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POV Taz

Man I really hate Teleporting. The sudden change of vertigo makes me dizzy, sick to my stomach, and gives me a real bad case of whiplash. Had to be done though because I wouldn't have gotten away from the people I wanted to avoid otherwise.

I was dressed as a Cubchoo. Mom was her human self in standard hiking attire even though I'd said very firmly and persistently that the effort spent dressing up for this is wasted. Prince, Miles whom was dressed up as a typical Noibat, and Nil also came with us because...

"Why did you guys tag along?" I asked them.

Prince had just finished doing that classic cat stretch: tail-curling in a almost ? mark fashion, ass up, and legs and paws fully outstretched and apart. Yawned. Than sat on his hindquarters as he replied "Well I'm not taking my eyes off your mother for obvious reasons, I think you could use the emotional support, I'm in the mood to play, and most importantly: I want to be here." Prince flashed me a Cheshire cat smile and a playful wink "Looks like you're stuck with me champ."

I groaned and facepalmed "I really hate it when you call me that! Makes you sound like a freaking Uncle."

Prince chuckles as walks over to rubs the side of his face against mine. Gestures of affection were uncommon for him; especially when they were directed at me. "That's likely because that's what I consider myself to be. Hard not to since I've watched all you rugrats grow from babies."

Mom says while bending to scratch Prince behind his ears the way he likes "Huh. I didn't know that."

Prince shrugs and replies "Yeah well the language barrier kept you blissfully ignorant about a lot of going-ons" The next bit was said with a Cheshire cat worthy smile "Don't worry. I'm sure we'll bring you up to speed eventually."

Mom chuckles her next words have a slight purr underneath them "My you really are playful. I would be careful with your teasing though. You're not the only one with claws now"

Prince's purr was very audible "So I've noticed." Prince's eyes wandered up and down Mom's body "Among other things."

Oh my fucking gods were they flirting?! There were children present goddamn it!

Thankfully Nil came to the rescue "I was hoping that getting the Master away from distractions would motivate him to learn to fly a lot faster. Until the Master learns that ability: he's pretty much a sitting duck in a manner of speaking. So I need to train extra hard for the both of us. Problem is that Dragon types are very mage-like in their development. So we'll need lots of help."

Miles was the next to speak, his voice was soft and low "Like you: I want to grow-up very badly and fast. This is the quickest way I think."

Mom spoke during the same instant we both reached to offer Miles physical comforting "Miles you're exactly as you should be. You don't have to do anything quickly."

Miles stepped out of our reach, shook his head, and was tearing up a little at her words but waited until Mom finished talking before saying "It doesn't feel that way." Miles wiped at his eyes with a sniff. Suddenly his expression turned very hard and determined "I'm going to do this with or without your help."

Mom sighs before saying "Well c'mon. We likely don't have much time to play with."

So we set off on our hike through these close-to-home-base wetlands. In the beginning each step felt like it had a weight to it. Felt like I was walking on a tightrope across with some monster underneath me. That monster was named Panic Attack and it wasn't playing very fair.

But I apparently brought the right people along as company.

Every time I almost stumbled: someone would touch me. Depended on the person where they touched. Miles -and Nil surprisingly- grabbed my hands. Mom rubbed the space between my ears. Prince bapped my side with his tail. Eventually thanks to this silent encouragement: each step and breathing became easier and easier until finally I felt completely normal.

That is until we encountered our first bump in the metaphorical road.

---

POV Change: 3rd

Four Pokemon approach the small party. They are all the same bipedal Pokemon; a creature with mostly green with some light blue markings. It's face, ears, arms, and back are light blue. It has stubby, round ears. Large eyes with small pupils. A red bill-like mouth. There is a large lilypad on its head, which has a notch in it and resembles a sombrero. It has long arms with four red fingers and a thumb on each hand and feet with three toes.

The classification of this species is Lombre.

Despite the odds the Lombre were facing: they were frisky enough that a friendly match seemed like a good idea.

Melina crosses her arms, bites her bottom lip, and says mostly to herself "Hmm...dunno how I feel about this matchup. But let's just roll with it." Louder Melina says. "Nil use Super Sonic. Miles use Screech."

Nil scoffs and is about to say a word or two about that when Miles slaps him upside the head, a note of authority enters his tone as he orders "Just listen-"

Suddenly the four Lombre began sprinting full tilt towards the Cubchoo, Persian, and two Noibat, Lombre not only outspeed three out of four 'mons: but the shockwave they create by clapping their hands together has priority over every move in their arsenal: Fake Out.

Prince doesn't get blown back by his opponents attack. Likely because he also used Fake Out and his attack was both faster and stronger. Strong enough in fact that the most misfortunate Lombre out of the bunch was sent flying over treetops. Fortunately the poor thing was already knocked unconscious so he probably didn't even feel the inevitable impact. Luckily the Lombre would wake up later on...if the predators in this ecosystem didn't find him first and decide to have him as lunch that is. Now left with no foe and no reason to pursue: Prince turned on his heels and began slinking back to his Trainer's side while muttering under his breath "Well that was boring."

Happening nearly simultaneously:

Nil and Miles on the other hand would only be able to take a few more of those attacks of that power level before passing out; likely less. Still they were coherent enough to realize that taking the Lombres follow-up Bubblebeam was probably a bad idea. They both manage to get moving in time. Nil took to the air. Miles ran his furry little ass off; admittedly it was a little amusing watching this little Noibat mimic a frightened chicken.

While fleeing both Nil and Miles managed the attacks that they'd previously been ordered to use. Miles opens his mouth and shrieks loudly, a white shockwave to come out from his mouth. Only those that Miles sees as a foe take on the brief blue flash that declares their Defense stat was lowered two stages.

Meanwhile Nil lets out a shockwave from it's ears, hurting the ears of everyone in the same vicinity. Only the Lombre trying to shoot Nil out of the sky with a Bubble Beam barrage gets the full brunt of the move and consequently gets confused. Nil takes advantage of this opportunity to assist his Master by repeatedly dive bombing Miles's assailant and buffeting him with white energy veiled wings: Wing Attack. No one seems to mind that Nil had used this move without being told to...besides the Lombre of course. Whom tries to fight back with a barrage of Fury Swipes and Bubble beams. It isn't long before the Lombre falls under the might of debuffs and super effective hits.

