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Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Worlds

Chapter 7

"WHY haven't you FOUND THEM YET?!" Sceptile spins around in the center of the small clearing to face the Luxray, his tail cracking him across the face as Carnivine gives an audible gulp, followed by a painful hiss from Volt.

The glade itself is devoid of flowers, consisting only of flattened and dieing grass. The coals in the fire pit in the center lay still smoldering in the morning sun. On the side opposite he and the few gang members present is a high backed chair that's been carved out of a massive tree stump. Beside that is the hole through which the Totodile had escaped the night before. Sceptile growls as his gaze falls upon it, and he returns his glare to Volt and Carnivine. "IDIOTS!! All of you!"

The Luxray paws at his throbbing cheeks. The wounds caused by the Jolteon's thorn have been bandaged, but the strips of cloth hang loose from his cheeks. Small droplets of blood fall from the over-saturated bandages into the grass. "I don't know...we lost their trail before daybreak. I have a team searching still," he says with a motion of his head toward the trees behind him.

"Clearly your team is incompetent." Sceptile turns around. "Braviary!"

The large eagle saunters forward and gives a low bow. "Yes, Captain." He draws out the word.

Sceptile's brow twitches at the unusual emphasis, but continues with his orders. "Gather the Spearow. Get out there and FIND THEM!"

"Of course, Captain." The eagle bows again and turns to saunter back into the woods. Sceptile continues to watch after him in silence. He growls as the two Pokemon behind him shuffle uneasily while he continues to stare into the trees. Finally, a screech is heard from above the canopy.

Sceptile nods. "Good." He returns his gaze to the electric feline. "You two! You fail me again, and I will kill you myself."

"But, shir," the hovering grass type floats toward Sceptile, "I couldn't shee anyshing..."

"NO EXCUSES!!!" Sceptile backhands the hovering grass type, who then cowers away. "Get out of my sight..."

"It...won't happen again." Volt gives a short bow of his head and starts to turn away.

"One more thing, Volt." Sceptile sits down in the chair and taps his claws on the armrest as the feline stops. "When was the last time you saw Vigroth?"

The feline tilts his head and closes his eyes for a moment before looking back at Sceptile. "Last I saw 'im he was head'n after that runt. Why Cap'n?"

"Call your team back. Change the focus of their search to look for Vigroth. Braviary will handle the pipsqueak and his yellow friend." Sceptile turns his head to the side. "When you find him, tell him to come see me immediately. After he fixes your face and that pathetic plant's eye."

Volt nods. "Yes, Cap'n. Anything else?"

Sceptile's claws continue to click on the armrest of his makeshift throne. "Yes...get me Krookodile. I have plans for him."

"Yes, Cap'n. If that'll be all."

"Get going." Sceptile narrows his eyes in the Luxray's direction as he is leaving, then sighs, and his face relaxes. "You're supposed to be my right hand, Volt...you've gotten too soft."

---

Volt heads into the woods growling under his breath. "I swear when I get my claws on them..." He scratches at the bandages on his face. "GRAAH!!! DAMN that Jolteon!!! I'll make him pay for this...and Sceptile will see just how 'soft' I've gotten. He'll never doubt my loyalty again."

Continuing on, he eventually makes his way through the trees to the top of a small hill where the trees have been cleared away. Even the underbrush has been removed, leaving nothing but dirt on the ground and open sky above. Along the edge of the clearing are several small structures made of tree branches sewn together by a mixture of vines and Caterpie silk. Only a small portion of the border is left without enclosed structures, occupied instead by large cages made of rock. The various pieces, like the other structures, are also held together by silk.

The largest structure, set directly opposite from the cages, is flanked by two smaller huts of equal size. Heading through the clearing, he approaches the left. "Krookodile!"

"Yeah, what," a deep gravely voice from inside calls.

"The Cap'n wants to see you. Now." Volt steps aside as the door opens.

Standing in the middle of the opening is a large crocodile, barely a head taller than Volt. Mostly covered in red, it's stocky build is held upright by short, but muscular legs. Its arms are slender, decorated by a single black stripe around the elbows, and finally end in three fingers, each tipped with sharp claws. A long slender snout protrudes from its face with a single stripe of black wrapped around the top at half way, and small bulb on the top for its nostrils at the end. A black mask surrounds the crocodile's eyes, extending with the eyebrows to end in points above the ear holes. The eyes themselves are barely noticeable among the mask, and Volt has a difficult time determining if they are focused on him, or through him.

Narrowing his eyes at the feline, Krookodile's chest gives a deep rumble. "An' who're you to give me ord'ahs..?"

Volt stands firm, staring blankly at the Krookodile's milky white chest and stomach, seeing how it curves inward and disappears between his thighs before meeting his eyes again. "Sceptile's right hand, or have you forgotten that?"

