FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Light chirping sung from the outskirts of the cabin window as sunlight bathed the dusty bedroom, signifying the beginning of morning anew. Sunbeams shining on the sleeping Pokémon and warming them even more than what the bed had already accomplished for them.

Zane was the first to stumble out of his sleep as he smiled at the warmth he felt on his body, the cloud-like softness of the bed enveloping him, and the tender skin felt beneath his paws that held taut and rippling muscles beneath them. Sudden realization hit him as he forced his eyes open to see he had somehow turned over and was now hugging Severus close to him, his cheeks flaring a strident crimson as he carefully released the Seviper, trying not to stir him from his slumber. But once Zane had freed Severus from his hold, the Fang Snake Pokémon snorted as he slowly began waking up. Zane, in a fit of trepidation, tried to scooch away to create distance between the two but then let out a yelp as he fell out of the bed completely and landed against the carpeted floor with a loud thud.

Severus shot up like a Watchog, now fully awake, as his head scanned the area for what that jarring sound was. When he noticed Zane wasn't in the bed, he slithered to his side of the bed and peeked over the edge to see Zane rubbing his now sore rear from the tumble he took.

"Zane, what happened? Are you okay?" Concern was heavy in his voice as Severus kept his eyes trained on him.

Zane looked up and made eye contact with him before faking a smile and nodding. "Oh sure! Sorry. I was trying to get out of bed without waking you, but I fell out and didn't catch myself in time."

It technically wasn't a lie, but he left out why he did that for obvious reasons. Severus sighed before he slithered out of the bed and next to him, holding his head down for Zane to grab onto. Zane noticed this as he complied before Severus lifted the Zangoose to his feet. The Seviper smiled at Zane with a hint of giddiness plastered in it. However, instead of thanking Severus, Zane simply gave him a weak smile in return before he walked away, opening the bedroom door, and hurrying out to leave a now perturbed and utterly disheartened Severus behind.

After a moment, Severus cautiously exiled the bedroom, down the hallway to the living room where he saw Zane scrounging through the berry pile. He felt the anxiety radiating off the Zangoose as he dared to continue his approach.

"Zane," Severus gently called over, making the Zangoose freeze upon hearing his name before the Seviper continued, "Are you sure you doing okay? You seem on edge. Did you have a nightmare or something?"

Awkward silence exploded in the room as Severus gave Zane as much time as he needed to respond. But what came out of the Zangoose next sent chills into his body.

"I'm living one right now."

"Zane?"

"What's more nightmarish than having to be forced to stay cooped up with a disgusting Seviper for all this time?"

"D-Disgusting?!"

Zane immediately shot up and twisted around to reveal a hateful glare directed at Severus so intense it scared the Seviper immensely, seeing someone that was so kind and understanding was now looking at him like he was another typical Seviper.

"All you Seviper are the same! Evil incarnate and hideous monsters!"

"Where is this coming from? Why are you being so aggressive? I don't understand!" Severus cried out in anguish.

"You don't need to understand. All I need to do now is kill you and take my rightful place as future pack leader. But I need my fill before I can do so. I'm taking what's left of the berries here so don't even think about taking any from me." With that Zane turned around and began to devour the remaining berries in the stash but not before he tossed over two tamato berries by themselves. "Except I don't eat those so you can have them." He added before taking a bite out of the last rawst berry.

Severus felt his heart shattering at this display. His eyes flared up and stung as tears began heavily falling out. "Why? I thought... I thought you were different. I thought you were open-minded and dare I say the only friend I've ever made. Those stories we shared, the things we went through together, all those moments of compassion we gave to each other... does all of it mean nothing to you?"

When Severus was blatantly ignored as Zane continued eating, fury and sorrow overtook the Seviper's mind as he felt his lips quiver and his eyes glare wildly at the Zangoose. "ZANE!"

Zane spat out the food in his mouth before shooting back up to his feet and screaming at the top of his lungs, "DO NOT CALL ME THAT, YOU FUCKING SEVIPER! YOU DON'T GET THE HONOR OF CALLING ME BY NAME!"

Severus didn't flinch at the screaming, but he felt his soul cringe at the hatred that seethed out of the Zangoose in front of him.

"You're wrong. I'm not the one who lost the honor. That would be you. I don't know why you're doing this but if this is how things are supposed to end between us then I'm not gonna give you what you want."

Before Zane could react, Severus spun around as his tail glowed purple before he slashed at Zane with a Poison Tail attack. Zane cried out in pain as he was launched back against the wall near the kitchen as Severus rushed to the door and bit down on the knob as best as he could with his lips as he desperately struggled to open the door.

Zane soon recovered from the surprise attack as he glared at the Seviper before charging in but just as he went to swipe, Severus barely got the door open before pulling it open but not before he was slashed at. He shouted out from the attack as he shoved Zane away before fleeing outside and out to the forest. Zane recuperated as he snarled, falling to all four paws. His fur was standing on end and eyes filled with a predatory desire as he began chasing after his game. The hunt had begun.

