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Rose was finally able to stuff herself to bursting with the sorely missed delicious bamboo that Mew so readily provided in seemingly never ending supply in exchange for all the information the pair held. True, thanks to the Protege's Darkrai's powers: Rose had a large breakfast full of the stuff before they'd left. But there were just certain things you couldn't get enough of and this was one such thing for Pangoros and Pancham. Which was why Rose was very thankful that she'd only nibbled on some light snacks in between Taz's routine naps because of Taz's promise that there was much more delicious food sources in the city. The cub couldn't have been more right even if it might not been what he'd expected.

During this brief intermission Taz had filled in the blanks the Pirates left behind after being ushered into the dimension they were actually supposed to be in the first place: the Hybrids. As well as informed them all of the recent events. By the time when everything was all that was said and done: it was Rose's turn to supply the intel she'd insisted that it was her right to reveal. Taz thought it was stupid but didn't argue. That's a good cub.

"My name is Rose. I hail from Japan. I am not Taz's birth mother but I am his foster mom. The Godslayer brought me here simply because I am the one and only guardian the Tasmanian Devil has, needs, and will accept. Anyone foolish enough to challenge that claim I will kindly rip to pieces. Melena found that out the hard way."

Taz is in combat form. Standing face-to-face with Mew. Both are only inches apart: fist/paws clenched, teeth grit, both breathing heavy even though neither has moved a muscle in several minutes, distortions rippling the space around them with unseen power.

Mew is unblinkingly staring at Taz with intensity that could only be described as murderous.

Taz is scowling at Mew with equal fervor.

"Was it you that killed Darkrai?" This question being from Ella AKA Cresselia AKA the Floatzel holding the hibernating Giz in a ironclad grasp with both tails and arms. The poor Buizel appeared close to near suffocation, yet no one seemed to notice the issue.

Mew's and Taz's stare down intensifies: both begin to sweat bullets.

"No. That was Paul. The boy's biological human father" A pause before Rose backpedals "or should I've said Pauls? ...Doesn't matter I suppose." Rose huffs before continuing with the explanation "Anyway the Godslayer offered him the same deal. We didn't see the fight ourselves but given the evidence: they were obviously in the man's favor...which is quite surprising and impressive since Paul had to of killed Darkrai twice due to the already being dead thing." Rose grins mischievously, a glint with unknown meaning enters her eyes. "Talk about a stunning first impression Amiright?" This statement was ended with a flirtatious wink.

Surprisingly this response irritates Ella to the point she sets Giz down so she can fling herself at the Pangoro female. Hamleck is barely quick enough to catch and then hold her back from doing something stupid. Rose is understandably surprised about being poorly received. But once the surprise fades her facial features, it quickly returns to the disinterested expression she'd worn before the strange moment.

Despite the drama: Mew's and Taz staredown intensifies to a degree that it would be rather frightening to anyone that was worried about them popping a blood vessel. Everyone else however is much too focused on the current conversation to pay them any mind.

Ella's insults and demands to be released was almost loud enough to muffle and distort Hamleck's amused remark into incomprehensibility "I take it you weren't a fan?"

Rose chuckles darkly "How'd ya know?" Rose shrugs dismissively "Taz and I both held nothing but dislike for the fellow. Was bit of a of intrusive prick to be honest." Again Rose shrugs dismissively "Or perhaps we were being a bit bias because they tried to replace our loveable Rai with whatever that was."

Mew unclenches her left paw. Taz watches with rapt attention but does nothing as she slowly bringing it between her partially raised arm and torso. Suddenly however Mew closes this pocket of air by bringing the folded arm arm close to her torso. Thus creating a sound equivalent of flatulence. A high pitched but still very loud burst.

The sudden unexpected crude noise brings all attention to the pair...and consequently the equally unexpected reaction.

Taz blinks rapidly; facial features becoming a mask of naked awe. Instantly the tension between the two evaporates as if it hadn't been present at all. Mew snickers as she uses her tail to prod Taz's chest while shouting a triumphant "HA I win! Bow before my unbreakable might and tremble!"