The crocodile grins. "Right hand...Heh. For now..." He winks at the feline and pushes his way passed, stomping across the clearing toward the woods. Volt glares at him, shaking his head as as his eyes fall upon the five black fin-like ridges running along the Krookodile's back. All of them are vertical, two of them run down from the shoulders on each side, and the fifth lays on the base of his tail between them. Three black stripes wrap around his swaying tail, with two more hugging his body, one just above the waist, while the other runs across his shoulders.

Volt growls as the crocodile reaches the end of the clearing and disappears into the trees. "For good. Mark my words."

Staring for a moment longer, Volt makes his way to the hut to the right of the largest one and enters. "My team should be reporting back soon. I'll give them the orders then. In the meantime..." He gets a piece of parchment made from dried leaves and silk and a bowl made from a large leaf that has been filled with moist clay dirt. Adding some water, he uses a claw to stir it into becoming mostly liquid. The same claw, covered with the liquid clay, begins writing footprint runes on the parchment on the floor.

---

"You sure we're headed the right way?" Lance looks up to the canopy of the forest. "It's almost evening. It seems like we've been walking longer than it took us to get the map."

Viggy nods and points ahead of them, then places his palms close together and shakes his head.

"Sooo...not much longer?"

Viggy nods again.

"How long are we talking here? Early evening? Sunset? High Moon? What?" Lance huffs and shakes his head. "Never mind. As long as we're still going the right way.

Curling the side of his mouth into a half smile, Viggy shrugs. As they continue walking, a low grumble catches his ear. He stops and stares at Lance with his head tilted to the side and one eyebrow raised.

"Sorry, I'm hungry," Lance replies. "I forgot to pack some berries."

The sloth points at his eyes and then motions with a claw out toward the woods.

Lance shakes his head. "No, we don't have time to go look for food. We need to get back to Moto."

With a short sigh, Viggy brings his attention back to their path. As they walk, he steals glances at Lance. The fox's expression grows more and more stern, the same expression Sceptile had always made when he was about to lash out at someone. Viggy swallows and lets out a slow breath.

"I've been thinking," Lance says after a long silence.

Viggy turns his head and cocks an eyebrow at the electric fox and holds his breath.

The Jolteon curls the corner of his mouth. "I don't know, I just..." He growls and shakes his head. "Yes, you fixed my leg. Yes you took care of Moto's wounds. And yes, I know you hid us away from Sceptile." He steps in front of Viggy and stops, his eyes narrowed and his ears folded backward as he stares at Viggy.

With an audible gulp, Viggy brings up his closed hands in front of his neck, only meeting the Jolteon's gaze for a moment at a time. Mean no harm...I only want friends.

"Damn it, look at me," Lance snarls, and Viggy finally locks into his gaze. "I don't know what you're trying to pull here, but you can be sure I'm keeping my eye on you. If I think for one heartbeat that you're going to stab us in the back, you're gone."

Viggy nods in rapid succession, waving his palms in front of him. He places a palm over his heart and squeezes his chest. Seeing the Jolteon still glaring at him, he sighs.

"If I didn't owe you for saving Moto's life and fixing my leg I wouldn't be here with you right now." Lance finally starts walking once more. "For now at least, I'm willing to give you the benefit of the doubt. Don't blow it."

Curling his lips into a half smile, Viggy falls into step beside the Jolteon with his head hanging low.

They walk on in silence until the sun begins to set. The light glows through the trees, causing the dust in the air to sparkle all around them. Viggy raises his head and takes in a deep breath through his nose. The scent of juniper is mixed with a hint of spice. Together they tickle his nose enough to make him sneeze.

The Jolteon beside him shakes his head. "Heh. Too much dust?"

Viggy shrugs. _Spice means berries. Figy maybe?_Looking around, he sniffs at the air again. His walking comes to a stop and he smiles at the electric fox, then holds up one claw, ending with motioning toward the woods.

"What?" Lance's fur crackles with electricity as looks around. "What is it?"

Pointing at the Jolteon, Viggy then points to the ground and turns to head off through some bushes.

"Hey! Where are you going?!" Lance starts to hobble after him, but the cast prevents his broken leg from keeping up with the rest of his good ones.

Viggy holds up a palm as he disappears.

"Great..." Viggy hears the Jolteon say behind him. He leaves and continues looking and sniffing, following the scent of spice upwind. _Found them._He approaches a bush, and picks off a pair of Figy berries from the branches.

He turns and begins heading back to the Jolteon. For a brief moment the sky above him goes dark. A large shadow darts among the trees, followed by a series of other, smaller shadows. A shrill cry from the air sets his fur on end.

