FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 5- Competition?

The Sableye slowly floats through the dark cave, the morning sun just beginning to cast light into its entrance. The ghost Pokemon comes to a stop, sighs annoyedly, and drifts downwards, passing through the ground into a deep area of the cave illuminated by torches. The Sableye glides closer to the ground, leaning back and crossing a leg relaxedly. A shadowed figure across from him picks its head up off the ground, scoffing.

"I've told you before, Sable, if you're going to do that, the least you could do is knock," says the male shadowed figure.

Sable shrugs. "I don't see why. You wake up at the same time anyway."

The shadowed figure growls. "Well, maybe if you took the passageway like every other normal person does, I wouldn't have to... But enough small talk. Did you do what you were assigned to do?"

Sable nods, smiling eerily. "It wasn't much of an assignment. All I did was watch while two Pokemon got intimate with each other."

"And did you notice anything strange about them?" asks the shadowed figure, standing.

"Well..." says Sable, "I doubt they were expecting to end up like that. The Shinx seemed pretty zoned out while they were doing it... I'd say she had other things on her mind. The Eevee did a pretty good job of getting caught up in it, though, after he stopped being so resistful to the drug... But I still don't see why that was my assignment. Don't you think we should be looking for the one from the prophecy, Soul?"

The Absol walks forward, illuminated by the fire from the torches. "That's what you were doing, Sable."

Sable uncrosses his leg, leaning forward. "Hey, Soul, you don't really think..."

Soul shakes his head. "I don't know. I'm going to go tell the master what you've reported, and come back with orders. Maybe if he can get those psychic abilities of his to work today, he can tell us more about your two friends... And whether or not they have anything to do with the prophecy. I'd suggest you get some rest, Sable. If I come back with orders for you, you know I can't tolerate delays."

Sable nods annoyedly, drifting to the side of the cave and lying down, smirking. "It's good to know you're worried about me, Soul, but I'll be ready when you get back." He closes his eyes.

The Absol clenches his paws angrily, beginning to turn around, but decides to ignore him, making his way out of the cave.

Sable waits a few moments before opening his eyes, floating upwards again. "Sleep? As if I need that. I'd rather go have some fun." He passes through the ceiling of the cave.

• Elsewhere -

Shaina slowly opens her eyes, a thick fog surrounding her.

<Wh... what the hell?! Where am I?>

Shaina springs to her feet, stumbling a little in the process.

_"You're still not used to your new form yet, are you, Shane?"_calls out a cool, echoing voice.

Shaina darts her head in every direction, taking a defensive stance. "Who are you?!" Shaina asks. "And..." she says, cooling down a bit, dropping her stance. "How do you know my name? My human name?"

"I'm sorry, Shane... I can't answer that question for you... At least not now," says the voice. "I'm risking enough being here as it is."

Shaina stares into the fog confusedly. "Then why come here to begin with? What's so important that you had to put yourself at risk for?"

The voice pauses before answering. "I have to help someone I care about, and I can't do it by myself."

Shaina smiles. "Well, then, you've come to the right place! Ace and I would be happy to take a request for you."

The voice pauses again before replying. "You're going to meet someone today, Shane- someone you'll have plenty of doubts about. But you have to gain this person's trust. You have to let this person join your Rescue Team. Otherwise..."

Suddenly, the world around Shaina begins to shake violently, causing her to fall over.

"What's going on?!" Shaina shouts, trying to speak over the loud rumbling.

"I... don't know," says the voice, clearly as surprised as Shaina is. "However, I do know it isn't safe for me to stay here any longer."

The tremors eventually slow to a stop, allowing Shaina to return to her feet. "But- wait! There are so many questions I have to ask you! You can't leave!"

Shaina stands in place helplessly, awaiting an answer. The fog around Shaina begins to disappear, the world itself starting to turn black. After a long silence, the voice finally calls back to her, with the first hint of emotion Shaina has heard it use: sadness.

"It wouldn't be the first time."

Shaina wakes up, jolting upward from her sleeping position. After staying completely still for a few moments, allowing her senses to catch up with her, she raises a forepaw to her head, closing her eyes in thought.

<That dream I had... What does it mean? Am I really going to meet someone that important today?... Or was the entire dream all in my imagination?... Well, thinking about it now isn't going to do any good. Besides, I have plenty of other things to think about, like...>

Shaina gasps.

<last night... Ace and I... That... That was part of the dream I had. It has to be... right?>

Gulping nervously, Shaina slowly leans forward, unsure of what to expect.

<I... I don't believe it.>

Shaina's lower regions' fur has clearly dried, the bed under it appearing to have done the same.

<I really did have sex with Ace... And I...>

Shaina blushes so hard, it shows through her fur.

<... I liked it.>

Shaina quickly shakes it off, trying her best to concentrate on the matter.

<But... It's not like either of us really wanted to! I mean... Those berries we ate... They made us that way... But why would Ms. Crystal give those to us? If she didn't know what they would do, that's one thing, but if she did know... Unless she thought... Do Ace and I really seem like?...>

Shaina blushes even harder.

<I'm REALLY looking too much into this. Maybe it would be a good idea to take a walk around town to clear my mind.>

Shaina rolls over and stands up on the bed, stretching her legs. After a nice yawn, she takes a look around the room.

