FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

The Mirage Forest was bustling with delirium within the territory of a Zangoose pack as whispers drifted along the winds of the air about their pack elder choosing the heir to be the next leader. As berries and other food was being stored and members were training their fighting tactics against each other, the elder soon emerged from his cave with his two sons. The pack was quick to quiet themselves as they stared expectantly at the three Zangoose.

The two young Zangoose were seen wearing faces of different expressions. The younger son; pride-filled and confident. The older son; bitter and seething. The pack was eerily silent as they waited for the final verdict, even if the son's faces were obvious enough.

The elder opened his eyes and smiled. "I have made my decision. Zane, my youngest son, will be the first in line to become our pack leader with Zander, my eldest, will take Zane's place should he step down or be unable to continue as pack leader!"

The pack began cheering as shouts of joy and glee reverberated throughout the trees in the immediate area, possibly spooking many skittish Pokémon nearby.

"Zane, my son, please take this time to address your pack," The elder beckoned the young Zangoose forward with his claw. Zane nodded before stepping up next to his father with a confident grin as the older Pokémon stepped to the side to let his son be the center of attention as all pack members looked up at the new heir with expectant eyes that would make most Pokémon nervous. But not Zane as he felt pride fill his chest as he took in a breath before speaking.

"My fellow pack members. I am honored to be given this opportunity to be the next leader of our strong pack. I know many of you are proud of me for proving to my father that I have the guts to take on the responsibility of the highest ranking of the pack and how my father will be a wonderful guide as head of the pack council.

However, I am also aware that some of you, possibly just as many, think my brother deserves this honor more for a myriad of reasons. He is the eldest, he is physically stronger than me, and arguably just as handsome as me," This got more than a few soft giggles out of the pack members, "But I believe my father chose me for the things I believe I have done to prove my worth is equal to his. I am compassionate to all my pack members and their needs and I still see you all as my equal even as of now. I've helped so many of you in times of need, whether through sickness or grief. I'm always helping with the gathering of resources, the expansion of our territory, and, of course, driving the evil Seviper colony away from our pack and our territory.

But I believe those of you who supported my brother may still need convincing that I can be a leader to you. So I decided to take on a challenge my brother spoke about during our talk with my father," Murmurs of curiosity were heard amongst the pack as the elder looked confused and so did Zander.

"As you all may know while I have helped aid in the everlasting war we have against the Seviper race, more specifically that colony that decided to live nearby just to torment and try to kill us. But despite the help I've given to our cause, I have yet to secure a Seviper kill myself while my brother has had many over the years. That is why as of today, I will set out immediately to find and kill my first Seviper and I will do this alone! I will only return to the pack once I have secured and bring back my prize to show you all I am worthy of being your pack leader!"

Zane's speech ended with a fist in the air as the Zangoose pack erupted with cheers and applause filling Zane with even more determination. The pack soon simmered down as they went back to their daily duties and activities while Zane looked back at his father, eager to see how he reacted. However the worried look from his father and the smirk on his brother made him falter for the first time today.

"My son. I commend your speech and the valor you inspired from it but I must advise you reconsider this self-imposed challenge by taking some pack hunters with you."

"But Father, do you not have confidence that I can do this?"

A single laugh came from Zander as he approached the younger Zangoose. "Why shouldn't he? You said it yourself I am the superior brother when it comes to pure strength!"

Their father glared at Zander. "Just because that is true does not make your brother feeble! He has plenty of strength of his own! Remember that he has smashed rocks and destroyed trees many sizes larger than him to clear space in our territory."

"That may be but that pales in comparison with my feats of slaying countless Sevipers. It's easy to smash motionless pebbles and twigs but it's another to kill our species' worst enemy of all time!"

"Zander! Enough!"

Zane stepped in and placed his paw on his father's shoulder. "No, Father. It's fine. He is right. Destroying rocks is nothing to fighting an enemy as dangerous as the Seviper but that's exactly why I need to do this alone. If I rely on the others then it will show the pack I'm only a crutch. Using the others to lean off of in order to succeed is not how I wish to be seen by this pack. It wouldn't be a worthy trait of a leader if that's how I'm viewed."

