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Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Worlds

Chapter 6

The air stirs bringing Moto to wakefulness with a jump. "Gah..!" He clutches his chest as a stab of pain steals his breath. He lets out a squeaking grunt. "Hah...hah..." Rubbing his eyes when his breath returns, he blinks until they adjust to the light. "What...where..?" He looks around to find himself inside some small structure. There's room enough inside the structure for at least eight Pokemon of his size. Two of the walls are large logs that have been crudely cut in half and stood up to lean against each other, while the third wall is the trunk of a tree and the fourth is just a large bush. Moto can see moonlight streaming in through the cracks.

In the center of the space is a stump being used as a table topped with various leaves and berries. Sitting beside it is a blanket tied up for use as a sack and knotted at the top. "Is that...my blanket?" He shakes his head. "Couldn't be. It's someone else's." As he continues looking, he turns his head to his left, his eyes falling upon a yellow Pokemon with a sky blue scarf. "Lance!!"

Hovering above the Jolteon is another Pokemon, taller than Lance and Moto combined. It's white with a short but thick tail, short legs, and a stout torso with long, muscular arms. Between its large eyes is a tuft of red fur sitting atop the bridge of its rose red nose. Instead of toes and fingers, it only has a pair of long, pointed claws.

"V-vigroth..!!" Moto scrambles backward, the burning in his chest sucking the strength away from his arms, keeping him from crawling away. "No..!! Leave us alone!"

The sloth rolls the fox onto his left side and then turns toward Moto. He shakes his head, holding out his arms, palms out and claws spread. Then, placing a claw vertically against his lips, he motions toward the sleeping Jolteon.

"Don't touch him!"

Vigroth huffs, then looks back to Moto. He pats his chest, and then points at Moto's.

Moto stares at the sloth and finally tilts his head. His brows furrow. "I don't believe you..."

Sighing, the sloth stands up. He shuffles over to the Totodile. Moto tries to swat Vigroth's arms away, but he is too weak. With a firm grip, Vigroth takes hold of Moto's wrists, then places the reptile's hands onto his chest.

"No! What're you-huh..?" Moto looks down. His chest is wrapped in a series of leaves held together by a loose-knit white cloth. Tugging on it, he winces, one eye half closing. "All right...I believe you..." He looks up at the sloth who is now standing in front of him. "Why are you helping us..?"

Vigroth turns his head to the side, looking up slightly. With a soft sigh, he points at Moto, then at the ground. As Moto opens his maw to speak, Vigroth disappears into the bush.

Now alone with Lance, Moto scoots over to the fox's side. He places his hands on the Jolteon's flank and nudges him. "Hey...hey Lance wake up..."

The Jolteon doesn't respond.

"Lance, c'mon...We gotta get out of here. Wake up..!" He nudges harder and still gets no response. Taking a deep breath through his nose, he lets it out in a huff and leans back against the wall beside his friend. "All right, fine. Let him take us back to Sceptile," he says, crossing his arms.

Feeling the bandages again, Moto checks them again. He tugs on them, pats them, he twists his torso feeling how they tighten around him. "Huh... He really did do a good job with these."

The bushes rustle, and Vigroth returns. In his arms are several massive leaves, along with branches of varying sizes and some Tamato Berries. Looking at Moto, he nods and then walks passed him to Lance's side.

"What're you doing..?" Moto gets to his feet with a grunt and steps between the sloth and his friend. "Leave him alone."

Vigroth stops what he's doing, looks up at Moto, then points. Moto hesitates, but finally follows where the sloth is pointing. His eyes fall onto Lance's broken leg. The original break is separated, and a second location has split as well. "Oh Lance..."

Moto staggers backward. "Hey, what're you-stop it!"

Vigroth pushes Moto aside, setting the gathered supplies on the floor. He cuts one of the Tamato Berries in half with his claw and gives it to Lance. Once he's helped the fox swallow it, he gets to work. Cringing, he places his claws on either side of one of the breaks. With a deep breath, he snaps it into place.

