“Alright, who wants it?”

“I do!”

“I choose… you!”

“Yes! Finally!”

“Hey, I haven’t had it in a while!”

A week had passed since the food crisis concluded. Life in the village had largely gone back to its regular pace, minus a few worries about everyone getting fed on time. Fortunately, there were plenty of capable foragers in the town, and news of the seizing had spread far enough to attract merchants, who were all too happy to exploit it for their own gain. Despite it being as moral as stealing family relics, no one complained. You don’t complain when someone offers you a hand in a dark time, even if the hand was covered in mud.

For Blitzer and George, normalcy meant a week of peace. They got to meet and play the village children after some hard convincing on Blitzer’s part, went to Greenwood Forest a few more times, and spent their days playing and training. George had a little more control over his water breathing now, though not by a lot, while Blitzer didn’t do much of anything new, instead sticking by what he already knew. The forest wasn’t cutting it anymore, according to him.

Today was another day of sun and nothing. They were throwing a ball around with some other kids in the village, every participant fortunate to have been born with two arms. They went at it for a while, enjoying themselves as they tossed the ball back and forth. Eventually, the game died down, with George being the one to hold the ball at the end.

“Haha, this is fun, but it sure is exhausting!” said Junior, who was a Pikachu. The son of Speedy, who was also named Speedy, and went by Junior instead.

“You’re right about that!” Blitzer said right after.

“Heey, what are you all complaining about? I’m not tired at all!” said the Cubone named Corst. “And I thought fires and electrics were supposed to be all energetic.”

Blitzer crossed his arms. “Ah don’t be such a downer, you. Just because you wear a rock on your head all the time and you like it doesn’t mean the rest of us are lazy!”

“What? What did you say?!” Corst yelled, the voice echoing through the skull-shaped helmet he was wearing.

“Blitzer, noo…” Junior approached Corst to try and comfort him a little, his ears laying low. Corst wasn’t pleased to hear anyone making fun of his hat, let alone the only fire type in the village.

Realizing what he’d done, Blitzer hurriedly followed in Junior’s footsteps. “Wait, no, I didn’t mean it that way-” he said, but stopped halfway through. He got halfway to Corst before coming to a stop, as well. It hadn’t been a decision of his own making.

“Just stay quiet, Blitzer.” An Abra hovered in between the two. “Let him explain himself before you start making excuses for yourself. Please. We gave you another chance, don’t make us regret it,” she said.

“Okay…” Blitzer let his arms hang in defeat. By this time, George had dropped the ball and walked over to get closer to the rest.

“I don’t care what you imagine you were saying, it really hurts to hear you say those things. Rockhead? My mother made it for me! She put all her heart into it, and you now want to make fun of it?” Corst said, his voice coming out from the eye holes and the gap between the helmet and his neck. “That’s low, even for you!”

George didn’t want to stand around and let everyone argue. What came Blitzer’s way was bound to come his way too; he had been introduced to the children by Blitzer, after all. And if not for George looking harmless enough, Blitzer probably would have been left in a cloud of his own dust. Looking at how the Charmander hung his arms and couldn’t get his eyes off the ground, something had to be said.

“Hey everybody, can we not argue? It’s only a ball game, and we’re arguing over nothing.”

“Well, Blitzer should apologize. That was uncalled for,” Junior said.

“Yeah, he should!” a Buizel who was about George’s height said. Her size was an odd sight.

George nodded. “I agree. It was rude of him to say it. But don’t take it too personally. I’m sure he didn’t mean to hurt anyone.”

“Yeah,” Blitzer meekly said.

Corst nodded. “Alright then. Well, Blitzer?”

“I’m sorry, Corst. It was uncalled for.”

“Thank you. Will you not do it again?”

“Yes. I’m so sorry. It won’t ever happen again, I promise.”

“That’s better.” Corst walked and sat down on a tiny bench at the edge of the field they were playing at to watch the water flow through the nearby stream. Perhaps it wasn’t the cleanest way to ease the tension, but George was glad it didn’t get any worse. The last thing any of them needed was for the feud to reignite.