Severus panted as he fled further and further into the forest, panting as terror was spiking inside of him. He could hear the rushing sounds of footsteps as Zane was catching up fast. Severus quickly positioned himself in front of a rock and waited as Zane soon came into view, looking feral and mindlessly savage as every other Zangoose he's encountered.

Zane let out a shrill scream as he went for Crush Claw, striking fast but Severus leaped up out of the way as he instead smashed the rock that was behind Severus. Severus then attacked back with a Body Slam and practically flattened the Zangoose under his weight before leaping off and zooming away once more.

Zane growled ferociously as he began chasing after him again. "Stop running, you coward. Fight me!" Then from out of nowhere, Severus' tail popped out of a bush, flat side facing him as Zane gasped in surprise but failed to stop in time as he ran face first into the tail as his lower body's momentum from sprinting sent him crashing to the ground with a resonating thud.

Zane was dazed from this as his double vision could barely make out Severus now looming over him. He dropped his head back, waiting for the Seviper to finish him but his face twitched when he felt a raindrop pelt his cheek. He opened his eyes again to see Severus, still as a Sudowoodo, with not rain falling on him but the tears of the Fang Snake Pokémon.

"Please. I need to know. Why are you doing this? You're not the heartless killer you're trying to make yourself out as. I know you're not so tell me why you are acting so immorally."

"You already know why. I must complete my mission if I'm to become leader of my pack someday. Why would I let an easy kill go to waste?"

"Because you've done so all this time! I offered myself that first night because I was too sick to run away but you didn't. All this time together, you had ample opportunities to end me and just be done with your so-called mission, but you insisted I have a fighting chance to be truthful to your pack and yourself. Yet out-of-the-blue you decide to go against that? There's more to this so tell me the real reason, dammit!"

Suddenly Zane tackled Severus and pinned him to the ground, using the time rambling to regain his senses. Zane's claws curled in as he began throwing punches at Severus, landing blow after blow against his face.

"Fine! You wanna know the truth so badly!? It's because you're kind and helpful!" *SLAM* "It's because you're a delight to speak with!" *POW* "Because you seem to care more about me than yourself!" *BAM* "Because I hate the idea of having to kill someone who means something to me now and I would rather have them hate me as an enemy if I have to go through with this!" Zane had ceased his assault as his eyes were now full of tears as he openly began to sob over Severus.

The snake frowned at Zane as it all clicked for him. The reason Zane was acting so cold and ruthless was to try and make Severus hate him so if Severus did give his life away to Zane, the Zangoose wouldn't have to deal with the pain of killing a friend. Severus slowly lifted his head off the ground and pressed his forehead against Zane's. Zane looked into Severus' gentle gaze as guilt bore into his features, yet Severus sparkled with forgiveness as the Seviper slowly embraced the Zangoose while paws and face were pressed against the empty chest in front of him and the world around both of them disappeared.

Suddenly a rustling could be heard deeper in the forest approaching as a small group of Zangoose proceeded through the forest with Zander and his father leading them. Zander looked over to his father as they continued their search for Zane.

"Father, why did we have to lead this search party for the pipsqueak? The hunters are more than capable of doing their jobs without us," complained Zander.

His father sighed in annoyance. "I'll say this as many times as I need for you to hear me the first time I said this. Your brother was ill-equipped to handle the brutality of that storm and I haven't slept a night since he left. We must ensure his safety."

"You mean you want to ensure his safety. It's obvious how I view that little parasite, thinking he's already the pack leader just because someone filled his head with dreams and goals meant for only a true son of the leader."

"You'd do well not to insinuate such things about Zane. He is my son, and nothing will take that away from me. Not with how I raised him and not with how you attack him for what I've done to protect him."

Zander spat out at that, making his father sneer at his son before a young scout began racing up to them. "Elder Favian!"

"What is it, young one? Have we finally found Zane?"

"I believe so and he's in the middle of a ferocious fight against a lone Seviper!" She reported.

"So that ridiculous moron is really getting himself killed over this. He's got a steel pair; I'll give him that."

"Enough! He may need our help! Get moving!" Favian yelled at them, leading Zander to gather the hunters together and follow the female scout that had tracked Zane down.

They rushed alongside the river and soon broke away from it into the forest before they spotted a figure coming closer into view.

"I see the Seviper but Zane isn't there!" The scout called back.

"Then he's as good as dead! Let's just be rid of an easy kill! Scouts, attack!" Zander screamed as Favian had stopped running by this point, fearing the worst was happening to his son.

Severus and Zane heard the rustling behind the snake, but they didn't care. That was until they heard the shrill order of an attack with a voice Zane was all too familiar with. Severus headbutted Zane away from him, causing the Zangoose to trip backwards over the coils that were wrapped around him as Severus was pounced on by multiple Zangoose hunters who pinned him hard to the ground.