"GYAAAH!!!" Lance's back arches and his limbs start flailing. His body sparks with electricity.

Vigroth cringes. His arms shake and he shifts his weight repeatedly as the fox struggles.

Lance stops wiggling, panting heavily. A second loud snap fills the room. He yelps and screams.

"Stop it, you're hurting him..!!" Moto jumps onto Vigroth's back. The sloth shrugs him off, then pushes him away with his palm and returns to work.

The fox continues to lay there, his body quivering. He whines repeatedly between each breath.

Moto gets back to his feet. "I said leave him-" He stops. Vigroth is wrapping Lance's leg in the leaves, using the branches as reinforcement for the leg.

"Sorry, I...I know you were just resetting the break...I let my fear of you get in the way." As Moto continues to watch him, the sloth doesn't stop at one layer. Instead, Vigroth continues with layer after layer of leaves, weaving them between the branches. By the time he finishes, the fox's leg is almost double its normal thickness.

"Huh...never thought to do more than one set of leaves..." Moto kneels down beside the sloth to examine it. "What did you use to keep it from falling apart..?"

Vigroth stands to let the Totodile check on his friend, then goes to the stump full of berries. He picks up what remains of a Sitrus Berry, and returns to Moto's side. He holds the Totodile's hand, palm up, and then squeezes the berry in it. The juices ooze from walls of the small fruit, coalescing into a sticky yellow goop.

"So Sitrus Berry juice becomes sticky enough to hold two leaves together...interesting." Moto lifts his head and looks into the sloth's eyes.

He tilts his head. There has to be more to this... "Why are you helping us? You're with Sceptile."

Vigroth shakes his head, then wipes his hands over each other. He licks his lips, looking around. His eyes go wide for a moment, and he smiles as he heads to the stump. He takes an Oran berry, a Tamato, and a Pecha berry, and finally a fourth one from the stump and then kneels down beside the Totodile. He hold up the blue Oran berry, and points at Moto. Then he holds the Pecha berry, and points at Lance, then the the Tamato berry and points at himself. He sets the Oran and Pecha berries together on the ground, then holds the other two in front of him. The fourth berry is a light blue and shaped like a cone with several small green leaves covering the top.

"That's a Rawst Berry, isn't it?"

Vigroth nods to Moto, then holds up the two berries again. He pats his chest with the Tamato berry.

"Okay, that's you." Moto stands up, his nose angled downward while his eyes are fixed upon the sloth. "Then?"

Gulping audibly, Vigroth nods. Holding up the Rawst berry, he lifts one of the leaves, and touches it to the berry representing him. With his claw beneath the leaf, he cuts the Tamato berry, letting some of the juice ooze out.

Moto watches the juice drip over the sloth's claw onto the floor. "Sceptile...hurt you?"

Vigroth nods, then turns to face Lance who is still whimpering on the floor. He opens the Jolteon's muzzle and places the Tamato berry between the fox's teeth. Instinctively, Lance bites down, chews, and swallows. A few moments later, his body relaxes and his breathing comes easier. The sloth then turns back to Moto, and lifts his head.

Just below Vigroth's jaw line is a large bald spot among the fur. The skin is rough and off colored instead of being white like Moto was expecting. "He...did that..? That explains why you haven't said anything all this time..." Moto closes his eyes, takes a deep breath, then raises his head. "Well then, thank you. For helping us."

Nodding, Vigroth offers a smile and passes the Totodile another Oran berry.

---

As the sun rises and the sun's rays penetrate through the shelter's seams, a beam of light rests over Lance's eyes. His nose wiggles and his ears twitch as he lets out a soft groan. "Uuugnnn..." He clenches his eyes shut and places his paw over them. "My heeead..." After wiping his eyes, Lance finally opens them. He tries to lift his head, only reaching about his shoulder's height above the floor before it falls back to the ground with a soft thump. "Feels like Moto gave me more of those fermented Tamato berries..."

