Chapter 16

Chip

Chip had gone ahead of the others, he wanted to spend a bit of time alone before their adventure continued. The Zorua had found himself in a small park just outside of Wooloo village, the Zorua had liked the sound of flowing water coming from the water fountain there. The sound of flowing water, something about it relaxed him and in turn allowed Chip to find his center.

~ You have great taste in meditation spots. ~

Or rather Inari in this case.

'Do you have to be so loud?' Chip asked his Omen as his eyes were closed, the Zorua was laying on the side of the fountain, his tail covered his eyes. Lifting his head, the Zorua's world changed from normal to that of the Soul Scape, the water fountain was flowing rainbow colored water, the sky was mysterious once again and the area around them was anything but normal. Inari sat next to him the female version of him was leaning over him, her tail wagging as if she was...a very familiar Rockruff. Almost as if to tease him Inari gives the male a lick on his cheek.

"Welcome back Chippy."

"Don't call me that..." The male fox sighs. "No one should ever call me that."

"Oh, why not?" Inari asked, the female fox leaps over Chip and sits on his opposite side. "Tell me, tell me."

"If you're my other half you should know this." Chip lifts his head.

"Us Omens only know so much Chippy. Yes, we are your other half but even Omens and their True Selves only know so much about the other." Inari smirks. "I'm pretty sure you only know so much about me too don't ya. Then again knowing you...I bet you don't even know a basic thing about me."

"That's no fair!"

"Am I wrong though." Inari puts a paw over her mouth. "Pretty sure I'm not."

"..."

"Well do you know why I brought you here? Your desire to be alone wasn't by chance, I wanted to talk to you or rather show you something." Inari steps off the fountain and looks up at the sky. "You notice something Chip?"

Now that she mentioned it the Soul Scape felt different, this wasn't the same place that he first saw when he awoke to Inari. No, this place felt almost as if it was a mirror version of his world...well minus how the sky and water looked. Stepping onto the ground Chip noticed bits of magical essence rise from ground.

"To the naked eye this place in the real world is well...normal. But to someone who is connected to the Mist and the Refraction World this place is teaming with unchecked magic." Inari puts a paw in the fountain, when she lifts it out the water returned to the fountain though it left behind strange sparkling particles.

"What is that?"

"This Chip is magic in its raw form. You won't be able to see it in the normal world but here in the Refraction world its easily seeable. You begin to see stuff like this when there is a strong source of magic nearby. Normally this will be something like a power crystal, though that only what I'm sensing in this area."

"What do you sense?"

"That is what I want to find out." Inari plays with the water again, more of the sparkling essence is left on her paw as the water returns to the fountain. "While we walked through the village, I took the time to try to sense where this power was coming from, but I didn't feel anything that told me it was inside of the village. I do sense a bit more concentration of power inside of the Windmill but there is always more magical energy that comes from battlefields. No, this power is not in the village but is coming from the south." Inari points towards a forest that was just over the horizon. "That place."

"You mean Sundown Waterscape?" Chip asked.

"Yes. Whatever is fueling the magical energy in this area is coming from there." Inari takes a few steps towards it; her eyes were fixed on the forest as if it was calling her. Chip felt it too, that desire to seek power...

"You won't be able to reach that source of power in the real world." Inari turns back to Chip. "Places like this can only be accessed here in the Refraction World. As much as I want to seek this source of power, I say we tread carefully. No source of power is blindly unguarded, places like that attract powerful guardians and others who seek its power."

"So why are you telling me this?" Chip askes.

"Chip..." Inari quickly smacks the Zorua with her tail, it surprised him so much that he couldn't dodge her incoming kick to the face, he falls back a little stunned but still able to stand. Chip looks at Inari whose paws were glowing purple.

"I want to see just how much you've learned so far. Remember our first meeting? Let's see how much you've mastered since then."

"You want to fight me?" Chip was surprised but he wasn't about to back down, instead he gets low, his tail twitches back and forth, the anticipation was more than enough to fuel his path forward. He wasn't about to lose to Inari again, nope he was going to show his other half just how far he's come in the short time they've been working together. Inari might be annoying sometimes but...she was growing on him just a little bit. The female Zorua copies his stance as she gets low too.

