FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

"FUCKING DAMMIT!"

Lashanne's shout was so loud, it nearly made Minato leap to his feet as he was broken out of his meditation. Across the deck, he saw others reacting to the sheer volume of the Delphox's shout from below decks, which was followed by a clamour of metal hitting wood. He stood up hurriedly and ran down below decks, heading for the engine room. After running through the open door he stopped short of the Delphox, who he found standing by a shelf, rubbing her head and growling in irritation.

"Lashanne?" He asked as he stepped closer to the irritated Delphox. "What's wrong? What happened?"

"I was reaching for some spare parts and that toolbox there fell on me," she said, her voice carrying a mild lisp pointing to an overturned metal box on the floor beside her, a mix of screwdrivers and wrenches scattered all about. When she turned to Minato he saw some blood coming out of her mouth, suggesting she had bitten her tongue in the process. "As if the headache's not enough I nearly bit through my tongue too..."

"Jeez, from the way you were screaming, I thought something else had happened... Like, you were missing vital components necessary to repair the ship." He remarked as he used Psychic to clean up the mess of tools and screws all over the floor, overturning the toolbox and placing the items back where they belonged. "You gonna be alright, honey?"

"I'll go see Serena about my tongue," she replied. "Sorry for the shriek - I'm a little pissy after having an already long day."

"I imagine we all are..." Minato concurred, gently holding her close and kissing her forehead a few times before stepping to the side to let her pass. "Why don't you take a break for now? Give yourself some time so you can work with a clearer, sharper mind."

Lashanne let out a long sigh, reaching for a rag and spitting a mouthful of blood into it. "Yeah... Yeah, you're probably right. If I end up breaking the ship while trying to fix it, we're really hooped." She nodded to him. "Any sign of Luke and the others yet? Sun's going to be down soon."

"Not yet, but if they're smart they'll be returning real soon." Minato answered as he walked out of the engine room with her. "Volcan's getting rather antsy about the amount of time they've been gone. He won't stop pacing because of it."

"Have there been any other sounds out there? More howls or war cries? She asked as they headed out of the engine room, making their way to the infirmary.

"None that I've heard, no." Minato answered, shaking his head. "Not sure if that's good or bad, given the circumstance."

Upon reaching the infirmary, they told Serena what happened in the engine room. Fortunately the Vaporeon was able to easily fix Lashanne's tongue, stopping the bleeding and taking away most of the pain. With that, they headed back up above decks, where they looked up at the sky. It had darkened further since Minato had gone below decks, with the surrounding trees leaving him unable to see the setting sun aside from a few rays of light.

"I suppose that break will have to happen either way now," said Lashanne. "Going to be too dark to work when the sun sets completely." She sighed. "I'd rather not waste time here but it can't be helped."

"Everyone needs sleep at some point, love." Minato answered, still holding Lashanne close to his side with one arm. "Think you can manage a meal before we turn in for the night?"

"I'd love one. But Luke does all the cooking," she remarked with a chuckle. "By his own insistence." She added.

As if on cue, they heard Eagle Eye calling out, letting them know that Luke was back. Immediately, they heard Volcan jumping up from his spot by the railing, running over to the opposite side to look down as Luke, together with Jora, Katsu and Hank, emerged from the shadows of the jungle and approached the ship. Not wasting a moment, Volcan hopped over the side of the ship to meet them, with Minato and Lashanne following suite. Eagle Eye likewise came down to join them. Volcan shared a hug with Luke as they met in the clearing, while Eagle Eye propped himself on Katsu's helmet.

"Thank Arceus you guys made it back," said Volcan. "What happened out there?"

"We... Managed to ward off the War tribe and save most of the Lycanroc there." Luke explained softly, pressing as close as he could to his fiance and shuddering slightly. "But... by the time we arrived, there were already casualties. The Chieftain had slaughtered several of them before I intervened..."

"...Hey, what's that?" Eagle Eye chirped as he dipped his head low, trying to get a better look at what Hank was holding in his arms.

"Ehh... an unfortunate victim of a Parricide..." Hank returned solemnly, lifting the Rockruff pup up for everyone to see.

"What th-!" Lashanne choked, startled by the sight of the pup. "Wait, did you say parricide? Then, his mother...?"

"She... Protected him from a Draco Meteor volley," Jora replied on Hank's behalf. "But she didn't make it."

Volcan stiffened at that, clenching his eyes and shaking his head. "Draco... Meteors... Damn it, that brought the attack back in a blaze," he said, shaking his head again to clear it before looking at Luke. "What about the rest of the pack?"

"Most of them were saved, and had vacated to a safer part of the jungle when we fought off the war tribe." Luke explained. "I don't think they know they left one of their own behind when the fled the bombardment."

"It would appear Asya may have been inspired for the strategy by the warbands," replied Jora. "Their method was intended for provocation, but the result was the same. Bringing the defenders to them."

"They _bombed_the children and their mothers, just to spark a reaction from the fathers opposing them?!" Volcan demanded. "For fuck sakes... Nature or not, that goes beyond cruelty _or_survival! Those pups weren't a threat to anyone!"

At that, Hank clenched his eyes shut, gritting his teeth for a moment as he struggled not to shout. "Like I kept tellin' Luke... That's the name of the game." He said in a low growl. "There are no rules. There is no code of honour... In the wild, it's kill or be killed. Survival of the fittest." He added, his tone becoming more and more agitated the longer he spoke. "You either fight to see the next day... or you become someone else's food..."

"Hank I," Volcan began, calmer this time. "I'm sorry... You _did_already say that. It's just... A lot harder for us to wrap our heads around..."

"Yea... I know..." Hank replied, his face hidden beneath a dark visage, his claws trembling as he gently held the pup closer to his chest. Katsu let out a heavy sigh and placed his paw along the Zoroark's back, to which he turned and leaned against the Samurott's broad chest for any measure of comfort.

"Perhaps it would be best to retire for the night." Katsu offered as he consoled Hank. "This day has been arduous for all of us."

With that, the Zoroark and Samurott proceeded to the ship, with Hank still carrying the young Rockruff. The others watched them go, Eagle Eye moving over to stand on Volcan's outstretched arm when Katsu departed. When they were out of earshot, Lashanne spoke up.

"So... What can we do with the pup?" She asked.

"Nothing else we _can_do. His pack will be long gone and he won't survive alone," said Volcan.

"Another stray then," said Lashanne. "We still haven't even found Kage or his temporary team yet, and we're still getting more mouths to feed... I need to do inventory again - we may have to start rationing if we want to keep everyone fed until we get back to the mainland."

"If it helps," Jora offered, "I may be able to find us edible food to add to our supplies. The jungles are rich with berry plants and other edible flora we might be able to use."

"A good idea." Luke concurred. "We'll have to save that for tomorrow then. Better we don't go walking around in the dark.

"Better post a watch too," Minato put in.

Luke nodded in agreement. "I don't think Hageshi would decline taking first watch since he seems to never sleep as it is. After that, we'll-"

"It's not polite to talk about someone when they are present..."

The four jumped, alarmed by the Greninja's sudden appearance. He had materialized seemingly right behind Volcan, who being the larger easily concealed the Greninja.

"Geez!" Volcan exclaimed. "A little warning?! You nearly made me jump right to the moon!"

"He really is_Kage's son!" Lashanne added venomously, a paw over her chest. "Spontaneous 'jumping out with a _ boo _'_included!"

"Old habits die hard." The young Greninja stated stoically. "In any case, I shall take the night watch. I've learned to survive with little sleep during the course of my life..."

"Be that as it may, you still require sleep." Luke pointed out. "You'll take the first watch, then Wade can cover you for the rest of the night."

"That won't be necessary. I can-"

"That wasn't a suggestion..." Luke added with a growl in his tone to remind Hageshi of their agreement back in Azure. "Wade will take over for you halfway through the night... Is that clear?"

Hageshi scoffed, leering back at Luke. "...Crystal..." He said back in a low tone, clearly not liking the idea of having his rival cover for his duties, but he obliged nonetheless.

Volcan rubbed his eyes, letting out a groan in his throat. "This is going to be a long night," he muttered.