Viggy's breath becomes rapid. _No...No!_He swallows and licks his lips, then begins running. His arms do most of the work, the sloth lumbering through the trees back to where he left the Jolteon alone.

A crack sounds through the air. Viggy's breaths turn to wheezing and his muscles begin to burn. At last he returns to where he last left Lance. Exiting the bushes into the small clearing, His heart pounds in his chest as his eyes fall upon Lance trying to dodge the flock of birds assaulting him.

The birds themselves are each only half the Jolteon's height, with gold feathered heads and tails, purple wings with pink tips. A black stripe runs along their back from the top of the head while the belly is blanketed in light tan feathers, and their beady black eyes rest above wide but short, hooked beaks.

"Get off me!!" The electric fox's fur sparks, and then a bolt of lightning shoots into the sky. A moment later it comes crashing down from above, the resounding crack of thunder blocking out the Spearow's cry of pain as it plummets to the ground. Three other Spearow swoop in.

Viggy rushes to Lance's side, his claws glowing with a black aura as he swipes at the air. He misses, and all three Spearow take to the air. Viggy holds his hand out and gives Lance a firm push to keep the fox behind him.

"My my my..." a voice sounds through the trees, and the Spearow each perch on a tree branch. The fourth that was struck by the Thunder attack still lay unconscious on the ground. "I must say, I am quite impressed little fox."

Viggy and Lance look up into the trees where the Spearow have landed. Between the Spearow, Braviary lands on the thickest available branch.

"You must be the large bird Moto saw the night your gang took him," Lance says.

The eagle's gaze turn toward him. "Very perceptive. I am Braviary. No doubt you saw me in the circle when you came to rescue him." Lance nods and then Braviary continues. "As I said before, you are quite impressive. Single pawedly taking on the entire gang by yourself and surviving. And did so with a broken leg no less. Impressive indeed."

"What do you want?"

The eagle upturns his wings into a shrug. "What does anyone in my position want from their prey? To know who it is I am to kill."

"Yeah good luck with that." Lance steps up beside Viggy, his fur crackling with energy.

"Now now, let us talk for a moment first." The eagle stretches his wings, cracks his neck, then settles back on his branch with a shake. "Now then..."

Lance continues charging his fur while Viggy remains in his stance. Lance speaks first. "Either attack us or leave. I'm done talking." The fox turns to leave.

Braviary shrugs. "Then I guess you won't get to hear my proposal. Just killing you now would be...boring."

Stopping, the fox turns back around and raises his hackles as he lowers his front half. "Trust me, it would be anything but 'boring'."

The eagle lifts his chin and turns it to the side, just off center. "I'm sure," he says. "Here's what I'm proposing." He then continues, his voice dripping without apathy. "You have likely suspected what we originally came out here to..." He waves a wing about without care. "Well, it would be messy. We could just battle it out here and now like savage beasts and go until the last Pokemon stands, but..!"

Shifting again, Braviary repositions his feet on the branch. He cranes his neck forward and hunches his shoulders. "But you," he draws out the word, "have already proven yourself beyond such..." he clicks his beak, "savagery."

"And?"

Braviary straightens his back and flattens his ruffled chest feathers with a wing. "You have far more skill than that. Skill that is wasted on pointless combat." Braviary gives a slight sigh.

"Get to the point." The fox's fur crackles again, and a small spark sizzles into the forest underbrush.

The eagle gives a short chuckle. "I want to see if you're worth your mettle. It is clear right now you are not at your best. You see, the thing of it is: I like an opponent who can truly provide me a challenge," Braviary says. "And so far you've shown to be quite the adversary."

"What's your point?" Lance turns his chin the other direction.

"If you can defeat my flock of Spearow in your current condition, I'll let you go. No muss." He waves a wing. "No fuss." He waves it again. "And I will even report to our beloved 'cap-tain' that we were unable to find you."

Lance glares at the eagle, the lifts his head, angling it slightly to one side. "What's the catch..?"

"I think you'll find it to your liking to be honest."

"Then what is it?" Lance finally turns down the sparks surging through his fur and stands up normally.

"When you are truly up to the challenge," the skin at the edge of Braviary's beak tightens into a grin as he lowers his head stares down his beak at Lance, "I will find you. Then we will see just how strong you really are."

There's a long pause. A chill runs up Viggy's spine. Only the sound of the leaves rustling in the breeze can be heard before Lance finally speaks. "You're joking, right?"

"On the contrary, my yellow friend. I'm quite serious." Again the eagle spreads out his wings. "I think you'll find that despite those around me that I am quite honorable.

"Just corrupt," Lance replies.

The eagle chuckles. "What can I say? I like power."

"And what if we lose?"

