FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

My breath, ragged and slow, sounded loud to my ears as the cool air scratched down along my throat. Shifting my weight, the subtle aches along my body informed me that, while hurt, I was still able to fight.

Which was more than could be said of the Aromatisse before me.

The last Metal Claw I'd delivered had left the male prone on the forest floor, his body struggling but unwilling to move as he wished it. His hand reached outward, towards me, and I brought my claws upward, ready to rush in one more time at my human's command. With a grunt, however, the Aromatisse's hand fell and the tension of his struggles eased from his body as he finally gave in to the simple truth that, unless his trainer healed him, this fight was done.

Still keeping my claws up, just in case his human did so, I kept most of my attention on the Aromatisse while tilting my right claw so that the reflection in it showed my human, standing just behind me. Arms folded, the thin smile on his lips made me think he was pleased with my performance; one of the few ways I could know so.

"Pawniard." My head lifted, hearing the name he referred to me as. I'd tried to explain to him, multiple times, that I went by "Suree," but he'd never seemed to understand. "Stand down."

Taking a step back, inclining my head, I lowered my claws but kept them ready. The female trainer returned her Aromatisse into his ball and I watched, seeing if she'd send out another.

When my human and the female moved into what had once been the battle area, I finally took a longer draw of breath, letting the tension from my body ease out with a slow exhale.

Either she had no more Pokemon to fight with or realized the futility in continuing, I thought, taking a moment to examine my claws for damage from the battle before my human inevitably returned me to my ball.

"Usually, Poppy and I do much better," the girl huffed, giving her dark hair a toss while returning the ball with the Aromatisse to her belt.

"Yeah, well, when the Pokemon battling you can't tell what your Pokemon smells like, you lose a lot of edge," my human said, reaching a hand out to the female, his fingers motioning.

She gave a glare before reaching into her pocket, pulling out a pink floral pouch that matched her Aromatisse. Opening it, she retrieved several crumpled bits of paper, slapping them down in my human's hand.

"Don't be like that," my human said, the grin in his voice lacking sincerity. "You can always challenge us again."

I missed the female's reply, feeling an odd sensation along the middle of my collar bone. Reaching my claw to rub the spot, it lacked any sense of tenderness that made me think it might have been from the battle. Shifting back my shoulders, I felt an odd tightness that I couldn't explain; as if my body had become just a bit too small to contain myself. Mid-scratch, a strange light leapt unbidden from my form, all but blinding me.

I heard the humans shouting but couldn't make out their words, if there were any. My limbs were pulled, stretched in a way that wasn't painful so much as it was uncomfortable. The earlier aches of battle faded in the wash of heat that trailed after the fading light, leaving me behind as myself but also more.

Examining my arms, I found my claws now rested at my forearms, a blunter sort of "hand" now at each end. My chest blades had a sharper curve, from what my new hands could feel of them, and the blade on my head felt heavier, though I couldn't see it. A glance at the humans, both of whom were speechless, made me realize that I was now taller, just a head or so below my human's height.

I was letting my gaze travel downward, curious about the rest of my new form, when a familiar red light enveloped me and the words, "what a waste," followed me into the darkness.

*****

When the blue-white light summoned me, I found I was no longer in the forest with my human and the female. Artificial light, an examining table, and the egg shaped pink and white Pokemon made it easy to figure where I was.

[Was I hurt worse than I thought?] I asked, shifting my body slightly but finding no apparent signs of pain. While it was possible they'd already healed me, I hadn't thought myself needing such advanced care when my human had returned me to my ball.

[Nope.] The curt tones of the Blissey confused me, as did the flippers on her hips and the tapping of her foot. [Though you're probably about to be.]

My fists were up and I'd jumped back away from the Blissey, nearly hitting my back into the counters, before my mind could replay her words and discard them as a threat to attack.

[This... is a Pokemon Center, right?] I wasn't quite ready to lower my guard but I couldn't fathom where else I'd be.

[Well, at least you're not stupid,] the Blissey said, lifting one flipper and giving it random wave. [That should make this quick.]

Mind whirling on what "this" was, I backed my right heel up against the cabinets, reassuring myself that nothing could get behind me, while waiting for her to explain before either attacking or fleeing.

[Your human, or, rather, the human that brought you here, is releasing you.] Both her flippers waved outward in a less than exciting wave while she rolled her eyes skyward. [Congrats.]

[Releasing me?]

The Blissey gave a deep groan, her head leaning backwards so that she was staring even more fully at the ceiling.

[Arceus help me,] I thought I heard her mutter before her head leaned forward and spoke in slower, clipped tones. [Your. Human. Abandoned. You.]

I felt my head shaking, denying her words. [He wouldn't do that.]

[Well, he did try to trade you first.] The Blissey tapped her foot again, one flipper going back to her hip while the other waved in the air. [Most of them don't even try that. They just give them to us to deal with then go on the way.]

His smile, after I'd won the battle, kept my head shaking.

[I'm strong.] The words were forced out, trying to counter what she was saying with logic. [I've almost never lost a battle, since I was given to him.]

[Look,] the Blissey said, a frown slowly forming. [It's almost lunch time so I'll make this quick. It wasn't you, it was him.] Folding her flippers, she gave a proud bob of her head, almost unseating her nurse's cap. [I know the type! Especially given he was angling for a Lopunny, Gardevoir, or an Eevee.]

[What type?] Glancing to the door, wondering why my human hadn't entered yet, I looked back to her.

She gave a laugh that was sharp and quick enough to cut.

[A human equivalent of a Salazzle,] she said, thankfully going on since I'd not met a Pokemon by that name before. [A harem builder.]

[I was his only Pokemon.] Her words didn't make sense. [He didn't have any others.]

Giving a sigh that was almost a growl, the Blissey placed her flipper on her forehead for a moment, closing her eyes, before opening them and taking her flipper off with a wave.

