PMD-Missing(DISCONTINUED)

Chapter Three

After a while, the happiness at having an idea faded. My paws ached from my constant walking, and my stomach felt like it was caving in on itself in hunger. I managed to find a few apples and even a gummi, but those were long gone. The sun was on the verge of setting, and I considered just finding a place to camp.

The air had gotten cooler, making me shiver slightly. I found myself longing for my warm, comfy bed at the Guild, the filling dinner...

No! I shook my head sternly, scolding myself. I couldn't go back. When I still felt that longing, I brought myself back to brooding on my two team members' behavior towards me. They didn't need me, and I didn't need them. They were just holding me back from what I needed to do, which was find the Time gear thief.

Before I knew it, anger had rooted itself in my stomach again. 'Well, "I thought, 'At least I can be distracted from how hungry I am.' In regretted not eating anything the nights before.

Lost in my thoughts, I was surprised when I saw a dirt path ahead. I smiled in relief. Finally! I could maybe stay at an inn or something at the town ahead, and stock up on items. My pace quickened, and soon I was walking down the path.

A soft glow came from ahead, promising a town nearby. Slowing down, I ignored when my tail hit the ground painfully. I was too uplifted to care.

I saw a signpost ahead, and on closer inspection, I found that it read: "Vanity's Square", with an arrow pointing ahead.

Vanity's Square? I wondered, cocking my head. I hadn't heard of it before, but that wasn't all too surprising. Everyone I knew never really mentioned any other towns, at least, not by name.

Shaking myself, I hurried down the path again. Soon I could make out some shops and things, and a larger structure towards the middle of town. Paws thumping lightly on the ground, my tail bobbing slightly, I ran down the path.

I stopped, panting, when I came to the entrance of town. I didn't want to look like an idiot, running into the town. Instead of running, I held my head up, let my tail drag, and walked into the town.

With it being sunset, there weren't that many Pokémon out. But most of the shops were open. There was a Keclean(A/N Did I mess up with that?) Mart, what looked like some kind of TM shop, and a few gimmicky souvenir shops. There was a scattering of small cottage-like structures, clearly made for the citizens to live in. In the center of town was a large building, much like the others, but it had two floors. In front of it was a ledge, presumably to stand on, and a large clearing of space around it. At the edge of town was a large ring of buildings, each looking like they only had one room.

I took in the sights, reflecting upon how this resembled a town more than my own home at Treasure Town had. I decided to buy some things at the shop before looking for an inn. With that out of the way, tomorrow I could set off as soon as possible.

Stiff, yet uplifted, I approached the Kecleon shop. Unlike treasure town, there was only one Kecleon at the shop, yet behind her a Smeargle was shifting some goods.

I was suddenly aware of how dirty I must look, covering in mud and bruised. But I didn't let it show as I walked up to the shop. The keclean took my appearance in, her lips pursed, but gave me a smile anyways.

"You must have had a rough day, huh?" She asked, leaning on the counter. The smeargle behind her looked over his shoulder, but turned back to his work a moment later.

I nodded, sitting down. I didn't really mind small talk right now. It had been so long since I'd had a good conversation with anyone, I'd take anything. "Yeah. I've been walking all day now." The shop-keeper nodded, a sympathic look on her face. "I can tell. But what happened to your tail?"