FSE

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Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Worlds

Chapter 5

Lance runs down one hunting path after another in search of his friend. It's well into the evening and the sun is once again disappeared beyond the horizon to leave little more than a halo of light above the trees. "Why didn't I pay more attention when my dad was teaching us how to track!" Growling at himself, he continues onward, hoping for any sign that Moto and his captives have passed through.

His leg is still throbbing, the cast around it held together by little more than a few remaining threads. Pushing himself so hard during his search took its toll on the protective covering.

Lance's nose twitches, and he turns to face the wind. He sniffs at the air. "Finally!" Moto's scent fills his nostrils, and he speeds off into the thicket to find the source. "I'm coming Moto."

The sun is set and darkness fills the sky as Lance catches the smell of smoke in the air. Gotta be getting close...

A crack sounds through the trees.

"Moto?" Lance perks his ears.

Another crack, followed by a sudden yelp sets Lance's fur on edge. Staying low to the ground, he follows the sound until he arrives at a small clearing.

In the center is a campfire. Several Pokemon stand nearby. Lance narrows his eyes. One, a grass-type with a mouth as wide as its head, rears back and snaps it vines into something again and again while it's leaf-like arms float at its side. More vines dangle below its small seed-shaped body which hovers above the ground, rising and falling slightly with every crack of its vines. That's Carnivine...

"That should be enough."

Carnivine gives one final Vine Whip and then stops its assault. Lance turns to the Pokemon speaking. This Pokemon, standing almost twice Lance's height, is feline in structure. A short snout colored in a light blue with a small red nose protrudes from its face. The blue continues backward to frame its piercing yellow eyes. The large round ears, also blue, twitch every which way, reminding Lance just how sensitive feline ears are. Spiky fur sticks out of the back of its head, the midnight black color following its frame downward over its shoulders and along the front of its legs. The underbelly and the backside of its legs are the same light blue as its snout. A circle of spiny black fur surrounds the root of its tail and, adorning the tail's tip, is a yellow star.

Lance's fur stands up on end and he shivers as Moto's earlier words cross in front of his mind. "A Luxray with a bad attitude and the power to back it up." So it is the same one...

Shaking his head, Lance returns his attention to examining the clearing, again squinting his eyes. Standing on the sidelines watching it all are two more Pokemon. One is a large bird, taller than all the other Pokemon in the clearing. Dark purple feathers blanket its underbelly, while a coat of crimson covers the top. The fluffy white mane quivers as the bird looks all around, seeming to ignore the going's on of the others. The black eyes seem to pierce through everything as the eagle scans the perimeter. Don't know what that one is.

Standing next to the eagle with his eyes fixed toward the two Pokemon in the center of camp, is the fourth. Sceptile...

Even being a full head taller than Volt, he still can't meet the eagle's height. Still, he's the leader for a reason,_Lance reminds himself. The grass type is lean, his body streamlined for speed. Covered in a mossy green, the raindrop-shaped torso is accented by a blood red chin, and a stripe around its waist. Along its spine is a series of six yellow spheres. _He can probably use those for Seed Bomb... Each forearm is adorned with two blade-like leaves, and the claws on both its hands and feet glint an eerie orange in the firelight.

Lastly is the tail. Shaped like a pine tree, four rows of symmetrically aligned spikes threaten to gore anyone that comes too close to him.

That's the big four... Lance looks up at the trees. Not worried about the bird, trees are too thick for him to fly. He looks around again. The rest of the gang must be out on patrol.

But...where's Moto?

"Hold him," the Luxray says. Carnivine floats around to the opposite side of him and sends out a series of vines.

"No! LAN-mmphh!" The cries of the Pokemon between them are muffled, and the muscles in Lance's body go rigid as Volt moves to reveal a small blue crocodile pinned down by the Carnivine's whips, the reptile's tail in the air.

Volt circles around the trapped Totodile. "Glad you could finally join us. We've offerd an invitation to you a few times, but...I guess Pelliper must have lost them all. But now that you're here, What say we have us some fun? I thought we might go for a roll in the sand. See what pops up."

Lance growls and looks away. _Got to find some way to-_His ears perk up as he spots trio of thorns. They're pointed at the tip, but taper to be as wide as Lance's paw at the top, their length almost the same as his foreleg.

He smiles as memories of he and his siblings flow through his mind._Those will work nicely._Taking the three objects into his teeth, he starts to circle the campsite, keeping low with his hackles raised as he watches the Luxray lean in and sniffs at Moto's backside.

"Uhg, he reeks of that Jolteon." Volt curls his nose, sneezing. "I think we need to give him a new scent."

Sceptile nods with a smirk.

Squirming in the Carnivine's grip, Moto whines into his muzzle of vines. He shakes his head as he wriggles about. Volt starts to climb over top of him, tears filling the Totodile's eyes.

"Hope you're ready little guy. Don't worry though, it'll feel really good...I promise..." Volt gives a sinister smile then gives the crocodile a quick lick to the cheek.

