(ACE) The MOUNTAIN Team

"Thank you," She meowed softly as Khan sat down. Sliding gently off of his form the feline waited a few moments before trying to move again, checking if her legs were willing to support her. Though she was thankful that Khan had carried her the feline was more relieved to have her brown paws on solid earth once more. With one small pawstep Arsi felt as though her pain riddled legs had given in for the day and could hold her up no longer. Slowly she tugged her limbs beneath her, nestling closer to the ground and Khan's side. Her bad leg sang out with pain, causing a soft hiss to whisper out of her teeth. Trying her best to ignore it Arsi turned her blue eyes toward the Lucario at her side. He was in such a worse condition then her.. how inconsiderate could she be? She should of just walked herself. .
Sighly inwardly, her blue gaze fell back to the ground. He wouldn't let these strange and violent Pokemon harm her, she knew that, but she still could not find it in herself to relax with them around her despite her calm position.

Taking deep breaths she watched as the kindhearted Floatzel went in search of supplies on their behalf. Gratitude hung limply on her tongue, refusing to leave her mouth regardless of how much it needed to be said. Ears falling close to her skull the feline gave up on the words as the water type disappeared into the distance. Hoping that it would be easier to thank her when she returned Arsi turned her attention to Khan. "How did we get ourselves into this?" She asked dejectedly. Sure, this was better then Pallet in the sense that there wasn't fire breathing dragons trying to kill them, but this still was not good. These Pokemon.. they're dispositions were the kind she tried to avoid, that she purposely avoided. Now she had to be a subordinate to them? The whole thing sent shivers down her aching spine.

The Floatzel returned to them but with her hat off. "I picked as many as I could get my paws on, I ain't an aipom, but I hope this will do." Attention drawn to this difference in her appearance Arsi swore she felt an awkward pause before she hurriedly mewed, "T-thank you.. Miss Aqua." Again her random dropping of titles was popping up, was this going to be a thing with her? If it was, at least it wasn't bad. Arsi shifted, about to stand up when yet another voice came to ear. This time, however, it was completely new. "Hey there, folks! Well-- I gotta say it's been quite th' while since I seen hide 'r hair of true-blood survivors. Legends above, it's good t' see ye! Name's Jack."
The muscles in her neck bunched tightly, her head drawing close to her shoulders in hesitation. This Pokemon.. they sounded friendly enough but after meeting so many Pokemon today Arsi didn't want much to do with anymore foreigners. It was just.. too much. Ears pressing tightly to her skull the Meowth could only seek solace by looking to Khan. Whatever the Lucario thought of the newcomer.. she would follow.

"We all could darlin'," the Floatzel replied with a small chuckle, "but stay right here, let's fix to get you your berries first. Those burns look mighty painful." Khan had no choice but to rest his head against the rock and wait as patiently as possible as the Water-type wandered off. His eyelids, heavy as lead, struggled to stay open. He wanted to sleep; to curl up on the cool, damp grass and drift off to where the pain no longer existed. Indeed, if it weren't for Arsi, Khan would've welcomed death at that moment. He had no other reason to live and, quite frankly, he felt that he deserved it after the disaster at Pallet.

I wonder if Shiloh made it out OK? he thought numbly to himself, the words in his head a monotone slur. With great relief he noticed the Floatzel coming back carrying her hat, and she set it down nearby. Khan peeked inside and saw that it was filled with fresh berries. His stomach growled, his mouth drooled and his wounds screamed.

"I picked as many as I could get my paws on, I ain't an aipom, but I hope this will do." The corner of Khan's mouth quivered - the closest he'd gotten to a smile in a long time. "Thank you..." He could express his gratitude later. Right now, he just needed to--

Khan's head lolled down towards Arsi as the Meowth gently slid off his knees. At just the sight of her, he knew what was most important here. Turning back to Aqua, Khan motioned towards the small feline with his head. "Arsi first," he croaked, ignoring the painful protest his body was putting on. "I'll have ... what's left over."

Slipping in and out of a grey haze, Khan was only vaguely aware of the newcomer. He sounded friendly enough, but so far away. Was he shouting at them from the other side of a plain? No, that wasn't right.

He could do this. All he had to do was wait for Arsi to have what she needed from those berries. After that, whatever happened to him did not matter.

Seeing the newcomer raise his claws in surrender the fur on the back of Aqua's neck begins to lie flat. The sandslash certainly didn't appear to be a threat, though appearances could always be deceiving...Without allowing her eyes to stray from the ground-type for too long, the floatzel backtracks to where she is needed beside the wounded meowth.
"Arsi first," the jackel croaks with pain evident in his weakened form. "I'll have ... what's left over."
Acknowledging his words with a nod the sea weasel picks up several berries from her small collection. She crushes them carefully between her paws and keeps as much of the pulp within her grasp as she can.

"You're welcome. Where are your burns hun?" With her twin tails the water-type shift her hat full of the remaining berries towards the feline to eat.
“Oooh, you bastard! You fucking give up, just like that?! Well that’s no fucking challenge, none at all!” Aqua heard an increasingly familiar voice snarl. “Look at this, another waste of meat, just beggin’ to be gutted!” The sea weasel snorts in disgust, but does not leave the young cats side where she is crouched.
"Only someone who's brainless would attack alone against a head. Besides, he ain't a 'walker' as you call 'em, so why is it pricking your hide? Your partner said it before! There's no benefit in killing the yet living. Back off it." The floatzel adds with a controlled edge to her tone. Her brown eyes watching the off-colored eevee prowl around the newcomer.

"Only someone who's brainless would attack alone against a head. Besides, he ain't a 'walker' as you call 'em, so why is it pricking your hide? Your partner said it before! There's no benefit in killing the yet living. Back off it."

The gray Eevees’ pale mane spiked as his feet came to a halt. Long black claws protracted into the ground as he tensed his paws, his piercing sapphire eyes lighting up with the challenge. His large ears snapped up as he turned to the otter, a bristling, almost maniacal grin growing on his maw. Slowly, he padded towards her, his words coming in a hushed tone.
“...What’d you say, bitch?” The fox strutted closer. “Hah, look at that, ya pussy!” He scoffed at the Sandslash, his sneering grin growing even wider. “This pathetic female has more balls than you do!” With a hiss, Ghost lashed around at the water type. “You think you can top me? Act like a male? Tell ME what to do?? You??? The inferior!? Hahahahaha! Let’s go then, dyke!” Leaping forward, the young fox flew towards the otters’ face, his claws and teeth at the ready. But once more, the heavy pounding of hooves assaulted him, followed by the force of the draft horse colliding with his small form. Ghost flew across the field, landing with a crack and a thud. The fox spun to his feet, spitting with rage. There was the dark horse again, standing between him and his prey.
“YOU FUCKING BASTARD!!” He snarled. Digging his claws into the moist earth, he raced through the long grasses towards the black colt. Shadowfax returned the gesture with a whinny and a shake of his mane, his heavy body plowing forward like a freight train. The fox leaped high, letting a ball of venomous spit loose from his maw. The dark fluid landed at the horses’ hooves, forcing him to rear back. With a vicious shriek, the fox lunged. Shadowfax roared as he felt the small foxes’ lithe form latch onto his haunches, before his sharp teeth sank into the thick flesh under the fur with repeated zealotry. The horses' flames flared, but the fox refused to relent. With a frustrated snort, the colt bucked and thrashed, lashing the fox around violently. Ghost clung to the horses’ back, his face and chest colliding with the hard body beneath him with each impact. With a wild whinny, the horse pushed himself back, landing with all of his weight onto the gray Eevee.