From the shadows of the trees, as the five started making their way back to the ship, a pair of eyes watched them. Slitted purple eyes, much like Jora's, rolled as they crossed the clearing and continued watching them until they were atop the ship's deck. Without a sound, the small reptilian slapped back into the darkness of the foliage behind it, and vanished into the jungle depths.

The next morning, everyone was in a hurry to get to work on fixing the ship. Lashanne and Toby brought out all the tools and parts they'd need, having to bring the ship lower and build a small scaffold so they could reach the rotors - even Volcan wasn't tall enough to do that while on foot. They removed the warped propellor, seeing up close what kind of damage it had taken as Tristan turned it over in his claws.

"Man, Sol," he said. "I'd hate to have my hide cooked by you. I'd probably end up with fused plates." He remarked before tossing the broken prop aside and reaching for the spare.

"Well, that might just happen if you piss me off hard enough." Sol remarked abrasively, grimacing as he looked at the damage for himself. "Shit... guess I really did go overboard there..."

'It was your first time properly utilizing Blue Flare, Sol. It is a hard technique to master, especially by a mortal.' Reshiram spoke to Sol telepathically.

"Yea, thanks fer the vote of confidence..." Sol remarked back through grit teeth.

Up on the scaffold, Lashanne and Volcan took the new rotor carefully from Tristan, sliding it onto its mount and getting to work securing it. "This doesn't seem that hard so far," Volcan commented. "Not so different from changing the prop on my boat."

"Only this one is about twenty times bigger than the one your boat uses," Lashanne remarked, grunting as she turned the wrench she held to secure a bolt. "But yeah. The mechanical aspects aren't too different from a normal ship when you get down to it. Just needs a," she grunted again, "bigger blade, to catch the wind and propel itself."

"How many times have you had to do this?" Volcan asked.

"When I first got this ship I had to get accustomed to its maneuverability," replied Lashanne, holding out her paw to Tristan. "Oil can."

"Oil can," he replied, retrieving the requested item and passing it to her.

"Suffice it to say I bent a prop or two," she said. "Misjudged how fast it could turn the first time - ended up slamming into a butte, and the second time I didn't quite have the air distribution in the gas bag figured out - kinda went down ass-first into a square in Senon."

Luke grimaced slightly. "That must have been a frightening experience." He commented. "But, in the end, it all ended up being useful experience to help you ensure you could handle this thing without a hitch."

"They say the best teacher is failure." Minato commented. "A harsh teacher... but an effective one at that."

"Relief on the Pok purse is a good incentive too," said Lashanne. "Had to get the parts made custom. Fortunately for me I'd had a couple of good hunts before that crash in the square. Although, the mayor was not happy about the stones getting chewed up by the props."

"I can only imagine how that interaction went..." Minato remarked with a chuckle, then began speaking in a typical old man voice. "You have some nerve, young lady! Trashing my town like that with such a wreckless landing!"

"Well, you aren't far off," Lashanne said with a chuckle as she finished oiling the prop joints. "Okay. There'll be a few other components I'll need to replace in the main engine before we get to the pre-flight test," she said, passing the oil can to Minato and accepting a rag from Volcan to wipe her paws. "The starboard prop did quite a lot of work getting us here - best not push our luck. A few more components and, with a little luck, we'll be done before it gets dark."

"Good... I think I speak for everyone here when I say we've spent enough time here as it is. We still have a mission to complete." Luke pointed out as the three of them stepped off the scaffolding. "In the meantime, how about some lunch?"

"I could use a snack break anyway," agreed Lashanne. "Sure."

"Think we ought to take up Jora on her offer and do a bit of scavenging?" Volcan asked.

"Foraging, Volcan, Scavenging is picking through old stuff," Lashanne corrected.

"Right, sorry," Volcan replied. "But anyway, we need to keep our supplies up so, better grab what we can. Do you have anything we could use as baskets?"

"A few big leather satchels I used to carry treasures and stuff. They should do the trick."

"Alright, first we forage for some extra food, then we feast." Luke stated with a nod. "I'll go inform Jora of our plans. Lashanne, you grab the satchels. Volcan, you start forming teams in the meantime." He stated before turning and taking off to find the Salazzle.

Soon after, a small party set out from the airship to begin searching the forest for edible items. With Jora as their guide and expert in the field, they began to fill their bags with berries, tropical fruits, wild vegetables and medicinal plants Jora thought might be useful. Her knowledge of the flora proved invaluable, and soon their bags were filled with edible items.

In addition to herself, Luke and Volcan among the foragers, Hageshi had also accompanied. Volcan had tried to ask Hank along, but the Zoroark was occupied with the Rockruff they had brought aboard, keeping him calm and ensuring he was fed. Katsumoto had also accompanied the foragers to act as additional protection and give them a strong back to carry their items when the bags were full.

"Damn good thing we brought Jora," said Volcan to Luke as he reached up to pick a low-hanging fruit from the tree above him. "She's really saving our keesters out here."

"No kidding. We'll be so stocked up on food that we'll have enough to distribute to the town when we get back." The Lucario replied eagerly as he reached to grab a bunch of fruit hanging on a vine. "Who knows? I might be able to come up with some exotic recipes for potential dishes too."

"That sounds like a treat. Let's hope they keep for that long," said Volcan.

Off to the side, Jora, in the midst of picking some medicinal leaves, stopped in her work. She lifted her head, looking around and standing at her full height as though trying to see better. Hageshi was up in a tree, collecting fruits, when he saw her shift in demeanour change to alert.

"...You spot something?" He asked from where he was crouched. "Friend or foe?" he immediately asked afterward.

She looked up at him briefly, and then looked back out into the woods around them. "I think we may be in a Matron's territory," she said. "We should go back the other way. She may not take kindly to our presence."

The Greninja nodded. "Go inform the others. I will watch from the treetops." He returned, slinging his bag along his back and drawing his sword from his cloak before leaping to another branch for a better vantage point.

Jora managed to get the attention of Luke and Volcan, bringing them over to her so she could talk quietly. She repeated what she had told Hageshi, and explained she knew because she could smell a marker.

"A Salazzle Matron marks their territory using a venom mixture that emits a pungent smell. Easily mistaken for jungle rot if you don't recognize it," she explained. "Once you are able to smell it, you are too close, and I was able to pick it up while I was over there. I advise we turn back, before she finds out we are here."

"Alright. I'll grab Katsu and tell him we're heading back to the airship." Luke replied with a nod. "Volcan, you stay with Jora. Get a head start and we'll catch up when we do."

"Got it," said Volcan, before waving to Hageshi, letting them know they were leaving. Luke turned and wandered off to inform Katsu they were leaving, finding him not far from where Jora had found the mark and quickly dragging him back toward the direction of the airship as fast as he could. They quickly caught up with Volcan, Hageshi and Jora, and ran back to their mobile base posthaste.

Back at the ship, they found Lashanne giving the propeller another inspection, double-checking to ensure it was secure, when she and Minato saw the others coming out of the trees. She set down her tools and hopped off the scaffold to meet them.

"Something happen? You guys weren't gone for long," she said.

"Jora says we might be in the territory of another Salazzle Matron," explained Volcan. "If that's the case, they may not take kindly to us being here."

"In that case, we should start packing up and preparing to leave before they arrive." Minato stated firmly. "I'd rather not get into a scuffle with a band of poisonous lizards that can bypass a Steel type's natural immunity to poison attacks."

"My thoughts exactly," said Volcan.

"Uh..." Lashanne said, her ears standing tall in alert as she pointed past them. "Too late."

They turned, and saw movement in the trees. Multiple pairs of eyes peered through the foliage at them, stepping slowly out of the leaves. Mouths hung open and hissing loudly, a half a dozen Salandit - ones of impressive size, indicating a well-fed population, approached them.

"Ohh shit..." Minato muttered, clenching his paws at his sides.

"Everyone, stay frosty. Watch for their Poison attacks." Luke warned them, already summoning his Bone Rush weapon and holding it at the ready. Hageshi had his blade already drawn in a reverse grip and was crouched low, leering back dangerously at the approaching Salandits.

"Jora, can you communicate with them?" Volcan asked.

"I will try," she said, taking a step forward.

She did not utter a word, before one of the Salandit spoke up, his voice so thick with a hiss that his words were barely understood. "_Jora,"_he said.

Jora stiffened at the sound of her name.

