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The sky is blue and the scent of roasted apples swirls through the air. Shadows of clouds lazily slide over the main path through Treasure Town. Merchants shout advertisements and wave flyers towards pokemon passing through. Side-by-side, Totodile and Cyndaquil stroll by vendors.
“Wow Cyndaquil! Look at those apples, they look so delicious!” Totodile says, their face illuminated with excitement.
“Yeah, looks great,” Cyndaquil says, looking away towards something in the distance.
“Do you want some? I can buy some for us! They would be so yummy, I’ve heard so many people at the guild say so,” Totodile says, turning towards Cyndaquil.
“Nice,” Cyndaquil says, looking further away.
“Awesome! How many do you want?” Totodile says, heading towards the stall.
“.o.e..” Cyndaquil mutters.
“What was that? I couldn’t hear you,” Totodile says.
“None,” Cyndaquil says.
“What?” The happiness immediately falls from Totodile’s face. They turn to look directly at Cyndaquil who stands a few feet away, her face contorted into a frown.
“I don’t want any damn apples,” she says, glaring at Totodile.
“What? Why? Are you not hungry?” Totodile asks, their eyes searching Cyndaquil’s for answers.
“I don’t want to even be here ,” Cyndaquil says.
“Why? Do you want to go back to the guild?” Totodile asks.
“Not with you,” she responds, “I don’t want to do anything with you Totodile. I feel like you’re just constantly talking my ear off. You never shut the fuck up about anything at all. I feel like I’ve been hearing you talk about these apples for weeks now.” Tears well up in Totodile’s eyes.
“I’m sorry,” Totodile says.
“I don’t give a shit,” Cyndaquil says, storming off towards the guild. Totodile begins to follow, tears now steadily flowing down their cheeks. The two blaze through Treasure Town. Cyndaquil stops at the top of the stairs leading up to the guild, and glares down at Totodile.
“I’m sorry, Cyndaquil,” Totodile says. They take a step towards Cyndaquil and she takes a step back in return.
“Leave me the fuck alone. I’m tired of being around you,” she says, turning and dipping into the guild. Shaking with shock and sadness, Totodile pulls themself up the stairs, through the entrance, and descends into the guild.
In front of the Most Wanted board Cyndaquil stands with her back to the ladder, surrounded by several other pokemon. Glalie and Larvitar whisper quickly, their eyes shifting to Totodile when they enter. Cyndaquil stays facing away, leaning in closer to the others to continue whispering.
“Hey, everybody,” Totodile manages to say in between hiccups.
“Hey, Totodile,” Larvitar says with a roll of the eyes.
“Cyndaquil, I’m really sorry. Please talk to me about what happened,” Totodile says, taking a step towards her. She whips around and takes a step back, the same frown still etched into her face.
“You are so fucking annoying,” Cyndaquil says, “I don’t want to be around you anymore and neither will anybody else.” The other two stand silently, glaring at Totodile. Totodile opens their mouth to try and say words but only manages another sob. The group begins laughing, Cyndaquil hunching over with explosive cackles. Totodile begins crying again, and hurries away from the group, not taking a moment more to talk to them.
They rush through Treasure Town, past the roasted apples, under the lazy clouds, straight to Sharpedo Bluff. They duck into the bush and descend into the cave they’ve created their home in. They stumble over to their hay pile bed, grief quickly overtaking their body, and begin to wail.
They are completely alone.
Hours slowly roll by, time only being marked by the sun setting, the moon rising, and the glowing embers of the night’s neglected fire slowly flickering away. Totodile burrows deep into the hay, covering their eyes and ears to block out the world around them. They cry heavily.
“Why didn’t she tell me sooner?” Totodile shouts into the bedding, “she could have told me! I wish I had known I was annoying her! I could have changed! She was my best friend, I don’t know why she changed all the sudden.” Only silence answers.
Slowly, their tears slow and the sobs return to being hiccups, and Totodile sinks into a deep, dreamless sleep.
