaliate. Jay catches his breath. “Ugh, you cannot win!” He charges once more with aqua jet, much like in the tournament, only to be knocked out when the riolu readies himself and punches him in the head at the right time.
“Jacob!” shouts Cindy, turning to see her mate downed. “Runt Riolu, you’re dead!!!" She flies toward him, racing to the jackal pokemon, who readies himself. However, the celebi is knocked away and into a tree by two powerful streams of water from behind the riolu.
Zach relaxes his stance and turns to surprise. “W-what?!” He looks to the source of the streams, pinpointing them to Olly and Betty. “Thanks for that, guys.”
“Family sticks up for each other, right?” says Betty. Zach gives a nod. Fighting ceases with much of the rescuers weakened by the other pokemon and causes them to back up all together.
But the main reason is the appearance of their guild master, who is seen floating in the air with eyes glowing blue, floating toward the pokemon. “That is enough! You pokemon have done enough! Now, you must pay the price!”
“Not if we have anything to say about it!” shouts a voice from nearby. Everyone identifies the source to Luther Lucario, who assembles his armed forces in quick timing. Pokemon in light armor and helmets surround the guild with guns at the ready, as well as tanks and other armored vehicles. “Causing more trouble again, are we Miss Mew?”
“Luther,” spurts Ezma, her eyes fading back to their normal state. “No surprise you’d be here.”
“No surprise you’d be here, as well. How many times do we have to tell you to stay out of trouble?! You and your team know better than to attack neutral territory!”
“Luther, my team and I were hunting down some bandits in the area, before we were ambushed by these misfit pokemon!”
“Uh huh…” The lucario crosses his arms. “Another excuse for attacking innocent pokemon who have been doing nothing to you? When will you ever learn?”
“These misfits are always in the way of everything! I will not stand for this, Luther!”
“Get out of my sight! You and your little ‘guild!’ And if I catch you all sniffing about here again, there’s going to be immediate action!” The mew grunts, turns, and orders her team to retreat, to which they do with grumbles. The lucario watches as they disappear into the foliage. He then faces the pokemon of the manor. “Are all of you okay?”
“Maybe,” states Diego. “I think some pokemon have injuries.”
“We’ll help you in any way we can. What happened?” The dragonite relays the story to the lieutenant as his soldiers goes about helping the other pokemon. Medics tend to the wounded as engineers assist in evaluating the structures.
“My Arceus, Zach,” begins Olly. The riolu turns to him and Betty, “You just took on my step-brother and won…”
“Not the first time,” Zach claims. “I battled him in the Great Guildsmon Challenge… Remember?”
“I do… Is that what was in your head when you were fighting him?”
“Somewhat… Mostly, I was concerned about you two…”
“And you did good,” comments Betty with a smile. “You’re a brave protector.”
Zach nods. “Yeah… So, I am…” He looks at the lucario, who is still engaged in a conversation with the dragonite. He then makes his way over to the two. “Lieutenant Luther…”
The tall jackal pivots to the riolu, as does Diego. “Ah, Zach! Good to see you again!”
“Lieutenant,” Zach starts. “I’ve thought a lot about what you’ve said, and I think I’ve made up my mind.”
“Have you, now?”
“I’d like to learn from the best, and I want to serve as a protector. I want to join the Aura Army.”
“Zach was a big help today,” Diego tells Luther. “He helped us against the unjustly attacks by the guild. You should’ve seen him against the buizel.”
“I saw,” Luther says. “Really gave him his comeuppance.” He looks back to the riolu. “Zach, you won’t regret your decision.” He holds out his paw to him, to which Zach reaches out and shakes it. “Welcome to the Aura Army! We will be pleased to have you.”
