[centre][b][i]Starring...[/i][/b][/centre]

[centre][img]http://i.imgur.com/8WlvdKI.png?1[/img][/centre]

[centre][b]Prologue - Glacefloe Town[/b][/centre]

The giant schooner [i]Ice Lass[/i] overshadowed the village, even under the cloak of wintry darkness. It's masts reached higher into the sky than any building for miles and in the moonlight, it cast an eerie shadow that stretched long over the small coastal village. It had sat quietly in the docks for three days, waiting for the cold chill to leave the air and for the ice to shrink back into the ocean. The deck was bare and any signs of the crew had long gone below decks. Few Pokemon wanted to be caught in the cold of the open air and some had made their way to the warm beds or hammocks they slept in. The majority, however, had braved the slushy streets of Glacefloe and trekked into the villages only drinking establishment, The Flaffy's Wool.

The Flaffy's Wool was founded shortly after the town of Glacefloe was by Draak, a Mareep who had grown in age with the town. He was now an ancient Amphardos who spent most of his time staring blankly into space and cleaning glasses with a dirty dishrag from behind the counter. The Flaffy's Wool, despite it's cracked stone floors and sticky wooden tables, had a warm atmosphere that was a welcoming change to the cold winds and snow flurries that plagued the residents of Glacefloe six months a year. Lanterns and candles were placed on every table and wall, leaving no corner dark. A large stone fireplace held a merry, cracking fire that warmed the room. Waitresses weaved around tables, ignoring the occasional catcall yet taking the banter in their stride.

In the scrum of sea-hardened sailors and drunken locals, one Pokemon stood out. A scrawny Monferno sat quietly at one of the few empty tables, engrossed by a candle. A blue neckerchief hung loosely from his neck and on it was pinned a rusted Explorers badge. If one looked closely, you would see the words [i]TEAM RUNE - NORMAL RANK[/i] engraved behind the rust. His tail flicked around slowly under the stool and his eyes occasionally made contact with the Mawile who stood behind the bar. He didn't partake in the loud banter with the sailors or the locals but instead sipped on a sickly sweet cup of berry juice and played with the candle. By playing, what he was really doing was snuffing it out and then immediately relighting it with a quick Ember. His gaze was occasionally drawn towards the Mawile waitress, the female he had been watching from afar for several months. It wasn't the average drinks, the loud patrons or even the warmth that kept him coming back - it was the Mawile with the pretty eyes who smiled when she saw him and made him blush just thinking about her.

[colour=Beige]"Pontus? Is that you?"[/colour] came a voice. Pontus the Monferno was torn away from staring at the Mawile and looked up to see a Ninjask flittering next to his table. [colour=f7941d]'Yeah?'[/colour] he asked, curious as to why anyone would approach him. Most local Pokemon disliked him for some reason and it was rare for sailors to ever get involved with the locals. [colour=Beige]'It's me, Scarab! Remember? From the Slowking Guild?'[/colour] said the Ninjask excitedly, landing on the table and folding his wings. Pontus frowned slightly before a light bulb switched on. [colour=f7941d]'Oh yeah, Shitty Scarab the Nincada!'[/colour] he grinned, happy that he remembered.

[colour=Beige]'Er, yeah, I just go by Scarab now'[/colour] replied the Ninjask, slightly taken aback. [/colour=Beige]Would you like a drink?'[/colour] Pontus shook his head, motioning towards his own drink and swung his chair backwards, leaning precariously on two legs. [colour=f7941d]'What are you doing out here, Scarab?'[/colour] asked Pontus suddenly. [colour=Beige]'I could ask you the same thing! I'm out here on Federation business, my team and I'[/colour] answered Scarab. [colour=Beige]'You?'[/colour] [colour=f7941d]'Oh, you know. Federation placed me and Froad out here a few months ago to look after the town. We've been exploring, protecting the locals from attack, finding treasure, you know, explorer stuff'[/colour] lied Pontus, shrugging like it was no big deal. In reality, they had been doing none of these things. Team Rune had spent most of the last 8 months loitering around the town and receiving a monthly payment from the Federation for it. 

[colour=Beige]''Froad's here too? Awesome! Are you guys still in Team Rune?''[/colour] inquired Scarab. [colour=f7941d]'Yeah, Team Rui-er, Rune is still chugging along. Still just us two, though. Nobody wants to join us for some reason'[/colour] replied Pontus, as if genuinely confused by the notion. [colour=f7941d]'How about you? You still in a team with those Caterpie?'[/colour] [colour=Beige]'Nah, I packed that up years ago. I did a bit of solo work for a while and after I evolved, I joined up with Doctor Gems and his team, Rhinestone'[/colour] answered the Ninjask. Pontus' eyes almost popped out of his head as he heard this.

Shitty Scarab, the bug type who crawled around underground during the Guild days, had teamed up with one of the most famous explorers to come out of Slowking's Guild. Team Rhinestone were widely acclaimed for their discovery of the Underwater Temple in the Southern Colony. Led by the Sableye Dr. Gems, the group was notoriously tough and more importantly, wealthy. Pontus composed himself before answering.[colour=f7941d]'Oh, Team Rhinestone? I heard those guys were good or something'[/colour] he replied, waving his hand nonchalantly. [colour=f7941d]'...Dr. Gems isn't here, is he?'[/colour] [colour=Beige]'Nope'[/colour] laughed Scarab. [colour=Beige]'He doesn't like taverns. The light hurts his eyes, he says. He's resting in his cabin. My other partner, Rook, is up getting the drinks, though'.[/colour]

The pairs eyes were drawn up to a tall Bisharp who stood at the bar silently with a pair of drinks on either claw. He was scanning the crowd, searching for Scarab. Several sailors noticed his presence and shouted words of greeting to him. He answered them with a stony face and a glare. Pontus gasped slightly as he realised he was in the presence of a celebrity. [colour=f7941d]'Hey! Rook! Over here!'[/colour] shouted Scarab, flying up in the air to catch the attention of his partner. The Bisharp nodded when he noticed the Ninjask and in a flash, was seated across from Pontus. His armour (or skin) was shining even in the dull candlelight. He stared at the Monferno curiously while sipping on a 'Pecha Pelvic-Thrust' and glanced at Scarav. [colour=Beige]'Oh, Rook, this is Pontus, a guy I went to Guild with. He's stationed here by the Federation too!'[/colour] smiled the Ninjask.