The bed's blanket is spread in an awkward fashion, no doubt because of the activity that happened on it the night before, but the side Ace slept on is also folded further down, no longer occupied by him. The sun shines radiantly through the open spaces in the back, a pleasant breeze blowing in the home. The already small pile of money from the day before has become even more scarce, only a small pile of change being left on the floor. Everything else seems to be just the way it was before- the mirror, the yellow garments, and the door hadn't changed since the last time she saw them.

<I'm kind of glad Ace missed that little show I just put on... But I do wonder where he went. Who knows? Maybe if I'm lucky, I'll run into him on my way around town.>

Shaina pads over to the front door and pushes it open, stepping out into the unfamiliar town.

• In the heart of town, moments before -

Ace walks past numerous stands in the marketplace, carefully taking note of the prices on all stands offering food. Various shouting of offers and sales can be heard in different parts of the streets, creating a low roar for that part of the city.

"Why can't food be cheaper?" Ace sighs, jingling the little money in his leg pouch hopelessly. "It's a miracle I've been able to make it this long without any rescue requests. If I hadn't been getting those strange donations for so long, I wouldn't even be here right now... But now that I've finally been able to start a Rescue Team, and there's someone else who needs food just as much as I do, the donations have suddenly... Stopped." Ace unzips the pouch, glancing in at the near worthless collection of coins. "But this is no reason to give up! Now that Shaina and I are working as a team, we can make our own money!" The passion can practically be seen in his eyes. "All this means is that we'll have to accept more rescue requests! We can work hard to earn more funds, so we can do an even better job as a Rescue Team!" Ace exclaims.

Suddenly, however, the whole town begins to shake. "Wh-what's going on?!" Ace asks, standing firmly above the ground. It was obviously an earthquake of sorts- nothing violent or destructive, but just enough to shake the townspeople around a bit. The shouts of salesmen and customers quickly change from buying and selling to confusion and panic, and despite being in no apparent danger, many of the street's inhabitants scramble to get to shelter. Before Ace can realize what's happening, Pokemon of all shapes and sizes are bumping into him and shoving him out of the way. After an intense ten seconds of being played ragdoll with, Ace is finally thrown against the side of a building, and falls to the sidewalk, wincing in pain. Finally, after the market is almost completely uninhabited, the earthquake stops, and Ace stumbles back to his feet.

"Unh... That could have went better..." he states, bringing a forepaw to his forehead. Noticing the lightness of the leg in front of his face, his eyes shoot open, and he fumbles to look into his leg pouch.

"It's... All gone!" Ace shouts, noticing that what little money he had in the pouch is now absent. He quickly rushes back to where he had been standing before, but only finds a few coins left, the others undoubtedly carried away by the frantic townspeople. Ace's ears and tail droop. He slides the few remaining coins into his leg pouch, and falls to the ground, striking it in frustration.

"Come on now, cutie, it's not that bad!" coos a seductive voice.

Ace lifts his head, surprised. "Who's there?" He turns his head to the left, where the voice came from, only to catch a flourish of curly tails vanish into a dark alley.

"After all, if money's your problem, I have something that might interest you~!" calls the voice back, ignoring his question.

Ace slowly stands up, returning the remainder of the money he saved into the pouch. <Something that might interest me?... Did she hear what I was saying about taking more rescue requests? I didn't think I was talking THAT loud... Maybe word of us is just spreading that fast!> Ace smiles, captivated at the thought, though quickly comes back to his senses. <Whatever the case is, though, I need to be careful. She can't be leading me into a dark alley for no reason...> Ace pads over to the alley's entrance, taking one last look before stepping foot shyly into the shadowed alleyway, hoping that someone might notice if he never came out.

"I thought that might catch your attention," says the Pokemon, hiding in a darker section of the alley. All that shows through the darkness is a glowing yellow eye. Ace takes a step backward, prepared for his worst fears to be imagined.

"D... don't think I can't put up a fight," Ace says, arching his back in a defensive position, growling slightly.

The figure laughs in a bubbly tone. "Oh, you really are a cute one~... Even when you're angry!"

Ace growls deeper, becoming even more serious. "I mean it. What do you want from me?"

"Hmph. No need to be so serious all of a sudden..." the figure says poutingly. "After all, you're the one who came after me, right~? I think you should be the one answering that question."

Ace pauses, letting up his guard a little. "Well... I have been having some problems with money recently, and you..."

The figure giggles happily. "I knew we would be able to help each other out~!" says the figure, finally stepping out of the shadows and revealing herself.

The Vulpix pads forward with a mischievous smile on her face, her six tails flicking side to side with each step. She didn't look much different than many other Vulpixes to Ace- besides the way she wore her hair. Where most Vulpixes have their orange hair curl up inbetween their ears, this one wore it all straight down in front of her left eye- explaining why he could only see one eye glowing in the darkness of the alley. And except for the semi-large, yet lightweight bag she was carrying in her mouth, she was void of any sort of apparel that might indicate she was part of a Rescue Team or other organization. Reaching a comfortable distance, she sets the bag on the ground.

"So Mr.-Yellow-Rescue-Team, I'm guessing you're used to taking requests for money, right~?"

Ace pauses a moment before nodding his head, a bit shocked she was actually going the way she was with the conversation.

"And you'd say that this much would be enough to cover most services, wouldn't you agree~?" She unties the bag with her teeth, letting Poke Dollar bills of all amounts spill onto the ground, the bag's shape remaining intact.

