{"sf1_id":2215963,"sf2_id":"Rm0DYJQm","title":"Chapter 28: Journey Into the Nocturne Forest.","author":"RammyPillow","words":2199,"posted_at":"2025-01-01T05:17:05.000Z","tags":["Action","Adventure","Dark","Drama","Female lead","Furret","Heracross","Linoone","Ninetales","No Humans","Pokemon","Shinx","dragonite","fanfic"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/2215963-chapter-28-journey-into-the-nocturne-forest","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/Rm0DYJQm","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/e5/29/e529e0a7-7b4d-4c63-aa5b-b33649c22c41","description":"YOOOOO, IT’S FINALLY HERE!  \nBeen looking forward to the release of this chapter (along with M\u0026T2’s) for so long now. Once again, future chapters will take awhile to release due to me hyper busy on working on them along with other stuff going on in my life! And in case some of you don’t know:  \nI’m unfortunately going to focus on just the M\u0026T series and MM in terms of my written works instead of introducing a new PMD fic (or a fanfic in general) like I said I was going to do in the two fic’s summaries. Hopefully though these fics will suffice since I’m still looking forward to the many twists, turns, actions, character growths, and overall just having fun writing them!  \n  \nWith all of that out of the way, happy new years! I hope you all enjoy. n\\_n (Also fyi, I’m a massive fan of Claire upon me re-reading this oldfic a while back. If you’re a fan of her too, you’re in luck since I plan to have her be more bizarre and unpredictable than what my past self intended for her.)","content":"\"Oooh! That looks nice!\" Mark says, pointing at a star-shaped balloon attached to a house.\n\nJimmy nods. \"Yes yes, that's quite the exquisite balloon, dear Mark!\"\n\nThe sun's light bounces off the object, giving it a sparkle effect. Natalie wags her tail, gazing in awe. \"Yep! Never knew balloons could look this awesome!\"\n\nClaire squints. \"Do you Pokémon find _anything_ intriguing? It's...just a balloon. Nothing fancy about it.\"\n\n\"Oi, mate: Don't you see those sparkles?\" Lucas points with his tail. \"That balloon may be made out of breathtaking gems and stones—hardwork was plastered into that thing!\"\n\nThe Shinx lowers her head. \"Still don't follow.\"\n\nThe six roam around the bay, travelers like Gigaliths and Aromatisses residing in the place—heading towards Draven's manufacture shop admiring the ships. Iris pokes her claw at the Clawitzer while on the stand beside the shop: Forming a resting face. Anna and Cerise are also there, the former sitting next to the dragon staring down while the latter sits on Iris' shoulder.\n\n\"Is it ready? Is it ready?\" she asks ad nauseam. She keeps poking and poking: Draven's brow quirking, glaring.\n\n\"Hmm…\"\n\n\"Aren't you going to tell us?\"\n\nAshen lifts a claw. \"Uh, Iris: I think he—\"\n\n\"GRAH! Will you _quit_ it already!?\" Draven snaps. \" **THE SHIP ISN'T READY YET!**\"\n\n\"What?\" The Dragonite folds her arms, huffing. \"No fair: How come it isn't ready _now_?\"\n\nDraven brushes his claw. \"Cuz as I've stated numerous times: The ship needs about five days—probably six due to the sizes for you…\" He counts. \"10 people.\"\n\nCerise blinks when he was counted. _I'm surprised he doesn't question what I am like the others I've met,_ he thinks.\n\nDraven sighs. \"It'll take awhile for the ship to be ready by then.\"\n\nThe Dragonite rolls her eyes, her necklace shifting. \"Ugh. Alright.\"\n\n\"Now please: Let me do my job without someone jabbing me cheeks.\" Draven goes over to advertise the customers eyeing his ships, gesturing his claws around.\n\nThe Dragonite slouches, groaning. \"Ugh. It's pretty annoying that we have to stay here longer than usual.\" Her arms fold, her eyes closing. \"I'd rather hear Ego's rambles about some generic fabric than to play the waiting game.