[Look, all I know is that he tried to trade you and, when that fell through, he apparently bought a Pokemon from another trainer.] The Blissey held up her flippers. [I don't know what kind, not my business.] Lips puckered, the Blissey finally shook her head. [Maybe he was keeping you until you evolved. Seeing what you'd be before he gave up. I don't know that either.] With a tap of her flipper against the wrist of the other, she went on. [What I do know is that you're now cutting into my lunch time. So, skedattle.]

Giving a shooing motion with both flippers, she motioned for me to go through a second door, one I hadn't noticed because it was to my left, partially out of sight due to the cabinets.

[Go on!] She gave another wave. [If you've not lost a battle, you'll be fine.] She gave a slight tsk. [He at least left you somewhere warm. That's something.]

Tensing, I lunged towards the first door, rather than the second. Somehow, I felt there was a mistake and my human would be able to clear it up, if I could just get to him.

A pressure on my wrist, yanked me back.

With a grunt, the Blissey grumbled about not getting paid enough for this shit before flinging me backwards. Twisting in the air, I was able to get my feet behind me so that they struck the wall behind me rather than my head or back. At least, I'd thought it was the wall, until it gave way and I pinwheeled backwards to fall on my ass, the door swinging closed as the Blissey wiped her flippers and turned away.

Springing upward, I wasn't able to catch it before it shut. Banging my fists on the door, I only heard the echo of my own strikes and a muffled "good luck." Rather than wasting time futilely on the door, I raced around the building, figuring there had to be another point of entry. Bricks, sealed windows, and flowering shrubs blurred along the edges of my vision until I reached the main entrance; open to all.

Turning my head, I waited a moment behind one of the decorative shrubs, wanting to be sure the Blissey was nowhere near to stop me, when a soft giggle made my head jerk toward the sound, concerned I'd been spotted.

There, on a bench only a few yards away, was my human.

Taking a step forward, a smile forming at the sight of him, at the understanding the Blissey had either been mistaken or malicious, I stopped.

There, on his lap, was a small black and white Pokemon, a Gothorita, if I remembered correctly. It giggled again, making a sweet feminine sound I'd never uttered, as he stroked his finger along her cheek. I saw his lips move but couldn't hear the words, only the gentle tones as he kept his other hand lightly pressed to her back and shifted his hips wider, a gleam in his eyes that crushed something inside me.

Closing my eyes against the sight, I ran.

*****

By the time reason had been able to wrestle control and take over, the sky was starting to grow dark and I'd no idea how far I'd run from the Pokemon Center. I could feel tenderness where young saplings had slapped, the repetition from striking my front thighs and legs over and over again in the same spots more the cause than any one single hit. I felt as if I might lose what little was in my stomach, uncertain if that was from the nonstop running or the repeated image flashing of that Gothorita on my human's lap that I'd yet to escape.

With a roar, I swung my right arm, using my newly formed fist to strike the bark of the tree closest to me. The leaves shuddered and some fell but I struck it again, this time with my left. Other memories rose while my swings kept falling. My first victory, how I'd turned to him to be praised, as my old trainer, his friend, had done. How my human had only given a nod, saying no more than that. Of when I'd tried to sit beside him for meals and learned to sit across from him, instead, so as to avoid his leaning away. The sudden understanding for why he kept me in my ball, outside of battles and care. It hadn't been for my comfort, while travelling. It'd been for his!

My right fist plowed through the weak bark of the tree, leaving a gaping hole in the trunk as my blow continued straight through it. Only its massive girth kept it from falling, though the creaking and swaying made it a near thing.

Swiping at my face, frantic to get off the wetness of the sap that had splattered on me, I chose to ignore how the moisture lacked stickiness. Instead, I turned from the tree to look for water, intending to get the sap and bits of bark of myself, refresh myself, wash the whole day away.

A creek just shy of being a river flowed near the tree I'd vented my frustrations to, a widening of the bed making a shallow and relatively still place to bathe. The man-made concrete that rose up from the one side confused me, as I heard no humans near here, including the sounds that came with the towns and cities. Maybe there had been, once, a long time ago. As it stood, there were no people near here now.

With a shrug, I walked down along the trunk of a fallen tree, crossing from the side with the taller concrete to the creek bed side that had rocks and an easier access point to get in and out. Mindful of my step, not wanting to be tangled in the plastic bags that clung to the bark like soggy, dead fish, I gave a leap down when I reached the end of the log. I still had to watch my balance, the rocks uneven and sinking into the murk of mud when I stepped on them, but I made it to a larger, flat rock where I could safely take a closer look at the water.

While I couldn't smell it, the condition of the creek made me think this was not water for drinking, barely tolerable for bathing. A shimmery rainbow hue, pretty but not natural to the water, clung along the rock edges in the stiller parts. A barrel of some sort was wedged between some larger rocks, more towards the center of the creek's wider point. An empty cup bobbed with nowhere to go, caught in a twirling current where the bank curved inward. More bags, maybe clothes, were mixed with dried grasses and sticks, jutting up here and there in clumps.

While I couldn't hear or sense any humans nearby, their garbage spoke loudly of their presence being further upstream.

[That's fine with me,] I muttered, not minding the rainbow hue as my foot splashed downward, knowing that whatever poison humans could make was inferior to that of a Pokemon and unable to hurt me. [They can stay far away from me.]

Moving further in, getting to the deepest point, I knelt down, sitting my bottom in the creek while the water drifted past my midsection. Splashing the water upward, closing my eyes, I let it was along my face, arms, and chest. Stroking my hand along the edge of my upper chest blade, I let the familiar, comforting hum buzz within my body before I forced myself to focus, trying to dredge up deeper memories, ones prior to my capture.

As a Pawniard, I'd been a scout and a scavenger. I could be so again.

[Food. Water. Shelter.] I muttered, glancing at the creek and discarding it. While it wouldn't poison me, I had no desire to find out the taste. It'd be better to find a spring of some kind, or devise a way to catch rainwater.

[Shelter will be easy,] I went on, finding comfort in hearing my own voice, when I was so used to hearing another. [There's plenty of logs, branches... I can do something with that. Food...]

A pinched feeling made me curve my body inward, as if the mention had my stomach at full attention, demanding when we'd be eating.