"Aww...I'm glad you're warming up to me."

"STOP READING MY THOUGHTS!"

"They're my thoughts too." Inari giggles. "But for the purposes of our little fight I won't read your thoughts...not like I need too since your such an open book."

Chip's paws glow red as he pictures Hathor's movements, the way she was able to dash forward while using the energy stored in her paws. Ya that is how he'll open the fight, he'll be Hathor. Chip's paws ignite on fire and before Inari could say another word, he dashes towards her. The male Zorua tries to hit the other but is met with an illusion as Inari wasn't really standing where he believed she was. Chip hears her giggling from behind and he swipes as the Zorua defending himself from a possible counterattack, but he only finds another clone.

"Huh? What's...what's going on?"

"A smart fighter...or rather trickster never allows herself to be so easily attacked." Inari appears on Chip's other side, and he swipes at her though only finds himself hitting another clone. The fake fox vanishes and Chip saw Inari standing several feet away her eyes glowing as she as casting her attack. As he found the true her the fox's eyes return to normal and Inari winks at him, her tongue out in that cheeky...annoying...making him want to headbutt her between the eye's kind of way.

"Fight me you little pussy!!!"

"I am fighting you Chippy...your just being too predictable." Inari yawns the Zorua lets out a big "ORU" as she finishes her yawn. "Kind of boring honestly."

"I'll show you boring." Chip digs his paws into the ground and launches a Shadow Ball at Inari who waves a paw around in a circle, a small portal appears, and the ball of shadowy energy is consumed by it. Chip gasped as he didn't expect this from his other half.

"How did you--"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Inari smiles. "We come from the same school of magic, illusion. Though how we use that power is different which is what makes me, and you are unique. You're good at copying others, your talent for being able to borrow their abilities and then make them your own is special. No other Zorua has ever been able to turn their illusions into something real."

"Really? I mean...it's not like I'm trying to do this." Chip says.

"Really." Inari waves her paws and creates a ball of shadow energy. "Would you like to see what mine is." The fox jumps through the ball of shadow energy coming out as...a Rockruff? Wait...

"Huh...Darious?" Chip gasped, the Zorua felt himself moving forward as he is staring at a mirror image of one of his best friends. Inari had transformed into entirely new Pokemon without having to look at them. She looked just like Darious, and when he felt up against her body felt just like Darious, and...smelled like Darious. Inari chuckles her voice sounded identical to the puppy.

"What do you think?"

"You're.... you're literally Darious." Chip looks into the "puppy's" eyes. "How did you?"

"Our Shadow Talent as I like to call it is the ability to make our illusions real. That means if we transform into another Pokemon we literally are transforming into them. If you use an ability Chip that ability is real, which means be careful since you could hurt someone if you get too out of paw." Inari gives Chip a like against his face, the puppy left a long trail of saliva that made the male fox cringe as even her breath was identical to Darious's.

"You're so adorable."

"Shut it!" Chip wipes the saliva off, his face and paw now smelled like dog. "It smells just like him."

"Yep, I'm a mirror image of Darious, got all of the details right." Inari giggles. "Even right down to the cock and balls...want to see them?"

"NO!"

"Aww but I'm feeling frisky...really frisky." Inari blushed the Omen was trying her best to control her mind. Chip remembered how much Darious struggled to keep himself under control and it looked like Inari's illusion was so real that even that other Pokémon's mind she took on. Chip began feeling a slight itch himself as his hindleg was shaking.

"Hey what's going on?"

"We're connected...remember..." Inari says as she scratches her head. "If I feel something well...you might feel it too. And right now..." Shakes her head, a bit of red was poking out of the puppy's sheath. Chip could smell Inari's "desire", the male fox holds his nose in a desperate attempt to protect himself from his other half's scent.

"Wake up, wake up, wake up!" Chip begged himself.

"You want to leave already..." Inari asked, the "Rockruff" panted, saliva drips onto the ground while she gets on her side and lifts a hindleg up. Chip makes a little notice as he noticed her now throbbing cock, the long member was dripping pre onto her stomach. "Don't you want to help me?"

"No that's weird!" Chip keeps holding his nose though it wasn't helping as his mind was becoming cloud.