"Vigroth gave them to you actually." The small crocodile plops down beside Lance with a smile. "Here. You're probably dehydrated." He sets down a leaf that has been shaped into a bowl. Inside is some kind of sweet smelling, pinkish-blue colored liquid.

"Moto..? Hnng..." Lance tries again to lift his head. With Moto's help, he's able to lift his head and take a drink. "Kinda sweet. What is it?" He licks his lips and lays his head back down.

Moto nods toward the center of the room. "Vigroth made it. It's Pecha and Oran berry juice."

"VIGRO-" Lance shoots upright. His ears fold flat against his head and his lips curl back into a snarl. "Mmmng...okay, bad idea..."

As Lance flops back onto his side with a groan, the sloth gives him a short huff and a smirk, then sits down beside them. He offers another Oran berry to Moto and places the bowl in ffront of Lance's nose.

"Lance," Moto starts, "Vigroth is the one that saved me... I woke up in here and he had already bandaged me up. He also took care of your leg."

Lance stares at the blue crocodile, then glances at the sloth, and back to Moto. "And you trust him..?"

"Well, I..." The Totodile turns away, his eyes looking down at his twiddling fingers. "I don't know... But my chest doesn't hurt too much, and he did do a good job on your leg. I watched him reset it. He really knows what he's doing."

Lance glances again at the sloth with just his eyes. "You're sure..?"

Moto nods. "I'm sure."

Lance continues looking at Moto for several long moments. Finally, he draws in a slow breath, then turns to face Vigroth. "Well, thanks then. But don't think this changes anything."

With a gulp and a nod, Vigroth forces a smile.

"Aren't you going to say anything?" Lance points his nose down toward the floor, looking up at the sloth with just his eyes..

"He can't talk, Lance..."

"What?" Lance turns to his friend again.

"Sceptile...ripped his throat out." Moto continues running his hands over each other. "It's amazing he didn't kill him."

Shifting his weight, Lance leans up against the crocodile and once more looks over to Vigroth. He stares a moment, the sloth meeting his gaze. Lance turns away. "I'm sorry..."

The sloth shrugs and pokes at a berry with his claw when eye contact is broken. A moment later, he gets back up and retrieves a second bowl of juice, offering it to them.

Lance shakes his head. Moto takes it. "Thank you."

"So..." Lance lifts his head again, managing to keep it there this time. "How long was I out?"

"Well, it's midday now. So at least half a day I'd guess if you count last night," Moto says. "Vigroth had already brought you here by the time I woke up, so it's hard to say."

Lance nods. "Fair 'nuff." Turning to the sloth again, he stares a moment, then chuckles while sowly shaking his head.

Vigroth is sitting in the corner with his legs outstretched. He has no expression on his face and is tracing a claw in the dirt.

He almost looks like the world is new to him. Lance tilts his head, watching for a moment longer before finally opening his mouth. "Vigroth..." The sloth lifts his head. Lance nods. "I appreciate what you've done..." His eyes narrow as he angles his head downward. "But I won't lie to you. I don't trust you, and I don't want to."

"Lance..?" The crocodile reaches out to his friend. Lance ignores him.

"This does not make us even, and we're not friends." Lance pauses.

The sloth nods slowly, the ensuing gulp making even Moto shift and start his hands running over each other rapidly again.

"If you're truly intending on leaving Sceptile's group, I will at least do you the dignity of staying with us until the heat on us dies down some. Then we go our separate ways. Understand?" Lance continues to stare at the sloth with narrowed eyes.

Vigroth gulps again, his head shaking as he nods.

"Good." Lance clears his throat.. "Now that that's out of the way..." His usual wide eyed, smiling expression returns to his face as he motions toward the bag sitting against the stump in the center of the room. "Is that the bag I had with me before I was knocked out?"

Vigroth looks toward where Lance points, nodding a yes.

"There should be a cylinder in there, Moto."

