FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

The sun rose high on the forest that bordered Avalon. The leaves of the forest canopy made the light dapple on the forest floor. There was a soft breeze that blew through the trees carrying the scent of the earth, grass and trees all around. It was a serene moment, and Jason felt oblivious to it all. The Riolu just stood there motionless, staring at the view before him.

"What was I doing here again?" Jason asked himself, completely and utterly confused as he surveyed the area.

Even with the questions that filled his mind, he couldn't help but explore. He walked through the trees, placing his paw on their trunks and feeling the rough feel of wood against his fingers. He took in a deep breath of fresh air and felt it fill his lungs. Even with the tranquillity that surrounded him, he couldn't shake off the feeling that there was a threat just waiting for him to lower his guard.

He continued moving through the forest, keeping a constant watch for anything suspicious or anything out of the ordinary. He pushed past several of the foliage on the forest floor. The thick leaves just seemed endless, why hadn't he seen them before while he was sightseeing? Hm, maybe the shade that the canopy provided was a lot thicker than Jason had anticipated.

"Don't you ever wonder?..."

An ominous presence immediately appeared in Jason's radar as he darted to his side, his fists lit ablaze as he surveyed the area. "Who's there?" he demanded.

No response could be heard.

Jason analysed the area once more and now found no such ominous presence. He couldn't let his guard down though. He didn't extinguish his flames as he moved on. He had to get out of this thick forest, he was never the best at fighting in closed spaces. His hastened his pace to a fast walk. He shouldn't move too fast lest his analysis might miss something.

"Jason!"

The familiar voice rang inside Jason's head sending waves of panic coursing through his veins. "Damion?" Now he knew that something really was up. As much of a denial he's in, he's well aware of the fact that he'd never see his best friend again. "I'm in an illusion again..." Jason thought to himself. "Wait... goshdarnit, Harrison forgot to tell me how to dispel illusions!"

"Jason, get out of there!" Damion's voice echoed in his head once more, filled with fear and terror.

Soon, Jason's panic died down into a feeling of disappointment. "Hm... I guess whoever the illusionist is, he isn't the best with replicating voices." Jason sighed. Even though a week's passed, Jason can tell it wasn't Damion's voice. It was one of the talents that his analysis granted him. "Wait..." Jason mumbled to himself. "This is a dream... it's one of those dreams..."

Ever since Damion's death, Jason's been having these sorts of lucid dreams. At first Jason wouldn't realize that he was in a dream... but as the scenery changed a bit unnaturally, he'd slowly pick up on the signs. Of course he'd still often mistake them for reality at times. It'd often take place in serene locations that Jason's subconscious would often just... believe that this is the life he's living.

"Do you feel it, Jason?" The ominous voice made itself known once more causing Jason to swiftly turn and face the direction where it came from. Nothing could be seen or felt in that direction but the soft whistling of the wind.

Jason felt uneasy once more. This was an unusual event, in all the dreams that he's had never was he this terrified of another presence. In fact, he began to wonder how he was conscious in a dream. How he was thinking, moving freely and even using his powers. Now, all Jason had in his mind was the hope that he wasn't sleepwalking or attacking anybody in the real world. But he couldn't help himself, he was truly terrified. Never in his wildest dreams (get it?) did he feel this terrified of a threat in a dream.

"Do you feel the darkness?" the voice sounded much closer and much harsher now, as if it was just whispering into Jason's ear.

Jason's vision began to blur, his mind felt like it was fogging and his knees buckled under his own weight. He found himself on his knees, his eyes heavy and his body immobile though completely conscious. "Wha... what's happening?..." Jason managed to gasp out his words followed by groans of discomfort. As hard as he tried, he couldn't get any of his limbs to respond. He was kneeling there, vulnerable in his own mind.

His heartbeat hastened as the fear began to creep in. There was a creature out there whispering to him, scaring him, and he could do nothing about it. He tried once more, he grit his teeth as he tried to get his arms and legs moving. He felt his insides grow hotter, as if a fire had ignited itself inside him. He felt his muscles revitalizing, the energy flowing through them once more as he managed to push himself off of the ground and back on his feet. The very act of standing up exhausted him as he was panting quite heavily, but Jason didn't let his guard down. Whoever did this, he was there, standing a mere ten feet away from him.