Ace gapes for a while at the money the Vulpix was offering- the amount on just the ground would be enough to feed him and Shaina luxuriously for more than a week- and there was even more in the bag. Trying his best to keep his cool with that much money in front of him, Ace looks back to the Vulpix to respond.

"Wh... What kind of Rescue Mission did you have in mind?" Ace asks, imagining all the far-off and dangerous places she would undoubtedly ask for him to go to.

The Vulpix grins. "Who said anything about a Rescue Mission?"

"Huh?..." Ace replies confusedly.

"That's right, cutie~!" the Vulpix says, chuckling happily. "In fact, this is the starting place for my request, if traveling was worrying you!"

"Haha... Yeah, it kind of was!" Ace responds, wondering if she is part Psychic-type, too. "So what's your request, then? Team Rescue never turns a request down!" Ace says as he winks and sticks a paw out, as if to symbolize a thumbs up.

The Vulpix claps her paws together, gasping in joy. "Finally~! Someone willing to relieve me of my heat!"

And it all came crashing down, just like that.

"... Huh?" asks Ace, questioning he heard what she just said correctly.

The Vulpix tilts her head upwards, closing her eyes. "You don't know what it's like! To have this burning, wanting sensation between your legs so often~... I mean, I guess since guys look for girls to do this with, they must have something similar.... Or maybe the girls they get are in heat, anyway..."

Ace slowly starts to back away, hoping that she's too enveloped in thought to notice him begin to leave. "But who cares! You said it yourself... Your team never turns a request down~!" she says, grinning mischievously and approaching him.

Ace forces a smile the best he can. "Um... Yeah... About that..."

"Don't tell me you're... Not interested in women~?" she sarcastically pouts.

Ace blushes. Of course that wasn't the case. "N... No! It's just-"

"Then how can you resist... this?" the Vulpix asks, turning around. She bends down on her forepaws, raising her hind end in the air, and reveals her wet, ready entrance to Ace, flicking her tails from side to side. "I mean, you don't know how lucky you are. It's usually the guy who has to pay for this."

The smell of her opening hits Ace, and his instincts tell him to take the female in front of him, but he quickly shakes out of it. "I... No! This is wrong! This won't help anyone!"

The Vulpix sighs annoyedly, and turns back towards Ace. "I'm getting tired of this game of hard to get. Listen- I'm paying you handsomely to do something any straight male in his right mind would never refuse. I know you could use the money- if you couldn't, you wouldn't have followed me here. And all you have to do is satisfy me whenever and however I ask! What do you say~?"

"No."

The Vulpix sighs, shaking her head. "Well, I tried~."

Before Ace can announce that he'd be leaving, her right eye snaps open, and she's enveloped in a white and pink light. He initially doesn't know what happened, but upon trying to back away from her, he finds he can't move his body hardly at all.

"What... did you?..." Ace manages to say through his teeth.

The Vulpix smiles triumphantly, slowly stepping towards him. "It's a handy move called Captivate. I've been practicing it for a while now. Basically, it makes me irresistible to you~!" she says cutely. "Only for a short time, of course, and it's no mind control, but I think I'll be able to keep control long enough to make you go crazy for me," she says, rolling onto her back, as she presents herself to Ace once more.

"Well? Come and get me~."

• Somewhere not far away, a few minutes earlier -

<Geez, what's going on?> Shaina wonders, walking down the busy street as she takes in her surroundings. Something definitely had the people upset- everywhere she listens, all she can hear about is "all the natural disasters recently." While the roads are crowded, it's not for business like it normally would be. In fact, the majority of stands she passes by are closed until further notice. In addition to being littered with trash and other various items, the bricks beneath her paws are cracked and shifted in some places.

<Well, I guess that earthquake wasn't part of my dream, either,> Shaina thinks to herself. <Still, knowing that doesn't put any more sense into what happened in that dream of mine... Who was that person? Who are they trying to help? Why did they come to me, of all people? And how do they expect me to know what to do if they tell me so little?!> Shaina sighs. <...Well, for all I know, this could be something that happens to people here normally. That, or it could just be a normal dream, and I'm looking WAY too much into all of this. Either way, just to make sure, I think it'd be a good idea to talk about this with...>

She stops in the street, sticking her nose in the air confusedly. <What's that smell?> She takes a few steps in each direction, sniffing with each step. <It smells like...> She looks towards an alley ahead of her. <...Ace? Wow. I can't believe I can do that,> Shaina says, smiling as she approaches the alley. <I wonder what other sorts of things I can do that I don't know about?... Anyway, at least I can talk to Ace about my dream earlier today.>

"Hey, Ace!" Shaina says, smiling from ear to ear as she turns the corner.

"Sh... Shaina..." Ace struggles to say.

The Vulpix tilts her head up in confusion. "Huh? Who's she?"

Shaina finds herself completely frozen, unable to take her eyes off the scene in front of her. Why else would a pile of money be lying next to a female presenting herself to Ace?

"... Ace?..." Shaina asks, the disbelief in her voice all too apparent.

Ace shakes, still unable to move freely from his foe's Captivate. "It's... Not..."

Shaina's eyes fill up with tears, even as her expression changes to one of disgust. "Ace... You... You JERK!" Shaina cries, turning around and tearing out of the alley.

