CHAPTER 1 - The Shining City

Volt couldn’t figure out where to look. If he looked up, he saw buildings rising above him, higher than he’d ever known they could go. If he looked down, he found stone-paved roads that felt weirdly smooth on his paws. If he looked ahead, he found more pokemon than he’d ever seen in one place except, perhaps, for festivals or special occasions in his home village. If he looked left and right the main road split off into smaller ones with no seeming end to the buildings. What was down these many streets? How many pokemon could there be in one place to need so many rows upon rows of buildings?

Varðaheimr. As etched into the stone gateway at the entrance: “ᚢᚨᚱᚦᚨᚺᛖᛁᛗᚱ.”

“Guarded Home.”

A shining monument to the heights Pokemon could achieve when they worked together.

Something bumped into Volt’s back and knocked him over.

“Outta the way!” said some rough voice as it passed by him.

By the time Volt registered what happened, got back on his hind paws, muttered a meek “Sorry!” and looked around to see if he could find the voice the rude ‘mon was already long gone. Volt looked around quick and realized he was in the way of pokemon trying to make their way in and out of the city. He clutched at his shoulder bag, huddled up and scurried ahead with the other pokemon walking into the city, embarrassed by his disrupting of traffic. He marveled at the number of pokemon he saw as he wandered toward the center of the city. Varðaheimr was nothing like he imagined, it was so much grander than the odd, foreign pokemon who rarely visited his village could ever communicate. Intricate and decorated wood buildings of all different kinds of sizes and purposes – Volt didn’t know there was so much wood to build with!

Volt turned onto a side street, and found what looked to be some kind of open market square. Pokemon at stands full of goods. Berries, food, supplies for Expedition teams. There were a lot of gruff looking pokemon running around collecting supplies, but these were the good guys, weren’t they? The ones helping keep the pokemon of the city safe?

Volt snuck away; he was intimidated by the number of strong-looking pokemon. Mrrrrping to himself quietly to try to settle his distress he looked for a quieter place, less loud, fewer pokemon, more space to think. The cat tried to get his thoughts in order to figure out what to do but every time he turned the corner a new marvel appeared to distract him. Stages where pokemon played music to a small crowd, more homes than Volt could imagine a place needing, storefronts with big wooden signs hung from the wall advertising goods or services Volt couldn’t fathom. Volt grew anxious; he didn’t know if his modest training with his village merchant prepared him for selling goods in such a place that already had… how many pokemon already trying to sell? Everything moved so quick; in the time it took Volt to walk by one store sometimes several pokemon would enter and several more would leave with arms full of goods.

There were stores that smelled sweet, others that smelled astringent, or others that had the warm, inviting scent of a hardy meal accompanied by the chatter of many pokemon eating together.

Volt quickly grew overwhelmed; it felt like he had no place in this world. He thought he’d wanted the rush of the city but now that he was here, he wanted little more than to run back home, find a warm, quiet spot and take a nap.

Home… Varðaheimr was Volt’s home now.

Volt shook his head. He needed to get his mind on straight. He followed the savory scent of food whenever he caught it in the air but found consistently the tavern was full already. He’d shudder and creep away, slipping back into the flow of traffic to look for another place to eat. All he wanted was someplace quiet, did any such thing exist?

At the same time, despite Volt’s unexpected misgivings, there was something exhilarating about the life he saw around every corner. He caught innumerable conversations as he passed by pokemon going about their days, from discussions about farming to passing by a group of pokemon that looked to be clearing the streets of debris to others sitting together idly on stone benches discussing the weather or the quality of the food at different taverns across the city. It was incredible to see so many pokemon living happy, fulfilling lives. Volt mrrrrped again, this time happily. It was great getting to be a part of something bigger, even if it daunted him.

Volt just had to find his place in it.

He checked the time; the sun setting behind the buildings around him alerted him that he needed to find a place to stay. The streets cleared up but then it was like every place Volt found to eat was packed full of pokemon when he looked inside. He started to panic, but just as it was starting to get late, he found a quieter part of town. His instincts told him that he was safer; he could keep a better eye on things when there were fewer pokemon around. And, when he poked his head into a tavern, he found it was quieter than the others had been. He sighed in relief, ready for a meal and, hopefully, a soft, quiet place to sleep. It was so late… how was it possible a place stayed open so late?