"It is not weak to implement a strategy with others," the elder advised.

"Yes but if I rely on them when I am trying to prove my worth then my proposal will not give the same impact to the pack if I work with the pack hunters as it would if I perform this feat on my own. And while I may not be able to just outbrute a Seviper like Zander can, I am definitely more strategic than my brother is, who despite his strength has yet to secure even one kill by himself which will give me an edge that not even he has achieved."

"Zane, you better watch yourself! You will not make a mockery of my name in front of Father like that!"

Zane shrugged with a small smile. "I'm simply just stating a fact. I can't insult you if it's true."

"Oh, then it's not insulting that you're not my brother and most definitely not his son?" Zane's face softened as he felt his heart droop.

"That's enough!" Both Zangoose flinched at the elder's sudden shout but it was directed at Zander with how he glared at his son, enraged. "How dare you insinuate that he's not my son! You have no right to say that to him!"

"It's fine, Father," Zane tried to calm him down but the elder looked at him furiously. "No, it is not! It is one thing if he feels that way but I will not allow him to say you are not my son! Zander, you are now tasked with standing guard of our territory borders for the rest of the day and all of tonight for your hostility!"

"But Father..."

"Do. Not. Argue." He growled out as Zander could only huff as he stormed away to the cliffs that overlooked their territory. The elder sighed before looking at his younger son who could not hide the tears that dared escape his eyes. He was quick to hug Zane and rub his back gently, knowing it would soothe him. "I hate when he uses that against you, my son."

"Father... is this perhaps another reason Zander's supporters are skeptical about me taking leadership? Because I'm not your blood son like Zander?"

The elder sighed as he pulled away and rubbed his paws against Zane's shoulders. "That may be but that should not be a factor for who I decide is the more worthy heir. I took in account the feats you both have achieved and while your brother's physical achievements outdo your own, you are far superior when it comes to mental and emotional. You care for all pack members and ensure they are all well including your brother who doesn't deserve it with how he treats you. That alone was the main factor as to why I chose you to become my successor."

He paused as he looked away before continuing. "As you know, I took you in when your parents died after you were separated from your original pack from that Seviper attack. I took you in knowing it would have been nearly impossible to reunite you with your pack as my second son. You may not have been born by my hand or in this pack but you have and will always be my son and you will be the perfect pack leader."

Zane smiled sweetly as he hugged his father as silent gratitude for his kind words before the elder released his son and looked at him with worry once more.

"That is also why I implore you to rethink this challenge of yours. At the very least just wait for a week or so. I sense a storm is brewing and if you get caught in that, I fear you may be harmed in its wake."

"I will take precautions if there truly is a storm on the way. I know the layout of most of the forest so I know where all the safe spaces I can stow away are at. I'll be safe, I promise you this, Father."

The elder sighed as he lowered his head. "I can tell there is nothing I can say to make you change your mind. You're perhaps too headstrong for your own good. I wonder if that is a trait your blood father or mother gave you."

Zane smiled. "Neither. I got it from my true father right here."

He glared at Zane but also laughed at the playful yet heartfelt jab his son gave him before walking him through their part of the forest, escorting him to their borders. He tightly hugged Zane to him as he whispered sweet loving comments to him which Zane returned in full before they pulled away as Zane ran off to complete his mission, only looking back once to his father as the elder watched his son disappear between the thicket of spring bushes.

---

Hours had passed from when Zane's hunt had begun. As he continued his search to the east, he took the time to take in the serenity of the Mirage Forest. The calm winds rustling the newly budding trees and the sweet banter of bird Pokémon he could hear in the distance were music to him. He even saw a pair of Teddiursa play wrestling as their mother watched over them nearby with a smile on her face.

"Father may have been mistaken about that storm. I trust his judgment and insight with most things but he made it seem like a devastating storm was coming in. But with how clear the sky is and how calm the rest of the forest Pokémon are, I can't imagine how he wasn't just being paranoid for my safety," Zane thought to himself as kept walking along the rocky forest paths alongside the river.