"Z-Zander?!"

Zander looked over at Zane and deadpanned. "Oh. What a shame. You're still alive."

"Zane!" Favian had caught up and immediately jumped onto his lost son and tightly hugged him in pure elation. "My darling son! I thank Arceus for heeding my prayer and keeping you safe!"

"F-Father?! Why are you here?!"

Favian grabbed his son's shoulders and looked him in the eyes. "I had a horrific dream that you were in danger! I saw visions of waters and fangs and claws swiping and I knew it was a vision of you! I summoned our hunters and scouts with Zander to lead them as we began our search to find you. I'm just happy we got to you in time to save you from that monster!"

"Wait, Father! Let me explain! Sev..."

But Zander cut him off. "You don't need to explain anything about this Seviper! Just get your kill and let's be done with this! I'd like to go home and get my new mate ready for the upcoming mating season."

Zane felt his heart weep as he looked at Severus who just laid underneath his allies, not even struggling to break free. "B-But... uh, I swore to get this kill on my own! I can't let you help me otherwise my mission would have been a waste! Release him!"

"And have it slaughter us the moment we let it up? That's not happening."

"Zane, just do it." Severus gently pleaded before he received a sharp kick to his head from Zander.

"Cease your silver tongue, you devil!"

"Stop it!" Zane cried out upon seeing this which caught Zander's attention.

"What in the name of Arceus has gotten you so riled up? You can use your elaborate plan to make the pack let you steal leadership away from me later! We cannot release a Seviper that's trying to kill us!"

"But he's not! Can't you see? He's not even fighting against you to break free!" Zane argued.

Severus looked deep in thought before a hiss resonated out of him and he began to try throwing the many Zangoose off of his body. Zane was immediately torn apart seeing this as Severus continued hissing at them all.

"You see?! It is trying to kill us!"

"No! H-He's not! He wasn't fighting before I gave him the idea!"

"No Seviper is that intelligent. They're all the same mindless, killing beasts."

"He's not the mindless beast! You are!"

"How dare you!"

"It's true! I..." But Zane was caught off by a gentle grip on his shoulder. He looked behind him at his father who bore a frown at him.

"My dear son, I do not understand the hesitation I sense in you, but your brother is correct. We cannot allow this Seviper the freedom to move without risking the lives of our pack. I respect your mission and wish but this scenario is too risky for us. For now, claim your first kill and then let us return home so you can recuperate and prepare for the mission later with better weather conditions."

"B-But..." Another hiss stopped Zane from trying to argue.

"Get your kill now or I will take it for you!" Zander threatened, making Zane panic.

"It is time." Favian whispered to his son as Zane hesitated a second before he slowly walked forward. He held up his claw at the furiously hissing Severus and felt tears piercing through.

"I know what you're doing. You want to convey yourself as an enemy so that I can kill you more easily. Why must you use this idea of mine against me? You know I don't view you that way."

"Son? Why do you cry?" Favian asked, perplexed by the imagery as Zane felt his cheeks were wet, soaking up his fast-flowing tears.

"I knew he was too weak," Zander shoved Zane aside and lifted his own claw. "I'll finish this."

Zane felt the panic grow intensely as in a split second, Severus let out one final hiss with his eyes closed tight as a tear was seen leaking out and in that split second both Zane and Zander drove their claws forward toward their target as the sound of flesh being pierced radiated through the forest. A scream followed as flocks of small bird Pokémon flew rampant and terrified at the sudden scream.

Everyone present there could only watch in horror as one of Zane's claws was seen stabbing Zander in his left eye before he retreated back and covered the bleeding socket. Severus was not immune to the utter shock of Zane mortally injuring his brother and not even Zane himself seemed to believe what he did.

Favian was pale as he witnessed the horrid sight. "Zane... what have you done?"

"I'm... sorry. I'm so sorry. F-Father, I..."

"DEAR ARCEUS! M-MY EYE! YOU FUCKING BASTARD! WHY DID YOU ATTACK ME?!"

"Zander!" A male hunter shouted with worry as he and the other hunters and scouts rushed to his side to aid him however they could.

"No! You idiots! You released the Seviper!" Zander screamed as they all took immediate realization and looked back only to see another shocking sight as Zane was now helping the Seviper, their one true enemy, up so it could stand.

"Did they hurt you?" Zane asked as he gently gripped the sides of Severus' head, inspecting him for any major injuries.

Severus could only blankly stare back at Zane with a disappointed frown. "You don't know what you've done. You should have just killed me."

"Don't say that. I know you really don't want to die."

"Of course not but this isn't about me anymore."

"Zane?" Favian called out skeptically, bringing the two's attention to the elder. "Why are you making conversation with that thing? You do remember what those Seviper have done to us, to the Zangoose species, to your parents. Please, it is not too late to make things right. Come back to us and we'll make everything better together."