[Tomorrow,] I decided, despite my stomach's protests. I was in an unfamiliar area and not sure who's territory I was in or what might be waiting for a tame Pokemon just set free. [I can wait until tomorrow.]

Doing the best I could to brush the water from my arms, I rose from the water, glancing upward into the canopy of the trees. It wasn't ideal but sleeping in the open was even worse.

With a jump, I made it to shore. Another had me pushing off from a wide trunk to a branch then off the wide trunk again. A few more leaps had me just under the last layer of leaves, intending to use them as a shield for this first night until I could build myself a better one in the morning.

Giving my stomach a single pat, a promise for food if it could only wait, I closed my eyes and rested my back against the trunk of the tree.

*****

Sunlight stung my eyes, my stomach blissfully quiet about its hunger, for the moment. My thoughts were sluggish, likely due to constant waking through the night, unfamiliar sounds having me lurch almost the moment I drifted to sleep.

Sliding down the trunk, I shook my head but found I was no clearer headed for doing so. Bracing myself against the tree, I fought to get my thoughts in order.

[Food first,] I said, trying to use my voice to focus. [Water. Shelter.]

Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I turned away from the tree to take in my surroundings. Much of the creek looked the same as it had the day before, though the cup that had been trapped in the bank's curve appeared to have freed itself at some point and several bags seemed to have floated on their way. I considered grabbing a remaining bag, utilizing it as the humans did so I could forage and have a way to carry my findings, when an emerald green color caught my eye.

I refrained from crossing the distance in a single jump, hesitant to approach whatever it was. Tired as I was, I knew I hadn't seen anything that shade the day before; especially not when it was on the large, flat rock I'd stood on prior.

Crouching, I kept my approach slow, not trusting that it wasn't some kind of trap. Alert to my surroundings, nothing made to grab or attack me as I got closer and I didn't sense any movement. As close as I dared, I peered at the emerald item; some kind of large leaf that was clumsily folded and pinned together with thorns into the ill shaped likeness of a bowl. Within it, clear water beckoned.

My tongue dried at the sight. Glancing behind my shoulder, I still sensed no one. Yet, this wasn't some bit of human trash that had washed to shore.

[Who's there?] I called, keeping my voice well under a shout. Without knowing more of

my surroundings, I didn't intend to draw more attention to myself than necessary.

When no answer came, I decided that whomever it had been, they'd have done a better job of minding their things if it had meant something to them. As it was, my throat felt insufferable, the gleaming water within the leaf calling to me.

With one last glance, I leapt forward, grabbing the leaf in both hands, before jumping backwards a good distance away from the rock, mindful not to spill. I don't know what I'd been expecting; Beedrill Pin Missile attacks or a human's net or some such nonsense.

There was nothing.

Frowning to myself, I lifted the leaf to my lips. The texture felt both waxy and rough but the water was soothing. It took great restraint not to gulp it all down.

With a sigh, I felt a little more awake and alert. My stomach, now that I'd quenched the thirst I hadn't realized I'd had, was becoming more demanding. Staring at the leaf bowl in my hands, I had the strong urge to hide it, to keep the remaining water for later. However, someone might come looking for it later. If they found it missing, they might come looking for me. Better, perhaps, to put it back on the rock and let them think some of the water had spilled or vanished naturally.

With some reluctance, I placed it back in what I thought was the exact spot I'd grabbed it from. Still wondering over its appearance, I decided to leave the creek and search for something to eat, not wanting to be here when its owner returned.

*****

I'd debated about returning to the creek. The mysterious leaf bowl that had showed up made it apparent that I wasn't the only one who was aware of the location. In fact, leaving would make more sense. I hadn't set up a shelter yet, the water wasn't something to drink, and what few berries I'd found in the direction I'd chosen to go were lacking in flavor and few. While the area wasn't dying, it wasn't thriving either.

Which, to be honest, made me want to stay.

Places that were thriving would be high in dispute. While I could hold my own, the prospect of battling over every little scrap was unappealing. Better to stake claim to this unwanted piece of land then to have to be on constant guard for someone wanting to steal what was mine. Without an army of Pawniards at my command, my keeping a large territory was unlikely. This little bit, however, I might be able to manage on my own.

If the owner of the leaf bowl didn't see it as theirs already.

I made it a point to return about midday, not wanting to exert what little energy the bland berries had given me before I could get a shelter made. A fallen branch, long but only as wide as my arm, came with me as the first piece. Dragging it behind me, the leaves of the forest floor announced my presence more loudly then I would have liked but, with its length, I had no other way to carry it.

One last tug had the branch and I back to the creek. Dropping it a moment, I brushed my hands off to look for solid, dry spot to start building. In my sweep, I was pleased to note the leaf bowl still in place, meaning no one had come back while I was gone.

[A fluke,] I said, giving a shrug, willing to write it off as someone merely having passed through and leaving it behind.

With a hum, I grabbed hold of the branch one more time, dragging it to the bit of earth I'd spotted that looked far enough from the creek to avoid any damage from potential swells and with a tree whose roots jutted out in a way that I could hide my shelter among it. Tugging the branch past the flat rock, I just happened to glance at the leaf bowl and lost my balance. Dropping the branch, I fell back and landed on my bottom. I didn't feel any pain at the landing, too shocked by the fact that, next to the leaf bowl, was a large purple berry, the size of my fist. I hadn't seen it before because the leaf bowl had been blocking it but there it was.

Again, I listened and waited but felt no presence outside my own.

Standing, I gave myself a shake before glancing upward into the canopy, deciding that making a nest in the trees would be safer than a shelter on the ground where ghosts walked.

*****

I didn't touch the berry nor the leaf bowl, instead focusing on getting a decent start on my shelter. The tree I'd slept in the night before proved to be the best candidate for my new home, several of its higher branches close enough that my fallen limb was easily able to bridge the gap and then some. From there, it was merely a matter of finding logs that I could cut to the sizes I needed and carrying them up the tree (a feat more easily accomplished once I found some vines to help). Still... I couldn't help but glance at the berry and bowl each pass I made through, both items appearing untouched.