The Vulpix leans up a bit, watching Shaina as she turns the corner. "Whoa, what's her problem?" she says, glancing at Ace. "Wait... Don't tell me... You two..." He trembles, a combination of guilt, sadness, and helplessness written all over his face. She looks at him sadly- she knows she caused him a great deal of trouble.

"H... Hey, listen! It's not that bad~..." she says, trying to cheer Ace up. "I'll make it up to you! This'll be the best sex you've ever had! I'll even... Be... Your..." she slows, staring at Ace. Something was happening.

Ace continued to tremble, and a look of intensity and determination took over him. The Vulpix sits up, not being able to take her eyes off of him. "Hey... Ace, was it?... Are you... Okay?" As soon as she finishes, she notices a spot on his chest begin to glow, and one of his paws shifts backward, as if he were turning around. Her eyes shoot open in disbelief, and she strengthens her Captivation on him as much as she can. Within seconds, however, Ace suddenly breaks free of her spell, and the look of intensity fades as he stands still for a moment. Finally back to his normal self, Ace bolts after Shaina, leaving the Vulpix in the alley alone, hearing her utter one thing before making it onto the street- "What IS he?..."

Shaina makes her way through the streets the best she can, tears and anger clouding her vision. "I... I can't believe him! Even after last night!... After we..." Shaina stops on the side of the street, lying down and putting her head in her paws. "Ace is the only one I have here... He has to know that. If he wants to do that sort of thing, I shouldn't try and stop him. But..." Shaina looks down sadly. "The Ace I know would never do something like that... And while I'd like to think there was a reason for what he was doing... Maybe I don't know him, after all." Shaina sighs. "Who am I to talk, though? I've got my share of secrets, too..."

"And what might those be?" replies a cool, mysterious voice.

Shaina stands up, cautiously trying to find out where the voice came from. "Who wants to know?"

The ghost-type Pokemon floats up through the ground, smiling at Shaina mischievously. "Oh, just little old me."

Shaina takes a step back. "That doesn't answer my question."

The Pokemon laughs. "Hahahaha! I like your attitude! You may be fun after all!" he says, not taking his eyes off Shaina's unchanging expression of distrust. "All right, all right, the name's Sable. Feel free to make a nickname for me if you like, though!"

Shaina scoffs. "What, you aren't going to make one for me first?"

Sable sighs, crossing his legs while floating in place. "Well, I don't have much to work off of... The best I could do right now would be 'Moans' or 'Pregs,'" he says, his entertainment evident in his eerie smile.

Shaina cocks her head confusedly. "Moans? Pregs? What do you mean by?..." Shaina gasps, blushing. "You... Know about that?"

Sable laughs again. "Ahahahaha! Know about it? I was there! I saw the whole thing!"

Shaina blushes intensely, her expression twisting into anger as she clenches a paw into the ground. "Wh... What the hell were you doing watching us?!"

Sable shrugs nonchalantly. "Sorry missie, but that's top-secret information." He runs a finger along his neck. "They'd have my head if they found out I told you."

Shaina feels like lashing out on the ghoulish creep in front of her, but manages to restrain herself. He knew too much to simply scare off- and he obviously wasn't the kind to strictly follow orders.

Shaina unclenches a paw, trying her best to calm down a bit. She forces a playful smile. "But... Wouldn't it be more fun if I knew?" Sable leans forward. "I mean... A game's no fun if both players don't know the rules," Shaina finishes.

Sable floats in silence for a few seconds, but suddenly bursts into laughter. "Hahahaha! I knew I'd like you! Maybe you and I have more in common than I thought!" Shaina cringes at the thought. "All right. I'll tell you what I know later. Meet me back here at midnight."

Shaina bares her teeth. "Why can't you just tell me now?"

Sable smirks, gazing past her. "I'd love to, but it looks like your boyfriend's looking for you."

Shaina turns around, seeing Ace further down the street looking around concernedly. "Ace? He's not my-" she stops as she turns back to Sable, realizing he's already gone.

"Shaina!" Ace shouts, bounding close to her. "Shaina... That wasn't what it looked like! Please listen to me..."

"Ace. It's okay," Shaina says, bowing her head.

Ace shakes his head. "No, Shaina, it's not! You don't understand! That Vulpix, she-"

"Just stop it!" Shaina yells. "It's none of my business! I know... What happened last night wasn't like us. We're partners- part of a Rescue Team. Nothing more."

Ace turns his head sadly. Shaina closes her eyes, thinking long and hard about what to say.

"But... That's why I trust you, Ace."

"Huh?" Ace responds, looking back towards her.

"Ace... When we first met in the forest, you didn't even know me. I could have been a horrible person. And despite the condition you were in, the first thing on your mind was giving me a place to stay. Since then, you've gone out of your way to provide for both of us, and you still strive to help others all the time. Everything you do is so selfless, Ace." Ace scratches the back of his head, smiling. "I know you have your reasons. Everyone does. And if I can't trust someone with as strong a heart as you, how can I expect to do any good in this world?"

"Shaina..."

"I'm happy to call you my partner, and my friend. If Team Rescue still has a place for me, I'll happily accept it."

Ace stands in silence, surprised at how Shaina had responded. He was flattered, of course, but Shaina still deserved to know the truth. Deciding it was for another time, Ace smiles fully at Shaina, stepping next her.