"You should heed your father's words. Do not make this mistake by protecting me. You need your pack. Go and live the pack leader life you wanted. I can die happy knowing my life is now useful to you," Severus told him as he bowed his head down with a tearful smile.

Zane felt intense conflict within his mind as he desperately struggled against his inner battle as he looked between his fellow Zangoose, which all stared at him with hateful glares except his father who bared that gentle, loving smile he recalled so well, and the Seviper he had gotten to know so well in just a few days and already felt things he's never felt before. The fight began to lean to one side as he closed his eyes with his decision.

He looked at his father with tears in his eyes. "I'm sorry, Father. I can't do it. This Seviper is different. He's not the mindless beast or carnivorous monster you believe every Seviper is. He's... not evil in any form."

Zane saw the sadness fill his father's features but continued on. "He's someone I care deeply about and I will not let him die a meaningless death. No matter what."

He heard a growl behind him as Severus of all Pokémon was the first to grow frustrated. "Arceus dammit, Zane! Don't do this and just kill me already! I am not worth all this!"

"Yes, you are! Why do you think you're not worth saving?"

Severus seemed to hesitate at that question. "W-Well... I, uh..."

Suddenly Zander spoke up. "What is this black magic? That Seviper did something to him! He's no Zangoose anymore! They must be destroyed!"

"Zander! That is not what we came out here to do! We are not killing Zane!" Favian shouted in disdain.

Zander suddenly shoved his face into his father's, the bloodied and useless eye put directly into Favian's view. "Do you not see what that monster did to your true son?! How else can you possibly explain that!? That Seviper has done something to Zane and frankly I don't care if he did that because of the Seviper or of his own free will, he's a traitor regardless for siding with our one true enemy! Hunters, kill the Seviper! Zane is mine."

The five hunters snarled as they dashed forward and Zane blocked them from Severus as he began swiping at them. Zane looked back at Severus and screamed, "Get out of here! Run!"

"But..."

"NOW!"

Severus lightly bit his lip as he turned and began fleeing into the forest depths with the hunters swerving around Zane to begin chasing after Severus as Zander let out a wild screech and flung himself in the air and down at Zane with an X-Scissor. Zane maneuvered himself the same manner that Serveus did and fell on his back to flattened himself against the ground, allowing him to successfully dodge the X-Scissor. He was unable to slide underneath his brother however so he opted to throw him off balance by kicking at his right ankle which caused the rampaging Zangoose to cave and fall over as Zane scrambled to his feet and began chasing after Severus. As he ran, he could hear the desperate wails of his father calling out his name as Zander recomposed himself and got up before chasing after Zane.

Severus was using every tactic he knew as he slithered through small openings in bushes and scooping up dirt in his mouth before spitting it out behind him but nothing was deterring these hunters as they kept up with him. Severus knew what he needed to do as he then turned around and faced them, taking a combat-ready stance as he glared at them.

One hunter leapt forward to swipe at him but the moment he made eye contact with Severus, the snake's eyes widened with a yellow glow radiating that instantly paralyzed the Zangoose as he fumbled and collapsed on the ground, immobile and helpless. Severus was impressed by the fact he pulled it off after the practice he did with Zane. He was the one who told him how useful his Glare attack really was and it made their training all the more worth it. Even if Zane did use up every cheri berry that Severus collected from that training to heal the paralysis.

Severus had to remember there were four more hunters he had to deal with as he used another Glare at them. One more managed to get paralyzed but the other three looked down to keep their focus off his head and instead kept a lock on his body so he was still in their sights. Severus hopped back from an incoming Slash attack from one as another then leapt past him to use X-Scissor on the Seviper.

Severus luckily spotted the looming branch on a large tree behind him as he landed against the side and constricted his body on it to keep him in place as the attack came at him. He soon reached his head over and bit into the smaller end of the thick branch and pushed his body up and away as the Zangoose's X-Scissor sliced at the branch and cut it off the tree. With Severus having thrown momentum into his body from swinging it up and away, he was able to swing the branch directly upwards and into the jaw of the Zangoose before he flew off.

Severus landed on the ground with the branch spat out of his smirking mouth before taunting, "That's a home run!"

The other two Zangoose caught their friend before they began charging again. Severus felt more confident taking a more offensive approach now that he made this fight a one v two match-up.

They both went for Crush Claw attacks from opposite sides before bending his body in half, flattening his back against his body as the two Zangoose didn't have time to react before slamming each other with their own attacks. As they stumbled back, Severus shot back up and went to use a Bite attack on one and then a Slash attack on the other with his tail. Both attacks landed as the one that was slashed was knocked away and the bitten one was lifted into the air and then chucked away into a tree.

Pride swelled within Severus' heart as he felt great finally being able to fight back without resorting to killing them. He really did need to thank Zane for the training.