Melina breaths a sigh of relief. Than scowls when Nil suggests that Miles rip out the downed thing's jugular as payback. Doesn't seem at all surprised that Miles so readily agrees to this suggestion. Must've been the 'if you do that again I'll make the closest tree pretty with your insides' comment Miles had made to Rai last night that weakening whatever shock value this newest psychopathic warning flag held. Unsurprisingly' Melina telekinetically yanks Miles into her protective embrace before the boy can gnaw on any jugulars. Then Melina puts on her stern Mommy face while explaining why Miles shouldn't be doing that to people unless told to by Mommy.

Nil was just about to throw his two cents in when a Bubble Beam blasts him straight into dreamland.

The Lombre that had been confused moments ago had snapped out of it. Conveniently after she heard Nil's previous comment. Must've been buddies with the would-be victim. An observer could tell that immediately from malevolent intent showing bright in both her eyes and white glowing claws as she stalked towards the rabid bat creature.

Prince was thankfully there to run interference with a devastating Slash attack. The only reason it didn't cleave the Lombre in two was because Prince didn't will the attack to become lethal. Just wished to knock the creature unconscious is all. After that Prince carried the unconscious Noibat out of the line of fire by the scruff of his neck with his mouth as gently as he would have any of his own kittens.

This next tango was of course happening while all that was going on:

Taz AKA Elliot continues rolling past his point of impact; likely predicting that his attacker would try some sort of range attack after successfully catching him off guard. An assumption that turned out to be correct as a barrage of blue bubbles buffeted his point of impact. What Taz didn't predict was that the attack would keep chasing him. So Taz kept rolling until the Lombre finally ran out of breath. Than took advantage of the cover the resulting smoke cloud provided to get back to his feet and hide behind a tree. The latter action was so Taz could regain his breath back and plan his next move.

Was during this instant that Miles's Screech attack took effect.

Unfortunately Taz didn't know that the Lombre had followed the trail of footprints in the mud surrounding his hiding spot. Had no way of knowing that the Pokemon had sprinted out of his sight range just as the boy peeked out from behind his tree. That is until a Bubblebeam barrage blasted Taz from behind. Which consequently triggered the transformation that Taz had managed to fight off until this point.

Understandably; the Lombre was rendered dumbstruck to the point that all logical functions of his brain had to do a hard reboot. Taz was pissed-off and embarrassed enough to not feel the slightest bit guilty for taking advantage of his opponents stunned status by reverting back into his previous form, tackle his attacker, than take out his emotions on his opponent's face with white glowing claws: Fury Swipes.

Taz made a mental note to thank his mother for having the foresight to scan them all with the Pokedex and make sure they could all pull off their attacks on command before coming out here. This note being created during the same instant Taz sniffs the sticky snot glob back into his nose and takes a deep breath through his mouth. However the Lombre finally threw Taz off before the Cubchoo could finish pulling off what might've been the finishing blow. Taz tried to make use of his Icy Wind attack anyway but the blast was way off target, so he'd only succeeded in putting a little more 'omph' in his momentum.

Taz flails to regain his footing. But Taz's opponent was already upon him again. Before Taz could make another lunge or deliver a Icy wind or Brine attack: the Lombre stomps hard enough on Taz's stomach that all the breath leaves the cub with a whoosh. Green mist had been seeping into the Lombre during his walk over. The mist dissipates suddenly when the Lombre's eyes are encompassed entirely by a flash of brownish light. Only a heartbeat's worth of pause before the Lombre opens his mouth and fires a ball of brown mud point blank into Miles's face.

The Mud Bomb attack was a Ground type move; that was entirely too powerful for the measly Ice type with a level disadvantage to handle. Taz passes out. Making the Lombre the victor of this battle.

Panting now; the Lombre takes a glance around to check how his comrades are doing. The Lombre exhales a derisive snort and almost laughs at that circus show:

Spade was letting his temper get the best of him again and was getting schooled by a bunch of hatchlings by the looks of it. Lilly was obviously fighting a Confused status, making her totally helpless to defend herself or her mate. Giratina only knew where the heck Jin was. Knowing Jin: he was either eating or sleeping the lost battle off like usual. He: -Ferb was his name- was the only one out of their entire friend group that took battling seriously. Course taking things seriously was in his nature. Was often made fun of for being too serious all the time. And yet here Ferb was with a priceless prize literally under his nose.

Well now Ferb didn't need his so-called friends. Not anymore. His friends could get bent or even die for all he cared. Was time to hide away with his spoils. The only question that remained was how to convince this human in 'mon's clothing to take him as a partner.

Predictably; just as Ferb decided on how he was going to carry the unconscious cub and began reaching for him: a furious female voice spoke up from behind him so suddenly that he jumped with a start, his heart skipped a beat, and he froze up, eyes wide like a deer caught in a pair of headlights. "If you so much as lay one claw on my cub: by the time I'm done with you everybody that views your corpse will mistake you as female."

Ferb whips around to face a...huh? Was that a Pancham? That would be the second out of typical ecosystem bear themed 'mon that he'd bumped into that day. Hmm...Ferb wondered...

Ferb let loose a Bubblebeam spray.

The Pancham had been stomping towards them and had been close enough that missing was impossible. Ferb snatched his won prize; the Cubchoo was thankfully light enough that keeping the cub pinned to his lilypad was a breeze. Than Ferb made a beeline out of this clearing and towards the treeline he'd come from. All while looking over his shoulder at the smoke cloud his Bubblebeam had created. Seems the Pancham had threw up her hands to protect her face and had managed to remain standing. Not that Ferb was surprised about the last bit.

Hmm so the Pancham wasn't like the Cubchoo. Ferb didn't really care though for her though. Not only did the Cubchoo cub take so much out of Ferb that another battle was out of the question. But Ferb's sexual preferences were exclusively male. Yet another thing that made him an outcast. All that Bubblebeam was for was to sate a niggling curiosity and throw up a smokescreen to cover his escape.

Judging by the sounds of shouting but no pursuit: Ferb's escape attempt had been successful.

Now all Ferb had to do was-.