Hunger kept trying to coax me to take a bite, the impulse growing with each failed attempt to find berries while at the same time looking for more nesting materials. My mouth was torn between wanting the berry juice and the water, the gleam of liquid from the bowl making my tongue stick against the roof of my mouth.

By the time the sky began darkening, I could stand it no more. Taking the berry first, I sank my teeth into one of the many orbs that shaped the fruit. Sweetness filled my mouth as the juices trickled down my mouth. Chewing, I swiped the juice away with the back of my hand before taking another bite. Soon, only the black smears were left.

Taking the bowl in both hands, I found it odd that it seemed to have been refilled. A few sips cleansed the sweetness from my mouth and I felt more sated from that one berry than the few clusters I'd found early in the day.

Placing the leaf bowl back down, I chanced yet another futile look. I gave a slight growl before climbing my way up my tree to my nest. Unfinished, I still felt safer there, where I could watch what went on down below and try to figure what games were being played.

*****

The distant songs of bird Pokemon woke me, leaving me irritable when I realized I'd not only fallen asleep but that I'd missed whomever kept coming by the creek yet again.

It wasn't until I'd climbed down that I could identify the berry left by the leaf bowl as a Watmel, it's round shape and pink/green colors making it impossible to mistake it for anything else. The leaf bowl was, again, filled with clean water. Oddly enough, the barrel wedged between rocks was gone and I had the impression that the slowly flowing creek water couldn't have been enough to have moved it and yet... well, it wasn't there now, was it?

Slicing the berry open with my blade, I ate it with some measure of annoyance. How the berries were showing up, along with the clean water, when I'd found no nearby source of either was vexing, to say the least. Either someone was mocking my inability or... well, I didn't know what the "or" would be. It didn't sit well with me, though, the not knowing.

[I'm going to get some more branches,] I announced to the air, having a final sip of the water before setting down the bowl.

There was no answer but I could almost swear that I felt someone nearby.

Pausing, the sensation faded and I curled my lip, swearing to myself that, today, I would find my own food and water source so that whomever it was would have to acknowledge my abilities!

...only, after several trips of bringing branches back to the base of my tree, I found no berry trees. I did find a weak trickle of spring water but it was so far from the creek that I decided I'd be better finding a closer source, if I could.

Taking the latest bundle of branches I'd found, intending to weave them for a more comfortable flooring, I almost ran right into a Meowth. Or, what I thought was a Meowth. The silver fur coloring was unlike that which I'd seen before.

[Whoa! Look at those kebobs!] Shaking its head so that its whiskers quivered afterwards, it gave a displeased hiss. [Watch where you're going, yeah? I don't need to be skewered!]

While I didn't think the fault was all mine, as it'd been the one to erupt from a bush, I still gave a muttered apology while trying to figure out its species.

[What's the problem?] it said, showing a fang while its fur bristled. [Ain't you ever seen an Alola Meowth before?]

[I can't say I have.] Adjusting the weight of the branches, unsure if it'd attack, it came as a surprise when its fur flattened and, instead, it preened.

[Well, then! Look all you want!] it purred, moving from all fours to two legs, giving a twirl and throwing a wink from over its shoulder. [As you can see, I'm much better than my plain old cousins.]

[Your fur is certainly... shinier.]

[The shiniest!] it agreed, giving a wide grin. [I'm so glad you noticed!]

[Is this Alola, then?] I asked, having not heard of that location before.

The Meowth laughed, turning to face me again. [Well, yeah.] Cocking its head, grin still in place, it held a single finger up on its paw. [Though, if you want to be exact, we're on the island of Melemele. At least, that's what the humans call it.]

Some of the branches snapped in my arms, forcing me to loosen my grip lest I break them all.

[Ah,] the Meowth said, giving a nod. [It's like that, then? Well, no worries. You're far enough away from the cities. It'd only be the odd trainer that would come here and, to be frank, you're too far from the main paths that they'd be this way.]

[Thank you,] I said, ignoring how easily it'd read my emotions.

[Well, just keep an eye out for where you're going, guillotine-a!] With a salute, it leapt away on all fours. [Later!]

I realized, just as its tail vanished into the thick cluster of ferns, that it might have known where to find a clean source of water and some food. Opening my mouth to ask, the absence of rustling made me understand that I'd missed my chance. Words left unsaid, I felt oddly despondent as I closed my mouth and continued on my way.

*****

Shortly after my encounter with the Meowth, the leaf bowl had filled itself and a cluster of Razz berries waited beside it. Finishing my weaving of the branches, I decided to sit at the flat rock while eating, no longer fearing an attack or ambush. For whatever reason, someone was leaving food and water and electing not to chase me away.

[Maybe you really are a Ghost,] I said, getting the feeling that whomever it was had to be somewhere nearby in order to sneak the items while I was gone. [Since I never see you.]

For some reason, the Meowth came to mind. It hadn't been that long since my human had abandoned me but, prior to that, I'd been with him, his friend, and then my clan. I'd never really been alone.

[A Ghost is better than being alone,] I decided. [Even if you don't talk, at least you're there, right?]

The feeling of something being near whispered along my senses, comforting me.

[I don't know how a Ghost is better at finding berries than I am, but thanks,] I said, taking another bite of the Razz berry, enjoying the heated sweetness mildly burned along my tongue. [Maybe I'll have better luck finding some tomorrow.]

There was no answer but I felt more confident that I would succeed.

*****

A light drizzle woke me the next morning, the branches of the tree only offering minimal protection. That was the problem with a nest, no roof. At least, not yet.

[Maybe I can make a half a roof,] I said, talking to my unseen companion. [Some thicker leaves, bend some branches... Like a half wall or something just to keep the rain off me.]

Today's breakfast was a mostly green fruit with yellow stripes along the side. It was decent until the stem, where it started getting bitter. Drinking the rest of my water, I placed my bowl down before standing with a stretch, turning my attention to which way I should head today in my search for leaves and fruits.