"Of course you're welcome in Team Rescue! It wouldn't be the same without you!"

Shaina smiles back, breathing a sigh of relief. "Thanks, Ace."

Ace's ears droop, grinning shyly as his stomach growls. "Did you... Wanna get something to eat?"

Shaina laughs, not realizing how hungry she was, either. "Yeah! I'm starving!"

Ace nods, looking out towards the forest. "All right then! Let's go."

• Four hours later, elsewhere -

Sable drifts back into the dark, familiar cave, lying down just as his Absol partner returns. He immediately sits up, pretending to give an exaggerated yawn before greeting Soul.

"Aaaaaah. Good morning, Soul," Sable says, stretching outwards on the ground. "What's the word from up top?"

"Sable... You!-" says Soul, bearing his claws and charging towards Sable. Sable manages to dash out of the way just in time, leaving deep scratch marks in the rock wall that used to be behind him.

"Whoa! What's your problem, Soul?!" Sable asks, preparing to dodge any more attacks thrown at him.

Soul turns to him, growling and bearing his sharp fangs. "You talked to her!"

Sable partially lets his guard down, surprised. "... What? How did you?-" he stops, jumping out of the way of another attack from Soul.

"Did you think the master wouldn't notice? He's been watching you this whole time!" replies Soul angrily.

Stunned, Sable takes a step back, a look of shock covering his normally mischievous face. "... But I... I didn't..."

"You could have given us away, you idiot! You would have!" growls Soul.

"Who cares?!" yells Sable, "What's so special about her, anyway?! She can't be the one from the prophecy! It's written that person is a boy! A human! It's not even possible!"

Soul shakes his head. "You just don't get it, do you?"

"Get what?" asks Sable.

"The day before we got our orders was when the master first sensed a disturbance in the Spring Forest. During that time, he lost a significant amount of his psychic powers, and couldn't find anything about the causes or results of it. Whatever had appeared there was untrackable due to another psychic's block. It wasn't until the Shinx exhibited a surge of power in the Dark Lakes that the master caught a glimpse of her through the block, only managing to find out what she looked like. Since then, the only information he's been able to gather about her has been through us." Soul scowls. "And when you do stupid shit like offer her our plans, you're not putting us any closer to our goals... You got that?"

Sable frowns, turning his head in annoyance. "It still doesn't make sense. So what if there's a psychic more powerful than the boss? So what if they're protecting the Shinx for some reason? None of it means anything from the prophecy has come true so far. Why should we have to bother with her?"

As Sable turns his head to look back at Soul, he's quickly met with a paw to the throat, pinning him against the cave wall.

"You listen, and listen well," Soul replies coldly, tightening his grip around Sable's neck as he struggles to breathe. "If there's someone out there who can threaten the master, we can't simply allow them to do what they want. Regardless of whether or not the Shinx turns out to be the one from the prophecy, she's the closest we've come to this other psychic. And if we can get a hold of her, we may be able to bring her psychic friend out of hiding. Understand?" Sable nods his head frantically, and Soul drops him to the floor, backing away as he gasps for air. "I've received my warning, and you've received yours." Sable looks up to Soul, confused. "Because the next time you pull a stunt like that again... The master will have us both killed." Sable gets back to his feet, takes a deep breath, and nods. "So I hope whatever you've got planned for tonight isn't what you originally had in mind... Because the master's made plans for you."

• Five hours later, at Ace's house -

Ace and Shaina pad tiredly into their home, plopping in unison onto the bed.

"I have to admit, I never thought berries could taste so good," Shaina says, rubbing her full stomach. "It was worth the effort going into the forest to get them." She blushes, remembering what had happened the night before, and looks away embarassedly. "But... They aren't going to have any side-effects like the ones last night, are they?"

Ace stretches, and turns on the bed to Shaina. " Haha! Of course not! When we were young, my brother and I used to go into that forest and eat those kinds of berries all the time."

Shaina turns her head curiously towards Ace. "Oh, you have a brother?"

Ace nods. "Yeah. He left town about a year ago to do some special training."

Shaina blinks surprisedly. "Is that kind of thing... Normal around here?"

"Leaving for that long, or the special training?" Ace asks.

Shaina smiles embarassedly. "Both."

Ace chuckles. "Neither, actually. He's just really passionate about what he does."

"And what's that?" asks Shaina.

Ace tilts his head in thought. "Well... You could say he's as passionate about battling as I am about our Rescue Team." He winks, thrusting a paw out victoriously.

<Yeah- that's pretty passionate.>

Ace yawns tiredly. "I'll tell you more about him later, though. Neither of us have had a particularly easy day."

Shaina yawns contagiously. "You're right... I'm holding you to it, though."

Ace grins. "Fair enough. Good night, Shaina."

"G'night, Ace," Shaina says, lying awake until she knew Ace was asleep. "I'll be back once I can get some answers," she whispers, sneaking quietly out the front door to see if that Sableye kept his word.

• In a smaller part of town, two hours later -

"What an unproductive day~..." sighs the Vulpix, stopping under a street light on the deserted sidewalk. The town wasn't exactly known for its night life, but there were usually at least a few people out at that time- especially ones looking for what she had to offer. "Not that I've had any luck recently, anyway." She looks down a row of houses, light shining through a few of their windows. Even with her fur coat it was a bit chilly outside, and thinking about the heated indoors only made her colder. "Why do I have to be this way? Why do I have to want it so much? Why can't anyone understand that I don't want dates and gifts and food? I just want someone to keep me company, and someone to help me quell this fire every now and then... That's all~..." She blushes. "I should find an Inn soon. I don't think anyone's going to try and take advantage of me tonight."