"What to masturbate?" Inari asked. She points at Chip. "You're just sucking your own cock, nothing gay about that."

"I didn't say anything about it being gay!" Chip takes his paws from his nose. "Now you're talking out your ass."

"You want to eat my ass..." Inari blushes, the "Rockruff" barks happily. "Oh, my I think I'm starting to think like a Rockruff. I should really think about changing back before I like being one too much and not want to be me again."

"That would never happen to me." Chip pouts. "I'm out of here."

"Chip..." Inari lays out, her tail up exposing her reddish anus and balls... Chip swallows as he was struggling to not want to go over to her and mount the puppy. He always did like Darious, a lot. The two of them gave up the other's virginity to the other and they have been close since the moment they met. Even now he wished that he could see his friend again...

"HEY! Did you become Darious to--"

"Don't you miss me...?" Inari asked, the puppy tried to look as sad as she could. Chip rolls his eyes.

"Stop trying to tempt me! I'm going back and--"

"Ok, ok..." Inari gets up and makes another ball of shadowy energy, the Rockruff jumps through it and out came Inari the Zorua. She quickly grooms herself a big smile on her face. "If you want to try that little trick, I'll teach you it. Though remember that if you do it that ability will quickly drain your tank. Make sure that you only use it for emergencies since we only have maybe three minutes' worth of mana to waste on it. And I'm not sure about you but I do not know any abilities that can give me back my mana that quickly."

"Nope." Chip shakes his head. Inari nods.

"Together we're at our strongest, remember that ok." Inari oddly gives Chip a hug. "Oh, and um...when we wake up...we're not going to be in the same place."

"Huh?"

"Well, someone had to pilot our body while you were in here. Don't worry we're in a good place." Inari suddenly fades away and the world turned to black. Chip felt that familiar feeling of falling asleep come over him, the Zorua's head starts spinning and before he knew it everything turned black...

~

Chip found himself laying in a field, he was nowhere close to where he had met with Inari. All around him were flowers, some were white, others blue but what surprised him the most was the large number of red ones nearby. Getting up he felt starved as if he hadn't eaten in days. He tried to fight the feeling though it was getting the better of him.

"How did I get here...? And why am I so hungry?"

~ That's my fault. ~ Inari spoke into his mind as the male searches his surroundings. Wooloo village was far in the distance, the village's windmill was one of the few things he noticed this far out. He had to at least be a league or two away from the village, his friends must be worried sick about him.

~ Don't worry about the others, they're on their way here as we speak. ~ Inari says.

"Why would you believe that?" Chip asked out loud as he notices a camp site near him. It was maybe 100 yards away if not a bit more. There was a sign near it, but he couldn't read it from where he was and would need to get on the small road leading to it if he wanted a better look.

~ Well we told the others we were going to scout ahead remember. Kyuubi had suggested that we meet at the campsite you see there. ~

"Sure, but you think they'll be coming here right now?" Chip began walking towards the campsite, he was a little nervous since he didn't know who or what he might meet there, and he was all by himself. As he nears it the Zorua could feel his mind wondering back to the last conversation he had with his partners before leaving them.

~

Chip and his friend had reached Wooloo village, they found Basil and Shawn inside of the inn near the windmill. Hathor and Kyuubi were happily helping Basil pick out things for them to buy for the road while Shawn was looking out of the window, the Bulbasaur seemed to be lost in thought. Chip in his own boredom sat near Shawn though he didn't feel like talking right away. It wasn't until Shawn spoke that the silence was broken.

_ _

"How are you doing Chip?"

_ _

"Huh? Oh um...fine, how about yourself Shawn?"

_ _

"I'm doing ok...I guess." Shawn continues to look out the window while they spoke. "Am I being stupid, you know...liking Alister?"

_ _

"Huh no, why would you believe that?"

_ _

"Well...I mean...you and Kyuubi seem to be doing alright right...?" Shawn finally looks at Chip, he seemed oddly on edge. "I mean Kyuubi is gay right?"

_ _

"Kyuubi? Um...ya...ya I guess he is. I mean I've never asked him, but he seems only interested in other males. Well, I'm an odd one huh...being a herm...you know with both parts in all...WHY ARE WE TALKING ABOUT THIS?!" Chip looks at the others though they were still doing their own thing.