In the morning, a cool breeze rolls through Sharpedo Bluff. Orange rays of the sunrise cast a hazy sheen over the rocks facing the ocean. The sound of crashing waves causes Totodile to stir. Dried tears tug at their cheeks and a blurry headache throbs. They wiggle out of the straw and pull themself up, making their way towards the opening facing the sea.
“I wish I knew exactly what I did,” Totodile says, watching the waves swirl in the distance, “I guess I have to figure it out on my own.” They turn back to their cave, dust off the hay left on them, and head for Treasure Town.
Vendors are only just starting to get set up. The Kecleon shop is open but everything else is still an hour or so away. Totodile walks up to the two Kecleon and looks at the one on the left.
“Is everything okay?” Kecleon asks, tilting his head.
“My friend abandoned me,” Totodile says, “and I don’t know why.”
“Cyndaquil?” The other Kecleon asks.
“Yeah, Cyndaquil,” Totodile confirms. The two Kecleon look at each other and then back at Totodile.
“I think I might know why,” the left Kecleon says.
“Why?”
“Well, she came here the other day to buy some parchment and some Orbs,” Kecleon says, “she was here with some other pokemon.”
“None of them told me about that. I wonder why they didn’t include me,” Totodile says.
“I’m not sure, but I saw her writing a letter to somebody a little bit later,” Kecleon says.
“Oh, a letter,” Totodile says, “I never got a letter from her. Did you see who she gave it to?”
“I think Electivire,” the right Kecleon chimes in. Totodile nods.
“I’m going to talk to Electivire,” Totodile says. The two Kecleon watch as Totodile scurries towards the Link shop.
Electivire is crouched towards his tent, gathering boxes and other books to put on display. He turns around with his arms full and places everything down on the table in front of him once he sees Totodile.
“What’s up, Totodile?” Electivire asks.
“Did Cyndaquil give you a letter?” Totodile asks.
“Yeah, a few days ago,” he says slowly.
“Did it say anything about me in it?” They ask.
“It was actually all about you,” he says, “it said some pretty rough shit.” He rummages underneath the table for a few moments and then pulls out a curled piece of paper.
“What did it say?” Totodile asks, tensing up.
“You can have it, if you want,” Electivire says, “but just know that you probably won’t like what it says.”
“Will Cyndaquil be mad at you for giving it to me?” Totodile asks.
“I won’t say anything, I don’t really know why she gave it to me in the first place,” he says. Totodile takes the letter and begins scanning the first lines. “I suggest you wait until you get home to read it.” Totodile nods and turns to head back to their home.
Totodile carefully sits against the far wall of their home in Sharpedo bluff, clutching the unopened letter. Tears are already forming at the corners of their eyes. They unfold the letter and begin reading.
' Dear Electivire,
I hope you’re doing stellar today. I’m writing to inform you about someone named Totodile, I’m sure you’ve met them and I’m sure you’ve seen us walking around Treasure Town together. Well, they’re the most annoying pokemon ever, so I really suggest you don’t talk to them at all. They talk all the time about roasted apples, explorations, and all the stupid shit they want to do with me. No matter how much I try to avoid Totodile they never fucking leave me alone. I don’t want you to be annoyed by them either, so I just want to make sure you really understand how annoying they are. They always talk about how they don’t have friends and how they’re so excited to be friends with me. They constantly talk about how they’re glad they finally have someone to talk about their interests with, even though I’ve told them I don’t really give a shit. They constantly tell me how great a friend I am but they literally just annoy me all the time. I try to get away but they don’t leave me alone. So, take this as your warning.
From,
' Cyndaquil
Shocked, Totodile drops the letter. Tears heavier than those from the night before immediately burst from their eyes.
“She never fucking told me!” Totodile shouts, “she never fucking told me that I annoy her! She never told me that I was doing anything wrong! Why did she send this letter? Like a secret? Like some warning to Electivire? Why?” Totodile returns to the hay bed and curls into a tight ball. The words from the letter swirl through their head, each phrase stabbing them directly in the heart. Totodile shakes and coughs between sobs. Once again they cry until their tears run out, and then fall asleep.