Suddenly the suffocating tension is back, this time sensed by all...except Mew who appears to be waiting quite patiently for her statement and victory to be acknowledged by the loser. A pin could've been dropped and everyone heard it as Taz's gaze falls onto the tail poking his chest. At first nothing happens. Then Taz's face begins to ripple with unknown emotions. Spectators finally begin the process of moving in between the two. Mew's demeanor doesn't change in the slightest bit.

Suddenly Taz begins to giggle.

That giggle graduates into a boyish laugh.

That boyish laugh evolves into a dull roar.

The boy suddenly couldn't do nothing but howl with laughter as he clenches his gut with both hands. Seemingly appearing to unravel at the seams.

Mew's eyes widen in surprise; apparently not expecting this reaction. A flicker of worry passes over her face before the sight and sound of the boy's gleeful, boyish adorable laughing fit becomes contagious. At first: only just a snicker escaped Mew's muzzle. Then a giggle. Mew seems to skip a few steps though since in the next moment Mew finds herself in the same state Taz is in. Both have to hold onto each other to stay upright. That doesn't last long since they both collapse, still laughing, still continuing to hang on to each other for support.

Suddenly Taz begins to hiccup. No one but the stunned stupid spectators are able to notice the fact with each hiccup: Taz shifts through his given transformations. Finally the clothes of Taz's combat form squirm off of them as if they were alive roaches seeking shelter from a sudden blast of sunlight. Leaving just a plain -naked- human eight year old boy.

Inevitably; Both gradually come down from their high. Taz is still hiccuping but grinning broadly. As is Mew even though she appears to be choking on her own spit. Taz tries to help out by gently smacking against her back. The effort is both helpful and much appreciated. Both continue to grin at each other as Taz says: "Dunno why... but I quite like you. What's your name dude?"

The grin doesn't waver from Mew's face as she replies "Same. It's Mew. You go by Taz right?"

Taz shakes his head "Nah that's just a nickname they pinned to me so everyone can tell the difference between the other versions of me. When they aren't around or in private I still like to be called Elliot...or Elly for short by the people I fancy."

Mew tilts her head inquisitively, as a teasing gleam touches her eye "A boy that goes by many names. How melodramatic of you. Reminds me of someone." Mew's eyes flicks to the still shell shocked Ella "Several someones in fact."

Taz pouts but shrugs Mew off dismissively "Just a common trait we share."

Mew's gaze shifts into a mix of nervousness, embarrassment, and just a dash of hopefulness. "Can I call you Elly?"

Taz thinks for a moment before replying with a shrug "Sure. As long as you keep the touching to a minimu-"

During this statement: the pair had been disentangling themselves from each other. Taz however froze when the unnoticed fact of his apparent nudity slaps him hard in face like a physical blow. The very moment this occurred to the boy was punctuated by a nearly girlish screech as he bolted into his Mama's arms. Whom barely caught the distressed cub as he adjusted his own and the paws holding him into a position that they would cover his bare naked ass as he cupping himself; shivering at the sudden temperature change and blushing madly with embarrassment.

Mew clears her throat to attract the party's attention before pointedly saying "Alright since the interrogation seems to be over: we should probably leave so we can reconnect with the others. We're burning daylight."

The party sets off down the dirt path towards the big looming city in the distance.

---

The light factions and neutral factions composed of people from the Protege's dimension and the Tasmanian Devil dimension are currently crammed in a rather big and rather expensive hotel room. Rose and Taz were alone at one side of the room and the rest of the groups were huddled together on the other; something was obviously irritating them.

"Do I have something on my face or is it that you lot have something against me that I should be aware of?"

Rose of course was talking to the Protege's version of Ken, Hovu the Kadabra, and Marci -the latter currently in her new female Meowstic body thanks to the car crash that took her and Leslie the Vulpix's life- and the Tazmanian Devil's version of Giz and Zil -who'd been left behind in a place of relative safety while his Mama completed a possibly very dangerous errand-.

One should note that Zil's Mama had changed his name to Clovis upon the joey's birth and refused to change it even after she was informed of his past origins directly from their boss Zekrom and Reshiram. Due to violent outburst caused by trying to correct the admittedly powerful Kangaskhan: everyone has gave up trying to correct her; so Clovis it shall now be.