_ _

"Sorry I just wanted to you know...get your thoughts. I just don't know about myself." Shawn sighs. "Maybe I'm being stupid."

_ _

"Is this about your crush on Alister?"

_ _

"What? H-how did you know?" Shawn gasped. Chip shakes his head.

_ _

"Because it's so obvious, I mean you've had a crush on him since we started going to school together. I used to sleep near your nest, I could hear you talking in your sleep about him. Plus, you always get this certain...scent your around him. Don't worry over it you're a grass type its natural, you guys always give off certain aromas depending on your scents. Plus remember I've caught your pawing off to that Minccino plush back in school.... that thing will never...ever be clean."

_ _

"Ok, ok...why did you have to bring up little Al." Shawn blushed.

_ _

"At least it wasn't as bad as Darious's plushie, that thing will never be able to get enough stuffing to be whole ever again." Chip chuckles. Oddly the Zorua felt the urge to huge Shawn...which is what he did. Chip feels Shawn hug back.

_ _

"I...don't think I can tell him just yet but...thanks." Shawn smiles. "Maybe I'll be able to be as happy as Kyuubi is with you guys."

_ _

"Shouldn't you be talking to Kyuubi about this then?"

_ _

"He was the one who brought it up to me the other night." Shawn blushes. "He's a good mentor, odd since he always seemed so reserved. He told me I should talk to you about what it's like to come out since he didn't really struggle with something like that. Being a Pokemon who worked in the club he found it was natural since most of his customers are male anyway. He said that you struggled more than he did."

_ _

"Me? I'm a herm though--"

_ _

"Your still male. There are a pair of balls down their Chip, and Kyuubi says that you struggle with the idea of getting taken in the tail hole."

_ _

"EXCUSE ME!" Chip growls. "I'm not a bottom! That's Kyuubi!!! I don't take it in the tail hole, never have and you bet I never will. Besides Kyuubi wouldn't even know where to put his tiny cock an--"

_ _

"Hey guys." It was Kyuubi of all Pokemon, Chip quiets as he saw the hybrid fox come over to talk to them. Kyuubi touches noses with Chip the fox smiling as he nips the Zorua's ear. "How are you doing hun?"

_ _

"Um..." Great...Chip had no idea if Kyuubi heard any of what he said. Chip needed an out and fast...

_ _

"What's wrong sweetie, did you want to say something? You know I'll never get upset with anything you say..." Kyuubi giggles, Chip felt a paw feel up his ass.

_ _

"Aaaahhhh...."

_ _

"What's wrong baby, I thought you liked your butt being touched."

_ _

"Aaahhh.... I've got to go." Chip felt sweat run down his face as he slips away from Kyuubi who looked a little confused. "All that touching kind of made me you know...and I would hate for you to have to you know..."

_ _

"Know what Chip?" Kyuubi asked.

_ _

"You two are so interesting." Shawn speaks up.

_ _

"Nah just Chip, he's the cute one." Kyuubi giggles. Chip felt himself fuming with rage.

_ _

"I'M NOT CUTE!!!" Chip growls. "And I need to go to the bathroom! All of that touching is making me comfortable, and you don't want me to have an accident, do you?! NO, I didn't think so! I'm going to scout ahead and get my thoughts together."

_ _

"Alright then hun." Kyuubi shakes his head, the fox touches noses with Chip once again. "There is a campsite a little away from here, meet us there alright. If you get there before us then just hang around the entrance, we'll catch up sooner or later."

_ _

"Alright..." Chip sighs.

_ _

"You have a cute butt." Kyuubi giggles.

_ _

"Hey!"

_ _

"As much as I love being a taker...sometimes it's fun to be a giver too." Kyuubi kisses Chip before he could respond, the Zorua feels himself falls back as he takes a seat, Kyuubi's kiss felt...better than usual. The fox winks at him. "You going to be ok sweetie?"

_ _

"Um..."

_ _

"You should get going, we should be able to link up in about an hour or two. Try to not get in trouble before we get there." Kyuubi shakes his tails as he walks away leaving Chip oddly.... wanting.