"Wait... they know you?" Volcan asked.

"It can't be..." Jora whispered.

There was another rustle in the bushes behind the Salandit, and another figure emerged. The sight of them brought a gasp from Jora, and she retreated hastily, nearly running into Katsu as she did. Out of the bushes stepped another Salazzle, one even bigger than Jora and nearly as tall as Volcan when she stood up on her hind legs. Most startling about her though, was that her entire body - aside from her underbelly, still a mix of pinks and purple - was a stark white, making her appear almost ghostly. Her eyes bore a devious intent, so clear to all of them they did not even need Lashanne to point it out.

"Whoa," said Volcan. "She looks dangerous..."

"Very astute, Captain Obvious..." Hageshi remarked scoldingly, never taking his eyes away from the Salazzle and her circle of Salandits. "Identify yourself." He stated firmly.

"She can't understand us, Captain Oblivious," Volcan retorted.

"Oh, but I can," the white Salazzle said suddenly, speaking in clear but heavily accented eastern common, surprising all of them.

"What... Where did you-" Lashanne started to ask, equally surprised as Volcan.

"It is I who will ask the questions, intruders," the pale Salazzle cut her off. "What are you doing in my territory, and with my own blood no less?" She turned her gaze on Jora as she spoke.

"Blood?" Volcan asked, his head turning slowly to look at Jora, the others following suit.

"She... She is... Phaedra," Jora explained. "Hatched to the same mother as I. My sibling."

"Sibling?" Luke asked, looking over his shoulder to the Salazzle hiding behind Katsu for a moment, then looked back toward Phaedra firmly. He slowly lowered his weapon and straightened up, daring to take a small step forward and stamp his weapon next to him.

"We aren't intruders by choice." He began. "Our airship was damaged during a battle against the Dark Crusade. We had to set down in a defensible position so we could repair it without any hassle." He explained to the ghostly white Salazzle.

"Dark... Crusade," echoed Phaedra, lowering herself to stand more at level with Luke. "What is... A Crusade?" She asked.

His eyes widened slightly. "...Wait you... you don't know?" Luke asked, his guard lowered slightly. "I see... I'll keep it simple. There is an entity running loose in the world. A Shadow Blaziken by the name of Calhoun that threatens to destroy the peace and bring the world into a state of chaos and destruction." He began. "My team and my fiance's team are here on a Mission to put a stop to his plans and rescue our comrades from his grasp, but as I mentioned earlier, our ship was damaged and we needed to land to make repairs."

"I see..." said Phaedra. "So you claim to be here by accident, then, merely en route to another destination?"

"That is correct." Luke answered. "We had no idea this was your territory, nor did we mean to trespass. If you'd just allow us to finish up then we'll be on our way."

At that, Phaedra grinned. "It is not so simple as that, my foreign friend," she said. "You have not only trespassed but you have taken of the bounty of my territory." She pointed to their satchels, filled with the items they had foraged.

"Miss Phaedra, you must understand. Our food supplies are running low and we needed to restock as well... Surely we can come to a consensus. There's no reason we can't resolve this dispute in a civilized manner."

"I don't think you realize where you are, little one..."

Another voice, much deeper and more menacing, marked the arrival of another presence. The foliage behind Phaedra began to part, revealing the form of an abnormally large Arbok slithering out into the open. He came to a stop next to the ghostly white Salazzle before straightening up and flaring his hood, his tongue flicking idly as he stared Luke and the others down.

"Thissssss is the island of Kia He... There is no 'civility' in thisssss part of the world." He hissed, then his gaze shifting from Luke to Jora, his eyes widening somewhat before narrowing again. A cruel grin started to cross his features as he regarded the other Salazzle among Luke's party. "Well well well... We meet again, my delicioussssss morsel..."

The horror written on Jora's face at the sight of the Arbok was so clear, it was as if she were staring at Giratina himself. She nearly fell backward as she retreated, were it not for Lashanne catching her before she could fall over. Her eyes were so wide they seemed ready to fall out of her sockets, and Lashanne could hear an obvious thumping from her chest.

Volcan put himself between Jora and the snake, watching him warily. The Arbok never moved from his spot, however. Rather, he took pleasure in seeing the horrified look in Jora's eyes as he stared back at her, regardless of Volcan coming to her aid.

"And how isssss your little Circle faring these daysssss?" He asked. "Neither your sisssster or I have seen you in many months... I had assumed you had perished, yet here you stand."

Luke frowned at the Arbok slightly. "...Whatever history you have with Jora will have to wait." He said, trying to stay calm and composed. "Let's focus on the topic at hand, if you please."

The Arbok turned sharply to Luke, quickly lunging forward and stopping just short of his snout, making Luke recoil instinctively. "You are in no position to make demandsssss, little one." He hissed angrily. "You are in Matron Phaedra'sssss territory. Her will issss law in this jungle, and asss her mate, _my_word carriessssss as much weight as hers does..."

At that moment, Hageshi appeared next to the snake, holding his blade at his neck and glaring at him dangerously. "Back off, Arbok... Or taste the vengeful bite of winter's fury..." He threatened.

"That will do, Raguram," Phaedra spoke up, calling the snake back to her side. "It seems my sister has made formidable allies, wherever she has been." She took in the gathering before her, a slight grin stretching across her face all the way. "They are strong. All of them."

She shifted her posture, rising back to her full height. "Very well. We can make an arrangement," she said. "You will be allowed to stay, and be under my clan's protection. I will even let you keep the items you foraged. In exchange," she began. "You shall give me a tribute of flesh."

Jora jerked at that. "Phaedra..." she started to say.

"You are in no position to question me, little sister," Phaedra cut her off. "I have decided."

"What's a tribute of flesh?" Volcan asked. "If you expect to eat one of our companions, you're in for a fight."

Phaedra laughed at that. "No, nothing like that. A tribute of flesh, is when I take one of you to my home, to be my companion for the evening."

"...That sounds a little too simple of a demand." Luke pointed out, narrowing his eyes suspiciously. "What's the catch here, Phaedra? What do you hope to gain from having one of us as your companion for the night?"

"A matron must always seek to better the generations that follow," she stated. "Strong hunters require strong sires." She looked closely at Luke. "And in you, I see great power that still has yet to surface."

Volcan caught on. "Now wait just a minute! You can't just-"

But Raguram cut in this time, hissing loudly at Volcan and making him go silent, expecting the Arbok to attack him while Luke considered the meaning of Phaedra's words. Slowly his eyes widened as he started to understand what the Salazzle Matron was asking of him.

"Wait... when you say 'companion...'" He began, then frowned and regained his posture again. "I can't do that." He said firmly. "I'm already spoken for, and I will not openly cheat on my fiance." He then grimaced as he came up with a compromise of his own. "There are others among us that are not spoken for. Surely they can serve as a suitable compromise instead."

"Perhaps... But I've made my choice," she stated. She then continued to speak in a low voice. "If you prefer, I can summon the rest of my clan to set your ship ablaze instead. I'm sure you'd rather this not escalate into a territorial conflict."

"Hey, mess with my ship and you mess with me, lady!" Lashanne spoke up, already reaching for her branch wand.

"Miss Phaedra, please... I implore you to see things from our perspective." Luke continued to dispute. "Were our positions switched, I wouldn't dare ask you to desecrate the sanctity of your marital bond with your mate." He pointed out, glancing at Raguram for a moment.

"Raguram understands our ways," said Phaedra, stepping closer to her mate and stroking under his chin. "He has given me many strong hunters, and I adore him for each one. But one can never be too powerful. Not when one faces the likes of Kommo-O warchiefs, and foreigners who keep thinking they can make this land their own."

"That's not our intent, I assure you." Luke replied, clenching his paws at his sides. "I've already explained why we had to land here, and I'm trying to offer a suitable compromise to your demand in exchange for our presence in your territory."

"You have nothing else I want, little one," she retorted. "It is either you, or nothing."

At her words, the six Salandit turned their attention to Lashanne's airship, the markings on their bodies already alight as they prepared to use their fire.

"Don't you dare!" Lashanne shrieked, her branch raised with a Psybeam already prepared. Likewise Volcan's fists ignited and Minato and Katsu both had their swords in their hands. Hageshi was already poised to strike the second any of the Salandits dared to even so much as flinch, his glare intensifying from dangerous to borderline murderous.

