Rory the Amaura
THE LIFE OF ADVENTURE AWAITS!
It was the beginning of a brand new day.
The sun peeked over the rosy horizon, casting a gleaming ray of light down the centre of the sea. A flock of Wingull circled the vast blue expanse, their quarrels piercing the morning stillness. As the sun crept further up the sky, it bathed the peaceful town of Haven with its golden glow and the dew drops in the grass began to shimmer like diamonds under her touch.
Rory padded up the dirt lane that led to her destination, her heart heavy with hopes and ambitions. She lifted her weary gaze, having come to the foot of a weathered, off-white bridge. A sparkling blue river flowed calmly below, running past the stones that projected above its surface and uniting with the ocean.
Have I finally made it?
She drew in a deep breath, absorbing the salty tang that wafted in the sea breeze. She placed one foot steadily on the bridge, then another. It creaked a little under her weight but she didn't seem to care; with renewed energy she bounded across it with the dreams of adventure once again flooding her mind. She felt the wind rush past her, the peach sails above her eyes fluttering, transforming into a soft green to symbolise her merriment. To her right a stand of trees lined the cliff edge, forming a protective border for the town. To her left was a small building with two blue-roofed wooden towers on either side and waterwheels behind it, groaning as they slowly spun.
"That must be the town's dojo, run by the famous Accelgor!" she pointed out to herself proudly, having read all about it in a travel guide. The helmeted Bug-type Pokémon stood resolutely in the doorway of his lodge, his bandaged arms folded and his head tilted slightly to the ground as if in thought. He appeared to have heard her, as their eyes met for a brief moment before she hurriedly turned away with a slight tinge to her cheeks. When she returned her gaze to the view before her, she gasped. Just ahead stood a grand building, no doubt the tallest one in Haven. Its looming height was a little daunting, but it bore a welcoming façade.
As Rory inched closer, the building looked as if it were expanding. When she peered above her, it almost seemed to be stretching high into the heavens, and she tottered as a woozy sensation began to swim in her head. Lightly tapping her cheeks she said, "Come, come, Rory. Remember why you're here." She inhaled deeply once more, then puffed it out, hoping to shake off the nerves that caused her stomach to flutter.
Once I step inside, I'll be leading a whole new life.
With the boldest expression she could muster, she took hold of each doorknob and thrust the double doors open, causing a bit of a scene. Heads turned her way as she marched sure-footedly inside, her chin held pompously high. Though it was the early hours of the morning and the town lay still and silent, the Guildhouse was already bustling with activity. Rory looked around her, trying to ignore the curious stares (her discomposure betrayed by her blush) and eyed the many different Pokémon that filled the antechamber. She was relieved to see a few rookies strewn about the place.
As she neared the reception desk, she was met by a pair of eyes that slanted into a frown. The owner of this disapproving scowl was a pink bulldog-like Pokémon, about two feet tall. She had to stand upon a stool in order to properly man the desk. Rory mused that a pair of butterfly framed spectacles would suit this particular Pokémon.
The Snubbull glowered up at Rory and sniffed. "How may I help you?" she asked, a little stiffly. Her small black nose twitched as she inspected the Tundra Pokémon, awaiting a reply.
"I'm looking to sign up as an apprentice Explorer!" Rory boasted, placing a forefoot upon her chest in an ostentatious manner. "My chief ambition is to seek out Legendaries! As I have read many a good review on this Guild, it is my honour to serve under the great Guildmaster Bronzong himself!" She then saluted with a grin.
Snubbull looked a little taken aback by Rory's conduct, but quickly recomposed herself and cleared her throat. "I see." She tapped the countertop with her pen thoughtfully. "You must have come a long way from home, Amaura. Where are you from?"
"All the way from the Gelid Glaciers to the north, Snubbull, miss!" Rory replied proudly.
"My, my. You have come a long way." A hint of a smile played upon the Fairy Pokémon's jowly face as she considered this. After a moment of contemplation she said, "Very well. A journey like that requires determination, a trait every Explorer must aspire to. It would only be fair of me to sign you up." Snubbull looked pleased when a wide grin split the Amaura's face, who clasped her hands together, her eyes twinkling.
"Really? Oh, thank you! Thank you, thank you, thank you! You won't regret this, I promise!" Rory cried, shaking Snubbull's paw so heartily that the poor Pokémon feared it would come away.
"Alright, no need to get in a flurry!" Snubbull snapped, rubbing her tender, throbbing paw. Rory blushed while the secretary slid a sheet of paper from across the counter in front of her. "Right. Now let's get started, shall we?" she mumbled a little impatiently. With her pen at the ready, she said, without glancing up, "Name?"
"Rory! That's R-O-R-Y."
Snubbull shot her a quick glare before continuing. "Species?"
"Erm… Amaura," Rory responded dubiously, wondering why she had to ask.
"Right. I have your birthplace down already. Congratulations. As of now, you are officially an apprentice Explorer!" She pulled out a leather satchel from behind the desk and placed it before the Amaura, unbuttoned the flap and revealed its contents. She fished out a small white badge with yellow wings carved at the sides and a pink gem etched into the centre. It glittered beautifully beneath the sunlight that streamed in through the Guild's windows. "This is your badge," she explained, handing it to Rory, who snatched it up greedily to admire it up close. "Wear it with pride, as it will be a symbol of your good deeds."
Rummaging once again through the bag, she produced a shimmering blue crystal fragment. "This is your Warp Crystal. It allows you to teleport to Town Square at any time. Don't go using it willy-nilly, however. We'd like our pupils to activate it only when they've finished a mission, or in emergencies of course. Excuse me, are you listening?"
Snubbull stared bewildered at Rory, who seemingly hadn't been paying the slightest bit of attention. She struggled to fasten the badge to her neckerchief, her bulky front feet proving to be little help. Her vain attempts forced a silent chuckle from the secretary. "Would you like some help, dear?" she offered in a kindly tone, the first Rory had heard from her.
"Oh, yes please!" The Tundra Pokémon beamed, unflustered by the badge's reluctance to pin to her bandana. She watched with amusement and silent admiration as Snubbull fought to reach over the countertop, but managed to skilfully pin the badge all the same. Rory grinned as thanks.
Snubbull wiped her forehead with the back of her paw and pushed the satchel toward Rory, along with the Warp Crystal. "Sleeping quarters are upstairs, just be sure to avoid the door at the end of the hall. That is Guildmaster Bronzong's office. I'm sure you'll make do with something, but for now I would advise you to select a mission from the bulletin board." She jerked her head in the direction of said board. "Or you may band with others and make some friends along the way. We encourage teamwork here," she added, her eyes crinkling into a smile.
Rory nodded vigorously in response, and with a salute said, "I aim to become a star pupil, Snubbull, miss, in the name of Guildmaster Bronzong! Or my name isn't Rory, apprentice Explorer of Haven!"
And with that, her new life began.
![Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Haven [T/IC]](https://pldh.net/media/pokemon/gen6/xy-animated/041.gif "Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Haven [T/IC]")