A yelp sounded through the field as the horse got to his feet. Shadowfax turned to the small fox, his nostrils flaring with an awakened rage. Smoke curled around his fleshy nose as he glowered over him. The temperature slowly began to increase around him. Ghost lay on his side, his mouth twisted into a pained scowl. The vulpine struggled for air, his beaten body pushing itself up with a strained effort.
“The-cough-the fuck you-co-cough!- y-you waiting for!?” Ghost wheezed through bared teeth. “Roast m-cough-me already! You f-cough-fuckin’ coward! D-on't you dare hold ba-back!”

Shadowfax stared at the young fox before him, his breath slowing. Through clenched teeth, he raised his head to glance at the others across the field, where his eyes caught sight of the bright cyan colt. “You never answered m-me before. Wh-why didn’t you kill her…?” Ghost whispered, following his gaze. “Why’d you let any of them come with us…?” Shadowfaxes’ head lowered, the temperature lowering around him. “It’s not fair, Shad! I thought we were doin’ whatever the fuck we wanted! We were free!” He growled, his large ears falling against his head, his voice raspy and cracked. “I thought you said that won’t change for nothin’. That only the strong like us make it- but now they’re around and you’re defendin’ ‘em…” Ghost muttered, his eyes falling to the ground. “They ain’t strong. They ain’t even hunters. What we gonna do with a buncha’ dumbasses? They just gonna get in the way. And you gonna keep stepping in for ‘em everytime they get themselves caught up in a fight? That ain’t the way, Shad! Whatchu’ even botherin’ for?”

The black horse stared at the grasses, his eyes glazed over. “...I couldn’t.”
Ghosts’ ears perked. “What?”
“I couldn’t kill her...not when that meant killing the boy.”
Ghost eyebrows’ furrowed in confusion. “Why not? Ain’t like we haven’t killed kids before-”
Shadowfax snorted, turning away from the fox. “It’s not that, dammit. He’s too much like-...like..-”
“...Oh…” Ghosts’ ears flicked up, surprise rising from the crack in the horses' usually gruff voice. “...Shad, you shouldn’t take shit from the fuckers that wrong you.” Ghost glared at him, his lips pursing. “She ain’t worth it. And neither is the kid.”

(they're done arguing now. feel free to approach them if you wanna. needed some char development in there.)

((I feel like a douche but please skip me, I have nothing to go on since Zakai was ignored and Armonia has nothing to go on other than eavesdropping. She will introduce herself to Jack next round))

Arsi felt herself grow even smaller as Khan gave her first pickings of the berries. She knew better then to argue about it with him and, no matter how much the berries sounded nice, she still didn't feel right about. "You're welcome. Where are your burns hun?" Though her entire body felt like a burn a couple places in particular stung with a fiery passion. The tips of my ears.. the base of my tail.. my pads and my leg.. Yes, those spots hurt the most aside from the bleeding wound on her chest. "My leg has it the worst." She admitted to the Foatzel while gently shifting her body so that she could stretch out the hind leg. Her ears fell in dismay as she saw her own burnt fur and skin. How much did that branch do to it? The shock had long since faded but she still couldn't walk on the leg, at least not properly.

The Meowth stared blankly at the hat full of berries. Vaguely she could remember Khan telling her to eat what seemed felt like forever ago. I had said no. A raw feeling in her stomach told the feline good and well that she couldn't refuse this time. If its just one.. there will be plenty for Khan to use. Shame burned hot in her ears as the cat pawed one of the berries from the hat and slowly attempted to gnaw at it. Hunger called to her but Arsi's mouth felt like an ash cloud, making the fruit taste simply awful. Don't waste the medicine. Her own thoughts hissed at her, forcing the cat to finish the berry to no satisfaction.

Legends help me Im useless. Wincing at the pain in her leg the feline needed something to distract her. The bickering nearby only made her chest wound hurt more while the idea of a newcomer was growing more uncomfortable. This group was already a sham, more Pokemon would easily cause it to rip in two. You shouldn't be here friend..

((Might as well skip me since Khan isn't doing much. He's waiting for Arsi to get treatment before he has any. He isn't paying much attention to the fight, lol. Aqua or Arsi are free to try and prompt him to eat, however.))

“You think you can top me? Act like a male? Tell ME what to do?? You??? The inferior!? Hahahahaha! Let’s go then, dyke!” Aqua's eyes grow large as the hostile eevee springs for her. Why she was as surprised as she was she couldn't say. The off-colored canine had made it very clear before how he felt about them. Her fur bristles and she braces in anticipation of clashing with him, but Ghost never reaches her. To her greater surprise, his ponyta partner comes to her rescue. The result is a screeching mess of teeth, bucking, and flames. The otter stands like a statue in place with her fur bristling and eyes locked on the match. It's not until Ghost is brought to a crashing defeat that she's able to comfortably focus again on the two who need her aid before her. The eevee was not about to get up easily from that blow and this task was more important than the canine's issues with her.

"My leg has it the worst." The water-type nods.
"Of course, now just hold still darlin'." Carefully the floatzel reaches forward to rub the pulp she's created onto the burns. As she worked to get the worst of the burns other areas caught her attention. Reaching to crush several more berries Aqua reaches to gingerly apply pulp to Arsi's scorched pads. Hearing the cat reach for a berry to eat she smiles.
"You'll be feeling fit as fiddle in no time." Using her tails again she pushes her hat towards Khan as well.
"You should try and get some in too. Miss Arsi is already starting on a share."

“...Shad, you shouldn’t take shit from the fuckers that wrong you. She ain’t worth it. And neither is the kid.”

The horse stared down at the fox, his gaze filled with sadness at the mention of the young colt. With a growling utterance, he turned away and trudged towards the others.
"Let it lie, Ghost."
The gray foxes' face twisted with pain as he pulled himself up, tentatively stretching his hind leg. As the pain dulled, Ghost watched the dark Ponyta cross the brightening field. With a grim countenance, he limped into the thickening brush.