"Then I suppose all of this is a moot point. We take you back to Sceptile as ordered and no one is the wiser. The simple fact right now is with you in your current state, I want to see if you can best my flock of Spearow. Succeeding that I will happily consider you a worthy adversary and will challenge you once more when you have achieved your full strength. After all, what fun is the hunt without a good challenge?"

"How do we know this isn't some trick?" The fox turns his head sideways, looking at Braviary with one eye.

"I suppose the truth of the matter is you don't." Braviary shrugs. "But I can assure you that I am a bird of my word."

Turning to Viggy, Lance draws in a breath as though to speak, but lets it out slowly. "I don't trust you yet either. For all I know you left me alone so they could attack me."

Braviary laughs. "You needn't worry about that one. I assure you he had no part in this attack. My orders came directly from Sceptile himself. I'm simply...altering how I approach them."

Growling under his breath, the fox turns to Viggy once more and whispers. "So..? What do you think?"

Viggy nods slightly then shrugs.

"So we can trust him..?"

Viggy nods again.

"Do we have a deal," Braviary asks as the pair turn back to face him.

The Jolteon heaves a sigh. "I don't really see much choice. So yes."

"Wonderful! I suppose then we should get started, hmm?" With a motion of his head, the three Spearow in the tree let out a screech.

Viggy looks around for the fourth but it's no longer where he had last seen it. A knot wells up in his throat and he swallows it down. His breathing becomes rapid as the adrenaline starts pumping through his veins.

"Whenever you're ready!" The hidden tone under Braviary's voice sends a chill down Viggy's spine.

Electricity sparkles all around Lance as he takes his stance, and with a confident nod to him, Viggy finally does the same. The two stand at each other's side facing opposite directions.

Braviary gives the call. "Spearow, to the attack! And remember, the captain wants them alive."

The Spearow all take flight with another screech and begin circling overhead. One by one they swoop down toward the pair, staying out of reach and cawing repeatedly.

"Stop taunting and just fight me," Lance snarls. The Spearow all around laugh and continue their taunts. "RrraaAAH! Fine!!" The electricity crackles again, and Lance unleashes a Thunder attack into the sky, it crashing down a moment later. One of the Spearow swoops out of the way and ducks under a branch in its path. As it turns toward Lance, the electric fox opens his maw and a rainbow colored aura appears in front of him. As the bird draws near, the aura becomes a beam of multicolored light, striking the bird in the face. It screeches and flies upward once more.

As another Spearow flies toward Viggy, he draws back his hand. His fist glows a soft yellow until he draws it forward. Sparks erupt from his fist, but the Spearow flits to the side and he misses. The third Spearow swoops in from the side, and its feet scratch at Viggy's face.

The Fury Attack is cut short as another rainbow colored Signal Beam from Lance knocks it away. All three Spearow fly upward and begin making circles around Viggy and the fox. As they increase in speed, illusions are created, and Viggy loses track of which are the real ones.

"Taught them Double Team myself," Braviary announces with a laugh.

"Watch them carefully," Lance whispers. "The real ones will change appearance slightly before the rest of them."

Viggy nods, holding his claws up in front of him. He squints his eyes, the pupils darting back and forth as he follows each of the numerous Spearow circling around them. The circle begins to close in. Lance lowers his front half. Viggy plants one of his feet behind him. One of the Spearow twitches, copies doing the same shortly after. The world starts to spin in Viggy's vision as he continues following them. Can't...lose track of the real...

As the circle draws ever closer, the images of the Spearow begin to blend together. Viggy blinks. In an instant, he is swarmed by two of the three birds. He opens his mouth, crying out in pain but there's little more than a hacking sound coming from him. He swipes at the birds' Fury Attack. They move away then return to their assault. Viggy's fist glows yellow, and he swings. His eyes remain closed as the bird's claws and beaks scratch at his face. Again the birds shift away to dodge.

Viggy swings again in a wide arc, this time hitting something with a loud crack. He opens his eyes to find one of the Spearow on the ground wriggling and squawking with its wings flapping about wildly. The other attacking him flies upward and begins to circle around them once again. Viggy can hear the fox battling with the third Spearow behind him. _Will be okay. He has type advantage. Focus on this one._The Spearow swings around and lines up to Viggy. It brings its wings close to its body and a white glow emits in front of it ending into a thorn-like point. The Spearow spins as it draws near.

Again Viggy plants his foot behind him and draws back his fist. It glows yellow once again as he readies his Thunder Punch. He brings his fist forward and connects with the tip of the Spearow's Aerial Ace. The two clash, and a boom resounds through the woods. Viggy pushes through, and the Spearow falls to the ground to join its companion in writhing pain.

