(1400 words)
Chapter 7
One Week Later


Thorn is having that dream again. They've had it a few times over the past week, and it's no longer weird, just frustrating. That muffled mumbling, that otherworldly presence, what is it?!

"Hey!" Thorn shouts with their thoughts, and the mumbling pauses. "Could you speak up? I can't hear a damn thing you're saying!"

The mumbling resumes, louder, but still completely incomprehensible. It's gotten slightly less muffled over the past few days, but only slightly. Maybe they'll be able to understand it one day. In about 20 years, probably.

Suddenly, a much clearer voice blasts through Thorn's mind, like a tuba in a library. "Come on Thorn, wake up already!"

"uuuugh..." It's too early. Probably about 7am, as usual. "stop waking me up so early..."

"It wouldn't be a problem if you didn't stay up so late. You sleep until noon if I don't wake you up, that's like half the day! Come on, the early bird gets the worm!"

"And the early worm gets eaten." Thorn takes an apple from their helmet and starts eating, while Compass sits down for some cereal. Over the past week, Compass had tried to offer Thorn food, but soon gave up. "Oh yeah, I had a thought last night."

"Oh?"

Thorn grabs their bone club. "I was thinking about sharpening this thing, to turn it into a real weapon. Though, it's easier to use blunt, since I can just swing it and-"

"Wait, why would you do that? If you sharpen it, it could seriously injure someone!"

"... You do understand what a weapon is, right?"

"We fight to defend ourselves, not to hurt people."

"Fine, whatever, party pooper."

"Speaking of defending ourselves, I think I have enough saved up to buy a Defense Scarf! What are you doing with your reward money?"

"Keeping it."

"Oh, you've been putting it in the bank?"

"No way, I'd never trust someone else to hold my money."

"Oh. Then where are you putting all of it?"

Thorn lifts their helmet, and a shower of coins pours onto the ground.

"... You know, you could exchange those for 100p coins at the bank, save some space."

"Yeah, good idea."

After picking up all their coins, Thorn heads to the bank, while Compass goes shopping. Thorn hands the bank teller 1,000 coins (they counted) to exchange, when they hear a familiar voice from behind.

"Kekeh! That's quite a load of cash there!" Gengar says.

"Be a shame if some were to go missing," Ekans says.

"Ah, Team Meanies!" Thorn says. "Nice to see you again, Gengar. How's your head?"

"Just fine, thanks. How's your neck?"

Thorn frowns. "What do you want?"

"What?" Medicham asks. "Is it so wrong to stop and chat with a fellow rescue team?"

"Yeah," Ekans says. "I mean, just last week Beacon had a nice chat with us, thanks to you. Now we're not allowed to mess with that cyndaquil anymore."

"If I wasn't so busy right now, I'd love to pull you aside for a 'chat' as well."

"Keh! That's what I like about you Cubone!" Gengar says. "You're the only one in this town who can challenge us. Why would you hang around with Cyndaquil? Don't tell me you trust a wimp like that to have your back in a fight."

"Trust?" Thorn laughs. "You've got the wrong 'mon here. I don't keep them around because I trust them, I keep them around BECAUSE they're a wimp."

Team Meanies collectively tilt their heads. "Wha? I don't follow."

"I'm a ground-type, they're a fire-type. If shit hits the fan, I'll come out on top. Plus, they're way too trusting of me, and they've got connections to Leader Beacon. They're a useful tool, and therefore, a valuable teammate."

"Whoa! Harsh words for your own partner."

"It'd be a shame if they found out~" Medicham says.

Thorn rolls their eyes; as if Compass would believe Team Meanies... But there's an idea... "Heh, don't act so surprised, Gengar. We're not so different, after all."

"Eh? What's that mean?"

"You know as well as I do that teammates are nothing more than tools. I mean, why else would you keep these two around when you clearly can't stand them?"

"Hey!" Medicham says. "You better watch your mouth!"