\"\n\n\"Ah cheer up, mate: It's not so bad around here.\" Lucas gestures towards the ocean. \"We can still admire the sea even when we're not crossing it.\"\n\n\"Meh.\" Iris glances off. \"Would've preferred to get a move on.\" She then glances at her claws. \"I got places to be, hun.\"\n\nThe Furret quirks his brow. \"Such as?\"\n\nThe Dragonite gazes at the ground. \"…\" She huffs. \"Look, I just want a ship to sleep in, that's all!\"\n\nJimmy lifts his a claw. \"And fear not Iris, my gracious friend: We _will_ achieve our goal at acquiring ourselves a ship!\" His claw presses against his chest like a drum. \"And we _will_ feel glorious like the good ol' times!\"\n\n_You didn't have to say it so dramatically, you know?_ Iris thinks.\n\nAshen eyes the forest nearby, smiling. \"Say, how about we travel into the Nocturne Forest?\"\n\nIris looks at the Linoone. \"Eh?\"\n\n\"I'm curious to see what that forest looks like, that's all. Could even find some neat treasures in there.\"\n\nIris caresses her chin. \"Hmm...Eh, sure.\"\n\nAshen pumps his fist in the air. \"Sweet!\" He looks at the rest of the squad. \"Any of you wanna come along, too?\"\n\n\"Heck yeah, mate!\" Lucas exclaims, spreading his arms in joy.\n\nMark nods. \"I don't mind!\"\n\nNatalie yawns, scratching her ear. \"I'm bored so I might as well.\"\n\nClaire bows. \"I obey whatever wishes my mistress commands. Therefore, I'll oblige to this 'Nocturne Forest Touring'.\"\n\nNatalie slowly looks at the Shinx. \"I mean, you don't have to go if you don't want to. That's fi—\"\n\n\"BUT I INSIST!\" Claire gets close to the Zorua, Natalie laughing in a nervous manner.\n\n\"Well, if you say so.\"\n\nLucas squints at the Shinx. \"You and your loyalty to Natalie, I swear Claire.\"\n\nAshen scratches the side of his cheek. \"It's pretty bizarre, haha.\"\n\nClaire simply turns towards the brothers: Her yellow eyes unwavering, her demeanor still and cold—gazing directly into their souls. Ashen and Lucas yelp. \"Although that's perfectly fine!\" the two say quickly, earning a soft purr out of the lynx. The duo looks at each other. _What the hell was that?_\n\n\"Ahhem!\" Jimmy presses a claw against his chest once more. \"As the Heroic Jimster, I'll partake on this exploration, too!\"\n\nCerise raises his tail. \"I'll go as well.\" The green entity glares at the forest, mountains and waterfalls littering afar. \"There's...something I want to check on.\"\n\nIris tilts her head. \"Like what?\"\n\n\"…\" Quietness utters from Cerise, a squint lowering down his one gray eye. \"Just a statue I saw a few days ago.\"\n\n\"Is that so?\"\n\nCerise slowly nods.\n\nIris folds her arms. \"Well, I'll stay behind and watch over Nomar then.\"\n\n\"Same here…\" Anna says this in a melancholic tone, Iris catching on—her brow raising at her.\n\nThe Dragonite walks to the vulpine. \"Anna, are you alright?\"\n\nThe Ninetales stares off. \"...I'm fine, yes.\"\n\n\"You don't sound like it.\"\n\n\"That's because you're overthinking it.\" The Ninetales side-glares the dragon. \"_As always_.\"\n\nIris brings her head back, scoffing. She sighs, staring off. \"Fuck you too, I guess…\" she mumbles. With that, the group leaves towards Nocturne Forest as Iris and Anna go back to their rented house.\n\n. . .\n\nThe Nocturne Forest exudes amazement and grandness: Natural greens flourishing from left to right, plants sprouting themselves into blooming galore. Flowers litter across the grass and trees, a few even having hexagonal shapes to them—confusing a particular red-dotted individual every time he looks at them.\n\nEveryone is amazed by the beauty of it all, spotting a couple of wild Pokémon communicating with one another—even waving at a few, including some hellos along the way.\n\n\"What a gorgeous looking forest…\" Cerise simply states, his jaw—if he has any—dropping.