There was a sudden deep intake of breath and Ferb realized too late that it didn't come from him and what that meant. By then the Cubchoo had brought a new meaning to the expression 'chill out'. Ferb's body suddenly felt heavy... very sleepy too...maybe getting a bite before bed with his friends wasn't such a good idea after all...

---

POV Change: Taz

I double checked to make sure the Pokemon was actually unconscious before allowing myself to relax, breath a sigh of relief, and begin the hike towards last spot I'd seen everyone. Wasn't at all surprised to see them already running towards me. We met three quarters of the way and I was too tired to nothing but endure their worrying and mutter a few "I'm fine. Just tired" s. Still the Moms weren't satisfied until they'd checked and double checked seemingly every inch of both bodies. Something that would be humiliating if I wasn't already used to this.

After they were finally through I laid down on the ground and used my arms as a pillow. The ground was soft enough that I could probably fall asleep like this if left alone. That or I was just that tired. My hand was immediately seized by a very familiar paw and a thumb-like digit began playing with the fur on the top. Probably a nervous tic.

It wasn't until this very instant that the oddity occurred to me and I had to say in the low mutter I couldn't seem to talk above "When did Mama get here?"

My hand that was being squeezed in a death grip suddenly became painful. I couldn't help but grunt from the pain.In response Rose loosened her grip, but didn't let go. Rose answered me while seemingly paying this little interaction no other mind "Finally caught up with you all just in time to see you getting blasted in the face with a Mud Bomb."

I was suddenly roughly flipped over. A Pancham sized weight fell on me while my eyes were still adjusting; consequently knocking the wind out of me. Yet Rose seemingly paid that no mind as she practically shouted at me "Why did you leave without me?!"

I fixed a steely glare upon my face before replying in-between gasp for breath "You already know why."

Mama suddenly punches the ground right next to my head a couple times with what sounded like a snarl of frustration. Than abruptly rolls off of me while replying "Even if you do somehow get away from me. It won't be for long. I'll make sure of that." Pause then "If you're still interested in training than we really should get moving. The hounds are hunting you. Two in particular are rather miffed at the little note you left them."

I shot Mom a despairing look while I said "You didn't make anything worse by pouring gasoline on their tempers did you?"

Mom rolled her eyes and said "I really didn't feel like stirring up that hornets nest this early in the morning."

Nil tries to explain what metaphors are and the meaning to that particular one. But unsurprisingly it all seems to go over Miles's head.

Mom's expression suddenly turns sheepish as she sticks out her tongue and raps lightly against her own head a few times while saying "That and I couldn't think of anything clever besides the truth."

I flashed Mama a disbelieving look. Something that Mom apparently saw because she flicked my nose as payback. Mama chuckles and replies to the unasked question "Thankfully Cecelia allowed me to read it before handing it off to them. All it said was and I quote 'We decided to train together for a bit. Will be back before lunch.' End quote. The only thing they could've possibly gotten mad about was the little smiley face at the end."

Mom always ends her notes with a smiley face so that shouldn't be blown out of proportion I thought before nodding approvingly.

I took another moment to debate if we took a long enough break. The new pursuers on our tail kinda forced our hands/paws. So in the end I decided to hop off my seat and say to the Pancham approaching me "I take it that you're-" Rose's paw seized my left one in a firm grasp. Which consequently forcing me to change what I was about to say mid sentence. "-nevermind." I look to the rest of my family as I said to them "You guys ready for more or are you done"

"Ready" Everyone except for Miles replies with nice levels of enthusiasm and eagerness in their voices. Miles sounded unsure and a little scared but that'd been his attitude from the start. That was to be expected though. Hopefully Miles will relax after the next encounter.

I was pulled from my thoughts when Mom disrobed and shapeshifted into an Audino so quickly that if a person had blinked they would've missed the entire sequence. Mom made sure her clothes were very well hidden in a nearby bush before approaching me. Mom's intentions became clear when she'd began channeling a Healing Pulse. Not like she'd done anything else in that form anyway. It's why it's easy to believe that's the only move that she knows in that form. Anyway Mom gave me a light shove forward and with a playful grin she said "You can walk while I do this hun. Won't take but a minute."

So thus our conquest began anew with our new party member.

---

POV Change: Miles

Something about Taz changed the instant Rose found us again. Hard to explain. Was a lot happier. Had a lot more...energy Was talking a whole lot more. There was a lot more... life in Taz's voice as he filled Rose in about the parts she'd missed. Some parts made Rose giggle a little; though she could just be laughing at the funny faces and silly things Taz was doing while he talked. I think Taz was trying to show her what he did? Wasn't really...clear sometimes. Was obvious that he'd had a lot of fun though. Good. Taz obviously needed lots of that.

I sure as heck didn't! Was so flipping scared...well until Zillian kicked the Lombre's butt. Watching that was kinda funny. Than I got scared again when the Lombre took Taz and ran away with him. Which reminds me of a question I wanted to ask. I waited until I was sure that Taz ran out of words because I wanted to be polite like Barney taught me to before saying:

"Why did that bully run away with you?"

Taz half turns to me, shrugs, and says "Don't know for sure. But I'm pretty sure the fact that I could turn into human made him want me as his." Taz glanced at me and said a little sadly "We're special Miles. No other human besides a small handful have powers like ours. Pokemon that don't have a human partner like that so much that they will try to... make our partners go away or take us away so they can have us for themselves."

"You mean they would kill them?" I found myself saying lowly as my hand found Zillian's. Zillian squeezed my hand back. He looked both sad and mad at the same time somehow as he nuzzled into my neck and said so softly that I think was the only one that could hear "Don't worry Master. I won't let that happen."

"Promise?" I say normally while squeezing his hand and nuzzling him back.

Nil says normally back "Definitely. Besides there is no need to worry about that all that much. We can be brought back so long as we keep the dying near Darkrai."

Well that makes me breath a little bit easier. But- "So why didn't we bring him with us?"

Taz answered me "Well not only do we not not plan on dying today. But Darkrai makes us all mad without really trying that hard. He's also likely very busy anyway."

I thought on that for a little bit before another thought popped in my head. "Danny seems to like him alot though. Must be something likeable about him that we're just not seeing but Danny does. Maybe we will if we spend enough time around him."