The gently flowing river softly lapped at the muddy grounds that guide the river through the land as Finneons and a few Lumineons were seen swimming down the riverbed, letting the flow of the current pull the school of fish Pokémon along.

Then a sudden rustle snapped Zane's attention in an instant as he was quick to scale up into the treetops, hiding himself inside the branches and leaves, using the heavy scent of the spring trees to help mask his scent. The rustling grew louder as they approached at alarming speeds with Zane watching a grove of bushes hiding his sight for what was approaching.

That's when many Zigzagoon popped out from the bushes in a panic and what emerged immediately after made the fur on Zane's body stand on end. A Seviper was laughing as it began chasing down one of the many fleeing Zigzagoon who was able to use his special running habit to keep the Seviper guessing with his unpredictable pattern. He also noticed the Zigzagoon was actually running straight for the tree Zane hid himself away in and prepared himself.

He knew if this played out as he was hoping, he would jump down the minute the Seviper was under him, stab it through with his claws, secure his first kill of his mortal enemy, and even save the poor Zigzagoon! It felt like this was destiny! The Zigzagoon was just reaching the tree trunk but not even Zane noticed another Seviper lurking behind the trunk of his tree as it suddenly lashed out and caught the Zigzagoon in its jaws as the poor Pokémon cried out in agony.

Zane felt the distraught hit him as he looked away before the other Seviper came up and helped feast upon a screaming and dying Zigzagoon. If it was just the one Zane knew he could still save the poor thing but he knew he was not strong enough to take out two and there was no time to distract them without drawing attention to his hiding spot. He sat, hidden in the tree, with the only thing he could do was cover his ears as the Sevipers ate the remains of their prey.

Once Zane was sure they were done, he looked down at least hopeful one would stay and sleep after their kill. He sneered upon seeing the only traces of their being there was the blood of the Zigzagoon still fresh on the grassy ground.

"That Zigzagoon... His family will probably never know they lost him to those monsters! The next time I see one, they are going down," Zane growled out as he hopped down from the tree, gave a brief prayer to Arceus to give a peaceful slumber for the Zigzagoon, and continued on his hunt as nightfall fast approached.

Hours passed and soon it became very dark. It was good that Zangoose have great night vision but even that could only do so much thanks to Sevipers dark coloring, being able to help them hide in shadows and other dark places. But they would have no problem finding a white-coated Zangoose roaming the dark of night so Zane knew he would have to rest for the night.

After finding a sitrus berry bush and plucking a few down to eat, he climbed another tree that had enough grown leaves to hide him from any Seviper lurking the ground, looking for a naive Pokémon wandering in the night to devour. Zane was quick to eat his dinner as the events of today played through his mind as he felt his eyes drift and slowly close as sleep overtook his mind.

A sudden rumble sounded in the back of his head as it grew louder and his body felt considerably heavy and cold. Suddenly his senses were overloaded as he jolted awake to a severe thunderstorm pelting him so hard he fell out of the tree, plummeting to the earth. He bounced off his feet and lost his balance as he fell forward, barely catching himself on his paws and knees as his soaked body was being weighed down with how drenched the heavy rain made him. But he could feel this storm was just beginning and Zane knew he had to get out while he still could. He needed a more prominent shelter and remembered a system of caves in a nearby hillside. However, the thunderstorm made navigating the dark forest that much more difficult due to the large water drops pelting his face and eyes, blurring his sight as he had to blink fast to try and clear up his vision.

The intense winds kept blowing him around but he kept pressing forward through the winds and rain but a sudden sound of wood cracking caught his attention. Yet by the time he could react, a large branch had fallen onto him and knocked him away. He tumbled down the muddy hill and landed in the river which was now much higher and flowing even faster. He felt his body being yanked down the riverbend, the current feeling much stronger than usual as he struggled to fight against the river's vice grip.

"I should have listened to Father," Zane thought as he tried to keep his head above the surface.