Like all the other buildings on the outside, the tavern was wood, though Volt didn’t notice nearly so much ornamentation as he had in other places. Volt marveled at the construction anyway, he wondered how anybody figured out how to build such places. Tables for pokemon of all different sizes. Standing at the counter was a pokemon Volt didn’t recognize, a kind of tan crocodile with black stripes across his middle.

“Hey, you, you gonna stand there?” the Krokorok said roughly.

“I…”

“If you’re looking for food it’s not coming to you.”

“… Sorry,” Volt yelped quietly. He hurried toward the tavernkeep and sat at the bar. He glanced around; there were a few pokemon Volt didn’t recognize but some one or two he did. A Cacturne, an Umbreon… it looked like a bunch of Dark types, probably. Volt realized, had he stayed up so long all the daytime pokemon were asleep already?

“It’s late for Nightsleepers, isn’t it?” asked the Krokorok.

“I… what?” Volt asked.

“If you’re looking for a place to stay you should’ve done so sooner.”

“I… didn’t know,” Volt said weakly.

“I can offer you a meal, just like any other,” Krokorok said sharply. “As long as you can pay for it, that is.”

Volt gulped. He had a feeling pokemon in the city were a little terser from the conversations he’d heard in passing, but even though this Krokorok seemed willing to serve him Volt wasn’t sure he was welcome. He regretted not braving one of the other, busier taverns earlier. He was happy, at least, that he was going to have food. He opened his shoulder bag and pulled out the scant sum of poké he’d managed to save up back home.

“A thousand poké,” the Krokorok said. Volt huffed – that was most of his savings already! He counted it out and handed it over. The cat started shaking, worried if he’d be able to find a place to stay. Wordlessly the tavernkeep glanced at him and placed 250 poké back down for him and turned around.

“T—thank you,” Volt stammered. There was no response, but Volt was thankful anyway. Krokorok turned around and placed a bowl with a spoon in front of him and turned away to do some chore or other.

“You want to make your way back toward the city center,” Krokorok said shortly. “Don’t stick around here once you’re done eating.”

“W—why?” Volt wondered.

Krokorok glanced around.

“Just do it.”

The Krokorok went silent, leaving Volt bewildered. The city had felt safe before, what changed? Volt was lost, he didn’t know what he was getting himself into. He was slow at eating his food, as he felt safe for the time being. He didn’t know what he was going to do, all the normal taverns and inns were going to be closed, weren’t they?

Nerves made it difficult to eat, but Volt pushed on, shoveling spoonfuls of food down his muzzle. It was rather tasty at least, but Volt wished he could taste it some time when it wasn’t so difficult to eat. He was at the end of his line already… was he going to have to run home and give up on city life?

Volt didn’t know if he was cut out for it anymore, anyway. If it turned out like that… at least he’d seen the city once, right? Still, those Dungeons had been miserable to navigate all on his own.

A sudden, loud sound interrupted Volt’s panicking. He jumped in his seat and his fur stood on end all over, a shiver down his spine and tail. He turned suddenly to see three new pokemon standing in the doorway. A Liepard, a Shiftry, and a Houndoom.

The Houndoom approached the counter. Shivers kept exciting Volt’s spine as the intimidating trio glanced around the tavern. The Houndoom had a scar over his eye and other various scars across his body. What kind of pokemon had just entered?

“We’re busy,” Krokorok said. “Can’t you see?”

“Too busy to pay your fees?” Houndoom challenged. A tap at Volt’s back shocked him.

“Get outta here,” a voice hissed from behind him. Volt didn’t need to be told he didn’t want to be there, but he was frozen in place. The claw poked at him again, shocking him to his senses. He hopped off the stool and looked for a way around the unwelcome trio.

“It’s bad for business when you come while I’m serving customers,” Krokorok said.

“Behind the counter,” hissed Krokorok into Volt’s ear.

Volt hated how the three pokemons’ eyes were on him. He slipped quick around the counter and looked for some way to escape. There was a door behind the Krokorok; he slipped through it, thankful for the Krokorok’s help.

“Shifty, Vex, find that pokemon. Looks like a rare one.”

Volt started panicking; why were they chasing after him!? He searched for a way out and navigated through what looked like the place Krokorok prepared food. He found the back door and zipped through and looked around for some place to escape to. The road went both ways – which way was better?