Lance continues circling around until he is looking to Moto and the Luxray's side.

"Volt, just do it already!" The Sceptile folds his arms over his chest, rolling his eyes.

The Luxray flicks his tail. "Can't a guy take time to enjoy himself?" As he starts to settle, the small crocodile again starts squirming. "Stop moving!"

"MMMMPH!!!" Tears stream down Moto's cheeks as the Luxray shocks him. He stops struggling with a long squeaking whimper as he closes his eyes.

Volt grins. "That's better." His arousal reveals itself as he takes position, leaning his head forward.

Lance has seen enough. Tossing one of the thorns into the air, he turns around and kicks it. The projectile streams across the campsite. As Volt is opening his maw to bite down on the Totodile's neck, the thorn pierces through his cheek leaving a hole torn through the side of his face.

"GYYAA!" Volt stumbles backward, pawing at the open wound in his muzzle and the thorn sticking out of the opposite cheek.

Lance fires a second thorn as the grass-type turns to face him. The floating grass type falls backward with a shriek, vines and arms flailing as the spike stabs through his eye. The vines fall loose, and Moto squirms his way out of them.

Lance jumps into the open at the edge of the clearing. "Here I am you bastards!!! Come and get me!" And just as quickly as he came, he jumps back into the forest.

Volt's body crackles with electricity as he pulls the object free of his face. "You little shit!" He speeds toward him.

Lance can hear Sceptile's voice barking orders. "You let him get AWAY?! Carnivine, Vigroth! after him!"

Vigroth..?! Where was he hiding?! Lance scolds himself for not noticing more than the four Pokemon.

Sceptile continues. "I don't care how, GET ME THAT TOTODILE! Volt, get BACK here! Don't chase, just look! LOOK damn you!"

Uh oh... Lance begins crawling along the underbrush, circling the campsite once more. Forgot Luxray can see through objects..._He clutches his last thorn in his teeth, his heart pounding his ears. The adrenaline pumping through him numbs the pain in his leg. _Moto, where are you..?

He makes it to the other side of the camp and lifts his head to look around. A hole? So Moto can use dig. Convenient. Lance smirks. The Carnivine is still screaming in the middle of the clearing trying to remove the thorn in his eye.

Volt growls, his lips curling. "Cap'n, I don't see him anywhere!"

"Just keep looking!"

Lance turns to head back into the woods. "GAH!" He jumps as a blue figure pops up out of the ground in front of him. "Moto?"

"Oh, hi Lance!" The blue crocodile crawls out of the hole with a smile. "Thanks for the distraction. Wasnt sure how I was gonna get out of there."

"There! Behind us!" The Luxray spins and charges toward them, Sceptile close behind.

"Oops." Lance's ears fold back as he curls his cheek, then turns to look over his shoulder. "Run!" Lance tries to get his feet under him, but Volt is too close. He does the only thing he can and jumps to the side, avoiding the cat's lunge.

While Lance regains his balance, Moto leaps forward and slashes the Luxray's face with his claws, tearing the hole open further. Volt yells out, his fur bristling as Moto grabs Lance by the scarf and starts running.

With the Luxray trying to recover from the gaping wound in his face, Lance and Moto make their escape. It's only a few minutes before the adrenaline pumping through the Jolteon's viens wears off. His broken leg throbs, and he stumbles to the ground. "Moto...I can't..." He pants heavily, his tongue hanging out of his maw. Swallowing to wet his dry mouth, Lance shakes his head. "I can't go any longer." He tries to lift his leg, but with the cast in pieces and the bone again separated, it proves impossible. "I'll try to hold them off as long as I can... I'll only get you caught if we stay together."

"Lance, don't-"

"Promise me you'll run..." Lance peers into the Totodile's eyes. "Go to Lakethorn Oasis, and find my family... They're all evolved Eevee's. Then you can come back for me."

The crocodile pauses, his eyes looking every which way, then he finally shakes his head. "NO," he snaps back, stomping his foot.

"I wasnt asking, Moto...! Now RUN!!! And don't look back!" Lance turns and hobbles off, grunting with every step, back toward Sceptile's camp.

"I said NO!" Moto runs up along side the electric type and steps in front of him.

Lance growls, his ears folding back. "Damn it, Moto! We don't have time to argue abou-"

"THERE you are!!" Volt emerges from the trees again, his head low and his eyes narrowed. "You won't get away from me this time..."

"I don't intend to..." Lance lowers onto his front leg, his body charging. "You're mine... HRAAAA!!!!" He arches his back upward. A bolt of lightning explodes from Lance's form, shooting up into the sky. Clouds circle overhead, flashing with energy. Volt only stares with wide eyes until finally, a second lightning bolt, larger than the first, crashes down upon the feline. The cat lets out a shrieking roar as he is struck, then collapses to the ground.

"Lance, look out!!" Moto jumps, knocking Lance to the side as Sceptile lands.

The grass type smirks as he rises to his feet. "Good eye, runt... But it won't save you much longer." He looks to the side. "Volt, get up! He didn't hit you that hard, you're the same type you idiot!"