Turning, a blemish on the trunk of a tree that hadn't been there the day before had me walking closer. Tracing the mark, it was unmistakably an arrow.

[This way, huh?] Considering things for a moment, I could find no real reason not to trust my Ghost companion. [Alright then.]

Starting forward, I hesitated before clearing my throat and saying, [Thank you... for all the meals. I'll be back later.]

There was no answer but I felt better for having said something. If whomever it was could bring me food, water, and leave marks on trees; it stood to reason it was as real as I was and some level of kindness should be given in return.

Following the guidance of the arrow, the drizzle accompanied me, drops of water splashing my head and shoulders as I walked under the trees. Another arrow, about the same height as the first on a different tree, directed me to turn slightly and I followed that to a third. There was no fourth arrow. Instead, a cluster of five berry trees greeted me; the same as the kind the Ghost had left me for breakfast.

Picking two, not wanting to be greedy, I made my way back towards my home. I had to pick my pace up on the way, the drizzle steadily increasing into a steady rain that I worried would become a downpour before I had a chance to find some leaves to make my shelter a bit more waterproof.

Apparently, it was a silly worry. Once back to my creek, I found the Ghost had been as busy as I. Several dark green leaves were bundled by my tree, as large as I was and far wider. With a hasty thanks, I grabbed them and raced up to my nest. With the leaves and the leftover vines from moving the branches, I was able to set up a slanted roof for the rain to run off just in time for the storm to really get going.

[I hope you're dry,] I whispered to myself, wondering how a Ghost would fair as I watched the water cascaded down from my home.

As I had no intention of going back out, while it was raining so, I used the leftover leaves from the Ghost to try making my own leaf bowl. Without the thorns, it proved harder but not impossible. I was able to make several larger bowls, ones that I placed just outside my nest to catch rainwater.

It wasn't as reliable as a spring but it was fresh water that I'd gotten (mostly) on my own.

*****

The creek was practically cleansed from the rain, the little human garbage that had been left gone. The rainbow hue to the creek had washed away, the water looking clean and even safe to drink from.

[It's amazing what a good rain can do,] I said, unsure if the Ghost was near or not.

The berry today, pink with small hooks on its shell, had to be opened with my blade but the insides were juicy and worth the extra effort. The water was still fresh as ever and I wondered, yet again, why a Ghost felt the need to help me.

Rinsing the residual stickiness off in the creek water, I gave my hands a light shake before deciding to try and find a few more berry trees, not wanting to be reliant on a single grove.

[I'll be back,] I said, listening and feeling that odd sort of presence perking up. [Try not to get too bored.]

There was still no answer but that didn't really trouble me.

Setting out, I decided not to travel too far from home today. The sky was patchy with clouds, ones that seemed as if they could go either way for rain. Some tittering in a tree caught my attention, a bright yellow bird of some kind perched on the branch with a red one next to it.

[Have you heard?] the red one chirped, one wing half covering her beak. [There's a foul smell from the South.]

[Probably from that human trash,] the yellow one answered, giving a shake of its body, the tufts of feathers on its wings fluffing out further.

[Worse than that,] the red one laughed, a breathy hoo-hoo-hoo sound. [I think it's one of those, you know. They poison everything!] The red bird's breast feathers fluffed out. [Foul things. The humans would do well to be rid of them.]

The yellow one made a noncommittal sound, twisting her head to fiddle with a feather along her back.

Turning to walk on, not wanting the two to think I'd been intentionally listening, I went on my way. I did succeed in finding some smaller bushes, too young for berries just yet, and decided to call it quits at that. There was a cool breeze weaving through the forest, the sky becoming more gray as time went on. If it didn't rain, it'd be a close thing. I'd much rather wait things out from my nest than to be caught out in it again.

Sprinting homeward, I was nearly there when unfamiliar sounds hastened my speed. Coming up on the creek, I found a massive lump of colors and stones bellowing up at my nest, the grass around it sizzling and burning, leaving brown husks that vanished into dust. Waving its arm with a bellow, drops of its body were flung outward, striking the water with a sickening "plop!" as an inky rainbow hue formed in the water.

[What are you doing?] I cried, racing closer to stop whatever rampage this Pokemon was having.

Whirling, it gave a groan, throwing its dripping hands upward. I thought, for a brief moment, that it was surrendering, until a shimmering light drew my attention up towards my nest, a beam of light cascading downward and slamming into the colorful Pokemon. It would have hit me, had I not leapt back at the glimmer.

I could make out several yellow forms within my nest, a buzzing leading me to believe some kind of Bug Pokemon had found their way into my home and claimed it as their own. Which meant, the colorful Pokemon had been trying to drive them away and not destroy my home.

[Are you okay?] I asked, trying to get a look as the dust was clearing.

[Nneh.] The Pokemon, somewhat similar looking to a Muk, though the color was far brighter than the standard sludge purple, reminded me of the odd variation of Meowth I'd met. [Well enough.] The rumbling tones of his voice made me wonder if the stones decorating his body were also in his throat. [That Ribombee swarm isn't going to move willingly, though.]

A warning light sparkled, another beam sending us diving to the side as a second and third followed.

Deciding to take the fight to them, I leapt towards the nearest branch. Springing upward and to the side, twisting in the air to avoid another beam, I made my way higher still. Wanting to avoid as much damage to my nest as I could, I summoned shards of stone debris from the ground, directing them towards the five Ribombee I could see within.

Many of the stones were able to strike but two of the Ribombee were able to dodge. Together, their bodies glowed a faint pink as a breeze picked up from around them raced towards me. Unable to avoid it, the wind smacked me to the side, leaving me no branches or trunks to kick off from. Instead, I was falling back, flailing to right myself before I crashed into the shallow creek.

Warmth cushioned my back, a softness steadying me for a split second before I was flung off. Stumbling, I almost fell on my face. With an angry comment in mind, I whirled to see the rainbow Muk staring in horror at his arms and myself.

Confusion gave me pause before realization flooded me with nausea.