"Actually, that can be arranged," a ghoulish voice laughs, the street light she was under flickering off.

• Near the heart of town, fifteen minutes later -

"Well... Here I am," says Shaina, standing in the exact spot she encountered the Sableye earlier, looking up at the moon to get a vague idea of the time. "I hope I'm not too late."

"Too late? No, you're just on time!" chuckles Sable, drifting up through the ground.

"Do you plan on doing that every time? It's getting old pretty fast," Shaina says matter-of-factly, taking a couple steps back.

Sable giggles. "I DO like you, kid. You and I are a lot alike."

"You don't know me."

"I know more than you think, as you've already gathered," Sable says, smirking while he floats in place.

Shaina pauses. "... Like what?"

Sable shakes a pointer finger at her, as if to scold her. "Nah ah ah, this information isn't for free."

Shaina had figured it wouldn't be. "Fine. What is it you want?"

"I just want you to take part in a little... 'Test,'" Sable says eerily.

"What kind of 'test'? Or is that going to cost me, too?"

"Hahaha! You're killing me, kid! No, the rules are a freebie- everything else is fair game," laughs Sable. "The rules are simple." Sable snaps his fingers, a light behind Shaina flickering on.

Shaina spins around, mostly expecting someone for her to fight. But what was there instead...

"It's... It's you?" Shaina asks in disbelief.

It was the same Vulpix from earlier. The same one that had been with Ace. Except this time she was tied and gagged, and had clearly been knocked unconscious, though the light and sound of voices had finally brought her to.

"Ahahaha! So you recognize her! That's good! And here I thought this may not be so interesting after all!" Sable cackles, spinning himself around and upside down in the air.

"What are you doing to her?" asks Shaina, turning to Sable very seriously.

Sable makes a play of looking around him. "Who, ME? I'm not doing ANYTHING. The only person who's going to hurt her here is... Well... You!"

Shaina's blood turns cold. "...what?"

Sable grins maniacally. "The rules are simple. Every time you make her scream- for real, of course- I'll answer one of your questions. Easy enough, right?"

The Vulpix turns her head to Shaina, clearly scared and confused.

Sable drifts over to Shaina, talking into her ear. "It's a fair deal! Just think about what she was doing with HIM... What she was GOING to do with him... And what she WILL do unless you do something! She's a nobody. A nothing. No one wants her. If they did, she wouldn't be wandering the streets looking for a place to stay, would she?"

Shaina can only stare as the Vulpix turns her gaze to the ground, tears flowing out of her one visible eye.

"And as a bonus, if you kill her you'll be allowed to join us! The boss doesn't let opportunities as easy as this come by often, you know. You'll be at the top of the food chain when you're with us! And once that happens, I'll tell you anything you wanna know!"

Shaina stands motionless, in complete silence.

"Whaddaya say, kid?" asks Sable, nudging her encouragingly.

For Shaina, time stands still.

<I... I don't understand. What's going on? Why is this happening? I mean... I get the rules and all, but why would he have me do this? Did that Vulpix do something to him? To them? Is she more significant than what's happened with her and Ace?

And even if she wasn't, why would he want me to hurt her? Would he get some sick satisfaction out of it? Does he think I want to? Would his information really be that valuable?>

Suddenly, her mind takes a different course altogether.

<But... She WAS trying to do something... Unspeakable with Ace. My only true friend here. Regardless of whether or not Ace wanted what she has to offer, with her gone... I... I wouldn't have to worry about what she might do with him. I wouldn't have to worry about being alone.

And if I do that... Sable will tell me what he knows. Everything he knows. And if I want to, I can even be a member of his group after that. I'd never be alone.>

Struggling between making the choice of right or wrong, illogical or logical, everything goes silent as the words she heard earlier that morning ring through her head.

"You're going to meet someone today, Shane- someone you'll have plenty of doubts about. But you have to gain this person's trust. You have to let this person join your Rescue Team. Otherwise..."

<But... Who is it? Is it Sable, or the Vulpix?>

"Come on, kid, we don't have all morning..." Sable says impatiently. "So... Get a move on!" he shouts, shoving her towards the Vulpix.

Shaina stumbles over to the Vulpix's side, where she lies helplessly under the dim streetlight. Her front and back legs were both tied together, and a third cloth was tied around her head, large enough to muffle her voice. All she could do was turn her head and speak with her single visible eye.

And out of all the emotions she showed with that eye- surprise, doubt, fear, confusion, sadness, regret, and a hundred others- the one that stuck out to Shaina... Was loneliness.

"How long are you going to take? This suspense is KILLING me!" belts Sable.

<I... Have to make a decision! Now!>

Shaina bares her teeth at the Vulpix, slowly leaning towards her neck.

The Vulpix squeezes her eyes shut, bracing for the inevitable pain.

Sable leans forward in excitement, barely able to contain himself.

<This... Is the decision I make.>

Shaina bites down on the cloth behind the Vulpix's head, yanking the knot loose and pulling it out of her mouth. "Are you all right?" Shaina asks.