George’s efforts did not go unnoticed by the others; a yellow finger tapped on his shoulder. “You know George, I was initially nervous seeing you, what with Blitzer and all, but you’re pretty nice,” Junior said.

“Totally! When I first saw you, I was like, ‘no way’!” the Buizel said. George looked at them both with a face that was both sheepish and unamused at the same time.

“Thanks, I guess…” ‘ Do I really look that silly ?’

“Well, that’s George for you,” Blitzer said, laying one of his arms around George’s neck, which made George glad he wasn’t wearing the scarf any longer. “Sure, he’s a little different, but he’s a good friend. I’m glad you’ve all given him a chance.”

“You’re right about him being different. You have to be a little out there to stick with Blitzer for that long!” the Buizel said. The whole group then laughed except for George, who kept his reaction to a few pretend chuckles.

‘I thought we had this whole no bullying thing down. ’

“But really, I mean it. I might have been put off by his odd name and not knowing where he’s from and all, and I’m not the only one that thinks that way,” Junior said, looking the Oshawott straight in his eyes. “But George is just who we needed, I think. I’m glad that we could make back up with Blitzer. It’s not any good to kick other people to the curb forever. That’s what my dad told me.”

The Buizel nodded. “That’s right. George, you’ve been a real surprise. A welcome one!” she said, much to the pleasure of everyone in attendance. George couldn’t help but notice Corst in the distance, watching the stream as if he was meditating.

“Well, I’m glad to hear it, but I’m not so sure if Corst agrees with any of you.”

“Oh, that’s just Corst for you,” the Buizel said. “He’s always been shy and a little slow to accept things, don’t worry about it. He’ll come around eventually.”

“Why is that, though?” asked George. The Buizel shrugged, as did Junior and all the others.

“No particular reason,” Junior said. “What I do know is that he still has his parents, so that’s not it. Corst is just the way he is. And there’s nothing wrong with that. I’m glad we’re all different and not the same. Makes it all more fun!”

“Yeah! That’s why I took George here to begin with!” Blitzer said. “He’s not like anyone here at all!”

“You told us, Blitzer. Where was he from again?” asked Junior. George rested his arms in front of his scalchop and kept his tail close by. It wasn’t the time to spill the beans. Then again, would there ever be a right time for it?

“He never told me himself!” Blitzer excitedly shouted. The less confident Blitzer was, the louder he got. George bit at his cheeks; it was his turn now.

“Well, George? Where are you from?”

“Uhm…” George’s hand shot up to scratch an itch behind his ear. “To be honest, I don’t really know where I’m from. Up north, I think.”

“What do you mean, you don’t know where you’re from? Have you never seen a map before?” asked Junior. George shook his head.

“No, actually. I don’t know if my family was too poor for one, but I haven’t seen one. What I do know is that I come from a place that’s colder than here, so that’s why I’m guessing I’m from up north.”

“Cool!” said the Buizel. “What’s the north like? Did you grow up with other Oshawott? I’ve never seen any other Oshawott around here.”

“Heey, this is great and all, but maybe we shouldn’t pile the questions onto George so much. He’s still new here, after all,” Blitzer said, as he got in between the Buizel and a thus far silent Sentret and placed his hands on both of their backs. “We should give him some space, he’ll tell us eventually, right?”

George tepidly nodded. “...sure.” ‘I’m going to regret saying that.’

“Yeah, so give him some room!” Blitzer continued. Junior shrugged.

“Oh, sure thing. Although, couldn’t you have let him say that himself?”

“Oh, yeah.” Blitzer sheepishly backed off. “Anyway, does anyone have an idea on what we could do next? I think we’ve thrown the ball enough for today.”

“Not really, no,” said Junior. “Do you have any ideas?”

Blitzer was hardly able to contain himself; from his movements to the gleam in his eyes, it was clear that there were plenty of ideas buzzing around in that head of his. But he wouldn’t get the opportunity to tell anyone about them for now; someone had come to nip those plans in the bud.

“Excuse me. You’re Blitzer, right? The Charmander?”