_ _

_ _

~

_ _

~ Well ready to go say hi? ~ Inari asked

"Kyuubi said to wait in this area for the rest of them to arrive." Chip says as he lays in a bush near the entrance. He couldn't sense if his friends were on the move or not right now, he hoped they were since he didn't want to be here all day. Chip could sense that his other half was restless, Inari wanted to explore the camp. But that wasn't all that was making her restless, no he was starting to get a sense that there was something or someone here that was strong...strong. They had a deep connection to the Mist.

~ You feel that too, don't you? ~ Inari asked

"A little bit." Chip says out loud. A little wasn't the best way to describe it, he could almost taste the amount of Mist that was in this area, and it felt like it was growing. Chip didn't know why he didn't sense it when they were coming this way but...wait he wasn't the one in control when they were coming here, that was Inari.

"Did you sense this on the way over?"

~ I did, that is why I kept us a little bit away, so we didn't walk completely into it. There is a great source of magical Mist nearby in the forest, but its greatest influence has been contained deep unground. This type of power attracts those seeking it and...there is more than one here currently that is seeking it. Its best if we walk careful and try to avoid conflict if possible. The Pokemon here are much stronger than us. ~

"Ya..." Chip says while keeping low in the bush. Closing his eyes, the Zorua lets his thoughts wonder, he was able to feel the Mist all around him, it was invisible to the naked eye but those who had ties to the other side could sense it. He allowed his mind to wonder in a way that allowed him to sense the Pokemon inside of the camp. All around he felt strong Pokemon, most seemed to have good intentions about them though with a little bit of searching...

"Huh?!" Chip's eyes open as he sensed an extremely strong Pokemon, unlike the others this one didn't feel like it had good intentions at all. What was it? The odd Pokemon he felt seemed to have a handle on magic like none of the others, there was a mixture of elemental types with it as well, it wasn't just one but...several. Chip didn't know how that was possible or if there was a way for him to sense more about it as he felt like he was...caught and the presence hid itself. In fact...

~ Close your mind! ~ Inari's presence got in front of his.

"Wait what...?"

~ Close...fuck it. I'm taking over! ~ Inari mentally pushes Chip out of the way. Chip falls back in his mental space as Inari took his place within their mind and body...

Inari

Inari had to protect Chip and their body from being found out by whatever that presence was, if they were found...

No, she couldn't think of that now, this wasn't the time for thinking but the time for action. The Zorua didn't need to wake up into the world, not her battle was to be found here in their Soulscape as she made her way for the entrance to it. It wasn't natural for Pokemon to wonder into other Pokémon's Soulscapes without being invited but if they were strong enough...they could break their way in which spelled trouble. This presence knew how to break in and was attempting to do so as the Zorua reached the entrance. The entrance can look like anything that the Pokemon wanted it to be, for now it appeared as two large steel doors protecting Chip's soul from the outside world.

There came a heavy knock on the door.

POW

Inari stood her ground as she witnessed a dark mist coming from under the door, whatever it was trying to come in by any means. She draws a circle in the air and a ball of light appears.

"You're not welcomed here." Inari sends the light at the mist causing it to go back under the door. A moment later more mist pushes it way under and a ghostly image appears before Inari, it was hard to make out just what it was. The ghostly image takes a step towards Inari who stood her ground.

"Well, well...what have we here. A little Zorua who doesn't know how to keep to themselves." The ghostly figure crosses its arms. "You're lucky that I'm feeling merciful and haven't decided to try kick down the door to this feeble thing you call a soul."

"Who or what are you?" Inari asked. She could sense that Chip was nearby, she needed him to stay hidden. If he was to be found it could cause some problems. This thing can't be allowed to reach him or else...

"My name is of no importance to you...Omen." The ghostly image says. "What do you hope to achieve by sensing who is around you, hmm?"

"There is no law that says I can't!" Inari's claws dig into the grass under her, her tail twitches back and forth, her back lowers, she was ready to fight at the moment's notice. There was no way this thing was going to enter her Soulspace anymore than it already has. The ghostly image lets out a chuckle.