\n\n\"I concur: This looks like a massive improvement from my time living in the Noctis Forest!\" Jimmy provides a haughty laugh, his hands by his hips.\n\n\"Honestly when pitting that creepy ass forest against this lively one: This solos it _WITHOUT_ a doubt!\" Natalie exaggerates, a giggle from her and Mark being prompted as Claire blinks on in neutrality.\n\n\"Well if mistress believes that to be the case, then it most certainly is true.\"\n\nNatalie giggles soon devolves into discomfort, the girl staring off. \"You don't know the _half_ of it, haha…\"\n\nMark sighs. _Yeah…_\n\nEveryone proceeds onward until—\n\n\"Oi! Look what I've found!\" Lucas shouts, pointing ahead. Everyone looks: A long log extends itself from one side to the next—the group in utter awe at the sight.\n\n\"Whooa…\" Mark and Natalie both say, eyeing down the steep cliff below the log, containing a river passing by.\n\nJimmy gazes down, too: Whistling. \"Whew. That's a pretty deep fall.\"\n\nClaire perks up. \"I acquiesce!\"\n\nThe Furret turns his head. \"What.\"\n\nThe Shinx huffs, lifting her chin with a smirk. \"Of course a mere mortal wouldn't know that it means I agree.\"\n\nLucas squints. \"That sounds like some made-up junk, mate.\"\n\nClaire rolls her eyes. \"Regardless: The fall may be the end for us if we're not careful.\"\n\n\"No kidding!\" Mark gulps, shielding behind his bow. \"Let's, uh, c-cross the log with caution, yeah?\"\n\nLucas waves his paw up and down. \"Oh don't sweat it, kiddo: It's just some measly log connecting to the other half of the forest. No biggie, really!\"\n\nThe Linoone crosses his arms. \"Yeah, except for the fact that the log is long and there's—\" Ashen quickly counts the group. \"Seven of us total.\" He stares ahead worriedly. \"I'm...unsure on how long that log has been there.\" Taking a look at it, the wood has seen better days: Lacking the vibrant greens like in the forest, being replaced with dull grays. Ashen sighs. \"Let's hope it doesn't crumple apart while we travel.\"\n\nWith that, the gang proceeds onward: Traversing across the log with precaution. It shakes, the gang gasping with one step after another. Mark trembles, sticking close to Natalie and Claire. He whines at the sight of that deep fall, Natalie stopping for a moment to pat his back—soothing the poor jackal. Meanwhile Cerise slithers with patience, being aware of his steps.\n\n\"Z...a...re…\"\n\nHe blinks, the red-dotted blob staring off. _Huh…?_ Soon, voices appear in his head: Numerous of them, compiling one after another.\n\n\"Z...a...re…\"\n\n\"...yg...d…\"\n\nTwo of those words: Appearing nonstop, ringing throughout the green individual's mind. Cerise flinches. _What...are these voices saying?_ Soon, flat blobs spawn everywhere on the log—still and static, all staring at Cerise. His eyes widen, trembling at their very core.\n\n_I-It's those things! And they're everywhere this time!_ Cerise whimpers, backing away: Sweats sliding down his head.\n\nJimmy looks behind him, his head tilting. \"Hmm?\" He walks over to Cerise. \"Is something the matter, my fri—\" the Heracross slips.\n\n\" **YEIIKES!**\"\n\nCerise yelps. \"Jimmy!\"\n\nLucas hurriedly grabs the Heracross' hand. \"I got hi—HOLY SMOKES!\" He gets dragged along, the duo screaming at their descent. Ashen grabs Lucas by the backpaw, grunting.\n\n\"I got you, bro! Gngh!\" Ashen yelps, about to fall off himself until Mark and Natalie catch him. Claire also helps, clenching her teeth onto Natalie's tail. The Zorua yelps, eyeing behind her.\n\n\"You could've used your paws, you know!\"\n\nClaire briefly lets go and grabs the fox's tail properly, whimpering. \"Apologies, my mistress!\" The group grunts and groans: Tugging, pulling—doing everything in their power to bring the fallen members over.\n\n\"Ngh! Come on! Just pull a bit more!