The whole group’s attention was drawn to a Tangrowth who had snuck up on them. Blitzer leaned backwards, unsure of what to say. “Um, yeah, that’s him,” Junior said. “Is there something wrong?”

The Tangrowth shook its head, the tendrils hanging off its face shaking back and forth in the process. “Oh, not really, no. Not anything I’m aware of, I’m just a simple courier. Oh yes, this message is also for one… Jor-Je? Geyorj? Something like that? The Oshawott kid over there, most likely. Yes.”

George’s cheeks puffed themselves up. “Err, yes. That would be me, I think. Unless there’s another Oshawott named George living in the village.” ‘ And also another Charmander named Blitzer… ’

The Tangrowth nodded. “Ah yes. Most pleasant. Most pleasant indeed. Normally I would be one handing you a message, but not this time. How odd. In any case, I’ve been asked to tell you that there’s a letter with your names on it delivered to the local cafe. You know where the café is, correct?”

Blitzer nodded. “We sure do. I probably know it better than anyone in the village,” he said, harkening back to all the times he’d been kicked out when attempting to sneak in. Then the realisation hit him in the face. “Hey, wait a minute, they don’t allow children in the café! How are we supposed to pick up the letter if we’re not allowed in?”

“Oh, no worries,” the Tangrowth said, lifting up the tendrils around his mouth in the form of a smiley with its arms. “I also meant to tell you that you are allowed to go in to pick up the message, no problems. Apparently it is a special delivery of sorts! Now I must say, you are both quite young to be moving up in the world, but congratulations.”

George scratched the back of his head. “Wait, who sent us this letter, exactly?”

“Oh, I don’t know!” The Tangrowth put its arms up. “No one ever told me. You will have to wait and see. Now, if you excuse me, I need to get going. I have some other deliveries to make, if none of you kids mind.”

“Wait, is there anything you can tell us?” Blitzer asked. But the Tangrowth had already made up its mind, and had begun waddling off elsewhere.

“As I said, I do not know! You will have to go and see for yourselves. Have a nice day, children.”

And with that, the Tangrowth was gone. Blitzer and George were left dumbfounded. Why they of all people would receive a letter from a stranger was something neither of them understood. At first George was a little suspicious, but now he didn’t know anymore.

“What is this?” George asked. “Soldiers? No, I don’t think so.”

“I can guarantee you it’s not them,” Blitzer said. “They wouldn’t send weird letters, they’d just come straight for you.”

“Um, guys? What are you going to do?” asked Junior. Blitzer pulled a sour face.

“We’re going to have a look. I’m curious about this. Right, George?”

“...right.” George docked his tongue in one of his cheeks. While Blitzer was jumping the gun without asking as usual, he wasn’t the lone curious soul among them. Why someone in the world outside of this village would want to contact them of all people is a mystery, one George longed to know the answer of. No word about him had gotten out there, had it? In any case, it also meant getting to see the one place in the village that was forbidden territory, and that had to have gotten Blitzer’s curiosity tingling.

Junior nodded. “That’s fine by me. Even though my dad tells me to not accept things from strangers, I don’t see why a mailman wouldn’t be trustworthy!”

“I don’t know,” said the Abra, curiously bobbing up and down using her telekinesis. “All of it seems very suspicious to me. Okay, why exactly that is, I don’t know, but there’s something about all of this that’s not making me confident. Has anyone seen that Tangrowth before?”

The whole group shook their heads. “Well, no, but he’s a postman from outside of town, isn’t he? We occasionally get those coming in, right?” Blitzer asked.

“Yeah, we do,” said the Buizel.

“That’s right. Maybe he’s just a new postman!” the Sentret added.

“I don’t know about that, guys,” the Abra said. “Don’t postmen normally have a bag to carry the mail in? That Tangrowth didn’t have one. This might be just a bunch of nonsense I’m saiying, but it seems so odd.”

Blitzer nodded. “Don’t worry. I don’t see how this could go wrong if we just go to the café. The worst that might happen is that we’ll get kicked out again, that’s all.”

“Okay. But do be careful, please? I don’t want either of you getting hurt.”

“We can handle ourselves, Alcia, don’t worry.”