___

Shadowfax approached the others with a heavy sigh, his head low and his flames quiet. The stinging lacerations along his back burned, but he payed little attention to them. Instead, he offered a quiet nod towards the assisting otter and the Sandslash, before taking a small patch of dirt for himself near the group. Folding his large legs underneath his body, he watched the light eat the shadows that had been looming in the dark forest at the foot of the mountain.

(Ugh, I'm sorry for the crap post. I'm sick again, because my head feels really fuzzy. Ghost went off to kill something for food, and Shad is just gonna keep watch at the perimeter of the group. I figure it's time for everyone to catch up and chat or whatever, and that's best done without Ghost there. Okay, going back to bed now)

Armonia, satisfied that Zakai was safe and out of trouble, watched the newly assembled ensemble carefully. They all seemed wary, worn down, and unsure. It was a dangerous sort of mix for someone fond of minds games like the devilish Eevee seemed to be. But...Shadowfax....he seemed to just go with it. And yet he still stood up to the foul little beast when the time came for it so certainly there was still something of her eldest child still remaining in there. Something that the ashen fox couldn't squash out desperate as he may have tried. And that gave her hope.

As Shadow returned from...well...wherever he went the Rapidash offered him a bright smile which seemed to go ignored. He rested himself a noticeable distance from the group but still kept himself in direct sight which showed the female that he did intend to keep the group at his side even if he wasn't willing to admit it yet. With a renewed confidence she found herself strolling over to Shadow and nickering gently to him as she drew closer. "Shadowfax," Armonia began, stopping a few paces away but still close enough for him to realize she wasn't just going to pass him by even if he wanted her to. "I think now that things are a little quieter," she made no effort to disguise the fact that she meant the wretched Eevee wasn't around, "we should take this chance to talk about what happened. I need to know how you survived sweetie....and if any of your siblings made it out like you did. You don't know how worried I was...."

________________________

Zakai watched as the others received treatment and food while his mother's focus seemed to be elsewhere. He was so used to taking his cues from her that he didn't know what to do when she walked away to go join the darker Ponyta. Was that creature really his brother? What if there were others Mother hadn't mentioned? Should he ask? But...if she hadn't mentioned them before now maybe that meant he wasn't supposed to know. So why wouldn't she want him to? Mother, he was beginning to realize, was a deep well of secrets and the more he tried to answer the more questions he gave himself.

The small foal's eyes drifted often to the pile of berries but never once did he move to take one. He mouth burned from lack of water and his stomach was a knot for going most of the previous day without time for food, but usually Mother was the one to provide. She wasn't giving him anything so he wasn't going to take it. It wasn't his to have unless she gave. So....why wasn't Mother there? He whined pathetically, tucking his legs beneath him as he lowered his head to the ground, almost curled to his stomach as if the pose would comfort the hunger pains into ceasing.

"...Momma..."

The others' reactions weren't... quite what the little sandslash was expecting. He expected hostility or even hoped for friendliness, but outright dismissal dripping with disdain? That was... odd. He wasn't sure all of the group even knew he was there as the strange skeletal-painted horse merely walked past, as well as a floatzel and lucario going about their own business. His friendly smile faltered a little as the others passed him by, turning into shock when a little gray eevee erupted in front of him, fur bristled and shrieking.

“Oooh, you bastard! You fucking give up, just like that?! Well that’s no fucking challenge, none at all!” The Eevee's leer was challenging, begging for a fight, but Jack stayed his ground, watching warily. “Look at this, another waste of meat, just beggin’ to be gutted!”

His spines slowly rose, unsure whether or not the little spitfire would attack. "Another"? Had they killed friendly passerby before? Jack didn't get quite a chance to defend himself, though, as the floatzel spoke first. "Only someone who's brainless would attack alone against a head. Besides, he ain't a 'walker' as you call 'em, so why is it pricking your hide? Your partner said it before! There's no benefit in killing the yet living. Back off it."

Her accent alone made Jack relax slightly, knowing that drawl as his own. He nodded in gratitude, but she didn't seem too interested in acknowledging it. Still, the fact that she made the little bloodthirsty devil pause gave him enough peace of mind to try and stay with them. But the little Eevee wasn't about to be dominated like that, and gave her a piece of his mind.

“...What’d you say, bitch?” Turning his anger onto the floatzel, he snarled at her, but then quickly turned back to Jack. “Hah, look at that, ya pussy!” He jeered at Jack, his sneer growing. “This pathetic female has more balls than you do!” He turned back to the water weasel, snapping still. “You think you can top me? Act like a male? Tell ME what to do?? You??? The inferior!? Hahahahaha! Let’s go then, dyke!”

Before Jack could try and intervene -since the little shit had no right talkin' to a lady like that- the sound of heavy hooves halted his movements. And just in time-- the ponyta took out the fox, asserting his rank in the group to leader in Jack's eyes. The fox himself had been catapulted to the other side of the field, who then screamed obscenities and started charging, which the horse retaliated. Making his way away from the fight, Jack made sure that he wouldn't get caught in the crossfire. What the hell was wrong with these people...?!

Soon after the thought struck him, he shook his head. He shouldn't pass judgement on them-- not yet. He didn't even know their names and already he was putting them in the ranks of Royce and that funny little emporer glaceon he'd met. Maybe they had just lost another member. Maybe they just got out of a rough time. Maybe these folks 're jest... not what yer used to, Jack. Gonna have'ta make yer mark. Show yer useful.

Nodding to himself, he followed the floatzel and lucario, watching carefully as they tended to a wounded pink meowth. He watched as the eevee and horse got in a tiff, but figured trying to break it up wouldn't... be the best of ideas. Carefully choosing his words and approach, he cleared his throat and began. "...Say, uh... Looks like she's pretty hurt. Anyway I can help?"

---

Dis had kept to the back of the pack, eyes catching every detail. Some sort of new pokemon had distracted the group for a moment, but it passed by it fairly quickly. Slinking along the line of shadow, he watched as the two more interesting pokemon of the group went on their own, fighting amongst themselves, unaware of their eavesdropper. The eevee had already suffered a massive blow, and then another when the ponyta laid all his weight onto the fox, beginning to crush him. The imp gave out a loud yelp, perking Dis' ears. Such a strange sound. He wondered what other sounds the imp would make in pain. Curious, he carefully stalked closer, his body instinctively low to the ground, hidden by the grass. He paused when he was finally close enough to hear their conversation.

“You never answered m-me before. Wh-why didn’t you kill her…?” Imp began, his voice hoarse with blood and pain. “Why’d you let any of them come with us…?” The horse had no reply, and Imp didn't take kindly to that. “It’s not fair, Shad! I thought we were doin’ whatever the fuck we wanted! We were free! I thought you said that won’t change for nothin’. That only the strong like us make it- but now they’re around and you’re defendin’ ‘em…” Imp's face and tone turned defeated, which merely confused Dis. Why? Did the pony betray him? It would certainly seem that way-- the imp critically injured, pinned beneath the other's bulk.  “They ain’t strong. They ain’t even hunters. What we gonna do with a buncha’ dumbasses? They just gonna get in the way. And you gonna keep stepping in for ‘em everytime they get themselves caught up in a fight? That ain’t the way, Shad! Whatchu’ even botherin’ for?”