Meanwhile Zane had passed the paralyzed hunters and was making his way to help Severus but had come in the moment he saw the Zangoose get hit by the tree branch and launched away. Zane ducked behind a nearby tree and watched as he saw Severus flawlessly executing offensive attacks with his defensive tactics, creating what Zane could only describe as a battle dance. He felt such joy seeing Severus looking so confident as the three dazed Zangooses tried to collect themselves.

This joy was quickly taken as Zane suddenly heard that vicious scream as Zander was right behind him with a Rock Smash attack ready to hit but Zane was fast enough to roll to the side but the tree was splintered as it was smashed by the sheer strength Zander possessed. The oak tree was thick enough to stay standing but a giant chunk of the tree was simply obliterated with a gaping hole now present in its side.

Zander snarled menacingly, his upper lip curling as his fury was both seen and heard as Zane prepared himself. A wild look was in the one dilated eye of his brother, no, his former brother as he twisted into a wicked smile as a silent giggle radiated out before he began full-on laughing loudly and maniacally. Zane wasn't caught off guard by this or the sudden jolt forward as Zander began attacking with Fury Swipes, trying to shred Zane apart to which Zane was able to dodge with ease, knowing how Zander moved after observing him for years upon years.

Yet not even Zane was prepared for what came next as Zander threw a sweeping kick at him which Zane easily jumped over but Zander used his spinning momentum to use a powerful Rock Smash again and slam into Zane as he was sent hurtling into the ground, bouncing up upon impact before he landed again and kept rolling until he hit a tree and once more collapsed to the earth. Zane coughed a bit and tasted the blood in his mouth as it leak profusely out before spitting a huge glob of it out as Zander approached slowly with an aura that was dark and murderous. Zane dared to even call this monstrous.

Zander went for another sweep again but this time Zane was ready as he instead sidestepped over to Zander's left and kept moving that way to keep out of his sight since Zander had lost his left eye. Zander growled in irritation as he blindly swiped out towards his left. Zane was fast to dodge and even faster to counterattack with a Rock Smash to Zander's back, sending the stronger Zangoose stumbling forward.

Zander let out a roar as he swiped in the direction he believed Zane was after he was hit but Zane had already jumped to the side and kept himself out of Zander's sight. Zane shook his head. "Just call off this pointless attack! You have nothing to gain from killing me or Severus!"

Zander let out another fit of laughter as he caught Zane in his gaze. "You really don't get it, do you? Ever since you came into my life, you've taken everything away from me. My father doesn't give me the same love and attention he does you even after you stopped being a baby, he still coddles you like one. You stole my rightful place as the next pack leader which should have been easily mine since I'm his only birth child.

Then there's the pack itself. Not even among Zangoose packs is taking in one from another pack very common and otherwise looked down upon by most of them, especially weaklings like yourself considering you were a baby and still remain one to this day. Yet despite that, you've somehow garnered more than half of the pack's respect! I'm the one who was born in this pack and the only true bloodline to the pack leader and yet you come in with your orphan sob story and suddenly you have everything that should be mine!"

"You really are dense in the head. You never took any of Father's teachings of compassion and respect for others to heart because it never mattered to him which son became his heir as long as they stood for the ideals he wanted to see passed down through their leadership for the pack's future and the generations that would follow.

I'm weaker in body yes but I'm stronger in mind which is why I've not only lived all the ideals and teachings Father has given us but beaten your sorry ass every time we were in a bout because I can overcome your sheer might with tactics and deductions. Father would show you the same love he does to me if you showed even a semblance of love to me or even to the pack itself! The pack would have more respect for you if you took the time to talk with them all. Not just the hunters and scouts but the elderly and young of the pack and helped them with their daily endeavors to show you care for the pack as a whole.

Father picked me to inherit the pack because I use my head, I show compassion for others in and out of the pack, and I don't let my blindsided hatred for you distract me from what's truly important! That's why you are not fit to lead the pack so just stop this attack now before it's too late!"

"You truly believe that? What a load of Tauros shit! I do not believe anything that rolls off of that silver tongue of yours that you used to sway Father to choose you over me! I really could care less if you are considered a traitor or not for helping a Seviper. I saw the opportunity I've been waiting for and having command over the hunters here makes it easier to convince them you betrayed us even if it really isn't given the situation of you attacking me and defending that disgusting thing. I've been wanting to kill you for years and now I can finally do so you father-stealing traitor!"

With that said, Zander and Zane began trading blows as they attacked the other viciously as Zander knocked Zane to the ground and straddled him. The savage Zangoose attempted to stab both of Zane's eyes with his claw as he struck downward. Zane swiftly held up both paws vertically to let his claws catch in between the two claws of Zander's claws to stop his assault in place as Zane struggled to hold back the one paw with both of his arms.