Ken, Marci, Hovu, Giz, and Clovis all share conspiratory looks; debating with their eyes who should voice the source of their irritation. It was Marci that took the plunge. "To put it mildly: we do not like that a stranger and pedophile has possession of someone very dear to us"

Rose and Taz -now currently a Pancham- blinks wide eyed at each other for a brief moment. They look away to smell their own breath and then sniff each others faces. The evidence of their earlier fun was unbearably obvious to anyone with sensitive enough nose. In response Rose began snickering with amusement. Meanwhile Taz blushed, facepalmed, and groaned aloud all at once in agitation while he muttered to himself more than anyone else "Well fuck! That didn't stay secret for long now did it?"

Immediately there were shouts mixing of profanity and obvious protest as various weaponry and magical powers were unsheathed.

Taz inhaled a deep breath before shouting "HOLD IT ALLOW ME TO EXPLAIN OUR SITUATION FIRST!"

The tension didn't break but Taz had everyone's full attention; he waited until the room was completely silent before beginning the direly needed explanation.

When the Pancham was done: he had an entire room gaping like fish. The latter would've been an amusing sight if the situation wasn't as it was. After it became obvious that Taz wasn't going to speak anymore -poor Pancham was obviously embarrassed and ashamed to high hell- Giz began to speak slowly as if double checking his words before speaking them:

"Let me see if I got this all straight: In a past life you meet this women when you were a eighteen year old human. She'd been yours and your male partner's teacher and guardian of sorts while Darkrai was off doing his own thing."

Giz inhaled, gulped, and glared with intense fury during the next wave of words. Breaks for a fresh oxygen thrown sparsely in between. "Thing was you were suicidal and were prone to running away just like anyone else in your situation would be; each attempt was foiled by those that loved you. Your new family force fed you milk like an infant when you refused to eat. Your body mutated itself AND Rose's body so you would have a better chance of survival even if the conscious mind didn't want to. It's why you're so dependent on this brand of milk now for fuel and nutrition."

A pause as Giz got his thoughts straight "Horrific drama forced the pair of you closer and closer together. Love began to blossom. A business transaction of sorts was forged. All of that carried over into this life." Another pause during the brief moment Giz locks eyes with Taz again "Do I have all that right?"

Rose and Taz nod, facial expressions blank. Rose's possessive hold on Taz never wavering in the slightest. The tension is still almost suffocating at this point while the group withdraw into themselves to evaluate the proper course of action.

Finally Crissy breaks the tense silence with a low whistle "Damn dude...makes mine and Dad's origin story seem rather boring by comparison."

Gazes flick and "Huh?"s or "What?"'s were uttered. During the same moment Mew flails her arms and legs in an over exaggerated matter as she shouts disbelievingly "Omigod it's alive!?"

Given the disbelief written on everyone's faces: their thoughts were the same.

Crissy appears to have been overcome in a fit of giggles but somehow manages to slowly get out in between burst "You have no idea how ironic that statement is Mew! Here-" Crissy spreads her arms as if offering someone a hug "-all will become clear if you hit me with a fighting type move."

Everyone perks an eyebrow at this as everyone prepares in their own way for a fight as Mew cautiously flings the tiniest of Aura Sphere at the odd Mienfoo female. The Mienfoo catches it with an outstretched paw: thus triggering the normal neutral karmic transformation that everyone was by now familiar with. Nothing moved but everyone experienced the same punched in the gut feeling as the new being's appearance became known:

In the Mienfoo's place there was a sixteen year old human girl. A girl that appeared to have inherited her mother's green eyes and black hair. Hair that done up in pigtails only held into place by blue and red ribbons. Accessories that made the girl's red cheerleading top and skirt, Plusle themed face paint, and lighting bolt themed belt buckle really pop with teamspirit. Oddly enough; Kate didn't look like she'd aged a day since anyone last seen her for what felt like years ago. In reality Kate's death day had barely passed the month marker.

In the next instant Taz was stumbling over himself in mimicry of a drunken stupor in his haste to reach Kate's side within the space of the next heartbeat. There was a brief moment of hesitation as he touched Kate's bare leg with a tenuous, and shaky paw. When Taz felt the signs of life coming from what should've been a living corpse: he exhaled a held in breath with a gasp before immediately falling into a hyperventilating fit as he attempted to hold back another hysterical crying fit equivalent of that to his reunion with his father. Quickly backpedaling back to the safety of his Mama's arms.