The black horse stared at the grasses, his eyes glazed over. “...I couldn’t.”

Imp's ears perked as the horse finally responded, in time with Dis'. “What?”

“I couldn’t kill her...not when that meant killing the boy.”

Imp's eyebrows furrowed in confusion, mimicking Dis' expression. “Why not? Ain’t like we haven’t killed kids before-”

The horse snorted, turning away from the fox. “It’s not that, dammit. He’s too much like-...like..-”

“...Oh…” This seemed to mean something to Imp, whereas Dis had no idea as to what was being referenced. Apparently it was a grave enough subject to not even have to be mentioned. Eyes still wide, soaking in every minute movement, he cataloged the information. He would need to find out. “...Shad, you shouldn’t take shit from the fuckers that wrong you.” Imp's tone was softer, gentler; more like a parent scolding a child. “She ain’t worth it. And neither is the kid.”

The horse turned back to his companion and simply stated, "Let it lie, Ghost."

It seemed enough of a sentence to command Imp to stop his persistent opposition, the two parting ways; the horse back to the superficial mother and Imp into the brush, likely to lick his wounds. Dis chose to follow the latter-- he was the only pokemon Dis seemed to get along with. Haunting his steps, silently following, the poisonous fox traced Imp's steps to wherever he was going.

((Feel free to have Ghost notice Dis, Ana. Hope I didn't get anything wrong-- it was a lot to recount.))

Arsi took in a deep breathe, trying to settle her tired mind. "Of course, now just hold still darlin'." With each slow movement of the Floatzels precise fingers she clenches her teeth around the berry in her mouth. Though the poultice should be helping her the pain is still all too evident and almost too much to bear. Her food is reduced to nothing as its crushed with each raw wave of pain. Not wanting to seem nearly as pathetic as she felt the Meowth relaxed her face as best she could, thinking only of the berry and not of the pain. A labored smile crossed her muzzle, an attempt to thank Aqua despite how bad the treatment felt.

"You'll be feeling fit as fiddle in no time." Doubt clouds the Meowths mind- she never felt decent these days and she sure as hell didn't feel good now. As the new Pokemon to the group approached she forced her body to stand up straighter. "...Say, uh... Looks like she's pretty hurt. Anyway I can help?" Arsi refuses to meet the Sandslash's gaze, her blue eyes cast down while her brow forrowing. Everyone is counting me out already.. he hasn't even been here five minutes and he thinks Im worthless. Was she really that useless to them? It wasn't her fault she had 'appeared' here injured. "I, I will be fine. O-once Khan here is taken care of." Her voice trailed off and she could not make eye contact with any of them. I.. don't want to be coddled. Bitter feelings knotted in her stomach as she moved her leg back to a more comfortable position, sitting tall still despite the pain.

"You should try and get some in too. Miss Arsi is already starting on a share." Nodding more affirmatively the Meowth looks to Khan with full attention and worry. "Its my turn to tell you to eat." Her stomach still knotted with bitter feelings, appetite gone and hunger pangs dull. Tucking her paws closer to her body the cat was stiff. "Im not touching anymore until you do." Feisty wasn't her thing but if it made the Lucario eat she would have to be. Firmly holding the jackals red gaze she will not accept no as an answer.

An awful pounding beats against the felines skull. Suddenly she felt crowded by the group. Everyone was big or powerful, while she was neither. Though the angrier side seemed to of fizzled away, the foxes vanishing and the dark horse quieted, the rest of the Pokemon did little to ease her tension. The foals presence would of comforted her if she didn't worry for his safety. This is no place for Pokemon like us. A shiver runs down her spine. Why was that Eevee always shouting? All the Eevee' she had met before weren't nearly as.. bitter. And all the fire horses looked so strange. She blinks her crystal eyes hard. Different thoughts, think something else! Looking to the Sandslash Arsi wrecks her brain for the name he had mentioned earlier. Jack, was it? "My name is Arsi." She speaks, trying her best to keep the quiver out of her voice.

The blackness that cloaked Khan behind closed eyes seemed to dispel as the sun began to peek over the mountain tops in the distance, its warmth caressing his beaten, bruised face like a gentle hug. His crusty eyes flickered open and watched as Arsi had her wounds treated. His heart softened at the sight of her, flooding him with relief. While berries were by no means the best at treating wounds, they got the job done - she was going to be all right. Now, if the cold oblivion of death was to sweep over him, he could step into its arms without fear ... and a little less regret.

The Sandslash that had appeared earlier had come over to investigate, and Khan listened as Arsi brought the attention back to him. "I, I will be fine. O-once Khan here is taken care of." Almost automatically, his arm slip from his lap down to his side, and his hand reached into the hat and began to fumble around. "Its my turn to tell you to eat," the young cat added, staring straight into his eyes. "I'm not touching anymore until you do."

Khan's ribs jolted with pain as he let out a huff - the closest he could get to a laugh. "All right ... you win." His fingers latched onto one of what he was looking for - a Rawst Berry - and he quickly brought it up to his mouth. He chewed it slowly, grimacing a little at the bitter taste, and the second that he swallowed, the burns underneath his fur began to tingle. Soon, instead of a stiff sting, there was a comforting warmth embracing his chest and arms.

"That's better," he sighed deeply, reaching back into the hat and searching for either an Oran or Sitrus berry. His eyes latched onto the Floatzel where she sat nearby, his powerful gaze expressing more than his frozen expression ever could. "Thank you. I will repay your kindness in time. I don't..." he paused as he found a small Oran Berry and popped it into his mouth. "I don't think I caught your name. Nor your's," he added, looking to the Sandslash. "I am Khan."