He chose one at random and ran. When he turned the corner though Vex was waiting for him, stalking down the connecting road. He yelped and turned around quick only to find that Shifty was already chasing him. He looked for another way to go – the cross road went the other way, too! He turned around and started running, hoping his speed could let him escape the scary pokemon. Something knocked him over as he ran, stunning him for a moment. He glanced behind to see that Liepard was using Swift on him. He scrabbled onto his paws and once again bolted with the two much closer than was comfortable. They yelled at him as they chased him, jeered at him and cursed him.

Volt realized he fucked up.

He ran and ran, hoping to find escape, but the pokemon kept on his tail. He didn’t know how, was it because they knew the city better than he did? He thought he could keep running, but suddenly he was faced with a dead end. He turned around and tried to find a way out but, already, Shifty and Vex had cornered him. The Shiftry swung one of his leafy arms at Volt. Leaves erupted from it and sliced at Volt – Leaf Blade.

“Fuck you, you had to make it so fucking hard on us,” Shifty complained.

Liepard used Swift on Volt again. Volt cried out as pain coursed through him, stunning him for a moment. He checked his bag to make sure he hadn’t lost it. Good, he still had it. He glanced fearfully between the two ‘mons.

“Find yourself lost?” Vex taunted. “Surely we can help you find your way.”

Suddenly, something else came from behind the two. Something big. It roared loud, terrifying Volt. He curled up hugging his legs – how’d he find himself here? The roaring grew, then was joined by the screams of the two pokemon who were threatening Volt. Suddenly, though everything went quiet as the pokemons’ screaming faded into the distance. Volt refused to budge, though.

“Get your fucking head out of your paws,” said a new voice. Volt shook, but… what just happened? He waited for something bad to happen, but nothing happened. Tentatively he looked up, only to find a new pokemon standing against the nearby wall. He was a dark-furred one, except for the long, bushy mane of red atop his head. He had orange eyes, and Volt could see he wore an orange earring.

“What?” the pokemon asked brusquely. “Never seen a Zoroark’s Illusion before?”

The Zoroark stared angrily at Volt; what had Volt done? His orange eyes burned like fire into Volt; Volt wondered if he’d made a mistake letting this guy save him.

“Are you an idiot?” the Zoroark bit. “Stick to the safe parts of city, sleep at night like most normal pokemon. Better yet, if you’re new to the city go home.”

Volt was dumbfounded. Words didn’t come, all he could do was stare at the Zoroark.

“I…”

“You’re lucky I caught you,” the Zoroark said.

Volt started purring in distress; he didn’t know what he was going to do. He could gather it was dangerous out there, but what was there for him to do? He seemed safe for the moment, at least, but he couldn’t bring himself to get up.

“What was – what was that roar?” Volt asked.

“Illusion,” the Zoroark said. “I scared them away.”

Volt didn’t know what Illusion was, but he was too distressed to bother too much about it. There were other bigger things on his mind.

“P—please, help,” Volt cried. “I… I don’t know where to go. This is my home, now –”

“This? Varðaheimr?”

The Zoroark shook his thin, pointy head. His mane resisted the movement, revealing an orange bead weighing it down. His expression narrowed accusingly.

“I had to pull you out of that because you don’t have a place here.”

“N – no,” Volt insisted. “Please. I need to stay.”

“For what?” the Zoroark challenged. “To get yourself abducted by underworld ‘mons?”

“No!” Volt shuddered. That’s not what he wanted at all. “I… I’m safe with you, aren’t I?”

“… You’re safe,” the Zoroark relented. “Stupid, but safe. I’ll bring you to the Guild, you can stay there and get your life together. Mind you, Agmundr’s not going to let you stay without earning it.”

“I – I can work,” Volt assured the Zoroark. “I’ll be… I’ll be safe?”

“Safe,” Zoroark said. “As long as you don’t visit the shady parts of the city and sleep at night.”

“I’m… I’m sorry,” Volt cried. Everything hit him at once. If it weren’t for this Zoroark, what would’ve happened to him? He’d been cornered, and this Zoroark had just said he’d nearly been abducted. So many pokemon, so many buildings. Varðaheimr was scarier than Gentle Slope Cave, even.

“… Is this your first time?” The Zoroark asked.

“Y… yeah,” Volt said.

“Village ‘mon?”

“… Yeah.”