Or tried to anyway.

"C'mere you." Kate grunted, snatching the thrashing Pancham in a secure grip in her arms; shushing incoherent cries of protest with various cooing words and noises. Inevitably the poor cub began relaxing into the embrace. Consequently falling into another embarrassing emotional breakdown.

Kate was able to speak over the racket however "For those of you that don't already know: I'm this Elliot's sister. I pretty much have the same exact origin story as Dad. Only I took Amber's place instead of Blake's. It left the same impression all the same. The only thing I can add is that I've been sort of raising a certain secret someone for eight years the same way Hamleck became as powerful as he is now. Meanwhile Dad took care of other business and I hadn't yet merged with the Protege's version of me."

There was an awkward pause as Ken and Marci exchanged nervous glances; this time Marci was the one that spoke: "Probably best if you keep the whole consuming Amber thing to yourself while Jayne is around. The Plusle was her Dad's and they were very very close."

Kate waved Marci off "I know. It's why I'd introduced myself as Crissy and hadn't revealed myself until this point. I suggest we keep this secret between ourselves until Jayne can see that Herbie and Amber are A-OK. Agreed?"

Everyone nods but Mew raises an eyebrow and questions the obvious "The dead Minun whose soul is trapped in Trevor's sword is alive?"

By now Taz had recovered his composure enough to grow uncomfortable in Kate's grip. The Pancham squirms free and chooses a secluded corner to hide himself in; knees tucked against his chest and slightly shaking from the remnants of strong emotions still clinging on. Taz shakes his head at Rose when she takes a step toward him. Apparently needing a moment of as much solitary as he could get in current circumstance. Rose huffs irritably but leaves the cub alone to himself for now.

Kate had been watching the above scene along with a few other curious spectators. Kate nods and replies to Mew's question as if the interruption never happened "Yup." A pause " I don't know the exact details myself but I was informed yesterday that him being set free has something to do with the Protege's and Trevor's first meeting." Another shorter pause "Sorry to disappoint but that's all the intel I got for ya...well besides my function that is."

After a long pause: Ella clears her throat before saying "Which would be?"

Kate shrugs nonchalantly "Just to make sure that my brothers and Giz don't kill each other"

Marci grins thinly before asking "So Jerome of this dimension is back as well?"

Kate's facial features briefly darken with the mention of Jerome's name but it's gone in a flash and is replaced with the previous unreadable blankness from before Kate cryptically responds "I didn't say that."

Confusion sweeps over the listeners expressions like a wave before Mew once again questions the obvious "Besides Elly: you only have one other brother. So who could you possibly be-"

Mew's question is interrupted by an ominous knock-knock-knocking on the hotel room door.

Everyone stiffens as Kate coolly asks the question on everyone's minds "Is anyone expecting anyone?"

Everyone shakes their head as Mew audibly replies "Just Cresselia, Mary, and JJ. Those three should be returning with our pizza by portal"

Kate doesn't need to hear the rest of Mew's statement to know who exactly was at the other end of the door. Neither does Taz because he can sense the person; the knowledge of the person's identity seems to instil just as much terror as irritation. Kate beats Taz in that race to the door however since she's suddenly standing between it and the group of jumpy supernatural creatures once again preparing themselves for a fight.

You could cut the sudden tension in air with a knife as Kate's Cresselia heritage suddenly shows itself in a sudden transformation of the eyes and the psychic blades beginning to hover malevolently adjacent to her while the girl pressed her back against the door. Distortions and electrical sparks crackling and rippling the surrounding air with their sudden presence and intense pressure. Claws similar to Taz's made out of light purple light quickly formed on Kate's hands like gloves. Gaze now studying the large group in cold calculation as she slowly said "Right now is a really bad time."

The doorknob starts to twist as a shoulder presses against it firmly as a familiar voice calls out "If you just explain what: I am I'm sure everything will work out."

Taz was by now is by his sister's side and in full combat garb. Rose quickly joins them: combat stance suggest that she's ready to either bolt or fight-tooth-and-nail to get all three of the cubs to safety.

Kate voice becomes shrill with panic and fury as a cry erupts from her in loud bellow "GO B-!"

Mew interrupts the girl by Teleporting the presence she'd locked onto into the dead center of the room.