Taz shakes his head and begins facing forward again as he walks. "It's not that he doesn't have any likeable qua- stuff about him. It's that he's done far too much bad stuff whether accidentally or not. Mom and I haven't forgiven him for that bad stuff yet. Sure he's made up for most of it with his actions so far. But that doesn't make the bad stuff just magically disappear. That's only something time will do. And Danny...Danny is a lot older than he looks and acts."

"Are those your feelings concerning me?" I was confused until I'd seen that Nil wasn't looking at me. Nil was looking at Elliot. Obviously Nil was talking about something that happened before I was born.

What could've Zillian have done to Taz? I...wondered to myself

The Beast answered after a soft, hissing, sad kind of laugh You don't want to know.

Yes I do. I waited but no answer this time. Fine be a big meanie about it. I don't care about it anymore. Probably wouldn't understand anyway now that I think about it...

Meanwhile Taz was saying "My feelings where you're concerned Zillian are a lot more complex. My parents, the Gods, and fate seemed dead set on keeping us apart. For good reasons I'm repeatedly told. But-"

Taz stops walking. We stop too. While that happens Taz turns around so that he was facing us but was looking at the ground for some reason. There wasn't anything interesting there so what Taz was about to say must be hard for him to say while looking at Zillian "-but that doesn't change the fact that you were my first love dude. We had so many happy times together even though our time together was very short.-"

Huh...so Zillian and Ta- no... this must've happened before Taz and Danny. So Elliot and Zillian were partners once? That's very...interesting. Maybe the the bad thing Zillian made them not partners anymore? Now I really don't want to know what Zillian did...

"-So I know you well enough that I can say with absolute certainty that you would never do something so horrible for no good reason. Especially when you know that it can very well jeopardize our relationship. The Zillian I know was the type of person that shies away from anything risky. That was what made training you so difficult and why we got along so well. Which consequently means you were being pushed into taking that risk. So what was the stressor?"

At this...point: Mom looked about ready to speak up when Rose covered Mom's mouth with her paw. Mom gave her a funny look but Rose just shook her head while pointing to Taz with her thumb and whispering low enough that even I could barely hear her "Trust me. Taz needs to hear this in order to move on."

Mom looked about ready to argue but in the end just crossed her arms and glared at Zillian while Zillian answered Taz's question with sad in his voice:

"Your goal of connecting our work and treasure hunting tunnel was so close that we could taste it. I repeatedly tried telling you that your funds and my strength were too meager for the journey you'd been planning. But you kept finding counter arguments that were difficult to find comebacks for. By the time I'd realized that our back and forth exchanges were encouraging you instead of the opposite like I'd intended: it was far too late. So I felt that I had to do something to give us a fighting chance. All I cared about was making sure was that at least you made it out of that clown fiesta unscathed and well off. Nothing and I mean nothing else mattered."

Taz appeared to be thinking hard about his response. A little bit of time passed before he looked down and spoke down to the ground. "I believe you. Especially since that's pretty much the answer that I'd been expecting. I knew that I was at least partially responsible for how you turned out. Which is why I can't stay mad at you for something that didn't get the chance to happen. One day I hope you'll forgive me enough so at the very least you'll go by the name I gave you."

Zillian suddenly looked very angry, made a scary hissing sound, and spoke quickly as he stepped one step forward. I stopped him from going any further because I didn't like the way Rose or Mom were now giving him. "Don't get it twisted! I didn't change my name because of any ill will toward you! I made a new persona because I grew afraid that my past would ruin my last chance at happiness!"

For some reason Zillian looked very surprised and covered his mouth with his other hand. Than suddenly scared. He was trying to pull away from me now.

Beast began shouting: He's gonna run! Don't let go no matter what he does!!

I did as I was told. At the same time Zillian began shouting: "Let go of me!"

"No!" I shouted back while using my whole body to hold onto him in a kinda hug. Zillian couldn't hold us both up so we fell into the mud. Looks like we're both needing a bath after this.

We'd wrassled in the mud for a bit when the fear took over Zillian completely. I knew that because he hissed again and his claws began doing the Dragon Claw move. That was dumb of him. I slapped them as fast as I could and let myself be turned into a human. I than could easily hold him until he calmed down or ran out of energy.

Eventually that happened. I was also tired myself. I sat up, crossed my legs, and placed him in my lap. I smiled down at him as I said "You done being a dummy Nil?"

Zillian is panting but manages to sigh before saying "Yes I guess so." Pause than. "Master. Can you call me Zil instead of Nil for now on?"

"Sure." I say.

N- Zil snorts and almost seems to laugh before he says "Of course it would be that easy."

I was confused again. "Why wouldn't it be?"

Zil makes breaths through his mouth really hard ,swats me with a hand, and says "Never you mind." Zil blinks up at me and says "Master. Please return back into what you were before. I don't feel like sharing the sight of your tasty human body with anyone else."

I tilted my head at him. I was both scared and confused as I said "You want to eat me!?"

Zil shook his head while smiling at me in the way he'd done when we peeked on Elly and Dad in the bathroom "Not the kind of eating you're currently thinking of. I just want to lick you from your head to your toes-"

Than Taz interrupted him by saying "And I wanna, move from the bed down to the to the flo' "

I was gonna give Taz a weird look because of the weird and...random thing he'd just said. But then Rose said "Then I wanna, ahh ahh- you make it so good I don't wanna leave."

Than Zillian said "But I gotta, kn-kn-know what- what's your fan-ta-ta-sy!"

All three of them began laughing while Mom slapped her own face with her own hand while making an exasperated sound then said "That didn't just happen in front of the baby!"

Than I think I finally got what was going on. There was just something about the way they'd been talking that gave me an idea. So I said after I turned back into a Noibat "Were you guys just singing a song?"

Zillian answered me "Yeah. It's one of mine and Elly's favorites. We'll listen to it when we get back if you want."

"NO HE WILL NOT!" Mom shouted so loudly and angrily that my ears actually hurt a little. For some reason this made Taz, Rose, and Prince laugh some more

"Okaaay. So maybe not" Zillian says as we rubbed our ears while standing up again.

If our ears weren't making that funny noise than maybe we would've been able to know and stop what happened next...