Jason's head hung low, still exhausted from the ordeal, so he couldn't see who or what the person was. But he knew he was there, Jason could see him at the corner of his eye. The person clapped his hands slowly, as if mocking the riolu. "Congratulations on learning how to stand up." The person cooed sarcastically. "Although I must say, I had hoped that you would've done it faster. I almost thought you weren't up for the task."

Still panting in exhaustion, Jason managed to gasp out his thoughts. "Who... who are... YOU..." looking up, Jason immediately recognized the tall, muscular figure and sadistic smile that complemented the Luxray's appearance. "You're the man that killed Damion..."

The Luxray chuckled as he took a step forward, causing the Riolu to take a few steps back to widen the distance between them. "I'm glad you still remember me. But you don't know who I really am now do you?"

Jason stared at the larger pokemon, trying his best to at least sense what was going to happen next. No matter how hard he tried, his analysis didn't give him a proper reading. "How are you in my dreams?"

The Luxray began to walk slowly towards Jason, enjoying the sight of the trembling Riolu that tried desperately to widen the gap between them. "Jason, there is no place in this world where you can escape me." His pace hastened forcing the riolu to hasten as well.

"What do you want from me!?" the Riolu's voice was filled with panic now as he desperately tried to get further away, all the while keeping the Luxray in his field of vision and making sure he doesn't trip and fall.

Before Jason even realized it, the Luxray had his fingers wrapped around the terrified Riolu's neck in a strong grip. The Riolu clawed desperately on the Luxray's hands for air but it didn't budge. The Luxray easily lifted the smaller pokemon and brought the side of Jason's face next to his as he whispered into the Riolu's ear. "I want you to submit to me, Jason."

At the sound of the Luxray's voice, Jason felt the sensation of numbness: his mind clouding and his limbs failing. He fought the sensation as best he could but every time he tried his mind just went numb as he slowly forgot how he did so in the first place. Jason's hold on the Luxray's hand slowly loosened and soon, his arms hung limp by his side.

Lucius chuckled at the sight of the submissive Riolu and slowly loosened his grip around the Riolu's neck. "That's good..." the Luxray cooed softly. "Just like that: submissive... you disappoint me, Jason." The Luxray immediately tightened his grip, felt Jason's neck squeeze inside his fist, and hurled the Riolu into the distance causing Jason to crash into a boulder.

Jason regained his senses just in time for his back to crash onto the hard rock. Waves of searing pain coursed through Jason's body as he croaked in pain, his throat sore from the Luxray's abuse. Jason fell to the floor, his body too hurt to even get up. He could taste the blood that gathered in his mouth as he coughed and hacked, with each causing his throat to burn.

"I expected you to put up more of a fight, Jason!" The Luxray called out as he emerged from the forest, still making his way towards the injured Riolu. "It wouldn't be any fun at all if you just let me have it my way."

The Riolu let out sounds of whimpering, as he tried to crawl away from the looming Luxray. This is just a dream... Jason desperately thought to himself, hoping that he'd soon wake up.

"Is it, Jason?" The Luxray asked, already standing above the Riolu. "Is THIS a dream?" Jason didn't dare look at the Luxray that loomed over him but the ring of the Luxray's sword could be clearly heard. Jason heart raced as he felt the cold blade press against his left forearm, the Luxray slowly adding pressure until blood began trickling from it.

"Stop, please!" Jason managed to exclaim, closing his eyes with tears rolling down, terrified of the Luxray that was torturing him.

"Shut up!" The Luxray pressed on his blade, the rusted cutlass sinking into Jason's arm. "Fight back!"

"GAAAAHHHH" Jason cried out as his arm was impaled but the rusted blade. Jason could feel his head spinning in the pain. If this was truly a dream, he might as well have died in his sleep.

Why don't you fight back?

Jason opened his eyes and found that he was alone, in an empty world of nothing but complete darkness other than the circle of light that he was in. The male voice was unfamiliar to him, but it didn't sound hostile. Jason looked at his arm and found it completely well, no wounds or anything.

Why can't you stand up to him?

"How can I?" Jason answered back, compelled to have a conversation with the unknown voice.

Aren't you supposed to be some 'big shot' or something? The pride of your people?

Jason scoffed. "I'm not the 'pride of my people'. I'm just a kid."

A kid who somehow has fire powers even though it isn't in his elemental matrix. The voice answered back.

"What of it?" Jason asked, not even questioning as to why this mysterious voice spoke so casually to him... maybe it was some young person or something...