There wasn't anything remarkable about the human boy. Sickly pale skin. Long greasy red hair that trailed so far down his back that it meet his short-short clothed rear; only kept out of face by being tied into a single long braid that direly needed to be re-done. A set of teeth that direly needed braces in a few places. Freckles all over the place. A button nose. A single cute dimple. A physique that matched Taz's exactly. But it was the blue irises with flecks of yellow, so bright they were almost luminescent that were the biggest and only visual clue to Rai's identity.

That is if someone knew what to look for. The spectators didn't thankfully which is why Rai's defenders had plenty of time to form a wall between Rai and the threat before the inevitable question was asked by everyone not privy to the knowledge:

"Who the hell is this?"

Kate and Taz exchange a glance. Beads of sweat trailing down Kate's forehead and along her jawline while she drew in a breath and exhaling slowly before replying "This is the person that would've came to be if-"

Suddenly a black portal swallows up Rai so quickly he doesn't even have time to scream. The tension immediately breaks as Kate, Taz, and Rose all breathe a sigh of relief, giggles that held absolutely no amusement escape from them as Kate finishes the abridged statement with a thin lipped smile "-if Darkrai was allowed to continue his existence as a human. Hence why we call him Rai."

This time Kate's chuckle does contain a hint of amusement as she ignores the stupefied reactions being directed at her and tacks on "I however like to fondly call him Raiby. Mostly as revenge for him refusing to call me anything other than Crissy: a pet name he came up with that mixes the words Cresselia and sissy. But also partly because Rai behaves so much like any other baby. He's really quite adorable once you get to know him."

"That has and could never be Darkrai."

This statement came from Ella. Distortions similar to Kate's but substituting electrical sparks with burst of light equivalent to exploding lightbulbs. Intakes of breath were audible as taken. Ella doesn't even seem to realize the change has occurred. Given the dumbstruck expressions being slapped on everyone's faces: none of this was supposed to have happened at all.

Kate on the other hand doesn't seem perturbed in the slightest. Familiar psychic blades form alongside Ella's body in the same exact positioning as Kate's. Identical eyes sparking with fiery intensity. Both mustelids are blatantly ignoring the fact that everyone began giving the two a wide berth.

Kate's demeanor became challenging as a smirk began quirking the edges of her mouth as she responds. "Funny. I and Dad said the same thing when we met Rai as spirits." A light chuckle as Kate's eyes began to glint with fond remembrance "We couldn't even get close to him at first because just how much positive energy the baby radiated. Burned like a sonuvabitch I tell you what."

There is a blur of movement as Ella is suddenly right above Kate; psychic blades cutting the roof above them as they come crashing down in a deadly overhead swing "YOU LIE!"

Kate nimbly dodges the slash within a hair's breath before it cleaves her into two neat halves. Apparently the last precious seconds were used positioning her own blades in such a way they would meet Ella's own in an embrace that left both pairs useless. When an experimental tug revealed Kate's psychic prowess exceeded Ella's current strength: the Floatzel swapped tactics. Choosing instead to lash out with her arms and legs; both pairs taking turns glowing purple with the energy of the move called Double Hit. There was some creativity demonstrated in some very agile footwork. Some strikes being feints. All of which very near misses, but still didn't touch Kate beyond a few grazes.

Everyone else was far too dumbstruck over the course of the events to come between them.

Yet...Kate never once struck back to defend herself.

Eventually Ella realizes this and freezes mid-motion to snarl "Why are you not fighting back!?"

Kate flashes Ella a pitying smile "I've been watching you rather closely since you learned of Darkrai's death. Part of the reason why I chose to take Giz home instead of following Rai with Elly was to watch you if this situation came to pass. What I learned is this: you're in mourning even if you don't consciously realize it. It's evident in the way you've latched onto Giz like a lifeline. Thanks to Elly: I'm well familiar with the signs. Add in the fact you just had your entire world blown apart into a million pieces probably more than once: to strike you would be like striking a child in the middle of a tantrum. I refuse to do that."

"I HATE DARKRAI! So why in the hell would I grief over him?!" The resulting shockwave from Ella's fury increasing into molten wraith plastered all but the heaviest individuals into the nearest wall. Kate stood firm; apparently using a bubble of psychic energy to block the shock wave from the sudden power spike.