---

POV Change: 3rd

To any observer it would've looked like the werehound had materialized out of thin air. In reality Paul had just resurfaced out of the shadow realm. Paul's first action was to wordlessly punt the Audino as hard as he could. If the man had been hoping for an instant knockout, than his wish had been granted. Didn't even have to check because that fact immediately became evident when the Mew returned to her base form under the cover of a flash of pink light.

Paul enjoyed that a little too much. It was clearly evident in the shit-eating grin that was sprawled across his muzzle. The spiteful bastard didn't notice the silent exchange that was taking place. An Ice Punch and Dragon Claw were accepted under the metaphorical table. Though Paul did notice the two simultaneous flashes of green and icy blue light. That being Paul's only warning of Miles's and Taz's thirst for retribution.

Paul quickly looks back to them but finds himself alone. However obvious plan of attack were obvious. So Paul takes a step forward and pivots a full 180 degrees.

Just as expected both boys literally step out from the shadows to strike at the space where the back of his head had been previously with physical manifestations of their wills. Staffs it seemed like. The fact that Taz had managed to manifest this particular weapon and become an anthropomorphic Cubchoo really threw Paul for a loop.

But not enough for Paul to miss the chance to catch both their throats in his large, meaty hands while they were still mid-flight. The force of the impact appeared to knock both the wind and fight out of the two boys. The last being evident because they shifted back into humans shapes while they gasped for air.

Paul decided to skip the formalities and cut right to the chase "Where are your partners?"

Taz's grin was triumphant as he wheezed "Sent them to Mom." Paul curses and began sprinting in the same direction he'd kicked Melina. Taz kept talking "I wouldn't recommend that."

Paul's response and progress was cut short by the forgotten about Prince's hate-filled, ear-splitting yowl. During the start of this yowl: Prince had launched himself from the shadow realm at the hound's face. But than the Persian was suddenly frozen mid-air. By the Psychic move judging by the bluish outline around the feline.

Rai approaches the foursome while shaking his head and tutting like a disapproving parent before saying in his childlike 'normal voice' "Bad kitty. Very bad kitty."

Prince was about to growl as a rebuttal. But Prince had instead found himself mewling in terror like a frightened kitten when he was seemingly launched out of an invisible cannon on the very same path that his Master had previously flown.

Paul whistles a long note that grows fainter with the Persian's progress. Than Rai makes a crashing noise with his mouth. Both chuckle with delight for dual reasons as their gaze falls upon their prisoners.

Fury was still in Taz's glare as he gives them both the finger.

Miles mimics his older brother but also sticks out his tongue and blows them a raspberry. Surprise and childlike wonder envelops the boy's features as he lowers his finger and recreates the sound again. Than continues to laugh in between the fake farts sounds he recreates over and again. Until finally the boy can't seem to do anything but laugh.

Rai groans melodramatically and facepalms.

Meanwhile father and son share a chuckle. Both being tickled by the absurd quickness of Miles's mood swing brought on by just a silly noise. Both noticing their shared moment at the same instant. Paul flashes the boy a grin. Meanwhile Taz scowls at his father and crosses his arms. Paul rolls his eyes, turns on his heel, and begins walking in the opposite direction.

Rai exhales an indignant sounding huff but follows wordlessly. Given their current company and their adversaries: going after Rose right now would be very stupid. Seems Rai and Paul were both on the same wavelength.

Miles almost abruptly calms down. There was a green flash of light as Miles changes back into just a typical Noibat. Whether it was just on a whim or was just making himself easier to carry was an unknown.

After about thirty seconds of silence give or take, Rai says: "It's amazing that you found that form and your weapon. Your past life had never managed neither. When you figure out that you had access to those powers?"

Taz's reply being "First time I actively tried summoning my will. I didn't try for my new suit and I wasn't paying attention enough to know what to do to reactivate it."

Rai's reply was "Shouldn't be too hard now that we know you can." Several moments of silence while Rai ponders "The line between human and Pokemon wasn't this blurred in our time. So that's likely why you are capable and your past life hadn't" Pause than "I hate to ask this but-"

Taz quickly interjects "Then don't. Whatever it is I'll likely have no clue anyway." Another period of silence followed before an obviously annoyed Taz says "Are Miles and I ever going to be put down?"

Miles interjects "Yes please. You're too warm and I really don't feel like doing this right now."

Paul doesn't say a word but appears to be smirking as he tightens he grip on them; mostly out of spite.

---

The new party eventually made it to their destination after hiking a little more than twenty minutes. Steve, Trevor, Chase, Danny, Runt, and Pip got up and moved to meet them halfway. It was now that Paul finally decided to drop his cargo. Both boy's didn't get up. Instead they crossed their arms and legs while fixing heated glares at nothing in particular.

Danny's eyes appear to be dissecting Taz's new body as he says matter-of -factly "Well that's new" Taz summons his light weapon in butcher knife shape before dismissing it. Danny briefly looks surprised but relaxes back into neutrality while saying in the same matter-of-fact tone "That is also."

Rai says in with slight annoyance in his tone "Already covered that. We should've expected this change if you think about it."

Danny nods in agreement.

Taz raises an inquisitive brow at his would-be twin with and says to him "Why are you here?"

Danny shrugs and replies "Curiosity mostly. Decided training would be a good idea, wanting to be in the company of a certain few individuals, and entertainment being the other smaller reasons." Danny smirked knowingly at Taz as he says "I assume you already know the question I'm wanting to ask."

Taz rolls his eyes while responding "Guessing it's why I chose Mom over Dad to see to my training?"

Danny nods.

Taz uses a breath to sigh that contains both exasperation and weariness before replying back in a monotone. "Because it made the most sense logically speaking."

Taz appears to be finished speaking. But it seems Danny's curiosity wasn't yet sated because he flashed Taz a 'go on' gesture. Taz gets up, clenches his fist, and begins walking back where they came from while snarling "Forget this! I'm not expl-"

Taz suddenly clutches his stomach as he keels over with a gasp; shapeshifting into his base cub shape at the same time. The next instant Taz begins bellowing out the ursine cub distress signal loud enough to make anyone close to him ears hurt and ring. Occasionally shifting to whimpers of pain, woofing, teeth blowing and chomping. The last three being red flags of a terrified ursine.