[Did I hurt you?] I looked at my arm blades, understanding now that, with how he'd caught me, there was no way I couldn't have nicked him. [Are you okay?]

His reply was muffled, the Ribombee unwilling to wait as they struck us with a buzzing sound that left my bones shaking in the aftermath. Deciding to fight sound with sound, I slammed my arms together, letting the steel metal of my blades ring out. From the startled cries of the Ribombee, it appeared effective.

The Muk pulled his hand out and back, a purple sludge forming in his palm. Whipping it forward, the lump flew straight up into my nest. The Ribombee scattered just before it exploded but were unable to make it unscathed. Spiraling downward, they frantically beat their wings, just barely righting themselves before the swarm took off, apparently deciding my nest wasn't worth fighting for further.

Looking upward, I had to wonder if they were right, not sure what kind of damage that sludge would have done to the tree or the branches making up my nest. A movement brought my attention back downward, the Muk making to slip away.

[Wait!] He stopped but shrank in on himself at my command. [Are you okay?]

[I'm fine,] he answered, pulling further away.

[You're sure?] I asked, finding it hard to believe. While I had no trace of his sludge or other residue on my blades, I knew I'd felt my arms hit against him.

He didn't answer right away, instead watching me, waiting. I didn't know what he was waiting for so I remained still, holding out for my answer.

[I'm fine,] he repeated, his form gradually rising.

He was... larger than I'd thought. It wasn't so much his height; although, when he wasn't pressed near enough to the ground to be some kind of puddle or colorful mud clump, he was taller than me. It was his mass that was impressive. Not the doughy quality that a Makuhita had or the pillow sort of feel of a Snorlax. Instead, there was a fluidness to his form that spoke of speed, along with the strength of his bulk.

[I don't see any cuts,] I said, when I realized how long I'd been staring. [I thought...] I made a soft hum, wondering if I'd been mistaken afterall.

[Your blades... won't hurt me.] A sound like gravel falling on cement made me realize he was clearing his throat. [Can't hurt me, in the sense you're thinking.]

My spine stiffened, insulted that he thought my blades so weak.

[I can cleave boulders in two,] I snapped. [Your skin isn't stronger than that.]

[No,] he answered, sounding amused. [But my sludge can flow like water around your blades. So, unless you can slice water to the point where you can isolate every drop from each other, I think I'll be fine.]

Crossing my arms, I had to admit that my skills weren't at that level. Yet.

[You're bluffing,] I said, moving closer to get a better look at him. [That you have that kind of control that my blades wouldn't cut you.] He pulled back and I gave him a knowing look. [See? Why would you pull away otherwise?]

Avoiding looking at me, he shrank back and I frowned.

[Well?]

[Your blades... won't hurt me,] he finally answered, voice a quiet rumble. [But my toxins would hurt you.]

Smug pleasure pooled in my belly as I gave a sharp grin. [Your toxins wouldn't do a thing.]

His words rose with a sharp pitch, a snarl rolling along his lips while he spoke. [My toxins poison everything!] A sickly purple haze rose from his arm as he flung it outward, gesturing to the damage left behind from the battle with the Ribombee. [I'd been so good with my control lately, until they showed up.] His mouth curved in a way that made his stone teeth look even more jagged. [I got so angry after you'd worked so hard on your nest, that they would try to claim it.]

I felt my smile slowly fading. [How did you know it was my nest?]

One minute, the Muk was staring at me as if I was Arceus about to blast him back to the dawn of creation. The next, he completely vanished.

[Hey!] I spun around, having not thought a Muk could move that fast.

In fact, I was certain no Pokemon could disappear like that, outside a Teleport. Stepping towards where he'd been, I tried to look for irregularities, thinking maybe he had a way to hide his form like a Kecleon; still there but unseen. A protesting squeak had me pause mid-step, glancing down at a brightly colored blob.

Kneeling, I still dwarfed the impossibly tiny, very distraught looking Muk.

[Minimize,] I said, suddenly understanding that my Ghost wasn't a real Ghost at all. [You used Minimize. But why? If this is your place, I'd have left, had I known.]

[Because everyone leaves!] The roughness of his voice had been smoothed away like a stone at the bottom of the sea as he kept his gaze down, his form almost flat against the ground. [If it's not my being toxic, it's my odor. They say, 'what's that foul smell?' and 'you stink!'] The sigh he drew in inflated his body like a dingy soap bubble. [Even when I'm this size... it's the same thing.]

Reaching a hand down, he flinched away so I kept my hand to the side, holding off from touching him.

[When you came,] he said, giving a glance to my still hand. [You didn't seem to notice. I thought, if I just stayed this small, maybe you'd stay.]

[The trash,] I said, thinking back to the bags, barrel, and cup. [They didn't just float away?]

The Muk almost seemed to become tinier.

[I don't eat berries,] he murmured, a ripple of his sludge sending a pebble rolling. [Unless they're overripe. So, I know where the nearby trees are but the creek, it has lots of human waste that gets washed up...]

He trailed off but I got the idea.

[I didn't notice any smell--]

[I'll stay small,] he suddenly blurted, finally looking up at me. [If I stay small, you won't notice me. I'll keep bringing you food, water, whatever you need if...] His words dried up and he had to swallow several times. [If you'll just keep talking to me? Please?]

[I didn't notice any smell because I have no nose.] At his incredulous look, I moved my hand back up to tap where one would have been, if I did. [So, big or small, it makes no difference to me.]

While he was taking that in, I went on.

[And, as I said before, your toxins wouldn't cause me harm.] With a smile, I traced the edge of my upper chest blade, the whisper of sharpness pleasing me. [As a Steel type, I fear no Poison.]

[Foolish,] he said, shaking his head.

Rising, keeping my movements slow and deliberate, I towered over his smaller form.

[Foolish, am I?] My voice was as steady as my blade and nearly as sharp. [Then, if you're so toxic, why was I not burned when you caught me?]

[It's because I flung you away quickly enough,] he answered, though he couldn't fully hide the sullen tones of his own doubt.