Kate's response was calm and eerily steady "Lots of brothers and sisters dislike each other. At least that's what it appears on the surface. Underneath that layer of dislike is an equivalent amount of love. It's why you've always insisted on dealing with each other solo instead of teaming up with more powerful Legendaries unless you had no other choice."

Each word appear to strike Ella like physical blows. The powersurge gradually fades the same moment Ella begins to hyperventilate. Kate however is merciless and continues with her monologue while flashing another grim smile "You like any other mortal and immortal just couldn't realize what you had until it was cruelly taken away"

Ella has been reduced to her knees in front of this tiny girl; eyes downcast and appear lost in a fathomless sea of emotions. Eventually Ella looks up and says lowly "How could you possibly know so much about me?"

At this Kate smiles broadly "Because you told me all this yourself."

Ella gazes at Kate blankly for several moments before slowly replying "No I didn't...I must be missing the punchline because I don't follow."

Kate tuts the mustelid as she says sing-songs idly "Yeeeeesss you do! You're just playing dumb."

Kate giggles for a moment before saying with a faux disappointed sigh "I'll play along though."

Kate clears her throat as her voice becomes serious again "You and your brother share many traits. The most prominent one is the secret wish of wanting someone that can see the person underneath the protective shields you've surrounded yourself with." Kate's gaze flicks to Giz "Someone like an adopted son perhaps." Kate's gaze flicks back to Ella "Thing is fantastic mothers and fathers will do anything and everything for their offspring. Even work with people they don't normally get along with and even-" Kate's expression becomes stretches into knowing broad grin "-slay gods."

Another period of awkward silence stretching already thin nerves into the breaking point yay!

Ella snorts while casting a glance around the should-be-gawking-but-not spectators. "Given the fact no one is hysterically laughing until they pass out from oxygen deprivation: I assume everyone was already know of this impossibility."

Everyone but Giz nods since he's vigorously shaking his head side to side while Mew says sheepishly "Kinda did just that actually...right up until the point you blew both me and Arceus up and remade us several times in the span of just a few blinks so fast we didn't physically feel it"

Mew stiicks out a lower lip in a pout as looks away and crosses her arms "Might as well shot a nuke at our worth of hurt at our pride though"

Ella lifts an eyebrow as she says lowly to mostly herself "Guess that explains why Mother is avoiding me." This next part at a normal volume "Sorry I guess?"

Mew waves dismissively at the words "We kinda deserved it. You have nothing to apologize for you big dummy." Mew turns to Kate and says "So why the big reveal all of a sudden? Wouldn't that change history or something? Like the whole stepping on a bug and a volcano will erupt somewhere else thing?"

Kate shakes her head "Won't affect a thing because she'll just deny it until she's blue in the face. Darkrai, Elliot, Giz, and Ella all will."

During the same moment everyone nods knowingly: Ella puffed out her cheeks indignantly and barked "You can stop talking about me and for me like I'm not sitting right here anytime you know!"

This time both Kate and Mew waved Ella off. Distortions once again began to ripple the air...up until the moment many stomachs began to rumble all at once: Taz's being the loudest.

Everyone casts a glance towards whatever time keeper was most easiest to look at.

Marci is the one that speaks for the group. "Wow dinner time already? Did we really just spend the entire evening just gabbing?"

Taz snorts indignantly as Rose manhandles his clothes away "Speak for yourself. We can't seem to-" Rose cuts the rest of the words off by shoving the cub's bottle into his mouth. Taz was too tired to fight her off this time so he just accepts the inevitable. Rose rewards him like any other mother would a baby. Spectators try to stop from staring incredulously because of the whole rude thing but they can't seem to help themselves.

"Is she always so rough?" Marci whispers to the all knowing Kate.

"She kinda has to be since he usually fights her." was Kate's bland response.

Ken opens his mouth to say something but Kate quickly says "Yes Taz can eat solid foods. No Rose doesn't give a shit that he can. This is her way for some reason."

Rose huffs indignantly and snarls back "If you can convince the little shit that his tiny bird portions are nowhere near enough to sustain him then go ahead and try!"