The Vulpix stares up at her, surprised. "I... I'll be fine, but..."

Sable clenches his fists, hitting them on his knees in frustration. "What do you think you're DOING, KID?!"

Shaina turns to Sable, a sure look on her face. "You know, there may be a lot about her I don't know about. I met her in the worst possible circumstances, and for that, I assumed a lot of things. 'She's a bad person.' 'I hate her.' 'She deserves to be punished.'" Shaina looks down to the Vulpix again, chuckling. "Even now, I can't say I'm particularly fond of her. But I know how why she did it- and why she does it. I've been there, and I never want to go back to it ever again." Shaina's eyes begin to well up. "I understand that you're alone. I know how you feel. I'm sorry I judged you because you tried to change that. And the truth is... I just don't want to be alone, myself." Shaina shakes her head, clearing her eyes. "Once this is over... We should be friends," Shaina finishes, smiling at the Vulpix.

"How FUCKING touching," Sable grunts angrily, floating slowly to the ground. "I take it you're declining the offer, then?"

Shaina looks at Sable disgustedly. "I'll never be like you."

Sable shrugs his shoulders nonchalantly. "Well, time for Plan B, then," Sable says, his eyes suddenly starting to glow.

"What do you?..." Shaina starts, looking confusedly at his eyes before noticing the world around her becoming distorted. "Wh-what's happening?"

The Vulpix lifts her head up to see what's happening, immediately turning her eyes away from Sable's. "Don't look into his eyes! He's using Night Shade!"

Shaina struggles to stand up, the world turning sideways as houses and sidewalks bent in impossible ways above her. "What does that do?!"

"What you're seeing is a mirage! An illusion! Don't let him trick you!" the Vulpix shouts from behind him.

Shaina keeps her eyes on him, not wanting to let him out of her site, trying her best not to stare him in the eyes.

"All right! As long as he stays way over there, I think I can handle him!" Shaina says, trying to recall how she uses Electric attacks.

"What do you mean 'way over there'!? He's right behind you!" the Vulpix shouts, trying her best to wiggle herself free to help Shaina.

"Th-that's impossible! I can see him right over-!" Shaina starts before being hit hard in the back of the head, knocking her to the ground. "Gah-!"

"Shaina!"

Shaina rolls back to her paws, turning around just in time to see the Sable that was behind her flitter away. "I take it he isn't gone?!"

"No! He sunk into the ground!" the Vulpix shouts in panic. "Listen! You have to let me be the eyes! That's the only way you're going to beat him!"

"O-okay!" Shaina says, agreeing on the notion she didn't even know where the Vulpix was. As she waits for a signal or a sign of Sable, she sees the buildings begin to close in on her, coming closer and closer to crushing her. "Are!- Are the buildings?!-"

"You're fine! Just trust me!" the Vulpix says, pausing for a moment before calling back out. "Ninety degrees to your left! Use an Electric attack now!"

"Right!!" Shaina says, ignoring her sight to use only her sense of feeling to turn. Electrical energy surges through her body as she prepares to unleash it on him. "Take... THIS!" Shaina yells.

...

"What are you waiting for! Fry him!!" cries the Vulpix.

"I-I don't know how!" Shaina shouts, trying desperately to find out how to focus that power into an attack.

"WHAT?!"

Shaina takes another hard hit, this time in her stomach. She winces in pain, being forced to what she thinks is the ground, her eyes telling her otherwise. She can only watch as Sable, or possibly a mirage of him, floats over to her, shaking his head disappointedly.

"Guess you're not so much like me after all, kid. I'm definitely not this weak. But at least you're still fun to play with!" Sable says, cackling as he draws his fist back.

"Leave her alone!" the Vulpix says, drawing his attention to her.

"Oh, that's right, you're the eyes of this operation, aren't you?" chuckles Sable, as he walks over to her.

"W-wait!" Shaina calls out to him.

"We'll have a lot more fun once you're gone!" Sable laughs, lunging at her with his claws bared.

"Aaaah!"

"STOP!!!"

...

...

...

"Wh... what?" Sable asks in confusion.

Confused as she is herself, Shaina's vision somehow clears up instantly. She jumps to her paws, flipping around and ready to attack Sable when she notices something... Funny about him. Something that wasn't there before. As in, a giant hole in his stomach.

"GGGGGAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!" Sable screams, falling to the ground in agony. He reaches a hand through the hole to the ground, as if to make sure he wasn't hallucinating himself. "You-" Sable begins, turning to Shaina and struggling for air, "You haven't seen the last of me!" Sable sinks into the ground in defeat, leaving Shaina and the Vulpix mostly unharmed.

Shaina stands on guard a few moments after he leaves, partially expecting to still be looking at a mirage.

"... Take your time. Maybe someone will take advantage of me like this~."

... Definitely not an illusion.

"Sorry," Shaina says, stepping over to where she was lying, pulling the knots out of the cloths holding her legs together.

"Ah... Much better," the Vulpix sighs relievedly, standing and stretching her legs. "As much as I thought I'd enjoy that in different circumstances, it wasn't very comfortable."

Shaina laughs. "I'm happy to say I wouldn't know."

"Oh, then I'll have to show you the ropes some time~," says the Vulpix, winking at her.