Poor Miles is temporarily deafened by the sudden blast of noise since he didn't have time to properly prepare himself. The pain in Miles's ears and head were enough that he too began screeching out in pain while sobbing his little heart out. The hounds were too suffering because of their sensitive hearing. All except Paul and Danny retreat a safe distance away.

Danny takes Miles into his arms, takes off his shirt, wraps the Noibat snugly inside, and than proceeds to create some distance between them and the wailing cub. At the same time making small talk in a cooing voice. The dark and the presence of someone familiar and very much well liked, calms Miles pretty rapidly. Than it's as if the fit never happened at all when Danny starts tickling the Noibat through the fabric of his own shirt.

Paul (like Danny) reacts calmly despite the situation and the painfully loud noise polution. The werehound gets on his hands and knees, flips his son onto his back, pins Taz' still thrashing arms and legs together, then almost sits on them but positioning most of his bulk off his son.

While doing all of that: Paul uses a claw to cut a rather nasty looking gash directly on the middle of all fingers excluding the thumb. Adrenaline making Paul barely feel the sting. But Paul sure as hell felt the cub's teeth trying to make mincemeat of the already bleeding hand that he stuck in there. Not Taz's fault nor intentional Paul knew. Pain, terror, and confusion just had a knack of making beast violent. Than with a volume barely missing a shout, Paul says: "Suck and swallow or I'll try emptying my bladder in your mouth next."

Unsurprisingly the cub obeyed. Still somehow managing to make muffled pathetic, heart wrenching sounds while doing so. The cub drank and drank but...there was no change whatsoever in the cub's condition. Several more heartbeats elapsed and still no change. If anything was going happen, it surely would've happened by now and everyone knew it.

Eventually Paul gives up and bellows a howl of frustration while making a beeline towards a large grey rock. Painted on this rock with Danny's blood was a five-pointed star within a circle: a pentacle.

A pentacle in Pagan/Wiccan belief is considered a symbol of protection with a few other uses. This and and other 3 symbols on a another rock, log, and tree stump purpose was to create a man-made deadzone. This being similar to the one that Darkrai had created around Blake's new stolen property. Something that only Danny, Giratina, his dimension's Darkrai, and one other person could only do; being that they were the only Necromancers in existence.

Refocusing on current happenings: Paul inevitably steps over the small point where the two dead zones intersect. Paul shifts into feral form while depositing the cub onto his back. The Houndoom's plan had been planning to run for all that he was worth into Melina's sensory range.

If Paul hadn't been in the middle of a full-fledged panic attack: he likely would've realized that Steve would've been the better man to chose for the job. That is... if the man somehow miraculously avoided crashing into every tree or tripping over every obstacle like he'd done each and every time he'd tried exercising his gift of speed in any environment really...likely injuring both Taz and himself in the process and making the situation even more worse.

On second thought: this really was the best option.

Fortunately Melina had been hiding in the foliage of a nearby tree. Obviously spying with Prince, Rose, and Zillian. Whom chosen this exact moment to make their presence known and flag the pair down. Paul let out an undignified, terrified sounding yelp as he tried blasting his attackers with a Flamethrower. Melina narrowly throws up a Light Screen to block the attack in the nick of time. Melina then shapeshifts into a Beartic and plucks the cub from Paul's back with only a muttered curse and growl of mostly annoyance.

One Ice Punch later: a human Taz was taking his medicine.

Only after Taz got settled did Melina do the thing Rose and her been itching to do: kick a certain bastard in the teeth. Unfortunately for Melina: Paul had expected as much, and nimbly dodged the blow with hardly any effort. Consequently giving any observer watching the admittedly amusing sight of a Beartic falling prey to the same gag that poor Charlie Brown had endured countless times over. Was fortunate for Taz that Melina had landed on her back.

Several spectators tried but failed to swallow snickers.

Melina gets up with a huff. Since the element of surprise was gone: she decides it best to silently retrace Paul's steps. Paul glares daggers at the Beartic's back while he shouts at the spectators. "It's almost lunch time. We don't really have the daylight to have a civilized lunch. Steve. Trevor. Chase. Runt. Please assist me in my hunt."

So the hounds set off. The tiny pack as usual seem to share equal amounts of primal enthusiasm at the very thought of the thrill of the hunt. Given what they were on two different levels: they really didn't have much of a choice.

Rose waited until they left before flashing Miles and Zillian a smile as she said "Wanna help me fetch some fruit and water?"

The two bats nodded enthusiastically and they set off.

Melina sighs and sits cross-legged on the ground while muttering "Finally some peace and quiet."

Taz answers her back with a muffled but still audible snore. Yet funnily enough Melina could still feel that she was being fed from. Understandably Melina is a bit speechless until finally finding the words she was looking for, a mutter to herself more than anything "You've got to be kidding me..."

Danny chuckles and replies: "He's like an engine to put it mildly. Body needs re-fueled regularly and a quick nap after skirmishes; especially when he expends a lot of energy. Ursine heritage is the blame of that."

Melina opens her mouth to speak but Rai interjects in the voice of his past life and in a matter-of-fact tone "The nursing-while-sleeping thing is a quik that cropped up during the first couple of weeks of his past life stay with Rose and her clan. Was dead-set on starving himself until he got his way. What you see is his body's answering rebellion." Pause while Rai's gaze went from Melina's eyes to the boy she was holding "It shouldn't have carried over though since those stressors are non-existent."

Danny turns his gaze from his body double to Rai "Glitches are to be expected when magic is involved."

Rai's chuckles briefly then meets the boy's gaze as he replies back sullenly using his little boy voice "Can you do me a favor and not say that particular comeback anymore? Hearing you spout it like a broken record during our last adventure really began to grate on my nerves."

Danny raised an inquiring eyebrow "Am I wrong?"

Rai rolled his eyes "Well no. I didn't say that. Just said that I'm tired of hearing it."

Danny crosses his arms and turns to face Rai fully, his glare was irritated and defiant. "Perhaps a trade than. I'll do my best to throw out my old comebacks if you act like yourself again. Or throw away that little boy voice at the very least."

A agitated growl enters Rai's voice and his old voice makes its return "Shall I repeat what I said to Darkrai?"

A growl enters Danny's voice as he replies "Nah. No need to dump a new pile of the same bullshit."