"See Medicham, this is what I'm talking about. Who would ever actually WANT someone as obnoxious as you on their team? Surely you can tell that these two hate that voice of yours, and the way you talk. They don't care about you. You're nothing but muscle to them."

Medicham gasps. "Y-you don't know what you're talking about!"

"And you, Ekans. Oof, I don't envy your job as comic relief. The only unevolved member. The others must get tired of dealing with your dead weight in battle. I mean, why else would Gengar want another teammate so badly if not to replace the weakest link?"

"I-I'm not-"

"And Gengar..."

"Tch, yeah?"

"... You get it. You understand how this dog-eat-dog world works, and you know how to get what you want. You're ruthless, heartless, determined. You've got your plans and schemes, and you won't let anyone get in your way."

"W-what?" Gengar is caught off-guard by the sudden compliments. "What are you-"

"Thorn the Cubone?" the bank teller calls.

"And that's my cue. Have a nice day, you three." Thorn grabs their money and walks off, leaving Team Meanies to sort out the mess of insecurities and strained relationships. Will it matter? Maybe. Was it satisfying? Absolutely.

Thorn heads to the town center and meets with Compass, who wears a white Defense Scarf. "Hey Thorn. I got the scarf!"

Thorn nods. "You got the scarf."

"Everything go well on your end?"

"Yep. I went to the bank."

Compass nods. "You went to the bank. Oh, mom told me to bring you to the house. Not sure why."

Uh oh. Had Thorn done something wrong? "Neat."

While the team walks to Beacon's house, Compass wonders about Xatu. "Hey Thorn, I know you wanted to wait until a job takes us to Great Canyon, but are you sure? It's taking longer than expected..."

"Compass, Great Canyon is like a two hour walk away. If I have to walk all the way there, fight through territorial wild pokemon, climb up to the Hill of the Ancients, most likely waste my time with some useless fortune teller, then walk all the way back, and not even have a paycheck waiting for me, I WILL commit a felony."

"You really don't think Xatu can help?"

"Whaaaat? What reason could I possibly have to doubt the pokemon that stares into the sun all day and can SEE THE FUTURE! What kind of joke is that?! I'm not sure Xatu even exists."

The team reaches Beacon's house, and Compass opens the door to reveal a fletchinder and an ampharos, along with Beacon. Compass gasps. "Team Lighthouse!"

"Compass!" Ampharos says. "How are you? Wow, you've gotten bigger."

"Hey Compss, how's the rescue team life treating ya?" Fletchinder asks.

"It's great! I finally get to help people, like mom does! My partner and I- Oh, Thorn!" Compass pulls Thorn inside. "This is mom's team!"

"Um. Okay-"

"Road the Fletchinder, the eyes in the sky; Star the Ampharos, the light in the darkness; and Beacon the Typhlosion, the flames of justice! They're the best rescue team EVER! They excel at searching for targets in low-light conditions; 'neither rain nor snow nor night will hide you from Team Lighthouse'!"

"Is that a threat?"

"Only if you're a criminal."

"..."

"... Anyway! What are you two doing here?" Compass gasps again. "Are we gonna go on a mission together?!"

"No, sorry," Star the Ampharos says. "We were just dropping by to chat."

"In fact," Road says, "we were just saying goodbye. Beacon's got some news for Team Rose, and we don't wanna intrude. See ya later!" Road gives a quick salute and followed shortly after by Star, who shuts the door behind them.

"Cubone," Beacon says. "It's been a while since we've talked. Compass has had lots of good things to say about you."

Thorn shrugs. "I've been doing my job, rescuing people, helping my teammate."

"So mom," Compass says, "what did you want to tell us?"

"Well, it's..." Beacon looks worried. "You've been doing excellent work lately, and you have some experience in real combat now. With all that in mind, I've..." Beacon grabs a job posting from her desk. "I've decided to give Team Rose approval to take criminal bounty jobs."

Compass's eyes go wide, and their back ignites as they beam with excitement.




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