Aqua stops as the newcomer clears his throat and approaches.
"...Say, uh... Looks like she's pretty hurt. Anyway I can help?" Looking the sandslash up and down, she turns fully to him.
"Dear God in the mornin' that was quite the first impression of us. We almost all got into a tussle again, but you weren't here to see none of the first time." As the dark ponyta walks past beyond them the floatzel momentarily pauses as he gives her a slight nod. Unsure what to think of the action or him in general she simply returns the motion.
"I, I will be fine. O-once Khan here is taken care of." Turning her attention back to those who she's helping a look of determination replaces the lingering doubts about their fellow group members for the time being.
"Try to take it easy hun."
"Its my turn to tell you to eat,"
"I'm not touching anymore until you do."
"All right ... you win."
The water type can't help but grin at the exchange. When was the last time she witnessed a decent exchange like that? No undead or barely contained hostility? Probably not since before the world ended in the before time, with Oliver.
"...Momma..." As they had been talking the young ponyta had made his way towards their small gathering. It doesn't take Aqua long to guess why. The foal stares intently at her hat, particularly the berries.
"So you want to help? Then help me get the little one to eat something. You don't mind if we give a berry or two to the little colt do you Mr. Khan?" Kneeling beside Zak she reaches down to gently stroke his shoulder. The foal's pitiful whining draws her mouth back into a hard crease. The further the young fire type curls up the more concerned she becomes.
"My name is Aqua by the way."
"Thank you. I will repay your kindness in time. I don't..." The otter's fur prickles slightly as she returns the jackel's gaze. Despite his hard expression his eyes says everything. There's a lot of strength in this one...he's battered as anything and still holding it together..they both are.
"Aw, shucks. We haven't been acquainted long, but something about you tells me you'd have done the same thing if the tables were turned. As the first rays of sunlight peek over the horizon to warm her fur the sea weasel sighs. Darn it's been a long night...Who'd believe not even several days ago she'd been swimming in the waters of her home island before being put here in the middle of a forest fire. The momentary peace the team is in just makes her realize how exhausting its been.
"If you don't mind me asking, what happened to y'all? We're all tired, but you look like you've got it tenfold compared to us."

Shadowfax watched quietly as the others settled down, the water weasel passing the medicinal plants to the battered pair. Their strange kindness towards each other confused him. What was the point in sacrificing your health for anothers’? The cat didn’t seem capable of surviving on her own without the large jackal, so it was perhaps a technique to maintain her damaged bodyguard, he concluded. But where was the benefit for him, this Kahn? What could such a small thing offer in return that would be worthwhile to the seasoned fighter? And what of the water type, with her strange attire? Did she partake as the healer in her past herd? The entire group was an enigma to the dark horse, but he cared little for their trivial conversations.

The low whinny from the approaching Rapidash interrupted his thoughts and bristled the horses’ fur, his silver gaze carefully avoiding the slender face as she drew closer. "Shadowfax," She started, standing a few feet away. Shadow swallowed hard as canid snarls began to echo faintly.  "I think now that things are a little quieter, we should take this chance to talk about what happened. I need to know how you survived sweetie....and if any of your siblings made it out like you did. You don't know how worried I was...."

The dark horses’ mind spun with her stifling presence, his ears barely able to discern what she said over the ever intensifying sound of the dogs, howling and snarling. With a sudden flare of his mane and a harsh snort, the skeletal Ponyta got to his feet.
“Survived…?” He hissed with baited breath. “No one survived. Your children all died in that field. You left them all to be butchered.” The dark horses’ vision began to blacken, his bitter tone masking the mounting terror within. Screams and deafening snarls echoed in time with the pounding of his racing heart. Fear and agony ripped through him, his mothers’ face barely recognizable through the pitch haze. His eyes became unfocused and empty. The horse stepped back, lowering his head as pain ripped through it.  

Screams. 
Terrified screams. 
Screams ripping from the throat of a colt. 
BLOOD.
RIKU!
The thrashing child, his thin legs desperately kicking and digging into the soft earth.
BLOOD.
RIKU NOOOOO!
NOOOOOO!
Throaty snarls.
So loud. 
Overwhelming his senses. 
Vicious monsters everywhere.
Eager to devour and feast. 
BLOOD.
Crimson-dipped fangs, sinking themselves deep into the childs' flesh with urgent desire and need.
Screams.
The terrible screams.


Shadowfax gasped, squinting his eyes tight against the flashing visions. “No!" He whispered, shaking his head hard. His eyes snapped open, alight with ferocity. “You can't possibly comprehend what was lost…” He snarled under his breath, searching her face. “...Do you know what Ghost and I do...? We kill and burn monsters, so they won’t hurt anyone ever again.” He paused, approaching her as his voice grew cold. “And you...you’re a monster.”

______________________

“Can’t believe that fucking pansy bastard. After all the shit I done for him. Can’t even handle gankin' a sad little brat without gettin’ all doe-eyed.”
The gray foxes’ maw held a deep scowl as he limped towards a rotting log, sitting tentatively in its’ shadow. “What the fuck ever...he wants to go play house with the dumb bitch, let him. I don’t give a fuck.” With a faint hiss, he pulled his leg in, angrily lapping at the bloodied fur. A soft rustling made the Eevee freeze, his long sharp ears snapping to attention. He lifted his angular snout to the passing morning breeze. The faint scent of sickness invaded his nostrils as he sniffed the air.

“...Floppy?..” He growled, his eyes narrowing at the darkness. “...Havin' fun skulkin' in the bushes?"

(er, not sure where I’m going with Shadow, I’m just going with the flow. he wont attack her, but she sure is getting him riled XD. and he mentioned ghost on purpose, to make her feel uneasy. i think the dynamic he has with ghost is the closest thing he has to a family, and he’ll throw that in her face. poor shad can’t even deal with talking about what happened without flipping out, so don’t expect any substantial talk from him lol. hes also whispering half this stuff because he doesn’t want zak to hear it, so you can do with that what you want)

“Survived…?” No one survived. Your children all died in that field. You left them all to be butchered.”

Armonia's eyes went wide in shock at the blatant accusation, the thought of her son harboring such a false hatred for her never occurring to the mare. "Shadowfax....what are you talking about? I didn't leave you. I lured them away and came back as soon as I could." But the child didn't seem to hear, his eyes glazed over as though some kind of fog had come over his mind. She knelt down to try and nose him, to try and offer some sort of comfort to the pain inside his heart but his ardent scream made her back off quickly, alarm flashing through her like lightning.

“You can't possibly comprehend what was lost…” Her heart began to beat more rapidly.
“...Do you know what Ghost and I do...?" Blood began pounding in her ears, knees locking as though the purple flamed equine were trying to hold back bursting into a run.
We kill and burn monsters, so they won’t hurt anyone ever again.” She backed away slightly only to be slowly followed by the quiet fuming of her eldest child.

“And you...you’re a monster.”

Tears broke quickly from Armonia's eyes as she turned with a whinny, rushing away to escape from the icy daggers tearing at her heart. What Shadowfax said wasn't true...it wasn't. Even if all of her children died it wasn't her fault. She tried protecting them, she did! She just didn't make it back in time. He couldn't blame her for that....she tried....

She tried...

_________________________

Zakai watched his mother flee from the group and rush off into the forest, his dark 'brother' standing there watching her leave without even a blink in response. Was this what the rest of his siblings were like? Why weren't they there when he was born? Was it because they all didn't like mother? But mother was such a wonderful.....groooowl.