Luke quickly glanced between Phaedra and the airship, quickly starting to panic as he lost control of the situation. His eyes wandered quickly back and forth as he tried to think of any other alternative, but in the heat of the moment, there was nothing else he could come up with. He had to decide now. Bed with Phaedra for the night, or risk having their only means of transportation destroyed.

Finally he closed his eyes and slumped his shoulders, swallowing his disgust as he made his decision. "Alright!" He shouted to Phaedra, taking a few moments to finalize his decision before looking square into the Salazzle Matron's eyes. "...I concede... I will agree to your terms..."

Phaedra lifted a claw, and her Salandit backed away. Behind Luke, he could already see the shock on his lover's face that he'd agree to it. Yet, he didn't look angry. Luke hated that fact - Volcan should have been angry. He had every right to be...

"Say any more you need to say, and then join us on our way back to our encampment," said Phaedra. "But do not make me wait."

"I'll be brief..." Luke reluctantly agreed, slowly turning on his heel and pacing toward his lover. Volcan could see clear as day the look of disgust in Luke's eyes as he drew closer, barely able to stomach the decision he had just made. The Lucario remained silent for a few moments even as he stood before Volcan, then lowered his head shamefully before he finally spoke up.

"...Forgive me, love..." He whispered, clenching his eyes shut.

"There isn't really a better choice," said Volcan, sounding understanding. "Either you go off to get laid, or our only way home risks getting torched. I don't see a better alternative either..."

Luke then stepped forward and threw his arms around the Blaziken, holding onto him tightly and hiding his face in his chest. "I hate the decision just as much as you do..." He whispered. "But... I have to. I'm so, so sorry, Volcan."

"I know, Luke," Volcan replied, hugging Luke just as tightly. He sounded hurt; not even he could keep that out of his tone.

He was reluctant to let Luke go but eventually the Lucario had to pull away from him, the others watching in disgust, directed at Phaedra, as Luke approached her, ever under hers and Ragurams shadows, making him feel that much smaller compared to both of them.

"...I'm ready." He informed Phaedra, still wearing that look of shame in his gaze as he nodded to her.

She nodded back. Her tail reached out to wind once around his waist, pulling him to her side as she looked up to address the others. That hateful grin was still on her face, even as she saw the shared disgust from the rest of them.

"I take this one now as my tribute," she said. "When the day is over, he shall be returned to you all unharmed... If he wants to come back at all."

At that, Volcan tensed, and only stopped himself from rushing Phaedra when Minato caught his shoulder. When their eyes met, Minato shook his head firmly at the Blaziken before releasing his grip on his captain.

"She's baiting you..." He whispered to him. "She's looking for an excuse to alter the terms of their deal."

"I know..." Volcan said lowly, the tension not leaving his shoulder though he held himself back.

"From now until dawn," said Phaedra. "You will be permitted to remain here, without hostility from myself or my clansmen. You will be under our protection."

With that, she turned to leave, turning Luke with her and ushering him away back into the woods, the others watching helplessly as one of their captains was led away...

When Luke was brought to the encampment, he hadn't expected much. At most, maybe a thatched hut like the one Koa had been living in on his little island. But to his surprise, he was being led up to a massive, pale canvas tent, the kind that was commonly used as a field office by the Exploration Society. At that thought, he suddenly noticed the emblem of the society itself on the side of the tent, emblazoned with the image of a flat world, like in the pages of a geography school book, with the known landmass of the world stitched into it.

He knew the emblem from having done work with the society in the past, mapping new territory in the east. What was one of their tents doing here in the islands, under the ownership of a Matron?

Cautiously, he turned his gaze to Phaedra, clearing his throat in order to get her attention. "Begging your pardon for asking, but... how exactly did you come about procuring this tent?" He asked. "It bears the insignia of the Exploration Society, which means we weren't the first ones on this island..."

"Oh, this?" She asked, looking up at the tent. "It was on a shipwreck, off the western coast of the island. I did not know where it came from, nor where the ship's occupants were. But we took what we could carry, and I found this... Tent, as you call it? Once we learned how it was put up I have used it as my personal shelter. It's certainly preferable to the rain during the storm seasons."

She led Luke into the tent, with Raguram accompanying them. Inside, the furnishings - if one could call them that - were much more akin to the ones Luke had seen in Koa's hut. A wooden bed, covered in palm fronds to make bedding, a central firepit that had grown cold in the absence of the occupant, and several baskets carrying various items.

"Welcome then, to my abode, my new consort," Phaedra said huskily, dropping to all fours and turning to Luke. She barely gave him time To speak before suddenly her claws were on his cheeks, and he was pulled forcefully into a kiss.

He grunted when their lips met so suddenly, catching him completely off guard and leaving him frozen for that brief moment before he clenched his eyes shut and tried to push himself away from her instinctively, his paws pressed against her chest and jerking his head back to separate from the kiss.

"W-Whoa, hold on." He said quickly, panting slightly as he tried to keep a little bit of distance from her. "I know I agreed to be your companion for the night, but... Don't you feel like you're rushing things a bit?" He questioned, then an idea popped into his head that might help buy him more time before things escalated too quickly. "To be honest, I know little about your culture and your way of life... I'd be interested in learning about how you run your clan if you're willing to take the time." He offered, gently lifting one of his paws from her chest to touch her cheek, trying to show a more affectionate approach to counter her lustful one.

She arched an eye ridge at him, casting a glance at Raguram before turning her attention back on Luke. "Could you not have imposed these curiosities to Jora? She knows as much about these islands and of Matronship as I do. We learned from the same mother."

"Normally, yes." Luke answered. "The truth is, however, that after we completed a mission in which she was involved in, we parted ways before I had the chance to properly ask her, and during this mission, I was so focused on rescuing our comrades that I never got the chance to stop and ask her either." He explained, starting to caress her cheek slowly with his paw. "Besides... I think I'd learn better if I actually saw for myself how things work here, and in exchange, I can show you a little of how things work where I'm from." He offered.

She waved her claw. "I already know all I care to know about your 'civilized society'," she said, looking once again at Raguram. "My dear mate is originally from there. He had no taste for it, so he came here."

Luke looked at Raguram in shock. "Wait, you... You lived in a civilized populace?" He asked, then he looked down slightly for a moment as he pieced it all together. "...Well that does explain how you know our language, but... Why give up your old lifestyle?"

"Assss my Matron explained, I grew tired of the boring civilizzzed life. I sought the thrill of the hunt, and their laws barred me from fully indulging in my desiresssss." Raguram answered, glaring slightly at Luke. "Out here in Kia He, the entire jungle issss my hunting ground, and its denizensssss are all my prey... save for the one who hassss slain my cold, predatory heart." He added as he looked fondly toward the Salazzle.

"When he told me of his homeland, I can hardly blame him for wanting to come here," said Phaedra, moving over to her bed and lying sideways upon it, inviting Raguram to join her. "I met him some time ago, though apparently he met my sister not long before me. He has since become the head of my Circle." She looked at Luke again. "I presume Jora has at least told you that much; about Matrons and their circles of males?"

"She's clued me in on some aspects of it, yes." Luke answered as he watched Raguram slither over and begin winding gently around the Salazzle, hissing down at her as he flicked his tongue along her cheek and neck. "She told me that there can never be two Salazzle in the same clan, and that she chose to leave voluntarily to start her own."

"Well, _some_clans have been led by two matrons," Phaedra clarified. "But ours is not to be one of them. I had waited long to take our mothers place, and Jora and I were not of the same mind. She prefers to avoid conflict, and makes all her decisions in that pursuit. Even trading her own body for protection." She looked at Raguram as she spoke.

Luke tensed as a thought occurred to him. Is that how Jora knew Raguram? She'd clearly been terrified of him when he had emerged, the very sight of him nearly sending her into a panic attack. "Raguram." Luke called to the Arbok, earning the snake's attention. "I have to know... what did you do with Jora that made her so terrified of you...?"

At that, the Arbok started to grin as menacingly as he did when he first saw Jora back at the airship. "She intruded in my territory long before I met Matron Phaedra. Asssss recompense for her intrusion, she offered herself to me in exchange for my protection againssssst the war tribes and other predatorssssss that lurk in these junglessss."