Taz lifts up his head and glares furioously up at Rose; equally as indignant as he snaps "I can feed myself perfectly fine thank you very much you domineering bi-"

Taz's response is once again cut off by his bottle. Meanwhile Rose's annoyed grumble is more to herself than to anyone "That's why you're hungry again within the next- OW!"

Rose vigorously rubs at the teet that Taz intentionally bit into; it's bleeding slightly. Rose cast a infuriated glare at the innocently smiling boy "You little turd!" Rose shouts as she lobs the boy straight through the bathroom door at the far side of the room. There was a dull smack of naked flesh smacking against linoleum before a thud struck against the plastic moulding of the bathtub; water cascading against various solid objects was also heard.

Shock gave way to incredulity but the various protest, scoldings, colorful profanities, and plans of coming to the defense of the boy died before they were even all the way conceived when the group suddenly recognized the look of imminent murder in Rose's growl and expression. Wordlessly the Pangoro stomped towards the bathroom muttering something along the lines of "We needed a bath anyway" before slamming the door shut.

Rose's words sparked revelation in Kate's gaze: punctuated with the same meaningless gesture of the bottom of a fist hitting palm you would sometimes see in a cartoons and Kate's suddenly exuberant tone "That reminds me!" Kate glances first to Hamleck and Ella "Why don't you guys ever take off Giz's combat costume even to bathe? He must be SO rank and boiling under there!"

Hamleck and Ella exchange a confused glance before Hamleck replies "It's not a costume. Unlike Taz: Giz traded-"

Hamleck immediately stopped speaking when he realized Kate wasn't listening any more. There was something to the girl's walk and stance that said she was on a mission as she strolled up to Giz, struck his chest with a glowing clawed hand, and turned Giz around so that his back was facing her audience as she yanked down his wet suit and tail low enough for all to see the pretty obvious blue zipper that gleamed there.

All spectators stare gobsmacked at the boy's adoptive 'parents'.

Ella rolls her eyes; a deadly edge had entered it as she points her own glare at Hamleck while saying "Don't you lot glare at me! 'Daddy' here insist that little pups shouldn't bathe with females. I got tired of arguing about it so it's been a silly little rule ever since."

Hamleck shrugs and replies "I have many excuses that I'm sure would satisfy you all. Firstly is that I've only had Giz bath in one of his standard forms because it appeared to be sufficient for all of them. Another point is when we're sparing: I have more important things to be watchful of then the pup's rear. Lastly when I was away with the pup for the five or so years I've been training: he was hibernating in his Zigzagoon form the entire time he was in my company. Given the fact there is no smell now: you can see how anyone can make the same assumption."

Hamleck mirrors Ella's unbreaking dagger tipped glare right back at her. Standing on upon his hind legs to become the tallest his 3'0 vertical limit would allow, pretty much a snarling fluff ball as he got closer and closer to the Floatzel's face with each shouted word of his next statement:

"Furthermore maybe I could've possibly noticed the damned zipper if the pup was in combat form more often instead of playing snuggle-funsy time all day, every day!"

Ella didn't bother with any pretense or warnings. Just wordlessly slapped Hamleck across the muzzle. The Floatzel's own lighting up with a smug, challenging, and defiant smirk that spoke volumes of words for her.

Mew had to separate the pair with telekinesis before the cat fight could get physical. Further argument points, protest, profanity, and promises of violent retribution were almost deafening loud before Mew put them both in a barrier bubble which muffled the children to near quiet.

Mew taps a contemplative paw against her chin "So basically thanks to some really heavy duty stupidity, clothing material, and a single minor design flaw: Giz is a giant stink bomb whose toxic payload is just waiting to be released upon the world."

Mew grins broadly "Neat! I feel sorry for the sucker that has to help him pry off the- NOT IT!" Mew Teleports outside the window; simultaneously Transforming into a very ecstatic and observant Pidgey as well as releasing the dumbstruck and suddenly very terrified parents.

Meanwhile the rest of the group shouts "NOT IT!" while moving at the opposite end of the room.

Taz and Rose -who'd long been attracted by the sounds of the whole ruckus- hold each other's nose as their cheeks puff out with held in breath and flee from the bathroom which would be likely the scene of a disaster zone.

Meanwhile poor Giz was chasing his own tail while trying to save everyone from impending doom by getting a hand on the suddenly slick with sweat zipper so he could retreat into the sanctuary of the bathroom to take care of business . Sadly this hope and dream would never be.

