PMDU Explorer's Task 1: Desert Calvary - Part 1

Sun-Sun jumped continuously up and down in a futile attempt to see what was going on past the crowd of various other explorer teams.

“I can’t see!” The Chimchar whined as she managed to put the last of her energy into one more jump. Sadly, she only got a second long glimpse at a certain Hawlucha who seemed to be climbing on top of a boulder and was just barely able to catch a blob of orange that seemed to be standing beside the Hawlucha.

Sun-Sun landed on her butt, too focused on trying to make out the orange shape and seconds later the brownish-red paw pf her partner was soon held out before her, causing her to break out into a grin as she took the Pancham’s paw.

“So did you manage to see anything?” Kamina asked. As soon as he hefted Sun-Sun up, his arms resumed their position crossed over one another.
Sun-Sun looked downcast at the ground. “No, but I could have sworn I saw Gavina getting on top of that big rock ahead.”

“Well you’d be right there,” Kamina said with a small smile. “I overheard her saying she had a mission exclusively for the Explorer’s Guild, which she should be announcing right about…”

“Can I have everyone’s attention please?” Came a shout that immediately hushed the crowd.
“Now.” Kamina muttered, adjusting the leaf in his mouth with a smug grin.

“I’m sorry to have called you all here on such short notice, but we've got an urgent job to do.” The Hawlucha named Gavina began. “Hathor's told me that a number of other travelers have gone missing in the desert just west of here. She needs help finding them before it's too late, so we're going to form a rescue party.”

A mix of murmurs and groans erupted within the crowd. Kamina found it hard to blame those who had groaned. They haven’t even been in Geoda for two days and already their services were desperately needed. He probably would have groaned himself if not for Sun-Sun. She’d probably slap him if she did.

Gavina raised her arms and the noise immediately died down. “I know we haven’t been here for very long, but the dessert is a very dangerous environment to tread If you’re not prepared, so I figured it would best if Hathor herself filled you guys in on the details.”

With that, a Camerupt stepped forward and cleared her throat before speaking. “Thank you. The travelers in question were last seen two days ago. According to one of my tribe, they're a mixed party of merchants coming from the southern and western dungeons, who couldn't wait for us to guide them and decided to strike out for Geoda City on their own. So they’re idiots,” Hathor explained. “but it’s the custom of my people to help those in need. Seems to be the custom of your guild, too.

“The area they disappeared in treacherous, even for the desert - meaning listen if I say to watch out, or you'll die. It's full of rock outcrops, and crisscrossed by deep, narrow ravines. The sand is low in that area now, though it was moving slightly in the last couple days. It's possible that the idiots were swept into the ravines by the sand, or tried to take shelter in them. Which would work, except that by tomorrow night the sand will completely fill those ravines. There's also word that ornery Gabites are calling the area  their "territory." There's a good chance they're living in the ravines, and the idiots will have blundered right into them. Not sure how we'll deal with that.”

“We'll be headed out to the desert before daybreak tomorrow morning.” Gavina continued.
“Familiarize yourselves with the map, and follow Hathor and her Camerupts since they know the area. And try to work together with your guildmates for maximum effectiveness. If we use good teamwork, I'm sure we can save everyone! Anyone, who wants to participate, we’ll meet right back here. If you don’t want to risk your life for some careless merchants, I won’t hold it against you.

There was a dead silence over the crowd, it was almost as if they were all thinking over whether or not this mission was worth risking their lives over.
“That’s about all there is to say for now. You’re all free to go.”
The crowd was quick to disperse at those parting words, save for a few teams, including Sun-Fist who dwindled behind the others.

“So what do you wanna do, Sun?” Kamina asked. He stared intently at Sun-Sun’s face that seemed to be blank with quiet contemplation. After a few moments The Chimchar looked up and gave her partner a serious look that Kamina didn’t even think Sun-Sun was capable of making.

“I’m gonna go, of course.” Sun-Sun said firmly. “Those merchants might have been careless but they’re in danger and it’s my job to help them. That’s what I signed up for when I became an explorer.”

Kamina only nodded solemnly. He had a feeling that’s what Sun-Sun would say. Eversince his lecture to her in the Basalt halls, Sun-Sun has been beginning to take her position as team leader and her job as an explorer more seriously—well, at least when the situation called for it.

“It’s your call. Whatever you wanna do, I’ll stand by that decision.”

Sun-Sun looked at her partner in surprise. “Wait, you’re coming with me?”
“Well, yeah.” Kamina said matter-of-factly. “I thought I made it clear from day one that I’ll go where ever you go.” The Pancham’s lips spread into a playful smirk. “Plus you’re going into a desert and being pitted against a group of Gabites, someone’s gotta keep you from getting buried in ground type attacks.”

At those words, tears started to prick Sun-Sun’s eyes, causing Kamina’s own eyes to widen in panic. “Oh God, Sun, don’t cry. Not here.” The Pancham looked around frantically to make sure there were no onlookers which was why he didn’t anticipate Sun-Sun wrapping her arms around him and pulling him into a tight hug.

“Thanks, Kamina.” The Chimchar said softly. A single tear slowly rolling down her cheek.

Kamina’s face immediately turned 20 different shade of pink. “I-It’s no big deal, Sun.” he said before coaxing her off of him. “Now, let’s go get some supplies. Daybreak comes pretty fast.”

Sun-Sun wiped the threat of tears from her eyes before managing a small nod, and with that, Team Sun-Fist was off to prepare for their next mission.