\" Ashen advises. Cerise sits by watching: Acknowledging the log he's on shaking with each pull the gang does. Lucas and Jimmy gradually make it close, the Heracross' body being halfway on the log.\n\n\"Just one more…\"\n\nWith a simple yank, the gang manages to have them over the log. Without a single word, everyone hurries over to the other side, panting heavily. They rest on the grassy ground, sighing in relief.\n\n\"Phew...That was a close call,\" Mark exclaims, planting his back onto the ground.\n\nClaire licks her paw, her tail swaying. \"That was rather exhilarating, actually!\" She giggles before purring. \"We should do that again.\"\n\nJimmy, Mark, Natalie, and Cerise glance over to the Shinx. \"What.\"\n\nAshen soon slaps Lucas, the Furret yapping. \"Eek!\" He rubs his face. \"What was that for, mate!?\"\n\n\"For suddenly jumping off like that! I was worried sick for you, dude!\" Ashen exclaims, his tone drenching in anxiousness.\n\n\"I was trying to save Jimmy, bro.\" Lucas tilts his head. \"I...don't really get what was wrong with me helping my friend there?\"\n\n\"I—\" Ashen shakes his head. \"Look, it doesn't hurt to be more careful, alright?\"\n\nLucas quirks his brow. \"While trying to save my crewmate?\" The Furret shakes his head. \"I'm sorry, but that doesn't click with me. I have the opportunity to save him and took it.\" Everyone gazes at the two. \"When the situation makes it easy to save someone, I'd feel more awful for not taking it than if I did took it and ended my life, ya know?\"\n\n\"…Fair point, actually.\" Ashen stares down for a moment, contemplating. \"Sorry.\" Sighs. \"I just...didn't want you to get hurt, that's all.\"\n\nLucas smiles. \"No worries, mate: I understand!\" He blinks off to the side. \"I _think_.\"\n\nAshen playfully bump his fist against Lucas, the two snickering. \"Let's just keep moving already, goofball.\"\n\nAs the crew continues on, Jimmy looks down at Cerise. \"Hey, why were you standing there for a moment?\" he asks.\n\nCerise blinks. \"I...I was hearing things.\" He looks side to side. \"Strange voices telling me something I couldn't comprehend.\"\n\n\"Voices?\"\n\n\"Yeah. Something about this 'Zare' again. Heard it some days ago too while at the Verdant Village.\" His eye squints. \"I saw these flat looking blob things again showing up on the log.\" He perks up. \"Did any of you see them?\"\n\nJimmy shakes his head. \"Not that I know of, my friend.\" The Heracross caresses his chin. \"How peculiar, though.\"\n\n\"Very.\" The red-dotted creature glances at the trees. \"Even heard one of the voices say something different this time: 'Ygd'.\"\n\n\"Y..Ygd?\" Jimmy's brow quirks.\n\n\"I have no clue, either. Just—\" Cerise stops for a moment, staring up at the glaring sun. \"What does _all_ of this means?\"\n\n\"Hmm...\"\n\nSoon, everyone makes it to a gate in front of the open wide field: Pertaining a village behind it. The group suspects the gate, its rusty and decaying nature spreading across as the door itself is halfway open. The seven look at each other in confusion, a wrinkled sign plastering itself on the gate titled:\n\n'_Nocturne Valley'_\n\n\"What...happened here?\" Mark questions.\n\n\"It looks like no one has been here for some time now, mate,\" Lucas comments. He shivers. \"Giving me the creeps-mareeps!\"\n\nAshen blinks. \"The creeps-mawhat now?\"\n\n\"Regardless, the unnerving nature of this village makes it look so fun to visit!\" Claire exclaims with joy, nudging against her paw. \"So excited for the enthusiastic _spooks_ it has to offer!\"\n\nNatalie glances at the Shinx. _You're so darn weird, Claire._\n\nAfterwards, the crew enters within the valley: Caution creeping throughout them.","series":{"name":"Mixturing Moves (Pokemon Fanfic)","previous":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/2199866-mixturing-moves-the-story-so-far.json","next":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/2233993-chapter-29-the-nocturne-valley.json"}}