"Y-yeah..." Shaina replies blushing, not sure if she meant it literally. "Listen... About all of this... I-"

The Vulpix puts a paw to Shaina's mouth. "You don't have to apologize. I know you didn't ask that guy to attack me. I was the one asking for... THAT from your boyfriend. I'm the one who should be apologizing."

Shaina smiles sheepishly, scratching the back of her head awkwardly. "Well... You see... He's more like a best friend than my boyfriend."

The Vulpix cocks her head. "So... You two aren't an item, then?"

Shaina shakes her head. "No! And if you wanted to go for him..."

"Actually~," says the Vulpix, stepping forward to stroke Shaina under the chin, "I'm not particularly interested in him any more... After all... You understand me SO much better~..."

Shaina blushes hard. "I... Think we should just start out being friends, if you don't mind..."

The Vulpix giggles, licking Shaina on the cheek teasingly. "Aw, come on~! I'm just looking for something physical, you know... Besides, I don't care if you're a girl! I know we can make each other feel good~."

Shaina's red face shows well through her fur. The only thing more blush-worthy than what the Vulpix was talking about was that Shaina didn't think it sounded too bad.

The Vulpix grins triumphantly. "Don't worry. I'm not going to make you do anything you don't want to... At least for tonight~."

Shaina nods, smiling as she tries to snap herself out of it. "You're mean."

The Vulpix smirks. "It's what I do."

Shaina takes a deep breath, turning her attention to where Sable had been. "Thanks for helping me fight him."

"It would have gone better if you had zapped him when you had the chance," pouts the Vulpix. "What was that all about?"

Shaina rubs her forelegs together awkwardly. "It's... It's a long story, but... I don't really know how to control my powers."

The Vulpix nods, taking a moment to think. "Well... It seems like you could use someone to teach you, then, doesn't it~?"

"... Huh?" replies Shaina, confused.

"You don't know how to call out your inner element- the thing that lets you use Electric attacks. Ace can't help you learn it since he's a Normal type. But another Pokemon that controls an element..." she says, turning her head to breath a small stream of fire, "... would have no problem teaching you how to control it~."

Shaina's lips slowly curl into a smile. "You may have already guessed I'd ask this."

"I still want to hear you ask me, anyway~."

Shaina laughs, extending her paw. "Do you want to join our Rescue Team?"

"As long as I get more chances to prove you want me," she chuckles, shaking Shaina's paw.

"Fair enough," replies Shaina, not sure what she wants herself. "Welcome to the team... Uh..."

Shaina suddenly realizes she doesn't know what the Vulpix's name is.

"Scarlet. My name's Scarlet," says the Vulpix.

"Right. Welcome to the team, Scarlet," says Shaina.

"So..." starts Scarlet, her ears drooping shyly. "I... I don't really have anywhere to stay..."

"What? Do you think after all that, I'd just let you keep walking the streets?" chuckles Shaina.

"H-huh?"

"You can stay with us at Ace's as long as you want! I'll convince him if I have to. Besides, you're a member of our Rescue Team now- he shouldn't have any objections as long as you pull your weight," says Shaina reassuringly.

Scarlet's ears slowly perk up, an expression of happiness covering her face. "Shaina... Thank you."

"Don't mention it. Now..." she begins to say, yawning tiredly. "... Ready to go home?"

Scarlet nods eagerly, smiling. "Whenever you are."

• Thirty minutes later, elsewhere -

Soul taps a paw impatiently in the dimly lit cave, gritting his teeth angrily. "Damn it, Sable. It's just like him to be late." He paces back and forth, knowing exactly what time it was. "I guess it isn't enough for him to disobey the master- now he's out to make him a liar, too. The master told me Sable should be back any moment now... So where the hell IS he?!"

Just a few seconds after Soul finishes that sentence, Sable slowly begins to drift upside-down through the ceiling. "S-Soul... I..."

"You're late," scoffs Soul, looking towards the ceiling. "So what took-"

Soul stops, watching in surprise as his partner falls head first towards the ground, landing unpleasantly with a loud thump.

"S... Sable?" Soul asks, standing frozen in shock. "Sable!" He rushes to Sable as soon as he can, his anger immediately replaced with concern.

"She..." Sable gasps desperately, "... failed the test..."

"Easy, Sable. You're going to be okay," Soul says assuringly, not sure himself if he would be. "We've got to get you to the clinic," he says, kneeling down to let Sable onto his back.

"I hope they've got some... Big band-aids," jokes Sable, coughing violently as he crawls onto Soul's back, the Absol immediately running through the cave towards the medical clinic.

"I know this probably isn't the best time..." says Soul, sliding as he takes a sharp turn. "... But you mind telling me what did this to you?"

"I... Couldn't get a good look at it-" Sable wheezes. "But... It was fast... Really fast. All I-" he stops, gasping for breath again, "All I could make out... was the flourish of a cape."

"All right, that's enough talking for now. Save your breath. We're here," Soul says, screeching to a halt as he stands in front of the entrance to the clinic. "But rest assured- I'll make sure he pays for what he's done to you."

• In the heart of town, at sunrise -

The sun rises slowly over the horizon, beginning to cast light over the soon-to-be bustling streets of the town Team Rescue sleeps in. Near the top of the highest building, a dark silhouette thrusts an arm towards the steadily approaching light passionately, as if to attack it. "Have no fear, people of the world..." it says, its cape rustling majestically in the morning breeze. "Your chosen one has arrived!"