He then started to chuckle almost sadistically. "Oh, the thingsssss I did to her during our arrangement... The numerousssss timessss I help her helplessly in my coilssss, squeezing the breath from her body. The many hunts I forced her to endure, the perils I made her suffer through, all for my own entertainment." He sighed in bliss. "It was absolutely sssssublime..."

Luke started to back away slowly, already imagining the terrible things he did to Jora, his eyes widening in pure horror as he gazed back at the Arbok grinning at him. "Y...You monster..." He whispered. "How could you... How could you subject her to such things?!"

"It was per the terms of our arrangement." Raguram simply responded. "Jussst as it is per the terms of your agreement with my Matron to become her partner for the night..." He added with mild disdain in his tone.

"Fear not, Raguram," she said, reaching up to caress his cheek again, and then whispered something to him that seemed to please him. They were speaking in the island dialect, so Luke couldn't understand what he heard.

"Very well, then..." The Arbok hissed as he leaned down and gave Phaedra a firm kiss on her lips before he began to unwind from around her body. "I shall fetch our kin a ssssizeable kill for our feasssst tonight." He said as he started slithering past Luke toward the exit. "Enjoy your time with your little morsssssel, my Matron."

"And you with your hunt, my dearest Raguram," she called after him, before turning her attention back to Luke, still lying on her side. "Now, are you done with these questions?"

He had his gaze set on Raguram as she posed her question, feeling a sense of uneasiness creep along his back as he watched him leave. He jolted when the Salazzle cleared her throat to get his attention, turning back to face her and adjusting his scarf a little before answering, though he knew had walked himself into a corner. He couldn't think of anything more to ask to delay the inevitable, and he cringed as he tried to prepare himself for what was to come next.

"I... Have no other questions," he answered. "At least, nothing that isn't considered trivial..."

"Well then," she said, and beckoned him with her claw. "Come, join me. Your mistress awaits." She added in a provocative tone.

Luke sighed heavily, slumping his shoulders a little before he started to approach the Matron. _'Damnit... Please, forgive me, Volcan...I do this for the sake of our mission.'_He thought as he slowly started to crawl into her bed, laying down on his side facing her and looking her square in the eyes.

The moment he was on the bed, Phaedra moved in, her body flowing like water as she stepped a predatory circle around the Lucario, meeting his gaze as she came around to face him once more. She left her body draped over his, and leaned in to run her tongue along his neck, her hot breath on his face as she tasted him.

Luke blushed heavily once she lay herself on top of him, feeling every inch of her body pressing down on him and pinning him to the bed. When she ran her tongue along his neck, he couldn't help but moan softly, tilting his head back and shuddering a bit as she tasted him, his paws slowly sliding around her back to hold her to him.

Wasting no time, she pressed her lips to his, moving Luke onto his back as she lay atop him. She so dwarfed the Lucario in size that Luke could hardly even attempt to resist her advances, her domineering nature showing as he effectively pinned him to the bed and continued to kiss him. Yet, after a moment, she pulled back, and looked down at him as if disappointed.

"You are holding back," she said. "Are you not pleased to have the favour of a Matron upon you?"

"I-It's not that, I-" Luke whispered softly. "Forgive me, I'm not trying to be offensive in any way. It's just... Hard to properly commit to this without thinking about my fiance." He explained to her. "Please don't misunderstand. You're very beautiful, and I believe you when you say it's an honour to be sought after by you. But I am engaged to that Blaziken you saw earlier. I've committed fully to him, just as you have to your mate." He said softly. "...I love him.."

Phaedra grimaced at his words, evidently not liking what she heard. "I do not understand this custom of yours - this... Engagement to one being. Does it not seem a waste, when there are so many to enjoy?" She licked his neck again. "Why settle for what one can offer, when you can have as many as you want?"

"B-Because he..." Luke paused mid-sentence to moan as she licked at his neck again, making him arch his back a and grip onto her sides a little harder. Despite his trepidation, she knew exactly how to push his every button, sending his heart racing. "H-He saved me. Just as I once saved him. We've been through a lot together, and through those trials, we've come to understand that we need each other... on more than just a platonic level." Luke tried to explain. "He's everything to me... A-and I would give anything for him..."

She took in his words, pausing in her ministrations to hear him as he spoke. "Including... Giving yourself to me, to protect him," she stated.

Luke nodded slowly. "Yes," He answered, softspoken.

She let out a sigh, sounding disappointed. "You are just like my sister... Giving of yourself for others, when you could have all you want for yourself." She looked down at him again. "Well, if nothing else, I can enjoy this as I see fit."

As soon as she said that Luke saw the pink markings on her belly glowing, and the matching streak of her tail similarly lighting up. At the moment he took in another breath, he felt it... A longing, aching desire, aimed at the female atop him. She'd released her pheromones, and in the confined space he couldn't avoid breathing them, filling his lungs and igniting his desires.

"W-Wait...." Luke whispered, trying to fight the effects of her pheromones, but the burning desire in his chest overwhelmed his sense of reason faster than he could prepare for. Within seconds, She felt his grip on her tightening, and his gaze became more passionate and longing the more he took in her aphrodisiac fumes. In a blind fit he leaned up to her, parting his lips to take hers into his own.

She met his kiss, welcoming his submission to her pheromones and winding her tongue with his as she turned them over, placing Luke on top of her as they kissed passionately on the bed. "Now, my little consort," she said. "Please me... show your Matron how much you love her."

"Y-Yes... Mistress..." Luke whispered, completely under her control as he began to pleasure her as if she were his lover by kissing and biting along her neck sensually. This time, no image or reminder of his lover would pull him back from his trance. He was completely enthralled...

Volcan sat brooding by the campfire, letting the others tell the story of what had happened with Luke earlier, when Phaedrs had made her demands clear. Certainly no one was happy about what they heard - that Phaedra had taken Luke as her personal concubine, in exchange for allowing them to stay in her territory. The alternative, being the destruction of their only way home.

"What a cunt!" Tristan barked. "Who the hell does she think she is? Taking one of our fellows, let alone Volcan's fiance?!"

"Indeed, the very thought of such an act sickens me to the core," Wade remarked spitefully, resting his head along his paws as his brow furrowed angrily. "This may be her territory, but that does not give her the right to impose on one's romantic relationship like that..."

"Her island, her rules," Hank remarked, scowling just as angrily as everyone else as he stared into the fire in front of him. "She's a power hungry shitlord, willing to do whatever it takes to get her way, and in this case, she got what she wanted by threatening our only way home."

"Still," Minato piped up, poking the kindling within the fire with his blade. "I can't imagine how Luke must have felt to be forced into that situation. I have to give him credit, he's got more balls than I do. If it were me in his place, I might have skewered her and risk losing our ship in the process."

Behind Volcan, someone else was taking the conversation worse than any of them. Jora sat away from the fire, seated in a fetal position. She looked sad, as though somehow the entire situation was her own fault. She had not engaged in any part of the conversation, and seemed to slip only deeper into her depression the longer it went on.

"Let's hope Lashanne and Toby finish those repairs soon," said Tristan, carefully placing another log on the fire. "Be glad to leave this place behind, I'm thinking."

"That makes two of us," Volcan finally spoke up, though his eyes were still on the fire.

"No argument there." Eagle Eye chirped spitefully. "I've already had my fill of this place..."

"You think you've_had enough? _I'm_the one still stuck in this damn tub of dirt." Doug stated. "I tried going into the ground earlier, but it's just _way too thin and too moist. I don't have any traction when I'm digging through it."

Then, from the deck of the airship, they heard some calling out. Looking up, they saw Serena leaning over.

"We need some water," she said. "I don't want to bother Lashanne while she's working. Does anyone mind filling a kettle from the nearby creek?"

"I will do it," offered Jora, speaking up for the first time and rising to her feet.

"I will go with you," Volcan offered.

But Jora shook her head. "Please... I can do it alone. It's not dark yet - I will be in no danger."

"But Jora, you shouldn't-" Volcan started to say, but paused when he saw the guilty look on Jora's face. "Uh... Alright. If you really want to. But don't be long, okay?"

"I won't," she promised as Minato brought her the kettle, passed down by Serena to him. Without another word, she walked off to find the stream, walking on her hind legs as she went.