His empty stomach reminded the foal otherwise. Sometimes mother wasn't so wonderful. She was flighty and her thoughts were fleeting, often leaving the young foal behind without realizing before coming back to usher him along. And this wasn't the first time he had gone without food but it was the longest he had gone without. The boy was hungry and there wasn't anything he could do about it on his own. Looking to the water weasel, who was the only one to acknowledge him even though he had been there since before she was, he offered a small whine. "Hungry..." he whimpered sadly, curling in as his stomach let out another painful growl. The child was too young to take care of himself but mother always seemed to forget that part.

The small pinkish meowth kept her eyes averted, the floatzel being the first one to answer him. "Dear God in the mornin' that was quite the first impression of us. We almost all got into a tussle again, but you weren't here to see none of the first time." Jack's face broke out into a broad grin for just a moment, always thrilled to hear a fellow accent like hers. He waved off her embarrassed comment in a sweet manner, honestly not caring what state they were in-- he was just happy they weren't hostile. Well... not all of them, at least.

"I, I will be fine. O-once Khan here is taken care of," the little Meowth piped, her voice soft as the others turned to her. However, her eyes went to the canid, a more stern expression settling. "Try to take it easy hun," the floatzel cooed, but the meowth's eyes stayed on the canid. "Its my turn to tell you to eat. I'm not touching anymore until you do." The canid didn't put up much of a fight, simply chuckling and admitting tired defeat. "All right ... you win." It made Jack's heart soar to see two pokemon legitimately care about one another again; after poor Miss Rose and Royce, he'd lost a little hope that the kind of trust and love he thought was out there was no longer a part of their world. But lo and behold... true friendship. Right in front of him.

After taking a rather small berry for himself, he thanked the floatzel and turned to her and Jack himself. "I don't think I caught your name. Nor your's," he added, glancing at Jack. "I am Khan." Of course remembering his manners, the sandslash turned to his fellow country folk and waited for her to speak first, but a frail voice to the weasel's other side managed to make itself known before she could reply.

"...Momma..."

Jack leaned to find a sickly-looking, vibrantly blue foal curled up, whimpering and quivering. Jack's eyes went wide at the sight; how in the hell had he managed to miss seeing the little guy?! He practically glowed in the dim lighting! His guilt rising at the thought that he'd just gone and ignored a little kid obviously needing something, he could only sigh and turn to the floatzel when she started speaking. "So you want to help? Then help me get the little one to eat something. You don't mind if we give a berry or two to the little colt do you Mr. Khan?" Jack gave her a stern nod, ready to find some more food for the poor kid. All of them, really. Looked like they had been starvin' for a while. "My name is Aqua by the way."

Jack gave another nod, and a heartfelt smile. With her being so concerned with the foal, Jack wasn't sure whether or not she was actually speaking to him, but he didn't care. He would still help. "Good t' meet you, Miss Aqua. I've got good legs'n a strong back. I kin help you find sum scroungin's for these here folks. Good t' meet all ya." He smiled at the others, then turned back to Miss Aqua. "Ready when you 'r', Ma'am." She continued to speak with the canid, but Jack was fine with waiting. It seemed he'd found a good bunch of decent folks.


----


“Can’t believe that fucking pansy bastard. After all the shit I done for him. Can’t even handle gankin' a sad little brat without gettin’ all doe-eyed.”

The imp continued to grumble and mumble, carrying on under his breath as he limped toward a rotting log, likely to sit and rest. Secluding himself while injured in unfamiliar territory seemed a lethal mistake for someone such as him, but Dis was unfamiliar with social matters. Maybe this is what one was supposed to do after such a disagreement. Maybe Imp was merely hiding, now that the leader had essentially scolded and disciplined him. Was this shame, driving Imp away from the safety of the group? Dis had never felt such a thing, only heard of it. “What the fuck ever...he wants to go play house with the dumb bitch, let him. I don’t give a fuck.” Yes... shame, embarrassment... That had to be what was happening.

“...Floppy?..” Dis perked out of the murky waters of his thoughts to see Imp staring at him, through Dis' cloak of leaves. “...Havin' fun skulkin' in the bushes?" Dis blinked, then decided that it seemed his company wasn't completely unwanted.

"...No," he replied, emerging from the brush to sit directly in front of Imp, his eternal stare boring down at the small irate Eevee. "...You left." It was more of an observation, rather than a complaint, but with Dis' lack of body language, it would have been difficult for anyone to tell.

The sight of Khan eating is enough to let relief wash over her, her wounds suddenly hurting a lot less as though the stress had kept them blazing. Muscles easing she found herself able to relax once more and settled again into a more comfortable position. Even the strange accent of the Pokemon around her became soothing, the odd stresses enough to bring her mind away from the pain- "If you don't mind me asking, what happened to y'all? We're all tired, but you look like you've got it tenfold compared to us." The fur on the back of her neck rose high and stiff. Her eyes fled the other Pokemon, locking on the ground but staying on no one position for more then a moment. No, no she could not relax. The Floatzel's question seemed aimed at Khan but the feline paid no attention to that. "W-we.. Pallet Town.. on, fire.." Flashes of the still burning city came across her eyes, the dragons who caused it coming next.

It seemed that within an instant all good feelings fled her body to be replaced by a cold dread and her heart pummeling her ribcage. "Shiloh.. Ha-ha.. Haze.." Trembling hard the Meowth could still see the dirt in her claws from being underground and her own blood that now stained the ground. Her blood.. her blood didn't cover as much area as the Nuzleaf's did. I could of died too.. Practically gasping for air Arsi taste the smoke and fire on her still burning throat. No, no it wasn't the Ponyta or the fire nearby. No no no it was the dragon, the one Khan hadn't had a chance to kill. It had to be, they had to be coming here, coming for them. But.. where was here? Choking on her own tongue the cat coughed and wheezed, thick Acid welling from her stomach and hissing as it touched the ground and slowly tried to fizzle away.

Arsi squeezed into a tight ball, tucking her muzzle below her paws and pressing closer to Khan. "We're not safe here ether.. they're coming, they have to be." They had already lost Haze, and Shiloh was MIA.. now they had more Pokemon to worry about. No matter how aggressive the Eevee was, or bitter the Ponyta seemed, there was no way they had strength. We are all going to die here. Hell she could still hear them arguing, or was it someone else? Screaming.. The noises echoed in her ears, voices and cries that she would not directly recognize. They were too far away to be of her company but too familiar to ignore.. "Where are you.." The Meowth whispered in a small, quiet voice muffled by fur.

Khan laid his head back on the rock, closed his eyes and let the berries do their work. Even to this day he was amazed at just how quickly they healed - less than a minute after his Rawst and Oran berries, his burns tingled pleasantly, like they were being dipped in cool water. The pain in his chest eased a little, but he reckoned he might need one or two more healing berries before it ceased anymore - broken ribs weren't as easy to repair.