Rai expels a canine snarl while attempting to land a left hook into Danny's stomach. Danny however easily dodges and shuffles away as if expecting it. Danny was grinning as he says "Now that's better!"

This entire exchange seems to inflame Rai's temper further since he begins trying his damndest to land one punch or even kick. Danny dodges them all easily and with hardly any effort.

Melina sighs wearily and says "Will you both show Taz just a bit of respect?"

Rai freezes mid-motion, his anger seeming to evaporate at the very mention of Taz.

Danny rolls his eyes and pegs Rai in the head with a Shadow Ball. Danny cloaks himself and flies away while giggling madly. Laughter that were barely heard over Rai's howl of indignant fury as he lobs volley after volley of Shadow Balls at the stupid boy while giving chase. The pair began dog-fighting. One boy laughing like an escaped mental patient. The other practically screaming every obscenity he knew at the top of his lungs. Which appeared to be quite a lengthy list.

Predictably: Taz had woken after hearing the first Shadow Ball detonate. However after glaring spitefully at the two jerks: Taz just turns around and began chugging the offered milkshake for all he was worth. Eventually Taz broke off gasping for air. Taz stood up, crossed his arms, and tapping his foot impatiently as his new bear suit manifests itself again.

Melina didn't have to think that hard to guess Taz's plan. Melina shifts back to Mew shape before saying "Honey. Please actually take a moment to think. If you take vengeance this way then they'll likely gang up on you. More people will inevitably get involved and someone will likely get hurt or worse."

Taz stops tapping his foot and powers down. The boy appears to be pouting. Seeing this Melina chuckles while bopping her son's neck with her tail and saying "Here's what I recommend you do."

Melina starts gliding towards the direction that Miles and the 'mons had entered the treeline.

Took only a heartbeat for Taz to get what his mother was hinting at. While following: Taz shapeshifts into his base form, grins, then says "I like the way you think."

Melina bows the same instant that Pip shouts at the two still dogfighting above heads "RAI! El- DANNY! TAZ IS MAKING A BREAK FOR IT!"

The two's spectre's immediately cease their play. Than in total synchrony: they both lob a Shadow Ball at the escapee's feet.

Melina raises an eyebrow and says to the pup "You've been so silent that I honestly didn't even realize you were standing right there."

Taz pops his knuckles and stomps towards Pip "I'm sure by now Ru- Pip. You're familiar with the phrase: snitches get stitches."

Pip begins shadow boxing the air as he flashes a playful smirk and responds "Bring it bitch!"

Danny and Rai's synced response: "Oooh DAYUM! Pip just called you out dude!"

Taz spits into the dirt with an equally playful smirk and mutters "So he has." than louder and over his shoulder "Mom. I think you should close your eyes. This could get ugly."

Melina apparently decides to play along since she covers her eyes with her tail. But after a single heartbeat Melina lowers it a little so she can see. Coincidentally during the same instant the battle actually begins.

Taz has the larger Speed stat out of the both of them; therefore he gets the first move. Taz takes a deep breath and then expels a stream of water at the Snubbull.

Pip knew what to expect when he'd seen Taz had taken that deep breath. So Pip managed to sidestep the attack with ease. Being that Pip;s old body had been Houndour: the Snubbull knew full well that there was a window in-between ranged attacks that could be taken advantage of. Pip decides to use that offered window of opportunity by sticking out his head and charging at the Cubchoo like an angry bull. Once the pup gets in range he takes a leap, likely hoping this action will put a little extra 'oomph' behind his attack: Headbutt.

The two fighters butt heads despite Taz's best efforts to dodge at the last moment. Taz sees stars and is stunned thanks to the move's possible side effect proking, Thus meaning Pip gets a free move. Which the Snubbull decides to use by Licking Taz's face with his long tongue. Oooh another stroke of bad luck causes Taz to acquire a Paralyzed status.

Pip takes a few paces back and then decides to soften Taz up for the finishing blow by wagging his tail and rear at the Cubchoo. Pip can't help but laugh at himself while a blue light briefly flashes to signify that Taz's Defense stat has been lowered.

At the back Taz's mind: he knows that he's being creamed by mostly hax. But that doesn't make swallowing the embarrassment of getting schooled by a pup any easier. Finally the Hax Gods seem to shine a light of mercy upon the Cubchoo since he seems to finally able to do something.

Taz's sight was consumed by an icy blue light as he belts out towards the heavens "Enough of this bullshit!"

---

Meanwhile somewhere in a thicket of trees: Rose had been humming a tune to herself while stacking berries on this large piece of bark that the boys had helped her strip from the same tree they'd climbed/flew up. The berry pile had gotten very tall thanks to team efforts. Rose was about to call out to the boys that she was ready to catch more. But sensing something strange but familiar forces the words to die at the tip of her tongue. During the same instant: Rose's pupil's seem to consume the whites of her eyes. As if the Pancham had taken on the eyes of a Pangoro.

Rose body jumps with a start and becomes stiff as a board as she begins to frown. After a couple heartbeats of stillness and silence: Rose nods, smiles, and closes her eyes. That smile turns into a pained grimace as the Pancham falls forward.

The Noibats rush to the Pancham's side to investigate. Zil inspects her and says to Miles with obvious bewilderment in his tone "She's hurt and para-...sick. Was she attacked?"

Zillian rapidly scans the surrounding area with all his available senses. Was still searching for danger as he takes Miles's hand and practically drags him back towards the group. Miles tries to fight back but is no match for the Noibat pumped full of terror-induced adrenaline.

Miles's attempt to talk some sense into Zillian was met with a Dragon Claw. Miles was unceremoniously dumped into dreamland before he even registered what had happened. Zillian drags Miles by the shoulders and starts pulling him to safety while fading into the shadow realm.

---

The strange light leaves Taz's eyes as quick as it'd come. With a wordless cry Taz: rapidly closes the distance between himself and Pip. While at the same time pulling back both his fist, which are surrounded by swirling energy which changes from white to light blue. Still fearing the unknown meaning behind the previous light in Taz's eyes and having every right too: Pip tries but fails to maintain the distance between them.

Once Taz is within range of his foe: the Cubchoo immediately begins pummeling the pup with Ice Punch after Ice Punch. Taz makes sure to strafe in a clockwise circle around Pip while continuing the beatdown; occasionally going counterclockwise. Assumedly to keep the Snubbull guessing .