The Bisharp's eyes narrowed as he looked the Monferno up and down. Pontus suddenly felt very uncomfortable. 'So, er, what rank is Team Rhinestone?' asked Pontus, desperate to end the stare. 'Gold' replied Rook immediately. He had a sharp voice that cut into Pontus' ears. [colour=f7941d]'Oh...right. Team Rune are gold too'[/colour] lied the Monferno, his fingers running over the normal badge on his chest. The explorers across the table looked at each other in confusion and leaned in to see the rusted badge pinned to his neckerchief. [colour=beige]'You sure about that, Pontus? That looks like a normal badge to me'.[/colour]

[colour=f7941d]'It's a rusted silver badge'[/colour] lied the Monferno again. [colour=f7941d]'Postage up here is terrible. We're still waiting for the Gold Badges to get in'[/colour]. Team Rhinestone sat backwards slowly, not entirely convinced. [colour=DarkRed]'Your badge says 'Team Rune'. That name rings a bell, you know...'[/colour] said Rook finally. [colour=f7941d]'Oh, you probably heard of how we took down the Treasure Town Tripper?'[/colour] said Pontus proudly, puffing out his chest. [colour=DarkRed]'No...Where you the team who burned down Tiny Woods?'[/colour] asked Rook, raising an eyebrow. [i]Shit. He's got me there.[/i].[colour=f7941d]'Er, no, I don't think so...Er, nope, wasn't us!'[/colour] replied Pontus, shifting uncomfortably in his chair and chuckling nervously. There was a tense moment as Rook kept his gaze for several moments before shrugging and nodding. [colour=DarkRed]'Must of been someone else then...'[/colour] he said finally. The Monferno breathed a silent sigh of relief.

[colour=f7941d]'What brings you to Glacefloe then, lads?'[/colour] asked Pontus, desperately trying to steer the conversation away from the misfortunes of Team Rune. [colour=Beige]'We're on business with the Federation. Seeing as you're stationed here, I'd imagine you know why?'[/colour] smiled Scarab. [colour=f7941d]'Pffft, of course we do. Thing is, postage up here is extremely poor, so we haven't received official word yet'[/colour] fibbed Pontus. [colour=Beige]'Oh, well, the Federation is planning an expedition into this region and we're scouting it out. The first wave, you might say'[/colour] said Scarab. [colour=f7941d]'Oh, really?'[/colour] said Pontus, pretending to be engrossed in the dregs at the bottom of his cup. [colour=Beige]'Yeah - they think there might be treasure up here connected to the Underwater Temple and they want us to check out any leads'[/colour] said Scarab, his voice lowering. Pontus put down his cup slowly when he heard this and a vague expression filled his face. [colour=beige]'I'm sure you'll be getting the official report soon enough. Although, Team Rune wasn't mentioned in our report. We didn't even know you'd be here, to be honest'.[/colour]

[colour=f7941d]'WHAT?!'[/colour] shouted Pontus suddenly, slamming the cup onto the table. His chair fell forward with a [i]THUNK![/i]. The shout was drowned out by the crowd but it still had an effect on Scarab, who jumped in surprise. Pontus composed himself but seethed with anger. [i]Not mentioned in the official report! Those bastards know we're here and are trying to keep us in the dark![/i]. [colour=f7941d]'Sorry, lads, just hit my toe off of the table!'[/colour] he fake laughed, pretending to rub his foot under the table but silently cursing the Federation. [colour=Beige]'Yeah....we're setting out in a few days. We're actually meeting with Gala, the Tirtouga, tonight. I'm sure he'll be expecting you and Froad to meet him too'[/colour] said the Ninjask, recovering from the shock of Pontus' sudden outburst. [colour=Beige]'You guys know this area better than anyone, right? I'm sure you'll have maps and stuff'[/colour]

[colour=f7941d]'Yeah, yeah'[/colour] said Pontus, no longer listening but rubbing his temples. [colour=f7941d]'Where the hell is Froad?'[/colour] he spoke out loud. He finally looked up to see a bemused Rook and a confused Scarab looking back at him. [colour=f7941d]'I'm going to go find Froad and I'll be back here ASAP. We'll want to meet Gala the Tirtouga with you two guys. Remember, don't move from this table! I'll be back in one moment!'[/colour] he said quickly. [colour=Beige]'Oh, okay. Goodb-'[/colour] Scarab barely began speaking before Pontus rushed past his table and quickly weaved in between tables to kick open the door and jump outside into the darkness of Glacefloe town. When he was sure no one was looking, the Monferno tore down the street, yowling at the top of his lungs.

[colour=f7941d]'FROAD? WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU? THOSE FUCKERS ARE TRYING TO SHAFT US, FROAD! THEY'RE TRYING TO SHAFT US!'[/colour]