Team Chamomile - M5 FINALE

Mission 5, Part XIII

Spinda Café Ruins, very early morning.

The bleak scene of the café could burn the morale of any exploration team: Pokémon of all types and sizes were scattered about among the broken tables and chairs, the broken cups and glasses. Some cried, while some stayed silent; the criers, Fleur and Twiggy could both tell, were running out of energy. Their calls for help were weak and broken, and it was barely audible even from the entrance to the once bright café. The thin air made any Pokémon who stepped too deep in the café short of breath—Syrena, the Mudkip guiding Team Chamomile, knew there wasn't much time left for these Pokémon. Others ached and groaned at the wounds they'd received from the collapse, and others shivered in a curled up position, careful not to get hurt on the glass shards everywhere. Only one Pokémon seemed to be somewhat instilled with energy: a Woobat fluttered around the hurt Pokémon aimlessly, trying to voice his concern. His voice was weak, however, and his eyes were blinded from birth. No Pokémon listened to his lonely voice; they were all too worried about keeping their lives intact. Why listen to anyone else?

"This is bad…" murmured Twiggy under his breath, "I didn't think it would be like this…" Fleur heard and felt the warm breath on her ear, nodding slightly.

"Yeah…" she nodded, turning to Syrena, "We gotta do something before these guys run out of air…us, too…it's a little hard to breathe in here."

"My partner over there—the Woobat, Carwyn—he's been trying to persuade the Pokémon to leave for a while, but they're all too weak to even move now…They were fine when I was building the tunnel, but the air's gotten thinner, and everyone's wounds have gotten worse in time." Upon hearing his name, the Woobat flapped over to where he heard it—the voice that said it was familiar, and he was sure his partner had returned from digging.

"There you are, Syrena…" the Woobat shivered, "I-I really tried, but…it's so bad…they won't listen to me…"

"How come?" Fleur tilted her head, confused, "You would think they'd wanna get out of here."

"We thought so, too," Carwyn frowned, "When Syrena dug the first hole in here, we thought it'd be able to get enough air through to help everyone come to their senses, but it wasn't enough…"

"That's why you two saw me digging back through the entrance," Syrena explained, "See, we were trying to create a more reliable exit tunnel for the evacuees and a better source of air, but even then, some Pokémon are still wounded, and there're a lot of them…And the air might take a while to get through, since the tunnel's so long…"

"So that's where we come in!" Fleur smiled, "We'll get the Pokémon all psyched to get out of here, and Twiggy and I can guide 'em out! The wounded can hang onto my tails or ride on my back if they're small enough! Right, buddy?"

"Uh-huh!" Twiggy said, "I'll even give up my spot on Fleur's back if I have to…it's not too far of a journey back to the law firm, so…if I need to, I can run back and tell Shroomsworth about the situation while you help out the evacuees. It might be possible for him to send aid, too!"

"I like it, co-pilot!" Fleur said, turning to Team Storm Front, "How 'bout you guys? You okay with the idea?"

"We'll put our trust in you, Team Chamomile," Syrena smiled, turning to her partner.

"We-we will?!" Carwyn stuttered, but shook his head, "I-I mean, yeah, we will! We'll help guide the Pokémon out, too!"

"All right!" Fleur threw her paw up in the air, "Then let's start step one: get everyone psyched! Twiggy?"

"H-huh?! Me again?" the little Turtwig jumped upon hearing his name, "Fleur, why do you always make me do stuff like this?" Syrena let out a chuckle at the Turtwig's embarrassment.

"'Cause!" Fleur began, "You get all cute and flustered when you do stuff like that! It's so funny!" This time, Carwyn laughed, wondering what kind of speech the Turtwig would give. Though he was a bit worried, the Woobat let the two take the wheel on the rescue mission.

"Th-that's not a good reason!" Twiggy blushed, "I…I get all shaky, and my mouth gets all dry, and my feet get all clammy…and…!"

"…Co-pilot," Fleur sighed, a smile crossing her lips, "You got this! Believe in your little Turtwig heart, 'cause I know there's a great big one in that tiny chest of yours! Now go on up there and show 'em who's saving their tails!"

"Well…" the Turtwig began, waiting a few moments and thinking. He could feel his feet get clammy already, but pushed it aside and reluctantly said, "I'll try…but if it gets bad, you help me, okay…?"

"Sure thing!" Fleur said, "That's what buddies are for!"

