The next couple of weeks seemed to fly by as Tamao and Inari finished their medical training and had already begun thekir equipment training. Overall it was surprisingly simple for new technology, though they could both agree that the manuals they were given helped a lot.

They were given three devices each serving different purposes, first there was the E.P.P.R., which apparently stood for Earthquake Predictor and Power Reader. With a name that simple Tamao expected a straightforward explanation. The device had a small screen that would read some sticks you put in the ground to predict if ground was stable or if it was at risk of an earthquake, about where Tamao stopped understanding the gibberish that was spewed at him.

Thankfully though Inari was paying attention and gave him a simplified version after they finished learning about it. Basically it would give you three different colors, well four if you count gray when you haven't put any of the sticks in the ground. But the three main colors were red, yellow, and green. Green meant that there was no earthquake happening in the near future. Yellow means be on edge as an earthquake is possible, and red means run for the hills cause there's an earthquake coming fast. Though these colors also meant something else if there was an earthquake currently happening, green means it'll barely break anything, yellow means some things will break but houses should survive, red basically meant you better hope whoever built your home did it right cause it'll probably collapse if it's more than a year old.

What also needs to be mentioned is the sheer size of the device, now Tamao preferred to only have to hold something with one paw otherwise it was too big... Unfortunately the device was the size of his head and required two paws to operate so he could control the dials to get the best frequency with the sticks. Too bad Tamao and Inari are both quadrupeds and don't have opposable thumbs, but they both managed to use the devices correctly.

The next device was simpler and smaller thankfully, unfortunately though it isn't very effective from the ground. But the way it worked was simple enough, you point it at the sky and it sends a psychic beam or something into any clouds and tells you the weather. Great at identifying tornadoes, snowstorms, thunderstorms and anything like that. It was small enough to use in one paw and was very simple. They could also set it to send a constant beam into the sky to get immediate updates on any changes in the weather, though that feature is still being worked on since it's right about thirty three percent of the time.

The last device was a S.O.S device, basically if they needed to evacuate a village or city they just had to press a button and rescue teams from the nearest guilds would be alerted to the evacuation and would be sent to help keep things orderly.

But Tamao and Inari were far from prepared for their final few weeks of training, now they were doing the physical training to get stronger, but instead of battling to get stronger they were doing simulated disasters. Tamao was currently getting tossed around in a tornado hitting several walls, to say it had been a long day would be an understatement greater than Arceus.

Though Tamao also found it fun deep down, apart from the bruises he was getting. Inari meanwhile was staying on the ground like it was nothing, Tamao was quite jealous of this 'talent' Inari had that seemingly allowed her to avoid getting picked up by the strong winds grabbing at the two of them.

But all good things must come to an end and suddenly Tamao was flung directly into Inari who was flattened between the floor and Tamao, the stars clouding his vision made it an impossible challenge to get up. Meanwhile inari seemed mostly unbothered just rolling her eyes before patiently waiting for him to get up.

Deep down she was enjoying the moment just getting to relax with her partner, that moment was short lived though when Ignis entered the room they held the simulations in.

"Well, seeing how small this room is I can excuse Tamao being flung around like a Butterfree. But Inari, that was extremely impressive, managing to avoid being thrown around at all. But all things considered I am more than happy to announce that the two of you have officially finished your training and will be sent into the field starting next week. So enjoy these next four days of rest because it'll only get harder from here on out, have fun."

With that Ignis turned around and left. "You wanna go to the cafe and get something to eat Tamao?"

Still slightly dizzy, Tamao managed to stand and sit against the wall. "Yeah, sure..."

"Well then let's go!" Inari smiled before exiting the room Tamao closed behind her. While they walked Tamao couldn't help but get a bad feeling, what it was about he didn't know but he didn't like it. But Inari's smile put him at ease even if it was only a little.

They walked silently through the village just enjoying the first rays of light they'd seen in weeks. Though Tamao also noticed the looks he was given, he knew that his strange appearance was probably something that spread quicker than a wildfire, he could only imagine what was being said about him though.

Entering the cafe they sat by the window and waited for someone to take their order.

"So... We finally finished training... Are you excited for Tamao?"

"Nervous excitement, but I'm looking forward to it." Tamao responded with a smile.

"Glad you feel the same, I have no idea what to expect. Hopefully they go easy on us."

"I'm sure they will."

As they waited Tamao couldn't help but notice a Shinx eyeing them, or more specifically eyeing Inari. Thankfully she didn't seem to notice the look coming from behind her and was busy looking over the menu while Roselia walked over to them holding a notepad.