Turning around, Viggy lays eyes upon Lance, still battling the third Spearow. The fox is breathing heavily, and has moved very little from where he began the fight. _His leg...too slow._Viggy shakes his head and joins the fight.

"No," Lance barks. "He's mine!"

Swallowing, Viggy nods and turns to make sure the other two are still down. They are starting to gather themselves. Viggy kneels down in front of them, then picks them up by their neck and squeezes. He shakes his head at them, and then tosses them into the base of a tree. He points at them, then at the ground. The two Spearow nod their heads in short motions, and Viggy nods back with a huff.

He turns around again as he hears Lance grunt. Viggy jumps, and falls backward. The fourth Spearow finally returned and is in his face. Its wings are glowing silver, and it flaps them at him in rapid succession. A sliver of silver slices at Viggy's flesh with each flap. Viggy writhes on the ground as pain stabs its way through his body.

A thunderclap booms again through the trees, followed by a gurgling squawk. A moment later, a rainbow colored beam of light strikes Viggy's attacker from behind and the Spearow smashes into the tree where the other two sit at its base. The Spearow recovers before it hits the ground and flies upward, then like the others had done, begins flying circles around them with Double Team.

"NO!" Braviary's voice echoes for a moment. "You two have lost. There will be no dishonor in this battle or you will answer to me!"

Viggy turns around to see the two Spearow he'd faced on their feet with their wings open. At the eagle's command, they gulp and sit back down.

"Good. Now then, continue." Braviary settles on his branch once more, and the last remaining Spearow resumes the attack.

"Viggy," Lance says, "this one is my fight. You had two, this one makes two for me."

With a short nod, Viggy steps away, his claws rolling over each other as he licks his lips.

The fox takes his stance. "Don't worry."

Viggy swallows. Be careful. This one is strongest.

As the Spearow closes in around the electric fox, Lance begins digging into the ground with his back feet, kicking up a cloud of dirt and sand. Viggy cranes his neck, swaying side to side. _Can't see!_A sound escapes from the dust cloud that sends a chill up Viggy's spine, and he covers his mouth with his hands with a gasp. There's a thud, and the cloud begins to dissipate. The Spearow lands in front of the fox which is laying on the ground. Lance looks up at the bird and grunts and he slowly gets to his feet. He wobbles a moment but manages to keep his footing.

"This...isn't over yet..." Lance again surges with electricity, and launches his Thunder attack into the sky. Before it comes down, the Spearow takes flight. "NO!" Lance uses a Quick Attack, shooting forward and grabbing the bird by its foot before it can get away. The bolt of lightning comes back down, the resounding boom drowning out the Spearow's screech of pain.

The bird falls limp in the Jolteon's teeth, and he lets it drop to the ground, unconscious.

Viggy hears a series of clacks from the tree. He looks up, and it's Braviary tapping his beak in a slow applause.

"Well done," he says. Braviary hops down out of the tree, softening his landing with a flap of his wings. "Truly impressive. Despite your broken leg, and the failed Sand Attack, you managed to defeat two of the four. Impressive indeed."

Lance stands before the eagle, still panting heavily as Viggy comes to his side. Viggy checks the fox over and lets out a sigh and wipes his forehead when he discovers no major injuries.

"All right, defeated your flock. Are you going to hold your end of the bargain?"

Smiling, Braviary nods. "Of course. What kind of Pokemon would I be if I didn't?"

"One of Sceptile's lackey's." Lance spits at the base of the tree where Braviary rests. "And you are."

Braviary laughs. "I suppose that is true." He shrugs. "But what of your friend here? He was also part of Sceptile's group. How is he any different?"

"For one, he didn't attack us on sight." Lance's fur crackles again.

Braviary chuckles. "And technically, neither did I. My Spearow did."

"Are you going to hold your end of the bargain or not," Lance snarls, the sparks in his fur increasing in number.

With a nod of his head, the eagle bows to the fox and Viggy. "You have my word. Sceptile will hear nothing of our finding you, and you and I shall battle another day. Once you are back at full strength of course. I am as I said, a bird of my word."

Braviary walks over to the unconscious Spearow, picks it up in his talons, and then spreads his wings. With a single flap, he takes to the sky. The remaining Spearow scramble to their feet and soon take off after him. A few moments later, Braviary's voice is heard. "I'll be watching you. And when the time comes, our battle will be one for the ages." He gives out a screech and soon all Viggy can hear is the sound of the breeze rustling through the canopy.

"Yeah, for the ages..." Lances breathes out through pursed lips and slumps to the ground. "I think we should rest for a bit. My leg is killing me."

Viggy gives the fox a half smile, and hands him one of the Figy berries he'd found before the battle. It is taken with a nods of thanks from Lance, and the two sit with their berries in silence.

---

"Moto, we're back!"