"Just give in and die. You have nothing," Zander hissed at him before stabbing with his free paw but Zane landed a jarring kick to his cojones, making Zander whimper in agony as he instantly retreated to hold his damaged bits as Zane hastily stood back up.

"You're wrong. I have the pack and Father..." He paused as he looked back to see Severus panting, having bested every Zangoose hunter that challenged him. "...and I have him."

Zander looked past Zane towards Severus as his crooked smile returned with a vengeance. "Then allow me to take that from you first before I kill you." He then ran forward as he picked up dirt in his paw and shoved it into Zane's eyes, making the young Zangoose cry out as he was quickly shoved away as Zander continued running for Severus.

"Severus! Watch out!" Zane helplessly shouted out.

Severus looked over to see Zander just about on him as he ducked down to dodge a Crush Claw that was aimed at his head as Zander skidded along the ground to stop himself before charging once more. Severus could feel the animosity radiating off him and began to flee again, knowing he wouldn't be able to out do him in battle alone.

Zane desperately blinked and rubbed the dust out of his eyes as he barely could see the direction everyone was running including the hunters who must have used their time on the ground to recover as much as they could. He also noticed a few bitten in oran berries and cheri berries scattered around where each Zangoose hunter had fallen. Knowing that they were all chasing Severus gave Zane the adrenaline to run after them faster than ever.

The hunters caught up to Zander as they ran side by side with him. "Zander! What are your orders?" A female hunter called over but when she was met with an unwavering focus Zander had on Severus, all the hunters grew concerned for their friend. "Z-Zander? Sir?"

"You'll get your orders when I give them! So shut it!" Zander suddenly screamed at her, his eyes never leaving his target as all the hunters seemed taken aback by his tone but kept on following even with the look of skepticism they all shared.

Severus could hear the dozens of rampaging footsteps chasing after him and knew the hunters had recuperated. He knew the same strategy as before wouldn't work now so he needed a new plan and he immediately thought of the one place that someone like him could easily outmaneuver.

He made a beeline deeper in the forest as he soon found the river and began to follow it. After almost a minute, he heard the waterfall that fell from the river into the crystal lake below as Severus prayed none of the forest residents would be in the lake today before he leapt off the cliff and dove down into the lake below. To his luck, no one had been there.

Zander and the hunters stopped at the cliff's edge and looked down to see the lake below. Zander smiled, already seeing what the Fang Snake Pokémon's plan was as he looked to his hunters. "Fan out along the lake's shores! Give the Seviper no chance of escaping the waters."

The hunters seemed to hesitate as they looked at each other before one was suddenly pinned down and being choked by Zander, the others too stunned to react. "I gave you your orders! Do not hesitate again or I will think you all betrayed our pack like Zane has! Now go!"

Zander released his grip of the Zangoose hunter's throat as he scrambled off with the others quickly in tow. Zander felt pride in his leadership swell in his heart as he turned back around and ran for the cliff before diving in after Severus.

As Zander resurfaced and looked around for Severus, he saw his hunters lining up along the outside of the lake as they each stood guard a certain distance between each other. Before he had time to register anything else, he felt a sudden hit in his back as he was slammed into.

Under the water was Severus swimming at top speeds before he headbutted Zander again and swam past. He prided himself for being a swift swimmer almost like it was his ability as he kept charging into him over and over like a rampaging Tauros.

Severus planned to weaken him as fast as possible until he had no strength to chase him but he then thought of what happened to the hunters and why they haven't come in to help. But he couldn't let this opportunity to take out the strongest Zangoose leading them all so he went for it once more.

The moment he made contact with Zander's side, a sharp pain suddenly hit him as he felt claws tear at his skin on his side. He quickly swam away and inspected his bloodied wound, taking note that it wasn't deep and didn't catch any major arteries. But just as he was done, he was prepared for the speeding Sharpedo that hit him with Zander suddenly right on top of him and sliced his skin once again.

"How is he moving that fast?!" Severus thought in horror, "I know some land-based Pokémon can swim very well but I've never seen one move that fast in water ever!"

He quickly resurfaced as he took in his surroundings. His eyes dilated with fear upon the realization that the hunters had blocked off the beach by lining up around it. With that escape route cut off, the rock walls surrounding wherever there was no shoreline being unusable for his body type to climb, and an arguably faster swimmer in the water with him, Severus was effectively trapped in a bowl with an apex predator on him no matter where he was. His plan had backfired and was now working against him and was majorly in favor of his enemies.

Zane eventually made his way to the cliff's edge and stopped as he felt his heart beat faster upon seeing the lake. The images in his mind were already beginning to torment him as he froze in place. But then he saw red in his vision and blinked away the image only to see the red still there, staining the beauty of the lake below and he soon saw why as his heart dropped to the pit of his stomach.

Severus was trying to outswim Zander but Zane knew he was the most powerful swimmer in the pack due to his strength allowing him to easily maneuver in water and Zane could see the red, or more correctly the blood, streaming out of Severus as he tried to keep away from Zander.