"Okay…" the grass-type readied himself and stood up, trying to maintain balance on Fleur's back, "…Bring me a little closer, and I'll try to talk to them." As she was told, Fleur took a few steps forward, catching the attention of many Pokémon lying on the ruins of tables and chairs. Team Storm Front followed close behind, ready for anything. Slowly, Twiggy took a deep breath and began to speak, trying to hide the shakiness from his voice somewhere, and putting on a brave face for all to see.

"Everyone!" he cried, getting the attention of the stragglers who didn't notice the Turtwig before, "Um…hi. My name's Twiggy, and I'm a Rescuer from Team Chamomile…Fleur down here is my leader…um, but anyway! We need you all to get up! We know it's hard…it's cold, it's scary out there, and most of all, we have no idea what Mr. Sorbet is doing! But we need you all to get up! You can't give up here! I…I almost gave up tonight, too. I almost froze to death in the storm! But Fleur helped me, and Master Foo helped me, and…and we want to help you, too! The tunnel is ready, the air outside is thick and crisp, so what are you waiting for?! We'll help you! If you're wounded, we'll give you a paw! If you're scared, we'll listen! And if you're cold, Fleur can warm you right up if you hang onto one of her tails! So, please! We want to help you, but you have to take the first step! Um…that's all."

The small crowd of Pokémon quieted, many with baited breath. Some stood, and some could only turn their heads to see, but they looked at Twiggy all the same. For a while, there was silence. There was nothing but a bunch of disbelieving stares and gapes. But in mere moments, a Mareep and Kirlia stood, too—an exploration team--and they began to clap for the tiny grass-type, excited for the escape. When others heard the clapping, they too, followed, and those who couldn't, cheered for the little Turtwig, shouting, "Hooray, we're saved! Hooray!" Twiggy, Fleur, and Team Storm front gazed in awe at the cheering crowd, wondering what it was in Twiggy's words that brought so much enthusiasm to the crowd. The non-wounded began to help the wounded towards the two teams; others began to uncurl themselves and walk over to the teams to thank them. And even Hops, the Shuckle barista who was trapped inside with the others, made his way over to the teams and thanked them.

"You've got a way with words, kid!" Hops gave a big smile, "Using everything you've got and wanting to save all of us…every last one of us. You're a noble little guy."

"I-I am?!" Twiggy gasped, honored.

"But of course!" the Shuckle nodded happily, "You should be proud to be a Rescuer, little guy." At this, Twiggy stood in awe, and soon slid down back to a sitting position on Fleur, whose proud beaming smile shined on Twiggy.

"I toldja, buddy!" Fleur chuckled, "I think you're secretly good at public speaking, and you never told me!"

"N-no, I…!" Twiggy shirked the thought aside, and was about to protest when Syrena's voice interrupted him.

"Hey, Team Chamomile!" Syrena called from the entrance to the makeshift tunnel, "We're ready to escort the non-wounded! Are you okay with taking the wounded back to the law firm?"

"Uh-huh!" Fleur nodded, turning to a group of Pokémon with cuts and bruises and breaks, "Everyone, you ready? If you don't feel like you can walk the whole way, hop on behind Twiggy. If your wounds start hurting, you can grab onto my tails! They're warm, so it might help a little if you poke at one if you're starting to get all achy on us."

"Okay!" the Pokémon replied, giving weak smiles despite their wounds. The Kirlia from earlier had a broken leg, and climbed onto Fleur, as did a few others. It was enough room, however, to keep Twiggy comfortable, and he was able to stay on Fleur's back, comforting the severely wounded while they rode. The Mareep followed along with her Kirlia partner, hoping for his safety. Others also followed behind as the pair left through the tunnels. The travelling was slow, but the evacuees never let go of the fighting spirit instilled in them by the tiny Turtwig they followed. Some began to hold onto Fleur's tails as the going got a little rough and the tunnels began to slope upward for a climb. Fleur tried to give reassuring words as they climbed, telling the group to 'hold onto their hats' if they had any, eliciting some laughter from the Pokémon.

The tunnels twisted and turned, went up and down, but finally, a small light popped through a hole up ahead, and many Pokémon once again cheered for their freedom. It was a small speck of daylight, shining through the hole in the ground. Fleur and Twiggy couldn't believe their eyes when they saw the dark blue of daybreak find a way through the clouds and snow; it was a small miracle, and they had hope there would be more along the way. The snow was still strong as Team Chamomile made their way out, however, and when the winds blew, the Pokémon all held on tighter, perhaps even tighter than all of the day care children. They slowly made their way against the wind and past the ruins of the Rescuers' Clubhouse, with Twiggy triple checking for any other Pokémon trapped in the snow. When all was checked, the two began to move again with their little caravan, seeing the law firm slowly coming into view.