The Zoroark sighed. When Volt looked up he still looked fierce but the piercing, angry look on his face vanished. He still had a scowl but Volt figured this had to be a good pokemon, right?

“Why would you come to the city?” the imposing ‘mon asked. Volt was asking himself the same question, but something came over him, he knew why he’d come. He’d rehearsed it to himself over and over again to convince himself to set out.

“I… I wanted to make a life selling things. I trained in Serene Village with the Kecleon there. They taught me how to keep a store.”

“Couldn’t do that whatever quiet place you came from?” the Zoroark asked.

“I… I wanted to see the city,” Volt admitted. He shuddered – so much had happened. It was overwhelming, not to mention the shock of being attacked. “More opportunity. Everyone says it’s this amazing place. I… what’s going on?”

The Zoroark huffed.

“Nothing you need to worry yourself over right now. Follow me, I’ll bring you somewhere you can sleep. In the morning I’ll have Talon bring you to see Agmundr. Then you can figure out what you’re going to do with yourself.”

“I… thank you,” Volt stammered. “Thank you… so much. If…” Volt didn’t want to think what would’ve happened if this Zoroark hadn’t found him.

“… It’s my job to protect,” the Zoroark said. “That’s what the Guild does. We help pokemon.”

Volt looked up at the Zoroark. It was this Zoroark the city was named after. Well… this Zoroark, whoever Agmundr was, and whoever else worked in this Guild. Some sense of veneration overcame Volt as he stared. The Zoroark scoffed in return.

“It’s not some heroic thing. Just don’t want to see pokemon get dragged into a life of crime.”

Zoroark pressed himself off the wall with his leg. Now that he was standing properly, Volt realized just how much the guy crouched like he did. If this Zoroark hadn’t just saved him, Volt would’ve found him scarier than the pokemon who’d attacked him.

“Do… you have a name?” Volt asked.

“Blaze,” the Zoroark answered dismissively as he turned. Volt was stunned for a moment. He recoiled, but then he realized his best bet was to chase after the guy who saved him. He bounded after him on all fours, like the way it seemed Blaze ran, too.

CHAPTER 2 - The Gilded City

Volt set his sights fresh upon the wonders of the city. The Zeraora glanced to his side, up at a tall, imposing Blaziken. This Blaziken was Volt’s friend, now, though. She was going to keep him safe while they explored the city together. Volt bounded forward eagerly to see anew what incredible things he’d missed just the day before. Surely there was no end to the wonders!

“Hey, get your ass back here!” Talon yelled out. “We don’t all have the reflexes of a Jolteon!” She chased after Volt, running into pokemon that Volt could slip around.

“I want to see everything, though!” Volt resisted. He threaded himself through the busy street to search for those bakeries, or a stage, or even one of those taverns he’d been too anxious the day before to enter. He looked around wildly, but claws dug into his shoulder and dragged him away from the crowd and into a side alley. Talon tossed him against the wall to pin him down for a moment so he’d listen.

“You have to learn to listen if you’re going to be on an expedition team!” Talon chastised him. “Besides, it’s your dumbassery that got you in trouble last night, from what I hear. You need some street smarts; this isn’t your home village.”

“B–but…”

Volt whimpered; he remembered. His spirit fell. He wanted to see, but Talon was right, he really didn’t want to find himself in trouble again.

“I’m sorry,” he apologized.

Talon put a clawed hand on his shoulder gently. This time when Volt looked, it was like her fire vanished.

“Just stick with me, OK? I’ll take you to see as much as we can. You live here now, Volt, there’s no rush to see everything.”

Volt nodded; some of his enthusiasm returned. He had to discipline himself but he let Talon lead him back out into the street. He followed her to the best of his ability but found himself dragging behind distracted by trying to look around. Suddenly he didn’t want to be rushing, he wanted to take his time and take everything in.

“Volt, please,” Talon chided. “Try to keep up. You’re getting in the way of traffic.”

“I…”

“Don’t apologize, just keep up.”

“But…”

Once again Talon pulled Volt aside.

“Look, I get you want to sightsee. This isn’t Serene Village, pokemon have places they want to be. Things they want to do. Pokemon they need to meet. Causing a disruption brings attention to you. Do you want scary underworld ‘mons on your tail again?”

“N—no,” Volt stammered.

“Stick with me. I can show you somewhere you can slow down a little.”

“I… thanks.”