Pip cannot seem to keep up with Taz's speed. It appears that the ice spreading over Pip's fur like a wave was locking him in place. On the third Ice Punch: Pip threw back his head back and bellows an wordless indignant howl. What was easily recognizable as the blue light heralding an evolution consumed Pip's body during that same instant. The sudden influx of energy creating a small concussive blast, powerful enough to knock the Cubchoo off his feet. Meanwhile the form at its epicenter changing shape and growing larger in size.

Taz manages to land on his paws. Immediately and without hesitation; Taz makes another beeline for mid-evolving hound with dukes once again manifesting ice energy. Shouting during that same instant: "You've gotta be fucking kidding me!"

Taz discards safe damage dealing in favor doing as much damage as humanly possible to whatever monster was going to come out of that light. Taz heard an 'oomph' when he'd socked it right in the gut. Which consequently verified Taz's assumption that Pokemon could be damaged during the evolutionary process. However what Taz failed to foresee was the knee smashing into his stomach. Nor did Taz see the foot coming until it kissed the side of his head. Consequently sending the Cubchoo tumbling about ten or so yards in the opposite direction.

It's obvious to the spectators that it takes Taz great deal of an effort to stand. Yet Taz manages it, if a little slower than normal. Taz appears more than a little wobbly on his feet and was blinking rather quickly as if he was having difficulty seeing straight. The rapid rise-and-fall of the Taz's chest past the time limit that the Pip's knee strike would've had that effect: told the spectators that the Cubchoo was reaching his limit.

To make matters worse: Taz's body exhibits the brief blue flash of a stat dropping. It'd been the Attack stat. The 'mon in front of the Cubchoo was just that Intimidating.

Taz still however stares defiantly at his new foe: a purple, bipedal, bulldog-like Pokemon. The most notable of his features was the prominent lower jaw with two long, fang-like growths. His upper jaw has two small fangs. On the sides of his head are flat, curved ears, and its small nose is black. He wore a black collar with two small white markings around his neck. There were two black band markings around its wrist. Another important fact to take note of was that this Granbull's size is just a little bit bigger than average in more than one aspect.

Despite the drooling erection between his legs:Pip appeared about as proud and smug as a peacock at the 'admiring' gazes of the spectators. Pip stares back at them, plainly undressing two in particular with his eyes. Judging by the scents his new nose picked up and the bulges they were trying to hide: they were having similar thoughts. Pip's attention was pulled back to his foe when the Cubchoo said "Ten bucks says you become just as arrogant; if not more than your other self and your father combined."

It was immediately evident in Ru- Pip's reply that his voice had grown far deeper and gravely than his pre-evolution and other dimensional twin's: "What'd I do to earn a comment like that?"

Taz smirks as he replies "Nothing. Just thinking out loud really." Taz begins to frown as he says "Are you gonna attack me anytime soon or are you just as a big of a pansy, ass bitch as you look?"

Pip is obviously grinding his teeth as he replies "I was giving you a chance to take the loss." Pip falls into an american football point guard defensive stance. The Granbull's eyes glow red and his body becomes outlined in a red aura as well. "Than you had to open that big mouth of yours and make me mad."

Pip charges at Taz like an Outraged bull.

Taz smirks and mutters "I'll show you mad." than the Cubchoo does the unthinkable: he shuts his eyes and seemingly tunes out everything in his surroundings. Seems to be focusing on something inside himself...or perhaps listening to something only he could hear?

The other hounds return just in time to witness all of this spectacle of madness.

Pip is too Outraged to fully register what was going on. Even if Pip was coherent: he was too close to his prey and victory to back down now. However for accuracy sake: Pip begins to make an effort of slowing down.

With only paces separating the two combatants: Pip raises his fist up in the air for the first and what would certainly would be the final blow.

Taz opens his eyes and takes a step forward, left foot falling in the puddle right in front of him. Than Taz throws up an Endure status while side stepping out of the Pip's path. Good thing too since Taz hadn't been able to predict Pip's desperate last second 360?spin kick. Had to block that one with his own face. Which had to hurt helluva lot since the attack was powered up by the move Outrage.

Yet still Taz managed to hold his ground and launch a full-scale counterattack. A Brine to start things off: the move's situational effect activating. Taz than tackles Pip to the ground and was fully prepared to really let the Granbull have it by unleashing a volley of Ice Punches. Unfortunately Pip had fainted after that Brine attack.

Taz does nothing but sit on Pip for a several heartbeats. Suddenly dismissing the move's energy with a shrug. Only to call forth another move: Fury Swipes. Taz locks gazes with Rai while using a claw to cut a thin circle on the patch of skin around Pip's heart while saying lowly but with a lethal dose of venom "You play nice with my partner and I'll play nice with yours. Do you understand what I'm hinting at."

Rai expression and tone held equal amounts of frustration and anger. "You don't under-!"

Taz pulls back his clawed hand and prepares to deal the killing blow!

"I understand! I understand!" Rai backpedals with a nearly girlish squeal.

Taz gets off the unconscious Granbull and calmly begins to walk away. The boy appeared satisfied with himself, very likely for more than one reason.

Something that seems to infuriate Rai to the point that throwing a Shadow Ball at the back of Taz's head sounded like a fantastic idea.

Taz stops mid-stride, shapes his willpower into a bat, and returns the gift with interest while shouting "Still as predictable as ever!"

The returned Shadow Ball lands; unknown whether it was the move or the force put behind it that knocks Rai flat on his back. Rai sits up with a snarl. Rai's face appears as if he'd taken a black paintball in the face. But was otherwise alright. Rai was obviously fuming but knows better than to try anything more.

The pair lock eyes and stare each other down. Suddenly Taz smirks and exhales a chuckle before saying "Better wipe that egg off your face bro." The last word was punctuated with note of sarcasm.

Taz shapeshifts back into a Cubchoo cub, vanishes into the shadows, and sprints towards the direction Rose and her tag-alongs went. Taz's steps are urgent and surefooted as if he knew something was amiss and exactly where to go.

Rai bellows a wordless howl of outrage and frustration as he fires at Taz's outline with a volley of more Shadow Balls. Fortunately they hit nothing.