"...Why?" Volcan asked aloud when Jora was out of earshot. "Why is she blaming herself for this? She didn't tell Phaedra to do all this.."

"She also didn't tell Phaedra not to, either." Hageshi pointed out, watching the Salazzle disappear into the foliage. "She feels guilty for letting it happen in the first place, and is shouldering all of that blame in an act of penance for her sister's transgression."

"Still, she isn't to blame for this," said Volcan, hanging his head as he stood, subtly fuming in a sudden anger he felt in him, but not letting it surface. It wouldn't do anyone any favours now if he lost his temper...

Jora let out a sob as she knelt beside the stream, scooping kettle through the water to fill it before resting it against her lap. Tears flowed from her eyes freely, now that she was no longer near enough to the others to let them hear her cry. She set the kettle aside and rested her claws against her eyes, sniffing.

"Luke... Volcan... I'm so sorry," she whispered, her tears dripping as they fell into the water.

She should have warned them about Phaedra, she knew. She should have told them. But she had been hoping - praying, even, that they would not encounter her of all the Salazzle on the island. But they had, and worse yet, Raguram was now with her. The very ssight of him had stolen Jora's courage, leaving her no opportunity to try to defend Luke.

She had done nothing, and now Luke was the plaything of her sister, while Luke's one true love had to suffer and wait for him to return...

Jora wiped her eyes, letting the last of her tears go before opening them again... And gasped as she saw a face next to hers, reflecting in the water.

Someone was behind her! She spun around and started to scream, but her attacker was quicker, already having lunged forward and biting her neck to make the Salazzle stop screaming and freeze in place, giving him precious seconds to wrap the Salazzle up in his coils and throw her to the ground.

"Hello again, my dear, delicious morssssssel..." Raguram hissed as he began to squeeze Jora tightly in his coils, slowly cutting off her ability to breathe and making her bones creak under the pressure.

"Not again!" She rasped, her breath already forced from her lungs by his suffocating embrace. "Please... Not... Again... Let me... Go." she could barely manage the words, feeling his tail tightening around her form, not even letting her draw in enough breath to breath fire or poison to fight back.

"Not thisssss time, Morsel..." Raguram hissed, looming over the Salazzle with a malicious grin. "You essscaped me only because of your wretched Circle's interferencssssse, but now you are all alone, and no one will know of your fate until it isssss too late." He growled, opening his mouth wide as he leaned in closer to her. "Thissssss time, I _will_have my meal..."

"We... Had... A deal..." she wheezed, just as his mouth was ready to close over her head.

"That deal wasssss done the day I decided you outlived your usefulnesssssss..." Raguram hissed as he slowly clamped his jaws around her head, exhaling as he started to pull her further into his mouth and down his gullet, still squeezing her tightly to prevent her from screaming or using her toxic abilities.

All Jora could manage then was a weak plea that Raguram couldn't hear. "Someone... Help..."

"She's been gone too long," Volcan declared as he shot to his feet. "I need to go talk to her..."

"Don't be gone too long, my friend." Katsu cautioned Volcan. "We will soon be retiring for the night, and it would be treacherous to be alone out there in the dark."

"I won't be," he assured them. "I just... I want to make sure she knows. This isn't her fault..." he said before he began walking, heading in the direction Jora had gone while the others watched after him.

When he stepped out of the trees, Volcan found the stream easily. He looked upstream for any sign of the Salazzle, but he didn't see her. So he turned his gaze the other way, and felt his heart skip a beat. On the side of the stream, a mass of purple, sinuous muscle pressed tightly into a recently caught prey, the huge form of Raguram taking delight in his latest catch...

When Volcan saw the feet - the only thing not covered by the Arbok's coils, he knew immediately what was happening. Something snapped then within the Blaziken, and all caution was thrown to the wind. Volcan was off like a shot toward Raguram, who only heard him coming when Volcan's foot splashed in the stream.

But by then warning had come too late as a pair of powerful hands seized him by his upper jaw, pulling his head back painfully.

"Let her go, you freak!" Volcan demanded, trying to wrench the Arbok off the Salazzle who was already partially in his mouth.

Raguram hissed angrily as his jaws were pried apart, losing his grip on the Salazzle as Volcan pulled her head out of his jaws before he could slam then shut again. He then instinctively unwound his tail from Jora to strike at Volcan in retaliation, hitting him across the face and sending him stumbling to the side.

Raguram took a moments to collect himself, shaking the ache out of his jaws before rounding on Volcan. "You...!" He growled before he coiled up and lunged at Volcan like a bolt fired from a crossbow, jaws open ready to bite into the Blaziken as he drew closer to him.

Volcan spun out of the way of the lunging Arbok, and exhaled a Flamethrower at the snake as he landed. The Arbok flinched as the flames came toward him, quickly lowering his tail to the ground to spring the other direction. The flames barely nicked the back of his hood, but it was enough to cause him some discomfort as he turned and faced the Blaziken once more.

He hissed once more before he lurched a few times, his cheeks puffing out as he reared his head back, then he lurched forward and spat out a wad of highly acidic sludge at his opponent. An Acid attack! Volcan barely managed to get out of the way of the attack, never taking his eyes off Raguram as he moved to retaliate.

"We had an accord!" Volcan shouted as his fists ignited. "Phaedra said we wouldn't be harmed!"

"That was _her_agreement...not mine!" He retorted, spitting out a few more wads of Acid at Volcan. "That morssssel and I have unfinished businesssss, and I _will_have her!"

"She is your mate's sister!" Volcan exclaimed as he moved side to side avoiding the onslaught as he tried to close the distance.

"That is little concsssssserrn to me!" Raguram countered, jerking away from Volcan when he was within striking range and lashing out with a Crunch attack in retaliation, clamping his jaws right into Volcan's shoulder.

Volcan grunted from the bite, attempting pry Raguram off him, but the snake held his jaws firmly around Volcan's shoulder this time, and he used the opportunity to wind his long body around the Blaziken from his torso all the way to his shins, making him straighten up and lose his balance, falling to his side as a result. From there, Raguram released his hold on Volcan's neck for the briefest of moments before clamping down on the same spot again, this time with a Poison Fang, injecting the Blaziken with his deadly venom as he began to squeeze him just as he squeezed Jora earlier.

Volcan groaned as he felt Raguram constricting him, unable to free his legs from the snake's coils, and having only his hands to fight back with. He gripped Raguram by his neck, squeezing with his fingers and glaring back at the snake as they wrestled on the grass, eventually tumbling into the stream to drench them both.

Once in the stream, the Arbok managed to roll so that Volcan was underneath him, holding him under the rushing water and managing to wrench his neck free of Volcan's grasp. He continued to constrict around the Blaziken, robbing him of his fire powers and his ability to properly fight back. He watched as the Blaziken's struggles started to wane, both from the lack of oxygen and from the poison coursing through his body. Whether he succumbed to his poison or to his coils mattered little to him. Raguram wasn't going to release Volcan until he was certain he was dead.

Unfortunately for Raguram, Volcan had one trick left. His arm came out of the water, hand clenching into a fist... And crackling with electricity. He struck Raguram with his Thunderpunch, sending a jolt coursing through the Arbok. Surely Volcan felt it as well, but that did not deter him. The Arbok's convulsing muscles lost their grip, and with a twist of his body in the opposite direction, Volcan managed to unfurl the Arbok's tail, drawing him onto the shore and stomping on his tail with one foot to pin it.

Volcan's look was almost wild as he began punching Raguram repeatedly. Again and again, he struck, fueled by sheer rage and adrenaline. Raguram could only grunt in pain from each hit, his face becoming more bruised and bloody with each punch Volcan landed on him. A couple of times he tried to fight back, but that only resulted in him getting punched harder, until he finally fell back into the dirt with a pained grunt, and stopped moving after letting out a breath.

Only when Raguram went down did Volcan finally stop striking him, panting hard as he held the snake on the ground, making sure he was out. He collected himself, and turned his attention to Jora, still lying motionless in the ground where Raguram had dropped her. He left the snake, running over to her and kneeling beside her.

"Jora!" He shouted, gently sitting her up. When her head sagged to the side, his heart skipped a beat. "No, no, no! Jora, hang on!" He pleaded as he picked her up in his arms, fighting the poison coursing through him as he carried her back into the woods.