[Alright then.] The Muk's suspicion at my cheery tones wasn't unfounded. [Let's put them to the test. Your toxin against my blades.]

[No.]

[So, you admit my blades would cut you, then?]

He gave a glare that was hardly impressive given his size.

[I've already told you, your blades didn't and won't cut me.]

[And I've told you that your toxin didn't and won't poison me,] I cut in neatly, giving a slight shrug. [How else do you think we should solve this?]

[There's nothing to solve!] His seething was practically cute. [I don't want to try poisoning you!]

[You're telling me you don't know where a, what is it?] I had to think, having never needed one before. [A Pecha berry is?] His silence spoke louder than he did. [Well? Come on, then.]

In a dizzying suddenness, his tiny form erupted upward, swallowing up nearly all the space between us. If I breathed too deeply, my chest blades pierce his skin.

[Fine.] His rumble was more of a growl. [But you do not touch my crystals, got it?]

I wasn't sure what he meant until he held up his hand, showing me the white "rocks" I'd been scattered along his body.

[Okay,] I answered, unsure why it mattered so much to him but willing to go with it. [So long as you leave my chest blades alone.]

His sunken nod left us both standing, waiting on the other to make the first move.

Thinking he might never go, if I didn't start things off, I moved closer to him. While he flinched, he didn't actually move away this time. Still mindful of my arm blades, I reached my hand out to touch his shoulder. The surface had less give than I'd expected, though it was still spongy. Turning my hand, I found it interesting that none of his sludge coated my hand, instead staying intact with his body.

[You're warmer than I thought,] I admitted, having expected more of a cold mud sensation.

[That would be from the trash I eat,] he answered, tone dry. [Decomposing.]

He at least had the decency to look flustered when I lifted a brow at him. It was a short lived, however, changing to annoyance as he reached his opposite hand to cover the arm blade of the hand touching him. My blade sunk deep into his skin and I fought the instinct to pull away, knowing he'd be injured worse if I did. Only his silence kept me from shouting, the calm air about him as he pulled his hand away, his sludge refilling around the impression my blade had left, making me want to smack him.

[See?] He twisted it, showing it was no different than it had been before he'd touched me. [Like water.]

[See?] I snipped back, holding my own unburned hand up to him. [Like Steel.]

He had the audacity to try and hide a laugh, his lips pressing together to keep it from escaping while the mirth shone in his eyes.

[It's probably just because I'm relaxed right now,] he said. [It's not like I'm always releasing toxins. Otherwise, most of the forest would have withered away.]

[So I need to make you angry, then?] I couldn't help but feel annoyed he still didn't believe me.

[It's not just anger,] he answered, sounding uncomfortable. [It takes a lot of concentration to keep my toxins in control.]

[Maybe you're just not as lethal as you think you are,] I said, stroking my hand from his shoulder down along the front of his body, mindful to go around the crystals, as he'd asked.

He stilled, watching but not stopping when I started using both hands. It was fascinating, how his colors didn't mix or swirl together, keeping to themselves even while his body rippled and flowed. Leaning closer, pressing my full palms against him instead of just the tips of my hands, the same heat from before had me smiling.

[I'm plenty lethal,] he said, voice oddly quiet.

Distracted with the different colors, wondering if they somehow felt different from each other, a soft caress along my cheek had me half closing my eyes. Leaning into it, my head lifted on its own while the back of his hand (free from the crystals he didn't want me touching) continued downward along the side of my neck. That delicate heat tickled against my skin, his touch so light it might as well have been a breath. It went down my chest but stopped above the first set of blades.

[These won't hurt me either, you know,] he said, stroking just above them. Back and forth, never dipping low enough I could say that he'd gone against what I'd asked. [If you change your mind.]

[Your crystals won't hurt me either,] I said, my voice oddly soft. [If that's what you're afraid of.]

His head turned, not quite looking at me when he whispered, [I'd rather not find that you're wrong. This,] the back of his hand stroked all the way up my chest, following along my throat as I lifted my head. [Is enough.]

[It's not enough.] I cupped my hands around his larger one, keeping his touch on my cheek. [I've never had this,] I said, squeezing his hand.

It hurt, to say. But it was true.

[I'll let you touch my chest blades.] When his hand twitched in mine, I held him still, wanting him to hear the rest. [If you'll use your crystals to do so.]

[I don't--]

[You won't,] I said, giving him a smile. [Trust me.]

With his hand in mine, I gently pulled it towards my chest blades.

[I've never had anyone touch me here,] I said, taking one hand to stroke along the sharp edge. [I want to know... what would it feel like for you to touch? Would it be different from my own?]

[Do you feel anything?] The curious wonder in his voice was swallowed up by an abrupt drawing of air. [Your blades, I mean.]

[A hum,] I answered, knowing what he'd meant and sparing him some discomfort. [When my hand strokes it like this,] I had my hand trace along the top edge, following the curve. [There's a hum from the blade that I can feel.] I moved my hand to touch my opposite arm. [I don't get that sensation from my arm blades, though.]

Releasing his hand, I watched as his crystal claws flexed, reaching for the blades along my chest. He stopped short, my body aching to see how his hum compared to mine.

[You're sure... this won't hurt you?]

[It hurts worse that you're not touching me,] I said, hoping my sincerity might convince him.

The hesitant brush of his claw was my answer. Following the path my own hand had traced, once he reached the tip I felt my knees give out from under me. Warmth enveloped me, the steadiness of it making me realize it was the Muk's hands holding me up and not just the fading intensity his touch had brought.

[See?] he hissed, trying to help me regain my balance. [I knew this was a bad--]

[Not bad,] I gasped. [Good.]

[Good?] he repeated, giving a suspicious glance at the blade he'd touched, as if it might be tarnished or broken despite my words.

In response, I arched my chest upward, hoping he'd get the hint.

His embrace tightened, having me worry he was getting ready to pull away, when he pulled me closer to him. Gently, he turned me so that I could rest my head against his shoulder. Where I'd have normally been thrashing, certain the blade on my head would cause harm, I instead relaxed; letting my head lay back. Behind me, I felt his body shape itself in such a way that it cradelled my body into his. I did jerk, when my feet lifted from the ground, but his steady hold eased the brief panic.