He saw how trapped Severus was with the hunters lining the only possible escape a Seviper could take and he wished he could dive in and help but he knew he was too frightened to do so. The conflict was even more intense than before as fear for himself and fear for Severus was eating away at his brain and his rationality.

"Zane!" The young Zangoose zipped around just as his father pounced on him and held Zane in the tightest hug he'd ever felt from him.

"My son! Please stop! All of this has been madness! Let us go home! I do not want whatever is happening here to take you away from me! I beg you!" Favian cried as he held his son tightly against him.

Zane felt the rapid beating of his father's heart and the warmth of his hug, giving him a comfort he hasn't felt in some while. It was almost as warm as someone else's. But as he was considering this, a pained scream and harsh splashing was heard as Zane yanked himself out of Favian's hold to see Zander had finally caught up to Severus as he began viciously attacking the Seviper. The thrashing the two made as they fought was masked by the splashing water around them but Zane could see Severus was losing as more blood was seen mixing with the water.

Zane felt tears well up as Favian gently touched his shoulder, making him lightly jump from the unexpected touch. "Zane?"

"Father... I'm sorry. I cannot leave yet. Severus is not a normal Seviper. He's intelligent and caring and a pacifist. He's a lot like me! I care for him too much to just abandon him and let him die to that monster!" Before Favian could try to argue or reason with him, Zane immediately bolted away as he leaped off the cliff with no hesitation.

"ZANE!" Favian cried out in vain as he immediately ran off to find a way down there fast.

Zane dived into the water and felt it hard to swim as lightning flashed in his mind but soon he put his focus on the Seviper he had gotten to know over the last few days, the Seviper who was willing to sacrifice himself for Zane, the Seviper who was now dying because of him. These thoughts fueled Zane and beat out the fear that was trying to overtake his mind as the adrenaline kicked into overdrive as he began swimming like he had never done before.

The hunters on the shore saw this as one looked to the others. "Sh-Should we jump in now and help Zander? Zane's going to help that Seviper!"

One looked to the other as he suddenly growled out, "He gave us our orders. You wanna try going against the exact words he said. He'll give us our orders when he needs to as he said. I'm not getting choked out again." The other hunters nodded in agreement as they just stayed by the shore and did nothing to warn Zander of Zane's approach.

Severus felt his neck grabbed as he tried to fight Zander off but was feeling weak from the blood loss and overall exhaustion that overtook his body. "I'm sorry, Zane. I tried," he whispered quietly before Zander went to slice his throat open. But that's when Zander let put a gasp of pain as Zane had stabbed Zander in the back with both paws before he lifted his brother up, who had lost his grip on Severus, and chucked him away from them as Zander landed in the water with a splash. Zane was quick to gather Severus in his arms as he began swimming them both to the shore.

Severus weakly looked over at Zane as he hurriedly swam them through the lake's water. "You... did it. You conquered your phobia and overcame your PTSD. How d-did you manage that?"

Zane looked at him before a sweet smile appeared as he answered with, "Because you were in danger and I wanted to protect you. Your life is important."

Severus looked away as guilt seemed to plaster itself on his features. "It really isn't."

"Why do you keep saying that?" Zane asked but he wasn't able to get a response as the hunters all grouped up at the spot they were approaching as Zane walked into the shallow waters and the hunters posed to show if they came closer they would be attacked.

"Please! Leave him be! He has done no one wrong! He can barely keep his eyes open as it is! Let me pass!" Zane begged his fellow pack members but they remained unyielding. That is until a shout was heard.

"Move aside at once!" Favian had finally reached the bottom as he ran through the hunter's formation and to Zane to help him out of the water. "Get out of my way now!" The authoritative tone was one Zane would only ever hear be used against Zander when he was being disrespectful or difficult and rarely heard it being used on the pack but he wasn't surprised after what transpired today.

The hunters were quick to part as Zane pulled Severus away from his father and the hunters as he gently placed the Seviper down in a grassy patch before he zoomed into the forest looking for some healing herbs to wrap Severus' open wounds.

He was sure some would be growing around as he began digging through bushes and leaves, trying to find them and soon enough he found a batch growing at the base of a big oak tree as he carefully picked it all and hurried back to Severus as he began dressing his wounds.

Severus hissed as he flinched from the pain but did not move otherwise. Zane took a few minutes to ensure they were all tightened before he saw a shadow approach him from behind but he already knew who it was.

"Son, I still cannot fathom why you are helping a Seviper of all things. You do remember that it was the Sevipers that killed your blood parents."

"Yes but he did not. He couldn't have. He would have been ten years old since they died after I was born and that was eighteen years ago now. Besides, I meant it when I said that Severus isn't evil in any manner."

Severus looked at Favian and frowned. "So you met his mother, right?"

Favian nodded. "How did you know that?"