"You think you can find me...hahaha. Only a fool believes that they are capable of fighting what will soon be a god. Like I said before if I wanted to break into this feeble Soulscape I could do so with little effort. No, I'm not in the mood for breaking pets."

"What did you call me?" Inari wasn't going to take the bait; she could sense that this thing was hoping she would strike at it. No whatever creature in that camp that casted a bit of its soul at her was much more powerful than her for sure. It was best simply to just talk.

"Hmm maybe you'll be good enough to sale to a breeder, I'm sure there is someone out there willing to use your seed for something. A creature as weak as you are only good for reproducing more weak creatures for work." The figure mocks Inari who was fuming now but she held her place.

~ We're not going to let it get to us. ~ It was Chip, he was still hiding but casted his mind out to Inari. She felt calmer as her other half was standing with her even if not physically. Yes, together they can do anything.

"I don't know who or what you are, but you're not welcomed here." Inari glares at the figure. "We're only passing though...but get in our way and I swear I'll show you just how "feeble" this soul is. I'll rip that sorry thing you call a spine out."

"Ooohhh.... someone has a backbone I see. Lucky for you I have more pressing matters to attend too, hopefully for you we shall never meet again Zorua. Next time we meet I might just hold you to that challenge, you seem like someone who is begging for deaths sweet release." The figure returns under the door vanishing before just as quickly as it came. Inari lets out a deep breath, the Omen suddenly tired.

"Inari!" Chip raced over catching the Zorua as she falls over. "You going to be, ok?"

"Yes..." Inari answers as she gets back up on all four. "We need to return to the real world and move our body."

"Ya there is no telling if our uninvited guest might be on the move." Chip agrees which was a relief. Inari watches as her other half heads through the door to leave their Soulscape. Inari takes a moment to catch her breath before following behind Chip as there was still work to be done.

Chip

Chip's eyes open, the Zorua looks through the bushes to see that several Pokemon dressed in armor were moving about just outside of where he was hiding. Chip sees a few of them talking to some Pokemon that were traveling on the road, while a few others were inspecting their belongings. Who were they?

~ Their looking for us. ~ Inari says. ~ Its best for us to stay hidden and not let them have a chance of finding us. ~

_ _

'Easier said than done.' Chip says as he slowly moves about in the bush, he wanted to find a way to get out of here.

~ We could use out illusion abilities. ~ Inari suggested. That was true he could us his illusion ability to sneak around though there was nothing for him to transform into. Hmm maybe if he could knock out one of these armored Pokemon he might be able to become them and then sneak into the camp. Why did he want to sneak into the camp?

~ We need to get into the camp Chip so we can figure out who was in our Soulscape. We don't know if they are dangerous or not. Plus, we need to protect the others, remember they are supposed to meet us right here. ~

_ _

'Right. Then let's try to get one of them alone and do what we must.'

_ _

Chip summons his courage as he takes a deep breath, closed his eyes and thought about Hathor, Kyuubi and everyone else who was coming here at this very moment. He needed to protect them. Sure, he could just turn around and see if he can find them somewhere down the road and let that be the end of it but at the same time, they still needed go through the waterscape to get to Venice. No, they were going to have to cross this road sooner or later. First off, he needed to see how he can move around this camp without being detected. Finally opening his eyes Chip heads out into the world once more.

Chip crossed the small field between his hiding place and the entrance to the camp, he was stopped by a guard at the entrance. It was a Sandshrew wearing a breastplate and tail armor, his head was unarmed along with his arms and legs.

"Halt, state your purpose here traveler."

"I'm traveling to Venice and need to cross the Waterscape." Chip says calmly. Looking behind himself he saw that one or two more guards were coming his way though they were escorting someone...a cloaked biped Pokemon wearing a hood over its face. When the Pokemon came close enough Chip saw that I had a white face that was hidden behind a mask.

"Make way for the Lady you scrub." A Sceptile pushed Chip out of the way causing him to fall on his butt.

"Hey who do you think you are!" Chip growls.

"Someone more important than you punk!" The Sceptile says before Chip felt wet hit his face. He had been spat on by the larger Pokemon. Laugher erupted from the Sandshrew and other armored Pokemon that Chip was soon able to make out as a Meowth. Before long though the Zorua gets sucker punched by the Sandshrew who smacked him right on the jaw. Chip's face hits the ground, a few drops of blood drip onto the dirt.