He reached back into Aqua's hat, fumbling around for another Oran or a Sitrus berry, just as the Floatzel spoke up. "You don't mind if we give a berry or two to the little colt do you Mr. Khan?" Khan took one look at the small Ponyta nearby and said, "I insist on it."

"If you don't mind me asking, what happened to y'all?" Aqua inquired as she knelt beside the colt and began to stroke him. "We're all tired, but you look like you've got it tenfold compared to us." Khan felt Arsi tense up next to him and he held her closer. He knew exactly why she was anxious - he himself was sure that he would never forget what had happened back in Kanto. The soaring flames; the thundering giants; the Garchomp rising up out of the flames like a demon, skin and muscle practically dripping from her bones like candle wax.

"W-we.. Pallet Town.. on, fire.." Khan nodded, focusing intently on a mountain peak illuminated in golden sunlight in the distance, hoping it would tear away the visions. "There was a small group of us in Pallet Town, just across the Kanto border," he explained, gently patting the trembling Meowth on the back. "We were ambush by two very powerful undead. They burnt half the town to the ground."
"Shiloh.. Ha-ha.. Haze.." Khan nodded again, squeezing his eyes closed as he remembered his old companions. And Haze, whom he had failed to protect.

He opened his eyes again, allowing the tears to fall. "We're the only ones left. I managed to kill one of them - the Tyranitar - but the Garchomp..." She was still alive, or as alive as an incinerated undead could be. "I wouldn't be surprised if she was still hunting me after what I did."

"We're not safe here ether.. they're coming, they have to be." Clearly he'd said the wrong thing. Cursing his carelessness, Khan pulled Arsi closer. "We're too far away for her to find us," he gently lied. "And even if she did, I'd never let her hurt you."

And by Arceus's name he meant it.

"W-we.. Pallet Town.. on, fire.."
Even as she spoke her question, Aqua feels a lump rising in her throat. The meowth begins to trembling and curl in on herself...Perhaps she should never have asked. The floatzel watches Arsi quietly breakdown, unsure of what to do, but thankfully the jackel quickly responds.
"There was a small group of us in Pallet Town, just across the Kanto border," He pats his trembling companion as he continues which brings comfort to the sea weasel as well...Whatever they have survived they had done it together and were not alone. There was some humanity left in the world. "We were ambush by two very powerful undead. They burnt half the town to the ground."
"Shiloh.. Ha-ha.. Haze.." By this point, the water-type could even see the haunted look in the lucario's gaze and the tears that begin to fall.
"We're the only ones left. I managed to kill one of them - the Tyranitar - but the Garchomp..."

"I-I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up. I understand it is a mighty painful memory." Aqua starts, taking a moment to take the stutter from her voice. The feline was already upset, it would do her no good for her to see those around her unsure or nervous.
"But like Mr.Khan said, you're safe now, and that thing is far away..." At least, she hoped it was...not that she would ever voice out loud the end to her thought. So...Kanto eh? This sure ain't just a hop skip and a jump from Mossdeep...what happened...? Before the sea weasel could go too far into her pondering on their location and thoughts of home a whimper brings her to the present.
"Hungry..." This time, she could hear his stomach growling as he curls further in on himself. "Just hold on a minute longer hun..!" Aqua calls, reaching with a renewed vigor towards her hat to withdraw what few berries were left. Gingerly, she places them before the young equine.
"This here is all we have left for the moment, but it should tide you over till we rummage up something else." The floatzel says with a sweet grin while hoping that this would not become another lie.
"Good t' meet you, Miss Aqua. I've got good legs'n a strong back. I kin help you find sum scroungin's for these here folks. Good t' meet all ya."
"Ready when you 'r', Ma'am."
Between speaking with their hurt companions and trying to comfort Zak, she had lost track of the newcomer. When he speaks, she turns around surprised as if him speaking had caught her off guard. Quickly regaining her composure she nods.
"Of course." Picking up her now empty hat, she gives it a shake to get out any stubborn leaves or grass, and places it back onto her head.
"You all will be alright with us gone? We'll try and be as quick as an arbok's strike."Her words border between a question and a statement. Was there even a choice that didn't let the young one continue starving? True, she had left them alone when she left to get berries. However, as she considers leaving ago...after hearing their story and watching the foal deteriorate she can't help but feel a worried. Mr.Khan had put on a good show for the hostiles before, but he was in no condition to fight if things went sour and much less so the feline or ponyta.

Finally looking back to the sandslash and starting to head out.
"That's good to hear. From how things are unfolding from this book we're gonna need all the help we can get." Glancing around into the foliage, her eyes scan for where she had seen the berry tree from before. She could have sworn there were a few left to pick...but everything was too unfamiliar to her eyes. What she wouldn't give to have access to an ocean right now...easy to find, and plenty of prey...though, perhaps the foal wouldn't be as keen on calamari as her.
"So, Mr.Jack, are you familiar with Kanto at all? I can make head or tails myself of landmarks in this neck of the woods. I found berries before, but hell if I can remember how I found it the first time."


((ooc: Aqua doesn't have a clue what region she's actually in lol.))

The dark Ponyta watched zealously as his mothers’ face betrayed her, obvious distress brimming over in tears. She bolted, azure fires clinging to her slender body as she disappeared into the forest. He made no move to follow or stop her- why should he? She deserved to feel pain. She deserved to feel guilt. She may have buried her crimes in denial all these years, but Shadowfax would make certain that she would regret every breath she took in, from this moment on.

His pale gaze slid to the cyan colt, who had been staring at him with wide and confused eyes. The childs’ wondering eyes awoke something in the older horse, his breath catching as a memory flickered in the back of his mind.

The grasses were pale with the flickering of his silvery mane, a cold beacon in the darkness. “Shadow? Shadow... will you tell me a story?” The cream-colored Ponyta laying against his dark pelt whimpered. His large eyes shone like stars in the darkness, gazing up at him endearingly. His mane was out, leaving only the older brothers’ flame to warm them.
“Come on, it’s late...you should be asleep.” Shadowfax yawned, glancing at the rest of the sleeping herd.
“...I know...I’m sorry...but I can’t sleep.” The colt whispered, his small body beginning to quiver. The older brothers’ gaze grew soft, recognizing the childs’ fear.
“Hey, remember the one with the firefly?” He whispered excitedly, lowering his head with a gentle grin. The childs’ shivering lessened as the smile was returned. “Yeah…!” Riku shimmied closer, his ears erect as he listened intently.

___________________________

"...No," came the curt reply from the painfully thin Eeveelution, as he slunk out of the bushes to sit in front of the gray fox. "...You left." The toxic fox stared down at him, with unblinking, blood-red eyes. Ghosts’ brows furrowed, his mouth tightening into a scowl.