The little blue reptile gets to his feet and, with Vigroth's help, unties the blanket. Some of the berries roll away on the ground. Moto digs through what's left, and shakes his head. "Sorry, Lance. Just berries."

"What..?" Lance sits up, his cast slipping in the dirt. Before he hits the ground, Vigroth catches him and sets him upright. He gives the sloth a short thanks. "I know I grabbed it... You're sure it's not in there?"

Moto nods. "There's nothing here. Just berries."

"Damn it...I have to go back." Lance stands up.

Vigroth does as well, pointing at Lance's leg.

"No, this is too important. I NEED to get back to the cabin."

Moto tilts his head. "Why? What is it?"

"I forgot something, and you need to see it." Lance tests out his new cast, taking a few steps around the room. "When I went back for supplies, I meant to grab it. But I was in such a hurry to get back to you, I guess I forgot. There's no point telling you what it is cause you won't believe me anyway. But it's too important not to show you."

"Lance, what are you talking about?" Moto stands up, grunting and putting a hand to his chest. "You're not making any sense."

Lance meets the Totodile's gaze. "I know, but...you have to trust me. This can't wait. I have got to go back and get it."

"But your leg. You can't get there on your own."

Lance looks at Vigroth. "Viggy here can take me."

Vigroth and Moto both take a step back. "What," Moto asks, staring at Lance.

Vigroth falls backward, landing on his backside with a thump.

"You just said I can't get there on my own. And you're in no condition to go anywhere." Lance starts toward the space between the bush and the tree.

Moto shakes his head. "But Lance, what if-"

"You'll be fine," Lance says with a smile. "With Viggy helping me, we'll be back in no time."

"But-"

"It's too important, Moto. And I cant explain it without the picture." Lance takes another step toward the opening, then pauses. He turns to look at the sloth. "What's with you?"

Vigroth has a wide smile on his face, his eyes swelling with tears until they overflow, wetting the fur on his cheeks.

"Uhh...wha-OOF!" Lance is interrupted by the sloth leaping to his feet and wrapping his arms around the him, hugging him close. "O-oh...kay?" Lance's eyes dart around the room, eventually falling on Moto. Moto shrugs at him, and Lance takes his good paw and pats the sloth on the shoulder. "There there..?"

Vigroth finally lets go and steps back, hanging his head. He wipes his eyes dry and looks up. He opens his mouth as though to speak, but he instead points at Lance, then rolls his claws over each other.

"What..?" Lance angles his head to the side. "I don't know what that means."

Looking up and all around the shelter, the sloth finally smiles again. He takes a half step forward, then puts his claws to his chest. Vigroth points again at Lance, then to himself.

"Uhh...I spoke to you?" Lance keeps his head turned to the side and lowers it.

Vigroth shakes his head, again looking all around. Finally, he points at the crocodile.

Lance raises an eyebrow. "Yes, that's Moto...and?"

The sloth puts his claws to his chest again.

"You...want Moto..? Want him to what?" Lance shakes his head. "We're wasting time, try again, but we're leaving after."

Vigroth shakes his head again, and once more point to the Totodile.

"Moto, yes. What about him?"

Vigroth then points to Lance.

"I'm Lance...what's your poi-" Lance pauses, blinking several times.

Vigroth again rolls his claws over each other, nodding.

"You...I called you Viggy," Lance says finally.

The sloth jumps up and down several times then once wraps his arms around Lance and squeezes.

Again Lance stands there, blinking as his ears fold halfway back and he lifts a paw. He looks looks at Moto. The small crocodile shrugs at him again. "You're no help," Lance says, rolling his eyes. He looks back down at the affectionate sloth. "You're...happy I gave you a nickname?"

Viggy stands up, his claws on Lance's shoulders and a wide grin playing across his lips.

Moto tilts his head at the pair and puts his hands on his hips. "You were never given a nickname before?" When Viggy shakes his head, the Totodile lets out a short breath. "Huh..."