And with that, Blitzer dragged George off to the town square, leaving enough time for a quick goodbye and a wave. George frowned as he waddled off, eyeing the back of Blitzer’s head the whole time.

‘ Well thanks for that. I barely even had the chance to learn their names, and it’s been a week! So that Pikachu is named Junior, I know that much, and that Cubone is called Corst. Now that Abra is named Alcia, something like that? Ugh, I’m already doubting myself. I wish could just tell him that properly, but- ugh, can’t do much about it now, I guess… ’

Sunlight beamed through a gap in the clouds onto the town’s square. Once again there was plenty of activity here, from discussions around the billboard, to the people passing through on their way somewhere, to the crowds gathered at the entrance to the bar. Blitzer put a hand before George, then gulped.

“This is it, George. Moment of truth, either we’re getting in or we’re not getting in.”

George tepidly gazed at the building in front of him: Larger than any ordinary house around town, the café was painted in a fascinating bright red. Through windows, one could see patrons inside enjoying themselves over a cup of some drink. Something about it seemed inviting; a band could be heard playing music inside, the occasional laugh sounded, too. It made the sign on the side of the door reading ‘NO CHILDREN ALLOWED’ all the more bitter.

“Are you ready, George?” asked Blitzer.

“I don’t see why you would need to be ready for this, but I guess I am,” George said.

“Alright then, let’s do this!”

Side by side, they stepped inside of the café. The place sure seemed a lot more inviting from the surface; it was dim, and there was an odd cramped smell in the air. Under the sound of a lone musician strumming on some sort of leaf guitar was the murmur of a handful of conversations between the patrons. There were no familiar faces anywhere in sight. George bit his lip.

“So, this is it?”

Blitzer nodded. “Yeah,“ he said, holding onto his tail, “this is it, alright, but strange. There was no one at the door. Normally I’d have been kicked out by now, but-”

“Yeah kid, you’re right about that.”

A voice echoed through the walls. The kids gasped in shock, jumping away from the wall that had been to their immediate left the whole time. There was no one to be seen.

“Wh-who is there?!” Blitzer stammered through his chattering teeth.

“Oh, just the bartender of this little hovel, that’s all.”

The voice sounded right below Blitzer’s feet this time. Blitzer yelped and jumped for George’s side, who fell a step backwards in response. George quaked as the adrenaline flowed through him. His mouth was hanging half open, his eyes were shimmering, too. The voice spoke with an echo from the world beyond, as if it was being filtered through crystal, yet felt so close to the soul. Something that existed only in movies back home.

“B-but wh-where are you?” Blitzer said, choking on each of his words. At the very least, he had the bravery to say anything. George had been overwhelmed. His heart beat against the walls of his chest in an attempt to escape, his feet were on the verge of crumpling, all while every speck of thought in his head was telling him to get out.

Meanwhile, the musician continued to strum, and the other patrons merely looked up from their drinks to see what the commotion was all about.

“Right here.”

Large gray hands appeared on both of their backs. Blitzer and George anxiously turned their heads. From the antenna, the one eye, and the gigantic stomach mouth, both knew from instinct what they were looking at.

“GHO-”

The hands moved over their mouths. “How predictable. Always the same story, ‘Oh, no, a ghost!’ Why, thank you. I definitely needed to hear that for the millionth time in a row. Why is it so strange that I am a functioning member of society? Did I ask to be created this way? No, I don’t think so. So please. The next time, no yelling, no screaming, no crying, nothing. Understood?”

Blitzer and George slowly nodded back at the Dusknoir behind their backs. The Dusknoir rolled its lone eye back at them. “Good,” he said, before taking his hands back. “The name’s Hein. Let’s get down to business, shall we?”

George was left feeling embarrassed. ‘ Of everything I’ve seen so far, the Grim Reaper as a bartender… has it all beat. ’

“Where… where is the guard?” Blitzer asked, keeping his tail close by.

“Home. It’s his day off,” Hein said. “Enough lollygagging, follow.”