Moto jumps to his feet and peeks his head outside of the small shelter. The sting in his chest forces a grunt from him, but he ignores it and walks outside to greet his friends. "How'd it go?"

"Oh fine." Lance shakes off and stretches. "Nothing major to report. We got the stuff."

"So what was so important that you had to leave right away?"

"Hmm? Oh, nothing that can't wait until after we get some rest." The fox strides into the hut. Moto stares him with his head cocked to the side, but shrugs and follows him in. "Viggy," the electric fox starts, "If you're up to it, would you mind going and finding some more Figy berries? My leg is killing me, and I doubt Moto's chest is feeling too good either."

The sloth smiles and nods. He sets down the scroll case in the corner where the two half logs meet and then leaves to do his task.

Lance plops down in the middle of the room and leans in Moto's direction, looking up at him with just his eyes. "So, Moto,"

"What," Moto asks, his eyes flicking to the edges of the room before settling on his friend again.

"You thought any more about what we did before...well," Lance motions with his head around the shelter, "this?"

Moto tilts his head. "Thought about what?

"You know..." The fox motions toward Moto's groin with his good paw. "That."

"Wha-?" Moto slowly pulls his head back and follows Lance's eyes. "Oh..OH! Oh that!" He clears his throat. "Well, I err...to be honest, there hasn't been much time TO think about it. I've been asleep almost since you two left."

The fox nods. "Ah." He clears his throat as well. "Well, weee...have some time?" The fox grins at him, his canine teeth showing through his lips.

Moto jumps, twisting his head side to side. "What, now? All of a sudden?"

Lance shrugs. "Why not? Viggy's gonna be gone for a while probably. And I...y'know, kinda did it wrong with you the first time. I thought maybe we could do it the right way."

"What do you mean 'the right way'?" Moto swallows audibly.

"You know." Lance pauses, a half grin still playing across his lips. "Usually when two males do that, they use the other place. Not your...'hiding place' as I believe you put it."

Moto swallows again. "Err, w-well I-"

"It's all right if you don't want to," Lance interrupts him with a chuckle. "I know it's kind of a weird request, especially after everything that's just happened."

"You can say that again." Moto shifts in his spot and begins playing with his toes as he breathes outward through pursed lips. "I just...I guess it just seems a little weird right now. I don't know that I could."

Smiling, the electric fox scoots over in front of Moto and licks his nose. "How `bout this? I'll start, and if you get uncomfortable and want to stop, then tell me. All right?"

Once more Moto swallows. "Err, I...guess...that'd be okay."

Lance grins wide again. "Good."

"What, wha-?" Moto jumps as a warm tingling sensation washes over him, originating from his groin. "Wh-what're you doing?" He looks down. Between his legs, Lance is lapping away at Moto's 'hiding place'.

At Moto's question, Lance stops and answers. "Doing what I said I was. I'm starting." And he goes back to licking.

Moto shivers, his head tilting backward to thump against the tree trunk which makes up one wall of the shelter. The fox's tongue slides along the opening of his slit. His loins begin to feel warm, a chill runs up his spine. Moto shivers, the blush in his cheeks causes the scales there to click softly. "Hmmmf...Lance..."

The licking pauses only for a moment. "Heh." The fox then resumes his efforts. His wet tongue glides over the the opening. As he continues, the scales of the slit before him slowly begin to part. Between them emerges the very tip of Moto's member. "Hello there," Lance says with a grin.

Moto moans, the rumble causing his chest to vibrate. The wounds begin to sting once more. He grunts and sits up, pressing a hand to his chest. "Ow..." He draws in a breath to ask the fox to give him a moment, but the thought quickly disappears. The warmth in his loins continues to grow, and the wet tongue running along his growing arousal evaporates all sense of pain in his chest. Again Moto relaxes his head, and again it thumps against the trunk of the tree. Moto begins to laugh as Lance's chuckles reach his ears. "Never thought...Mm..something could feel this good," he says.

"Then you're in for a big surprise," Lance replies. Before Moto can question him, he touches his tongue against the underside of Moto's exposed shaft. He presses his lips to it, his tongue sticking out between his bottom canine teeth. With a gentle suckle, he draws Moto's arousal into his maw. The tapered shaft pulses in the fox's muzzle as the rest of his length finally comes out of hiding.

"AHHhah..!" Moto's hips buck forward, and his eyes shoot open as he leans forward and places his hands between the fox's ears. In the new position, Moto clenches his eyes shut and grasps tight at Lances head fur.

Lance tilts his head to the side slightly, pulling Moto's meat with him as he begins to suckle. The hands grabbing at his head tug on his fur, but he doesn't stop. He flicks his ears, and Moto takes hold of those instead. Finally, Lance begins to bob his head on Moto's length.