"Well, you're welcome, but we really should be going..." Lance swallows.

Viggy wipes his eyes again and gives a series of short nods, then steps toward the exit.

"All right...well, we'll be back soon." Lance walks up to Moto, gives him a lick to the cheek, then turns and leaves before Moto can get a word out. "Let's go."

Smiling at the motionless crocodile, Viggy waves briefly and then follows Lance out through the opening.

---

Moto stares at the opening where Lance and Viggy just left. His hand rests against his cheek where the fox licked him and a smile slowly forms across his face. The world around him starts to spin. He falls backward onto his rump, his hand never leaving his cheek. "He does like me..."

Leaning back against the wall that is the tree, he rubs his cheek for a moment longer then lets his hand fall into his lap. Moto slowly shakes his head and finally closes his maw. "Whatever he's getting, it must be important to do _that_before leaving... I hope I like it." Again he shakes his head. "It's coming from Lance, of course I'll like it!" He bounces in his spot and slaps his thighs. "Well he better make it quick, I can't wait!"

---

The sun has risen to its highest point in the sky, and Lance and Viggy have still not arrived at the cabin. "Damn this leg," Lance grumbles. "Why'd I have to go and break it? We'd be on our way back by now."

Viggy shrugs at him and continues walking. As they travel, Viggy steals glances now and then of the Jolton. His eyes wander from the fox's front to back, or back to front, depending on which side he happened to land on first. But without fail, his eyes always stop on the sky blue scarf around the electric fox's neck.

Rest. Viggy nods to himself, then taps the Jolteon on the shoulder. When Lance turns around, Viggy points at a tree, then goes and sits down by it.

"We're wasting time."

Viggy shakes his head and points at the Jolteon's leg.

"So? Yeah it hurts. I broke it. It's going to hurt for a long time." He stares at the sitting sloth, then sighs. "All right, fine. But not long." Limping his way over, he lays down beside Viggy and rests his head on his cast.

As the silence surrounds them, Viggy takes the time to close his eyes and enjoy the scents in the forest. The sweet smell of maple mixes with a twinge of spice just right to tickle Viggy's nose. His nose crinkles, and he rubs it with his forearm to fend to off the incoming sneeze. He shakes his head at himself and then lets it thump back against the tree.

Hearing the fox beside him yawn, Viggy opens his eyes and looks down. A half smile forms on his lips and he shakes his head.

The fox lifts his head, meeting Viggy's gaze. "What?" His eyes shift left and right before his eyebrows raise and he looks into Viggy's eyes again. "What," he asks once more as his ears fold backward.

Viggy motions with his head at the scarf.

The Jolteon angles his head to the side a bit, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Yeah? What about it?"

Viggy points toward where they came from, then folds his arms in front of him. He mimics Lance's expression.

The fox stares at Viggy for a moment. Viggy doesn't falter, and Lance finally shakes his head and looks away. "Yes, I'm going to tell him...it's just...not the right time yet."

Viggy snorts and rolls his eyes. He knows the fox is afraid to tell Moto. He points at the fox, then covers his eyes and twists away. When he straightens back up, he again looks at the fox with his arms folded in front of him.

"I am not afraid," Lance barks. A growl vibrates in his chest.

Shaking his head, Viggy looks away.

"I'm not!" The Jolteon gets to his feet and starts to walk away. He only makes it a few steps before he stops and hangs his head with a sigh. "All right, I'll tell him when we get back." He turns around to face Viggy. "AFTER I show him what we came here to get."

Viggy nods, then stands up and smiles at the electric fox. He points toward the south east and begins walking.

"Finally." The fox hobbles up next to Viggy and matches his pace. "I don't want to leave Moto alone any longer than we have to."

As they continue walking, the air begins to smell of salt. Lance lifts his nose to the air and sniffs. "We're almost there."

The fox quickens his pace, Viggy stepping up to match it.

"So, Viggy..." The fox looks at him again. "What really made you leave? It can't just be that he hurt you. If that were the only reason, you would've left a long time ago."