"Please tell him the truth. I know what happened that day with his pack when you saved him," Tears filled Severus' eyes as he looked away. "Please tell him... so I can tell him how that happened in the first place so he can finally just hate me and kill me."

"You know what led to his pack's..." Favian suddenly silenced himself as Zane looked to him clearly muddled by this sudden revelation.

"Father... what about my pack? I thought you said my original pack was still out there somewhere. Did you lie to me?"

Favian sighed. "I suppose you are old enough to know the full truth. I..."

But an eruption of water startled everyone there as Zander came roaring up and closed in on Zane and Severus once more as Zane had an idea before he placed his arm at Severus' fangs. "Bite me!"

Severus looked at him in dismay. "No! If I do, I'll..."

"Trust me! Bite me now!" Zane begged as Zander got closer. By this point, the hunters were done with everything as they jumped on Zander to try and hold him back but they were struggling. Even with multiple strong Zangoose holding him back, Zander's power alone was outmatching their combined strength. Severus closed his eyes in displeasure as he locked his fangs down, biting into Zane's arm as the poison was injected into Zane's system.

Zane grunted in pain before he was released and Zander broke through the hunters as he almost reached Severus before Zane's eyes suddenly dilated and shrunk down before he let darkness coat his claw as he landed a powered-up Night Slash on Zander.

The raw power he felt coursing through him overpowered any pain the poisoning was dealing to him as he then went for an even stronger Crush Claw against Zander who couldn't defend against it as he was knocked away again. However, Zane knew this strategy would only work if he wasn't hit by Zander. While his Toxic Boost was making him stronger, he was still being weakened by the actual poisoning. There was also the fact Zander was still stronger than him even with the Toxic Boost.

Zander sneered at the Zangoose he despised before racing in to end this as Zane went to attack him back but both gasped when someone jumped in the way and blocked Zander, who was unable to move the one who now acted as a blockade. Someone neither was prepared to intervene in the fight, stopping Zander so effortlessly. To see his elderly father not only holding Zander back but suddenly radiating a more prominent aura of power than even Zander possessed. His normally gentle eyes looked much sharper and intense like an inner master had awakened within him.

The other hunters were just as baffled and not even Zander seemed to be able to process this development. "F-Father?"

"Cease this immediately. If you wish to continue trying to harm Zane anymore... I. Will. Show. No. Mercy."

Zander blinked in surprise at this but despite the frown he bore, he timidly shook his head. "You can't ask that of me. He's a traitor against our very species. I cannot let him or that Seviper walk free and..." But he was cut off by a speedy thrust of his father's fist against his chest, sending the Zangoose hurtling back and into the shallow water of the lake.

Zander was huffing as he shakily stood back up. He lifted his paws up at his father. "I do not wish to hurt you, Father, but you stand in my way and I do what I must for the pack."

Favian shook his head at his son. "No. I know your true intentions. It is for you and your benefit alone, not for the pack. You wish to use this betrayal as an excuse to kill Zane and take leadership back that I have granted him.

I always knew you had such dark endeavors to do harm to him, especially after I announced his name to be the next heir, but I never would have dreamed you would take it this far. For that, the harshest lesson I have ever given will be for you alone to receive. I'd say to prepare yourself as always but nothing will prepare you for what is to come."

Suddenly Favian blipped out in a flash as if he just vanished in the blink of an eye but Zane knew it wasn't teleportation. Their father was just too fast for their eyes to pick up and he reappeared right next to Zander's side. He tried to lift his arms to defend himself but Favian landed an insanely fast jab against Zander as the son stumbled but the moment he had moved in the direction he was hit, another fast and powerful hit sent him back before another one did the same and another repeated this.

The attacks became more rapid and aggressive as Zander was now in the assault of a blinding and super effective Close Combat his father unleashed against him. The attack felt like it lasted an eternity but what was more likely almost a minute, the flashing hits ceased as Favian was now seen standing with his back turned to Zander as the eldest son slowly fell to his knees and then on his face as he fainted.

Favian was seen with his eyes closed as he began taking in some deep breaths, looking to calm himself down. Soon his eyes opened up and the sharpness had dulled away with his usual soft gaze having returned to his eyes. He looked to the hunters and scouts who all flinched when he did, fearing they would get the same punishment as Zander.

"You will all take Zander back to the pack and he will be kept in our den until further notice. But know that you will never have to heed any orders from Zander again and if he tries, I will deal with him. Take him away." Favian ordered them as they followed through without delay, picking up the unconscious Zander and dragging him away towards home.

Favian looked to his son who, despite the unbelievably feat he just witnessed, bore a disappointed frown at him. "What else have you kept hidden from me, Favian?"

It stung Favian's heart to hear his name uttered so bitterly, from his beloved son no less, but he understood the anger Zane was surely feeling in this moment. "I will keep no more secrets from you. I will tell you what you wish to know."