He could barely see where he was going, but the sight of a campfire was all he needed to know it was the right way. He stumbled out of the trees, his vision darkening more and more with every awkward step he took. In his desperation, he kept running, stumbling side to side with each step.

Finding his voice, he cried out. "Guys! Help!"

Hank was the first to turn and look toward Volcan's direction, already seeing the limp Salazzle in his arms and immediately rising to his feet. "Oh shit! Guys, look!" He exclaimed before he leapt over the fire and ran over to Volcan, with everyone else following after him.

Volcan fell to his knees, panting hard and barely managing not to drop Jora. "Help her..." he rasped, his head spinning as Hank took her from him. "Raguram attacked her... Tried to eat her... She's not..."

That was as far as he made it before the Blaziken collapsed, falling onto his side.

"Volcan!" Tristan barked, moving to his Captain's side. "Uh... what do I do here?!" He asked, frantic.

Minato practically shoved Tristan out of the way, falling to his knees and closely examining the Blaziken. He then noticed the bite marks along Volcan's neck, and the discolouration around the penetration points that went with it.

"He's been poisoned!" He exclaimed, quickly looking up at Hank. "You got any Pecha Berries on you?"

"Y-Yea, I got some in my pouch back on the ship!" Hank answered, needing no further incentive to turn and leap up onto the airship's main deck to grab said pouch.

"Minato!" Lashanne spoke up from beside Jora, her paw on the Salazzle's chest. "She's not breathing!"

"Hang on!" Minato returned quickly, scooting over to his girlfriend's side and placing his paws along the Salazzle's chest. "...This is gonna hurt like a bitch if this works. Be ready to hold her down." He informed Lashanne as he gathered aura energy into his paws. Once he had gathered enough, he discharged the built up power into Jora's chest in an attempt to jumpstart her heart and resuscitate her.

The Salazzle jerked, her eyes shooting wide open as she awoke. She shot up in a fit of adrenaline, her arms flailing as she screamed in horror. Minato and Lashanne managed to get hold of her arms before her claws took someone's eye out.

"Jora! Jora, calm down! You're safe!" Lashanne exclaimed as they held her, letting her catch her breath and take in her surroundings. "You're okay."

Jora's eyes were so wide it seemed as if she had just awoken from her worst nightmare. She sat frozen, eyes rolling about as her senses caught up with her, and a look of pain crossed her features. In seconds, her eyes streamed with tears as she let out a wail of despair, collapsing into Lashanne's arms and shaking violently as she cried. Her wail reached all the way up to the deck of the airship, where a figure stepped into view

"The fuck is all the ruckus down there?" Sol hollered before lazily hopping over the edge of the boatdeck and onto the ground next to the three of them. "Some of us are tryin' to sleep up he-" He paused when he saw Jora utterly bawling her eyes out, rousing him out of his fatigued state and blinking a few times before he spoke again. "The fuck's she so upset about...?"

"All we got was that she was attacked!" Lashanne replied. "By the mate of the lady who promised we wouldn't be harmed while I finished fixing the ship!"

At that moment, Hank dropped down beside Sol, nearly landing on him in the process. He excused himself before running over to another downed figure, watched over by Tristan and Katsumoto. That was when Sol saw Volcan lying seemingly lifeless in the grass. His eyes went as wide as dinner plates when he saw the Blaziken laying still on the ground, his pupils constricting into tiny beads and vibrating rapidly.

Slowly, his paws curled into tight fists, cracking audibly as he began to shudder violently. His neck vents and nostrils emitting thick clouds of smoke as his temper continued to rise."...Who did that to him?" He asked in a dangerously threatening tone, mustering up as much of his willpower as he could to prevent himself from exploding right then and there into a fit of primal fury.

"That Salazzle Matron's mate apparently, or so Volcan said before he collapsed." Minato answered, then turned his attention toward the path leading up to Phaedra's encampment. "...She broke the terms of her agreement when that snake attacked Jora and Volcan. Now she-"

Before he could finish, Sol's neck vents ignited in an explosive manner, filling the clearing with their glow to silence Minato and make everyone jump. His flames quickly turning blue from how utterly furious he was. The air around him superheated to the point where the ground around him turned into ash, and without another word he took off, making a beeline straight for the encampment and leaving a trail of fiery destruction in his wake.

They watched Sol leave, before Lashanne spoke up, turning to Minato. "We'll take care of these two," she said. "Go get Luke."

"I'm going with ya," Tristan stated, coming to stand beside Minato. "They're messing with Team Phalanx now - they get the whole package."

"Better go grab that snake while we're at it. We'll need him as proof of our claim." Minato remarked as he stood tall, paws clenched at his sides. "If Sol doesn't torch her to a crisp, I'll have half a mind to run her through myself..."

Luke felt exhausted, his long hours with Phaedra catching up to him as he began to regain his senses. Her pheromones had faded, giving him full control of his urges again, and the realization of what he'd been doing with her... The pale Salazzle still lay beside him, alerting him to her presence when he heard her letting out a content sigh on the frond leaf bedding.

He barely had time to register the guilt, before an explosion outside sent him immediately into alert. Beside him, Phaedra shot upright her eyes immediately on the flap of her tent. "What in the-" she demanded, dashing immediately toward the flap of the tent and pulling it open.

Outside, an all-too familiar scene was unfolding. Salandit were running about, attempting to escape from a massive Typhlosion who had set fire to their shelters. Luke had run outside to see what the commotion was all about, and his jaw fell open in horror when he saw Sol torching the encampment in a fit of primal rage, destroying everything around him.

"S-Sol!!" Luke hollered. "What the _hell_are you doing???"

The Typhlosion turned to the sound of Luke's voice, his eyes finding Phaedra and glaring dangerously at the Matron. With zero hesitation, he turned and lunged for her, roaring furiously as he reached out to snatch the Salazzle in his grasp. Like the snap of a whip, Phaedra ducked out of his way, turning sharply and catching him across the face with Dragon Tail. He recoiled from the attack, but slowly turned his head back to glare back at the Salazzle before snapping his arm forward and grabbing her by the neck, lifting her up effortlessly and slamming her _hard_into the ground, flames practically drooling from his mouth as he glared down at her.

"You fucking SKANK!!" Sol roared furiously at the Salazzle. "Give me one good reason! ONE _FUCKING_GOOD REASON!! Why I shouldn't incinerate you and your entire clan into nothing but ashes!!!"

She hissed back at him. "You are here... under my protection! You dare attack me?!"

"Very funny coming from you!" A voice called out.

Luke followed the voice, and saw Minato and Tristan entering the camp. Dragged behind the Aggron, an unconscious Raguram was thrown beside Phaedra, still pinned by Sol, the snake groaning in pain as he started to come around.

"What is the meaning of this?" Phaedra demanded.

Minato stepped forward, blade in his paw and pointing it at Phaedra's snout. "The deal was that Luke was to spend the night with you in exchange for your protection. You gave us your word that no harm would befall us during our stay." He growled at the Salazzle. "The next thing I know, your mate goes and tries to attack Jora, and also attacked Volcan when he tried to protect her, even going so far as to poison him during their tussle!" He exclaimed angrily. "That paints a pretty bad picture on your part, bitch!"

Luke's heart skipped a beat when Minato dropped the news that his fiance had been poisoned, left completely speechless in those few moments as he stared at Phaedra incredulously. "...Volcan... Was poisoned... Because of your mate...?" He managed to utter, then he thought back to when the two of them were speaking in their native tongue, noting the diabolical grin the Arbok had when he left the tent afterward. "...You sent him to kill Jora... didn't you?!"

Phaedra didn't answer, still trying to pull Sol's paw off her throat even as she looked at Luke. Her lack of a response only angered Luke more, though. Rather than wait for a response, he summoned his Bone Rush staff and swung it _hard_along her face in a fit of rage, leaving her with a black eye and searing pain across her cheek.

"Answer me!" Luke roared.

"I gave him leave to finish what he started!" Phaedra returned.