“Thank me by keeping up.”

As promised, Talon led Volt somewhere a little less hectic. Volt hadn’t noticed it the day before: there were little, simple parks scattered throughout the city where there was space to breathe between the busy streets and tightly-packed rows of buildings. Talon sat Volt down on a stone bench and sat next to him quietly while he took in what he was seeing. All kinds of pokemon were walking here or there – it was a little less daunting with some space between them and Volt. Volt marveled that the street full of pokemon he was watching was only one of many. It was lined with wood buildings on the far side, fronted by signs that showed vaguely what kinds of places they were. Places to buy food, supplies, clothes and accessories if a pokemon was disposed for such a thing. Volt couldn’t help looking up and down the street to comprehend how incredible the sight was.

“You said this is your first time in Varðaheimr?” Talon asked.

“Y—yeah,” Volt said meekly. His whiskers twitched nervously.

“What made you come all the way here? You must’ve had to navigate a Dungeon or two.”

“I figured it out,” Volt said. “It felt worse than all these city streets do, but… somehow I got through.”

“You can’t be completely stupid to figure out how to navigate a Dungeon,” Talon registered. “Still, you’ve gotta keep on your pawpads, Volt.”

“I thought this place was supposed to be safe,” Volt said. “Don’t you keep it safe?”

“We try our very best,” Talon said, with a sigh. “We have teams that go out looking for criminals or lost pokemon, we have other teams that stay in the city and patrol. You’d think the criminals stay out of the city, Volt, but it turns out once you put enough pokemon together in one place, some of them are criminals, too.”

“I… I don’t understand why,” Volt said.

“You’ve got enough food, don’t you?” Talon said. “Places to sleep, food to eat?”

“Of course,” Volt said.

“Even with all these stores selling food it’s like it’s not enough for everyone in the city,” Talon said. “Even with all the different Guilds’ efforts, they can’t keep up.”

“How… could that be?”

Talon shrugged.

“I don’t know.”

“What do you mean, Guilds? I thought yours was the only Guild in Varðaheimr,” Volt wondered.

“There’s a bunch,” Talon said. “Agmundr deals with the defense stuff. There’s other Guilds with other leaders and members who deal with other things. Some of them help keep the city clean, others build and expand the city, others farm food or coordinate how goods are sold. There’s guilds for all of it, and all the guild leaders meet sometimes to figure things out.”

“That’s.. incredible.”

“Yeah, well… I suppose it’s let us build this huge city, hasn’t it?” Talon considered.

“It’s so many pokemon,” Volt cried. Talon chuckled.

“You’ll get used to it quick,” she asserted. Volt glanced at her; he couldn’t decide how he felt about her. She had a sharp look in her eye as she registered his glance and smiled at him but it registered to Volt as bright, as excited. She was quite a bit bigger than Volt and she looked strong, and like Blaze had the night before she had this habit of admonishing him. Unlike Blaze, though, Talon was just there. She hadn’t saved him from those pokemon.

“What do so many pokemon do in one place?” Volt asked.

“What do they do in a village?” Talon asked. “Same kind of thing, I imagine.”

“There isn’t much to do in Serene Village,” Volt admitted.

“That what brought you all the way here?”

“… I guess. Thought I could do more here than I could back home. Now that I see all these pokemon…”

Volt grew discouraged; he’d been excited to come see the city, but he wasn’t sure it was a good idea anymore. There were so many pokemon. How would he make his place if there were already so many pokemon around?

“… Come on, from what I heard you barely ate. Must be hungry.”

“I…”

Talon didn’t give him a chance. She hopped up and started off, making Volt jump up and follow after her. He tried his best to keep up, but Talon only brought him to one of the store fronts on the opposite side of the street. When she opened the door something sweet filled Volt’s nose. He’d passed by a few of these places looking for somewhere to sleep for the night! With Talon at his side he found the courage to enter, and found a wondrous display of confectionaries. He wondered what the bakers he knew back home – Serene Village, that was – would think of the food he was seeing here!

“Ah, if… it’s Talon, isn’t it?” the Quilava behind the counter recognized with a tap against his furred head. Talon squawked – what a noise!

“Don’t say you recognize me!” she complained.

“Well, you come around quite often for a biscuit, don’t you?”

“You don’t have to pick me out,” she resisted.

