PMD-Missing(DISCONTINUED)

Chapter Three

Regretfully, I nodded. How much was this going to cost me?

The Kecleon gave a delighted gasp, clapping her hands together enthusiastically. "You want to buy it?! Great! That will be 8,000 Poké!" She had opened her money pouch already, and I sighed. That would be all of my money, except for about 200.

"Fine." I pushed to money towards her, taking the necklace. The metal felt cool against my paws, and I knew it would against my neck, so I just put it in my bag.

"Come again!" The Kecleon called as I left, and I rolled my eyes. I didn't have the money to do so. The sun was almost down by now, and I was extremely tired. I didn't even spare a glance at other shops as I walked towards the inn, hoping there was a room left. I didn't feel like spending another night on the ground, when I would have to after this.

When I got to the ring of buildings, I knocked on the door of the house beside the rooms, hoping that I got the right one.

After a second, a Linoone poked her head out. She smiled when she saw me, opening the door. "Why, hello." She greeted me, "You're here for the inn, right?"

I breathed a sigh of relief. She seemed pretty nice. "Um, yeah." I then twitched my tail, "But the Kecleon over there said you were good with healing, and my tail..." I didn't bother to elaborate; U just stood up, showing her my tail.

The Linoone gasped, her paws flying to her mouth. "Oh, that looks bad. Come in, my husband and I will be able to fix it." The Linoone stood aside, and I walked into her home.

It was cozy and warm, with a fireplace towards the back. Two beds were close together in the corner, beside oak table. Another slightly larger Linoone was already coming over to us, taking in the state of my tail and other bruises.

The two began fussing over me, asking my how I got in such a state, to which the answer was that I fell from a tree. I couldn't tell anyone why I was actually here, or why I was so battered. The guild would hear of it, and they would come for me. That would mean running, and I hated having to hide.

The two, when I asked what I could call them, simply said I could call them Stripe and Streak, what everyone preferred calling them.

Stripe brought some bandages, in which she used to wrap up my tail, making a stiff cast. I couldn't really move my tail much, but at least it didn't hurt anymore.

After they were done treating the bruises all over me, Streak handed my an Orb. The label on it said 'Cleanse Orb'. I tried to give it back. "I can't take this! You've already done enough for me!"

Stripe snorted. "It's no problem." She said warmly, "You look like you're going to need it." I sighed, knowing that she wouldn't take it back now. I put it in my bag, planning to use it later. I'd used these before, and I knew that they weren't something you should use inside.

"Okay, but can I get a room?" I asked, feeling slightly embarrassed. I hated when others fussed over me, and it made me uncomfortable to know that these two were helping me so much.

Streak nodded. "Yes, there's an empty one labeled 3. You're staying one night, right?" I nodded. I would have loved to stay longer, but I had work to do. I didn't know how much longer I had until the thief got to fogbound lake, so I couldn't waste much more time.

"Yes. Thank you for helping me out." I decided to thank them, since I hardly had enough money to do anything with. Stripe smiled. "It's no problem. Enjoy your stay!"

With that, I was shunted out of the house. I sighed, looking for the hut labeled as '3'. I found it at the corner of the city. Before I walked inside, I used the Orb that was given to me. A cold, wet feeling spread across my fur, and when it faded, all of the dirt was gone. Sighing at the clean feeling, I walked inside the hut.

There was a single bed, made of the same type of straw as the ones at the Guild, a window, and a place where I could put my bag. I put my bag away, and collapsed onto the bed. My body relaxed, but my mind couldn't anymore.

It was too full of the vision I'd had earlier. Now I knew what the thief looked like, and possibly what his next move was. But how do I know that wasn't a vision of the past? Was he even right about there being a Time Gear there? And, if so, had he already taken it?

I growled in frustration, rolling over so I could hug my tail. The cast made it kind of hard to do so, but I did anyways. Why couldn't I tell whether it was past or future?! But, I calmed down a bit, there hasn't been any news of it. And, if it was stolen already, maybe he left some evidence of himself behind. And maybe that would trigger a vision that told me where to go next.

Then it hit me. Now I knew why the name 'Fogbound Lake' sounded familiar. Chatot had said that was where the Guild was going for their Expedition. And they should be leaving in a week or two, from what I heard.

I groaned. Now, not only would I have to find a Pokémon, I would have to avoid a group of them! This was looking more and more impossible. From where I was, it would take a while for me to get there. And who knew how close the Thief was? It seemed that I wouldn't be the only one trying to find Fogbound Lake.

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When I woke up the next morning, I felt much better. My mind was clearer than the night before, so I knew what I had to do. I would leave this place as soon as possible, and then go to the Lake.

Lost in my thoughts, I took an Apple from my bag. I needed something to eat, and I had more anyways. After my breakfast, I got to my paws. When I walked outside, the sun was shining brightly and there were hardly any clouds in the sky.

Most of the town was out already, from what I could see. But everyone seemed...subdued. They were muttering anxiously to each other, looking terrified. Though I knew I should have went, I decided to stick around a bit to see what was going on.

I strayed near a bit of a large crowd, and listened in on the conversation. "What will he do if he doesn't find her?" A Raticate asked, hunkered down slightly. The Pokémon next to him, a Ralts, shrugged nervously. "I don't know." The conversation went on like that for a while, before I lost my patience.

I tapped a Swinub on the shoulder, and asked, "Excuse me, what's going on?"

The Pokémon jumped, and turned around hastily. He looked extremely nervous as he said, "It's horrible! The mayor's daughter went missing!"

I frowned. Yes, that would be a problem. But why wasn't anyone trying to find her? I sighed. This would be something Lance would have done, to find the daughter. But I wasn't part of a team anymore.

"I heard that the reward he's giving out will be generous, since it is his only daughter." The Ralts said, looking almost rueful. "I heard it's going to be a TM of choice, and half of his bank savings!"

My eyes widened a bit. That would definitely be useful. The moves I had weren't that great, my inly good ones being Wake-Up-Slap and Water Pulse. And I did need more Poke.

But I couldn't waste time! I argued to myself, my brow furrowing. But it his a mission, and the daughter could be in danger.

I sighed. It couldn't take that much time, the most being a day. And besides; the Guild wouldn't be leaving for some time. And the Thief didn't look like he was anywhere near the place.

"Okay, where can I find the mayor." I asked, and then Pokémon gave a shocked reply. "Are you thinking of finding the daughter?" The Swinub asked. I nodded reluctantly.

"Okay then, is home is over there!" The Raticate pointed towards the large building in the middle of town.

I thanked the group for their information and walked to the building, wondering what I' gotten myself into.