Blitzer and George did as was asked by Hein as he hovered his way behind the bar, then into a room behind the bar. Despite being a single door frame removed from the rest of the building, there was no café atmosphere present. A large window let in enough light to reveal two shelves on the wall, in addition to a few mats on the wooden floor. Hein took something off the shelf, then gestured towards the mats.

“There. Have a seat.”

“Yes, sir.”

George dropped onto his backside, cringing as he got settled; his tail had gotten under him. Standing back up to fix that wasn’t in the cards. Hein didn’t seem in the mood to allow that, and George wasn’t willing to find out the consequences.

Hein hovered over the lone mat at the end of the room, and folded his arms. “So then. Of all the people I’d expect to have to talk two, you two snotnoses were just about the last ones on my list. Yet here we are,” his voice echoed.

Blitzer grimaced at the black ghost. “I’m sorry, sir, I don’t understand.”

“What I mean is, I wasn’t expecting you two idiots to be the ones I’d have to talk to, but here we are,” Hein said, his body awkwardly bent forwards to get the children’s blood pumping. “Anyway. You have gotten yourselves… a letter. Someone’s taken notice of what you’re doing and has a little request for you. That person, whoever they are, is asking you to go somewhere.”

“R-really?” asked Blitzer, eyes beaming. “Is it, is it telling us to go and explore?”

“Yes,” Hein answered.

“WOOHOO!” Blitzer leapt into a cheer, an uncontrollable smile all over the earlier frights and scares, not to mention his tail flaring with excitement. “George, George!! We’re exploring for someone! We’re going to be official explorers!! Can you believe-”

The Charmander’s cheers were stopped dead in their tracks by a gray hand grabbing onto his head. “Shut it, kid. Someone asked you to go and look at something for them, nothing more. And what even is an official explorer, anyway? There’s no Explorer’s Guild. Or any kind of organisation like it. Put the stupid fantasies down, will you?”

Blitzer sank back onto the mat. “...Sorry.”

Hein shook his antenna around. “Right… where were we. Ah yes, the assignment description. Here it is.” With all the subtlety of an elephant in a china shop, he stuck the letter into George’s hands. “Read it carefully. It likely contains the instructions on what it is you need to do.”

“But didn’t you know them yourself?” Blitzer asked. “That’s what the postman said-”

“No. I didn’t even open the letter. How would I know?”

‘ Magical ghost powers? ’ George thought to himself.

“Why didn’t you read them?”

Hein scoffed back at the orange lizard. “What, is that normal to you? Do you go around reading other people’s mail? Kid, learn some manners, will you. Last thing the world needs is another Charizard like you.”

Blitzer folded his arms and stared through the window. “I could’ve sworn that postman said-”

“Maybe you should get your ears examined. Or that postman was lying. In any case, I know nothing. Now please, you’ve got your message. Off with you, yes?”

“Yes.”

With a grumble and a hum respectively, Blitzer and George went away, lacking the courtesy to so much as say goodbye to the Dusknoir on their way out. Hein himself wasn’t in the mood for it, either, it turned out. For a chance meeting, the energy had been lacking. A saying from an old story George had read came to mind. No matter the situation, never play around with the Reaper; his scythe’s touch is as cold as the grave. All throughout the meeting, Hein had been in control, whether through dulling emotions or shutting down any words that stood against his own. Despite Hein’s earlier voice, George couldn’t help but feel that they had gotten off lucky.

“Boy, I’m sure glad that’s over…”

“No kidding, right? Who does that ghost think he is?!” Blitzer pouted.

“At least he gave us our mail.” George held up the letter in front of Blitzer’s face to try and calm him down. “Do you think he hasn’t read it?”

Blitzer shook his head. “I don’t care.”

George’s ears flattened. “But didn’t the Tangrowth say that the barman would know? You said it yourself.”

“I don’t care. I don’t even want to read our mail right now, okay? Ugh!” A warm breath escaped Blitzer’s mouth, causing George to take a step back as he felt it breeze past his face. “Let’s just go home for now.”

“Shouldn’t we go back to the others?”

“Maybe later. I don’t want to talk right now.”

George sighed, and began to walk out of the square. Today had gotten ten hours longer.