“Same kind of deal today?” the Quilava asked. “I see it looks like you’ve brought a friend with you.”

“… I’ll take one for each of us,” Talon said awkwardly. The ‘mon found a paper bag and picked up two of some kind of sweet and placed them in, and Talon produced a wallet from somewhere and exchanged some poke for it.

“Thanks,” Talon said.

“Always,” the ‘mon replied. “I remember your name because it’s an honor to have returning customers.”

“It’s good biscuits,” Talon admitted awkwardly. The ‘mon just smiled as Talon turned away, with Volt in tow. He almost bumped into another pokemon on the way out, but that just meant pokemon liked whatever it was the ‘mon behind the counter was selling, right?

The two walked back across the street and found the same stone bench to sit at again. This time with a snack to look forward to. Talon opened the bag and pulled out one of the treats and handed it to Volt. Volt took it excitedly – he couldn’t wait to see more of what Varðaheimr had to offer!

“I’d have you eat and walk but I get the sense you wouldn’t be able to get your mind around it yet.”

“I’m not… I’m not dumb,” Volt said.

“It’s not a dumb thing, it seems like a village ‘mon thing,” Talon said. “I figured you’d appreciate being able to stop and enjoy it instead of the way it looks like you feel rushed just walking down the street with me.”

“Then… thank you,” Volt said, awkwardly. He bit into his treat. It was a soft, sweet bread with a tart berry filling.

“This is –”

“Yes, I know it’s good,” Talon said. “Try to keep your muzzle shut so it doesn’t fall out.”

Volt gulped and quickly scarfed down another bite. Talon huffed at him.

“Maybe I didn’t need to worry about you feeling rushed.”

“I’m super hungry!”

“We’ll get you a proper meal later,” Talon said. “Since Blaze is the one who found you I’ll drag him out by his mane if I have to so he doesn’t slink back to his loner habits.”

“B – Blaze,” Volt remembered. He shuddered, but it was a good shudder. He remembered being cornered by scary pokemon, hearing a loud roar, cowering until things calmed down, then that Zoroark calling out to him. When he looked up, he was leaning against a wall like nothing had happened.

“He’s a good guy,” Talon said, “don’t let his mannerisms get to you.”

“He saved me,” Volt said.

“I heard at least some version of the story from him. Barely said any more than he nearly had to drag you to the Guild by your tail.”

Volt shook his head, that wasn’t how he remembered it! Then again… he’d been terrified after he’d been cornered. The memory soured Volt’s mood. This was something he needed explained.

“Those pokemon,” he said. “I thought…”

“You went to a bad part of the city at night,” Talon said. “Don’t do that. You’re lucky Blaze was there, or else…” she chuckled to herself. “He was probably watching you from the sense I get.”

“Watching me?”

“Sounds like you stick out like a sore Diglett,” Talon said. “Don’t particularly blame you, you’re new to the city. And nobody’s seen your kind of pokemon before. What are you, even?”

Volt shivered; it went down his back and straight down his tail. He’d never thought he was special, but the more pokemon he saw, the more he realized there weren’t any other pokemon like him. A yellow and black-furred bipedal cat with the odd blue highlight in his fur.

“Zeraora,” Volt said. “The pokemon of the Village said I appeared one day, I don’t really know anything before the Village, though. Said it was after an awful thunderstorm. I think some of them thought I caused it.”

“… Wild.” Talon shrugged. “Not like there aren’t pokemon around here who have wild stories,” she considered. The Blaziken pecked at her treat, too, wiping her beak with a feathered arm. On a whim, Volt looked up at her. She didn’t really seem imposing anymore. She looked back and smiled at him – at least as much as she could with that beak of hers.

“Oh, Volt –” Talon pointed at her beak, and Volt realized he was probably messy, too. Talon handed him the bag the biscuits had come in to use. He found the paper seemed suitable so he threw the rest of his treat down his muzzle and wiped it clean.

…

When Talon finished her treat she pulled Volt away and gave him a short tour of the city. She let him watch some pokemon play gorgeous music with instruments Volt had never seen before, let him into some stores to see what they sold, and got on his case less when he started figuring out how to keep up with her. All the sights were amazing, all these buildings with so much happening inside of each and every one of them. Intricate wooden buildings with all kinds of decorative carvings. Volt had noticed, vaguely, when looking for a place to stay but now that his immediate needs had been met, he could marvel at it when Talon let him have a moment. Designs, patterns, words and sayings inscribed in runes. Talon explained the construction guild had pride in their work and tried to make every building feel like a loved home. It contrasted the largely utilitarian construction Volt knew.