"Hello, I'm Daisy, what can I get you this fine afternoon?"

Inari ordered first, "I'll get a Rawst smoothie with an Oran muffin please."

"And I will just get a black coffee."

"Perfect, I will be back shortly with your drinks and muffin."

As Daisy walked away Inari glanced at Tamao questioningly. "Are you sure you don't want anything to eat?"

"I'm not feeling any of the foods on the menu today." Tamao responded simply, Inari obviously wanted to push the topic but ultimately decided against it glancing out the window at the clear sky.

Eventually Daisy returned with everything and after a quick "thank you" they started enjoying their beverages. Or they were until the Shrink walked over to them and looked directly at Inari.

"Well hello there beautiful, couldn't help but notice you from across the room. I also couldn't help but notice you were sitting with some loser that obviously doesn't appreciate you enough. So what do you say? You wanna ditch this guy and come with me?"

Tamao was more than appalled with the audacity of this person, though deep down the confidence he possessed was impressive to Tamao while simultaneously making him want to strangle the feline.

"Uh.. I'm not interested..."

"Oh come on, do you really wanna stay with this guy. He probably can't even tell left and right apart. I'll show you a real man!"

"She said no you weirdo. Also who do you think you are? Cause to me you appear to be some creep that sits around and waits for a female to walk in here before trying to pressure them into going on a date with you."

"How dare you! I am the son of the mayor and that means I get to do what I want, and I don't need to hear any backtalk from some street dweller."

"Thank you for proving my point, and I don't care who you're related to. We all bleed the same."

"That's it! I challenge you to a duel! Tomorrow at dawn meet me in the battle fields!" Then with a hmph he left the cafe.

Inari glanced over at Tamao with a confused expression. "What just happened?"

"I'll tell ya what just happened, your friend over here just unintentionally challenged one of the strongest mons in the region to a battle. Now I think I speak for everyone here that we hope your friend absolutely destroys him in battle because none of us can stand that little feline. Every female in this village definitely wants to see you knock some sense into him." An elderly looking Blastoise said walking over to the pair with a smile on his face.

"I plan on knocking some sense into him if that's what you're wondering, yeah, plus I've definitely beaten tougher opponents than him."

"I wish you well then. By the way, the name's Glen. What's your names?"

"I'm Tamao, and this is my partner Inari."

"Ah guild members aye? I remember when I worked for the guild, fun times. Until my leg was shattered by a falling boulder, that was a rough holiday. Had to retire after that, but boy did I love going exploring. I discovered many dungeons in my day, so tell me... What branch of the guild are you two in?"

"We're actually the first ever Disaster rescuers team. Team Heuristic at your service."

"Ooh, how exciting! They'll write legends about you two someday, I was the leader of Team Ultra Dive! Maybe I should see how old Mabel's doing... Arceus knows she probably hates being in a retirement home."

As Inari and Glen chatted Tamao suddenly got a bad feeling in his gut and a sharp pain shot through his whole body making him clench his teeth in sheer pain. Meanwhile Inari noticed Tamao's strained body as he struggled to stand. Thinking quickly Inari got to his side quickly as he started to fall over, his eyes appeared distant6 and his breathing slightly labored.

"Tamao! Are you okay?"

"That doesn't look good, we should get him to the guild so that he can get checked out fast." Glen recommended picking Tamao up and exiting the cafe with Inari.

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The pain stopped suddenly and Tamao could think clearly again, the only problem was he couldn't see anything besides darkness surrounding him.

"Hello?"

"Hello Tamao, I've been waiting to see you."

"Who are you?"

"Who I am is of no importance, I am simply here to deliver a message."

"What message?"

"On this planet lies different monuments of old, in these monuments houses the same tablets used to destroy Zocarive. Five have already been found and taken by you know who, there still remains fifteen to be found. You must prevent these other fifteen from falling into the wrong hands. The fate of the world lies in your capable paws."

"Great... No pressure at all, hehe."

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"You have been in here a ridiculous amount Tamao! What am I ever going to do with you?" Tamao heard Cotton say as he began to wake up.

Looking around the room he first saw Inari looking at him closely, next to her sat Neesha, then Tamao saw Ignis sitting beside Cotton. Then lastly Glen was observing everything around him with a curious eye before noticing Tamao staring at him.

"Ah, good to see you awake Tamao. I'm just admiring the new medical center, of course it was built quite a few years ago but I haven't been in here in well over a decade. But how are you feeling?"

"I feel fine, just very exhausted."

"That better be all the fainting you do! I don't like the anxiety of not knowing if you're okay." Inari said, walking over to his side.