Lance doesn't take the bulb into his muzzle, focusing only on the rest of the length before him. Moto's grunts and groans are only interrupted by spurts of short, heavy breaths as Lance works his muzzle magic. He then presses his paw beneath Moto's shaft between the slit and the vent below it. Again Moto lets out a grunt and squeezes the fox's ears, and Lance gags as Moto forces his hips upward. Lance pulls away. "You really haven't done anything like this before, have you?"

Glad for the break, Moto lets out a long forceful breath as his arms flop against his sides. "No...I haven't," he says between panting breaths.

"Not even touched it?"

Moto shakes his head and takes a moment to catch his breath. "I've only even seen it a few times. Usually just after I wake up, but then I have to go behind the tree and it goes away."

Lance laughs. "Well, why didn't you touch it? It had to feel good when you felt it bobbing around while walking, right?"

Moto blushes again, his cheek scales stretching out so far the skin can be seen underneath them. "Well..yeah...but it felt so...weird when I thought about it. So I never did anything."

"Should try it next time. Waking up to that is the best time. At least when you're by yourself."

"I'll think about it." Moto rubs his tingling face. "So what happens next?"

"Next," Lance starts, "I do things properly." He gives Moto's shaft another long, wet lick and chuckles when Moto lets out a squeak and covers his face with his hands. "Here, lean back."

Moto scoots forward then leans backward, putting his shoulders against the tree trunk. "Like this?"

"Perfect. Now just," Lance rises and straddles Moto's shoulders with his front legs, "relax..." With Moto's nod, Lance lowers his chest to touch Moto's, then lowers his back half to rub on Moto's still engorged arousal. Again Moto squeaks, and Lance lets out an amused huff. He scoots backward slightly and presses his sheath beneath Moto's member, then arches his back.

With the arch in his back, the fox's shaft pokes out of hiding. He presses the tip against the scales of Moto's vent and grinds it side to side along the opening with a sway of his hips. "You ready?" Moto nods and bites his lower lip. Nodding back, Lance looks down between them and gently presses forward.

His rump lowers, his chest rises, allowing the tip of his pointed shaft to part the opening of Moto's vent. "Just remember to relax, just like last time." He scoots his back legs forward just a step further and begins thrusting slowly. Moto's squeaks and groans drive him on and his arousal grows quickly, allowing him to penetrate further with each motion.

Moto slaps his tail on the ground, kicking up dust all around them. "Grah...Hnng..L-lance..!" He reaches up and wraps his arms around the fox's neck as he is thrust into again and again. Waves of pleasure send him into a fit shivers as he grasps repeatedly at the fox's fur. There's a twinge of pain as Lance presses into him deeper, and Moto clenches around the intruding object. "Mmmmm!"

With a playful growl, Lance nips at Moto's neck. Moto can feel what seems like a second object pressing against his opening. "Gotta relax," Moto tells himself. He lets his tail rest on the floor, but he doesn't let go of the fox wrapped up in his arms. As the object knocks on his back door, Lance presses hard. A flash of pain erupts through Moto's backside as the second object pops into him. The fox yelps as Moto clenches around it, the pain forcing him to squeeze tightly with his arms.

Lance stops his thrusting. "Mot..Moto...you're..choking me..."

Loosening his grip, Moto slumps backward against the tree. "Mmm...Just...give me a bit...GAH! HMMMmm!!"

The fox wiggles his hips side to side, tugging at Moto's opening from the inside. "Just relax," he says again. "It'll pass. Let me know when you're ready."

Nodding, Moto sucks in a deep breath. Between the object tugging at him and his shaft rubbing against the fox's stomach on top of him, the sensation overwhelms him and he shivers again. "I...think I'm okay."

"You sure?"

"Yeah." Moto adjusts his position, letting out a short whine as the effort tugs at his vent again. "There."

With a nod, Lance continues. He starts slow at first, slowly increasing in speed. Moto accepts it without protest, his thoughts concentrating on controlling his breathing. He barely lets out a whimper as the electric fox presses into him again and again, the object inside Moto keeping them from separating. "Ah...hah...! Hngah," Moto whines as the speed increases further. The fox is thrusting almost as fast as Moto is breathing, Lance's breaths hot against his neck.

"Moto...I'm...Nng...I'm almost..."

Moto can feel a tingling rising in his member, the same tingling as when they were locked together with his slit a few nights ago. "I...I think I.."

Lance gives a long, whistling whine as he thrusts faster. "M-moto...Hah...HAH...!"

The tingling in Moto's loins grows. The rubbing of Lance's stomach against him becomes wet with Moto's pre. "Haaaa...Hmmm...!!"

"Moto! Hey Moto!" Lance puts his good paw on Moto's shoulder, staring at him as he thrusts. "Moto, you all right?"