As Talon brought Volt back to the Guild – a particularly impressive building of stone and polished wood – Volt was getting worried that Varðaheimr had everything already. What was there for him to do if it had so much already? His worries came to a head as Talon sat him down and disappeared to collect her team members. As Volt looked around, the hall was grand. Volt imagined all the pokemon who protected the city gathering in this one place. Volt barely knew a place big enough to hold that many pokemon but these ‘mons figured out a way to put stone around it and make it look gorgeous, too, with designs and runes etched directly into the stone. It was amazing, Volt was thankful he was getting to see all these incredible sights.

At the same time, if everything was already grand, what could Volt do?

A voice coughed to Volt’s side. He jumped, and there was a high-pitched crackle as static made his fur stand on end. He looked to find Blaze standing there like he’d been watching for a little while already. A complex look was on his face, Volt still couldn’t exactly figure out what it meant.

“We don’t need any Thunders in the dining hall,” Blaze said. “Where was this reaction last night? Could’ve used it to scare off those ‘mons so I didn’t have to.”

“S—sorry,” Volt cried. “I… I don’t know Thunder, though.”

Blaze grunted at him.

“No big deal. Don’t mean to make you feel bad about it.”

Blaze was hard to read. Volt didn’t really feel threatened, but Blaze was intense. The orange-eyed Zoroark shook his mane, making it waggle side to side.

“Talon’s dragging me out too so you’d better get your ass over here,” he complained in that rough voice of his.

“I… yeah,” Volt conceded. He hopped off the bench he was sitting at but Blaze didn’t move, he stayed put looking at him with a piercing glint in his eye.

“Talon didn’t overwhelm you, did she?” the Zoroark asked. Volt mrrrped inquisitively.

“She showed me a bunch. It was all amazing!”

“Then why are you sitting here like you’ve had a shitty day?” he asked curtly.

“I…” Volt’s ear twitched. He didn’t know how much he wanted to say, but Blaze had saved him, Blaze seemed concerned, even with Talon’s allusions to his mannerisms. He looked harsh, his ear twitched in annoyance, but Volt didn’t imagine him being worse than the pokemon he’d saved him from. “I see all this great stuff, and it’s like everything’s been done already. What’s there for me to do?”

“There’s gotta be something,” Blaze said. “This isn’t some paradise, we don’t have everything figured out. If you wanted easy you should’ve stayed home where there’s food and comfort for everyone.”

“… Talon said something similar,” Volt admitted. He kept it to himself Talon made it sound much less scary.

Blaze’s ear flicked, then, kind of like Talon before, it seemed like the Zoroark relented. Volt chirped – he couldn’t figure these pokemon out if they kept being harsh then not-harsh on him.

“If there’s nothing else Talon can find a place for you on the team.”

“I – you sure?”

“… We’re here to help pokemon, not leave them helpless,” Blaze assured him awkwardly. “Besides, she dragged me out of bed for your sake. Seems she likes you.”

“It’s… normal times to be awake, isn’t it?” Volt asked.

“You tell me what’s fucking normal,” Blaze snapped. “Says the pokemon I had to drag from criminals because he couldn’t find an inn to sleep at!”

“I… I’m sorry,” Volt cried. He recoiled; Blaze could be scary.

Blaze huffed.

“I’m nocturnal,” he relented. “Sleep during the day. Fucking hate waking up before sunset. Not that Talon cares when she needs me for an expedition.”

Volt kind of felt bad, he didn’t mean to bother Blaze.

“I… thanks for getting up to spend time with me,” Volt said.

Blaze scoffed.

“Thank me by showing me how village ‘mons party,” Blaze said. “If Talon’s going to get me up I want to have fun, that’s what I’m here for. And I’m going to show you what it’s like when you don’t choose the dingiest tavern in the city to eat.”

Blaze turned tail and bounded off – that Zoroark was hard to figure out. Volt bounded after him, though, hoping to see him loosen up a little if he was looking forward to ‘partying’ as it seemed he was. Maybe city life wasn’t so bad. Or, Volt was just lucky he’d fallen into the paws of pokemon who were so willing to let him in.