Luke's paws tightened audibly around his bone rush. "I gave myself to you willingly!!" He roared down at the Salazzle. "I agreed to your terms, and this_is how you repay it?! By trying to kill not only my friend, but my _fiance?" He exclaimed, holding his weapon back as if to strike her again, but instead lowered his arm and dematerialized it. "You _disgust_me, Phaedra... I hope you rot in whatever hell you believe in underneath these damned islands!"

He then turned and took off back down the path toward the airship, tears already rolling down his eyes as he ran as fast as he could, desperate to be at his lover's side. He felt sick from all that had happened, both physically and emotionally, but he pushed it aside and powered on through his own self loathing in order to move as quickly as his tired body would allow.

"...So what do we do with this bitch and her chump of a boyfriend?" Sol asked, still holding her down by her neck. "Do we torch her and be done with it?"

"Tempting as the invitation is..." Minato growled, slowly pulling back his sword and dematerializing it. "...She's not worth the effort. You've already done enough damage to her little kingdom. That alone should serve as a lesson to never go back on her word again..." He added, glaring scathingly down at Phaedra and Raguram.

When Sol backed away, Phaedra coughed, rising onto her knees and rubbing her throat as she looked up at the three with spite, but she stayed quiet as they departed. She looked over at Raguram when he lifted himself up, finally regaining consciousness and seeing the destruction wrought by Sol.

"You guaranteed me that if I let you finish things with my sister, you could avoid being found out," Phaedra commented.

"I _would_have, if that Blaziken hadn't arrived when he did..." Raguram returned irritably, rubbing his face with his tail and cleaning the blood off his snout and mouth. "His timing wasssss untimely... Luck was not on my side thisssss night."

Phaedra let out a sigh. "I suppose it doesn't matter now," she said, noting the fires around what was once her encampment. "After a show like this we must move on. The warbands will no doubt be drawn to this come the dawn." She shook her head. "What a nuisance."

Raguram nodded and slithered over to Phaedra, lowering his head and nuzzling under her black eye in an attempt to nurse it gingerly. "I will salvage what isssss left of our encampment, then rally our clan for the move..."

She nodded. "Thank you, my dearest hunter," she replied, kissing him lovingly before they set about cleaning up the remnants of their temporary home...

~~~~~

Luke barely wasted a second as he arrived at the airship, not even acknowledging his friends as he passed them - aside from Hank, who directed him to the infirmary. Luke was there in seconds, practically throwing open the door and shouting his husband's name. Inside, Serena bristled, rounding on Luke from the bedside of Jora, who lay across the room. Likewise, Koa, sitting on the other bed, jumped at the sound of the door opening so violently, his fur already on end as he hissed at Luke.

"Luke!" Serena said lowly. "Keep it down!"

"Where's Volcan?!" He practically demanded, ignoring Serena's command. Tears already rolling down his cheeks as he searched the infirmary frantically for Volcan.

"I'm right here, Luke," came Volcan's voice from his right, finding the Blaziken resting on the third bed. He was propped up by multiple pillows, and had a bowl of Sitrus and Pecha berries held between his hands.

Luke couldn't contain himself as he laid eyes on his lover, sniffling and sobbing audibly before he practically threw himself onto Volcan, wailing as he buried his face into his chest. "I-I'm sorry!" He cried, shaking violently as he clung to his mate. "I-I...I'm so sorry!!"

Volcan set his bowl of food aside and put his arms shakily around Luke. The Blaziken was colder than he should have been, surely feverish as his body battled the poison while the berries did their work. "It's okay, Luke," he said, his voice tired, holding Luke as tightly as his limbs would allow.

"N-No! No it's not okay!" He wailed, keeping his face hidden in Volcan's chest. "I-If I knew that bitch was going to break the terms of our deal, I never would have agreed with her demands!! I went with her willingly and slept with her, betraying you, and look at where it landed us!!" He practically wailed, sobbing as he tried to hide his face in Luke's chest feathers.

"It wasn't your fault," said Volcan. "She went back on her word; we all chose to trust her. You aren't to blame for any of it."

It was just like when Luke had first met Jora... When she had tried to seduce him. Volcan knew Luke was not to blame, and his love for the Lucario remained unconditional. Luke slowly started to calm down the longer he stayed in Volcan's arms, still clinging tightly to him, but he was no longer wailing or trying to hide his face in shame; merely resting his cheek along the Blaziken's chest and rubbing it idly.

"...I really don't deserve you, Volcan." Luke whispered softly, turning his head to kiss at his lover's chest.

"I have a lot to do... To deserve you," said Volcan, stroking the back of Luke's head.

Luke then lifted his gaze to meet Volcan's, tilting his head slightly as he gazed up at the Blaziken with mild confusion as to what he meant. The more he looked at Volcan though, the less confused he became, lifting a paw to touch Volcan's cheek and lean up to take Volcan into a tender kiss,which the Blaziken was happy to receive an reciprocate.

After a moment, Luke pulled back from Volcan, and turned his attention to Jora. Sensing his lover's unspoken question, Volcan explained. "Raguram attacked her while she was getting water by the stream... When I got there, he was already shoving her into his mouth, and she wasn't breathing when I took her back to the others. Thankfully, Minato was able to resuscitate her."

He looked at Luke as he continued. "And... I think she blames herself for you being taken by her sister."

Luke sniffed and wiped his eyes. "She shouldn't," Luke whispered, his tone reflecting his puzzlement as he slowly crawled out of Volcan's lap and moved to stand next to Jora's bed. "She couldn't have seen this coming... I made the conscious choice to spend the night with Phaedra, not knowing she'd break the deal..." He lifted a paw and rested it on Jora's shoulder.

At his touch, Jora shifted, her eyes opening as she looked back at him. She hadn't been asleep, but he could still see the guilt in her eyes, reddened from how much she had been crying. Her face soured as she looked up at Luke, as if she already thought he despised her. However, he then leaned down and gave Jora a small kiss on her forehead, looking back her with nothing but sympathy and forgiveness, his paw stroking up her shoulder to along her cheek.

"It's okay..." He whispered gently to the Salazzle. "I could never hate you..."

She sat up then, slowly and shakily, turning to Luke with tears still streaming down her face. Then, she leaned into him, trying to raise her arms to hug him but she was still too weakened from Raguram's attack to do more than rest her claws against his sides as she sobbed into his shoulder.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I should have done something... Should have stopped her... And now for the second time since we met, you were made to betray the man you love because of me."

"I voluntarily chose to do so this time... For the sake of our safety and our ride out of here." Luke answered, stroking down Jora's back and nuzzling her cheek. "You were scared... No one can blame you for being scared, Jora..."

Finding some strength, she managed to hold Luke a little tighter. Then, opening her eyes again, she looked over his shoulder to find Volcan had scooted to the end of his bed, giving her an apologetic look of his own. "I shouldn't have let you go alone," he said to her.

Jora lifted her claw from Luke's side, and Volcan reached out to gently grasp it in his hand. "Thank you... For saving me," she whispered to him.

"Anytime," Volcan replied with a warm smile. "After all... You're one of us, right?"

Luke smiled softly, nodding in agreement as he pulled back to look at Jora. "That's right." Luke concurred, nodding to the Salazzle. "You're our friend, Jora... We'd come to your aid hundreds of times over if that's what it takes."

She gave a weak chuckle at that, her eyes drooping as fatigue caught up with her again. "Let's hope... That does not become necessary," she muttered as Luke eased her back onto her bed, where she shut her eyes and drifted off to sleep within moments, looking far more at ease than she had when Luke had entered the room.

From beside them, they saw Koa rising gently from his bed. Serena looked ready to protest,but a wave from Volcan silenced her, when he saw Koa's intended destination. He moved to Jora's bedside, and there he pulled up a chair and eased himself into it. He rested himself into the chair, and watched Jora quietly, like a sentry guarding her in her sleep Nobody saw any reason to tell him otherwise, having evidently found some attachment to the Salazzle matron since they'd met on his little island.

"Let's go get some rest... In our own bed," Volcan said, popping one of the Sitrus berries into his beach before he too tried to stand, leaning slightly on Luke as he waited for the rejuvenating berry to take effect. "Thanks, as always, Serena."

"Of course," she whispered back. "Rest well, you two."

"We will." Luke assured the Vaporeon, gently guiding Volcan out of the door and shutting it behind him, letting Jora sleep peacefully with Koa keeping watch over her...