[S][C/Alicia] First Two in the World

The purple sparks and the sound of a roaring engine were the herald to Alicia Westfield 's arrival. That the Guildmaster had involved his best friend. "Hey, Alicia," a nervous-looking Josh waved toward her. "I'm sorry that she dragged you into this."

As C.L.A.W. cleared her throat, a sinister track would override any music settings the two had for the guildhall. "Welcome, Alicia Westfield ," the scarlet femme greeted the Gardener. "I've never seen someone rise through UNOVR's PVP ladder as quickly as you. On top of that, you have done something no one else has done before: cleared a Challenge Tower by yourself, and in under two hours at that. And don't think I don't know about your special Bayleef, either. I've had my eyes on you for a long time."

Shivering, Josh turned toward Alicia again and whispered, "She's really scary... I'm so sorry for dragging you into this..." was all he could say. All he could do was repeat himself.

The haughty and powerful Guildmaster continued, her head tilting toward the child. "Don't think I can't hear what you're saying, boy. You're involved in this, too," she barked, making Josh leap like he had been the victim of a jump scare.

The guildmaster smiled at Alicia's desire to cut the formalities and get right to business. It was part of the reason the Gardener was able to curry favor so easily with her. "You both have shown how strong you are," the scarlet woman continued. "Alicia Westfield , where you lack is focus. Build. Know-how. You've been blessed with resources my most tenured members would kill for. Plus, I need someone to replace Tuesday after their retirement. You would have the Creed's entire library at your beck and call. It contains volumes on any viable PVP build. How to build any legendary Pokémon in the game. You could be number one in the world on the ladder, with the time, effort, and our help."

C.L.A.W. turned toward Josh after giving Alicia plenty of food for thought. "There is no question that you have held up your end of the bargain. As shrewd as I am at the table, I do keep my word. Josh Devlin , I offer you unconditional membership into The Creed today. If you are to accept, we do have a code of conduct... and those who do not meet that code of conduct will be subject to... disciplinary action."

Josh swallowed when he heard those last two words. He felt like Absol was important enough to him that it was worth joining just to get the Pokémon and leave... but what did she mean by disciplinary action? If it was simple removal from the guild, that was fine. Like Alicia, he didn't care to climb the PVP ladder.

With a nod, the boy stepped forward. "Then... consider us allies. Where do I sign?"

C.L.A.W. flipped to the end of two documents, presenting both Alicia and Josh with pens. "Right here, on the X at the bottom." Shaking, he picked up the writing utensil and penned his name on the sheet... in blood-red ink.

The look of disgust on C.L.A.W.'s face turned to resentment. "I am very disappointed in you, Alicia Westfield . You have the freedom to build how you want, as long as it is within the myriad of viable PVP builds we have spent painstaking hours documenting. That is what I ask: improve. I'm sure there is a proven build close to your current one." It was clear to Josh that the lady's terms would not be acceptable to Alicia.

Her tone turned increasingly threatening. "If you turn your back on me, do so with the understanding that next time we meet may be as enemies." It was in that moment that Josh realized he might be trapped within the guild. Alicia, the most powerful force he was friends with, could wind up locking horns with the Creed's guildmaster in the distant future. She and Josh could end up going to battle with one another... with more than just their pride on the line.