"Leave the Commoner alone, there is no time to mess with him. Time is of the essence; I can sense that the key has arrived." The Masked Pokemon spoke, her voice seemed cold though had an odd...musical tone to it. "Sir Godfrey take me to see Ommni, tell him the operation is not to proceed without me present. We don't need any more of his "experiments" taking place and messing up our expeditions. This is our closest chance to retrieve a Plate and I will not have it ruined because he can't stop putting those blasted rings on the locals."

"Of course, Madam." The Sceptile who Chip guessed was Sir Godfrey replied, his voice was a bit more "professional" than before.

"What about this Commoner Sir?" The Sandshrew asked. Chip feels a paw touch his ass. "He's overheard everything."

"He'll make a good fuck toy, its not like anyone will miss him, plus he needs to pay for speaking up to his betters." Sir Godfrey says while walking into the camp with the Masked Pokemon who looks back at Chip and then turns her attention forward. The Zorua is surrounded by the Sandshrew and Meowth.

"You smell that..." The Meowth asked his teammate. "Herm."

"Herm?!" The Sandshrew's voice was oddly very...excited. "Breed able."

"Yes, herms fetch a nice price back in Evergrande, or as you said...breed able." The Meowth walks towards Chip who quickly got up and gave himself some distance.

"You two trying to capture me?" Chip asked, his eyes flash as he felt Inari's presence, his other half looked like she wanted to join the party. "Who do you think you are?"

"We are the Templars of Light Order, the premier order here in the Mysticfell region. We serve the King and this fine region. You are coming back with us for breeding purpose is an honor...herm!" The Meowth laughs. "You smell and look like a worthless Commoner, but if you come back with us, you can be worth more. I'll make sure you never smell like Commoner ever again."

"Huh...you?" The Sandshrew asked.

"Yes me! Why do you even question that logic Rex? You are a gate guard; you haven't even earned your helm and yet you wish to take a mate. Don't make me laugh you tail lifter." The Meowth waves a paw at the Sandshrew who swats it away making the feline hiss.

"Don't call me a tail lifter!" the one called Rex yells.

"Don't think I didn't catch you pawing off while looking at some of the others. You lucky I didn't report you that day." The Meowth says.

"I was pawing off to some Vaporeon porn...and since when has relieving yourself nasty?"

"Templars practice discipline you dirty little tail lifter!"

Chip watches as the two start throwing paws...over him...or was it more about the Vaporeon in question? Chip didn't really know but something...most likely Inari told him this was a good time to slip into the camp. He quickly moves past the fighting pair who were now rolling on the ground hitting one another, their paws were tearing the other's armor off which made Chip question why they would wear such bulky things in the first place. Chip had heard of the Templars of Light Order in the past though he never saw anything that showed what they looked like, so this was his first time seeing them. They looked more like fools then heroes but maybe it was just these two who were a joke. That other guy Sir Godfrey...he looked like someone he needed to be careful of.

The camp itself was what Chip expected it to be, there was tents all around him though not all of them were filled with Templars, there was several of them that housed other travelers like him. On the other side they were not on the lookout for him, and Chip was able to move about without any worries.

~ Do not drop your guard, we're in their territory now. ~

_ _

'I know.'

_ _

~ Then don't be so relaxed. ~

_ _

'I'm not relaxed.'

_ _

Chip was so into his thoughts that he didn't notice the Pokemon in front of him, he bumps into an Obstagoon that was standing near the entrance to what looked to be a bar. The large Pokemon growls down at Chip, he was drenched in what smelled to be...beer maybe? Whatever it was it didn't smell that good.

"What are you doing around here you little Commoner? You should be with your own kind."

"Why does everyone keep calling me that, I have a name you know--"

"No one cares about your name!" The Obstagoon reaches down to grab Chip who dodges his grab. "Come here...I just want to get a closer look at you fox."