"Lance!"

The fox laughs at him, wiggling his paw on Moto's shoulder harder. "Hey, c'mon Moto!"

Moto blinks as he opens his eyes. Lance's form becomes blurry and begins to mesh with the surroundings.

---

"Moto, wake up!" Lance puts his full weight on his paw and bounces lightly. "Moto!"

"LANCE!!! GAAAH!!" Moto throws his head forward, his shaft pulses as a creamy white fluid explodes onto his stomach and chest. "Ahaah! HMMG!!" His member throbs against his abs as he pants heavily. His climax begins to wane, and Moto finally opens his eyes again. He turns his head to the side and gazes at the fox with his eyes half closed and giggling. "Hi Lance..."

"Hi!" Lance licks the sticky fluid off of the back of his foreleg with a short laugh.

Moto blinks again. "Lance?! What're, huh?! But you were-"

"Apparently giving you a good time by the looks of it." Lance reaches up with his now clean paw and sets it on Moto's still pulsing shaft.

"But you were on top..and...I was..." The scales in Moto's cheeks click as the blood rushes to his face. "Oh Arceus..."

Lance and Viggy both start laughing. "Viggy, can you give us a bit please..?" The sloth, winks nods and goes outside. Once they're alone, Lance continues. "So Moto...was I good?"

"I...well...but I...I didn't..." He looks down and away, covering his face with his hands. "I'm sorry."

Lance laughs again. "It's fine, Moto. It happens." Lance's cheek fur puffs out in a blush.

"I..." Moto pauses and looks back up at the fox. "It does?"

A half grin forms on Lance's face as he nods, but doesn't meet Moto's gaze. "Well yeah. I mean, I told you before that I liked you that way. So the fact you had a dream about us is kinda..." He glances at Moto, "cute." He wiggles Moto's member with his paw again and stares at it, making Moto squirm.

"Stop that!" Moto says with a laugh, pushing Lance's paw away from him.

Laughing, Lance sits down beside him finally. "Well, I suppose now all there is to do is...get you cleaned up."

"Huh?"

Before Moto can ask what he means, Lance starts licking Moto's decreasing arousal. Moto coos and shivers to Lance's tongue. Once his length has fully retreated and his slit has returned to normal, Lance finishes lapping up what remains on Moto's stomach and chest.

He licks his lips. "Well..." He licks them again. "Yummy," he adds with a grin.

Moto's cheek scales resume their clicking. "Err...thanks..." He scratches at the back of his neck with a half smile.

"So," Lance starts again, getting the last bit of fluid off of Moto's nose, "you just been sleeping all day, or what?"

Moto sits up and leans back against the tree trunk. "I guess." He shrugs. Where's the sun?"

"Almost setting."

"Then yeah, most of the day. I guess I was pretty tired."

"I guess so." Lance leans in and gives Moto's cheek a quick lick, then turns his head toward the opening of the shelter. "All right, Viggy, you can come back in now."

Nothing.

"Viggy?" Lance gets to his feet. "Did he..?" He starts toward the opening. "Wait here," he says and the steps outside.

Moto stands up and pokes his head out of the shelter. "What's going on?"

"Don't know yet," Lance replies. "Stay here." He begins walking toward the bushes.

Moto creeps back inside the shelter, but watches with one eye form the edge.

"Damn it, Viggy! Where-GAH!!"

Moto ducks inside the shelter as Viggy pops out of the bushes with a smile spread across of his face. With no sounds of battle, Moto peeks his head back out. Lance glares at Viggy, and the sloth's smile quickly fades.

"Don't DO that!!" Lance barks again.

The sloth looks back and forth between Lance and Moto, then finally stops at Lance who continues to glare at him. The sloth then holds up a trio of Figy Berries by their stems and points at them with a claw as he lifts his eyebrows and his lips tighten into a small smile.

With a forceful huff, Lance turns around back toward the shelter. "Come on..."

Moto comes outside fully, smiling at the grin now playing across the sloth's face, and they all gather inside the shelter. "So," he says as he plops down against the trunk-wall. "What was so important? Did I ask that already? I don't remember."

"The map." Lance motions toward the corner where the cylinder leans against the two half logs that make up part of the shelter.

"The map? But I showed you that before."

"This one's different. And much larger." Lance nods to Viggy, who then pops the cap off of the case and starts to spread it out on the dirt floor.

Moto leans forward, stretching his neck as he looks down passed his nose. "What's so special about it?"

Viggy lifts his gaze toward Lance as he weighs down the corners of the map with small piles of berries.

Lance looks Moto dead in the eye with an expression that makes Moto shift in his place. With a deep breath, the fox finally answers him. "It's you..."