Morning rolls around and Totodile stirs from another empty sleep.They grip their arms tight and turn, the letter catching their attention from the corner of their eye. They turn back to stare through the teeth of Sharpedo Bluff and at the ocean with the sun much higher above it. They pull themself out of bed and slowly make their way to treasure town.
The sky is blue and the scent of roasted apples flutters through the air. Clouds drift over the main path through town. Totodile drags themself past the stalls, not even allowing their eyes to indulge in the apple treats.
Once again, the guild rises tall above them. Totodile slowly ascends the steps, using all of their strength to raise each foot. With heavy breaths, they eventually reach the top. They begin to shake at the sight of the guild’s entrance, the words of Cyndaquil’s letter beginning to play through their mind. Totodile shakes their head and makes their way into the guild.
The torches flicker, their orange light mixing with the shining daylight peeking in through the windows out to the sea. Pokemon chatter in groups around the boards, excitedly waiting for the mission boards to be renewed.
“Totodile!” Someone shouts, and suddenly the entirety of everyone in the room rushes over.
“Totodile, I was so worried about you!” One shouts.
“Totodile, I thought something bad happened to you!” Another says. A Chimchar pulls them into a hefty hug. Totodile’s eyes scan the group and Cyndaquil is nowhere to be seen. A pang of sadness and guild shoots through Totodile and they begin to tear up.
“Totodile, I’m so glad you’re here!” Chimchar says, grasping them by the shoulders and then pulling them into another hug. Quickly the feelings of sadness are overwhelmed by care and love from all of the other guild members.
“I looked all over for you,” a Pidgey says, “I’m so sorry I didn’t search harder. I’m happy you’re around.” Totodile smiles and pulls all of the pokemon into a group hug. They all cry and laugh together.
“Come to lunch with us, Totodile,” Surskit says, “a new expedition was announced and I want you to come with us!” Surprised at the invitation, Totodile nods but then hesitates.
“Are you for sure?” they ask, “I’ve never been invited on an expedition before.”
“Yes I’m serious!” Surskit says, leading Totodile down to the dining hall, “you’d be a perfect fit in our group!”
Totodile, Surskit, Pidgey, and Chimchar sit at the end of the dining hall table together. They each gather a plate of lunch and begin eating.
“I’m so excited for this expedition,” Pidgey says, “I love looking for treasure. You know, there’s so many different kinds of treasure. There’s TMs and orbs and seeds, and best of all: treasure chests .”
“Treasure chests?!” Totodile asks between bites.
“Yes! It’s so cool, I love learning about treasure!” Pidgey says.
“That’s so cool, Pidgey,” Chimchar says.
“What are you excited about, Chimchar?” Pidgey asks.
“I’m excited for gummis,” Chimchar says, “there’s so many different kinds that do all different sorts of things. Maybe we’ll even see the coveted Wonder Gummi .” The table erupts into oo’s and ah’s.
“I’m excited for treasure and gummis too,” Surskit says, “what about you, Totodile?” The three of them look towards Totodile.
“Well, um,” they hesitate, “I’m looking forward to finding some apples.” They all nod, expecting Totodile to tell them more about the apples. “So I can roast them.”
“Oh that sounds so good!” Surskit says. Reassured, Totodile smiles.
“Yeah, um, and can I tell you about the best part?” They ask.
“Absolutely! You’re always allowed to share with us!” Chimchar says.
“There’s something called a perfect apple,” Totodile says, a smile growing across their face, “I’ve heard it’s the most delicious apple in existence. I’ve always wanted to try one!”
“Holy cow that sounds so good!” Pidgey says.
“It seriously does! Let’s make it our goal to find one on this expedition!” Surskit says.
“I second that!” Chimchar says.
“For real?” Totodile asks, their eyes lighting up with excitement.
“Of course! That would be such a great meal for our team!” Chimchar says.
“Our team…” Totodile says with a smile, “for our team!”
“Yes!” Pidgey says, “you know what? I think this plan deserves a toast!” Pidgey raises a glass. “For our team!”
“For our team!” The others shout, clinking their glasses with joy and laughter.