So after one lost coin toss and fixating off one custom made gas mask later: Hamleck ripped the zipper upward like one would a band-aide.

Immediately a stench so overpowering that stopping oneself from projectile vomiting was an outright impossibility. Hamleck's new mask only seemed to slightly muffle the stench; vomit found ways to escape it's prison. Even Mew smelt faint traces of it outside in the open air; immediate reaction of course was to gag, flap backwards a few 'steps', and snicker. To accurately describe the smell it was ass -whoops- as if skunk spray had a baby with a garbage dump and that baby fell in a pile of at least a dozen or so Grimers and Muks working up a sweat at the local gym.

Giz was catapulted into the bathroom with the very same force Taz had been thrown in earlier. So many telekinetic hands slammed the door shut that it nearly came off it's hinges as it shook the very walls. Giz was told to use all the hygienic supplies that the large party had stashed in there upon arrival. Giz happily followed that order.

By the time that he was finished: the water gushing out of the broken shower head had grown very cold so Giz called it good and tried to leave the bathroom...only to be shoved back in. Ella casually strolled into the bathroom, armed to the teeth with various soaps, shampoos, body washes, and brushes. Giz immediately covered his modesty as he balked and unleashed a torrent of protest and claims that he'd taken care of the problem. Further complaints that he was starving and tired were also said.

A quick sniff and the resulting visible whince and gag told Giz that his attempts of cleanliness were not satisfactory and that he was doomed to spend eternity in this tiny little room. Not if he could help it! Ella easily caught and held the eight year old human boy one-handed while proceeding to run a bubble bath. Giz was thrown in and claims that he could wash himself were ignored as hands were gently slapped away and the battle that lasted for several more hours began afresh once more. Thankfully care packages of food were dropped and fed during rest periods; the taste of delicious ambrosia that was pizza was the only thing stopping Giz from going catatonic.

As a result of this traumatic event: Giz understandably developed a strong distaste for dirt,grime,unpleasant smells, his own humanity, and his costume. They were to blame for this suffering and not the sickly sweet but entirely innocent bathing products after all.

---

Meanwhile other things were happening while Giz was busy being tortured.

Like the intense staredown between Rose vs. Mary the Kangaskhan.

"You just never stay dead do you bitch!?" Rose growled savagely as her possessive grip Taz became almost crushing.

'Mary' only responds with an innocent smile and petting the joey in her pouch with a loving hand. "I'm just sticking to the original pattern. Besides we Braxters are a stubborn bunch; especially when the well-being of our family members is put in jeopardy. Aren't we Clovis?"

Clovis nods emphatically. Amber eyes not wavering from the endeavor of committing every inch of Taz's naked human flesh to memory. Every so often a tongue would swipe over his lips, wetting them with an audible gulp.

Kate -once again in Mienfoo form- was once again was ripping the surrounding air apart with distortions. "The fact you and Zil are a unit is ironic poetry. Hopefully your third strike happens soon and this time you'll stay out of the ball game."

Mew groans with melodramatic flair "What's happening now!?"

The Braxter's sigh -excluding Taz because the whole sleep eating thing- Kate once again explains the situation. "The Braxters are currently in a feud of sorts. Long story short: Mom hates Dad and Dad hates Mom. Kids chose a side and Elly is trapped in the middle. The banners we wave represent our ideals. It's all very unimportant in the scheme of things since we won't kill each other over the issue...at least not yet anyway."

As Kate speaks Rose grabs two pizza boxes and mutters something about "Suddenly becoming very stuffy in here" before walking out the door and closing it with a slam. No one stops her.

Kate seems to agree with Rose. Evidence being when the Mienfoo is finished speaking: she snaps her fingers. Cresselia's eyes widen in disbelief when a portal very similar to her own swallows up the girl in the next blink. Rai's shout of greeting can briefly be heard before the portal shuts behind her.

Cresselia, Jayne, and Mary turn to Mew. Cresselia speaks for the small group "What exactly did we miss?"

Mew slumps to the floor with a loud drawn out groan.

Marci steps up to the plate and taps lightly against her own nogging. "Start reading. It will be less of a headache. You'll know which part to leave out when you get to it."