Viggy pauses and tilts his head.Reason..? He doesn't trust yet. He was always terrified of trying to leave. He knew Sceptile would kill him for trying. But then he saw Moto and Lance stand up to Sceptile and Volt to their faces. They even managed to escape. How could he not follow?

Viggy points at the Jolteon, then back in Moto's direction. Making a fist, he punches his other palm, and then plants his feet as though to run.

"You left then...because we fought back?" The yellow Pokemon tilts his head.

Nodding, Viggy holds out his arms toward the fox.

"And now you want to join us..." Lance raises a brow. "Yeah well, like I said...once the heat on all of us dies down, we go our separate ways." The fox looks away. "Sorry."

Viggy lets out a slow sigh. He gives a slight nod, swallows, then continues walking. Need to prove myself... He shakes his head. Not enough time...

"Look." Lance motions ahead with his nose. "There's Moto's hammock."

Looking where indicated, Viggy smiles. They made it back to the cabin without incident.

The pair break through the treeline onto the beach. The tide has gone out, leaving the cabin standing alone in a sea of white sand. Viggy shivers, rubbing his arms with his palms. He stares at the cabin. So lonely...

"C'mon. Let's get what we came for and get back to Moto." Lance walks up to the cabin, the door still standing open. He stops looks down at the sand near the door.

Viggy lifts his claws, partially covering his face. He knows what's coming.

Lance's fur crackles with electricity and his lips curl back in a snarl. He spins around and faces Viggy. "YOU'RE the one that hit me coming out of here last night?!"

Still covering his face, Viggy gives several short nods.

"Arceus, what the HELL, VIGGY??!" The fox stomps around in a circle then glares at Viggy. He hunches down, his fur quivering as the sparks surge all around him.

Viggy doesn't run, but finally swallows and stands upright. He looks at the fox with both eyebrows raised but his hung low. He gulps again. Motioning as though asking to come, he then points at Lance and finally throws his claws up in the air.

"You're damn right I wouldn't have come with you! And knocking me out is supposed to make everything better?!" He growls again. "That's it. When I get back to Moto, you're on your own. Be glad I'm letting you stick around that long."

Turning away, the electric fox steps into the cabin as the crackling in his fur dies down. "Now where'd I...here it is."

Viggy follows the fox a few moments later, leaning into the doorway with his hands still raised in front of his chest. The fox is pushing at the edges of the map with his nose. Stepping inside, Viggy takes the edge of the map with both hands and begins rolling it. He watches the other Pokemon go and pick up a long, hollow cylinder with his teeth, and then set it at Viggy's feet.

"The map goes in here." Lance turns and scoots the cap over with his paw, then continues looking around. "And the picture is...there." Using a claw, he stabs at the corner of the picture with the three humans and the strange looking Pokemon on it and holds it out for Viggy. "That goes in too."

Nodding, Viggy finishes rolling up the map and squeezes it into the case, followed by the picture, and closes the cap.

"All right, that's what we came for. Let's go."

Lance turns and is walking out the door before Viggy can respond. The fox's demeanor has changed, Viggy can sense that much. He regrets knocking the fox out, but feels there was no other option. It was either that, or Moto and Lance would surely have been recaptured by Sceptile and killed, or worse.

Viggy shakes his head. What he did was the best option. This way at least, Viggy can feel somewhat at ease with himself that he did his best to help them. Especially after what Sceptile did to them while he was a part of their group. If they choose not to accept it, he at least tried.

"Hurry up," Lance's voice calls from outside.

Swallowing again, Viggy nods, picks up the map case, and then runs outside.

The yellow Pokemon looks up as Viggy catches up to him. "What were you doing in there? There's nothing left but the beds. We already have everything worth taking."

Viggy taps his head and shrugs. He then waves his claws in front of him, shaking his head.

The fox rolls his eyes. "Nothing...right..." He huffs. "Let's just get back to Moto."