He was carried further and further down the stream, desperate to find something to sink his claws into to stop him from his dire situation. Suddenly he felt a root brush his body and immediately jabbed his left claw into it but the root tore off as he was dragged even further away. Zane was quick to discover the root was too thin to have endured the sudden weight change when he hooked into it but with this knowledge he would try to feel for another root and try again. Sure enough a few seconds later, he felt another brush against his arm but felt it was about the same as the first root so he ignored it. However the next root had jabbed him and he knew this was his chance. He swiped his right claw out and hooked it deep within the thick root before pulling himself in against the current before jabbing further up the root with his other claw and repeating the motion to slowly but surely get him out of the freezing rapids.

Zane began shivering as his fur coat, now completely drenched, was useless in protecting him from the harsh winds as he was pierced by icy death. He knew if he did not find shelter and fast, he surely would not survive the night, let alone the storm. But with the river having pulled him far downstream, he knew he was in unfamiliar parts of the forest. Parts he had not ventured due to the distance it was from his pack and how his father cautioned them from traveling a certain distance for fear of humans lurking in these areas of the Mirage Forest. But at this point, Zane knew he had to press on for even a sliver of a chance for survival.

He ran and ran, fighting his way through the freezing wind bellows and pelting rain as he felt his body burning from all the energy he was using up. It was now or never. If he did not find shelter from the storm now, he would collapse and die from hypothermia. The moment he felt his knees begin to give out under him, he saw a peculiar object in front of him. A large, wooden box made up of many logs and other materials stood mightily in front of the Pokémon as Zane smiled in relief. It was a human structure. He was sure of it. He just wished that no human was inside as he rushed to get inside of it.

He clumsily fumbled with the knob on the door of the cabin, shivering so badly he couldn't get a good grip with one paw so he quickly latched onto it with both before jiggling it and eventually getting it to open. Zane pushed the door open fast and fell onto the ground of the dark and slightly warmer interior of the human cabin, with the sounds of the storm being heard from inside the doorway. The Zangoose thanked Arceus for sparring him today as he hastily shoved the door to close it as he ventured further inside the cabin, unaware that the door was slightly left ajar with lightning flashing through the small crack it left.

Zane approached a wide area with a log sofa with patterned cushions lining the back and seats with matching pillows and a rough, moss green rug lying underneath a tan, wooden coffee table in front of a fireplace. The environment was all so new to Zane. He felt nervous yet fascinated by the human living space, curious to know what the point of each item he saw was for. He approached the fireplace as he felt a strong pull to it as if he knew what it was for.

He leaned in and smelled the scent of burnt wood as he looked around and soon saw a pack of matches next to the mantle. He took them in his paws and managed to pull them out before inspecting one. As he eyed the matchstick, his claw lightly scratched the rough side of the box before a small spark suddenly shot out from in between, startling the Zangoose. He repeated the motion as his claw made another spark as he then looked at the matchstick in his other paw. Figuring since the matchstick came from the box, they had to be used together in some way so he placed the red bulb end against the box and swiped it gently but yielded no reward. Frustrated by this, he tried it again just to get the same result as before. He growled as he swiped at it again and again, faster and faster, before a sudden flame erupted onto the head of the matchstick. Zane yelped at this, falling back as he threw the matchstick away which landed in the fireplace and soon caught onto the wood inside as it slowly began to burn bigger and bigger.

Zane smiled at this as he leaned forward and began breathing on the fire to let it grow. Soon enough the fire was large enough to fill the space with a light for the living room and more importantly, warmth. The young Zangoose sat himself down and basked in the warmth of the fire, trying to be as close as possible to absorb the heat and dry his fur without singeing himself.

Zane was getting his body more and more dry as time passed but he still felt cold as he shuddered on occasion. He was about to question why this was when he heard a slow yet sudden creaking coming from behind him.

The Pokémon slowly looked over his shoulder to see over the top of the sofa that the door was swaying lightly against the winds blowing in. Zane sighed in relief, realizing the door was opened by the wind as he got up and walked around the couch. He reached the door and began pushing it closed but then a shadow made within the light of the fire suddenly disappeared from the walls the moment Zane turned away from the now fully closed door.

Happy with himself, Zane turned back and began making his way to the fireplace but the moment he got to the side of the sofa, Zane's life flashed before his eyes as the last thing he saw was a Seviper on the couch lash out at him. Zane had just enough time to brace himself as he waited for death to claim him. What came next was...