With a nervous gulp, Moto leaps forward. The space around his claws turns black, a trio of darkened claws forming around his hand as he slashes at the other reptile.

Sceptile clutches his stomach. "GRAAGNnn..!!" He stumbles backward. "Damn yo-" His eyes go wide, facing Lance.

Lance glares at him and opens his maw. A rainbow colored sphere forms in front of his nose, then a beam of light shoots outward from it. It strikes Sceptile at point blank, sending him flying backward and into a tree.

"C'mon Lance, now's our chance!" Moto slips himself beneath the electric fox and the pair hobble their way into the woods.

Lance can only set his weight on top of Moto, using his three good legs to keep them moving as best he can.

---

"I think we've lost them..." Lance looks over his shoulder. "The sun should be rising soon, and we haven't heard them at all in a while. Why didn't you run like I told you to..? You could have come back for me once you got help." He yelps as his leg is jostled.

"That's why. You can barely walk, let alone get away from Sceptile and his gang. And I wasn't going to let you trade yourself for me."

"But you were only captured because of me in the first place," Lance says. "If you'd have just run, they might have let you go."

"Shut up." The Totodile shakes his head and hoops to adjust the fox on top of him. "I got caught because I got caught. You had nothing to do with it."

"Yes I di-"

"We should get that help you were talking about." Moto stumbles, catching himself on his hands. Lance steps to the side to get off of him as Moto continues. "Sceptile's gonna be really mad now, and they're gonna come after us when they recover."

"Look, Moto...I..." Lance shakes his head. "Nevermind, we'll talk about it later. Let's focus on getting away for now. Hopefully with that Signal Beam to Sceptile's face, they won't be recovered for some time. And we're going to need supplies."

Moto stays on all fours, breathing heavily.

"Moto...? Are you all right..?" Lance folds his ears back as he lowers his head and angles it to one side.

Moto rolls over onto his back. His chest is drenched in blood from two large gashes ripped into it. "I...I can..." He coughs, waving a hand. "I just...need a quick rest."

"By Arceus..." Lance says under his breath. "Let's sit you up." He takes the Totodile's arm into his maw and carefully pulls him into the bushes at the base of a large tree. "Moto, which way to the house? You're not going to make it much farther if you keep pushing yourself."

"I'm...fine..." Moto takes in a quick breath. His legs stiffens and he clutches his chest with a whine. "You...Your leg. You shouldn't be on it." He tries to sit up, but slumps back against the tree. "I..." He sighs then points with a nod of his head. "It's that way, southwest of here." You're...okay, right..? You're not hurt?"

Lance nods with a smile. "No worse than before. But you need to rest. I can run back to your house and get some supplies. When you're feeling better, use Dig again and stay hidden.Where do you store the berries?"

Moto explains where they are, then turns his head toward the fox, his lips quivering as he tries to smile. "I'm...truly glad I got to meet you, Lance...Really..."

"Don't talk like that..." Lance leans in and rubs his cheek against the Totodile's. "You'll be fine, you'll see. I'll be back soon, I promise."

Moto doesn't respond.

"Moto..?" Lance's heart lurches in his chest, the inside of his ears turning a pale white as the blood leaves them. Seeing the Totodile's chest slowly rising and falling, Lance heaves a sigh. "Stay safe. I'll see you soon." I hope...

With the help of a Quick Attack, Lance speeds off in the direction indicated. The pain in his leg screams for him to stop. "I can't stop...Moto needs me." The fox repeatedly stumbles on it during his journey.

The sun is almost at its highest point in the sky before Lance makes it to the cabin. He lets his breath out through pursed lips then takes in a deep breath. "Finally..."

Entering the cabin, his eyes first fall onto the pile of berries left over from the previous morning. Among them is the remainder of the Tamato Berry he was forced to eat. "Good. I'm gonna need it to get back..." Once he devours the last of the spiced berry, he waits for the numbing sensation to take hold of his broken leg. He shudders when he thinks about looking at his leg, afraid of what he might see. Instead of checking, he shakes his head and starts looking for the supplies as Moto directed. "Sitrus Berries, Sitrus Berries... Damn it, where are they!?" He tosses the other berries about the room, finally finding a single Sitrus Berry at the bottom of a basket.

The berry itself is as large as Lance's muzzle with two distinct bulbous sections. The upper bulb is smaller and topped with three tiny green leaves. "This'll make him feel better in a hurry." Placing the Sitrus Berry and a mixture of Oran and Pecha Berries in the center of a blanket, he carefully ties the corners of it together with his teeth. "Gah..." He sits down, shaking his paw. "Get...off..." He wiggles his paw loose from the tie and is finally free to carry the supplies outside.

Daylight barely reaches his eyes before a brown blur blocks his view and a sudden dizzyness washes over him. He slumps to the ground. Blinking, Lance stares at a white figure standing over him before everything around him blends together. He feels sick, and he can't move as darkness finally takes him.