“What’s it to you, Sherlock? You miss the bitch-fit he was throwin’?”  He growled, nodding back at the camp. “Tireda’ gettin’ my ass handed to me for no good reason, is all. That worthless skank turned him against me. What I wouldn’t give to rip into her hide...” The gray fox snarled, his voice lowering as he licked at his wounded leg.

"This here is all we have left for the moment, but it should tide you over till we rummage up something else."

Zakai was dumbfounded as the watery female offered him berries, staring at them for a moment before looking up at her. She wasn't mother...mother's brought the food....didn't they? Was he allowed to eat when someone else fed him? The others had eaten what she had given, though, so maybe she was like a traveling mother? Maybe she was a mommy to everyone at once wherever she was? As he watched the others finishing their share of berry the timid foal carefully stretched out his neck to reach for one of the offered berries. Gently opening his lips he put them around just one before pausing to look to see if it was ok, but no one told him no. Pulling back he waited until no one was looking before chewing only once and swallowing the bitter berry almost whole. The taste got to him a bit but at this point he was too hungry to care.

He quickly devoured the two remaining berries and was sad when they were gone, his tummy now more instant than it had been previously now that it knew he had food around. Sadly it was all gone and he didn't know what to do. "You all will be alright with us gone? We'll try and be as quick as an arbok's strike." The question took Zakai off guard until he realized that the aquatic one and the spiny one where about to go off somewhere, just like momma. Were they going to fight an Arbok? Was that why she asked? Merely looking confused the Ponyta waited for her to explain but she was already leaving with the spiny male. Whimpering sadly his eyes trailed to the black pony in the distance only to find him looking back. So with nothing else to do Zakai lay there and studied his 'brother'.

((Skipping Armonia since she fucked off somewhere lol))

Jack couldn't help but let his heart go out to the poor cat and blue canid. Their story sounded just like a nightmare, but then again, just about everyone else still alive had a story that was all-too-close to theirs. Sighing, he kept his nose out of their pain; he'd just met them, after all. It seemed intrusive and just plain ole' rude to hear their losses like that. His eye turned to the little blue colt, whimpering for his mother and hunger. Wondering where his mother exactly was, his eyes now almost frantically scanning for a glimpse of the strangely-colored unicorn. But when there was no trace of her, a bit of anger rose. She'd just been talking to the angry ponyta, yeah? Then where the hell was she and why'd she leave the poor hungry one behind? She'n better b' goin' out fer food... the sandslash's inner voice growled.

But sooner than he'd thought, the other conversation seemed to be over. "You all will be alright with us gone? We'll try and be as quick as an arbok's strike," Miss Aqua asked the others, perking the sandslash for a soon departure. Well, if that mother weren't going out for food, he'd sure as hell find something for the poor foal. He followed as Miss Aqua led the way, glancing back once more at the others. How they'd made it this far was nothing short of a miracle.

"That's good to hear. From how things are unfolding from this book we're gonna need all the help we can get." Miss Aqua answered, likely referring to his earlier statement of being willing to help and very healthy. "So, Mr.Jack, are you familiar with Kanto at all? I can make head or tails myself of landmarks in this neck of the woods. I found berries before, but hell if I can remember how I found it the first time."

Jack gave a nervous chuckle and glanced around the tree limbs. "Is that whar we'are? Shoot, I had no idea. Naw, I know next to nuthin' 'bout this neck of the werld. I'm frem Orre m'self, but I'n also spent sum time in Hoenn. Don't... really know how I got 'ere 'n the first place." He glanced around spotting a bush that looked rather worse for wear. "...Maybe that one's still got sumthin?"

____________


Imp was hostile in his reply, as per the norm. “What’s it to you, Sherlock? You miss the bitch-fit he was throwin’?” little Eevee snapped, nodding back in the direction of the others. Dis didn't follow the nod, however, keeping his stare fixated on the angry fox. “Tireda’ gettin’ my ass handed to me for no good reason, is all. That worthless skank turned him against me. What I wouldn’t give to rip into her hide...”

So the beatings were common, then? Was this pony getting "brainwashed" by "skanks" also common? If so, why would Imp -or any pokemon, rather- willingly follow such a dimwitted, violent leader? Society amongst these people seemed a bit abstract to Dis, but nonetheless, he found it fascinating in its enigma. He couldn't yet seem to accurately predict it as a whole, but was able to grasp individuals themselves. This Imp was easily provoked and angered, an anger that did not subside quickly. He was a dominant sort of personality, but his diminutive stature and weak skills left him only as a subordinate to more powerful, more emotional pokemon. There was a moment of silence between the two as Dis' analysis continued, when he stood and drew closer to Imp.

"Then kill her." It was a simple solution to what he viewed as a very simple problem. "If this mare is the reason your companion has become so violent, all that's needed is her death. You've already seen she's nothing but a plump swine ready for slaughter-- just a quick bite to the throat will kill her. You've hunted, surely. Just wait until she's alone, without her guardians. Then kill her. She'd be a good meal."

The feline shook violently as the visions flashed even faster. Would they be permanent, an awful memory that would forever scar her thoughts? The soft touch of Khan's paw could only do so much to calm her as internal voices screamed in her head. "I wouldn't be surprised if she was still hunting me after what I did." Never stop... she'll never stop. Undead don't stop.. Great legends would they have to run forever? Were they going to be hunted down by a single undead while fleeing the others for the rest of their lives? Or would they not even have the luxury of life and be killed before they could run? WAs it even life if they were fleeing like that? ..Was it different how life now? Her teeth clenched tightly in surprise but relaxed as she realized it was Khan moving her closer. "We're too far away for her to find us," He reassured her with a soothing tone. "W-we, we are?" She whispered, breathless. She couldn't recall where they were.

Tilting her head upward Arsi's wide blue eyes locked with the Lucario's red ones. Staring intently into Khan's gaze it suddenly went quiet, the voices in her mind calming along with her shaking fur. "And even if she did, I'd never let her hurt you." A few wet tears oozed from the sides of her eyes as she pressed her muzzle into the dual types blue and yellow fur. If there was on thing she could trust in this life it would be the Pokemon she met so many hours ago. He would protect her, protect her no matter what. Thank you Khan.. She wanted desperately to say thank you or return the comfort to him but could not get herself to do so. She was frozen on the spot, not wanting to move in fear that the small peace she had would be taken away.

I-I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up. I understand it is a mighty painful memory." A small pinch ran through her neck and one ear flicked. A memory... if only it could be a memory. No, even if she had Khan by her side that didn't make the Garchomp just a memory. "But like Mr.Khan said, you're safe now, and that thing is far away..." The Meowth shook her head slowly, eyes dark with a solemn tone. "Even if we are safe.. she is still out there." And if she was still there Pokemon were in danger. Was Shiloh still with the dragon? She shuddered. Arceus have mercy.

((Skip for now; Khan just told Aqua that it was all right and then tried to rest for a minute, letting the berries do their work.))