[I have you,] he said, one hand moving to my hip while the other went back towards my chest. [I won't let you go.]

His claw grazed the top of my chest blade, going directly along the middle this time, the reverberations causing a deep ache within my belly. He grazed where my blade emerged from my chest, the sensation softer than the first. When he moved to touch my lower blade, the neglected of the two, my body bucked upward. The unfamiliar and potent sensation left me gasping, reaching with my hand for his.

[Okay?] he asked, waiting until I nodded before he went back to his gentle touches.

I kept my hand on his, not to stop him, but to try and keep myself grounded by squeezing when the pleasure overwhelmed my mind, leaving me floating and dazed. He caught on, easing just long enough to allow me to regain myself before starting up again, teasing the sensations out of me again and again as he saw fit. The surrounding warmth of his body reassured me of his words, though, that he would keep me safe. Even as I felt the heat he'd built up inside me dampening my thighs, I wasn't scared.

I couldn't comprehend being scared, not when it felt like this.

I felt my body sinking further into his warmth and closed my eyes, arching my chest upward when his hand pulled away from mine, moving to rest on my arm instead of the other way around. The brief reprieve brought my attention to the ragged sound of his breath and the way his body was tensed.

[Are you okay?] I asked, unable to fully open my eyes, barely able to get the words out.

At his silence, I wiggled, trying to turn my head enough that I might see him. The low groan he gave along with the squeeze of his hand would have probably made me be still on their own but the sudden brushing of something between my legs definitely gave me pause.

[It'll go away,] he got out, sounding like he was biting down on the crystals in his mouth. [Just give it some time.]

[...does it have to?]

His quiet breathing was the only sound before he whispered, [You're sure?]

At my nod, I felt his body pooling lower, letting his cock slide between my thighs instead of trying to hide it from me. Rubbing its length along my outer lips, he rocked both my body and his, keeping me secured within his arms.

[You can put it in, you know,] I couldn't help but tease. [It won't poison me.]

I was certain he made a snort sort of sound before lifting me just so, the head of his cock slipping its tip past my lower lips. There was a hiss of breath from both of us as my heat enveloped the head of his cock, his thickness making my hips rock involuntarily. Whether naturally born or merely enhancing himself with his ability to shift his mass, the thickness of his cock pushed me almost past the point of feeling full and into discomfort but not nearly enough so that I wanted to stop.

If anything, I wanted more.

[Steady,] he murmured, shifting a hand down to my right hip while the other held my side, restricting my frantic efforts to take more of himself within me. [Or this might end sooner than you'd think.]

Protesting with a squirm, I felt something warm against my shoulder and glanced, finding a drop of him resting there. His arms, still steadying me, were becoming less solid around the edges, like ice cream just beginning to melt. The full feeling inside me wasn't abating, however, though I could no longer tell if the wetness was from me or him.

[Having trouble holding it together?] I said, giving a purposeful thrust downwards.

His own upward shove changed my giggle to a gasp, his cock swelling in a way that made me wiggle my hips. The light trace of his claw over my top blade almost did me in, that whisper of touch mixed with a quick thrust making my focus stutter but not shatter.

[I could ask you the same thing,] he said, his chuckle deep before moving to stroke his claw along the underside of my blade.

I reached back to cup my hands around his neck, my back arching while I both savored his touch and enticed him for more. My growing need seemed to get through to him and he ran his claw along my upper blade, his omnipresent touch gliding along every surface at once. When I thought that I was at my breaking point, he re-focused his efforts and assaulted my pleasure strung body with the swelling, rhythmic sensation of his cock digging into my core and sawing back out with a painful slowness to strike every nerve it could.

The easy pace was keeping me on the brink, torturing me with my release just a breath from my reach. A twist of my hips did nothing when he held me so still in his arms, still stroking as if he'd all the time in the world. The sound of my pussy slurping at his cock while he moved quietly smacked into the air, our combined juices slipping down my thighs. It was a lewd song, and it made this all the more real to me. For a fleeting moment, I thought of my former human's face, offering my pleasure-starved mind a simple revelation. While I wasn't soft, nor fluffy, I was still very much a female, one more than capable of giving him what he wanted. What we both wanted.

The error was his in being unable to see that. Not mine.

At the Muk's groan, a petty thrill made me shiver, almost wishing my old human could see me as I was now. Then, that thought was wrenched from me as easily if it'd had never been, the increase in his thrusts demanding my attention while he gave a thick groan.

[Soon,] I heard him say, his grip tightening on my hip. [Almost...]

Loosening his grip, his other hand slid up to touch along my second blade, making me lose what little rhythm I'd had and pitch forward without his extra support. His hands caught me, my blades sinking into his sludge. Rather than push me away, I felt his weight press more heavily along my back while he engulfed me. His hands curled inwards to secure his grip while the intensity of his thrusts shook me like a doll, his crystals continuing to rake along the blades his body had so completely buried within himself.

Half submerged and secured, he gave me little to do other than submit and moan while he repeatedly bucked his lower half against mine, the audible slapping sounds of our bodies mixing with the sopping ones of my pussy. With one final, hard shove, I felt his cock reach my very depths before expanding further still, pulsing, before heat roared free within and from me, the volume of it splashing us both.

The solidness of his form gave way, leaving me to try and catch my balance but, failing, I ultimately ended up falling on my butt on the semi-puddle that was left of the Muk.

[I thought you weren't going to drop me,] I grumbled, especially when I felt his laughter around my bottom.

[I said I wasn't going to let you go,] a contented but almost slurred voice answered, a very soupy tendril that was almost an arm reaching up to encircle and coax me into cuddling atop him. [And I'm not.]

Side Note: It wasn't until after I'd had the idea for this that I learned the PKMN Company's Pokedex has a different take on Alola Grimer/Muk and their lack of an odor, even though it's not in the game Pokedex entries. Screw the canon, I have fandom! :P