"Fat chance!" Chip's eyes flash and the Obstagoon grabbed..." him." The clone exploded in the male's face causing him to fall back onto the steps. Chip smiles as he takes off running, the sound of the large Pokemon cursing him was music to his ears. The Zorua runs as quickly as he could, he dodged a few onlookers as he made his way across the camp. Chip was so into his scamper for freedom that he yet again didn't pay attention to where he was going and--

CRASH

"AAAAAHHHH!!!" Chip falls onto his back as he ran into yet another Pokemon.

"HEY WHAT WAS THAT FOR!"

"Aahhhh.... sorry about that..." Chip lays back on his back, the Zorua was staring up at the sky. He blew it...great those Templars were sure to catch him now. But what did he run into, it felt like he slammed into a large Pokemon. The Zorua got his answer as a paw is set down on his chest.

"What were you running from?" Someone blocks the sun and a rather...cute Pokemon was staring down at him. The paw that was gently pressed against his chest was attached to a...white quadpad Pokemon with what looked like a bush on its back with a large flower on top of its head. That was different from what Chip remembered reading about Shaymins who were supposed to have two flowers on their heads. Chip thinks about it for a moment and he realized he did recognize what this Pokemon was.

"You're a Shaymin?"

"And you're a Zorua?" The Shaymin responds.

~ A Shaymin? You don't see those that often from what we've read. ~

_ _

"HEY THERE HE IS!" It was the Obstagoon again though he wasn't alone as several more Templars were with him to include the nearly "naked" Meowth and Sandshrew, the pair were carrying parts of their armor with them. Chip chuckles as he looks at the silly guards.

"Huh what are the Templars doing here?" The Shaymin asked.

"Um well...maybe I kind of brought them here..." Chip chuckles.

"Why what did you do?"

"He bumped into me and made me spill my drink."

"He's supposed to come back and be my bitch." The Meowth hissed, the feline gets hit on the head by his partner.

"NO, he's mine!"

"Huh what's going on here?" The Shaymin asked, she scratches her head. "You guys look so silly right now. You're really chasing this Zorua around the camp? Why not you go back to your side and make yourselves useful. Maybe finger each other's tail holes."

"What did you say!" The group said nearly together.

"You heard me, I'm not having a good start to my day. So please leave right now before I take my anger out on you." The Shaymin's back glows.

"Um...you think we should mess with her?" The Sandshew asked.

"Its three against two, we've got the advantage--" The Meowth wasn't even allowed to finish his statement as he is blasted away by the Shaymin, her was open from firing a Energy Ball at him. The Ostagoon and Sandshrew looked at one another.

"Um...I'm not paid enough for this." The Sandshrew takes off running while the Ostagoon looks at Chip.

"We're not done yet--" He meets the same fate as the Meowth as another Energy Ball was fired. Chip gulps before looking at the Pokemon that saved him. The Shaymin was oddly...sweating as if those attacked used up a lot of energy.

"Are you ok?" Chip asked, his paws touch the Shaymin who swats him away.

"I'll be fine...I don't need your help...or anyone's help." The mystic Pokemon takes a few breaths. "Damnit...what if she was right...no...NO...NO!!!" The Shaymin pushes past Chip, the little Pokemon was heading towards the woods.

~ She doesn't look good...we shouldn't leave her by herself. ~

_ _

'But what about the others?' Chip asked Inari.

~ They'll catch up. Right now, we should help her out. ~

_ _

'We don't even know who or what she is.' Chip says as he watched the Shaymin walk back into the forest, the little Pokemon was struggling a bit to keep moving. The Zorua felt odd watching such a Pokemon struggle. Why was she struggling, he always heard mystical Pokemon were powerful and majestic but here was this Shaymin struggling just to move. She didn't look hurt, in fact she looked good. So...why did she look to be so worn out? That wasn't for him to worry about now, no whatever her past was that didn't matter. She saved him from those Templars and now it was his turn to save her, to help her.

~ Let's be careful Chip, I can sense a dungeon nearby. Sundown Waterscape runs close to a dungeon with possibly parts of it bleeding into this world. Let's leave something for the others to know that we were here. ~

_ _

'Right.' Chip draws some marks on a nearby rock, it wasn't anything too large, but it was something that Hathor and Kyuubi might pick up on. Once done Chip takes off after the unnamed Shaymin. He didn't know what she was going through but he made a vow that she won't go through it alone.