"Don't worry, I don't enjoy being here anymore than the next person."

"Ouch." Cotton said feigning offense

"So, did you figure out why I fainted?" Tamao asked Cotton.

She shook her head in response, "I'm afraid I can only guess as to what the cause was. It was likely from exhaustion and stress from the last few weeks. Please try to get some rest."

"Is now a bad time to mention I unintentionally challenged someone to a duel tomorrow..."

"I'm guessing it was Neal? A little Shinx that's the son of the mayor?" Ignis questioned Tamao.

"Yeah... he said some things that got on my nerves and I called him out in front of people."

"It was quite entertaining." Glen interjected laughing.

"Was it his usual behavior?" Neesha asked Glen who looked hesitant to respond.

"Well... yes... and Tamao didn't like it at all, you should've seen Neal's face. It was pure artistry."

Neesha simply nodded to Glen before turning to Tamao who saw what appeared to be the fire of a thousand suns in her eyes. "Tamao, do me a favor... and murder Neal tomorrow."

"Uhh... sure..." Tamao responded as he looked over to Inari who rolled her eyes at her mother's response.

Though deep down Tamao felt the same way Neesha did, though he had a feeling Neesha would gladly follow through on what she asked Tamao to do. Tamao personally preferred to not kill, but that doesn't mean he wouldn't. He had to when he was a criminal, though he had to in order to survive and live another day.

Everyone parted ways with Neesha and Glen going to their respective houses, Ignis and Cotton returning to their chambers. Then Inari and Tamao went back to their room to chat about all the strange events that occurred that day.

"Thanks for sticking up for me at the cafe today."

"Of course, what kind of partner would I be if I let someone talk to you that way." Tamao responded walking over to Inari to rub her back.

"It just makes me feel useless, I'm not really one for confrontations."

"That's nothing to feel ashamed about, most sane people prefer to avoid confrontations because they can induce stress and stress is no fun. Now I personally enjoy confrontations with people who think they know everything. There's just something about making someone rethink their life choices that's just so much fun to me."

"There you go again being all full of surprises."

Yeah, yeah, yeah... well, we should probably get some sleep. Gotta be up for my duel." Tamao said curling up into a ball in his nest.

"Yeah, good night Tamao."

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"Are you ready for this butt whooping I'm about to give you?" Neal shouted from across the field.

"Let's just get this over with so I can do things that are actually important."

Growling in anger Neal rushed towards Tamao with a quick attack while Tamao decided to keep this battle at long range shooting a quick shadow ball before creating more distance between him and Neal.

Neal managed to dodge the shadow ball as he attempted to hit Tamao with a quick attack, Tamao saw this coming and decided to fire off a shadow ball and just take the hit from the quick attack.

His shadow ball threw Neal a good distance away while Neal's quick attack barely harmed Tamao. In fact he wasn't even sure the quick attack hit him at first, if it wasn't for the dull pain he would've thought Neal missed him.

This fight might be easier than I thought. Tamao took a second to look into the crowd that gathered to watch the battle. Many of whom Tamao did not know.

"Get him Neal." Shouted a young looking Growlithe that must have been one of Neal's friends.

Deciding to end the battle quickly Tamao ran at Neal who was somehow still recovering from the shadow ball, once he got near him Tamao decided to use a bite which was enough to make Neal flinch and fall to the ground.

Tamao followed his bite with a shadow ball that put Neal completely out of commission. With his opponent fainted Tamao turned towards the crowd with his head held high.

There was a surprising amount of cheers for him as it appeared Neal wasn't all that popular, which far from surprised Tamao. In the crowd Tamao saw Ignis walk towards the battlefield getting the attention of Inari who quickly followed him.

"I need to talk with you and Inari at the guild quickly, I have your first assignment ready."

Hearing those words Tamao and Inari smiled wide as they followed Ignis back to the guild and into his office.

"I was sent a letter from the mayor of a fairly small village a few hours away from here. The mayor has requested you two to investigate the cause of several sinkholes that have suddenly opened up."

"What's the village called?" Inari asked.

"Taviki, it's a small village but travelers often go through there. You might even see your father since the first quarter of the world map should be about finished and he's coming back here for a short break with his partner."

"Here's hoping," Inari said smiling. "You might finally get to meet him Tamao!"

"I look forward to that day."

"Yes, now then. I recommend you both get packed up tonight as you leave early tomorrow morning and won't be back for several days or even weeks, good luck out there and stay safe."

"Yes Sir!" They said in unison before exiting the room ready to embark on their first assignment of their young careers.