From somewhere behind Jason, a bright fiery light emanated causing the Riolu to look. The light was intense and blinding that the Riolu couldn't even make out what it is. He held his hand up to block as much of the light as he could

"You really are disappointing, Jason." The creature said. "I had hoped I'd see more from you."

"What is it with you people and being disappointed with me?" Jason demanded, turning away as the light began to hurt his eyes. "What do you people want from me?"

"You are special, Jason." The creature replied. "Your destiny is unlike any other. But in order for you to fulfil that, you must learn to stand up and fight the darkness. So rise, Child of Light, rise up against the darkness."

Before Jason could even respond, the scenery immediately shifted. He was back in the forest, his entire body aching and his left arm still impaled by the Luxray's blade. From his healthy state in that void with the creature of light, the pain hit him hard once more. "Godfuckingdammit!!!" Jason exclaimed, his body glowed in a fiery light and ignited, a powerful blast of fire bursting forth from Jason's very body knocking away the Luxray that loomed over him.

The Luxray was caught by surprise, failing to anticipate the sudden retaliation, and was sent flying into the forest. Jason, on the other hand, slowly rose to his feet. The Riolu was trembling, not in fear but in fatigue. The fear that had filled him only moments ago was replaced by rage.

This is the man that killed Damion. Jason would remind himself constantly in order to get himself on his feet. He couldn't afford to lose to him now. Steam started coming out of Jason's wounds and bruises as they slowly began to heal. "This is new..." Jason mumbled as he watched his body regenerate.

"Jason, I'm glad to see that you're still standing." The Luxray glowing eyes and sadistic smile could be seen from the shadows of the trees. He seemed rather unscathed even with the intensity of the blast that Jason let out. He emerged from the trees, dusted off his clothes and eyed Jason once more. "This sudden burst of courage, it's admirable. I'd enjoy breaking you slowly."

Don't give him the chance. The voice of that creature spoke in his head.

Hearing the creature's voice seemed to invigorate Jason, fuel the fire that burned within him. He ignited the flames on his fists and prepared for combat, although he'd very much prefer to keep the Luxray at a distance. Sadly for Jason, he didn't have any ranged attacks to work for him.

"Come now, Jason." The Luxray welcomingly spread his arms, taunting the Riolu to strike first. Jason didn't buy it.

Jason thought about how he'd proceed with the situation. He was against a man much larger and more powerful than he is. He needed to find a way to get through this. The flames in his first flickered brighter and brighter, as if the energy was overflowing. Jason dared to stare at the flames in his hands, giving the Luxray an opening to strike.

Just like before, the Luxray was in front of Jason in an instant. His hand was just about to grab Jason's neck once more but Jason managed to use his flames to propel him backwards. The propulsion hurled Jason a few feet backwards with the added bonus of blasting the Luxray with a powerful burst of fire. Jason landed nimbly on his feet and, as if by instinct, extended his arms forwards sending several balls of fire homing in on the Luxray.

The blast from Jason's propulsion knocked the wind out of the Luxray's lungs, leaving him dazed enough for Jason's attack to hit directly. The several balls of fire exploded on impact, several feet of fiery explosives barraged the Luxray for a full three seconds leaving behind a burned circle on the earth with a singed Luxray standing in the middle, his figure dissolving in static. Jason couldn't believe what he saw. He knew his attack was weak. Those flames were soft compared to his partner, Charlie's, but he somehow managed to fend of the Luxray.

"That's... good... Jason..." The Luxray's words sounded hoarse as he slowly faded away. Although he was clearly defeated at that moment, he still wore that smile on his face as though everything had gone according to plan. "Get... str... stronger... much... stronger..." Before Jason could act, the Luxray once again stood in front of the Riolu, placing his hand on Jason's shoulder to bring his face closer to the smaller pokemon's. "It wouldn't be fun killing you when you're this weak."

Jason, in a moment of panic, intensified his flames and thrust his right hand through the Luxray's chest causing the Luxray to fade away from his mind. Jason found himself standing within a clearing, with the bright light of the sun shining up above, soothing the Riolu with its golden rays. Jason felt at peace once more, the cool breeze, the forest smell and the soft touch of the grass against his feet, his mind was serene.

However, several questions remained in the Riolu's mind. Who was that Luxray? What does he truly want from him? Who was that bright creature that helped him and why did it call him "child of light"? And most of all: was this all just a dream? His last question was soon answered when a familiar, angry, voice could be heard from the outside: "WAKE UP, YOU LAZY ASS!!!"