Just like the day care group, the wounded cheered and clapped and hurrahed as the Odd Keystone building brought itself back up through the snow and mist of the chilly night. Shroomsworth and Chrysanthos, looking even more exhausted than before, ran up to the group expectantly, along with Team Storm Front, who had gone ahead and dropped off the other evacuees.

"These are the wounded, then?" Shroomsworth asked, "I've been told by Syrena here of your work. Chrysanthos and I will aid you in bringing them to safety."

"You guys were great!" Syrena smiled, giving a fin up, "I dunno what we would have done without you and Twiggy, Fleur!"

"D'aww," Fleur scratched the back of her head, "It was nothing!"

"Yes, you two have done such a wonderful job!" the Leavanny cheered, putting his hands together in jubilation, "I think Shroomsworth was quite happy to see you all in the horizon when you all came up again!"

"Hmph, I'd prefer not to comment on that," shrugged the Breloom, a little flustered, "Though I am happy to see all of the Pokémon safe and sound. According to Devonshire, a Rogue team called The Masked was able to clear out the tunnel system of its…impurities, let's say. After we get the wounded to the medical barracks, I suggest you two get some rest in the tunnels, as well. You've all worked quite hard tonight, and I think it's time for you to retire for the night."

"Really?!" Fleur asked, beaming, "We can?!"

"But of course!" nodded Chrys, "Your work tonight was absolutely lovely, and the village seems to have been fully evacuated thanks to you two!"

Team Chamomile thanked the two grass-types and followed them into the tunnel with the Pokémon they carried with them. The warmth was overwhelming to them—they had been in buildings earlier in the night, but a team of fire-types was making sure the tunnels stayed warm, making for an extremely comforting environment for the two Pokémon.  After dropping the café group at the medical barracks led by Remedy, Poppy, and Doctor Kaiser, Twiggy and Fleur were finally able to relax. Twiggy was able to jump off of Fleur thanks to the warmth—Fleur chuckled as her friend got used to walking on his own again after a few hours of being a Ninetales rider.

The two walked into the now-safe tunnels and was greeted by Sandy, giving them a night's worth of rations and some hay from Tao Ranch, specially made for nests. Fleur was overjoyed when she saw the little Deino, pointing out Twiggy and happily jumping around, overjoyed the two were able to meet each other. They said their pleasantries and promised once again for a get together one day—the two were in a line of other Pokémon waiting for supplies and couldn't say much else. It took a bit of time, but after walking for what seemed like miles through the tunnel, there was an empty space where the two could put the hay for the night and use it as a nest.

"I guess we're really hitting the hay tonight, huh?!" Fleur opened her mouth wide in an expectant smile, believing that the joke was absolutely hilarious. Twiggy, on the other hand…

"Um…I don't really get it." The Turtwig said with a straight face.

"Aw, you're no fun!" Fleur stuck her tongue out and set out the hay in a big pile, jumping into it like it was a pile of leaves, "Anyways, we had our share of adventure tonight, huh?"

"Y-yeah…" Twiggy yawned, walking into a small spot of hay, as well, "I didn't think you could do so much in one night…"

"Me neither!" Fleur chuckled quietly, "I would do it more often, buuuut we kind of need to sleep or we'll start hallucinating like I did that one time, so…yeah." Without Twiggy's consent, Fleur put her tails on the Turtwig like a blanket, keeping him nice and cozy. He thanked her, snuggled up with the tails, and began to chuckle at that memory.

"Oh, yeah, I remember that!" Twiggy smiled and yawned again, "It wasn't too long after we met, and, um…you said you didn't have to sleep…so you didn't…"

"Mmmhm!" laughed Fleur, "And then I started seeing the weirdest things, remember? …Twiggy? …Hey, co-pilot?" Fleur, surprised at the lack of response at that, looked over to see her Turtwig friend already fast asleep, snuggling up with one of her tails as if it were his favorite blue baby blanket. The Ninetales chuckled at that and realized her exhaustion, too, when she saw her partner so relaxed. Slowly, she closed her eyes, muttering one last thing before she fell into slumber:

"Mmph…g'night, Twiggy. Sleep tight. We…we did good today."

-END MISSION 5-